You are involved with a local group called Heart Work. Explain the mission of this organization.

Heart Work is a group of Fort Worth women that are working together to highlight and uncover how racial injustice impacts our local community. In addition to sharing perspectives, we commit to seeking understanding through self-reflection and inquiry. It is a collective commitment as well as a singular one. The “heart” in heart work requires us to look within- to find our own biases and perhaps the ways in which we contribute (voluntarily or involuntarily) to systems of inequality.

What inspired your involvement with Heart Work and what have you learned?

As soon as I learned about the group, I was ready to participate. After the George Floyd protests when the global lens was focused on racial justice, I wanted to be a part of the dialogue. I was pleased that Heart Work had a local focus as I was convinced that smaller more immediate circles would produce more meaningful change.

I have learned that there is so much about race in America that we just don’t know. That means people are negotiating issues of racial justice and systemic inequality without foundational understanding. Yet, that is not an excuse. It is up to us, ALL of us to educate ourselves so that we don’t repeat past mistakes; so that we can move forward and not backwards.

How can others get involved?

Others can get involved by joining the Heart Work community and being willing to listen and learn and then speak. We value your voice, but your ears are just as important. I am always surprised by the number of participants who listen without saying a word. My belief is that they are reflecting, and that reflection is a vital part of the work we have to do.

You are also an adjunct professor at a local community college. What do you teach your students?

I teach them that their opinions matter. I teach them how to make their ideas understood. I take great joy in helping them master the art of critical thinking and harness the power of their individual voices. As a writing instructor, I think that’s the most important thing. Once you can communicate effectively, you sparkle and shine differently.

You’re passionate about literacy as a civil right. What improvements could the education system make to achieve equitable learning opportunities for kids of all ages?

If we want to get education right for all kids, we are going to have to do a better job of actually teaching foundational skills. That means better teacher preparation and more responsive, reflective instruction. The teacher is actually the most important factor in the educational equation. The teacher must be trained to do the job; and the more vulnerable the student, the better prepared the teacher needs to be. We aren’t getting that part right. It’s easy to get caught up in the “achievement gap.” Yet, if our current educational practices were stronger, the gap wouldn’t matter as much. If the majority of students (Black, Brown or White) were headed for the moon, the ones that didn’t make it would still be among the stars. Currently, many aren’t getting off the ground. If we think of literacy as a civil right, then it becomes our duty to make sure everyone is successful.

You have three kids of your own. How do you balance work, community involvement and family life?

I always laugh and say that if I actually wrote my full schedule out on paper, I would insist that I couldn’t possibly do it all. But I do! And then I remember that I’m able to “do it all” because I’m not alone. I have an amazing husband who is an equally amazing father. As a team, we just seem to always make it work. It’s kind of like magic.

Originally from Ohio, you found yourself in Fort Worth. What do you love about our city?

I love that Fort Worth is a big city with a small-town feel. There is a real sense of community in Fort Worth, and I think that’s what keeps me here. I can truly say, “I love where I live.”

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.

The post Worthy Convos: Elisabeth Ivy on Family, Work, and Doing the Heart Work first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

How did this ownership transition come about?

When COVID hit, Craftwork pivoted and has been building out their new model over the last year which combines coffee and concierge service in multifamily apartment buildings. As they transitioned to this new model, they recognized the need to consolidate their time and energy on that and to move away from the flagship store model. The Camp Bowie location was the first location of the stores. As changes were starting to be made, Josh was approached by Riley, the CEO of Craftwork, about purchasing one of the shops. This sounded crazy at first but for years and years [we] have daydreamed what it would be like to own our own café.

You are keeping the Camp Bowie shop but changing the name to Fort Worth Coffee Co. Any other changes we can expect?

We’ve updated the space to have more pops of color, more textures, cushions on the bar for a more comfortable visit, and brought back the comfy couches for a little nook we have. Great for conversations, studying and sipping. One thing we know is our most valuable asset is our staff. Our staff have already received and will continue to receive more and more investment on our part. Our head trainer is a nationally recognized barista and judge for the SCA [Specialty Coffee Association].

Tell us more about Fort Worth Coffee Co.’s roasting program. 

We have a rotation of amazing guest rosters (Sweet Bloom and Olympia to start) while still offering the coffee Josh has been roasting for the past 4 years.

What surprising things have you learned as a new business owner?

So many things. The phrase ‘the cost of doing business’ has a much more depth now than ever before. You can never make everyone happy. [And] being your own boss is both great and hard all at once.

In that same spirit, have you found our city to be supportive of small businesses?

Our city has a vast network of small businesses – we love it! So many of our residents love to come out and support local shops. It has been so wonderful to experience it as a shop owner. The small business owners also do such a great job with supporting each other and cheering one another on – so refreshing.

If Fort Worth were a cup of coffee, what kind would it be?

I think old Fort Worth would have been a solid cup of cowboy coffee, but the times are changing as is the city. New and exciting things are happening while still holding on to some of the old traditions. Because of that I would say a solid Colombian single origin pour over. Still black coffee but with a little more of an artistic flair.

How many cups of coffee do you consume in a day? No shame.

Depends on which of us you ask and on what day. Generally, I’d guess two cups a day or less. We’ve found if you use a small cup you can fill it up more.

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.

The post Worthy Convos: The Tyers of Fort Worth Coffee Co. Talk Cowboy Boots and Caffeine first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

This seems like a very relevant business venture given the times. How did you decide to become a bioPURE franchisee?

I have always been an entrepreneur on the lookout for the right opportunity. With the pandemic, I believe that the way we, as a society, view infection control and disease transmission has changed forever. bioPURE has been operating for a few years and was already experiencing success prior to the Covid-19 breakout, so it was a well-developed and established business model with a clear first-in-class approach to providing disinfection and sanitation services. I chose bioPURE because I believe it provides me an opportunity to help my community improve its overall health and safety through Covid and beyond.

Describe your product line. 

We have 2 primary treatments, bioPURE Clean and bioPURE Shield that we apply with electrostatic sprayers. Our bioPURE Clean product eliminates 99.999% of bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi producing hospital-grade disinfection of the business or home that we are treating. Our Shield product adheres to hard surfaces making them residually anti-microbial for 30 days or more. These claims are backed by peer-reviewed and published scientific studies. Our products are NSF (National Sanitation Foundation) approved for no wipe, no-rinse application to foodservice and food preparation areas, this demonstrates how incredibly safe our products are. We also have a bioPURE Hand Sanitizer. It is water-based and, once applied, protects your hands from infection for 12 hours or more.

Photo courtesy of bioPURE

When you think of professional disinfectant services, your mind always jumps to hospitals. What other clients do you work with and what are their reasons for needing your services?

Our client list includes Yoga Studios, Gyms, Restaurants, Professional Offices like Law Offices and Tax Firms. I have multiple residential customers and we also help Real Estate agents host clean open houses and then we treat following the open house so the homeowners can feel safe returning. We are an appropriate treatment for anywhere people go to work, exercise, eat, or live.

How often do you revisit existing clients?

It varies based on the client and their needs. Indigo Yoga has us come in every week with bioPURE Clean and once a month with the bioPURE Shield product, that represents significant dedication to a germ-free environment. I have several residential clients that have us come out once a month to treat with Clean and Shield. It all depends on how high the traffic is through business. We work with each of our clients to create a treatment plan that works to create a safe and clean environment that fits their budget. Our service only costs pennies per square foot, most of our clients are shocked at how affordable we are.

What would shock/terrify the average person who thinks they maintain a clean household?

We all have historically approached “cleaning” with the spray and wipe method, myself included. When you spray an over-the-counter product that claims to have disinfectant properties, what you don’t see is the small print that states it has to sit on the surface being treated for 3-5 minutes to achieve that disinfection rate. Almost nobody does this so spray and wipe cleaning makes things look and smell nice but it doesn’t really get the treated surfaces clean. Even diligent efforts with this approach are only about 60% effective. bioPURE kills 99.999% on all surface areas including what is in the air, which is the advantage of our unique combination of physics and chemistry.

On a scale of 1-eating off the floors, how clean is your home?

There is a difference between clutter and clean. My wife and I are parents to 3 boys with one of them, our 15-year-old, living at home with us. We also have two fairly new mischievous kittens, so we have a mess at times. However, our house is incredibly clean because I treat my home weekly with bioPURE Clean and monthly with bioPURE Shield. So, while there may be some clothes on the floor and kitten toys strewn about our house is hospital-grade disinfected. This is why our tag line is “Changing the Standard of Clean!”

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.

The post Worthy Convos: Steve Stooksberry of bioPURE Knows Clean first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Photo courtesy of Olivella’s

Welcome back! Olivella’s has a new address. What do you like about this location?

Thank you! We now have a wine shop in our lobby with unbelievable prices on a great selection of wines. And directly across from Kincaid’s and the Showdown, we’ve got great neighbors, too.

In what ways have you had to adapt during the pandemic?

We now deliver, and that includes wine and beer. In other words, we can bring the entire Olivella’s experience to your home, office, or event space. We also do wine tastings daily out of our retail wine shop.

Phot Courtesy of Olivella’s

How would you describe “Neapolitan” and “Roman-style” pizza?

Neapolitan is that classic, round high-crusted Italian pizza. Roman is a super-thin flat oblong. Hard to find as thin a pizza as our Roman style.

Tell us more about Wing Wednesday. Are these wings “Roman-style” too? 

In addition to traditional wing sauces, we offer house-made Italian-style sauces, though not specifically Roman or Neapolitan. Wings are half-off on Wednesdays.

How did Olivella’s come about?

It’s really not an idea or a concept so much as the fruit of very deep roots. Salvatore Olivella is a fifth generation pizzamaker from one of the oldest Italian pizza families. They have been making pizza in Naples, Italy since the 1920s.

Photo courtesy of Olivella’s

What is it about pizza and wine that brings people together?

A delicious dining experience that’s appealing to most of the population. To that end, our sommelier curates our wine offering and trains our staff to help customers find the best match for their food–whether Olivella’s or someone else’s.

If Fort Worth were one of your pizzas, which would it be? 

I’m not going to say the Drunken Pig, though it is my new favorite! But because we love being a part of such an interesting and vibrant city, probably The Dream: tomato sauce, house mozzarella, pancetta, chicken, gorgonzola, and jalapeno.

You can only eat one item on the Olivella’s menu for the rest of your life. Which is it?

That’s like having to pick my favorite Beatles song. Well, USA Today didn’t name us Best Pizza in Texas for nothing. But if I had to choose a non-pizza item off our menu, I could eat our meatballs with house-mozzarella for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

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.

The post Worthy Conversations: Charlie Green on the Remaking of Olivella’s first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

How did SciFit Center come about? 

My wife [and SciFit nutritionist], Angela, and I have always had a huge passion for health and fitness. Angela was working as a nutritionist for a large weight loss company, and she realized how impersonal most corporate approaches are to helping people lose weight and get healthy. We came to the realization there was a huge injustice in the field of weight loss, nutrition, and wellness. So, we decided to come up with our own program which is extremely personalized, attainable, and sustainable. We also implement state of the art technology with our Fit 3D Body Composition Scanner and Food Sensitivity, Metabolism, and DNA testing that really allows us to give our clients the most effective care.

What is your goal for each client?

Our mission is to help our clients find the perfect balance between health, body image, functionality, and life’s indulgences. We teach our clients that perfection isn’t a reality, rather you should find a happy medium that allows you to make progress, maintain it, and still have the ability to treat yourself when the time is right.

Do you consider our city to be an active city? 

For the most part, I don’t consider the majority of Fort Worthians to be active; however, I do think the COVID quarantine stimulated a lot of people to get out and embark on some outside activity. The students around the TCU campus seem to be a lot more in tune with exercise than the rest of the city. Maybe we should allow them to set the standard!

What does wellness mean to you personally?

Wellness is a multi-faceted state of being with optimal physical and mental functionality. Complete wellness involves good medical health with low risk factors; a proper state of well-being with adequate hormone function, sleep, stress management, and positive self-image; and a high level of functionality that allows you to execute daily tasks, hobbies, and exercise without significant impedance.

What has kept you motivated and healthy in these uncertain times?

Motivation is something we all struggle with, especially in times like we have experienced in the last year. One of the most beneficial things you can do to keep you motivated and accountable is to immerse yourself within friends and peers that are like-minded when it comes to health and exercise. The comradery will help keep each other on track!

On that note, what is your advice to others who might not be feeling their happiest and healthiest right now?

We all go through struggles, and I think it’s fair to say that most of us have experienced a more difficult time this past year. The important thing is to remember you’re not the only one experiencing life’s triumphs, and there’s no better time to immerse in self-improvement. The decreased social opportunities and outings have left us with more time to devote towards personal growth. Use this time to grow closer to family, eat healthier, and exercise more!

If the sun is out and the weather is warm (and you’re off the clock), where are you in Fort Worth?

Enjoying a beer or margarita on a patio at one of our favorite places like Woodshed, HG Supply, or Press Café after partaking in a walk or bike ride along the Trinity.

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.

The post Worthy Conversations: Bryce Calvillo Talks Motivation, Wellness & Activity first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

How did your great grandfather find himself in the mattress business?

He came to Fort Worth in 1894 from Tennessee and got into the upholstery and mattress supply business. During the Great Depression, he knew people needed to sleep and to maintain their homes, so he got into the broom business and made cotton tufted mattresses. He would travel all over Texas and Oklahoma selling his Keeton mattresses and brooms. Later in the 1950s, his son, Harry Keeton Jr., started building Spring Air mattresses in Oklahoma City and West Texas.

And what were mattresses like in the 19^th century?

Everyone slept on a cotton mattress back in those days. It was just a simple gray and white cotton striped ticking. To keep them maintained, people would take them outside to air out and they would beat them down with a broom to make them like new.

Are the rumors true that you should be replacing your mattress every 5 to 8 years?

A good mattress should last 10 to 15 years if it’s been built double-sided. Many manufacturers have gone to a no flip, 1-sided product. Because when you can’t flip a mattress, of course, it’s going to compress and show body impression faster. We build them like the old days. We still double side where you can flip and get longer life.

What do you recommend to the person who is mattress shopping?

Of course, buy quality and buy what you can afford. When you are mattress shopping, wear comfortable clothes and take your time to try them all out. Look for a manufacturer that has a good comfort warranty and will stand behind their product. Our policy at The Original Mattress Factory is 100% customer satisfaction.

Your family’s roots go way back here in Fort Worth. What do you love about this city?

We love the small-town atmosphere, even though it’s a big town. The heritage, the people, we just love everything about Fort Worth. Plus, it’s a great place to raise your family.

Memory foam or spring mattress?

Well, both are good. But I’m going even one better- I recommend the all-natural latex rubber mattresses. It’s an all-natural fiber from a rubber tree. They are very durable and comfortable. They come in many comfort levels and relieve pressure from the hips and shoulders, creating great back support. Foam type mattresses are man-made plastics. They will feel good for a while, like an inner spring, but over time will break down faster than latex.

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.

The post Worthy Conversations: Peter Duncan, Jr. on Why Good Sleep Is Timeless first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Photo courtesy of Delucca Gaucho Pizza

Welcome to Fort Worth! What was your reason for expanding west?

Actually, Fort Worth was supposed to be home of the very first Delucca back in 2018. We had a [letter of intent] on a nice property, but things didn’t work out, and we had to change our plans. So, I don’t see it as a planned move; we are just fulfilling a wish we had long ago.

Explain the concept of gaucho pizza. 

Gauchos have a very unique approach when it comes to restaurants: they don’t like to order from a menu, they like to try everything the restaurant has to offer, and the best example of this is the Churrascaria, or Brazilian Steakhouse. But this style of service is not exclusive to steakhouses; pizzerias also operate the same way in Brazil. Delucca serves their pizzas the “Gaucho Way” which means a fixed price, no menu, continuous dining with unlimited pizzas from the wood fired oven to your table.

Is there a record for the most slices of pizza consumed in one sitting at any of your locations? 

A foodie writer wrote a very nice review about Delucca sometime ago with the title, “How I Ate 25 Pieces of Pizza and Lived to Tell the Tale,” but I have seen people eating much more than that. But the true is that although our concept allows our guest to “pig out,” we rarely see it happen. When you come to Delucca, you will see that our guests are really loving the pizzas, but they are not there just to eat as much as they can. You will notice that you are in an “adult pizzeria” with bottles of wine and cocktails and everyone having a great time enjoying each other’s company.

Photo courtesy of Delucca Pizza

Texas is a long way from Brazil. How did you find yourself here?

Back in 1998 I met a businessman in Brazil. He wanted to open a Brazilian steakhouse in Texas [Texas de Brazil] but didn’t know much about the concept, so he invited me to come to the USA and help him. The agreement was to stay here for a couple of months and open one single restaurant, but I ended up staying with them for over 20 years and opening over 55 restaurants in the country and over the world.

Do you use the word y’all…even on accident? 

The honest answer is no, and I would not be able to fake it, but you will have to look very hard to find a prouder Texan than me. I have been everywhere in this world, and I see myself praising all the time how great this state and its people [are] to everyone.

How would you describe Fort Worth’s personality?

To answer this, I would need much more than a few paragraphs, but if I have to say one thing about Fort Worth it’s that people here have very strong personality and character, and I really love it. I enjoy being among interesting people with strong opinions and great stories to tell, and here I can find them everywhere. They are immensely friendly, too. I lost the count of how many people wanted to take me shopping for a hat and a pair of cowboy boots.

Turkish Lamb Pizza with Sumac Salad
Photo courtesy of Delucca Gaucho Pizza

Favorite pizza on the menu?  

Turkish Lamb with Sumac Onion Salad. There are about 15 savory pizzas served every night… but the favorites between our guests are Sopressata with Honey, Mexican Elote, and Garlic Steak Picanha.

Favorite dessert pizza on the menu? 

I cannot name only one. The Dulce de Leche with Toasted Coconut and the Nutella Pizza with Whipped Mascarpone are incredible! A few slices of our Nutella and Dulce de Leche pizza served with a cup of strong espresso would be worth driving hours to get to Delucca.

Address:

3010 S. Hulen Street
Fort Worth, Texas 76109

Phone:

682.224.5194

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.

The post Worthy Conversations: Evandro Caregnato on Fort Worth, Pizza, and “Y’all” first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.

Photo courtesy of J.W. Wilson

What does it feel like to step into the new ownership shoes of a Fort Worth institution? 

It feels like a dream come true for us. We couldn’t have found a better opportunity than this one if we tried. Starting an art gallery is difficult to do but WCCA came with 46 years of experience and relationships. The key to all of this was Peeler Howell. Peeler has managed the gallery for several years and knows the business and artists very well. The pressure is now on us to continue what the Campbells have built.

How did this transition come about? 

I have always respected the work Bill and Pam have done, and for years WCCA held up as my favorite Fort Worth gallery. I had an idea I wanted to run by Peeler…[and] Peeler was as excited as I was about approaching the Campbells with an offer to purchase the gallery. I then approached several friends who also share a passion for art. FWCAP is made up of locals. The group fits so well together, and all expressed mutual desire to keep WCCA as it always was, while adding a fresh set of legs to the equation. We closed the deal two days before Christmas.

Explain the mission of Fort Worth Contemporary Art Partners.

Our mission is to honor the legacy that Bill and Pam have created as we push the gallery and frame shop into the future, while adding some new artists and, likely, a second gallery. We don’t want to change a tried-and-true model that has worked for 46 years but simply add to it. We want to help the art culture continue to grow here in Fort Worth.

For the person looking to learn more about contemporary art, or art in general, where would you tell them to start? 

For me, it started at museums and local galleries. Fort Worth has much to offer to those who are interested. Go experience it for yourself! Find out what type of art moves you, then dig in.

It’s an unusual time for businesses. How have you had to adapt?   

The gallery world has suffered under these pandemic conditions as in-person visits have really slowed down. The online experience has partially filled the void, but nothing compares to a personal visit to a gallery. We will continue to update the WCCA website to showcase our artists in ways that are interesting.

Any big events that the public can look forward to as soon as life returns to normal? 

We are currently showing a James Blake exhibit honoring one of Fort Worth’s beloved artists who passed away last summer, along with an incredible group show featuring many of our current artists. After that, one of our favorite times of year, Spring Gallery Week, will consume the gallery. We might be opening a second gallery soon to focus on larger works we haven’t previously had wall space for. We think you are going to love what’s coming!

The post Worthy Conversations: Fort Worth’s J.W. Wilson Paints a Picture for the Future of Beloved Local Gallery first appeared on Tanglewood Moms.