College of St. Thomas More: Congratulations.

I am a few days late on this but --- congratulations to all 10 College of St Thomas More graduates, and to the College for the largest gathering of founders, fellows, students, and friends in a College-owned building. The fact that the building was the new Christ the Teacher chapel is all the better. It was a great day for all of us connected with one of Fort Worth's finest institutions.

Graduates:
Clare B. Wilson, B. A., Summa Cum Laude, Post Falls, Idaho; Valedictorian
Brinton T. Smith, B. A., Summa Cum Laude, Fort Worth, Texas; Salutatorian
Jessica M. Adames, A. A., Sweetwater. Texas
Emily T. Lie, B. A., Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Emiliana Chaparro-Ronderos, B. A., Sao Paulo, Brazil
Zuriel M. Bertch, B. A., Cum Laude, Fort Worth, Texas
John W. Heitzenrater II, B. A., Magna Cum Laude, Columbus, Ohio
Bradley R. Hoff, B. A., Huntsville, Texas
Jason J. McAlister, B. A., Dallas, Texas
Nyle P. Reams, B. A., Tyler, Texas

Shula's Grill 347. Thursday Night Jazz.

Guest Post by Rebecca

Tomorrow night launches the first "Thursday Night Live Jazz" at Shula's 347 Grill. Shula's Grill is in the newly renovated Sheraton just north of I30 downtown (formerly, the Ramada). "Newly renovated" understates the actual cost of renovation which was $50 million. It is now a very attractive hotel and restaurant.

I had lunch yesterday at Shula's 347 and walked through the hotel as well. As a restaurant, I would put Shula's in the Charleston's category. Casual atmosphere, quality food. Steaks, seafood, salads, sandwiches. We had the grilled shrimp as an appetizer and it was delicious -- and the shrimp were jumbo as advertised. It is reasonably priced for the "casual dining" category. I liked it a lot.

The Thursday Night Jazz is a new event for the restaurant and something they seemed very excited about. The Freddie Jones Jazz Band will perform for the first three weeks. Food and drink specials will be offered and there is no cover charge.

One final Suggestion. If you arrive before 6:30 take a walk through the renovated Water Gardens. It is worth a visit.

But definitely consider the Jazz night at Shula's.

Other musical groups in the initial line up alternating with Freddie Jones include:

• Adonis Rose Quintet
• Texas Gypsies
• Breggett Rideau
• Rachella Parks.

For more information on Shula's. http://www.donshula.com

(They tell me there is Trolley service from Downtown South to Sundance Square. If you have used it, please let me know how it is.)

Fort Worth Blogs . . . New and Retiring.

I read most of the Fort Worth blogs. Actually, I read every local weblog that has anything thoughtful to say, and which has a lower than 5% f-word-to-whole-word ratio.

We have some good ones and have recently lost one of our better ones, that being, West and Clear. West and Clear and Fortworthology work together and have been the best two on Fort Worth news, especially commercial development.

Others locally written blogs that I read, include:

Caravan of Dreams: has frequent comments on the local and Texas-wide music scene. Also, read his blog profile. It is the best I have read.

The Ravelled Sleave: features good writing in the context of a passion for knitting.

Thoughts to blog: Jake is a programmer for drop.io and knows more of what is going on in technology, Web 2.0, Ruby programming, and just about anything web related than any one I know. Plus, he posts restaurant reviews here, on Food & Fort Worth.

Words and Phrases: a new discovery for me written by a Fort Worth blogger and intended for the more contemplative reader.

The Whited Sepulchre: Also, good writing and enjoyable to read from a very bright guy with whom I almost agree. For the libertarian and general political rabble rouser in all of us.

The WickeDeli: The Wicke's are starting a Deli that I hope is downtown somewhere. Their blog keeps you up-to-date on the progress.

Fort Worth Hole in the Wall. Good reviews of local restaurants.

DFW.com: Lots of good information. Doesn't have the personality of a single-writer blog but the information is there and helpful.

That's not all of the Fort Worth blogs I read but it is a few I haven't mentioned in a while.

On Hiatus: Long Horn Lucy, Little Lizzie, and Cowtown and Coolage.

A Better Egg McMuffin?

I have not one shred of evidence to prove the belief that: happier chickens produce better, tastier and healthier eggs.

But if McDonald's follows through with the proposed study to see how egg suppliers can give the chickens a better life we may all find out. The study's actual purpose if to see if producers can maintain production in a cage-free environment. A secondary consequence will be better eggs, I believe, and I'm all for it.

By the way, the average space that an egg producing chicken gets is 70 square inches.

How many eggs does McDonald's use per day?
1. 80,000
2. 220,000
3. 520,000

The full report: http://www.chicagotribune.com/business

Blogging for Dollars . . .

A Sunday Reflection

I have read that some people start blogs to make money. I didn't. Thankfully.

I did do a search on the subject of "blogging and money" and found a plethora, yes a plethora, of make money now websites, with the requisite pictures: the sports car, the beach road, and all things jiggling that come with both. All I had to do was buy the $39.95 report (today only).

I didn't pony up the 39 bucks so I guess I'm stuck with what I have: Google ads revenue of $54 in two years. Or 7 cents a day.

I do believe that most of us, especially yours truly, are better off in Aristotle's Golden Mean. Enough money, respect, and pleasure to keep us modestly comfortable -- but not indulgently comfortable. Everyone needs a little failure, a little discomfort, and a rejection or two to keep us on the straight and narrow. Part of the trick in a good life is knowing when to accept the pain, and indeed, when to embrace it.

One final disclosure. The $54 is still "in potentia," I don't get the check from Google until I reach $100.

At the current rate, that's 2011. Until then, I'm still working for food . . . that I cook.

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Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

Abraham Lincoln