Getting around town while moving naturally will be easier and more fun in 2020. Blue Zones Project, the well-being improvement initiative, is partnering with Fort Worth Bike Sharing to provide free BCycle rides on the first Friday of every month throughout the year.

Called “Free First Fri-Yay,” the program offers a free Bike Sharing Day Pass with promotion code 92020 at any Bike Sharing kiosk. Users of the BCycle app can enter promo code 92020APP to get the free pass.

Free First Fri-Yay dates in 2020 are:

Jan. 3.

Feb. 7.

March 6.

April 3.

May 1.

June 5.

July 3.

Aug. 7.

Sept. 4.

Oct. 2.

Nov. 6.

Dec. 4.

“We’re excited to partner with Blue Zones Project to enable more residents to experience Fort Worth on a BCycle,” said Jennifer Grissom, executive director of Fort Worth Bike Sharing. “Not only is it a fun and convenient way to get around town, but it supports natural movement, social interaction and family time – Blue Zones principles known for supporting health and well-being.”

To launch Free First Fri-Yay, Fort Worth residents are invited to a free family-friendly ride from 2-4 p.m. Jan. 3, the first Friday of the year. The ride will start at Gateway Park East Trailhead (5400 E. First St.), site of Fort Worth Bike Sharing’s newest BCycle station, and make a five-mile loop through the park. A two-mile route will be available for those opting for a shorter ride.

Blue Zones Project will be there with additional games and goodies for all ages. Riders can bring their own bikes or reserve a free BCycle by registering online.

Helmets are strongly suggested. A limited supply of helmets will be available for use. It is recommended that children be 5 feet tall to sufficiently ride a BCycle. The event will be held, weather permitting - double check on the Fort Worth Blue Zones Project and Fort Worth Bike Sharing Facebook pages before heading out.

Show your love for Fort Worth at the seventh annual meeting of Visit Fort Worth on Valentine’s Day.

The event will feature keynote speaker and music producer T Bone Burnett, a Fort Worth native honored with Academy and Grammy Awards. Mayor Betsy Price will receive the annual Hospitality Award for her efforts to promote the city. A new service award will recognize an outstanding employee working for a hotel, attraction or other organization that welcomes visitors.

The breakfast meeting will be at 7:30 a.m. Feb. 14 at the Omni Fort Worth, 1300 Houston St.

The event will highlight action on the Destination Master Plan, the community’s roadmap for tourism. Progress in sports, marketing, conventions, music and filmmaking are growing Fort Worth’s $9.4 billion visitor economy.

“From the new Dickies Arena to the renovated Stockyards, Fort Worth is giving visitors more reasons to see Fort Worth,” said Bob Jameson, president and CEO of Visit Fort Worth. “With consistent visitor growth, we now need to help more people stay longer and spend more.”

Major landmarks in the visitor economy lie ahead in 2020, including:

Beginning design work on the Fort Worth Convention Center expansion.

Nationally-televised sporting events at Dickies Arena.

Unprecedented hotel growth downtown and in the Stockyards.

The annual Hospitality Award spotlights individuals and organizations who promote Fort Worth and help grow the visitor economy. Mayor Price, serving her fifth term, has logged tens of thousands of miles selling Fort Worth for tourism and economic development.

“Our local economy has benefitted from the growth in tourism under Mayor Price’s leadership,” said Rosa Navejar, chairman of the Visit Fort Worth Board of Directors. “We want to recognize her efforts promoting Fort Worth around the world and improving our reputation as a healthy, active city.”

To secure seats at the meeting, register online by Feb. 13..

Customers with young children can now borrow a book at the entrance of some area Tom Thumb grocery stores for children to enjoy while they shop.

But the books aren’t just to entertain children. The books were intentionally selected to engage and educate children about the many things they might see while in a grocery store – particularly healthy fruits and vegetables, where food comes from, and the importance of those who provide our food.

Some books also cover mindfulness, another topic that is important to well-being, especially in children. The books are available for a variety of age levels — even picture books for the youngest shoppers.

Stephanie Jackson, director of strategic partnerships for Blue Zones Project Fort Worth, said providing books and supporting literacy is key to creating a community that embraces and supports children and their families.

“This initiative supports the whole child,” Jackson said. “Promoting physical, emotional and nutritional well-being ultimately supports positive learning outcomes.”

Books are currently available at the Hulen and Camp Bowie Tom Thumb locations and will soon expand to additional Tom Thumb and Albertsons Fort Worth stores. They will also soon be added at Central Market’s Fort Worth store.

Jackson said store managers were enthusiastic to collaborate with Blue Zones Project to support the pilot program and increase reading in the community.

“Albertsons Tom Thumb was aware of Fort Worth’s reading initiative and thought it would be a great way to support families, especially at the early stages of development during their shopping experience,” she said.

This isn’t the first Blue Zones Project program that has involved literacy as a component of well-being. Blue Zones Project is active with the city’s Read Fort Worth initiative and often provides books to area schools that support their Blue Zones actions. But it’s the first collaboration involving area grocery stores.

“Having our Blue Zones Project Approved grocers partner with us is another way we can support our community and make those small changes that ensure our community is a healthier and happier place to live,” said Matt Dufrene, vice president of Blue Zones Project Fort Worth.

The Fort Worth Police Department announced several promotions and reassignments recently:

Robert Alldredge was promoted to assistant chief and assigned to the Patrol Bureau.

Joseph Sparrow was promoted to deputy chief and is assigned to North Command (North/Northwest/West and Traffic Divisions). Deputy Chief Neil Noakes will move to South Command (South/East and Central Divisions). Deputy Chief Michael Shedd will move to Operational Command (Communications/Training/Professional Standards).

Capt. Chad Mahaffey was promoted to commander and is assigned to Central Division.

Cpl./Detective Ebony Bryan was promoted to sergeant.

Sgt. Luis Medrano was promoted to lieutenant.

Lt. Cedric Gutter was promoted to captain.

Officer Corey Swanson was promoted to corporal.

The Fort Worth Police Department’s Officer Mike Kuzenka received the Leading the Way Award at the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition’s Annual Awards & Appreciation Luncheon Dec. 10. The event recognizes contributions and efforts toward ending homelessness in Tarrant and Parker counties.

Kuzenka won the accolade for his homeless services work.

Kuzenka has been with the FWPD for 18 years. He has taken on several positions with the department as a patrol officer, Special Response Team member, neighborhood police officer, and now his current position as the homelessness and community relations liaison officer. In this role, Kuzenka is involved with the homeless and senior communities and underprivileged youth.

He takes the time not only to serve on many committees that impact homeless services but also to be present in the community through building relationships and tearing down barriers that help so many.

A new rate structure for metered on-street parking in the popular West 7th district goes into effect Dec. 13.

The new rate structure allows two hours of free parking before 5 p.m. to retail customers visiting the area. The change is intended to address concerns expressed by business owners who contend that on-street metered parking has contributed to a decline in business. Other stakeholders were concerned with the lack of available on-street parking due to long-term parking and a lack of turnover parking in the district. This change will also discourage the misuse of on-street parking by employees.

The City Council voted unanimously in favor of the change, which will allow two hours of free parking daily, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., within a three-hour tiered rate structure. A $3 rate will be charged for the third hour if a patron stays beyond the allotted two hours of free parking during the day. A rate of $3 per hour will be charged between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., with no free parking.

Michael E. Crum has been named director of the city’s Public Events Department.

As vice president for business development and chief financial officer for the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), Crum has been responsible for developing collaborative efforts between the CRVA and its community partners, as well as overseeing the agency’s accounting budget, audit, information technology, strategic planning, research, business analysis, application delivery, security and risk management functions.

“Mike Crum brings an impressive résumé in facility management to Fort Worth,” Assistant City Manager Jay Chapa said. “As Fort Worth looks toward expanding and renovating its downtown convention center, we will rely on Crum’s experience in developing convention business and bringing new and exciting venues online.”

Crum went to Charlotte in 1989 as director of finance for the Auditorium-Coliseum-Convention Center Authority, and in 1997 was named the Authority’s managing director. In this capacity, he was at the center of Charlotte’s efforts to retain the NBA Hornets and in 2002, helped negotiate the agreement that led to the development of Spectrum Center and the return of an NBA franchise to the market.

In 2004, Crum oversaw the merger of the Authority with Visit Charlotte, Charlotte’s convention and visitors’ bureau, to create the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA). He subsequently served as the CRVA’s chief operating officer until the reorganization of the CRVA’s management structure in 2012.

Prior to coming to Charlotte, Crum worked in the Facility Management Division of the Pacer Basketball Corp. in Indianapolis from 1987-1989.

During his tenure in Charlotte, Crum was involved with national events like the 1994 NCAA Men’s Final Four, the 1996 Women’s Final Four, the 1991 and 2019 NBA All-Star Games, the 2012 Democratic National Convention, and the future 2020 Republican National Convention. He also participated in the development of the Charlotte Convention Center, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, and renovations of Bojangles’ Coliseum and Ovens Auditorium.

Crum holds a master’s degree in sports administration from Ohio University and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has served on the boards of directors for the Charlotte Regional Partnership, Charlotte Sports Foundation and Champions for Education, the organization that oversees the operation of the Wells Fargo Championship. He is a member of the International Association of Venue Managers and Charlotte Rotary.

The City of Fort Worth’s Public Events Department oversees the operations of downtown’s Fort Worth Convention Center and the Cultural District’s Will Rogers Memorial Center.

Crum and his wife Kelly have three sons. He will begin work in Fort Worth in early February.

Fans can walk up and buy rodeo tickets for the legendary Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, scheduled for Jan. 17-Feb. 8. Phone orders will also be accepted.

There are two convenient locations:

Will Rogers Memorial Center ticket office, 3401 W. Lancaster Ave.

Dickies Arena box office, 1911 Montgomery Ave.

Now that Dickies Arena has opened with a string of successful concerts, intense interest in witnessing the first year of Stock Show rodeo in Fort Worth’s new iconic arena has made pre-order ticket purchases a priority for many. While 10 of the Stock Show’s 25 rodeo performances are sold out, adequate seat inventory exists for the 15 remaining rodeos. The public is encouraged to purchase tickets soon to ensure they secure seats for rodeo at the 2020 Stock Show.

Tickets remain to these popular rodeo performances:

Cowboys of Color Rodeo (Jan. 20).

Rodeo X Extreme Team Competition (Jan. 23).

FWSSR ProRodeo Tournament, a new, fan-friendly format rodeo, (Jan. 24- Feb. 8).

The rodeo ticket offices will remain open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday in December (with the exception of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Beginning Jan. 2, both offices will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. During the Stock Show, ticket offices will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

The Dickies Arena box office gives the public a second convenient location to purchase tickets. Located at the southwest corner of Dickies Arena, the box office can be accessed at 1911 Montgomery St. Guests may park in the Montgomery lot at no cost, for a limited time, when visiting the box office.

Ed Kraus, a 27-year veteran of the Fort Worth Police Department, has agreed to remain as police chief, City Manager David Cooke announced. Kraus, has been serving as chief since May.

“Chief Kraus brings more than a quarter-century of broad-based law enforcement experience to the chief’s office, and even more important, he has the support and respect of his fellow officers and stakeholders in the Fort Worth community,” Cooke said. “Chief Kraus’ vast experience, combined with strong leadership skills and a broad knowledge of Fort Worth, make him the ideal choice to lead our police department.”

Kraus began his law enforcement career in 1992. He has served as an officer, detective and sergeant in several units in the Patrol Bureau. His command experience includes assignments as a neighborhood policing district lieutenant, a Patrol Division captain and commander of the Training Division.

He has served in executive roles as deputy chief over the Investigative and Support Command, assistant chief over the Support Bureau and executive assistant chief over the Patrol Bureau.

Kraus earned a bachelor’s degree in communications from Texas Tech University and a master’s degree in criminal justice from Tarleton State University. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the FBI National Executive Institute and the Caruth Police Institute’s Leadership Course.

“In every position he has served, Chief Kraus has focused on promoting community problem-solving, reducing crime and enhancing justice for all of our residents,” Cooke said.

The Trinity Metro Board of Directors named Jeff Davis as the new chairman. Tito Rodriguez was elected vice chair and Ray Taylor was elected secretary for the 2020 fiscal year.

Davis, who serves as chairman of the Fort Worth Division of Republic Title, joined the Trinity Metro Board in 2013. Davis fills the role vacated by Scott Mahaffey, who served as board chair from 2013-2019.

Rodriguez was appointed to the Trinity Metro Board in 2015 by Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes. Rodriguez also serves on North Richland Hills City Council, where he was mayor pro tem 2013-2014.

Taylor was appointed to the Trinity Metro Board in 2017.

Two new members joined the board.

Sylvia Alcala, who replaces Mahaffey, is president and founder of J Anthony Group, a consulting and professional services firm specializing in government subcontracting and supply chain operations in the Aerospace and Defense industry.

Stephen Baldwin, who replaces Jeff King, retired from Oncor Electric after 43 years of service. He volunteers in the community and has operated a small food truck and catering business since 2005.

The Trinity Metro Board has 11 members, with eight appointed by the Fort Worth City Council and three appointed by the Tarrant County Commissioners Court.