Fort Worth Date Night: Halloweenie

by Michael Bloomberg
October 27, 2010

This weekend could already be spoken for. It's the weekend where we throw together a costume at the last minute, try to remember what we wore last year so we don't repeat the same faux pas or try to squeeze into that superhero outfit (thank goodness for lycra). Whichever you can relate, there is no mistaking that Halloween falls on a weekend this year.

As it turns out, so does some great sporting events in the DFW area. TCU is just climbing up the polls and remains undefeated, the Texas Rangers are hosting their first-ever World Series appearance and the Dallas Cowboys are....have I mentioned that the Baylor Bears, just down the road in Waco, have cracked the Top 25 in the college football polls?

The Halloween options are endless this weekend. You may want to take in any of the many great haunted houses in the Metroplex. Or, maybe a scary movie is more your style. For those who have been keeping score, the 7th movie in the Saw series is opening this weekend. What makes this one different? It's in 3D. I may or may not have seen them all and may or may not see it on its opening weekend.

Perhaps, you have little ones or just the two of you want to get out for a bit on Sunday night. From 6-8pm, a great option is "Treat Street" hosted by the Fort Worth Stockyards. Stockyards Station has teamed up with Radio Disney to bring Fort Worth a safe, family-friendly Halloween celebration in the Historic Stockyards. Highlights of this event are trick or treating the Stockyards Station shops and free hayrides.

But, is there really anything bigger than the Texas Rangers representing the DFW area in its first World Series appearance? And, it just so happens that the 3rd, 4th and 5th home games begin on Saturday and run consecutive days through Monday. I'm excited to see what our creative home team's fans come up with for costumes on Halloween night.

No matter what you end up choosing, there is not a wrong answer. Just remember that if you do celebrate on Sunday night and do have a "real" job, Monday morning will arrive very quickly. So, if you choose to get completely spooked and take in a scary flick or haunted house or if you're a sports nut and passing up baseball and a hot dog is not an option, either way, you are sure to be called a "Halloweenie." *cue the crickets* Is thing on? I'll be here all week.

Happy Halloween! Go Frogs! Go Rangers!

Fort Worth Date Night: Kiss a Frog

by Michael Bloomberg
October 13, 2010

If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and have been living under a rock, then you might be the only one who hasn't heard all the buzz about TCU's football team. Ranked #4 in the country, the Horned Frogs are halfway through the season and 6 games remain. Out of those, only 3 are home games.

It's that time of year that the weather is what we in Texas call, "perfect football weather." The stadium is easily accessible with plenty of festivities going on. Whether it be a pre-game tailgate, hitting up Fuzzy's for the best tempura fish burrito or eating at the game, it's never too late to get on the Horned Frog bandwagon.

While being #4 in the country is impressive, it's become a little clearer when you truly understand the actual number four. You can now see why it's a little more fitting why TCU has that particular rating. Defining the number "four" in Numerology will shed some light.

According to Numerology, the number four "is the rock and cornerstone of an enterprise, does not give up easily, is perseverant and a hard worker." This pretty much sums up TCU football. From Coach Patterson, his staff, the players, the school and the fans. So, for the fans, there is an annual event coming up that might make going to a game even more enticing.

The weekend of October 22-23 is TCU's Homecoming. Friday evening, the 22nd, from 6-9pm, marks the return of FrogFest. A family-friendly evening, but also great for a date night, which include fun activities such as: Giant inflatables, huge slides, face painting, crafts and a live band. Food will be available and a cash bar featuring purple margaritas.

Pick a game, get your tickets, pull out your purple attire and be prepared for football greatness. Equally impressive is the energy of not only TCU coming together, but the whole Fort Worth community uniting for a great cause. It's been exciting the last few seasons watching our Horned Frogs rise to the elite of college football.

It was French politician and philosopher, Charles de Montesquieu, who said, "To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them." Go be with the Frogs and cheer them on to greatness. Not to mention, another undefeated season. Followed by a bid to an exciting bowl game. Fingers crossed.

Fort Worth Date Night: Getting schooled

BY MIKE BLOOMBERG

January 07, 2010

There are a lot of pressures with the purchase of a new calendar. First and foremost, the back-to-back, long holidays are a year away. Sure, there's a Monday in May if you don't get President's Day off in February. July 4 falls on a Sunday this year, so, hopefully, your boss will let you have the following Monday off, as well. Seriously, are you really going to be productive that day?

Another great pressure is this whole "New Year's Resolutions" movement. Why do we have to make these life-altering decisions every year at the same time? Why can't these decisions be made on Arbor Day? Not much is happening then. Or, Groundhog's Day? The excitement is over by 7 a.m. It's pretty slow after that.

Actually, I am huge proponent of goals. If it takes the year starting over to make these dreams become a reality, then so be it. Think of it as a "life reboot." So, what are your resolutions? The popular ones are usually to get in shape, to be a better person, to volunteer more, to make more money and so on. Hopefully, whether it be any of the above or ones that are not listed, you can see your resolutions come to fruition this year.

For those in relationships, do you make a "couples" resolution? This is great for two reasons. You have a built-in accountability partner. The other is simple. A happy couple makes a happy home. One of my resolutions in 2010 is to help more couples get closer and become more "couple-ish." I want to make 2010 the year that it's cool to be romantic. Here is my first contribution.

Education is so important. We all know this. It helps us advance in our careers. It keeps us younger by stimulating our brains. And it could be your very first couple's resolution for this year.

Our beloved Texas Christian University offers many classes through its Extended Education Program. These are open to the community and are offered at times that are convenient for those who have real jobs and families, primarily, nights and weekends. The classes are a blast to take as a couple.

Extended Ed offers a large variety of choices for just about anyone. Some of the choices have to do with art, dance, photography, wine, jewelry making, history, gardening, yoga and so much more. You can even take trips with experts. The classes usually run one night or day, or just a handful of times, so you are not committed for a full semester.

Talk to your significant other and finally pick out something to, not only do together, but, learn together. This might be the most important Date Night you guys go on this year. As someone once joked, please don't let this year be the year that your "New Year resolutions go in one year and out the other."

www.lifelong.tcu.edu

Fort Worth Date Night: Frogs that go bump in the night (FW Business Press)

BY MIKE BLOOMBERG
October 28, 2009

Do you really need suggestions for something to do this weekend? Seriously? It's Halloween. I'm sure you've got your costume already laid out and your weekend planned. There is the annual Halloween party or, perhaps, you are headed to one of the area's great haunted houses. Or, maybe your idea of fun is to stay in and pass out candy. Whatever you decide, it will be the right choice with all that is offered up for this festive weekend.

But, maybe none of the above tickle your fancy. Fort Worth happens to be hosting another big celebration this weekend. It is TCU's Homecoming weekend. Since the Horned Frog's football team is currently ranked #6 in the country, you know they are going to do it up big. Football mixed with Halloween...it doesn't get much better than that!

Festivities start Friday night, October 30, with a Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally. According to TCU's website, "Enjoy the parade as it travels down Stadium Drive. Then join other Frog fans at the pep rally in the University Campus Commons area where FrogFest activities area taking place."

FrogFest begins at 6pm. This is a perfect Date Night to bring along the little ones, if you have some. There will be plenty of activities for them. Some of these include: bounce houses, pumpkin patches and carnival games. However, you don't need offspring as the big kids will enjoy running into old friends, jamming to a live band and sipping on some purple margaritas.

On Saturday, October 31, from 1-3 p.m., with reservations, you can enjoy what they are calling "one of the biggest tailgates in Texas." While soaking up the Saturday afternoon pre-game activities, TCU's website claims you will "enjoy a tex-mex buffet, featuring fajitas from Uncle Julio’s, a festive fall atmosphere and a cash bar featuring purple margaritas to get you in the mood to cheer on the Horned Frogs as they make the UNLV Rebels yell!"

Then, at 3 p.m., watch the kickoff of the TCU vs UNLV game. So, in less than 24 hours, you can be witness to a parade, a band, one of the top-ranked football teams in the country and still have time to celebrate Halloween in your own style on Saturday night. Hopefully, it will be in a fashion that is reminiscent of your youth. Where you rush home after a night of knocking on doors with a large bag or container. This, so eloquently summed up by author,Steve Almond, when he wrote, "Nothing on Earth so beautiful as the final haul on Halloween night."

TCU's official website is: www.tcu.edu

Fort Worth Date Night: The Sky is Falling! (FW Business Press)

Fort Worth Date Night: The Sky is Falling!

By MIKE BLOOMBERG

Feb. 18, 2009

Recently, two satellites collided in space. One of those satellites was described as a Russian military space vehicle. My immediate thought was, "I would hate to have been that driver!"  Driving along in space, minding your business and along comes an Iridium communications satellite and just ruins your day. Better call Geico.  But, there was good news. The "space vehicle" was unmanned.

A few days ago, from North Texas down to Austin, witnesses saw a fireball shooting through the sky. Initial thoughts were that it was a chunk from one of these destroyed satellites. After further review, it was determined that this "matter" was likely a meteor. A meteor the size of a truck. So, I thought, "what exactly is a meteor?"

This question led to this week's date. You are about to learn everything (and more) that you've ever wanted to know about meteors. On the campus of our beloved, Texas Christian University, lies the Oscar E. Monnig Meteorite Gallery.  According to their official website, a trip to this museum and you will "learn how to identify a meteorite, experience a hands-on encounter with different types of meteorites, and create your own terrestrial impact crater." I'm not sure what the last part means, but, as a guy, it just sounds "cool."

For location, hours and complete information, please visit:http://monnigmuseum.tcu.edu/. An audio wand is available and, the best part...FREE admission!