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West FW

WestFWLifestyle.com

AUGUST 2017

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Lifestyle Letter

I have seen you around town

very now and then I meet someone that recognizes me from my picture and it truly surprises me. Besides my family and friends, who are obligated to read what I write, I really didn’t think that people paid much attention to it, so it was an absolute pleasure to meet Martha Wells and Cathy Ralls. When I come up with my topic each month, I try to make it relate to what the issue is about and then add in my own personal touch. I am not a writer so I struggle a bit with trying to convey my thoughts eloquently. I am not always sure that is what happens but I do give it my best shot. So to those of you that take the time to read this section of the mag, I say THANK YOU!!!!

This month’s issue is all about Back-to-School fun. Doug and I had a great time judging the Fort Worth Nissan Scholarship contest. I also added a creative use for grapes for any kid/adult that packs a lunch. Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, with a new location on W 7th, brought back a flood of amazing high school memories of hanging out after games. There is an added bonus in the Around Town section about Covenant Classical School located off Chapel Creek. If you have school age children, this unique school is definitely something to explore. Finally, one of our community partners, Huntington Learning Center located on Hulen, will get your kiddo set to be the top of the class. I think we have all of your Back-to-School bases covered. We want to wish all of our readers with school age children an excellent school year!

AUGUST 2017 PUBLISHER

Christie & Mike Thomas | Cthomas@LifestylePubs.com 817.290.2120 EDITOR

Christie Thomas | cthomas@lifestylepubs.com CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Douglas Matus, Nicolette Martin CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Richard Dalton, Nancy Farrar, Nicolette Martin

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF SALES OFFICER

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING ART DIRECTOR

EDITORIAL

AD COORDINATORS

| Cyndi King, Jessica Sharky, Dana Rudolph | Melanie Carlisle

EXECUTIVE ACCOUNTANT APPLICATION ARCHITECT

WestFWLifestyle.com JOIN US

West FW Lifestyle | August 2017

| Nicolette Martin

| Chad Jensen

PUBLISHER SUPPORT

WEB DEVELOPERS

| Janeane Thompson

| Cyndi Harrington, Andrea Thomas Alicia Huff

LAYOUT DESIGNERS

Psalm 119:66

TALK TO US

| Brad Broockerd

| Victoria Perry, Lindsey Howard

AD MANAGER

Christie Thomas, Publisher

| DeLand Shore

| Sara Minor

EDITORIAL MANAGER

Sincerely,

| Matthew Perry

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR

As always, we hope to see you around town!

| Steven Schowengerdt

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

| Randa Makeen

| Michael O’Connell

| Hanna Park, Scott Lavigne

P.O. Box 12608 Overland Park, KS 66282-3214 Proverbs 3:5-6 West FW Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of West Fort Worth’s most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in West FW Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

August 2017

Departments 8

Good Times

Around Town

Now Open

Culinary Creations

Hometown Hero

Healthy Lifestyle

Artistâ€™s Palette

Lifestyle Calendar

Localâ€™s Choice

14 Gatti's Back in Town

The new Museum Place Mr. Gatti's reintroduces the restaurant to Fort Worth

22 Paying It Forward

The Fort Worth Nissan Scholarship helps a future teacher realize her dreams of college.

26 The Tasty Way to Digestive Health

Ether Elixir, crafted right here in Fort Worth, has taken the probiotics market by storm.

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Good Times

The Benbrook Area Chamber of Commerce held their annual golf tournament at Mira Vista Country Club June 19, 2017 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Rutledge Foundation. PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY RENEE ROSS.

We make Custom rs, Barn Doo ur o y to made tions! specifica

Let the SWATCHES team help you bring your ideas & inspirations to life!

West FW Lifestyle | August 2017

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Around Town

AROUND TOWN

NORTH FORT WORTH HISTORICAL SOCIETY'S 12TH ANNUAL SAINTS AND SINNERS CEMETERY TOUR Oct. 28 & 29 Oakwood Cemetery, 701 Grand Ave., Fort Worth, Texas 76164. Oakwood Cemetery was established in 1879, with beautiful views of the downtown Fort Worth Skyline. The cemetery is south of the historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Walking tours are 1:00 and 3:30 pm on both days. Tour time is approximately 2 hours . Weather appropriate clothing & shoes for outdoor walking through the cemetery are needed. Tickets are available at the gate. Adults $10 & Students/Children $5. For information call 817-625- 5082 or go to the website, stockyardsmuseum.org The guided group tours include historically based portrayals telling the stories of early Fort Worth infamous, famous & not so famous characters. The cemetery is the resting place for many early historic figures including John Peter Smith, Luke Short, cattle and oil barons, soiled doves and the men of Bartenders Row from Hell's Half Acre. 7 historic markers are located throughout the cemetery.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL AT COVENANT CLASSICAL SCHOOL

SWATCHES FABRIC started in 2017 by Karen Smith and is based in Fort Worth, Texas.

Dear Cavaliers,

After spending over 30 years in the fabrics and interior sales business

OK, kids – are you ready? It’s almost time to kick off the new school

as the manager of Cutting Corners, Karen was presented with the

year, and we are so excited to see you again this month. The bunnies

opportunity to open her own store, and SWATCHES was born.

have been running wild on the empty playground all summer! We

SWATCHES offers the very best in fabrics and home décor

do think the bunnies are cute, but we can’t wait to see YOU on that

merchandise at market competitive prices. With an expansive and

playground instead. The school has been far too quiet without you.

ever-changing product line, you’ll be sure to find just what you’re

Do you want to hear something that’s really cool? Your teachers

looking for to make your house feel more like a home.

have been praying for you this summer. Yes, while you were swimming and relaxing and reading, somebody at Covenant was praying

SWATCHES OFFERS:

for you. These teachers take their mission pretty seriously, and they

· Designer fabrics

are grateful to be part of what God is shaping in your life.

· Trim

Remember how our theme was “Gratitude” last year? And we had

· Drapery hardware

the fun “Gratitude Jars” for you to send notes of thankfulness to each

· Rugs

other? We have a brand new theme for this year: “Building Up.” We

· Pillow inserts and custom pillow covers

are going to spend a whole year encouraging one another and build-

· Custom wood furniture, including farmhouse dining room tables

ing each other up. (Look up 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Romans 15:2, and

and made-to-order barn doors

Hebrews 10:24 to see where we got the idea!) We hope you can come to our big Covenant family picnic and

The team at SWATCHES brings over 50 combined years of exper-

Convocation on August 20. You can see all your friends and play

tise in the home décor and fabric sales business, and look forward to

on the playground, then join us as we pray and ask God to bless

helping you bring your ideas and inspirations to life.

our 2017-18 school year for His glory. We know He is going to do big

Visit us in store today or check us out online!

things at Covenant this year!

5427-B South Hulen Street

We can’t wait to see you!

Fort Worth, TX 76132

Covenant Classical School

817.263.6834

Faculty and Administration

www.swatchesfw.com

West FW Lifestyle | August 2017

CONTINUED >

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Around Town

(CON TI N U ED)

203 CAFÉ TO OPEN ON THE 2ND FLOOR OF THE FIRE STATION NO. 1 IN SUNDANCE SQUARE THIS FALL New Breakfast, Lunch and Catering Location Offered by Reata Restaurant Group After more than two decades of providing legendary Texas cuisine with a healthy portion of exceptional service to tens of thousands of loyal customers, the owner of Reata Restaurant is expanding with the new 203 Café.

With a focus on signature sandwiches, examples of 203 Café

Located on the second floor of the Fire Station No. 1 building in

menu items include:

Sundance Square at 203 Commerce Street and between the Wells

• The Rueben – Housemade pastrami with applewood-smoked

Fargo and Bank of America towers, 203 Café will offer fast casual

bacon, swiss cheese, housemade fennel sauerkraut and whole grain

breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday, along with catering

mustard, served on toasted pumpernickel rye bread.

to downtown businesses.

• The Turkey – Citrus and herb-roasted turkey breast sliced thin,

“When we initially established ‘Reata on the Road’ as a ‘temporary’ catering company back in 2001, we had no idea how significant our

with whole grain mustard, arugula and sliced red onions, served on a butter croissant roll.

catering business would grow to be, especially among the downtown

• The Buffalo Shrimp – Fried bay shrimp tossed in spicy house made

office community,” said Mike Micallef, owner and president of Reata

buffalo sauce, with shredded iceberg, red cabbage, cilantro, sliced

Restaurant Group. “We also recognize that sometimes office workers

tomatoes, cotija cheese and garlic aioli, served on toasted ciabatta.

need another option for lunch on the go. 203 Café will provide a dif-

• The Bratwurst – Traditional German sausage of pork and spices

ferent menu than Reata through satisfying items that are easy to take

steamed in lager, with housemade sauerkraut and whole grain mus-

back to a desk or a conference room.”

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Now Open

GATTI'S

BACK IN TOWN THE NEW MUSEUM PLACE MR. GATTI'S REINTRODUCES THE RESTAURANT TO FORT WORTH — AND STANDS AS A REVITALIZATION OF THE BRAND. ARTICLE DOUGLAS MATUS PHOTOGRAPHY NANCY FARRAR

West FW Lifestyle | August 2017

legend in the pizza business has

state-of-the-art arcades. The games became an

returned to Fort Worth via a new flag-

even larger focus with the development of the

ship location at 3268 W. Seventh. Mr. Gatti’s

GattiTown concept. Through it all, Gatti’s Pizza

has served up great pizza and fond memo-

has always kept a tight focus on quality pizza

ries for Texans for almost 50 years. Though

and a family atmosphere.

the institution has opened almost 100

The new Museum Place location stands as

locations across the country, it has always

the first Gatti’s Pizza restaurant to feature the

called Texas home. Practically everyone can

original “Mr. Gatti’s” name in many years. Not

pleasantly recall birthday parties or a day

only does this location stand as the first Fort

out with the family, thanks to the pizza and

Worth location in recent memory, it marks

atmosphere of a Mr. Gatti’s or GattiTown.

the first step in Gatti’s Pizza’s new plans for

The first Mr. Gatti’s appeared in Austin in 1969.

expansion. Fort Worth will stay in the center of

The creation of Mr. James Eure, it evolved from

these plans, thanks to Gatti’s Pizza’s acquisi-

an original restaurant, The Pizza Place, which

tion by a Fort Worth-based company, Sovrano

had opened in Stephenville in 1964. As the

LLC. We recently spoke with Michael Poates,

business flourished throughout the 80s and 90s,

President of Gatti’s Pizza, to learn more about

certain Mr. Gatti’s began to feature buffets and

this new endeavor.

WHAT WENT INTO THE CHOICE OF THIS W. SEVENTH LOCATION FOR THE NEW MR. GATTI’S FLAGSHIP? GATTI’S: Gatti’s corporate office is in close proximity, and provides

great training for both corporate and franchise locations. The space also has enormous visibility through the museum district traffic, dense surrounding office space, and the nearby family neighborhood to drive the lunch traffic. WHAT ELEMENTS OF MR. GATTI’S, WHETHER THE FOOD, THE NOSTALGIA, THE SERVICE, OR THE ATMOSPHERE, DO YOU FEEL CUSTOMERS APPRECIATE THE MOST? GATTI’S: The nostalgia and the food get the most attention. Every

guest who comes in the door at Mr. Gatti’s seems to have a memory of “their” Mr. Gatti’s. They can tell us where the restaurant was located, what they used to eat, and share fond memories of their time at Mr. Gatti’s. The food is an instant flashback of flavor with our original recipes that have remained consistent for decades. WHY A RETURN TO THE MR. GATTI’S NAME? HOW DOES THIS CONCEPT DIFFER FROM OTHER GATTI’S RESTAURANTS? GATTI’S: Mr. Gatti’s represents a return to the original restaurant

concept of having your food made fresh the moment you order and then delivered to your table. Gatti’s Pizza is a buffet concept that often includes large game rooms and party rooms for birthday and group celebrations. As other brands chase the trends of the day or try to hop on the latest fad, Mr. Gatti's Pizza is taking a different approach. We seek to define our future through a visit to our past and reconnection to its latency, at a time and place when the brand has optimal market share and name recognition. DESCRIBE THE MENU. WHAT INFORMED YOUR CHOICES, AND WHAT HAS PROVEN ESPECIALLY POPULAR WITH CUSTOMERS? GATTI’S: The Mr. Gatti's menu, much of it prepared in a copper tiled,

stone fired rotary deck oven, reintroduces the original Neapolitan-style pizza crust, original menu favorites, and new creations that are proving to be popular with our guests. Our dough, original pizza sauce, smoked Provolone cheese and scratch-made Ranch dressing are longtime favorites and very familiar to our fans. We have added to the menu selection to provide new choices such as Ginormous Meatballs, Chop Chop Salad, an assortment of flatbread pizzas, and gelato. HOW DOES MR. GATTI’S APPEAL TO DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS? GATTI’S: Our goal in launching Mr. Gatti’s is to reconnect the brand

to a loyal and passionate customer base that have now become parents. We hope to use that original consumer to introduce the brand to a new generation of guests. Since the introduction of new Mr. Gatti's restaurants, we are hearing from guests who have great memories of Mr. Gatti's from when they were kids, and who are excited about the ability to introduce their own children to one of their favorite childhood experiences.

LOCATED

3268 W. 7th St, Fort Worth, TX 76107 | 817-435-2222 August 2017 | West FW Lifestyle

Culinary Creations

C u l i n a r y C r e at i o n s T

he busy pace of back-to-school schedules can

and ready to eat when you buy them. While grapes

make it feel like nearly every aspect of life has

are indeed ideal for snacking because they hold, store

you under a time crunch. Fortunately, when it comes

and travel well, this healthy and delicious fruit is also

to feeding the family, there are some simple foods you

a simple addition to meals throughout the day. Grapes

likely already have on hand that can provide easy solu-

require minimal preparation, so theyâ€™re equally easy as

tions for snacks and mealtime alike.

a side dish or as a fun way to deliver the fresh produce

A go-to fruit like California grapes is a fresh staple you can depend on because they are always ripe 16

West FW Lifestyle | August 2017

factor in a wide range of family-friendly recipes, such as these Grape and Ricotta Pita Pizzas.

nola takes on a sweet note when topped with a handful of

G r a p e a n d R i c o tta Pi ta Pi z z a s

grapes. Slice or quarter grapes then mix well for a medley

SERVINGS: 4

Tips like these show how you can easily incorporate grapes into every meal: BREAKFAST: A cup of creamy yogurt and crunchy gra-

of textures and flavors in every bite. MORNING SNACK: Pair grapes with cheese and crackers

2 whole-wheat pita pocket breads (about 6 inches in diameter)

for a sweet and savory snack to keep your energy strong

1 tablespoon olive oil

and your hunger in check until lunchtime.

1/2 cup part-skim ricotta cheese, divided

LUNCH: A handful of grapes can balance out a sandwich

and add some sweet indulgence to the midday meal. AFTER SCHOOL: Grapes offer hydration and quick

energy so theyâ€™re the perfect way to fuel up for after school

1 cup seedless red or black California grapes, thinly sliced or halved 2 teaspoons honey 1 teaspoon lemon juice 6 large or 12 small fresh basil leaves, cut into ribbons

sports or to lend some extra brain power for study time. DINNERTIME RUSH: Use grapes for an easy side dish

that goes with anything. A quick meal like grilled cheese and grapes brings out the kid in everyone.

Heat oven to 450 F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Slice pita pockets in half so each forms two rounds, creating four rounds total. Place pita rounds on baking sheets cut-side up and brush top of each with oil.

EVENING SNACK: Toward the end of the day, cravings

Spread 2 tablespoons ricotta cheese on each pita, leaving about 1/2-inch

can creep up but keeping a bowl of fresh grapes on hand

border around edges then arrange sliced grapes in single layer on top of

for after dinner snacking helps avoid alternative salty,

cheese. Bake until edges are crisped and cheese is warmed, 5-7 minutes.

highly processed choices. Find more great ideas for enjoying grapes throughout the day at grapesfromcalifornia.com.

In small bowl, stir together honey and lemon juice until honey is dissolved. When pizzas are done, drizzle each with about 1/2 teaspoon honey-lemon mixture. Sprinkle basil on top of pizzas. Serve immediately.

Do you want more for your child than just a great education? So do we. Covenant Classical School Educating the hearts and minds of our students for the glory of God

Schedule a tour at www.covenantfw.org August 2017 | West FW Lifestyle

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West FW Lifestyle | August 2017

CONTINUED >

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August 2017 | West FW Lifestyle

Hometown Hero

ARTICLE DOUGLAS MATUS | PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD DALTON

West FW Lifestyle | August 2017

Paying It

FORWARD THE FORT WORTH NISSAN SCHOLARSHIP HELPS A FUTURE TEACHER REALIZE HER DREAMS OF COLLEGE.

or too many young people, college appears as

Mr. Mefford saw great appeal in the idea to make a difference in

an unattainable dream. Tuition costs, already

a kid’s education. Without help, untold numbers of local students

high, have continually risen. Before you blame the

will simply forego the great opportunities for improved employ-

market, consider this: the cost of tuition has rapidly

ment and personal betterment that college offers. The scholarship

outpaced inflation, almost to the point of absurdity.

brainstormed with Christie and offered through Mr. Mefford’s Fort

Annual tuition at Harvard, for example, currently sits

Worth Nissan would help offset this burden, not just for one, but for

at around $45,000. This represents an increase of

two industrious students.

17x the amount in 1971. If tuition had simply tracked

“My original thought was for a $2500 scholarship,” says Christie.

inflation over that time period, it today would stand

“Mark stepped up and wanted to do $7500 between two students,

at just $15,189 at the nation’s most prestigious school.

with $5000 going to first and $2500 to second.”

This situation applies for all schools, not just the

To make it happen, Christie contacted the office of Dr. Anita Perry at

Ivy League. In 2016, the average cost of annual

Fort Worth ISD. Coral Simpkins, administrative associate in the Academic

attendance at a four-year, private and non-profit

Advisement Department, became the point person for this endeavor.

university stood at $31,231. If measured against

“Coral orchestrated the whole plan,” says Christie. “She sent me

inflation and tracked across the same time period

ideas on how the students could compete, and we settled on the

as the Harvard example, tuition should come in at

essay. It was Coral who provided topics. What could be more appro-

$9,139 per year.

priate than an essay on the dangers of distracted driving?”

Thankfully, whereas those in charge at universities

Once the wheels began to turn, enthusiasm for this scholarship

see fit to continually raise tuition, others have stepped

resonated across every level, and more than two dozen students

in to fill something of the gap. One of those noble

finally submitted essays. Eventually, the varied and impressive

souls appears in the person of Mark Mefford of Fort

field yielded a clear winner, Alexa Villa, and a runner-up, Kishaun

Worth Nissan. Recently, Mr. Mefford contacted the

Jackson. Alexa, the unanimous choice for first amongst the contest’s

editor of this magazine, Christie Thomas, with an idea

four judges, drew from a powerful well of personal experience in the

to give back to the community.

composition of her essay.

“Mark asked me to lunch because he needed

“When I saw the prompt about how I speak to my community about

help with an idea,” says Christie. “He wanted to give

distracted driving, I knew exactly what I wanted to say,” says Alexa. “I

back to the community and wanted suggestions. I

was involved in a car accident about two years ago, and know precisely

told him an idea that my husband and I had about

how to talk to people about safe driving. I don’t want anyone to go

doing a scholarship, and Mark loved it.”

through what I went through in my accident.”

CONTINUED >

August 2017 | West FW Lifestyle

Hometown Hero

(CON TI N U ED)

Alexa’s accident, which occurred in 2015, was a serious affair that left her with a broken leg and fractured pelvis. She remained in the hospital for two weeks, and used crutches for an additional 10. Fully recovered, she returned to cheerleading at her high school, Western Hills, and now looks forward to a particularly rewarding career: teaching. “This fall, I plan to attend Tarleton State,” says Alexa. “I’m majoring in math so that I can be a high school teacher. It’s all I’ve ever wanted to be.” As for the assistance granted through the scholarship, Alexa appreciates the $5,000 as a huge difference maker for herself and her family. “It makes a really big difference,” says Alexa. “I was actually stressing out about how I was going to pay for school. When I won the scholarship, I was shocked and grateful, as it covers most everything I need.” An event held on May 20th at Fort Worth Nissan consisted of drum-lines, food, and lots of fun to celebrate Alexa’s achievement. As one student moves forward flush with the benefits of Fort Worth Nissan’s generosity, another will get the opportunity in the next school year. Now an active scholarship partner with Fort Worth ISD, Fort Worth Nissan plans to offer another scholarship next fall.

West FW Lifestyle | August 2017

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Healthy Lifestyle

The Tasty Way to Digestive Health

ETHER ELIXIR, CRAFTED RIGHT HERE IN FORT WORTH, HAS TAKEN THE PROBIOTICS MARKET BY STORM.

ometimes great products get born of careful planning and firm intention. Other times, circumstances

align around an idea and purpose, as if fate itself helps will something into being. A probiotic beverage handcrafted here in Fort Worth, falls into the latter category. Creator Autumn Warren originally crafted the beverage for the personal use of herself and her family. Now, Ether Elixir, the company founded in September 2016 by Autumn and her husband, Richard Warren, has taken the probiotics market by storm. Widely available here in Fort Worth and nearby areas, the company has already gone national. Soon, a production facility will open in California, a market that promises huge things for the fledgling business. This rapid growth was never anticipated by Autumn, who first began to craft the beverage seven years ago. “I have auto-immune disease, as do my children,” says Autumn. “Probiotics are a great way to combat any kind of chronic disease, and I wanted to consume more. Capsules are expensive, and the probiotics are often no longer alive. I lusted after the dairy kefirs, but I don’t do dairy. So, I thought it would be cool to make my own kefir, and started with cashew milk.” Most people have heard probiotics as a buzzword without fully understanding what it means. Essentially, probiotics represent live yeasts and bacteria that perform beneficial functions for a person’s health. In particular, the digestive system benefits from the presence of these live organisms. If the thought of ingesting live bacteria makes you cringe, keep in mind that a healthy human body nat-

urally contains around 100 trillion bacterial cells. “Your body contains more bacterial cells than human cells,” explains Autumn. “You can have good bacteria or bad bacteria. Ether Elixir provides lots of live, good bacteria.”

West FW Lifestyle | August 2017

Cashew milk proved less than ideal as a source for kefir, so Autumn

of kefir that turned out to be more than her family could consume.

began to ponder other alternatives. Ideally, it would appeal to her

She didn’t want it to go to waste, however, and posted it for sale on her

children, who were slightly more picky when it came to sources of

neighborhood’s Facebook page.

probiotics. Juice became a target of interest to Autumn, thanks to its

“People bought it right away,” says Autumn. “I didn’t think any more

natural sugar content. Kefir requires sugar as fuel for the probiotics

about it, but then people began to contact me wondering when they could

themselves. Ether Elixir was thus born out of a happy accident.

get more. At that point it became a fun way to make some extra cash.”

“It kinda happened by chance,” says Autumn. “I was testing a new

The response quickly grew, however, until Autumn began to have

probiotic, and put it into some juice just to see what would happen. It

difficulty catering to the demand. As a one-woman operation, she

looked bubbly and fun, so I tasted it and thought, ‘Wow!’”

didn’t feel organized enough to take care of people’s needs for her kefir.

The new concoction passed the ultimate test when Autumn gave

“I began to think about it, and thought that if it was really helping peo-

it to her two children, who drank it eagerly. Unlike cashew milk, which

ple, it could become a big thing,” says Autumn. “I recognized that kom-

required the addition of both sugar and flavoring, the juice contained

bucha has become a big thing, and our kefir is a similar product. I saw

both naturally. Happy with this success, Autumn became to make

the market potential, and my husband happens to be an entrepreneur.”

juice-based kefir solely for her family.

In September of 2016, Ether Elixir first began to roll off the assembly

“It was fun to drink and became our little treat,” says Autumn. “I

line of the company’s southside production facility. If you’d like to see

continued to make it because it tasted good, alleviated a lot of my

what the fuss is all about, you can find Ether Elixir here in Fort Worth

symptoms, and helped my kids. They don’t get sick very often.”

at Sunflower Shoppe, Natural Grocers, and a broad selection of other

The evolution from home-based treat to thriving business happened through a series of fortunate circumstances. Autumn made a batch

vendors such as yogas studios and wellness centers. Additionally, the product will soon become available at Sprout’s and Central Market.

ARTICLE DOUGLAS MATUS | PHOTOGRAPHY RICHARD DALTON

August 2017 | West FW Lifestyle

Artistâ€™s Palette

BEST BETS

fo r Ba ck to Sc ho ol

very family needs the right items on hand to ensure students are geared up to succeed in the classroom and on the playing field.

These supplies and handy tools are designed to make back-to-school season easy as 1-2-3 for kids and parents alike.

A s ti ck y so lu ti o n Art projects abound when a new school year begins and the perfect paper crafts require a secure bond that withstands transportation from school to home. An Elmer's Re-Stick Glue Stick lets little hands fine-tune placement of different pieces for up to five minutes before a permanent bond forms. The sticks apply smoothly and dry clear for a mess-free appearance that is ideal for younger learners, as well as making poster presentations, crafts and more. See what ideas will stick for you at elmers.com.

West FW Lifestyle | August 2017

Sm ar t si pp in g Good hydration is important for overall health and keeping a water bottle by your side is one way to help ensure you're keeping your intake steady throughout the day. The Contigo AUTOSPOUT Chug Water Bottle enables simple sipping on the go with its patented technology and high flow for quick, one-handed drinking. The vacuum-insulated stainless steel keeps beverages refreshingly cold for up to 24 hours, and a protective spout prevents leaks and helps keep out dirt and germs. Find more information at gocontigo.com.

Word- wise From creating spaces at home that help organize school paperwork to identifying personal items like laptops or calculators, an electric labeler makes short work of the job. The DYMO MobileLabeler offers Bluetooth connectivity for fast and easy setup, along with a voice-to-text feature and spellcheck to help save time. A free app lets you create the label via a smartphone using a wide variety of colors and font libraries then print the size you need from 1/4 inch-1 inch wide. Learn more at dymo.com.

Or ganiz e with color Keeping track of schedules, homework and other activities can be an exhausting chore, but a color-coded dry-erase board is one way to keep everything straight. A highly visible, low-odor ink like the one used in the EXPO Dry Erase Markers with Ink Indicator makes getting organized fun, plus the easy-to-see ink levels ensures you'll never unknowingly run dry. The versatile chisel tip marks broad, medium and fine lines, and six bold and bright colors let you add a little creative flair to your efforts to bring order to the chaos. Check out these and other dry-erase tools at expomarkers.com.

A cool way to re fuel A rigorous morning of academics calls for an energizing and nutritious lunch to power through the end of the school day. Rubbermaid BRILLIANCE Lunch containers are leak-proof with airtight latches and adjustable insert trays and dividers to create custom compartments inside. The ultra-durable material keeps the container stain-free and odor-free. They're also BPA-free and safe for the dishwasher, microwave and freezer. Find this and other lunch solutions at rubbermaid.com.

Artw ork for the sen ses Nothing sparks creativity like engaging all the senses, and an array of bold scents and vivid colors is the perfect combination for some inspired artwork. Mr. Sketch Scented Crayons come in a package of 12 and feature a twist design that means they never need sharpening. A hard plastic body reduces crayon breakage, making these instruments ideal for children as young as 3 years of age. Explore more crayons and tools to encourage creativity this school year at mrsketch.com.

A bri g ht id ea Defining important text or keeping track of key calendar dates is easier with Sharpie Clear View Highlighters that

August 2017 | West FW Lifestyle

Lifestyle Calendar

August AUGUST 1 - 6

Andante & Finale and Lady of the Camellias choreographed by Artistic

THE BODYGUARD

Director Chung-Lin Tseng. Ballet Frontier will also present Pinocchio.

BASS PERFORMANCE HALL Based on the smash-hit film, The Bodyguard is a breathtakingly romantic thriller and features irresistible classics including Queen of the Night, So Emotional, One Moment in Time, Saving All My Love, Run to You, I Have Nothing, I Wanna Dance with Somebody and one of the biggest selling songs of all time – I Will Always Love You.

AUGUST 1 - 27 BEEHIVE- THE 60'S MUSICAL JUBILEE THEATRE A wild toe-tapping, head shakin’ musical tribute to the rockin’ women who made the music of the ‘60s so special – everyone from Lesley Gore to Janis Joplin, from the Shirelles to the Supremes, Aretha Franklin to Tina Turner.

AUGUST 25 FORT WORTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA - FESTIVAL: CONCERT ONE- AMADEUS ON SUNDANCE SQUARE PLAZA SUNDANCE SQUARE PLAZA Miguel Harth-Bedoya will lead the Fort Worth Symphony Orches-

AUGUST 7 - 12

tra in music by three titans of the symphonic repertoire: Beethoven, Haydn and Mozart. The final year of the Classical Masters Festi-

LOVE NEVER DIES

val opens with a FREE screening of the Academy Award-Winning

BASS PERFORMANCE HALL

film Amadeuson the Sundance Square plaza.

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s spellbinding sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. It is 10 years after his disappearance from the Paris Opera

AUGUST 29

House and the Phantom has escaped to a new life in New York. In

LYLE LOVETT & HIS LARGE BAND

this new world, he has finally found a place for his music to soar

BASS PERFORMANCE HALL

AUGUST 19

Carrying on what has become an annual tradition, Texas singer/ songwriter Lyle Lovett returns for one night only - a show that

TCHAIKOVSKY, CHOPIN & PINOCCHIO

will surely sell out. Lovett will bring along his dusty odes to Texas

W.E. SCOTT THEATRE

and stories about the left-of-center characters who populate it,

Ballet Frontier of Texas brings back three beloved pieces from its repertoire

along with his long-running backup band, and, of course, his wry

in this captivating evening of ballet. The ballet company will be performing

and dry sense of humor.

West FW Lifestyle | August 2017

With our handy pick-up and drop-off service, having your car repaired could not be easier. PREMIUM LAND ROVER & BMW SUPPORT EXPERT REPAIR: Mechanical, Interior & More MAINTENANCE: Oil Changes, Filters, Service Plans SALES & CONSIGNMENTS

(817) 731 3223 WWW.COWTOWNROVER.COM 3958 Vickery Blvd, Fort Worth, TX

August 2017 | West FW Lifestyle

“IF YOU WEAR IT, WE CLEAN IT!”

business directory

ART & PHOTOGRAPHY

Nancy Farrar (817) 937-1557 farrarfoodphotography.com

AUTOMOTIVE

FREE PICK UP & DELIVERY SERVICE FLUFF & FOLD SERVICE DRY CLEANING & LAUNDRY TAILORING / ALTERATIONS SHOE/BOOT SHINE & REPAIR HAT SHAPING & CLEANING MONOGRAMMING

Fort Worth Nissan (817) 560-9000 fortworthnissan.com

COMMUNITY EVENTS & ORGANIZATIONS Benbrook Chamber of Commerce (827) 249-4451 benbrookonline.com City of Benbrook (817) 249-6090

DENTISTS & ORTHODONTICS Fort Worth Cosmetic & Family Dentistry (817) 737-6601 ngreendental.com

DRY CLEANERS

Sondra's Premier Cleaners (682) 224-0778

EDUCATION

Covenant Classical School (817) 820-0884 covenantfw.org Huntington Learning Center Fort Worth (817) 924-5800 huntingtonhelps.com

FOOD & BEVERAGE

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West FW Lifestyle | August 2017

Mr. Gatti's Pizza (817) 435-2222 gattispizza.com

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Medi-Weightloss (817) 737-2700 mediweightloss.com

HOME BUILDERS & REMODELERS

Southern Painting Fort Worth (817) 732-0055 southernpainting.com

HOME DESIGN & FURNISHINGS

Decorating Den Interiors Bonnie Pressley (817) 249-5779 bonniepressley. decoratingden.com Oakline Floors (817) 757-4330 oaklinefloors.net Oliver Dyer (817) 244-1874 oliverdyersappliance.com Swatches Fort Worth (817) 263-6834 swatchesfw.com

HOME SERVICES

Archies Gardenland (817) 737-6614 archiesgardenland.com Circle J Heating & Air Conditioning (817) 249-6998 circlejheat-air.com Vista Fence & Outdoor Living (817) 889-4020 vistafencefortworth.com

LUXURY AUTOMOTIVE Cowtown Rover (817) 731-3223 cowtownrover.com

MEDICAL CLINICS & FACILITIES Texas Health Resources Willow Park (817) 757-1500 texashealth,org/ willow-park-fitness

RESTAURANTS, FOOD & BEVERAGE Buffalo West (817) 732-2370 buffalowestfw.com The Dive Oyster Bar (817) 560-3483 oscarspub.com

SPECIALTY SHOPS Roy Pope Grocery (817) 732-2863 roypopegrocery.com

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Local’s Choice

BETTER BACK-TO-SCHOOL BUYS W to help ensure success. Whether it’s tools for the classroom, supplies for a nutritious lunch, stylish clothes or helpful items for home, you’ll

hen those first school bells ring and class is back in session for kids of all ages, make sure you and your student have everything in hand

need to gear up for the school year ahead. Find more back-to-school solutions at eLivingToday.com.

GIVE GRATITUDE

SIMPLY SUPER STORAGE FOR KIDS

TECH TOOLS FOR STUDENTS

Teachers’ hard work and planning begin

Good organizational habits are important

long before the school year starts and classes

to a child’s success in school. That’s why

TI-Innovator Hub from Texas Instruments,

are back in session. Show your gratitude to

ClosetMaid created KidSpace, a collection of

which plugs into the TI-84 Plus CE or TI-Nspire

your children’s teachers with merci Chocolates,

kid-tested and kid-approved juvenile storage

CX graphing calculator many students

a thoughtful collection of fine, European choc-

furniture ranging from toy chests to storage

already have. The hub is a palm-sized board

olates. Each slim, stylish box contains eight

shelves. This robust line, which was designed

with a microcontroller that turns a graphing

unique, individually wrapped flavors, making

with safety and storage in mind, helps par-

calculator into a STEM tool for back to school.

it the perfect token of appreciation to teachers

ents avoid clutter and create more space for

Students can light up LEDs or write a pro-

for opening minds and touching hearts. Find

imagination, magic and giggles in bedrooms,

gram to play a song using their calculators.

more information at merci.us.

playrooms, living rooms and more. For more

Learn more at education.ti.com.

A HELPING OF HUMMUS Find the hummus you love in individual,

information, visit closetmaid.com/kidspace.

SPORTY SNEAKERS

Teach

students

code

with

the

LUNCHTIME UPGRADE Give your old-school lunchbox a technol-

portable containers with Sabra Singles, which

Send your student to school in style with

ogy upgrade this school year. The Freezable

are easy to add to a lunchbox when you’re on

shoes that fit this season’s “athleisure” trend

Classic Lunch Box from PackIt is the only

the move. Each 2-ounce cup of Sabra hummus

and kick it up a notch with a hint of spar-

horizontal lunch box that chills healthy food

is non-GMO and contains 4 grams of plant-

kle. These retro-inspired Arizona Sparkling

for hours with built-in freezable gel that elim-

based protein and 3 grams of dietary fiber

Sneakers can add a relaxed, sporty feeling

inates the need for ice packs. The lunchbox’s

with no added sugar. Serve with carrots for

to a wardrobe without compromising on

top-load design makes it easy to pack flat

an easy and tasty way to increase the veggies

appearance. Help your child stand out from

containers like bento boxes, and a buckle

in your child’s diet every day. Visit sabra.com

the crowd by finding these and more at

handle clips onto totes, backpacks or sports

for more information.

JCPenney with styles that are priced to buy

bags for convenient travel to and from school,

and guaranteed to love. Find more back-to-

day care and extracurricular activities. Find

school styles at JCPenney.com.