Bahama Beach, marketed as "the first inner-city waterpark in America", was officially re-branded to Hawaiian Falls/Dallas on Monday. David Busch, President and CEO of Hawaiian Falls, hosted a group of business and community leaders to celebrate the re-branding and provide a glimpse of the $250,000 in upgrades currently underway at the waterpark, including adding an abundance of shade. "This park is a great example of a successful partnership between a private enterprise and the City of Dallas.  We are both committed to serve the people of Dallas by providing quality, affordable family-friendly entertainment," said Busch. "Hawaiian Falls Dallas provides a wholesome, fun environment to meet their needs." Read Hawaiian Falls/Dallas press release here.  I had a chance to attend the re-branding celebration and I was extremely impressed.  I have passed by Bahama Beach hundreds of times, yet Monday was my first time stepping foot on the property.                Upon touring Hawaiian Falls/Dallas, I can't see why every family in North Texas isn't trying to get to this place.  Just think of a half scale Hurricane Harbor (or Wet 'N Wild for us old timers), that charges $12.99 for adults and $6.99 for ...

Many of you may remember Howard Witt, Southwest Bureau Chief for the Chicago Tribune, who's coverage of the ShaQuanda Cotton case garnered national attention for she and her situation. Mr. Witt now has a story out of Jena, a small town in Louisiana that has experienced heightened racial tensions over the last few months. See Mr. Witt's Chicago Tribune story here. In his May 18, 2007 story, Mr. Witt tells of an incident that happened at the local high school in Jena where black students decided they wanted to sit under a tree whose shade had been reserved for white students only for years. When campus officials gave their blessing to the students request to sit under the tree, a series of events began that have apparently launched the town into a downward spiral. According to Mr. Witt's article the following events have occurred since the initial action by the black students last September: * The next day three nooses were hanging from the tree * Once three white students were identified as having hung the nooses on the tree, the school superintendent suspended them for only three days. (The principal had suggested expulsion). The superintendent felt the nooses ...