A Neighborhood Portrait:
Polytechnic Heights of Inner City Fort Worth
Explanation
Table of Contents Back
Cover Signings
Purchase
edited by
Sara Horsfall
A Neighborhood Portrait, aimed at the general reader, is a preliminary
attempt to understand the changes that have swept through the Polytechnic
Heights neighborhood, taking it from a high crime, predominantly African-American
area to a low crime, predominantly Hispanic community. The book reveals
a place where there are problems, to be sure, but where residents do more
than just endure. It is a firsthand attempt to understand the people and
their lives. It examines the interactions between community residents and
the issues with which they are concerned, including city services, businesses
and feelings of safety in the neighborhood, as well as nutrition, child
abuse, teenage pregnancy, prostitution, education, school violence and
the homeless. Most of the studies were conducted by students of a Sociology
class at Texas Wesleyan. Four chapters on Texas Wesleyan University are
included, along with a chapter of local history, and an interview
with four long-time residents.
Table of Contents
Introduction
PART I: A CHANGING COMMUNITY
1. History of Polytechnic Community
Quentin McGown
2. An Afternoon with Four Local Residents
Sara Hooser and Sara Horsfall
3. A "Time Series" Perception
Naren Jackson
4. Urban Blight: House Repairs in Polytechnic Heights
Shanna Hollis
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
5. City Services: Poly Potholes
Jan Nichols
6. Businesses: A Look at the Safety Factor
Teri Houston-Martin
7. Crime: Community Involvement and Prevention
Scott Jones
THE HEART OF POLYTECHNIC HEIGHTS - ITS PEOPLE
8. Nutrition and Income
John Kowalak
9. Nutrition of the Elderly in Polytechnic
Carolyn McDaniel
10. Socioeconomic Status and Child Abuse
Carrie Pricer
11. Abuse in Two Cities
Jennifer Robertson
12. Teenage Pregnancy, Adoption and the Gladney Center
Edna Roberts and Deborah Jackson
13. A Study of Prostitution in Polytechnic Heights
Lea Ann Weddel
14. Outcasts on Presidio: Homeless
Tempe Pate
THE FUTURE OF POLYTECHNIC HEIGHTS - EDUCATION
15. Education in the Inner City
Deborah Jackson
16. School Achievement and Poverty: Two Factors of
School Violence
Teddy Jacobs
17. Talks with Some Poly Residents Who Did not Graduate
Kayla Thomas
PART II: A NEW URBAN UNIVERSITY
18. Non-Traditional Students: Focus on Academics
Susan Robertson
19. College Students and Drinking
A Summary of Two Student Studies
20. Retention and Attrition: Who Do We Keep and Why?
Lisa Orlando
21. Crime: Campus Crime and Safety
R. Daniel Gonzales
22. Public Opinion: Perception of Texas Wesleyan
in Poly
LaBrent Nealy
23. The Role of the University in the Community
Lisa Orlando
WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE
24. Polytechnic Heights: A Preliminary Inquiry
Sara Horsfall
BOOK SIGNINGS and EVENTS
Friday, May 17, 1-3 PM, Texas Wesleyan Bookstore
Wed, May 22, Noon, Ft. Worth Tarrant Co. Minority Leaders
and Citizens Council Lunch Forum, 1720 Vicery
May 26-June1, Minority Leaders and Citizens Council Program,
Cable Channel 31
Sat, May 25, 2-4 PM, Liberation Community, 3608 E Rosedale
Wed, May 29, 12-2 PM, Boys and Girls Club,Martin Branch
(on Rosedale across from TxWes)
Sat, June 1, 4-5:30 PM, The Black Bookworm, 605 E Berry,
Suite 110
Mon, July 15, Students' Research has Praise for Poly, Star-Telegram,
page 4B
Tues, July 30, Interview with Sam Baker on KERA Morning Edition,
6:35 AM, 8:35AM
Wed, July 31, Noon, Guest Speaker at Fort Worth Rotary Club
August 11-17, Interview and story on Focus Fort Worth, Cable
Channel 31
September 1-7, Featured author in Books in Review, Cable Channel
31
Retail price is $21.95.
A Neighborhood Portrait is available from the publisher,
Eakin Press. 512-288-1771. www.eakinpress.com
A Neighborhood Portrait is available at the Texas
Wesleyan Bookstore and The Black Bookworm.
Or contact the author.
For more information: 817-531-4264, email:horsfals@txwes.edu
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