April 17, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

86º | 10% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:56 a.m. | Sunset 8:01 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

Welcome to Funkytown

The downtown we know today was starting to take shape in the 1970s. | Photo courtesy of UTA Libraries/W.D. Smith Commercial Photography Collections

Bell bottoms, sideburns, and tie-dye were the name of the game in the 1970s, but fashion wasn’t the only thing Fort Worthians found groovy. We’re jumping back into our five-minute history series with a look back at the rise of diversity and representation in Funkytown.

FTW-city-council-1977 — Members of the 1977 City Council included (back row, left to right) Louis Zapata, Jim Bradshaw, Woodie Woods, Walter Barbour, Richard Newkirk, (front row, left to right) Shirley Johnson, Hugh Parmer, Jeff Davis, and Jim Bagsby.
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Photo courtesy of Fort Worth Public Library Digital Archives

Seats at the table

Dr. Edward W. Guinn ushered in the decade as the first elected African American councilmember, serving from 1967 to 1971.

In 1977, City Council held its first single-member district election, which prompted increased representation among city policymakers. Louis J. Zapata Sr. became the first Hispanic councilman, serving District 2 until 1991, and Walter Barbour became the first Black councilwoman, serving District 4 until 1979.

Soon after the city elections, Fort Worth ISD opened up single-member district elections for board seats in 1978 and added its first Black female trustee, Maudrie Walton, and first Mexican American trustee, Carlos Puente.

A head for business

The Mexican American Chamber of Commerce — now known as the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce — was chartered in 1973. With 30 initial members, it was only the fourth Mexican American chamber in the state. Dick Salinas served as its first president.

The Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce was formed in 1979, working “to make Fort Worth a better place to work and raise a family” through education and economics.

FTW-lenora-rolla-archive — Lenora Rolla (right) looks through a newspaper of Juneteenth celebrations at the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society in 1986.
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Photo courtesy of Joe Williams/UTA Libraries

Who’s who

Check out some of Tarrant County’s 1970s pioneers of inclusion:

Lenora Rolla | Founded the Tarrant County Black Historical and Genealogical Society in 1977 with Opal Lee, the “Grandmother of Juneteenth”
L. Clifford Davis | Advocated for school and park integration, single-member districts, and fair housing access through the Fort Worth Black Bar Association (which is now named after him)
Gilbert Garcia + Sam Garcia | Advocated for scholarships and equal hiring of Latinos with the Fort Worth Historic Chamber of Commerce, American GI Forum, Chicano Luncheon + League of United Latin American Citizens

The rest is history

Asked

How well do you know our City Council?

In 2023, Jeanette Martinez became the first Latina representative elected to Fort Worth City Council. What district does she represent?

A. District 2
B. District 4
C. District 9
D. District 11

Test your knowledge

Events

Wednesday, April 17

Pet Adoption Event | Wednesday, April 17 | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Petsmart Montgomery Plaza, 415 Carroll St., Fort Worth | Free entry | The Montgomery Plaza adoption vibe is cat-heavy this week, but don’t miss out on the adorable dogs.
Wednesdays: Art in Context | Wednesday, April 17 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth | Free | Learn how sculptors like Bernini treated depictions of non-European figures in 17th century works.

Thursday, April 18

NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Championships | Thursday, April 18 + Saturday, April 20 | Times vary | Dickies Arena, 1911 Montgomery St., Fort Worth | $5-$493 | Eight universities arrive in 817 looking for the title.
Texas HomeSchool Coalition 2024 Spring Conference | Thursday, April 18-Sunday, April 21 | Times vary | Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston St., Fort Worth | $30-$89 | Former NCAA and NFL quarterback Tim Tebow will be one of the keynotes at this event.

Friday, April 19

“Problemista” | Friday, April 19-Sunday, April 21 | Times vary | The Modern, 3200 Darnell St., Fort Worth | $3.50-$10 | The Atlantic calls this film “a marvelous mixture of surrealism and social satire.”
Sweet Release Cookie Decorating Bash | Friday, April 19 | 6-9 p.m. | Lockwood Distilling Company - Magnolia, 1411 W. Magnolia Ave., Fort Worth | $65 | Dress up and listen to the new “Tortured Poets Department” album while decorating cookies and playing trivia.

Events calendar here

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Finance

4 ways to hit your savings goals this year — and beyond

a close up of a person writing on a notepad next to a laptop

Using a savings account lets you earn a little bit of interest on your savings. | Photo provided by United Texas Credit Union

Not sure where to start when it comes to saving money? We’ll let you in on a secret: It’s easier than you think.

Here’s what the experts at United Texas Credit Union recommend to help you get that new house or dream vacation:

Every little bit counts

Even if you only save $10 a week, after two years you’ll have more than $1,000. In time, you may find you can afford more (think: up it to $25 a week for nearly $3,000).

Set it and forget it

A savings account with direct deposit means you can save without thinking about it. Think of it like automatic bill pay, only this time you’re paying yourself.

Consider a side hustle

Extra spending money? Nah — a side hustle is a great way to build your savings.

Tighten your belt

What can you do without? Decide which luxuries you can give up even temporarily, and re-route that money to your savings account.

Make money moves

News Notes

Edu

Castleberry ISD voters have a $98 million bond proposal on the Saturday, May 4 ballot, largely focused on about a dozen upgrades to Castleberry High School. If passed, average homeowners in Castleberry ISD will see their property tax bill increase roughly $64.29 per year. (Fort Worth Report)

Opening

The Capital Grille is opening a Southlake location on Monday, May 20 at 1201 E. State Highway 114, Ste. 100. The opening is expected to create 90 new jobs in the area. Bonus: the Fort Worth location at 800 Main St. is a great stop during this weekend’s MAIN ST. Arts Festival.

Closing

Gnocchi Dokie, an Arlington-based Italian caterer, is closing. Grab your favorites at the business’ final appearance at the Clearfork Farmers Market this Saturday, April 20.

Ranked

DFW Airport is now only the third-busiest airport in the world, behind Atlanta and Dubai. Even so, it served 81.7 million passengers in 2023, which was an 8.9% uptick from 2022. The airport serves over 223,000 passengers daily. (The Dallas Morning News)

Eat

Jacqueline Anaya, the one-time owner of Calisience, is back with a new catering offering: Jacquelinevanaya. She will focus on private catering, pop-ups, and sharing behind-the-scenes content + recipes online. Calisience closed on Race Street in February. (CultureMap Fort Worth)

Sports

The TCU Women’s Rifle Team just won their fourth NCAA title, beating West Virginia University. Their previous titles were won in 2010, 2012, and 2019 — with the 2010 title being the first NCAA rifle championship won by an all-female squad. (WFAA)

Pets

Rock, an 18-month-old German Shepherd, recently became a Fort Worth PD K-9 narcotics officer. Most K-9 narcotics officers can cost $11,000, but Rock was free from a rescue shelter — and he’s already working to keep our community safe. (KWTX)

Listen

Are University of Utah and TCU now expansion targets for the Big Ten conference? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Big 12 with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Drink

Did you know that Fort Worth has its very own Prohibition-inspired speakeasy? Step back into time at Thompson’s Bookstore, open Sundays-Thursdays from 3 p.m. to midnight, and Fridays-Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 2 a.m.*

The Buy

Briton Court’s new spring collection. Enter the new season with one of these unique printed dresses.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Kate

From the editor

Has anyone ever heard of a cheeseburger salad? I hadn’t until I saw it was on the menu at the newly opened Tropic Lady. Head to 2719 Race St. to try it during the bar and restaurant’s Grand Opening on Saturday, April 20.

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