University Park's Barnes & Noble Closing? Say it ain't so . . .

The Agora in Athens.

Athens had its Agora, Rome its Forum, London its markets and pubs. And South Philly ... the corner deli. They are all much the same. A place to meet, shop, eat & drink, gossip, and let the kids run around a little with friends. Now, air-conditioning and automobiles later, we have malls, plazas, and stores the size of the Colosseum, but our places are not so much different than the places of ancient Greece.

Which brings me to the not so happy point ---

On December 31, we will lose a big part of the unofficial meeting place for many Fort Worthians, the Barnes & Noble in University Village Park. And everyone I talk to has the same reaction to its closing, something like, "Now where are we going to go?"

It has become, in the ten years at that location, a "get-a-way" from the job or the kids, a meeting place for joggers, bikers, dog-walkers, and cigar smokers. It is our "public house," as it were, where we grab a cup of coffee, meet a friend to chat, or just sit down with a book and a cappuccino. Couples like it, shoppers like it, husbands like it, children like it. It's the starting point for walking, talking, shopping, and coffee drinking, and it just kind of works.

And we all hate to hear it's going away.

There are the stated or public reasons for the closing. The lease is up and Barnes and Noble doesn't want to pay the high rates of that commercial space. The shopping center people can't be blamed for asking the rate the market will bear. And B&N is looking to cut costs. The company itself is up for sale. It's share of the book business is steadily declining, suffering from a two sided attack: Amazon and online sales of printed books, and the new e-book sales for readers like the Kindle, Nook, and iPad. That doesn't leave much room for growth for the old bookstore.

Well, chin up. Something will take its place. I hear the Starbucks' Store is staying, which is some consolation.

But to the Barnes & Noble folks. Thank you. You have a great store, friendly staff, and you make everyone feel welcome. It won't be the same without you.

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Rangers Win! Rangers Win!

Baseball is unlike other American sports. It is not only something we play or watch being played, it is a part of who we are.

The giants of the game, the individual players and the teams, are a part of our folklore and mythology -- in both victory and defeat. Describing the American story without the game of baseball is just not possible.

The Texas Rangers are relative newcomers to this tale. But in our forty years of competition we have become accustomed to the defeat part of the baseball equation. We have flirted with success but never attained it.

Until last night.

Something happened during this recent put-the-team-up-for-sale fiasco. Nolan Ryan was given more responsibility, Jon Daniels became an experienced general manager, Ron Washington was hired and retained.

Maybe we didn't notice the stars align and good players being signed. We actually went looking for good pitching -- and found it -- and the found remained good even after they took the mound here. We're not used to that.

The Texas Rangers' win last night and the chance to win the American League pennant is one of those rare moments of baseball triumph, and we are all enjoying it. It is one of the highlights of my baseball enjoying life. A baseball equivalent to Surprised by Joy.

What is particularly satisfying for me is Ron Washington's old-school baseball strategy: solid pitching, aggressive base running, sacrifice at-bats. And the end of the steroids-era home run derby baseball.

So, to all the Texas Rangers' baseball people: office, coaches, players -- thank you, this city will enjoy your accomplishment for a long time.

It took us a few years to get there, but in baseball's way of the cross, that's just about right.

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Barktoberfest. Saturday, October 9, 2010

Fort Woof park is hosting its 7th annual Barktoberfest, Saturday, October 9, 2010. From their website:

Barktoberfest is a fall festival for four-legged friends and their families. We’ll have a dog halloween costume contest, performing dogs, pet vendors, rescue adoptions and more. Admission is free (suggested $1 donation) and there are over 25 dog-friendly vendors and rescue groups.

Barktoberfest is sponsored by 1310 AM The Ticket, the Fort Worth Dog Park Association and CLASP. Proceeds go to offset City budget cuts for Fort Woof Dog Park and improvements for the Fort Worth Animal Shelter.

Details:
Date: October 9, 2010
10am-2pm
FREE - $1 suggested donation
For more information:

Barktoberfest website

1310 AM The Ticket

Fort Woof Dog park

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MusicArte, 2010

By Jerrell Sustaita, local artist showing at MusicArte

This weekend Fort Worth hosts the popular MusicArte. The festival highlights music, food, and art of Latinos and is enjoyed by one and all. It starts Friday, October 8, and runs through Saturday night.

Since this is a food blog, here are the highlights from the Sabor page of the MusicArte website.

Sabor! If you think you know Latin cuisine, think again and come to MúsicArte de Fort Worth for a taste of the Americas.

Enjoy the programs and activities our new Culinary Tent, where our first ever Chef's Challenge will take place at 3:00 PM on Saturday! Chefs from Cantina Laredo, the M Crowd (Mi Cocina) and one more surprise chef will take the challenge and will create a featured dish for judging. Wine tasting sessions and culinary demonstrations will take place throughout the weekend as well as tequila tasting each evening.

Feast at our new Pueblo de las Americas, a gastronomical feast near the Sundance Square Stage. Fine wines and beer, seafood with a Latin accent, and native as well as European influences are among many unexpected pleasures Músicarte de Fort Worth holds for the gourmand. Have your fill, then visit Mercado Central and take home the wonderful art of many fine artists.

The chefs at Ocho Rios Jamaican and Caribbean Grill and embargo will serve up great tastes for Músicarte de Fort Worth, preparing familiar as well as unexpected pleasures for a public hungry for Latin fare. And new this year, the families of St. George Catholic Church will prepare their signature tamales for MúsicArte

Details:
October 8 & 9, 2010

Noon - 10:30 PM 

MúsicArte spans 6 blocks in downtown Fort Worth, centered in Sundance Square

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Christine O'Donnell ad. Opinions, anyone . . . anyone . . .Bueller. . . Bueller . . .

I love advertising of all kinds, and since I worked in political advertising for most of my adult life, I am always looking for good political ads. 

From a purely political advertisement point of view, I like this spot. 

I'd be curious to know why a black theme was chosen and the white ghost-like image in the background. Then the pearls, I don't know about the pearls. But she has a winning smile and connects well through the camera. Most importantly, it seems genuine to me.

Any other opinions?

Christine O' Donnell Ad - I'm Not A Witch @ Yahoo! Video