Writes of Passage

Fort Worth, TX

35 miles west of Dallas, this Texas city has 918,915 (2020 census) people (Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex has 7 million).

We came here for Van Cliburn piano competition, which held at Bass Hall every four years.

Taking TRE train from Dallas, is about an hour, which is very convenient for us. However, the condition of the train, could have been better but I can handle it.

I prefer FT over Dallas. The Sundance Sq is pretty enchanting, so it the Water Gardens. Van Cliburn is everywhere in downtown area. Enjoyed the competition but the security at the Bass Hall is ridiculous.

BLACK MEDICAL DISTRICT

When Medical Doctor William Davis and Dentist Osceola C. Queen arrived in Fort Worth during the late 1880s, they could only practice within the city’s Black business district (east of downtown). As their other colleagues came to Fort Worth, they too were confined to this one area of town. Even with these restrictions, excellent patient care was provided. George D. Flemmings served the community both as a dentist and as President of the local NAACP chapter. Three doctors established hospitals: Doctors Riley A. Ransom, George M. Munchus, and Eddie L. Dorsey. When Dr. Marion J. Brooks returned to town in 1951, he immediately became an outspoken medical activist for fair treatment that led to the integration of the city’s hospitals and other medical facilities. Today’s medical professionals stand on the shoulders of these dedicated community servants who confronted and overcame the obstacles in their lives with both compassion and grit.

Dr. Donald A. Brooks Dr. Marion J. Brooks PHOTO COURTESY OF THE SPOONS RASKILY

“We can all make our mark on the world. There is something to be said about knowing who you are.”

Dr. Kizzmekia S. Corbett

Viral Immunologist Scientific Leader on Coronavirus Vaccine

Sponsors: Texas Capital Bank Doctors Michael and Pavani Brooks Commissioner Roy C. and Dr. Jennifer Giddings Brooks

Heritage Trails 2021

HELL’S HALF ACRE

A NOTORIOUS RED LIGHT DISTRICT KNOWN AS HELL’S HALF ACRE DEVELOPED IN THIS SECTION OF FORT WORTH AFTER THE ARRIVAL OF THE TEXAS AND PACIFIC RAILWAY IN 1876 LAUNCHED A LOCAL ECONOMIC BOOM. FORT WORTH WAS SOON THE FAVORITE DESTINATION FOR HUNDREDS OF COWBOYS, BUFFALO HUNTERS, RAILROAD WORKERS, AND FREIGHTERS EAGER TO WASH OFF THE TRAIL DUST AND ENJOY THEMSELVES. TO MEET THE DEMAND, A LARGE NUMBER OF SALOONS, DANCE HALLS, GAMBLING HOUSES, AND BORDELLOS OPENED BETWEEN THE COURTHOUSE SQUARE AND THE RAILROAD DEPOT.

ILLEGAL ACTIVITIES IN HELL’S HALF ACRE WERE TOLERATED BY CITY OFFICIALS BECAUSE OF THEIR IMPORTANCE TO THE TOWN’S ECONOMY. THE DISTRICT PROSPERED IN THE 18805 AND ADDED TO FORT WORTH’S GROWING REPUTATION AS A ROWDY FRONTIER TOWN. FAMOUS GAMBLERS LUKE SHORT, BAT MASTERSON AND WYATT EARP AND OUTLAWS SAM BASS, EUGENE BUNCH, BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID ARE KNOWN TO HAVE SPENT TIME IN HELL’S HALF ACRE.

A 1906 NEWSPAPER HEADLINE CALLING THE DISTRICT FORT WORTH’S DEN OF SIN AND REFUGE OF CRIMINALS WAS REPRE- SENTATIVE OF PERIODIC EFFORTS TO CLEAN UP THE DISTRICT. THESE EFFORTS PROVED UNSUCCESSFUL UNTIL ARMY OFFICIALS AT CAMP BOWIE, ESTABLISHED HERE DURING WORLD WAR I. HELPED LOCAL OFFICIALS SHUT THE DISTRICT DOWN.

(1993)

525 Commerce St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102

… more pix n videos on Google Maps

A little yoga during the intermission.

Will NOT return – the silly security feels like a harassment.

Van Cliburn piano competition 2025

The Bass Performance Hall opened in 1998, with 2,000+ capacity. Initially, it was suggested by the pianist Van Cliburn (1934-2013), and one of the Basses; ultimately built with private equities – I suspect much of it or part of it were from the Bass brothers, because when I commented of the two ceilings, a docent said the difference was due to two Bass brothers who built it.

Although the foyer is compact, the major hall is very pleasant, well kept, feels new (not many layers of paints…), with clean line, so are the bathrooms.

It’s interesting to see so many posters on the walls are Most Mozart and Met Opera – both are New York institutions.

I went to two Van Cliburn competitions today (semi final #2 and #3), which is one of the permanent events here.

The security IS unbelievable!

A swamp of black clothed guards stationed at the entrances, who are fleecing patrons, from handbags to pockets (I was asked to take out my iPhone fm my leggings’ pocket), and water bottle – they demand it to be threw out. By then I was at my limit. So I told them “no way”. You don’t ask me to throw my handbag away, do you? So the guard asks her colleague or supervisor who has no clue, other than I can’t bring my water bottle in. I told them I brought one IN this afternoon. So they called a woman in regulars cloth, perhaps a manager who, make the silly story short, offered a bottle of water in THEIR bottle. I accepted it only because there are people waiting to get in.

Brooke Astor (1902-2007), the scion of NY high society, noted about her need to bring a bottle of water – really for the good of the concerts.

Some guards even have handheld scanners, like in an airport. There are still at least three guards mingling around AFTER the concert, as we’re leaving. I can’t help but asking “why??” I mean, who do you think you are? New York? You’re NOT, bec NY doesn’t do this kind of crap. One of them replied “… oh we want to ensure the contestants are well protected.”

Front entrances?

^{Top 3 of the local students’ artworks: they’ll make great posters, don’t they?}

Hello, they ARE not famous yet, for Petes sake. They’re NO body.

Let Olga Kern, who was 2001’s winner, walks on the street, see how many people will stop her: I just googled past winners who had made it. AI replies

“… include Yunchan Lim (2022), Vadym Kholodenko (2013), Jon Nakamatsu (1997), Olga Kern (2001), and Nobuyuki Tsujii (2009).”

I love classical music and go to concerts all the time but I only knew the name of Kern, and would NOT recognize her on the street.

A very unique experience.

…

^{A fish tank at Gate E21}
2400 Aviation Dr,
Dallas, TX 75261

… more pix on Google Maps.

DFW is the largest hub for AA, its headquarter is near by. It’s also hub for United, Delta, Frontier, Alaska, and Spirit.

Dallas (pop 1.3m) and Fort Worth (pop 918k).

I visited two lounges: Capital One and Centurion: both in terminal D.

Texas

Dallas is the last stop of Van Cliburn trip. Don’t think I’ll return to Dallas anytime soon, except, maybe a layover, because their airport the DFW is the HQ for AA, and a hub for a few other airlines, such as United and Delta.

Dallas (pop 1.3m) and Fort Worth (pop 918k) is known as a metroplex, and the population is roughly 7.6 million strong.

Pegasus. Trinity. I love my church are popular themes.

It’s pretty flat, has little charm. Drivers are pretty rude. Although I enjoyed the train ride from Dallas to Fort Worth, but I won’t ride it alone nor would I ride it late in the night. It’s NOT the same as the trains in Europe and China.

Founders Square, and Crown Block and Hyatt Regency.

Two random buildings, one has Santa Fe, and one has Tampa.

Spread out. No charm. No quietness.

We stayed here for three nights, with one day spent in Fort Worth.

Their city hall

From the city hall, I see so many SouthWest planes flew by

The last day, before checking out, we walked around the Dealey Plaza, where JFK was assassinated in 1963.
We checked out two lounges in DFW Capital One and Amex’s Centurion: the CO is better.

The Frontier Air is on time.

My itinerary

1. ^{28 Wed} Dallas: SAF→dfw, @ Hyatt Regency
2. ^{29 Thur} Fort Worth: Union station; Central Station, Red Little Wrap; JFK; Water Gardens; Sundance Sq; Waters; concert #2, #3 @ Bass Hall
3. ^{30 Fri} Dallas: Texas Spice; Fun Expo, cow; City Hall & Library, Rex’s @ Farm Market; Harwood Park; Partnope, City Brewery; Crown Block
4. ^{31 Sat} dfw→home: JFK @ Dealey Plaza; Capital One; Centurion; Frontier, Uber

300 Reunion Blvd,
Dallas, TX 75207

… more pix n videos on Google Maps, Yelp & TA

May return for the tunnel to the Union Station.

Thanks for having the French Open (tennis) in your tv lineup.

The tiny swimming pool is a deterrent for me: unbelievably small for the size of the hotel!

Choosing this hotel, is due to its proximity to the Union Station, due to me being a train head. The 1,120 rooms hotel is decent, close to Dealey Plaza but it’s in nowhere land: “Downtown” label is bit misleading.

Our room is spacious, with a good view looking out west, Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, Trinity Overlook Park, etc. The water pressure is good as well. The second luggage rack bought in in less than ten minutes after my request (why don’t hotels provide two when they expect two people are checking in?)

Hyatt is part of redevelopment project by the city, with two other components (Union Towner/Crown Block and Union Station). It’s very convenient to pop over to the Ball to have a drink, watching the sunset (dinner needs reservation).

When we checked in at 10pm, there was one lone staff who was distant. As he was checking us in, I tried to start a small talk, asking him the best way to Fort Worth.

“Uber.”

“Not train?” My homework tells me, the train station is only 8 minutes walk away.

“Nay.”

The same staff also told me the pool is 7am-11pm (unusually long). So after putting down my luggage, I rushed to the pool: the door is locked. It was only 10:30. SO is this lack of training or what? The following morning I went to the pool again, to find a tiny pool surrounded by rather unappetizing deck. Oh well.

The following morning, I ask for the direction to the station (tunnel is closed according to online comments…). Two employees (valets) gave us Google Maps direction, which is the road way.

It seems non of the staff know about the tunnel.

The tunnel between the hotel and EBJ Union Station is clean, well lighted and maintained. A city staff walks it once an hour (don’t know about weekends but it opens at least on Saturday), and it closes at 7pm. Room key gets you into the hotel.