Well, it’s not here quite yet, but it will be at 4:01 am on Thursday, March 20! And there’s nothing better than spring in the Fort. We’ve gathered the best family activities in Cowtown, so be sure to bookmark this page to refer to all month long!

Oh! Almost forgot. We’ve also gathered some great Spring Break camps, too!

Naruto: The Symphonic Experience
March 4
Will Rogers Auditorium

Attention all anime addicts! To celebrate the 20^th anniversary of Naruto, producers created a two-hour film enhanced by a live symphony drawn from the first 220 episodes of the beloved anime.

First Thursday Sketching Tours: Balancing Act
March 6
The Kimbell Art Museum

Do you have a little artist who’s homeschooled? Bring them to the Kimbell for a free morning of sketching and writing activities based on works in the Kimbell’s permanent collection. All materials are provided!

Ain’t Misbehavin’: The Fats Waller Musical Show
March 6-22
Circle Theatre

Travel back to the heyday of the Harlem Renaissance in this immersive experience in the newly renovated Velvet Lounge at Circle Theatre. I guarantee you won’t be able to keep your toes from tapping!

A Hip Soiree
March 7
The Copper Wall

Join the Hip Pocket Theatre as they celebrate 49 years of pushing the theatrical envelop in Fort Worth! Enjoy food, drinks, music, and a live auction.

Stand-up Comic Residency: Luis Juarez
March7 & 8
Amphibian Stage

Native Texas Luis Juarez has built a loyal following on social media with his sharp, insightful comedy. Get a behind the scenes view and enjoy an evening of laughs as he and local comedians work on their shows.

Robert Earle Keene in Concert
March 7
Bass Performance Hall

The master storyteller comes to Fort Worth.

Lost ‘n Sound
March 8
The Near Southside

Businesses throughout the Near Southside transform into concert venues as local artists perform in art galleries, film studios, architects offices, boutiques, and more.

Sunday Family Tour
March 9, 16, 23, & 30
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

Families with small children are invited to enjoy the wonders of the Modern with a tour and family activities.

Penelope
March 13-30
Stage West

Forget Odysseus. After over 2 millennia, Penelope tells her story.

Artist Talk: Jean Shin
March 13
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art

Artist Jean Shin and former Carter curator Maggie Adler about the works in Jean Shin: The Museum Body.

24^th Annual Cowtown Goes Green
March 15
Fort Worth Stockyards

Ireland comes to Cowtown! The entire family will enjoy a day of food and drink, live music, games, activities, and special performances, all topped off by a spectacular Irish-Western parade.

Multiple Levels of Virtuosity
March 15
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth

As part of the Chamber Music Society of Fort Worth’s 2025 season, the Marmon Quartet will play works by Haydn, Bartók, and Debussy.

Seventeenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition Screening Auditions
March 16-22
PepsiCo Recital Hall at TCU

Enjoy international pianists as they perform 25-minute recitals for the Screening Jury. The Screening Auditions are free and open to the public.

Les Misérables
March 18-23
Bass Performance Hall

Hear the people sing! The internationally acclaimed musical comes to Bass Performance Hall.

Meet Paddington Bear
March 18
Reby Cary Youth Library

The marmalade-loving bear is coming to the library for activities, games, and family fun.

Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic
March 21-23
Dickies Arena

The Super Bowl of Bass Fishing returns to Dickies Arena, and it’s bigger and better than ever!

Clue
March 25-30
Bass Performance Hall

Was it Miss Scarlett in the library with the rope? Or maybe it was Colonel Mustard in the conservatory with the lead pipe. Come find out!

Members on the Road: Albany, Texas
March 28
On the road

Explore the Old Jail Art Center in Albany and the Museum of the Americas in Weatherford with the Carter.

Museum School 75^th Anniversary Celebration
March 30
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

Celebrate 75 years of imagination, creativity, and wonder!

Magic Factory
March 31
Fort Worth Public Library – Northside

If your teen is a budding magician, this is for them! Learn the secrets of illusions, sleight of hand, and other tricks.

SPRING BREAK SPECTACULAR

Spring Break at the Museum
March 17-21
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
For All Ages

Art Break! Spring Break at the Modern
March 17-21
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
School-aged Children and Their Families

Spring Break Camp at the Zoo
March 17-21
Fort Worth Zoo

Ages 5 to 10

Spring Break at the Carter
March 18-21
Amon Carter Museum of American Art
All Ages Welcome

Spring Break Art Extravaganza
March 19-21
Kimbell Art Museum
All Ages Welcome

Young Chefs Academy Culinary Camp
March 17-20
Young Chefs Academy
Ages 7-15

Kids’ Camp 2025
March 8, 15, 22, April 12, & 19
SiNaCa Studios
Ages 10-16

The post Spring Is When You Feel Like Whistling: March 2025 Fun in the Fort first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Yes, love is in the air. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day, and Chef Marcus Paslay has the perfect sweet treat for your sweetie! The chef of Clay Pigeon, Piattello, Walloon’s, and Provender Hall graciously shared his recipe for his Valentine’s Strawberry Cheesecake. I will admit that I’m not a huge dessert fan, but when I made this (I try to test all the recipes we get from chefs), I fell in love. Soooo creamy and not too sweet! A perfectly sweet ending to a romantic evening for two or a weekend dinner for the whole family!

Chef’s Valentine’s Strawberry Cheesecake

Ingredients

Cheesecake Base

1 pound Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
125g sugar
125g sour cream, softened
½ tsp vanilla bean paste
2 whole eggs

Strawberry Sauce

1# strawberries, hulled and quartered
1/2 cup sugar
Fresh lemon juice to taste

Graham Cracker Crumble

200g Graham Crackers
125g melted butter
165g light brown sugar
Pinch of salt

To garnish

Fresh strawberries
Mint Leaves
Powdered Sugar

Directions

For the Cheesecake base, bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Preheat oven to 350.

Meanwhile, soften cream cheese and sour cream to room temperature. Paddle cream cheese and sour cream with a hand or stand mixer until mixed without lumps. Add sugar, vanilla, and continue to paddle until mixed. Add eggs 1×1 until incorporated.

Thoroughly spray eight 4oz aluminum souffle tins with nonstick spray. Fill tins with cheesecake mixture, leaving about 1/2″ clearance from the top. Place tins in a baking dish- for best results, use a baking dish that is taller than the souffle tins. Gently pat dish on the counter to remove large air pockets. Carefully ladle the boiling water into the baking dish at least ½ way up the tins, but not so high that they float. Carefully transfer dish to the oven and bake until they’re just set- approx. 1 hour, rotating halfway through. Remove from water bath, and cool for 1 hr at room temp before moving to refrigerator to cool completely before removing cheesecakes from tins.

For the strawberry sauce, place the strawberries and sugar in a small pot. Gently cook, stirring occasionally, until the strawberries have released their liquid and are soft throughout. Puree and strain. Adjust seasoning once cool with lemon juice, and thin with water if needed.

For the Graham Cracker Crumble, crush graham crackers in a food processor, or in a plastic gallon bag with a rolling pin. Mix ingredients and toast in a 350 oven for 12 minutes, stirring halfway

To plate, gently squeeze the sides of the tins to release the cheesecakes. Turn upside down and pat until they fall out. Place a cheesecake on each plate, and drape with the strawberry sauce. Spoon a few neat piles of crumble around, garnish with sliced fresh strawberries, dust with powdered sugar, and mint leaves to garnish.

The post Chef Marcus Paslay’s Valentine’s Strawberry Cheesecake first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

The Carter offers membership levels to match any budget and degree of desired involvement. Whether you’re an art neophyte just dipping your oar in the art waters for the first time or a serious philanthropic supporter of the arts, there is a place for you within the museum’s membership structure. If, after reading this article, you’re still on the fence about becoming a member, you should know now is the time to do it. For the entire month of February, the museum is offering a 14% discount on all new memberships.

Associate-level membership is aimed at individuals looking for a way to get involved in the local art community and have a great time doing so. Membership is only $75 per year and includes invitations for members and a guest to two opening night previews, free or discounted registration for select events, discounts at the museum shop, complimentary coffee, tea, or bottled water, a complimentary cocktail at the Second Thursday events, as well as a subscription to Carter Magazine.

Friend-level membership is designed especially for families to enjoy the benefits of the museum and builds on the Associate level by including advanced registration for family events, access to members-only family events, and annual birthday cards for your kiddos. Friend-level membership is $125 per year.

A new membership level called Carter Society has recently been developed to give young professionals the opportunity to expand their social activities to include “the art scene”. For $175 per year, Carter Society members enjoy all the benefits of Associate and Friend level members as well as events curated specifically for Carter Society members, including the annual Rodeo Pre-Party and Midsummer Mingle.

Midsummer Mingle
Part of: Carter Society
Pam Moncrief, from POP UP BAR
Caricature artist, Art by Sam

Stepping up from Carter Society, Sustainer-level members also enjoy the opportunity to purchase additional guest tickets to opening night exhibits, invitations to special events, and deeper discounts in the museum shop. The annual fee for the Sustainer-level membership is $250.

Patron-level membership is $500 per year and is inclusive of all of the above membership-level benefits as well as invitations to select upper-level events and many more additional benefits. The museum offers membership at levels beyond Patron in what is known as the Circle. Circle members enjoy benefits beyond the other membership levels, including invitations to exclusive events with artists and publishers aligned with special exhibitions. For details about Circle-level involvement, your best option is to contact the museum’s membership team.

The Amon Carter is a jewel in the crown of Fort Worth’s art community. The fact that it is always free to visitors is made possible, in part, through its robust membership offerings. Being a “patron of the arts” is no longer a pie-in-the-sky dream. With memberships starting at $75 per year, nearly anyone can afford it. With events and social gatherings throughout the year, the Carter makes being an art patron fun and educational. From Second Thursdays to Tea and Tours and the Midsummer Mingle, there’s always something happening at the Carter. As museum Membership Manager Stacey Smith says, “Our events are designed so that if you know a lot about art, you will feel engaged, but if not, you won’t feel lost. We want all of our members to have fun and learn something about the art.”

For more information on how you can become a member of Fort Worth’s only dedicated American art museum, please visit CarterMuseum.org

Family Workshop: Paint Party

The post The Carter Is Head Over Heels for Their Members first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

The Roundup for Autism, presented by the Winch Ranch, will be held Sept. 21 at River Ranch in the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Keith Maddox

Maddox is being honored posthumously for his support of the Roundup for Autism as a board member and sponsor and for his professional and personal contributions to the Western community, said Bobby Norris, founder of the Roundup for Autism.

“Keith Maddox, for decades, was deeply involved in this … always the first to offer help in any way he could,” Norris said. “Beyond his contributions to the Roundup for Autism, Keith was a mentor and supporter to hundreds of cowgirls and cowboys, making countless contributions to the rodeo community. It was an honor to call him my friend.”

Popular film and TV actor Barry Corbin is a native Texan who has been actively involved with the Roundup for Autism. “In addition to being a good friend for many years and a consistent Roundup celebrity chair and participant, Barry Corbin has dedicated so much of his time and resources to the Roundup for Autism over the past 37 years. It’s only fitting to establish an award in his honor,” Norris said.“I am deeply honored that Keith Maddox will be the first recipient of the Barry Corbin Grit & Generosity Award,” Corbin said. “Keith was a tireless supporter of the Roundup for Autism from the beginning, and I loved spending time with him. I always admired Keith for his business sense, and even more for his generosity and dedication to helping others. Keith’s contributions left an indelible mark not only in Texas but on the international Western community, and this award is a testament to his enduring legacy.”

Maddox began his Western journey on his family’s ranch, competing in rodeo events from a young age and turning professional before 18. After graduating from Eastern Oregon University in 1971, he built a successful career in the Western industry with prominent companies like Tony Lama.

With his wife Susan, Maddox established The Best Hat Store in the historic Stockyards in 1996 and later revived the American Hat Company, overcoming significant setbacks including a devastating fire in 2005. His dedication to his craft and unwavering spirit earned him a revered place in the western community, defined by his significant contributions to the industry and the countless lives he touched with his kindness and generosity. His story is a testament to perseverance, hard work and a commitment to helping others.

Corbin’s noted acting credits include the TV series Northern Exposure as well as roles in Lonesome Dove, No Country for Old Men, WarGames and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. He was honored by the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum for his contributions to Western films and television.

Barry Corbin (left) and Bobby Norris (Photo courtesy Roundup for Autism)

The post Keith Maddox Posthumously Receives Award first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Additionally, the Carter is launching a multiyear experimental outdoor sculpture program developed to expand opportunities for visitors to interact with art on the Museum’s grounds. Activating the Carter’s outdoor campus with art extends the experience for visitors to access the highest caliber of American art while celebrating both local and national artists of significance. Throughout the year, the Carter will present both existing and new work by North Texas-based artists Justin Ginsberg and Darryl Lauster, together with work by New York–based artist Jean Shin, that engage the Carter’s grounds in new ways.

Exhibitions premiering in 2022 include:

Stephanie Syjuco (b. 1974), Manhandled 15, 2021, dye sublimation print on aluminum, courtesy of the artist, RYAN LEE Gallery, and Catharine Clark Gallery

Stephanie Syjuco: Double Vision

January 15, 2022–January 2023
Stephanie Syjuco: Double Vision presents a commissioned, site-specific installation by the artist that uses digital editing and excavation of the Museum’s archives to transform images of renowned works from the Carter’s collection to reconsider mythologies of the American West. Reframing iconic works by American artists, including Albert Bierstadt and Frederic Remington, Syjuco’s work highlights the constructed nature of historical narratives and reveals how these works and their presentation can perpetuate colonial lore.

¡Printing the Revolution!: The Rise and Impact of Chicano Graphics, 1965 to Now

February 20–May 8, 2022

In the 1960s, activist Chicano artists forged a remarkable history of printmaking that remains vital today. ¡Printing the Revolution!, organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, explores the rise of Chicano graphics within these early social movements and the ways in which artists since then have advanced innovative printmaking practices attuned to social justice. The exhibition includes 119 works, ranging from traditional screenprints and digital graphics to augmented reality works and site-specific installations, by more than 74 artists of Mexican descent and other artists who were active in Chicanx networks.

Beauty and Life: The Finis Welch Collection

February 20–May 8, 2022

This exhibition features newly acquired photographs by Ansel Adams, Marco Breuer, Dorothea Lange, Edward Steichen, Edward Weston, and more, on view for the first time at the Carter. Beauty and Life showcases 48 artworks from a collection of over 240 photographs and works on paper bequeathed to the Carter by Texas collector Finis Welch. The gift significantly expands the Museum’s already renowned collection of photography and enhances its ability to tell the story of early photographic modernism in America.

Kinji Akagawa (b. 1940), Play the Piano, 1965, lithograph. Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, Texas, Gift of Ruth Carter Stevenson, 1970.296, © 1965 Kinji Akagawa

Art Making as Life Making: Kinji Akagawa at Tamarind

April 23–October 30, 2022

Art Making as Life Making: Kinjia Akagawa at Tamarind offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse of life in a 1960s print workshop. At the age of twenty-five, Akagawa embarked on a fellowship to train as a printer at the Tamarind Lithography Workshop in Los Angeles. While there, Akagawa collaborated with more than a dozen leading artists, including Ruth Asawa, Herbert Bayer, and Jose Luis Cuevas, printing their lithographs and creating his own editions of prints. The communal environment at Tamarind had a profound impact on his philosophies of art, in which he embraced dialogue, collaboration, and co-creation as pillars of a democratic vision of art. The exhibition features more than 40 works from the Carter’s collection of more than 2,500 Tamarind Workshop prints.

Darryl Lauster: Testament

May 7, 2022–May 2023

North Texas – based artist Darryl Lauster’s Testament (2018– 20) will inaugurate a series of outdoor creative projects implemented by the Carter. Through the examination of America’s past and present, Lauster’s bronze obelisk calls for the viewer to be a critical reader of information and to look at the function of text in different contexts. Testament combines pop culture references with quotes from primarily U.S. foundational documents bringing to question what we know about our nation’s history and promises.

Justin Ginsberg: Shaking the Shadow

June 11–September 25, 2022

Over the course of the summer, Texas–based artist Justin Ginsberg will create a glass sculptural work inspired in part by the Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass exhibition (see below). Ginsberg will work with a glass kiln set up on the Museum’s lawn each weekend, pulling glass threads measuring up to 30 feet in length. At the end of each glassmaking session, Ginsberg will install the threads he has created in the Carter’s Main Gallery, resulting in a large-scale glass “waterfall” sculpture. The public will be able to watch Ginsberg at work during his weekend sessions as well as witness the multi-month realization of his site-specific installation.

Unknown, [Interior view of barber shop, Cameron, Texas], ca. 1920, gelatin silver print, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, Texas, P1976.19.86

June 11–September 11, 2022

Exploring more than 100 years of photographic representations of Black American experiences, Black Every Day: Photographs from the Carter Collection includes over fifty historical and contemporary art photographs and over 100 vernacular images. Works by iconic artists including Henri Cartier-Bresson, Roy DeCarava, Dorothea Lange, Deana Lawson, Gordon Parks, and Garry Winogrand, as well as unidentified community members, showcase the everyday moments of Black life, addressing themes of community, excellence, family, and labor.

Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass: American Artists and the Magic of Murano

June 26–September 11, 2022

This exhibition features more than 140 artworks by 19th-century American artists, including John Singer Sargent and James McNeill Whistler, presented alongside rarely seen Venetian glass mosaic portraits and glass cups, vases, and urns by the leading glassmakers of Murano, including members of the legendary Seguso, Barovier, and Moretti families. Organized by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Sargent, Whistler, and Venetian Glass: American Artists and the Magic of Murano brings to life the Venetian glass revival between 1860 and 1915 and the artistic experimentation the city inspired for visiting artists.

Faces from the Interior: The Native American Portraits of Karl Bodmer 

October 30, 2022–January 22, 2023

Organized by and drawn exclusively from the collection of the Joslyn Art Museum (Omaha, Nebraska), Faces from the Interior features over 60 recently conserved watercolors including portraits of individuals from the Omaha, Ponca, Yankton, Lakota, Mandan, Hidatsa, Assiniboine, and Blackfoot nations. Contemporary Indigenous knowledge bearers, artists, and scholars from the nations that Bodmer and his companion, German prince Maximilian zu Wied-Neuwied, visited between 1832 and 1834 have contributed texts and four short films for this exhibition, which together highlight the diverse histories, beliefs, and practices embodied in the portraits.

Wendy Red Star (b. 1981), Catalogue Number 1941.30.1, 2019, inkjet print, Amon Carter Museum of American Art, Fort Worth, Texas, P2020.166.5, © Wendy Red Star

Speaking with Light: Contemporary Indigenous Photography

October 30, 2022–January 22, 2023

Speaking with Light: Contemporary Indigenous Photography highlights the dynamic ways that Indigenous artists have leveraged their lenses over the past three decades to reclaim representation and affirm their existence, perspectives, and trauma. The exhibition, organized by the Carter, is one of the first major museum surveys to explore this important transition, featuring works by more than 30 Indigenous artists. Through approximately 80 photographs, videos, three-dimensional works, and digital activations, the exhibition forges a mosaic investigation into identity, resistance, and belonging.

Charles Truett Williams: The Art of the Scene

November 5, 2022–May 7, 2023

This exhibition examines the Fort Worth mid-century art scene through the presentation of more than 30 works by Fort Worth artist Charles Truett Williams and the artistic community drawn to his studio salon. Accompanying the works on paper and sculptures are ephemera from the recently acquired archives of Williams, enhancing the Carter’s strong holding of artist archives. Charles Truett Williams: The Art of the Scene is the continuation of the Museum’s research into the artistic legacy of underrepresented artists as part of the Gentling Study Center’s mission.

Jean Shin

November 2022–November 2023

Known for her signature artistic practice of creating monumental sculpture created from natural or discarded materials, Shin will be creating a site-specific work on the Carter grounds that examines the Museum’s history and landscape. Nationally recognized for her sculptures that transform large accumulations of singular objects frequently sourced through donations, such as computer keyboard parts, glass bottles, and clothing items, Shin will develop a functional artwork that reflects the Museum’s past and present through an elegant expression of identity and community.

The post The Carter Announce 2022 Exhibition Schedule first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

TCU’s inaugural season for women’s triathlon is Fall 2023 with triathletes arriving on campus in 2022. The addition of women’s triathlon gives TCU 22 sports, the most in the Big 12 Conference.

Garrison comes to TCU from North Central College in Naperville, Illinois, where she began the women’s triathlon program and won three national championships. She also served as North Central’s head women’s swimming and diving coach the last two seasons.

“We are proud to welcome Jenny to TCU and in an exciting leadership role of helping us start a women’s triathlon program,” Donati said. “When we added women’s triathlon, we believed we could quickly be competitive on the national level. Having already built a program and with immediate results, Jenny is the right person and fit to help us achieve our goal. She is a national championship coach and well known through USA Triathlon. Her enthusiasm and passion for the sport will make an impact in recruiting.”

Garrison, an elite triathlete, led North Central to three consecutive Division III National Championships (2017-19) and five appearances overall at the USA Triathlon National Collegiate Championships. The Cardinals were third in 2021. Garrison and North Central also produced the last four Division III Individual National Champions, most recently Hailey Poe in 2021.

“I am so excited to join the TCU family,” Garrison said. “As the first head coach of the women’s triathlon program, my goal is to bring an amazing team culture that cultivates success. I’m looking forward to not only developing champions but to instill skills that will propel these young women to be successful leaders in life. I also look forward to carrying on a winning legacy here at TCU. Triathlon in Fort Worth will make history!”

Garrison was the 2019 USAT Division III Coach of the Year. She has coached eight Collegiate Triathlon Coaches Association All-Americans and 11 All-Region honorees, including 2021 NCAA Woman of the Year finalist and NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship recipient Naomi Hill.

A 2001 graduate of Benedictine University, Garrison is a former professional triathlete with more than 15 years of competitive experience. She represented Team USA in World Championship competition in Australia, France, Switzerland and Canada. She won overall amateur female honors at the 2006 USAT National Championships and placed third at the 2014 USAT Championships. She is also a two-time finisher at the Hawaii Ironman Triathlon.

Williams comes to TCU after serving as associate head coach at Baylor. His seven years in Waco saw him climb the ranks from volunteer assistant in 2015 to full-time assistant in 2016 and then associate head coach in 2020.

Williams was instrumental in Baylor posting six consecutive 20-win seasons and NCAA Tournament appearances, including this year’s 22-6 mark with a 14-2 record in Big 12 Conference play. The Bears climbed as high as No. 6 in the national rankings and made their third consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. Baylor has finished first or second in the Big 12 the last five seasons. In 2019, the Bears earned a No. 1 national ranking, won the program’s first Big 12 championship with a 15-1 conference record, were the NCAA Tournament’s No. 1 overall seed and reached the Final Four.

“Jason is a perfect fit for TCU and Fort Worth,” Donati said. “We have seen firsthand the impact he has had on Baylor’s success as well as in recruiting the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and the state of Texas. We were very impressed with Jason’s focus on the student-athlete experience, especially in their development on and off the court. In the volleyball community, he is well known and respected across the nation. We are very excited to have Jason as a Horned Frog and to lead our volleyball program into a new era.”

Williams coached six players at Baylor to All-America honors, including 2019 AVCA National Player of the Year and five-time All-American Yossiana Pressley. He has also been an assistant coach and scout for the USA National Team Development Program.

“I want to thank Jeremiah, (TCU Deputy Athletics Director) Mike Sinquefield and (TCU Senior Associate Athletics Director) Gretchen Bouton for the opportunity to lead this program to new heights,” Williams said. “From the time I stepped on campus and met all the amazing people, I knew it was a great fit and I had a real peace about it. I am from the Metroplex, and I’m glad to be back home. I’m excited to help the student-athletes get to a place they can’t reach on their own. We are going to do great things here, and I’m grateful that I can be just a small part of the future of TCU volleyball.”

Before arriving at Baylor, Williams was a highly successful coach at the junior club level in Texas. In the 10 years prior to his time in Waco, Williams led his club teams to annual top-20 national rankings with eight of those squads in the top 10. In 2014, Williams’ 16s team won the AAU National Championship and the JVA World Challenge. He led three teams to the finals of the USA Junior National Championships in the open division and five top-five finishes.

Williams also had four teams finish in the top 10 of the final year-end national rankings on PrepVolleyball.com. Those squads would go on to win several national qualifiers, including Lonestar, as well as Tour of Texas championships.

Williams was a four-sport athlete (football, basketball, baseball and track) at Plano East Senior High School in Plano. He went on to play two years of football at Austin College. Williams then embarked on a successful beach volleyball career. Primarily playing setter, he was on several men’s teams that competed at the USAV Open Championships.

Williams’ wife, the former Cory Sivertson, was also a setter and became the first volleyball player inducted into the Baylor Hall of Fame. She closed her career holding 18 school records, many of which still stand. Williams credits his successes on the volleyball court to Cory’s success, knowledge and influence.

The Williams have two children, Callie and Barrett. Callie was a member of the Baylor volleyball team.

This article first appeared in the Fort Worth Business Press and is reblogged with permission. 

The post TCU Names New Coaches first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Texas barbecue is hot stuff, and no one is hotter than Brix Barbecue. Recently awarded the Critics’ Choice for Barbecue in Fort Worth Weekly’s Best of 2021, Trevor Sales and his rescue dog/inspiration Brix are riding high. While Sales may be from the Chicago area, his barbecue is pure Texas. Right now, Sales serves up his incredible barbecue and mouth-watering sides from an Airstream (the “Smokestream” to those in the know) across from HopFusion every Saturday and Sunday. However, he has announced that Brix will be moving into a brick-and-mortar location in 2022. Congratulations, Trevor and Brix! 

Did you know that Central Market’s first store in the Metroplex opened right here in Fort Worth twenty years ago? Fort Worth foodies quickly adopted the store, making Central Market a favorite place to meet, eat, learn, and shop. “Fort Worth immediately embraced Central Market and we immediately embraced Fort Worth,” said Stephen Butt, president of Central Market/H-E-B. “I’ve said from the beginning that this city has soul. It’s unique personality and warm, friendly, generous residents have helped shape our store into what it is today. Our customers feel a sense of ownership and community when they enter our doors. Our partners know them, and they know our partners.” 

The global pandemic hit the fitness industry hard, shuttering many studios. But indoor cycling and yoga instructor E’Lyn Taylor saw an opportunity, and Studio E, the first mobile cycling studio in the DFW area, was born. Instead of going to the studio, Studio E comes to you! Specializing in spin and yoga classes, E’lyn’s goal is to promote “diversity and inclusion… by introducing fitness as a safe space for the mind and body.” 

There are few treats more comforting and more delicious that Portugal’s pastéis de nata. Now Fort Worthians can experience Portugal’s favorite snack right here. Young entrepreneur Elliott Holloway, a senior at Paschal High School, along with a few of his friends have started Mimos, a baking company that produces these delightful custard tarts. They are available at The Table Market and at the Clearfork Farmers Market. Be sure to get to the farmers market quickly, however; they sell out quickly!  

Fort Worth’s favorite chef Jon Bonnell has written several cookbooks, but his latest is more personal. Carry Out, Carry On: A Year in the Life of a Texas Chef recounts how Bonnell and his restaurants navigated the COVID-19 shutdown of 2020. The restaurant business was hit hard by the shutdown, but Bonnell was able to pivot to offer what became his beloved $40 “home meals,” as well as helping other restauranteurs through the pandemic.  

On a beautiful Saturday in September, some of Fort Worth’s most inspiring women gathered at The Magnolia to celebrate a birthday. Instead of focusing on herself for her birthday, Katrina Carpenter wanted to create a cozy space for these community leaders from all over our city to start a courageous conversation about race and sisterhood. Because racial equity cannot be attained without open, honest dialogues. Happy birthday, Katrina! 

In a town with numerous outstanding craft breweries, Neutral Ground Brewing Company is quickly making a name for themselves. The brainchild of Texan Stan Hudson and Louisianian Sean Doublet, the brewery is named for the area of land between Texas and the Louisiana Purchase where, until the official borders were drawn, free trade and fun flourished. The brewery hosts a delicious variety of food trucks and a range of events from yoga to salsa dancing. As Hudson and Doublet say, let’s meet in the middle! 

After a virtual year, the GM Financial Parade of Lights illuminated the streets of Downtown Fort Worth for the 39th year on Sunday, November 21, at 6 p.m. This year’s “Making Spirits Bright”-themed parade marked the city’s official kick-off to the holiday season with more than 100 festive floats, each adorned with holiday decor and over half a million sparkling lights. Once again, families enjoyed this beloved Fort Worth tradition as marching bands, floats, horse-drawn carriages, and Santa and Mrs. Claus wended their way through Downtown, officially kicking of the holiday season in Cowtown. 

While Scotty Scott, the genius behind Instagram’s Cook Drank Eat, always loved to cook, he originally planned to be a lawyer. However, his passion for cooking was such that after graduating from law school, he realized that cooking was more than just a hobby. In January of 2022, Scott’s first cookbook, Fix Me a Plate, will be published. “This has been without a doubt the most challenging yet rewarding experience of my culinary career. It involved the academia of law school, the creativity of food photography and the meticulousness of recipe development all in one.” 

Established in 1989, the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition has been leading the drive to find a solution for homelessness in our communities through community change. One of the ways you can help the Coalition is to fill a “Welcome Home Basket.” Fill a new laundry basket with essentials such as cooking utensils, cleaning supplies, and bedding. These baskets will help turn an empty apartment into a home for someone moving out of homelessness! 

Who doesn’t love a picnic? North Texas native Kellie Seville does. She also recognized that, while people are still leery of dining in a restaurant, picnics are a wonderful way to get together with loved ones, so she created The Pink Cactus. She and her husband Carlos design luxurious picnics in your choice of location for date nights, showers, anniversaries, Girls’ Nights Out, and more. They provide everything you need to create beautiful memories.  

When the old V.I.P. Lounge on White Settlement closed due to the pandemic, Chris Jordan, Kristin Thomas, Bailey Batts, Deandre Young and Jywon Young saw an opportunity. The friends renovated the space, and The Rabbit Hold Pub opened to the public last summer. Featuring the same whimsical spirit as its sister tavern, The Mad Hatter on Carroll Street, the Rabbit Hold has been well-received by West Siders looking for a neighborhood haunt.  

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

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Founded in 1962 by brother and sister David and Bette Benson, the unassuming restaurant with the best breakfast in town has become a Fort Worth institution. People of all ages flock to the restaurant for the tasty food, strong coffee, and the blast-from-the-past decor. Generations of Fort Worth folks have celebrated birthdays, christenings, weddings, and just about any other life event over Dutch Babies or chicken fried steak and eggs. Business deals are struck over blueberry pancakes or a Big Ol’ Breakfast Burrito.  

Recently, I interviewed owner Rex Benson, son of David, to find out what makes Ol’ South Pancake House so special.  

Photo courtesy of Ol’ South Pancake House

How has Ol’ South seen Fort Worth grow over the years? 

We have seen the extreme growth of Fort Worth over the years. When TCU went to the Big 12 years ago, that seemed to be the initial growth spurt for the city. 

What is the most popular dish at Ol’ South? 

Our signature dish is our world-famous German pancakes (some know it as our smaller version named the Dutch Baby.) It’s an egg-based crepe with lemon, powdered sugar, and lots of butter. 

What is the most eclectic dish served at Ol’ South? 

I would say our Skillet is our most eclectic item on our menu. It really has everything in it.  

It’s an open-faced biscuit, with hash browns, scrambled eggs, cheddar cheese, meat choice of bacon/sausage/ or ham, all topped with our cream gravy… it’s really good.  

What is the restaurant’s main demographic and has it changed over the years? 

Truly, our demographics are wide spread – from babies all the way to [senior citizens] … we have celebrated someone’s 102-year birthday. We are a place where all of Fort Worth has eaten. We take pride in having such a diverse customer base. 

Photo courtesy of Ol’ South Pancake House

How does being in close proximity to Texas Christian University affect the business of Ol’ South? 

We have always enjoyed our close partnership with TCU for many, many years. TCU is a part of who we are.  [TCU’s entry] into the Big 12 conference with increased attendance to all of the football games has been a tremendous help with more folks coming in the door! 

Who are some famous people who have eaten at Ol’ South? 

We have had many famous folks eat with us from famous athletes to dignitaries, onto several others.  

Athlete [range] from lots of Dallas Cowboys to pro basketball players… UFC fighters as well as politicians. Van Cliburn, the famous pianist, has a seat in the restaurant with a plaque on the booth.   

What are some challenges Ol’ South has faced over the years?  

We face challenges as any business does. However, the clear challenge is simply COVID-19 and the devastation it caused since the beginning of pandemic. We have suffered massive setbacks with staffing as well as the soaring food costs that we are facing. Historically you would typically only deal with raising food cost or labor shortages. Not both problems at the same time. So, we have had our work cut out for us. Luckily, we have great customers and very loyal ones, and they are the reason we have been able to make it through this crazy time. We love our customers; they are like family to us. 

Caroline Pierce is a senior at Trinity Valley School. She hopes to study journalism in college.

The post Made in Fort Worth: Ol’ South Pancake House first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Fort Worth’s first library created specifically for families with children opens Aug. 14

The public is invited to help celebrate the opening of the first Fort Worth Public Library purposefully designed to serve children, teens and their caregivers at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 14, 3851 E. Lancaster Ave.

The Reby Cary Youth Library will become a fun gathering place for families, featuring a creative lab, sensory garden, and open spaces to explore, socialize and learn.

“We are so excited to open the doors on this new library, and we know Fort Worth families are going to love it,” Library Director Manya Shorr said. “The laser-focus on children and youth will allow the Reby Cary Youth Library to go above and beyond the excellent work all our libraries provide to the community. It is fitting that Reby Cary’s name is on the building, as not only was he a barrier-breaking pioneer in so many aspects, but his priority was children and preparing them for bright futures.”

The Aug. 14 celebration will feature outdoor games, music performances, storytimes, craft activities, and more. Special guests at the ribbon-cutting will include Mayor Mattie Parker, District 8 City Councilman Chris Nettles, Library Director Manya Shorr, and former Councilwoman Kelly Allen Gray. Faith Ellis, daughter of Reby Cary, will also participate in the ceremony.

“In a city full of young families, Reby Cary Youth Library exemplifies what Fort Worth is all about when it comes to supporting parents and kiddos – a safe, innovative place for growth, exploration and learning,” Mayor Mattie Parker said. “I know our Fort Worth families are looking forward to having fun in this new space, my own family included.

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John Wayne is forever associated with the Old West. But Fort Worth also has an association with western life and culture. Is that why folks can enjoy the exhibit here and not in Dallas?

We chose Fort Worth because of its commitment to preserving western culture. When we came to visit with our partner, Patrick Gottsch, we were blown away by the revitalization of the Stockyards by Craig Cavalier and knew this was the perfect place for John Wayne. 

Photo Credit: The John Wayne Experience

Describe the exhibit experience.

The exhibit is 10,000 square feet and filled with over 400 pieces of John Wayne’s personal and professional memorabilia. Guests will be able to see the full story of John Wayne, starting with his early life in Iowa, taking you through his extensive career in film, his personal life, and ending with his other legacy, the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.

How do you describe The Duke to people who aren’t familiar with his celebrity?

John Wayne was not only one of the most famous and hard-working actors of his time, but he was also a very down to earth guy. He liked spending time out of the spotlight on his boat, the Wild Goose, with his family and friends playing chess cards and fishing. He was also passionate about his country and felt strongly about supporting our troops.

Photo Credit: The John Wayne Experience

People often romanticize the west. Why do you think that is?

The West represents the opportunity and hard work. These are classic American values that our country was founded on and I think people still find these values important today.

Any surprising facts about ol’ JW that you like to share with people?

John Wayne was extremely intellectual. He loved to read and was very interested in learning. Those who were closest to him always say that no matter if you agreed with him or not, he always wanted to hear your opinion.

Photo Credit: The John Wayne Experience

Tell us about the John Wayne Cancer Foundation.

When John Wayne died, he asked his family to use his name to help fight cancer. John Wayne Cancer Foundation was founded in 1985 and we fund novel and innovative programs that improve cancer patients’ outcome and save lives through research, education, awareness, and support.

  You have one John Wayne movie to watch for the rest of your life. Which is it?

 Probably Big Jake and only because I got to be in it so a lot of fond memories for me in there.

Although she prefers burnt orange to purple, Hannah Bush is happy to call Fort Worth her new home. She began freelance writing a few years ago to break up the monotony of her 9 to 5 and to prove to her parents that she’s making good use of her journalism degree. When she’s not hanging out with her cat, Hannah can likely be found on a patio with her fiancé, talking about her cat.

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