Opt for Optimism

Dallas foodies gobble up good thoughts at delicious fundraiser

Guests at Park & Palate had a lot to be thankful for.

Courtesy photo

On a gloriously sunny Saturday, Dallas-Fort Worth foodies turned out in droves for Park & Palate, the big fundraiser for Klyde Warren Park.

Bites from the who's who of chefs and restaurants awaited the hungry fans, who could also imbibe in sips from more than 30 wine, spirit, and brewery brands.

Guests could take a break from gorging to visit the Opt for Optimism tent, where Frost Bank and CultureMap were waiting with feel-good activities and a healthy dose of happiness.

Besides writing on the Call Me Optimistic chalkboards, attendees could also personalize "do-good" postcards for homeless kits that will be distributed during the holiday season through Dallas shelters.

One man shared that he actually used to be homeless, but had since turned his life around and was now thankful for his beautiful wife, who keeps him optimistic and inspired each day.

A "Good Fortune" teller was also on hand, predicting positive futures for those who sat for a reading.

A couple paused to tell how their house had just been destroyed by the Dallas tornado — they lost their cars, valuables, everything — but that they still remained optimistic. The reason? Their Yorkie dog was safe with them, and that was all they needed.

A pair of friends agreed that their friendship is keeps them optimistic and thankful, and that they are always there for each other no matter what. They said often attend events like this together, and that having fun as a team was always a priority.

CultureMap and Frost Bank will be hosting more of these pop-up events throughout the year, surprising and delighting folks all over Texas. Want to know where we might show up next? Sign up for our emails and follow along on Facebook and Instagram for hints about our next stop.

parks craft-beer music nature charity-guide festivals fundraisers promoted barbecue chefs cocktails wine

E-Cigarette News

Dallas City Council places restrictions on vaping in public

Man vaping, e-cigarette

Unsplash

Man vaping

Vaping will now be banned exactly like smoking, thanks to a new ordinance from the Dallas City Council.

At their December 11 meeting, the council passed an ordinance to ban vaping in all the same areas where smoking is not allowed. It'll go into effect on December 11, 2025 — giving everyone a year to get into compliance.

Proposed by City of Dallas Environmental Commission (EVC) and the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS), the ordinance amends the definition of “smoking” in the Dallas City Code to include the use of vaping devices.

The ordinance does not ban vaping — it only bans where you can vape: no vaping in all indoor and enclosed spaces; within 15 feet of building entrances; and on park property. The ordinance also bans marijuana smoking in those same places.

In addition, the amendment requires restaurants, hotels, fitness centers and other businesses to update their signage to clearly state that both smoking and electronic smoking devices are prohibited.

The ordinance already earned widespread support from health organizations such as the Dallas County Health and Human Services, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association. These organizations, along with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Surgeon General, have all raised concerns about the health risks of direct and second-hand exposure to vaping aerosols, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and older adults.

Dallas is not the first city to impose such a ban: San Antonio enacted a similar ban in October. Theirs goes into effect on January 1, 2025.

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