By Staff Reports
Dallas, TX – Statewide Smoking Ban Stalls
A statewide ban in smoking in public places such as restaurants, bars and workplaces appears to be going nowhere. Committees in the House and Senate heard testimony on the legislation Wednesday, but left the bills pending.
Saving The Statler Hilton In Dallas
After years of neglect the landmark Statler Hilton in downtown Dallas is coming back to life. It's been vacant for a decade, but now has a new owner who wants to restore the 20-story hotel and the old Dallas Central Library next door. Mayor Dwaine Caraway, this afternoon, credited Councilman Ron Natinsky and former Mayor Tom Leppert with their persistence to find a developer who would save the historic building.
Work on the 55 year old Statler Hilton will include restoring its unique fa ade and restoring or replicating some of the original artwork inside.
Cliburn At The White House
Fort Worth native Van Cliburn received the nation's "National Medal of Arts" at the White House Wednesday. Cliburn burst on the scene more than 50 years ago when won the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. Cliburn was among 20 leaders in the arts and humanities who received the nation's highest cultural award.