By Regina Lynch-Hudson
 
City Smarts: Known as the “City of Cowboys and Culture,” Fort Worth offers a dynamic mix of Western heritage and cultural diversity. Fort Worth is the 17th largest city in the United States, the fastest-growing of cities with more than 500,000 residents, and the 9th safest city in the nation. The city is the second-largest cultural and economic center of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan area (commonly called the Metroplex).  Forth Worth was voted one of "America’s Most Livable Communities,” and breathes more western flair than neighboring Dallas.

Named as the second value-friendly destination in the United States by Hotwire.com, Fort Worth attracts nearly 10 million visitors per year. With a population of almost 700,000, Fort Worth is home to global corporations such as ACME Brick Company, Alcon Laboratories, American Airlines, AmeriCredit Corp., Bell Helicopter/Textron, Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Carter & Burgess, Cash America International, D.R. Horton, Justin Brands, Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems, Pier 1 Imports, RadioShack Corporation, Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing, XTO Energy Inc., and many more.
Jetsetter:  Husband and wife realtor team, Gloria and James (JJim) N. Austin Jr., founded the National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth in February 2001.   The couple, born and raised in two different environments (she's a Native Central Texan; he was born in North Carolina and raised in New Jersey), did not learn of their ancestors involvement in the western movement until they were well into adulthood.  Both have lived and worked in Fort Worth for almost 30 years. Jim is owner and president of The Austin Company Commercial Real Estate. He has been involved in the commercial real estate industry for over 25 years, and served as a Texas Real Estate Commissioner for eight years. 
The couple combines their personal interest in preserving an important slice of American history and their passion and belief in community service, by providing a forum for educating a nation about the positive contributions and accomplishments of African American, Native American and Mexican American descendents to the settling of the western United States, through the museum's annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony of unsung western heroes and free cultural workshops for youth and adult lecture forums.  Gloria serves as the museum's executive director. The couple attributes the success of this relatively young museum to close working relationships with established museums in the area and the Fort Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau.  The museum is also affiliated with the Texas Museum Association and the Association of African American Museums.  817-534-8801, 3400 Mount Vernon Ave., www.cowboysofcolor.org, info@cowboysofcolor.org

Getting Around:  For traveling around the city, you can’t beat the T bus service, which operates throughout downtown, 817-215-8600, www.the-t.com. Or, if you’re looking for transportation to one of the outlying areas such as Dallas, try the Trinity Railway Express, www.trinityrailwayexpress.com, but be aware that the morning and evening rush hours are busy with people commuting between the two cities. Rental car facilities are available throughout the city and at DFW International Airport.

Survival Kit:  Spring evenings can be cool so bring a light jacket. During March-May, be sure to pack an umbrella and a light jacket.

Catching ZZZs: For a unique twist on your vacation, The Ashton Hotel, 610 Main St., 817-332-0100, www.theashtonhotel.com, offers a truly luxurious and eclectic experience. Want a historical perspective? Stay at the 100-year-old Stockyards Hotel, 109 E. Exchange, 817-625-6427, www.stockyardshotel.com. This famous hotel has hosted cowboys, kings, queens and even that famous duo, Bonnie and Clyde. Looking for a room with western flair? Visit Etta’s Place, 200 W. 3rd St., 817-255-5760, www.ettasplace.com. Named for Etta Place, the girlfriend of the Sundance Kid, this charming, quaint bed and breakfast property will peak your interest in the Wild West. Fort Worth also offers traditional hotel brands such as Courtyard by Marriott Blackstone Hotel, 601 Main St., 817-885-8700, www.marriott.com, Embassy Suites, 300 Commerce St., 817-332-6900, www.embassysuitesfw.com, Renaissance Worthington, a AAA Four Diamond Award winner for over 25 years, 200 Main St., 817-870-1000, www.marriott.com, and two new soon-to-open hotels, Omni Fort Worth Hotel (opening late 2008) and Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa (opening mid 2008).

The Power Lunch: Lonesome Dove Western Bistro, owned by Iron Chef Winner Tim Love, offers a menu of steaks and game, all with an inventive Western twist. Menu items include garlic-stuffed beef tenderloin and buffalo rib eye. 817-740-8810, 2406 N. Main St., www.loneseomedovebistro.com.

Cultural Chow: Kick up your heels with a little Salvadoran-Mexican flair! Gloria’s occupies a cozy location in the new Montgomery Plaza. Come for the food but stay for the salsa dancing on Friday and Saturday nights. 817-332-8800, 2600 W. 7th St.

Cyber Site:  Fort Worth offers many spots for visitors and locals to stay in touch. If you’re downtown, stop by Billy Miner’s Saloon, 150 W. 3rd St., 817-877-3301. On the west side, visit Eurotazza Coffeehouse, 6323 Camp Bowie Blvd., 817-737-3876. In the Cultural District, check out Four Star Coffee Bar, 3324 W. 7th St., 817-336-5555.

Networkin’: The Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce promotes, assists and enhances economic and business development. For information about minority business affairs, economic development and business events, visit the web site at www.fwmbcc.org.

To De-Stress: Ahhhh, Spa! For a sensory delight and relaxing getaway, visit Marie Antoinette, a scentsational parfumerie and spa located in Sundance Square entertainment district. A complete line of fragrance, spa services and bath essentials helps even the weariest traveler relax. 817-332-2888, 101 W. 2nd St., www.marieantoinettespa.com.

Footloose & Fancy Free: Fort Worth’s downtown has gained a reputation as one of the country’s most lively urban settings.  The 35-block Sundance Square entertainment district is home to a collection of eateries, live music clubs, theatres, shops, electrifying nightlife, including Jubilee Theatre www.jubileetheatre.org, one of the foremost African-American theaters in the Southwest.  No visit to Texas is complete without a stop at the legendary Stockyards National Historic District www.fortworthstockyards.com.

Flight Time: Located 17.5 miles from DFW International Airport, Fort Worth is easily accessible. AirTran Airways offers daily low-fare flights to Dallas/Fort Worth, and over 50 major US. cities.  AirTran Airways is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 717.   www.airtran.com, 1-800-AIR-TRAN

Someone Helpful: The Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, 1-800-433-5747, 
 www.fortworth.com 

Doing Biz In features continuously updated coverage of a full spectrum of top cities where readers conduct business. Publicist and travel writer Regina Lynch-Hudson has penned destination catalogs and articles for companies such as Vacation Express, AirTran Airways and North American Airlines.   She also organizes cultural press trips, and handles destination marketing for resorts, bed and breakfasts, and tourism boards. More information on The Write Publicist & Co. can be found at www.thewritepublicist.com

Captions:  Gloria and Jim Austin, owners of National Cowboys of Color Museum and Hall of Fame enjoy a day on the trails.

Forth Worth was voted one of "America’s Most Livable Communities, and breathes more western flair than neighboring Dallas.

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