Fort Worth Magazine - May 2026

City's Magazine

SPICE IT UP!

HEALTHIER JOINTS START HERE.

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FEATURES

As a dreamer of the skies, Beverly Bass rewrote the flight plan as the first female captain at American Airlines. What she didn’t know was that her journey would become central to a Broadway musical that helped define 9/11’s human story and continues to inspire.

By Brian Kendall

30 The Spice Is Right

Spice isn’t optional in Texican cooking. It’s the point. Around here, most diners lean hard to the right on the heat scale. But great spice isn’t just fire. It’s balance, technique, and a trained palate. Your guide to the dishes that deliver the burn and are worth the sweat. By Malcolm Mayhew

66 Designing Wellness

What if your home could heal you? Ginger Curtis’ Urbanology Designs is turning cutting-edge science into serene, soul-soothing spaces — proving great design isn’t just beautiful, it’s transformative..

By Shilo Urban

DEPARTMENTS

THE FORT

12 City Dweller

Texas Wesleyan celebrates its 135th birthday with breakfast.

16 Calendar

Little known fact: Even the Romans penciled in Mayfest on the fifth month. (We actually don’t know that.)

18 Fort Worthian

Darrell Dulaney thinks way outside the box, repurposing cardboard into extraordinary pieces of art.

20 Art

Rather than chase Broadway, Emerson Valentina is reshaping the stage to protect the mental health of the artists who stand on it.

22 State Lines

Rio Grande City: pop. 15,526

26 Cowhand Culture

The Texas Playboys and Western swing never missed a beat even after Bob Wills’ death.

28 The Reverie

Remembering two showstoppers of the Frontier Centennial 90 years later.

CHOWTOWN

59 Dining

A thankful city welcomes a Mediterranean restaurant back with the warm embrace only a Greek grandmother could give.

Don’t You Dare Call Me

That

Ithink I was a recent college grad when I suggested to my mom that she was “a feminist.” I meant this as a compliment, mind you, or what I thought was a perceptive suggestion that she was an inspiration for young women. You see, my mom spent 30 years not just working in what one would dub a man’s world but excelling in it. Earning a rank in the U.S. Air Force of full-bird colonel during an era when women in battle fatigues or dress blues were less common and looked at with more skepticism, I don’t think I’m reaching when I proclaim my mom a badass.

But when I used the word “feminist” around her, she responded with a “Don’t you dare call me that.”

Similarly, during my interview with Beverley Bass, the first female commercial captain in American Airlines history and whose story you can read on page 40, she had the identical reaction. Few have quite literally flown through glass ceilings as forcefully as Beverley, but when I mention my mom’s dislike for the word “feminist,” she exclaimed “I hate it, too! I don’t want to have anything to do with it. I don’t march. I don’t protest. I’m not that person, and I’m so offended that people think I am.”

She continued, “I didn’t set out to do anything like that. It obviously has evolved into that. My parents raised me to believe that I could do anything I wanted as long as I worked very hard to achieve that goal.”

Thinking about this, I landed on the idea that neither my mom nor Beverley Bass are out to prove anything because there’s nothing to prove — both are keenly aware that, when it comes to their work, they are equal to if not better than those around them, men or women. No one’s an underdog when he or she is confident they belong, and it’s not bucking any norms if what one is doing feels completely normal. And given its current connotations, I’ll consider retiring my use of the word — for now.

Brian Kendall EXECUTIVE EDITOR

ON THE COVER:

Designed by Lauren Deitzer (@laurendeitzer, laurendeitzer. com), the idea was the make our cover look like a label one might find on a bottle of hot sauce. Don’t overlook the chili peppers hiding in the flourishes.

Western Women of Influence

Top Realtors

CORRECTIONS? COMMENTS? CONCERNS?

Send to executive editor Brian Kendall at bkendall@fwtexas.com.

DIGITAL EDITION:

The virtual editions of both current and previous issues are available on our website. Flip through the pages to read more about the great city of Fort Worth by visiting fwtx.com.

owner/publisher hal a. brown president mike waldum

EDITORIAL

executive editor brian kendall

contributing editor john henry

contributing writers malcolm mayhew, michael h. price, shilo urban copy editor sharon casseday editorial intern kenzie johnson

ART

creative director craig sylva senior art director spray gleaves

contributing ad designer jonathon won contributing designer lauren deitzer

ADVERTISING

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MARKETING

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CORPORATE

chief financial officer charles newton operations manager kaitlyn lisenby founding publisher mark hulme

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THE FORT

PEOPLE TO KNOW THINGS TO DO PLACES TO GO

FORT WORTHIAN Artist Darrell Dulaney, twice an award winner at Fort Worth’s Main Street Arts Festival, reimagines the conventional with lifelike cardboard fixtures that pass for the real thing.

WHAT WE’RE WRITING ABOUT THIS MONTH:

On page 12 Texas Wesleyan marks its 135th birthday at the dawn of a new day. On page 16 It’s beginning to look a lot like PGA Tour season. On page 22 Rio Grande City’s roots stretch back to the 1700s and Spanish colonization. On page 26 The story of the enduring Texas Playboys: Bob Wills meant to die in “the harness, and he wished as much for us.” On page 28 Two crowd-pleasers used the Frontier Centennial as a platform for bigger things.

by John Henry

Ram Tough

Resilient Texas Wesleyan celebrates 135th birthday healthy and thriving

One of the hottest debates over the last 115 years was this idea, the vision of Bishop Hiram A. Boaz, to move the permanent location for a central university for Southern Methodism from Georgetown to Fort Worth.

As expected, Southwestern University responded with a terse letter to the Methodist education committee — copied, of course, to Bishop Boaz — telling the Polytechnic College president to keep his hands off.

“Every well-informed Methodist,” Bishop Boaz said in response, knows that a larger part of the membership of the church is in the northern part of the state.

In a letter published by the Dallas Morning News, he pointed to student data showing that far more Southwestern students came from north of Georgetown than from the south, reflecting where Methodist populations were actually based. By his account, Fort Worth stood out as the strongest Methodist city in Texas relative to its size, surpassing larger cities in proportion to population. He cited 1909 figures showing Fort Worth with 5,469 Methodists, compared with 5,098

in Dallas, 3,674 in Houston, and 2,446 in San Antonio.

Moreover, Boaz also credited Polytechnic College with helping build that presence, noting that more than 900 Methodists were living in Polytechnic.

Oh, and as for the concern that students might fall under the devil’s sinful sway in Hell’s Half Acre … .

“I am surprised that our friends in Georgetown do not know that ‘Hell’s Half Acre’ was put out of business in Fort Worth two years ago by our excellent Methodist commissioner, Hon. George H. Mulkey. We do not claim that Fort Worth is a city of angels but are glad to say that we have no trouble with our students falling into the vices of the city. The student body of the Polytechnic College is one of the finest to be found anywhere in the state. Our young men are as clean and noble a company of young fellows as can be assembled anywhere.”

It was all for naught. When Dallas caught wind of Fort Worth’s interest and the possibility of what such a university could do for that city, officials there inserted their grubby fingers, offered the moon and, more impor-

tantly, a big check and lots of land.

The next thing you know, resolutions were flying, a building committee was formed, and a maintenance man deployed to sweep tumbleweeds, army ants, and copperheads off more than 600 acres in Highland Park. There began the history of SMU and corrupt college football programs. (Note: He who is without sin shall cast the first Sammy Baugh rope, with a little extra zip.)

It was a kick in the stomach for the Fort Worth Wesleyans, the first of a few in the 20th century.

Despite it all, Texas Wesleyan — renamed such after that decision in 1911 — is today not only alive and well but also flourishing in the Polytechnic Heights corridor in the 21st century, a product of adaptability and ingenuity, and the resilience and strength of, well, a ram. Not to mention a city rededicated to its mission for forming minds, building leaders, and the fabric of a future Fort Worth.

University and civic leaders gathered for breakfast last month in the Martin Center to celebrate the university’s 135th birthday.

“I know that Texas Wesleyan is certainly not slowing down,” Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker said in remarks. Parker is an alum of the university’s law school, which today is the Texas A&M School of Law. “Texas Wesleyan is always adapting and changing to make sure they have the workforce for tomorrow.”

Parker presented University President Emily Messer a proclamation marking the occasion. A representative of U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey, an alum and member of Wesleyan’s board but in Washington this day on federal business, presented Messer with a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol.

Texas Wesleyan is riding a wave of momentum with fall enrollment rising 10% — its most significant growth to date — while continuing to earn national recognition from U.S. News & World Report for its social sciences and health sciences programs.

Since 2020, the university has

invested more than $41 million into its future, helping fuel an estimated $244 million in regional economic impact, a 64% increase year over year.

That growth is matched by standout academic programs, including the Graduate Program of Nurse Anesthesia, the largest in the nation, and a strong entrepreneurial track record, with OnDeck ranking Wesleyan among the top 10 U.S. colleges producing the most small-business owners, including No. 7 among private institutions and No. 4 in the South.

In athletics, the school is about to land on the biggest stage in its history with a football stadium nearer to completion (2027) and a move to NCAA Division II in the works. In February, the school, currently in NAIA, applied for inclusion in Division II. The Rams are expected to be formally invited in June. Wesleyan would start play in 2028-29. The table tennis program, dominant over the years, won yet another national championship, beating UCLA and California. Texas Wesleyan’s spirit teams just as recently came back from Florida as NAIA Gameday Division champions.

“What began as an educational institution planned by Fort Worth Methodists in August of 1890 has grown into a university that has shaped generations of leaders, educators, and professionals who serve our communities every day,” said Messer.

A Wesleyan alum and rising star, Abraham Alexander, an Academy Award nominee for Best Original Song (“Like a Bird” for the 2023 film “Sing Sing”), led a panel discussion with students.

“I love this institution so much. It’s a catalyst for me,” Abraham said. “It’s a place that taught me that in order to truly love a city that you first have to see its people, and Wesleyan sees its people so vividly and intimately — smaller, smarter. Being a part of the Ram family has helped me develop into who I am today, and I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Wesleyan.”

Dallas notwithstanding.

Still Swinging

Colonial Country Club celebrates 80 years on the PGA Tour.

Bruce Devlin’s triumph at Colonial 60 years ago wasn’t without its hiccups, though in a game that reflects life itself, that seems apropos.

You play the cards you’re dealt — or deal to yourself — then show your hand and see how you stack up.

Devlin admittedly limped to the finish line on Sunday in May 1966 with a 5-over 75, but it was good enough because of the position he had put himself in the first three rounds, save for a stubbed toe on Saturday.

“I called a penalty shot on myself on the sixth hole,” this charming native Aussie, now 88, says to me on a recent Thursday evening. “We got a lot of rain that year. I hit my ball in the right bunker.

“I went to address the ball in the bunker like this,” he shows to me, “and the bloody ball moved. I had to call the PGA Tour guy over, and I ended up taking a penalty.”

All’s well that ends well, the way I understand it.

Devlin was among three past champions in attendance in late March at Tannahill’s Tavern in the Fort Worth Stockyards for a dinner party celebrating Colonial Country Club’s 80th anniversary on the PGA Tour.

Other champions on hand were Bruce Crampton, another Aussie, who won in 1965; and Lanny Wadkins, the 1988 winner.

Proceeds from the event benefited Fort Worth Colonial Charities, which distributes millions annually to nonprofits. Much of that funding is generated through the PGA Tour’s Birdies for Charity campaign held in conjunction with the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial. This year’s tournament is being played May 28-31.

Colonial got into this professional golf business through its visionary founder, Marvin Leonard, who brought the 1941 U.S. Open here.

Leonard asked Amon Carter to help convince the golf gods to send its holy grail to Fort Worth, at which point Mr. Amon purportedly said: “What in the tarnation is the U.S. Open?”

So, what do you think Amon Carter would have said about syrah demi-glace that accommodated our stuffed grilled tenderloin?

That experience eventually led to a permanent place on the PGA Tour schedule, beginning in 1946. Ben Hogan — as if there was any other plausible outcome — won the first Colonial NIT in 1946 with a one-stroke

Devlin calls his Colonial triumph a “pretty big one, really.” All the more so because of his relationship with Hogan.

Devlin made his first appearance at the Masters in 1962. He didn’t make the cut, but he found a friend.

“My coach, Norman Von Nida, knew [Hogan] and we got into the locker room at the same time, and he said, ‘Ben, would you play with my young friend from Australia?’ And Hogan said, ‘Yeah, I’d love to.’”

That began a friendship that would last until Hogan’s last breath.

Nonetheless, Devlin says he was a live wire of nerves that first practice round at Augusta.

“I was so nervous,” he says. “I mean, reading about this man, what he did in golf, to think that I’d walk on the first tee of Augusta with him is pretty remarkable. We stayed friends. We played practice rounds together when we played at the same tournament. He was one special guy.”

In 1966, Devlin outlasted upstart Arkansan R.H. Sikes by one stroke. Al Geiberger and Tony Lema were two back. Our man Hogan, then getting long in the tooth, was four strokes back. Billy Casper, who would stage one of golf’s great comebacks in a major only a month later, finished down the middle of the pack as an also-ran. (An airplane accident would claim Lema’s life that July at age 32.)

For his victory, Devlin, who today resides in the Fort Worth area, earned $22,000 — more than $221,000 today, or what Phil Mickelson pisses away on a Saudi golf course on any given Friday — allegedly.

Devlin is among four Aussies to have won at Colonial, joining Crampton, Ian Baker-Finch in 1989, and Adam Scott in 2014. He was Colonial’s third international winner. Argentinian Roberto De Vicenzo was the first in 1957.

“I know he was happy,” Devlin says of Hogan. “He was as happy as I was really. And to think I’d do it in Hogan’s Alley, that was pretty special.”

Polishing the Bricks

Camp Bowie shifts to refinement along its storied stretch.

The story of Camp Bowie Boulevard began in World War I as a 2,100-acre training camp for the 36th Division, named for the legendary yet ill-fated Alamo defender.

From those beginnings, the Camp Bowie thoroughfare became one of the city’s most storied stretches.

And today that story is not one about urban decay and comeback.

At a time when cities across the country, including our own, are pouring resources into reviving struggling corridors, the Camp Bowie business district is doing something different. It’s taking a step back to study itself and ask what comes next for a district that’s already working.

“This is not a revitalization story,” said Lydia Guajardo Rickard, executive director of the Camp Bowie District, Inc. “It’s about imagining what our future looks like.”

That future is now being shaped, in part, through a partnership with Main Street America, a national nonprofit that for more than 40 years has helped communities build sustainable commercial corridors. But unlike Fort Worth’s city-led pilot programs in Polytechnic and the North Side — areas starting closer to ground zero — Camp Bowie is entering the model from a position of strength.

The district funded its own study of that portion from Montgomery Street to Interstate 30 — “The Bricks” — through its public improvement district and is working toward eventual designation as a recognized Main Street corridor, a process that can take a decade or more.

The distinction matters. Main Street America designation gives structure, credibility, and tools to turn momentum into something durable.

Camp Bowie isn’t trying to fix vacancy or blight. It’s trying to refine momentum.

And there’s plenty of it.

According to the study’s data, Camp Bowie saw nearly 2 million visits in 2024 — a striking number for a corridor with limited hotel inventory, no major standalone attractions, and no high-frequency transit spine.

Put in context, Rickard points to the Fort Worth Stockyards, which draw roughly 11 million visits annually.

Camp Bowie’s figure is smaller, but notable given its role.

Camp Bowie is, first and foremost, a neighborhood-serving corridor.

“We’re not trying to become a destination,” Rickard said. “But when people come to a city and want to live like a local, we can be that outlet.”

That positioning — somewhere between neighborhood anchor and soft destination — may ultimately define the next phase of Camp Bowie’s evolution.

“We’re not trying to be the next tourist destination,” she said. “But if we’re in the range of 2 million visits without those kinds of assets, that means we’re hitting our audiences.”

Those audiences include nearby residents within a one-mile radius, the broader Fort Worth population, and visitors already in the city for other reasons. There are assets nearby, to be sure, including Dickies Arena, the Cultural District, the Will Rogers Memorial Center, which hosts the Stock Show and dozens of other horse events annually, and TCU.

Camp Bowie benefits from all of it. What it doesn’t fully capture — at least not yet — is dinner spending.

One of the clearest findings in the district’s analysis is a shortage of restaurants.

“That’s a deficiency,” Rickard said. “We’re missing that piece.”

It’s a telling gap in what the district describes as a “lifestyle corridor” — a place where retail, services, and everyday activity intersect. Without enough dining options, the boulevard risks losing the very thing that turns foot traffic into economic impact: “dwell time.”

It’s also one of the clear lines of demarcation between a similar district in New Orleans — Magazine Street.

Magazine Street stretches 6 miles along the Mississippi River, offering a colorful mix of locally owned boutiques, antique stores, art galleries — and an array of dining spots. Running from the French Quarter through Uptown, the corridor has become one of the city’s top shopping and culinary destinations.

Solving the restaurant question isn’t as simple as adding more square footage. It requires a shift in how both businesses and consumers think about the Camp Bowie District.

Parking, for example, remains a top concern among visitors, even as Camp Bowie operates more like an urban corridor than a traditional strip center.

“There’s an education component,”

Rickard said. “It’s OK that you don’t park right outside the front door.”

The district is now exploring strategies common in more mature urban environments, including shared parking and valet models.

It’s a long-term play, another that mirrors Magazine Street, which Rickard points to as a comparable “lifestyle” destination but where visitors — 19 million in 2024 — move through the area on foot after arriving by trolley or some other mode of public transportation. That’s alien culturally to many Texas cities, including our own. It’s a work in progress.

“We’re still trying to identify that strategy. That’s a long-term strategy,” she says. “In the next year, our board — through community engagement — will begin to focus on identifying what nodes are our best opportunities to really bring improvement to [the district] and maybe some future planning, too.”

Still, Rickard said businesses are migrating to the “bricks” portion of the boulevard, drawn by visibility, support, and proximity to surrounding activity centers. Some are even returning after trying other locations, Rickard said.

Parks, for instance.

Spaces like Sanguinet Park, which functions as a de facto neighborhood gathering spot, present opportunities to better connect foot traffic with nearby businesses.

Improvements to sidewalks, lighting, and traffic calming could translate directly into increased spending. Camp Bowie District, Rickard said, would take the lead in partnering with the Parks and Recreation Department and TPW at the city of Fort Worth to develop a plan to improve connectivity.

“That connectivity is important because we are seeing younger and younger people using those public spaces,” Rickard said. “If you’re hosting a birthday party and you can safely walk across the street to grab coffee or pick up a cake, that’s economic impact.”

It’s not dramatic change the corridor needs, but rather a good, old-fashioned Fort Worth spit polish.

Around Cowtown in 8 Seconds

A smattering of things you might’ve missed

Good News on the Preservation Front: The Fort Worth school district, under its new Board of Managers, is moving forward with plans to redevelop land around Farrington Field into a mixed-use, sports-anchored project, but officials stress that no final decisions have been made on a developer or specific plan. The district is still evaluating proposals and next steps, with the goal of funding long-needed stadium renovations while preserving this grand ol’ lady.

Happy Trails, Sir: The city bids adieu to Chris Cobler, who resigned as CEO of the Fort WorthReportafter five successful years kicking off the nonprofit daily news platform. Best wishes.

Requiescat In Pace: Fort Worth honors two great lives — Mollie Lasater, a bridge builder who opened doors for students; and Jack Renfro, a salsa builder who grew a garage startup into a national brand.

Gloves Are Off in Vandergriffville: The Arlington mayoral race turns ugly. Incumbent Jim Ross says his top rival, Steve Cavender, is the ventriloquist candidate, nothing more than a puppet for former Mayor Jeff Williams. Cavender says Ross is an IRS deadbeat. (Ross says he’s paid off what he owed the federales.)

A New Era for Public Health: Community and health leaders break ground on JPS Health Network’s $1.5 billion hospital — the centerpiece of a $2.5 billion master plan to modernize Tarrant County’s public health system by 2030.

Back to the Future: Carshon’s, a Fort Worth staple for decades, stuns the regulars by quietly adding a card reader at the counter. And it’s not one of those imprinters with carbon paper and a sliding bar. You can tap it. Don’t get any big ideas about modernizing that Ruthie. Or anything else there.

Say It Loud, Say It Proud: Coming in hot on Texas 121, you no longer merely arrive. Giant rusted-steel letters rise out of prairie grass like a cattle drive monument, spelling it out plain for anyone rolling west: This is “Fort Worth.” No confusion. Just as the boys of Ripley Arnold were welcomed. Or not.

The Wall to the Wall: A lawsuit out of West Texas is drawing a hard line in the sand, accusing the Trump administration of bulldozing environmental law to fast-track a border wall through the “No Country for Old Men” — that is, Big Bend. Meanwhile, the congressman out there … well, never mind. It’s interesting out that way.

April 30May 3

Mayfest

The staple of familyfriendly festivals in Cowtown, this four-day event brings live music, art and food vendors, and carnival rides — not recommended after the food — to the grounds at Trinity Park. Trinity Park mayfest.org

8

Marcus King Band

The Upstate South Carolina-born, bluesinfused country band is making a pit stop at Billy Bob’s Texas en route on its 39-city “Darling Blue Pt. 2 Tour.”

Billy Bob’s Texas billybobstexas.com

9

Sublime’s Me Gusta Festival

Cowtown serves as the first of three dates for the inaugural year of this music fest, which includes a headlining performance from the event’s namesake, Sublime, as well as food trucks and craft beer tastings. Panther Island Pavilion pantherislandpavilion.com

12-17

100 Years of Sammy Davis Jr.

Paying homage to one of America’s most celebrated, and impersonated, entertainers, “100 Years of Sammy Davis Jr.” showcases the Rat Pack member’s remarkable life and career through a decorated musical tribute. Casa Mañana casamanana.org

14-17

PBR World Finals

A collection of the world’s bravest men in denim and pearl snaps take turns riding on the backs of the world’s most pissed-off bovines — what’s not to love?

Dickies Arena pbrworldfinals.com

14-15

Josh Blue

Hyena’s Comedy Club sets out the mic for Josh Blue, an award-winning stand-up comedian who’s appeared on the big stages of “The Tonight Show” and “Comedy Central Presents.” Hyena’s Comedy Club hyenascomedynightclub.com

15-17

‘Swan Lake’

Perhaps second only to “The Nutcracker” in terms of ballets with name recognition, this will mark Texas Ballet Theater’s first performance since the death of former artistic director Ben Stevenson. Bass Performance Hall texasballettheater.org

22-23

The American Rodeo

If you didn’t get your fill of bull riding at the PBR World Finals — and wouldn’t mind adding roping, bronc busting, and barrel racing to the mix — The American Rodeo offers one of heck of a show with a $1 million payday. Globe Life Field americanrodeo.com

25-31

Charles Schwab Challenge

May the course be with those sharpening their irons and dialing in their drives for the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab Challenge, which brings yet another stellar roster to the home of Hogan. Colonial Country Club charlesschwabchallenge.com

May 16

The Fort Worth Margarita Festival

There’s little that can outshine this city’s love for salt-rimmed glasses of a tangy tequila beverage, so it stands to reason that Cowtown would be a stop on the world’s largest Margarita Festival tour. Cullen Yards bestmargs.org

Texas’ trusted resource for appliances, plumbing, lighting, & decorative hardware for over 75 years.

Darrell Dulaney

From the files of “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure,” we introduce you to Mr. Darrell Dulaney, the Original Paper Shaper.

Dulaney has an incredible talent of making stunning art pieces out of paper or discarded cardboard. In the not-too-distant past he was selected Emerging Artist Best in Show at the MAIN ST. Fort Worth Arts Festival two straight years, in 2018-19.

“Origami is where it started,” he says as he’s working over a sheet of paper while we sit in the office conference room, a creation that turns out to be a TCU Horned Frog. “When I was in the fourth grade, we would go to the library every two weeks because that’s the rotation of the books. I remember going to the art section, and then in that art section, I found an origami book. And from there, I mastered that book, and then I wanted more, and I wanted better, and bigger, and greater. I never let origami go.”

He turned to cardboard for bigger and better.

“You go to shows, and you see people making things this big or then even bigger. And, so, I said, ‘I have to grow my work.’ Like the boombox.”

He has constructed a boombox several times, most memorably for a band he was part of called Stone Jam. Dulaney was the sound guy.

Because the group specialized in cover songs, they were called the “FM Band,” a nod to the radio hits they mimicked. The bit became part of the act: A bandmate would carry the boombox onstage and set it down, and Dulaney would cue up audio that mimicked the sound of scanning a dial and locking onto a station.

He later took the idea further, constructing an oversized wall plug and outlet to match the concept. With a simulated cord in hand, the band members would come out and theatrically “plug in,” turning the setup into a visual gag.

His mind works like a constant act of deconstruction and reassembly. Long before cardboard enters his hands, he’s already taken the object apart in his head, studied its anat-

omy, and figured out how it goes back together.

He’s constantly asking: How do I make that out of this?

Once that question locks in, he’s on a roll — losing sleep, chasing the build, following the idea wherever it goes. Because in his imagination, the object already exists. The cardboard is just the final step in proving it.

He’s constructed a shoe, stoplight, electric guitars, among many other things. He has a collection of newspapers that he will turn into a wardrobe.

Dulaney grew up in Milwaukee. He had a job at U.S. Cellular Arena. Milwaukee Bucks basketball games and concerts out the wazoo. The imagery was off the charts for an imagination off the charts.

“I remember drawing comic books a lot,” says Dulaney, going on 66. “I didn’t know it, but it was teaching me anatomy and proportion. I was a little on the nerdy side with that. Just the comic book guy. I never got in trouble. I stayed in the house creating and looking out the window, looking for something new.”

His art teachers were very encouraging, he says, and even took time out of their Saturdays to take kids to a show or meet a commercial artist or photographer.”

“I had a couple art teachers that felt like friends to me.”

Out of high school, he attended the School of Art Institute in Chicago. He and his family have lived in Fort Worth since 2011.

Dulaney is a concierge at the Omni Residences downtown. He has a secret stash of cardboard he collects from packages delivered to residents. He has “something big” planned. On the property are three cardboard bins.

“I visit those a couple of times a day,” he says.

A women’s group there saves their boxes for the artist.

“I really appreciate them,” he says. “I still have to look for the unusual thick, the unusual packing material. Sometimes you get that shredded. That shredded is like really cool hair.”

by Brian Kendall

A New Stage for Emerson

Instead of performing on Broadway, this lifelong singer and dancer from Joshua wants to change it — and some actors’ lives may depend on it.

Emerson Valentina worked her whole life — zero exaggeration — to get to New York and perform on Broadway. Starting at the age of 3 when her aunt opened a dance studio, Valentina worked tirelessly — and was

coached furiously — to build the right muscles, perfect her posture, and fine-tune her voice with the intent to head to the Big Apple at 18. While the spotlights in Manhattan are a dream for any singer and

dancer, for someone from nearby Joshua — Pop. 7,000 — who grew up in near poverty and perpetually told nothing was ever going to happen for her, it was particularly ambitious. And, the thing is, she did it. Valentina moved to New York as soon as she was old enough to vote and began successfully performing in off-Broadway shows and getting cast in a national tour that was all but sure to lead to a Broadway gig. She was, for a time, living the dream. But, as the uncertainty of life often dictates, things changed, and Valentina’s time and experiences in New York led to an entirely different ambition that’s likely having a far greater impact than reacting to cues and hitting marks on a stage.

Valentina is the founder, executive director, and head of education and outreach for the Broadway Mental Health Foundation, a New York Citybased nonprofit that works to assist all creatives in the theatrical industry with mental health resources and with the goal of systematically changing the theater industry into one that is “safe, healthy, and empowering for all.”

“I was shocked the industry didn’t already have such [a resource],” Valentina says. “That was the thing that caused me the most grief, honestly, because I wasn’t the person setting out to create this and make this into being. I wish this already existed for artists. So, I really just created it because there was a gap.”

It was a gap she had discovered in 2022 due to her own need for resources. It had never occurred to Valentina to begin a nonprofit. After all, she was only recently living the dream — having received an offer to join a national tour that was sure to lead to a coveted role on Broadway. Then, the pandemic struck.

The year-plus time of this decade’s pandemic isn’t filled with many moments people enjoy revisiting. After all, the immediate economic and subsequent mental health effects of COVID are still very much

felt. One of the hardest hit industries during this stretch of closures and social distancing was live theater. And, hit particularly hard was the pinnacle of theater: Broadway — the collection of famed stages adjacent to Times Square, where, after a performance, an actor can look at themselves in the mirror and declare, “I’ve made it.”

So, when the pandemic hit, it was a particularly hard fall for Broadway performers, directors, and stagehands — those who were seemingly on top of the world, only to find themselves unemployed. This resulted in an ensuing mental health pandemic that followed the actual pandemic and was no less serious and detrimental. Yet, no vaccine — no remedy — existed.

According to Valentina, while Broadway creatives who belong to a union might have access to mental health resources, 85% of the theatrical workforce doesn’t belong to a union. Valentina herself, at the time, remained two points away from earning her actor’s equity card.

“I was Googling a lot and searching,” Valentina says of her attempts to find resources, “especially in the pandemic because I did need access to free, accessible mental health resources during that time. And there was absolutely nothing that I could find.

“So, I think I just got really desperate, I was angry, and I felt that there were two ways that my life could go. I could either succumb to losing everything — because this world theater was all I ever knew. Or I could choose to pursue something a little different and maybe be brave enough to try to fill the gap and try to create

something new for artists.”

Taking matters into her own hands, Valentina started posting free resources on social media, taking it upon herself to research and create original content that applied her findings to the theater industry. “I would write about how OCD shows up in artists on stage,” she says. “And I would freely provide artists with scientific data, and then I would pair

in front of 1,500 high-paying theatergoers sounds like the pinnacle of confidence and mental fortitude to these stage-shy ears. But mental health struggles don’t discriminate based on vocation. And many young performers, Valentina included, can trace psychological strain and challenges to well before the pandemic — much caused by forces long at play in the industry.

it with something like, ‘Hey, this is how it shows up in an audition room.’”

Mustering the courage to act, dance, and belt out a tune while sporting a glitter-drenched costume

“Much of my activism is inspired by the struggles I’ve experienced,” Valentina says. “Not just during the pandemic, but my personal history with my performance career. Starting at a really young age really affected me. And being a minor in these adult landscapes really affected me deeply.”

Simultaneously pursuing the goal of making it to a Broadway stage, Valentina returned to auditioning in 2024 to find a dramatically altered theater scene. In the meantime, Broadway Mental Health Foundation maintains a website (mentalhealthbway.org) full of resources to help theater employees gain access to knowledge and treatment — one part of the foundation’s bigger aim to get to the root of the problem and fix a system in need of some major changes.

Such a success would dwarf any lead on Broadway.

“I feel grateful to be in my position,” Valentina says. “Coming from poverty, coming from a small town, coming from a place where I was always told nothing is ever going to happen for you. And then to help craft a movement that can create so much progress, I feel like that is my soul’s path, and I don’t take it lightly.”

by Shilo Urban

Rio Grande City, Texas

Population: 15,526

Rio Grande City’s quiet, sun-drowsy streets speak of siestas, quinceañera dresses, and pan dulce in the plaza. Just south of town, its namesake river idles forward on a 1,900-mile journey from Colorado’s mountains to the sea. Life feels unhurried here, from the low-rumbling pickups to the lingering afternoon sunshine. But this slow-paced little border town has a

bustling past as a major steamboat riverport.

Sitting on a brushy rise above the watery border, Rio Grande City is one of the oldest settlements in South Texas. Its roots stretch back to the 1700s when Spanish colonists first established ranches in the area. The ranch on this particular bend of the river was passed down

for generations until it reached the hands of Maria Hilaria de la Garza. The wealthy heiress wedded a Texas Ranger named Henry Clay Davis in 1846, and they settled into married life on the north bank of the river. There was only one small problem for the newlyweds. Mexico and the United States both claimed their property and indeed the entire Rio Grande Valley, and the two nations were currently at war over the dispute. In 1848, the U.S. emerged victorious in the Mexican-American War and formalized the Rio Grande as the international boundary. Life calmed down, economic conditions stabilized, and Davis could finally enact his vision: a city.

Inspired by the streets of Austin, Davis planned out his town in a grid, quite uncommon for a dusty frontier outpost. The U.S. Army built Fort Ringgold nearby to protect the border, and soon Davis’ city was filled with merchants, speculators, gamblers, vaqueros, cattle rustlers, bandits, drifters, and opportunists of every stripe.

They came in droves because his town had something special: the river. Located at the farthest point up the Rio Grande that a steamboat was able to navigate, the city soon became one of the busiest trading hubs between Texas and Mexico. Cotton, cattle, hides, and wool went out to Mexican ports and New Orleans;

As Authentic as the Communities We Serve

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dry goods, machinery, and luxuries came in. So did people from many corners of the earth — and they left a legacy of cultural fusion that’s still prominent today.

Rio Grande City’s historic architecture blends Spanish Colonial influences with Mexican ranch design: wroughtiron railings, shaded verandas, and interior courtyards. One of the finest examples is La Borde House, built in 1899 as the lavish mansion of a French merchant (it’s now a hotel).

Monsieur La Borde had his home designed in Paris, and its refined blend of Victorian embellishments and Spanish style transports you back to the steamboat era. An underground passageway once led from the patio to the river, but it was sealed in 1955, and no one quite knows what it was used for.

Nearby is the plaza, the heart of Rio Grande City. Running four blocks from the Starr County Courthouse toward the river, this long green park is a community gathering space for festivals, markets, and meandering strolls when the heat of the day begins to fade. Just a little farther, the river continues its languid course, drifting between Texas and Mexico, past and present, defined by a boundary but existing in the middle — much like the town of Rio Grande City itself.

Explore Rio Grande City

Savor: Who likes tacos? Start at Caro’s, which opened in 1934 and once had an offshoot in Fort Worth. Its puffy tacos are a Rio Grande Valley favorite, with pillowy, crispy shells filled with ground beef, lettuce, and tomato. You can also order puffy nachos and puffy chalupas. At Starr BBQ, go with the cheesy birria de res tacos stuffed with stellar smoked brisket. Taqueria de Guanajuato is known for tacos al vapor: corn tortillas loaded with meat, potatoes, or beans and then steamed. For breakfast tacos, Laredo Taco Company’s Q-tacos (at Stripes convenience store) have a cult following for its fresh, handrolled tortillas and bountiful filling of refried beans, eggs, potatoes, cheese, and a slice of crispy bacon.

Shop: Browse a small night market with crafts, artwork, and homemade food every third Saturday by the plaza’s vintage bandstand. Vendors set up from 6–10 p.m. with tables of handmade jewelry, leatherwork, paintings, decorative gifts, and Western accessories. It’s a great place to pick up tamales, elote, aguas frescas, and other street fare. Most shops in town are locally owned, like Second Street Fashions, a trendy mix of clothing and Consuela bags. In the market for a quinceañera dress? Reyna’s Boutique is the place to go.

Enjoy: You can explore Rio Grande City on a tourist trolley named Bessie III or via a self-guided walking tour (download the map online). Be sure to check out Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto, located behind the Immaculate Conception Church — it’s a replica of the famous pilgrimage site in Lourdes, France. You’ll see statues, prayer candles, and (perhaps) the devout at the site, an artificial cave and hillside built by a German priest in 1928. Also stop by the atmospheric Lopez-Tijerina courtyard, a peaceful patio-like oasis, and the remains of Fort Ringgold. You can’t go inside the Fort’s buildings, but information panels will help you conjure up the past.

Snooze: With seven B&B-style bedrooms and a peerless historical pedigree, La Borde House is a one-ofa-kind stay that could only exist in Rio Grande City. Sit for a spell on the front patio and watch the world go

by, or time-travel in the leafy courtyard with a glass of red wine. The 1899 masterpiece is drenched in history with antique furniture, oriental rugs, and canopy beds. That said, the hotel hasn’t been renovated since the early 1980s, so don’t be surprised if you spot a little peeling wallpaper — or a ghost. Many claim that the house is haunted (stay in the red bedroom if you want to find out for yourself).

How to Get There: Drive south from Fort Worth on Interstate 35 to San Antonio, then take the exit for TX-16 S/Poteet. Follow TX-16 for 200 miles, a long, rural stretch through Poteet and Tilden. Turn right onto US-83 W at Zapata and follow it for 54 miles to Rio Grande City. It’s around 500 miles from Fort Worth, about a 10-hour trip with a few stops and little traffic.

by Michael H. Price

The Reincarnation of the Playboys

Despite Bob Wills’ death in 1975, his Texas Playboys, famed instigators of Western swing, have never ceased to exist.

The Delta Records label of Nacogdoches rescued bandleader Bob Wills’ surviving Original Texas Playboys from major-label oblivion during the early 1980s.

Not that Capitol Records’ Nashville subsidiary had neglected the band — but that its renewed popularity of the 1970s had come at a price of homog-

enized commercialization, which sat none too well with the artists.

While managing the South-bySouthwest bureau of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram during 1981 and pursuing a parallel career in music, I caught up with the Playboys at Tyler, Texas, during their back-to-basics sessions for Delta’s The San Antonio Rose Story. Our visits supplied the basis for this on-the-spot account:

Deep within the heart of East Texas’ rose-plantation country, Bob Wills’ sweet-and-tender Rose of San Antone had found itself transplanted to bloom anew. The occasion was a reunion of Wills’ original breakthrough lineup of countrified swing-band musicians, the Texas Playboys. Here was an ensemble that Wills had named and nurtured and ultimately lost — to the wartime draft of 1941-1945 — on the eve of his greatest commercial success.

These Playboys, reassembled since Wills’ valedictory For the Last Time album of the 1970s, were pianist Al Stricklin, 73 at the time; steelman Leon McAuliffe, 64; guitarist Eldon Shambin, 60; drummer Smokey Dacus, 70; and bassist Joe Frank Ferguson, 68. The band spent a week in Tyler condensing the legacy into a marathon recording session, putting a handful of new albums into production.

Hardly their first reunion, of course. Wills himself had arranged the first homecoming in 1973, rounding up Playboys alumni by telephone from his home in Fort Worth for a Dallas studio event that would be his last.

Subsequent major-label attempts to modernize that Playboys sound during the later 1970s became overproduced tours-de-force that proved dissatisfying for the players.

“They were tryin’ to tell us how to play our music — how to play Bob Wills’ music!” lamented Stricklin, lambasting the corporate suits at Capitol Records.

The Playboys had recorded for Delta a year earlier at Rogers, Arkansas,

achieving a step in the right direction. Wills’ style, pre-1935 in Fort Worth, had followed a traditional string-band template. Wills’ post-1941 band would grow increasingly slick with the insinuation of Hollywood influences. The mid- to late-1930s work is generally considered to be Wills’ finest.

The Playboys preferred a shootfrom-the-hip approach, prizing spontaneity.

The personnel on the watershed “San Antonio Rose” session of April 16, 1940, had included McAuliffe on steel guitar, Shamblin on plectrum guitar, Stricklin on piano, Ferguson on saxophone, and Dacus on drums. The lineup in 1981 was hauntingly similar — the chief difference being Ferguson in handling the string bass, this time around.

“It was survival of the fittest, back then,” said Ferguson. “You really had no thoughts of the future. I guess that, if we had known that what we were doing would have some historical significance, we would have documented it more fully.”

What they were doing was helping to create a fusion of rural, white-folks hoedown music with dance-band jazz and elements of Black-tradition blues and additional idioms, both indigenous and immigrant. Other regionally isolated artists were doing likewise, but Wills’ persistence and business acumen, not to mention his survival to the fairly advanced age of 70 — he had led a taxing and often boozy existence — led to international prominence.

The Playboys’ reputation would endure. They chose vitality — consistent with Wills’ late-in-life wish that his personal-favorite band would reunite. “Bob meant to die in harness,” as Stricklin said, “and he wished as much for us.”

When Wills died in 1975 in Fort Worth, many enthusiasts proclaimed “the end of an era,” even as that era’s original crafters were regrouping to sustain it. The sur-

vival was advanced by such books as Charlie Townsend’s San Antonio Rose: The Life and Music of Bob Wills; Stricklin’s genial memoir, My Years with Bob Wills, assembled by Star-Telegram columnist Jon McConal; and the encyclopedic Stars of Country Music, which includes a chapter on Wills by Townsend.

The Texas Playboys, once reunited, functioned as a partnership. McAuliffe became the acknowledged leader, owing to the longtime proprietorship of his Cimarron Boys ensemble. As Stricklin put it: “We five saw it grow from a jumbled-up bunch of musicians into a real fine band.” Adds Dacus: “…from regional isolation to something with an international following. From something for people to ridicule — those who thought we were hillbillies, playing low-down music — to something people would acclaim.”

Elders in years by 1981, the Texas Playboys remained youngsters at heart, and their horseplay — corny jokes and all — was a treat to behold. They took in stride a then-recent invitation to perform at the Smithsonian Institute.

“The Smithsonian—bah!” said Dacus, trading off wisecracks over coffee with Shamblin. “Why, they’re gonna slap us back in there with the other dinosaurs and not let us out again!”

Their stories were gems of hyperbole — tales of how McAuliffe, as a gangly teenager, “was so awkward that he’d stumble over a puff of

smoke” — of how one member or another was “so old that, when he was born, the Mississippi River was a dewdrop” — of how Bob Wills, as a chronic inebriate, predisposed to hallucinations, once tipped his hat to a female shop-window mannequin and then became angry upon receiving no response. The stuff of legend, rooted in experience.

At one time or another, all the surviving Playboys had been characterized as legendary. They liked their music sweet, hot, and simple, with a backbeat “so wide, you could drive a truck through it,” as Stricklin put it. They defined their style as a matter “not so much knowing what to play, as knowing when to play, and when not to play” — another truism from Stricklin.

And they proved responsible for shaping a music that would survive the popular tastes that it helped to shape — rock ’n’ roll, among those idioms.

“We’re keeping after it,” said Stricklin, “as long as we’re able to keep calling ourselves the Original Texas Playboys in all honesty. If we thought this was just nostalgia, we’d pack it in.”

As the 1980s progressed, Al Stricklin’s more compact Fort Worth ensemble and my various jazz-andcountry bands wound up sharing a spinet-model piano for our alternating gigs at Joe Dulle’s White Elephant Saloon in the Stockyards District. As Strickin would say: “Nice work if you can get away with it.”

by John Henry

The Showstoppers of the Frontier Centennial

Heads turned for two women at Fort Worth’s Frontier Centennial, which turns 90 this July, and it wasn’t for the nudes, though you can be sure there were some who found them popular.

No, it was the police chief’s daughter — Stuttering Sam — and a young composer who made the critics take the festival music seriously.

Mary Louise Dowell took her sister Virginia to auditions for parts as showgirls at the Centennial. Mary had no intention of auditioning. But Mary became the darling of Casa Mañana.

Billy Rose, the Centennial’s producer, is the one who noticed Mary standing off to the side. Mary had a stutter, which gave rise to her nickname, “Stuttering Sam,” by producer John Murray Anderson. Anderson gave nicknames to all the showgirls.

The speech impediment, like her 6-foot-2 height, was used as an asset.

With a platinum-blond sister, Mary considered herself plain and never dreamed that her future was attached to a rising star.

But it’s amazing what happens when you just show up.

In 1938, Rose brought Dowell to New York City, where she spent five years starring in his Diamond Horseshoe revue. During that run, she also appeared in other Broadway productions, modeled, and became a familiar presence at the tables of high society at the Stork Club and 21.

She regaled celebrities and syndicated columnists — including Ed Sullivan, Walter Winchell, and Louis Sobol — with homespun tales of Fort Worth, often recalling “feedin’ her chickens and eatin’ mamma’s chicken-

fried steak and cornbread.”

In Amon: The Story of Amon G. Carter Sr. of Texas, Jerry Flemmons recounts an awkward introduction to film mogul Jesse Lansky when Dowell stammered, “Hel-hel-hel-, I’m glad to meet you.” Lansky reportedly shot back, “Hell, I’m glad to meet you, too!”

Meanwhile, the erudite E. Clyde Whitlock, writing in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, pushed back on the notion that the Centennial’s music was lightweight material.

Much of his rebuttal rested on composer Dana Suesse, whom he described as the “gifted” composer responsible for a large share of the original, made-to-order score at Casa Mañana. Her music, he wrote, carried both “popular punch and musical merit.” That’s a combination, he suggested, that was rarely achieved.

Born Nadine Dana Suesse in Kansas City in 1909, she began formal study early, taking piano and organ lessons and appearing as a child performer in Midwest venues. By her teens, she was already composing, winning a prize for an original piano work while still a student.

Her training continued in New York, where she studied piano and composition and began building a professional career as both performer and composer.

She was all of 21 when she trekked to Fort Worth in 1936 and had by that time earned the nickname the “Girl Gershwin.”

In his critique, Whitlock emphasized her foundation, noting that Suesse — and others working on the Centennial — were not products of casual

experience but of “serious study along legitimate lines.” (Whitlock was a renown overwriter. He who is without sin shall cast the first William Faulkner Remington No. 10 typewriter.)

At Casa Mañana, her work stretched across the entire production. She composed the overture, “Song of Dawn,” along with a range of scene-specific pieces, from the cowboy finale “Buffalo Bill” to square dance music, and “Another Mile.”

For the show’s historical segments, she created works such as “The Night Is Young and You’re So Beautiful” and “You’re in Paree,” as well as “Like a Toy Balloon,” one of the production’s central numbers.

Even her lighter songs — written with Rose — retained a degree of sophistication, according to Whitlock, who pointed to numbers such as “I’m in Love With the Handlebar Mustache” and “The Lady Known as Lulu.” Those constituted ample evidence that even nightclub-style material could avoid “cheapness” when shaped by a trained composer.

The hit of the Centennial was “The Night Is Young and You’re So Beautiful,” performed by Everett Marshall, who serenaded Faye Cotton of Borger, judged to be “Texas Sweetheart No. 1.”

Even the highbrow writers in the East took notice.

“Thrilling, gorgeous, colossal, a dream come true,” went one. Another, Burns Mantle, said: “For valor, valor touched with profligacy, I give you Fort Worth. The city fathers chipped in $3 million last March and indicated the sky was the limit.”

How can you not feel self-important when your name is Burns Mantle?

The next year, in 1937, Suesse and Marshall were guests for dinner at the White House, where they performed music from Casa.

Suesse died at 77 in 1987. Stuttering Sam Dowell died young, at 49, of a rare blood disorder. Both passed in New York City.

Stuttering Sam was returned to Fort Worth. Her ashes are interred at Greenwood Cemetery.

Spice

TThe Is Right

By Malcolm Mayhew

Images By Thanin Viriyaki

here are those who like their food to come with a little heat, just enough to arouse the senses without breaking a sweat. They like their salsa with a bit more kick, order curry at a respectable level three, or add jalapeños to a burger for that familiar, friendly burn. In Fort Worth, that baseline appreciation for a light culinary spark is easy to satisfy; our city is full of so many restaurants that specialize in various forms of spice-laden cuisine. And then there are the others — the ones who, to borrow a phrase from Spinal Tap, want it turned up to 11. For them, spice is the main event, the thrill, the challenge, the point. These are the fire-seekers chasing endorphins, bragging rights, and that electrifying edge somewhere between enjoyment and endurance. If that fits your culinary MO, this story is for you.

We scoured the city, and sometimes beyond, in search of Fort Worth’s fieriest food, but knowing there’s a big difference between spicy food and spicy edible food. Anyone can throw some hot peppers on a burger and call it spicy. We sought out food that gave our palates a workout but also tasted good, with flavors that rose above the flames.

Here’s what we found:

Project X:

The City’s Hottest Handheld

When it comes to spicy sandwiches, Fort Worthians can take their pick. Most burger joints and sandwich shops have at least one or two handhelds designed to set your mouth ablaze. The Nashville hot craze bases its entire existence on causing as much damage to your tongue without getting sued.

A balance between fire and flavor is needed, though. Anyone can pile on peppers. The thing should taste good as it’s scorching your innards, and that’s why the Project X burger at Charley’s Old Fashioned Hamburgers is our pick for the city’s hottest handheld.

Namesake owner and former truck driver Charley Bell, who founded the Granbury Road restaurant in 1992, wanted a burger option for those drawn to fiery food. The result: Project X, comprised of a 1/3-pound Angus ground chuck patty soaked in Tabasco sauce, then topped with a mountain of jalapeños — a burger not for the meek.

It’s one of the city’s best, though, its ferocious heat tempered tastily with leafy lettuce, fresh tomatoes, grilled onions, cheddar cheese, and licks of mayo and mustard. If that sounds like a lot, it is. Keep napkins — and of course water — close by.

Charley’s brings to mind the old roadside burger stands that once dotted our country’s backroads. Matter of fact, the building dates to 1953, and before Charley’s moved in, it was another burger joint called Popham’s. And before that it was another burger spot — Daniel’s. The restaurant is built around a vintage mobile home, and to this day, the kitchen still operates out of the original 8-by-20-foot trailer. Diners down their burgers inside of a tiny, ramshackle dining room, just a few feet from where they’re grilled, or outside on picnic tables; the place has barely changed since it opened.

Bell, who passed away in 2016, told the

Star-Telegram five years prior that he and his wife Deborah modeled the Project X after a similar burger in College Station, but put their own spin on it.

“My wife was still cooking, and I’d say, ‘Do this’ or ‘Fiddle around with this,’” Bell told writer Robert Philpot. “We played around, made maybe a half-dozen different burgers, and we started giving them away to customers who’d come in. Everybody said, ‘That’s wonderful, that’s great,’ so we put it on the menu.” The name Project X, Bell said, was a reference to the recipe trial-and-error the burger went through before making it to the menu.

However it came together, it’s been lighting people up ever since.

4616 Granbury Road, 817.924.8611

A few more of the city’s best hot handhelds:

The Inferno at J’s Casa Burger:

Since opening in River Oaks in 2014, first in a gas station, then and now in a former fried-chicken drive-thru, Jesus Garcia has been serving incredible burgers to a steady stream of in-the-know foodies and River Oaks regulars. You should maybe have to sign a waiver, his Inferno burger is so ferociously spicy. Stacked tall with a double-dose of habanero (in the form of both habanero cheddar cheese and sliced habanero peppers), a housemade jalapeño relish and, the thing that really fires it up, a special sauce infused with ghost peppers (one of the hottest peppers in the world), this burger certainly lives up to its name. You’ve been warned. 5181 River Oaks Blvd. jscasaburgers.com

The Diablo at Fred’s Texas Cafe:

One of the most well-known, tried-and-true spicy burgers in Fort Worth still delivers a major punch. Unlike some of the other heat-packing burgers in the city, The Diablo stands out because it’s so addictive — a stinging beauty made with smoky chipotle peppers, grilled onions, and melty Swiss. It’s like a good bad relationship — you keep coming back for more even though you know you’re going to get hurt. Multiple locations fredstexascafe.com

Sweet Heat Burger at Gustos Burger Bar + More:

For burger lovers who like a little sweetness to temper their spice, this Magnolia Avenue newcomer delivers. Owner Jonathan Arguello builds

his Sweet Heat Burger on a well-executed smashburger, layering in bacon, American cheese, Best Maid pickles, ketchup, and mayo, with grilled jalapeños and a housemade salsa bringing the heat. 1229 Seventh Ave. gustosburgerbarmore.shop

The Sando at Ricky’s Nashville Hot Chicken, Arlington: Nashville hot chicken sandwiches are everywhere now. Even fast-food chains and fine dining restaurants have jumped in. But for something closer to the real thing, North Texan Ricky Tran’s homage to authentic Nashville hot chicken delivers. Traditionally, Nashville hot chicken gets its signature burn from a pepper-based paste, often blended with hot oil and brushed over fried chicken, giving it a deep, lingering heat. At Ricky’s, there are six levels of heat from which to choose (for both sandwiches and fried chicken on its own), from mild to “A-Bomb,” each dialing up the intensity with peppers ranging from jalapeño and habanero to ghost, scorpion, and Carolina Reaper. Hottest of all is A-Bomb, meaning “atomic bomb,” meaning “eat at your own risk.”

The Sando may be a good entry point for hot chicken novices, since heat can be softened a bit by the sandwich’s zesty comeback sauce, pickles, and vinegar-based coleslaw. Luckily, the restaurant does serve milk; order your chicken A-Bomb-level and you’re gonna need it.

3810 S. Cooper St., Arlington rickyshotchicken.com

Heat Rises — to Euless

A tiny market and restaurant called Luang Prabang is bringing authentic Lao and Thai flavors — and plenty of heat — just northeast of Cowtown.

At first glance, Luang Prabang Market doesn’t exactly announce itself as one of the more compelling Southeast Asian restaurants in the area. Matter of fact, upon seeing owner Phetsamone Bouliboun’s restaurant for the first time, you’re not even sure it’s a restaurant.

That’s because it is and it isn’t. Shelves stocked with sauces, noodles, and hard-to-find snacks line the walls, leading one to believe, as its name implies, you’re in a market. But off to the side is a small dining area, usually with every table occupied, where Bouliboun’s tiny Euless business — and her ferociously delicious cooking — comes alive.

Those who follow the mom-and-pop Asian restaurants that dot the North Texas area will recall Bouliboun built a loyal fan base of diners during her time in Irving at a similar restaurant and market called Nalinh. There she garnered a reputation for developing comforting, bold and, yes, oftentimes fiery, Lao and Thai flavors.

fried pork ribs perfumed with aromatic herbs and finished with crunchy garlic. There’s also beef jerky, marinated in Lao spices, and fresh spring rolls.

For entrees, the menu stretches wide — a bit of a surprise considering the kitchen’s miniscule footprint. Noodle dishes anchor much of the menu: pad Thai, pad see ew, and pad kee mao share space with hearty bowls like khao piak sen, a Laotian version of chicken noodle soup, and khao poon, a richly layered Lao curry noodle soup. Multiple variations of pho pay tribute to different tastes and regions.

Traditional Lao dishes such as larb, papaya salad, and nam khao — a crispy rice salad packed with herbs and acidity — bring brightness and spice, often with a chile-driven edge, while jeaw, the dipping sauces that define much of Lao cuisine, appear in multiple forms, from fermented fish-based jeaw padaek to smoky, slowbuilding jeaw bong.

Many of her regulars followed her to this now six-year-old spot in Euless, drawn by a menu that reflects the breadth of Lao and Thai cooking while staying rooted in the kind of food people actually crave day to day. And while not every dish leans fiery, there’s a steady presence of heat woven throughout, building instead of bludgeoning.

Her food is inspired by the everyday meals eaten by Lao and Thai families, not trends or flash.

That means dishes that are both familiar and not to those who have a casual interest in Thai and Laotian cuisine. Appetizers include crispy chicken skins with a housemade sweet chili sauce, herb-packed Lao sausage, and

Those with a propensity for spice should try the papaya salad, cool to the touch but packed with a fiery punch.

Bouliboun says she had home cooking in mind while she was developing the restaurant, which is named after the north-central Laos city where her family is from. Many dishes are served without rice to encourage diners to build their meals the way they might at home or to wander a few steps into the market aisles to see what else catches their eye, which can then be prepared and served — another small way the line between market and kitchen blurs here, making it feel less like dining out and more like sitting down to a home-cooked meal.

Luang Prabang Market, 226 Martha St., Euless, 817.354.5800

Hot Bevs: Chase That Spice With …. More Spice

Who says spice can only come in the form of food?

Turns out, some of Fort Worth’s most exciting heat comes poured over ice. Here are five of our favorite spicy drinks in FW — and when we say drinks, we mean booze.

Better the Devil You Know at Bricks and Horses

At Bricks and Horses, this devil comes dressed in tequila and citrus. Socorro reposado and Cointreau lay the foundation for this fiery drink, with passion fruit and lime bringing a bright, tropical snap. Then comes the burn: a house chile syrup made with Gebhardt’s adds a warm, creeping heat that builds with each sip, gently lighting your palate afire.

3700 Camp Bowie Blvd. bricksandhorses.com

Tres Amigos at Tinies

Spicy margaritas are a cinch to find in Fort Worth, but this one from interior Mexican restaurant Tinies goes beyond the norm. A Blue Weber agave tequila from Jalisco, Mexico, Mi Campo tequila is infused with jalapeño, Fresno, and serrano peppers, then brightened with pineapple, lavender, and lime. The result is floral and citrusy up front, with a clean, building heat that stays with you long after the last sip.

113 S. Main St. tiniesfw.com

La

Frutera at The Usual

Built by The Usual mixologist brainiac Kevin Kiowski, this cocktail opens bright with mango and fresh lime before shifting into something spicier. Pasilla chile and overproof rum bring a slow, smoky heat that settles in beneath the fruit, while an Angostura float adds a touch of bitterness. Served over crushed

ice with a salt and Tajín rim, it’s layered, aromatic, and carries a steady burn all the way through.

1408 W. Magnolia Ave. theusual.bar

Cevichingona at Mariscos El Cachanilla

This over-the-top drink-slash-mealslash-towering-inferno at family-run food truck Mariscos El Cachanilla is a mash-up of ceviche and Clamato, a savory tomato-based drink blended with clam broth (it’s meant to be spiked with booze). The popular East Side Mexi-Cali truck pairs Clamato with bright, citrusy shrimp ceviche and an actual dozen whole shrimp, which cling to the Tajínrimmed cup. It’s layered with heat — chiles and various housemade spices — delivering a slow, briny burn. Beautifully presented and finished with a chamoy straw, it’s half drink, half full-on spicy seafood experience in a cup.

4402 E. Lancaster Ave. instagram.com/mariscos.el.cachanilla

Beth

Dutton

at Sidesaddle Saloon

Anyone who watches “Yellowstone” knows the character Beth Dutton has, to say the least, one helluva personality. This libation from Sidesaddle Saloon — the Stockyards spot where the drinks and decor tip their hat to women — does a commendable job of capturing Dutton’s essence, mixing TX Whiskey and Licor 43 with the bite of Ancho Reyes, a premium Mexican chile liqueur, and a spicy applecinnamon syrup, all sharpened with a squeeze of lemon. It’s bold, a little sweet, and quick with a kick — much like Dutton herself. By the way, is she gonna get busted for offing her bro? Discuss!

122 E. Exchange Ave., Suite 240, sidessaddlesaloon.com

Rooted in Heat

Fort Worth’s best Indian and Nepalese cuisine can be found in the back of a grocery store in North Fort Worth. Meet Spice & Slice.

Nischal Dhungana knows a thing or two about spice. As the executive chef of Spice & Slice, a tiny restaurant huddled inside an Indian and Nepalese market in North Fort Worth, Dhungana has built a menu that reflects both his roots and the years he’s spent working in kitchens near and far.

Spice & Slice opened in February 2025 in the Basswood Crossing center, the product of owners Anish Timsina, Anup Siwatoki, and Sagar Dhungel’s vision for an all-in-one destination. Inside, you’ll find fresh fruits and vegetables, a halal butcher counter offering cuts of lamb, goat or chicken, and aisle after aisle of spices and seasonings for Indian and Nepali cuisine. Like Luang Prabang Market, an Asian market-restaurant hybrid featured elsewhere in this story, it’s an oasis for hard-to-find seasonings and ingredients.

Situated in the back of the market, Dhungana’s restaurant is modest — just a walk-up counter and a half-dozen tables. But the unassuming setup gives way to some of the city’s best Indian and Nepali food.

Nearly everything is made fresh, including the naan. Stop in between lunch and dinner, and you might catch a glimpse of the process in the restaurant’s open kitchen: a small staff rolling and stretching dough in a tight, makeshift space, each piece shaped by hand before hitting the tandoor oven. It’s a scene that perfectly

illustrates Dhungana’s commitment to scratch cooking.

“Let’s say you have a big restaurant and a big kitchen, but the staff doesn’t handle the cooking correctly,” he says. “Me, I’m lucky in that I have a staff that cares about the food and cares about the way it’s cooked and served. For us, it has more to do with the people you’re working with, not the space you’re working in.”

That care carries across a menu that stretches to more than 50 items — an ambitious feat for such a pint-size kitchen. The menu encompasses Indian staples, Nepali specialties, and street-food influences. Starters like samosas and samosa chaat lean familiar, while dishes such as gobi Manchurian tap into the bold, tangy heat of Indo-Chinese cuisine. From the tandoor come standards like chicken tikka, malai chicken, and paneer tikka, all shaped by careful marination and a steady hand with spice.

Curries anchor the menu: rich butter chicken, chicken tikka masala, and korma offer depth and comfort, while dishes like gongura chicken and vindaloo push into sharper, spicier territory.

Indian and Nepali cuisines are defined in part by their heat — layers of chiles, spice, and aromatics that build with each bite — and Spice & Slice subscribes to that identity, offering a customizable spice scale for most dishes.

“I have a customer who comes in every week and orders the vindaloo,” Dhungana says of the spicy curry. “We have a scale of 1 to 5 for spice, and he always says, ‘Make it 7 or 8.’ He sits there and sweats and sweats, and I asked him once why he likes it so hot. And he said it’s like working out. He says he sweats so much, he loses weight.”

Nepali offerings, difficult to find in Fort Worth, make the drive north of the loop worth it. Momos — soft dumplings stuffed with a variety of fillings — stand out as a staple, while dishes like mutton taas, sukuti, and choila bring a more rugged, spiceforward intensity. Snacks like chatpate, panipuri, and laphing tap into Nepali street food.

A native of Dhata, a small community in Nepal, Dhungana says the street food component was important to him as he considered working there.

“When I first talked to the owners, I had a menu with 100 dishes

on it,” he says, laughing. “They said it was just too much, too big. So, I trimmed it down to about 50 dishes. The Nepali street food is something you don’t see around here, and something that I’m personally connected to. It was important to me to be able to bring that to Fort Worth.”

Dhungana has lived in the U.S. most of his life, first in New Mexico, where he attended high school and college and got his feet wet in the restaurant industry — literally.

“I was working in a restaurant washing dishes, my first restaurant job,” he says. “The manager said that’s the best place for anyone to start who wants to be in the restaurant business. Dishwashers see exactly what people eat, what they like, what they don’t like. The dirty dishes that come back to the dishwasher tell that story.”

Inspired by that manager, Dhungana decided to change course from engineering to the culinary field. Before Spice & Slice, he worked in restaurants from New York to Richardson, perfecting his skills in Nepali and Indian cuisine.

His passion for cooking food so closely tied to his family and heritage shines through in the open kitchen. With little separation between the cooks and the dining room, he often steps out to talk with customers, offering a closer look at the food.

“I like that people can see how we make everything,” he says. “I can talk to them, explain the spices, the ingredients, what goes into each dish. When people can see the cooking and ask questions, it becomes more personal.”

Spice & Slice, 7451 N. Beach St., spiceandslice.store

Salsas With More Than a Little Kick

Ask someone in Fort Worth where to find the best spicy salsa, and you won’t get an answer. You’ll get an argument.

When a local foodie recently posed that exact question in a Fort Worth Facebook group, the responses came fast. Hundreds of comments later, some as fiery as the salsas they praised, the debate is still going — people arguing with the same vigor as politicians. If nothing else, it’s proof of how seriously Fort Worth takes its Mexican food.

A few clear favorites rose to the top. North Side staple Los Asaderos was praised again and again, with many calling its thin but potent salsa the perfect balance of heat and taste — a combination that’s harder to pull off than it sounds. The Denton Highway location of Vaqueros was touted for its selection of escalatingly hot salsas, each one spicier than the other. Los Molcajetes, a family-owned chain with locations in North Fort Worth, Mansfield, and Roanoke, was championed in particular for its off-menu or by-request options — specialty salsas in which the kitchen doesn’t hold back.

The “by request” detail isn’t an anomaly. Sometimes, if you want a salsa with more personality and heat, you have to ask for it, as many of the city’s Mexican restaurants keep their spiciest salsas off-menu, often in the form of

habanero-heavy blends or thinner, oilslicked sauces designed more for impact than mass appeal.

For those chasing extremes, Tacos del Norte on Western Center Boulevard offers a habanero salsa that even spice lovers approach cautiously. One commenter admitted a single dab was enough to tap out. El Pollo Regio, a chain that specializes in charcoalgrilled chicken, wields one of the most addicting salsas in the city — a salsa verde whose heat sneaks up on you, mild at first, then not so much.

Farmers markets have become fertile ground for those craving salsas that go beyond the mild, red, and tomato-driven norm, where small-batch vendors like Cleburne’s Salsa Boss are pushing heat levels into new territory. Think of salsas made with Carolina reapers and names like “Drag You to Hell.”

Still, not everyone is convinced Fort Worth has a truly face-melting salsa. A handful of commenters argued they’ve yet to find one that crosses into regret territory, no matter how many spots they’ve tried.

That’s the thing about salsa here — it’s personal. Some swear by smoky red chile de árbol, others gravitate toward bright, acidic green salsas loaded with serranos or jalapeños. Some want flavor first, heat second; others want to feel it immediately.

“Everybody has their favorite,” says Randy Molina, co-owner of North Side Mexican restaurant Dos Molina’s.

“There’s no right or wrong, only what you like — and what you can handle.”

The Pepper People

The family-run Spice & Tea Exchange in the Stockyards brings global heat to Fort Worth

There’s a pepper for that.

That could most definitely be the motto for The Spice & Tea Exchange, a densely packed spice shop located in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Inside, shelves brim with more than 100 spices and blends, many built around peppers that run the full heat gamut, from the mild warmth of jalapeño to the scorching punch of ghost and scorpion.

For those seeking both adventurous flavors and serious heat, Jerry McBrayer’s shop is a haven. Inside the 900-square-foot store, located in Stockyards Station on E. Exchange Avenue, the selection is sprawling. There are more than 30 varieties of sea salt alone, from bourbon-infused to bacon and mesquite, alongside high-heat options like ghost pepper and scorpion salt.

“That scorpion sea salt,” Jerry warns, “it’s stout. You just need a couple grains of it.”

Peppers appear in nearly every form imaginable: dried, ground, and blended into mixes that range from

Hungarian paprika and New Mexico green chile to housemade peppercorn medleys combining black, green, red, and white varieties. The store also produces about 80 different dry rubs, designed for far more than barbecue.

“People think dry rubs are just for barbecue,” Jerry says. “They’re for fish, chicken — you can use them on a lot of different kinds of food.” And just FYI: McBrayer does sell barbecue rubs, too.

The store has been around for nearly 20 years. McBrayer opened it in 2008 with his wife Nancy; their daughter Jodi works there, too. The popularity of the Stockyards store led to a second location in Grapevine, which opened in 2012. Both are franchises, part of a national chain now 100 stores strong.

A retired structural airframe engineer, Jerry didn’t set out to get into the spice business. His and Nancy’s shared love of food and cooking led them to it. While he working in Florida, the couple discovered an early location of the chain and became regulars.

“The guys who founded it had a store in St. Augustine, near where I was working,” he says. “We’d go in on weekends — my wife would fly in every other week or so — and we’d just load up on spices and teas.”

The unique flavor profiles of many of the spices stuck with him, he says, and after retiring, he decided to open his own franchise, becoming one of the earliest adopters of what has since grown into a nationwide brand. For tea aficionados, the store carries nearly 100 gourmet teas.

Pendery’s World of Chiles and Spices

Housed in a 1925 bungalow in the Near Southside, Pendery’s World of Chiles & Spices carries more than a century of Fort Worth food history on its shelves. Founded in 1870 by spice merchant DeWitt Clinton Pendery, the company has remained family-run ever since. Today, it’s overseen by fifth-generation owner and general manager Clint Haggerty, who continues the brand’s long tradition of sourcing and blending spices for cooks across Texas and beyond. For home cooks and chefs

alike, Pendery’s has long been a go-to for hard-to-find ingredients — the kind that don’t show up in a typical grocery store. From dried chiles and specialty chili powders to international spice blends, the selection of items that make your food pop is dramatically vast. As Fort Worth continues to expand its palate into far-reaching flavors, Pendery’s remains a steady, trusted source, the place where the search for something new often starts. 1407 Eighth Ave., penderys.com

While it may seem like an unlikely fit — a neighborhood spice and tea shop in the heart of the tourist-heavy Stockyards — McBrayer says his customer base is evenly split between locals and visitors.

“Fifty percent of the people who shop here are locals,” he says. “We carry a lot of spices you can’t find easily, and people around here really seem to appreciate that. And the other 50% are tourists curious to try new flavors. That’s the great thing about being in the Stockyards — you never know who your next customer will be.”

The Spice & Tea Exchange, 140 E. Exchange Ave., Suite 112, spiceandtea.com

Mangonada at Alma’s Paleteria:

Summer’s Perfect Sweet Heat Treat

Part drink, part dessert, the mangonada has become one of the most popular ways to chase heat in North Texas. The Mexican street treat — a layered mix of mango, chamoy, lime, and chile powder — strikes that rare balance of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy, all in one cup. It’s refreshing, a little messy, and just fiery enough to keep you going back for another bite or sip.

At Alma’s Paleteria, a small, family-run sweet treats shop on Fort Worth’s East Side, the mangonada is something of a house specialty. Owner Jose Ponce and his

family have been serving the community for 17 years, building a loyal following with their housemade paletas and ice creams crafted from fruit they handpick themselves. Their take on the mangonada comes a few different ways. There’s the classic version, built like a snow cone and drenched in a chunky, homemade mango syrup. For those who prefer something smoother, there’s a sorbet-style version, silky and dense with mango flavor. Both get the full treatment: a dusting of chile powder and a generous pour of house chamoy.

Regulars often go for the best of both worlds: an off-the-menu combo mangonada that layers the icy crunch of the snow cone with the richness of the sorbet. It’s decorated with mango chunks and topped with a Mega Flechazo, a chewy, spicy, and salted tamarindflavored candy straw.

However you order it, the appeal is the same. It cools you down while turning up the spice — a contradiction that somehow works every time.

Alma’s Paleteria, 1215 E. Seminary Drive facebook.com/almasFW

“All I Wanted To Do Was Fly.”

Being a pilot was always more than enough for Beverley Bass, the first female captain in American Airlines history. But her days in the sky, and even a few on the ground, have become major inspirations in more ways than one.

BY BRIAN KENDALL

PHOTOS BY ASIA EIDSON

Beverley Bass rolls up to Casa Mañana in her white SUV just as I manage to park. I had initially planned to arrive 15 minutes early to help our photographer, Asia, set up for our photo shoot with Beverley, but it appears the 74-year-old former American Airline pilot hasn’t surrendered any rigid tendencies to remain punctual to the extreme. Pilots, in my experience, have an atomic clock attached to their retinas, able to see seconds tick away as they go about their days to ensure they’re doing everything (lunch, coffee date, kids’ soccer practice) on time — lest we want even more delayed flights leaving and arriving to and from DFW Airport.

“I wanted to fly the biggest airplanes, and where are the biggest airplanes? They’re with the Air Force or the military or they’re with the airlines,” Beverley tells me. “Well, the military didn’t take women as pilots back then,” as she subsequently rattles off the years that each military branch allowed women pilots. “The first was the Navy in ’74. I started flying in ’71. The Air Force didn’t start accepting women in the Air Force Academy until ’76, and by then I was already with American [Airlines]. So, the military wasn’t equal opportunity for me, but I would have loved them. In fact, a lot of the guys that I flew with over the years said, ‘You would have been a great military pilot,’ because I’m very rigid. I follow the rules in my job.”

Standing at a slim 5-feet, 6-inches tall, Beverley’s pale blue eyes — piercing when seen in-person — make her immediately suggest we avoid any outside shots. That is, unless we’re OK with one of either sunglasses or squinty eyes. Complementing her pale eyes, Beverley’s once strawberry-red locks have turned white, but her youthful energy, sharp wit, and general love of life come through unhindered. To put it bluntly: Shes’ a delight.

ever heard the song. And it literally chronicles my aviation life and career in four minutes and however many seconds it is.”

Told from the perspective of a grown Beverley, the song has the pilot recalling how, for as long as she could remember, had always wanted to fly, going to the local airport to witness planes landing and departing and assuming her parents thought she was crazy when she revealed at the age of 8 that she wanted to be a pilot. After all, with rigid gender rules prevailing as the norm, there were no female captains. Being a commercial pilot simply wasn’t in the cards for women. But her father told her to “be patient.”

“Years later, we actually got the transcript sent to us from my interview with David and Irene,” Beverley says. “And the song is verbatim from my interview. So, it’s so real and authentic.”

Beverley Bass would go on to fly commercial planes for American Airlines in 1976, becoming the very first female captain in the airline’s history. Though she retired from American in 2008, few commercial pilots outside Sully Sullenberger have achieved as much name recognition — some of this thanks to the musical that hit Broadway in 2017. That year, “Come From Away” would receive seven Tony nominations, including Best Musical and Best Featured Actress in a Musical for Jenn Colella, who played Beverley. Despite the nods, it would only take home a single prize for choreography thanks to its main competitor, “Dear Evan Hansen” — collecting five wins.

In tow, Beverley brought programs and Playbills from half a dozen productions of the musical “Come From Away” that she’s seen since it first hit the stage in La Jolla, California, in 2015, two years before it would arrived on Broadway — she’s seen the musical a total of 182 times. Each of the programs, some written in different languages, recount the true story on which writers Irene Sankoff and David Hein based “Come From Away.” And Beverley, the first woman to captain a commercial plane for American Airlines, is a big part of this story, which takes place in the town of Gander, Newfoundland, on Sept. 11, 2001, and the five days that followed. The musical, which took Sankoff and Hein four years to complete from script to music to lyrics, includes a female pilot named Beverley as one of its many characters. Given the unlikelihood that there were many women airline captains named Beverley stranded in a Newfoundland town after 9/11, one can easily surmise the character is based on Beverley Bass.

One of the show’s standout numbers is “Me and the Sky,” sung by Beverley.

“I didn’t know this song had been written,” Beverley says. “So, the first night that I saw the show [in La Jolla] was the first time I had

“‘Dear Evan Hansen’ played right across the street from ‘Come From Away,’” Beverley says. “People would walk out of our show, and they’re just on cloud nine. They’re happy. It leaves you with so much exuberance and allows you to not dwell in a horrific tragedy. People would walk out of ‘Dear Evan Hansen,’ and it was clearly a story that made them sad and miserable.”

Remember Beverley is contrasting a musical about teen suicide to a musical whose first scene opens on 9/11. And she’s speaking quite enthusiastically about the latter. “Come From Away,” if you haven’t seen it, is a performance embedded in the tragedies of Sept. 11, 2001, which doesn’t exactly sound like the feel-good musical of the summer.

Yet, it kind of is.

A fourth-generation resident of Fort Myers, Florida — a product of the Everglades — it wasn’t long after exiting her crib that Beverley got the itch to fly. This itch owes its thanks to her neighbor’s statue of Icarus that she played with one afternoon and whose wings inspired her to give going airborne a shot. “I just think it’s the coolest thing in the world that this person can fly,” Beverley says. “It had nothing to do with an airplane. So, I climb up on the washing machine, which was in our kitchen, and I’m going to fly across the room, I think. Well, it didn’t work out, but that is my first recollection of anything associated with flying.”

Planes came later when Beverley would climb aboard them to New York City to visit her mother’s family — the smell of jet fuel and

peeking inside the cabin stirring her interest. She also spent hours watching 727s land at Fort Myers’ Page Field at night. “And I can remember thinking, how do those pilots land those airplanes? They have the best job in the world.”

Despite the lack of any female commercial airline captains, Beverley’s parents never dismissed her desire and remained supportive. “I’m an only child,” Beverley says. “I hunted in the Everglades at night on horseback with a rifle over my shoulder with my dad. And Monday morning, you might find me in a fashion show with my mom. So, I always say I played both roles. My parents raised me to believe that I could do anything I wanted as long as I worked very hard to achieve that goal. There was never discrimination from my household as to having a girl job versus a boy job.”

Growing up around horses and doing barrel racing as a kid, the idea of moving to Texas, a place she’d driven through when heading to Colorado and the horse state of all horse states, always intrigued her. “That and Texas toast — the thick bread. That always impressed me.”

So, looking to do something different after all of her friends went to Southern schools like Alabama, Georgia, and Florida, Beverley looked 1,500 miles away and chose to attend TCU — sight unseen. And, unfortunately, her first impression wasn’t positive. Being one of the last to move into her dorm, she pleaded with her parents, asking, “How can you leave me at this prison when you two have each other and I have nobody?” Her father, whom Beverley on more than one occasion mentioned was a smart man, simply handed her an envelope and left. Inside the envelope was a one-way ticket for a flight back to Fort Myers. “Smartest thing they could have ever done because I was not about to use that ticket,” Beverley says.

Despite no aviation program at TCU, Beverley enrolled in flight school, which she’d attend after finishing her university courses in the morning. Doing this her sophomore through senior year, she’d earned her license, instrument ratings, and accumulated enough hours to earn a job flying right out of college — her Spanish major likely not coming in handy.

She was now indeed a pilot, flying for a living — only the cargo she carried was dead bodies for orthopedic researchers. She’d then graduate to chief pilot of a charter department that flew canceled checks, photo map film, and airplane parts for Rockwell out of Meacham Airport.

And sure, she’d applied to fly for American Airlines — her dream carrier “’cause they had the prettiest planes” — after the airline had hired its first female pilot in March 1973. It took a former fellow pilot at Meacham to recommend her after an American Airlines instructor had asked if any of his students knew any qualified female pilots.

“But they said, ‘She’s not tall enough.’ Well, when I got my driver’s license at 16, I was 5-feet, 5-inches, but I was standing like this (slouches in chair).” The minimum height requirement for a commercial airline pilot for American was 5-feet, 6-inches. Hoping for better posture or an inch of growth since receiving her driver’s license, the recruiters measured her the following day. “They pulled up my pants legs to make sure I wasn’t standing on my toes. And I stood up very tall this time, and I was 5-feet, 6-inches.”

Taking to the air like a duck takes to water, Beverley would go on to become the first female captain of an American Airlines commer-

cial flight, and the first female pilot of an American Airlines Boeing 777, the exact plane she was flying from Paris on 9/11.

“To have a story about something related to 9/11 sounds terrible at first,” says Wally Jones, president and executive producer of Casa Mañana, which is staging its own production of the musical May 30 through June 7. “But what this story is, and what it is about, is people accepting others, complete strangers, and bringing them into their homes and giving them the shirts of their backs.”

Walking into a producer’s office with a pitch that combines the terms “9/11” and “musical” sounds like a lamb being led to the slaughterhouse. However, this musical, written by a pair of Canadians about a friendly gesture from our neighbors to the north that long went unreported, takes the grief, anger, and bevy of negative emotions that poured through the world on that day, and doesn’t hide it, but transforms it into a tale of compassion and understanding that lifts one’s spirits. The story, which takes place in the small community of Gander, Newfoundland — population less than 10,000 — where 38 wide-bodied commercial jets were forced to land on its small runway when the United States closed its airspace. Despite the chaos unfolding, the local residents didn’t miss a beat welcoming their new guests as warmly as possible and sprang into action to ensure their every need was met — providing meals, clean bedding, hot showers, toiletries; filling prescriptions; installing banks of free phones (pre-smartphone era, y’all); and converting schools, churches, and legion halls into makeshift dorms. For the next five days — 6,700 passengers and crew were stranded in a place they’d never stepped foot, and by the end, some didn’t wanna leave. In the shadow of one of history’s most horrific events, 6,700 people were fortunate enough to get a profound reminder of how much good exists in the world.

Beverley Bass, TCU grad and now an Argyle resident, captained one of the Boeing 777s that landed in Gander. She was one of the ones who “came from away,” a local phrase preferred by Newfoundlanders when they speak of someone from, well, not where they’re at. Away, according to the glossary of Newfoundland, is anywhere

that isn’t the 42,000-square-foot-frosty Atlantic island.

“Come From Away” would spend five years on Broadway, wrapping up its run on Oct. 2, 2022. In the normal life stages of a musical, completing its Broadway run and national tour meant its rights were likely to be released soon, opening it up to regional productions. Waiting in the wings, Casa’s Jones had been eyeing the musical as a Casa production since he first saw it in La Jolla — followed by catching it twice on Broadway. “[‘Come From Away’] moved me in many different ways,” Jones says. “And I just knew it as soon as they were going to release the rights, that we (Casa Mañana) would be doing it.”

Casting a wide net when it comes to hiring actors, the production will include local and national talent. According to Jones, some of the original Broadway cast is returning for the show, as well as some who performed “Come From Away” on its national tour. Playing Beverley is Christina DeCicco, who previously performed the role in Northport, New York’s Engeman Theater and whose Broadway resume includes the starring role in “Evita,” “Sister Act,” and the national tour of “Wicked,” in which she played Glinda.

“Beverley’s heart in the show is really the focus [of the musical],” Christina says. “It’s the tunnel vision of, ‘I love how you all are coming together, but let’s remember what just happened to us and let’s focus on the way we can come back to our lives.’ Her part in the show is representative of all of the pilots and airplane crew and what they had to go through and how they became caretakers to thousands of people with the help of this town that just didn’t need to extend themselves the way they did.”

It was an unusually beautiful fall morning during her flight from Paris to DFW on Sept. 11, 2001. “Usually when you cross the North Atlantic, it’s very cloudy. It was like super clear that day to the point where we actually discussed how beautiful the day was.”

Not within range of any air traffic control towers, pilots in the middle of a large ocean chat with one another over an air-to-air frequency. This is how Beverley found out a plane had struck one of the World Trade Center towers while she and her copilot were eating lunch. They, like many, assumed it was accident until receiving word a second plane had hit the second tower and, along with it, came the word terrorism.

“Remember, we don’t know any details,” Beverley says. “We don’t know the airplanes have been hijacked. We don’t know the pilot’s throats have been slit with box cutters. We don’t know the hijackers have taken over. We know nothing. Terrorism is a broad term.”

Despite New York’s airspace being closed, that didn’t affect Beverley’s route to her home base in DFW, but once they get word all of U.S. airspace is closed, she knows they’re going to have to land in Canada. Toronto, Quebec City, Montreal, Calgary — all were possibilities. But the next communication she receives is from Gander’s air traffic control tower which ordered her plane to land immediately at the Gander International Airport. Then came the first problem — her Boeing 777 was 7,000 pounds over the airport’s max landing weight, which could cause structural damage to the plane, delaying the potential to leave quickly. Able

to lose the 7,000 pounds via jettisoning fuel, she took the risk of the airport not having fuel available in order to land within the airport’s parameters.

And it wound up being the right call. As soon as Beverley landed, the first question was, “Did you land overweight?” When Beverley answered no, they applauded her for making the right decision.

Now parked along with 38 other wide-bodied aircraft, Beverley and the rest of the passengers and crew would then have to remain on the plane for 21 hours,

“The good news is I only had 156 passengers, and the airplane holds 247,” Beverley says. “The bad news is the airplane had been late coming to me in Paris. We actually departed almost two hours late, which is significant because if I had to park on time, I would have never landed at Gander. It came to me late because it came from Kennedy the night before, and four of the eight lavatories were broken, and they tried to fix them in New York. They didn’t, so we only had four working bathrooms.”

And the passengers were also anxiety-ridden. With the only news coming from the BBC, which they were able to pick up through the aircraft radios, Beverley says, “We were listening to London’s version of what was happening in the U.S. And very few people had cell phones, and if you had a cell phone, you couldn’t charge it. You didn’t have chargers back then. I mean, I know that’s unheard of today, but as crew members, we didn’t travel with cell phones. It was $100 a minute to call home from Europe.”

Having stayed up all night listening to BBC News, the group finally deplaned the following morning at 7:30 a.m.

Exiting the plane and entering the small terminal, which Beverley says looked like something out of “The Flintstones,” tables were lined up on every wall full of food to feed every single passenger and crew member on the flights. “My only thought was, ‘These people have literally been up all night cooking.’ And, yeah, they have. All night. Every stove in Gander was turned on to make enough food to feed 7,000 people.

“And it never stopped the whole time from then. I mean, they served three meals to every passenger every day. And that was five days we were there. When we left, I remember saying to my crew, ‘I just want the whole world to know this story.’ I’m just happy they finally got to know it.”

Beverley graciously shared more details from her time in Gander, most of which will be in Casa Mañana’s production of “Come From Away,” which I highly recommend you see.

And she did share one other story with me that I wanted to relay concerning how “Come From Away” was received by those who lost family members on Sept. 11.

“An American Airlines plane was the first airplane that hit the North Tower. The copilot on that airplane had a 15-year-old son at home — a 15-year-old kid.

“I took him to see ‘Come From Away’ while it ran in D.C. [before heading to Broadway]. I didn’t know if he could tolerate seeing it, but he did OK. It was very emotional for us to be together, knowing what I knew, losing his dad. After 9/11, the son had started taking flying lessons, and he eventually followed in his father’s footsteps and became a pilot for American. And he’s now married, and his wife’s a pilot for Frontier.”

HEALTHTALK

Welcome to HealthTalk, a section dedicated to empowering our readers with vital insights into the world of health and wellness. Here, we delve into critical topics that matter most from causes and treatments to signs and symptoms. Whether you’re looking to stay informed or seeking to understand complex health issues, HealthTalk is your trusted source for the knowledge you need to lead a healthier life. The information provided in this section is provided by our advertisers and has not been independently verified by Fort Worth Magazine.

How do I get a refreshed look?

Q: What does a “refreshed look” really mean in cosmetic surgery?

A: A refreshed look isn’t about looking different — it’s about looking like a more rested, vibrant version of yourself. According to board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sameer Halani of Accent on You Cosmetic Surgery Center, the goal is subtle enhancement. Patients often say they want to look less tired, smoother, or more youthful without anyone knowing they had a procedure. It’s about balance, not transformation.

Q: What are the most common concerns patients have?

A: The most frequent concerns include sagging skin, loss of facial volume, fine lines, and deep wrinkles, especially around the eyes, cheeks, and jawline. Many patients also notice heaviness in the lower face or neck. These changes are a natural part of aging but can make you appear more fatigued than you feel.

Q: What treatment options are available to achieve this look?

A: There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. Nonsurgical

options like injectables (fillers and neuromodulators) can smooth wrinkles and restore volume with minimal downtime. For longer-lasting results, procedures such as a facelift or eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty) can reposition tissues and remove excess skin. Dr. Halani emphasizes that the best outcomes often come from combining treatments tailored to each patient’s needs.

Q: How do patients know whether they need surgical or nonsurgical treatments?

A: It depends on the degree of aging and desired results. Younger patients or those with mild concerns often benefit from noninvasive treatments. However, for more advanced signs of aging, like significant sagging, surgical options may provide more natural and longer-lasting results. A personalized consultation is key to determining the right approach.

Q: What is recovery like?

A: Recovery varies by treatment. Nonsurgical procedures typically involve little to no downtime, while surgical options may require one to two weeks of initial recovery. Most patients feel the results are well worth the investment in time, especially when the outcome looks natural and refreshed.

Q: What’s the most important advice for someone considering this?

A: Choose an experienced, board-certified surgeon who prioritizes natural results. “The best work leaves you looking refreshed and like yourself; this is facial rejuvenation, not witness protection” says Dr. Halani. A thoughtful, customized plan ensures you’ll look refreshed, not overdone, and still completely like yourself. Accent on You Cosmetic Surgery Center

Sameer H. Halani, M.D. 3030 S. Cooper St. Arlington 76015 817. 417.7200 accentonyou.com

When should I worry about my hearing?

Q: How do I know if my hearing is OK?

A: The signs of hearing loss are often subtle at first. You might find yourself turning the TV up louder, asking people to repeat themselves, or struggling to follow conversations in noisy restaurants. If any of this sounds familiar, it’s worth getting checked. A comprehensive hearing evaluation at Cityview

Audiology & Hearing Aids is painless, noninvasive, and takes less than an hour.

Q: Isn’t hearing loss just a normal part of aging?

A: While age-related hearing loss — called presbycusis — is very common in adults over 50, “common” doesn’t mean normal. Untreated hearing

loss has been linked to social isolation, cognitive decline, and even depression. The good news is that most cases are highly treatable.

Q: What happens during a hearing assessment?

A: Our audiologists conduct a full diagnostic evaluation that measures your ability to hear tones at different frequencies and volumes. We’ll also assess your speech understanding and the health of your ear canal and eardrum. From there, we give you a clear picture of your hearing profile.

Q: Are today’s hearing aids really that different from older ones?

A: Dramatically so. Modern hearing aids are discreet, rechargeable, and remarkably smart — many connect wirelessly to your smartphone and can distinguish between different listening environments automatically. At Cityview, we fit medical grade hearing devices from leading manufacturers and take the time to tune them precisely to your individual hearing profile.

Q: I hear a constant ringing. Can anything be done?

A: That ringing — known as tinnitus — affects millions of adults and can significantly impact quality of life. While there is no single cure, there are highly effective management strategies, including sound therapy, the Lenire Tinnitus Treatment Device and counseling support. Our team will develop a personalized plan to help bring you the relief you are needing.

Q: What if I try hearing aids and don’t like them?

A: We offer an evaluation period so you can experience the difference in your own daily life — at home, at work, with family, in social settings. Our fitting process is collaborative, and we make ongoing adjustments until you’re fully satisfied.

Q: How do I take the first step?

A: Simply call Cityview Audiology & Hearing Aids to book your hearing consultation. Better hearing can change your life. Let’s find out what you’ve been missing.

Cityview Audiology & Hearing Aids, Inc.

Dr. Diane Blaising

5701 Bryant Irvin Road Ste. 202

Fort Worth 76132

817. 339.6974

cityviewhearing.com

Are sleep apnea and TMJ pain connected?

Q: What is Sleep Apnea and why is it serious?

A: Sleep Apnea is a condition where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep. It can lead to increased risk of heart disease, fatigue, poor concentration, mood disturbance, daytime sleepiness, obesity, high blood pressure, sexual disfunction, and many other health concerns if untreated.

Q: What is TMJ Disorder and how does it affect daily life?

A: Temporomandibular Joint Disorder or TMJ involves dysfunction of the jaw joint and surrounding

muscles. It can cause jaw pain, frequent headaches or migraines, clicking or popping, ringing of the ears, difficulty chewing, and facial tension. Left untreated, it may also contribute to neck tension, teeth grinding (bruxism) and disrupted sleep. All of which are symptoms which can worsen over time.

Q: What makes StarImage TMJ & Sleep Center different for TMJ and Sleep Apnea care?

A: StarImage delivers a highly specialized, purposeful approach that goes beyond general dentistry. By focusing on the root cause—not just symptoms—

patients receive targeted care designed for lasting relief and measurable improvement. They utilize advanced technology for the best outcomes.

Q: Why is choosing the right provider so important for TMJ and Sleep Apnea?

A: These conditions are complex and often misdiagnosed or under-treated. StarImage combines advanced diagnostics with clinical expertise to identify the true source of discomfort and sleep disruption, leading to more effective outcomes. Dr. Green has over 25 years of experience treating TMJ and sleep disorders.

Q: How is TMJ treated at StarImage TMJ & Sleep Center?

A: Treatment is customized and may include oral appliances, bite correction, and modern noninvasive therapies designed to relieve pressure on the jaw joint and promote proper jaw function. The focus is on long-term relief, not temporary fixes.

Q: How does StarImage improve sleep apnea without CPAP?

A: For many patients, StarImage provides custom oral appliance therapy that keeps the airway open naturally. These devices are discreet, travel-friendly, and far more comfortable than traditional CPAP for qualified candidates.

Q: What is the goal of treatment at StarImage?

A: TMJ and Sleep Apnea can worsen over time, impacting both health and daily comfort. Early detection and expert intervention help prevent complications with the goal to improve quality of life—reducing pain, restoring restful sleep, and enhancing overall wellness, getting patients back to feeling and functioning their best—sooner.

Q: How can you learn more about your symptoms and find a solution?

A: Take the Sleep Apnea Risk Quiz, request a consultation for your TMJ issues or Sleep Apnea concerns, complete an At-Home Sleep Test, and start your personalized treatment plan at StarImage TMJ and Sleep Center.

StarImage TMJ & Sleep Center

Dr. James Green

817. 587.4566

starimagetmjsleep.com

Can nonsurgical treatments replace orthopedic surgery?

Q: Is surgery typically necessary for orthopedic injuries or joint pain?

A: No. In many cases, orthopedic surgery is not required to effectively treat musculoskeletal conditions. Problems such as arthritis, tendon tears, ligament sprains, cartilage damage, and even meniscus tears can often be managed successfully with nonsurgical treatments. Advances in sports medicine and regenerative therapies now allow physicians to treat

many conditions by supporting the body’s natural healing mechanisms rather than resorting to surgery.

Q: Should I get a second opinion before undergoing orthopedic surgery?

A: Yes. Obtaining a second opinion is strongly recommended, especially when surgery is proposed as the first treatment option. Many orthopedic conditions have multiple treatment approaches.

A second opinion—particularly from a physician experienced in nonoperative and regenerative orthopedics—can help ensure you fully understand all available options.

Q: What are common nonsurgical treatments for orthopedic conditions?

A: Nonsurgical orthopedic care often includes physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, bracing or orthotics, shockwave therapy, ultrasoundguided injections of gel, PRP (platelet rich plasma) or regenerative cells. These approaches can significantly reduce pain, improve function, and help many patients avoid surgery altogether.

Q: What are regenerative treatments?

A: Regenerative medicine focuses on stimulating the body’s natural healing response using components derived from your own body. Two of the most widely used treatments in orthopedic regenerative medicine include PRP and cell-based treatments. PRP is created by concentrating platelets from a small sample of your own blood. Platelets contain growth factors that can help reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair, and stimulate healing. Regenerative cells obtained from adipose (fat) tissue are specialized cells that can help support tissue regeneration and repair. Both PRP and cell-based treatments are commonly used to treat joint arthritis, tendon injuries, and cartilage damage.

Q: Are regenerative treatments effective?

A: A growing body of scientific research supports the use of PRP and cell–based therapies for many orthopedic conditions, including osteoarthritis, tendon injuries, and meniscus tears. While outcomes vary depending on the specific injury and the patient’s overall health, most individuals experience significant pain reduction, improved function, and delayed or avoided surgery.

Q: How do I know if nonsurgical or regenerative treatment is right for me?

A: The best way to determine whether regenerative medicine is appropriate is to undergo a comprehensive evaluation by a physician experienced in nonoperative orthopedics. Imaging such as ultrasound or MRI, along with a detailed physical examination, can help determine the most appropriate treatment plan.

Texas Health Care

Bone and Joint Clinic

Steven J. Meyers, M.D. 1651 W. Rosedale Ste. 200 Fort Worth 76104

817.335.4316

stevemeyersmd.com

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of cervical cancer?

A: Vaginal bleeding is one of the earliest signs, especially bleeding outside of your normal menstrual cycle. If you are menopausal, new onset bleeding should not be ignored. Other signs are pelvic pain, more commonly, pain during intercourse, and constant vaginal discharge. Pay attention to persistent urinary symptoms without an infection and persistent lower to mid back pain.

Q: How is cervical cancer diagnosed?

A: Cervical cancer is diagnosed by performing a pelvic examination and obtaining a cervical biopsy. Imaging studies, such as a pelvic MRI and PET/CT, may be used to assess the extent of the disease, which will guide management.

Q: How could I have prevented this?

A: It is important to obtain your HPV vaccination especially now that the age range has been

expanded to up to 45 years old. Routine pap smears and HPV testing are critical because they detect precancerous cells and allow for early intervention before cancer develops.

Q: How is cervical cancer treated?

A: Early stages can be treated primarily with surgery, whereas advanced stages is usually a combination of chemoradiation or just chemotherapy. There is a push now for less radical surgery for cervical cancer with favorable outcomes. This stresses the importance of early detection and prompt management, so patients don’t have to undergo morbid surgeries.

Q: What if I have advanced stage disease or my cancer comes back?

A: Even in an advanced or recurrent setting, there are effective treatments, such as the addition of immunotherapy to standard chemotherapy or the use of targeted therapies. Treatments in this space are proven to be effective in prolonging life while maintaining good quality of life.

Q: Are clinical trials available in Fort Worth?

A: Yes. At Texas Oncology, we are honored to be able to provide patients with access to several trial options in the early, advanced, and recurrent stages. One early-stage trial currently available is robotic surgery for cervical cancer.

Q: What are my chances of survival?

A: This depends heavily on the stage at diagnosis. When caught early, cervical cancer is often curable. Even in advanced stages, survival rates have improved due to advancements in treatments. This is why regular screening and early detection are so important. Texas Oncology,

Martins Ayoola, M.D.

How can you improve the health of our communities?

Q: How is the pathway to and through a career in health care changing?

A: The path to a health career has never been faster or more accessible. Many high schools now have health sciences interest groups. These groups are partnering with colleges and universities to provide entry-level certifications into the workforce. Universities are creating new programs that don’t

require a degree or college admission to get started. It’s no longer just about a four-year degree; it’s about having a university willing to be your lifelong learning partner as you create and navigate your career.

Q: How can I have a career in health without a degree?

A: The idea is to create meaningful learning

with an impact that can be completed in hours, weeks or months rather than years. You can take a microcredential to become certified. A great example is the Dementia Specialist microcredential launched by UNT Health Fort Worth’s Division of Academic Innovation in partnership with the James L. West Center for Dementia Care. It’s intentionally designed to be valuable for both current health professionals and for those with no prior experience, including family caretakers of those with dementia. Other examples include a Pharmacy Technician preparation course and a Community Health Worker program. Communities benefit most when there are health workers who are from the communities they serve.

Q: What is a microcredential?

A: Microcredentials are short-term flexible credentials designed to train a person in a specific skill or competency, paired with practical assessments to ensure that a learner isn’t just exposed to concepts about that skill, but also has opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.

Q: What does it look like for organizations to work together to create change in health care?

A: The Division of Academic Innovation’s work with the James L. West Center for Dementia Care on the Dementia Specialist microcredential allows us to handle learning design, multimedia production, technology, continuing education management, and hosting and delivery. The James L. West Center brings the subject matter expertise and clinical setting. The division is always interested in partnering with other organizations to develop microcredentials that are not yet offered at UNT Health.

UNT Health Fort Worth

John McKenzie, Executive Director, Division of Academic Innovation

3500 Camp Bowie Blvd. Fort Worth 76107

817.735.2992

unthealth.edu/ academic-innovation

What are the early signs of lung cancer?

Q: I’m worried that lung cancer will sneak up on me. What are the early signs and symptoms?

A: Unfortunately, the great majority of people with early-stage lung cancer have no symptoms. Early warning signs, usually occurring after the cancer has become more advanced, can include a persistent or changing cough, coughing up blood, chest pain (especially when coughing or laughing), hoarseness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and frequent lung infections.

Q: For people at higher risk of lung cancer, what action should they take for earliest detection?

A: Early detection of lung cancer changes everything, from how we are able to treat it to the patient’s quality of life and life expectancy. Since cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, people who have smoked should be screened with a low-dose computed tomography (CT) scan that can detect potentially cancerous spots. We offer this at UT Southwestern, and the results are reviewed by a specialized team that can help patients be evaluated quickly.

Q: What do I do if a lung nodule is detected?

A: A lung nodule is a “spot” on the lung. Most lung nodules are not cancerous and do not require treatment. If a nodule is suspicious, a lung nodule specialist — a thoracic surgeon or interventional pulmonologist, who ideally is part of a comprehensive lung nodule team such as those at UT Southwestern — should evaluate you for possible biopsy and testing. If cancer is confirmed or suspected, a multidisciplinary team of lung cancer specialists will determine the best treatment, which often includes surgery for many of these tumors.

Q: What is most important to consider when seeking treatment for lung cancer?

A: Most importantly, you will want a specialized team of experts from different disciplines — pulmonology, surgery, oncology, radiation, etc. — that can communicate with each other and work together. Next, this team should be utilizing the latest techniques and therapies to treat cancer, so that you have all options, including clinical trials, available to you. If surgery is part of the treatment plan, as it is in most earlier- stage and many advanced-stage lung cancers, choose a board-certified general thoracic surgeon for specialized cancer expertise, better long-term survival, fewer complications, and more options for minimally invasive, robotic, or videoassisted thoracic surgery (VATS) procedures.

Q: What advances in lung cancer treatment are on the horizon, and what gives you hope?

A: Lung cancer care is rapidly evolving, driven by research and multidisciplinary teams. Advances in imaging,  such as more precise nodule detection and “tumor glow,” are improving early diagnosis and surgical accuracy. Minimally invasive approaches, robotic surgery, and advanced bronchoscopy are enhancing outcomes and recovery. The pace of innovation and its direct impact on patient care is what gives me the most hope.

Inderpal S. Sarkaria, M.D., MBA, FACS UT Southwestern Simmons Cancer Center

400 W. Magnolia Ave. Fort Worth 76104 214.645.7700

utswmed.org/lungcancer

Are varicose veins just cosmetic?

more serious conditions. Bleeding and or wounds, swelling and pain, especially on one side of the body, should be evaluated immediately as they may signal a serious underlying condition. Any bleeding or open wounds near veins also require prompt medical attention.

Q: Who is most at risk for developing vein disease?

A: For most people, if your parents had varicose or spider veins in their legs, you will likely experience this as well. While there are many risk factors for varicosities, the strongest associated one is family history.

Q: When should someone see a vein doctor instead of waiting?

A: If your leg veins are a cosmetic concern, schedule a consultation to discuss your options with a specialist. If you’re also experiencing symptoms like heaviness, swelling, cramping, or burning discomfort, an evaluation can determine the best treatment path for you.

Q: Are varicose veins a cosmetic issue or a medical condition?

A: For many people, the journey to treatment is about both health and confidence. Some patients experience classic symptoms of poor circulation, like aching, heavy legs—this is a medical condition that needs care. For others, the motivation is purely

cosmetic; they simply don’t like the way their legs look.

Q: What early symptoms of vein disease should people not ignore?

A: Short onset swelling and pain, especially when unilateral, should be evaluated as it can be a sign of

Q: What modern treatments are available for varicose and spider veins?

A: Now there’s a selection of minimally invasive treatments designed for your busy lifestyle. Performed comfortably in our office, these procedures offer little to no downtime so you can often return to your normal routine the same day, enjoying beautiful results without the need for hospital stays, large incisions, or significant discomfort.

Q: How can people protect their vein health long-term?

A: Prioritizing wellness for a vibrant life, embracing treatments that support your aesthetic and health goals, and maintaining open communication with your Vein Specialist.

Vein Treatment Clinic Dr. James Chalk

3455 Locke Ave. Ste. 300 Fort Worth 76107 817.710.3845

veintreatmentclinic.com/ fortworth

Are your headaches being misdiagnosed?

Q: How common are headaches, and should you worry?

A: Headaches are one of the most common and disabling health conditions, affecting work, relationships, and quality of life. While occasional headaches may not be serious, recurring or

worsening symptoms should never be ignored— especially when they interfere with daily activities.

Q: Why are so many headaches misdiagnosed?

A: Studies suggest that up to 50% of headache sufferers are misdiagnosed. Many patients see multiple providers who may not specialize in headache medicine, leading to ineffective treatments and ongoing frustration.

Q: What makes specialized headache care different?

A: Specialized care focuses on identifying your exact headache type and tailoring treatment accordingly. Clinics like Cowtown Headache Center use evidence-based guidelines and individualized

plans based on your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle.

Q: Is long-term relief actually possible?

A: Absolutely. With proper diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan, many patients experience significant improvement. The right approach focuses on managing the root cause— not just the pain—so you can regain control of your life.

CowTown Headache Center

Peter O’Carroll, M.D. 4055 International Plaza Suite 660 Fort Worth 76109 817.592.8427

cowtownheadache.com

Why is comprehensive ophthalmology important?

Q: What does comprehensive ophthalmology cover, and why is it important?

A: Comprehensive ophthalmology encompasses a full spectrum of eye care—from routine vision screenings and medical management of eye diseases to advanced surgical procedures. Routine annual exams are important because this allows the early detection of asymptomatic diseases like glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, or macular degeneration before irreversible damage occurs. It also helps with monitoring conditions like cataracts and refractive errors. Services include management of a spectrum of eye disorders, as well as cataract surgery, pterygium surgery, blepha-

roplasty, and other surgical procedures.

Q: What is Dr. Moore’s background and areas of expertise?

A: Dr. Moore is a board certified ophthalmologist with the American Academy of Ophthalmology. He has been in practice at Fort Worth Eye Associates since 2017. He attended The University of Texas at Austin for his undergraduate degree, then earned his medical degree from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. He then completed an internal medicine internship in 2014 and an ophthalmology residency in 2017. His expertise spans cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, uveitis, and monitoring for ocular effects of systemic diseases and medications. He prides himself in performing high quality cataract surgery with the latest technology and advanced intraocular lenses, including the Light Adjustable Lens, multifocal lenses, and toric lenses.

Q: How often should adults get comprehensive ophthalmology exams?

A: The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends eye exams every one to two years for adults.

This is especially important for people with diabetes and hypertension, or people with a family history of eye diseases like glaucoma or macular degeneration.

Q: What is the patient care philosophy and track record of Dr. Moore?

A: Dr. Moore strives to provide high quality care to all patients, listening to people to understand their specific concerns and needs, and developing treatment plans to protect the long-term health of their vision. Fort Worth Eye Associates has been entrusted with the ocular health of the Fort Worth community for over 50 years, starting with Dr. William Ranelle and continuing through Dr. Ann Ranelle. Our entire team works hard to take care of people, treating our patients as we would members of our own families. Fort Worth Eye Associates Tyler Moore, M.D.

817.732.5593

ranelle.com

What support is available for mental health challenges?

Q: Who is NAMI Tarrant County?

A: NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Tarrant County serves the greater Fort Worth area to provide free support for those struggling with mental illness and their families.

Q: What services does NAMI Tarrant County provide?

A: Predominantly local monthly support groups, while nationally, classes are also available. Both are award-winning, researchbased, and peer-led programs that offer support, hope, knowledge, and advocacy for mental health concerns. Office education programs are also available.

Q: What can I expect at a peer-led support group?

A: Connections Recovery Support Group is for those struggling with mental illness, and Family Support Group is for the family of someone struggling with mental health conditions. Each group is 1.5 hours long and led by two trained facilitators who are peers for that specific group. Each support group is completely free. You can RSVP on our website.

Q: If NAMI Tarrant County is mostly free to the public, how do you, financially, keep the programs going?

A: The best answer is through you, the community. Individuals can positively impact the community by being champions of our funding and by recognizing that it takes everyone to make a meaningful impact. We host multiple fundraisers, including NAMIWalks, Rise-Up for Hope Monthly Giving, and our 2026 Pickleball Tournament.

NAMI Tarrant County Angela

3136 W. Fourth St.

817.332.6677 namitarrant.org

Cosmetic Dentistry by Dr. Kelly Blair

I chose Fort Worth for its people, and as a cosmetic dentist, I’m proud to help them feel confident through healthy, beautiful smiles. With advanced training in implants, Invisalign, and sedation, I focus on personalized care that aligns with each patient’s goals. What sets us apart is my team’s commitment to comfort, trust, and a customized experience from the moment you walk in.

CHOWTOWN

LOCAL EATS AND RESTAURANT NEWS

60

Turkish Cuisine

Cool cocktails and expertly crafted Turkish cuisine are on tap at Terra Mediterranean, the wildly popular West 7th restaurant that recently reopened. And, yes, the Shanaa family brought back Terra’s incredible lunch buffet, too.

WHAT WE’RE CHEWING OVER THIS MONTH:

On page 62 Local chef Mouhssine “Moose” Benhamacht is elevating Arlington’s fine dining landscape one restaurant at a time. His latest concept, Theodore’s Steaks & Seafood, takes over the old Campo Verde space. On page 63 Lucile’s Stateside Bistro is expanding, there’s new pizza to try at Southside Cellar, and other bits and bites in Chowtown Lowdown.

by Malcolm Mayhew

A Gyro’s Return

One of the city’s most beloved restaurants, Terra Mediterranean, reopens, anchoring a two-concept comeback for the Shanaa family.

Aweird thing happened on the Shanaa family’s way to reopening their beloved Mediterranean restaurant: They opened a Mexican restaurant.

Adam Shanaa had always planned to bring Terra Mediterranean back to Fort Worth. Open for a decade, the restaurant had long been a staple of the West 7th corridor, drawing huge crowds for its lunchtime buffet, served in an ele-

vated setting — a concept new to Fort Worth at the time; it closed in 2019.

But as the family worked toward a return, another idea began to take shape.

“My wife always wanted to open a Mexican restaurant to pay tribute to her family and their recipes, in the same way we do with Terra,” Shanaa told me last year. “She wanted a place

of her own, to do the food she loved and grew up on.”

While Shanaa focused on reviving Terra, his wife, chef Rosario Ortega — a Monterrey native whose culinary roots run deep in northern Mexico — poured herself into La Cabrona, the couple’s new Mexican concept that opened first, replanting the family’s flag in the West 7th area (now called Artisan Circle) before Terra was ready for its second act. The two restaurants sit across the street from one another.

The result is a rare kind of restaurant pairing: two distinct concepts, side by side, each reflecting a different half of a marriage. At La Cabrona, Ortega showcases Mexican dishes inspired by her upbringing, while across the street, Terra Mediterranean returns as a trib-

ute to the Turkish flavors and traditions that Shanaa, who hails from Lebanon, has spent decades sharing with North Texas diners.

“I know it sounds crazy having these restaurants next to each other, but it’s been a blessing in disguise,” says the couple’s daughter, Leena Shanaa, chief operating officer of both restaurants. “It’s so unusual, I know, but for us, it’s the perfect situation. If one restaurant gets really busy, we can go across the street and pitch in. If my mom gets busy, my dad can go over there and help and vice versa. We could not have dreamed up a better scenario.”

Although it reopened a year ago, just a block or so from its original location, Terra Med is only now celebrating its grand reopening.

“Trying to open two very different restaurants at the exact same time proved to be a lot more difficult than we thought,” Leena says, laughing. “That first year Terra had reopened was more of a soft opening, a really long soft opening. We were just trying to get everything right at La Cabrona before we turned our attention to Terra. When we first reopened Terra, it was, ‘OK, we have food.’ Nothing else was really in place yet. But now, the restaurant is where we want it to be.”

Like at the original location, the all-you-can-eat buffet — stuffed with freshly made Mediterranean staples such as hummus, baba ghanoush, various kebabs, salads, soups, and fresh-baked pita bread — is offered during lunch six days a week. An a la carte dinner menu revives favorites such as saffron chicken and grilled lamb chops and introduces a handful of new dishes, including a whole branzino, pan-seared and topped with a vinaigrette of tomatoes, olives, capers, and lemon, along with a broad selection of cocktails and wines that span the globe.

Terra’s comeback has been a long time in the making. After 10 years, the family closed the restaurant in 2019, disenchanted with the direction the district was heading at the time. Bars were beginning to dominate the area,

attracting unruly crowds, and parking had become a hassle.

But the family never left Fort Worth. In the years that followed, the Shanaas stayed busy with catering and delivery, joining a wave of local restaurateurs who pivoted to family meals during the pandemic. They also continued operating their Dallas-area locations, including Ali Baba Mediterranean in Richardson and a Terra Med in Plano.

Behind the scenes, the family’s next generation has helped shape the comeback. Leena has played a key role in launching both restaurants, opening Terra and La Cabrona virtually back-toback in late 2024 and hustling between the two, often multiple times a day.

Now, with Terra’s kinks ironed out, the restaurant is stepping back into the spotlight, and into a West 7th landscape trying to redefine itself. Terra and La Cabrona are part of a broader effort to breathe new life into the district. Younger Partners, the real estate firm that purchased Crockett Row in 2022 and rebranded it as Artisan Circle, has made revitalizing the area’s restaurant and retail mix a priority.

Bringing the Shanaa family back into the fold is a strong start. Other restaurants have followed, such as Henry McCarty Irish Pub and Top of the Morning Brunch House, with more on the way, including a Fort Worth location of Partenope Ristorante, the

acclaimed Dallas pizza spot opened by former Cane Rosso pizzaiolo Dino Santonicola.

“I do believe the area is making a comeback,” Leena says. “The owners really want the area to do well. How we came to open two restaurants next to each other — that happened over dinner. We were just casually talking about always wanting to open a Mexican restaurant, and by the end of the meal, they said, ‘Well, we’ll send the paperwork over.’ We feel like they believe enough in the area to take chances on concepts like ours — and that gave us the confidence to do the same.”

TerraMediterranean,2932CrockettSt., terramediterranean.com

by Malcolm Mayhew

Raising the Steaks

A new steakhouse from well-known North Texas chef Mouhssine “Moose” Benhamacht is elevating Arlington’s fine dining scene.

No slight to Fort Worth — well, maybe a little slight — but Arlington’s food scene offers a breadth and global range that our city struggles to match. From a deep roster of Indian restaurants to an ever-expanding mix of Asian, African and Latin American cuisines, Arlington’s culinary identity is in a class of its own, built upon the strength of its diversity — the city was recently ranked the third most diverse in the U.S.

Still, for all its depth, Arlington

has long come up short in the area of fine dining. For a city nearing 400,000 residents, the list of upscale, white-tablecloth destinations remains surprisingly thin.

Over the past few years, Arlington-based chef Mouhssine “Moose” Benhamacht has been working to change that via a string of restaurants he has either guided or owns. His latest, a new steakhouse called Theodore’s Steak & Seafood, was born out of another, more well-known restau-

rant: Campo Verde, the 40-year-old Mexican spot beloved for its yearround Christmas decor. After Moose’s attempt to resurrect the restaurant led to hit-and-miss crowds, he knew he needed to bring something new to the restaurant’s four-decade-old table.

Benhamacht had already successfully steered several fine dining concepts in Arlington, the city he now calls home after a life of traveling and cooking around the world. He helped open the food concepts at Loews Arlington Hotel and Live! by Loews, including the lavish Italian restaurant Felina, then started a hospitality group with partner Liesl Best, called Barbary West, to open the nearby Cafe Americana, which serves fine dining takes on tapas, paella, and other forms of global cuisine.

Now comes Theodore’s Steak & Seafood, the couple’s refined but approachable steakhouse, modeled after the grandeur of classic American chophouses — the kind of places where dinners unfold over hours, servers pamper, and the goal isn’t just to eat but to settle in and make an occasion of it.

“There came a point when we realized what we wanted to do with Campo Verde wasn’t going to work,” Moose says. “But I love that building. It’s made of real wood, real concrete. It was built in the 1960s, when so much effort and thought went into new builds. Opening a steakhouse has always been on deck for us, so we just put those plans into place a little sooner than we thought we would.”

Moose says he and Best looked to the restaurant’s namesake, President Theodore Roosevelt, for inspiration, drawing on early 20th-century menus, decor, and aesthetics. White tablecloths, candlelight, and top-shelf service set the tone, while a lively bar — stocked with an extensive selection of bourbons and scotches — gives the space an energy meant to carry from early evening cocktails into late-night drinks. It’s designed to be versatile, Moose says, a place for date nights, business dinners, and celebrations,

but also somewhere guests can eat, drink, and linger.

“I’d like to think of it as a modern take on a classic American steakhouse,” he says. “The atmosphere and decor are rooted in the early 20th century, the time of Theodore Roosevelt and that era of American dining. But the menu is really about balancing those classics with something more forward-looking.”

At the center are hand-selected, 28-day aged steaks, finished with house herb butter, alongside Texas Wagyu cuts. Seafood plays an equally prominent role, with towering platters of oysters and shellfish, butter-poached lobster, Chilean sea bass, and a rich seafood risotto. Classic starters — lobster bisque, French onion soup, and crab cakes — reinforce the steakhouse foundation, while the overall menu reflects Moose’s tendency to blend familiar formats with layered, international flavors.

That same balance carries into the bar program, where traditional cocktails are upped a notch with seasonal ingredients, high-quality spirits, and visually striking presentations.

Those who fondly remember Campo Verde and its bevy of Christmas lights and kitsch will be surprised at the building’s metamorphosis, Moose says.

“It’s quite shocking,” he says, laughing. “We spent about four months redesigning the whole space, installing new hardwood floors, marble in the entryway, chandeliers, sconces, leather booths, and a wine cellar. It’s a completely new restaurant.”

Theodore’s resides in an area of Arlington in need of not only a steakhouse, but fine dining in general.

“There’s definitely a void in that pocket of Arlington near Dalworthington Gardens and Pantego,” Moose says. “We wanted to build something that people visiting Arlington for a game or another event would like. But really, it’s for locals, the people who live here. You shouldn’t have to feel like you have to leave Arlington for a great night out.”

Theodore’sSteak&Seafood,2918W.PioneerParkway,Arlington,theodorestx.com

The Chowtown Lowdown

A quartet of Fort Worth food and drink veterans is opening a unique steakhouse in the old Pearl Snap Kolaches space on White Settlement Road. From Chris Jordan, Bailey Batts, Kristin Peaks Thomas, and Jywon Young — longtime pals and owners of the nearby Rabbit Hole Pub — comes Seared Steak + Cocktails, a new concept that focuses on a small menu of steaks with a cool twist. The menu is intentionally tight: a choice of three cuts, New York strip, filet, or a shareable tomahawk, each paired with bottomless french fries — a concept inspired by a group of New York steakhouses that offer similar menus. In addition to the four owners, many will recognize talented chef Joshua Donovan from his run at Heirloom FW. He’s developing a menu of familystyle sides, desserts, and rotating veggie options. There will be weekend brunch, plus a cocktail program designed by mixologist extraordinaire Young. Look for it early summer. 4006White SettlementRoad,facebook.com/ searedfwtx

Mediterranean is having a nice moment in Fort Worth. In addition to the reopening of Terra Mediterranean, written about elsewhere in these pages, two new upscale Med restaurants have recently opened. Beren Mediterranean has relocated from its food hall digs in the hospital district to the swank Near Southside space formerly housed by Maiden. It’s now called Beren Meze & Grill House (1216 6th Ave.). Expect the same high-quality Turkish food the Unlu family became known for at the Funky Town Food Hall but served in a nicer, table-service setting. Fort Worth celebrity chef Tim Love has entered the world of Mediterranean cuisine with his new restaurant Meraki (1615 Rogers Road), which opened early spring in the old Courtside Kitchen space, a couple blocks from his

Woodshed restaurant. Meraki offers a menu of housemade bread served with various Turkishinspired spreads such as black garlic hummus, along with entrees such as lamb köfte kebabs with tzatziki and sumac, grilled short rib with chermoula, and chicken with lemon yogurt and pickled vegetables.

West Side warhorse Lucile’s Stateside Bistro is, for the first time in its three decade existence, expanding. A second location of the popular restaurant, known for its chicken-fried steak and lobster rolls, will open later this year in Colleyville at 5204 Colleyville Blvd., in the old Zafiros Mexican Grill Y Catina space, according to CultureMap. lucilesstatesidebistro.com

Swing by the Southside Cellar to try out chef Ben Walter’s excellent new pizzas, made with handstretched, fermented dough and baked in an old-school conveyor pizza oven. Some of the best slices I’ve had in a while. 125S.MainSt.

Those of us waiting for the first Fort Worth-area location of Asian supermarket H Mart will need to wait a little longer.

Construction delays have bumped the opening date of the mammoth 42,500-square-foot Haltom City store, which will anchor a 50-acre mixed-use development, from this spring to this fall; it was originally slated to open late last year. That development will feature more than 50 restaurant and retail vendors.hmart.com

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DESIGNING WELLNESS

What if great design could actually make you feel better? Ginger Curtis is blending science and style to create homes that don’t just look beautiful, they promote well-being..

Designing Wellness

Through Urbanology Designs, Ginger Curtis is reimagining the way we look at interior design — and we just might be better off for it.

By Shilo Urban

What if you could sleep more soundly, stress less, and sharpen your mental acuity just by changing the design of your home? You can, says Ginger Curtis, HDTV’s 2025 Designer of the Year. Science backs her up. Curtis is the founder of Urbanology Designs, a nationally acclaimed, luxury interior design firm in North Richland Hills that specializes in neuroaesthetics: the study of how the subconscious responds to beauty, art, and aesthetic experiences — and how our surroundings affect our mental and physical health.

“Our bodies and brains have a physiological response to our environments, which have a profound effect on how we live, how we feel, our emotions, our well-being, even longevity,” explains Curtis. Color psychology, spatial harmony, and biophilic design (incorporating natural elements) all draw on neuroaesthetics. For example, stress levels plummet by 60% when we look at fractal patterns, found throughout nature in everything from tree branches and river networks to lightning and blood vessels. By adding fractal patterns to your home’s design, you can help create a feeling of comfort and sanctuary.

Seeking a feeling of sanctuary is what sparked Curtis’ first dabbles in design. “I grew up in a

Hacienda by Ginger Curtis

pretty chaotic, abusive home,” says Curtis, who was one of seven children. “If we weren't starving to death, we were being beaten within an inch of our lives. It was super traumatic.” To escape, she would head outside and build a fort or find an opening under a canopy of trees. “I would clear out little areas where I had a kitchen and a place to have pretend tea. I was constantly looking to create a place of sanctuary and safety.” She hung pretty pictures on her bedroom walls and saved up to buy throw pillows, arranging them daily. “I was always creating a sense of order, a sense of beauty…it was my way of having some amount of control in my environment.”

Curtis grew up in North Texas, but she and her siblings spent every summer with their grandparents in Carmel, California, a coastal enclave with jaw-dropping natural scenery. She played in the ocean at Pebble Beach, camped at Big Sur, and wandered through ancient redwood forests. “I grew up in a concrete jungle with a tiny backyard… then I was just transported to a magic land,” she says. Her time amid such natural splendor as a child still inspires Curtis’ aesthetic today — but many years, and many struggles, would pass before a career in design ever crossed her mind.

After one unhappy marriage and subsequent divorce, Curtis married her current husband, Eric, and became pregnant with their first daughter. The baby girl, however, was diagnosed with leukemia — and shortly after, Curtis herself was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer. During 18 months of chemotherapy, she made it her mission to renovate their entire house. Her family thought she was crazy.

But Curtis had realized just how much her environment affected her, the lifeless waiting rooms and the dreary infusion clinics. So, she once again created a place of sanctuary for herself, a cozy, harmonious home that felt like a warm hug and spoke to her soul. The project gave her purpose and healing and was the beginning of Urbanology Designs.

Fast-forward a decade, and Curtis is one of America’s most sought-after designers, racking up awards and appearing in top publications. Her focus on wellness and nature has struck a chord. Relaxed and refined, Curtis’ style is modern yet warm

According to Curtis, for the hacienda's entry, “We opened the sightline between the

and organic — and most of all, healing. Each design is deeply personal and tailored to the lifestyle and emotional experience of each client. Many return to her for their second and third homes.

Curtis works on projects across the country, including plenty in Fort Worth and Dallas, which have distinct design personalities. “There's a difference. And it's not throwing shade on Dallas, but there's just something about the Fort Worth client,” says Curtis, who loves the “incredible culture” in Cowtown. “It’s a little more laidback, a little slower pace…Fort Worth is the city that captures my heart.”

Urbanology Designs will soon expand from 10 to 14 employees, and companies are clamoring to collaborate. “We're doing incredible things on the product side and with licensing and development. I think there's going to be a big expansion in product and partnerships with really worldclass brands that align with our values.” Curtis has already launched a lighting collection, and fabric and furniture could be next.

But her dream project is to partner with a cancer treatment center. “I would love to bring life to a facility that is just lifeless,” she says, “and then just watch and see, hear the impact on the people who go there. Who are so grateful that somebody put a massive window in, so they have views of greenery and natural light, and they're not in this depressing cave.”

Adding greenery and maximizing natural light are easy tweaks that anyone can make in their home; Curtis also recommends a fresh coat of paint. And consider your lighting, which should mimic natural sunlight to support your circadian rhythm: bright and cool in the morning, dim and warm in the evening. You don’t have to revamp your entire house — creating one little nook you love is enough to make a difference.

Whether she’s renovating a reading nook or designing a multimillion-dollar mansion, Curtis’ healing spaces are transforming lives. “I have to understand that there's incredible purpose in everything that I do, and I am fueled and driven by that.” The little girl who once created sanctuaries for herself has found her calling by designing them for others. “I don't feel like I chose this,” she says. “It chose me.”

A partition separates the hacienda's bar and TV space, which “now serves as a refined yet inviting setting for entertaining and gatherings that feel as special as they are effortless.”

Speaking of the hacienda's TV room seating, Curtis says the space “embraces a bold departure from the expected. Layering Western and desertinspired elements, the design reflects an expressive aesthetic that feels personal and unexpected.”

The kitchen and dining room space “reimagines tradition,” Curtis says.

“Anchored by a dramatic fireplace, affectionately called the 'James Bond fireplace,' a custom travertine dining table, and a one-of-a-kind Lynx chandelier, it balances elevated entertaining with everyday comfort.”

“Designed to evoke the feeling of a boutique hotel getaway, the TV room transforms everyday living into an experience where comfort meets elevated style.”

“Inspired by our client, this ‘cubbie system’ was designed to showcase treasures from her travels in a way that feels deeply personal.”

“In an open floor plan with minimal division, the kitchen needed a distinctive moment of its own. The custom counter stools, affectionately named ‘the mushrooms,’ bring a playful yet elevated focal point to the space.”

by Brian Kendall

Designing the Dream with Susan Semmelmann

With multiple Dream Homes under her belt, the nationally recognized designer has become the luxury project’s go-to —

but there’s nothing predictable about her interiors.

While we wouldn’t fancy ourselves numerologists, the number eight, we’d argue, carries a fair amount of significance in the Fort Worth area. The great Troy Aikman donned the number for the Cowboys, every weekend’s full of 8-second rides in the Stockyards, and the city’s area code begins with the number eight (pay no mind to 682 — which still contains the number, mind you).

In case you were wondering, we went down this ocho-infused rabbit hole upon realizing this year marks the eighth time Susan Semmelmann and her team at Susan Semmelmann Interiors have partnered with Fort Worth Magazine to bring to life the interior design of an annual Dream Home — another worthy milestone we can add to the city’s growing list of significant eights.

The city’s premier luxury home showcase, the annual Fort Worth Magazine Dream Home assembles some of the industry’s top local professionals to design, build, and decorate a one-of-kind living space to spotlight the latest trends in luxury design and technology. This year’s flagship project will debut in October when the home opens for public touring and serves as the month’s cover feature.

The Dream Home has been Fort Worth Magazine’s flagship project since 2000 when the first Dream Home, in a style the magazine called European Country, was constructed in Mira Vista. With nearly 30 Dream Homes built over the years, the magazine has partnered with myriad builders, architects, interior designers, and other subcontractors. But no one has put their stamp of interior design on more Dream Homes than Susan Semmelmann — and it’s not even close. Of course, there’s a reason the magazine continues to return to this well — year after year, project after project — Semmelmann delivers elevated, breathtaking interior design that routinely floors our readers and those who tour the homes. For an article written about last year’s Dream Home, we referred to Semmelmann as the GOAT

(Greatest of All Time) — and we’re not adjusting our opinions.

Spoiled, we don’t expect this year’s Dream Home to be any less jaw-dropping. In fact, Semmelmann says it’ll be even better.

“[The Dream Home] is such an incredible opportunity for each professional to showcase their God-given talents,” Semmelmann says. “What sets us apart year after year is simple: We create the “wow” factor without ever repeating ourselves. Every project is a new expression, pushing boundaries and elevating expectations beyond what has been done before. We don’t design for sameness; we design for impact, for emotion, and for a greater purpose.”

Interestingly enough, Semmelmann kicked off her interior design career the same year Fort Worth Magazine launched its first Dream Home project, and she has since become one of the region’s most lauded and recognized interior designers and one of the country’s most respected. Routinely voted by our readers as the city’s best interior design firm, Semmelmann’s work spans more than $500 million in luxury homes that have earned her 16 ASID Design Excellence Awards and features in Architectural Digest, Elle Décor, and Luxe Magazine — making her work far from exclusive to our publication.

Approaching each interior with the goal of making her client’s ideal home a reality, Semmelmann says there exist no hard and fast design rules when it comes to creating a meaningful and personal space.

“It doesn’t necessarily matter what you’re designing with — colors, grays, textiles, whatever a preference may be — it’s how you design with them,” Semmelmann says. “I have clients that might fear including certain things [in their space] because they hear it’s out of fashion. Well, it’s not out of fashion. It all depends on how your designer applies it.”

While there could be client choices that force Semmelmann to make lemonade out of lemons, it’s something she’s more than capable of tackling,

and a challenge she enjoys. Though known for interior designs that contain a certain “wow” factor, there are times the veteran interior designer will dial it back to create that perfect synergy between client requests, personality, architecture, and interior design — all while including her patented stamp on the end product.

For this year’s Dream Home, Semmelmann will be thoughtfully crafting the interiors of a classic Mediterranean, one-story build in the Aledo River development, 14 miles west of Fort Worth.

“This year’s motif is where Spanish Bay meets Texas charm,” Semmelmann says. “We are layering natural materials from stone to tile, creating an organic foundation, while introducing a masculine aura through rich plaids.”

With Tyler Brabec of Brabec Custom Homes as the builder, the Dream Home sits on a densely treed 3-acre lot and measures over 6,600 square feet, which includes five bedrooms, six full bathrooms, and a four-car garage. According to Brabec, while the build will blend seamlessly with its Aledo surroundings, one could also drop it in the middle of Marseille, France, and it would look right at home.

“It’s going to be a showstopper,” Semmelmann says of the forthcoming home. “It’s unlike anything we’ve done before, and I’m incredibly excited for people to visit the home and to feel inspired by what they see. That is always my hope — for people to walk away with some new ideas and feeling encouraged to improve the space they call home.”

Key Partners Development

Homebuilder

Interior Designer

Tours of the 2026 FortWorth MagazineDream Home in Aledo River will begin in October. Proceeds from the tour benefit a Wish with Wings, a local nonprofit that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical diagnoses. Learn more at awww.org.

Aledo River

Brabec Custom Homes

Semmelmann Interiors

Appliances

Architectural Plans Beams

Cabinets Kitchen Cabinets (other)

Concrete Pavers

Countertop Fabrication

Countertop Materials

Door Front

Doors Interior

Drywall

Fence Wood - Iron - Gates Fireplaces

Flooring Materials (wood and carpet)

Flooring and Tile Labor

Garage Doors and Openers

Glass (all glass)

Gutters

Hardware

HVAC (materials and labor)

Insulation

Lighting Fixtures

Low Voltage/AV/Security

Lumber and Trusses

Plumbing Fixtures

Pool

Roofing

Stucco

Tile Material (with labor)

Trash Removal

Windows and Doors

Exterior

The Jarrell Co.

Elm Residential

Green Valley Beam & Truss Co

The Kitchen Source

Renova Custom Woodworks

Epic Pavers

Set in Stone

KLZ Stone

Durango Doors

Henson Lumber

Alliance Drywall

Buzz Custom Fence

Metro Brick and Stone Co.

Vintage Floors + Finishes

Vintage Floors + Finishes

Open Up Garage Doors

Fashion Glass

Loveless Modern Gutters

Rick’s Hardware

Performance Heat & Air

New Leaf Foam

Insulation

Ferguson

The Otium Group

Landon Lumber

Ferguson

Claffey Pools

Red Barn Roofing

Precision Finishes

Stucco & Stone

DalTile

Waste Advantage

RAM Windows & Doors

Explore stunning imagery of remarkable local home projects. Each project’s unique character, craftsmanship, and vision are vividly showcased on the following pages for your inspiration. Dive into the world of design, architecture, finishes, fixtures, outdoor spaces, and more, where the beauty and inspiration behind each home are expertly captured. The information in this section is provided by the advertisers and has not been independently verified by Fort Worth Magazine.

Project Profile

Brumbaugh's Furniture & Design Crafted Luxury at TR9 Ranch

TR9 Ranch, northwest Parker County, is a defining expression of Brumbaugh's Furniture & Design, beautiful home furnishings curated for this customer and each customer. Every element was custom driven, from bespoke upholstery to statement lighting and handcrafted chandeliers, each piece chosen to reflect both luxury and authenticity. The project presented a unique challenge: delivering a fully realized, high-end interior on an accelerated timeline for the owner. Rather than compromise, the pace sharpened the vision. Decisions were precise, execution was disciplined, and the result is a seamless

environment that feels both refined and deeply personal. Unlike typical new construction, TR9 Ranch was approached with a layered mindset — prioritizing privacy, flow, and a sense of legacy from day one. Spaces were designed not just to impress, but to live — well-balancing openness with retreat and grandeur with comfort. The end result is unmistakably Brumbaugh's, a Fort Worth tradition for 60 years: bold yet timeless, sophisticated without pretense, and rooted in a standard of excellence that defines truly iconic ranch living.

Project Profile

Emerald Custom Pools The Lazy River Retreat

This resort-style backyard transforms everyday living into a private retreat, anchored by a free-form pool and an expansive lazy river that winds through the space to create an immersive experience. A swim-up island, custom slide, and elevated spa with a dramatic spillway add layers of movement and visual interest. Fire features introduce warmth and ambiance, while landscape lighting enhances the atmosphere after dark. Expansive decking and integrated lounging areas support both relaxation and entertainment, and thoughtfully placed water features contribute to a sense of flow and tranquility. Every element is arranged to maximize function, circulation, and visual impact, resulting in a seamless indoor-outdoor environment that feels like a personal resort.

What makes this project especially memorable is its

scale and the rare residential integration of a full lazy river with an island-style centerpiece. The layout creates a destination-level experience, blending organic shapes, natural stone elements, and resort-inspired aesthetics to achieve a space that is both luxurious and inviting. The combination of flowing water, entertainment features, and smooth transitions between zones gives the backyard a cohesive, expansive feel. At night, dramatic lighting, fire elements, and the elevated spa transform the space into a striking visual showcase. Overall, the project reflects a design style centered on large, experience-driven environments that balance fun, function, and high-end comfort — resulting in a oneof-a-kind backyard defined by artistry and atmosphere.

Fort Worth Billiards Superstore

Fort Worth Billiards transformed a University of Dallas space into a bold, custom game room that blends modern design with strong school spirit. The centerpiece features a 12-foot shuffleboard and 8-foot pool table, both finished in matte black and customized with the university’s logos built directly into the play surfaces. What makes the project truly unique is the collaborative process, working closely with a university board member to bring his vision to life through fully tailored design drafts and on-site installation. The wow factor comes from the cohesive blue palette and meticulous detailing that ties the entire room together. The project reflects their signature bold simplicity while showcasing their versatility in creating personalized, high-impact spaces.

HGC Residential Development

A Dutch Colonial Haven on Mattison Avenue

HGC Residential Development is crafting a rare Dutch Colonial home on the peaceful cul-de-sac of Mattison Avenue, drawing on more than 25 years of experience building in Fort Worth’s most established neighborhoods. After extensive design exploration, the team selected this timeless, elegant architectural style and is now finalizing interior selections that will echo the home’s classic exterior. Scheduled for completion in early fall, the residence will offer over 4,000 square feet of refined living, luxurious finishes, and a thoughtfully designed floor plan that highlights HGC’s craftsmanship. Staying true to the company’s philosophy, the home is being built to honor and enhance the character of its surrounding neighborhood, resulting in a serene, sophisticated retreat that blends comfort, style, and enduring architectural integrity.

HGC Residential Development

Project Profile

This project transforms a backyard into a premium multi-sport retreat featuring a sleek modular tile court, custom color design, and a professional-grade adjustable basketball system. Natural stone retaining walls, layered landscaping, and artificial turf create a seamless connection to the home’s architecture, giving the space a polished, upscale feel. What makes it memorable is the striking contrast between the modern court surface and warm stonework, paired with an elevated layout that feels like a luxury amenity. Its uniqueness comes from the seamless integration of sport functionality with highend residential design. The bold tile pattern, pro-level hoop, and terraced stone surroundings deliver the wow factor. The modular surface enhances safety, comfort, and performance while supporting an active, social, resort-style lifestyle at home.

Provender Homes

The Aledo Manor

The Aledo Manor by Provender Homes carries its timeless design and intentional approach to living into a dining room that feels both inviting and seamlessly connected to the kitchen. Soft green paneling and delicate floral wallcovering establish a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, creating a space that feels layered, approachable, and comfortable for everyday life. A clear line of sight leads the eye to reclaimed doors glowing in the background, offering a glimpse into the hardworking scullery beyond and adding a sense of history and craftsmanship. Designed for real living, it’s a room where gatherings unfold naturally and conversations linger. Rooted in Colonial Revival symmetry and Southern charm, this home reflects Provender’s signature style of classic forms, natural materials, and warm, enduring character.

Pulliam Pools Lakefront Infinity Retreat

The Lakefront Infinity Retreat is memorable for the way it dissolves the boundary between architecture and nature. Its vanishing-edge pool visually merges with the lake, creating a striking horizon-level illusion enhanced by reflective glass tile and cascading water. Layered elements — the raised spa, tanning ledge, natural stone decking, and upper terrace loungers — provide multiple vantage points and sensory experiences, from tranquil water movement to sweeping lake views. The modernorganic aesthetic, defined by clean lines, soft curves, and natural materials, gives the space a calm and timeless character that feels both elevated and inviting. Overall, the project reflects a design style centered on harmony, flow, and thoughtful integration, where every detail supports functionality and an immersive connection to the surrounding landscape.

Luxury

Kitchen Restoration

The kitchen is the heart of the home — a place to cook, gather, and entertain. After a slab leak destroyed most of the lower-level flooring, this luxury kitchen required an extensive restoration. The original diagonal oak floors were carefully replicated and blended to seamlessly match the remaining undamaged areas. Style and character were elevated with a striking iridescent tile backsplash, paired with a sleek custom hood for a refined, modern touch. The centerpiece is an oversized island featuring multisided seating, hidden outlets, and eye-catching overhead lighting. Topped with quartz, it beautifully blends artistry, craftsmanship, and everyday functionality. As kitchens continue to evolve toward personalization and thoughtful design, this stunning space stands as the home’s true focal point — enhancing lifestyle, comfort, and value.

Project Profile

Semmelmann Interiors

Château in Bloom

The St. Jude Dream Home Showplace was created with deep intention, designed to feel both elevated and genuinely lived in.

Guided by the architecture, we layered natural materials, soft textures, and a calm, cohesive palette to bring flow and ease throughout. Every choice was made for both beauty and feeling, shaped by the meaning of contributing to something greater. The home’s impact comes from its layering and restraint — a depth that reveals itself slowly through materials, texture, and shifting light. It isn’t immediate; it unfolds over time. This project reflects our approach to every home: thoughtful, intentional, and centered on how a space is meant to be lived in. Design should serve people, and this home allowed us to do exactly that.

FOR HOME OR OFFICE

Embrace art as unique as Fort Worth’s heritage with Fort Worth Magazine’s exclusive fine art images. From our pages to your walls, now available for you to own and appreciate.

Fine art prints from our award-winning photographers are now available. Get yours today at art.fwtx.com or scan the QR code on your mobile phone.

Spring Mesa Ranch

3,173± Acres | $23,500,000

Callahan County, Cross Timbers Region of Texas

A Texas Legacy Awaits

Nestled among the high hilltops of the Callahan Divide, Spring Mesa Ranch is a true legacy property, offering breathtaking landscapes, first-class accommodations, and a rich history. Named after the mountain peak that rises 2,182 feet within its borders, this ranch has been meticulously restored to reflect the look and feel of a Texas cattle ranch from the 1840s. A large-scale cedar removal and native grass restoration program has brought the owner’s vision to life, creating some of the most scenic and productive wildlife habitats and rangelands in the region.

The land features 35 earthen stock tanks, the headwaters of Brushy and Cottonwood Creeks, seven miles of all-weather caliche roads, excellent fencing and cross-fencing, cattle pens, and nine pastures. Atop the hills, a skeet shooting pavilion and a sanctuary with a prominent cross offer breathtaking views. Upon entering through the custom-built main gate, a private all-weather rock road winds through the foothills, revealing the magnificent hilltop residence—an 8-bedroom, 8-bathroom, 16,770 square foot home with a swimming pool and outdoor entertainment area, built with no expense spared.

East of the headquarters, The Happy House is a hill country-style, four-bedroom, three-bathroom home nestled among majestic oak trees, providing a serene retreat. A ranch employee’s home is also located along FM 2228. Additional improvements include a 100’ x 45’ eight-stall horse barn with an office and a 60’ x 60’ shop with an apartment.

photos by Corinn Crippin

Top Doctors 2026 FortWorthMagazine

FortWorthMagazinecelebrated the area’s best physicians April 2 with a reception at The Magnolia, where doctors and plus-ones indulged in cocktails and hors d’oeuvres.

The event’s recommended attire was business casual, so no white coats and very few scrubs were spotted.

Sponsored by Acclaim Health, Gateway Diagnostic Imaging, Perrone Pharmacy, and The Federal Savings Bank, the reception honored 703 doctors representing 74 specialties in Greater Fort Worth. The annual list of physicians appears in the April edition of Fort Worth Magazine.

GIVE BACK

MAY

Mental Health Awareness Month

May 2

Run for the Roses Private Residence American Cancer Society

May 2

Kentucky Derby Event The Kalla - Keller Community Storehouse

May 2

CCF Scholarship Awards & Fundraiser Gala TBD Cuidado Casero Foundation

May 3

Finale and Celebration Van Cliburn Concert Hall at TCU Fort Worth Youth Orchestra

May 4

Golf Classic Trophy Club Country Club Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County

May 5

Evening of Hope The Legends Club at TCU Hope Farm

May 8

The Big Dill Pickleball Tournament

Courtside Kitchen Rivertree Academy

May 9

Strong Familes Event

Lena Pope

Lena Pope - Rooted Together

May 13

Party on the Patio Joe T. Garcia’s Cook Children’s Health Foundation

May 15

Ronald’s Roadhouse River Ranch

Stockyards

Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth

May 15

Beastro Fort Worth Zoo

Fort Worth Zoo

May 18

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Local manners say a Fort Worthian should never gloat, but we reckon there’s only one way to have the city at your fingertips.

Can you name the three downtown Fort Worth buildings in this photo?

Looking westward, three buildings intersect in one’s line of sight to create the illusion of stacked grids — different in color, structure, and breadth — existing on different planes. Only one of the buildings in this image tops out at over 150 meters, the minimum height required to earn recognition as a “skyscraper.” Cowtown is home to three skyscrapers, ranking 201st in the world and 30th in the U.S., behind fellow Texas cities Houston with 40 skyscrapers, Dallas with 20, and Austin with 17.

Seebelowfortheanswertotheabovequestion.

Answer: