Fort Worth architects design space with visitors in mind

Fort Worth architects design space with visitors in mind
By Gaile Robinson / Star-Telegram
September 24, 2009

The architects of Fort Worth have gone public, making themselves more accessible to the community. After years of being reclusive to the point of near invisibility, the local chapter of the American Institute of Architects has opened the Center for Architecture on Seventh Street in the old Strings location, and they welcome visitors. Really, they want you to drop by.

“The center is a place to show how architects can help people with a wide range of design opportunities,” says Joe Self, whose Firm817 designed the new facility.

The center opened on Gallery Night with the show “Cross Section — What Architects Do,” an exhibit of models and architectural drawings by chapter members. The simplicity of the show title indicates how earnest the group is in trying to be accessible and understood.

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New Home Sales May Climb 30% in 2010, Goldman Says

New Home Sales May Climb 30% in 2010, Goldman Says
By John Gittelsohn / Bloomberg.com
September 24, 2009

Sept. 24 (Bloomberg) — New U.S. home sales may jump 30 percent next year, buoyed by low mortgage rates and a “greater than 50 percent probability” that Congress will extend a tax credit for first-time buyers, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said.

New home sales in California will lead as property values rise and transactions climb to more than 525,000 nationally, analysts led by Joshua Pollard wrote in a note to investors. The firm raised its recommendation for D.R. Horton Inc., Meritage Homes Corp., Toll Brothers Inc. and M.D.C. Holdings Inc.

“Phrases like ‘the worst is well behind us’ and ‘things remain encouraging’ capture the mood of many constituents we met with on residential real estate,” Pollard said after visiting California. “The mood was much more negative on commercial real estate.”

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North Texas trumpeter Freddie Jones gives gift to Fort Worth student musician

North Texas trumpeter Freddie Jones gives gift to Fort Worth student musician
Pegasus News Wire
September 22, 2009

FORT WORTH — Composer, producer, and trumpeter Freddie Jones will turn the spotlight on a Fort Worth ISD student musician on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009.

Jones will select a student to receive a trumpet for the student’s personal use — if the student agrees to Jones’ conditions: Jones will ask the student to agree to continue to study music while in school and to play several times a year for children.

The trumpet will be presented by Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Shula’s Restaurant, 1701 Commerce Street (inside the Sheraton Hotel).

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Some still optimistic about Fort Worth real estate

Some still optimistic about Fort Worth real estate
By Darla Miles / WFAA-TV
September 18, 2009

FORT WORTH - One of the premier developments in downtown Fort Worth, Le Bijou, has gone under. But, foreclosure is not necessarily the new face of the city.

The Texas Pacific Lofts on the south end of downtown is 95 percent sold. Some experts say the lofts’ success is a more accurate picture of downtown Fort Worth real estate.

Villa de Leon is the newest high rise in downtown Fort Worth. It has 23 luxury condos overlooking the Trinity River. Prices range from $780,000 to $2.2 million.

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Places to run in Fort Worth: Trinity Trails

By Tanya Menoni / Examiner.com
August 17, 2009

Looking for a new running route to shake up your long run? Head out to Fort Worth for a day trip. The city has a number of running hot spots, but few are as scenic or popular as Trinity Trails. These biking and running trails wind their way throughout the city and are not to be missed if you are visiting the area. With nearly 30 miles of trails throughout the city, you can see something new and shake up your running routine.

The majority of the trail system runs along the Trinity River, with mostly paved paths — although some sections are crushed limestone. For the most scenic view of some of Fort Worth’s attractions, pick up the trail at Overton Park and continue north past the Fort Worth Zoo, Botanic Garden and Trinity Park. If you need a long run, you can start down in Pecan Valley Park for a longer route. There are numerous water fountains along this section of the running path, and lots of trees along this route provide welcome shade in the summer. Other areas of the trail system are less shaded, so bring sunscreen.

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Batteries Plus positive on plans for Fort Worth market

By Aleshia Howe / Fort Worth Business Press
August 17, 2009

With one successful location on Camp Bowie Boulevard in Fort Worth, Hartland, Wis.-based Batteries Plus is charging up to install four to six new locations in the Fort Worth area in coming months.

Batteries Plus, a franchise battery retailer, has targeted the greater Fort Worth area for expansion plans and currently is searching for qualified franchisees.

“Fort Worth is primed for additional Batteries Plus expansion,” said CEO Russ Reynolds. “Our track record in similar markets, coupled with a significant and growing consumer demand for battery products and services, makes Batteries Plus a lucrative opportunity for ambitious entrepreneurs in the Fort Worth area.”

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Bell, engineering union reach contract agreement

The Associated Press / Chron.com
August 17, 2009

FORT WORTH, Texas — Bell Helicopter has a new three-year contract with a union representing about 175 engineering workers in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

The company said the Bell Production Engineers Association ratified the contract Sunday night by a three-to-one margin. The contract includes a cumulative wage increase of 10.4 percent over the three years of the deal, and each union member will receive a $3,000 cash ratification bonus.

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Non-Profits

Fort Worth Business Press
August 17, 2009

Boxing at the Ballroom goes the distance for charities

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Fort Worth and Arlington have climbed into the ring once again, this time to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Boxing at the Ballroom Gala and Auction. The event will be Aug. 28 in the Grand Ballroom of the Renaissance Worthington Hotel in downtown Fort Worth.

All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Tarrant County.

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CISD to get $1.3M in federal stimulus funding

By Christina Rowland / Star Community Newspaper
June 25, 2009

Carroll ISD will benefit from a bill signed earlier this year by President Barack Obama.

Funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will provide the CISD with $1,332,457 in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA-B) funding, in addition to the funds they normally receive. The district will also receive $34,432 to be used for preschool students with disabilities.

Dr. Cathy Friar, executive director for special programs and state assessments with the CISD, notes her excitement with the additional funds, because the normal IDEA funds only cover about 17 percent of the cost needed to educate a child with a disability.

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Commissioners OK repairs to Tarrant County Courthouse

By Anthony Spangler / Star-Telegram.com
June 23, 2009

FORT WORTH — A cast-iron plate recently fell off the face of the historic Tarrant County Courthouse as officials were inspecting the tower sections of the 1895 pink granite structure.

The hefty plate did not cause any other damage or injuries, but it did signal that the aging courthouse is in dire need of extensive repairs.

“We were already up there looking it over to see what work needed to be done,” said David Phillips, Tarrant County facilities director. “We were in the process of bidding a project to replace some bolts. We stopped that bid because it looks like a whole lot more work is necessary.”

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