Local history and idyllic views help downtown’s Cali-based winery Saddlerock stand out.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY
EMMY SMITH
METROPOLIS
Most of North Texas' daily media punted on ascribing blame in the Fort Worth cop attack, but City Council must act. BY
ANTHONY MARIANI
METROPOLIS
Fort Worth's media landscape has never been healthier, but why? BY
MADISON SIMMONS
NIGHT & DAY
Need Fourth of July plans? Look no further. BY JENNIFER BOVEE
MUSIC
A bunch of heavy hitters will jam Sunday to commemorate Tone Sommer. BY ANTHONY
MARIANI
By Madison Simmons
Sparks Will Fly
By Jennifer Bovee
Kill Bills
By Kristian Lin
Anthony Mariani, Editor
Lee Newquist, Publisher
Bob Niehoff, General Manager
Ryan Burger, Art Director
Jim Erickson, Circulation Director
Emmy Smith, Proofreader
Michael Newquist, Regional Sales Director
Jennifer Bovee, Marketing Director
Stacey Hammons, Senior Account Executive
Tony Diaz, Account Executive
Sarah Niehoff, Account Executive
Julie Strehl, Account Executive
Wyatt Newquist, Digital Coordinator
Clintastic, Brand Ambassador
CONTRIBUTORS
Christina Berger, E.R. Bills, Jason Brimmer, Buck
D. Elliott, Juan R. Govea, Patrick Higgins, Laurie James, Kristian Lin, Cody Neathery, Wyatt Newquist, Steve Steward, Teri Webster, Ken Wheatcroft-Pardue, Elaine Wilder, Cole Williams
EDITORIAL BOARD
Laurie James, Anthony Mariani, Emmy Smith, Steve Steward
By Emmy Smith
STOCKYARDS CHAMPIONSHIP RODEOS
Featuring Running B Rodeo Jr. Bull Riders at the Saturday matinee! Enjoy the all-new Coliseum courtyard, stage and Pendleton Trolly Bar.
PBR STOCKYARDS SHOWCASE: JUNE 27 AT 7:30PM
RODEO NIGHTS: JUNE 28 & 29, JULY 5 & 6 AT 7:30PM
ULTIMATE BULLFIGHTERS: JUNE 30 AT 2:30PM
RODEO MATINEES: JULY 5, 6 & 7 AT 1:30PM
LIVESTOCK EXCHANGE
LAWN PARTY
$5 Shiner drafts, $6 Ranch2 O cocktails, Pendleton Whisky, picnic seating with umbrellas and music all day.
DAILY: STARTS AT 11:00AM
TRINITY RIVER TRAIN EXCURSIONS
Ride from the Stockyards to Trinity Park and back.
FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS AT 3:00PM
Takedown, Blue
And a majority of the North Texas legacy media refuse to believe their eyes.
BY ANTHONY MARIANI
“Fort Worth activist injured, arrested while filming police.”
That’s the headline from the Dallas Morning News, and it’s only one of several blame-shifting stories going nationwide from North Texas.
Internal Affairs and an outside monitor are investigating the male Fort Worth police officer who brutalized a cop watcher while arresting her recently in the West 7th corridor.
The department has reassigned the unnamed officer out of patrol pending the outcome of the investigations. The department will only say he’s been with the force for seven years.
Fort Worth police also recently released body-cam footage and a look from a nearby surveillance camera.
The arresting officer inflicted a disjointed shoulder and elbow, assorted lacerations, and a concussion on Carolyn Rodriguez, 60, and after she received medical care, police booked her on suspicion of interfering with public duties, resisting arrest, and evading arrest.
The videos have gone viral, and a majority of the local daily media are largely downplaying the officer’s evident use of excessive force.
METROPOLIS
in the video, it’s pretty clear who manhandles whom and that Rodriguez and the unforgiving asphalt beneath her did not just bump into each other like two old chums at Kroger.
Police brutality has only ramped up nationwide over the past 30 years, with the most killings in more than a decade occurring in 2023. The number of officers held accountable for using excessive force is comically low. The nonprofit Mapping Police Violence reports that from 2013 to 2022, 98% of all police killings did not result in charges against the implicated officers.
The pro-cop argument is that force is almost always required to effect arrests. Force like the kind applied to Rodriguez is different. Such responses are necessary only when arresting officers feel their lives are threatened, and based on the assorted videos of Rodriguez’s arrest, she indeed moves into the arresting officer’s personal space but does not appear to threaten him in any way.
WFAA says, “The video shows Rodriguez falling to the ground.”
Not being thrown by a police officer — as she clearly was — but “falling” as if it were her fault. (It wasn’t.)
NBC 5 says, “Another officer steps between them and, after a short time, appears to attempt to arrest the woman before she hits the ground.”
Not “before the arresting officer grabs Rodriguez by the arm and whips her down to the pavement” but before Rodriguez and the ground meet.
The same NBC report goes on to say that as the officer “puts her arm behind her back,” Rodriguez “falls to the ground.”
Not “as the officer ... forces her face-first
into the concrete” but as Rodriguez and the ground meet, again.
Fox 4 News implies that unseen forces were at play. “Surveillance and body camera video show Rodriguez being swung to the ground.”
“Swung to the ground” by whom? By the arresting officer? By gravity? By the Holy Ghost?
The Star-Telegram fared the best, saying without equivocation that the cop slammed Rodridguez down, both in the headline (“slams”) and the lede (“slam”).
All of this passive voice from the rest means the threat of litigation has neutered daily reporters’, editors’, producers’, and publishers’ ability to say the truth, because
Rodriguez also has said she’s been arrested while cop watching before, but unless she violently touched the Fort Worth officer (she did not) or verbally abused him (also no), it’s obvious that such force was not needed. Legacy media could help hold rogue cops accountable by simply reporting their misdeeds or mistakes clearly instead of spinning them to preserve all-important access to law enforcement for future stories. Only one Fort Worth City Councilmember, Chris Nettles, publicly denounced the arrest, and City Council discussed the issue during an executive session (closed door) Friday. No steps have been taken to remedy the situation. l
This column reflects the opinions of the editorial board and not the Fort Worth Weekly To submit a column, please email Editor Anthony Mariani at Anthony@FWWeekly. com. He will gently edit it for clarity and concision.
Local media make it seem cop-watcher Rodriguez was to blame for her concussion, disjointed limbs, and other injuries.
Courtesy YouTube
METRO
News, Sights
With a wealth of publications, Fort Worth’s media landscape appears healthier than ever.
BY MADISON SIMMONS
There’s not much job security in the news business these days. The past few months have seen mass layoffs rocking institutions like the Los Angeles Times , BuzzFeed, Business Insider, and Forbes . By the end of this year, the country will have lost a third of the newspapers we had in 2005, based on the findings of a report by Northwestern University. This has grim implications for those working in the industry, naturally, but, more critically, just where are readers getting their local news?
Fort Worth might seem better-positioned than other, comparably sized cities to find in-depth analysis and investigations to go along with breaking news and cops and courts (and sports). Local newsstands now have more print publications than perhaps ever, including a daily paper owned by a New Jersey hedge fund which puts out hard-hitting local news (sometimes with a right-wing slant).
And to go with the Star-Telegram and a scrappy 27-year-old alternative news source with exactly one writer on staff, the editor, and just a handful of freelancers (us), the upstart Fort Worth Report, a nonprofit media outlet created in 2021, also pounds out all manner of news consistently.
That seems pretty good, especially amid such a chaotic national media landscape, but Fort Worth is the 11th largest city in the nation, so then again, maybe not. And of all the publications we have, only the three above consider hard news and hard news analysis along with investigations worth pursuing steadily.
Though Weekly publisher Lee Newquist is understandably a little biased, he also has 40-plus years of experience in the business throughout the country and takes pride in his paper’s personal approach.
“We’re on the ground, every single one of us,” he said. “I run the paper, I own the paper, and I’m at the bars and galleries every day.”
So, let’s take a quick look.
Owned by Chatham Asset Management, the stalwart Star-Telegram provides dependable local coverage along
with a lot of syndicated content and, for us, way too much right-wing hot air, plus the Weekly and the Report . There’s also the stylish Fort Worth Magazine . Offering a robust business section to go with some light news coverage, Fort Worth has described its target audience as affluent, college-educated, married homeowners. Similarly, the popular Facebook group Tanglewood Moms puts out Madeworthy , a trendy glossy with a specific suburban perspective and the occasional breaking piece.
Don’t get it twisted. We’re not swiping at any of the above. They meet their goals while answering to the bottom line. Still, where are Fort Worthians getting their news, analysis, and investigations? Is one daily, a nonprofit, a few lifestyle magazines, and a severely understaffed weekly really enough?
Of all of us, the Report seems to be faring the best when it comes to producing news and analysis while growing.
“Everyone deserves local public journalism, but it’s not free to produce,” said founding Report publisher and CEO Chris Cobler.
With a website and a strong social media presence, the Report follows a model set by the Institute for Nonprofit News. A combination of private donations and grants made the Report possible. Cobler also plans to further develop a membership structure.
He echoed Newquist’s sentiments about the lack of locally focused journalism in Fort Worth.
“People inherently trust local journalism done by locals living here,” Cobler said. “There are good local journalists working for hedge funds. They just have so much stacked against them.”
The Report has tripled its staff since opening, but as Fort Worth continues to grow, so does the need for more local media. Will we ever get back to the glory days? Definitely not. But with some creativity and support, we can keep our town from becoming a news desert. l
Come break the rules and say “yes!” to new art experiences at the Carter’s Second Thursdays! Every Second Thursday is different than the last — mingle with fellow art lovers, make art, and meet visiting artists, sometimes with live music and always with themed cocktails inspired by the Carter’s collection. You’ll never think of museums in the same way again.
Step into the spellbinding world of the silver screen for a night themed on the Golden Age of cinema and the exhibition Moving Pictures: Karl Struss and the Rise of Hollywood THURSDAY JULY 11 | 5–8 P.M.
On view through August 25
SCREEN
‘Kill’ Forty Thieves
Indian action films continue to get more brutal and more Western.
BY KRISTIAN LIN
Well, you see, Indians do watch movies from other countries. That’s true everywhere, of course, but even with the country’s recent restrictions on free speech, India still isn’t China or Iran. Their filmmakers can make a movie with obvious foreign influences and not get in trouble with the government. So, we have the current Kalki 2898 A.D., which is clearly influenced by Star Wars and Marvel, and this week, we have the simply titled Kill, which imitates the bone-crunching stylings of Indonesian and South Korean action thrillers. It may be more for our audiences than for the ones back home, but you’d have to say it entertains us Westerners pretty well.
Our hero is Capt. Amrit Rathod (Lakshya), who’s on leave from his job as a commando for the National Security Guard, which is India’s elite counter-terrorism unit. In the city of Ranchi, he
reunites with his girlfriend Tulika (Tanya Maniktala) after a long absence, only to find that she has caved to pressure from her wealthy gun-toting father (Harsh Chhaya) and agreed to an arranged engagement to another man. The whole family is traveling more than 600 miles by train to Delhi for the wedding. Amrit takes his best friend and fellow commando (Abhishek Chauhan) on the train to spirit her away and elope with her, but the lovers are thwarted by some 40 machete-wielding bandits who have planned to rob the train.
How to count the ways this is different from a Bollywood movie? For one thing, it
Amrit is forced to fight a giant (Parth Tiwari) on the bad guys’ side, which isn’t atypical, but he loses the fight, which sure is. A major character dies just before the title sequence, which comes 45 minutes into the film. Just like in Monkey Man, the hero is actually hurt by all the violence, and Lakshya — a newcomer from Indian TV — is actor enough to communicate the pain that comes with every punch and stab wound. Pretty much everyone whom Amrit kills in the early going has a brother, a son, or even a father who’s part of the gang, so the remaining villains are craving revenge by the film’s end. You haven’t seen copaganda until you’ve seen Indian movies glorify their police and military, but here the hero goes “Ryan Gosling in the elevator in Drive” on one bad guy’s head with a fire extinguisher. Plenty of Western films have raised the question of whether their main characters are good at killing bad guys because they’re psychopaths rather than heroes, but this is uncharted territory for an Indian movie.
runs a scant 105 minutes, leaving no time for dance numbers or any of the breaks you’d expect. There isn’t even an opening action sequence in another location to establish our protagonist’s badass credentials. Characters in Indian movies don’t often curse, but here the hero’s very first line of dialogue is, “You smell like shit” — in English, no less — and there’s a lot more obscenity where that comes from. Despite the preponderance of guns on the train, people on both sides are reluctant to use them because, as one character points out, domestically made Indian guns are prone to backfiring.
This movie could be Train to Busan, with the zombies switched out for gangsters. Writer-director Nikhil Nagesh Bhat makes creative use of the train’s cramped quarters, which are less cramped than they first appear, as the fights frequently spill into the seating or sleeping areas flanking the aisles. Maybe you’re drawn to Bollywood action films because of their goofiness and their musical numbers and their physics-defying heroes, and if that’s the case, then the businesslike Kill is not for you. However, it says something that even before the film has played in our theaters, a Hollywood remake has been announced with John Wick director Chad Stahelski helming it. Even Stahelski will have to raise his game to top the thrills of this import. l
Lakshya bandages his wounds (and does the obligatory shirtless-hero shot) aboard a long train ride in Kill.
Kill Starring Lakshya and Tanya Maniktala. Written and directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat. Not rated.
local thrashers Power Trip, who have been on hiatus since the death of vocalist Riley Gale in 2020 (R.I.P.). In December, the surviving members played a surprise set in Austin with Seth Gilmore of Fugitive on vocals. In February, Power Trip announced they would be playing several more shows in 2024 with him again. This is that. Tickets to Power Trip’s show at The Factory (2713 Canton St, Deep Ellum, 214-749-5757) with special guests Ceremony, Fleshrot, Frozen Soul, and Tyrant’s Might start at $36.50 at Linktr.ee/PowerTripOfficial.
Fort Worth’s Fourth, featuring one of the largest fireworks displays in North Texas, will once again take place along the Trinity River at Panther Island Pavilion (395 Purcey St, Fort Worth, 817-698-0700). General Admission is free. Along with the fireworks after dusk and all sorts of other festivities, Chattahoochie (8pm) and Poo Live Crew (6pm) will perform. For more information, visit FortWorthsFourth.com. Poo is feeling very patriotic right now. You can also catch them before and after the event: at Irving’s celebration at 11am at Heritage Park (217 S Main St, Irving, 972-721-2655) before Fort Worth’s Fourth and at Music in the Park (263 W Main St, Azle, 817-444-2541) 8pm Fri, Jul 5. Both events are free.
Does going to Dallas for a show count as a staycation or vacation adventure?
Either way, add the Royal Sons’ Fifth of July show to your holiday itinerary. Our hometown boys are playing with The Doors Hotel (tribute) at the Granada Theater (3524 Greenville Av, Dallas, 214-824-9933) 7pm. Tickets start at $16 on Prekindle.com.
While you’re in Big D, stay awhile. Spend the night. See the sights. Drive the JFK route. Then, tonight, take in the first North Texas show of reunited
As a fundraiser for area social society Court de Fort Worth/Arlington (PO Box 365, Fort Worth, ICFWA. org), Club Changes (2637 E Lancaster Av, Fort Worth, 817-413-2332) hosts Look at That Doggie 4pm-7pm. Enjoy drink specials, $5 single-dog plates, and $7 double-dog plates. This social organization is part of a bigger national group that raises money for other nonprofits and worthwhile causes while holding court in a campy way, like coronating an annual Emperor and Empress. Think: kings and queens.
As hot and miserable as it is, getting trapped in the forests of Western Ireland doesn’t sound all that bad. Just ask Dakota Fanning’s character in The Watchers (PG-13). (Spoiler alert: It’s actually pretty bad.) The directorial debut of M. Night Shyamalan’s daughter Ishana Night Shyamalan is an adaption of a novel by A.M. Shine which, as we recently said, “feels like exactly the sort of thing that would appeal to the daughter of M. Night Shyamalan.” I shall find out tonight, as Fandango.com is offering a rental link for $19.99.
Ready for a little “Barbecue”? Not in this heat! But keep your shirt on. Rebecca Manson is bringing the fun into the cool, refreshing indoor environs of the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth (3200 Darnell St, Fort Worth, 817-738-9215). Composed of more than 45,000 individually crafted ceramic leaves and other elements (like an outdoor grill piece), “Barbecue” is huge — interconnected 8-foot-tall autumnal leaf piles especially — but overflowing with meticulous details. Enjoy the walkable installation and immerse yourself on this physically intimate but psychically capacious journey 10am-5pm TueWed, 10am-8pm Fri, or Sat-Sun 10am-5pm thru Aug 25. Admission is included with general admission ($15 at TheModern.org).
At 2pm, take the kids to the Strike, Scrape & Shake Show, a high-energy percussion performance by Mark Shelton at the Fort Worth Public Library (1300 NE 36th St, Fort Worth, 817392-6010). The young ones will learn about and listen to snare drums, rhythm bones, a hammered dulcimer, the handpan, electric percussion, and more. This free program is for families with children of all ages.
By Jennifer Bovee
Poo Live Crew is making the rounds this Independence Day. Catch them at the city celebrations in Irving, Fort Worth, and then Azle. ‘Murica!
ATE DAY8 of American Pie (and
Dogs, Burgers & Booze) for the Upcoming National Holiday
1.) Curly’s Frozen Custard (4017 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-763-8700) is once again giving away complimentary quarter-pound Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs and a miniature American flag to the first 220 visitors on Thu, July 4, starting at 11am. Founder/managing partner Bourke Harvey is excited to continue the four-year tradition. “We’re celebrating our nation’s birthday in style.” No purchase is necessary, but there is a limit of one free hot dog per person. Visitors can use the drive-thru lane or the walk-up window. You can also choose from the regular Curly’s menu, including the signature Parker County Peach-flavored frozen custard, which is available for a limited time.
2.) Crú Wine Bar (5188 Marathon Av, Fort Worth, 817-737-9463) will celebrate the Fourth of July with a themed three-course menu. Start with the Roman Candle Course (tomato and burrata salad). For your entree — the Bottle Rocket Course — enjoy the Allen Brothers Bavette Steak with garlic mashed potatoes, grilled vegetables, and thyme butter. The Big Boom (dessert) is a blackberry and peach cobbler made with local fruits. The dinner costs $45 per person. Reserve your space at Opentable.com. As for drinks, Crú has 300+ wine selections by the bottle, 39 by the glass, and 13 flights.
3.) El Chico (1549 S Bowen Rd, Pantego, 817265-8335), open 11am-8pm daily, has some meal packs that would be great for taking to parties. The restaurant offers family-sized enchiladas, fajitas, and tacos in the $48-70 range. The Family Fajitas include chicken, steak, or a combination of both, served on a bed of sautéed vegetables with guacamole, pico de gallo, sour cream, and fresh flour tortillas. The Family Tacos feature 12 tacos with crispy corn or soft tortillas, filled with spicy beef or chicken and topped with lettuce, cheddar cheese, and tomatoes. (This meal pack comes with refried beans and rice.) And the Family Enchilada choices are beef with chile con carne; cheese and onion with chile con carne; spinach with sour cream sauce; or chicken with sour cream sauce. There are also daily dine-in specials. For exact pricing, ask the restaurant when ordering.
4.) Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar (621 Houston St, Fort Worth, 817-335-7384) will be open
on Thu, Jul 4, and serving a specialty drink called the Bomb Pop Schooner. It’s $38.95 but also big enough (52 oz) to share with friends. This patriotic drink is made with Deep Eddy lemon vodka, blue Curaçao, grenadine, lemonade, simple syrup, and a splash of Sprite with a cherry on top. For show info, visit PetesDuelingPianoBar.com.
5.) The Railroaders, the minor league baseball team with a homefield at The Depo at Cleburne Station (1906 Brazzle Blvd, Cleburne, 817-945-8705), has many nights of fun coming up this week, most involving food offers. There will be fireworks on Thu, Jul 4, and Fri, Jul 5, and you can enjoy them while dining on the stadium’s Picnic Terrace with an all-you-can-eat ticket for $29 per person. For info on who’s playing who,
game ticket prices, and other special nights, visit RailRoaderBaseball.com.
6.) SusieCakes (1621 River Run, Ste 151, Fort Worth, 817-813-2253) has some patriotic sweets for you this week, including Fourth of July cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and do-it-yourself kits. Flavors include a chocolate-chip cookie cake, a red-white-and-blue snickerdoodle, and more. Order thru Wed, Jul 3, at SusieCakes.com for pickup daily 11am-8pm (or 10am-3pm if picking up on the Fourth). To order (or for more info, including pricing), visit SusieCakes.com/Fourth-of-July.
7.) While normally closed Tue-Thu and open Fri-Sat, Sweet Lucy’s Pies (3520 Bluebonnet Cir, Fort Worth, 817-727-6009) will be open 10am-1pm Wed, Jul 3, for you to pick up your choice of pies for the holiday, including the Corn Custard, the Get Toasted (s’mores), the Stars & Stripes (peach, blueberry, and blackberry), and the TX Whiskey Peach Buttermilk. Pies start at $38 at SweetLucysPies.com.
8.) Lastly, if you’ve been partying during your three-, possibly four-day weekend — during Independence Day or any other time — please take a sober ride home. By designating a sober driver before you start drinking, using a rideshare service for a safe ride home, or just spending the night where you are, you could avoid the emotional, financial, and physical (sometimes fatal) consequences of driving under the influence. For more tips and resources, visit SoberRides.org.
By Elaine Wilder
Curly’s Frozen Custard is doing its annual Nathan’s Hot Dog giveaway Thursday while supplies last.
Enjoy a Bomb Pop Schooner at Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar Thursday.
EATS & drinks
Wine-ding River
Local history and idyllic views help downtown’s Cali-based winery Saddlerock stand out.
inside a historic home. I quickly squashed my internal disappointment that I had missed this scoop and got excited for a fullon rosé adventure.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY EMMY
SMITH
When my wine-loving husband and I were looking for a place to observe National Rosé Day several weeks ago, I remarked that it might be nice to try somewhere new. He obliged, telling me of a bar on the opposite side of town that he’d heard recently opened
We traversed up I-35, exiting just past downtown to the neighborhood known as Uptown. That’s right. Fort Worth has an Uptown, and that’s where you’ll find Saddlerock Wine + Beer Co. As we rolled up to the 1870s Victorian mansion, I felt my excitement growing.
Saddlerock opened May 17 after a yearlong renovation (more of a restoration) of
the 2,500-square-foot home, its accompanying carriage house, and a terrace overlooking the Trinity (which I assume will be more visible when the various native plants aren’t thriving as they were on our visit). In the distance, you can almost make out the movies playing on the Coyote Drive-In’s screens. Inside the main house seemed like the logical place to get our bearings. Patrons lounged in various rooms as we walked up to the small bar. We soon learned the house serves an abbreviated menu compared to the larger bar on the terrace, but before we
headed back there, the kind bartender gave us a little background on how a California winery ended up entangled in Fort Worth history.
Apparently, the Semler family-owned vineyard, home to the only other Saddlerock tasting room, can be found in the mountains above Malibu. When the large wildfires that hit the area in 2018 destroyed the family home, the idea of setting up shop in North Texas, where they had roots, seemed attractive. They purchased the property and spent a year restoring it, thereby opening up a piece of Fort Worth history for all of us to now enjoy.
I will admit to not knowing grapes grew in Malibu before hearing about the Semler family’s estate, but the quality of the Provence-style rosé we chose, perfect for the toasty early-evening temps and for the dubious holiday we used as an excuse to leave the house, easily matched that of a true Provence rosé, which is typically a blend of grenache, syrah, and mourvedre grapes. It was a true “patio pounder,” and we made note to grab a bottle for the fridge at home. You wouldn’t stumble upon Saddlerock just by driving around. Having lived in Fort Worth for 10 years and never even heard of historic Samuels Avenue, my curiosity was thoroughly piqued. As I sipped, I Googled the address and found an old real estate listing for the home. It turns out that when Fort Worth made the leap from military outpost to actual town back in 1870, its wealthiest citizens chose this area just northeast of downtown to settle. Most of those homes continued on page 15
Saddlerock’s riverfront terrace might just make for stellar fireworks viewing.
have been bulldozed in favor of generic apartment complexes, but 731 Samuels Ave. remains. Saddlerock’s website refers to it as the David Chapman Bennett House, named for a banker of the time.
Fellow Fort Worth history nerds take note: Saddlerock even sits across the street from Pioneers Rest Cemetery, the oldest historical burial ground in the city and final resting place to people whose names you’ll recognize around town, including county namesake himself, E.H. Tarrant.
All of this history lent, at least for me (a huge dork, clearly) an ambiance to the grounds that completely sets it apart from other wine bars around town. Lounging on an outdoor sofa on the shady, well-manicured front lawn, it’s easy to imagine you’re in a different time and place, not steps from the bustle of downtown in the hellscape that is the year 2024. And I found myself feeling grateful that the owners didn’t buy the property and just knock down the house to build some sort of modern farmhouse monstrosity. The house and grounds feel lovingly cared for — a feeling reinforced by the quality of the wine. Oh, yeah. Back to the wine.
Having finished an entire bottle whilst down ye olde Google rabbit hole, my husband suggested we give up our cushy front-yard seats to re-up at the expansive bar behind the house. The sun had begun to set, and we noticed a local singer-songwriter
tuning up. Though only a few weeks old, the establishment was packed, but not overcrowded, and we soon found a patio table at which to enjoy our glasses of pinot blanc for me and zinfandel for my hubz.
I did note that most of the menu consists of wines made in Malibu but not by the Semler family. There are a few Semler family reds on offer, and white wines will be forthcoming (along with wine flights and a members’ club with as-yet-undisclosed perks). My pinot blanc tasted of crisp green apple with a mineral finish, while my husband noted hints of red berries and dark fruit in his zinfandel. All the wines we tried were worthy of their respective price points, which we found reasonable and comparable to other wine bars in town with less charming surroundings. There is a decent selection of local beer as well.
While the mosquitoes had arrived for their dinner by the time we finished our glasses, it was hard to imagine a more pleasant early summer evening gazing out on downtown’s twinkling lights from a property nearly as old as the city itself.
As I looked out past the drive-in toward Panther Island, I got the feeling the terrace could boast a killer view of the Fort Worth’s Fourth fireworks show, and lo and behold, Saddlerock is indeed hosting a 21+ party for the occasion, with tickets starting at $25. l
Grab a bottle and go back in time on the large, shaded front lawn of Saddlerock Wine + Beer Co.
MUSIC
Celebrating Tone Sommer
James Hinkle, Ginny Mac, Buddy Whittington, Tommy Katona, Big Mike Richardson, Rachel Patman, Blake Parish, and more will perform Sunday at MML in tribute.
BY ANTHONY MARIANI
Danny Ross and Tone Sommer’s friendship dates to the early 1980s, when the two backed Fort Worth blues legend Robert Ealey. The keyboardist and scorching guitarist then served as the house band at Ross’ Keys Lounge, followed by stints at Lola’s and, most recently, Panther City BBQ. Ross and Sommer kept on jamming through the decades, most recently as part of Playtown, the blues-rocking outfit of frontpeople Rachel Patman and Royal Sons’ Black Parish. Ross has been devastated since Sommer’s May 25 suicide.
“It’s really been a shock to the whole music community,” Ross said, adding that Sommer was “truly a great guitarist, anything from blues to Zeppelin, country, jazz.”
Since the 66-year-old’s passing, the outpouring of grief has been steady and copious, and a lot of cats who knew him well and shared stages with him over the years will gather 2-7pm Sun, July 7, at Magnolia Motor Lounge (3803 Southwest Blvd, 817-332-3344) for the Tone Sommer Memorial show. Ross, Patman, and Parish will be joined by James Hinkle, Ginny Mac, Buddy Whittington, Tommy Katona, Big Mike Richardson, Gunzy Trevino, and many more.
“A lot are coming,” Ross said, and “I know a lot would like to come.”
Sommer may be best known for his time in Ealey’s band until the elder bluesman’s death in 2001. Along with playing to sold-out houses in Europe and jazz festivals across the country, Sommer also appears on the Ealey albums If You Need Me (1995), Turn Out the Lights (1996), and I Like Music When I Party
(1997). While backing Ealey and while on his own plying the North Texas circuit, Sommer toured with U.P. Wilson and Johnny Reno and gigged and/or recorded with national acts like Doyle Bramhall, Stephen Bruton, Joe Ely, Alvin Lee, CoCo Montoya, and Pantera, among others, including Guthrie Kennard. The folk singer-songwriter who’ll also perform Sunday was also a member of Robert Ealey’s band. Sommer, Kennard said, was “always a gentleman, even way back when, and he loved playing music, and he was brilliant at guitar.”
Sommer also occasionally backed Kennard.
“You didn’t have to tell [Sommer] anything,” Kennard remembers. “He just felt it. That meant a lot to me, because a lot of people really don’t get what I do, but [Sommer] got it, and he took it seriously. He was just an all-around good guy.”
Sommer, Ross recalls, was “always in a good mood,” but some recent health issues seemed to have sapped his verve. “Suicide, we will never understand. It’s insidious. I think the devil preys on those in pain and weak. I still have a hard time with it. It’s just so devastating. They leave us and all the family to try and understand and deal with everything. I was totally sad for two weeks, then I felt guilty but now have gotten mad, but, most of all, we miss them so much.”
Sommer is survived by his children, grandchildren, and a large extended family. In lieu of flowers, Sommer’s family would prefer contributions to the Texas Suicide Prevention Collaborative (TexasSuicidePrevention.org). The memorial show is free, but donations will be accepted. l
SAT 7/27 A TRIBUTE TO THE GREATEST SHOWMAN & BROADWAY FRI 8/2 SECRET NUMBER FRI 7/26 MUCK STICKY AND BONZAI SAT 8/17 ROSE FUNERAL & ASMODAI
RIDGLEA ROOM
FRI 7/26 LONESTAR LEGENDS EMO NITE SAT 7/27 THE BOM BOM BOMS
RIDGLEA LOUNGE RIDGLEA THEATER
UPCOMING SHOWS TBA
R.I.P., Tone Summer (1957-2024)
Tone Sommer Memorial Show 2-7pm Sun w/James Hinkle, Ginny Mac, Buddy Whittington, Tommy Katona, Big Mike Richardson, Rachel Patman, Blake Parish, and
at Magnolia Motor Lounge, 3803
CLASSIFIEDS
ADVERTISE WITH US
EMPLOYMENT
CHEBA HUT
Cheba Hut has open interviews on Tuesdays from 9am to 9pm. “Join the dank side!” 1217 8th Ave Near Southside
HEALTH TRAVEL
ACCOMMODATIONS
According to the New York Times, the following companies have said they would cover travel expenses for employees who need reproductive health services not available in Texas: Airbnb, DoorDash, JP Morgan Chase, Levi Strauss & Co, Netflix, Patagonia, Reddit, Starbucks, Tesla, and Yelp. Additionally, NowThis has listed the following companies also offering the same assistance to employees: Amazon, Apple, BuzzFeed, Citigroup, Comcast, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Lyft, Mastercard, Meta, Microsoft, Paramount, Sony, Tesla, Walt Disney Co, Vox Media, and Zillow. (JMB, FWW)
FAITH-BASED EVENTS
CELEBRATION
COMMUNITY CHURCH
Located at 908 Pennsylvania Av (817335-3222), CCC has services on Sundays at 10am. Want to check out a nonjudgmental, inclusive church at home before attending in person? All services can also be viewed on YouTube (@ CelebrationCommunityChurch130).
POTTER’S HOUSE
Join the Potter’s House of Fort Worth (1270 Woodhaven Blvd, 817-446-1999) for Sunday Service at 8am and Wednesday Bible Study at 7pm. For more info, visit us online: www.TPHFW.org
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Cardiovascular Disease & Stroke
These are leading causes of death, according to the American Heart Association. Screenings can provide peace of mind or early detection! Contact Life Line Screening to schedule your screening. Special Offer: 5 Screenings for $149! Call today! 1-833-636-1757.
DENTAL
INSURANCE
1-888-361-7095
Physicians Mutual Insurance Company covers 350 plus procedures. Real dental insurance - NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! Call or visit Dental50plus. com/fortworth (#6258).
LIFE INSURANCE
Up to $15,000.00 of GUARANTEED Life Insurance! No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Visit Life55Plus. info/FTWorth or call Physicians Life Insurance Company today! 844-782-2870.
Planned Parenthood Of Greater Texas
We’re not going anywhere. We know you may be feeling a lot of things right now, but we are here with you and we will not stop fighting for YOU. See 6 ways you can join the #BansOffOurBodies fight on FB @PPGreaterTX. For more info, go to: PPGreaterTX.org
HOME RESOURCES
DISH Network
Get 190 Channels for $59.99! Blazing Fast Internet, $19.99/mo (where available). Switch and get a FREE $100 Visa Gift Card. FREE Voice Remote. FREE HD DVR. FREE Streaming on ALL Devices. Call 1-855-701-3027 today!
ERIE Metal Roofs
Replace your roof with the best looking and longest lasting material steel from Erie! Three styles and multiple colors available. Guaranteed to last a lifetime! Limited Time Offer: $500 Discount + Additional 10% Off Install (for military, health workers & first responders.) Call 1-888-778-0566.
GENERAC GENERATORS
Prepare for power outages today with a home standby generator. No money down. Low monthly payment options. Call for a FREE quote before the next power outage. 1-844-887-3143
LEAF FILTER
Eliminate gutter cleaning forever with LeafFilter, the most advanced debrisblocking gutter protection. Schedule a FREE LeafFilter estimate today. Ask about 20% off entire purchase. Plus, 10% senior and military discounts available. Call 1-877-689-1687.
MIND / BODY / SPIRIT
Hannah in Hurst 817.590.2257
Massage Therapy for pain relief, deep relaxation, and better sleep. Professional office in Mid-Cities for over 25 years. “I am accepting new clients now and happy to return your call.” -Hannah, MT#4797.
PET SERVICES
PET SERVICES FREE SPAY/NEUTER
Texas Coalition for Animal Protection has clinics near you. Schedule an appointment today. TexasForThem.org
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.
SERVICES
DORRANCE PUBLISHING
Book manuscript submissions currently being reviewed. Comprehensive services include consultation, production, promotion, and distribution. Call for your FREE Author`s Guide or visit DorranceInfo.com/FTWorth today. 1-866-256-0940.
DIRECTV
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. Call 1-855-966-0520.
DIRECTV Stream
Carries the Most Local MLB Games! CHOICE Package, $89.99/mo for 12 months. Stream on 20 devices in your home at once. HBO Max included for 3 mos (w/CHOICE Package or higher.) No annual contract, no hidden fees! Some restrictions apply. Call IVS at 1-855-810-7635.
EARTHLINK
Highspeed Internet Big Savings with Unlimited Data! Fiberoptic Technology up to 1gbps with customizable plan. Call 855-767-0515 today!
SUBMISSIONS
We’d Like To Hear From You! Do you have thoughts and feelings, or questions, comments or concerns about something you read in the Weekly? Please email Question@fwweekly.com. Do you have an upcoming event? For potential coverage in ourlistings sections including Ate Day8 a Week, Bulletin Board, Big Ticket, Crosstown Sounds, or Night & Day, email the details to Marketing@fwweekly.com.
Find us online at
CATCH A SOBER RIDE THIS WEEK! For resources, visit SoberRides.org
COWTOWN ROVER
Are You Road-Trip Ready?
With our handy pick-up and drop-off services, having your car checked out could not be easier. Get ready for summertime. Call today!
3958 Vickery | 817.731.3223 www.CowtownRover.com
EMPLOYMENT
Alcon Research, LLC has openings for Senior Regulatory Specialist for the Fort Worth, TX office. Responsible for the implementation and maintenance of the defined regulatory strategy. Works in close collaboration with internal stakeholders (e.g., supply chain, project management, commercial regions) to streamline regulatory processes in order to achieve business objects. Job is 40 hours per week. Please send all resumes to Sylvia Cruz, Alcon Research, LLC, 6201 South Freeway, Fort Worth, TX 76134, Ref. No. VJ0624.
EMPLOYMENT
Pathway Vet Alliance, LLC dba Thrive Pet Healthcare seeks Emergency Veterinarians for the Mansfield, TX locations to treat injuries in pets. REQ’D: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree or foreign equivalent + Eligible for state veterinary license. Apply at: https:// app.jobvite.com/j?aj=oQ3Ztfw5&s= Animal_Emergency_Thrive_Mansfield.
EMPLOYMENT
Software Engineer II at American Specialty Heath Inc. in Fort Worth, TX will design, develop, maintain and troubleshoot software applications. Telecommuting permitted as business needs allow, reporting to the Fort Worth office. Salary range: $89,274 - $150,000 per year. Position requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems, Computer Science, or related field, plus 2 years of experience in a software developer occupation or related occupation. The 2 years of experience must include 2 years of experience with each of the following: programming in C#, C++, ASP.Net, VB.Net, Java, or JavaScript; .NET framework; REST APIs; unit testing; Node.js, Angular, Ember, or React; relational database queries, including MySQL or Microsoft SQL; message queuing protocols and solutions; software design patterns and SOLID design principles; and working in an agile environment with CI/CD processes. Interested candidates must email resumes to hr@ashn.com and reference job code #024. #LI-DNI #LI-NDI #LI-DNP
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
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
OFFERING PAINTING & HANDYMAN SERVICES
in Tarrant and Parker Counties. Providing honest, dependable work at a fair price! Call or Text today for a FREE estimate.
Chris 817-495-3017
PUBLIC NOTICE
The following vehicles have been impounded with fees due to date by Lone Star Towing (VSF0647382) at 1100 Elaine Pl, Fort Worth TX, 76196, 817-334-0606: Nissan, Altima, 2004, 1N4AL11F14C148834, $1094.12; Stoughton, Box Trailer, 2001, 1DW1A53231B410089, $1657.96; Voltswagen, Beetle, 1973, 132476336, $1069.36; Voltswagen, Beetle, 1969, VIN 119229087, $1253.99; Voltswagen, Beetle, 1967, 158565911, $994.65; Voltswagen Beetle, 1965, 115171204, $1094.12; 119229087, $1094.12; Voltswagen, Beetle, 1963, 5145916, $1094.12; and Wabash, 2007, 1JJV482W67L082195, $1641.19.
RIVER OAKS FLEA MARKET IS CATTLE BARN FLEA MARKET
Lots of products made in occupied America! Keep an eye out for the new, improved booth from By The Hide COMING SOON!! 4445 River Oaks Blvd
