West FW Lifestyle September 2014

West FW

WestFWLifestyle.com

SEPTEMBER 2014

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Back to School Fashion Priscilla Harrier finds her Utopia!

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Publisher’s Letter

It was only yesterday…

My oldest child, Hannah, graduated in 2008 and the youngest, Pace, has only three more first days of school left. Now, when I look at both of my children, I remember the tears and anxiety of their first days of kindergarten (yes, the tears and anxiety were all mine) and I wonder, where did the time go? Now I am not allowed to go anywhere near Pace when school friends are near or if they might possibly be near, lest I embarrass him. My sweet baby Hannah is getting to experience the same anxiety and tears with my grand girl Brileigh, who is about to march on in to first grade with no fear.

I wanted to share one of my first day of school memories way back in 1980…

Prince Charles and Princess Dianna had just married and I begged my mom for the Dianna haircut. I just knew that was going to make me a princess. She made the appointment the day before school started, so the ‘do would still be fresh. I apparently wore myself out from that experience and had to take a nap. I awoke with the clock telling me it was 8:30 and went into a hysterical panic. After I was sufficiently calmed down, my mom explained it was 8:30 pm. I sure wish I could find a picture of 10-year-old Princess Christie and her fancy ‘do, but some things are better left to the imagination.

This issue is dedicated to two very special women that are featured this month, Sylvia West and Gayle Cowdin Watson. They are very much beloved and treasured by me. I don’t think that a mere “thank you” could ever cover the gratitude I have for them both.

september 2014 publishers

Christie & Mike Thomas | CThomas@lifestylepubs.com 817.290.2120

editor

Christie Thomas | CThomas@lifestylepubs.com

contributing writers Juliet George, Martha Helton, Leigh Kilpatrick, Kendra Mathewson, Doug Matus, Kristin Peaks, Matt Smith, Kristi Wilson Marks

contributing photographers Ann Beck, Kat Swift, Vishal Malhorta

Published monthly, subscriptions are: 1 year for $22 or 2 years for $39.

Visit WestFWLifestyle.com

corporate team chief executive officer | Steven Schowengerdt chief sales officer | Matthew Perry chief financial officer | DeLand Shore production director | Christina Sandberg director of marketing | Brad Broockerd art director | Sara Minor ad coordinators | Cyndi Vreeland, Samantha Engel copy editor | Kendra Mathewson

Sincerely,

executive assistant | Lori Cunningham application architect | Michael O’Connell it director | Randy Aufderheide

Christie Thomas, Publisher

by Community ™

on the cover Madeline and Ellie Photography ANN BECK 817.401.0134

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P.O. Box 12608 Overland Park, KS 66282-3214 Proverbs 3:5-6 West FW Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of West Fort Worth’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in West FW Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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September 2014

Departments

22

8

Good Times

10

Around Town

12

Parents Corner

14

Your Neighbor

16

Locally Owned

22

What’s Cooking?

24

Giving Back

26

History 101

28

Terrific Teacher

12 Parents Corner

30 Lifestyle Calendar

34

Tips to help your child have a strong start to the school year

Parting Thoughts

18 Back to School Fashion

Send your kids back to school in style.

28 From Teacher to Volunteer Tutor

Priscilla Harrier finds her utopia.

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18

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Always the best accessory!

BEFORE AFTER

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Good Times

FOWO/ Fort Worth Retail Anniversary

Attendees enjoyed the fifth anniversary celebration hosted by Bud Kennedy at the Fort Worth Science and History Museum, including entertainment by James Hinkle.

Lisa & Scott McConnell

Barbara Bouyea, Dr. Stan Elliott, Elaine Stoltz, Gale Van Ackeren

Jerry and Carol Courter, Stefani and Sandy Finklestein

Heather Hurd and Lisa McConnell

Vicky Brewer, Carrie Dils, Ginger Coolidge, Ratna Goenardi, Kalen Ruiz

James Hinkle

Quality Game Room Furnishings

2312 Montgomery Street, Ft. Worth, Texas 76107 | (817) 377-1004 | DFWBilliards.com 8

West FW Lifestyle | September 2014

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After

Quality Custom Solid Wood Furniture Finished & Unfinished Pieces

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9

Around Town WINE WEDNESDAY AT GRANDEUR DESIGN School is back in session and that means hectic schedules! Owners Brenda Blaylock and Susan Semmelmann invite you to take some time for yourself and join them for their first Wine Wednesday Happy Hour on Wednesday, September 10 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Sip wine, relax and leisurely browse our store located in the West 7th area at 821 Foch St. Grandeur Design is owned and operated by experienced and innovative designers that are passionate about helping customers make their dreams and visions a reality.

Owners Brenda and Susan are experts in all aspects of design, which include their inhouse resources to create custom drapery and bedding, upholstery, wood working, floral arrangements, artists and installers, to allow for turn-key projects.

Visit GradeurDesign.com for location and to learn more. Hope to see you Wednesday

NANCY GARLAND EXCLUSIVE IN THE SHOWROOM Attention jewelry lovers! From 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 20, Nancy Garland Exclusive is opening up their showroom for ladies to come together for wine and light fair, and experience the luxury necklaces from the exclusive accessory line.

Enjoy an evening of fun and beauty in the NGE showroom located south of downtown Fort Worth at 101 South Jennings. You’ll be greeted at the door and directed to the showroom on the second floor.

Nancy Garland Excusive pieces are bold in design and hand-made with precision and care. The stones, beads and pendants 10

West FW Lifestyle | September 2014

are carefully hand-selected from vendors worldwide by Nancy Garland herself. Each piece is hand-constructed with high-quality clasps and wirings, to ensure their lifespan. Nancy’s brilliant attention to detail is unsurpassed and allows her to make bold, heart-stopping pieces that balance and lie with ease and comfort.

See more from Nancy Garland Exclusive on the web at NancyGarlandExclusive.com.

CAMP FIRE FIRST TEXAS CENTENNIAL LUNCHEON Camp Fire First Texas, one of the largest Camp Fire councils in the nation, is celebrating its centennial this year.

One of the premier events is the Centennial Celebration Luncheon to be held at the Fort Worth Convention Center on September 10. The luncheon will pay tribute to past WoHeLo Medallion recipients, Gulick Award winners and Ella C. McFadden Award winners, including Mollie Lasater, the Junior League of Fort Worth, Valleau Wilkie, Chesapeake Energy and Cook Children’s Hospital, to name a few.

The luncheon will also spotlight standout youth and families who are involved with Camp Fire today. The event, which is open to the public, will be emceed by Deborah Ferguson.

“This year of celebration is an opportunity for Camp Fire volunteers and alumni to reminisce and look back on all that Camp Fire has been and has meant to them, plus demonstrate the organization’s connection and relevancy to children, youth and families today,” says Zem Neill, president and CEO of Camp Fire First Texas.

Ticket information and event details are available at CampFireFW.org or by calling 817.8312111.

CAMP BOWIE DISTRICT Camp Bowie District is home to more than 800 businesses, including several locally-owned shops and boutiques stocked with stylish school necessities for students and teachers. Visit Babies on the Boulevard (6323 Camp Bowie Blvd.) for coordinating napmats, backpacks and lunchboxes, as

well as Conrad Creative (4911 Camp Bowie Blvd.) for customizable college carepackages and teachers’ gifts. Kay’s Hallmark (4828 Camp Bowie Blvd.) carries grade level keepsake books for parents and kids to record memories of the school year.

Facebook.com/CampBowieDistrict

Random Acts of Kindness at Buffalo West Sunday Brunch is back starting September 14 from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Buffalo West and they want to invite you to a special kickoff. All proceeds of this first brunch will benefit the Arlington Fire Department Random Acts of Kindness project. Donations will be the cost of brunch $25/person, and includes brunch entrée and beverage and spectacular entertainment provided by the Uptown Drifters.

For more information go to Facebook.com/ pages/Arlington-Fire-Department-Random-Acts-of-Kindness/258795124282505 or BuffaloWestFW.com.

18TH ANNUAL FALL BREAKAWAY The Texas Christian University Chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta will host its 18th Annual Fall Breakaway 5K benefitting CASA of Tarrant County on Sunday, September 14 at TCU Garvey-Rosenthal Soccer Stadium. Over the last 18 years, these young women have raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for CASA of Tarrant County’s advocacy efforts on behalf of abused and neglected children.

The women of Kappa Alpha Theta have been standing up and speaking up for abused and neglected children through their support of National CASA and local CASA programs for 25 years.

The young leaders of TCU’s Kappa Alpha Theta chapter are passionate supporters of CASA of Tarrant County’s vision to provide a clear voice, a safe home and a bright future for every abused and neglected child in foster care in our community. Visit TCUTheta5K.com to sign up for the run and learn more about CASA’s partnership with Kappa Alpha Theta.

Advertorial

Complete Care with a Smile

Complete Care Camp Bowie facility returns patients’ trust with a profound community investment.

BY Douglas Matus Plush, comfortable chairs, complimentary bottled water, a

So, what makes Complete Care Camp Bowie different?

fully-stocked coffee bar, and a pleasant receptionist to greet

“We can do anything a large emergency room can do, just with a smile and a much

everyone who comes through the door. Because the staff

shorter wait time,” says Miranda Foran, Facility Director of the Complete Care Camp Bowie

values customers’ time, waits are brief and the reception

facility.

area blessedly uncrowded and serene. Those who arrive to

Unlike many urgent care centers, Complete Care Camp Bowie stays open 24-hours a day,

Complete Care Camp Bowie at 6006 Camp Bowie Boule-

365 days a year, with wait times that averages 15 minutes. Patients do not have to worry

vard must often check themselves and wonder if they’ve

about catching an illness in a crowded waiting area, or suffer through the callously dismis-

stumbled into the wrong establishment. It’s not often that an

sive attitude of stressed out, overworked staff. Julie Radley, executive director of operations

emergency room welcomes patients with all the comforts of

at Complete Care Camp Bowie, characterizes the staff first and foremost as sympathetic

home.

caregivers.

If the purpose of most visits did not center on medical emergencies, patients might find

“The word emergency means different things to different people. To a mom, her toddler’s

themselves content to spend more time in the waiting area. Lucky for them, the same care

3am earache is an emergency and we treat it as such. We treat all patients the way they

and attentiveness infuse all aspects of Complete Care’s operation as they diagnose and

deserve to be treated.”

treat a vast array of medical issues and emergencies

Under the leadership of medical director Dr. Clayton Roberts, Complete Care Camp

Four emergency room physicians with over 50 years of combined medical experience

Bowie facility has served Fort Worth in ways that far exceed the treatment of illness. An

opened the first Complete Emergency Care in San Antonio in 2009. After four years of

emergency care clinic is an intrinsic part of a community, and Complete Care Camp Bowie

successful operations - thanks in no small part to the buoyant support of the local commu-

has taken this to heart with a host of initiatives. In addition to contributing to the revitaliza-

nity - Complete Emergency Care dramatically expanded its procedural offerings, opened

tion of Camp Bowie Boulevard, Complete Care Camp Bowie has donated medical services

additional locations that included Fort Worth’s Camp Bowie facility, and won recognition

to Arlington Heights schools, taught water hydration safety to elementary students, and

from the state of Texas as an emergency facility on par with any hospital ER.

sponsored school supply drives, a local walkathon, and the Arlington Heights booster club.

Today, patients at Complete Care Camp Bowie can receive treatment for everything from ear infections and the common cold, to broken bones, chest pain and pneumonia. For procedures that most people associate only with large hospitals, such as CT scans, X-rays and ultrasounds, Complete Care Camp Bowie has you covered. The Fort Worth facility, embraced by locals for its compassionate care and community investment, recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.

Complete Care Camp Bowie recognizes the trust and investment that the community has endowed it with, and leaps at any chance to repay that debt.

“The opportunity to create relationships with the local community is very important to me and the other physicians at Complete Care Camp Bowie,” says Dr. Roberts.

For all the patients who have given Complete Care Camp Bowie a try, that’s one relationship that will never need a check-up.

Parents Corner

Tips to Help your Child Have a Strong Start to the School Year A

strong start to the school year often means a successful school year. Below are some simple, practical tips that parents can implement in their own homes.

Show Interest: Let your child know right away that their academic success is important to you. Get a school calendar so you know when grading periods end and when report cards will be distributed. Know when conferences are, prepare questions beforehand for teachers and attend conferences.

Set Expectations Together: Plan a meeting with your child at the beginning of each grading period to set realistic goals for grades for that term. During this discussion, take into consideration your child’s strengths and weaknesses. It is very important to listen to your child during this discussion and not set your expectations too high. Unrealistic expectations could set them up for failure.

Get To Know Your Child’s School: Remember that teachers, principals and counselors are there to help your child succeed. Introduce yourself before issues arise. Let them know who you are and that there is support at home. A great way to get to know the school better is to volunteer at your child’s school. Your child may not be thrilled to see you in the hallway at school, but you will be 12

West FW Lifestyle | September 2014

sending a strong message that you care about what is going on at his/her school.

Hop Online: Make time to browse through your child’s school website. Many teachers have individual websites where they list upcoming assignments, tests and deadlines. Most districts offer a way to log into your child’s personal online grade book.

Support Strong Attendance: When a student misses school they miss out on important information. Schedule appointments outside of school hours. It is especially important to schedule family vacations around the school calendar. Again, this is a perfect way to show your child that you value school and have certain expectations set for them.

Encourage Them To Get Involved: Research shows that students who are involved in structured activities generally do better in school. Contact your school office to find out what activities are offered. Go over the list of available activities with your child.

Both of you may be surprised to learn of the different options.

You may want to look into private and community organization as well for further enrichment.

These tips provided by our friends at College Tutors.

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September 2014 | West FW Lifestyle

13

Your Neighbor

Rock On, John Local musician helps the next generation keep Fort Worth funky Article Douglas Matus Photography Kat Swift

T

he North Texas music scene has been good to John Davis.

His career began when he was just 15 years old, and featured no less a venue than Dallas’s Trees as the site of his first gig. After stints in Nashville and Austin, John returned to Fort Worth in 2003, and in 2004 a friend and former bandmate invited him to join Fort Worth favorite Poo Live Crew. As the lead singer of “America’s Greatest Cover Band,” John has garnered a wide following for his band’s tongue-in-cheek humor and eclectic set lists.

Now, John has turned his energy to a new endeavor: sharing his love and knowledge of music with the next generation of young Fort Worth rockers.

The story of John’s own musical development serves as the perfect preamble for his newfound identity as a teacher. When asked about his early exposure to music, John cites a predictable in-fluence – an older brother – with an atypical twist.

“My brother wanted a toy keyboard, and our mom bought it for him,” he says. “I was the one who wound up playing it. I taught myself songs by ear. My first was the anthem to Top Gun.”

14

West FW Lifestyle | September 2014

John must have felt the need for speed, because his maverick approach to self-education yielded quick dividends. It wasn’t until people noticed him playing piano at his church - and began asking who his teacher was – that his parents sprang for lessons. His first band, a high school metal group called Black Belt Jones, featured one of his future Poo Live Crew bandmates and initiated his experiences with the Fort Worth music scene.

“The scene in Fort Worth benefits from long-lived clubs like Lola’s and the Grotto,” he says. “The owners of those places have a vested interest in the city, and work hard to promote local music.”. Even when North Texas rock exploded in the mid90s, thanks to the success of bands like the Toadies, Fort Worth maintained its own identity. “It’s always been special here. More intimate, less commercial.”

Fort Worth’s School of Rock provided him with his first exposure to the joys of teaching. John led classes at the school for six months, just long enough to contract a serious case of the teaching bug, before the demands of work and fatherhood forced him to leave. Shortly thereafter, the mother of one of his students contacted him about private lessons. From there, John began to devote one evening a week to work with students on an individual basis. His popularity as a teacher stems from his non-traditional approach. To begin, he asks students what their favorite songs are, or titles they would like to play.

“The lessons are in the songs,” says John. “If someone tells me they want to play such-and-such, that’s where the teaching begins.”

John reveals song structure, points out changes, and shows how certain notes or chords logically lead to others. Though well versed in traditional music theory, John explains the benefit of his own method: “When I took classical lessons, I would get 30 minutes of theory before I could even touch the keyboard. I try to make it more interesting. If you want to start with Beethoven, we can. If you prefer Lynyrd Skynyrd, we can start there, too. Regardless of genre, songs have lessons to teach.”

He currently offers lessons in voice, guitar, bass and drums.

As an added bonus, students can gain experience with recording techniques in John’s home studio. The current group of students meets with John for an hour apiece, one night a week. With increased demand, John hopes to ex-pand his offerings and possibly lease a space to accommodate more students. He credits the pop-ularity of music instruction in part to Fort Worth parents, who place a high value on the arts.

“Parents in Fort Worth are very supportive of music education, which, nationally speaking, is somewhat unusual,” says John.

“School programs may get cut, but the parents find a way. These kids start young, and they’ve got a good thing going.”

With teachers like John Davis, they most certainly do. For those interested in lessons, John works with students of all ages and skill levels. He can be reached at: 817.706.6845.

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Locally Owned

A Salon to Believe In Fort Worth’s Lux Machine Sets a Gold Standard for Service Article Douglas Matus | Photography Kat Swift

C

lients at Lux Machine, a posh, full-service salon located at 4816 Camp Bowie Boulevard, quickly fall in love with the high level of service and welcoming atmosphere that owner Gloria Bradfield has nurtured over the last 12 years. Bradfield opened the salon with one goal: to become Fort Worth’s premier salon, with a staff that exemplified the highest standards of customer service and professionalism. Her goal now realized, Gloria maintains a client list of more than 2,500, and has turned her entrepreneurial success into a springboard for philanthropic causes. Her new goal? To repay the many kindnesses, from friends and strangers alike, that helped her get to where she is today.

For the owner of a deluxe salon in an affluent neighborhood, Gloria presents something of an unusual picture. The child of a first-generation immigrant, Gloria watched her parents struggle to make ends meet, and grew up with a clear awareness of want and need. From a young age, Gloria’s drive and intelligence led her to improve her circumstances, yet also learned that a person with no resources can only accomplish so much.

16

West FW Lifestyle | September 2014

Because of this, the young Gloria came to rely upon small kindnesses.

“Growing up, we didn’t have much,” says Gloria. “My family and I always depended on the help of others for rides, food, money for utilities, school supplies. When I made it to college, people loaned me books.

Those little things made a huge difference.

We never had much, but we always got by.”

Gloria won a scholarship to attend college, and after graduation went to work for Arthur Andersen. There she gained invaluable experience in regards to accountancy and the importance of fostering positive employee relationships. She also married her high school sweetheart, Andrew Bradfield, founder of Fort Worth sandwich shop The Great Outdoors. When Andrew decided to sell the business, Gloria sensed the time was right to make a move of her own.

“Andrew sold the business, and the salon I went to was about to close,” she explains.

“My hairdresser was out of work, and I realized I could do something about it.”

As an immigrant’s daughter, Gloria had grown up with visions of one day realizing the American dream as a business owner.

With her first employee in tow, Gloria used the money from The Great Outdoors to open Lux Machine.

Gloria set to work developing her business with her typical drive and attention to detail, and it didn’t take long to attract a loyal clientele. Gloria had always wanted to give back to her community, and as the owner of a successful business, she now had the opportunity. She also found ready partners among her staff and customers.

“I’m blessed to have a ver y charitable clientele, with many people involved in the community,” says Gloria.

“Ever y who works here also steps up, be it with their time or donations, or ideas for projects.”

It’s hard to keep track of all the charitable organizations that Lux Machine has supported over the years. The first project was a donation of salon services at the Texas Women’s Shelter. From there, Lux Machine expanded its efforts to include the YWCA, where they provided services to prep women for job interviews. One client had access to a surplus of backpacks, and Gloria spearheaded a campaign that raised 1,000 pounds of food to fill the backpacks for underprivileged children. Lux Machine has sponsored fundraisers for individuals that covered medical expenses and funeral costs. The salon’s largest effort, a fund-drive for the SPCA, raised over $10,000, 30 bags of blankets and 800 pounds of dog food. In 2013, Gloria organized a backpack drive to get children ready for school. At the end of their efforts, Gloria and her team had provided 81 low-income schoolchildren with backpacks and all the supplies they needed for an entire school year. As a beneficiary of similar charity, Gloria knows the dividends that children can reap when adequately prepared for school.

“School supplies might seem like a small thing, but it’s not to these kids,” she says.

“Anytime you can take away some of the anxiety from children who struggle, and help them focus on their education, you give them a chance to lift themselves up.”

As for the future, Gloria will continue to expand her charitable efforts.

Anyone who wishes to donate, or has a charitable need or idea, can contact Lux Machine at 817.569.0900.

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17

Back to

School!

Madeline and Ellie show off their new styles that really pop in color. They’ll walk down their school halls in style.!

Madeline is wearing a neon green & pink owl dress by (Bonnie Jean, $35) Accessories by Dillard’s.

Ellie is wearing a sequra pink tunic (Code Blue, $42) and Be Real Be You denim jeans (Code Blue, $32) paired with a blue jean vest with Aztec designs (Code Blue, $48.) Ellie also wears a sequined turquoise and pink backpack by Dillard’s. $20 Dillards.com

Article Leigh Kilpatrick | Photography Ann Beck Clothes Provided by Dillard’s Ridgmar Mall

A

s school begins, you can feel the excitement in the air. Students are overjoyed to see their friends after a long summer and show off their new tan. Everyone ready to share their summer vacation stories and compare who went where and which vacation was the best. Maybe even a summer love story or two. But everyone’s main thought: what to wear the first day of school. There’s shoes, skirts, shorts, dresses, pants, shirts, hair, makeup, backpack, folders and accessories to choose! What’s a girl or boy to do?

This was always easy for me growing up as I went to a private catholic school, but once I transferred to public school, clothes meant the world! It’s what made you popular, nerdy, sporty, hip18

West FW Lifestyle | September 2014

pie, fashionable and everything in-between. I made a horrible fashion malfunction one year and cringe every time I come across an old picture. Students and teachers will agree, looking your best on day one is important. Below are several style ideas to help kids of varying ages see what’s new out there today!

So whether you have to wear a uniform or not this school year, you’ll be ready to show off your style!

All clothes available at Dillard’s!

Special Thanks to Michah Lynch with Dillard’s Ridgmar Mall Photography Stylists Bobbie McCurdy and Ali Zarcone

Hudson will steal the show with his classic style and smooth looks.

Hudson is wearing a yellow lemon drop classic polo (Ralph Lauren Polo, $85) with light wash straight leg jeans (Levi & Strauss, $39.99), accessorized with a brown leather belt (Cremieux, $45.)

Cash can fly by his friends in his rockin’ apparel.

Cash is wearing a grey and white tee under a black striped tee (both Hurley, $14 each) paired with cargo shorts (First wave, $19.99.) Dillards.com

Blake and Emily can be comfortable while still looking stylish at their high school this year.

Blake is wearing dark denim wash jeans (Levi, $39.99) paired with a short sleeve polo button up in red (Ralph Lauren Polo, $85.) Ellie is wearing an Aztec cross body tank in grey (Gianni Bini, $49) paired with a kimono in black and white chevron (Moa Moa, $39). Emily also wears denim jeans with diamond wing designs (MissMe, $99.50) on the pockets topped off by an Aztec necklace (Natasha, $48.) Dillards.com

Kada will be a fashionista in her school this year. She rocks the hallways with glam.

Kada is wearing a floral top with lace embroidery in coral (Monteau Girl, $22) under a white denim jacket (Gianni Bini, $44) paired with light wash denim jeans with bedazzled pockets (MissMe, $86) She tops it off with a glamorous gold sequined backpack (Confetti, $20.) Dillards.com continued >

September 2014 | West FW Lifestyle

19

back to school (continued)

Hudson and Brileigh are looking very classy and cute in their uniforms.

Hudson is wearing a navy blue classic polo with a neon yellow signature (Ralph Lauren Polo, $85) paired with khaki straight leg shorts (Ralph Lauren, $69.50), and a brown leather belt (Cremieux, $45.) While Brileigh wears a white button up (Copper Key, $12.99) and pleated khaki skirt with a bowtie (Copper Key, $14.99.) But her outfit wouldn’t be complete without her navy bow headband (Copper Key, $12.) Dillards.com

Alex will be the talk of the town with neon style.

Alex is wearing a classic tee in turquoise (Ralph Lauren, $14.99) under a signature polo in electric lemon (Ralph Lauren Polo, $34.99) paired with classic cargo shorts (Cargo Style, $24.99) Dillards.com

Brileigh will stay cool in this Texas heat in her comfy and cute crops.

Brileigh is wearing a black Dreams are Magical Tee (Forever Orchid, $14.99) with cross pocket denim crops (Miss Me, $69.) Dillards.com 20

West FW Lifestyle | September 2014

Libby will make the halls pop with her bold style and awesome color combinations.

Libby is wearing an electric coral dress (Gypsy Traveler, $39) under a denim jacket with matching aztec designs (Gypsy Traveler, $39.) She tops off her style with a black and white chevron backpack (Dolce Girl, 30) Dillards.com

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What’s Cooking?

The DFGrub The Culinary School of Fort Worth Kristi Wilson Marks | Photography Kat Swift

M

y roots run deep at The Culinary School of Fort Worth.

Back in the 50s, my great-grandfather, A.C. Luther, for the most part architecturally designed and developed what we know today as “Ridglea”. Undoubtedly most of you long-time residents of the West Side remember this space as the The Balcony fine dining restaurant located on the second level above La Madeline restaurant along Camp Bowie Boulevard. I’m delighted to say much of it still remains in its original state.

As I enter, I am greeted by Julie Grissom, who has been with the school since the beginning--a liaison if you will. She is very welcoming and full of information for those seeking anything from a career in the culinary arts as chefs, to people like me who simply love the art of cooking.

Chef Kurima, a proud Horned Frog who serves as the director of the whole operation, has an extensive background instructing and running many well-known restaurants. She emphasizes to every student no matter what their previous culinary knowledge: it’s ok because each student is here for one reason and that is to learn. The students enrolled range in age from 18 all the way up to 65 plus.

They cover the culinary basics, which include knife skills, cooking techniques, identification of kitchen equipment and products, and many more in-depth familiarities that we may 22

West FW Lifestyle | September 2014

think we all knew but really you’d be quite surprised. There are four different programs for students to choose from depending on their desired path.

The first is Gastronomy and Kitchen Management which preps individuals seeking a profession in food related positions. This helps place the student into a field ranging from restaurants to catering or even a personal chef.

The next program is my personal favorite; The Culinary Arts.

This includes everything from nutritional and international cuisine, to menu development and cost control. There is so much involvement behind a kitchen that so many people don’t know.

There is no doubt a true chef is held in high regard, but the ante

just went way up. Did you know that a head chef not only creates a beautiful menu, they also manage numbers, ordering, hiring, cost and see that the kitchen is running like clockwork? Outside of that we all see our favorite wellknown chefs around DFW at charitable events giving us their time outside of the kitchen, which is a full-time operation. Sheesh, how do these cats sleep at night going full throttle the way they do?

The third program is the Pastry Arts, which terrifies me. Ha! I think I have a knack for being able to improve most of my plated creations, but when it comes to baking and having to follow directions I am just dumbfounded. Story of my life (as I giggle under my breath).Students cover advanced baking techniques, all sorts of

doughs, cakes, torte’s and all the classics of a pastry shop.

The final program focuses on Catering: The Art and Business. This is the final chapter to prep culinary graduates in the event planning field. It covers general business practices, marketing, planning, budgeting, logistics and portfolio development.

I encourage anyone who has a desire to further their knowledge for their love for the culinary arts to stop in and meet the phenomenal staff of this amazing and highly regarded school. Meet Wes the new owner to share his vision, and yours.

Feel Julie’s warmth and smile as she welcomes you through the door. Each instructor’s passion which will undoubtedly ignite your own. Cheers, and I hope to be writing about you one day, too.

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Giving Back

From Teacher to Volunteer Tutor Priscilla Harrier Finds Her Utopia Article Kristin Peaks | Photography Provided

P

riscilla Harrier started working at her hometown library when she was 13 years old. She loved books and libraries, so much so, that as she was going through school she quickly realized she wanted to be a teacher one day.

Harrier realized early on that she loved working with young people.

“I had two teachers who set a high bar for outstanding teaching,” says Harrier. “They demonstrated their love and respect for their students and they were masters of their subjects. I hoped to do that in a classroom one day.”

And she did just that. For 43 years to be exact. After graduating from Baylor University, Harrier had multiple teaching jobs. She started out at a school in Lorena, Texas, teaching grades 9-12, then moved to Indianapolis where she taught language arts for grades 7-8. She then returned to Texas to get her master’s degree in library science and soon after, ended up where she was meant to be.

In 1978, Harrier found what she calls her “professional utopia.” She was hired as the Lower School librarian at Fort Worth Country Day, a K-12 private school in Fort

24

West FW Lifestyle | September 2014

Worth. She taught there for 33 years before retiring in 2011.

“It was utopia because I got to establish the library program and was supported by the administration, parents and students,” says Harrier. “I was there long enough to teach the second generation which was so much fun.

The Lower School Library itself was unique in that there was a fireplace in it. I built a fire each January and we popped corn over the fire so that the kids could taste popcorn as a pioneer child would have experienced it.”

It was her professional utopia because she was given the opportunity to bring students and books together in so many ways.

When Harrier retired, she knew her work as a teacher and mentor wasn’t done. She just so happened to stumble upon a private, non-profit outreach school in Fort Worth that needed tutors and soon after started volunteer tutoring at Cassata High School.

She knew it was where she needed to be because each student had experienced huge educational challenges, but they were all determined to excel and get their diploma.

“I volunteer at Cassata because my time with each student shows me how effective concentrated one-on-one time can be,”

says Harrier. “It is such a joy to physically see the “AHA-light- bulb-goes-on-I GET IT” moment when a student understands what we have been studying.”

One student at Cassata that particularly stands out to Harrier is Diego Soto. Diego was scared to go to school because he was the only one in his class that couldn’t read or write well. He was even more scared to go to public places, like sports and events. He was terrified that he would be asked to read out loud and people were going to make fun of him.

Diego’s mother, Fabiola Soto, says that Diego struggled trusting teachers because of an incident from elementary school. He got to a point where he would give up and didn’t want to try again.

But all of his negativity changed when his school provided him a tutor.

Harrier worked with Diego for weeks and he started to realize he was worth something. He started to make higher grades. Even on reading tests.

And Soto credits his tutor for everything.

He met with Harrier five days a week, three hours a day for tutoring sessions.

“Priscilla is a person of faith who never gives up on the students she tutors,” says Fabiola Soto. “I know this for sure because she would always call or email Diego after school to make sure he was doing his homework. Without a doubt, Priscilla earned the love and respect of the teachers, students and parents.”

And Harrier will tell you over and over that her favorite thing about teaching is the joy of watching her students stretch themselves and discover they can learn new things.

“It is especially rewarding to watch a student who has struggled, but refused to give up and he finally accomplishes his goal,” says Harrier.

The one thing Harrier may not realize is the magnitude of impact she has on these kids. They are doing things that they never thought they would accomplish.

In fact, Diego recently wrote a letter to the President of the United States. Prior to tutoring with Harrier, he couldn’t write at all. Not only did she teach him how to read and write, but more importantly, she made Diego believe in himself.

Now that’s utopia.

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25

History 101

My Ghost’ll Come Sneakin’ Back Western Swing King Haunts Gridiron and Gramophone Article Juliet George

MILTON BROWN: END. Milton was one of our best ends. He is light but when he hits his man he is certain to go down and stay for awhile. Milton was one of the best tacklers on the team. Brownie played his best in all the games. He will graduate this year, to everyone’s regret.*

A

future pioneer of western swing music lived in poverty on Fort Worth’s west side as a teenager and young man, but Milton Brown managed to dress immaculately every day and to give his all to football and basketball, the pep squad, the chorus, the theater club, and extracurricular organizations at Arlington Heights High School, in the 1920s. While marveling over his eclectic enthusiasm, one must also consider a huge obstacle — linked to his family’s economic struggles — that he overcame. As his surviving younger brother, Roy Lee Brown, recalled, “It took him a while to graduate, because he had to help provide for the household. As a result, he didn’t graduate until he was 21 years old.” He dropped out several times to labor alongside his father at the nearby Bain Peanut Company.

Brown had transferred from a Van Zandt Addition school to the new Arlington Heights High School on Camp Bowie Boulevard in 1923. One highlight of his football career occurred during a game against Laneri College (a Catholic boys’ academy on Hemphill Street); receiving a pass, he ran 40 yards for a touchdown. He and his teammates were declared Class B city champs in 1925, his senior year.

He carried the same dedication into his music career. Between graduation and his early death in 1936, Brown lived several lifetimes in 11 years — working again at Bain, selling Loveras and other cigar brands, working and performing with Bob Wills at W. Lee O’Daniel’s Burrus Mill and Elevator Company and in the mill-sponsored Light Crust Doughboys band, and forming what writer Robert Palmer has called “one of the most important, and most unjustly obscure predecessors and forefathers of rock and roll.” That would be Milton Brown and his Musical Brownies. His band gained a local and regional following through radio broadcasts, recordings, and bookings at clubs and dance halls. While driving a teenage girl home from his own Brownie’s Tavern, he crashed on the Jacksboro Highway. She was killed instantly; he lingered for awhile in a local hospital.

As Roy Lee Brown told collaborating biographer Cary Ginell, “Wherever Milton was, it was said there was always a song.”

26

West FW Lifestyle | September 2014

When the band recorded “Texas Hambone Blues” for the Decca and Minerva labels — just weeks before his death — Milton sang these lines into the grooves: “Oh when I die, when I die, Honey don’t you wear black/When I die, Honey don’t you wear black/ ‘Cause if you do, my ghost’ll come sneakin’ back…” *Milton Brown appears at the top left of the photo montage, along with fellow end Harold Powell (center) and guard Bob Schmitt (lower right). Image from the athletics section, Yellow Jacket yearbook (Fort Worth, Texas: Arlington Heights High School, 1925), courtesy of the Billy W. Sills Center for Archives, Fort Worth Independent School District.

Juliet George has authored two local-history books for Arcadia Publishing: Fort Worth’s Arlington Heights and Camp Bowie Boulevard.

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Terrific Teacher

West Academy: It’s All in the Family

A Small, Private School is Nurtured by Two Long-time Friends Article Martha Helton | Photography Ann Beck

I

nside an old, nondescript office building on McCart Avenue, remarkable things happen with a small group of teenagers, year after year. For various reasons, public school hasn’t worked for these kids. West Academy is a private, accredited high school that offers a refreshing alternative.

Low student/teacher ratios afford chances to ask as many questions as needed, without embarrassment or being judged uncool. Grades rise and self-confidence grows through a personalized education nurtured with the warmth of a caring “family”.

The “parents” of this “family” are Dr. Sylvia West and her friend and colleague for more than 30 years, Gayle Watson.

Both women are highly qualified educators, earning advanced degrees from their favorite alma mater, TCU. Gayle has a

28

West FW Lifestyle | September 2014

master’s degree and West has two master’s degrees and a doctorate.

“I didn’t love school as much as SHE did,” laughs Gayle.

Sylvia started Hill School in the ‘70s for her son, Todd, when, as a first grader, his learning disability wasn’t being addressed in public school. Hill School eventually became a nonprofit organization.

“Which meant I had no say-so anymore,” says Sylvia. “The board wanted to make the school big and that was not my view. I wanted to keep it small.” In 1984 Sylvia left to start another school in keeping with the small atmosphere. Gayle, a teacher at Hill, left with her.

The Tutoring School originated as a private tutoring facility, but quickly turned into a full-time school as several parents voiced concerns that their children had nowhere to go. The school was soon renamed by the students, at Sylvia’s invitation, to the more respectable, “West Academy.”

Mornings at West are for teaching; after lunch is tutorial time to work on homework, study for tests and for getting help.

“Freshman and sophomores are taught homework skills with our supervision. By the time they are juniors and seniors, they will have to take things home,” says Gayle.

Learning disabilities are not a hindrance.

“Our school is small enough that we can handle all those disabilities just as if we were in regular school,” Sylvia says.

“The one-on-one attention does away with many of these things—we can make the accommodations that they need.”

A bookshelf in a hallway is lined with white binders containing state approved curriculum that was written by these dedicated ladies. Specialized curriculum is sometimes written to feed a student’s particular interest.

With approximately 30 students, anonymity can’t happen.

“We know every single one of the kids who go to West. We know their parents, we know their brothers and sisters, who they’re dating, who they’ve broken up with. I mean, these are critical factors,” shares Sylvia.

“We still know them, even after they graduate,” adds Gail.

Conflicts don’t fester because teachers help the students resolve them.

“We’re not here to teach them just academics, we’re here to help them deal with life,” Gayle says.

Both Gayle and Sylvia have opened their homes for some of the teens to live temporarily. Gayle’s “adopted” 29-year-old son, Kyle, lived with her for a while. She describes him as “near and dear” to her heart.

Students and parents have the ladies’ cell phone numbers and are used not merely for math questions.

“We’re tiny and we feel like a family and they know we care,” explains Sylvia. “Gayle gets more calls in the middle of the night than me and they say, ‘Can you come pick me up?’ She gets up, gets dressed and goes and gets them.”

The family atmosphere spreads. Gayle’s children went to West. Three of Sylvia’s children went to West. The exterminator went to West. The maintenance man’s daughter went to West. Gayle’s husband, Paul, pitches in and mows the yard for free.

Alums come back to teach classes.

“It just goes round and round,” Sylvia marvels.

And the ladies relish it all.

“There’s something to be said about looking forward to going to work,” says Gayle. “In general, I’m like, ‘but I GET to go to school…’” Sylvia interrupts. “…and be with these kids. I think to myself, maybe one of these kids may be doing something in the future that helps change the world and I had a part in that,” Sylvia says, finishing Gayle’s thoughts just as family members often do with each other.

For more info: WestAcademyFortWorth.com.

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29

Lifestyle Calendar

September

September 4

Opens September 12

Crafting from the Collection

JERUSALEM

Amon Carter Museum

FORT WORTH MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY

Take a tour of the museum, view a hands-on demonstration, and get creative with a crafting project while enjoying refreshments.

Call 817.989.5030 for more information or to register. 6 -8 p.m.

3501 Camp Bowie Blvd.

Visit the historic city of Jerusalem, and its many iconic sites, including the Western Wall, the Dome of the Rock and the Jordan River in this IMAX movie for all ages. Visit FWMuseum.com for showtimes and tickets. 1600 Gendy St.

September 5

September 13

First Friday at the Modern

Oktoberfest

Modern Art Museum

The Ginger Man

Enjoy live music by Steve Story, a special Froggy Frenzy cocktail and a gallery tour starting at 5 p.m. Café Modern will be open for dinner until 8:30 p.m. with featured specials. Call 817.840.2157 for more information. 3200 Darnell St.

Grab your lederhosen for an all-day Oktoberfest celebration, including: live music, stein hoisting competitions, a pretzel scavenger hunt, giveaways, and, of course, German beer.

3716 Camp Bowie Blvd.

September 6 Fall Gallery Night Cultural District

Celebrate the accomplishments of featured artists during the Fort Worth Art Dealers Association’s Fall Gallery Night at the many galleries in Camp Bowie District, including: Amon Carter Museum, Fort Worth Community Arts Center, Kimbell Art Museum, Modern Art Museum, National Cowgirl Museum, Rebecca Low Sculptural Metal Gallery and William Campbell Contemporary Art. Free and open to the public. Visit FWADA.com for times.

September 6

September 21 Opening: Urban Theater-New York Art in the 1980s Modern Art Museum

Experience the gritty New York art scene of the 1980s, including vibrant, yet discordant, representations of media culture, consumerism and street art, in this 25,000-square-foot exhibition. Open until January 4, 2015. 3200 Darnell St.

Star Party at the Noble Planetarium

September 27

Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

Day in the District

Join the Noble Planetarium staff from dusk until 10:30 p.m. for a free monthly event to gaze at the stars and sky. Expert astronomers will be on hand to teach amateurs how to spot constellations and other celestial objects. 1600 Gendy St.

Camp Bowie District

Spend a day exploring Fort Worth’s Cultural District for free! Attendees will enjoy complimentary admission to Camp Bowie District’s numerous museums, including: Amon Carter Museum of Art, Cattle Raisers Museum, Fort Worth Community Arts Center, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Kimbell Art Museum, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth and National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

September 27 Paint Your Pet Night A Piece of Work

Bring a photo of your furry family member to create a unique painted masterpiece in this step-by-step class. 7 p.m. 5714 Locke Ave.

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West FW Lifestyle | September 2014

Come Explore

CAMP BOWIE BOULEVARD

EAT. SHOP. DINE. PLAY. 6100 Camp Bowie Boulevard, Suite 23 • Fort Worth, Texas 76116 817.737.0100

Did you know?

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Average wait time is 15 minutes.

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September 2014 | West FW Lifestyle

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33

Parting Thoughts

Another D- Summer Words Denise Snodell

F

or me, the phrase “Back to School!” stirs up feelings of failure.

I know others swoon when the calendar flips to August, and for many reasons. End of summer vacation means kids will go to bed earrrrrrrlier. They will meet new calculus-obsessed friends.

They will get smarter. They will have something to do that doesn’t involve game controllers, over-chlorinated water, arguing, whining, or, if they’re teens, sleeping until the crack of noon.

Not that I know anything about that last one.

For me, “Back to School!” time is a wake-up call. It forces me to evaluate what happened the previous few months. Or rather, what did not happen. This is when I prepare myself for a painful tumble in my own vicious cycle of hope and disappointment.

Every April or May, I feel like an overfilled water balloon of enthusiasm just wanting to burst on the scene where accomplished/ organized people dwell. I make plans. I dream. I set so many ambitious goals for myself and my sons.

Here’s the springtime dialogue, if only in my head: “This is the summer it’s all gonna happen, guys! First, we’ll organize your rooms to the point where we might see the floor! After that, we’ll enrich our minds. We’ll go to museums. We’ll study ‘til dawn.

We’ll learn new skills, scale sequoia trees, volunteer, write to our elected officials, watch foreign movies with subtitles, alphabetize the spice rack—no, no—grow our own spices first, then store them in bottles we crafted ourselves in glass blowing class and then alphabetize from black pepper to thyme.”

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West FW Lifestyle | September 2014

I exaggerated my thoughts up there. I avoid movies with subtitles.

But when I consider the history of my parenting journey, every summer has ended up mostly unproductive. To begin with, I am the ultimate ball-dropper. From the time my guys were little, I would fail to register them on time for the fun camps. (To this day, the word “register” is my shiver-inducing kryptonite.)

Like clockwork, I’d get word of something awesome a week too late, only to learn the department of recreation’s ultimate experience sold out the first day of registration. “CAMP FULL” became my pouty mantra. My kids’ summers defaulted to suffering through leftover day camps like “Mud Pies ‘N Math!” or “Exploring Folk Music.”

Today, my guys are teens who are becoming independent young men. Yet they still require some adult-orchestrated structure (cattle prodding) because they are, in fact, teens. And I continue to drop more balls than a pre-schooler at a bowling alley.

The tasks that were still on my shoulders for this summer—gently suggesting productive, daily activities, organizing and executing college visits, signing up the guys for enriching teen-centric classes—may or may not have happened by press time. Hopefully, I hit the 10 percent mark.

If I didn’t, oh well. I’ll know at least my family earned an A+ in “Pillow Case Design with Drool!”

Sleep. That’s what summer’s really all about. Right?

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Grassroots start at Home

russell Wilkins

Julie Wilkins

marGaret coulborn

Residential Sales | Residential Leasing | Property Management HOA Management | Commercial Sales | Farm and Ranch Wilco Realtors, LLC

- Margaret Coulborn, Russell Wilkins, & Julie Wilkins

www.wilcorealtors.com | 817-703-7491