Dynamic DFW

*Editor’s note: I originally wrote this in December, but due to a series of personal events was never able to post it. I hope you enjoy this belated winter post! Up to this point, my blog has mostly focused on the Dallas half of “DFW”, so I wanted to write a little about Fort Worth.  I was so excited when a friend invited me to see “The Nutcracker” at Bass Performance Hall in Downtown Fort Worth . I would never have guessed that the most memorable part would be the train ride there. For those who have never been to the DFW area, it’s important to note that living in the Metroplex is a lot like living in Los Angeles: Most people have cars and public transportation is typically used only for special occasions.  However, in the last few years, the Dallas Area Rail Transit (DART) and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) have made an excellent marketing effort to get more riders. Because it’s about an hour drive from Dallas to downtown Fort Worth, including several highw...

A feminist walked into an antique store for men. No, that’s not the start of a bad joke. It’s what happened when I checked out DFW M’Antiques in the Bishop Arts District . DFW M’Antiques is like the treehouse with the “no girls allowed” sign after the boys become teenagers: It’s a place for the boys to escape to, but they clearly still want the girls to stop by and appreciate their cool clubhouse. In fact, the store has a section of women’s clothing and jewelry, and it’s clear within moments of talking to owner Compton Creel that the intent of marketing antiques to men isn’t a dig at the ladies. Based on these Yelp! reviews , the female patrons mostly appreciate the niche marketing tactic and enjoy the store all the same.             “We wanted a place that was just for guys to hang out,” Creel said, adding that they offer all patrons a free cup of beer as they shop. That “we” refers to himself and business partner ...

View of the Texas School Book Depository Building (far left) where it is believed Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated JFK from a sniper's nest on the sixth floor. Photo courtesy the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. On November 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy’s motorcade pulled onto Elm Street in downtown Dallas, preparing to end what had been a highly successful campaign stop. Suddenly, a shot rang out and the president slumped to the side. A second shot rang out and the scene devolved into chaos as the motorcade sped to get out of the line of fire and onlookers dove for cover or scattered. Autopsies would later reveal that the president was shot twice: Once in the throat and once through the skull . Check out this cool interview with Henry Wade who was the Dallas County District Attorney in 1963. Eye witness testimony, along with amateur videos and photos, led to confusion about where the shots were fired from and whether there was a second shooter. Some say they saw a...

View of AT&T Stadium from Lot 13 One of the largest draws to the Dallas area for out-of-towners is AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Dallas Cowboys fans still refer to the complex as “Cowboys Stadium” or “Jerry World” in honor of billionaire Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. But the move to rename the stadium in honor of corporate sponsor AT&T is a huge financial plus for the Cowboys that is expected to draw $17-$19 million per year with 5 percent going to the City of Arlington, according to this Dallas Morning News article . Let’s face it, after the great Super Bowl Debacle of 2011 , the stadium could use the image makeover. Side view of the HD display board. I was fortunate to check out the stadium when my alma mater, Texas Christian University, squared off against Louisiana State University in the Cowboys Classic on August 31. Although my Horned Frogs were ultimately defeated, it was a heck of a game and I am excited to watch the mostly-sophomore team grow over the next c...

Hi folks! In honor of the holidays this week and since I've been a bit under the weather, I am taking a short hiatus. Check back on Monday for the latest post, and enjoy your week!

Visitors to Dallas know that Dealey Plaza and Elm Street is the site where President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. But in their casual exploration of this area, they may notice a red brick building whose elaborate design (including turrets and terra cotta wyverns ) contrast the utilitarian design of the surrounding properties. Built in 1892, the Old Red Courthouse looks like a storybook castle. This may account for its popularity as a wedding spot (what bride doesn’t want to feel like a princess?). But as cool as this building looks from the outside, the inside is definitely worth a visit for history buffs, Dallas tourists, or really anyone with a sense of curiosity. Pictured above is "Little Maggie", the frozen margarita machine invented in Dallas. The former courthouse is now home to the Old Red Museum of Dallas County History & Culture . The museum features highlights and low points of Dallas County history, dating from prehistory to modern day....