Aug 15, 2008
by Steve-O
This email was just forwarded from a friend of Courtney Blevins, Regional Urban Forester with the Texas Forest Service:
Just found out that proposed city budget cuts include measures that will gut the municipal forestry program for Ft. Worth. This is the leading municipal urban forestry program in the state. The actual wording in the budget is, “G) The proposed budget decreases by ($338,197) for the elimination of the community tree planting program. This includes six positions as well as supplies and contractual expenditures.”
What this means is the loss of foresters, shutting down the city tree nursery along with four more positions there and eliminating the city tree planting program (neighborhood trees and public space planting done by city crews), eliminating the Citizen Forester program, loss of Tree City USA status after almost 30 years (Texas’ first Tree City), loss of webmaster for both the city forestry site and the Cross Timbers Urban Forestry Council, elimination of multiple public educational programs (Arbor Day, school presentations, environmental poster contest, etc.)
This goes to Council for a vote very soon, on Sept. 16th.
Unless they hear from people against this action we can expect it to go through. If you are willing may I suggest contacting the Council members and Mayor to voice your concerns or possibly a letter to the editor of the Star-Telegram. Hopefully we can prevent this action and preserve the oldest forestry program in the State of Texas.
Aug 14, 2008
by Steve-O
OK, he wasn’t from Fort Worth … he was from Denver, but I’m kind of upset about this. Jack A. Weil, the king of cowboy couture who first to put snaps on Western shirts and most likely the first to produce bolo ties commercially, went to the big Dude Ranch in the Sky on Wednesday. He was 107.
Aug 13, 2008
by Steve-O
To find out more or post an answer, check out Fort Worth Timeship.
Aug 11, 2008
by Bernie
Francis over at Food and Fort Worth talks about bread. More specifically, why is it so hard to find good bread in the Fort?
While we’re talking food, Fort Worth Hole in the Wall tried Lili’s for dinner, and his meal “tasted like what macadamia nut and coconut crusted angels taste like.” With reviews like that, is it any wonder Lili’s Bistro is so busy?
The Modern currently has a show, Kara Walker: My Complement, My Enemy, My Oppressor, My Love, that is bound to open up a much-needed conversation about race. Curator of Education Terri Thornton shares her perspective on Kara Walker’s art.
The Stash Dauber raves about Yells at Eels recent Free Jazz performance at Lola’s.
Andrew over at Just a Messenger Boy took this great photo of fall foliage at the Botanic Gardens.
A Continuous Lean, sort of the GQ of blogs based in New York City, featured a photoset of Fort Worth signs, some old, and some new made in the old style.
Aug 11, 2008
by Steve-O
Another public meeting of the Gas Drilling Task Force happens tonight at City Hall starting at 6:30. Last time around, only Carter Burdette and Joel Burns showed up from the City Council. Anyone think turnout will be a little greater this time around?
Aug 7, 2008
by Pete Wann
Workers were completing the finishing touches on the new Apple Store at University Park Village this week, making the rumored August 23rd opening increasingly likely.
Aug 7, 2008
by Steve-O
The Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods, in conjunction with the Tarrant County League of Women’s Voters, are sponsoring an educational series on Urban Gas Drilling issues in our city. Tonight’s topics will include pipelines, eminent domain and water issues, and tonight’s speakers are Glenn Sodd, the premier eminent domain attorney in Texas, and Jim Bradbury, local attorney and Gas Drilling Task Force member.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 1000 Penn Street. If you are concerned about eminent domain abuse, I hope to see you there.
Aug 7, 2008
by Steve-O
Busy day today at the Will Rogers Memorial Center. The Fort Worth Coalition for a Reformed Drilling Ordinance (CREDO) will rally at 11 a.m. before the joint meeting of the City Council and the Gas Drilling Task Force meets from noon to 3 p.m. to discuss the pipeline issue in the South Texas Room of the Amon Carter Jr. Exhibit Hall.
FWCREDO calls for a city-imposed moratorium on gas well permitting until:
Plans are in place to accommodate the total impact of urban gas production over the life of the activity
Post-depletion planning is in place to protect future residents
Planning for gas production is integrated with the city’s Comprehensive Plan and other appropriate plans
Regulations are in place to assure safe operation of the total gas production activity
The City Council/Task Force meeting won’t be broadcast live, but it will be rebroadcast at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8 on Charter Ch. 27, Verizon Ch. 35 and STI Ch. 7.
