Fort Worth Bike Share. 300 Bikes, 28 Stations. Up and Rolling.

 

I participated in the Fort Worth Bike Share launch this last Earth Day, Monday, April 22. Yes, I said Earth Day, and yes, I was there with the green and environmentally conscious. And no I wasn't sporting a red bandana and rolling my own (not that there's anything wrong with that). I kept a more or less low profile.

I hear my libertarian/conservative friends snickering in the background. That's alright, I can take it. I'm still a card-carrying Republican, wary of government intervention, taxes, and handouts, but this, this is different, and what's a measly million dollar grant from the Fed's anyway? Besides, one of the great things about old age is not worrying about every activity in life being logically consistent with all the others.

This was an enjoyable kick-off. I like that the city is supporting and encouraging bike use, walking, and trolleys, and anything else to make Fort Worth a city that people actually live in and not just drive in and out of.

There were about 500 people at the launch including 300 volunteers like myself riding the bikes to their docking stations. I really enjoyed it. I hope it works and grows. And congratulations to the folks at the T for everything they did to make this happen. It's what makes Fort Worth a good place to live.

For information go to: http://fortworthbikesharing.org/

Ten things I would do if I were visiting Fort Worth for the Main Streets Arts Festival and I didn't live here already.

Bar at Capital Grille, Fort Worth

Okay, that's a long title, but you get the idea.

You may have other suggestions, as a matter of fact, I'm sure if you live in Fort Worth you'll have a different list, but if I was in town for just a couple days (and I didn't live here already) here's what I'd try to fit in.

1. Attend something at Bass Hall.
2. Go to the Kimbell to see Michelangelo and Bernini. Or the Modern. Both are considered, as is Bass Hall, some of the nation's finest.
3. Eat lunch and browse at Central Market. Great place to stock up for the weekend. Good selection of beer, wine, breads, cheese, etc.
4. Visit 7th Street for a walk, a drink, or dinner. I think everyone who has lived here for a while is surprised to see how 7th Street from Summit to University has exploded with restaurants, shops, apartments, bars, and shopping.  It's worth visiting.
5. Rent a bike at Trinity Bicycles and ride along the river from University Park to around the old Cats baseball park and back. Once you get on the north side of Fort Worth it's a quiet, country ride.
6. A healthy walk at the Botanical Gardens. The roses are blooming this time of year and the gardens are spring-green from the rain and warm weather.
7. Walk Magnolia Street and pick a place for a meal or a drink. Magnolia Street has a more organic, less planned feel to it than 7th, and it is still developing with small family or privately owned businesses. It's still my favorite street in Fort Worth.  Ryan's Grocers, Lili's Bistro, Ellerbe Fine Foods, Nonna Tata, Benito's. All good.
8. Grab a beer at the White Elephant on Saturday night and walk around the Stockyards. The White Elephant is a bar that doesn't pretend to be anything else. They serve beer and drinks and have live music and a small dance floor. Or it did. I haven't been in a few years. Esquire magazine places it in the top 100 bars in America which may mean it's now popular and not as good. 
9. And last but not least downtown Fort Worth where Main Streets Arts Festival is held. Want a great steak? I like Capital Grille. 
10. Enjoy the Main Street Arts Festival. One of this city's best annual events. 

Opening Day

For those of us who grew up when baseball was America's game there is no day like Opening Day, and indeed, I  suggest that no other activity in American life introduces itself with as much joyous fanfare. What other sport has our President introduce its season with something akin to a first pitch? There is no presidential first pass in football, no first jump shot in basketball, or shot on goal in hockey or soccer. Only baseball has that honor.

And why shouldn't it?  Opening Day kind of personifies the American love of re-birth, of forgetting what is behind and moving forward, of hoping once again that this year is our year. Baseball opens with spring's first days; the sun is shining, the grass is growing, the birds are singing. Life is good.

Think I've gone too far? Well let me add this: I think it no coincidence that Easter and opening day are near the same day of the year. I mean no disrespect when I say that baseball's opening day has some metaphorical relation to the Resurrection of our Lord. The winter that is football is over. The sun shines anew.

I have been fortunate enough to attend dozens of opening days at the ballparks in Arlington and always love that first sense of the place: the green grass, the smiling, hopeful faces, the smell of hotdogs, beer, and nachos, the pretty girls parading about, and the sound of the first crack of ball meeting bat. God is good.

It's morning in America.

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The Texas Rangers played their first game at home of the season this afternoon. Opening Day score: 3 - 2. Rangers win.
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