Jackie describes her last night with JFK — in Fort Worth

"WELCOME TO DALLAS, JACKIE," by Daniel Kusner + Bryan Amann.

Jackie Kennedy's last night with her husband was spent inside Fort Worth's Hotel Texas.

In this recording (speaking with Arthur Schlesinger Jr. within months of the assassination) the first lady laughingly describes turning in for the night — while bitterly hating Governor John Connally and wife Nellie's high-maintenance eccentricities.

As Jackie remembers that last night, the president sweetly encouraged her to let go of any anger — especially in Texas. Which JFK hoped would "heal" everyone.

I first created this "214 Trans4m" audio piece, below, for "RZN8"on Aug. 25, 2012 — an ArtCon event, which sparked a bidding war (so said the Dallas Observer)

By the way, Jackie slept so soundly, she was late for the following morning's breakfast appearance in Fort Worth.

Distinguished, gentle sheltie Gus Amann dead at 13

Gus Amann: Nov. 12, 2000 — Oct. 3, 2014.

A fearless patrolman, a devout companion and Olympian-skilled Frisbee catcher, Gus Amann peacefully died on Oct. 3, 2014, surrounded by his best friends Bryan Amann and Daniel Kusner. 

With impeccable breeding credentials, Gus stood out from his siblings because of a distinguishing facial mark that resembled the sacred stripe Hare Krishnas display between their eyebrows. 

His gold-and-sable coat was always impeccable and camera-ready.

If you were lucky, Gus massaged your leg muscles with his silky tongue — a service that only a world-class spa could provide. 

Gus lived in East Dallas, Phoenix, Ariz., and Oak Cliff. 

He enjoyed numerous trips visiting relatives in Arkansas and Illinois. 

Gus loved the Grand Canyon and running along the Katy Trail. 

He always beamed with pride while leashed to Bryan’s hand — whether strolling across the Santa Fe Trestle Trail bridge or standing guard during urban photo-excursions in downtown Dallas.  

He was a superb listener — issuing howling alerts and DEFCON-1 growls that warned of conditions requiring immediate attention.

By cocking his head during interrogations, Gus' intense concentration could separate each question by listening to a speaker's inflection.

Gus wore the devotional scapular while he drew his last breath. 

Shaded by pecan and live oak, Gus is buried beside his sheltie cousin, Bo Kusner, on the lawn of his Oak Cliff residence.

Sired by Cobblestone High Beam and dame Cobblestone Sweet-Sioux of Midlothian, Tex., Gus augmented the Shetland Sheepdog breed with his obedience and perceptive instincts.

He's already dearly missed.

Photo: Bryan Amann.

BEST FRIENDS: Bryan & Gus in Arizona.

SHELTIE SKETCH: Gus, left, and Bo. (credit: Bryan.)

HAIR OF THE DOG: Pix from Drinking and Dancing Competition

On Friday nite, I judged a "Drinking and Dancing Competition" — CentralTrak artist Tom Russotti's sport-art "aesthletics" event, which was held at Sons of Hermann Hall.

What a messy-mess — full of violent drunks in a bloodthirsty competition where dancers chugged cocktails while busting more moves than Exlax.

I was told I was a funny judge.

After the choreographed competition, I told Justin of the Wild Turkeys team that his rendition of "You're the One That I Want" was "gayer than John Travolta cruising for a Scientological top at a bathhouse."

In the open competition, we debated flaws in categories like country, punk and easy listening.

The nite was a hoot.

Photog Bryan Amann captured the fun.

Inside the Statler Hilton

On Monday morning, I accompanied Bryan Amann to capture the inside of the old Statler Hilton, which recently sold to Leobardo Trevino of San Antonio-based Ricchi Investments for $17 million.

Conrad Hilton’s 55-year-old monument to mid-century hospitality is... overwhelming. 

The Statler is a huge, sprawling, 20-story structure. 

Sure, the inside is dusty.  

And some elements are in major decay. 

But there’s lots of promise — especially if you look out the windows: the views of Commerce Street, Main Street Park, the old City Hall are spectacular.

Here are some of Amann’s pictures.

I also shot some video, below.

Big D Halloween

Last nite, the gayborhood block bash was thick with Snookies, Gagas and Willy Wonkas. 

Photos by Bryan Amann.