Dallas just needs to go to bed at 6 p.m.Seriously. Shutter the clubs and music venues. Close the restaurants and bars. Turn off the lights at the museums and hotels. Cancel all special events at night. Send hospital, industry, and delivery workers home. Board up the gyms and shipping centers. Whatever shops and stores that are open, lock their doors. Clear the streets. Shoo people away from Katy Trail, White Rock Lake, the grassy knoll, and all our downtown parks. Stop DART light rail. Halt incoming flights. Tell Big Tex, Pegasus, and Deep Ellum's Walking Man that they need to turn in. Dallas doesn't need the jobs. Or the culture, dining, retail, or life after dark. Dallas doesn't need to be a place that appeals to anyone other than those who work nine-to-five and then drive home to their bubbles. The City of Dallas, Dallas County, and the Dallas Independent School District can provide all the services residents need using business tax revenues earned by day and by increasing property taxes on homeowners. Dallas just needs to go to bed at 6 p.m. Or … we can begin to understand that:
We celebrate our lives, cultures, friends, passions, and our city at night better than any other time of day. So, what is 24HourDallas about? We are a new, all-volunteer, non-profit organization. We advocate for a nighttime economy in Dallas that is more economically and culturally vibrant, racially equitable, and safer. We are creating programs and events to support that mission. And, so far, we are these businesses and individuals. Because the night is when Dallas awakens and finally comes to life. Become a business or individual member and help us advocate for the value of the night. Register for next Monday's Zoominar for restaurants and other food service operationsThe restaurant industry was one of the hardest hit sectors during the economic shutdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. What were some of the industry's most creative and enduring survival ideas? Texas is one of the first states to return to allowed 100% capacity. What lessons can restaurant operators in other states learn from our experiences? We'll find out Monday, May 3, 4-5 p.m. US Central Time during "Let's Eat: How Restaurants Should Respond as Nighttime Diners Return," with Ron Ruggless of Nation's Restaurant News and Matthew Mabel with Surrender, Inc. FreshPoint is co-sponsor and our guest host will be 24HourDallas board vice president Heather Pickett of 3015 at Trinity Groves. Join us as we talk with Dallas Police Chief Eddie García about proactive policing trendsThere are many topics worth exploring with Dallas' new police chief. What this 24HourDallas Zoominar will target is innovative and proactive approaches to managing our nightlife and sociable districts. How can we maintain public safety and civility and build Dallas' nighttime economy while also respecting residents and cultural differences? Join us Tuesday, June 22, 4-5 p.m. US Central Time for "Night Safety: Dallas Police Chief Eddie García's Insights for a Safer, More Sociable Dallas," a 24HourDallas Zoominar free and open to all. Safe Night LLC is co-sponsor and our host will be 24HourDallas founder and board president Randall White. BACKSTORY 24HourDallas is one of six, independent non-profit organizations in the Americas that is engaged in this work. |