Power to the people: Mr. B and the prospective Ms. B were checking out the Power Couple, on-the-menu-for-all-time, Sunday night special at Del Frisco's, which includes a complete dinner for two for $99 and could include the filet or crab cake. We got it for $49.50 because Mr. B didn't make the Power part of the couple and had to wait at the valet stand while the prospective & power part of our couple dined leisurely, opulently and without remorse. B returned home and linked and friended proprietor Greg Kalina shortly thereafter and has been upgraded to 1/4 Power status. You, however, should have no problem with this certificate, which is good for two meals any night. Stage(d) right: Last decade, British librarians were polled and responded that the three must-read books of all-time are To Kill A Mockingbird, The Bible and Green Eggs and Ham. OK, one of those really was not included. And...this just in: It only took 52 years, but Casa Manana and Dallas Theater Center are collaborating to co-produce an adaptation of To Kill A Mockingbird Sept. 24 through Oct. 2 at Casa Manana. Jem, Scout, Boo and Atticus all will be there to re-tell Harper Lee's story of racial injustice in Alabama during the 1940s. You can be there opening night -- Sept. 24 -- if you win one of two pair of tickets.

Picture of the Week     This hot rod was one of the Hole-in-One prizes duing the 25th Annual Chamber Golf Classic held Monday at Ridglea Country Club. Players couldn't take their eyes off of the red convertible Camaro from Moritz Chevrolet Chrysler Jeep. See Golf Classic teams' and winners' photos here.   Sponsored by

How to make friends: 41 years ago, Jack Nicholson, in Five Easy Pieces, was attempting to order breakfast with a side of wheat toast from a no-break-the-rules waitress. Toast wasn't an available side order, she said. So he ordered an omelet and a chicken salad sandwich on wheat and asked her to “hold the chicken.” You definitely will not want to “hold the chicken” in this 15-person salute to sandwiches from Z's Cafe, whose chicken salad is Cultural District famous if not world famous. Carlo and Janet Capua will make up a platter of sandwiches--chicken salad, turkey, pimento and more -- in wraps, toasted panini and maybe even wheat bread. You also will get desserts; may we suggest you ask for the gooey brownies. Invite 14 friends for a picnic and some grackles for the crumbs.

Early celebration: We realize that it's Halloween season for retailers, but we wanted to be the first in this newsletter neck of the woods to jump on the Christmas season bandwagon.  Roofers can't roof all year long so (not Attorney General) Greg Abbott and the Zenith Roofing family celebrate a little Christmas year-round, offering holiday decorations made of resin, shingles, composite and native plants (for green roofs). OK, seriously, these are seriously wondrous decorations and we have a $175 wreath for someone's front door. 

Name game: Love the company name of new Chamber member Jennifer Manz -- Muttroplex Doggie Daycare.

Boot-legged: The Justin cowboy boots that Sean O'Brien of Principal Financial Group won earlier this month are his first pair...ever! “I've had snow boots, work boots, hiking boots.  No cowboy boots, though.”

Her own Texas de Brazil going on: Sarah Ward of Integra Realty Resources did not win the boots, though she entered because “I have got to get my boyfriend in a pair of boots! He is from Brazil, and he needs to do Texas right!” She was asked if he provides a Brazilian blowout for her hair. “My hair is already too straight. But he does cook Brazilian steak VERY well.”

Not procrastinating: The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl already has signed Navy for the 2013 and 2016 games, and Army for 2014 and 2017. A huge sponsor agreement could be coming soon.

Guys, are you jealous? Mr. B walked into a Sweethearts Dessert committee meeting for the Lena Pope Home. Liked what he saw--18 women and Mr. B. Didn't like how old he felt.

Speaking of female dominance: The Chamber's Women Influencing Business applications for Best Workplaces for Women are due October 7. Mr. B is nominating Lena Pope Home.

Ridin' in style: Wonder how many barrels of oil and gas are included with the Ford Explorer that The Ronald McDonald House of Fort Worth received from Chesapeake Energy? The SUV features a custom promotional wrap, which illustrates how The Ronald McDonald House provides the comforts of home for families of seriously ill or injured children.

A little pin action: Hmmm, major sponsor wins portion of Chamber Annual Golf Tournament. Just sayin'. Congrats to Presenting Sponsor GDF Suez, which won on the North Course Monday at Ridglea Country Club, and to BAE Systems, which won on the South Course. Southwest Bank, The T and Fort Worth Business Press teams played well, Hogan Page of Meridian Bank and Sean Martin of Lockheed Martin had the longest drives and Abel Sanchez of Wells Fargo and Mac Churchill of his namesake Acura dealership had closest to the pin wins. Tod Miller of Southwest Bank made a big splash as the Porta-Potty-Pitch drawing winner.

Who says there is no free lunch: Mr. B, with an office of one, is heading to Main Event tomorrow for the "Holiday Sneak Peek" luncheon, which is free. And there will be a gift if B books his holiday office party early.

Who says there is no free breakfast: Mr. B received an email from Won, Jen, and excitedly opened it to see what he had won. Well, Won is a person, and he was inviting Mr. B to a free breakfast Oct. 4 at TCU sponsored by Charter Business, TCU Neeley School of Business and the Fort Worth Business Press to hear the chief investment advisor for Comerica Bank.

Banking on small business: Just in time for the Sept. 30 nomination deadline for the Chamber's Small Business of the Year Awards comes a new three-year sponsor. Shout out to Chairman Georgia Baker, President/CEO Jimmy Campbell, marketing maven Lizz Larsen and all the tellers at Community Bank.

Fish tale: Mike Costello, owner of C & N Fire Systems, which recently was acquired by Century Fire Protection, found a cool way to get away from 70 days of 100-degrees heat in our area. The company completed a fire alarm and sprinkler installation for Tree Tops Lodge in Ketchikan, Alaska. Of course, Mike says he had to go there for the final test and checkout. “The fishing was pretty good, too!”

No fish tale here: When the Deadliest Catch took all four honors -- best editing, best sound mixing, best cinematography and best reality series -- it was nominated for during the Creative Emmys earlier this month, they were drinking Champagne with their tuna at the Tips household. Jean Tips is vice president, marketing & communications at UNT Health Science Center and son Travis, 28, is the producer/director of photography for the reality show. Discovery Channel flew Travis in from Brooklyn, New York for the red carpet walk and the victory parties.

Eye, see: So, you can't see clearly what Alcon's vision is that has it moving hundreds of jobs to Fort Worth. We sighted Franck Leveiller, VP Head of R&D Vision Care, and he left us wide-eyed. The eye-care sector is experiencing high growth in health care because of an aging population, un-met medial needs for glaucoma and macular degeneration, and emerging markets of China and India. One-third of the world suffers from nearsightedness and one half of those are in Asia. More Franck talk: Computers may increase eye problems in children. (Your mom was right; too much TV ruined your eyes.) Alcon has 1,700 employees in R&D. Alcon distributes product in 180 countries. Alcon has $7 billion in sales and is looking for $15 billion in 10 years. Alcon expects to launch a silicone hydrogel daily disposable contact lens in November.

Tough choice: Golfers, would you dream to be clubhouse manager at Augusta National Golf Club, home of The Masters, or General Manager of Colonial Country Club? Can't go wrong either way, right? Well, welcome to Fort Worth, Patrick DeLozier, new GM at Colonial. He is coming from Augusta National.

Wet net: The drought, which might last until the first freeze, brought out a novel idea at Ridglea Country Club. Any water for dining and any remaining ice from banquets is collected and used to water grass, trees and shrubs on the grounds.

Thank you, thank you very much: Downtown Fort Worth Inc. handed out Trailblazer Awards last week to Sundance Square, Chesapeake Energy, Tarrant County College District, XTO Energy, Hyde Park and the Sid Richardson Museum, among others. The Chairman's Award went to the Fort Worth Promotion and Development Fund & Mike and Rosie Moncrief and the Ambassador Award to Jim Wright.