Turkey Trot Early Registration Ends Today

Today is the last day for early registration for the 2008 Fort Worth YMCA Turkey Trot. Held each Thanksgiving Day morning. The biggest draw of the race is the 5k which attracts everyone from the serious runners to those just happy to finish the course in time for lunch. For the more adventurous, there's a 10k race, as well as a 1k race for the kids.

No matter what place they finish, all runners can take joy in their good deed. The Turkey Trot allows the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth to fund scholarships for thousands of local youth and adults so they can participate in YMCA activities.

T & P Warehouse Listed as Endangered

The Texas & Pacific Warehouse located on the south side of downtown has been listed as one of the state's "Most Endangered Places" for 2008 by Preservation Texas. The building was built in 1931 as part of a three building complex that includes the Texas & Pacific Railway Terminal and the United States Post Office. The buildings were all designed by noted Fort Worth architect Wyatt C. Hedrick. While attractive, the eight-story building is a simpler version of the more elaborate terminal building.

The preservation group notes:

The Texas & Pacific Warehouse is endangered due to neglect and lack of maintenance. Currently the basement is filled with several feet of water. Previous owners had started renovations to the building and left the building open to damage from water. If the building is not maintained, the integrity of the reinforced concrete structure will eventually be compromised by the infiltration of water.

The building would seem ready for a renovation. The city is finishing up its beautification of Lancaster Avenue and the old terminal building has already been converted to loft apartments. Mayor Mike has set his eyes on buying and renovating the old post office for a new city hall as well. It remains to be seen if someone can orchestrate a successful renovation in time to the save it.

Californian Commends Cowtown

Shirley Streshinsky writes for American Heritage. When her sister moved to Cowtown from Manhattan, the writer, who lives in the San Francisco Bay area decided to pay a visit. The result was a recent article that raves about the joys of our humble hometown.

Not surprisingly, the cultured lady from the left coast seems to have especially enjoyed the museums in the "sumptuously landscaped open space" known as the Cultural District, calling the centerpiece museums "..three of the best fine-art museums in the country, each designed by a famous architect and housing a collection considered to be world-class." Aw shucks Ms. Streshinsky, you're making us blush.

You can tell she's not from around these parts though. She seemed to have found something peculiar about a town that boasts masterpieces hanging in the Kimbell Art Museum along with signs that state that your gun must remain outside.

Welcome to Texas.

Frozen Turkey on Thanksgiving

Well it sure seemed like a good idea at the time!

I'm talking about signing up to run the Westside YMCA's Turkey Trot. I remember sitting on my sofa, in my shorts and t-shirt, way back when, and signing up online.

But something happened on the way to my little jog through Ridglea.

It got cold. Real Cold. Bone-chilling Cold.

With a wind-chill in the 20's, I seriously thought about skipping the event. But I'd already picked up my official Turkey Trot T-shirt. There's something dishonest about wearing the shirt if you didn't run the race.

So there I was, standing in Camp Bowie with a bunch of other folks that were too darn honest to wear the t-shirt without running the race as well. The gun went off and off we went, most people running in an attempt to stay warm rather than to compete.

Of course, there were some that immediately ran way on out ahead of the pack. That group was comprised mostly of serious athletes. And teenage boys. So I plodded on, determined to earn the right to wear my Turkey Trot T-shirt. Actually it wasn't so bad once we got in the Ridglea neighborhood. Those great big two-story homes tended to block most of the wind.

I was satisfied with my time, and my effort. I even managed (barely) to finish ahead of a fit-looking, twenty-something guy. Of course, he was pushing a stroller.

I was even more satisfied by the number of teenage boys I passed towards the end of the race. And for you boys that ran out of steam and stood there looking back, acting like you were looking for a friend, I have one thing to say. You weren't fooling anyone.

Turkey Trot Gives Kids a Leg Up

It's not too late to sign up for this year's Turkey Trot. Held early Thanksgiving morning, the event features a 5k Run/Walk, a 10k Run and a 1k "Gobbler Trot" for the little ones. The first race starts at 8:00 a.m. with the awards handed out at 9:30, still plenty of time to make it to Grandma's for lunch and Cowboys.

Proceeds go to the help pay for scholarships for kids to enjoy the Westside YMCA. Which means that not only will you feel justified in having a second helping of pumpkin pie after your run, but you'll feel better knowing you done a good deed as well.