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Dallas Park And Rec Board To Vote Today On Smoking Ban Effective In All City-Owned Parks

Broken Piggy Bank
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Dallas Park and Recreation Board staffers proposed exemptions to a full-on smoking ban for highly populated parks like Fair Park.

Five stories that have North Texas talking: Dallas’ potential smoking ban would come with a $200 fine if breached; Texas filmmaker Richard Linklater discusses his past and present work; 35 Denton kicks off tomorrow; beautiful Texas destinations you may not know about; and more.

The Dallas Park and Recreation Board has been talking about a smoking ban in the city’s parks since at least November 2014, around the time Houston and Frisco were joining Austin and 1,000 other U.S. cities in the environmental trend, The Dallas Morning News reported. The ban would be effective in all city-owned parks, golf courses and Fair Park, and if violated, would result in a $200 fine.

Staffers have hesitated on a full-on ban, proposing designated smoking areas and other exemptions for Main Street Garden, Klyde Warren Park and Trinity River Audubon Center among others, where large events take place, according to the Morning News.

 

The Morning News spoke with board member Paul Sims, who said:

“Some of the board members might be concerned because some of the venues are concerned it will be difficult for them or cause attendance problems. But the zoo implemented a total smoking ban [in September 2014], and we’ve had record attendance. Those fears are unfounded.”

The board expects a “lengthy discussion” about the earlier proposal that includes the special exceptions. Read more. [The Dallas Morning News]

  • Former GOP presidential rival Carly Fiorina endorsed Ted Cruz Wednesday. The former CEO of Hewlett-Packard gave Cruz her political blessing during a rally on the Miami Dade College campus, saying Cruz was the only hope to beat Donald Trump. The Texas Tribune reported: “Fiorina, who spent the 2012 campaign cycle as a leader within the National Republican Senatorial Committee, adopted Cruz's anti-establishment rhetoric in her remarks Wednesday. She quoted his characterization of Washington as the ‘D.C. cartel.’” Adding to Cruz’s high-profile political endorsements, Fiorina’s support “could signal further endorsements from establishment circles.” [The Texas Tribune]
  • Texas filmmaker and director Richard Linklater talks about upcoming work debuting at SXSW. Known for his cult classics “Slacker” (1991) and “Dazed and Confused” (1993) as well as his Oscar-worthy epics, the "Before" trilogy and “Boyhood” (2013), Richard Linklater has a decades-long career rooted in Texas cities and culture. His latest film, “Everybody Wants Some,” the “spiritual sequel” to “Dazed and Confused” as well as a documentary about himself, “Dream Is Destiny” will premiere at SXSW, which kicks off this weekend. Linklater talked with Texas Standard about past and future projects, Texas film and choosing Austin over Hollywood. Listen to the conversation. [Texas Standard]

“Everybody Wants Some” trailer:

  • If you can’t brave South By Southwest, North Texas has its own music festival going on this weekend. More than 120 music acts will play 35 Denton, a three-day walkable music festival in downtown Denton. The lineup features local North Texans, undiscovered artists and legendary musicians. Reference the festival’s FAQs to learn how to buy wristbands, become a vendor or volunteer and see a map of Denton venues. Also, tune into KERA’s sister station, KXT 91.7 FM at 10 a.m. every day this week to hear the “35 Denton Pick of the Day.” [KXT]