Plastic Surgeon in Fort Worth, TX

Mike Szabo, who led the Trinity High School basketball program to a pair of state championships, has a new coaching job in Texas.

Fort Worth Country Day announced on its website last month that Szabo has been named its new boys basketball coach.

Szabo could not be reached for comment.

Szabo previously spent three seasons at Fort Worth Country Day from 1998-2001, leading the Falcons to the Southwest Preparatory Conference Division I championship in 2001.

Szabo left Texas for Trinity in fall 2001 and spent 23 seasons with the Shamrocks, compiling a 526-192 record and winning state titles in 2012 and 2019. He was named The Courier Journal’s Kentucky Boys Basketball Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2010.

Szabo’s last game as head coach at Trinity came on Jan. 12, 2024, in a 59-58 loss to St. Xavier in the semifinals of the Louisville Invitational Tournament.

A week later, Trinity announced Szabo was taking a leave of absence “due to some health issues.” Bret Saxton coached the Shamrocks the rest of the 2023-24 season, leading them to a Seventh Region title, and was named full-time head coach in April 2024.

Szabo grew up in New Hampshire and played baseball at Plymouth State University before going into coaching. He coached at Northwestern University and Washington College Academy in Limestone, Tennessee, before his first stint at Fort Worth Country Day.

Jason Frakes: 502-582-4046; [email protected]; Follow on X @kyhighs.

This story was updated to add a video.

Texas Health Resources and G.E. Foodland Inc. are doubling down on efforts to make fresh produce more affordable for area families, by expanding the number of grocery stores offering Double Up Food Bucks Texas benefits in North Texas. The two announced today that four additional Foodland Markets stores will now offer Double Up Texas benefits to shoppers eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits.

Double Up Texas is led statewide by Sustainable Food Center and carried out in North Texas by Texas Health Community Hope, Texas Health Resources’ unique approach to promoting healthier futures through a broad range of impactful initiatives, investments, and collaborations. The program allows eligible shoppers receiving SNAP benefits to double their purchasing dollars when buying fresh fruits and vegetables at participating grocers and farmers markets. Texas Health customizes the program to the needs of individual merchants, with most participating merchants offering customers 50% off fresh produce up to $10 a day. This work is supported by the Double Up Food Bucks Texas program, project award no. 2024-70415-43711, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

Texas Health introduced the Double Up Texas program to North Texas in 2020 by making benefits available at Cowtown Farmers Market. G.E. Foodland was the first grocer to offer benefits in 2021 at the Foodland Markets at 1524 NW 25th St. and 1212 S. Ayers Ave. in Fort Worth. Texas Health and G.E. Foodland later introduced the benefits at the Foodland Markets at 3320 Mansfield Hwy. in Forest Hill and 8411 Lake June Road in Dallas. Locally, benefits are now available at seven farmers markets and 10 grocers, including all eight Foodland Markets stores in North Texas. The newest Foodland Markets locations are:

“G.E. Foodland has been at the forefront of our efforts to help area families put more fresh fruits and vegetables on the table,” said Matt Dufrene, a vice president for Texas Health. “Making Double Up Texas benefits available throughout all their stores is a huge step toward making fresh produce accessible to everyone in our region. It’s a real testament to G.E. Foodland’s commitment to their customers and to our community.”

Through 2024, the original four Foodland Markets accounted for $687,292 in Double Up Texas incentives for fresh fruits and vegetables, and 109,445 transactions.

“Our mission is to feed families for life, and we are passionate about supporting the health and well-being of the community we serve,” said Don Benefield, executive vice president of G.E. Foodland Inc. “Our customers who use Double Up benefits have had a very positive response, and we look forward to expanding the impact of this program throughout all of our stores.”

Double Up Texas program locations are selected based on a variety of factors including findings from the Texas Health Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA); the geographic area served by vendors willing and able to implement the Double Up Texas program; and the ability to fund new locations. Texas Health continues to look for funding partners to expand the program across its service area, with plans to add additional Double Up locations in the coming year.

A full list of Double Up Texas and other Texas Health’s healthy food access program locations can be found at this link.

About Texas Health Resources

Texas Health Resources is a faith-based, nonprofit health system that cares for more patients in North Texas than any other provider. With a service area that consists of 16 counties and more than 8 million people, the system is committed to providing quality, coordinated care through its Texas Health Physicians Group and 29 hospital locations under the banners of Texas Health Presbyterian, Texas Health Arlington Memorial, Texas Health Harris Methodist and Texas Health Huguley. Texas Health access points and services, ranging from acute-care hospitals and trauma centers to outpatient facilities and home health and preventive services, provide the full continuum of care for all stages of life. The system has more than 4,400 licensed hospital beds, 6,600 physicians with active staff privileges and almost 29,000 employees. For more information about Texas Health, call 1-877-THR-WELL, or visit texashealth.org.

Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.

Stories by Fort Worth Star-Telegram journalists, with AI summarization

Juneteenth, a federal holiday on June 19 since 2021, commemorates the day in 1865 when in Galveston, Texas, the last enslaved African Americans learned of their freedom. It was an informal celebration for generations with parades, barbecues and other gatherings. Fort Worth has a history of celebrating Juneteenth as far back as 1882.

Here is a curated collection of Star-Telegram stories, photos and columns highlighting Juneteenth's history in Fort Worth and Texas.

Texans say it’s important to reflect on history, celebrate freedom and appreciate Black American culture in an authentic way. | Published June 19, 2022 | Read Full Story by David Silva Ramirez

One of the earliest Fort Worth Juneteenth celebrations took place in 1882 with “music and dancing, and speech-making consumed the day and extended into the night.” | Published June 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Richard J. Gonzales

For Opal Lee’s 98th birthday, the National Juneteenth Museum gave her an inside look of the museum. | Published October 4, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kamal Morgan

This day in 1986 wouldn’t be the last time our future “Grandmother of Juneteenth” marched for a good cause. | Published January 16, 2025 | Read Full Story by Matt Leclercq

Lee told the Star-Telegram she hopes to have a good relationship with Trump. | Published January 20, 2025 | Read Full Story by Cody Copeland

Southside Community Center will move programs to Hazel Harvey Center. | Published February 12, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kamal Morgan

A new affordable housing complex opens in Fort Worth. | Published April 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kamal Morgan

The National Juneteenth Museum in Fort Worth has four days of events planned to celebrate Juneteenth. | Published June 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Kamal Morgan

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.

From left, Sy'ere Furch and his Mother, Tiffany Ross.

By the time most people turn twenty, they’re barely finding their footing in the world. But Sy’ere Furch isn’t most people.

From a quiet home in Haslet, Furch has built something that speaks volumes. With the help of his mother, Tiffany Ross, the young author and CEO launched Aumiax — an apparel and advocacy brand rooted in strength, self-identity, and visibility for individuals with autism. What started as a simple birthday gift — a custom T-shirt designed to uplift Sy’ere — soon grew into a full-fledged brand and mission. “It started out as just that — a birthday idea,” Ross says. “And it turned into a way to uplift him. Now it’s turned into something so much bigger than us.”

That momentum has translated into the real-world community. Over 300 families have reached out via social media platforms. Some share stories. Others ask where to start. “Nobody was there for me when I was going through this,” Ross says. “I’m a single mother. His dad chose to step out. So mentally, I had to always pick myself back up.” That perseverance fueled Sy’ere’s next leap: a children’s book titled “Sy’ere’s Superpower: Turning Challenges Into Dreams.”

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In this uplifting, illustrated story, readers meet Sy’ere — a young boy with autism who learns that being different is a gift. More than a book, it’s an interactive experience packed with reflective journal prompts, creative activities, and empowerment check-ins that help kids celebrate who they are. It’s designed not just for children navigating their own journey with autism, but for anyone learning how to be a better, more empathetic friend.

“Even his books — it wasn’t even that long, and we had 250 people buy one,” Ross says. “They’re doing it to support him, yes, but they also connect with the message.” And the message is clear: self-love, autism awareness, and building community through understanding — one challenge at a time.

Diagnosed as severely autistic at a young age, Sy’ere didn’t speak until he was five. His mother noticed the early signs around age two. “He would crawl on his knees. He wouldn’t walk like other kids,” she opined. Grocery store trips were exhausting. Public school was often cruel. In high school, he was physically assaulted by a senior during his freshman year. “He didn’t have friends. He had to finish school online,” Ross shared. “But I made sure he knew: ‘What makes you different is your superpower.’”

Today, Sy’ere’s differences are exactly what he celebrates. Aumiax isn’t just a brand — it’s a platform for those who’ve been overlooked or misunderstood. On the company’s website, Furch writes, “It is essential to foster an environment that celebrates individuality while promoting inclusivity. Our community is rich with goals, dreams, and innovative ideas, all of which deserve recognition and respect.”

The message is catching on. Local leaders have taken note — including Fort Worth’s former mayor Betsy Price, who invited the Aumiax team to help with ribbon-cuttings and community volunteer events. “There’s not enough advocacy in schools,” Ross says. “That’s what Sy’ere stands for — giving people a voice.”

Each Aumiax item — whether it’s a journal or one of the brand’s signature puzzle-piece t-shirts — is designed to send a message. “Everything we do is about identity,” Ross continued. “It’s for the families walking this journey every day.”

Aumiax, which launched in 2024, continues to expand both its product line and its impact. The brand’s meaning — strength and identity — is stitched into every item, every social post, and every interaction with a parent who’s just starting this journey. “I talk to moms all the time who are scared to say it. Scared to face it,” Ross says. “But I tell them, you don’t have to cure it. You just love your kid and let them be who they are.”

It’s more than a message. It’s a movement.

“Because we represent real stories and real purpose, we live it every day,” she says.

For Sy’ere, the brand — and the book — have become lifelines. His confidence is rising. He’s dreaming of seeing his character on PBS Kids, a channel that’s never featured a lead with autism. “That is the goal,” Ross says. “To really get this message across and help people.”

Casa Mañana, Inc.Fort Worth, TX

DESCRIPTION

Notice: Audition Call Type: EPA

AUDITION DATE

Saturday, July 12, 2025

10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (C)

Lunch 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

APPOINTMENTS

To schedule an audition appointment, please go to: https://signup.com/go/pvPntEG .

CONTRACT

TYA

$615 weekly minimum

SEEKING

Equity actors for roles in JUNIE B. JONES THE MUSICAL (See breakdown).

All characters are strong singers of all genders, ethnicities, ages and types. Casa Mañana encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities and/or expressions, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.

PREPARATION

Prepare short song in style of show. Bring sheet music in your key. An accompanist will be provided but will not transpose. Bring headshot and resume stapled back-to-back.

LOCATION

Casa Mañana

3101 W Lancaster Ave

Fort Worth, TX 76107-3042

Studios located behind the Theatre. Holding room - Studio B

PERSONNEL

Matt Stern, Music Director

Expected to attend:

Wally Jones, Executive Producer

BJ Cleveland, Director

Laura Strawser, Choreographer

OTHER DATES

Callbacks, if warranted, will be later that day and may include movement. (bring appropriate clothing)

Rehearsals Start: September 20, 2025

Show Opens: October 4, 2025

Show Closes: October 19, 2025

OTHER

www.casamanana.org

An Equity Monitor will not be provided. The producer will run all aspects of this audition.

Equity’s contracts prohibit discrimination. Equity is committed to diversity and encourages all its employers to engage in a policy of equal employment opportunity designed to promote a positive model of inclusion. As such, Equity encourages performers of all ethnicities, gender identities, and ages, as well as performers with disabilities, to attend every audition.

Always bring your Equity Membership card to auditions.

BREAKDOWN

JUNIE B. JONES THE MUSICAL

SEEKING:

Junie B. Jones - A quirky, energetic first grader with comedic flair. Loves having adventures and writing about them in her journal. Gets upset when things don't go her way. Wildly precocious yet completely endearing. Gender: female /Vocal range top: E5 /Vocal range bottom: G#3

Lucille - Junie B.'s former best friend, also in first grade. The ultimate child diva. Rich girl, well-dressed. In Mr. Scary's class with Junie B. Enthusiastic. May double as BOBBI JEAN PIPER and JOSE. Gender: female /Vocal range top: E5 /Vocal range bottom: F3

Herb - Junie B.'s new best friend. A cute boy, slightly shy. Endearing and charming. May double as CHENILLE. Gender: male /Vocal range top: G4 /Vocal range bottom: A2

May - Another first grader in Mr. Scary's class with Junie B. Bossy, know-it-all. Junie's nemesis. May double as MOMMY and GRACE. Gender: female /Vocal range top: C5 /Vocal range bottom: A#3

Sheldon - Another first grader in Mr. Scary's class with Junie B. Nerdy, lactose intolerant, and gets a bit of stage fright. Excited about playing music. May double as CAMILLE and LENNIE. Gender: male /Age: 6 to 7 /Vocal range top: E4 /Vocal range bottom: B2

Camille - Lucille's new best friend and Chenille's twin sister. A follower. May double as SHELDON and LENNIE. Gender: female/Age: 6 to 7

Chenille - Lucille's other new best friend and Camille's twin sister. Coordinated and cute. May double as HERB. Gender: female /Age: 6 to 7

Grace - Junie B.'s other former best friend. She rides the bus with Junie B. and is now best friends with Bobbi Jean Piper. May double as MOMMY and MAY. Gender: female /Age: 6 to 7

Bobbi Jean Piper - Grace's new best friend. May double as LUCILLE and JOSE. Gender: female /Age: 6 to 7

Jose - Another first grader in Mr. Scary's class. Speaks both Spanish and English. May double as LUCILLE and BOBBI JEAN PIPER. Gender: male /Age: 6 to 7

Lennie - Another first grader. May double as SHELDON and CAMILLE. Gender: male /Age: 6 to 7

Mr. Scary - Junie B.'s first grade teacher, a warm man, despite his name. May double as GLADYS GUTZMAN and DADDY. Gender: male /Age: 30 to 45 /Vocal range top: D#4 /Vocal range bottom: A#2

Mother - Junie B.'s mom. Exasperated, but understanding. May double as GRACE and MAY. Gender: female /Age: 25 to 45 /Vocal range top: D#5 /Vocal range bottom: A3

Daddy - Junie B.'s dad. Encouraging and knows how to juggle. May double as MR. SCARY and MRS. GUTZMAN. Gender: male /Age: 35 to 50

Mrs. Gutzman - The kids' favorite lunch lady at Junie B.'s elementary school, also known as "Gladys Gutzman, Queen of Snacks." May double as MR. SCARY and DADDY. Gender: female /Age: 35 to 55

SALARY

TYA $615 weekly minimum

UNION

AEA