Camp Fire First Texas has announced that Brian Miller, M.S., LPC, who has been serving as the interim President/CEO since early April 2023, will become the permanent President and Chief Executive Officer starting December 1. “I fully trust that Brian Miller will make bold strides to build up our next generation of leaders by creating a clear vision that engages and inspires our community for many years to come,” stated Lisa D. Mares, Camp Fire Board Chair.

Before each home game throughout the football season, TCU and Amegy Bank recognize small businesses in Tarrant County that are making a positive impact in their community in the Small Business Spotlight. Carpenter’s Café & Catering was honored in 2023 for their work benefitting… well, everyone! Co-owner and chef (and Madeworthy cover story!) Katrina Carpenter is a founding ambassador of BRAVE/R Together, a nonprofit that is dedicated to addressing the roots of systemic inequities in our city. She gives tirelessly of herself to this city, volunteering and serving on boards, all while remodeling and running the business AND raising 16-year-old twins. Congratulations to Carpenter’s Café & Catering! We’re thrilled you’re receiving the attention you deserve!

Fort Worth Country Day (FWCD), the oldest co-ed college-preparatory school in Fort Worth, celebrated its 60th year of excellence in academics, arts, and athletics in 2023. On September 9, 1963, FWCD hosted its first day of classes with 210 students and 17 teachers on a 10-acre campus with three original buildings. Just one year later, in 1964, 80 additional acres of land were purchased, and FWCD opened the doors to its brand-new Annie Richardson Bass Lower School. Sixty years later, FWCD is the proud home of 1,097 students and 159 full-time faculty members across 13 buildings throughout its 104-acre wooded campus in southwest Fort Worth. Here’s to many more years educating Fort Worth’s young minds!

HSC Health Family Medicine social worker Maryssa Vasquez was frustrated to see so many of her patients go home hungry. Vasquez tapped into a little-known and seldom-used partnership HSC has with the Tarrant Area Food Bank to take advantage of a streamlined system that speeds up the delivery process for those in need. She’s also spearheaded a food drive and hopes to send patients home with pre-prepared food packages after their appointments. Patients who need food resources in Tarrant County and are homebound or have limited transportation are now automatically approved for a delivery of shelf-stable products.

Alara The Label is an up-and-coming lifestyle brand based out of Fort Worth and Dallas with a storefront in the Shops at Clearfork. Founded by a local mother-daughter duo, Alara The Label is dedicated to quality, purpose, and storytelling. It produces limited edition, artisanal pieces handcrafted with thoughtfully selected materials from around the world. In addition, they only use materials needed to create zero waste as part of a commitment to slow fashion and sustainable practices. The collections include accessories, womenswear, menswear, and home decor.

Billboard Magazine just released their 2023 year-end boxscore [sic] charts, and Dickies Arena is officially Billboard’s Number One Venue in the World with a seating capacity of 10,001-15,000 and events held during November 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023. “Fort Worth is a wonderfully unique and diverse market with a passion for entertainment… It is a tremendous honor to be named Billboard’s Number One Venue in the World, and we will continue to bring an array of top-notch entertainment to the city of Fort Worth,” said Matt Homan, President and General Manager of Dickies Arena. Congratulations!

North Texas Community Foundation (NTCF) recently awarded grants to local equine therapy nonprofits to support their operations and help them meet their goals. NTCF works with local donors to award grants to nonprofits and organizations that serve North Texas by developing and managing custom charitable giving plans for individuals, families, businesses, and private foundations. Grant recipients include the All Star Equestrian Foundation, Riding Unlimited, STEPS With Horses, Stars and Strides Therapeutic Riding Center, Victory Therapy Center, and Wings of Hope.

All Saints’ Episcopal School (ASES) named Wallace Worden as the Assistant Head of School for Internal Operations at All Saints’ Episcopal School in 2022. As such, Worden oversees operational alignment for student engagement, curriculum development, faculty culture, and family partnerships. He has ably served All Saints’ in leadership roles for over 20 years in various capacities and holds an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Design from Arizona State University and is in progress on an Ed.D. in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California. He and his wife, Keri, have two current Saints, Wiley ’28 and Kirby ’30.

Fort Worth does not have an official bird, but that will change soon, thanks to some Fort Worth ISD elementary schools that will assist the city in selecting its official bird. Participating campuses will be assigned one of the six birds approved by the Fort Worth Audubon for research. Over the course of this school year, students will conduct research and create presentations advocating for their assigned bird to become the city’s officially recognized bird. The most compelling presentations will be featured at the district’s annual science fair, scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 4, 2024, at the Wilkerson-Greines Activity Center. The community is invited to view these presentations and vote on their preferred bird.

For many years, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra (FWSO) has entertained Fort Worth audiences each summer with live performances in the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and other venues. However, the FWSO has announced that the annual Concerts in The Garden Summer Music Festival will temporarily pause to accommodate the FWBG’s Master Plan, which includes the design and construction of a new stage. But fret not, lovers of Concerts in the Garden! The FWSO remains committed to the Fort Worth community and will schedule alternative concerts in collaboration with local arts organizations so that live music can still be a part of the traditional summer fun for all families.

The post January/February 2024 Class of Fort Worthies first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

What began in 1983 with a crowd of only 25,000 spectators and 25 floats has grown to become Fort Worth’s most beloved holiday tradition and Texas’ largest illuminated holiday parade. The GM Financial Parade of Lights returns to the streets of downtown Fort Worth for its 41^st year on November 19. Year-after-year, North Texas families gather to experience the lights on 100+ professionally designed floats, energetic marching bands, sparkling antique cars, precision equestrian units, festive horse-drawn carriages, and carolers spreading Christmas cheer along the 1.59-mile parade route. The night will conclude with Santa and Mrs. Claus appearing on the specially designed, LED-lit, grand finale float. In honor of TCU’s Sesquicentennial, head football coach Sonny Dykes will serve as the 2023 Parade of Lights’ Grand Marshal.

Lightscape returns for a second year to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden to dazzle audiences with more than one million holiday lights and never-before-seen artistic installations from around the world throughout a 1.2-mile-long winding walking trail. Beginning Nov. 17^th and running select nights through Jan. 1^st, this year’s Lightscape will feature all-new, custom-designed installations that will come alive with color, imagination, and sound, each of which is expertly choreographed to holiday-themed music in a completely transformed magical atmosphere. Lightscape 2023 will also feature an all-new “Christmas Village,” complete with fire pits, s’more-roasting, hot cocoa, holiday music, and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.

Grand Prairie’s Prairie Lights has become one of North Texas’ most beloved holiday traditions. With over five million lights and two miles of trails, Prairie Lights, located in Lynn Creek Park on the shores of Joe Pool Lake, is a winter wonderland, even if it doesn’t always feel like winter here. Opening on Thanksgiving, this year’s Prairie Lights will astound even the most grinchiest of Grinches with with one-of-a-kind custom displays and brand-new indoor and outdoor attractions. Photos with Santa and concessions will be available for purchase at the Holiday Village!

One of the most popular festivals in Hinduism, Diwali celebrates the victory of good over evil, knowledge over ignorance, and light over darkness. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is home to a large and vibrant Hindu community. With the support of the Dallas Fort Worth Indian Cultural Society, the DFW Diwali Mela [a mela is a community fete] is the largest Diwali celebration in the United States. A grand festival of food, cultural shows, and a market, the DFW Diwali Mela takes place on November 4^th at the Cotton Bowl. There will also be a kids’ zone, a Bollywood concert, laser shows, and fireworks.

Giddy up and glide! The hugely popular Rodeo Rink returns to the Fort Worth Stockyards for the second year. From November 20^th through January 7^th, your family can exchange their cowboy boots for skates and enjoy the ice. There are lots of yummy concessions for everyone, including Yeungling Flight Nights on Fridays and Saturdays. In addition to the ice, there’s always so much going on in the Stockyards for the holidays. From live concerts to photos with Cowboy Santa to the twice-daily cattle drives featuring the famous Fort Worth Herd which you can view as you skate, the Stockyards is the place for the holidays!

The city of Grapevine has not one but TWO holiday treats for you in 2023! On December 2^nd, 9^th, and 16^th, the third annual Merry & Bright Christmas Drone Show will take place over Main Street. Two hundred drones will create holiday magic in the Grapevine sky that will take your breath away. And from November 24th through December 23^rd, you can join Santa’s elves on a Christmas Elf Adventure! Explore Grapevine’s enchanting past as you tour Historic Grapevine. Collect stamps in your official Grapevine Elf Adventure Christmas Passport as you capture the magic of holidays past and take home your very own handmade projects.

On December 2nd, support local artisans and artists while checking off your Christmas list at the annual Clearfork Holiday Market. This free outdoor, family-friendly event will feature Santa, live music, activities, and more! Find the perfect gifts and holiday treats from your favorite weekly vendors from the Clearfork Farmers Market, along with some exciting holiday additions, all under one of the largest Christmas trees in Cowtown at The Shops at Clearfork!

Gather your family and head north for an unforgettable holiday experience. The perennially popular ICE! returns to the Gaylord Texan Resort from November 10th through December 31^st. Step inside a holiday showplace like no other as you wind your way through the larger-than-life sculptures of ICE! featuring Dr. Seuss’ “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”, zoom down thrilling frozen slides, and traverse awe-inspiring tunnels. Be sure to bundle up because this immersive, story-driven holiday showpiece really is made of, you guessed it, ICE!

No season of any ballet company could be considered complete without seeing a production of The Nutcracker. First performed in St. Petersburg in 1892 and not considered a success (!), this beloved ballet is based on E.T.A. Hoffman’s short story “The Nutcracker and the Mouse King.” Texas Ballet Theater’s (TBT) version was choreographed by their Artistic Director Emeritus, Ben Stevenson, O.B.E. While TBT will not present “The Nutty Nutcracker” as in years past, they do have a few tricks up their sleeve to delight patrons. The Nutcracker runs from December 8^th through 24^th at Bass Performance Hall.

The annual Candlelight Christmas in Ryan Place takes place this year on December 2^nd and 3^rd. This Fort Worth holiday traditions offers a mix of homes from mansions to bungalows that represent the architectural range found within the Historic Ryan Place Neighborhood. This year’s theme is “New Beginnings,” and all the houses on the tour are, in keeping with the theme, recently remodeled. Proceeds from the Tour support Ryan Place neighborhood historic preservation, infrastructure, and fellowship initiatives.

Celebrate the holidays like the Texas settlers did at Log Cabin Village. On December 2^nd, you can explore historic holiday traditions with your family at Holidays at the Hearth. There will be traditional games and crafts for the whole family to enjoy, as well as an opportunity to visit with and take photos with Santa. Reservations are not required for this delightful trip back in time.

Enjoy holiday lights without ever leaving the comfort of your car at the annual Gift of Lights at the Texas Motor Speedway. From November 23^rd through January 7^th, your family will gasp in wonder as you drive through two miles of sparkling lights. You can play your own playlist of holiday favorites, and pets are certainly allowed (providing you keep them in the car with you). Pro tip: The shortest wait times are Sundays through Wednesdays, so plan accordingly!

The post Fort Worthies’ Holiday Spectacular 2023 first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

William Campbell Gallery is pleased to announce new gallery artist Marshall Harris. Harris is perhaps best known for his larger-than-life, hyperrealist renderings of figures and objects, which include repurposed objects or ephemera, as well as using wood and other natural objects as his medium and subject matter. Harris received his BFA in Graphic Design from Texas Christian University in 1979, where he created TCU’s famous Flying T logo, used frequently in university athletics. “I’ve always admired the art legacy that Bill and Pam Campbell built in Fort Worth with their gallery. To join the brilliant artists here… really is an honor. I’m both humbled and exhilarated to bring my contemporary work to these patrons and collectors.”

The Lone Star Film Festival (LSFF) and the Fort Worth Film Commission (FWFC) are pleased to announce Texan singer/songwriter Charley Crockett will be the recipient of the 2023 Stephen Bruton Award at the LSFF Gala on November 10, 2023. Born in the Lower Rio Grande Valley, Crockett was raised in Dallas. His music reflects his time busking in New Orleans’ French Quarter and playing in Dallas’s Deep Ellum. “Charley’s music reflects the unique and passionate sounds of Texas artists,” said Tom Martens, director of the Fort Worth Music Office. “His artistry in music and storytelling is compelling for everyone in creative industries, and we’re excited to honor his contributions to music and film in Fort Worth.”

Movie projector on a dark background with light beam / high contrast image

Carolyn West founded the Thank You Darlin’ Foundation to not only to give children access to the arts but to strengthen Fort Worth-area children in reading, writing, and public speaking. To this end, the Foundation hosts the annual Voice2Youth Poetry Slam for area third through 12^th graders. ““We look to make more of an impact,” said West. “When we see a kid say they hated poetry, but now they like it, or they read a book and realize they didn’t like reading before. We’ve heard everything from children saying they don’t express themselves like an exploding volcano anymore, they know how to choose their words.”

Native Fort Worthian Jacob Lovett always loved art. He took classes in high school and at the University of Mississippi, but it wasn’t until he had graduated that he realized that art wasn’t just a hobby. He also realized that while Fort Worth has become a center for up-and-coming artists, said artists need a place to make their art. So he created Muse. Based on the co-working model, muse. offers private studios, event space, and, of course, coffee to Fort Worth artists.

2023’s installment of Fall Gallery Night will be held on September 9. Twice a year, the Fort Worth Art Dealers Association (FWADA) organizes shows at galleries, museums, restaurants, bars, and event spaces across the city. It is a uniquely Fort Worth way to introduce both new and experienced art patrons to new artists and art. Most venues are open from 1 pm through the evening, so this is a wonderful chance to expose your family to new and exciting art!

A closeup of an artist with a brush painting a picture

Just when we thought The Welman Project couldn’t get any cooler! It turns out that the local nonprofit doesn’t just keep old office supplies out of landfills by giving them to teachers for use in classrooms. They keep trash out of landfills by urging schoolchildren to turn trash into art. Through the Fort Worth After School Recycled Art Contest, The Welman Project teaches students the importance of creative recycling while sparking their imaginations. “The goal [of the contest] is to really get them looking at materials in different ways,” said Taylor Willis, one of The Welman Project’s founders, “And seeing how in their own daily lives they can be reusing materials, finding beauty in things that other people might discard and find their artistic voice.” This year’s theme was Curious Creatures and Make Believe Monster; Kirkpatrick Elementary won first place this year, while West Handley Elementary won the People’s Choice Award for a monster named Queen Iris.

Gallery of Dreams was founded by Lauren Saba alongside Fort Works Art as a way to support local artists as they work to establish themselves. For the past eight years, Gallery of Dreams has also curated the Mayoral High School Art Competition. This juried competition is open to high school students living in a 20-mile radius from Fort Worth and offers cash prizes for first, second, and third place. In addition, the first place winner’s art work will hang in Mayor Mattie Parker’s office for a year. Saba said of the contest, “Every year, local students are selected to exhibit their work in a white wall gallery with a reception in their honor and cash prizes… The validation that the students get… leaves me with tears in my eyes. It is powerful.”

If you think you can’t make a living as an artist, think again. Native Fort Worthian Jack Rusell, aka Jackdaw of Jackdaw Folk Art, is proof you can. Jackdaw makes linoleum-cut art prints that have quickly become popular among art patrons. His subjects are either local history or pop culture, and the stark lines and simple colors of his prints are eye-catching. Don’t be surprised if you see his works on album covers, too. And if further proof of his talent is needed (it really isn’t), Jackdaw is the featured artist of this year’s ArtsGoggle. Congratulations, Jackdaw!

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Fort Worth Country Day was selected by the Texas Wildlife Association to implement its new Land, Water & Wildlife Expeditions Program (LWWE) during the 2022-2023 school year. FWCD is the only school in Fort Worth and one of only five schools in Texas selected for partnership. The program involves providing free natural resources, conservation, agriculture, and stewardship education programs to FWCD students in the seventh through 12^th grades to enhance comprehension of natural resources as part of their formal science curriculum. Students will engage in rigorous and relevant science lessons to learn about Texas’ natural resources, water cycles, responsible hunting, and land stewardship, and take part in activities such as wildlife scavenger hunts, topography hikes, water-quality testing, and more. At the end of the program, students will relay their knowledge of conservation during an “Expedition Day” taking place outdoors at a privately-owned ranch near Fort Worth.

Taste Project is partnering with the City of Arlington to replicate the Taste Community Restaurant program in Fort Worth at 200 North Cooper Street in Arlington. The Project’s programs in Arlington will include pay-what-you-can meal service, culinary job training, and farm and garden activities. The Taste Project is designed to feed, educate, and serve Tarrant County’s food-insecure residents, who make up 13% of the county’s population. Since opening in 2017, more than 125,000 people have dined at the original location in Fort Worth, enjoying healthy, high-quality meals made from seasonal ingredients from the surrounding area. The menu has no prices. Guest simply either pay what they can afford, pay what they would typically pay for such a meal, or pay what they would typically pay, plus a little extra to help a neighbor in need.

Fort Worth businesswoman Sandra McGlothlin has unveiled Empire Holdings, a commercial real estate development company specializing in single-tenant, build-to-suit industrial properties with design, technology, and innovation at the forefront. With a mission to change the way commercial industrial spaces are built, McGlothlin has assembled a powerhouse leadership team for Empire Holdings, with 15-year development pro Bowie Holland serving as president, and Trenton Laird, founder of The Construction Group, serving as its construction partner. Together, the team has already led Empire Holdings to acquire and develop more than 100 properties across five states, with a primary focus on Texas. McGlothlin said, “Our mission is to change the way industrial spaces are built – with a user-focused design that takes our clients’ facility needs and turns them into a strategic business advantage.”

Local leaders have taken the next step in developing Panther Island into a robust mixed-use development that will bring more food, drink, and entertainment options to Funkytown. Once completed, the Panther Island district, just on the outskirts of Downtown, will include a a riverwalk, a park system, roundabouts, a fixed transit line, the Trinity River promenade, a houseboat district, pedestrian bridges and the Town Lake and Marina. While the project was founded on the premise of flood control, local leaders and stakeholders have since honed their attention on the economic development phase, which aligns with the city’s economic development strategic plan.

The TCU Values and Ventures Competition, presented by the Neely School of Business, celebrates trailblazing college students who leverage their business skills and innovation to solve the world’s problems. On March 24 and 25^th, undergraduates from around the world will present their ideas for conscious capitalism ventures that make a profit while also solving a problem. Undergraduate innovators will pitch their business plans and act as investors in other teams in the Investor Challenge, choosing who they think will advance in the competition. Winners take home thousands of dollars in capital to help make their businesses do well by doing good.

Fort Worth Inc.’s Entrepreneur of Excellence (EOE) Awards Program recognizes outstanding entrepreneurs whose vision, creativity, and integrity have made Fort Worth the premier place to do business. Travis Patterson of the Patterson Law Group was named an Entrepreneur of Excellence in the Professional Services category. Patterson said, “While it’s definitely an honor to win this award, I view this as a team award – 100%. An entrepreneur is only as good as the team in the background making the magic happen. I’m incredibly proud of our team of dedicated lawyers and legal professionals who work their tails off every day for our clients. Plus, getting to do it all with my wife Anna by my side is a dream come true.”

Dickies Arena has just been nominated for 2023 Venue of the Year by Pollstar Magazine. This is the second nomination for the arena since its opening just four years ago. The Arena has quickly become an anchor for entertainment in the Fort Worth community while garnering national and international recognition as a first-class facility for concerts and sporting events. “Being nominated for Venue of the Year by Pollstar Magazine is an incredible honor especially still being a young venue,” said Matt Homan, president, and general manager of Trail Drive Management. “Dickies Arena brought top-notch entertainment to Fort Worth in 2022 and will continue in 2023 with amazing events and concerts with the fan experience always being our number one priority.”

Our need for disinfectants continues to grow, but most disinfectants are harsh, and some are downright dangerous. Local inventor Marc Patterson has come up with a solution. River Refresh is a non-toxic, non-corrosive and organic, cleaner, deodorizer, sanitizer, and disinfectant. The only ingredient in River Refresh is something your white blood cells produce to help kill pathogens in your body called Hypochlorous Acid or HOCL. Used by veterinarians and pet owners, River Refresh kills germs more effectively and quickly than harsher chemicals and is patent pending.

The post Discovery & Entrepreneurship’s Fort Worthies first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

In January of 2022, Michelle Green-Ford was named the president and chief operating officer of the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce (FWMBCC). Ms. Green-Ford is the first female president in the FWMBCC’s history. She brings a wealth of experience with her to the job. Green-Ford came from JPS Health Network, where she was a vice president and chief diversity officer. Previously, Green-Ford owned a training and consulting company. “I feel honored to serve in the capacity of assisting business owners to achieve their goals,” Green-Ford said in a press release. “My overall focus is to partner with others to create a community where everyone can thrive.”

Joel Heydenburk, a real estate partner with Jackson Walker, recently became the board chairman of the Real Estate Council of Fort Worth. Heydenburk is an alumnus of TCU, where he received a bachelor’s in business administration. He received both an MBA and a law degree from Texas Tech. In a news release, Heydenburk said, “The Real Estate Council has been a leader in advancing commercial real estate interests and the community at large for years, and I look forward to working with the association to continue its mission.”

The Jordan Elizabeth Harris Foundation (JEHF), a Fort Worth nonprofit working to eradicate suicide by funding depression research and promoting suicide awareness through education, announced Matt Vereecke as chief operating officer in August of 2022. Prior to coming to JEHF, Vereecke was Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Catholic Diocese of Dallas. He brings more than 15 years of experience in teaching and educational leadership to the position.

In March of 2022, the Morris Foundation named Elizabeth R. Brands, Ed.D, as its newest president and chief operating officer. Mrs. Brands has been with the Foundations since 2016, previously serving as the head of education giving. The Morris Foundation was founded 36 years ago to provide people in need with resources to offer them the opportunity for a more hopeful future in the areas of education, healthcare, and social services. Mrs. Brands is also the executive director of Read Fort Worth.

Andrew Eschelbacher recently took over as director of collections and exhibitions at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art (the Carter). He came to the Carter from the American Federation of Arts, a nonprofit that develops exhibitions for museums, develops art education programs, and publishes exhibition catalogs. Eschelbacher served as director of curatorial affairs. “I am thrilled to be joining the Carter, a museum I have long admired for its deep connection to its communities and for its extraordinary collection and tradition of vanguard scholarship,” said Eschelbacher in a release from the Carter.

In 1994, Patrick Phillips founded American Billing Systems (ABS) to provide billing support to medical professionals. Now, Patrick’s son, Adam Phillips, has been named the company’s new chief operating officer. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, doctors are increasingly outsourcing their billing to companies like ABS. Under Adam’s leadership, American Business Systems offers aspiring individuals another option – business ownership with minimal downside and maximum training and support so that industrious people can achieve success on their terms.

The post Fort Worthy Leaders first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Photo courtesy Kevin Fejii/JPS Network

On January 1, Dr. Karen Duncan became the President and CEO of JPS Health Network. In doing so, she also became the only female CEO of a major health system in North Texas. Prior to becoming CEO, Dr. Duncan served as the network’s COO for five years. In that time, she transformed the community health network of medical homes and clinics and steered the implementation of the JPS Future Plan. Congratulations, Dr. Duncan!

Photo courtesy of Near Southside, Inc.

South Main Village is getting a new public space! The public alley connecting South Main Street and Bryan Avenue is too narrow for car traffic, so it will be reimagined as The South Main Squeeze, a “lively public patio.” Adjacent businesses have collaborated with Near Southside, Inc. to come up with an adaptable and flexible design that will serve all. It will also provide a direct pedestrian connection to The Skinny, the public park on Crawford Street.

photo credit: Amber Shumake

Vision boards can be an incredibly powerful tool for you or your team to visualize your future and the steps needed to achieve that future. In the creation of a vision board, possibilities and desires become clear. The board creates a space for creativity, precision, and excitement. Lynette Kile is a certified life coach for overwhelmed moms who also hosts vision board workshops for teams and groups of 10 or more people, either virtually or in person throughout DFW.  

Fire Station Park is getting a facelift! The skatepark design experts, New Line Skateparks, have been working with landscape architect firm Pacheco Koch and the city of Fort Worth to design a new children’s bike track for the park located at 1616 Hemphill. It will be a closed-loop practice track with rolling berms and other elements, along with banked turns for wheels of all types. The construction was about to start at the time of publication, so stay tuned!

photo credit: Kristin Phatthong

Born and raised in El Salvador, sustainable living was part of Erika Pitstick’s life from an early age. While helping with the garden and family farms, Erika perfected how to make the most of a budget while reducing her carbon footprint. After moving to California for college and settling down with her husband in Texas, Erika found ways to intertwine her culture, intentional upbringing, and love for the outdoors with her family’s daily life. She offers insights into a sustainable lifestyle on her blog, and her book, Taking Roots at Home, will be published in March!

Following a series of strongly supportive community meetings and presentations to City Council, a development agreement for a major mixed-use development in Evans & Rosedale village are moving forward. A wide range of new housing options, retail storefronts, restaurants, a proposed grocery store, small business spaces, and a major expansion of public park space would be developed on property currently owned by the City of Fort Worth and affiliated entities. Upon construction, the City of Fort Worth and Hoque Global believe that the Evans & Rosedale mixed-use development will lead the way for growth and more investment in this part of town. Construction is slated to begin later in 2022.

The post Fort Worthies Building a Brighter Future first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Armond Vance is a professional violinist and multidisciplinary musician based in Fort Worth. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, he has lived in the Fort Worth area for two years. Armond regularly performs for a variety of celebrations and gatherings. Described as “Strings without borders,” Armond does not have any stylistic inhibitions, and his playbook is full of an eclectic mix of music from Beethoven to the Beatles to the Notorious B.I.G.! Armond’s setup is particularly unique in that he brings the concert to you. Think of it as an Uber concert!  

Delucca Gaucho Pizza is a culinary experience unlike anything else! Over a century ago, thousands of Italians immigrated to South America, and soon, they were sharing their tables, food, and wine with the gauchos of the region. Both Italians and South Americans share a passion for rustic cooking and abundant food, and soon, the cowboys of the pampas had adopted pizza, giving it a uniquely South American twist. Now open on Hulen, Delucca Gaucho Pizza invites you to enjoy this distinctly Brazilian delight! 

Chester Cox, along with his son and two friends, brings the funk to Funky Town monthly with Funky Town Swap. A monthly, vintage swap meet with over 25 vendors, live music, and food trucks, Funky Town Swap’s main goal is to give back to their community. To that end, Funky Town Swap is working with projects like Art Courts, Fire Station Park, Funky Town Fridge, and area schools. This cool, new monthly event’s motto is “Together We Are Better,” and they hope to make a difference to their neighbors in our city.  

After an extensive, nationwide search, Fort Worth Country Day has named Leigh Block as its new athletic director. With over 20 years of experience working in independent schools, Block brings a wealth of experience to Country Day. Eric Lombardi, Head of School, said, “[Leigh’s] success has been the result of possessing incredible work ethic, humility, communication skills, organization, and, most importantly, heartfelt commitment to kids and coaches.” The entire Country Day community welcomes its ninth athletic director! 

Congratulations to Katie Carter-Gutierrez, a member of the brand-new women’s professional volleyball league in the United States, Athletes Unlimited! Returning to the court after having her daughter Noelia Lynn, Carter-Gutierrez is a standout collegiate and professional volleyball player who owns HG Beach Volleyball, a camp and clinic, with her husband Hector. Athletes Unlimited supports pro athlete mothers returning to their career after giving birth and has created a new way to play pro sports. The new league will play its first season at Fair Park Coliseum in Dallas.  

Lena Pope’s Early Learning Center has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), one of the world’s largest organizations working on behalf of young children. The Center, which serves children ages six weeks to five years old, went through an extensive self-study and quality-improvement process, followed by NAEYC’s audits. Jennifer Carpenter, Director of Early Learning Programs at Lena Pope, stated, “We have worked extremely hard to achieve this mark of quality, ultimately to benefit the children we serve. Our students’ development and growth are our highest priority.”  

TCU grad student Lindsey Dixon has created a vintage TCU fan clothing business called Riff Ram that is quickly getting noticed. Through the use of social media and socially-distanced pop up events on game days in strategic locations near TCU’s campus, Riff Ram quickly became extremely popular with college students. Having launched a website, Dixon plans to continue to grow her business, sharing her love of both vintage clothing and TCU history with every piece she sells! 

The Tarrant County Medical Society Alliance (TCMSA) is a group of physicians and their spouses who are focused on helping improve the health and well-being of families in Fort Worth. The group partners with organizations to vaccinate children for school and to provide bicycle helmets. In addition, they give scholarships and help facilitate surgical care for those who have no access to such services. To help fund these programs, the annual “I <3 My Doctor” campaign raises donations while celebrating the donors’ physicians. Both the donor and their physician receive a yard sign, and the physician received a heartfelt message of thanks!  Despite the pressures of the pandemic, Fort Worth’s artists continue to create.

The Rebecca Low Sculpture Gallery, Inc. invites you to come explore works by owner Rebecca Low and artists Nic Noblique, Jeff Skele, Terry Jones, David Mikitka, Chastity Hernandez, Dewayne Nall, Christian Hootsell, Dale Ousley, and Juliette Edgerton. Appointments are requested, and masks and social distancing while in the gallery are required.  

A stalwart of the Fort Worth art scene for over 46 years, William Campbell Contemporary Art has new owners. Fort Worth Contemporary Art Partners (FWCAP), consisting of Jadz Pate, Clayton Snodgrass, Tim Locke, J.W. Wilson, and Peeler Howell, acquired William Campbell Contemporary Art from owners Pam and Bill Campbell in December of 2020. Howell has been the Campbell’s gallery assistant since 2017 and will continue to manage the gallery. FWCAP plans to continue to honor the gallery’s founders’ vision.  

Baking has always been Becky Fetty’s creative outlet. She has now taken a significant step in her journey as a home-based baker specializing in decorated vanilla sugar cookies. In February of 2021, Becky opened Confetty Cookies & Cakes, turning her passion into a business. Her custom-decorated cookies are almost too beautiful to eat! However, the cookies are so delicious that to regard them merely as works of art would be a shame. Becky posts her beautiful creations on her Instagram page, but be sure that you’re not hungry when you visit! 

In December of 2020, Pouring Glory, the growler filling station that also serves craft beer, food, and cocktails, unveiled their new mural by Fort Worth artist Kristen Soble, just in time for their fifth anniversary. The mural was commissioned by Pouring Glory in partnership with the Near Southside’s Art South program. Primarily a commercial artist, Kristen is now collaborating as a muralist and a sign painter with the Fort Worth Zoo, where she was involved in the visual development of the Toyota Children’s Ranch and the African Savannah and has many more projects in the works.

If you or someone you know has done something wonderful, please contact our editor at lee@madeworthymedia.com.

The post Madeworthy’s Fort Worthies for March/April 2021 first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Academy 4 provides a mentor for every 4th grader in the schools we serve. Many of our 4th graders and their families are hardest hit by the impacts of this pandemic. We believe connecting students to their mentors and the leadership traits in our evidence-based curriculum is critical to meeting the urgent needs of many of our 4th graders and their families. Academy 4’s Executive Director John Shearer said, “More than ever, the relationships built through Academy 4 are giving 4th graders the resilience to respond to the trauma and stress brought into their daily lives by the pandemic and racial inequity and tension in our world.” 

Licensed Veterinary Technician Alexa Rauls is thrilled to announce the launch of her new business, Alexa’s Vet Tech Services. Pets are most comfortable at home; a car ride to the vet’s office can cause stress and anxiety. Alexa will come to your home to help with medications, nail trimmings, and other services. Additionally, she will educate you on how to perform these services! She follows all safety protocols to ensure that you remain safe and secure.  

Fort Worth children’s author Allison Davis has published a children’s book inspired by her dog Hope. Hope the Dog tells the story of Hope the Goldendoodle and her person Joycelyn. It reminds readers of all ages that hope is always there, no matter the circumstances. Advanced readers love Hope the Dog, calling it “the book 2020 needs.” In a year marked by adversity and conflict, Davis’ book is “a message of hope and encouragement for children and adults alike.”  

Founded by Tanglewood mom Angie Herdman, Intentional Itineraries focuses on creating intentional and memorable travel experiences. Angie understands how important each detail of a travel itinerary is to a successful and memorable trip. Intentional Itineraries provides personal, completely customized service before, during, and after every trip. They even create children’s activity kits for road trips, flights, and vacation stays, ensuring your youngest travelers are engaged throughout your travels! Angie promises that when you travel with Intentional Itineraries, you will experience a holistic and worry-free travel experience, uniquely tailored to you.  

Celebrating 20 years in 2020, Camp Bowie District Inc. has launched a new website and logo. The logo better represents the six-mile Camp Bowie corridor and reflects the historic preservation that Camp Bowie District represents and promotes. As well as better functionality and resources for business, the new website offers consumers a business directory and one-stop information related to the area. Director Wade G. Chappell said, “Our new website stands as a marker for what Camp Bowie can offer both consumers and businesses.”  

A couple of Tanglewood dads were fed up with trying to carry their 30-ounce tumblers along with their phones and Bluetooth speakers while playing with their families. To counter this admittedly-first-world problem, they came up with the NARWHAL 30oz Speaker Lid! It replaces the standard lid that comes with your stainless steel 30-ounce cup (most have the same size opening) and integrates a waterproof, Bluetooth speaker that is capable of communicating with your device for making and taking calls and roaming through your playlist! You can also pair two lids for stereo sound. 

Thirteen seniors at Fort Worth Country Day have been recognized for their scholarship, including seven National Merit Semifinalists, two National Merit Commended Students, and five National Hispanic Scholars. “National Merit and College Board recognitions speak not only to this groups aptitude but also to their efforts,” said Eric Lombardi, FWCD’s Head of School. “We are proud of them for their hard work, and we are grateful to their teachers at FWCD over the years who have helped them take advantage of their abilities.”  

Hustle & Hart Handmade Designs comes from a place of servitude and gratitude. Kristin Hart started it in hopes of spreading love and brightening her customers’ day with natural body products. These products not only make you feel good, they benefit the planet with 100% organic ingredients. Kristin hopes she can reduce her products carbon footprint and hopes to offer refill services when her customers run out. She is enthusiastic about spreading the word on sustainable products and their impact on the planet.  

Renee Gunn is a certified Pet CPR and First Aid instructor, Certified Professional Pet Sitter, a former Veterinary Technician, and a co-owner of The Pet Porters. She is proud to announce the publication of Pets 101: Caring for Dogs and Cats. Gunn was inspired by the reasons pet owner surrender their pets to animal shelters. She wrote the book to answer questions about pet ownership and care in hopes of keeping pets with their families, ultimately reducing the number of pets in animal shelters.   

After surviving a health crisis with a high mortality rate, entrepreneur Sheila Jackson left a profitable yet highly stressful business, reprioritizing everything in her life in order to heal. After a three-year journey of self-reclamation that resulted in the reversal of Addison’s disease, Sheila founded emergewell+co to guide and teach women to become the healthiest, happiest, and highest functioning people they can be through nutrition protocols that draw on science and sound wellness principles.  

Today’s college students feel more isolated than ever, even without the impact of a global pandemic, racial injustice, and the economic downturn. Fort Worth-based TimelyMD is a telehealth company that is working to help these young adults. TimelyMD is the only student-first telehealth provider than offers a complete care solution for campus health. In addition to medical advice, they offer mental health counseling, psychiatric support, and health coaching programs that allow college students to have free, 24/7 access to licensed physicians and counselors in the United States.  

Debuting in the US in 2017 with its premier 2014 vintage, PINEA announces the release of their long-awaited 2017 vintage. Made with 100% Tempranillo grapes from old vine stock, this wine is elegant and perfectly balanced and shows the remarkable complexity and lifted aromatics that have become the hallmark of the winery. When Sergio Garcia served the 2014 vintage at his 2018 Masters Champions dinner, it became one of the most sought-after wines in the world. The 2017 vintage is ready to pour now or can be cellared for many years to come. 

If you or someone you know has done something wonderful, please contact our editor at lee@madeworthymedia.com.

The post Madeworthy’s January/February Fort Worthies first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Congratulations to Strother Norman, who raised over $8000 for the Dallas Jr. Wheelchair Mavericks team on North Texas Giving Day! The Fort Worth Country Day student has played wheelchair basketball for six years. “It’s my favorite sport, and I love spending time traveling with my teammates and playing all over the country.” Through the generosity of Strother’s family and friends who helped him exceed his goal, the team is able to continue to compete. The writing and editorial staff of Madeworthy salutes you, Strother! 

Camp Fire First Texas is excited to announce Lauren Richard as their next president/CEO. Richard comes to Camp Fire from Dallas, where she was the executive director of Project Transformation. “This was the next logical step in my career trajectory… I am looking forward to putting down roots with Camp Fire and leading the organization into its promising future,” said Richard. “Lauren brings a wealth of knowledge and perspective that will take this organization forward! She has the background, temperament, and commitment to tackle the challenges of leading a multi-faceted organization like Camp Fire,” says Ann Sheets, the outgoing president/CEO.  

Texas native Afton Battle has been chosen as the eighth general director of the Fort Worth Opera. Ms. Battle’s “warmth, energy, focus, and fresh perspectives on our beloved art form make her ideally suited to lead us into Fort Worth Opera’s 75th anniversary and beyond,” says Fort Worth Opera Board Chair Nelson E. Claytor, Ph.D. Ms. Battle’s long-term vision for Fort Worth Opera includes a commitment to forging new alliances with local arts organizations, bolstering current partnerships, expanding civic engagement, and building a world-class Resident and Studio Artist Program to foster the next generation of opera singers. In addition, she is dedicated to leveling the field of equity, inclusivity, and equality both on and off the stage.  

Full-service merchandising company Printed Threads is celebrating its 10th anniversary along with its move to the historic O.B. Macaroni building. The new location provides more room for the company’s high-quality merchandising work, as well as the expansion of their creative services to include graphic design, branding, and more. Owner Brett Bowden launched the business from his garage in 2010 and now includes the Dallas Mavericks, the Toadies, Toms, and Pat Green as customers. “We are so glad to be in the heart of Fort Worth,” Bowden says. “I love this town and am excited to be a contributor to the culture and community here.”  

Founded by two Fort Worthians with performing in their blood, the Slaughter Family Arts Awards seeks to “recognize and promote excellence and effort in the fine arts community” by giving scholarships to high school students. Rebecca Slaughter performed with the School of American Ballet in New York City, while husband J. Mack is an actor/singer/songwriter-turned emergency medicine physician who runs a nonprofit called Music Meets Medicine in his spare time. They are thrilled to be continuing the Slaughter family’s long tradition of philanthropy (a predecessor founded what became Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas). Awards will be given for Dance, Theater, Music, Voice, and Visual Arts. Proceeds from the award event will support a student-driven fine arts outreach program for underserved communities.  

Tune into Stage West’s new podcast Porch Talk, available wherever you get your podcasts, a journey with and opportunity to learn from the voices of the North Texas theatre community. Hosted by Stage West’s Company Manager and resident Stage Manager Tiffany Cromwell, Porch Talk features funny and passionate discussions with diverse artists about how they navigate the world and come out on top. Each episode will feature otherly-abled innovators, LGBTQ+ creators, artists of color, and more. The goal of Porch Talk is to strengthen bonds and deepen equality in the DFW theatre community.  

If you or someone you know has done something wonderful, please contact our editor at lee@madeworthymedia.com.

The post Madeworthy’s November/December Fort Worthies first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Laura King Dickinson, M.Ed, LPC, has been a passionate educator in public and private schools for over 20 years. She began as a classroom teacher in Fort Worth ISD in 1998, and her journey as a school counselor took her to Keller High in 2003. For ten years, she was a school counselor at Brewer High School in White Settlement ISD. After obtaining her LPC-Intern, she became the first school counselor at her alma mater, All Saints’ Episcopal School. In the process of building a school counseling program from the ground up, Laura has learned the importance of collaboration across school and local community with all stakeholders.   

The TCU Neeley School of Business and the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FWHCC) are teaming up to provide annual scholarships to FWHCC members to help multicultural professionals obtain a full-time MBA degree from TCU. The scholarship includes full tuition and a waiver of all fees for two academic years to attend program, as well as covering the cost of a two-year membership in the FWHCC. Glenda Diaz, a realtor with Keller Williams (pictured), and Andres Crosby, a senior project manager with American Airlines, are the first recipients of the scholarship; they will begin the MBA program in the fall of 2020.  

Special needs children need therapy, teaching, and, most importantly, routine. During these troubled times, working parents are struggling even more than ever to help their children with special needs. Hope Center for Autism is a lifeline for these families. Their Bridge of Hope Academy focuses on language skills, cognitive development, self-care, and social and play skills necessary to have a productive and happy life. During the COVID-19 pandemic, resources have been diverted, yet Hope Center for Autism continues to offer help and hope to Fort Worth’s special needs families.  

The Magnolia Network, the new television network from Waco’s Chip and Joanna Gaines, will have a familiar Fort Worth face when it debuts. Jonathan Morris, owner of Fort Worth Barber Shop, will host “Self Employed.” The show will follow Morris as he meets small business owners and entrepreneurs across the country. “All I want to do is champion the people, places, and ideas that push culture forward,” Morris wrote in an Instagram post announcing the show. “I want to inspire and encourage people to pursue their dreams, lean into community, and bring their ideas to life.” The Magnolia Network is expected on your television in 2021.  

If you or someone you know has done something wonderful, please contact our editor at lee@madeworthymedia.com.

The post Madeworthy’s Fort Worthies September/October first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.