GETTING TO KNOW TEXAS
STATE NAME: from Tejas, the Indian word meaning "Friendly"
STATE MOTTO: Friendship
STATE NICKNAME: Lone Star State
STATE DISH: Chili
STATE BIRD: Mockingbird
STATE FLOWER: Bluebonnet
STATE SONG: Texas Our Texas
STATE CAPITOL: Austin
Texas covers 275,416 square miles, extending 801 straight-line miles from north to south and 773 miles from east to west.
The nation's largest state capitol building is Texas' capitol in Austin. Completed in 1888, it is constructed of Texas pink granite.
Two Native American tribal reservations exist in Texas, the Alabama Coushatta Indian Reservation, located on US Interstate Highway 90, that is between the cities of Livingston and Woodville in East Texas. The other is the Tigua Indian Reservation, Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, in the city of El Paso. Both have extensive visitor programs, museums, dance exhibitions, arts, and crafts.
The longest river in the state is the Rio Grande, which forms the international boundary between Texas and Mexico. It extends 1,248 miles along Texas. The next longest river running through Texas or along its boundary line is the Red. The Brazos is the longest river between the Rio Grande and the Red.
Texas has more than 5,175 square miles of lakes and streams. The largest lake in Texas is Lake Sam Rayburn in East Texas. Lake Livingston, also in East Texas, Lake Texoma on the Oklahoma state border and Falcon and Amistad Reservoirs on the Rio Grande River between Texas and Mexico are other large lakes.
Included in Texas' 23.4 million acres of woodlands are 10.9 million acres of pine hardwood forests in East Texas known as the Piney Woods. They extend over all or parts of 43 counties and include four national forests covering 703,193 acres. There are 91 mountains that are one mile high or more in Texas, all in the TransPecos region in the southwest area of the state.
Characterized by generally mild temperatures, Texas weather ranges from a summer mean of 78 degrees in the Panhandle to 84 degrees in the lower Rio Grande Valley, and from winter means of 40 degrees in the Panhandle to 61 degrees in the Valley. Average annual rainfall varies greatly from more than 59 inches along the Sabine River to less than eight inches in extreme West Texas.
The state's surface ranges from sea level to rocky ramparts looming above a mile high in the mountainous far west region. The southern terminus of the table-flat Great Plains of the United States fills much of the Texas Panhandle. Grassy, rolling prairies, where ranches and Texas cowboys still thrive, cover thousands of square miles. Deep forests blanket millions of East Texas acres. In the Central Texas hill country, steep limestone hills enfold secluded valleys. There are sunny desert lands; rich, black farm lands; humid swamps where wild orchids grow; and dramatic volcanic intrusions of dark basalt and glistening granite.
In 1836 Texas won its independence from Mexico at the Battle of San Jacinto and was an independent nation for nearly ten years. But Texas dates back even further. The famed six flags that have flown over Texas are Spain, 1510-1821; France, 1685-1690; Mexico, 1821-1836; Texas as a Republic, 1836-1845; Confederate States of America, 1861-1865, and United States of America, 1845-1861 and 1865 present.
Professional travel agents provide free maps and travel literature, routings and road information.
Dallas was settled in 1841 as a frontier trading post and today is the ninth largest city in the United States. The population is 1,052,000 and growing, while the entire Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex comprises a population of 3,047,460.
The city of Dallas encompasses 384 square miles of rolling prairie, with native pecan, cottonwoods and oak trees located along the Trinity River and the numerous creeks that feed it. The elevation ranges from 450 to 750 feet.
Dallas is the Southwest's leading business and financial center. It boasts the largest wholesale market in the world and lays claim to being one of the top convention cities in the United States and the No. 1 visitor destination in Texas.
Dallas has more shopping centers per capita than any other major US city, and four times more restaurants per person than New York City.
The Dallas Arts District, located on the north side of downtown, is the largest urban district in the United States. The Dallas Museum of Art and the Morton H. Myerson Symphony Center are two of the most prominent features on the Dallas Arts scene, while several other museums grace the grounds of Fair Park - including The Science Place and the African American Museum. Throughout Dallas you'll find an amazing blend of artistic expressions that reflect the multicultural dynamics of the city's heritage.
HISTORY
Settled in 1841 by a Tennessee lawyer and entrepreneur named John Neely Bryan, Dallas ended the 19th century as a leading agricultural, railroad and trade center.
As the 20th century unfolded, Dallas changed with the times manufacturing, banking and center of the world cotton market in 1910s-'20s; oil field management and services in the 1930s; aviation and military manufacturing in the 1940s; wholesale trade and distribution in the 1950s; high tech manufacturing and professional sports in the 1960s; suburban growth and international air hub in the 1970s; and international business, real estate development and landmark skyscrapers in the 1980s.
While all this was going on, the people of Dallas were busy building shops and restaurants, museums and concert halls, parks and playgrounds -- all the things that ultimately make a city worth living in and visiting. The 1990s have found Dallas polishing and refining itself, with renewed focus on activities and infrastructure in the central city. These efforts have paid off handsomely, as Dallas residents enjoy a lifestyle that is second to none, and the city has become the leading visitor destination in Texas year after year.
RESOURCES FOR LEISURE TIME
Fun Fest
3805 Beltline Rd., Addison, 75244
972-620-7700
AMF Funfest specializes in corporate parties, offering bowling, LazerTrek, billiards, team-building and more.
Bronco Bowl & Entertainment
2600 Fort Worth Avenue, Dallas, 75211
214-943-1777
After a $6 million restoration, this 20-acre center offers bowling, billiards, an arcade, banquet facilities and concerts.
Cinemark IMAX Theater
11819 Webb Chapel Road, Dallas, 75234
972-888-2629
Featuring the only 3D IMAX experience in Dallas! The IMAX experience can be viewed in both two and three dimensional presentations on a giant screen.
Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park
1462 First Avenue and MLK Blvd., Dallas, 75226
214-670-8443
The Dallas Aquarium at Fair Park features 5000 aquatic animals from around the world. New Amazon Flooded forest exhibits showcases fish of the Amazon River.
Dallas Zoo
650 South R L Thornton Freeway
Dallas, 75203
214-670-5656
The world-class 85-acre park features the Exxon Endangered Tiger Habitat, Kimberly Clark Chimpanzee Forest, named the best African Zoo exhibit in the country.
Dave & Buster's
1027 Composite Drive
Dallas, 75220
214-353-0620
It's a restaurant/entertainment complex where the menu features steaks, seafood and gourmet pizzas. Features a Million Dollar Midway with over 150 games.
Hard Rock Cafe
2601 McKinney Avenue, Dallas, 75204
214-855-0007
On the McKinney Avenue Trolley route, Dallas' Hard Rock Cafe serves a selection of classic American food to the tune of rock and roll.
Reunion Tower at Hyatt Regency Dallas
300 Reunion Boulevard East, Dallas, 75207
214-651-1234
This landmark tower, adjacent to the Hyatt Regency, offers a spectacular view from a 50-story observation deck, as well as a revolving lounge and restaurant.
Galleria
13355 Noel Road, Suite 250
Dallas, 75240
972-702-7100
The Galleria features more than 200 celebrated stores to shop, including Macy's, Nordstrom's, Tiffany &Co., Gucci and Gianni Versace plus a large ice skating rink in the center.
North Park Shopping Center
1030 North Park Center, Dallas, 75225
214-363-7441
Built in 1965, North Park is known as the country's first indoor mall. The center has some 160 stores under its roof, including Neiman Marcus and Burberrys.
West End Market Place
603 Munger Avenue, Dallas, 75202
214-748-4801
This multi-level mall houses 50 specialty shops full of Dallas memorabilia and unique gifts, including Western apparel, Texas food items and more.
Movie Theaters
Cinemark Dallas Movies 17
11819 Webb Chapel Road, Dallas
972-247-1795
Studio Movie Grill Prestonwood
5405 Beltline Rd., Dallas
972-991-6684
Tickets
Star Tickets (professional ice hockey team)
Tickets available at Albertson's (grocery story) or by calling 972-660-8300 or 888-597-STAR.
www.startickets.com
Ticketmaster
For many events such as Cowboy football, Dallas Burn soccer, and Mavericks basketball games. Theater productions and other special event tickets also are available. Tickets available at Fiesta, Foley's, Kroger and Tower Records stores and at Cowtown Coliseum in Fort Worth, or by telephone at 214-373-8000, or metro 972-647-5700; or Ticketmaster Arts Line at 214-631-ARTS. www.ticketmaster.com
Farmers Branch is only 15 minutes away from the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Its beautiful world-class hotels are all located on two major interstate highways making it convenient to get to the area's "hot spots" such as the Galleria Shopping Mall, Texas Stadium, the Meyerson Symphony Center, Reunion Arena, Six Flags Over Texas, the Ball Park in Arlington and the Historic West End Shopping and Entertainment Center in Downtown Dallas.
While you're here, learn about the birthplace of Dallas County in our beautiful 22-acre Historical Park which preserves history in a very special way. Here you can "walk back through time" in some of Dallas County's oldest structures as you enjoy a stroll through some of the largest oak trees in the area.
Although Farmers Branch has not been a farming community for decades, many things still grow and flourish here such as large corporate headquarters, career opportunities, beautiful homes, quality schools and attention to quality service.
The 24,500 residents of the city enjoy quality services at one of the lowest tax rates in the area. The majority the tax base comes from the business community which makes it possible to provide outstanding services to residents at a low tax rate. In fact, Farmers Branch became the first city in the nation to pay taxpayers a dividend.
Special attention is paid to the youth of Farmers Branch through scholarships, after-school programs and summer programs. Senior citizens also are appreciated and the city provides recreational activities to hundreds of seniors at the Senior Adult Activity Center. Free transportation to and from the Senior Center is provided to those who have no other means of transportation.
The city provides garbage and recycling service to all residents at no additional charge, as well as weekly heavy brush collection.
Farmers Branch also is known for celebrations. The city hosts numerous special events such as a free concert by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in the Historical Park, the Fourth of July Spectacular and Cinco De Mayo for the whole family. For more information go to www.ci.farmers-branch.tx.u
Whether you're working toward an associate's degree, planning to transfer to a four-year university or enhancing your professional skills, Brookhaven College has a wide variety of classes that will meet your needs.
Founded in 1978, Brookhaven College is a member of the Dallas County Community College District, the largest undergraduate institution in the state of Texas.
The outstanding faculty, excellent facilities and innovative programs offered at Brookhaven College combine to make an impressive educational package. The college is equipped to serve the changing, growing community with a wide variety of educational, business, cultural and recreational opportunities.
You will find a full range of accredited freshman- and sophomore-level college courses offered at Brookhaven, called the Core Curriculum, which are guaranteed to transfer to any public four-year college or university in Texas. Students also may pursue a two-year associate degree; work toward certification in technical/occupational programs; gain a new skill or refresh an existing one; or simply explore an area of interest.
Noncredit programs are offered year-round and promote professional advancement and encourage the pursuit of personal interests. Many computer training and certification programs are available, as well as classes in areas such as dance, floral design, foreign languages, geotechnology, real estate and motorcycle riding.
Brookhaven College Student services include counseling and advisement for all students, as well as career counseling and job placement assistance, special programs and services for women, veterans, returning adults, students for whom English is a second language, and those with disabilities.
A variety of student and community cultural enrichment offerings complement Brookhaven College's academic programs. Through the Fine Arts Division, the Brookhaven College School of the Arts makes a variety of cultural and entertainment events available to the Dallas community. Offerings include visual arts exhibits, concerts, dance and theatrical performances by students.
The Brookhaven College North Center, located at Marsh Lane and Frankford Road, serves the educational needs of the population of far northwest Dallas. The Brookhaven College East Center, located at Midway and Alpha roads, provides additional classroom space.
The Brookhaven College campus is situated on a 200-acre site at 3939 Valley View Lane just north of LBJ Freeway (Interstate Highway-635). State-of-the-art facilities include a 65,000-square-foot Student Services Center, a computing/communications center, a 700-seat performance hall, a topnotch Parent/Child Study Center, and an automotive shop with the latest technical equipment.
For more information call 972-860-4845, or visit www.bhc.dcccd.edu