Cowtown Chronicles

The actual raid happened in April, and some of these folks are just now going to trial, but take a gander at this and tell me how you feel.

Let’s do a little political math now:

Your “typical” VFW member in Texas is probably middle class, a veteran or veteran’s wife, and pretty conservative. I’m purely assuming here, but I’ll go ahead and say it: I’ll bet over half of the membership and participants in that tournament vote Republican. Yet, by voting Republican, they’re voting for people who want to legislate their morals and shut down these poker tournaments. Tournaments which kept their VFW open, gave them something to do (in addition to raising funds for other charities, including the police department), and a community to participate in.

Fortunately for the folks in power, Republicans in Texas only want to legislate we common folk’s morals. It’s okay for the State to create, promote, and run a gambling operation (which has WAY worse odds than poker, BTW, as well as having a much worse effect on poor people), but they say gambling is immoral and a blight on our society when someone else profits.

Didn’t they used to burn hypocrites or something like that? It’s exactly this kind of hypocrisy that we’ll continue to get if we continue to allow religion of ANY KIND into our political sphere. Keep the church out of the government and the government out of the church, and everyone will be better off.

It’s a bit awkward, honestly. I’m sitting here next to Kevin trying to figure out how to “look like I’m blogging.” I figured that sitting in a bar with a computer in my lap might be good enough, so that’s what I’m doing.

Can’t tell you what it’s about yet, I’ll post more deets when things become more clear.

In an emotional e-mail today to his mailing list, MacHenry’s owner John Walker announced that his bar will be closing effective Midnight this Friday, the 12th of October.

He says that “several groups have expressed interest in purchasing or reorganizing the bar,” and that due to his financial situation, the company that owns the bar will have to reorganize and reapply to TABC for a liquor license.

Because of the reorganization, MacHenry’s will have to close for lack of a license, but as of now, John is confident that the bar will reopen as early as November. I sincerely hope this is the case; MacHenry’s (or something like it) is an integral part of the up-and-coming Magnolia Ave.

John, I’ve had a great time every time I’ve been to your bar. Thank you for providing our city with the kind of venue you have. I’m sure there are plenty of people who share your passion, and they will not let Fort Worth suffer without it for long.

Don’t forget, tonight at 7:00PM is the first Fort Worth blogger summit at The Chat Room Pub on Magnolia.

I think maybe I need to clarify that when I say “summit,” I really mean “social drinking engagement with nominal networking opportunities.” This event is intended mostly to meet everyone, but also to give us a chance to share ideas, tips, etc.

If you blog, or if you read blogs in Fort Worth and (hopefully) about Fort Worth, we’d love to see you there!

Technorati Tags: bars, beer, blog, blogger summit, blogging, magnolia, the chat room pub

Don’t forget bloggers! Tomorrow night, 7PM at The Chat Room Pub. I’m not going to make signs or anything, I’ll just be the big bald guy lurking in some corner with a beer in my hand.

Hope all of you can make it!

Technorati Tags: beer, blogging, fort worth

The Flying Saucer (all 11 of them, in fact) are hosting the national toast to Michael Jackson, this Sunday at 8PM.

Conveniently, Sunday is Texas Pint Nite at the Saucer as well, so anything brewed in Texas is $2.75/pint. (Yes, it’s twenty-five cents more expensive. There’s a hops shortage.)

All proceeds from the toast go the National Parkinson Foundation.

Technorati Tags: beer, charity

I just found out today that a group of music school faculty members from UTA get together for a jazz jam on Monday nights at Embargo in Downtown. If you’re a long time reader (I posted this nearly a year ago!), you’ll be familiar with my opinion of Embargo. I’d be willing to give it another shot to come out and see something like this, though.

Just not tonight, unfortunately. I have a TON of homework to do thanks to my total lack of discipline preventing me from doing it this weekend.
I guess I COULD check out Embargo’s study place potential, though. Nah, stick to the library, it’s better for you. (No, not THAT Library!)

Technorati Tags: art, bars, jazz, music, downtown, UTA

When I’m suffering from severe writer’s block or I need to get out of the house and out of my head, I go straight to the Saucer. Somehow the constant din helps me concentrate. I don’t get it either…

Edit: The Saucer is great for studying every day but Tuesdays, when people are too quiet and focused on the trivia contest. Lame.

Technorati Tags: bars, beer, the flying saucer

Okay, not really. I appreciate the kind words, Steve, but I’m more tired than you give me credit for. Maybe I learned to hide the pain better. I seriously think your only hindrance is your choice of mechanical steed; it’s time to visit Bernie and get yourself something more Trinity Trail appropriate.

Seriously, though, it was great meeting you as well, and I would love to meet next time over beers, perhaps with the spousal units. I vote for Sunday night at the Flying Saucer; cheap Texas beers, good food (I really don’t like some of the recent menu changes, but still damn good), great people, and did I mention cheap Texas beers?

Technorati Tags: fort worth, blogging, beer

That’s right, I said it! I’m tired of being cooped up in the house all day. I’m going downtown to hang out for a bit. I guess I’ll just go to The Saucer. Or maybe I won’t go downtown and I’ll go to The Chat Room Pub instead. Depends on how lazy I’m feeling.

Except it’s only 2:00, and The Chat Room may not be open yet. Damn. Finn MacCool’s opens at 2, but they don’t have WiFi.

I guess I’ll just head up to the shop and then somewhere from there.

Technorati Tags: 76110, beer, bikes, fort worth