Trash Can Art

Dallas artists can win $2K in downtown library public art project

J. Erik Jonsson Central Library in downtown Dallas.

Courtesy photo

Dallas Public Library is seeking proposals from artists for two public design projects.

Both would enhance the main library in downtown Dallas. One is for a walkway, the other is for garbage cans.

The goal with both pieces is to create an unexpected, playful atmosphere to welcome children when they get off the bus for a field trip, come to a library program, or accompany their parents to the vital statistics office.

The library wants designs that incorporate literacy and play, such as letter or number knowledge, children's rhymes, planets of the solar system, basic math, or animal recognition.

Designs may include prompts that encourage early learning lessons, such as "Count how many steps between the blue circle and the red square," or "How many things do you see that start with the letter A?" Think of elements you would see on a classroom bulletin board. Find more ideas at GetReadytoRead.org.

The Dallas Public Library and the Office of Cultural Affairs staff will select the design based on how well it fits the desired theme and feasibility.

This is not the first time a city of Dallas agency has initiated a program to decorate trash containers. In 2016, the city's Sanitation Services department hosted Art for Dumpsters, a program that commissioned art on city recycling containers.

Walking path
The library is requesting design proposals for a kid-friendly walking path leading from the sidewalk to the main entrance of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library at 1515 Young St.

The chosen design will be printed on exterior concrete calendar vinyl with non-skid laminate, and installed by the printing company with artist supervision. The project is projected to have a lifespan of 6 months, and may be replaced as funds allow.

The winner will receive a $2,000 stipend paid upon project installation.

Garbage cans
The library is requesting design proposals for five kid-friendly garbage cans placed at the main entrance of the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young St. Designs may be for a single can or for all five cans.

The chosen designs will be printed on vinyl and wrapped on metal 35-gallon garbage cans. The project is projected to have a lifespan of at least 6 months, and may be replaced as funds allow.

The winner will receive a $1,000 stipend paid upon project installation.

For details on how to submit work, go to dallaslibrary.submittable.com. For questions, email melissa.dease@dallascityhall.com.

kids

Turkey Day news

Dallas eats up top-5 rank on list of best cities for Thanksgiving

Photo courtesy of Razzoo's

undefined

Dallas is sitting at the head of the table as one of the best places in the country to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, a new study has revealed.

Dallas ranked No. 5 out of 100 of the largest U.S. cities in WalletHub's annual "Best Places to Go for Thanksgiving" report, published November 12. The city made a huge leap over its 2023 ranking as No. 17, and remains the highest-ranking Texas city.

The study analyzed each city based on 18 metrics to determine the best places for Thanksgiving, such as the number of pumpkin patches per capita, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner, the number of volunteer opportunities, the average weather forecast, and more. The metrics were then organized into five overall categories to determine the rankings.

The category that Dallas ranked the highest in was the number of celebrations and traditions (No. 2), and the average weather forecast during the holiday period (No. 9), while the lowest-ranked category was for safety and accessibility (No. 82). Other categories that determined Dallas' overall ranking were affordability (No. 60), and a "giving thanks" rank (No. 26).

Dallas restaurants are getting prepared for their big Turkey Day feasts, and CultureMap has rounded up a thorough list of all of the local restaurants hosting holiday feasts, from brunch to dinner.

"The best cities for celebrating Thanksgiving all have an abundance of high-quality restaurants and places to buy festive decorations, and their residents get very excited for the holiday based on their Google search history," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

By Thanksgiving on November 28, Dallas will be fully decked for the December holidays. Dallasites who will have extended family in town during Thanksgiving weekend can take in of all the marvelous Christmas lights brightening the city. Dallas-Fort Worth goes all out for the most wonderful time of year.

Across North Texas, three Dallas-area cities also made big improvements from their 2023 rankings. Irving moved up 10 spots to claim No. 19 this year, and Garland jumped up 21 spots on the list as No. 34. Arlington made the biggest improvement in the region, moving from No. 78 last year to No. 55 this year.

Meanwhile, Plano and Fort Worth slipped in the rankings, falling into No. 44 and No. 45 in 2024, respectively. Plano previously ranked No. 38 in 2023, and Fort Worth was No. 36.

San Diego, California (No. 1) topped the overall list of best places to go for Thanksgiving this year, followed by its Golden State neighbors San Francisco (No. 3) and San Jose (No. 4). Atlanta, Georgia (No. 2) rounds out the top five.

dallas fort worth thanksgiving wallethub rankings