Under the Bodhi Tree
As part of our AAPI-month coverage, we joined the monks at Chùa Hương
for Vesak.
BY AMBER CHADWICK
BY BUCK D. ELLIOTT
ANTHONY MARIANI
INSIDE
4 Feature “To Live’s To Fly” with Townes By Kena Sosa 6 Metro News Bites
As city council considers a data center, the state AG attacks FWISD for not praying hard enough and Islamophobia is alive and well in Grand Prairie. By Anthony Mariani
STUFF
8 Groupies
STAFF
Editor-in-Chief: Anthony Mariani
Art Director: Ryan Burger
Special Projects Manager: Jennifer Bovee
Calendar Editor: Elaine Wilder
Film Editor: Kristian Lin
Music Editors: Patrick Higgins, Steve Steward
Proofreader: Emmy Smith
Editorial Board: Anthony Mariani, Emmy Smith, Steve Steward, Elaine Wilder
In which we break down the remaining World Cup teams. By Kristian Lin
9 Buck U
Nonrevenue sports on college chopping blocks
By Buck Elliott
CALENDAR
10 Big Ticket
Solemn Celebration
The monks at Chùa Hương Đạo for Vesak lead by example. By Amber Chadwick
EATS & DRINKS
13 Food on Film Song Sung Blue indeed By Elaine Wilder
MUSIC 17 Remembrance
18 Classifieds Bulletin Board . . . 18 10 8
13 17 9 Cover image courtesy Walk for Peace USA
Perhaps Fort Worth’s last living bluesman needs help, and Hank Hankshaw has passed.
By Juan R. Govea and Anthony Mariani
CLASSIFIEDS
Contributors: E.R. Bills, Jennifer Bovee, Jason Brimmer, Amber Chadwick, Jess Delarosa, Buck D. Elliott, Danny Gallagher, Ozzie Garza, Juan R. Govea, Mark Henricks, Patrick Higgins, Laurie James, Kristian Lin, Cody Neatherly, Rush Olson, Jeff Prince, Emmy Smith, Kena Sosa, Steve Steward, Jennifer Zooki Sturges, Teri Webster, Ken Wheatcroft-Pardue, Elaine Wilder, Cole Williams
Owner / Publisher: Lee Newquist
Director of Operations: Bob Niehoff
Director of Sales: Michael Newquist
Director of Marketing: Jennifer Bovee
Account Manager: Julie Strehl
Sr. Account Executive: Stacey Hammons
Account Executives: Tony Diaz, Wendy Maier, Sarah Niehoff, Wyatt Newquist
Brand Ambassador: Clint Newquist
COPYRIGHT
The entire contents of Fort Worth Weekly are Copyright 2025 by Ft. Worth Weekly, LP. No portion may be reproduced in whole or in part by any means, including electronic retrieval systems, without the express written permission of the publisher. Please call the Fort Worth Weekly office for back-issue information.
Fort Worth Weekly mailing address:
300 Bailey, Ste 205, Fort Worth TX 76107
Street address: 300 Bailey, Ste 205, Fort Worth TX 76107 For general information: 817-321-9700
For retail advertising: 817-321-9719
For classifieds: 817-987-7689
For national advertising: 817-243-2250 website: www.fwweekly.com email: question@fwweekly.com
DISTRIBUTION
Fort Worth Weekly is available free of charge in the Metroplex, limited to one copy per reader. Additional copies of Fort Worth Weekly may be purchased for $1.00 each, payable at the Fort Worth Weekly office in advance. Fort Worth Weekly may be distributed only by Fort Worth Weekly’s authorized independent contractors or Fort Worth Weekly’s authorized distributors. No person may, without prior written permission of Fort Worth Weekly, take more than one copy of any Fort Worth Weekly issue.
FEATURE
To Live’s To Fly
The author overcame her fear of flying — but not her fear of falling.
STORY AND PHOTOS BY KENA SOSA
“To Live’s To Fly” is a 1971 song by Fort Worth legend Townes Van Zandt that perfectly captures either absolute freedom or complete hopelessness, depending on who you ask. The title struck me as I battled my most intense phobia. For years, I had been stuck at a bifurcation of fate in my own mind. Hearing this song title forced me to take a deep breath and faithfully delve into its message for me.
Reading a lot about music and history, I learned that Van Zandt was buried in Dido Cemetery in a little town about 30 minutes northwest of Fort Worth called Pecan Acres. I don’t like wasting time, and since I had some to spend, I used it to go pay my respects to his music and thank him for passing his talents on to fellow legends like Bob Dylan and Norah Jones and music lovers alike.
The cemetery is small but well-kept, so finding him was easy. I sat with him a while, mesmerized by the etching of a song title on his headstone: “To Live’s To Fly.”
Anyone who’s known me long enough knows I have struggled with a fear of flying all my adult life. I was an exchange student in Japan in college, which baffles them. How did I pull that off? I had nothing to lose at that time and everything to gain. As you grow older, you grow more cautious. As you gain people and things in this life that you don’t want to lose, you take fewer risks. I love to travel and continue to, but in my own way. Road trips, train trips, even ships. I made it to Europe and back, hitting seven countries with no planes. Between a car, a cruise ship, trains, and a cargo ship, you’d be surprised what alternatives open-mindedness will lead to. There’s always a way.
But I began to tire of making these dreams come true the hard way. I had to find a way to work through this fear that was stealing my adventurous spirit.
straight from the manual. Several months later, I went to the flight school in Grand Prairie and took the ground school aviation test. I passed.
I had no interest in being a pilot. I just wanted the knowledge because as the old cartoons say, “Knowledge is power.” I was hoping it gave me the power to take my wanderlust back.
But I was still stuck. I won a trip to Taos, New Mexico, on a local radio program to do an archeological dig. It was a lifelong dream for me. They paid for the ticket and accommodations and gave me a small spending stipend. I panicked the night before and got a ticket on the Greyhound bus instead. I tried to let myself off the hook because it’s not like I paid for it, so I shouldn’t be so upset at myself. But I was. I failed myself.
A friend of mine moved to Mexico a few years later. It was time for me to “dust off my wings” as Townes says and pay her a visit. It was my first flight in more than six years. Waiting did not help. It only built up my nerves.
Despite getting delayed by weather just before arriving in Mexico City and being diverted to an airport I had never heard of, plus my two-and-ahalf-hour flight turning into an eight-hour tour, I handled it with grace. I was so proud of myself for giving in and letting go that I rewarded myself
with a ticket to Peru that November to visit Machu Picchu. These are the things that fear was stealing from me, life experiences. Peru was a new level of challenge. I flew out of DFW to Atlanta, then Atlanta to Lima and Lima to Cuzco. And, wow, I had to pat myself on the back. I was getting good at this.
As my reward for doing so well going to Peru, I re-rewarded myself by taking my sons to London that same summer. The flight was nine hours direct. It was smooth, but of course the duration had my head spinning.
It felt like my life had been returned to me on a golden platter for me to savor once again. However, my credit card disagreed, and I put more rewards on hold temporarily.
Recovering from working on myself, I spent the next few months challenging myself in new ways. I approached job opportunities I wasn’t confident in before. More recently, I even held an albino python on my lap and made sure my choices were worthy of personal valor.
Then this past summer, my son was awarded a seat to a three-week intensive course in Taiwan. I
had promised him to ease his own concerns about getting homesick that I would visit. That was before he got it, though, as my other son pointed out. Now he would expect me to fulfill my promise. I hadn’t been to Asia since my first flight halfway around the world. Could I do it?
I bought the tickets. I paid and knew I’d be paying for a while. The flight was 15.5 hours direct from Houston to Taipei, Taiwan. I’ll admit I was doing mental loops and losing it after about eight hours but not from fear, just from antsyness and boredom. My other son was, too. I started to actually feel normal.
When we returned home, I wondered if I was finally ready for the ultimate test: skydiving. I had given in to the peer pressure of buying a dive for a friend’s birthday. I was sure the friend would throw me out of the plane if I refused and would do it anyway, then be pleased with myself at the end of it after crying and maybe peeing myself, but it would still count.
A coworker at the time was once a flight instructor. He wanted to get back in the game of instructing, and I needed to gain understanding of the science of flight, hoping it would ease my anxieties. So once a week after work, he’d stay with me, and we’d work out calculations about lift and drag, weight limits, mapping courses, and taking quizzes
I had to find a way to work through this fear that was stealing my adventurous spirit.
The event had to be postponed due to weather, and there were no refunds. They rescheduled but for a day I couldn’t make it. So, I have the voucher indefinitely with no expiration. I have scheduled and rescheduled it multiple times and kept giving myself an out. Once I even went and watched everything in action to see if that was the day. It was gorgeous out and no wind. It was perfect. And there were spots in the next group. But when it was time to sign the waiver, I said I needed something from my car. And I did. I needed to get out of there fast. Not my proudest moment. I felt like I had reversed course on all my progress.
I look up at the sky a lot. It is so immensely beautiful. It reminds me of being present. The clouds and their formations at the coordinates continued on page 5
Legendary Fort Worth troubadour Townes Van Zandt’s grave subtly sings “To Live’s To Fly” for eternity.
where you stand or sit are only exactly like that in that space and time and location that once. It is a grounding thought. It also reminds me that, like Townes says, we are “waiting around to die.”
I like to fill the time in my day with life. I’m not a very patient person, maybe because I’m hyperaware of that waiting. I’d rather wander, explore and learn, and ponder. My mind never really shuts off. It can be overwhelming sometimes. I gazed upon the Townes Van Zandt mural at Acme Distilling Company in Fort Worth and followed his eyeline to the railroad tracks in the distance. There is always more road to cover, even when one road ends.
Townes liked to tell a story about digging up Blaze Foley’s grave. The fellow musician and friend had Townes’ guitar in his possession at death. All of Foley’s belongings went to a pawn shop, and he was buried with the tag to retrieve them. This is a story told often by Townes, but today’s “pics or it didn’t happen” way of proving tall tales is useless in this case. The story says that Townes had dug up Blaze to get the pawn ticket and reclaim his guitar.
Pondering on how far Townes would dig to recover his tool of transmuting pain to music, I began to wonder about my own motivation. Digging deep into myself, I questioned what I was aiming for by forcing myself to skydive. Did I actually want to? Do I have to? Is it really a big deal
if I don’t? If my whole point was to conquer my fear of flying, I did do that on my way to Mexico, Peru, the U.K., and Taiwan. Skydiving isn’t flying. It’s falling gracefully. So, really, what I discovered is that I have been courageous and made tidal waves of growth on the one fear that was literally holding me back from joy. And I unlocked a new one, the fear of falling.
After flinging some teaspoons full of dirt in the hole I was digging for myself, I came to the conclusion that I may miss out on some fantastic photos, but I prefer my gravity-riddled life as it is now. It is a wonderful one. And that is good enough for me.
So, what about this pricey dive? It may not be my dream, but it is one for many people and out
READY TO SIP
I’d rather wander, explore and learn, and ponder. My mind never really shuts off.
of reach for any number of reasons. I should use it to fly in my own way, by giving it to someone who will live their greatest fantasies in that moment. I found a local organization called My Final Wish which grants all kinds of dreams for ailing adults. Surely, someone has been dreaming of this, and I could make it happen for them.
Within hours I got a reply to my email. They were happy to report that it would be a welcome gift and sure to bring smiles to someone’s face. Maybe I am a coward, or maybe I just realized that it is brave to say that’s not for me. And even if I am a coward, I am a generous one who lives a full life, and that’s living enough for me. l
ALL TAPPED OUT
Ride Trinity Metro TEXRail to Grapevine for Main Street Fest May 15, 16 & 17! Enjoy the bites, the beers, and the relaxing ride home all while avoiding the parking fees. Just $4 round trip! Plan your trip now at RIDE TRINITYMETRO .org/ MSF26
He not only inspired Bob Dylan and Norah Jones but the author in her battle with a phobia.
News Roundup
Here we are studying the Good Book in school while praying the Black Mountain data center and Islamophobia go away.
BY ANTHONY MARIANI
Texas ranks second nationally in white-collar crime (totaling $1.35 billion since 2024 and climbing), but our state attorney general is focused on the critically important offense of kids not religion-ing
METROPOLIS
“Crooked” Ken Paxton recently announced that his office is investigation dozens of Texas public schools for breaking the important laws of not displaying the Ten Commandments and not setting aside precious schooltime (in a state that ranks 41st out of 50 in education) for Christian prayer. Among the investigation targets is the beleaguered Fort Worth school district.
Last year, Fort Worth ISD was named in a federal lawsuit against displaying Moses’ tablets in public schools, and while an appellate court ruled that requiring the posting of the commandments was not unconstitutional, Fort Worth trustees decided not to devote schooltime to prayer, which seems eminently reasonable in a country constitutionally/allegedly bound to separate church and state. After the hostile takeover of Fort Worth ISD in March, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) neutered the trustees’ power, meaning that forcing Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and atheist children to read The Word and recite the Lord’s Prayer when they should be learning math, English, science, history, football, you name it, is going to happen soon. In Tarrant County, prayer time was only approved in the
course it was. Fort Worth is one of 29 total Texas districts in Paxton’s sights.
“I will always fight for students’ fundamental right to pray in our schools and work to ensure that Texas kids are able to learn from the Ten Commandments daily,” Paxton said in a gag-inducing statement. “Texas schools districts must comply with Texas law by displaying the Ten Commandments and taking a school board vote regarding the implementation of prayer time in schools. I will never stop defending our students’ religious freedom and the moral foundation of our nation.”
Sidenotes: When the state forces one religion on you, that’s not “freedom.” That’s basically the Sharia Law that conservatives love to hate about Muslim locations happening in our own state. And no religion — especially super-bloody, flog-yourself, enslave-your-neighbor Christianity — owns morality.
The most common white-collar crimes in Texas are fraud (healthcare, financial, tax, computer), money laundering, and public corruption like the kind in which Paxton specializes, says the nonpartisan data research center TRACreports.
the speck of sawdust in someone else’s eye while ignoring the log in your own?
Still Say No to Black Mountain Data Center
One of my favorite pastimes is reading about the suffering of Trump voters when suffering is what they voted for. Other people, not them. It’s not much, but for someone who voted for jobs, equality, safety, savings, and affordable healthcare, I can’t say I am not utterly in love with seeing Trumpy farmers losing business or sick Trumpies paying more for healthcare. Sorry, but if holding onto your ugly racism wasn’t so important to your small-souled selves, we’d all be living in Utopia now and be much better off, all of us, even you hate mongers.
Truthfully, I blame Rupert Murdoch for their suffering as much as them for falling for his state propaganda. “Crime is up in Chicago” = Fox News: “All Black people are thugs and criminals.” “An illegal immigrant attacked a jogger the other day” = Fox News: “All immigrants are thugs and criminals.” “A trans swimmer won a meet” = Fox News: “Trans people are taking all our trophies!”
LEONARD’S
continued from page 6
(What also does the estimable job of cracking me up while making me cry is that Fox News watchers, drooling, knuckles dragging, are afraid trans women are going to do to women in restrooms what cis men would do, so shouldn’t we be addressing why cis men are creeps?) (Sorry, that would require an adult conversation, and cultists gonna cult.)
Anyway, a massive Fort Worth energy consortium is trying to construct a $10 billion data center on the southeast side of the city, and none of us — Trumpies and normal folks alike — are having it. Fort Worth City Council was set to review the site plan and vote on it on Tuesday night but tabled the agenda item until 11am June 23. No real reason was given.
The Black Mountain data center would occupy 187 acres and use 980 megawatts. Located at the corner of Lon Stephenson Road and Forest Hill Drive, the site will be set back from Lon Stephenson only 70 feet and sit only 150 feet from single-family homes. The campus would stand about 68 feet tall.
Data centers not only guzzle ungodly amounts of water but also create terrific noise pollution. And they look like shit. No one wants them — the Trumpies don’t, and neither do us normies — and no one wants the paltry number of jobs they allegedly generate. However. However. However. Trumpies need to realize that a vote for the 34-count felon, adjudicated rapist, and highly probable pedophile and his former chief puppeteer, Elon Musk, was a vote for more AI in
our lives, and more stupid AI in our lives demands more data centers in our backyards.
While I’d like to luxuriate in the schaden freude that this Black Mountain debacle affords my bitter soul, I can’t because the GD Trumpies’ backyard is my backyard, too.
Epic Fail
Epic Waters and the City of Grand Prairie can go pound salt. Both caved to Gov. Greg Abbott, who forced them to cancel a planned Eid event at the waterpark because, as Fox News would say, “Muslims = bad.”
Imagine a Christmas party in any public space. Who cares, right? Watch your drinking, don’t hurt anyone, have fun. Eid is sort of the same thing, but we can’t have nice things in this country because it’s run by bigots (and sexists and racists and overall C-average ass-clowns).
As Democrats can only do, 42 of them in the lege sent a strongly worded letter to Abbott (and are probably still wagging their useless fingers):
“Your office is using state financial power to manufacture a discrimination accusation and to single out Muslim Texans for treatment that no other faith community in this state would face.”
To your accusation that Islam is anti-women, have you seen all these pathetic trad-wives in their stupid ankle-length floral-print dresses around town recently? At least Muslims don’t reflexively hate Blacks and Mexicans. l
This column reflects the opinions of the editorial board and not the Fort Worth Weekly. To submit a column, please email Editor Anthony Mariani at Anthony@FWWeekly.com. He will gently edit it for clarity and concision.
The Tarrant County Courthouse’s Ten Commandments are certainly a lot more swell than the ones soon to be displayed in public schools statewide — if they aren’t already.
Metro
STUFF
World Cup Preview (Groups G-L)
England,
France, Spain, and a host of newcomers populate this half.
BY KRISTIAN LIN
We continue giving you snapshots of all 48 teams in the field. England vs. Croatia will be another match at AT&T Stadium, and it should offer plenty for neutral fans to watch.
Group G
We are some distance removed from Belgium being the world-class power that it was eight years ago, but Kevin de Bruyne can still make magic with his feet and Romelu Lukaku can still bull his way through defenders and score. They’ve got some newcomers, too, in dynamic winger Jérémy Doku and playmaker Charles de Ketelaere. My feature about Iran covered the complicated geopolitics of their situation, but almost all their players are domestic. (Remember when they had strikers good enough to play in the German league?) Egypt is in a similar situation, but in Omar Marmoush and the aging Mohamed Salah, the Pharaohs have players who are dangerous in front of goal. Rounding out an easy group for the Belgians is New Zealand, which relies on Chris Wood, an old and slow striker who nevertheless is coming off a career season for Nottingham Forest.
Group H
All eyes are on Spain here. I’m not sure if I trust their defense, which is full of interesting talents like Pau Cubarsí and Dean Huijsen who haven’t been tested by World Cup pressure. Their fans are crossing their fingers that Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal’s torn hamstring will heal in time for the tournament. Spain’s offense will take a major hit without him. Their matchup against Uruguay will be one to watch, since the South Americans field Barcelona team captain Ronald Araújo and Real Madrid vice-captain Federico Valverde. Far shorter on quality is Saudi Arabia, whose players mostly ply their trade in the well-heeled confines of their country’s domestic league. (They just fired their head coach, too, which is seldom a good sign this close to a tournament.)
Making their World Cup debut is Cape Verde, the set of Portuguese-speaking islands off Africa’s west coast. This will be a career highlight for the country’s alltime leading scorer Ryan Mendes as well as Columbus Crew defender Steven Moreira.
Group I
This might be the Group of Death here. On one hand, France have so many offensive options (Kylian Mbappé, Désiré Doué, Bradley Barcola, Michael Olise) that they won’t even miss Hugo Ekitiké, who got seriously hurt playing for Liverpool. On the other hand, Les Bleus’ defense will have their hands full playing against Norway They have two extremely large humans — Erling
Haaland and Alexander Sørloth — who can light up scoreboards at the highest levels, while behind them is the playmaking sharpness of Martin Ødegaard. Should something happen to the starters, reserve strikers Josh King and Jørgen Strand Larsen would be starting for many other countries. Neither team will overlook Senegal, which has hard midfield runners in Idrissa Gueye and Pape Gueye (no relation) and speed up front with Ismaïla Sarr, Nicolas Jackson, and the still-potent Sadio Mané. Pity poor Iraq, who are back in the World Cup for the first time since 1986. If the Mesopotamia Lions can just make a game of it against any of these opponents, they should be proud.
Group J
Here we have Argentina. I have reasons to doubt whether they can repeat as champions, starting with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez’ streaky form over the past four years. Regardless, they still have the firepower of Lautaro Martínez, Julián Alvarez, and that Messi guy. They also have a fairly easy group. Austria has a bunch of useful Bundesliga players like playmakers Marcel Sabitzer and Konrad Laimer. Feel happy for team captain David Alaba, a defensive mainstay for Bayern Munich and Real Madrid who will be making his World Cup debut at age 33. The strength of Algeria will be on their backline, with heavily experienced Aïssa Mandi and Ramy Bensebaini holding down the center and Manchester City’s Rayan Aït-Nouri
launching attacks from the left-back position. For World Cup debutants Jordan, watch for team captain and main goal threat Musa al-Taamari, who cuts in from the right wing for French club Rennes.
Group K
Plenty of intrigue here. Cristiano Ronaldo will be available for Portugal after he was initially suspended for elbowing an opposing player during a qualification loss to Ireland. The suspension has been temporarily and suspiciously lifted for the World Cup, but his team is so flush with attackers that they might be better without the aging superstar. Their talent at all positions makes them a threat to win, but their lack of consistency opens a door for the others. Colombia has toughness in defense (Jhon Lucumí, Davinson Sánchez) and goal threats up front (Luis Díaz, Jhon Durán). Fun fact: Attacking midfielder Yáser Asprilla is the son of Faustino Asprilla, who played for Los Cafeteros during the last American World Cup in 1994. The last time the Democratic Republic of the Congo was in the World Cup, it was 1974 and the country was called Zaïre. The Leopards will have reason to believe they can advance out of the group, too, with attackers like Yoane Wissa and Cédric Bakambu, as well as Premier League defenders like Aaron WanBissaka and Axel Tuanzebe. The most familiar face for debutants Uzbekistan will be on the sideline: Coach Fabio Cannavaro captained Italy to that World Cup win in 2006. The White Wolves are led by hulking Manchester City defender Abdukodir Khusanov.
Group L
At some point one of these tournaments is going to break England’s way. Right? Manchester United’s Kobbie Mainoo arrives to stabilize the midfield, and if playmakers Cole Palmer and Phil Foden can blow hot and cold, Harry Kane is still there and scoring goals aplenty. For Croatia this will be a last hurrah for all-time great midfield operator Luka Modrić. As always, there are lots of goal threats in the famous checkerboard jerseys, including the late-blooming Ante Budimir. If giant left-back Joško Gvardiol can get healthy in time for the tournament, it will give them a huge boost. Previous editions of Ghana were strong through the middle of the pitch, but the Black Stars’ best players now are on the wings, with Antoine Semenyo, Mohammed Kudus, and Iñaki Williams all either delivering threatening crosses or dribbling inside and shooting. Panama may be favorites to finish last, but Los Canaleros have more talent than others in that position, with Dynamo Kyiv’s Eduardo Guerrero scoring goals and Beșiktaș’ Amir Murillo manning the right-back position. l
BUCK U
Can’t Buy Me Love
Nonrevenue sports enter the danger zone during the new era of professional college athletics.
BY BUCK D. ELLIOTT
This week’s title represents neither the 1964 free-love anthem by The Beatles nor 1987’s GenX-favorited high school-based pseudo-prostitution story starring Patrick Dempsey (who is aging insultingly well), just the reality for many universities facing a slew of financial challenges and that must make Sophie’s Choice on what’s essential and what’s expendable.
In the last week, several universities have cut their NCAA tennis teams, representing a larger trend. The University of Arkansas, St. Louis University, Gardener-Webb, and North Dakota all concluded their regular seasons by announcing their schools would forgo fielding men’s and women’s teams indefinitely. Illinois State similarly axed their men’s program moving forward.
The Razorback men oinked their final “Woo Pig Sooie” on Friday on the TCU tennis courts as they dropped their round-of-64 match 3-4 against Cornell. Maybe Andy Bernard from The Office would have been proud, but the larger tennis world — especially U of A alums — isn’t. The sixth-seeded Frogs rolled through their home regional by beating Denver, then Cornell (both matches 4-0). Before another perfect 4-0 match against their super-regional opponent, Stanford, TCU advances to Athens, Georgia, to face third-seeded Ohio State on Thursday in the national quarterfinals.
TCU women’s tennis, who have not enjoyed the level of success of their counterparts, battled to one of their best seasons in the last decade by
winning the Big 12 tournament and Coach Lee Taylor Walker earning the conference’s coach of the year award. Despite a 2-4 loss to Rice during the Baton Rouge Regional, the Frogs can point to tremendous upswing for recruiting and building toward continued success for TCU as a co-ed tennis destination program.
Despite the shock of programs cutting competitive teams, TCU Athletic Director Mike Buddie assured alumni and fans that there are no plans to cut nonrevenue sports in Fort Worth anytime soon. In case you haven’t ventured to the Bayard H. Friedman Tennis Center for a match, the facility itself is a utopia nestled between TCU’s Greek Village and The Colonial and has the corresponding country-club vibe. There is no charge for regular-season matches, and coaches Walker and David Roditti regularly have gifts, food, and festivities to attract crowds to enjoy and support the teams. TCU has won attendance awards multiple times for largest single-match and average attendance.
It shouldn’t be surprising that director Buddie is committing to supporting these programs, as they represent some of our school’s most successful. Men’s tennis, beach volleyball, and rifle have all claimed national championships in the last three years, and women’s soccer just recorded their best-ever finish, reaching the final four.
Despite being a smaller university with a correspondingly miniscule alumni base compared to a school like Arkansas (roughly triple TCU’s enrollment), our local university enjoys the advantage of private funds as compared to state purse strings, as well as a bustling city rather than a small college town surrounding it. The smaller student body at what can now only be thought of as a luxury university also represents a lesser threat from the dreaded enrollment cliff, which triggers larger universities’ anxiety year to year and can leave publicly funded institutions with sudden budget deficits to contend with (see: UNT).
Buddie asserted that he understood the challenges many of his colleagues are facing in the new business of college athletics, acknowledging that the balance sheets matter now more than ever and that hard decisions will have to be made. That’s where the term nonrevenue really becomes a misnomer. Almost every collegiate sport — at least on its face — loses money. Football is generally the only athletic-funds producer for colleges, and men’s basketball programs tend to self-sustain or possibly profit to a much lesser extent. Schools like UNC and Duke (the most valuable basketball programs) still net less cash than their football programs, but their cache drives greater overall value and other revenue for their universities.
It seems Funkytown fringe sports are safe, but the overall flux for many universities in the country is indicative of the greater spending trend among colleges: Pay whatever it takes to win at football or basketball. The Razorback tennis program was spending approximately $2.3 million per year to field both teams, though their money generation was effectively nothing. In comparison, it’s estimated that that cost is similar to the amount QB Arch Manning is accepting from the University of Texas as part of his generosity to accept less than he could receive elsewhere and open funds to pay other players and fill out the roster.
You don’t even need to leave North Texas to see the devastating effects of the new professional college system. UNT football enjoyed one of their best seasons in years and was even a dark horse for selection to the College Football Playoff. Their walk-on quarterback Drew Mestemaker burst on the scene as the most productive in the nation. Former Mean Green coach Eric Morris left to fill Mike Gundy’s open position at Oklahoma State (Gundy is still a man; he’s just 58 now), and Mestemaker tagged along. Morris is now making more than double his old salary, and Mestemaker is being paid by a single
donor almost the same per year as his head coach (around $3.75 million). Almost all of UNT’s roster transferred somewhere else, and now Denton’s university, who should have had an amazing foundation to build on, is rebuilding from Square 1.
Meanwhile, the academic part of North Texas is reeling from the sudden severance of international students as the school faces a $45 million budget shortfall and is consolidating programs and majors and encouraging buyouts for tenured faculty.
Successful athletics are supposed to drive general enrollment and larger budgets and create recognition of the rest of the university. TCU itself is one of the most poignant modern examples of this strategy, but the sudden tremendous cost to be competitive might be soiling this playbook in real time. Unfortunately, for those who love college sports but miss the days of players driving cars in booster’s names and McDonald’s bags full of cash, it doesn’t seem like a reprieve to the current arrangement will arrive anytime soon.
Donald Trump’s executive order to protect college sports does a good job of acknowledging its cultural importance and that the current arrangement isn’t sustainable but little else. Trump has threatened to withdraw federal funding from universities who accept an athlete who is playing for more than five total years or who is transferring more than once without sitting out for a year. The order itself is a paper tiger and will be challenged in court — which Trump has acknowledged — and will likely be struck down. It would take a dedicated effort from Congress to change laws surrounding the formerly amateur status of collegiate athletes, and this is unlikely to gain traction with other political priorities taking the forefront. Trump’s executive order — even if unenforceable — does correctly assert that Olympic and women’s sports are disproportionately hamstrung by the pay-for-play frontier into which we’ve entered.
The next course of action is writing your congressperson to enact common sense restrictions to bring back a more nebulous era of college sports. I’m kidding. Those legislators have more important work to do (Cancun, y’all!), and they won’t even give earnest effort to that unless it’s for a major campaign donor. As with almost anything in our post-capitalist America, dollars vote, and it will require a concerted desire from those at the bottom who spend to disengage from major sports and restraint from those at the top who are ponying up the money to pay to level the playing field. Rather than forking over the equivalent GDP of developing nations for their alma mater to win, major donors will have to commit to some modicum of fair play. Sounds likely, right?
Sadly enough for The Beatles and Patrick Dempsey, it seems that right now money can indeed buy you love. l
Arkansas men’s tennis played their final match during the Fort Worth regional as the university announced the program will be disbanded.
Tim Siegel
CALENDAR
Under the Bodhi Tree
As part of our AAPI-month coverage, we joined the monks at Chùa Hương
Đạo for Vesak.
BY AMBER CHADWICK
On a serene Saturday evening, the sounds of chanting and prayer filled the air at Chùa Hương Đạo Temple as hundreds of venerable monks, worshippers, and visitors from across North Texas gathered to bear witness to the striking culmination of the Vesak celebration: the lighting ceremony of 24,000 candles arranged in the shape of a sacred lotus flower. Vesak is one of the most significant observances in the Buddhist calendar, honoring the birth, enlightenment, and passing of Siddhartha Gautama.
For Buddhists, Vesak is a time of deep reflection, compassion, and peace, exemplifying and honoring the Buddha’s teachings of mindfulness, nonviolence, and liberation from suffering. Vesak is typically held on the first full moon of May, but Chùa Hương Đạo Temple hosted a nine-day celebration, with community peace talks, meditations, prayer services, sacred chanting, an evocative candle lighting ceremony, and a rare opportunity for worshippers to pay respects to the Buddha’s sacred relics, which are venerated within Buddhist traditions as sacred objects of devotion.
United in prayer, reflection, and reverence, attendees gathered in a collective moment of contemplation, blending spiritual devotion, cultural tradition, and community in celebration of peace and compassion. Beneath the glow of thousands of candles, this year’s Vesak celebration carries additional spiritual significance, following the return of the Walk for Peace monks (“ Walk for Peace,” Feb 18, 2026) from Sri Lanka with the Buddha’s sacred relics and a sapling from the venerated Bodhi Tree, thereby permanently linking Fort Worth to one of Buddhism’s holiest traditions.
This tree is a powerful symbol of awakening and wisdom, believed to be the tree under which the Buddha attained enlightenment more than 2,500 years ago, making its presence at the temple this year especially meaningful for worshippers.
While the flickering flames of the lotus flower are undeniably impactful, it is important to note that they are more than just a visual display. They are expressions of individual intentions. continued on page 11
The monks returned to their home temple as carriers of history, bringing back a sapling descended from the sacred Bodhi tree, thereby permanently linking Fort Worth to one of Buddhism’s holiest traditions.
Courtesy Walk for Peace USA
As the Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra said, “These are not merely lights shining in the darkness. They are symbols of hope, compassion, and awakening for our world today.”
Each of the 24,000 candles is sponsored by individuals from the local community and around the world, serving as a prayer, a commemoration, or an act of dāna (the Buddhist act of selfless giving). Together, they form a testament to the hopes and dreams of the spirit of humanity. As the Venerable Bhikkhu Paññākāra said, “These are not merely lights shining in the darkness. They are symbols of hope, compassion, and awakening for our world today.”
This year’s celebration also vividly mirrors the shifting cultural landscape of North Texas. Over the last decade, Asian-American
communities across the region have grown and flourished, now representing 6% of Tarrant County’s total population. Temples like Chùa Hương Đạo Temple, rooted in Vietnamese Buddhist tradition, serve as vibrant cultural and spiritual hubs, welcoming visitors from neighboring communities to engage with Buddhist practices. In doing so, Buddhism has become an increasingly visible and practiced faith in North Texas, with temples also functioning as crucial “third spaces” for reflection, community, and cultural exchange. This growing presence is further reflected in the temple’s long-term vision, which includes a planned 14-acre expansion that will add hundreds of stupas and additional sacred spaces for worship, study, and meditation.
As the embers from the candles flickered into the night, the Vesak celebration and the image of
the lotus flower left a lasting impression on me. Like the lotus flower rising from the mud and overcoming obstacles, this gathering reminded thoughtful visitors that even in a world of intense friction and political instability, kindness and peace remain possible. As the crowds dispersed, everyone carried the quiet light home within themselves, leaving the sense that even the smallest flame can become a source of change.
With a goal of cultivating moral intention, integrity, and practice, the Chùa Hương Đạo Temple at Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center (4717 E Rosedale St, Fort Worth, 817-710-6885) is open daily from 7am to 8pm. Daily activities include Morning Chanting in Pali at 5am Mon-Sun and Evening Chanting in Vietnamese at 7pm Mon-Sat. There are also biweekly Dhamma Talks at 1pm Fri/Sun. All are welcome. l
a goal of cultivating
With
moral intention, integrity, and practice, the Chùa Hương Đạo Temple is open daily. All are welcome.
Pictured: Rashid Johnson, Antoine’s Organ, 2016/2026. Steel, grow lights, ceramic, plants, wood, shea butter, books, monitors, Persian rugs, and piano.
No talking. No food and drinks. No dancing.
Come break the rules and say “yes!” to new art experiences at the Carter’s Second Thursdays!
Every Second Thursday is different than the last. You’ll never think of museums in the same way again.
SECOND THURSDAYS ARE ALWAYS FREE!
THURSDAY MAY 14 | 5–8 P.M.
TOASTS & TUNES
Enjoy an evening enhanced with art making and themed cocktails while listening to local musicians perform on our Porch.
EATS & drinks
Thai Breaker
Spoiler alert: This hesaid-she-said take on Song Sung Blue may lead to a second helping.
BY ELAINE WILDER
We have great movie coverage on a regular basis, led by national award-winning film critic Kristian Lin. However, when this sparkling flick opened at Christmastime, I fear that my esteemed colleague may have been channeling his inner Grinch. With summer almost here, and people still inexplicably wanting to immigrate to the hot mess that is the 250-year-old U.S. of A., I propose that you give this little slice of Americana another chance. At least crank up “America” by Neal Diamond on your way out to #DinnerAndAMovie.
After you read two different cinematic opinions, stick around for some dining recommendations inspired by the Thai restaurant in Song Sung Blue.
After you read two different cinematic opinions, stick around for some dining recommendations inspired by the Thai restaurant in Song Sung Blue and the grief-stricken owner who gave Mike Sardina a second chance at a new musical life by letting him run their karaoke night. But first, the film.
He Said
Hugh Jackman and Kate Hudson portray Mike and Claire Sardina, the real-life married couple who endured personal tragedies to become a celebrated Neil Diamond tribute band in Milwaukee in the 1990s. Unfortunately, writer-director Craig Brewer reduces their story to inspirational pablum,
though he does pick up what makes ordinary people take up careers as cover-band musicians and celebrity impersonators. Jackman and Hudson perform Diamond’s songs to a listenable level but no more, and Jackman does well as a reformed alcoholic who’s reluctant to perform “Sweet Caroline” because the song is overexposed. Even if you are a Diamond fan, this thing never quite catches dramatic fire. — Kristian Lin
She Said
Did you know that Eddie Vedder is a huge Neil Diamond fan? So much so that he sought out the subjects of this film, Neil Diamond tribute duo
As for restaurants with karaoke, one of the most popular choices in the area is Asiannights Lao-Thai Cuisine & Bar in Haltom City.
Lightning & Thunder, to be the opener when Pearl Jam played Milwaukee during their rise to stardom. Grunge covers might have darkened the mood, so the soundtrack is all Neil all the time, and since spoilers are kind of our thing, I’ll let you in on one: The title gives it away. Song. Sung. Blue. Neil Diamond is all emotion, so the inspirational pablum is unavoidable, especially considering the facts about the real people: a husband battling alcoholism and heart trouble and a wife spiraling out of control after losing a limb in a freak accident. I’d be a little emotional, too. — Elaine Wilder continued on page 15
Thai Breaker
Like that? I love a good pun, and I’m not afraid to get cheesy. Maybe that’s why I liked this movie so much. What’s undeniable is the help and support the Scardinas received from their friends at a family-owned Thai restaurant in Milwaukee. The place commonly thought to be the now-shuttered Thai Lotus was known for its karaoke nights. In honor of that, here are some local businesses with Asian food, karaoke nights, or both.
Not unlike our high-quality film coverage, the Weekly also has a stellar eats-and-drinks team. Not being a critic myself — I’m just your friendly #CalendarGirl — I thought we’d revisit some of the charming Asian places we’ve reviewed.
We really enjoyed Yoichi Omakase and Handroll Bar (711 W Magnolia Av, Fort Worth, 682-326-1994) when we reviewed it last year (“Into the Night Market,” Nov 19, 2025). We tried some of everything, but we also mention an interesting option in which adventurous diners can put themselves into the hands of the creators to enjoy omakase, a chef’s choice of the season’s best, for $85. On the affordable side, we found the handroll portions to be generous and attractively priced.
On another trip to the Near Southside, we tried Ichiro Izakaya (401 Bryan Av, Ste 109, Fort Worth, 682-224-0226). Grilling small-plate Japanese cuisine where Black Cat Pizza once slung pies, Ichiro has a menu that’s engaging, plentiful, and appealing to nearly every palate (“Japanese Grill,” Aug 27, 2025).
That same month, we let our readers know that MK’s Sushi (901 Fair Dr, Ste 100, Fort Worth,
817-306-0003) is “Still Rollin’ ” (Aug 13, 2025).
One fave was the Romance Roll from the Chef’s Special menu that includes several rolls under $20. It disappeared from the plate in a matter of minutes. “The white tuna and red snapper came across as pleasantly salty, kicked up by some tuna and salmon topping, avocado, lemon juice, caviar, and four ‘flavorful’ sauces, and indeed they were — piquant and the tiniest bit sweet.”
At a new place called Fire Pot (5760 SW Loop 820, Fort Worth,682-385-9299), another Weekly scribe and her husband tried a couple hot pot broth bases: the mushroom and the spicy Korean (“Some Like It Hot Pot,” Sep 17, 2025). There are six broth bases to choose from, but, luckily, you don’t really have to choose. Try the all-you-can-eat dinner for $31.99.
For more suggestions, see “In Our Feelings Over H Mart” from last week’s inaugural AsianAmerican & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month special issue at FWWeekly.com, which features the newest dining options at the much-anticipated, shiny, new shopping center in Haltom City.
As for Asian restaurants with karaoke, the most popular choices in the area include Asiannights LaoThai Cuisine & Bar (2905 N Beach St, Haltom City, 682-841-1116), Chi Chi Korean Gaming Bar & Karaoke (3044 Old Denton Rd, Ste 131, Carrollton, 972-245-1004), and K-Pop Jam Karaoke (2527 Royal Ln, Ste 130, Dallas, 214-238-0145). These
places offer a mix of authentic dining, full bars, and private singing rooms, catering to both casual meals and lively entertainment experiences.
There’s also a karaoke night at Rex’s Bar & Grill (1501 S University Dr, Fort Worth, 817-968-7397) on Tuesdays from 7pm to 10pm. While it’s not an Asian restaurant, there are two yummy Asian-inspired menu options. For $25, the Crunchy Tuna Bowl has broccolini, edamame, carrots, mushrooms, brown rice, avocado, and miso garlic sauce, and the Spicy Shrimp Bowl includes all of the above, plus jalapeño and Korean barbecue sauce instead of miso. l
Hugh Jackman, who portrayed Mike Sardina in Song Sung Blue, did karaoke with the real Claire Sardina during filming while visiting Milwaukee.
Courtesy Facebook
There’s a karaoke night at Rex’s Bar & Grill, where you can try this Shrimp Protein Bowl.
MUSIC
Music Men
Remembering singersongwriter Hank Hankshaw and a call to action for ill bluesman Ray Reed.
BY JUAN R. GOVEA AND ANTHONY MARIANI
Fort Worth troubadour Hank Hankshaw, a.k.a. Jeff Burkett, died from complications of pneumonia and a stroke late Saturday night. He was 68 years old.
The well-known Burkett was beloved for his easygoing demeanor and soft-spokenness. His wife Jill passed away a few years ago, and he leaves behind a daughter, Lena; his girlfriend Ann Curto; older brother Joe; younger brother Sam; sister Becky, who passed away near the time of his wife’s death; and stepson Harrison, whom Burkett loved dearly.
Raised by father Frank Burkett and mother Sue Burkett, Burkett came from a musical family and was a graduate of Arlington Hights High School. He regularly performed at J&J’s Blues Bar and long-gone venues like the Chateau Club, and he was also a familiar face at spots like the White
Elephant in the Stockyards. An old friend, Fort Worth bluesman James Hinkle, described Burkett as a “human jukebox.”
Burkett’s Facebook page was flooded with love after news of his death. Funeral preparations are underway. — Juan R. Govea
Help for Ray Reed
Perhaps Fort Worth’s last living old-school bluesman, Ray Reed is battling some health issues and is need of help. Local rabblerouser and all-around music guy (playing it and covering it) Ken Shimamoto recently posted, “The last real bluesman in FW is ailing. I was fortunate to stand onstage next to Ray Reed for a few months as fill-in second guitarist with his sister Lady Pearl Johnson’s BTA (Better Than Average) Band ca. 2002. I will always carry the memory of hearing Ray sing Lightnin’ Hopkins’ ‘Mr. Charlie.’ Sending hope and healing his way.”
Will update with details as they become available, but Reed is at the local VA hospital now.
— Anthony Mariani l
As Hank Hankshaw, Jeff Burkett was beloved for his easygoing demeanor and softspokenness.
Singer-songwriter Hank Hankshaw, a.k.a. Jeff Burkett, was 68.
“The last real bluesman in FW is ailing.”
BULLETIN BOARD
ADVERTISE HERE!
Email Stacey@fwweekly.com today.
Are You Road-Trip Ready? CALL COWTOWN ROVER!
With our handy pick-up and drop-off services, having your car checked out could not be easier. www.CowtownRover.com 3958 Vickery | 817.731.3223
BCI BATH SHOWER
The bathroom of your dreams in as little as 1 day. Limited Time Offer: $1000 off or No Payments/No Interest for 18 months for customers who qualify. Many options available. Quality materials, professional installation. Senior and military discounts available. Call 1-855-659-5784 today! (MB)
CONSUMER CELLULAR
We offer the same reliable, nationwide coverage as the largest carriers. No long-term contract, no hidden fees and activation is free. All plans feature unlimited talk and text, starting at just $20/month. For more information, call 1-888-671-2579. (MB)
DENTAL INSURANCE
Coverage for 400 plus procedures available from Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. Real dental insurance, NOT just a discount plan. Do not wait! Call now and get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details! Call 1-888-361-7095 or visit Dental50plus. com/fortworth. #6258
EMPLOYMENT
Allied Pilots Association in Fort Worth, TX seeks Enterprise Solutions Architect Req. Master’s degree + 24 months exp., M- F 8am -5pm. Mail ad & resume 14600 Trinity Blvd, Suite 500, Fort Worth, TX 76155.
EMPLOYMENT
Ranjeet Koirala CPA, PC (Bedford, TX) seeks Marketing and Technology Officer. Responsibilities: Identify, develop, or evaluate marketing strategy, based on knowledge of establishment objectives, market characteristics, and cost and markup factors. Develop pricing strategies, balancing firm objectives and customer satisfaction. Prepare staff work schedule and assign specific duties. Requirements: Master of Business Administration or Foreign equivalent plus one year of relevant experience in the job offered or administrative or executive experience. Salary offered: $121306/yr. Send resume to President – Ranjeet Koirala CPA, PC –2209 Martin Drive, Suite 100, Bedford, TX 76021.
FALL SERVICES
all home repairs: painting, texture, fences, tile, doors, windows, decks, patios, shelves 817-881-2408 Adrian
JACUZZI BATH REMODEL
We can install a new, custom bath or shower in as little as one day. For a limited time, waiving ALL installation costs! (Additional terms apply. Subject to change and vary by dealer. Offer ends 12/27/26.) Call 1-877-593-0683. (MB)
LIFE INSURANCE
Up to $15,000.00 of GUARANTEED Life Insurance!
No medical exam or health questions. Cash to help pay funeral and other final expenses. Call Physicians Life Insurance Company at 844-317-3246 or visit Life55plus. info/ftworth. (MB)
NEED A FRIEND?
Ronnie D. Long Bail Bonds
Immediate Jail Release 24 Hour Service. City, County, State and Federal Bonds. Located Minutes from Courts. 6004 Airport Freeway.
817-834-9894
RonnieDLongBailBonds.com
OLSHAN Foundation Solutions
Your trusted foundation repair experts since 1933. Foundation repair. Offering crawl space recovery, basement waterproofing. water management, and more. Limited time special: up to $250 off foundation repair. Call Olshan for a FREE evaluation: 1-844-991-1445. (MB)
OMAHA STEAKS
Wait until you taste it! 100% guaranteed and delivered to your door! Our Butcher’s Savory Collection is only $129.99 and comes with 8 FREE Omaha Steaks Classic Burgers. Call 1-888-703-0342 and mention code 81305BKM or visit OmahaSteaks.com/Savory3110. (MB)
PORTABLE OXYGEN NOW
Portable Oxygen Concentrators may be covered by Medicare! Help your loved ones reclaim their independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Call 833-349-2089 for a free information kit. (MB)
PREPARED for OUTAGES?
Prepare for power outages today with a Generac Home Standby Generator. Act now to receive a FREE 5-Year warranty with qualifying purchase. Call 1-844-614-2556 today to schedule a free quote. It’s not just a generator, it’s a power mov. (MB)
SAFE STEP:
North America’s #1 Walk-In Tub
Comprehensive lifetime warranty. Top-of-the-line installation and service. Now featuring our FREE shower package and $1600 Off for a limited time! Financing available. Call Safe Step at 1-877-578-6218 today! (MB)
SPRING CLEANING SPECIAL
All Exterior Windows Cleaned
Single Story $99 or Two Story $149 Call 817-902-3303 to Schedule worthitwindows.com
VETERAN CAR DONATIONS:
Increase Your Tax Deductions!
Donate your car, truck, boat, RV and more to support our veterans! Schedule a FAST, FREE vehicle pickup and receive a top tax deduction. Call 1-844-450-1590 today!
YOU NEED A VACATION!
With over 50 guided tours available, YMT Vacations has affordable, social, and stress-free travel designed for mature travelers. Tours include accommodations, transportation, baggage handling, sightseeing, entrance fees, a professional Tour Director and select meals. For a limited time, SAVE $250 on all tours. Call 1-833-9844155 today! (MB)
ZZZ ... Don’t Sleep on This!
Do you own a service-oriented business? Cleaning Services, Handymen, Haulers, Landscapers, Painters, and other service companies, how are you reaching new customer? We’d love to feature you here! Reach out for some affordable options. Stacey@fwweekly.com
