The Ice Cream Man Cometh

I called Bernie Scheffler the other day to ask him what his big plans were for the last weekend before Election Day.

"Steve," he said. "I'm renting an ice cream truck."

Excellent.


So Saturday was spent meeting the voters of District 9 and handing out free ice cream from the window of a 1973 vintage ice cream truck covered with campaign signs and shoe polish. I can't think of a better way to wrap up a campaign, and I can't think of a better way to sum up the kind of guy Bernie is.

So my daughter and I met Bernie and his wife, Victoria, and Pete and Jenna up at the Rahr Brewery where hundreds of people gather every Saturday for free samples of their fine beer. We answered questions, shook hands and handed out ice cream and Vote Bernie postcards.

One of the Harley riding guys asked Bernie why he was running. Bernie told him that he wants to make a difference and he believes that government is too important to leave to the politicians and consultants. We need some real people in government.

"You are EXACTLY the kind of person he need more of in government!" the biker said as he walked off with his girlfriend. "I can vote for you."

During a lull, Bernie sat in the back of the truck and put his hand on the freezer. "You know, my granddad used to drive an ice cream truck," he said. "Both he and my dad had a lot of different jobs. You know, they'd do something for a little while and then do something different." Bernie looked around the inside of the truck that looked every second of its 34 years. "I gotta say, I wouldn't mind doing this. I mean, what could be better than handing out ice cream to kids?"


A little later, we made our way back into the brewery to shake a few more hands before leaving. A man holding a bag of Chex Mix stopped us and asked a question. "Why do you oppose gas drilling?"

Bernie carefully explained his position to the man. "I don't oppose all gas drilling, I just don't think it should be done in our neighborhoods," he said. "There's one proposed drilling site that is four blocks from an elementary school. I'm not OK with that. There are lots of open spaces away homes, schools and parks in Fort Worth. If there is going to be drilling, let's use those."

"That's a good answer," the man with the Chex Mix said. "You sound like the kind of guy I could vote for."

And so it went. Bernie Scheffler, winning over one voter at a time.


As the brewery closed down, we packed up and took the show on the road. Bernie and Victoria drove with the truck through Fairmount and Ryan Place with "Home On The Range" blaring through the loudspeaker. They stopped every block or so, shaking hands and offering free ice cream and postcards. Based on the kids' reactions, you would have thought he was handing out gold bars and not ice cream. "Vote Bernie!" one kid yelled as we drove off.


So did Bernie win over some new voters on Saturday? A few. The ratio of votes earned to ice creams handed out was nowhere near one, but you can't put a number on the feeling of satisfaction you get from giving away ice cream on beautiful, clear fall day. That is a feeling of true accomplishment.


As Bernie and Victoria finished up their ride in the long shadows of late afternoon, they stopped a few houses down from their where they live to hand out ice cream to their neighbors. "Hey!" said one guy who was wearing a Cowboys jersey and walking with crutches. "Get a picture of me shaking Bernie's hand."


So who am I to argue?

"Bernie is the best neighbor a guy could have," the guy said. "I can't wait to vote for him on Tuesday."

I hope there are a lot of people who feel the same way.

Coal: Cheap. Abundant. Cheap. Clean.

Dear Mr. David Bonderman:

Congratulations on the Forbes list thing. Cowtown represent! Since you're going to like own TXU and stuff. I'd like to suggest a new ad campaign. I think Rick Perry would love it. My friend, Pete from Cowtown Chronicles sent this to me. Just a thought.

Podcast: Light Rail in Fort Worth

Pete from Cowtown Chronicles, your next City Council member from District 9 Bernie Scheffler, Kevin from Fort Worthology and yours truly have combined our blogging powers to bring you another podcast on life in the Fort. This week's topic is mass transit and light rail.

 

 Standard Podcast [36:54m]

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Bernie Scheffler Podcast

I've teamed up with Pete from Cowtown Chronicles for a series of podcasts talking with Bernie Scheffler, owner of Panther City Bicycles, about his race for the District 9 city council seat.

 Cowtown Chronicles Episode 6 [21:20m]
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Going Postal

Kevin had this cool photo of the new Arlington Heights Post Office the other day -- and I'm digging the architecture and the way they are incorporating the tornado-damaged billboard posts. But Pete knocked off a great one-liner about this: "I particularly like the 2 dimensional postal truck. I guess it would be good for carrying Flat Stanley, and the occasional post card." Good one, Pete.

Around Fort Worth

Smoking Ban Vote: After 18 months of debate, the Fort Worth City Council is scheduled to vote today on whether to extend the ban on public smoking. The council first discussed the changes in February 2006 and appointed a committee of business owners and public-health groups to come up with a recommendation. The committee suggested a widespread ban, including all restaurants and bars. City Council members balked at that, and City Manager Charles Boswell recommended allowing smoking in bars to avoid driving business out of Fort Worth. UPDATE: Council votes 7-2 to ban smoking in restaurants beginning in January, but the ordinance approved Tuesday still allows smoking in bars and bingo halls.

Vote Bernie Moment: Bernie posted this comment from a recent J.R. Labbe column in the Startlegram: "The last tear from Davis' emotional speech in front of the council hadn't dried upon her cheek before bicycle shop owner Bernie Scheffler, who ran against her just three months ago, had "elect me" signs in his yard." In the words of Fat Tony, it's funny because it's true."

Don't Sign: Pete had this post today: "If you live in any of the 10 neighborhoods in or around Ryan Place, PLEASE do yourself a favor and don’t sign anything you get from a drilling company until you check with your neighborhood association! I know that Ryan Place has an excellent team of concerned citizens working very hard to ensure that we get the best deal financially and the one that least impacts our quality of life." I know there was a Ryan Place neighborhood meeting regarding the leases last night. If someone has an update, please let me know.

Streetcar! Kevin at FortWorthology makes a (convincing) pitch for a downtown streetcar system.

On The Lighter Side: I'm glad to see I'm not the only one challenged by the siren song of the taqueria -- but I do not know this Taqueria San Luis. I must investigate -- after September 15.

Early Morning Ride on the Trinity

One of the best things I've gotten out of blogging is the opportunity to meet some great people around Fort Worth that I probably wouldn't have met otherwise.

There's Ken, who I aspire to be like when I grow up. There's Bernie, who I aspire to be like when I lose sixty pounds and keep up with him on a bike. And there's Pete, who is the Mac ninja I can probably never be.

Pete and I hadn't met until this morning when he joined me for my morning death slog along the Trinity. I am, of course, gassed. Pete, the former Marine, was barely winded. So we talked, ate bugs and dodged joggers before ending up at Starshmucks for coffee and more convo. He's got one of those sweet iPhones and I gotta say I've got a serious case of phone envy. Pete's a great guy and I encourage those of you who haven't checked out his blog to go over to Cowtown Chronicles and poke around.

Let's do it over beers next time, Pete.

Drilling and Tandy Hills Park

A thoughtful post from Pete at Cowtown Chronicles about his recent nature walk at Tandy Hills Park. Here's a bit: "The link is to an article about the park and how people are afraid it’s going to be ruined by gas drilling. It mentions that the city has vowed not to let trucks drive onto the parkland, but that’s apparently a lie, since Jenna and I nearly got run over by a big diesel pickup with 4 workers in it. It missed us, but it took out a couple of small trees on its way out, which is always a nice way to start a hike in a nature area." Thanks for the post, Pete.

Living In a Great Big Way

Well, I blame Pete. But he didn't get me into this mess, he's just trying to get me out of it.

When he suggested joining the Panther City Bikes Weight Loss Contest, I knew I needed to jump on board. I haven't been biking much lately, just hoovering up burritos, brats and beer. So when Pete suggested that the contest would be a good way to lose about 60 of his pounds, I told him that his 60 and the 60 I need to lose would probably make a pretty kick-ass guy to drink beer with.

So Friday night I made my way down to Benito's for Fat Friday, loading up on sausage quesadillas and barbacoa tacos for one last huzzah before jumping on the health wagon. Saturday's weigh-in confirmed what I already thought: 260, although Bernie was kind enough to not post my poundage online. My goal for the challenge is to get back down to 230 in the next 60 days. My dream weigh would be 200, but doctor's preferred weight is 220-225. Hey, why fight medical science?

So how do I propose to get to 230? Diet and exercise. Bye-bye Fredburgers, hello fiber. Lots of fruits and vegetables. Biking every morning. I went for my shakedown cruise on the Hardrocker on Sunday and it ... was ... painful. I went late morning and the combination of the heat, humidity and going too far pretty much kicked my ass. All the people driving down Bellaire Circle were saying, "Isn't that interesting ... look at the fat guy having a heart attack in that stranger's yard." When I get home, my wife was appropriately exasperated. "You don't do anything in moderation, do you?" That's not how I roll, baby.

This morning's cruise along the Trinity Trail was better -- cooler, flatter and no sun. Anyway, it's a start. I'll keep you posted.