Whether you’re the one doing it or the one who has to listen to it all night, snoring can interfere with the restful sleep that’s so important for optimal health and wellness. It may even be a sign of a more serious problem: sleep apnea. If left untreated, this sleep-related breathing disorder can cause daytime exhaustion, headaches, memory loss and even affect your heart.
If you are a chronic snorer or have been diagnosed with sleep apnea, a custom-made oral appliance from Dr. Sandi Hamm’s dental office may be all you need to finally get a good night’s rest.
Contact Dr. Sandi Hamm at 817-477-4441 to schedule a FREE consultation!
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There’s no better way to get away this summer than with a FREE weekend at the Gaylord Texan Resort; compliments of Living Magazine. To enter the FREE Drawing, go to:
28 I DONNA J. SMIEDT & DESARAY MUMA –THE FAMILY LAW FIRM OF DONNA J. SMIEDT 30 I TAMMY MOORE – SERVICE PROS AUTO CENTER
32 | RAQUEL THORNTON – MANSFIELD COSMETIC SURGERY CENTER 33 | STEPHANIE A. FOSTER, P.C. – THE FAMILY LAW OFFICES OF STEPHANIE A. FOSTER
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letter from the publisher
“She is clothed with strength and dignity and laughs without fear of the future.”
PROVERBS 31:25
As women, we’ve come a long way. Doors that were closed to our mothers and grandmothers have been flung wide open for us. Even as we celebrate our victories, we contemplate how far we hope to see our daughters and granddaughters advance in the future. Every June I have the privilege of introducing Living readers to some of the movers and shakers, the innovators and pioneers in our area. These women are leaders, not only in their chosen field, but in their families, their circle of friends, and throughout our community and world.
This year, we were more impressed than ever with the leading women we met working throughout the fields of health, law, dentistry, tourism, recreation, photography, weight loss, and even automotive. We took time to chat with them and find out about the journey they’ve trod so far, the difference they’ve been able to make, and where they hope to head in the future. We’re proud of each of you. And we think our readers will be just as impressed.
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Todd Collom, Don Beene
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advertising/marketing/sales
VICE PRESIDENT OF SALES Scott Daniels sdaniels@livingmagazine.net
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Kami Anderson, kanderson@livingmagazine.net
DIRECTOR OF BRAND MARKETING Bruce Perlstein
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letters from OUR MAYORS
mayor DAVID COOK MANSFIELD
There’s nothing like Mansfield’s Fourth of July celebration.
Since 2008 Mansfield’s Rockin 4th of July has provided great family fun and a spectacular celebration of our nation’s independence. This year’s 12th annual event is 6-10 p.m. Wednesday, July 3, at Big League Dreams Sports Park Mansfield.
There’s live music, games, entertainment, food vendors, a patriotic ceremony and of course, fireworks. They are easily the most spectacular fireworks in the region, thanks to Mansfield’s own Extreme Pyrotechnics that save some of the best they have to offer for their hometown celebration.
The event is free. No pets, coolers or outside food/drinks allowed. There is no onsite parking at
mayor RON
JENSEN
The city’s historic Fire Station #1 is now reimagined and open as Firehouse Gastro Park (FHGP), 321 W. Main Street, Grand Prairie. This dining destination features indoor and outdoor dining, an outdoor stage with seating and yard games, a secret garden bar, family-friendly green-space, a Tweed-fueled coffee shop, a smoke house, and diverse deliciousness including Nashville hot chicken, artisan burgers, farm fresh salads and sandwiches, popup food trucks, local craft beers and LA’s own MAMA’S MEDICINE cocktails. Restaurateurs Jason and Carlee Smith brought their southern California roots to downtown Texas for a relaxed upscale experience. The restaurant is open Tuesday –Sunday. Enjoy the walk up coffee bar window, or
BLD. All parking is at MISD Vernon Newsom Stadium with free shuttle buses to and from the event. More buses have been added to lessen the wait after the fireworks end.
Celebrate America right here in our Hometown and save the date for Mansfield’s Rockin 4th of July. Happy Summer!
I was recently honored to stand between mascots, Rowdy of the Dallas Cowboys and Rangers Captain of the Texas Rangers to thank one of Arlington’s own. The Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau awarded the first ever WOW Award recognizing a “front-line professional who goes to great lengths to be kind and create a memorable experience for guests at an Arlington-hospitality-related organization”. Congratulations, Carrie Bogard, a 19-year parking attendant for Stadium Parking. Carrie is so much more than a parking attendant. She’s a turkey at Thanksgiving, a bunny at Eastertime, and friend to her customers, all year long. It’s folks like you who make Arlington great, Carrie. Thanks!
Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 10, 2019 when Arlington's Globe Life Park will host Texas'
settle inside the coffee lounge with WIFI for a meeting, book or conversation. From a fun lunch, to Happy Hour and unique cocktails, to a delectable dinner, to concerts and lawn games at night, the warm vitality of FHGP wows all who enter.
Live Life Grand,
largest craft beer, wine, and cocktail event. Tickets for The All-Star Festival start at $40, for afternoon or evening sessions and will include 250 drink samples, food vendors, live music, and outdoor games. Admission includes two tickets to a Texas Rangers game during the 2019 season and a photo inside the Rangers' dugout. Here in Arlington we love our designated drivers. They can purchase a ticket for $20, which doesn’t include alcohol but does include the two Rangers game tickets.
It’s shaping up to be another great summer in The American Dream City!
mayor JEFF WILLIAMS
ARLINGTON
ARLINGTON / MANSFIELD/GRAND PRAIRIE
ONGOING
ARLINGTON MUSIC HALL
Arlington
Come check out some amazing performances that are scheduled! 224 N. Center St. ARLINGTONMUSICHALL.NET
ONGOING
THE LOT
Mansfield
Come and enjoy some really great music! Visit the website for information event listings. THELOTDOWNTOWN.COM
ONGOING
FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT
Levitt Pavilion
Free movie nights under the stars! Bring lawn chairs and blankets, picnic and coolers, just no glass containers.
LEVITTPAVILIONARLINGTON.ORG/EVENT
JUNE 6-8
FLOWAPALOOZA
Grand Prairie
Join us for our 3 day FlowaPalooza at Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, featuring The Flow Tour Prime Stop #3. This EPIC event will be filled with family friendly activities, waterpark fun, live music, and FlowRider clinics from the Pros themselves! EPICWATERSGP.COM/FLOWAPALOOZA
june
15
TINY TOTS TRIATHLON
Arlington Parks and Recreation
Children ages 2-10 will bike a 1/4 mile, run 200 yards, and water slide their way to the finish line. Participants will need to wear tennis shoes, comfortable athletic clothes and bring their own bicycle or tricycle with a helmet. Medals will be awarded to all who finish. 9am-1pm. River Legacy Park, 701 NW Green Oaks Blvd. Pre-registration is required and costs $15 per child. Register online or call 817-459-6434.
JUNE
8
SUGAR RUSH 5K
Mansfield
Home to one of the top four junior bakers in the entire country--Jaxon Remillard of Batter Jax Bakery. Fresh off his performance in the Food Network Kids Baking Championship, Jaxon joins us as our celebrity guest. Run the race with candy and cupcake treats along the route to keep you motivated. Timed competition with medals in each age group for those who prefer the sweet taste of victory to a frosted donut. Jaxon will be on hand to sign autographs, take photos and share stories of his Food Network days with our runners. 8am. 303 N. Walnut Creek Dr. Visit raceroster.com/ events/2019/22217/2019-sugar-rush-5k. MANSFIELDTEXAS.GOV/SUGAR-RUSH-5K
JUNE 8 AND 22
MOBILE PET ADOPTION EVENT
Arlington
Adorable adoptable pets looking for new homes will be available at the mobile adoption unit for immediate adoption! Visit with adoptable cats available inside PetSmart! Adoptions will be at the Petsmart® in South Arlington, 203 E. I-20 (Arlington Highlands) 10:30am-3:30pm.
JUNE
22
SWIM SAFE
Arlington Parks and Recreation
Grab your swimsuit, towel, and bike and come learn ways to stay safe in and around
water this summer! Offering a morning of FREE water safety lessons and activities. This event starts at 9:00am, safety talks and lessons start at 9:30am and rotate every 10 minutes. There will be demos with American Red Cross certified Water Safety Instructors, fun activities, a bounce house, safety related vendors, a bike tune up station and a hot dog lunch (while supplies last)! Allen Bolden Pool, 2800 S. Center St.
JUNE 22
THE HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS
Arlington
The Harlem Globetrotters, who are committed to bringing their fans the best experience and most electrifying athletes on the planet, will give their fans a chance to get closer than ever to the action and team’s stars with their Fan Powered World Tour, which is set to come to College Park Center at the University of Texas at Arlington. 3pm6pm. 600 S. Center St. Get your tickets now. UTATICKETS.COM
see more events in your area on LIVINGMAGAZINE.PUB
BEST BETS
UPCOMING EVENTS
TRACE ADKINS & CLINT BLACK
Sunday, June 16 at 7 PM
The Theatre at Grand Prairie
Two icons of country music Trace Adkins and Clint Black have teamed up for a massive concert that promises hits, hats and history.
MICHAEL MARTIN MURPHEY
Saturday, June 8 at 8:30 PM Levitt Pavilion
BB KING BLUES BAND
Sunday, June 9 at 8:30 PM Levitt Pavilion
GARY MORRIS
Thursday, June 13 at 7:30 PM Arlington Music Hall
SQUEEZEBOX BANDITS
Saturday, June 15 at 7 PM
The LOT Downtown
THE BLACK LILLIES
Friday, June 21 at 8 PM Levitt Pavilion
THE DICK BELDINGS
Saturday, June 22 at 9:30 PM Texas Live!
JOJO SIWA
Tuesday, June 25 at 6:30 PM
The Theatre at Grand Prairie
BRIT FLOYD
Wednesday, June 26 at 8 PM The Theatre at Grand Prairie
THE STONELEIGHS - ROLLING STONES TRIBUTE
Saturday, June 29 at 7 PM The LOT Downtown
TOM BASLER DUELING PIANOS
Saturday, June 29 at 9:30 PM Texas Live!
COMING TO THEATERS
JUNE 28 // YESTERDAY
HIMESH PATEL, LILY JAMES DIR. DANNY BOYLE (SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE)
From the “I’m in based on the premise alone” department comes Yesterday , which sees a struggling musician experience a freak accident during a global blackout. When he comes to, he plays The Beatles’ song “Yesterday” for his girlfriend (James) only to discover The Beatles have never existed and nobody knows who they are—except him—unwittingly becoming the biggest rock star in the world.
THIS MONTH IN MOVIE HISTORY
JUNE 5, 1998 // THE TRUMAN SHOW
JIM CARREY, ED HARRIS // DIR. PETER WEIR (DEAD POETS SOCIETY)
Novel and prescient upon its release in 1998 ( Big Brother would premiere just a year later), The Truman Show features Carrey as a unwitting reality television star in a thoughtful and surprisingly humorous film that forces us to examine our fascination with surveillance, the media, and perception in ways that feel more relevant than ever in 2019.
OUR BOOK PICK
JUNE
18
// SUMMER OF ’69
BY
ELIN HILDERBRAND
From the author dubbed the “queen of the easybreezy summer read” by the New York Post comes her first historical novel, set in the tumultuous summer of 1969, when the Levin family looks forward to spending time at their grandmother’s historic Nantucket home but soon realizes that everything is changing around them.
FROM US AT LIVING MAGAZINE
Behind every good family is a great DAD
FROM US AT LIVING MAGAZINE
TALK OF THE TOWN
INAUGURAL KAABOO TEXAS HELD
First iteration of three-day music festival brings music fans to the area
IN MID MAY, KAABOO Texas and the Jerry Jones family united to deliver the Lone Star State a larger-than-life event at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys.
The three-day immersive experience joins only two other versions of KAABOO held in Del Mar, California, and the Cayman Islands. The festivals are best known for their elevated live entertainment lifestyle brand appealing to all the senses, with world class musical acts, live contemporary art installations, culinary demonstrations, top-tier comedy, and health + spa treatments.
The spectacular list of performers included The Killers, Sting, Pitbull, The Black Eyed Peas, Lionel Ritchie, Joan Jett, Lauryn Hill, Little Big Town, Alanis Morissette, and Rick Springfield, among others.
COURTESY: CRYSTE DESHIELDS
ACCENT
PODIATRY ASSOCIATES
FOOT AND ANKLE PAIN
Doesn’t Have to be a Life Sentence
BY MEREDITH KNIGHT / PHOTOS BY TRU PHOTOGRAPHY BY JAIME EMFINGER
AND DIANA RAINES
oot and ankle pain aren’t normal. Yet 80% of us will suffer with it to some extent, at some point in our lives. Reasons such as foot/ ankle trauma, overuse, and/or genetic conditions can hinder with our everyday life and when we do experience them, it’s not a good idea to ignore them. Pain of the foot and ankle rarely resolves itself but can usually be corrected with conservative intervention from foot and ankle experts, such as those at Accent Podiatry Associates.
“THIS IS HONESTLY ONE OF THE BEST MEDICAL OFFICES I'VE EVER VISITED. THE STAFF MAKES YOU A NUMBER-ONE PRIORITY AND ENSURES YOU’RE 100% SATISFIED. EVERYONE HERE IS EXTREMELY COURTEOUS AND POLITE AND HELPS YOU TO THEIR FULLEST EXTENT."
- ALEXANDER N., GRAND PRAIRIE, TX
“WE WERE RECOMMENDED TO ACCENT PODIATRY ASSOCIATES THEN RETURNED BECAUSE OF THE EXCELLENT CARE AND CUSTOMER SERVICE. WE’D RECOMMEND THEM TO ANYONE WITH FOOT OR ANKLE PROBLEM." -DALTON H., ARLINGTON, TX
It’s easy to not think about our feet, when everything is working and pain-free. Yet, many conditions such as plantar fasciitis, neuromas, hammertoes, bunions, flat feet, heel spurs, or Achilles tendonitis greet you each morning and accompany you to bed each night, it can be hard to think of much else. Yet many of us decide these are normal signs of aging or an unfortunate roll of the genetic dice. Drs. Dharmesh Bhakta, Keyvan Ganz, Shae Paschal, Jinal Mehta, Jacob Jasper and physical therapist Steve Silvey know better.
PIONEERING CARE. At Accent Podiatry Associates, they spend their days diagnosing and treating the root causes of foot or ankle problems. They believe in discovering and addressing the source of your foot/ankle pain or dysfunction and not merely masking the symptoms. The mission of Accent Podiatry Associates is to remain on the leading edge of knowledge and technology while providing compassionate quality care for disorders, conditions, and injuries affecting the foot and ankle.
CONSERVATIVE CARE. Accent Podiatry Associates is your onestop shop for treatment of everything from simple fungal toenails to complex foot & ankle surgeries. The doctors at Accent Podiatry Associates place an emphasis on patient education, concisely presenting all options to their patients. They believe in partnering with their patients to pursue the
“I HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO REFER PATIENTS TO ACCENT PODIATRY ASSOCIATES. ALL MY QUESTIONS ARE ALWAYS ANSWERED, AND TIME IS ALWAYS TAKEN TO MAKE ME FEEL COMFORTABLE AND UNDERSTAND THE TREATMENTS PERFORMED. I WOULDN’T GO ANYWHERE ELSE." - NANCY D., EULESS, TX
least invasive treatment first and progressing to surgery, only when all conservative options have been explored. HOMETOWN FRIENDLY. Accent Podiatry is more than just a healthcare practice. It’s a group of individuals who collectively make up a close family that’s involved in the care and wellbeing of their patients,
"I'VE BEEN A PATIENT FOR A FEW YEARS, AND EVERYTHING JUST GETS BETTER. I'M WALKING BECAUSE OF THE GREAT SURGICAL CARE I EXPERIENCED AND FEEL I RECEIVE THE BEST CARE." - JEANIE M., ARLINGTON, TX
neighbors, and friends. The Accent Podiatry offices at 3050 South Center Street in Arlington and 221 Regency Parkway in Mansfield are fun places to visit, with doctors and staff always laughing and joking around. After all, it’s easy to have that attitude when you’re doing the work you love.
CONVENIENT AND ACCESSIBLE . The doctors and staff of Accent Podiatry Associates realize that your life is as hectic as theirs and that is why they’re committed to making their practice and care as convenient and accessible as possible. They work hard to respect your needs for appointment timings, and making themselves available, when patients need them. On their website at AccentPodiatry.com they provide educational videos on topics such as Total Ankle Reconstruction, Triple Nerve Decompression for chronic foot pain, and possible causes of chronic burning feet. They accept most insurance plans and welcome new patients.
If you’re experiencing problems with your feet or ankles, it’s not just a biproduct of aging or a nuance to learn to live with. Let the professionals at Accent Podiatry Associates help you find the root cause of your foot/ankle problems and regain your active, painfree life again.
ARLINGTON OFFICE
3050 SOUTH CENTER STREET, SUITE 140 ARLINGTON, TEXAS 76014
(817) 557-1006
MANSFIELD OFFICE
221 REGENCY PARKWAY, SUITE 117 MANSFIELD, TEXAS 76063 (817) 477-3611
ACCENTPODIATRY.COM
DHARMESH “DAN” BHAKTA, DPM, FACFAS
KEYVAN GANZ, DPM, FACFAS
JINAL MEHTA, DPM
SHAE PASCHAL, DPM, FACFAS
STEVE SILVEY, LPT, CWC
JACOB JASPER, DPM, AACFAS
ste p into LEADERSHIP
For almost two decades, I have worked as a writer, content developer, and editor. Words are works of art when placed in the hands of the right creator. They can craft a vision, inspire a nation, change a heart, and even save a life. I recently had the privilege to review an incredible book on leadership by Scott Prickett entitled Lead, Follow, and Move Hell out of the Way
BY LISA JENKINS-MOORE
eEvery person and corporation views leadership through their own perspective, many seeing it as simply a means to an end rather than an ongoing way of life. Prickett explains that leadership is developed over time and that one’s perspective on leading largely effects leadership style and ability. “The humility of a leader is what will multiply the impact of their influence beyond their efforts,” he says. Humility is not a quality most of us automatically associate with leadership, however the greatest leader of all time humbled Himself beyond imagination, leaving His throne and His Kingdom to be born in human form in a lowly stable. Jesus was born to lead, but “while His destiny preceded creation, His capacity was developed by experience.”
Leadership is less about taking the lead through position and power and more about servitude. Christ demonstrated this very concept at the Last Supper as he humbly washed His disciples’ feet. In Matthew 23 Jesus said, “If you have a lofty opinion of yourself and seek to be honored, you will be humbled. But if you have a modest opinion of yourself and choose to humble yourself, you will be honored” (TPT, vs.12). The best leaders have what Prickett calls “a blend of personal humility and professional willpower.”
In a thought-provoking chapter on identity, Prickett reveals that good leaders work towards becoming unnecessary. As good parenting involves teaching our children how to be independent, good leadership does the same. Sadly, some leaders would rather control than witness the exponential growth possible when others are released. He explains:
Release of others to carry the vision and culture as multipliers means they are likely going to do things different than how you might. It’s the cost of multiplication. The reward of tending to culture is the satisfaction of knowing you didn’t have to matter directly but got the privilege of
being a part of a multiplying impact towards a common vision. Some leaders, however, won’t possess the security or emotional intelligence to be unnecessary. They won’t want things to happen around them indirectly, but they need to be in control directly. They may never know the deeper satisfaction of multiplication beyond themselves. Culture change will only be attractive compared to tactics and strategy when leaders are willing to get out of the way. When it isn’t about the individual, the group can flourish. Until then, the capacity of the organization is directly tied to the limitations of an individual’s insecurity. Freedom is rooted in identity. A by-product or fruit of freedom is security. Where there is an assurance of identity, there will be a security that overcomes temptations of control. The capacity of the organization will be tied to the soul of its leader as the insecure leader won’t empower and entrust others. Without release, the culture will be and remain stagnant yet predictable.
Only those who are secure in their identity and emotionally intelligent will be able to realize their full leadership potential. When we are willing to release control and allow others to flourish and grow, we ourselves stretch our capacity. Great leaders not only allow others to shine, they give place for them to do so.
Are we willing to fully embrace our season, recognize greatness in others, and humbly serve those around us? Our dreams may beckon us, but our journey is just as important as the destination. Every day brings new experiences and opportunities for growth and “appreciating the thing that is available right now is a key to developing what we can handle tomorrow.”
THIS MONTH’S GIVEAWAY
Toss this non-toxic, reusable, and flexible disc into the laundry and watch as it collects and pulls hair, dust, and plenty of pet fur from your clothes, bedding, and blankets. FURZAPPER.COM
PET TRIVIA QUESTION!
One of the following hedgehog facts is incorrect. Which one?
A) Hedgehogs have a top speed of over 35 mph
B) A hedgehog was once a candidate for parliament in New Zealand
C) Hedgehogs like to stick their heads in tubes, called “tubing”
D) It is illegal to own a hedgehog in some states
PET CLUB MEMBERS
Every month, all Living Pet Club members are automatically entered to win our giveaway! To join the club and receive a free membership magnet for your pet, send your pet’s name, your name, your address, and a clear photo of your pet to pets@livingmagazine. net. They might just turn up in a future issue of Living!
PETS@LIVINGMAGAZINE.NET
PET CLUB
Darcy Rose
“This is Darcy Rose, our Irish Setter, at the beach in Florida!”
- KELLY R.
Pixie
“My hedgehog, Pixie, is a delight and I love watching her!”
- HALEY W.
“Here’s Alex, our latest addition to the family!”
- MARKUS B.
(A: While hedgehogs are still pretty zippy for their size, they tend to top out at about 4 mph, about the speed of a fast-walking adult human.)
leading WOME N
A closer look at our
Donna J. Smiedt and Desaray R Muma
Family law has been Donna Smiedt’s specialty— and her passion—for over thirty years. During that time, her firm has become the go-to place in our area for complex family law litigation, including divorce, property division, adoption, child support, paternity, and post-divorce modifi cation. A good thing got even better when Donna welcomed aboard a dynamic, young attorney named Desaray Muma.
As Donna relates, “Desaray came to work for me, four years ago, after working for a colleague of mine who was leaving private practice to become a professor. I began tasking her with research and briefs, which she promptly and expertly returned to me, no questions asked. I found her to be a dedicated and intelligent young lawyer. I started her training by having her take on uncontested
cases and appear at the least contested or least challenging hearings, to gain experience. She performed fl awlessly. As her confidence level and knowledge of family law grew, I dragged her along to watch and learn as I tried the more complex and high-confl ict family law cases that are my specialty. One day, in the judge’s chambers, I was arguing a fairly specialized area of the family code on a tricky enforcement case with several hundreds of thousands of dollars at stake, against a very seasoned family law attorney. We were jabbing back and forth, when suddenly, a strange voice spoke up with an incredibly lucid and compelling statement regarding my client’s case. The room fell silent and the judge asked, ‘And who are you?’ Desaray said, ‘I’m Desaray Muma, Ms. Smiedt’s associate attorney.’ The judge said, ‘Young lady, I believe you’re correct. That’s
“We’ve grown the firm to include a senior litigation lawyer, Michael A. Munoz, with almost 15 years of family law experience as well as amazing paralegals, legal assistants, office manager, receptionist, and chief financial officer, to provide the best possible front and back office service to our clients as Arlington and Mansfield’s full-service family law firm.”
THE FAMILY LAW FIRM OF DONNA J. SMIEDT
my ruling.’ And Desaray Muma, Attorney at Law had arrived. She’d come into her own. And I couldn’t have been prouder!”
“When I began as a younger attorney, I aspired to have the confidence and tenacity I saw in Donna,” Desaray said. “She took me under her wing and has played a huge role in me becoming the attorney I am today. I’ve gained invaluable experience in all areas of family law including divorces, child custody battles, adoptions, child support, and Child Protective Services litigation.” Desaray’s favorite cases are those involving the collaborative law process. “This involves a series of meetings outside of court focused on settlement from the beginning of the case, allowing families to have a customized process and control over their case,” Desaray said. “Collaborative law gives families the right to make decisions for their children and sets parents up for future success in co-parenting.”
A hallmark of Donna’s practice has always been understanding the emotional toll litigation can take. For 30 plus years, she’s guided her clients deftly through the legal aspects of the process but also the more personal ones, proffering advice on how best to navigate the emotional minefields of family law and easing transitions for everyone in the family, including children, who often struggle the most with the adjustments. “The more information I
have, the better I can present options to them,” she said. “The more informed I keep them, throughout the proceedings, the less stressful it will be for them. Total honesty between my client and myself is the best way to get the desired results.”
Those efforts have been recognized by a Fort Worth Top Attorney award, as well as being voted Family Law Attorney of the Year in Arlington no less than seven times.
Desaray agrees, “As an attorney and in my personal life, I abide by ‘my word is my bond’,” she said. “Nothing is more important to me than integrity.” Another welcome addition to the fi rm is Desaray’s rescue dog, Baxter. “He’s a Maltese mix—a little dog with a big personality,” she said. “He comes to work with me every day, greets clients, and trots back into my offi ce, while I meet with them. We call him our ‘divorce therapy dog’ because of his calming effect on people.”
Last year, the fi rm fell on challenging times when Donna suffered an injury that caused her to take a lengthy medical leave. “As I worked from home following surgery, Desaray took on many of my cases as well as keeping up with her own busy caseload,” Donna said. “Without me even asking, she assumed more responsibility at the fi rm and showed me she was ready and able to efficiently manage all her own cases—and some of mine—with the excellence to which my clients have
become accustomed. If not for her, the fi rm I’ve built through family sacrifi ce, personal grit, and a desire to provide the best legal services to our community could have been in serious jeopardy.”
Donna decided to make Desaray the firm’s fi rst non-equity partner. “Not only is she an awesome lawyer in the courtroom as well as in the collaborative practice of family law, she’s proven to have the ability to manage employees and to interview, hire, and train many of our spectacular support staff,” Donna said. “We’ve grown the firm to include a senior litigation lawyer, Michael A. Munoz, with almost 15 years of family law experience as well as amazing paralegals, legal assistants, office manager, receptionist, and chief fi nancial officer, to provide the best possible front and back offi ce service to our clients as Arlington and Mansfield’s full-service family law fi rm.”
“I’ve had the privilege to watch Desaray blossom into the brilliant, beautiful, young lawyer and businesswoman she is today—a proficient attorney, confident in her own skills,” Donna said. “That’s important in the fast pace of the Tarrant County Courthouse. She’s garnered the respect of her opposing counsel and the jurists before whom she regularly practices. I feel confident of an excellent future for both of us in this endeavor we love.”
“The more informed I keep them, throughout the proceedings, the less stressful it will be for them.
Total honesty between my client and myself is the best way to get the desired results.”
of Tammy Moore, who serves as co-owner/operator, alongside her husband, Bruce.
Tammy is often surprised when she looks back at the events that brought her to serve her community through Service Pros. “My professional life wasn’t just handed to me,” she said. “And it certainly didn’t come with a manual. It’s been a long road of trial and error, learning from mistakes and setbacks. But 15 years of hard work and dedication in the traditionally maledominated field of automotive has paid off for me.”
Tammy realizes that, just as with fast foods restaurants, grocery stores, and other businesses, her customers have any number of auto shops from which to choose. “What sets Service Pros apart for our customers is a personal, family experience at a great price,” she said. “We live in this community. Our customers are our neighbors, and many become our friends. We offer things like same-day repair, free loaner vehicles, free shuttle service, and four-year warranty on repairs because it’s the right thing to do for our community. And that’s just the way you treat family.”
Fifteen years ago, Tammy took a leap of faith, leaving a secure job with a large, national corporation to join her husband in realizing his dream of owning the area’s premier auto repair shop. “We believed we could make a difference with our store in North Richland Hills,” she said. “I began there fi lling in wherever I was needed, as a driver, picking up parts, and delivering customers, learning the business day by day. I started to notice areas where I thought I could improve the store. And my husband was open to my ideas.”
Tammy decided, for instance, that instead of waiting for customers to come to them, she could go door to door distributing door knob hangers and making contacts with other area businesses, to strengthen the brand and drive customers to the store. Things went so well they were able to open a second store in Mansfield TX, B&M Auto Specialties. Before long, both businesses were thriving, and the Moores were enticed to sell fi rst the North Richland Hills store then the Mansfield location as well.
When you visit Service Pros Auto Center on South Cooper in Arlington, you can’t help but notice a woman’s touch about the place. Maybe it’s the homey waiting room. Maybe it’s the play area for kids. There’s something unmistakably nurturing going on here. What you’re sensing is the inspiration and dedication
“We took much-needed time off for three years,” Tammy said. “I was buying and selling cars and focusing on the family.” After a little break, we knew our passion was owning our own auto repair shop and being able to provide quality car repair service at a reasonable price. “We bought the South Cooper Street land in 2014. It enabled us to stay close to the kids’ school and we were able to build exactly what we wanted for our customers—from the ground up. I knew I wanted to provide a kid-friendly, clean, homey environment, to make the experience of waiting at an auto shop a pleasant thing. We also wanted to add a large number of bays, because nobody likes waiting for their car to be repaired.” And that’s exactly what they did.
SERVICE PROS AUTO CENTER
Tammy Moore
Looking back, Tammy realizes she was lucky to have a role model early in life. “When I was going through difficult teen years, I lived with my ex-boyfriend’s mother. Every day I saw her dress in a business suit and heels and drive off to her job. In the evening—even on her worst days— she took off those heels with blistered, sore feet and started cooking and cleaning, always kind and patient. She’d greet her children and husband with a full dinner, a warm hug, and a smile on her face. I knew I wanted to do the same for my own family someday. Looking back, I think she’s the reason I try so hard for my family.”
Tammy married young and was blessed with a ready-made family. “At the age of 18, I took on the role of parenting a precious three-year-old daughter and helping my husband run a business,” she said. “Raising a kid and helping run a business, I grew up fast. We were blessed with our own daughter who’s 10 now. Then in 2014 we received a shock when the doctor told us we were having twins—two more wonderful girls. They’ve been a blessing that we couldn’t have imaged.”
“I couldn’t have grown into the woman I am today, without my best friend and partnerin-crime, my husband,” Tammy said. “Working side-by-side with Bruce every day is so much fun and a true blessing.
Juggling own babies and business comes with big responsibilities—holding up the household, running errands, handling the marketing, payroll, hiring, accounting, outside sales, and doing whatever it takes to develop the store. But I’ve loved every minute of it!”
Tammy is a fi rm believer in giving back to the community that’s done so much for her business and her family. “This past year, I was proud to be a part of the FFA budget committee, a program that meant a lot to me, as a teenager. We’ve sponsored different events in the community from the holiday parades, to Halloween community carnivals and Toys for Tots. I’ve started my own outreach, purchasing and wrapping 3,000 books with the help of the Service Pros team, so no kid in the Arlington ISD elementary schools goes without a book at Christmastime.” Tammy also helped her husband start a Christmas non-profit called SPONSOR 5 which receives applications from the community and selects five needy families to receive Christmas gifts and dinner. “We hope to keep growing this program,” she said.
It’s been an exciting journey for Tammy. Through it all, she’s held fast to a simple philosophy, “Have faith. Work harder then you did yesterday. Your dreams will come true, if you believe in them. “
“We bought the South Cooper Street land in 2014. It enabled us to stay close to the kids’ school and we were able to build exactly what we wanted for our customers—from the ground up. I knew I wanted to provide a kidfriendly, clean, homey environment, to make the experience of waiting at an auto shop a pleasant thing. We also wanted to add a large number of bays, because nobody likes waiting for their car to be repaired.”
5611 S Cooper Street Arlington, Texas 76017 (817) 465-7767
Service-Pros.com
Raquel Thornton
Not many of us would have the guts to pack up and move 1,100 miles across the country with only our dog in tow. But four years ago, that’s exactly what Raquel Thornton did. She’d had an exciting life so far, dancing competitively from a very young age, working in the fi lm industry, even being a featured principle dancer on Disney’s High School Musical 1, 2, and 3. But Texas was calling, and she decided to make a fresh start.
“Competitive dancing taught me a lot about hard work, respect, discipline, teamwork, punctuality, and being willing to take risks,” she said. “I met my husband when I got here, and the rest is history.” When that husband, Dr. Michael Thornton, asked her to join him at Mansfield Cosmetic Surgery Center, it seemed like a natural next step for Raquel.
“I’ve always been plugged into the fashion and beauty industry,” she said. Even as a young girl she collected high fashion magazines and books of inspiration. “I love clothes, makeup, hair, skincare, etc. So, it’s easy exploring the aesthetic and cosmetic side of the industry and immersing myself in learning more about cosmetic surgery procedures, Botox and dermal fi llers, med spa practices, and professional skincare.”
Whether it’s attending conferences with Dr. Thornton, managing the practice, or training in SkinCeuticals skin care, Raquel’s goal is never to stop bettering herself.
Her natural eye for detail, fused with the high standards and ethics she learned while dancing, make her creative but, at the same time, grounded. “It’s great to share in
Michael’s work,” she said. “Whether it’s new landscape for the office, redecorating the interior, or updating the vibe of the practice, we share a common goal and we’re a great support system for each other.”
Raquel feels lucky to have a close family who instilled important values in her, from a young age. “They taught me to do the right thing, be kind, and give back whenever I can,” she said. “I never wanted to disappoint which helped me develop a good work ethic, high standards, and character.”
“In this day of social media—of women judging women—I think it’s important to know your worth,” Raquel said. “No one should feel ashamed for getting Botox or cosmetic procedures, if it gives you more confidence and makes you feel good.” In her role as director of marketing and patient experience, Raquel wears many hats, but she most enjoys promoting body confidence. “I relish seeing clients ooze self-confidence following one of Dr. Michael Thornton’s
life-changing surgeries,” she said. “It always brings a smile to my face to hear that his work has improved someone’s quality of life.”
When not on the job, Raquel enjoys spending time with her husband, working out and keeping fit, watching true crime, murder mysteries, and traveling. She understands how stressful it can be to take time out of your busy day to visit the doctor. So, she does everything she can to make visiting with Dr. Thornton at Mansfield Cosmetic Surgery Center a relaxing experience. “Like coming to see an old friend and leaving feeling great,” she said. CONTACT
550 North Walnut Creek Drive
Suite #120
Mansfield, Texas 76063 (817) 477-9000
MansfieldCosmeticSurgery.com
MANSFIELD COSMETIC SURGERY CENTER
THE FAMILY LAW OFFICES OF STEPHANIE A. FOSTER
Stephanie A. Foster, PC
Stephanie Foster believes in divorce with dignity. One of the first attorneys trained in collaborative law in 2008, she sees collaboration as a way to avoid the uncertain outcome of court and achieve a fair settlement that best meets the specific needs of both parties and their children. “Collaborative law is a powerful way to generate creative solutions in family law disputes while minimalizing financial and emotional damage to the couple and their children, all the while promoting post-divorce psychological and financial health of the restructured family,” she said.
The benefits of collaboration are many and include:
• Parties share the same information and work with transparency.
• Parties hold “four-way” meetings that include dialogue between clients and their attorneys.
• Parties discuss and agree upon the legal expenses incurring, promoting an efficient use of time and money.
• Because agreements must be mutual and settlements aren’t forced, parties are more likely to be pleased with a compromise reached jointly.
• If collaboration fails, litigation remains an option.
Stephanie began her legal firm, The Law Offices of Stephanie A. Foster, in 1992 and has spent two decades devoting her time and effort solely to family law. Through it all, her practice philosophy has been simple. “Our commitment is to help our clients resolve their family law dispute while keeping their personal and economic dignity intact,” she said.
Her formidable legal team includes Associate Attorney Larry Mike, II, Legal Assistant Ashleigh Bell, Paralegal Sandra Patino, and Administrative Assistant Stephanie Bryce. Together they concentrate on family legal issues including:
• Divorce
• Modifications
• Custody
• Child Support
• Spousal Support
• Visitation
• Enforcement of Custody/Support
• Paternity
• Step-Parent Adoption
Stephanie’s dream of owning her own law firm began when she was just a girl. “My father is attorney John Foster,” she said. “When I was a child, I’d beg him to take me to work with him at his law firm each summer.” It was during those summers that Stephanie honed her philosophy of treating each client with dignity and affording them the time they deserve, no matter what type of case they present. The elder Foster and his wife, Barbara, instilled a love of the law, a passion for learning, and a strong work ethic in their three daughters. All three became lawyers.
ARLINGTONTODAY’SREADERS’CHOICEALLSTAR FORT WORTH, TEXAS MAGAZINE TOP ATTORNEY 2003, 2008-2013, 2015-2017, AND 2018
A graduate of Arlington’s Martin High School, Southern Methodist University in Dallas, and St. Mary’s Law School in San Antonio, Stephanie traveled and explored different areas of law. Throughout her career, she’s handled approximately 2,700 family law cases. Stephanie is a member of Collaborative Divorce of Texas, the International Association of Collaborative Professionals, the Collaborative Lawyers of Arlington and Mansfield, and a lifetime member of the Texas Law Foundation. She’s active in the Arlington, Tarrant County, and Texas Bar Associations and is a Texas Bar Foundation Fellow.
CONTACT
4214 Little Road, Suite 1000 Arlington, Texas 76016 (817) 277-2805
StephanieFosterLawyer.com
Deb Robinson
They say the restaurant business is either in your blood or it’s not. It certainly is for Deb Robinson. Growing up the daughter of restaurateurs, Deb watched her older brothers pull the night shift at the family café, Glen Rose Texas, while her parents and grandmother handled days. “From a young age I jumped in whenever and wherever I could to learn the family business,” she said. After college, Deb found herself back in the restaurant biz, hiring on as assistant manager at Wendy’s, then working for Black-eyed Pea, fi rst as an assistant then, within two years, as general manager.
“Over the next 10 years, I helped open three new restaurants and moved around DFW helping the one that were struggling,” she said. Still young, Deb worked for Reata in Fort Worth until coming to work for Jack Harnett at Fish City Grill. The next 15 years saw her opening and successfully running four locations. And today’s she’s proud to be managing partner of the Fish City Grill in Mansfi eld. “I’ve been so blessed with Jack as a mentor and one of my best friends,” she said. “Over the past 23 years, he’s taught me how to own my own business and how to balance my work and personal life, fi nances, relationships, tough love, persistence, and everything it takes to be successful in life. The things I’ve gained from Jack—personally and professionally—are immeasurable.”
Deb was blessed with other role models in the industry too. “My dad, my Uncle Doff, and my cousin, Nolan, each taught me so much,” she said. “Whether I was sitting on
the jukebox after school asking my dad question after question and following his every step or traveling to Victoria to see Uncle Doff or Corpus Christi to see Nolan, their three restaurants were my classroom. I’d follow them around asking about everything, listening to their conversations, and absorbing their strategies for success.” Deb is quick to add that her mother taught her “everything else about life”.
“My parents were married for 59 years,” Deb said. “They set an example of family love and support that helped me get to where I am today.”
Throughout her 32 years in the restaurant industry—and with such stalwart role models—Deb has learned to recognize top talent, create a team environment where people want to work, and how to give her guests an unprecedented dining experience. “I’ve always wanted to make people feel better about themselves,” she
said. “I enjoy helping people succeed and teaching them the things I’ve learned through my own journey. Whether our decisions are right or wrong, we can learn from them.”
Deb Robinson’s philosophy of helping those around her succeed, modeling perseverance in tough times, embracing change as a way to learn, and never being afraid to roll up her sleeves and work has been a recipe for success for her and all those who were lucky enough to come up under her tutelage.
CONTACT
581 W. Debbie Lane Mansfield, Texas 76063 (817) 225-2094
FishCityGrill.com
FISH CITY GRILL
COSMETIC & COMPREHENSIVE DENTISTRY
Sandi Hamm, DDS
When she was young she wanted to be a marine biologist because she loved the ocean and marine creatures of all kinds. She even had seahorses. But as a young girl in high school, she started working for a wonderful dentist who became her mentor and inspiration and still is!! She enjoyed it so much that she trained to become a dental hygienist then undertook dental school and eventually opened her own family dental practice. That young girl was Sandi Hamm, and that dental practice has since served generations of Tarrant County families.
“One thing I’ve loved about practicing dentistry is that you are always striving to raise the bar,” she said. “Dental technology and know-how are continually and rapidly advancing. That requires me to fervently seek to learn all I can.” She does this through continuing education (above what’s required of her) reading books, newsletters, watching webcasts and participating in dental study clubs. “We meet regularly to listen to renown speakers and dental experts and to participate in complex dental planning sessions,” Dr. Hamm said. “It’s an exciting time to be practicing dentistry with so much to offer my patients. I’m always looking for a better way to get a fabulous result or a more natural approach to health concerns.”
Dr. Hamm and her team endear themselves to patients by taking extra
time understanding their concerns, goals, and health. “Our desire is to provide care that is truly individualized to each patient,” she said. “We’re big on patient education. After all, who cares more about your teeth than you do? If I can provide my patients with all the information they need about the importance of good oral health, I can give them the tools for a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. We take a holistic approach to dentistry, because what affects the mouth affects the rest of the systems of the body. I’ve been blessed with a staff who shares my philosophy of not only providing our patients, of all ages, with the very best dental medicine available but to genuinely
care about them and their lives. We just love ‘doing life’ with our patients.”
Dr. Hamm has been a member of First United Methodist Mansfi eld since 1992. In her free time, she enjoys travel, yoga, piano, and spending time with her 2 sons and friends. Her personal and practice philosophy is “To Be the Best She Can Be Every Day” and she strives to achieve that every day!
(817) 477-4441 • DrSandiHamm.com
Lauren Duffer
Lauren Duffer always had a passion for helping others and originally thought she might direct that passion toward teaching. “I grew up in Arlington with an attorney dad and a mom who’s one of the most giving people that I’ve ever met,” she said. “I suppose it was their combined influence that led me toward family law.”
Originally obtaining a degree in Speech Communication from Baylor, Lauren applied to law school thinking, if she wasn’t accepted, she’d take it as a sign she should become a teacher. “As it turned out, I was accepted to several law schools,” she said. “Ultimately I chose SMU and felt immediately drawn toward family law.”
During her 15 years of practice, she’s handled a wide range of family law matters, including collaborative law, divorce, surrogacy, child custody, grandparents’ rights, adoption, egg and embryo donation, paternity, and child support. During that time, she’s been named a Top Family Attorney from 2008 to 2018 and a Rising Star Attorney in 2010 and 2011. She’s also served as president of the Arlington Bar Association.
A certified mediator with a focus on assisted reproductive technology issues and family law disputes, she has provided caring and unique solutions for family legal matters, for those looking to restructure their family or create one. Lauren is a fellow of American Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys, an exclusive group of attorneys across the world that handles adoption and family formation matters.
In addition to handling traditional family law matters, she has specialized in assisted reproductive technology matters, such as drafting surrogacy contracts for people to assist with carrying another couple or person’s baby and drafting egg donor contracts for people to donate their eggs to another person or couple and sperm donation.
“I feel like the real success of the Gaydos Duffer Law Firm comes from our team approach,” she said. “I absolutely could not do my job without my office staff, Courtney Davis, Alexis To, and Lindsey Reynolds or my other attorneys, Larry Gaydos, Brooke Wilson and Courtney Walker.”
When not on the job making a difference for other families, Lauren spends every moment she can with her two amazing boys, sevenyear-old Brody and three-year-old Blake, and her husband, Ronnie. “When I’m not working, I’m usually working at my other full-time job as a select baseball and t-ball mom,” she said. She was also recently elected to the board
of BLOOM Worldwide, a non-profit that arranges for orphans to come to the United States to stay with host families.
“I was fortunate to have two dynamic role models in my life,” Lauren said. “My mom is a rare example of a truly selfless person—and a topnotch mom. My dad is the smartest and hardest working person I’ve ever met. I’d like to think I’m a cross between the two.”
CONTACT
1521 North Cooper Street Suite 710
Arlington, Texas 76011
401 Pitchfork Trail, Suite 705
Willow Park, Texas 76087
(817) 548-5643
Lindsey@GaydosDuffer.com GaydosDuffer.com
GAYDOS DUFFER, P.C.
Cheryl McCarver
Cheryl McCarver’s cup runneth over. With 15 grandchildren—and three more on the way—plus a job she adores, these are surely the best years of her life. Looking back, the Executive Director of the Cooper Street YMCA realizes the road that led to her career began as far back as teaching Sunday School in her teens. “There was just something about bringing the scripture lessons to life for kids through song, craft, and the stories,” she said. “All my life, I’ve found joy in serving and giving back. I guess it’s natural that I’d fi nd my calling in nonprofi t work where the core of everything we do is seeing a need in people’s lives and meeting it.”
Growing up, Cheryl had two inspirational role models. “My mother is a lover of people,” Cheryl said. “She meets no stranger. My father is a retired Air Force veteran with a work ethic he instilled in all his children. The marriage of the two—love for people and hard work—has been a magical combination for me. I’m so grateful for who my parents are and who they’ve been for me.”
Even as a child, Cheryl was creative and organized. And she loved physical activity. Yet her heart was always pulled toward roles that served others, such as teachers, beauticians, or even, she says, helping animals. How perfect then that she found her way to the YMCA, where she can put her creativity, organizational skills, and nurturing nature to work making a difference in her community.
“It’s been a blessing to offer the gifts God gave me toward community development
and health and wellness-focused work, building relationships that strengthen the health and well-being of children, families, and communities,” Cheryl said. “Through my work at the Y, I’ve learned how important it is to begin by building relationships with the people, respecting their journey, and understanding the places where people live, learn, and love.”
Somehow Cheryl fi nds time to mentor three younger professionals, volunteer in TV production at her church, serve on the boards of Healing Hands Ministries and Texas Health Resources Community Leadership Council, serve on the Welcoming Communities and Immigrant Affairs Task Force of the city of Dallas, the Dallas Ft. Worth Hospital Council’s Community Health Committee, and volunteer, when she can, at the food pantry. “My goal is always to serve the Lord
with gladness and make the spaces I fi ll better than they were before,” she said.
“Sometimes in life we lose our way, or our hopes and dreams are stalled,” Cheryl said. “When this happens, I always go back to my creator and reconnect to who He made me to be. It’s like a GPS rerouting me back. It might sound odd but one of the things I ask myself when determining where to exert my energy, time, and focus is, ‘Is this the ditch that I want to die in?’.”
CONTACT
7120 S. Cooper Street Arlington, Texas 76001 (817) 419-9629
AMAYMCA.org
COOPER STREET YMCA
understand their cosmetic goals then partnering with them and Dr. Nakamura to make those dreams a reality.
Irene Ware, Melissa Debrecht, and Beth Walker
Dr. Y. Anthony Nakamura believes in giving credit where credit is due. As a board-certified plastic surgeon and cosmetic enhancement expert, he’s the first to admit he could never have realized the astounding success of his cosmetic surgery center and medispa without his highly qualified and dedicated staff. Irene Ware, Melissa Debrecht, and Beth Walker are not only skilled at what they do, they’re compassionate, caring, and devoted to their patients. They spend their days truly listening to each patient to
CONTACT
3030 S. Cooper Street Arlington, Texas 76015 (817) 417-7200
AccentOnYou.com
IRENE WARE
With almost 20 years in the spa industry, Irene says skincare was her first love. “Five years ago, I decided to further my career and obtained my nursing degree,” she said. “I enjoy teaching my patients about Botox and fillers and good, basic skincare regimens. Most of the work that goes into having bright, glowing skin is in the things you do daily.” She prides herself in her honesty and attention to detail. “Your cosmetic enhancement should complement your beauty, not distract from it. That’s always our goal.” When not on the job, Irene enjoys family time. She plans to never stop learning and growing in the job she loves.
MELISSA DEBRECHT
The newest member of the Accent on You team, Melissa has quickly endeared herself to her patients with her ready ear and gentle touch. “Relationship is so important in what we do,” she said. “If our patients don’t learn anything else from me, I hope they leave here knowing I genuinely cared about their experience, while they were with us.”
Melissa begins each day eager to see what she can learn and in turn teach to her patients. ““Working with Dr. Nakamura and the amazing staff at Accent on You has allowed me to learn so much,” she said. “My goal is to foster meaningful relationships with those around me, to be grateful for every day, and to treat time as my most valuable resource.”
BETH WALKER
A hallmark of Beth’s 13 years in the aesthetics industry is her passion for continuing education. After obtaining her license, she has doggedly pursued knowledge in areas such as laser hair removal, microblading, lash extensions, and IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) photo rejuvenation. She studied medical deepchemical peels and even obtained her medical assisting certification. “In our industry, it’s vital to remain current with trends and innovative technology,” she said. When not on the job, Beth enjoys spending time with her family, attending and volunteering at Paradox Church, good food, good wine, healthy living, and working in her flowerbeds. “Working, going to school, raising a family, and expecting a new baby was a lot on my plate,” she said. “But helping others learn to love their skin is truly my calling.”
SHERLEY ARAMATH, MD
ARLINGTON FAMILY PRACTICE, PA
Sherley Aramath, MD, Laura Rice, DO, Tien Truong, DO, and Kaitlyn Gorman, FNP-C
Modern medicine has advanced at lightning speed. Sadly, that can mean patients become merely numbers; statistics; just so many names on so many charts. The board-certified doctors at Arlington Family Practice think there’s a better way. For 40 years, they’ve served as a medical home for generations of families providing ever-advancing modern medicine with know-you-by-name care.
Sherley Aramath has a favorite quote, “Only a life lived for others, is a life worthwhile” (Albert Einstein). It’s a guiding principle, whether she’s leading a medical mission trip abroad or caring for her patients at home. Detailoriented, conscientious, and compassionate, Dr. Aramath takes a systematic approach to care. Her practice involves medical management of chronic health conditions, women’s health, newborn care, pediatrics, and adult medicine. She’s a recipient of Patients Choice award 2018, Compassionate Doctor award 2018, and Top Doctor award 2019. When not practicing medicine, Dr. Aramath enjoys outdoors, running, gardening, music, reading, and staying involved in her church.
TIEN TRUONG, DO
Dr. Truong practices a holistic approach to health integrating physical, mental, and social health and preventative medicine. Her philosophy for medical care is “using advanced medical technology to serve patients with different backgrounds in a compassionate and personalized way”. Moving from Vietnam in the middle of med school, her goal was to make a real difference in people’s lives. Dr. Truong practices a full range of medicine from newborn care to geriatric, in other words, the whole family, focusing on patient education to help them make the right choices about healthy diet and lifestyle. She was named America’s Best Physician 2018 and Texas Top Doc 2019.
When she’s at home, she spends time with her family and enjoys traveling.
LAURA RICE, DO
Laura Rice hails from a long line of healthcare professionals, so a career in medicine was always at the back of her mind. Her interests lie in osteopathic, natural, homeopathic, and functional medicine. She strives to set a good example of a life of health and wellness for her family and her family of patients. “I firmly believe the healthier one is, the happier they will be,” she said. Dr. Rice loves learning, traveling, and forging wellness partnerships with her patients. Dr. Rice is a past winner of Most Compassionate Doctor Patient Choice Award.
KAITLYN GORMAN, FNP-C
Nurse Practitioner Kaitlyn Gorman understands it’s a struggle to stay healthy in our modern world and she’d never tell her patients to do something she wouldn’t do. “I get up at 4:00 a.m. to work out before my 12-hour shifts,” she said. “I pack a balanced, nutritious lunch.” But she also chooses when to indulge. “I strongly believe if we take care of ourselves, we can live a long, adventurous life,” she said.
Most of her working life has been as a nurse in the ER. “I learned a little bit of everything, but mostly that life is a gift and so are all the amazing people in our lives,” she said. “My goal is to encourage, educate, and empower every person I meet, so that they may be the best version of themselves.”
CITYVIEW AUDIOLOGY & HEARING AIDS, INC.
Diane Blaising, AuD, ADA, ABA, FAAA
It should have been no surprise to Diane Blaising’s family when she found her calling helping others live a better life through improved hearing. Way back in elementary school, it was a young Diane who wowed her classmates with a science project demonstrating bone conduction hearing. “This was back when we had portable record players,” she said. “I took the record player to school and instead of using the needle on the record, I had a sewing needle stuck into a pencil eraser. We’d hold the wooden end of the pencil between our teeth and place the needle on the turning record and could hear the record through our teeth and bones in our skulls. It’s not coming through your ear canals. It’s bone conduction hearing.”
The workings of the human auditory system haven’t ceased to amaze Diane. Now as a boardcertified doctor of audiology, she’s discovered she likes the human side of audiology even more than the medical/science side. “I love the patient contact and making a difference in the lives of my patients the most,” she said. After more than 24 years serving as an audiologist, the last 11 with her own practice, Dr. Blaising sees herself as a source for total hearing care. “I want my office to serve as a resource center for everything hearing,” she said. “I opened Cityview Audiology & Hearing Aids because I wanted to do more for my patients. For instance, we offer a free aural rehab class for anyone who wants to learn coping strategies for people with hearing loss and their families. Sometimes family members need a little education about how to communicate with the one with hearing difficulties.”
Dr. Blaising says she has the best staff on the planet. “They join me in my mission to help our patients obtain a better quality of life by enhancing their ability to communicate with their families and friends, for deeper, more meaningful relationships,” she said. “We love helping working men and women be more successful in their careers. We live in a time when hearing aid technology is extremely sophisticated and we have the ability to treat any hearing loss successfully. Every patient is different. So we stay abreast of advancements in the programming software that allows us to correctly fit hearing instruments to each patient we see.”
Dr. Diane Blaising began her career in audiology in 1992. She received her doctor of audiology degree from the Arizona School of Health Sciences and her master’s degree in audiology from the Callier Center for Communication Disorders at the University of Texas at Dallas. She has years of experience working with hearing-impaired adults and children in otolaryngologists’ offices in Louisville and as
a pediatric audiologist at the Louisville Deaf Oral School. Dr. Blaising is board certified in audiology by the American Board of Audiology and has twice been given the Ace Award for continuing education. She and her husband are members of First Baptist Church in Dallas and Dr. Blaising is a member of the Christian Medical and Dental Association.
She is pleased to announce that she will be bringing another audiologist to the practice in 2019 who will offer services for patients with cochlear implants. “This will be an exciting addition to the practice, said Dr. Blaising.”
Visit Find out more at CityviewHearing.com.
263-1800
CityviewHearing.com
DIET SOLUTIONS WEIGHT LOSS CENTERS, LLC
Jennifer McMahon
Jennifer McMahon has a vision—optimum health and limitless potential for each of her patients at Diet Solutions. Every day, she walks alongside men and women on their weight-loss journey. “The best part of my job is getting to know each patient,” she said. “I am blessed to spend my days empowering people to become their best selves; celebrating victories with them and encouraging them through their struggles.”
This medically-monitored weight loss program offers a unique, highly personalized program—as unique as each patient themselves. Their website is loaded with testimonials from men and women who found themselves stuck in a life where they felt helpless, sluggish, isolated, and negative, with no hope for lasting change. At DSC, they found support and encouragement—they found themselves again. With an emphasis on education and empowerment, Jennifer and the Diet Solutions team, under the guidance of Dr. Richard Knight, make weight loss healthy and attainable.
Your initial visit at Diet Solutions includes a thorough medical exam including weight and BMI, EKG, lab work, blood pressure, B12 injection, appetite suppressant, a food consultation, and a “before” photo. Weekly, follow-up visits will consist of a program review with a consultant, weight and BMI, b12 injection, blood pressure, and appetite suppressant.
You may also choose to incorporate patented Skinny Mini Me Fat Burner, Skinny Mini Me Fat Blocker, and Skinny Shots to improve your fat burning metabolism, decrease unwanted water retention, help maintain blood sugar
levels, decreases mild signs of depression, normalizes appetite, stimulates greater levels of energy, and eliminates fatigue.
MEET JENNIFER MCMAHON
Growing up, Jennifer always knew she wanted to be independent. “I worked for various types of people and decided I didn’t want to have to depend on anyone else,” she said. “The only person I truly wanted to work for was myself. Starting your own business has many obstacles. At times, you can feel defeated. But I found that writing my goals and dreams on sticky notes and sticking them to your bathroom mirror helped me stay focused on what I was working toward. And it was all worth it. I love being my own boss and I love serving our patients.”
Jennifer and her husband, Brandon, are proud parents of a 12, 13, and 14-year-old, making family life nonstop. Of course, they wouldn’t have it any other way. The McMahons are members of Ovilla Road Baptist Church where Jennifer and Brandon are active members of a life group they periodically
host. She also supports the Boys and Girls club by attending The Cinderella Ball charity events throughout the year. In her business and personal life, Jennifer adheres to a simple mission statement, “To love God and to help others.” We think she’s doing a great job!
CONTACT
920 Hwy 287 North, Suite 306
Mansfield, Texas 76063 (817) 453-3438
821 Southwest Alsbury, Suite C Burleson, Texas 76028 (817) 295-3438
2542 West Pioneer Parkway Pantego, Texas 76013 (817) 277-3438
114 Park Place Ct. Suite 201 Waxahachie, Texas 75165 (214) 980-1414
DietSolutionsCenters.com
Terri Bauer
Terri Bauer is all about family. Whether it’s her husband, Dr. John Bauer, their four kids, and 11-count ‘em—grandkids or her family of patients at Mansfield Family Dentistry, Terri is one of those women who isn’t happy unless she’s giving to someone. A true southern lady, Terri is as much at home orchestrating a family meal that would have Norman Rockwell scrambling for paints and brushes as she is making a run for the World Cutting Horse fi nals.
Through it all, she feels blessed beyond belief. Terri and John opened Mansfield Family Dentistry in 1980, when Mansfield was still a sleepy, Texas town. As the town has grown, the practice has thrived, serving generations of Mansfield families. Eleven years ago, their son, Dr. Cody Bauer, was able to join his parents in the practice.
“Mansfield Family Dentistry was built around the importance of family,” Terri said. “As we’ve watched our own kids grow up and now our grandkids, we’ve been blessed to watch our patients grow up as well, starting families of their own and bringing their own kids to us for care. It’s an honor that’s beyond words, to know that a parent has such good associations with our offi ce that they want their own child to experience the same thing
“It’s been such a blessing to work alongside my husband and son,” Terri said. “They both possess such caring hearts, keeping dentistry relaxed and personal but also going that extra mile to offer the very latest modern dentistry has to offer. And
God has blessed the three of us with a team who shares our passion for caring for the families of Mansfi eld.”
The simple goal of Mansfield Family Dentistry is to exceed patient expectations; to go that one step further to deliver a dental experience patents can’t help but tell their friends and family about. “After each and every visit, we want our patients to be so delighted with the service they received they’ll want to refer others to us,” Terri said. “Whatever we do, we want to make a positive difference in each of our patient’s lives.” Maybe that’s why a majority of their days are fi lled with referral and repeat business.
“Two of my biggest inspirations have been my parents,” Terri said. “I’m blessed with wonderful children who teach me new ways to love and support family. I work
with wonderful people who know all my faults and support me anyway. And I have my greatest cheerleader, my husband. I’m at the age that it would take many pages to thank everyone who’s helped change my life for the better. Dick, Tawana, John, Clay Charles, my recently deceased mom, the list is endless. I love starting my day on our back patio at the farm meditating on all my blessings, enjoying the beauty of nature, and renewing my faith. My cup runneth over.”
CONTACT
Mansfield Family Dentistry
(817) 473-0291
100 Carlin Road
Mansfield, Texas 76063
MansfieldDentistry.com
MANSFIELD FAMILY DENTISTRY
AUDIOLOGY EXPERTS
LISA B. FELL, AuD
Untreated hearing loss can affect your ability to understand speech and negatively impact social and emotional well-being. This could be what's happening if you find yourself or someone you love withdrawing from social situations, spending less time with family and friends and shying away from things they used to love, like going to dinner or a movie. Dr. Lisa B. Fell of Audiology Experts, is a Doctor of Audiology that evaluates hearing and takes the time to understand the degree of hearing loss and an individual's lifestyle so she can recommend solutions for improving quality of life.
Hearing loss can occur gradually. “A change in a person’s ability to communicate affects the whole family, and often it’s a family member who first notices a change in their loved one," said Dr. Fell. Hearing loss can be frustrating, alienating, and fatiguing. Untreated hearing loss has also been linked to doing poorly on memory tests because of the strain involved in trying to hear. Essentially, someone might strain to hear an instruction or conversation and then not remember what they heard. Dr. Fell states, "some research shows a link between hearing loss and dementia." One Johns Hopkins study found that seniors with hearing loss are significantly more likely to develop dementia over time than those who retain their hearing. It’s important that the patient get evaluated.
Hearing loss can happen to anyone - like children, vibrant retirees experiencing natural, age related hearing changes, even young adults still in the workforce. Audiology Experts employs the latest knowledge and technology to evaluate the situation and create a custom
solution. They offer a wide range of hearing devices, as well as sophisticated hearing protection to help maintain your hearing. And they offer it all right here in Arlington.
AT AUDIOLOGY EXPERTS YOU’LL FIND:
• Comprehensive audiological evaluations by an experienced audiologist
• Providers for many insurance carriers for diagnostic testing and hearing aids
• Cerumen removal (ear wax cleaning)
• Tinnitus consultations
• Access to hearing aid manufacturers with the latest in technology
• Competitive pricing and a 30-day adjustment period for hearing aids
• Available financing options
• Expert Hearing Care packages available for care and maintenance to keep your devices at optimum performance
• Hearing aid batteries, supplies and assistive listening devices
• Custom ear molds and hearing protection, musician’s earplug, sleep molds and swim plugs
MEET THE DOCTOR
Dr. Lisa Fell opened Audiology Experts in 2008. She earned her Doctor of Audiology (AuD) degree from Arizona School of Health Sciences Center and she holds an undergraduate and master’s degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Prior to founding Audiology Experts, Lisa worked at an ENT clinic in Arlington as a clinical audiologist. Dr. Fell and her husband, Denton have a son and daughter. When not busy at work, they can be found hiking, camping, attending music events, and relaxing on their patio with their two Australian shepherds.
CONTACT
1261 W. Green Oaks Blvd., Suite 105 Arlington, Texas 76013 (817) 451-4818 AudiologyExperts.com
Lauren Medean
Lauren Medean is often amazed at her journey in life, the way God has gone before her, and the destination that’s beyond anything she could have imagined. From an early age, she felt like she wanted to be a teacher and touch young lives. But God had other ideas. There came a day when she was plugging away at school, working toward her teaching degree, and realized, with two young kids, her heart was tugging at her to stay home and make them her focus. “Yet I still wanted to contribute to the family fi nancially,” she said. “God opened my eyes to the idea of photography—something I enjoyed but never thought of as a career.” And what better subjects for her to get started than her own two precious children.
Lauren soon discovered she has an eye for capturing that unique shot and drawing out the personality of each subject. She began amassing clients. “This developed quickly into a career that supported my family so my husband could go to nursing school,” Lauren said. “And since I was my own boss, I could still make the kids my priority.” And what a career it’s been. Lauren has been privileged to record the most precious times in people’s lives— from first photos of a newborn to wedding and pregnancy sessions, senior shots, and documenting each stage of life for growing families.
A true artist behind the lens, she understands how to orchestrate that one-of-a-kind shot and isn’t afraid to try things that haven’t been done before. Her easy-going personality gives her quick
rapport with babies, kids, teens, and adults alike, helping them relax and be themselves in front of the camera. The results are not to be believed. “I looked at my work, early in my career, and thought, ‘Wow, this should be on a magazine cover’,” Lauren said. “Now, I’m honored that that’s become a reality. God answers prayers in His own perfect timing.” Here magazine work—like all her work—has a way of pulling the viewer in and telling an entire story with just one image.
Lauren was blessed with an inspirational role model in her mom. “She was a strong, fi erce woman full of grace, compassion, and love for everyone,” Lauren said. “She passed away when I was only nine. But I was blessed with her sisters and mother who taught me invaluable lessons about life and showed me how to overcome
tragedy and glide through my time on earth with God's grace.”
Always looking for ways to pay it forward, she donates her time and photography to individuals or families in need. “I wish all the time that I had more pictures of my mom,” she said. “That inspires me to provide other families with beautiful pictures of the ones they’ll soon be losing.” She also volunteers at St. Jude’s Children's Hospital offering Reiki Energy Healing and photography services. CONTACT (817) 929-0131 LaurenMariePhotography.Zenfolio.com
LAUREN MEDEAN PHOTOGRAPHY
ARLINGTON CONVENTION & VISITORS
BUREAU AND TRAVEL & SPORTS LEGACY FOUNDATION
Mary German
Mary German wasn’t born in Texas, but— as they say—she got here as quickly as she could. As Chief Operating Officer of the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mary is an expert on the very best restaurants, hotels, shopping, public art, year-round events, and everything a visitor can do to have a uniquely Arlington experience. In short, the Virginia native spends her days helping others discovering the many unique and irresistible qualities she herself found and loved in Arlington. If it’s happening in The American Dream City—or it’s about to happen—Mary knows about it.
Mary was one of the lucky ones to have a mother that was an exemplary role model for her as a child and even more so throughout her adult life. “Her life lessons, manner, and words of wisdom continue to influence my actions and decisions every day,” Mary said.
With a tourism and hospitality management career that’s spanned for over 25 years, Mary now serves not only as chief operating officer for the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau but executive director of the Travel & Sports Legacy Foundation, and a faculty member and moderator for Destinations International Certified Destination Management Executive Program and Core Clarity Facilitator.
“My passion is providing opportunities for others and making a difference in the community,” she said. Since 1991, Mary has been instrumental in the development of many projects including Arlington Entertainment Area Management District (trolley) and Arlington Tourism Public Improvement District. Her volunteer work
has included development of the Pathways to Excellence Program, annual Women’s History Month program at Tarrant County College Southeast Campus, member of the Arlington Chamber of Commerce Women’s Alliance, and development of the Travel & Sports Legacy Foundation, the 501c3 arm of the Arlington Convention & Visitors Bureau.
Mary says tourism touches everything in Arlington. “We created the Travel & Sports Legacy Foundation, for instance, to address the workforce needs of the community and provide a sustainable workforce for the travel, tourism, and sports industries’ employers,” she said. “The goal of the foundation is to provide long-term educational opportunities for youth and adults in underserved communities and provide an upwardly-mobile and rewarding career pathway.”
With more than 14.5 million visitors to Arlington annually and more than 10,000 travel and sports-related jobs, tourism and sports are in Arlington’s DNA. “Our hope is
that, through the foundation we can enrich the lives of Arlington students by providing educational scholarships for tourism, travel, and sports management programs at Tarrant County College Southeast Campus and University of Texas Arlington,” Mary said.
“I like to think that through my career and volunteer work, I’m able to inspire others to achieve the greatest version of themselves by strengthening their innate talents and living and leading with purpose, passion, and authenticity,” Mary said. “My goal has always been to live and lead with purpose, passion, and confidence.”
We all want to be our best emotionally, psychologically, intellectually, socially, and spiritually; to be the best spouse, parent, adult child, friend, employee, and citizen we can be. Yet the condition of our bodies and how we feel physically has a profound effect on our mood, energy level, ability to think clearly, and attitude toward others. That’s why having a trusted holistic health provider like Mandy Cotten in your corner is so important—for you and those who count on you.
Every day, Mandy works to improve the quality of health—and therefore the quality of life—of men and women throughout Arlington, Irving, and far beyond by optimizing hormone levels with bioidentical hormone pellets placed under their skin. She and her staff at the Institute for Hormonal Balance provide individualized treatment plans for patients in multiple stages of life. But bioidentical hormone replacement is only one of the ways they’re helping men and women realize their full potential.
“For our female patients, we begin with comprehensive well-women care,” Mandy said. “An annual well-women exam is a great time to go over any questions you have with your provider, talk about any symptoms you’re experiencing, and make sure your body is operating the way it should.”
If hormone imbalance is an issue, Mandy may discuss her BioTE method of hormone optimization including balancing estrogen, testosterone, thyroid, and vitamin status so they work together in the body to establish optimal health. “Our hormones act as messengers, designed to interact with
specific target cells and organs and provoke a change or result”, Mandy said. “As we age, hormone production changes, and hormonal imbalance can occur. Unbalanced hormones can have a variety of side effects and symptoms, making balanced hormones essential for mental health and disease prevention, as we age,” Mandy explained.
Mandy also offers a full menu of other services, including Botox, dermal fi llers, SlimShots, Emsella (FDA approved treatment for incontinence, PRP Injections, Doctor Supervised Weight Loss ®(DSWL)and Skin Tightening, so you can look as good as you feel. “DSWL ® & SlimShots are promising weight management support toosl that combines a number of vitamins and nutrients to give your body the extra help it needs to burn fat, balance hormones, and increase energy levels,” Mandy said.
Mandy Cotten received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from TCU and completed her doctorate at Loyola University in New
Orleans. “I’ve worked alongside Dr. Gary Donovitz, a world-renowned expert in hormone optimization and have been practicing the BioTE method of hormone optimization for more than five years, with wonderful success.” Mandy is also the director of BioTE Clinic and Research. When not on the job, she spends as much time as she possibly can with her husband, Casey, and their two children.
CONTACT
Arlington Office: 2304 I 20 West, Suite 120 Arlington, Texas 76017
Irving Office: 1875 West Walnut Hill Lane, Suite 100
Irving, Texas 75038 (817) 467-7474 donovitz.com
KOS/DANCHAK
AUDIOLOGY & HEARING AIDS
Melissa Danchak, AuD, CCC-A
Dr. Melissa Danchak is humbled every day. “We are given the opportunity to help people in North Texas hear the best they can. The positive quality of life differences we make for those with hearing health concerns are simply awesome!” Dr. Danchak is focused on improving awareness around hearing health care. “Hearing loss specifi cally is not as noticeable as blurry vision or a toothache and so people naturally struggle to identify with their own hearing health care needs. Ironically however, the majority of people we meet each day have not had their hearing tested in years.” She is also focused on improving the stigma around addressing hearing loss. “There is no pill or surgery you can take. In my opinion, over-the-counter options are not in the consumer’s best health care interest. Wearing hearing aids does not make someone look ‘old’they help someone hear and understand better! We also participate with most major medical insurance companies and have partnerships with CareCredit and Wells Fargo Health Advantage to provide fi nancial options to hear better.”
Dr. Danchak began working in the practice as a young audiologist. She then bought the practice when Susanne Kos, the original audiologist/owner, retired in 2002. “Susanne was very well respected and trusted by her patients and area physicians,” Danchak says. “The physicians that referred to Susanne continue to refer to us today. We know they value the services and the delivery of care we provide. All of us here understand the
impact we have in our community and we are proud that our patients share their positive experiences with others in person and online.”
The journey begins with a discussion about the unique and personal hearing challenges one faces each day. A hearing evaluation is then conducted and, if appropriate, a live listening demonstration experience with hearing devices is provided. “It is always exciting to watch someone hear and understand a loved one or a friend better,” Dr. Danchak said. ”It is an emotional experience - and it reminds us of why we do what we do.” Dr. Danchak and her staff understand that an investment in better hearing is not just about technology. “Our Complete Hearing Health Care Program is the most comprehensive package of services in the North Texas area. It
includes all of the service people need to be successful with their investment in better hearing and with KDA — including free batteries for the lifetime of the devices.”
The long-term relationship Kos/Danchak Audiology has formed is just one reason they have earned over 75 five-star reviews on Google, Facebook, and HealthyHearing. com. It’s also why so many of their satisfied patients refer their friends and family to them each month.
277-7039
Erica Sails, MD
Dr. Erica Sails believes in the basics. “Proper rest, diet, exercise, fresh air, water, self-control, sunshine, and trusting God are all essential to staying healthy and becoming the best we can be,” she said. At her family medicine practice, Dr. Sails spends her days educating, motivating, and empowering her patients to achieve optimal health. “I enjoy partnering with my patients to set smart goals to help prevent—and in some cases reverse—the progress of lifestyle disease.”
It’s what God has called her to do and what He solidified in her, while she undertook urban missionary work in inner-city Chicago. “My time in Chicago, combined with my faith in God, truly changed my life,” she said. “It gave me a unique perspective on medicine and myself—both as a physician and a servant to man—working as an extension of the healing hands of Christ.”
Dr. Sails sees each patient as a life God has allowed her to impact. “I’ve learned the importance of listening, especially to unspoken words and body language; to recognize the real needs that are often more than just physical. Listening helps me be more compassionate and effective— both in the mission field and in medicine.”
Her holistic approach to health—addressing the physical needs by understanding the mental, social, and spiritual needs of each patient—sets her apart. Dr. Sails shared with us an example of this approach in action. In her practice she had a patient who was neglecting her diabetes and hypertension medicine. Once she gained her trust, Dr. Sails discovered the patient feared for
her life, at the hands of a drug-addicted daughter who—among other things—was selling her medicine, to fund her drug habit.
Dr. Sails helped the patient get out of this dangerous situation, fi nd a place to stay, and obtain the social services she needed. Once the patient was in a place where she could manage her medicine and money, and feel safe, Dr. Sails and the patient could partner to address her diabetes and hypertension and her health improved tremendously. This is just one of many patients who has received another chance at a healthy life thanks to a doctor willing to meet them where they were and extend the grace of God.
Dr. Sails is an active member of Arlington Seventh Day Adventist church where she’s involved in outreach, leads life groups, and is the former health ministry’s leader. She and her family also support Revive Community Service.
SERVICES:
• Annual exams
• Well woman exams
• Pediatric well child checks
• Chronic disease
• Skin infections
• Sick visits
• Minor Injuries
• Sprain/strains
• and More
SAILS FAMILY MEDICINE
Brenda
Cureton-Smith
You don’t win “Best Skin Care in Arlington, Texas” six times unless you offer superior products, solid business practices, and over-thetop customer service. Brenda Cureton-Smith and her Great Skin Spa and Facial Club deliver all of the above—and then some. Beginning her beauty career 13 years ago, Brenda secured the first U.S. franchise of Canadian-based FACES Cosmetics. Always looking for ways to lift and empower others, she developed Great Skin Spa and Facial Club, headquartered in Arlington.
The company has flourished, over the past nine years, and is now selling franchises. People just love Great Skin! Brenda herself began, at a young age, exploring how she might keep her skin at its healthiest. “How could I keep my skin looking young? How can I age gracefully? How can I use makeup to ‘enhance’ my look and still feel good about myself, when I take it off?”
She also wondered how to make spa services a part of routine self-care for her guests, not just an occasional treat or splurge. “Everybody needs to block out time to relax,” Brenda said. “And everybody deserves to feel—and look—like a star.” Never one to shy away from hard work, Brenda started at Ground Zero— and age 50—developing her brand, concept, and operating principals that would embody everything she knew to be important to her guests; to partner with them to meet their skin and beauty goals together.
Fast forward a few robust and exhilarating years and Great Skin is now an award-winning day spa and franchise company with Brenda as operating master esthetician and CEO. “Our hallmark is understanding each guest’s beauty goals and matching them with the perfect skin care treatment plan and home care practices,”
Brenda said. “We begin with a brief ‘needs assessment’, which can include a ‘before’ photos, then develop a highly-personalized treatment plan. Our motto is ‘Relax, Rewind, Renew!’.”
At Great Skin Spa and Facial Club guests are celebrated with exceptional customer service, affordable pricing, facial club memberships, and experienced skincare specialists. Brenda is seeking entrepreneurs interested in their own Great Skin franchise location. “We’re expanding throughout Texas, offering a turnkey franchise program including everything you need to successfully own and operate your own Great Skin Spa & Facial Club,” Brenda said. Great Skin specialists in anti-aging, acne, hyper pigmentation, daily skin care for men, women and teens, along with body slimming treatments, and waxing. Find out more at GreatSkin4You.com.
MEET BRENDA CURETON-SMITH
An Arlington resident, Brenda hails from Wisconsin. She holds a bachelor’s degree in professional communication. A natural-born wordsmith, Brenda previously worked for AH Belo, the Dallas Morning News, and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
• Anti-Aging
• Acne Treatment
• Hyperpigmentation skin treatments
• Facials
• Chemical Peels
• Microneedling
• Microdermabrasion
• Waxing
• Non-surgical Fat Cavitation
• Cellulite Treatments
• Foot Detoxing
• Makeovers
• Teeth Whitening
• Gold Tox System
Great Skin Spa & Skincare
3851 Southwest Green Oaks Boulevard Arlington, TX 76017 (817) 478-2114
GreatSkin4You.com
GREAT SKIN SPA AND FACIAL CLUB
THE SKIN AND BODY-CARE SPECIALISTS AT GREAT SKIN OFFER:
Vanessa
Nguyen, OD and Gayle Karanges, OD
It can be fascinating to see two very different journeys converge on one vocation. It was that way for Drs. Vanessa Nguyen and Gayle Karanges. Gayle grew up obsessed with all-thing-horses. “I competed in equestrian events since the age of five,” she said. “I taught riding lessons and realized I love helping people. I also have a fascination with the workings of the human body.” So, healthcare was a natural path for Gayle.
Vanessa was born in Vietnam but left, as a baby, to embark upon a harrowing
journey that took her family from their home country to a refugee camp—for two years—before finally arriving in the US. “The stereotype about Asian parents wanting their kids to become doctors is true,” she said. “My parents hoped I’d go to med school. But it wasn’t for me.” Optometry, however, was a perfect fit.
At First Eyecare in Arlington, the two go beyond basic eye exams and prescribing glasses and contacts. “We conduct thorough eye exams, spending extensive time evaluating each patient’s vision and how their general health affects their eyes long term,” Dr. Karanges said. “With full diagnostic capabilities, we can detect conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and autoimmune conditions, during their eye exam.”
feel good about their appearance,” Dr. Karanges said. “We’re thrilled to be able to help in that area.”
A hallmark of the First Eyecare practice is the time the doctors invest simply listening to their patients. “We don’t just hear what the patients are saying but listen to what, how, and why,” Dr. Nguyen said. “Being able to connect with our patients is the first step in building a good relationship and establishing trust in our care.”
4110 North Collins Street Arlington, Texas 76005 (817) 442-2934
FECArlington.com
Drs. Karanges and Nguyen partner with primary care physicians to co-manage patients with medical conditions affecting their eyes. “We’re a full medical practice diagnosing and treating ocular diseases,” Dr. Nguyen said. “We can evaluate diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, keratoconus, eye infections, and more.”
First Eyecare also offers non-invasive, in-office cosmetic procedures such as eyelash extensions, lash lift, microblading, and Thermi Eye. “Everyone should CONTACT
Looking back Drs. Nguyen and Karanges both realize how blessed they were to have moms who set an example of hard work while putting families first. “My mom always told me I could do anything I set my mind on,” Dr. Karanges said. “You can have a family and have a successful career too. She was my strongest advocate.”
“As a child I didn’t realize how hard my parents worked to make a better life for their five kids,” Dr. Nguyen said. “But now it pushes me to do everything I can to make them proud.” And both women are passionate about empowering the next generation. “You can have it all, if you’re willing to work hard,” Dr. Karanges said. “Be passionate about your work and it won’t feel like work at all.”
KASTL LAW, P.C.
Kristina N. “Krisi” Kastl, J.D.
Dallas personal injury law firm Kastl Law, P.C. is one of Texas’ leading firms concentrating in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, and 18-wheeler accidents.
“We help people with injuries as a result of someone else’s carelessness or negligence,” says Kristina N. “Krisi” Kastl, J.D., who founded the women-owned and -operated fi rm in 2006. “We’re not afraid to take the tough cases. We take them and get justice.”
From burn accidents and explosions to dog bites, truck crashes, and car wrecks, Kastl Law helps clients with a range of personal injury claims. They’re proud to be the voice of the victims against big insurance companies that try to use intimidation to unfairly get out of accepting responsibility for their insured’s wrongdoing.
“Insurance companies aren’t here to pay you—they’re here to save money,” Kastl explains. “When the insurance company tells you no, we investigate and evaluate the credibility of the plaintiff and tell their story to ensure that the truth prevails.”
Helping people is at the heart of what Kastl does every day at her fi rm. From the time she was in kindergarten, she knew she wanted to go into law. “I’ve always wanted to help people, especially those who can’t help themselves or those who might need assistance helping themselves,” Kastl says.
Graced with her mother’s and grandmother’s tenacity and perseverance, Kastl is committed to making a difference in the lives of her clients. “Every day we get to help people get back to normal,” she says.
“We help them get through a tough time where maybe they lost a car, or they lost some of their health. We take the hardest cases that others won’t take.”
With nearly two decades of experience as a trial attorney, Kastl has made a name for herself both in the courtroom and in the community. She currently serves on the following boards: Dallas Bar Association, Dallas Trial Lawyers, Texas Trial Lawyers, and Dallas Women Lawyers Foundation. In addition, she serves as the American Association of Justice Women Trial Lawyers Caucus Chair. She also serves as the immediate past President of the Texas Women Lawyers Association.
“Our fi rm is active in the community and committed to making the community safer for everyone—particularly those on the road,” says Kastl.
No matter the size or complexity of the case, each one is treated as if it’s the fi rm’s only case. Kastl and the personal injury lawyers
at her fi rm are dedicated to providing a personalized approach for each and every client. “We take the time to get to know each client. We listen to their story and learn how someone else’s carelessness negatively impacted their life,” says Kastl.
If you have suffered personal injuries as a result of someone else’s actions, inaction, negligence, or recklessness, let the attorneys at Kastl Law, P.C. seek justice on your behalf. “We get what people deserve,” Kastl says. “We get justice.”
CONTACT
3601 Hulen Street, Suite 101
Fort Worth, Texas 76107 (817) 219-2053
4144 North Central Expressway, Suite 1000 Dallas, Texas 75204 (214) 937-4424
KastlLaw.com
$ 98
Just like that, we’re headed into the persistent Texas summer, and it’s time to break out the relevant attire.
Jessica Simpson
Oopsy Daisy Floral
Print Ruffle One Piece Swimsuit
The classic one piece can take many shapes, and be adorned with a variety of colors, patterns, and design elements.
Find Tranquility Plunge V-Neck Tank With Trim Tummy Tone One Piece Swimsuit
$ 123
Kenneth Cole New York
$ 109
Beach-bound or positioned by the pool, there’s sure to be a summer look that will fit you just swimmingly.
182
Twister Plunge Lace-Up One Piece Swimsuit
$
Miraclesuit
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sure to ENDURE
TECHNIQUES TO BUILD STAMINA THAT’LL KEEP YOU IN IT FOR THE LONG RUN
BY SAMANTHA GLUCK
HIGH INTENSITY, SHORT INTERVAL ACTIVITY.
Improving your physical fitness will improve the way you experience life in general. If your schedule is overflowing with both personal and professional obligations, the idea of an effective and consistent exercise routine might seem unattainable. But it’s not. It’s actually simple. Keep in mind—it’s simple, not easy.
Stamina lies at the heart of physical fitness. The longer you’re able to sustain a given physical exercise, the higher your stamina, or endurance. Building stamina enhances your performance in a chosen sport, but it also makes activities like bringing the results of your latest shopping excursion into your home much less taxing. These three simple techniques can get you started.
If you’re short on time and want to go hard at increasing endurance, you need to do this three days a week. One high intensity interval training technique, called Tabata training, alternates between 20 second maximum effort intervals and 10 second rest intervals. For example, you might run (or do push-ups, non-weighted squats, or sit-ups) as fast as you can for 20 seconds, rest for 10 seconds, then do it again for a total of eight rounds
PERSISTENCE, PERSEVERANCE, PRESENCE.
Persist until you finish with your planned training session no matter what. Persevere by not skipping a workout even if you’re traveling for work or just don’t feel like it. Keep your mind in the present as you train by concentrating on the end goal. Rule yourself by ruling your mind.
MODERATE INTENSITY CARDIO EXERCISE.
Whether you choose cycling, jogging, swimming, or plan to alternate between these, commit to at least three days a week for 30 minutes each session. Ideally, you’ll work your way up to five days. Keep it steady and easygoing to reduce joint wear and tear.
Monitor your progress as you go along by recording your activities, improvements, and various external influences. But don’t fall into the trap of using someone else as the measure by which you judge yourself. It’s all too easy to look to celebrity figures or carefully curated social media feeds for inspiration, but try to keep your eyes focused on yourself and your future.
WHAT YOU MIGHT RUN INTO
Tensing your upper body. Both beginners and seasoned runners struggle with relax ing their upper bodies while running. Keep shoulders down, not bunched up around your ears, and elbows bent at 90 degrees. Eliminate any sideto-side movement of your arms as you run.
A NEW TECHNIQUE
There’s a basic technique you can use to improve your running performance and enjoyment. The Pose Method is a technique which aligns the body and leverages gravity to propel the runner forward with minimal energy waste. You were born to run, and this simple method can show you how—though it does take a little practice. Find out more by visiting PoseMethod.com/running.
Neglecting to stretch. Stretch your upper and lower leg muscles before and after a run to increase mobility and enhance performance.
Wearing inadequate shoes. Wearing worn out running shoes or an inappropriate type of runner for your particular foot is a leading cause of injuries. Go to a store specializing in running shoes. The staff there can determine if you need shoes to correct pronation or other concerns. Replace your shoes every 250 to 350 miles of use.
Heel striking. If your hips sit behind your feet when running, it causes heel striking. You can’t push off the ball of your foot when it’s leading your hips and you have to push with heelto-toe. Too much heavy heel striking and you might develop an injury like plantar fasciitis and your speed will likely suffer.
heart ofGOLD
SEVEN WAYS TO CARE FOR YOUR BODY’S HARDEST-WORKING ORGAN
BY DAVID BUICE
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. According to the CDC, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds, and about 630,000 Americans die annually from heart disease.
The good news is you don’t have to accept heart disease as an inevitability. There are risk factors you can’t control, like your age, ethnicity, and family, but there’s plenty you can do to promote a healthy heart too. Beyond regular exercise, here are seven additional steps anyone can take to promote good heart health.
EXERCISE REGULARLY
Regular exercise is a given. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, such as jogging/ running or brisk cycling.
DON’T USE TOBACCO AND AVOID SECOND-HAND SMOKE
No amount of smoking or exposure to smoke is safe, and the more you smoke, the greater your risk becomes as arteries narrow, blood pressure increases, and oxygen in your blood decreases. Fortunately, the risk begins to drop soon after you stop smoking, and after 15 years your risk falls to about the level of someone who’s never smoked.
EAT A HEART-HEALTHY DIET
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps protect your heart. Limit salt and sugar consumption. Limit saturated fats (red meats, full-fat dairy products, and coconut and palm oils) to five percent of your daily calories. Try to avoid trans fats (deepfried fast foods, bakery products, margarines, chips, crackers, and cookies) altogether. Also, drink alcohol in moderation, meaning one drink a day for men over 65 and women, and two drinks daily for men under 65.
MANAGE DIABETES
Diabetes doubles your risk of diabetic heart disease as over time high blood sugar can damage blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart. It’s important to have regular checkups and be tested for diabetes. If you have it, keep it under control.
MANAGE STRESS
Stress raises blood pressure and extreme stress can bring on a
heart attack. Also, some ways of coping with stress—overeating, smoking, and drinking—are bad for the heart. Some healthy stress relievers include deep breathing exercises, meditation, and relaxing music.
MAINTAIN A HEALTHY WEIGHT
Excess weight increases your risk of heart disease, and waist circumference can be a useful tool to measure abdominal fat. For men a waist size over 40 inches is considered overweight, and for women it’s a waist over 35 inches. Reducing your weight by only three to five percent can reduce the risk of diabetes.
GET ENOUGH QUALITY SLEEP
Don’t feel guilty about making sleep a priority. A rule of thumb: If you wake up without your alarm and feel refreshed, you’re getting enough sleep.
“LACK OF EXERCISE, A POOR DIET, AND OTHER UNHEALTHY HABITS CAN TAKE THEIR TOLL OVER THE YEARS. PREVENTING HEART DISEASE MEANS MAKING SMART CHOICES NOW THAT WILL PAY OFF THE REST OF YOUR LIFE.”
- DR. ALAN TAYLOR, CARDIOLOGY PARTNERS
Cardiology Partners has been caring for hearts for over 40 years. The practice of seven cardiology specialists offer the latest advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of heart and vascular disease. The result is a comprehensive approach to the most sophisticated cardiac care available in the area. If your family's medical needs call for cardiac care, stay close to home with Cardiology Partners. New patients are always welcome. Call to schedule an appointment today!
THE POWER OF PERSISTENCE
BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT
When I think of persistence, I picture a successful Texas artist who also happens to be my sister, Denise Greenwood Loveless. Neesie (as I call her) was undeniably born with artistic talent. But the thing that’s helped her excel in her field has been an uncompromising persistence that kept her fueled through 30 years of late nights in the studio while maintaining a day job, trial and error to find her perfect medium, and pounding the pavement to get her work in front of the right eyes.
People look at her today and see a dynamic, successful woman with an enviable art career. But few understand the three decades of unyielding persistence it took to get her there. Her recipe for success looked something like this.
EXPERIENCE THE FASCINATING
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Custom Wigs
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LONG-TERM HABITS CAN BEAT SHORT-TERM SUCCESS
recipe for success
SET GOALS
Take time to figure out what you want. Research has found that people who set clear goals, refuse to quit, and continue to bounce back from difficulties succeed in achieving those goals a whopping 90 percent of the time.
EXPECT SETBACKS
Henry Ford went bankrupt three times before designing his first automobile. Thomas Edison failed thousands of times before inventing the lightbulb. It can be hard to persist against obstacles or setbacks when you’re staring them in the face. Anticipate potential problems and form a contingency plan beforehand so you’re psychologically ready when things get tough.
TAKE A FIRST STEP
Decide where you want to end up. Then step it back to where you are today. What’s the first thing you need to do to head toward your goal? Take that initial step, then the next, then the next.
REVIEW, REEVALUATE, AND REVISE
When things don’t work out, review the steps you took and processes you followed. Consider what worked, what failed, and what you could have done better. Revamp your plan accordingly.
GATHER SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT
Surround yourself with people who want to see you succeed. Get advice from those with more experience. Accept guidance and help. Learn from the mistakes and successes of others. You still must work hard, but it’s better to do so with support and positive reinforcement.
STAY FOCUSED
Visualize yourself accomplishing your goal no matter what it takes. Then keep your eyes on the prize. Focus on staying focused—nothing matters except for the thing you’re doing right now.
ENJOY YOUR SUCCESS
Success is sweeter and more fulfilling when you recall what it took to get there. Allow yourself time to savor the eventual victory. Then consider where you want to go next and get back to work.
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At Arlington Pain & Therapy we are committed to "Redefining Pain and Getting You Back to the Good Life." Take the first step toward relief and contact us today!
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future PROOF
DEFYING THE EFFECTS OF AGE AS YOU MOVE THROUGH YOUR 50S
BY YOUNG CHO, MD, PHD BOARD-CERTIFIED PLASTIC SURGEON SPRING, TEXAS
If you’re in your fifties, you’ve probably started to notice changes in your face and body. In our face, we notice looser skin and muscle, bony resorption, and a gradual loss of volume. In our body we notice looser skin, loss of muscle tone and volume, and areas of stubborn fat. Maintaining healthy behaviors such as diet and exercise can slow down the aging process. But lifestyle changes alone may not reverse certain kinds of aging.
When it comes to the face, think of the acronym “CHO” (Collagen, Hyaluronic acids, and Ongoing maintenance).
COLLAGEN
MAINTAINING HEALTHY BEHAVIORS SUCH AS DIET AND EXERCISE CAN SLOW DOWN THE AGING PROCESS. BUT LIFESTYLE CHANGES
ALONE MAY NOT REVERSE
CERTAIN KINDS OF AGING.
Every year, we lose a little more collagen and elastin in our face. Innovative treatments such as Ultherapy and ProfoundRF use heat energy to stimulate de novo collagen and elastin production and can really help slow or reverse the aging process. For those that are looking for a more dramatic change, the minimally invasive FaceTite procedure can help tighten the neck and define the jawline. For those wanting to look a decade younger, a surgical procedure such as a facelift is warranted.
HYALURONIC ACIDS
With aging comes volume loss in the face. Shadows become more pronounced, whether they’re in the temples, under the eyes, cheeks, lips, or smile lines. Hyaluronic acids (dermal fillers) such as Juvederm and Restylane are the most popular ways of maintaining a healthy volume balance in the face. When done by experts, dermal fillers will make you look like a more youthful and natural version of yourself.
ONGOING MAINTENANCE
Anti-aging treatment requires maintenance, and prevention is a key component. As summer
approaches, remember to put your sunscreen on 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and reapply frequently. Zinc oxide is the best ingredient as it protects from both UVA and UVB rays. Other maintenance options include procedures like microdermabrasion, chemical peels, dermal infusions, and microneedling, which all help to keep the skin vibrant and young. Of course Botox can also play a role in reducing unwanted wrinkles such as the pesky “11s” between the eyebrows, forehead lines, or crow’s feet.
For our bodies, the focus shifts to addressing stubborn fat pockets and building muscle. Coolsculpting is the industry leader in non-invasive fat reduction that works by freezing the fat, but there are many additional innovations that use radiofrequency-based heat energy. This “fire and ice” combination works even better to treat unwanted fat. EmSculpt is the latest innovation to body contouring in that it builds muscle (and reduces fat), which helps to combat sarcopenia, the age related loss of muscle mass. However, keep in mind that none of these are to be considered substitutes for a maintaining a healthy balance of diet and exercise.
THE HILL COUNTRY HOUSE WIMBERLEY, TEXAS
rural RESILIENCE
A HILL COUNTRY PROTOTYPE FOR A PERSISTENT, SELF-SUSTAINING SANCTUARY
DESIGN & ARCHITECTURE BY MIRÓ RIVERA ARCHITECTS
IMAGES BY PAUL FINKEL/PISTON DESIGN
ABOUT THE ARCHITECTS
Miró Rivera Architects is an Austin-based internationally recognized and multiple award-winning architecture practice that has created a body of work that exemplifies design excellence, blurs art and architecture, and includes poetic and inspirational projects that enrich their landscapes.
MiroRivera.com
(PHOTOS LEFT, TOP TO BOTTOM) FITTING IN
A solar array provides 80 percent of the home’s annual energy usage, while mechanical heating and cooling is driven by a 5-ton geothermal loop field consisting of six 250-footdeep wells. All annual water needs (200 gallons per day) are met by a 30,000 gallon rainwater collection and filtration system.
PORCH PONDERANCE
The screened porch features a distinctive 30-foot peak, recognizable from a great distance, while its horizontal slats are a contemporary interpretation of traditional vented gables.
( PHOTOS RIGHT, TOP TO BOTTOM) COMPARE AND CONTRAST
White walls and ceilings throughout the interior are offset by embellishments like soapstone counters in the kitchen, while pecan floors and their distinctive grain are a nod to the home’s rustic surroundings.
OUTDOORS INDOORS
Windows in every room provide abundant light and frame views of the surrounding landscape, with no better example than this room for meditation. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer a view of a nearby hilltop and help the grassy landscape feel like it flows right into the house.
PERFECT PERFORMANCE
Connected to the garage via sliding barn doors, and elevated a few feet above grade, a shaded outdoor studio doubles as a state for casual summer concerts for gatherings of family and friends.
THE QUICK ROOFING DIFFERENCE
• No Money Owed Until 100% Completion of the Roof
• Fully insured and have all state and local licenses
• Dedicated Project Manager Onsite
• A+ Rated with the BBB (Accredited since 1994)
• 7-year Transferable Workmanship Warranty
HALLOWED HALLS
Wrapped in cypress, the main entry not only makes for a warm reception to visitors, but introduces the vertical slot openings that define the home’s main corridor, which doubles as a gallery and provides space for hanging artwork and natural light.
stay COOL
A FEW SIMPLE TIPS FOR MAKING SURE YOUR HVAC HOLDS ON THROUGH SUMMER
As we ready ourselves for another Texas summer, it’s important to consider whether your HVAC system will be operating at top performance and keeping you and those you love comfortable. Now’s a good time to contact a professional heating and air company and have them inspect your system. A professional inspection should include flushing the drain pipes of water, since a clogged drain can mean your unit is working harder and less efficiently. In addition, they should clean the fan blades on the outdoor unit and remove dust
and other buildup from the indoor evaporator coil to ensure you’re getting the most out of your unit and paying the least to operate it. There are a few things you can do, too. Schedule a time once a month to change disposable air filters. The first day of each month is a good time. A clean air filter can reduce your energy consumption by up to 15 percent. Keep leaves, branches, and vegetation at least two feet away from your outdoor unit to allow the unit to pull in air freely. And routinely remove debris that falls into and around the unit.
You might also invest in a programmable thermostat which allows decreased use of the HVAC system when you’re not home. For warm months, it’s recommended to set the thermostat around 78 degrees. Keep in mind that every degree you lower your thermostat during the summer costs about one percent more on your energy bill. If you notice your monthly bill is higher than usual during a given month, contact your heating and air company and have them inspect the system to ensure it’s operating at top performance levels.
what can you do yourself?
MAXIMIZE AIR FLOW WITH FANS
Ceiling fans set to rotate clockwise can make a huge difference in the comfort and feel of your home during summer. The clockwise movement causes air to flow downward, preventing excess heat from rising into the higher levels of your home and making your air conditioner pick up the slack. (When the weather cools off again, reverse blades to spin counterclockwise.)
UTILIZE WINDOW TREATMENTS
Sun penetrating through glass can cause indoor temps to rise and kick your AC into overdrive. Investing in high-quality window treatments for sun-exposed areas can help prevent the afternoon buildup of heat in the summer months.
REDUCE HEAT FROM OTHER APPLIANCES
Consider using heat-generating appliance less during summer. Cook dinner outdoors on the grill, instead of in the oven. Hang clothes outside to dry instead of running the dryer. (A bonus is that glorious sun-dried smell.)
BY MIMI GREENWOOD KNIGHT
PRESENTED BY THE JULIE SHORT TEAM
LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE
MCH model for sale in gated South Pointe, specialty ceilings, exquisite trim work, hand texture, gorgeous lighting, 4-4 1-3 with 2 fireplaces, outdoor kitchen. Beautiful details throughout. A floor plan you cannot beat!
LIVING LUXURY
Imagine your family in this stately brick home within the gated South Pointe community. Constructed by Mansfield Custom Homes, this 3739-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bath family home is at the same time elegant and cozy, modern and timeless. Nestled on a coveted corner lot, its design pays tribute to the best of Texas living with no detail overlooked—from specialty ceilings, exquisite trim work, and gorgeous lighting. And the hand-scraped custom hardwood flooring is to-die-for.
The home’s open floor plan sets the stage for family life and entertaining with extras such as two fireplaces and an outdoor kitchen, loads of natural light for ample windows, and unique, hand-crafted detail throughout. The kitchen features clean lines with quartz countertops, state-of-the-art Bosch appliances, and a double Speed Chef oven. The home also includes foam insulation, glass garage doors, natural stone, a game room, walk-out attic, and even the garage features hand texture and oversized trim.
THE details
LOCATION
South Pointe
HOUSE INFO
4 bedrooms
5 bathrooms
Single-family home
3,739 square feet
Lot size: 0.33 acres
SCHOOL INFORMATION
- Annette Perry Elementary School
- Orr Intermediate School
- Worley Middle School
- Mansfield Lake Ridge High School
- Mansfield ISD
COMMUNITY INFORMATION
- Clubhouse
- Community Pool
- Gated Entrance
- Greenbelt
- Jogging/Biking Path
- Playground
- Private lake/pond
CONTACT
The Julie Short Team at (817) 276-2200 to schedule your viewing.
breaking BADLANDS
RECONNECTING WITH THE COUNTRYSIDE
BY ANNETTE BROOKS
I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO REPLY TO THE QUESTION “WHERE ARE YOU OFF TO THIS TIME?” WITH “THE BADLANDS!” AND LAST SPRING I FINALLY HAD A CHANCE TO DO SO, PACKING MY BOOTS AND HEADING OFF TO SOUTH DAKOTA FOR THREE DAYS.
THE REGIONAL JET LANDED IN RAPID CITY just before a mighty storm system rolled in, which made the hour-long drive to Circle View Guest Ranch unforgettably harrowing. Used to storms in Texas I figured it’d be a piece of cake but felt increasingly anxious as angry, ominous clouds gathered and multi-pronged lightning bolts struck distant ground. I imaged someone finding me fried to a crisp in my little rag-top rental car on a lonely stretch of South Dakota highway some time later, foot glued to the gas pedal.
It’s for that reason that I felt a wave of relief as I pulled in at the 3,000 acre ranch, eager to experience the Original 1880 Hamm Homestead Cabin—which has no running water or electricity. Having read about it in The New York Times years ago, the idea of roughing it for a couple of nights in an authentic Badlands cabin ignited a curious sense of adventure in me. After dragging my suitcase, which contained more bedding than clothing, into the tiny weathered dwelling, I lit the lantern, sat at the table, and made a list of needed supplies, with bottled water being most urgent. I also planned to pick up some fresh produce the next day so I could prepare a meal in the ranch’s guest kitchen. Since it was already dinnertime, I ventured out into the storm once more, making my way to Cowboy Corner, a gas station that only serves its dinner menu on Fridays and Saturdays. Fueled only by airline snacks and feeling emboldened by the fact that I was wearing pants with some forgiveness in the waist, I couldn’t resist ordering a chicken fried steak of epic
WE MADE A MEAL OF IT, SHARING BOTH FOOD AND STORIES.
proportions, which arrived atop a heaping mound of gravy-covered homemade mashed potatoes.
The next morning wispy clouds brushed across a brilliant blue sky as if there had been no storm at all. A low breeze blew over the prairie, calling me to finish that last sip of coffee and get out and explore. It was a scouting expedition of sorts—a leisurely two to three-hour drive through the park loop where savage and often austere scenery pierces an otherwise peaceful landscape. >> Among the buttes and harshly eroded pinnacles I spied deer and hoped to catch a glimpse of the area’s prairie dogs, which are actually a type of ground squirrel. Stopping at many of the lookouts, my imagination soared as I daydreamed about what it was like for the Native Americans who lived and hunted on this land, wondering what they thought of the remnants of sea and turtle shells scattered around, proof the area was once underwater. Most impressive was Yellow Mounds Overlook, one of the park’s most written about and photographed views, where undulating, colored, rocky hills create a sharp contrast to the stark landscape of mostly grays and browns. Back at the ranch, I meandered over to the communal kitchen to make a leafy green salad and met a friendly couple from Arkansas who had prepared a pot of cowboy stew. We made a meal of it, sharing both food and stories. We also discovered we happened to be booked on the same Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour the next afternoon, and
made plans to ride together to the game lodge at Custer State Park.
The open-air Jeep tour was a fitting way to spend my last afternoon in the Badlands. For close to two hours six of us traversed many of the park’s backroads. Along the way our knowledgeable driver told jokes and stories, shared bits of the area’s history, and stopped for us to photograph buffalo—the largest native land mammals in North America since the end of the Ice Age—and other animals from the safety of the vehicle.
The tour ended with a chuckwagon cookout in the wild, complete with cowboys serenading us as we feasted on steak, hamburgers, and an assortment of sides. Amidst the stunning backdrop, laughter and fellowship ricocheted off kindred spirits who vowed to share photos once they’d returned to “civilization.” And all too soon the good times came to a close as we climbed into the Jeep, headed back for the ranch.
I spent the rest of the evening relaxing outside my cabin, listening to the wind and gazing at the Milky Way. To this day I swear I could see its galactic center sitting there at the edge of the Badlands. It struck me that I hadn’t even missed television, Internet access, or being joined at the hip with my cellphone. I slept like a baby that night, my dreams filled with images of roaming buffalo herds set against the rugged beauty of the Badlands.
trial by fire
RECIPES AND PHOTOS BY MEGHAN YAGER
IN THE SPIRIT OF SUMMER, WE’VE GIVEN THREE DISHES A KISS OF FLAME
TIPS & TRICKS
Be sure to have some freshly chopped parsley handy for an added pop of color on the platter of grilled pork, apples, and onions.
APPLES
AND
ONIONS ON GRILLED PORK CHOPS
MAKES: 4 SERVINGS | TIME: 75 MINUTES
FOR THE CHOPS:
3 tbsp. honey | 1 tbsp. vegetable oil | 2 tsp. apple cider vinegar | ½ tsp. garlic powder | 1 pinch red pepper flakes | 4 half-inch bone-in pork chops (about 3 ounces each) | Salt and freshly ground black pepper
FOR THE APPLES AND ONIONS:
4 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted | 1 tbsp. olive oil | ½ tsp. ground cinnamon | ½ tsp. salt | ½ tsp. black pepper | ¼ tsp. ground cloves | 2 gala apples, cored and cut into half-inch slices | 2 yellow onions, peeled and cut into half-inch slices
INSTRUCTIONS:
SEASON pork chops on both sides with salt and pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together honey, vegetable oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes. Add the pork chops and mixture to a zip top bag and let the pork marinate for an hour on the counter.
PREHEAT GRILL, then remove pork chops from the marinade and place on the grill. Cook for 3 minutes per side or until cooked through (USDA recommends cooking to an internal temperature of 145˚F followed by a 3 minute rest). IN A SEPARATE small bowl, whisk together melted butter, oil, cinnamon, salt, pepper, and cloves for the apples and onions. Place apples and onions on the grill and brush tops with half the butter mixture. Grill for 5 minutes, flip, brush with remaining butter, and grill for 5 more minutes. SERVE pork chops on a platter with apples and onions.
TIPS & TRICKS
Want an extra kiss of the grill for the salad? Grill the lemon halves before juicing them for the dressing.
CHARRED ROMAINE CAESAR SALAD
MAKES: 4 SERVINGS | TIME: 15 MINUTES
FOR THE SALAD:
4 romaine hearts, sliced in half lengthwise | Half of a baguette, sliced | extra virgin olive oil
FOR THE LEMON CAESAR DRESSING:
2 anchovies | 2 garlic cloves, peeled | ½ tsp. kosher salt | ½ tsp. coarse black pepper | 3½ tbsp. grated parmesan cheese | ¼ cup lemon juice | 2 egg yolks | ½ tsp. Dijon mustard | ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
PREHEAT one side of the grill for indirect cooking. PLACE all ingredients for the dressing in a food processor or blender and mix on low until dressing comes together. Increase speed to high for 30 seconds until thick, then refrigerate until ready to serve. DRIZZLE bread lightly with olive oil, then place romaine hearts and bread slices on the grill. Cook for about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove bread when toasted and golden brown. The romaine should be removed when it is charred but not burnt. Plate romaine hearts on a platter with a drizzle of dressing and extra Parmesan cheese. Serve with bread.
FLAMBÉED BANANAS FOSTER PUDDINGS
MAKES: 4 PUDDINGS | TIME: 20 MINUTES
FOR THE PUDDING:
1 tbsp. orange zest | 1 cup whipped cream + more for garnish | 1 cup vanilla pudding (homemade or purchased) | 1½ cups vanilla wafer cookies, crumbled
FOR THE BANANAS FOSTER:
6 tbsp. unsalted butter | 6 tbsp. rum | 2 large bananas, sliced into quarter-inch coins | 4 tbsp. dark brown sugar
INSTRUCTIONS:
IN A LARGE BOWL , fold together pudding, 1 cup whipped cream, and orange zest until combined. Chill until ready to assemble dessert. IN A MEDIUM NONSTICK SKILLET , melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and cook until sugar dissolves. Stir in bananas until coated well. Move pan away from flame, add rum, return to heat, then ignite the alcohol with a lighter or long match, letting it flambé until the liquor burns off. Let bananas cool slightly. ADD ¼ cup pudding mixture to each of 4 bowls or glasses. Top with an even layer of cookie crumbles. Top with a layer of banana slices. Add a second layer of ¼ cup pudding mixture each. Top with more bananas and finish with a dollop of whipped cream. Serve immediately or chill for up to 2 hours before serving.
TIPS & TRICKS
You can easily substitute cognac or other flavorful liquors for rum if you so choose!
LIVING LIKES
A SMATTERING of stuff
THAT’S MAKING US SAY “WE LIKE IT!” THIS MONTH
PORTABLE POWER
Whether camping out or hunkering down, this nifty multi-powered FRX3+ weather alert radio from Etón incorporates a digital AM/FM radio, all 7 weather bands, wind-up and solar charging, a phone charging port, an LED flashlight, and red flashing beacon light.
$60, ETONCORP.COM
SQUARE DEAL
With grillouts and beach trips on the horizon it’ll never hurt to have a handy, easily portable little grill— and we love the look of the adorably designed, lightweight, and super modern Cube from Everdure by Heston Blumenthal.
$200, WILLIAMSSONOMA.COM
CHIP SHOT
Golf is back in the news with the recent comeback of Tiger Woods, who won his first major in 11 years at the Masters in April. You can see him— and more than 150 other golfers—try to add to their legacy during the U.S. Open this month, to be played at Pebble Beach, California.
JUNE 13 THROUGH JUNE 16 ON FS1 AND FOX
SCIENTIFIC SHOWER
Redken’s new Nature + Science range of shampoos and conditioners is vegan, sulfate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free, and features formulations for dry and brittle hair, damaged and distressed hair, and color-treated hair to protect your locks from the summer sun.
$22 EACH, ULTA.COM
SUMMER SPIRIT
A bright, floral gin finished with raw northern honey, the complex and quality Barr Hill Gin will make an excellent component of refreshing summer cocktails to sip on the back porch as the heat of the summer rolls in.
$36/750 ML BOTTLE, LOCAL RETAILERS AND CALEDONIASPIRITS.COM
