Writes of Passage

^{This photo is taken from Dealey Plaza near the Grassy Knoll}
300 Reunion Blvd E,
Dallas, TX 75207

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

A circular dinner room at the top of the Reunion Tower, the 15th tallest structure in the city has wonderful views. I came after dinner, had a glass of wine at the left side of the bar, watching the sunset.

Female hostesses manage the reservations and monitor the dress code on the ground level. It bills itself as an upscale (rare steaks and fine seafood), however, it doesn’t feel flush but bustlingly touristy – glad that I had dinner elsewhere.

A crown block is a fixed set of sheaves (pulleys) located at the top of a derrick (or mast) on a drilling rig. The 561 ft (171 m) tower is known as ‘The Ball’, built in 1978, as part of city redevelopment with Hyatt Regency and the Union Station. The globe is often lighted in synch with the event in the city. Before Crown Block since 2023, it was Wolfgang Puck’s Five Sixty, but was closed in 2020 due to Covid-19.

301 Main St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102

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

Will return.

Chef John Bonnell‘s restaurant.

They’re near the Sundance Sq in downtown, on the corner of Main St. and E 2nd St.; high ceiling, industrial, pleasant on the eye.

Good stem Schott Zwiese (I prefer Riedel), mini decanters (single-serve carafes) … which might add a touch of elegance and sophistication (?) but, actually, I’d rather not to have my wine wash through one more medium …

Our female server looks seasoned, with a big seasoned smile.

We’ve

• crab cake – the best I’ve had so far: love and appreciate the nuts
• Ruby red trout – very good
• oysters texasfellar – very good

After the appetizer she asked us if we’d like some bread … yes but no and I told her she’s a bad girl -:)

Well stocked bathroom, from hand cream to mouthwash – a good natured bitching: shouldn’t the mouthwash be the purple colored Total Care? ha ha ha … Thank you.

400 S Houston St,
Dallas, TX 75202

… more pix n videos on Google maps: EBJ Union  & Union Station

Will return.

This has to be the emptiest main station of a city with over a million population. Small, clean, and used to host Wolfgang Puck catering. It renamed to Eddie Bernice Johnson (1934-2023), in 2016.

As part of city redevelopment, it’s part of Hyatt Regency & Crown Block. Of course, when the train head was planning this trip, she didn’t know, except saw the hotel, Hyatt Regency that is close to the major train station, Union Station.

However, the reality could have been better because there is a Tunnel, that links Hyatt Regency and the station: clean, well lighted and patrols by the city (once an hour), and it closes at 7pm.

But the hotel staff didn’t know, and the two valets directed us the Google Maps’ way: 8 minutes walk on the road, which isn’t too pleasant, because no one uses public transportations in Texas.

TRE train cost $12 one way to Fort Worth‘s Central Station, which takes about an hour, pretty much the same time as using Uber. Two double deckers are ptetty empty. Although the seat cushions are wore, but I enjoy the ride: a train ride is a train ride.

In the morning, we’re running tight and the ticket machine is broken … the chubby conductor told me to just get on. “Can I buy the tickets on the train? … or in Fort Worth?” He waved, “get on, it’s free.”

The announcement “Prove of valid fare is required” is repeatedly played in the PA.

I was worried, till I saw the same conductor …

10:30pm is the last train back to Dallas. The skinny conductor didn’t check our tickets either, just said “you’re ok.”

Fun Expo is in town …

… the tunnel

1001 Jones St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102

… more pix on Google Maps.

A small, simple and equally deserted (as the Union in Dallas) train station, in downtown Fort Worth. 8 minutes walk to Bass Hall. Apparently, the trains function well in Texas. Despite no one seems taking the public transportation. We take it back to Dallas after the concert, catching its last train, departing at 10:30pm.

We’ve lunch at Little Red Wrap, which is a solid 4 star restaurant with great service.

808 Main St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102

… more pix on Google Maps, Yelp, TA

Will return for good service and foood.

High ceiling, brick walls, booths and tables. They were willing to change one tv to French Open tennis – thank you very much.

The only down side is – two tv monitors are bid small but again, this isn’t a sports bar and my aging eyes are on the decline.

^{the conversation – DRC emergency services helps communities to fight disasters} 

We’ve Kale salad and Ruben – both are good.

Getting there at the tight time, it was only half full. By the time we almost done, it became full: the convention attendees are pouring in for their lunch. We would sit a little longer to watch Joao Fonesca’s defeat of Pierre-Hugues Herbert, but when the girl came by, asking if we need anything, we asked for the bill. She said ok and then proceeded to take the cream and sugar away. The manager (?) told her not to do it quietly and she put them back – I appreciated this kind gesture – thank you.

916 Main St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102

Rest in peace, President!

A dignified corner to commentate a former president.

I love these two quotes fm him

“We celebrate the past to awaken the future.” 1960

“A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on.”

1502 Commerce St,
Fort Worth, TX 76102

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

A wonderful garden to rest up, especially on a hot day.

I went down and did little yoga meditation … I know I know – with the gushing water.

Fort Worth, TX 76102

… more pix on Reddit

2025 competition is the 17th, since 1962 – every four years, (he won International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1958 in Moscow.) It was held in Bass Hall.

A little yoga during the intermission.

The 2025 competition has 28 competitors:

• the winner is Sham of HK: FW, Dallal News
• the final 3: Sham, Starikov, 30, of Israel/Russia, Evren Ozel, 26, of the United States
• the final 6:
  1. Carter Johnson, 28, Canada/USA √
  2. Philipp Lynov, 26, Russia √
  3. Evren Özel, 26, US
  4. Asisto Sham, 29, HK
  5. Vitaly Starikow, 30, Israel / Russia ^2nd
  6. Angel Stanishlav Wang, 22, US √
• the 12 semifinalists

5.29 Thursday, Semi final #2: two recitals (2:30-5:00)

1. Angel Stanislav Wang (22, US): final 6
2. Jonas Aumiller (26, Germany)

Semi final #3: four piano concertos (7:30-10:00)

1. Philipp Lynov, Russia: final 6
2. Chaeyoung Park, S Korea
3. Vitaly Starikov, Israel/Russia: ^2nd
4. Carter Johnson, Canada/US: final 6

Definitely not a bucket list for me but I did want to come for over two decades: it runs every four years. In the past, either forgotten, missed or Covid… So I finally put this on my calendar last year, voila, there I went.

For the Bass Performance Hall, please see my review on Google – just posted: good concert hall but very silly security process that feels like harassment.

Two semi concerts today (#2 and #3): two recitals in the afternoon (about an hour each) and four (30 min each): happened, all played Mozart’s piano concertos in the night session.

They all played well, polished and poised. (We went to Chopin’s in Miami this past January and the quality of the pianists were not as good – ok, Miami’s was preliminary and this is the final run.)

Between the two in the afternoon session, I prefer Aumiller over Wang: whose pasture is better and plays a little better too. Angel Wang has hunchback (?) which I thought could have corrected early on (his parents are musicians). The four, the lone woman impresses me the most (Chaeyoung Park, 27) who wears a yellow black dress like a bumblebee, which reminds me of Sunja in her youth, in tv series Pachingo.

A thought: did most or all the musicians in the orchestra have gone through this stage – competing to be a soloist? I appreciate them all, virtuoso or part of a team. An elite person in any profession has an exceptional ability and drive but I always consider musicians are tough to be – physical and mental, think of their repertoire – how many millions little notes they’ll have to remember.

Logistic: We stayed in Dallas (Hyatt Regency), took the hour long TRE train to and from. Both ends is less than 10 minutes walk but pretty grungy (didn’t realize). Uber would take about an hour too. I’m a huge train head, would take it over all other types of transportation, whenever possible. Both stations Union in Dallas and Central in Fort Worth are empty, so is the train both ways. I felt I could handle it. (Local friends think I’m nuts …) It turned out, to be very enjoyable rides.

… more thoughts on Van Cliburn – do you still remember him wining the first Tchaikovsky competition, in Moscow, in 1958? And Khrushchev asked if the dammed American was the best (ok, I add “dammed” – it was Cold War era and who knows, maybe he did say it?) Very regretful that he stopped performing publicly long before I came to US.

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)

420 Main Street
Fort Worth, TX 76102

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

A relaxing, pedestrian-friendly downtown area with shops, steakhouses and sports bars. The Plaza has small theaters, events and concerts.

Not sure the two Van Cliburn banners are permanent or only during his piano completion, which occurs every four years. It’s a short walk to the Bass Hall where the competition takes place – which brought us to Fort Worth.

Three musicians are playing jazz on a Thursday afternoon at the Plaza – still playing at 7pm.

… the Plaza

… and the downtown