FWS 5^th Annual Meeting - January 22, 2002, 212 dinner reservations; 218 attendees; revenues $14,425, expenses $10,973; $14 of each $55 ticket price considered tax deductible; worthwhile, informative and enjoyable time had by all. The 2001 Annual Report, detailing progress and expectations, should have been received by our 207 members and the 916 others on the mailing list.

Congresswoman Kay Granger honored us all with her presence and continuing support. Kay presented the Kline-Watts Award to the first four honorees of Fort Worth South’s Hall of Fame: Joan Kline, James Watts, M.D., John Freese, M.D., and David Motheral. City Councilwoman Wendy Davis profiled the important and supportive role of the City in the revitalization initiative. The committee chairs, Executive-Jim Watts, Finance-Barclay Berdan, Development-David Motheral, Transportation-John Freese, and Marketing-Mary Kathryn Anderson, updated the members on progress made in 2001. 2002 operating budget of $328,000 was approved. New directors and officers were elected as presented by the Nominating Committee and profiled in Decembers Report.

Membership Levels - The members approved an increase in the number of membership categories in order to encourage membership growth. Annual dues levels are now $125, $250, $500, $1000, $1,500, $2,500, $5,000 and $5,000+. Please join us.

Jim Watts said after the meeting: "It has been a great honor and privilege to serve as Chairman of Fort Worth South, Inc. for the past six years. The evolution of the organization has moved us from remediation of urban blight to things that enhance the lives of the people who live and work here. Thanks to the members and supporters of FWS for sharing our vision. The incredible energy and expertise of Don Scott, the vision and dedication of Phillip Poole, and the support and imagination of our newest employee Nancy Berger insures the continued success of our mission. Thank you again for your support and the wonderful award."

Thanks to the following who made the event possible: Jim Eggleston of ABC Flag who served as the master of ceremonies, Beverly Branch of Branch Smith for singing the Star Spangled Banner, Mark Hulsizer of UD3 for the projection equipment and award visuals, Heather McCoy of Pointwise for the table challenge visual and much more, Paige Hendricks of PHPR for her creativity, Mary Kathryn Anderson and Linda Clark for the awards, and Jarrod Fay and Katherine Ware of Glass Lake Productions for the video presentation. Martha White of Gordon Boswell and Marian Lee of Lige Green for the flowers, Kathee Copeland of the Woman’s Club of Fort Worth for the venue, Laura Hunt of Total Spectrum for the "accelerating the pace" invitation, First Sergeant Sparrow and the Trimble Tech ROTC Color Guard for presenting the colors, and Eddy Kidd of Tropical Services for the center pieces, Gift certificates were donated by Laura Hunt of Total Spectrum, Bill and Jan Keefer of B.J. Keefer’s Restaurant, Peter Schroder of the Old Neighborhood Grill, and Tom and Carol Misfeldt of Ranch Oak Farms.

Rosedale power line -TXU is relocating the power poles along Rosedale Street in advance of the widening of the street. Three years ago we investigated placing these power, telephone, cable system wires underground. TXU agreed to support the concept by providing the more specialized insulated underground cable if funds could be found to construct the necessary trench and conduits. Money was not available. With the recent installation of the new poles along the street, and the obvious visual clutter, a couple of property owners have considered paying the approximately $45,000 per block cost of placing the wires underground. The problem is now timing. All the wires must be relocated by May so the underground utility work (gas, water, and sewer) can be complete by August when the roadway construction begins. Expect completion of the roadway in December 2003.

Bike Racks - Ten new bicycle racks have been placed along W. Magnolia Avenue. The brown steel pipes look like a lollypop stuck, handle first, into the sidewalk. A Texas star is welded in middle of the circle. Bring your own bike lock.

Little history - The Fort Worth Museum of Science & History first opened as the Fort Worth Children's Museum in 1945 in two rooms of DeZavala Elementary School, located on College Avenue just south of Magnolia Avenue.

Crime Statistics - Attached is the updated comparison of Part I crimes occurring in Fort Worth South over the last eight years. We have seen the number of incidents inching up, after many years of significant annual reductions. We continue to believe that this central city neighborhood would benefit from a return of the bike patrol, which was removed in late 1999 in an effort to improve police response times around the City. The most important message continues to be "remain vigilant" here and everywhere.

Last Crack House - When the FWS initiative began in 1996 there were many places, mostly old houses, in the medical district that sold illegal drugs. We now have only one left. Located at 805/815 St. Louis Avenue, it is now the focus of much attention.

Lariat Bar - Samaritan House is purchasing the crummy old bar property on the west side of Hemphill south of Terrell. They are planning to use the site for a mixed-use retail/residential development.

Partner's Breakfast - The monthly gathering of FWS members to talk business will be held at the offices of Fort Worth Economic Development Corporation, 1150 South Freeway, Suite 215, on the James Guinn campus, at 8 a.m. Wednesday, February 6.

Texas White House - Jamie and Grover McMains have completed a new cottage addition to their Bed & Breakfast at 1417 Eighth Avenue. Located behind the big house, the cottages units have all the amenities including sauna and whirlpool. Phone 817-923-3597.

It's a Hoot - Preservation Hall, 1519 Lipscomb Street (two blocks south of Magnolia) at 8 to 12 p.m. on the first Friday of each month, Buddy's Big Band (20 piece orchestra and vocalist) plays to dancers and listeners alike, all ages, BYOB, $10 a head. Folks come from all over the Metroplex. If you can't wait until Buddy’s on March 1, Johnny Reno and the Lounge Kings will be performing on Saturday, February 16. Retro sweetheart dance, swing dancing, get your finery at the local Goodwill store. 817-926-2800

Teen Court - Fran McCarthy, Daedalus Development, wants to identify a group of adults willing to help supervise kids working off their formal obligations to society. Saturday mornings, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, pick up two to four kids from the Municipal Courts Building, do community projects such as trash pick up, cleaning, etc around Fort Worth South, Call him at 233-4040. Thanks, Fran.

Injured employee opportunity - Ann Davis, Director of the Volunteer Center located at 805 W. Magnolia, phone 817-926-8001, is looking for companies to participate in a program that places injured employees, who are unable to return to their regular jobs, on easier full time jobs at selected non-profit organizations until they are able to return to their original job. It’s called the Transitional Duty Placement Program. It’s a good deal for employers and employees. Nominal fee to the employer; employee becomes active sooner in work that fits any physical limitation. FWS member Dannon Company is the most recent company to participate.

Designer Resource Studio and Classic Guitar in Fort Worth presents Guitarist Matteo Mela in concert at Thistle Hill, 1509 Pennsylvania Avenue, Tuesday, February 19, at 8 p.m. $12 per ticket, limited seating. Call 817-922-9048 for reservations.

Have Want

For sale - 1424 Hemphill, 20,300 sf 2-story office bldg, formerly Family Services, $1 million, Tom Palmer 817-336-2055

For sale - 500-512 S Freeway, formerly Railway Controls, Ltd., 27,352 sf bldg, 46,200 sf site, $850,000, Huck Newberry, 332-6300

Members - There are now 207 dues paying members of Fort Worth South, Inc. The January additions to the group include: