Before settling into a chosen career of editing, I paid my dues by working as a mixologist during my college years, creating cocktails for thirsty locals. It's amazing what you can observe about human behavior from the other side of the bar.
One thing I learned quickly was that certain drink choices can either make or break an evening. In order to make that decision easier for our readers, we sent writer Courtney Dabney out in search of the coolest drink offerings around town. From the tangiest margarita to the spiciest Bloody Mary, Courtney shares her favorite libations on page 38.
The perfect summer cocktail is not all we were craving this month. We also had a hankering to find the best burger in Fort Worth. It seems that everyone has his or her own opinion about what makes the perfect burger. For some, it's the durability of the bun or the quality of the meat, and for others, it's the fixins or the sauce.
In June, we partnered with the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame to host a burger showdown. It was a grand affair with seven participating restaurants (Brownstone, Chop House Burgers, Jakes Uptown, Kincaid's, M&O Station Grill, Shaw's Patio Bar & Grill and Tommy"s), kid-friendly activities and live music. Feast your eyes on the winning burger on page 50.
Summer fun isn't limited to the Cultural District. Parents can find an abundance of exciting programs and camps locally, including YMCA Camp Carter, which celebrates 65 years of making camp magical for kids.
Steeped in tradition, Camp Carter has a rich history that not all Fort Worthians may know about. The mission of the camp is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all. They do this by providing activities at camp that teach the values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.
Camp Carter has two programs designed to encourage teens to become leaders rather than followers. Some Camp Carter alumni have gone on to do great things in the community and can trace much of their influence back to lessons they learned at summer camp. Check out Happy Campers on page 62 to learn more about the camp and hear from former camp-goers.
On a more serious note, in this issue (page 22) we discuss how genetic testing is changing the way North Texans are taking charge of their personal health. Angelina Jolie's decision to undergo a preventative double mastectomy pushed this subject center stage and had many people wondering, "If I had the opportunity of knowing my body's potential for developing certain cancers, would I take it?"
Testing started in Fort Worth in 2000. The Moncrief Cancer Institute has seen around 4,500 patients of which 500 tested positive for a cancer-related genetic mutation. A new group of patients called "previvors," a term coined by FORCE (Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered) can take additional precautions and increase medical surveillance based on this technology. Hopefully, this screening may bring some piece of mind to those with a family history of cancer.
Wherever your summer takes you, we're happy to tag along for the ride. Thanks for reading.
