Fort Worth Weekly // Summer Edition // May 24-30, 2023

FEATURE

Have a few days off?

Instead of traveling, maybe … staycation.

BY ANTHONY MARIANI

MUSIC

Cameron Smith, Summerjob, Genini, The Nancys, Katie Robertson, and more have tunes for your summering.

BY JUAN R. GOVEA, PATRICK HIGGINS, AND STEVE STEWARD

May 24-30, 2023 FREE fwweekly.com

EATS & DRINKS

Lil Boy Blue BBQ and Smoke’N Ash BBQ offer tips for your gatherings ’round the grill.

BY LAURIE JAMES

CULTURE

The museums and theaters definitely aren’t taking summer off.

BY ANTHONY MARIANI

Promotional support provided by

May 7–September 3

The exhibition is organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Kimbell Art Museum. It is supported in part by the William and Catherine Bryce Memorial Fund, the Texas Commission on the Arts, and the Fort Worth Tourism Public Improvement District.

Homeward Bound

Assorted retailers and restaurants are here to help you prep for staycationing.

By Anthony Mariani

Multiplex Madness

Bust out the popcorn for Indiana Jones, Spider-Man, the Little Mermaid, Transformers, the Flash, and more.

By Kristian Lin

Summah, Summah, Summahtime

New local tunes and big shows abound over the next few months.

By Juan R. Govea,

Summer Hooch

Local experts have whipped up some tasty new ways to beat the heat.

By Edward Brown and Laurie James

TALENTED MUSICIANS TRINITY METRO

Whether you’re playing a gig, going to a concert or just streaming songs on your headphones, saving time and money by ridesharing on Trinity Metro ZIPZONE is music to everybody’s ears! Get your first two rides free at RIDE TRINITYMETRO .or g/ ZIPZONE .

STAFF

Anthony Mariani, Editor

Lee Newquist, Publisher

Bob Niehoff, General Manager

Ryan Burger, Art Director

Jim Erickson, Circulation Director

Edward Brown, Staff Writer

Emmy Smith, Proofreader

Michael Newquist, Regional Sales Director

Jennifer Bovee, Marketing Director

Stacey Hammons, Senior Account Executive

Julie Strehl, Account Executive

Tony Diaz, Account Executive

Wyatt Newquist, Digital Coordinator

Clintastic, Brand Ambassador

Patrick Higgins, and Steve Steward

Memorial Weekend May 25-29

Let’s Rodeo

PBR Stockyards Thursday Night Showcase, Championship Rodeos, Free Kid Friday, Saturday Night Special and Sunday Matinee at Cowtown Coliseum!

John Wayne Day

Friday, May 26

Meet and greet the Wayne family, see the new 50th Anniversary “America, Why I Love Her” collection, enjoy Duke Spirits, Gold Handle Coffee tastings and much more. For more information visit JohnWayneAE.com

Sounds Like A Good Time

Live music on the Exchange Lawn Stage: Howard County, Jason Custer, Luv the DJ and Cowtown Opry.

See What’s New

Fat Tuesday, Old Gringo Boots, Stockyards Heritage Club, the Cowgirl Channel and a Vintage Railroad Caboose!

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Welcome to the Summer Edition 2023

It’s summer, so make sure to keep the thermostats at a crisp, cool 78 degrees to prevent our grid from collapsing again. Thank you. And while you’re pleasing the assholes in Austin, take that small pile of coins you’ll be saving from living in sweat both outdoors and indoors over the next few months and visit all of the wonderful restaurants, retailers, and cultural institutions in ye olde Fort Worth. They’ve got a lot for offer and never for too much moolah. It’s Fort Worth, after all. Not Austin. (Yet.)

The Summer Edition is intended for temporary timelessness, if that makes sense. (It doesn’t.) You should tuck it

underneath your arm and carry it everywhere you go like a trust fund baby’s Black AmEx card now through September. There’s lots of fun stuff inside. Great new local tunes and electrifying touring shows, all the summer blockbusters on the big screen, refreshing cocktail recipes, amazing museum exhibits, great grilling tips, spectacular plays and musicals — our Summer Edition’s got you covered. You should be getting it not just every week but every (sweltering) day.

Anthony Mariani l

Scooter Korbin Burch enjoys the new Dickies Skate Plaza at Fire Station Park as any self-respecting summer lover should.

Gino Gotelli

Should I Stay, or Should I … I’ll Stay

Got some time off but no travel cash? Look no further.

BY ANTHONY MARIANI

Hotels and B&B’s are great, but if the inflation that’s gripping the globe is too much, there’s always one place where you’re King and Queen. And everything else in between.

The ultimate staycation has always been home, and to help make those few days off work at Porchview the best they can be, you’ve got us. You’re welcome.

The first step to a great break from work and staying put is stowing your dumb phone. Waiting two hours or more after waking up to check messages and stupid social media boosts the mood and pumps the ’nads, and if you’re staycationing especially, you should be as far away from your device as possible — unless it’s playing tunes at a reasonable volume to not offend me and my delicate sensibilities. Then, by all means, pump up the jayems (again, reasonably — I’m old). Just put up the crucifix to work emails and all that bullsh. Sharing my Yacht Rock playlist with you right now …

Morning on staycation is time to sleep in as long as you want, or as long as your (two- and four-legged) kids let you, and then moooove. That’s it. Get that blood flowing. Nice and sweaty. Mmm. Yeah. That’s good. Whether bloodflow is generated by burning bud, hoisting multiple cups of coffee to your mouth, or doing yoga, or going for a run like an idiot, or doing the horizontal mambo with your main squeeze(s), as long as your phone is far away and on silent, your staycation is starting off proper.

Anyway, for a wakeup of the sweaty variety that’s decidedly not at your house, Funky Picnic Brewery & Cafe (401 Bryan Av, Unit 117, 817-708-2739) is hosting Puppy Yoga at 10am Sat, Jun 3. Insert: downward dog joke. As you’re being led through a 25-minute routine by a master

yogi, four-legged friends from Allie’s Haven Animal Rescue will be sure to get in your way — totes adorably. As an adoption event, applications will be accepted until noon. Half of every $20 ticket will go toward Allie’s.

Indeed, Funky Picnic serves some delicious pub grub and tasty brews — we’re fans of the pretzel bites with fondue paired with the Vibes Kölsch — but you’re staycationing. And staycationing means staying at home as much as possible, heading out only for necessities like it’s Night of the Living Dead out there. Staycationing also means indulgence. (I don’t make the rules.) On your way back to the ancestral manse from the Near Southside, hop on over 30 to Ol’ South Pancake House (1509 S University Dr, 817-336-0311). That’s where you can pick up — you’ll probably need help the TCU-area staple’s ungovernable breakfast sandwich. Piled high with bacon, ham, cheese, and egg, the Ultimate is served on Texas toast smothered in butter or sometimes Texas-shaped waffles (also butter-smothered). So. What triathlon are you training for?

Maybe sweat isn’t your thing. You’re on vacation, right? The only liquid that should be on your skin is ocean water. And margarita spillage. For those to whom sweat only means another useless shower before bed, we recommend heading to Boopa’s Bagels Deli (6513 N Beach St, 817-232-4771) the night before staycation and snagging some boopalaches for the next morning. They’re like klobasneks, but instead of pastry dough, the sausages (plain or jalapeño) are wrapped in warm, chewy bagels. A dozen won’t set you back too much. Wakey, bakey microwavy.

While you’re picking up food for home, you might also want to include some gourmet coffee to-go in your postapocalyptic rucksack. One great spot is White Rhino (1217 8th Av, Ste 101, 817-719-1888) on the Near Southside. The Snickerdoodle is delish because of course it is — it’s a blend of vanilla, hazelnut, and cinnamon with a double shot of espresso and our choice of nonfat. Haha. As if that makes a shittin’ difference! (See pg. TK workout story.)

After all that mainlining caffeine and trying to rocket your cholesterol to Mars, brunch may be the furthest thing from your mind, but if you want to staycation proper — and your home vacation should last more than one day to make it officially a staycation, amirite? — break away at some point during the week for brunch. Some of our favorite retreats include The Bearded Lady (300 S Main St, 817-349-9832), Fort Brewery & Pizza (2737 Tillar St, 817-923-8000), and Old Texas Brewing Company (6333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Ste 200, 817-386-0752).

At the Lady, the burgers rule, and, in terms of pure savory goodness, few come close to the Spicy AF (half-pound beef patty topped with melted pepper jack, fried Fresno peppers, grilled jalapeños, lettuce, and onion, drizzled with habanero mayo, served on a toasted brioche bun).

As Fort Brewery is home to one of the best no-nonsense margherita pizzas in town, Old Texas offers the delectable Gravy Trainwreck Skillet (pillowy biscuits and scrambled eggs drowning in sausage gravy served with your choice of fried potatoes or *giggles* fresh fruit).

Before we go any further, let me just say that the Stars are headed to the Stanley Cup. While they may be down two games to none now, they are decidedly the better team, controlling much of the play and winning more puck battles along the boards. Vegas got nothing. No firepower. No great goalie. No novel system. The Stars have more scorers and a way better guy in net. It’s only a matter of time before the boys in Victory Green are celebrating their first Stanley Cup appearance in … has it been decades? Now, before you accuse me of cursing your Dallas Staaaars!, just know that I’m from Pittsburgh, and Pittsburghers and Dallasites get along swell. So swell. No bad blood at all. Zero.

Enjoy the Stars’ ride to the Cup staycation-style by loading up on goodies for optimal game-watching glory. Your first stop? Buffalo Bros (TCU and downtown) for their zesty, meaty, mouthwatering wings. They’re $10.99 for a half-dozen. The basic are the best, to me, because I’m basic AF.

And since no food item serves as many people as cheaply and satisfactorily as Italy’s best export since me, your pizza delivery options are seemingly unlimited, but out in the chain-tastic boonies of Alliance where I live — and where every time I’m out and about, I parade around with a Bud Light to piss off all the rich white trash near me — our go-to has become Kabylo’s Pizza (8700 N Tarrant Pkwy, Ste 101, North Richland Hills, 817-8492600). You put any ranch dressing near a slice of this, and like the mob boss that I am in my dreams, I will disown you. This is pizza the way it’s supposed to be: zesty, cheesy, and chewy. Getchew some.

Naturally, to celebrate the Stars’ guaranteed-by-me victory over VGK, you’re gonna need some booze, and, again, while your options appear endless, there are a few stand retailers, including Southside Cellar (125 S Main St, 682-703-2184) in South Main Village. Pretty much any North Texas-local brew you can dream of that’s still in production is here. A plus: The little lounge (“lounge-ette”?) on the other side of the shop is ideal for chillin’ and watching all the passersby through the storefront window. No creepshots.

Just up the street, Tricks of the Trade (219 S Main St, 817-349-9266) stocks the kind of must-haves and hard-to-finds that you might not be able to get anywhere else. I’m not talking beer. Tricks offers some of the finest liquors and liqueurs in our hemisphere, including a personal fave, the Texas Pecan Brown Sugar Bourbon by Blackland Distillery over in the Foundry District.

When it comes to to-go margaritas, no one beats Muy Frio (3613 W Vickery Blvd, Ste 109, 817-238-3386). Sure, you can imbibe on the premises, but this is your staycation we’re talking about, and Muy Frio’s swoll jugs of margs make for great HOV passengers.

For the nondrinkers, we highly recommend some Jones Cola. Biggest reason: The guy on the cover of this magazine, super-blader Chad Hornish from Plano, is also on the cover of the cola bottle. (He has some other rad sponsorships, too.) Looks like you’re stopping at Central Market, too, now. As my moms used to say in the ’80s when I strayed too far from the house in the summer,

“Be home in time for The Equalizer!” l

You’ll need a postapocalyptic rucksack to bring the Ultimate breakfast sandwich home from Ol’ South for staycation.

Courtesy Facebook

On South Main, Tricks of the Trade will help you celebrate being off G.D. work for a few days and not going any-damnwhere.

Courtesy Facebook

If you live out in the wilds of North Fort Worth, there may be no better pie for delivery than Kabylo’s in North Richland Hills.

Courtesy Facebook

LIVING LOCAL

Powerful Plant People

Promotional Feature

When Colt Power began his journey into growing high-CBD Cannabis (a.k.a. “hemp”), he was unsure where the journey would take him. He had his Texas cultivation license, a small growing tent in his home, and a smattering of germinating seeds. A pair of plants became one-half dozen. Soon thereafter, that half dozen plants grew to a number that was too many for a family’s media room, and the need for a farm space became real.

After securing the ideal warehouse space on Highway 157, Power shopped for more soil and nutrients at a local gardening center, where he then asked the shop owner if they knew of someone local with Cannabis growing experience. He was looking for a recommendation that could be the key to taking this endeavor up a notch. Power had come to know a hard truth in Cannabis: growing this specialty plant is one thing, but growing it welland on a larger scale - is another endeavor altogether. To do so would require someone with that specialty know-how.

As luck would have it, there was such a person. Power was quickly introduced to Nick Williams, a canna-growing extraordinaire with experience in the culinary industry in scaling projects and formulating large-batch recipes. The two met and realized their like minds were a perfect pairing for this endeavor, and Power Biopharms was born.

Now, just a few years later, Power Biopharms has captured the attention of Texans, as well as consumers from throughout the United States, who are searching for quality wellness products that they can trust. How do they do it? It’s all about the people.

It is no secret that a company is defined and driven by the people within it, and Colt Power knew that early on. A former D1 athlete, Power had spent his life in athletics, and he understood the value of team-oriented thinking. Multiple players, each working their positions well, would come together like gears in a finely-made watch to execute effectively win after win.

With the right team of persons in place - motivated by a common goalthe Power Biopharms team would grow to create a system of quality growth patterns and recipe formulations that would

benefit consumers in Texas and beyond.

But it is not just about science and formulation. It’s also about motivation, and Power understood the importance of personal motivators for his team. After all, no team comes out of the gate winning championships, and every path to perfection is littered with trials along the way. This is why core motivations matter. That keeps a team showing up to practice even when the win still feels far away. That core driver is especially needed in an industry that is still evolving and has plenty of participants driven more by dollar signs than the desire to help people.

While plenty choose to start Cannabis companies in the hopes of “making

it big,” the most common inspiration for being a part of the Cannabis industry comes from an experience where the plant has made a personal difference for individuals or someone they care about. For Power, Cannabis proved to be most helpful with his own nagging sports injuries.

For Williams, he has seen it help countless numbers of people with their own issues with pain or insomnia. Other members of the Power Biopharms team were driven to the industry because the plant helped them (or a family member) with a battle against cancer. Each positive testimony acts as fuel - as inspiration - to continue to make high-quality, trusted products that deliver amazing results.

Whether gummies, tinctures, or a hand-made topical balm, Power Biopharms products have been making a difference in the lives of people in Texas and beyond. Consumers report that Power formulations have helped them cope with myriad issues ranging from chronic pain to anxiety. Each positive review adds more fuel to this growing Texas team to keep making plant-based wellness goods that consumers can trust. Interested in learning more about the people of Power? Follow them on Instagram at @PowerBiopharms for an inside look and to keep up with the latest endeavors of their farm and family.

Me, Myself, and I-20

Alone in Graham and Loving It

BY JENNIFER BOVEE

From butchers to bakers and charcuterie board-makers, there’s an unlimited number of people who can make your life easier (or harder) while you’re planning a wedding. Having dealt with all of the above for my upcoming nuptials, I was excited when the idea of staying at a 57acre ranch in the Hill Country of North Central Texas two weeks before the big day came up.

The stay in Graham at Oak Ranch Resort (303 Young Ln, @OakRanchResort) was extended to me from owner Pam Benson, who also owns Japanese Palace (8445 Camp Bowie West, Fort Worth, 817-244-0144).

After looking at the specs for La Casa Tierra (the main house), I decided to treat the whole wedding party to a preevent getaway weekend. I knew that our group of 12 could stay there quite comfortably. We’d enjoy the pool, the wildlife, and the quality time. At least that was the plan.

On the day of our intended check-in, the gang fell out on me like dominoes. Two groomsmen became sick, and their bridesmaid girlfriends needed to stay behind to care for them. (I don’t know what Wayne’s major malfunction was, but Dave had a mysterious gastrointestinal obstruction-mimicking situation. We feared surgery, but it subsided by the end of the weekend. Maybe it was just a hairball. Meow.)

With my other bridesmaid and the groom — yes, the groom — unable to take off work, I was down to no one and had a decision to make. Should I stay, or should I go (now)? #SongReference. I opted to keep the reservation and go solo. And so began a getaway with just me, myself, and I.

From Fort Worth, the journey to Graham led me through Weatherford and Mineral Wells, and I noticed some interesting places along the path, including the National Vietnam War Museum (12685 Mineral Wells Hwy, Weatherford, 682-239-0683) and the Clark Gardens (567 Maddux Rd, Weatherford, 940-6824856). Then there’s the historic Baker Hotel (201 E Hubbard St, Mineral Wells, @TheBakerHotelandSpa), which is currently closed for major renovations. This place is on my bucket list, so once it reopens in 2025, I intend to return.

Right at sunset on Friday, I arrived at Oak Ranch Resort completely unprepared. Like most vacation rentals, you need to bring your own groceries to cook in the full-sized kitchen or on the gas grill out front. As a storm had followed me in, I didn’t want to head back out for provisions. Instead, I fixed myself the only thing on hand (coffee), plotted revenge on the wedding party that abandoned me, and then marathon-watched the new season of Queer Eye

By morning, I had decompressed and gained a new perspective, and I was excited to be having an adventure of my very own. The lack of planning meant that I woke up starving, so I headed to the town square to check out Marlene’s

continued from page 12

at the Big Chill (518 Oak St, Graham, 940-549-4772). The “big chill” in the name comes from the soda fountain/ice cream shop that originally occupied the space.

One delicious veggie omelet with a side of sausage patties later, and I was all better. My only complaint about Marlene’s is that the omelet had whole spinach leaves and too many of them. I prefer chopped, but that’s my bad for not asking. However, the sausage has a great spice to it and has been a staple of Marlene’s for 24 years.

After breakfast, I did a little shopping on the square. Small towns usually have cute little places with antiques and other funky finds. Graham is no exception.

First, I stopped at The Vogue (504 Oak St, 940-549-0020). This consignment furniture and home accessories store is, unfortunately, going out of business soon, but in the meanwhile, there are deep discounts to be had. I found a set of silver pinecone candle holders and a gold vase for the wedding at 50% off. Score!

With the sun in my eyes, I accidentally stepped into Welch Western Wear (514 Oak St, 940-521-0881). The polite young roper — or whatever the kids are calling cowboy types these days — who was working the floor told me that with the sun behind me, I look just like his Aunt June.

“Does Aunt June get a discount here?” I said. “If so, I can be your Aunt June.”

No. No, she does not.

Sonny and I arrived just as a storm was rolling in. (What, you don’t name your cars?)

The main house at Oak Ranch Resort sleeps 12 in its four bedrooms and the sofa bed that folds out in the great room. Well, 13 if you count the recliner chair that was my homebase all weekend.

Courtesy OakRanchResort.com

Courtesy Facebook

Feature

Courtesy Facebook

TIMELESS MELODIES TRINITY METRO

Want to make Friday on the Green even more fun? Ride instead of drive! Take a Trinity Metro bus to Magnolia Green, or transfer from TEXRail or TRE at Fort Worth T&P Station to ZIPZONE – type “Friday on the Green” as your destination in the app for easy trips straight to the event! Find routes, rates and more at .

continued from page 13

He went on to tell me that his grandfather founded the Western wear company, and he’s the third generation to work for the business. Still, there was nothing that I couldn’t live without. I did, however, learn that there is a John Wayne brand of cologne, and it smells pretty dang good.

My next stop was Crazy Cora’s Emporium (608 4th St, Graham, 940456-1980). Housed in an 1878 building that was the former home of the Young County Jail, Crazy Cora’s is full of unique items in every winding room. When Pam Benson was ready to decorate Oak Ranch Resort, this was her first stop.

Some of our wedding decor will have an earthy, pagan vibe, so I was excited to find some small antlers to add to my bouquet and to the groom’s cake. When Cora realized I was getting married, she gifted me the white vintage pillbox hat and gloves that I was checking out for my “something old.” I even found the perfect Mother’s Day gift for my future mother-in-law, who collects Noah’s Ark items. Crazy, right?

As it was time for more caffeine, I headed to Downhome Bakehouse (404 Elm St, Graham, 940-521-6080) and or-

dered a Honey Bee. Made with oat milk and sweetened with honey, this specialty drink comes hot or cold. It was a warm day, so I made it an iced coffee. It did not disappoint.

Along with coffee and baked goods, Downhome also caters. A fellow customer told me about Downhome’s Cowboy

Beans, with ground beef and some other types of meats. She described it as basically being a hearty one-dish meal. “All you need to go with it is cornbread.” The next time I stay at Oak Ranch Resort, I’m putting in an order!

After my full day of shopping in downtown Graham, I was ready to settle

in back at the ranch house. I picked up some charcuterie-style items at United Supermarket Foods (1229 TX-16, Graham, 940-549-3271) — the high-end sister store of Albertson’s — and returned to the resort to enjoy the hot tub and work on this article uninterrupted by the city sounds that plague my apartment back in Arlington. (How am I doing?)

Had I gone out Saturday night, it would have been to check out Middle Sister, a coffee and cocktail bar in the shipping container hotel the Middleton (509 4th St, Graham, 817-705-7403), where charcuterie, flatbreads, and treats are served inside the building and outside in the painted container in the courtyard. Live music is scheduled every Saturday night. #MyNextAdventure

In my rush to get situated upon arrival, I didn’t take in all the beauty around me, including not noticing that the house was built right into a hill. As I returned from my downtown outing, a black hummingbird changed that. It landed on a plant right in front of me.

“They like the pink flowers best,” Pam said. (She actually lives on the adjacent property and stopped by to give me a proper tour.) I’m sold. Farm/ranch living is the life for me!

Her neighbors built the house about 40 years ago, and when the opportunity arose to buy it, she did. After gutting the inside and remodeling it to its current, continued on page 16

Oak Ranch recently celebrated the grand opening of its three smaller casitas (cabins).

Courtesy Facebook

Feature

continued from page 15

gorgeous state, Pam decked it out with Texas art and furnishings. From Texas-themed books sprinkled around the rooms to an awesome windmill fan in the living area, the ranch aesthetic is very tastefully done.

Oak Ranch recently celebrated the grand opening of its three smaller casitas (cabins) now available on Airbnb. Golden Rock Casita, Rocky Ridge Casita, and Silver Moon Casita are also decorated in a Texas theme but with more of a pop art vibe. Pieces include ‘50s movie poster art

featuring Gene Autry and a Coca-Cola patio table acquired at Crazy Cora’s. The peaceful country setting makes it a prime location for company retreats, family gatherings, and such, especially now that there are four accommodations to choose from, each with different amenities.

A great time to check out all that is Graham is coming up. On Sat, Jun 3, the eighth annual Food Truck Championship of Texas takes over the town square (608 Elm St, 940-549-0401) from 11am to 5pm. Admission is free, and food items are typically priced at $8-10 each.

Along with the food truck competition, there will be activities for children, an art walk, live music, and a vendor market. The day ends with a concert at Young County Arena (120 Barclay Blvd, Graham, 940-550-8790) featuring Clay Walker with Ian Munsick. Tickets start at $45 at FoodTruckChampionshipofTexas.com.

As for lodging, while I did hear that a certain local foodie celebrity who shall remain unnamed will be staying in the area, Oak Ranch Resort still has some availability the weekend of the food truck event. Book now at OakRanchResort.com.

Feeling relaxed, recentered, and refreshed from my #MeTime, I am ready to take on the world. Our wedding venue, Amore Mio Italian Trattoria (101 E Abram St, Ste 190, Arlington, 817-5385553) will undoubtedly appreciate dealing with a decompressed me this weekend. (Eek!)

As for the baked goods and the charcuterie spread for the wedding reception, my friend Lisa who owns a new cottage business called Raking in the Dough (@ RakingintheDough) will be doing the whole damn thing. Wish us luck! l

With the Food Truck Championship of Texas happening, the first Saturday of June is a great time to visit Graham.

Courtesy Facebook

Downhome Bakehouse kept me caffeinated.

Courtesy Facebook

Feature

The Parent (Workout) Trap

foods and excess sugar, his asthma symptoms ceased.

“I never had to take asthma medication” after that, he said. “I wanted people to feel the same way I did.”

Dissent is focused on coach-based workouts that guide gymgoers through everything from nutrition and proper workout routines to counseling sessions that dig into the psychology of weight loss. The gym co-owners are launching a series of classes geared toward busy parents. Kelsey, who recently gave birth to the couple’s first baby, encourages mothers to bring their infants to her course that integrates baby-strapping and provides practical tips for timepressed participants seeking to tone up. Jonathan will head an online workout program that focuses on guided exercise and nutrition tips for working dads. And if you are a parent doing their best to find time to better their health, be forgiving on yourself, Jonathan said.

“There are some days where you want to do back squats, but it ends up being a family walk,” he said. “Did you get to do what you want? No, but you got to bond with your family.”

BY EDWARD BROWN

As a teen, Jonathan Royston was an unlikely candidate to own a gym one day. “I was not an athletic person,” said the co-owner of Dissent Athletics, the

3-year-old coach-led gym in southeast Fort Worth. “I had bad asthma. My allergies were bad. I tried to play sports and wasn’t good. I was scrawny.”

In college, Royston fell in love with working out while he turned his attention toward nutrition. Once he combined a new diet that cut out processed

When her daughter cries, Kelsey uses the opportunity to go outside and carry the infant around.

“Walking around calms her down,” Kelsey said. “Baby-wearing is helpful. There are carriers that hold the baby

continued on page 19

Looking to shed a few pounds or tone up during scant free time? Our experts offer these practical tips.

Even with a newborn, Dissent Athletics co-owners Jonathan and Kelsey Royston still find time for cardio and strength training.

Courtesy Facebook

[close to your torso]. It’s like carrying a rucksack, and it calms the baby down.”

Newborns, she said, generally don’t want to lose sight of their mothers. Kelsey tries to sneak in a few outdoor workouts in front of her daughter, whom she places in a bouncy seat.

Even with the best planning, babies and toddlers will have the final say on Mom’s or Dad’s plans. Still, it’s always best to agree on workout times ahead of time.

“The number one thing we can do to reach our goals is prioritize,” Jonathan said. “The night before, [schedule] your workout time for the next day. Instead of saying you’re just going to work out, talk to your spouse, say, ‘Tomorrow at 2 p.m. — can we do that?’ Couples can get a lot more support when it’s a planned thing.”

Dads, he added, should be mindful that moms with newborns will need extra help and planning to find exercise time due to the realities of breastfeeding and the attention babies demand of their mothers.

Other general tips for busy parents, Jonathan said, include standing when-

ever possible and walking at least three times per week for 30 minutes.

“Involve the entire family in walks,” he said. “It can be at the mall. You’re also showing your kids that you prioritize exercise.”

Working out alone won’t lead to significant weight loss, Jonathan said. The team at Dissent Athletics promotes whole food diets free from processed foods and excess sugar. (Fructose from fruits is A-OK, though.) After a month of eating lean proteins, unprocessed plants, and grains, he said, going back to junk food is much harder because your body adjusts to feeling good and you see the weight loss benefits.

Kelsey recommends using a phone app to track what you eat.

“You don’t have to weigh and measure” everything you eat, she said. “Just put in whether you had chicken breast or Snickers. As soon as you start tracking everything, you’ll naturally cut down on junk food.”

Protein, they said, isn’t stored as body fat, so don’t skimp on the chicken breasts and steaks.

One hack for cutting down on beer consumption, Jonathan added, is to freely guzzle carbonated water, which mimics the suds of brews but without the calories or hangover-inducing alcohol.

“The general rule of thumb is try to have no more than two [alcoholic]

drinks a day or seven a week,” he said, adding that saving up those rationed drinks for special occasions can make the occasional special night out all the more enjoyable.”

Follow @dissentathletics.

Buck Up and Get After It

Buck Elliott is a busy dude. The father of four, coach at Billy Ryan High School in Denton, and Weekly sports columnist learned early on that the most sustainable way to carve out predictable time to exercise required coordinating those plans with wife Jackie Elliott (a fulltime professor and former Weekly contributing writer).

“It’s easy to tell someone to wake up earlier than their kids,” Elliott said, “but the more children you have, the more tired you tend to be, and sleep is precious.”

To squeeze in a bit of exercise time, work with your partner to establish protected time when you can hit the exercise bike or lift some dumbbells. Since Jackie is an early riser, Buck says, he juggles the morning routines so she has half an hour to do her workout routine.

“I plow through demands and distractions during that time and serve as the default parent,” he said, adding that

Jackie “does the same for me around bedtime.”

This approach is sustainable for most couples, he added, because the sacrifice and payoffs are shared equally.

“Both parents receive an opportunity to focus on exercise, and both have the time where they shoulder the chaos all alone,” he said. “I’ve also found it helpful to plan my workouts at least a week in advance. This removes the guesswork and mental labor.”

Parents and folks with busy careers can preemptively fight cravings for unhealthy food by front-loading meals with veggies.

“Find a raw vegetable that you like: carrots, celery, bell pepper,” Buck said. “Eat some of those before every meal or snack. It kind of destroys your palate’s immediate gratification for salty or sweet food, it levels your blood glucose for whatever you’re going to eat afterward, and it helps increase your overall vegetable intake.”

Parents should set a rule of not eating their children’s leftovers, as tempting as not wasting those scraps may be, he added.

“My kids leave so much food behind,” he said. “If I come behind as the human trash compactor, I’ll inject several hundred sneaky calories regularly that I wasn’t planning on. Just throw it out.” l

NIGHT & Day

From Memorial Day thru Labor Day Weekend, North Texas will be full of special events. Here are some definitely AC-cool ones.

Car Shows

Is cruising still a thing? Those of us who used to drive around in circles now gather in parking lots and admire classic vehicles that are usually only appreciated through a lifetime of experience and acquired with a pocket full of cash. Welcome to adulthood!

Weather permitting on Thursdays from 6pm to 9pm, Oscar’s Bar & Grill (1581 SW Wilshire Blvd, Ste 101, Burleson, 817-447-7232) hosts the Burleson Car Meet Up with more than 100 classic cars in the parking lot. There are drink and food specials at Oscar’s, but sometimes this is just the starting point for a cruise to a second location. For upcoming plans, follow the Burleson Car Meet Up page on Facebook.

Presented by Chevrolet, the Downtown Arlington Classic Car Show takes place 11am-4pm Sat, Jun 10, at the historic Vandergriff Town Center (200 N Mesquite St) and on surrounding streets. More than 150 cars from the early 1920s to the late 1970s will be showcased. You can register your car for $20 on Eventbrite.com, with proceeds going toward creating a Fire Station Museum. Along with the cars, you can enjoy food trucks, games, and vendors. This event is free to attend.

Every June, the House of Hotrods & Classics (2301 Hwy 1187, Ste 101, Mansfield, 817-466-9942) hosts an event supporting local community members in need. On Sun, Jun 3, from 4pm to 8pm, the House of Hotrods Summer Car Show & Food Drive features a facility open house, hourly prizes, a used parts sale, food trucks, and DJ music. At the end of the day, prizes will be awarded for best engine, interior, mopar, paint, and more. The entry fee is one nonperishable food item in benefit of the Bethlehem Baptist Church food pantry.

The annual Soul of Sycamore Juneteenth Weekend at Sycamore Park (2525 Sycamore Dr, Fort Worth, 817253-2216) will include a Community Car

Show this year. On Sat, Jun 17, at noon, more than 40 vehicles will compete for trophies. Vehicle registration is $25 at SoulofSycamore.com.

Dog Days Are Here

Later this summer, we will have our second annual Creature Comfort edition with tons of animal-related happenings and resources. In the meanwhile, here are a few events to check out.

Practice downward dog with some actual dogs available for adoption. Lance Perry will lead a 25-minute yoga class

on the covered patio of Funky Picnic Brewery & Cafe (401 Bryan Av, Ste 117, Fort Worth, 817-708-2739) while dogs and puppies from Allie’s Haven Animal Rescue frol-lick at 10am Sat, Jun 3. Allie’s will be taking applications for animal adoption until noon. Tickets are $20 at ExploreTock.com, with $10 donated to Allie’s Haven.

Come celebrate humanity’s best friends with art activities, obedience training tips, working dog demonstrations, the Perot Museum’s Tech Truck, and more as part of the Grand Prairie Libraries’ Dog Days of Summer 11am2pm Sat, Jun 10, at the Betty Warmack Library (760 Bardin Rd, Grand Prairie, 972-237-5770). To respect the working dogs on the premises, please do not bring personal pets unless they are service animals. There is no cost to attend.

Enjoy two full days of hanging out with your pup in the beauty of the Fort Worth Botanic Garden 8am-6pm Sat-Sun, Jul 8-9, as part of Dog Days at BRIT. Admission is $12 plus $5 per dog at FWBG.org. Hydration stations for dogs will be provided by the garden across campus.

If you add a cat or dog to your family this summer, the Texas Coalition for Animal Protection has some offers you should check out. Every Tuesday in June, the Arlington location will host a free rabies vaccine event. On Sat, Jun 24, the Denton location will have one

as well. Then on Sat, Aug 5, the Joshua location takes a turn. (Additionally, TCAP also provides free spays/neuters by appointment for cats/dogs in 14 Fort Worth ZIP codes.) For hours, locations, and more information, visit TexasforThem.org.

National Holidays

A quick Google (or Facebook) search will lead you to a bazillion choices for the upcoming national holidays. Left to my own devices, which I was, here are my favorite picks.

The second annual Cowtown Unplugged Songwriters’ Showcase is at 7:30pm Sun at the Omni Hotel (1300 Houston St, Fort Worth, 817-535-6664) for hotel guests, featuring veteran Texas country artist Cory Morrow with Texas-based Americana singer-songwriter Drew Kenney, who’s touring in support of his ninth studio album. Produced in a small adobe house in the far West Texas town for which it is named, Marathon, Kenney says, is “a full journey of a record steeped in creativity and beautiful, raw sound.”

Morrow is out in support of an album as well, his 16th. Whiskey & Pride, he says, promises to deliver “an aggressive blend” of his early sound with a current perspective. Room packages starting at $179 include the concert tickets. For more info, visit OmniHotels.com/ CowtownUnplugged.

In celebration of the month when Texas slaves learned of their emancipation, Juneteenth is now an official national holiday thanks to the efforts of Fort Worth’s Opal Lee. (Excuse me, it’s now Dr. Opal Lee, as she just recently received an honorary degree.) At 2pm Sun, Jun 18 (which is also Father’s Day), Texas Wesleyan University (3165 E Rosedale St, Fort Worth) hosts the second annual Juneteenth Jubilee. This free event will feature African dancers, an art auction, a bounce house, and a fashion show, plus local food and market vendors.

Featuring one of the largest fireworks shows in North Texas, Fort Worth’s Fourth is once again happening along the Trinity River at Panther Island Pavilion (395 Purcey St, 817-6980700) on Mon, Jul 4. General Admission is free. For more information about activities and times for 2023, check FortWorthFourth.com in the coming weeks.

End the season with — you guessed it — another car show! From 9am to 1am on Labor Day (Mon, Sep 4), meet up with D&D Rockin’ Rods for the End of Summer Car Show at Lynn Smith Chevrolet (925 N Burleson Blvd, Burleson, 817-797-1197). Vehicle registration is $25 with proceeds going toward D&D’s Christmas for Kids 2023 project. There will be barbecue and drinks available for purchase, and attendance is free.

By Jennifer Bovee

Downtown Arlington hosts a classic car show Sat, Jun 10.

Courtesy Downtown Arlington

Downtown Arlington hosts a classic car show Sat, Jun 10.

Courtesy iStock

Headed to Oxnard in July? Me Neither.

Super fans of the Dallas Coybows, do you have a July vacation in mind? America’s Team will return to River Ridge Playing Fields (2501 Ventura Rd, Oxnard CA) Wed, Jul 27 to Tue, Aug 9 for Training Camp 2023. Many practices will be open to the public, allowing fans to see their favorite players and coaches as they step away from The Star in Frisco to train for the upcoming NFL season.

Activities, including autograph opportunities and field access, will be available this year. While admission to camp is free, you obviously will have travel expenses. For those of us doing the staycation thing, it’s time to do some armchair quarterbacking. With the draft

March 12–

July 9, 2023

in mind, here are some thoughts on the team roster.

The Dallas Cowboys have long been a staple in the NFL and are looking to make a strong push in the 2023 season. With a talented roster filled with some of the league’s top players, the Cowboys are aiming to make a run for the NFC last title and ultimately a Super Bowl championship.

The Dallas Cowboys had an impressive run during the 2022 NFL season, showcasing their prowess on the field and proving they are a force to be reckoned with. Finishing the season with 12 wins and 5 losses, the Cowboys achieved a notable .706 win percentage. Their strong offensive and defensive performances resulted in 467 points for (PF) and 342 points against (PA), leading to a net point gain of 125. They secured an 8-4-0 record in the conference, further establishing their dominant presence in the league.

The success of the Cowboys in the 2022 season can be attributed to the outstanding efforts and dedication of their key players. As we look forward to the 2023 draft, an in-depth analysis of these athletes and their contributions becomes essential in understanding the team’s potential for continued success. With the 2023 season on the horizon, let’s delve into the key Cowboys players expected to make a significant impact and carry the team’s winning momentum forward.

THE UNFINISHED PROJECT OF LIBERATION

In this analysis, we look closer at the key players who will lead the Cowboys in their pursuit of success. From quarterback Dak Prescott to rookie linebacker Micah Parsons, we examine the strengths and weaknesses of each player and how they contribute to the team’s overall success.

Key Cowboys’ Players for Season 23’

Dak Prescott (Quarterback)

Prescott is one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, the Cowboys’ starting quarterback. He is a quarterback with a dual threat who can create plays with his arms and legs. The Cowboys’ recent success may largely be attributed to Prescott, a superb motivator and leader.

Ezekiel Elliott (Running Back)

Elliott is one of the top running backs in the NFL, the starting running back for the Cowboys. He can break tackles and gain yards after contact because of his strong running ability. Elliott can create plays in the passing game and is a capable receiver out of the backfield.

Emancipation: The Unfinished Project of Liberation is organized by the Amon Carter Museum of American Art and Williams College Museum of Art. The exhibition is co-curated by Maggie Adler, Curator of Paintings, Sculpture, and Works on Paper at the Carter, and Maurita Poole, Executive Director of Newcomb Art Museum, Tulane University. John Quincy Adams Ward (1830-1910), The Freedman (detail), 1863, bronze, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, Texas, 2000.15

Seven Black contemporary artists explore ideas of emancipation from 160 years ago to today.

Greetings from Oxnard! (Or not.)

SCREEN

Summer Movie Preview

Enjoy this taste of the season’s upcoming big-screen treats.

BY KRISTIAN LIN

In encouraging news for theaters, the summer season has already started out with hit returns for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and Fast X. Looking to keep the win streak going is the live-action remake of The Little Mermaid, which you can read my review of in this space next week.

June is packed with even more big-ticket items. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse marks the highly anticipated return of Miles Morales and his animated friends to the big screen. The following week sees Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, and we’ll see if the series can sustain the newly lighthearted tone that served it so well in Bumblebee. June 16 features a pre-pandemic style battle of blockbusters with the Pixar animated film Elemental (about a world populated by sentient air, earth, fire, and water particles) going up against The Flash, which stars Ezra Miller. Years’ worth of bad publicity about the star will clash with the adulatory advance reviews that have leaked out about the superhero movie, so we’ll see which wins out. The month ends with Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, in which James Mangold (Logan) takes over

directing chores from Steven Spielberg. The early word about the archaeologist’s last adventure has been encouraging as well.

July brings Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning Part One, as the Tom Cruise spy series that has been running since the 1990s prepares for its final installments. Jennifer Lawrence ventures into the territory of raunchy comedy with No Hard Feelings, where she plays an Uber driver who’s hired to deflower an introverted teenager. Another clash of blockbusters comes on July 21, as Christopher Nolan’s biography of the A-bomb developer Oppenheimer opens against Greta Gerwig’s satirical take on Barbie. Disney tried making a film of Haunted Mansion with Eddie Murphy 20 years ago and received critical pans for it, so they’ll try again with a new version helmed by Justin Simien (Dear White People) with a lot more stars.

In August, the animated version of Harold and the Purple Crayon brings the

beloved kids’ book to our multiplexes. The TMNT franchise goes animated with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, with a script by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Gran Turismo is not a straight adaptation of the video game but rather a dramatization of the group of gamers who tried out to drive real-life race cars. Last Voyage of the Demeter depicts the part of the Dracula story when the ship brings the count from Romania to England and loses much of its crew along the way. The DC universe hopes for a late summer hit with The Blue Beetle and that franchise’s first Latino superhero, while Strays may look like a cute kids’ movie about the inner thoughts of dogs and cats when it’s actually a foulmouthed take on the genre with a dog (voiced by Will Ferrell) looking for revenge on the owner who abandoned him.

If the popcorn entries don’t do it for you, there’s plenty of gourmet fare on offer. The horror-comedy The Blackening is about a group of Black people who

discover a hideously racist board game that preys on them. In a similar vein, Talk to Me is about a group of teenagers who contact the next world using an embalmed hand that comes to life. Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City sports an enviable cast of stars and the filmmaker applying his signature style to a story of an alien invasion in the American Southwest. Joy Ride brings Asian women into sex comedy, as a group of friends (one of them played by Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu) drive through Southeast Asia looking for one’s birth parents. Nicole Holofcener’s comedy of manners You Hurt My Feelings may be her best film ever, and Celine Song’s Past Lives has been winning raves for its story about Korean lovers separated for 20 years. Lastly, the drama Sanctuary, starring Christopher Abbott and Margaret Qualley as a longtime client and his dominatrix, reportedly has some of the kinkiest BDSM sex scenes ever filmed. If your summer needs heating up, that’s where to go. l

Pixar’s Elemental aims to be cool and hot enough for the summer movie season.

Courtesy Disney/Pixar

Culture

Summer Sights and Stages

Fort Worth’s museums

long, they’re pumping out quality product year-round. While October through December may still be the preserve of the almighty blockbuster, summer culture here hasn’t been too shabby, 2023 included.

Arguably the biggest exhibit in town this summer is at the Kimbell Art Museum (3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-332-8451). Lives of the Gods: Divinity in Maya Art features nearly 100 rarely seen masterpieces and recent discoveries depicting episodes in the life cycle of the gods. Created during the Classic period (A.D. 250-900) in the royal, far-reaching, tropical cities of what is now Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico, the works conjure a world where “the divine, human, and natural realms are interrelated and intertwined.”

COMING

by, Terrell James, Hayv Kahraman, Chris Ofili, Deborah Roberts, Sean Scully, Liliane Tomasko, and Kehinde Wiley. Visit TheModern.org.

Emancipation: The Unfinished Project of Liberation has been my family’s favorite local exhibit of the past few months and not just because our young son is Black. The group show up now thru Jul 9 at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (3501 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-738-1933) is truly dynamic and full of not only visually appealing work but also great conversation starters, a.k.a. teaching moments. Dovetailing with the 160th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation, the show is a visualization of the concept of freedom to several contemporary Black artists from across the country.

continued on page 25

Courtesy Kimbell Art Museum

body comes from a stop by police, who later described him as much bigger and heavier than he actually was at the time, interrogating the myth of the big, dark, scary Black Man.

Along with loans of Civil War materials, Emancipation is an interrogation of past and current representations of Blackness in America and is a forcefully elegant response to this region’s swift decline into fascism and anti-Black bullshit.

The biggest non-touring theatrical event this summer has to be SparkFest. The annual fundraiser for and festival at Amphibian Stage (120 S Main St, 817923-3012) — and South Main environs runs for two weeks, and there’s a ton of fun stuff going on with a welcome North African/Middle Eastern/Indian theme. SparkFest starts at 7pm Jun 1 with the Project Runway-inspired party/ contest Light Up the Runway and ends on Jun 14 with music from North Africa, the Middle East, and Iran. In between, there will be staged readings, workshops, and an acting competition, plus a guided tour of South Main Village (8:30pm Jun 3). The free augmented-reality app Neighborhood Leap will take you to the work of more than 50 artists and make more than 20 stops. Tickets are $10-25. Visit AmphibianStage.com.

When it comes to touring blockbusters, Bass Performance Hall (525 Commerce St, 817-212-4280) is the place. The fun starts Memorial Day Weekend with Texas Ballet Theater’s Alice in Wonderland. Composed by Joseph Horovitz and choreographed by Ben Stevenson, O.B.E., the ballet runs 8pm Fri, 2pm & 8pm Sat, and 2pm Sun.

The rest of the summer at the Bass belongs to some really big shoes *groan*, starting Jun 27-Jul 2 with Hadestown This winner of eight 2019 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album is “haunting and hopeful.” In Hadestown, a song can change your fate.

In The Book of Mormon, we’re all simply doomed. Running Jul 28-30, the comedy musical from the South Park guys follows “a mismatched pair of missionaries sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word.” Miscommunications and hilarity ensue.

At the Bass, summer will go out with a kind of bang — the implosion of a massive ice castle. The touring production of the Tony-nominated Best Musical Frozen runs Aug 10-20 has all the great songs from the movie plus some new numbers. Visit BassHall.com.

From the book based on the advice col-

umn “Dear Sugar,” Tiny Beautiful Things is “a celebration of the simple beauty of being human.” Running Jun 1-17 at Circle Theatre (230 W 4th St, 817-8773040), the “funny, deeply touching, and uplifting” play will be followed a month later by The Other Josh Cohen from Aug 24 to Sep 16. This “quirky” rom-com about a guy who can’t catch a break starts with a break-in that leaves the title character with nothing but a Neil Diamond CD. After a mysterious envelope arrives, his life changes forever. Visit CircleTheatre.com.

“A hilariously modern ode to the complication of friendship in its many messedup forms,” I Wanna F*cking Tear You Apart makes its regional premiere Jun 15-Jul 9 at Stage West (821 W Vickery Blvd, 817-784-9378). Visit StageWest. org.

As arson targets Black churches across the South, the residents of a fictional Virginian town are more than a little concerned. In the lighthearted comedy Praise the Lord and Raise the Roof, the Black congregants reluctantly take in a friendly white drifter, and when tragedy strikes, they must reconcile their own prejudices with church teachings. Praise the Lord and Raise the Roof runs thru Jun 18 at Jubilee Theatre (506 Main St, 817338-4411). Visit JubileeTheatre.org.

Arlington’s own Lou Diamond Phillips will be in town to star in Miss Saigon Running Jun 3-11 at Casa Manana (3101 W Lancaster Av, 817-332-2272), the legendary tragedy musical will be followed just a couple days later by One-Hit Wonders of the ’60s and ’70s. Running Jun 1324 at Casa’s Reid Cabaret Theatre, the show covers everything between the ages of “hippies and disco.” “Kung Fu Fighting,” “Spirit in the Sky,” “Ride Captain Ride,” and “Afternoon Delight” are just some of what’s on tap. At Casa, the summer ends with A Man of No Importance This sweet musical about family, friendship, acceptance, and a love “that dare not speak its name” runs Aug 4-6.

Outdoor theater doesn’t get any better than at Hip Pocket (1950 Silver Crk Rd, 817-246-9775), whose summer season is full of great theatrical and musical performances. Running now thru Jun 11, Riders of the Purple Sage was written by Hip Pocket co-founder Johnny Simons and James Maynard with music and lyrics by the great Joe Rogers. The rest of Hip Pocket’s summer stage will bristle with El Maleficio de la Mariposa (The Butterfly’s Evil Spell) by Federico Garcia Lorca with music by local guitar virtuoso Darrin Kobetich (Jun 23-Jul 16) and White Elephant by Lake Simons and John Dyer with music by Dyer (Jul 28-Aug 20). Visit HipPocket.org. l

EATS & drinks

Shake It Up

From fruit beer to sour seltzers and wine, and whiskey to mocktails, local mixed-drink mavens offer a plethora of summer beverages.

BY EDWARD BROWN AND LAURIE JAMES

Summer seems to pair with citrus, and fruit-kissed beer is nothing new — hello, Adios Pantalones and Paleta de Mango from Rahr & Sons Brewing Co. (701 Galveston Av, 817-810-9266). But this year at the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival, Martin House Brewing (220 S Sylvania Av, Ste 209, 817-222-0177) — the geniuses behind the Best Maid Sour Pickle beer

debuted some new flavors, including the 5% ABV sour seltzer Awesome Sauce. The lemon and blueberry combo sold in a six-pack at your favorite retailer is more citrusy than sweet, and the color is a vibrant blue not actually found in nature. Still, the 2-carb beverage is a winner when sipped on a patio. If you head to the Martin House taproom, you can also find the hard seltzer on tap in strawberry, cherry, grape, and risqué rose varieties. It’s like all the flavors of your childhood are running amok and you’re old enough to afford the $6 pint.

In 2019, when PR queen Beth Hutson decided to stop drinking alcohol, she

found that, although there was a growing number of people like her who wanted to do more than just “Dry January,” there weren’t a lot of options for nonalcoholic cocktails out and about. So, Hutson founded The Elevated Elixir (TheElevatedElixir), a site that celebrates nonalcoholic sparkling drinks and other beverages. Her Facebook site is a great source of inspiration for people who want to make the perfect mocktail, but also for those of us looking for a little inspiration to be fancier or branch out with flavors, mixers, and garnish. At the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival, Hutson served

The Elevated Elixir’s Mango Lala

1 cup pineapple juice

½ cup frozen mango chunks

¼ cup Liber & Co. toasted coconut syrup

1 lime, juiced Orchid for garnish

Blend the juices, mango, and coconut syrup on medium. Garnish with more fruit or the orchid.

Prima Pavé, a beautiful zero-proof sparkling wine out of Italy, which she mixed with fresh pineapple juice and a dash of New Orleans bitters.

Hutson says she loves a good tropical drink, and the combo of fruit juice and a fancy orchid garnish just screams summer, no matter where you are. Try the Mango Lala (recipe below) for an instant burst of pineapple-y summer sweet and sour.

If you’re looking for a way to fancy up your cocktails without diluting the flavor, Amazon and your fancier home goods stores are rife with food-grade, BPA-free

continued on page 29

Eats & Drinks

continued from page 27

silicone ice molds. We’re not talking your mother’s Death Star-round jobbies either: The two-piece trays feature one side with a floral motif and a plain round side with a hole in the middle so you can fill the mold full of whatever you’re mixing. Allegedly since the product is thick silicone, you can use the trays for Jell-O shots — er, molds –– or other desserts as well. Your final fancy cubes look elegant and perfect, and it’s a surprisingly easy Martha Stewart-semi-homemade touch for a cocktail. If roses aren’t your thing, the molds come in skull and diamond shapes as well. At under $10 for a six-mold tray, they’re also affordable. These pair well with whatever you’re drinking — be it an Elevated Elixir mocktail or your own version of a wine cooler.

Finally, Fort Worth’s distilleries, bars, and adult drink enthusiasts are continually churning up new mixed drink ideas to entice cocktail lovers, and we’re awash in great summer recipes for this year’s Summer Edition. These boozy new releases offer a great way to impress your cohorts at the next swim party or backyard grill-out.

Pro tip: Don’t skimp on the spirits. TX Whiskey, Blackland Distillery, Lockwood Distilling Co., and our other superlative local distilleries all produce vodkas, bourbons, and rums that make for smooth sipping during summertime l

Blackland Distilling’s Y’all

Thai

1 oz Blackland Texas Pecan Brown

Sugar Bourbon

1 oz Blackland Rye Whiskey

3/4 oz lime juice

3/4 oz triple sec

1/2 oz orgeat syrup

3 dashes aromatic bitters

Combine all ingredients into a shaker tin with ice. Shake and strain into a rocks glass with pebble ice. Garnish with an orchid and mint sprig.

TX

Whiskey’s Boot Stitch

1.5 oz TX Whiskey

1 oz Ruby Red grapefruit

1/2 oz lime juice

1/2 oz agave nectar

Muddled jalapeño

Muddle a jalapeño slice in the agave nectar and lime. Add TX Whiskey and grapefruit. Shake and double strain onto ice. Add jalapeño slice garnish.

Funky Picnic Brewery & Café’s Hot Girl Summer

1 oz dark rum

1 oz Applejack brandy

1 oz pineapple juice

3/4 oz lemon juice

1/2 oz honey

Egg white

Add ingredients in metal tin and shake vigorously. Add ice and shake again. Double strain into coupe glass without ice.

EATS & drinks

Summer Thrills and Grills

BY LAURIE JAMES

If you haven’t already taken the cover off your grill or smoker and cleaned those grates, you’re probably headed that way this weekend. To celebrate the coming of grilling season, three local experts offer tips about wood, safety, and spices and explain some tricks that home grillers and ’cuers can make their own.

Reggie Robinson is half of the dynamic duo behind Lil Boy Blue BBQ (LilBoyBlueBBQ.com). Reggie and brother Cedric Robinson pay homage to their grandpa, a chef during his time in the U.S. Navy who became a butcher and pop-up barbecue salesman. Over the last four years, the Robinsons have gathered an adoring following with their catering and pop-up supper clubs, which sell out within days of their announcement on social media.

Husband and wife team Fasicka and Patrick Hicks of Smoke’N Ash BBQ will move into a new, larger location in Arling-

ton (5904 S Cooper St, Ste 110, 817-9877715) mid-June. They’ve been producing barbecue together for around five years, first in a food truck, then in a brick-andmortar location. The formal melding of Fasicka’s Ethiopian spices (she grew up in Addis Ababa) with Patrick’s down-home Cen-Tex BBQ skills happened around 2020 and garnered the pair national attention. First, Texas Monthly threw the duo some love in 2021, and then broadcast and print media (The New York Times, CBS) crowned them the king and queen of ’cue fusion.

Whether you’re grilling with charcoal and a packet of woodchips for flavor or you’re smoking the meat, the kind of wood you use is more about personal preference. Robinson says that oak is always his favorite, “but that’s our Central Texas purist heritage coming out.” At Smoke’N Ash, Patrick uses a 2:1 ratio of hickory and post oak — “hickory for flavor, post oak for moisture.”

Robinson says that chicken is easy and quick, whether prepared in a smoker or on a grill. The Hicks family is a house divided. Fasicka says she could eat brisket all day, every day, but Patrick prefers pork ribs. Still, both sets of restaurateurs also like to grill vegetables. For Robinson, the favorite is cauliflower burnt ends: Cut the florets into quarter- to half-inch pieces, cover them with olive oil, and grill. Baste with your favorite barbecue sauce toward the end of cooking.

“Broccolini on the grill is to die for,” he added. “Use plenty of olive oil and your favorite seasoning that complements the meal, whether that’s lemon pepper with fish or barbecue spice.”

Fasicka’s traditional Ethiopian recipes include plenty of cauliflower, lentils, and other veggies, but the pair now makes smoked cauliflower and mushrooms so that vegans and vegetarians can have some options.

“We have greens,” she said, “but those are definitely not vegan.”

When asked about some tips for the DIY ’cuer or griller, Robinson started off with the basics.

“It should go without saying, but have a source of water just in case,” he said. “Be safe.”

Some barbecue masters are here to offer tips on everything from safety to the perfect rub.

The fusion of Cen-Tex BBQ and Ethiopian spice at Smoke’N Ash has drawn raves.

Courtesy FWF+WF Nancy Farrar

Reggie Robinson is always to throw down a little grilling love.

Deah Berry Mitchell continued on page 33

Eats & Drinks

continued from page 31

During one of the milder, non-rainy early spring weekends, my personal grill master kicked off grilling season a little early, cooking some burgers on the propane grill he hadn’t used in about six months. Fire and chaos reigned in my backyard. When the flames died out and the fire was controlled, we realized that the grease/food trap at the bottom of the gas grill may not have been cleaned in a minute. Also, perhaps there was a nest from a small critter who’d made a home in the heretofore-unused grill. So, Robinson’s advice is spot on. Be safe. (And clean your grill beforehand.)

Other tips from Robinson: If you’re cooking chicken, always brine it. You can find a basic brine recipe almost anywhere. The salt-sugar-water ratios are pretty standard, but Robinson also encourages a little creativity.

“Experiment with your sugar,” he said. “See if you like brown sugar or maple syrup better.”

For Fasicka, having the right amount of fat on a brisket is key.

“Before we started smoking meat for a living, my understanding was to trim as much fat as possible from the meat,” she said. “But fat is good.”

Husband Patrick also cautioned about having enough fuel source to keep the grill going. “Make sure the temperature of the smoker or the grill is adequate to the job,” he said.

There’s nothing worse than having to go to the grocery store for another propane tank or more briquets mid-grill or to the barbecue supply place for expensive pellets.

Patrick also counsels patience, especially during a stall in the cooking process, when many of us are tempted to jack up the heat source to finish the meat so we can eat already. He recommends allowing about an hour cook time for each pound of brisket or ribs and building in a little extra time just in case. “If you cook it too fast, the smoke overpowers the seasoning.”

Speaking of seasoning, all three restaurateurs were generous with theory but cagey about actual ingredients. Patrick says

that a simple blend of salt, pepper, and garlic plus warm Ethiopian spices will do the trick. When their larger restaurant opens in June, they’ll sell their fusion spice blend to go, but one spice blend doesn’t fit all meat.

“Brisket, ribs, and chicken should all have a different seasoning,” he said.

Fasicka adds that their Berbere seasoning spices add a beautiful color and a depth of flavor to the things that come off Patrick’s grill. The duo get their spices from family in Ethiopia because they say that American grocery store spices are often cut with preservatives or other ingredients to save money.

Some people like a multi-spice blend for the stuff that goes on the grill, and there are plenty for sale locally. Jon Bonnell and Tim Love will sell you their bespoke rubs

on their respective websites, and over at Goldee’s Barbecue, the website is pretty much sold out of everything but the Texas Monthly #1 All-Purpose Rub and the #1 Bar-B-Q sauce. Panther City BBQ’s All-Purpose beef rub and their Custom BBQ sauce are the web price winners at under $10 each, and the sauce is what Panther City puts on their spareribs and burnt ends

While we can argue that a 20-spice rub is a great thing, barbecue scion Aaron Franklin once famously said on a network food special that he uses only salt and pepper for his rub. Robinson says Lil Boy Blue falls into this purist category as well.

“We have a spice blend that we call The Sh*t,” he said. “It’s classic salt and pepper with onion and garlic. It’s a good finisher for us.”

If you want the rub to stick, the grill master in my home favors painting a moderate amount of cheap yellow mustard all over the meat as a base for whatever seasoning you use. It sounds disgusting, but it really makes the spice cling and flavor the crust.

Finally, the Robinsons have elevated dessert on the grill, and Reggie was happy to share the recipe. All you need is some quarter-inch thick pineapple slices and your favorite glazed donuts.

“Cover the donuts and the fruit with a mixture of melted butter, brown sugar, and rum,” he said. “Put both on the grill just until you get the grill marks, then plate with the donut down, then the pineapple, and top with some ice cream and salted caramel sauce.” l

Headed by the married team of Fasicka and Patrick Hicks, Smoke’N Ash will move into a new, larger space in Arlington next month.

Courtesy Facebook

R

DRINK LOCAL

Let Rosé Season Begin!

The Wine is Flowing at Central Market

Promotional Feature

During its annual Wine Week 2023, happening Wednesday to Monday this week, it’s “Rosé all day” at Central Market. During this weeklong event, shoppers can pour over hundreds of cabernets, red blends, proseccos, rosés, chardonnays, and more, including some of Central Market’s California and French favorites, plus celebrate a 100-year-old winemaker.

On May 27, all Central Market stores will celebrate winemaker Mike Grgich’s 100th birthday with a special tasting of

limited-edition wines from Grgich Hills winery only at Central Market, including 2019 Yountville Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Paris Tasting Commemorative Chardonnay and Miljenko’s Selection

Skin-Fermented Sauvignon Blanc

Additional wines featured throughout the week include Raeburn Barrel Select 2020 Russian River Chardonnay, Divum Pinot Noir, Beringer Waymaker Red Blend, and Gundlach Bundschu Mountain Cuvée, among others.

A division of H-E-B, Central Market opened its doors in 1994 and now has

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#CentralMarket

#ReallyIntoFood.

Taste limited-edition wines from Grgich Hills Winery this week.

Courtesy Central Market

Happy Birthday, Mike Grgich! Courtesy Central Market

Enjoy “Rosé all day” at Central Market, including this Yountville Old Vine Cabernet Sauvignon.

Courtesy Central Market

CREATED BY ROSS SOHO LYCHEE LIQUEUR, WHITE RUM, COCONUT CREAM, PINEAPPLE, LIME, & HOUSE MADE BLACKBERRY SYRUP

MUSIC

Sounds of Summer

97’s, Joshua Ray Walker). Due early next month, the first is the lush and cloudy waltz “Under the Cover of Darkness.” The second boasts another seasonally appropriate aspect. The Petty-esque rocker “Poison Summer” is slated for a July release.

BY JUAN R. GOVEA, PATRICK HIGGINS, AND STEVE STEWARD

Though the recent rain has kept the usual flesh-melting temperatures at bay (so far), the date displayed on your Apple Watch tells you summer is upon us. In no time, we’ll be heeding the dulcet call of Robert Palmer to “feeeeel the heeeeat!” Whether you like it hot or not, make no mistake, it soon will be. Thankfully, the local music scene keeps booming, and heading into sweltering season, local artists look to keep cranking out new tracks that promise to be hotter than the hood of a sunbaked Ford Taurus in July. Join us as we trade our pearl snaps and jeans for tanks and board shorts and look forward to some upcoming local releases and shows sure to keep your earbuds thumping.

There’s perhaps nothing more appropriate when it comes to summer tuneage than Summerjob, the nom de guerre of singer-songwriter Mac Probst. The breezy indie popper just dropped “Just Want to Be Gone.” Released through local imprint Dreamy Life Records, it’s a lowfi, low-key electro-meditation about anxiety, in which Probst’s Beck-like rhyme delivery steps around a dreamy, faraway guitar figure and a snapping, skittering drum loop. In the absolute best way, it sounds like the menu music on a hotel’s information channel, which you’re chilling inside watching because there are too many people down by the pool.

Several other Dreamy Life artists have music on the sunny horizon as well. Cowtown’s closest thing to John Prine, singer-songwriter and Dreamy Life co-owner Cameron Smith, recently took a spin through Dallas’ Modern Electric Sound Recorders to cut a pair of new singles produced by North Texas country/rock hitmaker John Pedigo (Old

A fellow singer-songwriter and sometimes Smith collaborator, Eric Osbourne is finally getting close on a follow-up to his self-titled 2020 debut. With Joel Raif (White Denim, Summer Dean) at the helm at Niles City Sound (Leon Bridges), the four tracks are Osbourne’s first efforts backed by a full band. The EP should be out soon, though his melancholy folk stylings are perhaps more winter than summer.

Katie Robertson is probably best known for playing keys with and singing backup for a bunch of artists over the years, but on Jun 9, she is finally making her solo debut. For her first single, “Just to Say,” she’s backed by Hot Knife (Cameron and Stevie Smith, Schuyler Stapleton, and Peter Marsh), with horns by Chuck Brown (Hotel Satellite, Telegraph Canyon), Jeff Dazey (Leon Bridges, EPIC RUINS), and Chris Waldon (Starbass Laboratories, War Party). The long-awaited debut was tracked and mixed by Britt Robisheaux (Tame … Tame and Quiet, Hoaries) and mastered by Jordan Richardson (Son of Stan, Quaker City Night Hawks, Oil Boom).

Besides Robertson’s solo material, she also forms half of Genini, a hazy, stoner-y electronic duo with Jennifer Rux (Year of the Bear, The Fibs). With Robertson on keys and Rux on drum loops and other electronic percussion, Genini is essentially them hitting RECORD on live jams, with trance-inducing, psychedelic results. Per that vibe, Genini will release a new track in July. Tracked and mixed by film composer Curtis Heath (Miss Juneteenth, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints) and mastered by Richardson, “Tom Jones on Acid” will debut with a video by electronic artist Rickey Kinney.

July might finally see one of the area’s most anticipated records, the long-awaited debut full-length from All Clean. Brainchild of former Oil Boom guitarist and Ice Eater songwriter Zachary Edwards, the four-piece’s post-indus -

continued on page 39

As lots of local artists release new material, the local venues (and JerryWorld) welcome heavy hitters from all over.

Moody singer-songwriter Cameron Smith cut some summer tunes at Dallas’ Modern Electric Sound Recorders earlier this year.

Jessica Waffles

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Music

continued from page 37

trial clash of electronics, rumbling bass, and Edwards’ brittle guitar bends are equal parts anthemic and horror movie soundtrack, and we can’t wait for the chance to draw blood from our eardrums with it.

Cut Throat Finches’ Sean Russell has a side project he’s been working on for a couple of years, and it sounds fantastic. Full of bouncy, pianistic, Beatles-esque tunes, including a sunny yet scathing indictment of self-righteous hypocrisy called “Evangelicals,” The Nancys’ debut album will be out this summer.

DIY folky Daryel Sellers will release a new single on Thursday. “Brooklyn Nights” is the next in a series of singles that will compose a four-song EP. Sellers, who sings and plays keys, is joined on the record by some local heavy hitters, including jazz maestro Andrew Skates on guitar, producer Taylor Tatsch (Maren Morris, Keegan McInroe) on bass, and Peter Wierenga on drums.

Cosmic-country crooner Brandon “Broke String” Burnett’s new track “Coyote” will be out in July with an animated video.

Son of Stan’s Richardson has also been involved in the reimagination of some older Sleepy Atlantis material. The tranquil, string-laden soft-folk project of Bobby Zanzucchi had its heyday more

than a decade ago, but now, with Richardson manning the console, the material has been rearranged, and a handful of songs have been re-recorded. The two are busy putting the finishing touches on the latest, “Lazy Recollection,” out soon.

Project of physician-turned-indie rocker Stephen Troum, The Troumatics will release their debut album in just a few weeks. Watch Me Burn will be available on every hipster’s preferred format: CD at the merch table. The release party is Jul 14 at The Cicada, but until then, The Troumatics play Friday at The Post at River East with Court Hoang and David Tribble.

Next month, noirish singer-songwriter/surf-rock aficionado Clint Niosi will release a live recording of his band’s performance at MASS last June. Clint Niosi 6-19-22 contains the eight-song set that includes material from the raspy baritone’s Panorama Avenue album as well as some of his earlier material. Following the release this spring by fusion ensemble Rage Out Arkestra, it’s the second consecutive live album released through Niosi’s own Orange Otter Audio.

Itchy Richie & The Burnin’ Sensations are collaborating with punky dream-poppers Big Heaven on a cover of the synthy ’80s anthem “Two of Hearts.” The bands are looking at a late-June release date for their tribute to Stacey Q.

Blitzkrieg punx Antirad are making a resurgence of sorts, playing shows again and preparing to release some new

material, hopefully by the end of the summer, and reggae outfit Watusi also plan to release new material before September rolls around.

In addition to all the great local music you can listen to anytime you want, if you’re one of those dying breeds adventurous enough to enjoy consuming music live in actual three-dimensional reality, there’s no shortage of opportunities this summer.

Near TCU, Lola’s (2000 W Berry St) will be hopping over the next few months. Highlighted in June is a pair of great Americana shows with Woodeye and Brave Little Howl on Jun 3 and Dustin Massey with Generational Wealth the next weekend.

Tulips FTW (112 St. Louis Av) has quickly become one of this town’s premier listening rooms with both local and

national touring acts moving through. Kicking off the Near Southside venue’s series of summer shows, this Saturday sees local garage punks Mean Motor Scooter headline a night with surf-rock primates The Go-Go Rillas, The Koffyns, and the Devil’s Darlins. On Jun 18, the adroit indie of Cool Jacket hits the stage along with Denton’s RTB2 and Daniel Markham. For national acts,’80s NYC hardcore legends Gorilla Biscuits will play just a few days later on Jun 22. This all-ages classic-punk show promises to be an absoluter rager with openers the Bitter End and Urn. Grab these tickets before they’re gone, and whatever you do, do not miss Urn.

You can soothe some of that hardcore burn the following week when Tulips hosts San Diego’s chilled out Wavves with Cloud Nothings. Crank back up the testosterone in July when Dallas hardcore metalheads Creeping Death take over with Upon Stone and the extremely kick-ass-named Saintpeeler.

Speaking of metal, long into their reign as the biggest rock band in the world, Metallica continue to bring the heat this year with their 11th studio album (72 Seasons) and an accompanying tour that bounces back and forth between North America and Europe. They’re playing two shows at JerryWorld (Aug 18 and 20), with the promise of different setlists and plenty of eyebrow-curling pyrotechnics. Let’s just hope James stays clear of their path. l

Rustic rockers Woodeye will reunite to headline Lola’s next month.

PLAYING LOCAL

continued from page 22

CeeDee Lamb (Wide Receiver)

The Cowboys drafted Lamb in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has established himself as one of the league’s most promising young talents. He is a quick, athletic receiver with playmaking ability after the catch. Lamb can become a star in the NFL and is also a proficient route runner.

Defensive Line

The Cowboys’ defensive line is strong, but they still need to work on their pass rush. DeMarcus Lawrence, one of the NFL’s top rushers, is the line’s captain. One of the most talented young defensive players in the NFL, Micah Parsons, is also a part of the line. Parsons, a rookie linebacker, had a breakout season in 2021. He is versatile, can play multiple positions, and excels at rushing the quarterback.

The Dallas Cowboys’ defensive line is key to their success as the season unfolds. Should they maintain peak fitness and deliver top-notch performances, the odds are high that betting fans will be tipping their hats in the Cowboys’ favor. Moreover, fans can use betting promos to maximize their betting experience.

Offensive Line

The Dallas Cowboys have one of the NFL’s most talented offensive lines. Tyron Smith is one of the league’s finest left tackles, and Zack Martin is one of its best guards. Connor Williams is a solid player at right guard, and Tyron Biadasz is a promising young center. The Cowboys also have good depth at the offensive line, with players like La’el Collins, Terence Steele, and Josh Ball. If this offensive line can stay healthy and play at a high level, the Cowboys will be a dangerous team in 2023.

Linebackers

Micah Parsons is the most notable of the group after a breakout season as a rookie in 2021, where he recorded 13 sacks and 84 tackles. Leighton Vander Esch is another key linebacker for the Cowboys, who will look to bounce back from a down year in 2021. Jabril Cox is a second-year linebacker expected to make a big impact in 2023, and Devin Harper is a rookie linebacker expected to compete for a starting spot.

Secondary

The Dallas Cowboys have a talented group of cornerbacks who will be key to their success in 2023. Trevon Diggs is a star cornerback who led the league in interceptions in 2021. Kelvin Joseph is a young cornerback with a lot of potential. Jourdan Lewis is a solid slot cornerback. Nahshon Wright is a promising young cornerback who could see more playing time in 2023. Israel Mukuamu is a versatile cornerback who can play multiple positions. If these cornerbacks can stay healthy and play at a high level, the Dallas Cowboys will have one of the best secondaries in the NFL in 2023.

Special Teams

Even though the Cowboys’ special teams are strong, they still need to work on their kicking. Led by veteran kicker Brett Maher, punter Bryan Anger, and dynamic returner CeeDee Lamb, the Cowboys have a unit that can make big plays in all game phases. If this unit stays healthy and plays at a high level, it will be a strong contender and make its fans proud.

Summary

The Dallas Cowboys demonstrated their prowess in the 2022 NFL season with a .706 win percentage and are looking forward to a strong 2023 season. The

team’s success can be attributed to their key players, such as quarterback Dak Prescott, running back Ezekiel Elliott, and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.

As they gear up for the 2023 season, the Cowboy’s offensive line, defensive line, linebackers, secondary, and special teams will all play a crucial role in pursuing the NFC East title and a Super Bowl championship. Analyzing these key players provides insight into the team’s potential for continued success as they aim to carry their winning momentum into the upcoming season.

BOOKS

Poolside PageTurners

The bookish staff at TCU Press offer summer reading recommendations from regional authors.

BY EDWARD BROWN

Since 1947, TCU Press has filled an important niche in the literary world by commissioning and publishing books that the large houses may not find profitable enough to print. The 76-year-old

nonprofit’s marketing director James Lehr and editor Kathy Walton focus on stories by regional authors which center on North Texas lore, Fort Worth architecture, and forgotten parts of American history.

The looming summer months are prime reading time for book lovers, and Lehr and Walton believe several TCU books can satisfy your literary lust while supporting area writers and storytellers.

The Art of Texas, Lehr said, is one of the most comprehensive books on Texas artists in print. The 456-page compendium covers more than 250 years of art in Texas, from Spanish colonial paintings to works by living artists.

Talking to the Stars: Bobbie Wygant’s Seventy Years in Television tells the autobiographical story of the famed arts and entertainment reporter who headlined WBAP (KXAS-TV) for several decades. Her most notable interviewees include Bob Hope, Denzel Washington, and Matt Damon, among others.

Another memoir, Speak Loudly and Carry a Little Stick, details the life of John Giordano, the longtime Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra music director. The new release chronicles his collaborations with Tony Bennett, Ella Fitzgerald, Itzhak Perlman, and other famous performers.

Giordano, Lehr said, put the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra on the map. “He is a wonderful storyteller,” he added. “He is such a neat guy and so talented.”

continued on page 43

Longtime Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra music director John Giordano reflects on his career through his TCU Press memoir.

Courtesy TCU Press

continued from page 42

Walking TCU, Walton said, is more than a page-turner on campus architecture. The publication describes “how the campus has changed” over the years, she said.

Directly east of the Harrison Building, one chapter on the east campus reads, is the TCU Music Center. Readers can learn about the technical details of the hall that the authors say rivals well-known area venues like Bass Performance Hall.

Lehr said A History to Remember covers a topic that has historically been underpublicized — the uneven relationship many Fort Worthians had with racial integration at TCU.

“TCU was one of the first large institutions [in the South] to integrate, long before federal mandates,” Lehr said.

The photo-rich book recounts race relations at the private university over the past several years through archival news stories, campus newspapers, and personal recollections.

“Once integration began to slowly materialize and Black students began to be able to enroll as undergrad students in 1964, their mere presence would activate a counterculture that would over time build a growing legacy,” part of an early chapter reads. “Despite the shadows of exclusion, the early waves of Black faculty, staff, and students found a way to shine bright enough to light a path for future generations of Black Horned Frogs.”

The publication of A History to Remember, Walton said, is part of TCU’s commitment to equity and inclusion.

“Once we sign an author, we tend to stick with him or her” for future projects, Walton said, meaning many TCU Press authors are familiar to the nonprofit’s loyal readers.

The editor and her team read dozens of submissions throughout the year

and select around 20 to publish annually. Lehr said reminding the public about the nonprofit’s mission requires continual public education.

“A lot of people think we are a print shop,” he said. “That’s the first obstacle.

Once we get past that, I’ll say, ‘Let me tell you what we publish.’ The conversation goes from there.”

TCU Press recently partnered with North Carolina-based Longleaf Services to boost TCU’s sales.

“We are creating a new website that will work seamlessly with Longleaf,” Lehr added. “This will mean more visibility and greater distribution. They have retail reps who contact bookstores here and internationally.”

Lehr said some people might be surprised to see TCU release a book that takes such an unabashed look at its sometimes-troubled history of race relations, but TCU Press directors consider the merits of each release over potential political blowback when deciding which works to publish.

“We release stories that need to be told,” Lehr said. l

TCU’s sometimes-troubled race relations among students is recounted through TCU Press’ new release, A History to Remember.

The publication of A History to Remember is part of TCU’s commitment to equity and inclusion.

CALIFORNIA

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EMPLOYMENT NOTICES

Companies Offering

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EMPLOYMENT

Charles Schwab (Westlake, TX & various unantcptd locns thru USA incldng telecmmtng) seeks:

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MUSIC XCHANGE

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PET ADOPTIONS PUPPIES!

A Rottie Rescue has puppies available for adoption! Thor, Odin and Loki are 8 week old males, 16 lbs each. Adopters outside of Texas must arrange and pay for transport costs. For questions or an adoption application, please email: Info@ARottieRescue.com

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EOE. For full job details & to apply online, visit: https://www.schwabjobs.com/ & search Req. ID.

EMPLOYMENT

Charles Schwab seeks Specialist

- Software Development & Engineering (Westlake, TX): Devlp .NET SW, Agile relse plannng, debggng SW probes. Work from HQ addrss & various unanticiptd locs thru USA, incl WFH. Telecmmtng acceptable. Reqs edu & exp. EOE. For full job details & to apply online, visit: https://www.schwabjobs.com/ & search Req ID: 2023-91603.

EMPLOYMENT

Charles Schwab (Westlake, TX & various unanticipated locs thru USA incl telecmtng) seeks:

Software Developer V: Collab w/ prod ownrs & buz stkhs to defne strtg and scope of SW rqts (decmpose stories, desgn feats, and priortze tasks). Reqs edu & exp. Req ID: 2023-91509.

Sr. Manager, Software Development & Engineering: Collab w/ prod ownrs & buz stkhs to defne stratg and scope of SW rqts (decmpose stories, desgn feats, and priortze tasks). Reqs edu & exp. Req ID: 2023-91599.

EOE. For full job details & to apply online, visit: https://jobs.schwabjobs.com & search Req. ID.

PUBLIC NOTICES

TDLR Complaints

Any Texans who may be concerned that an unlicensed massage business may be in operation near them, or believe nail salon employees may be human trafficking victims, may now report those concerns directly to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) by emailing ReportHT@TDLR.Texas.gov.

SUBMISSIONS

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ADVERTISE HERE!

If you need to hire staff or promote your business, let us help you online and/or in print. For more info, call 817-987-7689 or email stacey@fwweekly.com today.

CATTLE BARN FLEA MARKET

EVERY Sat & Sun 9-5 Indoors

4445 River Oaks Blvd w/AC!

Dealers Dean, Billy, Juanita, Leonard, Mo, Earl and Joe. Come see us!

DIRECTV for $64.99/mo

Get DIRECTV for $64.99/mo for 12 months with CHOICE Package. Save an additional $120 over 1st year. First 3 months of HBO Max, Cinemax, Showtime, Starz and Epix included! Directv is #1 in Customer Satisfaction (JD Power & Assoc.) Some restrictions apply. (MB) call 1-855-966-0520

DISH Network: $59.99, 190 Channels! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo. (where available.) Switch & Get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. (MB) call today! 1-855-701-3027

EARTHLINK INTERNET

Saving just got easier with EarthLink Internet. Get up to $30 off your monthly bill and unlimited data with the Affordable Connectivity Program. Apply without credit checks. Call 855-769-2689 now!

Eliminate Gutter Cleaning Forever!

LeafFilter, the most advanced debris-blocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. 20% off Entire Purchase. Plus 10% Senior & Military Discounts. (MB) call 1-877-689-1687

EMPLOYMENT

CHIP SPREADER OPERATOR WANTED: Road construction crew. Paid Health insurance and other benefits. Per Diem. EOE. 830-833-4547

EMPLOYMENT

Now Hiring CDL Drivers with Tanker & Hazmat preferred, Equipment Operators and Laborers Health Insurance and other benefits. Per diem paid. EOE. 830-833-4547.

ERIE METAL ROOFS

Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material steel from Erie Metal Roofs! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer: $500 Discount + Additional 10% off install for military, health workers, and 1st responders. Call Erie Metal Roofs today. (MB) 1-888-778-0566

The Gas Pipe, The GAS PIPE, THE GAS PIPE, your Peace Love & Smoke Headquarters since 4/20/1970! SCORE a FREE GIFT on YOUR Birthday, FREE Scale Tuning and Lighter Refills on GAS PIPE goods, FREE Layaway, and all the safe, helpful service you expect from a 51 Years Young Joint. Plus, SCORE A FREE CBD HOLIDAZE GIFT With-A-Buy thru 12/31! Be Safe, Party Clean, Keep On Truckin’. More at thegaspipe.net

Hannah in Hurst

Pro Massage, private office. No outcalls. (MT#4797). Call 817.590.2257 (no texts, please)

HISTORIC RIDGLEA THEATER

THE RIDGLEA is three great venues within one historic Fort Worth landmark. RIDGLEA THEATER has been restored to its authentic allure, recovering unique Spanish-Mediterranean elements. It is ideal for large audiences and special events. RIDGLEA ROOM and RIDGLEA LOUNGE have been making some of their own history, as connected adjuncts to RIDGLEA THEATER, or hosting their own smaller shows and gatherings. More at theRidglea.com

LIFE LINE SCREENINGS

Stroke and Cardiovascular disease are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection! Contact Life Line to schedule yours. Special offer: 5 screenings for just $149. (MB) call 1-833-636-1757

PLANNED PARENTHOOD

Care. No matter what. WeArePlannedParenthood.org

PUBLIC NOTICE

ExteNet Systems, Inc is proposing to replace existing streetlights or install new metal poles in order to accommodate small cell equipment at the following locations in Arlington, Tarrant County, TX. DA0815BA: 409 S Cooper St Cell 1; DA0823BA: 413 Summit Ave Cell 1; DA0828BA: 510 Spaniola Dr Cell; DA0832BA: 700 S W St; and DA0868BA: 2499 Crockett Dr. Public comments regarding potential effects from this project on historic properties may be submitted within 30-days from the date of this publication to: BEC,8300 Douglas Ave, Ste 800, Dallas, TX 75225, 214-888-6965, or dustin@becenviro.com. Please refer to the Node ID when submitting comments.