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it takes a village Urban revitalization gains momentum
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A River Runs Through It Trinity’s renewal makes big splash presented by the fort worth Chamber of Commerce
A Fort Worth
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co nte nt s F e atu r e s 18 A river runs through it Trinity’s renewal makes big splash.
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22 it takes a village Urban revitalization program gains momentum.
30 street smarts College campuses enliven downtown.
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Fort Worth in action
Don’t just take our word for it – see for yourself how great Fort Worth is in our quick videos at imagesfortworth.com, highlighting a little bit of everything that Fort Worth has to offer.
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fort worth 2011 edition | volume 1
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d e pa r tm e nt s 10 Almanac 15 Fun Things To Do 16 Fort Worth in a Weekend 26 Image Gallery 34 Biz Briefs 36 Chamber Report 37 Economic Profile
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39 Business Overview 4 1 Real Estate 42 Local Flavor 44 Health & Wellness 46 Arts & Culture 48 Sports & Recreation 5 1 Golf 52 Education 55 Community Profile on the cover Photo by Antony Boshier The Chesapeake Energy building
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A River Runs
Through It
More than a house,
FORT WORTH’S RENEWED TRINITY RIVER MAKES A SPLASH
you want a
STORY BY LAURA HILL PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTONY BOSHIER
N
ot long ago, the Trinity River was little more than a neglected ditch, the victim of wellintended flood control measures. But today, thanks to the efforts of concerned citizens, local, state and federal governments, the Trinity is the beating heart of the city and a promise of great things to come. The tragedy of the Trinity came after disastrous floods had periodically swamped Fort Worth’s downtown for decades. Rerouting the river and building huge levees eased floods but left the river little more than an eyesore. Rescuing a River Then, in 1971 a group of concerned community members, Streams and Valleys, launched a campaign to restore the river they loved, a groundswell that grew for three decades. In 2003, after hundreds of public meetings, citywide discussion and planning, The Trinity River Vision plan was adopted by the city. An ambitious re-imagining of 88 miles of the river, its tributaries and a large blighted area of downtown, it aims to
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Walker on the Trinity River Trails in Trinity Park in Foth Worth Texas. Left: Dowtown Fort Worth as seen from the
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What’s Online Get a taste of Fort Worth’s finest cuisine.
It takes a vIllaGe Urban revitalization gains momentum
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pResented by the FoRt WoRth ChambeR oF CommeRCe
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Trinity’s renewal makes big splash
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a River Runs through It
fort worth 2011 edition | volume 1
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Project Manager Courtney Seiter Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinator Jessica Walker Staff Writer Kevin Litwin Copy Editors Lisa Battles, Jill Wyatt Contributing writers Laura Hill, Kevin Litwin, joe Morris Media Technology Director Christina Carden Senior Graphic Designers Laura Gallagher, Jessica Manner, Janine Maryland, Kris Sexton, Candice Sweet, Vikki Williams Media Technology Analysts Chandra Bradshaw, lance Conzett, Michele Niccore, Marcus Snyder Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier Web Content Managers John Hood, Kim Madlom Web project manager noy fongnaly Web Design Director Franco Scaramuzza Web Designer Leigh Guarin Web developer i Yamel Hall Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan I.T. Director Yancey Bond I.T. support technician bryan foriest Regional Sales Manager Chris Sweeney Sales Support/Community, Business, Custom Rachael Goldsberry Senior Accountant Lisa Owens Accounts Payable Coordinator Maria McFarland Accounts Receivable Coordinator Diana Guzman Office Manager/Accounts Receivable Coordinator Shelly Miller Integrated Media Manager Rhonda Graham Sales Support Manager Cindy Hall color imaging technician Alison Hunter Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Senior V.P./Sales Todd Potter, Carla Thurman Senior V.P./Operations Casey Hester Senior V.P./Client Development Jeff Heefner V.p./External Communications Teree Caruthers V.P./Custom Publishing Kim Newsom V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens V.P./Sales Charles Fitzgibbon, Herb Harper, Jarek Swekosky Controller Chris Dudley Content Director/Travel Publications Susan Chappell Content Director/Business Publications Bill McMeekin Marketing Creative Director Keith Harris Distribution Director Gary Smith Executive Secretary Kristy Duncan Human Resources Manager Peggy Blake Receptionist Linda Bishop
Fort Worth magazine is published annually by Journal Communications Inc. and is distributed through the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce and its member businesses. For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc. at (615) 771-0080 or by e-mail at info@jnlcom.com. For more information, contact: Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce 777 Taylor Street, Suite 900, Fort Worth, TX 76102 Phone: (817) 336-2491 • Fax: (817) 877-4034 www.fortworthchamber.com Visit fort worth online at imagesfortworth.com ŠCopyright 2011 Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member
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Almanac
Welcome to Fort Worth An introduction to the area’s people, places and events
Pet Paradise
Bravo, Encore
Fort Worth is full of places to take your furry friends. In fact, many know the place by its pet name – Fort Woof. Fort Woof, located in Gateway Park, is the city’s first and most recognizable dog park, recently winning spots on both Southern Living and Dog Fancy’s lists of best dog parks. Its biggest event is the annual Barktoberfest, which features performing dogs, Bark for Life walk for cancer and a Howl-oween dog costume contest. For the pampered pet, specialty stores such as Glamour Paws and the Grand Pet Resort & Salon are sure to satisfy.
Famed cellist Yo-Yo Ma once remarked that Bass Performance Hall is a rare venue where the music heard by the audience is the same as that heard by the performer. Singer Tony Bennett said Bass Performance Hall tops every excellent concert hall in Europe in which he has performed. The hall, named by Travel + Leisure Magazine as one of the top 10 best opera houses in the world, is the permanent home to many of the major performing arts organizations in Fort Worth, and is also well-known for its arts education classes. Some of its most unique architectural features are the 48-foot limestone angels gracing the front of the building.
City Within a City Ross Perot, Jr. and his Hillwood company are behind AllianceTexas, a 17,000-acre, master-planned, mixed-use community located in north Fort Worth. The development is home to 240 companies, 28,000 employees and 7,300 single-family homes. There are a variety of commercial real estate options, including new industrial, office and retail. Hillwood is a company known for taking on large projects, with previous developments such as sports arenas, high-rise condominiums, golf courses, airports, rail yards and regional malls. For more information, visit www.alliancetexas.com.
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Taking Stock This is no bull: One of the city’s most interesting entertainment destinations is the Fort Worth Stockyards. Once home to a thriving livestock industry, Fort Worth became known as “Cowtown” because of the 4 million head of cattle that passed through the city from 18661890 on the Chisholm Trail. The entertainment district in downtown those days was disreputable and became known all over the West as “Hell’s Half Acre.” Today, the thriving Stockyards District is home to quaint shops, restaurants, night clubs and historical landmarks, as well as rodeos.
Colorful Legacy History buffs and curiosity seekers can rejoice. Take a walk through downtown along the Fort Worth Heritage Trails to learn about the people and events that shaped the city’s rich history. The trails celebrate the community’s early history on engraved markers that detail the colorful legacy of Fort Worth’s founders. Heritage Trails walking maps are available at Downtown Fort Worth Inc., Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, Intermodal Transportation Center and the Worthington Renaissance Fort Worth Hotel.
JFK Was Here Fort Worth holds a special place in history – it’s where President John F. Kennedy spent his last night and gave his last speech on Nov. 22, 1963. That morning, Kennedy addressed thousands after a Fort Worth Chamber breakfast at the Hotel Texas, where he and wife Jackie had spent the night. President Kennedy then headed to Dallas, where he met his untimely death. To commemorate Kennedy’s Fort Worth visit, plans are in place to erect an 8-foot-tall, castbronze sculpture of him in the downtown General Worth Square. The statue, by artist Lawrence M. Ludtke, is already completed and was funded by private contributions. The statue is tentatively scheduled to be officially unveiled to the public in 2011.
Fast Facts n The nonprofit Partners for Livable Communities named Fort Worth one of America’s Most Livable Communities. n A 2009 U.S. News & World Report list called the city one of the Best Affordable Places to Retire. n Fortune Small Business ranked Fort Worth the ninth-best place in the nation to Live and Launch a Business. n Sixty percent of America’s paper money is printed at the U.S. Bureau of Engraving and Printing Western Currency Facility in Fort Worth. n The Modern Art Museum in Fort Worth is the second-largest museum gallery space for modern art in America, next to MoMA New York. n Fort Worth ranked No. 4 on CNBC’s 2010 list of Best Cities to Relocate To in America.
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From Cowboys to Clubs Sundance Square is rich in Western history and lore since downtown Fort Worth was one of the major cattle stops on the legendary Chisholm Trail of the 1800s. Today, the 35-block area bears little resemblance to its cowpoke days. The entertainment district is home to a lively collection of restaurants, clubs, live music venues and boutiques, two live theaters, a comedy club and Bass Performance Hall.
High Art Seen a masterpiece lately? It’s easy to do in Fort Worth. The city’s Cultural District, bordered by a boulevard paved with bricks, is home to five museums featuring Old World and New World art masterpieces along with exotic science and cultural exhibits. Many large outdoor pieces also call the Modern home. One of the most prominent is Conjoined by Roxy Paine, a stunning 40-foot-tall by 45-foot-wide stainless-steel sculpture of two trees whose branches seem to have reached out to each other and grown together. In addition, the area features charming shops and restaurants, a performing arts theater and the Art Deco gem Will Rogers Memorial Center. The district also offers several accommodations for overnight guests and is growing as a residential community.
Fort Worth At A Glance
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population (2009 estimate) Fort Worth: 731,588
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location Located in north Texas, Fort Worth is just 13 miles from Arlington, 23 miles from Irving and 32 miles from Dallas.
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beginnings The city was established in 1849 as an Army outpost overlooking the Trinity River. for more information Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce 777 Taylor St., Ste. 900 Fort Worth, TX 76102 Phone: (817) 336-2491 Fax: (817) 877-4034 www.fortworthchamber.com
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What’s Online Take a virtual tour of Fort Worth, courtesy of our award-winning photographers, at imagesfortworth.com.
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MVR
Mir a Vista, Realtors P R E M I E R
R E A L
E S T A T E
S E R V I C E S
Mira Vista, Realtors is a full-service boutique brokerage specializing in residential real estate and relocation service. Clients benefit from our: Knowledge – an award-winning staff with more than 150 years of cumulative experience of the Fort Worth Metroplex, we offer the latest in real estate technology Service – a team approach individualized for each client Commitment – Realtors on our staff have earned one or more advanced real estate designations, certifications or education
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Fun Things To Do in Fort Worth Discover all the fun that Fort Worth has to offer With three distinct districts, Fort Worth has an abundance of attractions to entertain residents and visitors of all ages.
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Soak up the “city of cowboys and culture” in Sundance Square at the Sid Richardson Museum, one of the finest and most focused collections of western art in America.
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Shop on more than 30 blocks of boutiques and specialty stores in Fort Worth’s brick-lined Camp Bowie District.
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Have some fun at the Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival, a downtown favorite with locals and visitors for 25 years.
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Attend the Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial and walk the course five -time winner Ben Hogan called home.
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Photo Courtesy of Texas Motor Speedway
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Catch a thrilling NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway.
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Visit the new Museum of Living Art exhibit at the Fort Worth Zoo.
Saddle up for horseback riding at Stockyard Station.
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Visit the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, the oldest in Texas, for a dose of tranquility in a central 109 acre setting.
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Enjoy Texas football with NCAA ranked TCU Horned Frogs.
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Lose yourself in an enchanting story with mesmerizing performances at the Fort Worth Opera.
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Fort Worth In a Weekend an itinerary highlighting the best of fort worth
Antony Boshier
Known as the “City of Cowboys and Culture,” Fort Worth offers all that and plenty more. With a bustling downtown, a sophisticated arts scene and a helping or two of Old West culture, Fort Worth has a wildly diverse mix for any traveler – not to mention that famous Tex-Mex cuisine, among other culinary highlights. Here’s our itinerary to discover some of Fort Worth’s best bets, all in a weekend visit.
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Day 1: Downtown Fort Worth 7 pm: Classic Texas Cuisine at Reata Start your weekend by taking in the warm Texas weather at Reata, a downtown Fort Worth favorite. The four-story eatery, decked out cowboy-style, has a seat for everyone – but the rooftop bar and dining patio is the place to see and be seen during Cowtown’s long warm season. Cuisine here is Southwestern eclectic, with everything from steaks to Creole and Southern dishes. Locals swear by the fish tacos. 9 pm: Sundance Square and Four-Day Weekend Spend some time window-shopping or grabbing a post-dinner cocktail as you walk your way through Sundance Square, Fort Worth’s downtown hub full of bars, cafes and boutiques. Catch some laughs at local improv comedy troupe Four-Day Weekend’s 10 p.m. show. The all-male group has been entertaining the city for more than a decade. (Too late for you? Early birds can catch the 7 p.m. show instead.) Wind up your night at The Ashton Hotel in downtown Fort Worth, a boutique hotel renovated from two buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Day 2: Southside, Cultural District, Stockyards District 8 am: Breakfast at Paris Coffee Shop Smack in the middle of the hipster Near Southside neighborhood is your breakfast destination – the old-school diner Paris Coffee Shop, known for its cheese grits and biscuits and gravy. The no-frills atmosphere belies the diner’s pedigree: Bon Appetit magazine named Paris one of the top 10 places in the U.S. for pie. (No, it’s not too early for a topheavy meringue chocolate or coconut slice.) 9 am: Cultural District Museums Spend the morning exploring the Cultural District, where you’ll have your pick of five museums, Art Deco jewels and kids’ activities all in the lushly landscaped, urbane middle of the city. If art is what you’re after, The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth boasts a provocative collection, as well as renowned architecture, and the Kimbell Art Museum has been called one of the country’s best small collections. For western art, the Amon Carter Museum’s Remington and Russell collection is a good option. Kids will love the Museum of Science and History. 1 pm: Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Lunch and Patio For a little south of the border, drive a bit north to local favorite Joe T. Garcia’s, known for its handmade
tortillas, legendary margaritas and perfect patio. (Tip: If you’re not ready to leave the Cultural District yet, Cafe Modern within The Modern Art Museum provides upscale fare with a dramatic view). 3 pm: Stockyards District and Cattle Drive Ready to see why Fort Worth is affectionately known as Cowtown? A walk around the Stockyards District will explain it all. The areas once housed one of the largest cattle markets in the world. Today it’s filled with Western-themed shops, saloons and attractions like the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Stick around until 4 p.m. to see a real-life cattle drive. 6 pm: Lonesome Dove Bistro, White Elephant Saloon Don’t even try to leave the Stockyards without having a steak. Luckily, Lonesome Dove Bistro is one of the best restaurants to find one. Wellknown Texas chef Tim Love runs the upscale eatery, where signature hand-cut steaks share space on the menu with exotic wild game, like grilled Texas quail quesadillas, kangaroo carpaccio and buffalo ribeye. Afterwards, belly up to the bar at White Elephant Saloon, whose authentic Old West saloon ambiance and live Texas music and dancing every night earned it the title of one of Esquire magazine’s 100 Best Bars in America. 9 pm: Live Music at Lola’s or Top Live Country entertainment at Billy Bob’s Fort Worth has a rocking local music scene. Catch a set to close out your night at Lola’s Saloon, a bar and venue in the Stockyards that focuses on the best local, regional and national live music in Fort Worth.
Day 3: Trinity Trails, Spiral Diner Brunch 8 am: Trinity Trails Workout Get in an early workout along the Trinity Trails, a network of more than 40 miles of paths for walking and biking along the Trinity River. The trail network connects with 21 parks, the Fort Worth Botanic Garden and Japanese Garden, Log Cabin Village, Fort Worth Zoo, the Stockyards and downtown Fort Worth. 11 am: Spiral Diner Brunch After working up an appetite, try the all-youcan-eat pancake brunch at Spiral Diner along hip Magnolia Avenue. This organic, vegan restaurant appeals to both herbivores and carnivores, with specialties like migas and “The Lumberjack” that assure you won’t miss the meat. i m ag e s f o r t w o r t h . c o m
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A River Runs
Through It
Fort Worth’s renewed Trinity River makes a splash
Story By Laura Hill
N photos by Antony Boshier
ot long ago, the Trinity River was little more than a neglected ditch, the victim of wellintended flood control measures. But today, thanks to the efforts of concerned citizens, local, state and federal governments, the Trinity is the beating heart of the city and a promise of great things to come. The tragedy of the Trinity came after disastrous floods had periodically swamped parts of the city for decades. Re-routing the river and building huge levees eased floods, but left the river little more than an eyesore. Rescuing a River Then, in 1971, a group of concerned community members, Streams and Valleys, launched a campaign to restore the river they loved, a groundswell that grew for three decades. In 2003, after hundreds of public meetings, citywide discussion and planning, The Trinity River Vision plan was adopted by the city. An ambitious re-imagining of 88 miles of the river, its tributaries and an area of downtown, it aims to protect the
Trinity River Trails Left: The view of downtown Fort Worth from the Trinity River Trails.
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Photo Courtesy of Glen E. Ellman.
Antony Boshier
Antony Boshier
river and make it more accessible to the entire community. “We don’t want to see just skinny, sweaty people running along the river trails,” says J.D. Granger, executive director of Trinity River Vision Authority. “We want a river available to everybody.” Recreation on the Riverbanks While the project moves toward its 2021 completion, Fort Worth is already enjoying its renewed river, from quiet walks along its banks to wet and wild water sports. Trinity River Trails, a 40-mile riverside greenway system of walking, biking, horseback and hiking trails connects 21 parks, the Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, the Fort Worth Zoo, the Historic Stockyards and downtown. Stops offer launch sites for kayaks and canoes, picnic areas, water fountains, parking and misters. You can even cross the river by train, courtesy of the Forest Park Miniature Railroad. One of the most anticipated amenities is the Cowtown Wakepark, set to open in spring 2011 near Northside Drive. Only the eighth park in the country devoted to wakeboarding, a hybrid of surfing and waterskiing, the riverside facility will replicate wave movement with cables. Fishermen love the banks of the Trinity for catch-andrelease sport. The fishing pier at Trinity Park is a popular spot; each spring hundreds of trout are released into the river, affording anglers a field day.
Antony Boshier
Summer of Splash Increasingly, outdoor-lovers find themselves not just next to the river or on it, but in it. Trinity River Vision Authority launched three wildly popular tubing events in 2010, floating hundreds of people down river in inner tubes, and plans more in summer 2011. The river also boasts a water-ski slalom course. For those who prefer sprawling on the sofa to splashing, Colonial Park apartment homes offer “tranquil views” of the river, while River Park lures renters with its proximity to Trinity Trails. As the city’s vision emerges, more riverfront housing and commercial space will turn a once-blighted area, Trinity Uptown, into a vibrant new Fort Worth – inspired by the river that runs through it. “From 2000 to 2007 we grew from 530,000 people to 708,000,” Granger says. “Lots of young people who moved here have no memory of an industrial riverfront – they just see a beautiful river.”
Clockwise from top left: Downtown Fort Worth; Forest Park Miniature Railroad; Biking on the Trinity River Trails; A man walks his dog on the Trinity River Trails.
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It Takes a Village Urban revitalization program gains momentum
Story By kevin litwin Photography By Antony boshier
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ot one, not two, not three – but 16 individual urban villages are now located throughout Fort Worth, and the city is working with developers, business groups and neighborhood associations to revitalize all 16. Urban villages are small geographic areas, usually one square mile, that are zoned for multiple-use development, and are mass-transit and pedestrian friendly. An ideal urban village is one where parks, businesses, entertainment, residences and stores are all within walking distance of one another, resulting in a virtual city within a city.
The Usual is a trendy bar in the Near Southside District. Right: Montgomery Plaza on West Seventh features stores, restaurants and residences.
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Magnolia, West Seventh Lead the Way All 16 villages are in what is called the Central City portion of Fort Worth. The village names are Berry/Riverside, Berry Stalcup, Berry/University, Bluebonnet Circle, Evans & Rosedale,
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Condos in Oleander Plaza in the Near Southside district, just south of downtown Fort Worth. The Near Southside community dates back to the beginning of the 20th century, when it was developed as the city’s first streetcar suburb. Today the neighborhood is a diverse and eclectic mixed-use community with plenty to offer diners, shoppers and dwellers.
Hemphill/Berry, Historic Handley, Historic Marine, Magnolia, Near East Side, Oakland Corners, Polytechnic/ Wesleyan, Ridglea, Six Points, South Main and West Seventh. Perhaps the most successful and well-publicized villages to date are Magnolia and West Seventh. “Magnolia has experienced extensive transformation along Magnolia Avenue and the surrounding area, and has actually become a regional attraction thanks to what is being called Restaurant Row,” says Mike Brennan, planner with Fort Worth South Inc., which oversees Magnolia Village, as well as the South Main and Evans & Rosedale villages. “In fact, one of the Magnolia restaurants is Ellerbe Fine Foods, which was named one of the Top 10 New Restaurants in America for 2010 by Bon Appetit magazine.” 24-Hour Destinations Brennan says one of the main goals in the Fort Worth Urban Village 24
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Program is to create a better balance between housing and jobs, therefore turning nine-to-five areas into 24-hour destinations. For example, Magnolia has been adding several loft apartments over storefronts. “Magnolia is already home to 30,000 jobs, so now the goal is to make it more livable and pedestrian friendly,” he says. “That included reconfiguring the fourlane Magnolia Avenue into one lane of travel in both directions, with a middle turning lane. There is also a roomy bike lane running along each perimeter.” As for West Seventh Village, it has been renovated from a warehouse district of a decade ago into a walkable, live/work environment that has become an important link between downtown and the Cultural District. Businesses that moved into West Seventh in 2010 are Fidelity Investments, Hacienda San Miguel Restaurant, MK’s Sushi, MODA Salon & Spa, Reads Jewelers, VLK Architects and In-N-Out Burger.
“When searching for the ideal site for In-N-Out Burger, we do our due diligence to find primary corridors of activity and vibrancy,” says Carl Van Fleet, vice president. “West Seventh fits that requirement nicely.” Just Starting the Process Meanwhile, some villages are just starting their redevelopment process. For example, both Historic Marine and Oakland Corners villages were awarded $50,000 grants in 2010 to undertake a community-driven planning process that will address various issues, including development opportunities, transportation needs and an overall vision. “More livable villages means wider sidewalks, trees, new buildings set back from the road, traffic being slowed down, and residential additions,” Brennan says. “It’s an exciting time to be involved with the Fort Worth Urban Village Program.”
Listen Up fort worth hosts a wide variety of live music venues
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stablishments like City Streets, The Aardvark, Billy Bob’s Texas, Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, Sardines, and 8.0 Restaurant and Bar are well known around the Fort Worth music scene. They are just some of the numerous live entertainment venues that grace and enrich the city’s nightlife. Live rock spots include The Moon, Rockstar Sports Bar, 1919 Hemphill and Lola’s Saloon, which hosts popular local bands such as Brutal Juice, Obituary and Moistboys. Capital Bar in the Cultural District is a popular rooftop bar featuring the Backyard, the bar’s “stage under the stars” for live music and more. Plans are in the works to expand Capital Bar with the addition of the Back House, a smoking section with a more laid-
back pub feel. The Back House will offer pool tables, darts and video games, and will open up to the Backyard area through garage doors. There are also several live country music destinations in Fort Worth, specifically in the Historic Stockyards District. Some hot spots include White Elephant Saloon, Stagecoach Ballroom, Rodeo Exchange, Stockyard Saloon and Pearl’s Dance Hall and Saloon, which has performances every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday night. The city is also home to a number of good blues and jazz venues, including Embargo, 7th Heaven, J&J Blues Bar, Buttons, and Scat Jazz Lounge. – Kevin Litwin
Capital Bar
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Downtown Fort Worth Photo by Antony Boshier
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Image Gallery
Elephants at the Fort Worth Zoo Photo by Antony Boshier
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Flamingos at the Fort Worth Zoo Photo by Antony Boshier
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Street
Smarts College campuses enliven downtown Fort Worth
Story By kevin litwin
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Antony Boshier
ort Worth has 200,000 college students enrolled at any given time, and it graduates 35,000 students a year. Much of the learning is going on right in the center of the city’s vibrant downtown district. The district’s college scene is about to get even bigger in the fall of 2011 with the opening of Tarrant County College’s Trinity River East Campus. Tarrant County College is already the sixthlargest college or university in Texas
in terms of enrollment, and the 2011 opening will become its sixth campus. “Approximately one in every 19 Tarrant County residents takes a class at TCC each year,” says Erma Johnson Hadley, chancellor. “We expect our new campus to be a main part of the downtown landscape.” State-of-the-Art Future The Trinity River East Campus will focus primarily on health-care training, with students studying course
programs in nursing, radiology, sonography and respiratory care. Classrooms will feature 21st-century technology and will resemble hospitals complete with lifelike mannequins, so students can gain a full spectrum of clinical skills. The Tarrant County College nursing program is currently headquartered at the TCC South Campus, and all allied health programs will move to Trinity River East once that campus opens in time for the 2011-2012 school year.
The University of Texas Arlington Fort Worth Center offers graduate classes and continuing education programs in the renovated historic Santa Fe Freight Building downtown.
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Photo Courtesy of RadioShack Corp.
Tarrant County College’s downtown campus lights up the banks of the Trinity River. The state-of-the-art campus adds to downtown’s features and offers students a unique view as they walk to and from classes. Its central location also adds convenience for downtown workers who want to pick up evening classes.
Letter of the Law Downtown Fort Worth is also home to the Texas Wesleyan School of Law, which bills itself as providing a private school education at virtually a public school cost. “In today’s economic climate, providing a quality educational experience at a reasonable cost is a rare thing indeed,” says Frederic White, dean of Texas Wesleyan University School of Law. “Here, our focus is on the student.” The law school offers flexible scheduling so students can choose between full-time or part-time course loads on a day or evening basis, and the faculty is highly accessible. The Texas Wesleyan law library is also regarded as one of the best in all of Texas. In the Santa Fe Depot Meanwhile, the district is also where the University of 32
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Texas at Arlington-Fort Worth Center holds classes. The campus has been in existence since 2007 and offers a variety of graduate classes and continuing education programs. The campus is located in the historic Santa Fe freight depot. The transformed building now features eight classrooms for UT Arlington students, as well as meeting and conference space, a resource library and a public art space called Gallery 76102. Green Campus UT Arlington-Fort Worth Center has also been making news for its recycling and sustainability efforts. “We’re doing what we can on a local level,” says Megan Topham, operations director. “We use recycled paper with the highest post-consumer waste content available. We use soy ink. We have fluorescent, energy-saving light bulbs and a comprehensive recycling program.”
fort worth to host super bowl xlv game day coverage
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ollege students aren’t the only ones who love Fort Worth. ESPN will use Sundance Square, a shopping and entertainment district in the heart of the city, as its headquarters for pre-game and post-game coverage of Super Bowl XLV. The game will occur Feb. 6, 2011 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, but the cable sports network will host ESPN Game Day programs from Feb. 1-7 in Sundance Square. Fort Worth officials courted ESPN for several months prior to the network selecting Fort Worth in late 2010. City officials estimate $4.5 million in overall Super Bowl promotions and marketing will be spent during the special week. The more than 80 hours of ESPN’s live radio and TV broadcasts are likely to bring in thousands of people to Fort Worth’s downtown. The actual broadcasts are expected to showcase Fort Worth to tens of millions of people throughout the world, and the National Football League estimates that as many as 150,000 visitors will come to North Texas for the big game. Besides ESPN, one of the other highlights at Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth will be Lone Star Live, a 21,000-square-foot multi-themed bar that will combine music and live entertainment. And, if location rules, Fort Worth is only a half-hour drive from Cowboys Stadium. For more information about Super Bowl XLV and the role North Texas will play by hosting the big event, visit the North Texas Super Bowl XLV Host Committee website at www.northtexassuperbowl.com. – Kevin Litwin
Sundance Square
Courtesy of Sundance Square
Hello, ESPN
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Biz Briefs Businesses – both large and small – that help define Fort Worth’s economic climate
Scorecard Business At A Glance
$5.8 billion Annual retail sales
$10,190 Retail sales per capita
$855 million Annual hotel and food sales
40,813
of The Dannon Photo Courtesy
Source: U.S. Census QuickFacts
Company
Total number of firms
MOTHER RUCKER’S SWEETS Biz: Cookies and candy Buzz: Mother Rucker’s Sweets is a gourmet sweets and gift company that makes freshbaked cookies, brownies, handmade chocolate bars and confections from its Fort Worth headquarters. The company was founded in 2003 by Karel Rucker, who brought 25 years of professional baking experience to her operation. Many of the company’s sales nowadays are via the Internet, and their phone number is fittingly appropriate at (866) 73-YUMMY. www.motherruckers.com 34
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JUSTIN Brands Biz: Boot manufacturer Buzz: H.J. Justin and Sons was formed in 1908, and by 1910 Justin boots were sold in 26 states, Canada, Mexico and Cuba for $11 a pair. The company became headquartered in Fort Worth in 1925, and today Justin Boots is owned by Berkshire Hathaway. All boots are handmade and manufactured for men, women and children. www.justinboots.com PIER 1 IMPORTS Biz: Home furnishings Buzz: Pier 1 Imports started in 1962 with a single store, and today has more than 1,000 locations nationwide. The company bills itself as North America’s largest specialty retailer of imported home furnishings and décor, and is headquartered in Fort Worth. Merchandise ranges from home accessories such as candles, vases and picture frames to full-sized upholstered furniture, hand-carved armoires, large-scale vases and wall art. www.pier1.com
… Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. ~ Hebrews 12:1
Est. 1963 Offering Two Locations:
Arlington Campus
Early Childhood-12th Grade 2201 W. Park Row Arlington, TX 76013 (817) 460-3315
Mansfield Campus Three Years-5th Grade 2351 Country Club Dr. Mansfield, TX 76063 (817) 522-5900 Accredited by ACSI, SACS-casi
www.pantego.com
GORDON BOSWELL FLOWERS Biz: Florist Buzz: This company has been serving Fort Worth since 1919, and numerous times has been voted Best Florist in Tarrant County. Most of the sales at Gordon Boswell Flowers are for traditional events such as weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. However, the business also features flowers for categories such as For Him, School Colors, High Style and In the Doghouse? www.gordonboswell.com The DANNON COMPANY Biz: Yogurt maker Buzz: This well-known company sells and produces 6 million cups of yogurt a day in nearly 100 flavors, styles, and sizes. Dannon’s plant on the Near Southside is one of Fort Worth’s industrial landmarks, employing hundreds of people in making and distributing the world’s top-selling brand of yogurt. www.dannon.com
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Chamber Report
The Eyes Have It Vision Fort Worth recruits young professionals
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here are 200,000 students currently attending colleges and universities in Fort Worth, and there is potential for them to leave the city once they graduate. The Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce wants them to want to stay. The chamber has established an organization called Vision Fort Worth and is inviting all local young
professionals to join, even if they aren’t chamber members. Young professionals in Vision Fort Worth are considered to be between the ages of 21 and 40. “We’ve already signed up 300 people,” says Brianna Broussard, Vision Fort Worth manager. “This is an organization that gives young professionals a connection with one another – it’s a great networking
Skillfully creating beautiful smiles for more than 30 years.
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orthodontics for Children & adults Give your smile a signature – a promise of a healthy, beautiful, long-lasting smile! With Dr. Crain’s signature smile, you will receive the benefit of his attention to detail, his clinical excellence and his experience. Dr. Crain and his team are committed to helping you achieve the smile you deserve in a warm and caring atmosphere.
Two locations to serve you: 4375 S. Hulen St. • Fort Worth, TX 76109 • (817) 926-9777 134 El Chico Trl. • Willow Park, TX 76087 • (817) 441-2122
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opportunity. We also have 20 mentors on the chamber board who are older, well-established, successful business leaders in Fort Worth who can provide one-on-one career mentoring to young professionals at any time.” Perhaps Public Office? Vision Fort Worth also allows members to get involved in community service projects and even think about perhaps getting into public office . “Two of the city’s current council members are under 40 years old,” says Andra Bennett, senior director of communications with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce. “We also want to help our young professionals get onto nonprofit boards around town, so they can get board experience and help a cause.” Fort Worth, Circa 2036 Vision Fort Worth presents annual 20/20 Awards to Fort Worth companies that attract and retain young professionals. In addition young professionals are involved in a Visioning Process initiative getting under way now. The group is working with TCU Neely School of Business Associate Marketing Professor Dr. Stacy Grau and her colleague Dr. Susan Kleiser. Together, they will survey and conduct research analysis that will culminate in a town hall meeting in the spring of 2011. Competing for Young Workers Broussard says studies show that 23 million baby boomers will retire by 2012, but only 10 million Gen Xs and Gen Ys will enter the workforce. “That means companies and communities will need to compete for those younger workers,” she says. “We need Fort Worth young people to stay in Fort Worth, which is what Vision Fort Worth is all about.” For more, call Brianna Broussard at (817) 338-3311 or visit the website at www.visionfw.com. – Kevin Litwin
Economic profile Economic Overview Of the nation’s 20 largest cities, Fort Worth is the fastest growing. People choose to start their business here due to the impressive workforce. Those businesses thrive because Fort Worth is a major center for industry, technology, distribution and transportation.
TRANSPORTATION
workforce
Rail: BNSF Railway www.bnsf.com
372,639
City Sales and Use Tax
Union Pacific www.up.com
57.2%
1/2%
Trinity Railway Express www.trinityrailwayexpress.org
taxes
1%
Total workforce
White Collar Jobs
42.8%
Fort Worth Crime Control
1/2% MTA (Mass Transit Authority)
6.25% State Sales Tax
8.25% Total Sales Tax
income
$23,399 Per Capita Income
$45,188 Average Annual Household Expenditure
Blue Collar Jobs
Air: DFW International Airport www.dfwairport.com
major Employers
Alliance Airport www.alliancetexas.com/ services/allianceairport.aspx
AMR/American Airlines 24,540 Texas Health Resources 18,448 Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company
Meacham International www.fortworthgov.org/ aviation/meacham
Arlington Independent School District
Spinks Airport www.fortworthgov.org/ aviation/spinks
City of Fort Worth Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc.
Road: Fort Worth connects to national and international markets through four major interstate highways – I-20, I-30, I-35 and I-45 – and is encircled by Loop 820.
Living green is making sure the air in your home is healthy for your family to breathe. Test your home for radon and build radon-resistant. It's easy. That's living healthy and green.
Just call 866-730-green or visit www.epa.gov/radon
8,126 6,558 5,718
University of Texas at Arlington
5,422
JPS Health Network
4,633
Texas Health Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital 4,500
NOW LEASING
Living green starts from the ground up.
13,500
Fort Worth Independent School District 10,316
URBAN LIVING on the Park in Fort Worth
ImAGINE WALkING tO EVERythING – the movies, great restaurants, shopping, trinity Park and more. Now imagine not having to wait! One- and two-bedroom homes are now available for occupancy. We’d love to say “Welcome home” to you this spring. Incentives available. to learn more about the exciting things happening at Parkside So7, call (817) 870-0302. www.sosevenfortworth.com
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Business Overview
Dream Location business community benefits from diversity, friendly climate
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ort Worth business leaders are hard pressed to list all the positives about running a company in this town, and they couldn’t be more pleased to have this difficulty.
High-Tech Hub Whether large or small, an oil or cattle operation or a new high-tech entrepreneurial startup, Fort Worth’s business climate is tailor made for success. The city has become Texas’ hightech hub, boasting such corporations as Lockheed Martin, Bell Helicopter and Motorola. It’s also the international headquarters for the likes of American Airlines, BNSF Railway, Pier 1 Imports and RadioShack. Want more? Justin Brands, FedEx, Ben E. Keith and Williamson Dickie also have settled into Fort Worth and are growing their presence all the time. Matter of fact, the city is now home to the fourth highest concentration of Fortune 500 company headquarters in the United States. Diverse Commercial Center In addition to these major players, Fort Worth is also a commercial center for equally well-known players in health care, finance, telecommunications, education, tourism, retail trade and services, all of which combine to create a diversified local economy that not only is withstanding the current economic slowdown, but is poised to go full
throttle as the national and international climates improve. Sometimes those numbers are hard to measure, but the hard facts are that employment here is growing at the fourth strongest rate of the country’s top 25 largest metro areas, and Fort Worth has the third largest percentage increase in employment among metropolitan divisions. Multiple Airports, Transportation Links And this kind of success gets noticed, too: Forbes magazine ranked Fort Worth fifth in its Best Cities for Jobs list in 2008, calling special attention to the city’s central location and central transportation system, which is highlighted by four area airports – DFW International, Alliance, Meacham and Spinks. Between them,
these international hubs serve more than 57 million travelers a year. The city and its economic development officials are well aware of their assets, and are investing in both new development and infrastructure improvements to keep businesses moving into, and expanding within, the region. Nearly $6.5 billion in public and private funds have been invested in the 17,000-acre Alliance Airport and Alliance Corridor Industrial Area, creating more than 28,000 new jobs, and a host of other public and private projects are now underway to accommodate current and future growth. Now add in a low tax structure and business-friendly climate that makes it easy to set up shop and expand, and it’s easy to see why Fort Worth is literally growing up, and out, in every direction. – Joe Morris
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing, located in Fort Worth, Texas, produces over half of the nation’s paper currency. Come experience the Tour and Visitor Center to see billions of dollars and learn about the production and history of United States paper currency. • Two floors of interactive exhibits and displays • 45-minute tour on an elevated walkway • 75-seat theater showing a 15-minute high-definition movie • Moneyfactory Gift Shop
FREE ADMISSION Western Currency Facility 9000 Blue Mound Rd. • Fort Worth, Texas 76131 For tour information, call (817) 231-4000 or toll-free (866) 865-1194 and press “2”.
www.moneyfactory.gov
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visit our
advertisers Alexander Chandler Realty www.alexanderchandler.com All Saints Episcopal School www.asesftw.org Amon Carter Museum of American Art www.cartermuseum.org Brants Realtors www.brantsrealtors.com Bureau of Engraving & Printing www.moneyfactory.gov Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage www.cbdfw.com Cook Children’s Hospital www.cookchildrens.org Country Day School www.fwcds.org Crain Orthodontics www.crainortho.com First United Methodist Church www.myfumc.org Fort Worth Museum of Science & History www.fortworthmuseum.org Fort Worth Transportation Authority www.the-t.com Frost www.frostbank.com Gallery 1701 www.gallery1701.com Kimbell Art Museum www.kimbellart.org Marriott International Inc. www.marriott.com Mira Vista www.miravistarealtors.com National Cowgirl Museum www.cowgirl.net Omni Hotels & Resorts www.omnihotels.com Pantego Christian Academy www.pantego.com Parkside at So7 www.sosevenfortworth.com Sid Richardson Museum www.sidrichardsonmuseum.org Southwest Christian School www.southwestchristian.org Tarrant County College www.tccd.edu Texas Health Harris Hospital Fort Worth www.texashealth.org/fortworth Texas Wesleyan University www.law.txwes.edu The Flint Academy www.flintacademy.com The Hill School www.hillschool.org The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth www.themodern.org Trinity Valley School www.trinityvalleyschool.org Virginia Cook Realtors www.virginiacook.com Williams-Trew Real Estate Services www.williamstrew.com
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Real Estate
Homes for Every Lifestyle Fort Worth’s diverse Housing market IS affordable, too From high-rises to haciendas, Fort Worth has a home for every taste and budget. The city’s heritage shines through with Southwestern detail in many historic neighborhoods, while new residential communities, condominiums and urban lofts make sure there’s a style here for anyone looking to lease or own.
Home Prices Remain affordable The median home price in Fort Worth is around $115,000, making all the city’s residential areas affordable for those entering the housing market as well as growing families looking to upgrade or empty nesters looking to scale back a bit. And as the apartment and condominium markets continue to flourish throughout the region, look for even more options and amenities – and less maintenance – in those markets as well.
Renovated Neighborhoods Provide History Everything old is new again in Fort Worth, including the Museum District on the West Side, where new apartments and condos are helping to create a walkable urban district in an always popular area, while downtown continues to experience a renaissance in diverse urban living. On the Southside, artists and creative types are carving their niche
in the Magnolia Avenue/Fairmount/ Ryan Place area, which feature restored homes and fixer-uppers waiting to happen. Out west, Arlington Heights, Monticello, North HiMount and Crestwood are also well- established neighborhoods close to all the city’s cultural amenities, and are seeing growth in apartments and townhouses. And then there are Berkeley, Mistletoe Heights and Park Hill, beautiful, affluent neighborhoods close to both downtown and the TCU campus. – Joe Morris
New Master Communities Offer Choice Some of the newer residential areas include Walsh Ranch, Circle T and Heritage, master-planned communities that are providing quality living options for both singles and families. Properties such as Pecan Place, Cotton Depot Apartments, The Versailles and Hillside Apartments are already completed or under construction, giving renters and buyers alike plenty to choose from, along with such high-profile developments as The Cassidy, a 22-story residential tower, and Trinity Bluff, a 1,500unit residential and mixed-use project alongside the Trinity River. Southwest Fort Worth is another growing and diverse area, with communities including gated country club development Mira Vista and City View, which offers stunning views of downtown Fort Worth.
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Local Flavor
Cowtown Chowdown Barbecue, TEx-mex rule Fort Worth’s diverse food scene
Antony Boshier
Joe T. Garcia’s
It’s not hard to believe that a place known as Cowtown might have a barbecue joint or three (OK, maybe more like three dozen), but pigeonhole Fort Worth’s food scene at your peril.
For More Information
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angelo’s www.angelosbbq.com
joe t. garcia’s www.joets.com
bonnell’s www.bonnellstexas.com
junsuree www.junsureethai.com
byblos www.byblostx.com
lonesome dove www.lonesomedovebistro.com
cacharel www.cacharel.net
los vaqueros www.losvaqueros.com
cattlemen’s fort worth steak house www.cattlemenssteakhouse.com
michael’s www.michaelscuisine.com
chadra mezza and grill www.chadramezza.com
reata www.reata.net
Genghis Grill www.genghisgrill.com
saint-emilion www.saint-emilionrestaurant.com
h3 ranch www.h3ranch.com
spiral diner & bakery www.spiraldiner.com
F o r t W o r t h
Beef, Barbecue Are Big Players True, beef rules the scene here, but it comes in all shapes and sizes. Southwestern, Tex-Mex and Mexican are the largest players as far as types go, and for the best of these try Railhead Smokehouse, where the fork-tender beef brisket is so good they ship it (along with ribs, sausage and their famous sauce) nationwide. There’s also Angelo’s, where three generations of the George family have put out barbecue so good that city officials take them on the road to promote Fort Worth.
Tex-Mex Stakes Its Claim Too For a little south of the border flair, try local favorite Joe T. Garcia’s, known for its legendary margaritas and perfect patio. In the Stockyards district, those in the know swear by Los Vaqueros’
Steak Ranchera, an 8-oz. ribeye served with Monterey Jack cheese and ranchera sauce. Steaks are the order of the day at Saltgrass Steak House, Lonesome Dove, Michael’s, La Hacienda and H3 Ranch, while Reata in downtown’s Sundance Square offers the quintessential Fort Worth experience: “cowboy cooking”-inspired cuisine that melds Southwestern, Creole and Southern in a setting that includes a picturesque rooftop bar and dining patio.
International, Vegan Cuisine Also Has Outposts Those looking for more international fare can find Greek and Middle Eastern at Byblos and Hedary’s. Cacharel and SaintEmilion offer up French cuisine, while Bella Italia blends Italian favorites with a Southwestern twist. Thai aficionados know that Junsuree is a secret gem for lunch, and Thai Tina’s remains a longtime staple as well. And Bonnell’s Fine Texas Cuisine recently picked up a Zagat award, so it’s safe to say that calling ahead for reservations is a good idea. For a different kind of dining diversity, Spiral Diner and Bakery in Fort Worth’s hip Magnolia neighborhood offers organic vegan cuisine.
Farmers Markets Grow in Popularity The cook-your-own crowd also fares well in Fort Worth, with farmers markets on Saturday mornings at The Cowtown Farmers Market and the New Public Market. Aduro Bean and Leaf, Artisan Baking Company, Latte Da Dairy and other local favorites are on hand, and locally grown fruits and vegetables, cut flowers and tamales jostle for shelf space with baked goods, preserves and salsas, coffees and teas, and more – even dog treats. – Joe Morris
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High-Tech Healing Fort Worth Offers Advanced, Specialized health care If a community can be judged by its medical facilities, then Fort Worth scores high marks. Several general care and specialty hospitals and clinics are located all around the city, as well as outpatient facilities and dozens of satellite operations such as drop-in clinics.
Major Hospitals, Satellite Clinics Both Found Here A major provider of care is Baylor All Saints Medical Center, which has been taking care of medical issues both major and minor for more than 100 years. The 537-bed hospital has spent more than $300 million on upgraded facilities and services, including research and community service programs in education and screenings. Within Baylor All Saints is Andrews Women’s Hospital, a 110-bed facility just for women that includes innovative programs like the Survivor Gals Salon, featuring stylish wigs, fun scarves and hats for cancer patients. The Joan Katz Center at Baylor All Saints works specifically with breast cancer patients, providing patient navigation services to help patients find community resources, support and help coordinating medical appointments. Plaza Medical Center of Fort Worth is another core provider in the city’s Medical District. The 320-bed facility offers comprehensive diagnostic
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and treatment services, and has undergone a $105 million expansion project to add and/or renovate more than 70,000 square feet of space for a new day-surgery center, private patient rooms, outpatient chemotherapy and more. Accidents happen, and JPS Health Network stands ready to treat them regardless of severity. The facility has been verified as a Level I Trauma Center by the American College of Surgeons, which is big news for an area where more than 20 percent of deaths are attributable to some form of trauma, according to public health data. Huguley Memorial Medical Center shoulders its share of the community care duties around here as well, with more than 350 primary care and specialty physicians offering a full range of in- and outpatient services. The center also includes a 213-bed acute care hospital and a 24-hour emergency room. At Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, the latest accolades are for the treatment of hip fractures. The hospital is only the fourth in the United States and the first in Texas to receive the
Antony Boshier
Health & Wellness
Photo Courtesy of Dan Leffel
gold seal of approval in the treatment of hip fractures in the elderly. The designation, which comes from the Joint Commission, recognizes only those hospitals that have proven to have excellent outcomes for patients and also a strong multidisciplinary program. North Hills Hospital also makes the grade and then some, having achieved all three levels of Chest Pain Accreditation, and also became the first Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery in Tarrant County. North Hills’ rehab center is one of the top 10 percent nationwide, and its nurses have received the Pathway to Excellence Award. Fort Worth’s littlest patients get top-flight care at Cook Children’s Medical Center, which has spent millions on renovations and expansions to its facilities, including adding a fracture clinic, urgent care center and heliport in recent years. Cook Children’s has been recognized as a Nurse Magnetdesignated organization in honor of its quality patient and nursing excellence, and in 2007 opened the first dual-room IMRIS intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging suite for pediatric patients in the world. – Joe Morris
Arts & Culture
Stockyard to Symphony
Photo Courtesy of Ed Schipul
Fort Worth’s Lively Cultural Scene EmbRaces Old And new
Bass Performance Hall
Like Texas itself, Fort Worth’s cultural scene is big enough to offer just about everything. The city’s arts communities have, over time, settled into three distinct areas: the Cultural District, Stockyards National Historic District and the Downtown District, crowned by Sundance Square. Each offers up a vibrant selection of music, dance, theater and art, and stands as a community within itself while staying plugged into the entire region’s artistic tapestry.
Photo Courtesy of Jeffrey Washington
Cultural District
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Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra
F o r t W o r t h
Follow tree-lined boulevards away from downtown for a few minutes and you’ll find yourself in the Cultural District. With its brick paving and manicured grounds, the district is a jewel dropped into the metropolitan area. Art offerings range from Western to avant-garde at The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, the Kimbell and Amon Carter, with each well-regarded collection housed in distinct structures renowned for their architectural styles. The region’s collection of attractions, including the Art Deco wonder Will Rogers Memorial Center, draw in more than 2 million visitors a year.
Stockyards National Historic District
film festival and related events keep local movie houses busy.
Then there’s the Stockyards National Historic District, the “history book of the Texas stock industry.” For drovers heading up the Chisholm Trail, Fort Worth was the last major stop for supplies. Now this part of Cowtown is a shopping and dining destination as well as a way station for all kinds of artists and musicians, many of whom perform to packed houses at venues like Lola’s Saloon and Billy Bob’s Texas.
Unique Cultural Museums On the museum front, there’s a unique history to be explored at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame and its male counterpart, the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame. Western art is represented at downtown’s Sid Richardson Museum, located in Sundance Square. The Fort Worth Museum of
Science and History offers worldclass traveling exhibits to visitors young and old within an innovative work of architecture, and the National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum explores the contributions of many diverse groups to the region’s development. Trying to stay on top of Fort Worth’s art scene is an enjoyable challenge. The best part? The city’s residents are always hungry for more, which means the offerings, and the variety, just keep increasing. – Joe Morris
Downtown District/ Sundance Square For those who want it all in one place, look no farther than Sundance Square downtown, where hip restaurants, independent theaters and art galleries collide to offer a walkable feast for the eyes, ears and palate. Favorite stops include the improv comedy club Four-Day Weekend and upscale Western shopping at Leddy’s. Plenty of urban lofts allow hip locals to live right in the middle of the action.
Bass Hall, Theater Scene While it’s hard to single out specific groups or institutions here, there are a few that have achieved national and international prominence. Take the Nancy Lee and Perry R. Bass Performance Hall, which houses the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Texas Ballet Theater, Fort Worth Opera and the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition and Cliburn Concerts. Little wonder that this 2,065-seat venue, with its 80-foot Great Dome, is known around the world. Smaller but just as mighty are the Casa Mañana, Jubilee Theatre, Circle Theatre, Hip Pocket Theatre, Stage West and a host of other sites devoted to live theater. Cinema buffs are hardly left in the cold either, as the annual Q-Cinema
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Sports & Recreation
Park It Here City’s outdoor venues, sports teams have all bases covered
Antony Boshier
Trinity River Trails Below: Fort Worth Zoo
Whether you’re into athletics as a player or avid watcher, Fort Worth’s got the place for you. More than 200 places, actually. Fort Worth is second in the U.S. only to Chicago in total park acreage within the city limits, with literally hundreds of parks – large and small.
Botanic Garden, Zoo CELEBRATE NATURE
Antony Boshier
Another natural highlight is the Fort Worth Botanic Garden, the oldest botanical garden in Texas, with more than 2,500 species of native and exotic plants. For a walk on the wilder side, the Fort Worth Zoo, the first zoo in Texas, is still one of the nation’s most innovative wildlife centers. It has been named a top zoo in the nation by USA Travel Guide and regularly earns conservation kudos. To see animals in a little more historic context, check out the twice-daily Fort Worth Cattle Drive in the Stockyard District, where visitors relive the city’s cattle-driving past.
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College athletics have their pride of place in Fort Worth as well. The city’s home to the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl, and Texas Christian University’s Horned Frogs, fresh off a 2010 Rose Bowl appearance, compete in the NCAA’s Division I athletics bracket. The school’s football team is usually found in the top 25, while its baseball team continues to close in on a College World Series slot. Nearby Texas Wesleyan University competes in the NAIA.
Photo Courtesy of TCU Athletics Media Relations
Armed Forces Bowl, College Athletics
Texas Christian University Horned Frogs
Crowne Plaza, Cats DRAW CROWDS As for big name sports events, Fort Worth hosts the Crowne Plaza Invitational Golf Tournament at the Colonial Country Club each May, where spectators watch the pros take to the course that was home to legendary native son Ben Hogan. For more action, the Texas Motor Speedway is home to both NASCAR and IndyCar racing events, including the Bombardier Learjet 550. Or take yourself out to the ball game with the Fort Worth Cats at historic LaGrave Field. Want to cool off a bit? Then the Texas Brahmas hockey team at NYTEX Sports Centre is the place to be.
Green Space Galore One jewel of the Fort Worth Parks and Community Services Department is the Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge, one of the largest city-owned nature centers in the United States. With more than 20 miles of hiking trails and an interpretive center, the area offers residents and visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the natural history of north central Texas. For recreation with a river view, the Trinity River Trails provide a 35-mile network of scenic, green paths for runners, hikers and bikers, many of which cross through a half-dozen of the city’s numerous parks. – Joe Morris
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Golf
In the Swing of Things Golf in Fort Worth is way above par The Fort Worth club scene is always in full swing with more than 20 golf courses located within the city itself. Here is some interesting background on five of them:
Mira Vista Country Club Well-known PGA golfer Tom Weiskopf helped design Mira Vista, where native grasses and thousands of wildflowers provide a park-like environment. The par-71, 6,849-yard public course is highlighted by hole No. 11, a 540-yard par 5 that was ranked Best Hole No. 11 in America by Golf Digest in 2000.
The Golf Club at The Resort This 6,626-yard, par-72 layout is a championship-caliber course on the eastern shore of Eagle Mountain Lake. Rolling hills and abundant wildlife highlight the topography, and The Golf Club at The Resort has been ranked by GolfWorld among the finest layouts in northern Texas. It has also been rated one of the most challenging in the state by the United States Golf Association.
RIDGLEA COUNTRY CLUB Ridglea Country Club offers two challenging courses: the Family Course and the Championship Course, each complete with its own driving range, short game area, indoor
teaching facility and stocked golf shop. Both courses have played host to local, state and national amateur golf tournaments.
Colonial Country Club Colonial was built in 1936 by Marvin Leonard of the locally famous Leonard Bros. department stores. The 18-hole, par-70 private layout is consistently rated one of the best courses in the United States, as evidenced by it hosting the 1941 U.S. Open, the 1975 Tournament Players Championship and the 1991 U.S. Women’s Open. It continues today to showcase an annual PGA Tour event, the Crowne Plaza Invitational.
RIVERCREST Country Club Fort Worth’s oldest country club, Rivercrest opened in 1911. Located five miles from downtown Fort Worth, the club was the first in Texas to include residential housing on its acreage and the first to stage a statewide women’s golf tournament. The club’s 6,368-yard course has hosted legends of the game including Ben Hogan, Byron Nelson and Babe Didrikson Zaharias. i m ag e s f o r t w o r t h . c o m
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Education
Head of the Class
Antony Boshier
Fort Worth schools lead state, national rankings
Tarrant County College
Education is a priority in Fort Worth, where advanced learning programs begin at the earliest grade levels and continue throughout high school and into some of the country’s best-known colleges and universities.
Colleges, Universities Support Fort Worth’s Growth
Photo Courtesy of QuesterMark
Texas Wesleyan University
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Local high school graduates don’t have too far to go to pursue a quality degree either. Fort Worth’s mix of colleges and universities means there are more than 250,000 students enrolled in higher education at any given time in the city, with more than 35,000 degrees awarded annually. They include such notable names as Tarrant County College, Texas Wesleyan University, Texas Christian University, Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Tarleton State University - Southwest Metroplex Center, University of North Texas Health Science Center and Everest College. Each of these institutions regularly adds to both core courses and degree programs, and partners with local municipal and economic development officials to ensure that graduates have a direct pipeline into the local and regional workforce.
Fort Worth ISD Leads the Way The Fort Worth Independent School District is the largest district in Tarrant County, which has 20 other school districts within its borders. The Fort Worth ISD has around 80,000 students in 144 schools for grades K-12, including 27 special campuses. Its awards and honors include the “What Parents Want” designation from SchoolMatch, a private firm that assists companies with relocation. The honor has come for seven years in a row, and only goes to 14 percent of the nation’s schools. It’s no surprise that the Fort Worth ISD scores this well, considering it had an 83 percent increase in high-performing schools in recent years, and continues to rise at all levels of the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills standards. There also are more than 200 private schools here, giving parents of different faiths and backgrounds multiple options for their children’s education.
Polytechnic High School of the Fort Worth ISD
Antony Boshier
Businesses Benefit From Development Centers There also are multiple smaller centers of learning devoted to specific job-related training and education, such as the Small Business Development Centers operated by the city of Fort Worth, as well as Tarrant County College, so whether it’s a graduate degree or just some brushing up on skill sets, the Fort Worth area educational and community support system’s got just the right program, just down the street. – Joe Morris
The Flint Academy Classical Christian Education Charlotte Mason Educational Philosophy 3 Years Through 12th Grade
College Prep Academic Program Multisensory Learning Nature Studies
Phonics Classical Literature Latin
Gardening Art History
2111 Roosevelt Dr. Arlington, Texas (817) 277-0620 paulaflint@sbcglobal.net
www.flintacademy.com
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Community profile Snapshot Fort Worth offers culture, beauty, education, entertainment and much more. It’s no wonder Fort Worth was ranked the fourth Best City to Relocate to in America by CNBC.com in 2010.
household information
transportation
731,588
Median Travel Time to Work
Total Population
weather
87.4 F Summer average temperature
42.9 F Winter average temperature
30.8 Median Resident Age
50.9% Married
49.1% Single
34” Annual Rain Fall (vs. National Average Annual Rain Fall of 37”)
time zone
Central SIZE IN SQUARE MILES
332
Age 19 and Under
51.2% Age 20-54
16.5% Age 55 and Over
62.4%
cost of living
White
$48,015
18.5%
Median Household Income
$115,900 Median Home Price
$772 Median Rent for a Two-Bedroom Apartment
32.3%
Black
34.1% Hispanic
17% Other
25 minutes The Fort Worth Transportation Authority, known as the T, provides bus service throughout Fort Worth and operates the commuter rail line Trinity Railway Express, or TRE. www.the-t.com Serving more than 57 million travelers in 2009, DFW International Airport is a major passenger hub located only 17 miles from downtown Fort Worth and serves as a hub for American Airlines. www.dfwairport.com
numbers to know Drivers License Texas Department of Motor Vehicles 6413 Woodway Dr. Fort Worth, TX 76133 (817) 294-1075 www.txdmv.gov Vehicle Registration Tarrant County Tax Assessor/Collector www.tarrantcounty.com/etax/ cwp/browse.asp?a=765&bc=0 &c=43881&etaxNav=|7307| Voter Registration Tarrant County Elections Center 2700 Premier St. Fort Worth, TX 76111 (817) 831-VOTE www.tarrantcounty.com/ evote/site/default.asp Recycling Environmental Management www.fortworthgov.org/dem/
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Through the Lens
Get the Story Behind the Photo Now that you’ve experienced Fort Worth through our photos, see it through the eyes of our photographers. Visit imagesfortworth.com to view our exclusive photographers’ blog documenting what all went into capturing those perfect moments.
From Our Photo Blog: Fort Worth The first time I had ever been to Fort Worth was for my recent assignment to photograph the magazine. And, I must say it was a great experience. The downtown area has something to offer for everyone. There are world-class art museums, great nightlife, nationally acclaimed restaurants and wonderful parks. Trinity Park is a gem of a park that allows for great views of downtown and a place to bike, run, or to take your best friend on a sunset stroll.
Posted by Antony Boshier
More Online See more favorite photos and read the stories behind the shots at www.throughthelensjci.com/.
Fort Worth Zoo
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Sunset in Fort Worth, Texas
Ad Index
38 Alexander Chandler Realty
53 All Saints Episcopal School
C4 Fort Worth Transportation Authority
35 Amon Carter Museum of American Art
40 Frost
7 Brants Realtors
39 Bureau of Engraving & Printing
C3 Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage
45 Cook Children’s Hospital
47 Country Day School
36 Crain Orthodontics
49 First United Methodist Church
41 Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
1 Gallery 1701
8 Kimbell Art Museum
C2 Marriott International Inc.
14 Mira Vista
51 National Cowgirl Museum
33 Omni Hotels and Resorts
35 Pantego Christian Academy
37 Parkside at SO7
54 Sid Richardson Museum
Ad Index (cont.)
50 Southwest Christian School
50 Tarrant County College
12 Texas Health Harris Hospital Fort Worth
9 Texas Wesleyan University
54 The Flint Academy
40 The Hill School
38 The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
38 Trinity Valley School
43 Virginia Cook Realtors
2 Williams-Trew Real Estate Services