In the last ten years, especially, my wife and I have been fortunate enough to have travelled to several different cities and countries around the world! We've been to London, Barcelona, Minorca, Mijorca, Aruba, St. Thomas, Porte Villarta, Cozumel, Boston, Tiverton, New York City, Princeton, Denver, Phoenix, Tucson, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Orleans, Houston, Austin, Bryan-College Station and Ft. Worth and other, smaller locales. I mention these cities to compare our city of residence, Dallas, to them all, regarding presenting a diverse, multi-cultural, happening metropolis with an appeal to grown-ups with grown-up ideas of what grown-ups should do with their leisure time. In our humble opinion, we are not measuring up so well against very many of the cities, aforementioned! In each of the cities mentioned, we saw an apparent attempt by the Tourist/Visitors bureau to appeal to the mature sensibilities of adults with a desire to be engaged by a thoughtful, thought-provoking presentation of their city's history, culture and entertainment capabilities. I don't get the feeling that our city puts forth a very strong effort to appeal to those sensibilities in the folks visiting us. Dallas doesn't have a city-center that beckons as the hub of activity, buzzing with energy where visitors can converge, meet, mingle. Where does one go to thrive off of the positive vibration of happy, energy-filled individuals who wish to interact with the visitors to our city who later recall with a smile, the fun, festive time spent in our metropolis? What is the case for Dallas that we don't have a Sundance Square, a Riverwalk, a LoDo, a Strip, a Hollywood Blvd., a French Quarter, a Back Bay,
a SoHo, a Fifth Ave., A Sixth Street, A Knight's Bridge, etc.?
Deep Ellum saw its best days, years ago. The West End has practically ended. Greenville Ave. was conflicted and then it burnt down. Downtown may as well be renamed 'Closed Down'. What should be done? Do we want to be resurrected? So then...what do the people say?
M.a.T.H. is interested to know how you feel about all of those usually simple, but often, complex issues that govern our lives. I've seen and done some things and I think that I possess thoughtful insight and a varied skill-set that allows me to present an informed opinion about what there is to know when about town and at home! In other words, I've got credibility based on vast and varied experience and I'll comment on just about everything; I want your feedback! So then, let the people say!
