Brush up on Arlington history, culture as podcast series has ‘great stories to tell’

Looking for something besides the next series to binge on Netflix?

Check out “Downtown Arlington Roots,” a new podcast series launched since the coronavirus pandemic began to impact businesses, restaurants, educational and arts institutions within the city’s cultural district.

The series is the latest in a number of new initiatives offered by Downtown Arlington Management Corporation (DAMC).

The free podcast engages leaders, experts, artists and innovators in thought-provoking conversations about the district’s past and hopes for the future. Billed as more than just a history lesson, the podcast focuses on the ingenuity, creativity and hometown pride that has driven the nearly century and a half development of downtown Arlington.

The full audio-visual experience will air on Downtown Arlington’s Facebook Live and YouTube Channel at 4 p.m. each Thursday for six weeks. Listeners can also tune in to the audio-only podcast format via Spotify and iTunes.

“As communities continue to maintain social distancing practices it is critical to seek other kinds of meaningful connections, particularly between generations,” DAMC President/CEO and series host Maggie Campbell said. “History reminds us that we’ve got what it takes to face adversity head-on. What better time than now to both celebrate the resilience of downtown and strengthen our community bonds through the sharing of those stories?”

Future episodes will spotlight:

▪ ”Roots of Revitalization in Downtown.”

▪ ”Rerooting: The Origins of Innovation and Reinvention.”

▪ ”Rootin’ For Each Other: Downtown’s Long-standing Commitment to Kindness and Community Service.”

The episodes can be also be viewed after the initial airing. The first three episodes aired April 23, April 30 and May 7, and are titled:

▪ ”Uprooted: The Stories of the Texas Rangers” with John Blake, executive vice president of the Texas Rangers, and Parker Vandergriff reminiscing about how the Texas Rangers came to Arlington and the stories behind all three ballparks.

▪ ”Puttin’ Down Roots” featuring the stories of early Arlington with writer and historian O.K. Carter and Geraldine Mills, executive director of the Arlington Historical Society.

▪ “Rooted in Creativity: The Traditions of Live Music, Arts and Culture in Downtown Arlington,” featuring Levitt Pavilion Arlington Executive Director Letatia Teykl; Dance Theater Arlington artistic director Persis Anne Forster; and owner of 3DI Signs + Design Paul Fulks.

“I am very excited about this series. The stories shared will bring a deeper understanding of where we came from,” Mills said. “The early citizens deserve a shout-out, as do the early places that made a difference in the growth of our town.

“Arlington has some great stories to tell and a eager audience. This should also increase the awareness of our local history connections, Fielder Museum and Knapp Heritage Park.”

Campbell said the podcast series is a chance to capitalize while people are spending even more time online, taking the opportunity to tell them great stories about the city around them. It’s also a chance for some to relive the changes they’ve seen the city go through.

“Downtown Arlington is a bootstraps story, facing real economic adversity and years of decline like many downtowns. It has made an incredible comeback in recent years, due to gutsy entrepreneurs, city leaders and people with deep hometown pride,” Campbell said.

Campbell added the series is also a great learning opportunity for youths.

“Young people who might view Arlington as one-dimensional can get a true understanding of the visionaries that have shaped Arlington, even from its early days,” she said. “Having a deeper understanding of where we come from also builds an emotional connection with past and future generations, and hopefully empowers listeners to want to be a part of downtown Arlington’s future.”

Other initiatives from DAMC

DAMC also has launched other initiatives aimed to support the community to help stop the spread of the coronavirus:

▪ Downtown Delivers: an online platform for downtown Arlington bar and restaurant owners to quickly communicate their current operating models, including to-go ordering, curbside pickup, and/or delivery.

▪ Stronger Together: DAMC communicates real-time COVID-19 information via its website clearinghouse, social media, weekly executive briefs, and co-promotion of resources produced by local entities including the City of Arlington, Tarrant County, Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce, and others.

▪ #WFHTips: Through the Downtown Arlington Facebook page, the public is invited to submit short, lighthearted videos for maintaining work-life balance while working from home. Weekly winners receive a $20 gift card.

▪ Spreading Kindness: In support of the City of Arlington Kindness Initiative, Downtown Arlington is actively promoting acts of kindness shared throughout the district by individuals, arts institutions, and businesses.

“From the beginning of this crisis we’ve been working tirelessly to keep downtown Arlington top of mind as a source of roll-up-your-sleeves tenacity, innovation, and especially hope,” Campbell said.

This story was originally published May 8, 2020 at 6:00 AM.