March 29, 2024

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🀄️ In our mahjong era

The official card is issued each spring and will be used in Mahjong games across the country from April 2024 to March 2025. | Photo by FTWtoday

City Editor Kate, here — earlier this week, I stopped by The Magnolia Wine Bar for a game of mahjong. Shoutout to avid reader and local instructor Dorothy T. for inspiring this article and patiently explaining the rules to me.

The popular parlor game is sweeping Fort Worth + we’ve got the scoop on events, classes, and clubs that will have you “going mahjong” in no time.

What’s Mahjong?

The four-player game originated in Southern China in the mid-1800s and is named after a dialect term for “sparrow,” which references the bird-like sound the titles make clacking against each other.

Mahjong rose in popularity in the US in the 1920s + resulted in an American version of the game. The National Mah Jongg League formed in 1937 + issues the Official Standard Hands and Rule Cards annually.

Having some similarities with rummy, the goal of the game is to create a hand using a specialized set of tiles with designated suits and symbols.

FTW-mahjong-lesson — Just ignore the fact that all of my tiles are face up — I needed some help.
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Photo by FTWtoday

Learn to play

Ready to get started? Join the DFW Mahjong Facebook Group to find instructors or classes + connect with other players. Adults ages 55+ can also sign up for a course through the TCC Senior Education Program. The Fort Worth Women’s Club also hosts classes and tournaments for members.

Play with friends

Already a pro? While many local games are word of mouth — like at Luby’s on Mondays at 11:30 a.m. and Fridays at 12:30 p.m. — some local businesses host mahjong nights that are open to the public. Check out:

Mahj-nolia | Every other Monday, 5-10 p.m. | The Magnolia Wine Bar
Lessons + Open Play | Mondays, 7-9 p.m. | Billet Room at Bowie House | $65 for a lesson, $25 for skilled open play, includes a signature cocktail
Mahjong Night | Every other Thursday, 5-10 p.m. | The Coupe

Asked

How often do you play mahjong?

Plus, share your favorite places to play or local game clubs.

A. 1-2 times per month
B. 1-2 times per week
C. Every day
D. Never — but I’d love to learn

Little birdie told us

Events

Friday, March 29

Community Open House | Friday, March 29 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Downtown Express Library, 200 Texas St., Fort Worth | Free | Peruse the newly opened library branch + meet new Fort Worth Public Library director Midori Clark.
Easter Egg-Stravaganza | Friday, March 29 | 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. | Main Event, 4801 Citylake Blvd. E., Fort Worth | $23.13 | Hop on over for brunch, games, an egg hunt, and crafts with the Easter Bunny.

Saturday, March 30

Arlington Renegades | Saturday, March 30 | 12 p.m. | Choctaw Stadium, 1000 Ballpark Way, Ste. 400, Arlington | $21-$58 | The local United Football League team will take on the Birmingham Stallions in the first game of the season.
Tyler Halverson | Saturday, March 30 | 10 p.m. | Billy Bob’s Texas, 2520 Rodeo Plaza, Fort Worth | $20-$28 | The “Tiffany Blue” singer will take to the stage at the world’s largest honky-tonk.

Sunday, March 31

Black Dog Jam | Sunday, March 31 | 8 p.m. | Scat Jazz Lounge, 111 W. Fourth St., Fort Worth | Free | Settle in for one of Fort Worth’s longest running weekly shows with musicians Paul Metzger and Joey Carter.

Thursday, April 4

Still the One | Thursday, April 4 | 8 p.m. | Fat Daddy’s Sports & Spirits Café, 781 W. Debbie Ln., Mansfield | Free | “Let’s go girls” — you don’t want to miss this tribute to Shania Twain.*

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Development

The next phase of The Crescent is in the works. Crescent Real Estate is planning to build a second 170,000-sqft office building on West Seventh and Boland Streets. The project is set to break ground at the end of the year + include two restaurants, meeting space, a gym + amenity deck. (Fort Worth Star-Telegram)

Closed

Hope Center for Austim and The Bridge of Hope Academy closed their doors earlier this week due to the economy. The organization hopes the closure is temporary + will hold a fundraising event on Saturday, April 6 at TopGolf.

Outdoors

The Fort Worth Botanic Garden is getting some temporary lawnmowers. With support from the North Texas Community Foundation, the garden will host a small herd of goats from Friday, April 5 to Monday, April 15. The “goatscapers” will help clear out invasive plant species in the Native Texas Boardwalk area.

Civic

The number of individuals experiencing homelessness in Tarrant and Parker counties has decreased by 12% since 2023, according to the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition’s 2024 State of Homeless Report. The report also found an 11% decrease in unsheltered homelessness.

Film

Fort Worth-based Amberock Productions will premiere its new comedy/crime thriller “The Actor” on Saturday, April 6 at the AMC Palace, followed by an after-party at the Kimpton Harper Hotel. Written and directed by actor Richard Blake, the film will be released on Apple TV + Amazon next week.

Trending

Fort Worthian LaVerne Biser is preparing to see his 13th solar eclipse on Monday, April 8. The 105-year-old eclipse chaser has traveled to the Black Sea, Brazilian coast, and across the US for the astrological phenomenon. This time, all he has to do is walk outside. (The Dallas Morning News)

Sports

Are the reigning World Champions in line for an MLB Dynasty + how did they hold up against the Chicago Cubs in last night’s Opening Day game? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Rangers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Finance

Compare multiple lenders and get debt consolidation offers in two minutes. Calculate your monthly payments.*

The Buy

The handy dandy jar opener you never knew you needed. Mount it under a kitchen cabinet and easily twist open jars and bottles with one hand. Bonus: The jar opener was designed to be easy to use for older adults and those with carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kate

From the editor

You don’t have to tell us — The Times of London just named Fort Worth “the coolest city in Texas.” The publication lauded the newly opened Bowie House, the Crescent Fort Worth, and Hotel Drover.

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