Fort Worth Weekly // January 21-27, 2026 // Alive & Kicking

STUFF

USMNT are a longshot at the World Cup, but, boy, do we all need a win.

BY RYAN BURGER

FEATURE

Harsh January self-denial often backfires, while small, planned “designed indulgences” help goals stick.

BY MARK HENRICKS

LAST CALL

While “Dry January” fuels interest in NA and THC drinks, looming regulations could limit options.

BY ELAINE WILDER

NIGHT & DAY

North Texas will celebrate Lunar New Year with shows, food fests, and … lion dances.

BY JENNIFER BOVEE

EDUCATION

AT&T Stadium brought students together to learn soccer and football from pro athletes ahead of the World Cup.

BY RUSH OLSON

Dragon Dances

The Kimbell, FWMSH, Asia Times Square, and more are ready to ring in the Year of the Fire Horse next month. By Jennifer Bovee

Designed Indulgence

Showing yourself some grace can help you keep your resolutions.

By Mark Henricks

Fire Horsing Around

It’s time to grab them cakes and experience some local music.

By Anthony Mariani and Juan R. Govea

Let’s Get Dry

With so many NA and THC options, there’s never been a better time to 86 booze.

By Elaine Wilder

19

Editor: Anthony Mariani

Publisher: Lee Newquist

General Manager: Bob Niehoff

Art Director: Ryan Burger

Marketing Director: Jennifer Bovee

Regional Director: Michael Newquist

Sr. Account Executive: Stacey Hammons

Account Manager: Julie Strehl

Account Executives: Tony Diaz, Wendy Maier, Wyatt Newquist, Sarah Niehoff, Biz Thames

Proofreader: Emmy Smith

Brand Ambassador: Clint “Ironman” Newquist

CONTRIBUTORS

E.R. Bills, Jennifer Bovee, Jason Brimmer, Jess Delarosa, Buck D. Elliott, Danny Gallagher, Juan R. Govea, Mark Henricks, Patrick Higgins, Kristian Lin, Cody Neatherly, Rush Olson, Emmy Smith, Kena Sosa, Steve Steward, Teri Webster, Ken Wheatcroft-Pardue, Elaine Wilder, Cole Williams

EDITORIAL BOARD

Laurie James, Anthony Mariani, Emmy Smith, Steve Steward

COPYRIGHT

SERVICE CHANGES

to Trinity Metro Bus Routes 2 and 4 begin on Sunday, February 1. Route 2 will have an adjusted schedule for better connections, and Route 4 will have expanded service to the Cultural District. Plan ahead at RIDE TRINITYMETRO .org/ SERVICECHANGES

New Year, New You?

Yes, Indeed!

Whether they call them “resolutions” or not, people are still looking to make positive changes headed into the new year. Based on recent surveys, the top resolutions for 2026 include exercising more, eating healthier, improving mental health, losing weight, saving money, learning something new, and spending more time with friends and family, with an overall goal of being happy. Unless you’ve resolved to start a podcast, “all talk” is not what’s needed here. Coming up with some actionable steps will ensure actual progress.

While we don’t have all the answers, we do have some ideas. This year’s Alive & Kicking special issue includes articles about how planned “designed indulgences” reduce burnout, curb impulsivity, and help goals stick (pg. 4), plus there’s a story about how one Arlington restaurant has your back when it comes to gluten sensitivity (pg. 13) and how “Dry January” is fueling interest in NA beers and THC drinks (pg. 21), all that along with some local music news (pg. 19).

And based on the epic cover design by our artistic director, Ryan Burger, we are also obviously tackling soccer. With the FIFA World Cup headed our way, why wouldn’t we? Along with a piece about how the USMNT has an outside chance of claiming the title (pg. 6), hear about kids learning football versus futbol (pg. 22).

Welcome to Alive & Kicking 2026! — Fort Worth Weekly

Indulge Me Try designed pleasure to fulfill resolutions.

BY MARK HENRICKS

January, the month named for the god of open doors, has become all about closing doors.

Nowadays, this is the time of year you’re supposed to avoid alcohol, stop eating junk food, restrict yourself to a tight financial budget, quit lounging on the sofa and marathon-watching your favorite series, and give up any number of undesirable habits and activities.

Of course, it’s also the month when most of these well-intentioned resolutions for the new year get abandoned after a few weeks of white-knuckled attempts at self-deprivation.

What if the key to actually following through on your self-improvement goals was to cut yourself some carefully chosen slack? That’s the idea behind designed indulgence, also known as strategic indulgence, pleasure scheduling, and a few other terms. By any name, the idea is that if you employ judiciously timed and targeted pleasures, you can boost your self-control more than by relying on willpower and self-deprivation.

Designed indulgence is not just another name for a slip, said Srini Pillay, a Harvard-trained psychiatrist and brain researcher and author of Tinker Dabble Doodle Try: Unlock the Power of the Unfocused Mind. “Designed indulgence is deliberate, time-limited pleasure that’s planned rather than impulsive, so it refreshes the brain, reduces

Grapevine life coach and hypnotherapist Deni

sometimes prescribes “designed indulgences” for clients who show signs of perfectionism, burnout, low motivation, anxiety, and avoidance.

deprivation, and supports long-term goals instead of undermining them.”

The concept is supported by a sizable list of published research studies and has moved far beyond the laboratory and into the real world.

Grapevine life coach and hypnotherapist Deni Abbie sometimes prescribes it for clients who show signs of perfectionism, burnout, low motivation, anxiety, and avoidance. One specific use case is someone who shows great discipline all day, only to collapse into over-indulgence at night, she said.

Designed indulgence works by addressing specific obstacles that block people from achieving goals, Abbie said. “It reduces stress-driven impulsivity, prevents deprivation backlash, restores motivation through behavioral activation, and increases consistency because the plan becomes livable rather than punishing.”

If you could use a new tool to help with your own attempts to be the kind of person you want to be, here are some things to consider with regard to designed indulgence.

First and foremost, don’t give yourself a gift that’s going to harm you.

“If your goal is to lose weight, your designed indulgence shouldn’t be around food,” said Dallas life coach Ashley Shihab. “It should be something else that makes you feel excited. So, if I’m trying to save money, what else can I do that would give me that feeling without sabotaging my goal?” continued on page 5

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In furtherance of that, figure out why you are considering a designed indulgence. Abbie says possible objectives include stress relief, emotional regulation, reward and motivation, restoration, and burnout prevention. It’s best not to regard a designed indulgence as an opportunity to impulsively deviate from your overriding strategy.

“This isn’t a cheat,” she said. “This is a regulation. This is part of the plan.”

Along those lines, once you plan a designed indulgence, follow through, just as you hope to do on the more deprivation-oriented parts of your resolution strategy.

“It works best when it’s intentional and accountable,” Pillay said. “For every indulgence, you commit to staying on track with what matters.”

An overriding feature of successful designed indulgence is that it avoids extravagance and excess. Keep it small. If you’re celebrating hitting the $1,000 mark in your emergency savings, for instance, don’t design an indulgence that calls for spending $300 on a new pair of shoes when you have a closet full. Tone it down by, say, dropping $5 on crazy shoelaces. Even better, spend nothing at all and go on a walk in your most comfy sneaks.

Designed indulgences can take an infinite number of forms, depending on your specific needs and what you’re trying to accomplish. Here are some examples of designed indulgences that might fit your plan:

• Light a scented candle and take a warm bath

• Brew a cup of your favorite tea

“Designed indulgence is deliberate, time-limited pleasure that’s planned rather than impulsive,’ said Srini Pillay, author of Tinker Dabble Doodle Try: Unlock the Power of the Unfocused Mind.

• Go for a walk in nature or work through a yoga routine

• Call a friend just to talk

• Engage in a creative hobby

• Watch a comedy show

• Select a favorite recipe to cook

• Finish a small project you can accomplish quickly

• Take a short midday nap

• Spend a little time daydreaming constructively

Feel free to exercise your creativity here. Whatever empowers and energizes you without causing a problem could be a desired indulgence.

Sociologist and writer Anna Akbari recalls

interviewing a lawyer who rebelled against the conservative dress code in his office by wearing cap-toe shoes instead of the more customary wing tips. No one noticed the shoe violation, but even this minor act of rebellion made it easier to otherwise conform.

“Somehow that small aesthetic marker motivated him and made him feel he was doing his own thing even while seemingly playing by the rules,” Akbari said.

While you loosen the leash on your wild side, exercise some elementary caution. At minimum, avoid indulging in a way that could make things worse.

Abbie advised taking special care trying out designed indulgence if you tend to be compulsive. “For binge eating, addiction history, or compulsive spending, indulgences must be chosen carefully and tightly contained — and sometimes require additional clinical support.”

And designed indulgence is just a tool. It has limited applications and is not a perfect method for achieving all goals. A designed indulgent exercise that is uncomfortable or takes you backward may be telling you something. You might want to skip this suggestion and try something else.

“If it’s not your cup of tea, don’t do it,” Pillay said. “Being able to be indulgent is not for everyone.”

If your January has gotten to be too much about closing doors, however, this could be a way to change the narrative — and have some fun — while increasing your ability to self-control.

“To have strategic indulgences at least gives you the permission to explore the outer realms of excitement,” Pillay said. “You don’t want to be the walking dead going through life.” l

STUFF

Dreamtime

It’ll take a few miracles for the USMNT to win the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

BY RYAN BURGER

This summer, the world’s biggest sporting event comes to Canada and Mexico. Oh, and the United States. If you don’t already know, we’re talking about the FIFA World Cup. Before you jump on the soccer bandwagon, here’s the dream scenario of how the USA will win the World Cup.

The reality of international soccer is that the United States Men’s National Team (USMNT) is not a dominant force. The team’s best finish in the modern era was the quarterfinals in 2006. Currently, we are ranked No. 14 in the FIFA/ Coca-Cola Men’s World Ranking, which is pretty accurate and also completely inaccurate as a gauge of the ranking of the strength of each men’s international team.

Probably a better way to look at the strengths of teams: There are only five teams with a realistic chance to win the World Cup. There are another 10 below that that are incredibly talented and have the skill, pedigree, and passion to win. However, they would probably need a big win or some other piece of luck to lift the cup. Below that, there are around another 30 teams that are all very good. These Nos. 15-45 are relatively evenly matched with one another. They will have one or two genuine superstars, a handful of solid to good professionals, then a depth squad of journeymen-level professional players. The USMNT falls into this category.

USA

Our team has a few standouts, with the obvious Christian Pulisic being the closest to a superstar the team has. If his current season in the Italian Serie A playing a key role for giants AC Milan continues, he could vault to very elite status. Next, there’s Antonee Robinson (Fulham FC), Tyler Adams (Bournemouth FC), Folarin Balogun (Monaco), Weston McKennie (Juventus), and Malik Tillman (Bayer Leverkusen). These guys are all extremely good but are not going to be challenging for a Balon d’Or anytime soon. Several other dudes can contribute in big ways and at times could be considered some of the best behind Pulisic. These ballers include Timothy Weah (Marseille), Giovanni Reyna (Borussia Monchengladbach), Sergino Dest (PSV Eindhoven), and Chris Richards (Crystal Palace FC). These players are all-star level but not the top tier in international football.

Mauricio Pochettino became the head coach of the USMNT in 2024, bringing a higher level of international pedigree than the program had previously seen. His work has seen a shakeup of culture and an increased level of overall intensity.

These are crucial to continuing to take the next step toward becoming a soccer powerhouse in the world’s game.

Perhaps one of the most underrated accomplishments of Pochettino is bringing in so many new players to the program and producing a large group of support players who are capable, hungry, and willing to fight for whatever minutes they can get on the pitch.

The USMNT is paired with Paraguay, Australia, and the winner of the UEFA playoff among Turkyie, Romania, or Kosovo. Turkyie is the likely survivor of this playoff round to join the others in Group D. In friendly games in the fall of 2025, the USA played both Paraguay and Australia and got wins in both, a good sign for this summer’s games. We also faced Turkyie early in 2025 and got severely handled by a talented Turkish side featuring some of Europe’s most promising talents. Paraguay is a very tough team, and any team that qualifies out of the brutal South American CONMEBOL qualifying is to be taken very seriously. Australia has a fight and persistence with sprinkles of quality that make them a dangerous team on their day.

If footballing logic, history, and skill reign supreme this summer, then the USMNT should make it out of our group, then get knocked out in the round of 32 or 16 if we’re lucky. No matter the brilliance of our tournament, the likelihood that we face a monster in the first knockout rounds is very high. There are too many whales to avoid a clean run. That’s the reality of world football. There’s a string of ridiculous opponents the USMNT would have to upset to lift the greatest sporting hardware in the world. (Sorry, Stanley Cup.)

Since reality isn’t as fun as a magical World Cup run, with Americans fully embracing the world’s game, united in celebrations, embracing cultures of all kinds with sport in common, and propelling the USMNT into legendary status, here is some of the magic, voodoo, mishaps, luck, and weird things that would need to happen for the USA to win. Since we cannot win it on football alone, we’ll need some help. Hopefully, every player for every team shows up completely healthy and in good form, but there are always players who miss the tournament from injuries picked up throughout the season.

France

Frenchman Kylian Mbappe is perhaps the best player in the tournament. Already a world star, he has World Cup pedigree and 10-year-olds all over the world watching stupid goal-song celebration remixes on YouTube. He must be stopped as the USA would likely face France in a potential round of 16 or quarterfinal matchup. Unfortunately, as he records a TikTok dance in June 2026, he slips and stubs his toe, like, really bad. He’s in so much pain, he doesn’t play. Crying emoji posts and a new dance meme will flood the internet. France is most definitely more than just one player, but his teammates will be so mad at Mbappe for the silliness of his injury, the famously touchy French team will once again implode on the World Cup stage. Les Misérables.

Portugal

Ronaldo, the CR7 one. While he is a slower, older version of the Portuguese phenomenon, he still can pose quite a threat. And if the veteran superstar can motivate his incredibly talented team, they could win the whole thing. However, this is America, and Ronaldo is a superstar. The moment he comes here next summer, all the attention will be on Ronaldo, Ronaldo, Ronaldo. He’ll love it, photos with every super-rich asshole celebrity under the sun, driving a wedge of jealousy and distraction into the tightly knit Portuguese team to the point of a significant drop in their quality. The Ronaldos will air at 8pm every Thursday on FOX in summer 2026.

Spain

Spain will win the World Cup this summer. They are crazy good and don’t have any weaknesses. Also, there’s a kid named Lamine Yamal who will surely make some significant waves for La Roja. While probably not as exciting as France, Argentina, or England, Spain is marginally better than any of them as a team. The Spanish side likely meets perhaps one of the biggest dark horses in the tournament in the round of 32, but Colombia, who are experiencing a renaissance with their football this period, will again fall short at a North American World Cup at the hands of Spain. Colombia’s tragic history after the 1994 World Cup remains one of the most severe sports tragedies in the game. Google it. R.I.P., Andrés Escobar.

If the USMNT wins their group and progresses on a historic run, they will face Spain at some point, but football is magic and sometimes doesn’t go as we think. When the USMNT faces Spain next summer, the USA will have a mostly full-strength side. Having found their rhythm and team bond through the group stages with no injuries, they enter the game with significant confidence in their collective abilities. The USMNT has already ended a historic Spain team’s unbeaten run before. Check out Charlie Davies’ goal at the Confederations Cup on June 24, 2009, for the blueprint. This time, Chris Richards will use this game to announce himself among the world’s elite center backs by shutting down everything on defense and also scoring a straight dunk of a goal on a corner kick. 1-0 USA advances, and murals of Chris’ golden smile and giant Afro appear in cities across the country.

Argentina

Messi, Messi, Messsssiiiiiiiii. Yes, he’s the GOAT. While at the twilight of his career, he is still capable of Messi magic like none other on the planet. This summer, we will likely see even a new variation of him, in which he does something during a key moment of the game which no one thought was possible until his god-tier left foot willed it to do so. Unfortunately, the World Cup title defenders are most likely set to face Norway in the knockout rounds.

Not since 1998 has a Norwegian squad actually played well enough to even make the tournament’s finals. This time will be different, with a handful of superstars, a core squad of very talented players, and also Erling Haaland. Haaland is a different sort of beast that seems to eat goats for breakfast. Messi will create a magical assist and also score an incredible free kick in this game, but Martin Odegaard will also create some Nordic wizardry, generating two assists, dribbling and passing his way to Haaland for two goals. With the game finishing regulation time at 2-2, a classic is in the making. Extra time comes, and immediately, Norway puts on the pressure. In the areas where they may lack technical skill compared to the Argentinians, they make up for it in size, pace, and power. In the first period of extra time, the amazingly named Oscar Bobb is put through from an Odegaard ball and finds himself one-onone with the keeper. He bungles the first attempt but recovers and bounces home a rough goal to make it 3-2. Very pale Norwegian fans apply more sunscreen and celebrate in the crowd.

Upon returning to the pitch for the second period of extra time, players appear exhausted. Some are showing the physical and mental fatigue of this battle royale. One player has a far more relaxed appearance: Messi, of course, who knows all things soccer and has done all things soccer. Through a few passes and sharp looks, he will conjure the magic of all things football and coordinate one of the most brilliant passing plays, resulting in his signature dribble and assist to the back post. Martinez tap-in. 3-3. Upon realizing the potential of penalty kicks against the superior Messi, Thor sends a giant thunderbolt down to his human version, Haaland. As the final moments of extra time wind down, a hopeful long ball is lobbed into the box. Three of the Albiceleste’s defenders are perfectly positioned to deal with this lazy floater. The ball drops. Players converge. Then, in a red flash, like a giant blond wrecking ball, Haaland flies in with his head meeting the ball a foot above the rest. Haaland Smashed Face. 4-3. Go, Vikings!

England, Germany, and Colombia

England, Germany, and Colombia are all very scary propositions if a matchup against the USMNT were to happen this summer. Colombia has the potential to face the USA in a knockout round with the way the groups are formed, but I see Spain knocking them out before they get to us, and I already told you about how that will go.

Germany isn’t quite the uber-team of the past, and this summer they’ll get found out by a team everyone expects them to get by. Perhaps Morocco, Senegal, or Ghana gets the best of them? But this crazy summer of 2026, we’ll see Scotland win a lucky game on the back of a red card to Germany, and drunken, celebrating Scottish fans’ accents will confuse and delight local news stations everywhere.

England, the inventors of my beloved game, are amazing this cycle and have so many superstars in their team. Kane, Bellingham, Saka, and Rashford, to name a few. However, England never wins. Never. The one in ’66? Probably didn’t cross the line, but only barely ever winning the grand prize once in the game you invented isn’t a curse, is it? Anyhoo, an African team beats England 3-2. It’s not coming home this year.

Brazil

What about Brazil? Oh, you’ve heard of Neymar? Cool, he’s an over-30 Brazilian superstar who likes to party — check the records on how that goes for those dudes historically. They shine bright and short, my friends. Vinny Jr. and co. will hopefully put on at least one truly Brazilian joga bonito display this summer, but it won’t be enough. They

can happen. If the USA gets matched up against any other second-level powerhouses in a knockout game, they have the ability to get past it.

The final: Meadowlands, New Jersey, Sunday, July 19, 2026

The United States will use a small round ball that people enjoy kicking into a net as a universal tool that unites people from all over the world, no matter their religion, race, nationality, gender, or identity. Americans spend the summer learning from and about 47 other amazing nations, their cultures, and their peoples. The beautiful game cements its place in America’s sporting heart. Sorry, baseball. You’re outta here!

struggled this qualifying cycle behind the likes of Argentina, Ecuador, and Colombia, and even their new coach, the renowned Carlo Ancelotti, won’t be able to conjure enough samba magic to see them through the tournament. Morocco will smash Brazil in the most dominant win by an African side in the knockout rounds of the World Cup ever.

As pulling on the threads of endless possible timelines is something only the Norns and Marvel are capable of, potential matchups of other teams outside of the Big 5 are fuzzy in my crystal Adidas Trionda soccer ball. If the USMNT team faces any other team, we have a real potential to win based on footballing

merit alone. With home crowds and a winning team, the full weight of American sports hype and passion will push the USMNT through any other potential match. In my simulations, I see mostly big, big games for the USA past the group stages.

Truly, on any given day, with the right set of circumstances, any of the 48 teams at the 2026 FIFA World Cup can beat any other team. Croatia, the Netherlands, Japan, Belgium, Uruguay, and Senegal are all extremely talented and dangerous opponents. Oh, did I mention the USMNT defeated Uruguay in a friendly in 2025 by a score of 5-1? They did, and it was glorious, so anything

The broadcast pregame show showcases the most star-studded elite guests ever seen at a soccer game. We’ll see all the stars in their finest drip, schmoozing in suites that cost enough to buy the average American home. I’m sure some politician will try to use the platform for their own purposes. Gianni Infantino will smile and surely say something awful as he tends to do, all the while remaining a critical cog in the opulence, corruption, and greed that is FIFA today. There’s also going to be more commercials than in any previous tournament: water breaks, a.k.a. commercial breaks, between halves; scrolling banners; scoreboard sponsors; playerof-the-game sponsors; and so on. There will be a spectacular halftime show with someone really famous and definitely with a more international following — Shakira sure has sung lots of World Cup songs. But despite all the corruption, greed, and commercialism, millions will be watching across the entire world. At the same time, young people in America and across the globe will be continued on page 8

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continued from page 7

inspired to play football, be creative, embrace other cultures, or even just dream of greatness.

The final game itself will begin with a slightly overconfident U.S. side moving the ball quickly and applying attacking pressure early. Within 15 minutes, the ball gets worked through by McKennie to Dest, who dribbles straight at the Norwegian defender. Stepover, shimmy, feint, and flick, leaving the defender on the floor to check for broken ankles. Now into next-level Destihno mode, he knows he already has a viral video skill move, and he brings home the finish. Another stepover to put off the closing center back, now a rabona cross to the waiting Malik Tillman. Easy header. Goal. Easiest game in the world, no problem. Hands on the trophy.

Cheers and groans echo through the stadium. A forlorn Norwegian defender hangs his head, thinking of his newfound infamy in Sergino’s upcoming TikTok reel. Amid the shouting and cheers, coaching instructions, and the goalkeeper’s shouting, a blond giant calmly picks the ball out of the net. With what seems like probably only 15 giant steps, he reaches the center spot and puts the ball down with purpose. At this moment, Haaland knows he has been sent from Asgaard to score goals. He turns to his trickster compatriot Odegaard and sends a thunderbolt eyeshot, which sparks through every Norwegian player on the pitch. He knows they have a team that has already killed several giants on their run to the final. Their path had just as many miracle games and a string of luck as the USA’s did. For the next 50 minutes or so, the Nordic players seem to have all grown by a foot. They can also run faster, and they proceed to manhandle the USMNT. Just before halftime, Haaland is finally able to bungle home the fifth or sixth chance he’s had already. USA Goalkeeper Matt Freese has been outstanding so far, but the Nordic avalanche finally prove too much. 1-1.

After halftime, the story is the same. American players start to look a bit shellshocked as they struggle to keep up with the pace and power of the relentless Norwegian attack. Ten minutes into the assault on the USA goal, the ball is crossed straight to the arriving Haaland. Goal. Two minutes are added to stoppage time for extended goal celebrations, with Haaland receiving a yellow card for removing his shirt during the celebrations to Viking flex. 1-2.

During the celebrations, USMNT Captain Tyler Adams activates his next-level mode. Pulisic was already there. He just needed everybody else to get there, too. Robinson reads the room. McKennie already knows what’s up. Light Speed Weah enters the field for an exhausted Dest. When Haaland and co. arrive back into positions, the USA is already standing in position and ready. In a period of the next few minutes, ball possession is 50-50 with no team clearly dominating. A ball slips loose in the midfield, creating a SportsCenter highlight tackle they’ll even show on American football shows. Tyler Adams, the midfield destroyer, goes in hard on a loose ball, completely reading how to win the ball cleanly while also smashing straight through the opponent with respect and disdain. Slipping the ball to McKennie, the counter is on. Weah was already gone toward the end line and received the ball in full stride, and with one touch to control, he spots his compatriot Balogun. Folarin receives and turns, his next touch explodes him into space past the last defender, and in a moment of class and calmness, he curls the ball into the top corner to tie the game. 2-2.

Both teams know at this point they’re in the middle of a battle. Norway continues to push the

narrative their way with a slight edge in possession and chances created. The USA shuts down their attempts while springing several quick counters and builds up attacks of their own. Plays on either side are shut down with hard tackles, or missed passes and runs, with the exhaustion of nearly 90 minutes of full exertion wearing on their bodies. In the 85th minute, Pochettino knows the time for any magic we might have needs to come out. Last roll of the dice. Into the game come Giovanni Reyna and “El Tren” himself, Ricardo Pepi. Reyna is U.S. soccer royalty, with his father Claudio being one of the best ever to don the red, white, and blue kit. Giovanni has the highest potential of any player on the field but shows it only in brief, inconsistent glimpses. Pepi, the El Paso native, has grinded and consistently shown that his nose for goal-poaching moments is in the elite category.

Another few minutes of ebb and flow of ball possession, each team failing to connect all their passes to put the dagger in the heart of the game at the last minute. Cue: “Jedi” Antonee Robinson, one of the best overall players on the USMNT and arguably one of the current best left backs in the world. Robinson tracks back on the heels of a blistering Norwegian attack. Using his athleticism, he outruns and outmuscles the opponent to win the ball. With a quick touch to the ancient stalwart Tim Ream, Robinson immediately shoots off on his run down the wing. Ream already had measured the angle and waited for the attacker to close on him while giving the pacey left back room to build speed. Now at full steam, Robinson barrels down the wing, urging the full weight of the American team to go with him.

The entire stadium is now screaming in unison to cross the ball, and Robinson abides. Whipping in a fast-paced, perfectly placed cross, the ball looks to fall right to the head of the perfectly positioned Pepi. As he braces for the ball, at the last second, a giant Norwegian defender muscles in to deflect the ball to the top of the box. Here, Odegaard is positioned to receive and turn, then spring the counter. With the USMNT pressed this high, the counter could be deadly. At the last moment of receiving and beginning to turn, the ever-present Weston McKennie closes and forces the turnover. As the ball scrambles out of the mess, it rolls on the right side of the box to Prince Reyna. In the 94th minute of the World Cup final, Mr. Cool simply controls the ball easily, takes a quick scan, then, with the smoothness of a dancer, skips past the first crashing defender. Pauses a second, another defender runs past, not reading Gio’s trickery, and now comes a simple chip pass to the back post. “El Tren” Ricardo Pepi scores the simplest and most important goal of his life. 3-2. Holy shit, the USA wins the World Cup! l

Fund Schools

Taylor Rehmet will fully fund Texas public schools so students have the resources they need and districts aren’t forced to cut programs or close schools. Proper funding means smaller class sizes, stronger classrooms, and real property tax relief for families — because the state should do its part.

FIGHT VOUCHERS

Taylor will oppose voucher scams that drain money from neighborhood public schools to benefit a wealthy few. He believes public dollars belong in public classrooms, not private giveaways. Every child deserves opportunity, and abandoning public education only leaves communities and working families behind.

SUPPORT TEACHERS

Taylor Rehmet will stand up for teachers and librarians by ending culture-war attacks in our classrooms. Educators deserve respect, trust, and support — not political interference. Taylor will fight to let teachers teach, protect local schools, and keep politicians out of everyday classroom decisions.

NIGHT & DAY

Happy New Year. Again.

It’s

the Year of the Fire Horse, and North Texas is here for it.

If the New Year isn’t going as planned, or your NYE was a letdown, here’s your chance for a redo. Happy (Lunar) New Year!

Formerly called the Chinese New Year, the Lunar New Year marks the start of spring and the lunisolar calendar year. It’s China’s biggest holiday and is also widely celebrated in South Korea, Vietnam, and here, starting Tue, Feb 17. It marks the shift from the Year of the Wood Snake (2025) to the Year of the Fire Horse (2026).

Family reunions focus on a New Year’s Eve dinner with fish and dumplings for abundance and wealth. Homes are cleaned to sweep away bad luck, elders give red envelopes of money for good fortune, and festivities feature colorful lion and dragon dances, parades, and firecrackers to scare off the legendary beast Nian

The area’s earliest celebration is 11am-7:30pm Sat, Jan 24, and 11am-5:30pm Sun, Jan 25, as the Otaku Food Festival takes over Golden Triangle Mall (2201 S I-35, Denton). This free all-ages event has anime vendors, voice actors, cosplay contests, cultural demonstrations, karaoke, K-Pop performances, photo ops, and more than 100 food and beverage vendors.

The Kimbell Art Museum (3333 Camp Bowie Blvd, Fort Worth, 817-332-8451) will celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse at a happy hour 5pm-7pm Fri, Feb 6. This event is co-hosted by the Kimbell and Fort Worth Sister Cities International, a nonprofit that promotes Fort Worth by fostering global connections

through education, the arts, culture, economic development, and humanitarian assistance in sister cities such as Guiyang, China, where the Lunar New Year is celebrated annually. Highlights include traditional Chinese music by the Dallas Guzheng Association, Lunar New Year artmaking, and an Asian-themed art scavenger hunt. This event is free and open to

the public. Kimbell happy hour refreshments will be available for purchase.

Asia Times Square (2625 W Pioneer Pkwy, Ste 120, Grand Prairie, 972-975-5100) is one of the largest Asian markets in Texas. Its 19th Annual Lunar New Year Celebration takes place the first three weekends of February. The Opening Banquet is 5:30pm-9pm

The tale of an 8-year-old girl competing in an 18-kilometer endurance race on the grasslands of Mongolia with her horse is just one of several compelling stories in Horse Power, screening at the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History.

on Fri, Feb 6, at The Pagoda, the center’s on-site venue. Tickets are $60 on Eventbrite.com, with proceeds going to charity. All other festival events are free Fri-Sun, Feb 6-8 and 13-15, and Sat-Sun, Feb 2122. (Friday festivities run from 4pm to 10pm, while Saturdays and Sundays go from 11am to 11pm.)

Activities include Asian street food for sale, cultural performances, live music, and merchandise vendors during the first two weekends. The festival concludes Sat-Sun, Feb 21-22, with firecracker shows and lion dances by the Jiu Long and Phap Quang Lion Dance Troupes (no vendors these days). For more info, visit AsiaTimesSquare.com/LunarNewYear2026.

Speaking of horses, don’t forget that the new documentary Horse Power is screening at the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History (1600 Gendy St, Fort Worth, 817-255-9300) at the Jane & John Justin Foundation Omni Theater hourly daily thru Wed, Feb 18. This film explores the extraordinary abilities of horses and their profound bond with humanity through a series of shorter stories from around the world, including the tale of an 8-yearold girl being trained by her father to compete in an 18-kilometer endurance race on the grasslands of Mongolia with her horse. The version screening here is a 42-minute short documentary produced specifically for IMAX-type theaters, but look for the feature-length version for streaming in the near future. Tickets are $15 and include admission to the museum’s general exhibits. l

By Elaine Wilder

EATS & drinks

Feeling Free

Tom’s Burgers has got your back, glutensensitive folks.

BY ELAINE WILDER

Gluten sensitivity, or non-celiac gluten sensitivity (NCGS), is when the body reacts poorly to gluten (a protein in wheat, barley, and rye), causing symptoms like bloating, fatigue, headaches, and digestive issues, without the intestinal damage seen in celiac disease or the immune response of wheat allergy. Diagnosis involves ruling out celiac disease or a wheat allergy and observing symptom relief on a gluten-free diet, with treatment focusing on avoiding gluten and other wheat components.

Short answer: It’s a pain in the ass for those affected. Worse, many restaurants still don’t have a clue. You can ask what gluten-free food is available, but the answers are not always what you hope to hear. Enter: Tom Jones.

The Tom at Tom’s Burgers & Grill (1530 N Cooper St, Arlington, 817-459-9000) recognized a need in the community, researched his menu items, and figured out he has a lot to offer people with this sensitivity.

“The menu items we call ‘gluten-sensitive’ are our menu items that are made without gluten-containing ingredients,” Jones said. “We do not claim these items are ‘gluten-free’ because we have not chemically analyzed them to confirm if

they meet the Food and Drug Administration’s definition,” with “gluten-free” being 20 parts per million of gluten.

Tom’s gluten-sensitive menu is readily available and includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Just ask.

BREAKFAST

All-Meat Breakfast ($19.12): two eggs, ham, bacon, sausage, and gluten-free toast.

Build Your Own Omelet ($17.44+): choice of three ingredients, served with hash browns and gluten-free toast.

Corned Beef Hash ($19.12): house-made cornedbeef hash topped with three eggs and served wth gluten-free toast.

Chorizo & Eggs ($14.06): two eggs scrambled with chorizo sausage, served with salsa, corn tortillas, and hash browns.

Migas ($14.06): scrambled eggs with cheese, tomatoes, and fresh jalapenos topped with Monterey Jack cheese, served with corn tortillas and hash browns.

Two-Egg Breakfast ($14.62): two eggs and choice of ham, bacon, or sausage wth hash browns and gluten-free toast.

LUNCH & DINNER

The Big Salad ($13.50): Romaine lettuce, mushrooms, tomatoes, cucumber, boiled egg, bacon, cheddar cheese, and roasted almonds.

continued on page 15

Smothered Chopped Steak with smoked onions and sauteed mushrooms,

red mashed potatoes and the vegetable of the day,

Eats & Drinks

continued from page 13

Goat Cheese Salad ($15.50): Romaine lettuce, roasted red peppers, avocado, green apples, goat cheese, and chipotle dressing.

Grilled Chicken Plate ($16.31): grilled chicken breast served with mashed potatoes and the vegetable of the day.

Mushroom Swiss Grilled Chicken Plate ($17.44): grilled chicken topped with sauteed mushrooms and Swiss cheese, served with mashed potatoes and vegetable of the day.

Smothered Chopped Steak ($18.56): chopped steak smothered in smoked onions and sauteed mushrooms, served with red mashed potatoes and the vegetable of the day.

You can also get a Jumbo All-Beef Dog ($6.75+), Bratwurst ($7.31+), or Smoked Sausage ($7.31). They’re gluten-free if you skip the bun.

While Tom’s does have processes and procedures in place to minimize cross-contact with other gluten-containing foods, it’s important to keep in mind that the items above may not be suitable for guests who are “highly sensitive” to gluten. For the full gluten-sensitive menu, visit TomsBurgersandGrillOrder.com. l

CrossTown Sounds

In Sickness & Health Bathing in sound from the FWMSH to TMS and beyond.

BY JENNIFER BOVEE

Since this special issue is called Alive & Kicking, let’s call this week’s music section a “wellness check,” shall we? While recently searching for ideas on how music and health intersect, I came across one alternative healing practice in my feed: sound baths. These are meditative, immersive experiences where you relax, often lying down, while a practitioner uses instruments like singing bowls, gongs, chimes, and drums to create resonant vibrations and tones, aiming to induce deep relaxation, reduce stress, and promote healing by shifting your brainwaves and energy. It’s a form of healing that soothes the mind and body, similar to a water bath but with sound instead of water.

The Fort Worth Museum of Science & History (1600 Gendy St, Fort Worth, 817-2559300) is hosting a Sound Bath Under the Stars in their new Omni Theater on Sat, Feb 15, at 6pm. Tickets are $30 at FWMuseum.org. Embodii Crystals (7410 Blvd 26, Richland Hills, 817-4556148) offers sound baths throughout the year, with the next one that same day at 7:30pm. Tickets are $30 on Eventbrite.com.

As for the aforementioned sickness, Texas Motor Speedway (3545 Lone Star Cir, Fort Worth,

817-215-8500) is getting back into the big-show business with the Sick New World Festival. While TMS has hosted several festivals over the years, notably major rock events like RockFest and CountryFest in 1997 when it first opened, the most recent was the Hwy 30 Music Fest in 2023. In the fall, TMS will be only the second location of the Las Vegas-based Sick New festival on Sat, Oct 24, with System of a Down, Deftones, Slayer (performing Reign in Blood), Evanescence, Marilyn Manson, The Prodigy, Knocked Loose, Mastodon, AFI, Filter, P.O.D., local thrash favorites Power Trip, and many more. Tickets are already on sale at SickNewWorldFest.com, but they are so expensive that the promoter is offering layaway plans. We’re talking about a starting price of $339 for GA. You can also try to win a pair of tickets. Enter now at TheBuzz.iHeart.com/promotions.

If seeing more live music this year is on your resolutions list but finances dictate otherwise, the layaway route isn’t a bad idea and not just on the pricier concerts. Even if the promoter isn’t offering that, you can create your own plan by using Affirm, Klarna, or PayPal and taking advantage of a pay-infour plan. That way, you can pay it off over a few paydays without racking up credit card debt.

You can also vow to #KeepItLocal. Some of your favorite brand-name bands that are either moving up in the world or coming back down will have club dates, and some of the best local musicians will have opening spots. What’s happening in the near future locally? Flip two pages over, and Johnny will tell you. #ItsAllHappening l

Bring Your Besties, Your Sisters and that Friend Who Always Knows Every Lyric

Get Ready to Sing Like Nobody’s Watching

RESEARCH SHOWS WOMEN NEED A "GIRL'S NIGHT" EVERY 22 DAYS TO PROTECT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH

MUSIC

News Roundup

Not Stock Fest, Heavy Petal, Katsük, roller skating (!), and more are coming at ya this week and beyond.

BY ANTHONY MARIANI AND JUAN R. GOVEA

The Chinese zodiac says that 2026, the Year of the Fire Horse, is a time for courage, ambition, and a fast-paced approach to seizing opportunities. As we finish off January, you can seize the great music hitting stages across town and streaming platforms everywhere.

The good times get rolling 4pm Sat at Tulips FTW (112 St. Louis Av, Fort Worth, 817-367-9798). The Near Southside venue will be rocking with some ’90s giants and more. The Smithereens, The Nixons, and Deep Blue Something are headlining the fifth annual Not Stock Fest, Tulips’ answer to the annual Stock Show and Rodeo taking over most of town this month. Local openers include indie-rockers Olive Vox, punks Hen & The Cocks and Tonya & The Hardings, and smoothy Cavono. Tickets start at $94.52.

Nearby on the same day, Fragile Rock brings its puppetry and emo-rock from Austin to The Cicada (1002 S Main St, Fort Worth, @ The_Cicada_FTW). Dead Milkmen tribute act Beelzebubbas and Chaos Queens frontperson Jess Xtine will open. Tickets are $10 cash at the door. Whatever you’re doing next Wednesday, Jan 28, you gotta hit up the Boiled Owl Tavern (909 W Magnolia Ave, Fort Worth, 817-920-9616), where some of the most promising indie-rock and punk acts in all of North Texas are playing a free show. Headliners Heavy Petal will be preceded by Phantomelo, Primo Danger, and Deadweek. And did we mention it’s free? (We did. Just testing you.)

A long-time rootsy, proggy singer-songwriter has started a new residency. Daniel Katsük will perform 8:30pm-11:30pm Wednesdays at the Sterling Lounge (911 Houston St, Fort Worth, 817 602-1703). Expect to get trippy-dippy and more than a little political. No cover.

And Stephy Nicole Hüffstutler has been busy. Co-founder of Scorned Productions, she and her all-femme/queer punk outfits Yändere and Ball & Chain have new material and shows coming up, plus a new venue. Tokey’s will open Saturday at 1807 N Elm St in Denton with a bill that includes hardcore punk/metal groups

1/21 AMERICAN

Gemini, Atomic Youth, Cloudvase, Yändere, and Avery Jade. Tickets are $5. Sunday night at Rubber Gloves (411 E Sycamore St, Denton, 940-514-0675), Ball & Chain will perform Sunday as part of a demo-album release party with Concrete Cage, Force of Will, and Opium Den. Tickets are $10.

From the studio and … the roller rink: Indierockers Henry the Archer celebrated the release

of their new single “Okami” with a performance on the rink at Silver Wheels Skating Center. The Westside spot hosts live music Thursday nights, and crowds are cramming inside for these BYOB parties. The new track was produced by frontman Henry O, mixed by Peter Wierenga (Denver Williams, Kinsley August), and mastered by Todd Pipes (Deep Blue Something, DJ Shadow, Drowning Pool). Skate away. l

1/22 COLBY LEE SMITH 1/23 BAREFOOT NATION BAND 1/24 CORY CROSS 1/26 DUSTY MOATS 1/27 SUMMER DEAN

1/28 STERLING ELZA 1/29 GAGE GARDINER 1/30 DAVID ADAM BYRNES 1/31 POO LIVE CREW

2/2 KIRK HOUSE

2/3 GUNNAR LATHAM

2/4 PRESLEY HAILE

2/5 TEAGUE BROTHERS

2/6 DESPERADO

2/7 BLUE WATER HIGHWAY

LAST CALL

Liquid Courage

Giving up the booze? You’re not alone, and THC options are widely available — for now.

BY ELAINE WILDER

Abstaining from alcohol for the month, a.k.a. Dry January, is more popular than ever, making it easier to explore alcohol-free alternatives right now. If you’re curious, just ask the bartender,

find Saint Arnold Root Beer and Turning Point Item 9 Limoncello, a nonalcoholic THC seltzer. As interest in alcohol alternatives grows, THC beverages are quickly gaining popularity. Hemp-derived THC beverages are catching on at both stores and pubs. You’ll now find brands like 8th Wonder, Cali Sober, and Howdy Low-Dose at retailers such as Total Wine & More and Spec’s, along with local favorites from Martin House

8th Wonder Lil Bit Seltzer

This cherry-limeade seltzer is a hit for its taste and low dose. With 2mg THC per 8oz can, it’s considered a “sessionable” choice for a mild, steady buzz. Want something stronger? There’s also an 8mg lime seltzer.

Cali Sober

Available in flavors like Berry Ginger Fizz and Ranch Water, this brand aims for a sophisticated “mocktail” experience. Each can contains a 5mg dose of THC.

Howdy Low-Dose THC Seltzer

Howdy offers Texas-inspired flavors like Ranch Water and Paloma, all with a breezy, refreshing feel. Each can contains 2.5mg THC — just enough for a light, easygoing effect.

The Cycling Frog Margarita Mocktail is a hemp-derived, nonalcoholic option at Emerald City Dispensary + Lounge.

817-238-3025) is a dispensary and smoking lounge with a pub-like vibe and a counterculture edge. Here, you can sample alcohol-free THC-infused drinks for a buzz without booze, featuring a menu of Delta-9 (D9) THC craft cocktails, seltzers, and sodas.

Craft Canna-Cocktails & Mocktails

and sparkling waters. They also offer teas and lemonade flavors such as berry, green tea, peach, and raspberry.

Drink Enhancers & Shots

Personalize your beverage with flavored drink enhancer mix-ins and “Surp” berry rosin syrups. At Emerald City, you can also do THC shots. High-potency options include Maui Blast and Pink Lemonade with up to 100mg THC.

While traditional nonalcoholic beers and spirits are expected to remain available, new federal rules will impact THC drinks. A provision in a federal funding bill passed in November 2025 redefines hemp and bans products containing more than 0.4mg of total THC per container. This rule is scheduled to take effect in November 2026, meaning most current THC seltzers would become illegal at that time unless there are federal delays or changes before enforcement. In Texas, THC-infused drink regulations changed in late 2025 thanks to Gov. Greg Abbott Executive Order GA-56 is currently in effect, but permanent legislation will be developed in the next legislative session. Because the Texas Legislature meets only in regular session in odd-numbered years, the next chance for lawmakers to consider

EDUCATION

Kicking It

A partnership between the Dallas Cowboys and FIFA World Cup, Sports with Us clinics teach football with fútbol.

BY RUSH OLSON

Near the end of a recent Sports with Us clinic, a joint event of the Dallas Cowboys and the FIFA World Cup, MC Kristi Scales asked the assembled children whose favorite sport coming into the event was football and whose was soccer. Adherents of each pastime raised their hands in turn. Scales, the Dallas Cowboys’ radio sideline reporter, then suggested she’d like them “to keep playing both forever and ever.”

The event brought approximately 100 students from a Fort Worth primary school onto the AT&T Stadium field for five stations’ worth of sports activities. The field’s yard lines and end zones reflected the game played by its primary occupant, the Dallas Cowboys, but the point of the day, and the bigger-picture sponsorship that led to it, was to showcase more than one code of football.

“This is a really unique opportunity because we’ve got great partners with the Dallas Cowboys, FIFA World Cup 2026, and U.S. Soccer,” said Mike Pavell, the Fort Worth market president for the event’s sponsor, Bank of America. “To be able to bring all those partners together to support a great organization like Western Hills Elementary School and help them experience the power of those brands and what these athletes can bring to them, it really is a great opportunity for us.”

The athletes Pavell referenced included current and former pros from the two sports he mentioned. USWNT player Croix Bethune and former USMNT standout Clint Dempsey joined former Cowboys defensive star DeMarcus Ware and the team’s current placekicker, Brandon Aubrey, to instruct the kids in their respective disciplines.

“What a cool opportunity it is to be able to do something impactful in the community with FIFA and football,” Ware said.

The pro football Hall of Famer added that he had tried soccer as a kid but found himself better suited to American football’s anaerobic nature than the beautiful game’s demanding cardiovascular regimen. But his own athletic experiences also led him to see the benefits of encouraging young people to try different sports.

“In the world today,” he said, “it’s like you’re a football player, you’re a baseball player, you’re a basketball player, but I got an opportunity to play them all. I played baseball. I wasn’t that good at that. I played basketball. I thought I was Michael Jordan. I wasn’t that good at that. And then all of a sudden, I tried football, and lo and behold, now

I was one of the best ever to play the game. So, I think that all the kids that are playing soccer and football, try it all, because you don’t know exactly what you’re going to grow into. One of these sports, soccer or football, they’re going to pick them, and they can be pretty successful at it.”

All-Pro kicker Aubrey said, “You never know what doors are available to you to be opened unless you go out and try things.”

Aubrey didn’t discover his own calling until he was an adult, trying football after an abbreviated stint in professional soccer.

“My soccer career didn’t go as well as I wanted it to,” he said, “and I was disappointed and probably a little bit mopey going into my new career. And, luckily, I had a fantastic wife, still have the fantastic wife, and she kind of poked me out the door and said, ‘Hey, I think you could try this.’

And I thought, ‘She’s crazy,’ referring to kicking footballs, because there’s so much effort and energy and hard work throughout a lifetime that goes into being a professional athlete.”

Before the children began their workouts, Aubrey showcased his knowledge of both sports in instructing his fellow pros. Ware may not have had a soccer background, but he ripped a penalty past Cowboys Mascot Rowdy after Aubrey explained some basics. And, in turn, Dempsey and Bethune went 2-3 between them on 25-yard field goal attempts under Aubrey’s guidance. That these decorated athletes had stepped about of their own comfort zones to try the others’ sport might encourage the young participants to do the same.

“It’s very important to have events like this,” Bethune said, “not just for us as athletes on the soccer and football side but to show the kids that we’re inspiration of what they could be, giving them support, teaching them life lessons through sports.”

Certainly, those life lessons could include the perseverance Bethune has shown pushing past injuries to become one of the world’s best players or that are demonstrated by Aubrey in putting in the work to adapt to his new profession.

The on-field activities consisted of five stations, each with the goal of teaching a soccer skill, a football skill, and a life skill. The kids learned from pros and instructors to move, pass, and kick within the parameters of each sport. At one station, Bank of America personnel offered basic counsel on finances and teamwork.

“It’s all about passing it on to the next

generation and teaching them skills on the field and off the field,” said Dempsey.

The Nacadoches, Texas, native also talked about how the international scope of his job had nurtured his outlook on experiences beyond the familiar. “The good thing you learn from soccer is an appreciation for other cultures and also being able to come together and learn from each other instead of being divided.”

Inherent in that sentiment is the idea that nobody should be excluded from a game they’d like to play. Scales expressed to the kids, “Girls rule on the soccer field and the football field!”

While participation by women in soccer began to grow in the 1980s and exploded in the ensuing decades, it is only in recent years that opportunities in gridiron football have become open to them.

“I feel like women are getting into playing American football,” said Bethune, who watched the sport with her father growing up in Georgia. “There’s a lot more leagues. I think it’s great that we’re involving women in American football.”

That day, one could watch Ware showing both girls and boys how to position themselves to impede a ball carrier’s progress as Aubrey instructed prospective placekickers of both genders a few feet away. Locally, the Cowboys franchise has been active in creating leagues and teams in which female athletes can enjoy the sport.

The big picture for this sporting crossover goes beyond impacting just one school’s third, fourth, and fifth graders. It involves developing participation in, and audiences for, each different football code. Worldwide, association football is, as Aubrey phrased it, “the predominant sport.” In the United States, the game the Cowboys play is the most prominent. In recent years, the NFL has looked to spread its influence beyond the United States, playing games in other countries and empowering its clubs to market themselves abroad. The Cowboys, thanks to factors that have included on-field success, marketing savvy, and the international popularity of the Dallas TV show have had a head start on other American franchises.

CLASSIFIEDS

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality

NOTICE OF APPLICATION AND PRELIMINARY DECISION FOR AMENDMENT AND RENEWAL OF AN AIR QUALITY PERMIT PERMIT NUMBER: 72660

APPLICATION AND PRELIMINARY DECISION. Custom Building Products, LLC, 1795 109th Street, Grand Prairie, Texas 75050-1908, has applied to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for an amendment to and renewal of Air Quality Permit Number 72660, which would authorize modification to and continued operation of a Grouting Materials Manufacturing Facility at 1713 109th Street, Grand Prairie, Tarrant County, Texas 75050. This application was submitted to the TCEQ on February 7, 2025. AVISO DE IDIOMA ALTERNATIVO. El aviso de idioma alternativo en espanol está disponible en https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/air/newsourcereview/ airpermits-pendingpermit-apps. The existing facility will emit the following air contaminants: ammonia, hazardous air pollutants, organic compounds and particulate matter including particulate matter with diameters of 10 microns or less and 2.5 microns or less.

The executive director has completed the technical review of the application and prepared a draft permit which, if approved, would establish the conditions under which the facility must operate. The executive director has made a preliminary decision to issue the permit because it meets all rules and regulations. The permit application, executive director’s preliminary decision, and draft permit will be available for viewing and copying at the TCEQ central office, the TCEQ Dallas/Fort Worth regional office, and at the Arlington Public Library – Northeast Branch, 1905 Brown Boulevard, Arlington, Tarrant County, Texas beginning the first day of publication of this notice. The facility’s compliance file, if any exists, is available for public review at the TCEQ Dallas/Fort Worth Regional Office, 2309 Gravel Drive, Fort Worth, Texas. The application, including any updates, is available electronically at the following webpage: https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/air/airpermit-applications-notices

PUBLIC COMMENT/PUBLIC MEETING. You may submit public comments or request a public meeting about this application. The purpose of a public meeting is to provide the opportunity to submit comment or to ask questions about the application. The TCEQ will hold a public meeting if the executive director determines that there is a significant degree of public interest in the application or if requested by a local legislator. A public meeting is not a contested case hearing. You may submit additional written public comments within 30 days of the date of newspaper publication of this notice in the manner set forth in the AGENCY CONTACTS AND INFORMATION paragraph below.

RESPONSE TO COMMENTS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ACTION. After the deadline for public comments, the executive director will consider the comments and prepare a response to all relevant and material or significant public comments. Because no timely hearing requests have been received, after preparing the response to comments, the executive director may then issue final approval of the application. The response to comments, along with the executive director’s decision on the application will be mailed to everyone who submitted public comments or is on a mailing list for this application, and will be posted electronically to the Commissioners Integrated Database (CID).

INFORMATION AVAILABLE ONLINE. When they become available, the executive director’s response to comments and the final decision on this application will be accessible through the Commission’s Web site at www.tceq.texas. gov/goto/cid. Once you have access to the CID using the above link, enter the permit number for this application which is provided at the top of this notice. This link to an electronic map of the site or facility’s general location is provided as a public courtesy and not part of the application or notice. For exact location, refer to application. https:// gisweb.tceq.texas.gov/LocationMapper/?marker=-97.053888,32.776944&level=13

MAILING LIST. You may ask to be placed on a mailing list to obtain additional information on this application by sending a request to the Office of the Chief Clerk at the address below.

AGENCY CONTACTS AND INFORMATION. Public comments and requests must be submitted either electronically at www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/comment, or in writing to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, Office of the Chief Clerk, MC 105, P.O. Box 13087, Austin, Texas 78711-3087. Please be aware that any contact information you provide, including your name, phone number, email address and physical address will become part of the agency’s public record. For more information about the permitting process, please call the TCEQ Public Education Program, Toll Free, at 1-800-687-4040 or visit their website at www.tceq.texas.gov/goto/pep. Si desea información en Español, puede llamar al 1-800-687-4040. You can also view our website for public participation opportunities at www.tceq. texas.gov/goto/participation

Further information may also be obtained from Custom Building Products, LLC at the address stated above or by calling Ms. Sarah Bibilonisambolin, Senior Engineer, Braun Intertec Corporation, at (210) 446-0242.

Date: January 12, 2026

ADVERTISE HERE!

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EMPLOYMENT

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HISTORIC RIDGLEA THEATER

THE RIDGLEA is three great venues within one historic Fort Worth landmark. RIDGLEA THEATER has been restored to its authentic allure, recovering unique Spanish-Mediterranean elements. It is ideal for large audiences and special events. RIDGLEA ROOM and RIDGLEA LOUNGE have been making some of their own history, as connected adjuncts to RIDGLEA THEATER, or hosting their own smaller shows and gatherings. More at theRidglea.com.

JACUZZI BATH REMODEL

We can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waiving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 12/27/26.) Call 1-877-593-0683. (MB)

MYTH & MARBLE

See ancient Roman sculpture from the Torlonia Collection thru January 25th at the Kimbell Art Museum. KimbellArt.org/Myth-and-Marble

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PUBLIC NOTICE

The following vehicles have been impounded with fees due to date by Texas Towing Wrecker, 205 S Commercial St, Fort Worth TX 76107, 817-877-0206 (VSF0000964): Bumper Pull, 2000, Trailer, NO VIN, $540.41; Stoughton, 2023, Chassis VIN 1DW4C5323PSB22608, $4062.76; and Stoughton, 2023, 53-ft Container, VIN AZNU213072, $4,062.76.

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STRUGGLING?

The holiday season can intensify feelings of pressure— especially for those navigating substance use challenges. These feelings are more common than many realize. Visit samhsa.gov/find-help to learn how to support yourself or a loved one who may be struggling. To reach the 988 Suicide Crisis Lifeline, dial 988 or go to 988Lifeline.org.

VETERAN CAR DONATIONS

Donate your car, truck, boat, RV and more to support our veterans! Schedule a FAST, FREE vehicle pickup and receive a top tax deduction. Call 1-844-450-1590 today!

VENDOR SPACES AVAILABLE

The Vintage Shops on Lamar has expanded and we are on the hunt for fabulous vendors. Stop in and check us out. Our unique space is fresh, clean, modern, and If you can make your booth “tell a story” we want want you!

747 W. Lamar Blvd., Arlington Tue- Sat 10:30 to 5:30 Sun 12-5