I don't know if anyone is familiar with the Uni Watch articles on the ESPN website. I read it occasionally because I'm a graphic design nerd and I'm always eager to see what's new in sports logos and uniforms.
There's been an ongoing discussion on the Uni Watch website about Minor League Baseball teams and they're promotional schedules. On very special occasions, teams will wear alternate uniforms in spirit of the theme of the night. Some of these include the Tie-Dye Night for the Everett Aquasox and Star Wars Night for the West Michigan Whitecaps. My personal favorite: Redneck Night for the Kansas City T-Bones.
That got me thinking, "what do the Fort Worth Cats have to offer?"
Unfortunately for all of us, I'm writing this post too late in the season. We've already missed the Cats' own rendition of Star Wars Night (July 5), Hogs & Hot Rods (June 17), and the ever so popular Mullet Night (July 8). But looking ahead, we still have Elvis & The Oldies Night (August 7) and the Las Vegas Suitcase Party (August 23) to look forward to.
Even if it's not a promotional night, Cats games are definitely worth going to. Only people that love baseball show up to Minor League games, and the Cats are exceptionally good. They are currently 14-5 this season, unlike our under 500 Rangers. Tickets are only 4 bucks for a game and it's in town. So grab your cracker jacks and head out to LaGrave Field for some baseball without the mega million contracts.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Home Town Baseball.
Modern Times: Waitress and Paris Je T'aime
Two really neat movies coming to the Modern film series in the next two weeks: Waitress and Paris Je T'aime.
Trailers after the jump.
Waitress:
Paris Je T'Aime:
Waitress runs from July 27-29, and Paris Je T'aime runs August 3-5.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Aaarrrgh! Cafe Express gone...
Some of my favorite lunch spots are dying like the dinosaurs! Last week it was Baja Fresh, this week it's Cafe Express... Places that I like, beware... I'm the kiss of death!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
The Stage Names
I first heard about Okkervil River about two-three years ago when they played SXSW. I am often totally unaware of new bands, and I don't spend too much time checking blogs for leaks. I'm usually the last to know, which is OK.
However, these guys are from Austin, and I enjoy them. I've seen them since three times. I saw them once at ACL, another time at Sons of Hermann Hall, and I also saw Will Sheff open for Jenny Lewis solo at the Ridglea.
They have yet to disappoint.
The new CD, The Stage Names is a good CD, too. I don't give just dozens of recommendations because I prefer to actually absorb and fall in love with a CD for weeks.
If you pre-order this CD, though, you get a whole host of stuff--demos from Sheff and the boys, a pre-download, and since it's an indie label, come one, you'll at least get a few stickers, too.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Shameless plug for the Queen City
I spent years 2 through 15 of my life in Cincinnati, a city that has more in common with Fort Worth than one might think. They're roughly the same size, and they both have a good amount of hole-in-the-wall charm. I guess it's the small-town atmosphere that makes F-Dub feel like my beloved city to the north.
Downtown Cincy has a district of low-incoming housing called "Over the Rhine." In the last decade, high-rollers have bought many historic properties, and attempts have been made to rehab and preserve the neighborhood. The district is full of abandoned beauty and incredible history.
It's also home to one kick-ass band.
Over the Rhine, is a duo from, you guessed it, the namesake district in the Queen City. Their rock is reminiscent of 10,000 Maniacs with its female vocal lead, but there's a stronger element of folk rock, as well as a darker edge. The lyrics are passionate and real, with no hint of corporate influence. It's a nice thing to hear in a world full pointless rock that follows a calculated formula.
As for the Texas connection, I think they played a show in Texas once. Good enough for me.
Bruce Robison comes to 8.0
Bruce Robison just seems like a nice guy.
Actually, a friend of mine who works at at the Bass says he's a really nice guy, the type who doesn't get too worked up about anything and just takes life as it comes.
So, if you're into some really well-written country tunes that don't suck, stop by 8.0's on Wednesday, July 25 and catch the little set he's doing downtown. And if you don't have his latest CD, it's a nice, mellow addition to your Fort Worthian-inspired collection.
Who couldn't like a guy whose PR picture is this? After the jump...
Friday, July 20, 2007
No FW love on MappyHour???
This is a screenshot of Dallas on MappyHour, a utility that takes Google maps and guides users to places with happy hour drink and food specials. Fort Worth is not even listed on the map, though Lubbock and Andrews merit a mention...
So let's get busy, Fort Worthian readers! Start listing those happy hour specials on MappyHour so it looks like we have some semblance of civilization!
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Baja Fresh no more...
I stopped by one of my regular lunch spots today, only to find the manager and crew stacking tables and taking the place apart. Baja Fresh had some pretty good food, but my favorite was the grilled veggie burrito. Yeah, I enjoy a good Chipotle burrito and Freebirds is mucho fun, but for someone who needs to do some weight-watching, the Baja Fresh grilled veggie burrito was a more reasonable substitute. I'll miss it...
Oh yeah, and there was a note on the door inviting us to visit the Baja Fresh location in Irving... Yep, that's really convenient for lunch, thanks...
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Been under the weather...
But then again, haven't we all? Nice to see some sunshine in North Texas again.
So, I'm a book nerd. I read rock 'n' roll books, fiction, poetry, biography--you name it I read it. I also love the library. Of course, I owe the Fort Worth Public Library $10 for the copy of Love is a Mixtape I borrowed and neglected to return for, let's say, a while.
Well, now I perhaps can be truant and get books! The Startlegram had a good article about this last week I've been meaning to post.
Starting Aug. 1, Fort Worth residents with a library card can download audiobooks from the library Web site, said Deborah Duke, collection management administrator at the Fort Worth Public Library.
"Libraries are starting to do this," Duke said. "It's one of the ways to reach people. Audiobooks have long been one of our more popular formats.
"This is a logical progression."
Some critics say this type of new service doesn't help the millions of Americans who don't have computers, MP3 players and other devices that can download and store the information.
But in an era in which technology and convenience rule, librarians nationwide say this is the wave of the future.
And it might draw the interest of those who have never visited a library.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Indie Pop Rocks the Metroplex
Interpol then appeared on Letterman later that night and Spoon followed suit on Wednesday night. It didn't seem like either band was at their best during the performances, but I attribute that to my high expectation level, Dave's crappy soundstage, Britt's acoustic guitar, and Paul's ugly hat. I have, however, seen both of these bands in person over the past couple months and I can vouch that both put on a ginormous live show so I know they are capable of a little more than what was on display this week. Dave also mentioned that he was a big fan of both groups, and I'm still trying to figure out if that made me feel better or worse.
For those who want to see what these bands are really capable of: they have both announced upcoming shows here locally, and conveniently both went on sale this morning at 10 am. Interpol will be playing at The Palladium on September 27th and Spoon will be with The New Pornographers at House of Blues on November 2nd.Thursday, July 12, 2007
Represent!
Eating lunch today at Spiral Diner (YUM!) and saw these on the way out the door... Sorry for the fuzzy cellphone camera image...
Might have to buy one sometime...
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Home of the big buns...
I'm finally back in the Fort, which is a good thing. And it's finally stopped raining so much, which is also a good thing.
I went to visit family in Alabama, where they were desperate for rain. There's a lake not far from my parent's home that is currently 5 feet below normal, and the city council is discussing water rationing. That made my Alabama visit feel a little too much like a normal summer in Texas.
So to celebrate my return to the Fort, I decided to give the new location of Dixie House Cafe a try. Though I had my share of home cooking in Alabama, I was eager to visit the self-proclaimed "Home of the big buns."
I went around lunchtime on Wednesday, and the parking lot around the restaurant area didn't have many empty spaces remaining and the inside of the place was fairly busy. There's not much going on decor-wise -- it's basically standard-issue chairs and tables. There's still some dark wood remaining from the days when the space housed a Harrigan's, but most of the Harrigan's decor got stripped out by the overrated BBQ place that lasted a couple of months...
This is the kind of place where they ask if you want sweet or unsweet tea and the waitresses call you "sugar" and "honey" and "handsome" without any trace of irony. In other words, it reminds me a lot of the small-town restaurants I grew up with in Alabama.
Several people near my table were discussing how wonderful the chicken fried steak was, but I wasn't really in the mood for that, so I got some meatloaf, along with okra and mashed potatoes. And what do you know? It really is some decent, down-home cooking... Don't go expecting an epicurean revelation from the heavens, but if you're missing your grandma's cooking, this could be a reasonable substitute. The dinner roll was very tasty, my okra was crisp, and the gravy on the mashed potatoes was very well done and not overly peppery like many Texas gravies.
They serve breakfast too, so I'm looking forward to trying that one weekend. If they use the same gravy from the mashed potatoes, I'd wager that their biscuit and gravy would be fantastic.
The desserts looked good, but I overindulged on the sweets during my Alabama trip, so that tasting will have to wait until I ride some more Tour de France miles...
My lunch was $7.50 and my tea was $1.50, so a good hot lunch was under 10 bucks. I didn't see anyone order a hamburger, so I cannot attest to the size of the alleged "big buns." I'll have to check those out later too...
I was impressed by the service and organization. This place just opened on Monday, and the service was handling a pretty good lunch crowd without breaking a sweat. I hope the Dixie House does well in this location.
Dixie House Cafe
5401 S. Hulen
817-361-8500
Open 6:30 am until 9 pm, Monday through Saturday
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Clark and Michael
OK, one last post for this morning, and I'll be off to shoot photos in Alvarado.
This is not a local thing per se, but then again, you have to use the internet somewhere, right?
Michael Cera, better known as George Michael from Arrested Development, has a set of "webisodes" about a couple of less-than-bright guys trying to get a TV series made. It's called Clark and Michael, and it's really pretty funny. The New York Times did a big article on it here, too. He brings in all of his Superbad buddies in, even Seth Rogen gets to watch a particularly dumb display by the two guys.
But, why should I explain it to you when you could be watching and laughing? And, as for keeping it local, make sure to watch it when the sky is mildly cloudy so that Charter's internet service is faulty. This should give you plenty to curse about. You'll feel right at home.
Drue's Clues?
Oh, while you're browsing the Star-Telegram, check out the latest After Hours by yours truly.
I kind of forget I write these sometimes. I was getting a flat fixed at Sam's Club the other day when I struck up a conversation with a woman about the Star-Telegram. She asked me if I had written the piece on Drue, and for a moment, I forgot I had.
You can find it here, and it provides a quick guide to the blues, or at least, where to find them in Fort Worth.
The Death of a Department (store)
So, if you live anywhere near Camp Bowie, you've seen men standing on streets corners with signs advertising Stripling & Cox's store closing. Truthfully, there might be a story in those guys alone.
The Star-Telegram wrote a small obituary for the store, which I've never been in:
The Dunlap Co., operator of several department-store chains including Stripling & Cox, announced Monday that it will close its 38 stores in eight states, ending a 114-year local mercantile legacy.
Every time I drive past this place, it reminds me of how these sort of stores really do not exist anyone. Luria's, Montgomery Ward, and even the occasional un-anchored Sears. We live in a different era now, and there's not much to do about it.
I'd even go as far as to say The Price is Right was one of the last refuge of this sort of department store culture.
Anyway, tomes aside, anyone got anything really cool for really cheap at S&C yet?
Monday, July 9, 2007
The Evil Eye: Roky at the Granada
So, if you haven't heard, Roky Erickson is back.
OK, well, he's been back since about 2005, when he made his triumphant return at the Austin City Limits Festival. But before that, Erickson wasn't having the best go at life.
You can find a more revealing history of Erickson in this article, but here's a little back story: Erickson was the leader of 13th Floor Elevators, an Austin band that did much to invent psychedelic rock in the '60s. 
The snag? Well, as you might have guessed from the photos, Roky spent too much time taking too much LSD, and before long, he had pretty much turned into a vegetable. It wasn't until his brother took over control of Roky's life a few years ago that things really turned around. These days, though, he's playing, he has a driver's license, and a rockin' new back-up band.
Now, Erickson is out playing again. In fact, he'll be playing a show at the Granada Theater Saturday, July 14.
If you show up at 8 p.m., you can also see the new Roky documentary You're Gonna Miss Me, which I hear is pretty good.
Roky rocks the Granada July 14. The Web site is here
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Who'd a thunk?
Well, if no one else is going to rave about the new White Stripes CD, I sure as hell will.
Icky Thump is the best record of the Stripes' year, and for what I'm concerned, it's the best record in their career as well. Yes, they've dumped off much of the old, strummy trappings. This is just a raw, loud, pounding record.
But it's rock with a brain, and not a pretentious one, either. Many of these songs have their roots in Celtic balladry, real country music, and a little garage rock as well.
So, how does this apply to the Fort Worthian? Well, they're going to be at ACL Festival. So, there's my hook. thjavascript:void(0)
Publish Postey'll probably play here directly before that. Actually, I'll keep my eye out for when that show happens and I'll post it right here!
Either way, go buy the White Stripes CD.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Red Cactus redux...
Back in mid-June, I pondered a parking sign about a non-existent but coming soon place called Red Cactus. Well, I got my answer this weekend when I saw workers gutting the former dry cleaner next to Flash. There's a sign for "Red Cactus: Fresh Mexican Food." Looks like Fuzzy's is going to have some competition in the TCU area...
It's nice to see TCU getting more dining options within walking distance. Oh, and here's my idea for anyone who wants it, since I don't have enough money for franchise fees and the like: Someone needs to open a Buffalo Wild Wings on the first floor of the Grand Marc. A sports bar on the first floor of the Marc? That's printing your own money... Plus, that would become the de facto hangout before TCU games... Plus plus there are no wing places immediately around TCU and I could go there during lunch and play NTN trivia, which is like crack to me... So please, Mr. or Ms. Moneybags, open a BWW in the Marc. Pretty please?
At the 2500 Club
So, my friend Drue Webber calls me at the end of last week. Now, I've mentioned on here before that Drue is a good friend and a very talnted guitar player, and I actually sat down and talked to him for this weeks After Hours feature in the Star-Telegram.
Well, during that interview, Drue waxed on about this gruff singer-songwriter named Guthrie Kennard. So, when Drue called to say he was going to see Kennard play and would want to tag along, I of course said yes.
Little did I know what I was in for.
The 2500 Club is located on Belknap, just north of downtown, and let me tell you, that place can be just about scarier than the finding an Adam's apple on your new girlfriend.
It's a place where bikers, biker gangs and other rough-around-the-edges guys hang out. To be honest, though, it's fairly peaceful, but, for example, the under dressed, mildly drunk 40-year-old behind the bar sets the tone. And that tone is the same one used in People Are Strange
But, Guthrie played his set. and I have to say, it was pretty good. I tend to be more in for the colder, more clean indie rock, but the guy definitely had a lot of heart. And he could have played longer if a drunk roughneck wouldn't have come in, walked up to the microphone and started howling at the top of his lungs before trying to pay the bartender 25 cents for a beer. Things were getting weird, I made it an early night.
So, check Guthrie out and see if it's your thing.