According to recent Census Bureau estimates being released today, Dallas / Ft Worth is the fastest growing metropolitan area in the country.

Dallas-Fort Worth added more than 162,000 residents between July 2006 and July 2007, more than any other metro area. Three other Texas areas — Houston, Austin and San Antonio — also cracked the top 10.

Atlanta saw the second-largest population jump with just over 151,000 new residents. Phoenix was third with more than 132,000, and was followed by Houston, Riverside, Calif., Charlotte, N.C., Chicago, Austin, Las Vegas and San Antonio.

Of the 50 fastest-growing metro areas, 27 were in the South and 20 were in the West. Two were in the Midwest, one — Fayetteville, Ark. — straddles the South and Midwest and none was in the Northeast.

Detroit lost more than three times as many people as any other metro area — its population declined more than 27,300. Other areas losing more than 5,000 people were Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Columbus, Ga., Youngstown, Ohio, and Buffalo, N.Y.

Experts credit much of the growth in the South to relatively strong local economies and housing prices that are among the most affordable in the U.S.

16 percent of Americans who moved to other states between July 2006 and July 2007 came to Texas, which led the nation for the second straight year in that category.

Home prices continue to be a big factor. A report earlier this month by Global Insight found that housing prices in the Dallas area were undervalued by as much as 30 percent.

Among other Census Bureau findings:

• On a percentage basis, the Palm Coast, Fla., area was the fastest-growing in the nation. Population there jumped by 7.2 percent to more than 536,000. The next areas experiencing the biggest surge in growth were St. George, Utah; Raleigh, N.C; Gainesville, Ga.; and Austin.

The New Orleans area, recovering from Hurricane Katrina, grew by 4 percent or nearly 40,000 people, putting it 16th in terms of raw numbers but eighth for percentage growth. During the same survey last year, the population of New Orleans dropped by nearly 290,000 people.

AFI Dallas and Ghostbar are a match made in heaven with a mutual mission to provide and celebrate entertainment, Hollywood fame and rising stars, and the talent that keeps the industry hot. So it is no surprise that the two have combined forces to bring to Dallas hip-hop legends Public Enemy.

On Tuesday, April 1 at Ghostbar, Public Enemy’s hip-hop lords Chuck D, Professor Griff, along with DJ Lord, will grace the 33rd floor of Ghostbar for the afterparty of their screening WELCOME TO THE TERRORDOME, a documentary that highlights their 20-year musical career and their impact on music. The Tuesday screening is at Angelica 6 at 7:15pm. The afterparty at Ghostbar is complimentary; doors open at 8pm.

American Airlines has canceled about 300 flights today so its crews could inspect some wire bundles aboard all of its MD-80 jets which affects less than 10% of the scheduled flights. The matter has to do with making sure that the wiring is properly secured.

The greatest impact on these cancellations will be felt here in Dallas at DFW International Airport and at Chicago O’Hare.

In a fantastic move, ARTFEST is returning to their roots in Dallas’ historic Fair Park over Memorial Day weekend (May 23-25). This event is an absolute must with more than 200 of the nation’s best artists displaying their creations.

Traditions continue with live bands, a Cultural Arts Stage featuring performing artists, and ARTFEST for Kids, presented by Tom Thumb, with free activities including the classic “Box City” in which children design and build a town with boxes that they decorate. Festival food favorites, such as funnel cakes, corndogs and cotton candy, will be available to purchase. In addition to Saturday and Sunday events, ARTFEST visitors can toast the weekend with a very special Wine Stroll Preview Party on Friday evening, which includes an art preview, “meet and greet” with the artists, a weekend pass to ARTFEST, complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres.

As always, ARTFEST is a fundraiser . . . unusual for an arts festival since most similar events of such magnitude are organized by cities and communities. To date, ARTFEST has raised over $12 million, with proceeds assisting numerous musical, dramatic, visual, and other arts organizations. Past beneficiaries include Dallas Chamber Music Society, USA Film Festival, Shakespeare Dallas and Dallas Center for Contemporary Art.

ARTFEST 2008 will be held at Fair Park (3809 Grand Avenue) over Memorial Weekend, May 23rd – 25th. The Wine Stroll Preview Party, $20 per person, is on Friday, May 23 from 6pm – 9pm. Advance discount tickets for the Wine Stroll can be purchased at Tom Thumb for $15 beginning May 5th. The main event will be held from 10am – 7pm on Saturday, May 24 and from 10am – 6pm on Sunday, May 25. General admission is $6 per day for adults; children under 6 are free. Advance discount tickets can be purchased at Tom Thumb for $5 beginning May 5. Parking is complimentary on Washington Avenue. For more information, visit www.artfest500.com or call 214.565.0200.