September 19, 2023

Today’s Forecast

95º | Partly cloudy | 20% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:15 a.m. | Sunset 7:30 p.m.

You callin’ me a liar?

What secret true (or not so true) stories does Fort Worth hold? | Photo courtesy of UTA Libraries/Jack White Photograph Collection

Hello dear reader, I would never want to lie to you but let’s have fun with this little game, shall we?

The rules are simple, there will be three statements, but only two of them are true. Your job is to identify the one lie. Think you know Fort Worth? Let’s give it a go.

People donated coins to buy zoo animals.

Founded in 1909, the Fort Worth Zoo is the oldest continuous zoo site in Texas. It first started with one lion, two bear cubs, an alligator, a coyote, a peacock, and a few rabbits. In the early 1920s, the zoo used coin donations to purchase two American bison and a zebra. Nearly 115 years later, the zoo is home to 542 species.

Al Capone once hid out downtown.

On the run from the law, the infamous mobster had a 1920s safehouse in what is now Thompson’s Bookstore. Originally built in the 1890s, the downtown bar served disguised drinks during Prohibition — and saw some of the seediest characters that accompanied that time. Thompson’s recently renovated its basement-level speakeasy with artwork and a Capone cocktail that nods to the building’s history as a gangster hideout.

There’s a special cemetery for bartenders.

Established in 1879, Oakwood Cemetery dedicated a row of plots for bartenders from Hell’s Half Acre. The notorious saloon ne’er-do-wells are buried near the designated plots for members of the bricklayer’s union. The Northside cemetery is also the final resting place of some of Fort Worth’s founding families like the Burnetts, Van Zandts, and Carswells.

Are you a Panther City expert? Cast your vote on which statement is false + we’ll reveal the answer in an upcoming newsletter.

Asked

Think you know Fort Worth?

Click the button below to select the false statement.

I ain't callin' you a truther

Events

Tuesday, Sept. 19

Tequila Tuesday | Tuesday, Sept. 19-Tuesday, Dec. 26 | Times vary | Thompson’s Bookstore, 900 Houston St., Fort Worth | Take 30% off all tequilas every Tuesday at Fort Worth’s preeminent speakeasy bar + bookstore.*
City Council Public Comment Meeting | Tuesday, Sept. 19 | 6 p.m. | City Hall, 200 Texas St., Fort Worth | Free | Register at least two hours before the meeting to share your opinion on agenda items — in particular the FY2024 budget, which will be finalized today.

Wednesday, Sept. 20

Sports & Entertainment Career Fair | Wednesday, Sept. 20 | 9:30-11:30 a.m. | Globe Life Field, 734 Stadium Dr., Arlington | $32-$48 | Meet hiring managers and learn about job opportunities for North Texas teams including the Rangers, Stars, Mavericks + more.

Thursday, Sept. 21

Trek Fort Worth South Gravel Ride | Thursday, Sept. 21 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Trek Bicycle Fort Worth South, 5125 Granbury Rd., Fort Worth | Free | Make new friends and enjoy the early autumn weather with a 30-mile bike ride.

Friday, Sept. 22

2023 Texas Pinners Conference | Friday, Sept. 22-Saturday, Sept. 23 | Times vary | Will Rogers Memorial Center, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave., Fort Worth | $12-$19 | Get inspired with 250 arts and crafts vendors + 110 interactive classes.

Saturday, Sept. 23

TCU Football | Saturday, Sept. 23 | 11 a.m. | Amon G. Carter Stadium, 2850 Stadium Dr., Fort Worth | $66-$312 | Watch the Horned Frogs take on the SMU Mustangs in the Iron Skillet rivalry game during Family Weekend.

Sunday, Sept. 24

Autotrader Echopark Automotive 400 | Sunday, Sept. 24 | 2:30 p.m. | Texas Motor Speedway, 3545 Lone Star Cir., Fort Worth | $79-$150 | Don’t forget your ear protection for this 400-mile NASCAR race.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Open

There’s a new slice in town — Mountain Mike’s Pizza opened its first location in Fort Worth across the street from Texas Motor Speedway. Stop in at 3488 TX-114 for the signature curly pepperoni-topped pie, a kid’s arcade + all-you-can-eat lunch buffet or check out 20 other local pizzerias.

Traffic

The city is testing a new durable asphalt in the Downtown Resurfacing Project on Weatherford Street. Part of the city’s green initiative, the mixture is known as Super Sand Mix and uses recycled tire rubber content that helps prevent cracking.

Eat

Football, shmootball — we’re here for the snacks. AT&T Stadium debuted its 2023 NFL menu featuring nine new items like Flamin’ Hot Cheetos elote, three new hot dog creations + Fritos brisket mac-n-cheese balls. Grab tickets to the Sunday, Oct. 1 Cowboys game so you can try them all. (CBS)

Biz

Ten start-ups from around the world were selected for the second cohort of the Techstars Physical Health Fort Worth Accelerator. The 13-week program provides capital, mentorship, and workshops for companies creating technology, treatment, and therapy for physical health.

Plan Ahead

Calling scary movie fans — Downtown Cowtown at the Isis will host a movie marathon of classic horror and thriller films on Friday, Oct. 27, and Saturday, Oct. 28. Mark your calendar for the Cinematic Scare-Athon with screenings, vendors, and a Q+A with “Little Shop of Horrors” performer Simon J. Williamson.

Civic

Last week, Bedford mayor Michael Boyter abruptly resigned from his position with eight months left in his term. Boyter was elected in 2019 and announced his retirement after Bedford City Council approved the suburb’s 2024 budget. A successor has not been named yet.

Edu

Looking for new ways to volunteer? Become an Academy 4 mentor. Mentors provide valuable one-on-one attention to their mentee (for 90 minutes, once a month), and are part of a community supporting the whole school. Academy 4 aims to serve 36 schools in and around the DFW area this year. Learn more + sign up to mentor.*

Health

Looking to learn cutting-edge health hacks from world-class speakers? Enter: the 2024 Hack Your Health Conference, happening Friday, May 31-Sunday, June 2, 2024. Interested in attending? Use code FTW50 to grab $50 off a General Attendee, VIP, or Sunday Expo Hall Pass.*

Edu

🍎 Field trip for teachers

The innovative arched skylights at the Kimbell Art Museum are studied all over the world. | Photo by @dhruvvairagi123

Calling teachers — mark your calendar for Saturday, Sept. 23 for Educator Day in the Cultural District.

Educators and their families are invited to explore five local museums for free from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Take a turn being the student and learn about the resources and education programs available for K-12 students for the upcoming school year.

Host museums include:

Amon Carter Museum of American Art
Kimbell Art Museum
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
National Cowgirl Museum

Educator Day will also include representatives from local organizations ranging from music and art to nature and history.

Pro tip: Check out the map of free and paid parking options.

Looking for more to explore? We’ve got you covered with our guide to 14 museums in Fort Worth.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kate

From the editor

I don’t know why, but it never feels like fall to me until I break out the autumn candles. Sure there’s football, somewhat cooler weather, and seasonal menus — but light a Saffron + Tobacco ember candle from the Worthy Co., and I’m there.

Tell us your favorite place to get fall scents + we’ll share them in an upcoming newsletter.

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