Fort Worth Chamber's Newz-E-Letter: April 16, 2008

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For Members, About Members	April 16, 2008
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PICTURE OF THE WEEK!

On April 7th, Mayor Mike Moncrief and members of the Heritage Trails Task Force unveiled the Heritage Trails kiosk at the corner of Main and 2nd St., dedicating the series of 19 bronze historical markers placed downtown that recount Fort Worth’s storied history. From left, Judith Cohen, Kathryn Bryan, Doug Harman, Roger Yandell, Judge Steve King and Brian Barnard applaud the dedication.

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Stress relief: Last week was mid-term week at the University of Oklahoma, which meant son NoBGood was gambling in the new casino just minutes from campus and dear old dad was writing papers and studying like crazy for a Noble School of Business Internet exam. It’s exhausting trying to maintain a C average, so B decided to get away and spend Saturday night at the Marriott-Residence Inn Cultural District. Came with a free breakfast, and free is the key word on B’s salary…and for you, too, if you win this one-night stay.

Green Tech: Earth Day is nearing 25 years, and Green is finally in, in, in! It’s everywhere! Techline Furniture & Cabinetry has taken a lead position in home organizational solutions that are more earth-friendly, becoming the exclusive provider in Dallas-Fort Worth for the ORG brand product that includes EcoElements. EcoElements contain 100% recycled wood fiber panels with no added urea formaldehyde. You remember urea formaldehyde. We have a $100 gift certificate for any EcoElements product.

Blood-thirsty: TexasBalletTheater will perform Cleopatra at the China Shanghai International Arts Festival in October; it’s the first North Texas arts group invited to perform and it is also the first performing arts organization from the United States to confirm participation in the 2008 festival. The Neilsen audience is expected to be 500 million people, about two million less than Newz-E-Letter readers. Before the company goes abroad, it is performing Dracula this weekend at Bass Performance Hall, and we have two sets of two tickets for the Saturday 2.p.m. matinee.

More than a wannabe: Mr. B’s friends (ex?) at Tarrant County College sent an email blast invitation to the Simply Divine April 25 Conference for Aspiring Women at the Radisson Hotel Fort Worth South. Wonder if the College knows something beyond B’s empty dating life? Obviously, all-Boy can’t attend, so here’s an entry fee for one lucky reader. The all-day conference includes five speakers, a lunch and “live” style show, which is preferred over the dead kind, fabulous giveaways and lots of great tips on how to be aspiring.

The Methodists are coming: The General Conference of the United Methodist Church is coming to Fort Worth April 23-May 2 for its one-every-four-years convention. Banners downtown will welcome them in nine different languages, including B-speak.

Happy birthday: Bass Performance Hall is 10 this year and has a festival starting later this month, including a free Jack Ingram concert sponsored by Chesapeake Energy.

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Walk, don’t drive: Saw an ad for an AARP Driver Safety Program. That’s when they just take away your license.

Stage left: Linda Walker, owner of Roomers, an interior re-design company, says she always wanted to do a bachelor pad. Mr. B offered up the B Mansion, but Linda said it had to be a bachelor that dated. Linda comes in and re-stages your house using what you already own.

Cowboys & robbers: Though former Dallas Cowboy Jay Novacek has no identity problems, he’s worried about yours. He recently teamed with Bowie Ballard to form Jay Novacek & Associates, which consults on identity theft. Novacek spoke recently at a Gold Member breakfast:

Novacek came to the Cowboys right after a 1-15 season and was surprised by how much confidence the players had.
His biggest highlight as a Cowboy wasn’t a play, but a comment from quarterback Troy Aikman. During a film session, Jay asked Troy how he could throw a pass his way without seeing him. “I just knew you’d be there,” Troy said.
He said coach Jimmy Johnson got burned out. “I never heard a player say anything good about Jimmy until after he left. You don’t have to like your coach, but you have to respect him.”
He tells Cowboys tight ends: “Don’t play like me. I didn’t know half the time what I was doing myself.”

Plumbing a new location: Morrison (plumbing, appliances and hardware) will open a 16,000-square-foot showroom in August at Bryant Irvin and West Vickery.

Sorry, Charlie: Last week’s Chamber economic development update meeting was canceled because there was too much economic development going on to hold a meeting.

New to the parish: Paula Parrish, ex of the Amon Carter Museum, is the new director of advancement at Fort Worth Country Day School. Might be smart to advance toward the incredible smells coming from that new bakery that opened across the street.

Love connection: FYI for you name droppers…Cindy Love of Turnkey Project Services is not related to Courtney Love and wishes she were related to Mike Love.

Pet empire: Kelly Sullivan, owner of Abbey's Pet and House Sitting and Midday Mutts, has expanded with a mobile pet grooming unit called Whisker Washers.

Sporting choice: Multi-sport owner Tom Hicks had to choose between attending the Texas Rangers’ home opener or Liverpool in the soccer quarterfinals of the European Cup championships. He chose Rangers, who lost. Liverpool won and advanced to the semifinals.

Late-night concern: Mr. B would rather that EITHER Barack or Hilary answer the phone at 3 a.m. when daughter MisBehavin’ calls.

Still a minor: Betsy Gutierrez, a mortgage loan consultant with Intrust Mortgage, bought her 16-year-old a $46 pair of flip flops that have a nice gel sole. And when you flip them over, it has a beer bottle opener. Must be for root beer.

Newman!!!!!!!! He may have been a tad crazy on Seinfeld, but our Martha (Coach) Newman is cascading upward. The Graduate School of Management at UTD hired her to coach executives who are earning their EMBA degrees. The student/clients are executives who want to move to the CEO level within their companies. UTD's program for EMBAs has been ranked #1 overall in Texas by Financial Times.

Old stuff for new member: Found a Nehru jacket and some skinny ties in Mr. B’s spring cleaning, and lo and behold, new member Dean-Kingston (Trio) on Foch Street is listed as clothing-retail, clothing collectibles and period, vintage weddings. Wonder if Summer Dean will outbid eBay for the jacket?
New start by new member: A new member specializing in mental health info, counseling and treatment centers is called, appropriately, Newstart.

New member wish list: Just dreaming about giveaways from new members such as Microsoft, Best Buy, Moya’s Mexican Restaurant, Signal Oil and Gas (a well), Terminex (kids are pests), Hawaiian Falls, Texas United Advertising (a B billboard), Jay Novacek & Associates (autographed football), Zorro’s Texas Buffet and Mercury Chop House. But, of course, Mr. B would never stoop to begging.

Heat(is)on: Ray Romano being in town recently reminded Michael Sanders, the managing partner at Legacy Solutions, that he used to date actress Patricia Heaton. Like you would need reminding? It was at Ohio State in 1978, but she exited stage right and dropped out that year to go to New York to become an actress. Michael says he does have a picture, “but it’s buried in a box somewhere in storage. I eventually ended up meeting my wife Nadia at Ohio State, who was studying for her Ph.D.” Nadia is senior professor at TCU in the Supply Chain Management department, and probably is the one who buried that picture in storage.

The Bells Are Ringing: Kathy Woodruff of The Courtyard Villa in Arlington offered Mr. B a free wedding reception. It’s a cool place for parties, receptions and meetings. But she must be reading Newz-E-Letter and knows that she’s not taking on much risk with her gracious offer. Ribbon cutters will check the Villa out this week. Ribbon cutting and other photos from Chamber events can be viewed at the website.