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SHOPPING LOCAL

Spice Up Your Holidays with Bel Air Ranch

Fort Worth-based brand is now available in all Central Market locations in Texas.

By Cynthia Smoot

Bringing a new depth of flavor to any dish or type of cuisine, Bel Air Ranch Herb & Spice Co. has just launched a full line of six NEW seasoning blends exclusively at Central Market. Fort Worth-based serial entrepreneur Justin Anderson introduced his brand in 2021, offering home cooks a way to elevate everyday meals with bold, distinctly Texan flavors. His signature sugar-free blend, crafted with a unique combination of purple shallots, green peppercorns, and smoky Korean red pepper, quickly gained popularity, becoming a top-selling item at Central Market.

Learn to Cook Prime Rib

Just in time for Christmas dinner planning, Bel Air Ranch has partnered with Hartley Ranch, a Texas producer of grass-fed, organic, and conventional Angus beef, to host holiday demonstrations and tastings in selected Central Market stores in Texas. Learn how to make a whole rack choice bone-in prime rib and enjoy tastings served with traditional sides of creamed spinach and mashed potatoes with prime rib au jus on 1pm-6pm Sun, Dec 22 in Fort Worth (4651 West Fwy, PHONE), or 2pm-6:30pm Mon, Dec 23 in Dallas (4349 W Northwest Hwy, PHONE).

Along with the Fort Worth and Dalas store hosting the special events, Bel Air Ranch Herb & Spice can be found in the meat department at all Texas Central Market stores, including Southlake (1425 E Southlake Blvd, 817-310-5600). All flavors are packaged in resealable 2 oz. bags retailing for only $5.99, making them great stocking stuffers for the grill master in your life or fodder for gift baskets.

Flavors include Bel Air Bird (13 Secret Herbs & Spices), Bel Air Blackening (Oriental Hot Mustard, Cayenne, Oregano), Bel Air Brisket BBQ, Bel Air Mediterranean (Greek herbs, Lemon, Red Pepper), Bel Air Smokey

(Chipotle, Coriander, Oregano, Cayenne), and Bel Air Steak & Prime Rib (Black Pepper, Thyme, Garlic, Rosemary). For more information and tips, visit EatBelAir.com.

Cherry Red is Christmas Red

Add a splash of color to your holiday side-dish game with Bel Air Ranch Tomatoes. When shopping for tomatoes in the winter, look for smaller varieties like cherry or grape tomatoes. Slice and sprinkle with Bel Air Ranch. Eat them as-is, add to your favorite salad or roast in the oven to make a tomato soup.

About Central Market

A division of H-E-B, Central Market opened its doors in 1994 and now has ten store locations across North Texas. A bountiful produce department with unmatched quality and variety, an 80-foot seafood case, hundreds of cheeses, 2,500 wine labels, and extensive specialty grocery aisles make the Central Market experience unique. For more information, follow us on Instagram (@central_market), Twitter (@centralmarket), or visit us at CentralMarket.com. #CentralMarket #ReallyIntoFood.

4th Annual Merry & Bright Drone Shows, Mondays, December 2 & 7 • 45th Annual Parade of Lights, Thursday, December 5 • Shop & Dine at Grapevine Mills & Historic Main Street

Enormous Christmas Displays & Decorations

Peace Plaza Ice Rink

Air Ranch Herb & Spice Co. is debuting six new flavor profiles.

Cherry red is Christmas red!

SHOPPING LOCAL

The Ultimate Fort Worth Holiday Fair: Rock ‘n’ Roll Rummage Sale

Expands

for YearEnd Celebration

Fort Worth’s beloved Rock ‘n’ Roll Rummage Sale is cranking up the volume for its final market of the year, taking over South Main Micro Park and surrounding blocks for a Holiday Fair that’s bigger, bolder, and more exciting than ever. On Sunday, December 15th, from 12 PM to 5 PM, this iconic openair event, produced by Honeysuckle Rose Events, will unite the city’s top musicians, vintage curators, artists, and small businesses in a celebration of Fort Worth’s vibrant cultural scene.

For the first time, the event will spill over into adjoining parking lots and shut down an entire block of E. Daggett Ave, transforming the area into a playground of retro finds and live performances. Music fans will groove to an exciting lineup featuring Luther / Parish at 12 PM, Robert Sieben at 2:15 PM, and Midnight Thirty at 4:00 PM, all hitting the Volt Cowtown Micro Park Stage, while DJ Hayden Miller keeps the vibes flowing in the South Alleyway from 12:30 PM to 4:30 PM.

Beyond the beats, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Rummage Sale brings over 130 vendors, each offering an eclectic mix of vintage treasures, original artwork, quirky antiques, and hand-crafted artisanal goods. And when hunger and thirst strike, Fort Worth’s favorite food trucks and stands have you covered: think Tinie’s Mexican Cuisine and Bar, Southside Cellars, Café x Jose, Mama Lu’s Tamales, Leo’s Churro Bar, Delicias De Guerrero, Lazernade, and Sabar BBQ. It’s a feast for the senses.

For families, the event has even more fun in store, from pictures with Santa (1 PM-3 PM, free—don’t forget your camera) to live screen printing by Printed Threads,

on-site recording demos from Blackstone Recording Studio, permanent jewelry, face painting, and build-your-own terrariums.

Event Details:

Date: Sunday, December 15th

Time: 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Location: South Main Micro Park, 105 S. Main St., Fort Worth, TX 76104

Admission: Free

All Ages Welcome Pet-Friendly

A kids’ play area complete with a sandbox ensures little ones stay entertained while parents browse.

Whether you’re a music lover, a vintage collector, or just looking for a fun, family-friendly outing, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Rummage Sale delivers on all fronts. With free admission and a pet-friendly vibe, it’s

an event you won’t want to miss.

Free and paid parking options are available, and carpooling is encouraged. For those traveling by train, the event is just one block southeast of the TRE & T&P Station.

A special thanks to this year’s sponsors: Blackstone Recording Studio (Live Music Sponsor), Felicia Barber of Redfin Realty (Presenting Sponsor), Volt Cowtown (Stage Sponsor), and Community Partners: Printed Threads, Lightbridge Academy, South Main District Salon, Topo Chico, and Arrt Dept.

For more info, visit: linktree.com/honeysuckleroseevents and follow the Rock ‘n’ Roll Rummage Sale on Instagram and Facebook for updates!

SPORTS

The Holiday Rush

Get a little creative when buying for the sports lover on your Christmas list. Here’s how.

BY RUSH OLSON

So, you’ve got a sports fan in your life who made the nice list this year (clearly not a Commanders or Yankees fan), but

hockey sticks and goalposts are so hard to wrap. And tickets to sit in Taylor Swift’s suite at a Chiefs game are kind of tough to find. For you, we put together a few ideas Tarrant County gift givers can easily procure to elicit joy from their sports-obsessed family and friends.

Game Tickets

Well, duh, sports fans like to go to games. Maybe they’ll be so grateful for the gift, they’ll ask you to go with them (though clearly it’s not in the Christmas spirit to hint at that too strongly).

Charles Schwab Challenge

Tickets are on sale for the annual PGA tournament at the Colonial Country Club (3735 Country Club Cir, Fort Worth, 817927-4200). Tickets start at $50 per day at CharlesSchwabChallenge.com.

Dallas Stars Holiday Hat Trick

This deal provides you with two tickets to each of three Stars games in the New Year. The Holiday Hat Trick package, which starts at $165, also includes a Stars tumbler (that comes empty, but you don’t have to leave it that way). You can choose from three combinations of games featuring some pretty compelling opponents, including Carolina, Winnipeg, New Jersey, and Minnesota,

who all are lurking near the tops of their respective conference standings in the first third of the NHL season. And here’s an especially cool bonus — you’ll also receive two tickets to Team USA’s opening game in the International Ice Hockey Federation Under-18 Men’s World Championship to be held in Frisco and Allen in April and May. You’ll

find this package under the Tickets tab at DallasStars.com.

Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo

Your annual chance to see the best PRCA competitors in Dickies Arena (1911 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-402continued on page 7

Big 12 individual game tickets for TCU Men’s Basketball go on sale Tue, Dec 9.

9000) begins in mid-January. You can buy tickets for the rodeo tournament at FWSSR.com or in person at the arena box office. Keep in mind some of the special competitions held in conjunction with the PRCA event, including the Cowboys of Color Rodeo and Mustang Magic. And cowboy culture provides some great wrapping options — maybe put the tix in the box with that new Stetson or pair of boots.

Harlem Globetrotters

If your kids (or you, for that matter) have never seen the Harlem Globetrotters live, you need to make sure that experience happens at some point. And guess what? Basketball’s entertaining “Ambassadors of Goodwill” play at Dickies Arena (1911 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-4029000) on Tue, Feb 17. Ticketmaster has the ticket packages.

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

On Fri, Dec 27, Amon G. Carter Stadium at TCU (2850 Stadium Dr, Fort Worth, 817-257-3764) will stage a bowl game.

Teams get announced on Sun, Dec 8, at which point tickets go on sale. You can secure some for the game or the Kickoff Luncheon at ArmedForcesBowl. com. The pregame tailgate, by the way, features local musicians from different bands playing together as the Panther City All-Stars. We should also note that veterans, retired military, active-duty soldiers, and those serving in the guard and reserve are eligible for up to four complimentary tickets each.

North Texas SC

FC Dallas’s MLS NEXT Pro affiliate won their league championship this past season, and they play their home games at Choctaw Stadium (1000 Ballpark Way, Arlington, 817-533-1972). A lot of really good players come through this club on the way to Major League Soccer. Season tickets are available to watch them defend their title. Visit NTSCTickets. com to score yours.

TCU Basketball

Let’s talk hoops. The women’s team is a Top 20-caliber squad with some big wins on its résumé already and some serious star power. The men’s team is coming off an NCAA Tournament berth last season and plays in the stacked Big 12, with the likes of Kansas, Baylor, and BYU coming to Fort Worth this season. Purchase at

GoFrogs.com or visit the Parrish Family Athletics Ticket Office in person at Schollmaier Arena (3000 Stadium Dr, Fort Worth, 817-257-3764) 8am-5pm Mon-Fri. Do note that men’s basketball Big 12 individual game tickets go on sale Tue, Dec 9.

Texas Rangers 20-Game Plans

These get you into 20 games during the 2025 season at Globe Life Field (734 Stadium Dr, Arlington, 817-533-1972). You can choose from two pre-selected continued on page 16

Help support needy families with kids in the care of Children’s Health Hospital at the annual Isner Cup tasting event in January.

• 4th Annual Merry & Bright Drone Shows, Mondays, December 2 & 7

• 45th Annual Parade of Lights, Thursday, December 5

• Shop & Dine at Grapevine Mills & Historic Main Street

• Enormous Christmas Displays & Decorations

• Peace Plaza Ice Rink Visit us at ChristmasCapitalofTexas.com or call 817.410.3185

LEARN MORE

plans (known as Gold Glove or Silver Slugger plans), or put together your own Fan’s Choice plan of games similar but not all identical to the other plans. The former range from a per-ticket price of $460 for upper reserved seats to $1,960 for Select Infield Mezzanine, the latter starting at $500 per seat. Check them out at TexasRangers.com.

Charitable Endeavors

Giving someone a ticket or entry to a sports-themed charity event just might get you on the nice list — enjoy that added bit of good karma in your own stocking. Here are a couple of possibilities:

Josh Jung’s Backyard Battle by MLW

You can play in a wiffle ball tournament fronted by Rangers third baseman Josh Jung at Globe Life Field (734 Stadium Dr, Arlington, 817-533-1972) benefiting the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation & Miracle League. It’s Sun, Jan 12, and costs $145 for a team of 3-4 players. Age divisions include 10-12, 13-15, and 16-and-up. You’re guaranteed at least two games per team. Get info at MLWWiffleball.com.

Isner Cup

The recently retired John Isner was a top-ranked tennis player for more than a decade. He and his wife created the Isner Family Foundation to support indigent families with kids in the care of Children’s Health Hospital in Dallas. The annual Isner Cup is an exclusive benefit event featuring fare from some of North Texas’ top restaurants and a chance to mingle with tennis pros at the Sub-Zero Wolf & Cove Showroom (3707 Lemmon Av, Dallas) 6:30pm-9pm Thu, Jan 30. Find details at JohnIsner.com.

Merchandise & More

Book Recommendations

We received a couple of recommendations for literary sports gifts from the proprietors of The Dock Bookshop (6637 Meadowbrook Dr, Fort Worth, 817-4575700). They said Elevate and Dominate: 21 Ways to Win On and Off the Field by Colorado coach and former Dallas Cowboy Deion Sanders has been popular. Sanders also visited the store earlier this year after the book came out. For young adult fiction, The Dock suggests The Crossover by Kwame Alexander. Written in verse, it won both the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award Honor and Disney+ also turned it into a TV series.

The Bull Riding Hall of Fame

Help your significant other feel like a bad dude with a T-shirt from The Bull Riding Hall of Fame (121 E Exchange Av, Fort Worth, 512-400-9078). Check out the gifts page at TheBullRidingHOF.com.

Dallas Wings

Did you realize you can get a Dallas Wings Christmas sweatshirt or crewneck? Of course, they also have authentic jerseys, T-shirts, and plush toys of their Pegasus mascot, Lightning. Check out the assortment at ShopDallasWings.com.

Pickleball + Partaking

Courtside Kitchen (1615 Rogers Rd, Fort Worth, 682-255-5751) offers a combination of pickleball courts and craft cocktails. The order in which you indulge in them is up to you. Order a gift card at CourtsideKitchen.com or in person.

TCU Purple

Yeah, we listed the Horned Frogs twice. If you buy some game tickets as noted above, you may want to have some purple in your wardrobe to wear to the game. If you order online (just click “Shop” at GoFrogs.com) in a timely

fashion, the TCU bookstore offers free ground shipping on orders of $75 or more. But if you’re not on the ball, you’re still covered. The physical store at the corner of University and West Berry in Fort Worth is open until 2pm on Christmas Eve to save you from your own procrastination.

UT Arlington

How about some UTA gear under the tree? Pick some up online at UTAGear. com or visit the UTA Bookstore (400 Spaniolo Dr, Arlington, 817-2722785) in person. You can also acquire some at the merchandise shop at any of their three remaining December home basketball games at College Park Center (600 S Center St, Arlington, 817-272-5584), including Sat, Dec 14 (men’s team vs. Louisiana Monroe); Mon, Dec 16 (women’s team vs. Florida International); or Wed, Dec 18 (men’s team vs. Evansville). l

The Dock recommends Elevate and Dominate: 21 Ways to Win On and Off the Field by Colorado coach and former Dallas Cowboy Deion Sanders this holiday season.

Season’s Swishes from the Wings!

GIFT GUIDE

The Department Store

Here

are some gift ideas from several sections of the Weekly.

BY FORT WORTH WEEKLY

Every Wednesday for the last 30 years or so, the Fort Worth Weekly has published a print product with informative articles on eight main topics and more, including news, music, food, sports, and art. Here are some gift ideas from each department.

Night & Day: Calendars for the New Year. Literally.

While many of you use your smartphone for everything these days, not unlike reading this fabulous publication in print each week, nothing replaces the experience of using an actual, physical, honest-to-God calendar.

One excellent resource for this is Half Price Books (several area locations).

Along with artsy, clever pop cultureoriented calendars (Batman, Bob Ross, Friends, Seinfeld, and more), local manufacturer Daybook Publishing stocks their Fort Worth City Date Book there for $19.95. These 6-by-7-inch size booklets

Speaking of calendars, our 2024 Music Awards are in January. Stay tuned for more info!

fit nicely into a messenger bag or purse and include handy local info in the front, lots of pages for notes in the back, and a very recognizable red metallic longhorn embossed on the black cover (#classy). They are also available at Datebook.com.

Anderson Design Group out of Nashville specializes in “continuing the grand tradition of the Golden Age of Poster Art for a whole new generation” by making epic annual calendars. Their bestseller is Legends of the National Parks with imagery and info on Sasquatch, Bruja, Cave Sloth, Grassman, Hushtaka, Mo’o, and more for $34.99 at AndersonDesignGroupStore.com.

Oh, was this not what you were expecting? For leads on actual events, some ticketed and therefore great as gifts, check out our expanded Night & Day section a few pages over.

Eats & Drinks: Foodie Finds

From food-themed art to actual food and booze, we have some creative gifts to choose from.

With the corporate offices and main manufacturing plant for Best Maid Pickles located right here in Fort Worth, we are also one of the lucky cities to have a Best Maid Pickle Emporium (829 W Vickery Av, 817-876-1980). For all things pickle-oriented, make a stop here.

From breakfast to late-night food, Ol’ South Pancake House (two locations)

continued on page 11

Throughout October, KXT 91.7FM gave away copies of Homegrown Bites at a series of live remotes at the burger joint’s area locations. The album features many Music Awards favorites, including The Toadies, Phantomelo, Robert Ellis, the Squeezebox Bandits, and more on orange vinyl. Those events were fire! If you missed out on the freebies, you can purchase a copy on Discogs.com starting at $57.88.

While Robert Ellis has a more recent album to his name, 2023’s Yesterday’s News, it’s two tracks from 2019’s Texas Piano Man — “Topo Chico” and “When You’re Away” — that are in heavy

Gift Guide

is an annual Best Of favorite with our critics and readers alike. For an athome experience, you can give the gift of coffee, coffee cups, pancakes, syrup, or all of the above. Pop into the locations in Fort Worth (1509 S University Dr, 817-336-0311) or Burleson (225 E Renfro St, 817-989-9090) in person or at OlSouthPancakeHouse.com/Store.

Mmm, what a burger! Even though the Texas chain was sold to a company outside the state a while back, Texans still love this fast-food mecca and flock there after shutting down bars all over town. Local folk artist Jack Daw is clearly a fan. He uses his what-a-garbage to create art. You can find his online shop at Etsy.com/shop/JackDawFolkArt and the man himself at various pop-up markets around town.

Music: Gifts of Sound & Vision

While we’re on the subject of Whataburger, let’s talk about this incredible album project they’ve done with a local radio station.

rotation. You can purchase a signed copy of Yesterday’s News on black vinyl with 12-inch insert artwork at https:// RobertEllis.website. He does also have a 2024 single called “Here We Are,” which you can see live this month at Gruene Hall. (Read more in this week’s Music section.)

And if you didn’t buy tickets to The Toadies’ upcoming annual show at Billy Bob’s Texas on Sat, Dec 28, for the hardcore fan in your life, you still have time. Or, you could get them the new limited edition “I Burn” candle that just dropped at … oh, crap. It’s sold out. A potential

continued on page 13

continued from page 10

Give the gift of an at-home Ol’ South experience this season.

Ol’ South Pancake

Pete had his act together and picked up a free copy of Homegrown Bites. If you did not and now need to buy one, head to Discogs.

Courtesy Peter Lufkin

You must burn this candle! Courtesy Metallica

substitute provided by Metallica might suffice. The guys want you to “catch a fire and burn all the misery” with a custom, special edition “You Must Burn” candle for $34.99 at Metallica.com.

Arts & Culture: Creepy Books for a Long Winter’s Night

Besides tickets to any number of exhibits and productions put on by various arts organizations around town (see: Stage this week), this category includes many gift choice items, including some exciting books.

Titan Books just published a new Winter Solstice anthology called Christmas and Other Horrors. Edited by Ellen Datlow, these tales from 17 authors were inspired by the long winter nights that summon a dark tradition of ghouls, ghost tales, and horror. It’s available on Amazon or at Barnes & Noble for $18.99. If crime fiction is your thing, pick up a copy of Eight Very Bad Nights: A Collection of Hanukkah Noir. Curated by New York Times bestselling author Tod Goldberg, this collection of 11 delightful and twisted capers will entertain you through all eight nights of the Festival of Lights. This hardbound title is available

on Amazon, at Barnes & Noble, or on Bookshop.org for $ 27.95.

Local adventurer/author/musician/ podcaster Lyle Blackburn has an online store called MonstroBizarro.com, where you can purchase his cryptology books, including his recent Lake Worth Monster: The True Story of the Greer Island Goatman ($18), or his hot sauce ($8) and music on CD from his band, Ghoultown ($10).

Metropolis: In Other News

There are several metaphysical shops in our area, including Aura, Emboddi, Enchanted Forest, Hearth Wisdom, and the new Hemlock, but Higher Purpose Emporium (505 W Northside Dr, Fort Worth, 682-207-5351) has been in our news section a lot. That’s because not only was owner Ivy Aranaught possibly discriminated against by her insurance

carrier, but she also has been the target of right-wing protests since opening three years ago. Starting at $13, you can help her ward off all the evil eyes upon her with an evil-eye tray that would make a great, witchy stocking stuffer. Or you can go bigger and spend $36 at a wreathmaking class and come away with a hand-made gift this Saturday — more info at HigherPurposeEmporium.com.

Local creators Andrew Calvert and Scott Prather have recently published a

YA comic book aimed at helping readers navigate the stages of grief. Physical copies of the first issue of Hiraeth, the Untimely Adventures of Bevel and Logan are now available via Kickstarter.com with options starting at $10. For $70, you will receive two physical copies (one with a cover by Scott Prather, the other by Martin Simmonds), a three-sticker pack, one enamel pin, and copies of each version of the variant art in play. Heavy content? For sure. But for the right person, this would be a highly collectible and deeply appreciated gift.

continued on page 15

Here are a few creepy books for those long winter nights.

Physical copies of the first issue of Hiraeth, the Untimely Adventures of Bevel and Logan are now available.

Screen: Ghouls on Film

For those on a budget, area discount stores and thrift shops have great stuff you can use to DIY some gift bags and baskets with movie themes.

Taking inspiration from last year’s Holidays Issue with its Christmas Vacation homage cover, how about a holiday movie basket? Use a popcorn bucket as a base ($3 at Michaels) and stuff it with holiday movies (four for $20 at Movie Trading Company), popcorn, and other movie-night snacks from Town Talk Foods, and then bundle in a cello basket bag and tie up with a ribbon ($1.25 apiece at Dollar Tree). You can keep it under $20, we swear, but it will look like you went all out.

With this being the 30th anniversary of The Nightmare Before Christmas, the stuff is everywhere, including discount retail locations. If there’s a cinephile in your realm, grab some Nightmare gift bags from the new goods section of your local Goodwill ($1.50) and stuff them with themed items from Temu, Walgreens, or Walmart. You could also pick up a mystery bag of DVDs at Movie Trading

Company for $12. A true fan, like one of our staffers, might even decorate for the holidays with all of the above.

Stuff: Go, Sports!

Sports contributor Rush Olson has a lot to say this week about sports tickets as gifts, but did he find a fabulous TCU bracelet? No. He did not.

But I did. Along with the Horned Frogs, fans can wear higher-end fashion jewelry on game day to cheer on the Razorbacks, Tarheels, Volunteers, and

more, thanks to Steele Sloan Designs. This TCU bangle bracelet, for example, is tarnish-resistant stainless steel that comes in a gold or silver color for $48. See it all at SteeleSloanDesigns.com.

Professional and college sports teams, beer brands, national bands, and novelty designs all grace the fronts of the T-shirts in your closet and on the racks of thrift stores, retail outlets, and band merch tables, and Zombie Killer Designs is here to upcycle every stitch

of it. During the warmer months, you’ll find a lot of cropped shirts embellished and bejeweled and sleeves replaced with ruffles. Right now, it’s all about the flannels with the rescued images gracing the backs as large patches. Shop from the stock of already completed projects at any number of local pop-up markets, or bring owner Sarah something of your own to customize. Get updates on where she’ll be next by following her at Facebook.com/ZombieKillerDesigns. l

Take your inspiration for affordable giftgiving from holiday movies like we did last year.

Art by Ryan Burger and Wyatt Newquist

Perfect for the TCU fangirl on your list.

Courtesy Steele Sloan Designs

Celebrate the 30th anniversary of The Nightmare Before Christmas this season.

Photo by Jennifer Bovee

Charitable Endeavors

Giving someone a ticket or entry to a sports-themed charity event just might get you on the nice list — enjoy that added bit of good karma in your own stocking. Here are a couple of possibilities:

Josh Jung’s Backyard Battle by MLW

Isner Cup

Merchandise & More

Book Recommendations

The Bull Riding Hall of Fame

Help your significant other feel like a bad dude with a T-shirt from The Bull Riding Hall of Fame (121 E Exchange Av, Fort Worth, 512-400-9078). Check out the gifts page at TheBullRidingHOF.com.

Dallas Wings

Pickleball + Partaking

TCU Purple

UT Arlington

The Dock recommends Elevate and Dominate: 21 Ways to Win On and Off the Field by Colorado coach and former Dallas Cowboy Deion Sanders this holiday season.

Season’s Swishes from the Wings!

NIGHT & DAY

It’s December, y’all. So, there’s really only time for crafting and shopping for presents and streaming holiday content. Am I right? Let’s unpack all of that right here, shall we?

Getting Crafty

If ALDI is a mecca for grocery finds, the ALDI Aisle of Shame Community is a cult, and I might need to be deprogrammed. This Facebook group rejoices in finding the oddities and discounted items in the center aisle, where gift items and home decor live. Followers shout out “caw-caw” upon arrival in the hopes of a fellow member echoing the sentiment. Online, they — OK, “we” — share how the items are incorporated into our worlds, like the wine sweater that ended up on a 9-week-old kitten. The latest craze is turning the $10-ish (price varies by location) ALDI wooden snowmen

and Santas into something else. A crafty fan noticed an uncanny resemblance in shape to South Park’s Mr. Hanky, and, well, you know. Now, if I could only get Board & Brush involved, as I will need some guidance in this endeavor. If I find one of my own, that is.

Speaking of Board & Brush, there’s something to do every Saturday this month at the Arlington location (500 E Front St, Ste 150, 682-238-4537), including this one. At 2pm, enjoy a Family Make-and-Take all-ages workshop ($20) with a variety of wood and paint projects to choose from. Then, from 6:30pm to 9:30pm this Saturday, plus Saturdays Dec 14, 21, and 28, attend a Pick-Your-Project event ($73) for ages 14 and up, with the 21st being the Jingle & Mingle Party. All events are BYOB. For more info, go to BoardandBrush.com/Arlington.

Known for her inventive arts-andcraft nights, Tyler at The Cicada (1002

S Main St, Fort Worth, @The_Cicada_ FTW) is hosting a DIY Yule Ornament Workshop. From 8pm to 11pm on Mon, Dec 16, you are invited to step into the enchanting world of Yule with a night of intentional crafting, where you will create your own ornament using a specially curated selection of mystical botanicals, magical ingredients, and spices. Workshop leaders @ArtioArtisanals says, “Whether you’re warding off winter spirits, inviting good fortune, or simply celebrating the season, your ornament will be a unique keepsake to treasure.” Tickets are $30 on Eventbrite.com and include all the materials needed for the project, as well as one drink ticket so that you can try a complimentary seasonal cocktail or mocktail.

Pop-Up Shopping

You can do your part for #ShoppingLocal by visiting mom-and-pop storefronts, but you can also meet your maker at a variety of upcoming free pop-up events around Fort Worth.

The Rabbit Hole Pub (3237 White Settlement Rd, Fort Worth,

817-744-7160) is hosting its monthly Rabbit Hole Roundup from noon to 5pm on Sunday, with 50 local businesses, several food trucks, and many drink specials. (Normally, their vendor market is the first weekend of the month, but they pushed it to the second weekend to take Thanksgiving off.)

NTX Vintage Markets is hosting its annual Indoor Holiday Market at Panther Island Brewing (501 N Main St, Fort Worth, 817-882-8121) 1pm-5pm Sun, Dec 8, featuring local vendors, a permanent jewelry pop-up, live music, football on the big screen, brunch specials, and $2 mimosas.

The next Rock ’n’ Roll Rummage Sale at South Main MicroPark (105 S Main St, Fort Worth, @ RockNRollRummageSale) is from noon to 5pm on Sun, Dec 15, with 130 vendors, photo ops with Santa Claus, and live music by Luther & Parish, Robert Sieben, and Midnight Thirty. Read about this and other Honeysuckle Rose events on FWWeekly.com in Blotch.

Doc’s Records & Vintage (2628 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817-7325455) hosts a Vintage Flea Market on the third Saturday of each month with live music from local musicians and free beer provided by Manhattan Project Beer Co. Having just done a big event for Record Store Day on Black Friday, it’s unclear as of press time as to whether Sat, Dec 21, is a go or not. However, Doc’s always has great vintage finds in their permanent booth area and killer tunes blasting overhead, so it would still be a great day to shop sans beer. Maybe shotgun some in the parking lot Wee Beasties-style. No? You’re right. No. Follow Doc’s on Instagram for updates.

At halftime during the Texans/Ravens game on Christmas Day, H-town/Get-down native Beyonce will perform.

Where do you find a sweater for a 9-weekold kitten? The ALDI Aisle of Shame, of course.

Santa, meet Mr. Hankey.

Meet Bear and Wendy, the makers behind Artio Artisinals, at the Yule Ornament Workshop at The Cicada next Monday.

There are lots of gift-worthy projects available throughout December at Board & Brush.

Sunday, the Rabbit Hole Roundup offers pop-up shopping and drink specials.

Screenings & Streamings

Elf, Four Christmases, Love Actually, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, The Night Before, and The Santa Clause are part of the list of screenings available in December as part of the Fireside Films series at Rooftop Cinema Club on the roof of The Worthington Renaissance (235 Throckmorton St, Fort Worth, 817-8701000). Loveseats are available for optimal snuggling, and tickets include a personal heater and complimentary gourmet warm drinks, including hot chocolate, cider, coffee, or tea. Tickets are $21-30 at RoofTopCinemaClub.com/fort-worth/, where you can also find info about future events in the series.

recently restored version of Bob Clark’s immortal holiday slasher film Black Christmas (1974).

Something magical is happening on Christmas Day. Because we don’t have enough football to satisfy our Texas appetites with high school games on Friday, college games on Saturdays, and pro games on Sunday and Monday … and Thursday … and Thanksgiving, the NFL is hosting its inaugural Christmas Day Game. At NRG Stadium, the Houston Texans will take on the Baltimore Ravens with a halftime show by Houston native Beyonce. And because Netflix isn’t satisfied with just ruining boxing for the masses, they have decided to take football down with them. Yes, this game will be streaming (or buffering) on Netflix at 3:30pm on Wed, Dec 25. (Seriously, Netflix, get it together. Do you really want to piss off #TheBeyHive?)

By Jennifer Bovee

Enjoy a family film night at Burnett Park (501 W 7th St, Fort Worth, 817870-1692) with a special screening of Elf under the stars this Friday at 7pm. Free parking is provided on the upper floor of the First on 7th Garage (625 Burnett St, Fort Worth, 682-747-6991). There is no cost to attend. Just bring your own blanket. Arrive early for free photos with Santa Claus from 5pm to 7pm under the Singing Trees.

Alamo is back! Along with new first-run features, the theater is screening some classic holiday movies, too, at our area location, Alamo Drafthouse Denton (3220 Town Center Tr, 940-441-4233). This Sunday at 11am, it’s “all aboard!” with an interactive family adventure at The Polar Express Movie Party. Then, at 6:30pm on Dec 12, there’s an Elf Movie Party with themed games, props, and singing loud for all to hear. Also, as part of its Time Capsule series, you can see a

Elf screens Friday under the stars at Burnett Park or at an Elf Party Night on Wed, Dec 12, at Alamo Drafthouse Denton.

Bring the kids to a Polar Express Party at Alamo Drafthouse Denton this Saturday morning.

Warner Bros.

The Night Before is a more modern film than the rest of the classics in the Fireside Series at Rooftop Cinema Club this month.

BOOKS

Holiday Book Guide

With

a new year on the way, it’s time to load up on new books.

BY REESE PIERCE

For us Black Friday holdouts and for the last-minute shoppers, choosing the right gift for the Holidays can be daunting as we draw closer to the end of the year. You might consider a gift card, but that is truly phoning it in. Don’t worry. All is not lost. As long as we have the written word, we have options. How long has it been since you’ve wandered around a bookstore looking at titles? Whatever your answer is, it’s been too long. I know there aren’t bookstores on the corner of every street, but Fort Worth has plenty of options. And if you’re a serious procrastinator, Amazon can get you a title in a day, but at least try to give that money to one of our awesome local spots. To get you moving in the right direction and make it easy, I have done some legwork for you, starting with some key nonfiction choices (in no particular order).

you in The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness. Backed by research and statistics, he delves into the roles that the smartphone and social media have played on rewiring the brains of Gen Z. This is a great book for anyone with kids or for that person in your family who never puts down their phone.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, Dr. Judson Brewer previously tackled anxiety in his 2021 book, Unwinding Anxiety, and he has explored the nature of our minds and addiction in his 2017 title, The Craving Mind. This time, he is back to lend his expertise as an addiction psychiatrist and neuroscientist to help people control their eating and end the cycle of dieting. This is perfect for those who love a good self-help book or want to understand our psychology around food.

Did you look around during family Thanksgiving and think to yourself, “Why the hell is everyone on their phone, and what is wrong with these damn kids?” Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt is here to answer that question for

With the never-ending cycle of violence and war in the Middle East and the constant talking heads in the media trying to give us our opinions, it is easy to lose the story. While this book won’t solve any crisis, it will provide an objective look at the rich history of the Abrahamic Religions and the Middle East. This title is perfect for any religious person, history buff, or avid nonfiction reader on your list.

Klosterman is probably best-known for his pop-culture essays, and in this book that he wrote to keep himself busy during the pandemic, he focuses exclusively on one decade. He not only defines the ’90s via life-changing historical events (according to him, it’s not as simple as January 1 to January 1), but he is also able to bring some insight into what distinguished this point in time. Touching on grunge, politics, art, and entertainment, he never strays too far from pop culture and its wake.

In fiction, there are too many options to list, but here are a few to get you started.

The first of two books that keep popping up on many notable lists this year is Percival Everett’s reimagining of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The journey here is seen through the eyes of Jim (James, in this case), Huck’s Black adult sidekick.

The second novel to make many yearend lists is Long Island Compromise. It follows a fictionalized account of a real kidnapping involving a rich American family and the trauma that ensues from that devastating event.

If weird ecohorror fiction is your thing, or if you love a great science-fiction

Diaries of Home

mystery, then the Southern Reach series by Jeff VanderMeer is for you. This unexpected fourth installment of the original Southern Reach Trilogy picks up some of the dangling threads and handles some of the unanswered questions from Annihilation, Authority, and Acceptance. If Annihilation sounds familiar, that’s because writer/director Alex Garland adapted it to film in 2018 starring Natalie Portman and Oscar Issac.

With nuclear tensions rising around the world thanks to Russia, it’s always a good idea to have a handy field guide for the forthcoming wasteland of cannibals, Mad Max-esque freaks, and a dying planet The Road also happens to be a beautiful work of literary fiction with just enough

hope to keep you going. This is perfect for your doomsday preppers and serious lovers of fiction alike.

This weekend heralds the arrival of the holiday season, which includes Black Friday, Small Saturday, Artists Sunday, and Cyber Monday. With so many gift-buying ideas floating around, remember to try to #KeepItLocal. Here are some options offered by a few of our Best Of 2024 winners.

Dynamite Dames (3915 Benbrook Blvd, Ste C, Fort Worth, 817-319-1588), the longest-running pinup photography studio in North Texas and the winner of our readers’ choice for best photographer in Best Of 2024, has discount shoots and a gift card sale for the holidays. For example, when you purchase a gift card for $500, you receive an additional $100 gift card at no extra cost. If you’ve wanted to do a pinup shoot, now is the time! For the most current specials, follow the studio at Facebook.com/ DynamiteDamesPhotography.

If you’ve always wanted to do a pinup shoot, now is the time.

Whether you’re treating yourself to a customized hat accessorized with your choices of chains, feathers, leather strips, and more, or buying one as a present (your main job right now), be sure and shop at Flea Style in the Stockyards (128 E Exchange Av, Ste 580, Fort Worth, 682-224-5887) this week. Starting on Black Friday, every $100 spent on apparel earns you a complimentary black-and-white (or teal) checkered sweater (limit of two per person) while supplies last.

The seasonal offerings at Perfect Touch Day Spa (2525 Weisenberger St, Fort Worth, 817870-3610) include sessions for couples and individuals that can be purchased in-person or at PerfectTouchSpa.com. The Holiday Couple’s Package for $300 includes 1.75 hours of pampering in which two people enjoy a Champagne Couple’s Massage followed by a Chocolate Peppermint Body Polish. I hope Santa brings me a Holiday Bliss Spa Package for $265 to enjoy four hours of pampering, including a facial, warm stone massage, spa manicure, paraffin hand treatment, and pedicure. Gift certificates are available in increments of $25 and up and can be used toward any spa services from our 2024 best spa winner. For impromptu contests and specials, keep an eye on Facebook.com/ PerfectTouchDaySpa.

Those spending $100 or more on apparel at Flea Style right now will receive a complimentary black-and-white (or teal) checkered sweater.

LOCAL FOR HOLIDAYS 2024

Remember the glorious queso from Torchy’s Tacos (nine area locations) that won the critic’s choice for best queso in Best Of 2024? Well, you have a chance to win that very same dish for free for a year. (A year!) How? Simply give the gift of Torchy’s Tacos by purchasing $250 worth of gift cards in-person at your favorite location to unlock the exclusive 2025 Queso Gold Card while supplies last. Lucky cardholders get a full-size award-winning green chile queso when they stop by Torchy’s and make a purchase throughout 2025. The cards are limited and will not be replenished, so get them before they sell out!

Thrive Apothecary (three area locations) will have lots of specials this holiday season, but Thursday is your last chance to win free gummies from this award-winning CBD retailer in several flavors, including peach, mango, strawberry, and watermelon. To enter, follow Thrive on Facebook and share the story from Sat, Nov 9 — here, let me help you: https://bit. ly/Thankful4Thrive. The giveaway closes at 11:59pm Thanksgiving night. Good luck!

Traders Village (2602 Mayfield Rd, Grand Prairie, 972-647-2331) is not just a mecca for flea-market finds and gift items — like the jewelry that got our attention during Best Of 2024 — but it can also be a resource for discounted home essentials. The village is currently offering Money Savings Deals focused on value/bargain shopping. For example, the dealer in Lot 5017 has Dove spray deodorant priced at three for $10 ($18.55 at Walmart) and Pantene shampoo and conditioner in 25-oz bottles for $5 ($7.97 at Walmart). Plus, the overflow area at Lot 21640 has Golden Pothos plants for $25 in the size typically found at Home Depot for $37.99. One neatly tied bow later, and that’s a lovely gift!

Purchase some pampering time for your favorite person or couple.

Please pick up a copy of our annual Holidays Issue in stands on Wed, Dec 4, for more gift ideas, an extended calendar of seasonal events, holiday recipes, and a ton of info to help you make your list and check it twice. To be included, start by emailing Marketing@FWWeekly. com. Happy Holidays!

By Elaine Wilder

The grateful Best Of winners at Thrive have a Thanksgiving giveaway for you.

NIGHT &DAY

While our Turkey Awards do mark the beginning of the holiday season for us Weekly folk, I did not intend for the majority of this week’s Night & Day to be so festive. But here we are. Most wonderful time of the year? OK, I guess I’m ready to lean in. For those who have a comedy lover in their life, feel free to buy some future show tickets from Big Laugh, and we’ll be at 100% festive capacity.

Every Thanksgiving, only the best of the best high school marching bands from around the country journey to New York City to perform in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC (and its

Peacock app) starting at 8:30am. The invitations are very exclusive, so it’s a big honor to be included. This year, the Flower Mound Band (3411 Peters Colony Rd, 469-713-5192) gets to go as the only high school representing the Lone Star State. Go, Jaguars!

You’ve probably heard of actor/producer/writer Sydney Castillo. He’s written for HBO’s Game Theory, VH1’s Celebrity Squares, and, most recently, NBC’s Marlon, now streaming on Netflix. Castillo’s stand-up can be seen on the HBO Max special The Headliners and in-person at Big Laugh Comedy Club (604 Main St, Ste 100, 512-817-9535) 7pm or 9:30pm Fri-Sat.

As part of its 2024 Christmas tour, the Vienna Light Orchestra will perform three times (1:30pm, 4:30pm, and 7:30pm) at the Ridglea Theater (6025 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-738-9500). Named for the “capital of orchestral music,” the VLO, comprising musicians and singers from seven different countries, performs holiday classics surrounded by more than 2,000 flickering candles and several Christmas trees. While GA tickets are already sold out, you can still enjoy a VIP experience with front-and-center seats for $145 per person at ViennaLightOrchestra.com.

Since today is National Museum Gift Shop Day, it’s appropriate that the Fort Worth Art Dealers

Association is hosting its inaugural Artist Sunday from 1pm to 5pm. Highlighting local artists, creators, and makers, the day promotes giving artistic items and experiences for the holidays. The participating galleries include Art on the Boulevard (4919 Camp Bowie Blvd, 817-737-6368), Artspace111 (111 Hampton St, 817-692-3228), Fort Works Art (2100 Montgomery St, 817-7599475), Gallery 440 (440 S Main St, 817- 3350100), Rebecca Low Sculpture Gallery (7608 Camp Bowie West, 817-244-1151), and TCU’s Fort Worth Contemporary Arts (2900 W Berry St, 817-257-2588), which will also screen a 30-minute film about HIV at 2pm. To learn more, visit ArtistsSunday. com. See this week’s Shop Local section for other ideas for using your dollars to help independent businesspeople in our area.

Known for its various arts ’n’ crafts nights, The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @The_ Cicada_FTW) invites you to “step into the dark side of the season, summon your inner Krampus, and create a delightfully dark holiday gnome.” Tickets for the DIY Krampus Gnome event are $30 on Eventbrite.com and include all supplies and one drink ticket, so you can imbibe a specially themed cocktail or mocktail. Doors creak open at 7:30pm, and the crafting begins at 8pm.

With the beautiful, shiny, and new Dickies Arena (1911 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, 817-402-9000) in

our backyard, Fort Worth has been able to score some pretty cool shows this last couple of years that could have also played in Dallas or at the AAC. Case in point: KISS FM’s annual Jingle Ball at 7:30pm. Meghan Trainor, Jason Derulo, and Kane Brown are the featured performers at this holiday concert, along with Madison Beer, Dasha, KATSEYE, Saweetie, Shaboozey, and Wonho. Tickets start at $28.50 at TicketMaster.com.

But wait, there’s more.

Next week is our annual Holidays Issue, which will be merry and bright and December-y from cover to cover. Should you be interested in contributing editorial ideas or advertising campaigns (yeah, I went there), please reach out to me as soon as possible at Marketing@FWWeekly.com, and I will connect you with the appropriate Weekly elf or Santa himself. “I know him!”

By Jennifer Bovee

The Flower Mound Band is the only Texas group of its kind performing in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade at 8:30am Thu on NBC. Go, Jaguars!

Marlon’s Sydney Castillo is doing stand-up at Big Laugh Fri-Sat.