Today’s post is from Carolyn Davidson, Assistant Director for the North Texas Regional Library System:

In Fort Worth, you can explore many museums that are world-famous for the beauty of their architecture and the quality of their collections. The Kimbell Art Museum is world renown and is worth a drive to Fort Worth. Across the street is the Modern Art Museum – the building itself is a work of art. The Fort Worth Cultural District, home to five wonderful museums in a relaxing, park-like setting is a great place to start your tour.

Today's post is from Annie Frank , a librarian at Parr Library in Plano:

If you have time for a side trip while at TLA, here’s a suggested itinerary: The Japanese Garden in Ft. Worth, followed by lunch at Joe T. Garcia’s, and then a stroll through the Water Garden. Total time: 4-6 hours, depending on how enchanted you are with the Gardens.

The Japanese Garden is part of the Ft. Worth Botanic Garden, and is worth visiting in any season. Multi-level pathways of stone and wood wind through Japanese maples, pines, and flowering cherries donated by Ft. Worth’s sister city Nagaoka, Japan. Around each hill or corner is an everchanging landscape of bridges, pavilions, decks, and statuary. Connecting the entire garden is a system of ponds full of giant, colorful koi. These are fun to feed—fish food stations are scattered about the Garden, and the koi will almost eat out of your hand. Any left over fish food is quickly devoured by the tame squirrels. It’s truly an enchanting place, full of peace and serenity. And admission is only $3.00 for adults! For directions and hours of operation: http://www.fwbg.org/japanese.htm. For detailed information on the Garden itself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Worth_Japanese_Garden.

Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant is a Ft. Worth landmark. It started operation in 1935 and is still going strong. The menu is limited to enchiladas, tacos and fajitas, but the food is handmade and good. It gets a 4 out of 5 on Trip Advisor. And it’s HUGE, so even if there’s a line, the wait is short. More information at www.joets.com.

Finally, end your Ft. Worth adventure by strolling through the Water Garden, next to the Ft. Worth Convention Center. There are three featured fountains: the Meditation Pool, which we call the Wall of Water, because that’s what it is; the Aerating Pool (fun to walk around and spot the rainbows cast by the spray); and the main attraction, the Active Pool. The Active Pool has terraced steps leading down 38 feet, with water cascading all around. By the time you get to the bottom, you are surrounded by thundering water. Address: 1502 Commerce Street, 817-871-5755, Free. For more information on the Water Garden itself: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Worth_Water_Gardens.

Today's post is from Annie Frank , a librarian at Parr Library in Plano:

There’s an Arts and Letters Live program on April 14 that might lure you into arriving a day early for the 2008 TLA Conference. It’s called Cowgirl vs. Cowboy Cuisine with Paula Disbrowe and Robb Walsh, a showdown between two chefs “celebrating Texas cuisine” (I don’t know about that “cuisine” part).

Paula Disbrowe is a former New Yorker (she couldn’t help where she was born) who had the good sense to move to Texas. Her book, Cowgirl Cuisine: Rustic Recipes and Cowgirl Adventures from a Texas Ranch, mixes great recipes (Watermelon Margaritas) with humorous anecdotes about ranch life. Robb Walsh is the restaurant critic for the Houston Press. He has written several cookbooks, the latest being the Texas Cowboy Cookbook (2006), described by NPR’s Kitchen Sisters as like “a collaboration by John Wayne, Larry McMurtry and Emiliano Zapata.”

The event includes a luncheon buffet and cook-off at Dallas Museum of Art’s Seventeen Seventeen Restaurant, serving recipes from the above cited cookbooks, and costs $45. The authors’ presentation in the Horchow Auditorium afterwards costs an additional $30. You can go to both or to either one, depending on your budget. Reservations are required.

Are you a history junkie? Want to nourish your mind between sessions?

The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza is a true Dallas icon, dedicated to documenting the life, death and legacy of President John F. Kennedy. The museum is housed in the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository, the location from which Lee Harvey Oswald assassinated Kennedy, according to several government investigations.

The museum welcomes visitors from around the world who seek understanding about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963.

The current special exhibit is titled "Filming Kennedy: Home Movies from Dallas," and will remain open during the annual conference.

The Sixth Floor Museum is open Monday, 12 pm - 6 pm and Tuesday through Sunday, 10 am - 6 pm. Adult admission is $13.50.

For directions and parking information, see:
http://www.jfk.org/General_Information.htm

The gorgeously-modern Angelika Film Center is a great place to see indie, art-house, and/or foreign films. There are actually two locations in the DFW Metroplex; one in Dallas and a newer one a little north in Plano.

Both locations feature stylish decor, upscale food, and an all-around more luxurious experience than your typical movie theater. The Dallas location is also conveniently located near the DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) Mockingbird Station, making it easy to get to. The station itself is quite attractive.

You can find information and current showings here:
Dallas Angelika: http://angelikafilmcenter.com/angelika_index.asp?hID=7915
Plano Angelica: http://angelikafilmcenter.com/angelika_index.asp?hID=8774

For more information on DART and the Mockingbird Station:
http://www.dart.org/riding/stations/mockingbirdstation.asp

Today's post is from Kara Phillips , a librarian at Davis Library in Plano:

The Dallas Arboretum is a series of botanical gardens located on the southeastern shore of White Rock Lake. No matter what time of year, the Arboretum is always in bloom. With so much brilliant color, it is truly an experience! The 66 acre garden area is known for its plant collections, including more than 2000 varieties of Azaleas. It features scenic views of the lake and the downtown Dallas skyline as well as an outdoor concert stage, picnic areas, and a set of replicas of dwellings and other structures depicting prairie life in the “Texas Pioneer Adventure.” The arboretum is a great place for taking pictures or enjoying a beautiful day. Pack a lunch, grab a friend, and come enjoy a picnic in the gardens at the Dallas Arboretum. It’s worth the visit – there is always plenty to see. Admission is $8.00 for adults. For directions, hours of operation or detailed information about the gardens please visit: http://www.dallasarboretum.org.

Today's post is from Leora Kemp, a librarian at the UNT Dallas Campus:

The International Museum of Cultures is a unique museum focusing upon contemporary peoples and challenges of currently existing communities in remote locations of the world.

International Museum of Cultures
7500 W. Camp Wisdom
Dallas, TX
Ph: 972.708.7406
Fax: 972.708.7341
Map

Hours:
Monday-Friday:10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday:1:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday:Closed

Leora heard back from the International Museum of Cultures we featured on Wednesday the 13th. You might be interested in contacting them and arranging a tour for your group:

"Thank you so much. This is wonderful. We are closed on Sat. and Sun. except for tour groups. We would be delighted to offer a special tour for librarians at a discounted cost."

Mary Fae Kamm
International Museum of Cultures
(972) 708-7406

Today's post is from Joyce, a librarian at Haggard Library in Plano:

When you visit the $10 million building, Latino Cultural Center, designed by Mexican architect, Ricardo Legoretta, bring a camera for bright colors, purple, orange and terra cotta, surround visitors in the contemporary building.

Latino Cultural Center
2600 Live Oak
214-670-3320

Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

After your days of meetings and programs stop by the free Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival to unwind. This annual event is AMAZING. They have over 500 artists, performers, dancers, musicians, and food vendors lining the streets of Ft. Worth.

Main Street Fort Worth Arts Festival
Thursday, April 17, 2008: 10:00a.m. - 10:00p.m.
Friday, April 18, 2008: 10:00a.m. - 11:00p.m.
Saturday, April 19, 2008: 10:00a.m. - 11:00p.m.
Sunday, April 20, 2008: 10:00a.m. - 8:00p.m

Concerts
April 17, 7:30 p.m.: Wayman Tisdale, Joe McBride
April 18, 7:30 p.m.: The Wailers, Cowboy Mouth, Terri Hendrix, Ruthie Foster
April 19, 7:30 p.m.: Son Volt, Dr. John, Quebe Sisters Band
April 20, 5 p.m.: Brave Combo, Grupo Fantasma

Just a short jaunt west into Fort Worth provides you with access to one of the best concert halls in the country, Bass Performance Hall. The Bass opened in 1998; it has 2,056 seats and is renowned for its superb acoustics.

Events to be held during TLA include Dracula (presented by the Texas Ballet Theater), and jazz/rock musicians Geoff Muldaur & Stephen Bruton: http://www.basshall.com/eventsnew.jsp?selDate=4/14/2008

You can find more information and purchase tickets online here: http://www.basshall.com/

The City of Dallas has compiled a nice list of places to visit in Dallas. Things to Do in Dallas showcases attractions, dining venues, sporting events, and more. We've featured some of these on this blog but there is so much happening in Dallas we won't be able to get to everything. I encourage you to click on the link and explore the areas you're interested in.

The Ft. Worth Convention and Visitors Bureau has compiled a list of attractions and events in Ft. Worth. This site will help you explore the western heritage of Ft. Worth as well as direct you to some nice dining and cultural opportunities.

The Amon Carter Museum is one of the nation's preeminent collections of American art in general, and specifically photography and "western" art. Admission to the permanent collection is always free, which is a bonus! (Call for ticket prices to special exhibitions.)

See the list of current exhibitions here: http://www.cartermuseum.org/exhibitions

Hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday:
10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Sunday: Noon–5 p.m.
Closed Mondays and major holidays.

Find out more information here:
http://www.cartermuseum.org/

Today's post is from Brent Bloechle at Parr Library in Plano:

Fair Park, located just 2 miles from downtown Dallas, is a beautiful collection of restored 1930’s Art Deco buildings. This is the largest collection of 1930’s-era buildings, murals, statutes, and bas-relief sculptures in the United States. The buildings were originally constructed for the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition and are now a National Historic Landmark. The buildings alone are a great reason to wander the 277 acres of Fair Park. But there is more…

The African American Museum, the Museum of the American Railroad, the Museum of Nature & Science and the Women’s Museum are set among the buildings used annually for the Texas State Fair. These world class museums have permanent displays and exhibits for everyone’s taste and interest. My personal favorite is the 20,000 year old Trinity River Mammoth at the Museum of Nature & Science. During TLA, you can also take in Roving Mars, showing at 3:40 in the afternoon at the IMAX Theater. If this isn’t enough, there is more…

The Fair Park area is a great place to spend a few hours taking a nice walk and enjoying the well landscaped grounds of the Texas Discovery Garden. You can enjoy the flowers, butterflies and beautiful fountain in this urban oasis. If the out of doors isn’t quit your cup of tea, you can visit the Dallas Aquarium and enjoy observing some of the 6000 aquatic animals on display. If you would prefer that cup of tea or coffee, the Old Mill Inn is open for lunch between 11:00 am and 2:30 pm each day.

If you have only visited Fair Park during the Texas State Fair, I urge you to plan a visit when the beauty and architecture isn’t hidden behind the people and trappings of that annual event.

Need a break from fast-paced conference food? Looking for something a little more natural, and down-to-earth? Look no further than the Dallas Farmer's Market, begun in the late 1800's and still regularly held near downtown Dallas.

Stroll the market to shop for fruits and veggies, meats, flowers, and a variety of unique and hard-to-find items.

Hours:
Sunday through Saturday, 7am to 6pm

Location:
downtown Dallas
(DART will get you there via the Route 35 bus line)
1010 South Pearl Street, Dallas, Texas 75201
map: http://www.dallasfarmersmarket.org/