Fort Worth Weekly // July 29, 2020

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The protests in Weatherford were not as peaceful as others have claimed, according to two victims.

STORY BY EDWARD BROWN PHOTOS BY JASON BRIMMER

FEATURE Opening Day for the Texas Rangers was certainly unlike any other.

BY OZZIE GARZA

METROPOLIS Three Arlington teens join together to combat oppression via their new apparel company.

BY EDWARD BROWN

SCREEN How does a Black showrunner handle politics on his TV cop show?

B Y DA N I E L WA LT E R S

MUSIC Moody indie rockers O. Deletron transcend the moment.

BY ANTHONY MARIANI

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Caravaggio, The Flagellation of Christ (detail), 1607, oil on canvas. Museo e Real Bosco di Capodimonte, Naples. Patrimonio del Fondo Edifici di Culto, amministrato dalla Direzione Centrale per l’Amministrazione del Fondo Edifici di Culto del Ministero dell’Interno

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INSIDE

STAFF Anthony Mariani, Editor

Teen Scene

Lee Newquist, Publisher Bob Niehoff, General Manager

Three youngsters come together to combat oppression one T-shirt at a time.

By Edward Brown

Ryan Burger, Art Director Jim Erickson, Circulation Director Edward Brown, Staff Writer Michael Newquist, Regional Sales Director

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It was certainly different at Globe Life Field for the Rangers’ Opening Day.

Will we notice the difference in radio now that a Trumper is about to take it over?

By Anthony Mariani

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Two victims recount being attacked in Weatherford while trying to protest the Confederate monument.

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By Ozzie Garza

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A team of Gen Z teens is pushing North Texans toward a future where Black lives truly matter.

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While the country debates the merits of the Black Lives Matter movement and LGBTQ rights, Gen Z teens are building a future that they say will be free of police brutality, climate change deniers, and all forms of bigotry. That’s one takeaway from a recent online meeting with three Arlington high school sophomores.

The young entrepreneurs — Paul Carmona, Aidan Nguyen, and Vivian Nguyen (not related) — saw the recent na-

Are We Free Without Justice?

First, they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. — Martin Niemoller

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As a child learning of World War II and Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, my first question was, Why did so many people willingly follow such a corrupt agenda? Teachers and other adults told me it was social pressure that caused otherwise good people to become Nazis. If I asked what my parents and teachers would have done had they

tional emergence of protests against racial injustice as the perfect charitable cause for their socially conscious apparel line: Dyenosaur Apparel.

“Dyenosaur Apparel was founded on giving back to the community,” Vivian said. “Cultivating and fostering a community of diversity and inclusion is important to us. Because we have a platform, we have taken it as our responsibility to utilize it in the best way by combatting certain social issues, racial injustice, and [mistreatment] toward queer youth. We think that it is important to advocate for diversity.”

Vivian, 15, who founded the volunteer-run company last year, recently tasked lead designer Carmona and other volunteer students with creating a new line of shirts and stickers in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and the LGBTQ community. Half of the proceeds from sales will benefit organizations that support or advocate for social justice issues, the teens said.

“Vivian came to us and said she needed something that reflected” LGBT- and Black Lives Matter-related images, Carmona said. “She wanted something vocal but just in an image. Our team members worked separately. Each design was special

been living in Nazi Germany, they would answer wistfully that they wanted to believe they would have resisted.

What is it that makes a person choose justice over social conformity? How bad do things have to become before the average citizen will refuse to go along?

During President George W. Bush’s administration, extraordinary rendition and enhanced interrogation became an open secret. Many Americans applauded this, calling these tools harsh but necessary in the war on terror even though they were clear violations of the principles held sacred in our Constitution. Again, as a child I was taught America was exceptional because it provided the due process of law to all and assumed innocence until guilt was proven in a court of law.

The prisoners in Guantanamo continue to be held without any hope of due process. This is a cowardly state of affairs, the sort of thing that caused the authors of the Magna Carta to hold a knife to King John’s throat and insist he sign.

America is facing the greatest civil unrest since the turbulent decade of the 1960s. Protests are occurring all across the

Cour tesy of Dyenosaur Apparel

Socially Conscious Apparel

METROPOLIS

One T-shirt features blue tie-dye. At the center of the chest area is a Black hand near a white hand. A thin red string connects the hands’ raised pinkies.

nation, most of them peaceful and legal in accordance with the Constitution. Rioting, destruction, and looting are not legitimate forms of political protest. I think most of us can agree on this point. Even so, our children are taught of the Boston Tea Party, in which colonists disguised as Native Americans dumped a shipload of tea into Boston Harbor to protest taxation without representation. That act was viewed by the King of England in exactly the same light as the destruction of a Target store is seen by our government and by most news viewers.

In recent days, it is claimed that unidentified federal officers have collected protesters from the streets of Portland and whisked them away in rented vehicles. No Miranda, no identification of the arresting entity, and presumably no due process. Regardless of one’s political affiliation, opinion of our president, or thoughts about the protesters, this is a clear perversion of the American system of justice. At what point do we demand redress? Do we continue to watch these things on TV and the internet and feel safely distanced because we live in another state or because

we voted for Trump? There’s much more than support for an elected official as stake here.

To make it clear, I do not blame President Donald Trump for all abuses that are happening. The stage was set by G.W. Bush and the road made straight by President Barack Obama’s response to legitimate whistle blowers.

Americans must insist on due process for all who are arrested or detained without charges by so-called officials. If we do not insist on justice, there will be none.

If you, like me, ever wondered what you would have done as society deteriorated in Nazi Germany, history is now offering you the opportunity to test your own selfassessment. — Bret McCormick Bret McCormick is a writer, artist, and filmmaker from Fort Worth.

The Weekly welcomes submissions from all political persuasions. Please email Editor Anthony Mariani at anthony@fwweekly.com.

Cour tesy of Dyenosaur Apparel

Three young entrepreneurs saw the recent national emergence of protests against racial injustice as the perfect charitable cause for their socially conscious apparel line: Dyenosaur Apparel.

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and Instagram stories. Still, social media is a strength, the teens said.

“Social media can be used to curate an Instagram page,” Vivian said. “I can engage an audience to influence change in a positive way, too. For Dyenosaur Apparel, we took an activism approach. That is something that we are really proud of. We hope to integrate it more into our future collections.”

When asked how running a business has shaped their college and career plans, Vivian, whose parents are immigrants, said owning a business wasn’t something she thought could be a reality.

“After starting Dyenosaur Apparel, I realized how much I fell in love with the entrepreneurship and creative aspects of this,” she said. “I am keeping my options open [as far as future career plans go]. I am hoping to keep pursuing this to see where it takes me.”

Aidan has a wide range of creative interests but is focusing on engineering and computer science. The charitable aspect of Dyenosaur Apparel has taught him that businesses can have a positive impact on society at large. He would like to build off his experience as the marketing director for the homegrown apparel store by one day starting a tech company that addresses climate change. Carmona is bullish on the company’s growth potential, which he said could “take over the world.”

COVID-19 has slowed but hasn’t stopped activism efforts from members of Gen Z, Aidan said.

“We wanted to share a message that we are with these people,” he said, referring to marginalized communities across the country. “We are going to stand against any sort of social injustice. Every type of sexuality, race, or people who suffer — we will always be there to help them.”

You can follow Dyenosaur Apparel on Instagram @dyenosaurapparel or visit Dyenosaurapparel.com. l

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to us. Some were graceful and pretty. Others were more symbolic and represented injustice and how we need more connection and peace.”

One T-shirt features blue tie-dye. At the center of the chest area is a Black hand near a white hand. A thin red string connects the hands’ raised pinkies. As part of Dyenosaur’s BLM + LGBTQ Charity Campaign, original stickers are also available for sale.

Notions like racial equality and criminal justice reform come naturally to the 15-year-olds.

Civilizations have always been swayed by forces of adaptation and evolution, Aidan said. When the teens came of age, they say they were “integrated into a more progressive society,” referring to paradigm shifts in social consciousness that followed the abolition of slavery in the 19th century and the establishment of voting rights one generation ago, among other progressive reforms. “As the younger generation, what we want is to advocate and spread awareness that we can change the norm. We will grow up. We will be the people in power in government, business, and the media. We will be able to integrate progressive beliefs into society. Then, the younger generations will again pick up the torch and do that over and over and over.”

What is holding back progress, he added, is apathy about systemic problems like racism, wealth inequality, and discrimination against the gay and trans community.

“A lot of people have accepted that,” he said. “What has become the norm shouldn’t become the norm. Peace and unity can become our normal.”

COVID-19, he continued, has been a setback for Gen Z efforts to support the Black Lives Matter movement. The apparel and messaging that the entrepreneurs were hoping would be adorning crowded high school halls and streets has been, for the time being, relegated to online posts

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Before Charley Pride sang the national anthem, each player reached down to grab hold of a black ribbon that was lined alongside the foul line as a show of unity.

It was an Opening Day like none other for the Texas Rangers.

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he waiting is over. Baseball is back. Fans are not.

After a four-month hiatus that saw the cancellation of more than 100 games, the long-awaited start of the 2020 Major League abbreviated 60-game season is here. Better late than never, as the national pastime offers us a much-needed distraction from the national crises we’re facing.

G A R Z A

It was an Opening Day like none other as the COVID-19 pandemic loomed over the game. The deadly coronavirus continuous to throw us curveball after curveball, and we, like batters, have to make numerous adjustments.

On Friday, July 24, there were many adjustments to be made as the Texas Rangers inaugurated Globe Life Field, their new $1.2 billion state-of-the-art,

Earlier this month, the Rangers began offering DoppelRangers, cardboard cutouts with fans’ faces on them that will hang out in the stands during games to simulate a large crowd. The money from the $50 purchase goes to the Rangers Foundation.

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The opening of the new ballpark this year was to be an economic home run.

Instead it has been a strikeout. An empty stadium does not generate revenue.

Some of the empty sections throughout the stadium were covered with

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tarps that featured sponsor logos. There were also sponsor names/logos stenciled on the front of both dugouts that can be visible on television. It is a way the team can recoup some of the revenue lost due to no attendance at games.

Outside the stadium, there were

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Life Field. The cancellations of these games included series with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, and the World Champion Washington Nationals.

All of these games most certainly would have been sold out, generating millions of

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climate-control stadium, when they played host to the Colorado Rockies.

Baseball may be back, but it is definitely not the same. Had the season not been delayed, the Rangers’ July 24 game would have been against the Los Angeles Angels, their 54th game at Globe

An empty stadium does not generate revenue.

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Some of the empty sections throughout the stadium were covered with tarps that featured sponsor logos.

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no full parking lots, no traffic jams, no tailgating parties, no small airplanes flying above with advertising banners, no public safety officers directing traffic, and no one trying to sell or purchase tickets to the game.

Inside the stadium, there we no ushers, no ticket takers, no magnetic schedule giveaways that fans normally receive on Opening Day, no vendors for hot dogs, peanuts, cotton candy, or beer; no wave; and no dot race. All concessions and dining areas were empty, even the 118 suites. There was no flyover. Not even Rangers Captain, the team’s mascot, was

there.

However, there was stadium security and media. Media presence at games is extremely limited. Due to health and safety protocols, all media interviews with Rangers and visiting players are conducted virtually via Zoom conferences.

On the field, the catcher was not the only one wearing a mask. All players are required to wear face masks when not playing. Players will no longer be putting chewing tobacco or sunflower seeds in their mouths since spitting is not allowed.

Also, each pitcher now has to carry his own rosin bag to the mound when he’s

called to pitch.

Still, there was a game.

At precisely 6:30 p.m., Rangers public address announcer Chuck Morgan, sitting in his new perch behind home plate, announced to an empty 40,300-seat stadium, “It’s baseball time in Texas.” His booming baritone echoed throughout the 1.8 million square-foot space. It had been 299 days since the Rangers last played a regular season game.

Morgan, who has been the PA voice

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of the Rangers for decades, was one of the first to arrive at the stadium on Opening Day, as he appeared on many of the local morning news programs talking about the Rangers’ new home and the return of baseball.

For months, Morgan and his staff have been working on making the game as normal as possible for players, including the walk-up music when they come to bat.

For the viewers and listening audiences, there is piped-in crowd noise that makes it feel like there are fans in the stands. You can hear the cheering, the organ, the voice of some hot dog vendors, and also Zonk

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Outside the stadium, there were no full parking lots, no traffic jams, no tailgating parties, no small airplanes flying above with advertising banners, no public safety officers directing traffic, and no one trying to sell or purchase tickets to the game.

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The opening of the new ballpark this year was to be an economic home run. Instead it has been a strikeout.

This was Garza’s 20th consecutive year being at a Rangers ballpark on Opening Day.

United.” On the back was a Martin Luther King Jr. quote that read, “Darkness cannot drive out the darkness. Only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”

I knew this was going to be a special pregame ceremony, and it was. Prior to the game, there was a moment of silence to honor the victims of racial injustice and COVID-19. The stadium’s two large video boards showed a video that the Rangers players made addressing the issue of racial injustice in the country and how many of them feel about it and what they can do to bring about change.

While players of both teams were

lined up on the foul lines following the introductions and prior to Charley Pride’s singing the national anthem, each player reached down to grab hold of a black ribbon that was lined alongside the foul line as a show of unity.

In this unconventional season, the ceremonial first pitch was done virtually.

Gov. Abbott was shown on the video boards making the throw while in front of the State Capitol in Austin.

It was now game time, and home plate umpire Jim Reynolds signaled, “Play ball!” The game time temperature was 94 degrees outside but 72 degrees inside.

Ozzie Garza has written about the Rangers for more than 20 years. He is a frequent contributor to the Fort Worth Weekly.

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I woke up to Morgan’s booming voice that morning as my bedside talking alarm clock. The Rangers giveaway promotion a few years back told me, “It’s baseball time in Texas.”

This was my 20th consecutive year being at a Rangers ballpark on Opening Day. The first thing I noticed as I walked into the stadium was the more than 2,700 fans in the form of cardboard cutouts along the lower level behind home plate and the Rangers dugout. There was also the traditional red, white, and blue bunting along the rails that adorns stadiums on Opening Day. Among the cardboard faces present at the Rangers’ home opener were President George W. Bush and wife Laura Bush, Gov. Greg Abbott, and Rangers Hall of Famers Nolan Ryan and Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez.

There were also other noticeable sports figures from the other local professional teams.

Earlier this month, the Rangers began offering DoppelRangers, cardboard cutouts with fans’ faces on them that will hang out in the stands during games to simulate a large crowd. The money from the $50 purchase goes to the Rangers Foundation.

Sitting in the outfield stands hours before the game, I saw some of the Rangers come out for their pregame warmups and calisthenics. They were wearing black T-shirts with some writing on them. I reached for my binoculars for a better look.

There were two different kinds of shirts.

One had the words “Black Lives Matter,” and the other showed a diverse group of hands gripping the handle of a baseball bat with the words “Together We Stand

Rangers starter Lance Lynn, after getting the signal from catcher Robinson Chirinos, delivered a 92 mph fastball to Rockies lead-off hitter David Dahl, who took it for a strike. The ball was then removed from the game for safekeeping because it was now part of history as the first pitch thrown at Globe Life Field.

Dahl would later make history himself, becoming the first player to register a hit at Globe Life Field when he singled to left in the top of the third inning. In the sixth, Danny Santana became the first Ranger to get a hit at the new park when he doubled to left. Later he would score the first run at GLF. There were no home runs that night.

While there were no fans at the game, there were a number of them a few yards away at Texas Live watching the game on the huge screen and enjoying the Opening Day atmosphere.

The paid attendance at Globe Life Field’s inaugural game was zero. Earlier in the day, however, about 300 fans bought tickets to enter the stadium — for the hour-long tour. The last tour was at 2 p.m.

Long-time Rangers fans Judy McDonald and Judy Gaither of Fort Worth were among them.

“We have been to every Rangers Opening Day games,” McDonald said.

“By coming here today I can say that I was in the park on Opening Day 2020.”

Perhaps one can say the Rangers are responsible for the shortened season. In 1972, when they inaugurated Arlington Stadium, a 14-day player strike forced the season to start in mid-April. In 1994, when they opened the then Ballpark in Arlington, the season again was cut short because of a player strike toward the end of the season that forced the cancellation of the World Series. And this year, because of the pandemic, the season is again cut short, so I guess one can blame the Rangers. It seems every time they open or inaugurate a new stadium, they do not play the complete 162-game schedule.

The Rangers won their season opener 1-0 as Lance Lynn struck out nine batters.

He has the distinction of being the winning pitcher at the last game played at Globe Life Park and the first game played at Globe Life Field.

Who would have thought that on July 24, the Rangers would be undefeated?

But then again, this is an unprecedented baseball season.

Still no word when fans will be allowed at the games. l

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banging his drum to fire up the crowd.

One thing I didn’t hear was boos.

Morgan’s voice reverberated throughout the brand-new park as he introduced players while crowd noise filtered in from the stadium’s speakers.

The roar of the crowd grew louder as the Rangers scored their first run. His job is to create the feel of a normal baseball game when everything is far from normal.

The PA voice of the Rangers pointed out that the new stadium is not complete because it is missing the most important part of the home — the fans.

“It won’t be complete until I see you here making noise, eating some hot dogs and peanuts, and drinking a cold one,” he said on his Facebook page. “We will do all we can to carry the Ranger flag for you until we are allowed to have you here in person.

We will try, but we can’t replace your noise, your passion, and your emotion and love for this game.”

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A History of Violence The protests in Weatherford were not as peaceful as others have claimed, according to two victims.

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She was standing near a young Black male who was exchanging heated words with a white man with a long gun, a pistol, and a knife. When the man allegedly pushed a nearby young white woman, she told him to stop.

“He slapped the phone out of my hand and shoved me to the ground,” recalled the woman, who asked to be named only as Nicole to protect her privacy. “He held the knife by his shoulder like he was ready to stab me. If I moved a muscle, I thought he was going to stab me. There was no one holding him back.”

Nicole remembered picking up her phone as a friend said, “We have to go. We have to go.”

The day started out tense for Nicole and Kambrie Graue. They were prepared

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to hear racist rhetoric while protesting a Confederate monument in Weatherford but were not ready to experience the violence.

Nationwide protests over the past two months have arisen in response to police killings of unarmed Black men and women and President Donald Trump’s divisive rhetoric and actions. Trump’s tirades against non-white Americans have driven a new generation of activists to target symbols of racism, like Confederate monuments. In response, often armed and often white counter-protestors are taking to the streets to defend the monuments to the Civil War losers and support law enforcement.

Nineteen-year-old Graue’s boyfriend, a Black man, attended Weatherford High School and had lots of stories to tell about his time there, when he was routinely verbally attacked with slurs like “Who let the monkey off the chain?” and “I will kill all the [n-words] in the school.”

Graue, an active supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement, was tasked with arriving at the Parker County Courthouse at 2 p.m. that Saturday. Successive Black Lives Matter groups from Fort Worth and Dallas were scheduled to arrive in coordinated waves for a planned march and protest near the Confederate monument near the Parker County Courthouse late that afternoon.

Supporters of the Confederate monument were preparing a counter-protest and began arriving by the hundreds. As a nearby parking lot began to fill with trucks, rifles were pulled and Confederate flags were unfurled. Around that time and near the Tarrant County Courthouse, Nicole prepared to join Graue. The morning and afternoon had seen hundreds of Fort Worthians march in support of law en-

forcement (“Hundreds Rally for the Police Downtown,” July 25).

“There were altercations but no physical attacks,” she said, referring to the Fort Worth rally. As Nicole and fellow BLM members with Enough Is Enough prepared to drive to Weatherford, another group, We Take the Streets, was beginning the same trek from Dallas.

After arriving at Cherry Park, which was within walking distance of the monument, Nicole saw Graue and a small group of protesters heading toward the park.

One Black Lives Matter organizer told the Fort Worth and Dallas protesters that a large counter-protest group had formed.

Violence was likely, the protesters were warned.

As members of Enough Is Enough, We Take the Streets, and other groups approached the monument after 5:30 p.m., Kambrie and Nicole recounted being assaulted by a crowd (which the women described as a “mob”) during clashes that lasted around 30 minutes. Facebook Live videos corroborate all of the accounts.

After the knife was pulled on Nicole, Graue was blindsided by a white woman during an altercation that Graue described as an unprovoked attack. Minutes later, a white man allegedly grabbed Graue by the throat and threw her to the ground. Shaken and terrified, Graue stayed near protesters as counter-protestors threw water bottles at their group and called the Black men the n-word and the white female protestors n-word “lovers.”

The third and final assault yet again came by surprise, Graue said. To endure the screams of hatred being hurled at her,

she closed her eyes. When she opened them, a white man lunged for her sign and hit her lip. Nearby, Graue’s boyfriend deescalated a situation when a white man held a knife to his hip.

The overwhelming number of counter-protesters pushed Graue, Nicole, and the Black Lives Matter members up Palo Pinto Street and away from the monument.

“The Confederates continued to follow us,” Graue recalled, referring to the supporters of the Civil War losers.

As the protesters marched with no police protection, cars revved their engines nearby and verbally threatened to run over the men and women, Graue said. Back at the park, trucks sporting racist flags drove around the regrouped protesters.

Back at Cherry Park at around 6 p.m., the protesters were advised not to directly head home to avoid being targeted. Nicole continually checked her rearview mirror as she drove east toward Fort Worth.

The next day, she turned off social media and did her best to process the hatred and racism that she had witnessed and documented. Images of snipers and other civilians aiming firearms at unarmed teenagers continue to disturb her.

The day following the violence, Nicole told herself that she would never place herself in that situation again. Her views have changed.

“Yesterday, I would have said I was not going back,” she said. “This is bigger than a Confederate monument. This about dismantling hate that people have for Black people.” l

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MARK BRADFORD END PAPERS ONLY ON VIEW IN FORT WORTH Extended to January 10 • www.themodern.org

866-256-0940

or www.dorranceinfo.com/ftworth Mark Bradford: End Papers is curated by Michael Auping. Lead exhibition support is generously provided by the Texas Commission on the Arts. Major support is provided by Hauser & Wirth and the Fort Worth Tourism Public Improvement District, with additional support from Suzanne McFayden.

Pictured: On a clear day, I can usually see all the way to Watts, 2001 (detail). Mixed media on canvas.

72 × 84 inches. The Bluff Collection. © Mark Bradford

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11

From Pop Culture to Cop Culture

How writers of cop TV shows like S.W.A.T. are wrestling with the genre’s influence on real police officers.

FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY 12

D A N I E L

W A L T E R S

Growing up as a Black kid in Kansas City, TV writer Aaron Rahsaan Thomas had a love-hate relationship with cop TV shows.

As fun as they were, something bothered him.

“Watching square-jawed white guys inflict law in an urban setting — a lot of times the people they’d be busting or grabbing or apprehending — it wasn’t unusual for them to look like me or my uncle or my cousin,” Thomas said. “You’re being told that you don’t belong.”

In the weeks following the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, an increasing number of TV critics have taken aim at TV procedurals in which every week the good guy cops triumph over the bad guy criminals, winning one for the status quo.

Even on shows with corrupt cops, New York Magazine TV critic Matt Zoller Seitz says they are often portrayed as a few bad apples tarnishing a noble mission, but now, he says, people are questioning whether the mission was noble to begin with.

“Or was it always just corruption and cronyism as an excuse to crack skulls and get away with it?” Seitz said.

As nationwide outcry against cops has spread to an outcry against cop TV shows, Thomas is in a unique position: He runs one of those shows.

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B Y

Cour tesy of CBS

SCREEN

He’s the co-creator and showrunner of S.W.A.T., the action-packed reboot of the 1975 police TV series and 2003 movie.

S.W.A.T. isn’t The Wire — it’s not about the rot eating away at our civic institutions. S.W.A.T.’s predominant tone is “All Cops Are Badass,” full of big guns, loud explosions, rippling abs and macho bro-hugs.

Still, when Thomas created the show, he recognized the source of the outrage being expressed today. He reimagined the lead character, S.W.A.T. team leader Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, as a Black man who grew up in South Los Angeles.

“The truth is, when I was younger, I got into it with the cops,” Hondo says in the series’ first episode. “I didn’t do nothing wrong, but I still ended up with a broken arm and a face down on the pavement.”

On the other hand, by Season 3, Hondo threatens a criminal by telling him, “I got no problem breaking your other arm.”

For writers like Thomas, it’s a constant balancing act between art, entertainment and the potential consequences of the resulting creation.

“For the officers of tomorrow, what type of examples are we giving them?”

Thomas asks.

It would be easy to dismiss fictional TV series as just fantasy. Thomas said the cops he spends time with can rattle off a million inaccuracies with how they’re portrayed on TV. “At the same time, some of those same officers have the S.W.A.T. theme song as their ringtone.”

Shows like his, he knows, are the reason why some became cops.

Indeed, Spokane Police Chief Craig Meidl will tell you that he looks back on his first two years as a police officer and cringes about his unprofessionalism.

Before joining the force, he says, his only experience with how police officers were supposed to behave was movies.

“You know, it’s like, ‘Hey, if you’re going to want to fight, OK, we’ll fight,’ ” Meidl said. “ ‘If you’re going to want to yell and scream and cuss, OK, we’ll yell and scream and cuss.’ That’s Hollywood.”

Even today, Meidl said, a lot of rookies have to be trained to correct their misperceptions of how modern policing should work.

There are no easy answers: Make cops pure heroes, and you risk creating “copaganda.” On the other hand, make them roguish anti-heroes — like Vic Mackey on The Shield from S.W.A.T. cocreator Shawn Ryan — and you sell an arguably more dangerous message: You have to break the rules, and maybe an arm or two, to keep the people safe.

As villainous as Mackey was, Seitz

Are shows like S.W.A.T. thoughtful entertainment or mere “copaganda”?

said, “there’s still the sense that the police are the last line of defense against anarchy … where they make it clear that the only way to stop this child molester is to let Mackey do his worst illegally to this dude.”

Back in 2008, Ed Burns, former Baltimore police officer and the co-creator of The Wire, told police critic Radley Balko that films like 1972’s The French Connection shifted the way that narcotic officers actually behaved.

“They put out the idea of this guy who cracks heads, especially in that scene where they went and they shook the bar down — that became iconic,” Burns said. “And that is the way the cops were afterward.”

S.W.A.T. features plenty of plotlines dealing with heavy issues: cop corruption, police reform, immigration policy, LGBTQ rights, police suicide, and — in particular — the relationship between police and the black community. But there are also plenty of moments like second season’s climax: A white supremacist terrorist is speeding through a parking lot in a semi-truck packed with explosives when Hondo slams into the side in the team’s heavily armored MRAP troop carrier. The semi-truck explodes. The MRAP is barely singed. It’s practically a commercial for the power and necessity of the controversial police vehicle.

Balko’s book, Rise of the Warrior Cop: The Militarization of America’s Police Forces, tracks the original sensationalized 1970s S.W.A.T. series as a key moment in the spread of military-style heavy police equipment from urban cities like L.A. into the suburbs, where he says they were sometimes used to bully protesters.

“There are certain stories,” Thomas acknowledged, “that we haven’t gotten into when it comes to the perception of militarized police, when it comes to the types of officers who are attracted to this line of policing specifically.”

Expect that to change in the next season, as they go deeper into cultural issues like these.

Throughout the show’s run, Thomas said, S.W.A.T.’s writers have been constantly aware about the risks of glorifying “big guns and gun violence.” He said they constantly look at ways to have their heroes take down bad guys through nonlethal means. But there’s the rub: The job of a good police officer is to deescalate tensions — but the imperative of a TV writer is often to escalate them. That’s particularly true when you’re writing a broad action series for a big network like CBS. “In essence, we’re serving buffet food,” Thomas said. “We need to appeal to as many eyeballs as possible.”

So to Thomas, highlighting the very real flaws with police culture on a TV show isn’t about lecturing or moralizing.

It’s not about showing cops as pure heroes or pure villains. It’s often more powerful, he argues, to let viewers come to their own conclusions.

“It’s not about providing propaganda one way or another,” Thomas said. “It’s about posing questions that haven’t been asked.” l A version of this article first appeared in the Inlander, a weekly paper based in Spokane, Washington.

Cour tesy of iStock

NIGHT&DAY

Cour tesy of Facebook.com

BIG TICKET

Drive-up help for back to school.

No question is out of order at Ask The Blind Guys.

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Back-to-school means a new backpack for most kids. How great would Friday it be to win a free one already filled with school supplies?

Throughout the day from today thru Aug 29, stop by any participating BoostMobile store –– like the Fort Worth location at 2427 Azle Av –– and spin the wheel

Today and every Sat, Branch & Bird (640 Taylor St, 682-785-8888) Saturday offers local music on the roof to enhance your dinner and cocktails.

Food and drinks –– contemporary cuisine and cocktails –– are served from 4pm to 10pm. Music is played from 6pm to 9pm.

No cover. This week, see Joseph Laws of the grooving blues-rock band The Weathered Eyes play a solo acoustic set.

For future lineups, visit BranchBirdFW. com/Saturday-Special.

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I love a good “everything” bagel. But making one from scratch? Beyond Sunday sticking one in the toaster, I have no clue. At 10:30am, I can get a clue by jumping on a free Zoom class presented by the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and learn to make a traditional Jewish bagel. The instructor –– Rich Hollander of Congregation Ahavath Sholom –– has been making bagels for C.A.S. for over 10 years. The Art of Bagel Making class is free, but you must register in advance. For a list of supplies you will need if cooking along –– and to register –– visit the Jewish Federation on Facebook.

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Believe it or not, from Aug 3 to Aug 7, the Southwest Monday Believers Conference is taking over the Fort Worth Convention Center (1201 Houston St) for their 40th annual event. The

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Whether at the schoolhouse or at their own house, kids will be Tuesday hitting the books –– or the internet –– again soon. Regardless of their learning location, many families will still need help with school supplies. From Aug 1 to Aug 13 from 1pm to 4pm, you will receive $2 off admission at Texas Skatium (5515 S Cooper St, Arlington, 817-7846222) when you bring a donation of unused school supplies. Regular admission is $12 per person, which includes the skate rental if you need it. See requested items at Facebook.com/ArlingtonSkatium.

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Days a Week

Over the summer, Night & Day has covered a few blood drives, so I was surprised to learn that most blood drives –– 70% to be exact –– have been canceled due to various concerns brought on by COVID-19. The cascade of cancellations has created a blood shortage. If you are interested in hosting a blood drive, Carter BloodCare (1263 W Rosedale St) needs to hear from you STAT. They know how to create a safe, socially distant event. Call the drive coordinator at 817-412-5830 or visit CarterBloodCare.org.

By Jennifer Bovee

Drive-Up SchoolReadiness Carnival Two local nonprofits –– The Best Place For Kids and Read Fort Worth –– are teaming up to help families with kids who are pre-K thru third grade by bringing school supplies and resources right to Fort Worth neighborhoods. This summer partnership aims to help kids meet their full academic potential by meeting students and families where they are with the basic, psychological, and academic resources parents say they need for their kids to feel empowered to return to school ready to learn, says Best Place representative Cheraya Pena.

Along with school-readiness bags, six drive-up “Road to Readiness Carnivals” will provide free IT support for devices needed for learning, community health information, and family resources information. Food will be provided, plus there will be giveaways for gas cards and more.

The six participating drive-up locations are ACH Child & Family Services (3712 Wichita St), Billy Bob’s Texas (2520 Rodeo Plaza), Bob Bolen Public Safety Complex (505 W Felix St), Central Baptist Church (8001 Anderson Blvd), Como Community Center (4660 Horne St), and Hazel Harvey Peace Center (818 Missouri Av).

Drive-Up School Readiness Carnivals are 9am-1pm Sat at various locations. Free but RSVP at BestPlace4Kids.com. Call 210-454-1484 for details or directions.

fwweekly.com

Interested in a future in the theater? Or the theatre, as it were. At 6pm, Theatre Thursday Wesleyan (1205 Binkley St, 817-531-4211) is hosting a free online event called TXWES Behind the Scenes via Zoom. Student and faculty alumni and current students will give you some insight into the Texas Wesleyan university Theater Program and share their firsthand experiences working on various show productions. Most importantly, there will be prizes. To attend, log in at Facebook. com/TheatreWesleyan.

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Power of Together –– that’s this year’s convention theme –– is open 9am-9pm daily with Jesse Duplantis, a New Orleansbased charismatic televangelist who is a contemporary of local sponsor Kenneth Copeland, speaking four times throughout the conference. Admission is free, but you must register for a ticket ahead of time at KCM.com. Call 800-600-7395.

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for a chance to win. There will be many winners but only one spin per customer.

No purchase necessary. For official rules, visit BoostMobileBackToSchool.com. Call 817-924-6500.

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Impertinent. This is what my grandmother –– and Beatrix Potter, who wrote Wednesday The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin –– would call me for asking uncomfortable questions. Lighthouse for the Blind of Fort Worth is encouraging this behavior, however. At 4pm on the last Wed of every month, join the free interactive online forum Ask The Blind Guys and hear the answers to submitted questions. It is a safe space for having inquisitive conversations without fear of offending anyone. Send questions to AskTheBlindGuys@ LighthouseFW.org. Your name will not be disclosed. To register and receive instructions on how to join the meeting, email RSmith@LighthouseFW.org.

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EATS & drinks

Arlington Improv 309 Curtis Mathes Way, Arlington.

Comedy club and full-service restaurant also serving drinks.

Now thru August 1: Michael Blackson.

Eat, Drink & Be Merry!

Places around town for dinner, drinks, and a good time.

Alley Cats 2008 W Pleasant Ridge, Arlington.

609 NE Loop 820, Hurst.

Bowling, laser tag, rock climbing, and arcade games with a full bar and food options.

Branch & Bird Restaurant serving contemporary cuisine and cocktails. Live Music on the roof every Saturday. 8/1: Joseph Laws. 8/8: Andrew Sullivan.

8/15: Chris Watson. 8/22: Mike Webb.

Find Your Own Favorite Food!

Cowtown Bowling Palace 4333 River Oaks, Fort Worth.

Bowling alley with food and drinks.

Lunch & Bowl daily 11am-2pm for $11.99. Includes select lunch combos, two games of bowling, and a shoe rental.

Dutch’s Hamburgers 3009 S University, Fort Worth.

Burger joint, full bar, occasional live music. Friday, 7/31: Live Music by Mike Stanley.

Gas Monkey Bar & Grill 10261 Technology Blvd E, Dallas.

Music venue with full-service restaurant and bar. Tribute bands playing weekly. Saturday, 8/8: Wayne “the train” Hancock.

Grease Monkey 200 N Mesquite St, Arlington.

Burger joint, full bar, and patio, with occasional live music and sporting event. Friday, 7/31: Acoustic Hash.

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Lava Cantina 5505 Grandscape Blvd, The Colony.

Rock n’ roll themed Coastal Mexican restaurant that doubles as a premier concert venue. In-person and live streaming options.

Wednesday, 7/29: Remy Reilly.

Old Texas Brewing Co. 112 W Ellison St, Burleson.

Texas craft pub in old downtown, full bar, occasional live music.

Saturday, 7/31: Matt Day Band.

Oscars Bar & Grill 1581 SW Wilshire Blvd #101, Burleson.

Restaurant, bar, and music venue.

Thursday, 7/30L Andrew Dolan.

Friday, 7/31: The Trials. Saturday, 8/1: XES Whiskey.

Park in the garage across the way, bring us your voucher and we’ll validate it for you. Four hour limit.

Voicebox Karaoke 2955 Crockett St, Fort Worth.

Private suite karaoke lounge, now taking reservations.

To submit information, email Jennifer@fwweekly.com.

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Small wares, pots & pans, and all kitchen essentials available to the public.

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MUSIC

Hold Music

O. Deletron’s new “buddy” concept album has performative underpinnings but still sparkles musically.

B Y

A N T H O N Y

M A R I A N I

O. Deletron is less a band than a collection of kindred spirits searching for expressions and impressions that matter.

Formed several years ago, the septet of veteran local indie rockers has just put out a new album over a year in the making that aspires to and transcends the sort of moody simultaneity encompassed by cinema with a strong performative aspect.

The mostly instrumental Hold Music is also an exquisite corpse of sorts, perhaps the only one of its kind locally, in which the members gathered in groups of two to

HearSay Question: Do you listen to broadcast radio?

Follow-up q: If it’s not sports talk, what are you listening to? Follow-up to the followup: If it’s not a noncommercial operation like WRR, KNTU, KTCU, The Pirate, or KXT, what is it? Jack-FM? *smirks* Lone Star? *smirks louder* Lord knows, we all need to hear The Eagles or the Red Hot Chili Peppers 9 million more times again this week. In other words, does anyone really care that broadcast radio will now be dominated by a Trumpanzee.

I ask because there’s a virtual radio monopoly on the way, one that encompasses not only broadcast but streaming, too.

Just the other day, the U.S. Department of Justice –– or “Justice” if you’re no fan of Bootlickin’ Bill Barr –– allowed Liberty Media to increase its stake in iHeartMedia.

The owner of more than 850 AM and FM radio stations across the country, iHeartMedia is also a streaming service with more than 120 million registered users and a monthly total reach of 275 million listeners. That’s more than the U.S. digital audience of Google (251 million, including YouTube) and Facebook (215 million, including Instagram and Messenger).

Liberty Media also owns quite a few other hot music properties: SiriusXM, the largest

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Trumper Radio Takeover?

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work through their ideas progressively and collaboratively as opposed to following a blueprint. The backup songwriter had no idea what the principal songwriter was going to perform. Hold Music could also be said to be North Texas’ first buddy album.

“Prior to the year 2020,” the band says in the liner notes, “O. Deletron embarked on a journey. Creation of art for the sake of delving into the deepest, darkest, unknown crevasses of the soul seemed to be absent in the music we didn’t hear. We envisioned a time when music can finally NOT be created. It could only be sensed and sent between us. Not plotted and orchestrated.

What you hear is a string of visions. What you hear is you. What you would be if you would only lay flat and take it. This is a premonition we wrote before we knew you would be waiting. But we knew you would.”

Backstory aside, is the music good?

The answer is “yes.” The resulting sounds are mostly tranquil and atmospheric, occasionally sumptuous and gorgeous.

Beneath all of the subdued rhythms and chiming, bubbly chords, a kind of alienation surges through, conjuring up dislocation and isolation. Hold Music demands headphones. The purely beautiful “Up on the Outside” is stunningly melancholy.

From a descending twinkling that leads to soft, simple strumming, cofounder Aaron Bartz sings in his warped tenor, “A woodpaneled living room / In the winter of ’94 / My dad he asked Jaaay / The meaning of

liiife / He simply said / Knowing who you are / Brings happiness.”

Along with vocalist Bartz and guitarist and fellow cofounder Jason Flynn, both of legendary local indie rockers Tame …

Tame & Quiet, drummer Ricky Del Toro (BULLS), bassist Patrick Higgins, pianist Thomas Horton, guitarist Jeff Williams, and synth/sound artist Tyler Walker recorded the album themselves “in what used to be a church in what used to be a bar and was maybe both at once,” Bartz said, adding that it was once called Bullshooters.

The band borrowed the space from local punks Heater and recorded the tracks on a borrowed mixing console. O. Deletron began work on the project last February and wrapped it up last week-ish.

The band’s desire to not make music musically was intentionally prescriptive.

“A lot of albums are one person’s ideas delegated to different members for limited interpretation,” Bartz said. “With every member writing one song and providing backup on another, we were able to break the ‘Dear Leader’ mold and shift roles and responsibilities. Everyone had a different process for writing and for providing accompaniment. The members were able to branch out and use their other talents.

Our drummer did not play drums on the record. Our bass player did not play bass.

Four members took on lead vocals. The ‘singer’ played a suitcase with a Santa hat over a mallet.”

Bartz said the process was a game

of sorts, “a random exercise/run of simulations. And a crowdsourcing for the writing of the music and lyrics. … [The album] was an artistic reaction to the music being written in the past by one guy primarily, and it explores the most magical part of music creation, in my mind, which is playing off the parts/directions of your bandmates with parts/directions of your own.”

Bartz is pleased with the results, saying he feels “pretty, pretty, pretty good” about them. All of the band members “stepped up, met, and exceeded expectations.”

O. Deletron is now working on releasing the album and producing more music, despite the pandemic.

“If you don’t love this album by 3 minutes and 30 seconds,” the band writes in the liner notes, referring to the first song’s slow-burning intro, “then you’re never gonna love this album. In our case, you should probably just not continue listening to this album. Hold Music is not for you. You do not have the patience. You do not have the ability to stop and ponder or consider anything happening around you. In turn, we are not about to tell you everything is going to be all peachy past this point. The next hour might be really negative. It all depends on how you hear and internalize what we might throw at you. Hell! We may not be absolutely sure that what we’re saying means a damn thing to anyone. But if we don’t say it, who will?” l

satellite radio service on the planet; and Pandora, the free internet radio service with more than 70 million monthly active users.

With the iHeartMedia deal, Liberty will be able to dominate nearly every facet of the promotional side of the music industry.

That’s not all. Liberty Media also owns Live Nation Entertainment, the concert monster that also owns ticketing beast Ticketmaster and that has a management arm overseeing about 500 artists, nudging Liberty Media into the production side of the biz as well.

Lots of public advocacy groups are outraged by Liberty’s iHeartMedia deal. In April, they sent a strongly worded letter to the DOJ. “The potential impact on radio markets is evident and likely catastrophic, removing competitive discipline across multiple market segments,” the advocacy groups wrote. “The merger of Sirius and XM removed one vector of potential competition. Then, the consolidation of SiriusXM and Pandora removed another.

Now consumers face the prospect of their top local broadcast music stations (including markets in which iHeart already owns multiple stations), the massive iHeart streaming network, Pandora, and SiriusXM all being under one roof. Not to mention sharing space there with the Live Nation/ Ticketmaster monopoly. For listeners, it will almost certainly mean fewer options,

less diversity, and higher prices.”

The outrage, I can feel it. I can also share it, especially since Liberty’s owner is a notorious right-wing asshat.

As for the rest, I’m still trying to figure it out.

My first problem is with “diversity.”

Since when has radio been about diversity?

Take the world’s largest, longest-standing genre: Rock radio has been about the same 100 artists on every rock channel since forever. When has rock radio ever cared about “diversity.” iHeartMedia’s three North Texas properties –– Lone Star, KISSFM, and The Eagle –– have never really been likely to play anything not corporateapproved. Ownership by Liberty Media isn’t going to change that. Independent artists will still be on the sidelines.

My second problem is that I don’t understand what “fewer options” specifically refers to. If I had to guess, I’d say “fewer spots on the dial” or “no broadcast dial altogether.”

In their letter, the advocates wrote, “It’s easy to see ticketing offers and exclusives steered to Liberty’s radio channels, shutting out non-Liberty listeners and further undermining competition on the radio subscription side. And will Liberty even continue to invest in its free-to-listeners AM/ FM product when that is competing with its lucrative satellite and streaming businesses?”

David Kully agrees. The partner at law firm Holland & Knight who led the DOJ’s

antitrust unit over radio deals has said that “it seems plausible that Sirius XM and some large iHeart stations are competing for listeners, and that’s something the antitrust enforcers aren’t going to be able to ignore.”

I can’t believe the advocates could be referring to “fewer artists.” In a market and a part of the globe where you can hear The Eagles or Red Hot Chili Peppers on at least 200 different broadcast and satellite stations, “fewer artists” means next to nothing, and the “higher prices” mentioned in the advocates’ letter would only serve to drive me closer to WRR, KNTU, KXT, and, as long as I can afford it, iTunes Music.

In the past, these sorts of deals were troublesome for their impact on advertising dollars. Advertisers didn’t want to be put in the position of being ostracized for not playing ball or being extorted by stations.

Now the concern is that fewer choices on the dial is also bad for programming. Does that mean that instead of the same 100 rock artists day after day we’ll be regaled by the same 90? I’m sorry, but I moved onto WRR, KNTU, KXT, and iTunes a decade ago.

Can’t say I’m too concerned.

When it’s all Toby Keith or all Ted Nugent all the time, then maybe I’ll write an angry story about it and wag my finger.

Until then, play the Vivaldi again. –– Anthony Mariani Contact HearSay at anthony@fwweekly.com.

Gateway Church Church time is the BEST time! Join us for online church each weekend. Online services start at 4 pm on Saturdays and are available to watch any time after at https:// gway.ch/GatewayPeople.

Spanish Schoolhouse 6201 Sunset Drive, Fort Worth 817-377-1468 SpanishSchoolhouse.com Spanish Schoolhouse Fort Worth is open and currently serving the children of FW. EMPLOYMENT

MUSIC XCHANGE

Crockett Hall Now Hiring RClayton5614@gmail.com The Food Hall is back open and looking for staff. Now hiring for fulltime and part-time restaurant positions. If interested, email your resume to RClayton5615@gmail. com.

Music Junkie Studios 1617 Park Place #106, Fort Worth www.MusicJunkieStudios. com We are operating with our same great instructors, same excellent quality, but now serving students online. We offer lessons on voice, piano, guitar, bass, ukulele, violin, viola, drums, recording, and music for littles! We are soon launching a brand new offering- MJS Summer Music Project. Keep an eye out for more details.

American Standard Walk-In Bathtub 1-877-914-1518 Receive up to $1,500 off, including a free toilet, and a lifetime warranty on the tub and installation! Call us at 1-877-914-1518 or visit www. walkintubquote.com/fort.

Physicians Mutual Dental Insurance 1-888-361-7095 Coverage for 350 procedures. Real dental insurance, NOT just a discount plan. Don?t wait! Call now! Get your FREE Dental Information Kit with all the details!

Call 1-888-361-7095 or visit www. dental50plus.com/fortworth #6258.

Inogen One Portable Oxygen Concentrator 866-970-7551 May Be Covered by Medicare!

Reclaim independence and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Call for free information kit!

Planned Parenthood Available Via Chat!

Along with advice, eligible patients are also able to receive birth control, UTI treatments, and other healthcare appointments via the smartphone app and telehealth

Important Notice for Patients of National Cardiovascular Partners, Heart and Vascular Center of Fort Worth, and Medfinity Health – Plano

Don’t Forget To Feed Me Pet Food Bank, Inc. 5825 E Rosedale, Fort Worth 817-334-0727 Facebook.com/DF2FM We are experiencing a rapid increase in demand for pet food from both regular distribution partners and newly created needs identified at local animal shelters and rescue organizations. Please consider a pet food or monetary donation.

At National Cardiovascular Partners (NCP) and our partnering clinics, we take the privacy and security of our patients’ information seriously. NCP is a managing partner of Fort Worth Heart and Vascular Center of Fort Worth in Fort Worth, Texas and Medfinity Health – Plano in Plano, Texas (the clinics). We are providing the following information to inform our patients that a third party may have had unauthorized access to information about some patients who were seen at the clinics.

MIND / BODY / SPIRIT

Hannah in Hurst 817-590-2257 MasseuseToTheStars.com Alternative Health Sessions available immediately by remote with SKYPE, Zoom online or by cell phone. Services include Hypnosis for Health, Reiki, Engergetic Healing Techniques, Guided Medication. Call for a consultation.

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Movies On Demand. FREE Genie HD DVR Upgrade. Premium movie channels, FREE for 3 mos!

RENTALS / REAL ESTATE Alexander Chandler Realty 6336 Camp Bowie, FWTX 817-806-4100 AlexanderChandler.com For Rent: Rustic Cabin Hodgen, Oklahoma 540-223-3336 For rent Rustic cabin 1 bedroom on wooded acreage adjoining Oachita National Forest in Hodgen/Big Cedar OKLA off hwy 63.

Remodeled new septic system.

Call 310-633-1341 or 540-223-3336.

SERVICES AT&T Internet 1-888-699-0123 Starting at $40/month w/12-mo agmt. Includes 1 TB of data per month. Get More For Your HighSpeed Internet Thing. Ask us how to bundle and SAVE! Geo & svc restrictions apply.

DIRECTV 1-855-648-0651 Switch and Save! $39.99/month.

Select All-Included Package. 155 Channels. 1000s of Shows /

Earthlink High Speed Internet 1-866-827-5075 As Low As $14.95/month (for the first 3 months.) Reliable High Speed Fiber Optic Technology.

Stream Videos, Music and More!

Firefighting’s Finest Moving & Storage 3101 Reagan, Fort Worth 817-737-7800 FirefighterMovers.com Open to serve you safely, quickly and at the best price possible. With new Covid precautions, you will have peace of mind that your crew is there to serve as safely as possible. Use movers you can trust!

Fort Worth Taxi Cab 469-351-0894 www.FortWorthTaxiCab.com Offering service in Fort Worth.

Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Masters of Disasters Decontamination Services 682-291-4629 MastersOfDisastersDecon.com We sterilize homes, cars, and have plenty of HS-100 Hand Sanitizer for sale and in stock. You can now order our Masters of Disasters hand sanitizer on our Square Site. FREE DELIVERY within Tarrant County!

W&O Cleaners 2824 S Hulen St, Fort Worth 817-923-5898 www.WOCleaners.com W&O Cleaners is now open normal business hours M-F 7am-7pm and Saturday 9am-4pm. We utilize methods that kill viruses and bacteria including dry cleaning, laundry service, eco-friendly wet cleaning, household items & rug cleaning. In an effort to help keep you and your family safe, we offer curbside service as well as free pick up and delivery in many areas.

To participate, email Stacey@fwweekly.com See more listings online at www.fwweekly.com

July 17, 2020

On April 27, 2020, an unauthorized individual obtained access to an NCP employee’s email account. NCP became aware of the unauthorized access on May 19, 2020 and took immediate steps to contain the incident. We terminated the unauthorized access to the email account the same day it was discovered and worked with a leading cybersecurity forensics firm to investigate this matter.

As part of our investigation, NCP conducted an extensive review of the employee’s email account to determine if any emails contained personal information. As a result of that review, beginning on June 18 NCP identified emails containing the names, addresses, dates of birth, dates relating to the provision of medical services or the payment for services, medical history and diagnosis information, prescription information, health provider information, insurance numbers, email addresses, and medical record numbers for some of our patients. We also identified emails containing the Social Security numbers of two individuals and the financial account information of one individual for whom we do not have current contact information to send a personalized notification letter.

At this time, we are not aware of any unauthorized viewing or misuse of our patients’ information. All available evidence suggests that the unauthorized individual’s purpose was to attempt to commit financial fraud against NCP—not to seek and obtain any personal information of patients. NCP sent notification letters by first class mail to all potentially affected individuals for whom we have up-to-date contact information and have arranged to provide them with 12 months of identity protection and fraud resolution services through Experian.

Any individuals who receive a notification letter from NCP or who might otherwise be concerned about identity theft are encouraged to regularly review statements from their accounts and to periodically obtain their credit report from one or more of the national credit reporting companies. Individuals may obtain a copy of their credit report once every 12 months by either visiting http://www.annualcreditreport.com, calling toll free at 1-877-322-8228, or completing an Annual Credit Report Request Form (found at https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0155-free-credit-reports) and mailing it to: Annual Credit Report Request Service, P.O. Box 105281, Atlanta, GA 30348-5281. For questions about identity theft, credit monitoring, and how to keep information secure, patients can visit this website: http://www. consumer.ftc.gov/topics/identity-theft.

Individuals who received care at one of the clinics and have not received a notification letter may call (833) 281-4826 toll-free to determine whether their information has been identified as being involved.

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Our Lady Of Victory Catholic School Now Enrolling!

OLV is currently enrolling new students Pre-3 through 8th grade, school starting 8/11/2020. We offer a Christian Environment, Tuition Assistance, School-Readiness Tools, Intellectual & Social Development, Enrichment Curriculum and Covid19 Health & Safety Guidelines. For more info, please email info@olvfw.com

appointments. To chat, you can text PPNOW to 774-636.

public notices

J U LY 2 9 - A U G U S T 4 , 2 0 2 0

FOR THE CHILDREN

CLASSIFIEDS

FO R T WO R T H W E E K LY

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Available for small to medium household / lawn projects on the weekends. Trustworthy and affordable.

Send info about your project today:

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HANNAH IN HURST

For updates and to check out my services, visit me online at MasseuseToTheStars.com today.

817.590.2257 Be Safe, Be Well.

Employment-Computer/Technical

American Airlines, Inc. has multiple openings in Ft. Worth for: Sr. Developer, IT Applications (Ref 1531): Resp for leveraging cutting-edge tech to solve bus probs @ AA by particptg in all phases of dev process from incep thru transition. Req: Master’s deg in Comp Sci, Comp Eng, Tech, CIS/MIS, Eng, or rel tech field, plus 3 yrs of exp in s/w prog or devlpmt. Bach deg +5 yrs exp in lieu of M +3 yrs exp accepted. To learn more or to apply send inquiries &/or resume to American Airlines, Inc., Attn: Gene Womack, HR, 1 Skyview Dr, MD 8B204, Ft. Worth, TX 76155; please include Ref # in cover letter.

Employment-Computer/Technical

American Airlines, Inc. has multiple openings in Ft. Worth, TX for: Team Lead, IT Applications (Ref 1744): Resp for collab w/ leaders, bus analysts, proj mgrs, IT archit, tech leads & other devlprs, &mint customers to understand reqs & devlp IT sols acc’dg to bus req; Sr. Developer, IT Applications (Ref 1670): Resp for prod upgrades & install on a high avail, high perform TIBCO platform; and Consultant, Operations Research (Ref 1734): Resp for data wrangling, bldg descrip/predict models, visualization, devlpg recommens & presenting results to bus units. To learn more or to apply send inquiries &/or resume to American Airlines, Inc., Attn: Gene Womack, HR, 1 Skyview Dr, MD 8B204, Ft. Worth, TX 76155; please include Ref # in cover letter.

AT&T Internet. Starting at $40/month w/12-mo

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and mobility with the compact design and long-lasting battery of Inogen One. Free information kit!

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4/20/1970! Now, SCORE a FREE GIFT on YOUR Birthday, FREE Scale Tuning and Lighter Refills on GAS PIPE goods, FREE Layaway, and all the safe, helpful service you expect from a 50 Years Young Joint. PLUS, SCORE FREE GEAR 8/1-8/8 with ROLLIN’ DAZE CONTEST 8/8@4.20. Party Clean, Keep Rollin’!

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The owners or lien holders are hereby notified that the vehicles listed below are being stored at AA Wrecker Service: 5709-B Denton Hwy. Haltom City, TX 76148 (817)656-3100 TDLR VSF Lic. No. 0536827VSF | www.license.state.tx.us

YR

2018 1999

MAKE

Nissan Mazda

MODEL

Rogue B3000

VIN

5N1AT2MT8JC844147 4F4YR16V0XTM25509

PRICE

$822.88 $1151.31

*Storage charges accrue daily until the vehicle is claimed *Failure of the owner or lien holder to claim the above vehicles within 30 days is a waiver of all right, title, and interest in the vehicles and a consent to the sale of the vehicle at a public sale.

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

FREE ROLLIN’ DAZE GEAR ROLL-THE-DICE and WIN 8-1 to 8-8 Rollin’ Contest at 4:20 on 8-8

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RonnieDLongBailBonds.com THE RIDGLEA PRESENTS

RIDGLEA THEATER: Sat 8/22 CRUEligans; Fri 8/28 Fort Worth Worship; Sat 9/19 FREE SCREENING of Endure: Lebanon. RIDGLEA ROOM: Fri 10/16 Grils Night Out.. RIDGLEA LOUNGE: All Lounge Shows Temporarily Postponed For Public Safety. Get more at

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WATERFALLS NOW OPEN

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Portable Oxygen Concentrator May Be Covered by Medicare! Reclaim independence

DISH Network. $59.99 for 190

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