High life at the Hyatt: This is going to be a one-night-stay giveaway, but heck, you could have an entire staff meeting and team building exercise in this Hyatt Place Hotel - Historic Stockyards suite. Linda Franko, GM to the cultured cowboys, says it comes with either two queen or one king-sized bed, a living area with a double sleeper sofa, 42-inch plasma HDTV, refrigerator, coffee maker, work desk, two telephones, free continental breakfast, free local calls, Internet access and outdoor swimming pool.
Branding a name: Mr. B’s new favorite name is Denisa, as in Denisa Russell, Business Development Officer for Meridian Bank. B tried to get daughter MisBehavin’ to consider switching her name, but at 24, she’s leaning against it. Denisa….it just rolls off the tongue. And rolling write off the keyboard is this $50 American Express Card, courtesy of Meridian Bank, which has billions of dollars to lend. So, stop by, get a loan and help Denisa develop business.
Rollin’, rollin’: During the last Leads Explosion, sponsors Chris and Nancy Michlin of Back to Health Chiropractic gave attendees a back roller. Dr. Chris is one of only 300 board certified Atlas Orthogonal practicers in the world, but that’s all Greek to Mr. B. | | | |
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Sitting on the third or fourth row is a sure way to get in the spotlight at Four Day Weekend. During the Vision Fort Worth 20/20 Awards last week, Mary Hudnall from Healthpoint was questioned and then razzed by the Four Day troupe when she told them she was an accountant, that she was not certified (yet), and that she went into the field because her mother recommended it. See more shots from the award reception on Reata’s rooftop here.
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This is a good sign: When we first met Misty Brown and she was explaining her company, Signs By Tomorrow, we weren’t sure if that meant signs were ready tomorrow or you got tomorrow’s message today. What we do know is that we were misty-eyed when she donated a 3-foot by 8-foot grand opening sign (text only) to give away. We’re thinking of our own sign: Only Open Tomorrow; Ain’t That Grand.
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Driven to distraction: When Mom B was teaching young Mr. B to drive, she had the patience of (Non)Job; she herownself was a speeding wreck waiting to happen. Mr. B wasn’t much better teaching Son NoBGood or daughter MisBehavin, now rated California’s worst driver. So, why hassle with it? The Texas Driving Experience at Texas Motor Speedway can teach your kid/monster the skills necessary to drive/sit in any rush hour. We’ve got two spots for a parent AND their teen driver in the SKILLS Parent/Teen Camp sponsored by Audi June 12 and 13. |
Boffo at the buffet: Be happy you “only” had to cook for your clan for Mother's Day. Ricki Epstein and Zorro's Restaurant cooked for 2,419.
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Steaking claim in Dallas: Fort Worth Del Frisco’s delight Gina Cook is heading to Dallas to become the GM of the Del Frisco’s there. Hubby Doug Cook of Healthpoint says he already is “house husband” to their eight-year-old. |
Waste not: TECH Fort Worth honored emerging companies that will change our future last week during its IMPACT Awards. Keynote speaker was Larry (Undercover Boss) O’Donnell, President and COO of Waste Management. His topic: “Think Green. Think Waste Management.” And what he said was surprising … Among the company’s mix of businesses, 49 percent is considered “green related.” Waste Management is a major waste recycler and energy/electricity supplier to facilities at Dell Computers, BMW in South Carolina and the University of New Hampshire and has a hybrid garbage truck in Fort Worth.
Freight forwarding: Economy update from Sal Esparza of Trinity Transport: He says freight to truck is expanding rapidly throughout the country. Think that means the economy is moving freight forward.
Just sayin’: The UNT Health Science Center has opened its Medical Education and Training building … with a parking facility. Wonder how much the parking is there?
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Tour tout: Remember when Mr. B told you that Cowboys Stadium was the best tour in town? Evan Smith of the Cowboys seconds that, pointing out the Cowboys have gone from one salesperson last summer to 18 salespeople available today for tours, events, add-ons, etc. (A little side income for Mr. Jones?) The price of the VIP tour has increased $5 to $20, but now includes a free ($10) photo. There also is a ($12) self-guided tour available. The stadium has become a favorite target for school field trips, nearly 500 students a day. |
Chorus Line for Life: Our favorite la la la la-ers –Texas Millionaires Chorus -- will team with other songmeisters May 29 at Hulen Mall and you can listen for free ... while you donate blood to the Carter Blood Center.
Back to her roots: Still-celebrating, 39-year-old birthday girl Wendy Davis gave the commencement address at the Tarrant County College spring graduation yesterday and was the first inductee into the Tarrant County College Alumni Association. Davis went on to TCU and Harvard Law School and is a Texas senator and Cantey Hanger attorney. |
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Foresight: The Vision 20/20 Awards last week up on the Reata rooftop were pretty cool. Employers who hired young pros and mentored/promoted them were honored. Freese and Nichols engineered the top score, and Balcom Agency, Community Bank and Weaver also were kudo’d. Next year, maybe they could honor employees who have too many bosses. (Mr. B could win; he has 12 editors!)
Planning ahead: You might strategically plan for the next Gold/Preferred member breakfast May 27. Jim Cross and Mark Cook of the CrossGroup and Erma Hadley-Johnson, chancellor for the Tarrant County College District, will discuss their work together on TCC’s 5-year plan. CrossGroup will help you decide if your company even needs a plan, and, if so, how to go about devising one.
Purple pool: Ridglea Country Club is making a splash with the hiring of Matt Emmert as Director of Aquatics. He also is assistant coach for the TCU swimming and diving teams. |  |
Wells-gotten gains: Wachovia may be gone, but it’s not forgotten by its employees or its new owner, Wells Fargo & Company. Together, they gave $15k to the Tarrant Area Food Bank, $10k to American Red Cross Chisholm Trail Chapter and $10K to the Ronald McDonald House in Fort Worth based on voting by Wachovia customers and team members.
Making the Big Time: Mr. B’s giveaway luncheon with city economic officials last week was posted in the Fort Worth Club elevator as “Mr. B Luncheon.”
Also Big Time: Paul Dixon of Perquest Workforce Solutions has a bit of heft to him and Mr. B-like love handles. He recently introduced himself at a Chamber meeting as a “male model—when you just don’t care any more.” |
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Checkers in China: Elevators that stick, peanuts that actually were bee larvae and bunny hop dancing for someone named Rag Doll. This is not your Mao's China. Read all about it here in co-worker Lacy's Chamber/Sister Cities blog as Fort Worth searches for a partner city. (Lacy, Eats Beater Bud Kennedy at the Star-Telegram recommends never eating at a restaurant called Mom's or Grandma's.)
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