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Friday, August 22, 2008
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Lewisville residents invited to take part in electronic recycling event
Waste Management and Sony Electronics are teaming up for a free regional electronic recycling event on Saturday, Aug. 23, in Dallas. Lewisville residents are invited to participate in this program, which is designed to help consumers recycle electronic devices safely and keep those items out of landfills. The collection will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at HOBI International, 7601 Ambassador Row in Dallas.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 82 percent of the 2.25 million tons of old televisions, cell phones and computer products generated in the past two years ended up in landfills. By recycling old electronics products, useful materials - such as glass, plastic and metals - can be collected and re-used in the manufacture of other products
Lewisville recycling officials report that it is increasingly difficult to accept televisions and similar devices for free at the city’s monthly Household Hazardous Waste collections. Many cities already charge for those items.
Media contact: Environmental Programs Coordinator Lisa Weaver, 972.219.3503
Drivers urged to exercise caution as school year begins
The Lewisville Police Department is asking residents to drive slowly and watch for children as school begins Monday, Aug. 25. A detail of 10 officers will work school zones as a special assignment during the first two weeks of school. School zone laws will be strictly enforced by Lewisville officers at all times. The maximum fine for speeding in a school zone is $326.
Lewisville has 16 school zones composed of 61 roadways within its jurisdiction. The maximum speed limit in those school zones during posted hours is 20 mph (except for Farm Road 544 by Killian Middle School, where the limit is 35 mph).
Texas law requires drivers to follow direction from crossing guards. The city employs 32 crossing guards supervised by one lead crossing guard control traffic at school crosswalks. All but one are returning from last year, and nine have more than five years of experience.
Drivers also must observe the laws governing school buses. When approaching a school bus with alternating red lights, traffic must stop in both directions unless on a divided road. On a divided road, only traffic traveling the same direction as the school bus must stop.
Media contact: Police Capt. Todd Taylor, 972.219.3623
Canine swimmers invited to special event at Sun Valley pool
Lewisville Parks and Leisure Services will hold Doggie Dive-In at Sun Valley Aquatic Park on Saturday, Sept. 6, from 9:30 a.m. to noon. A full morning full of fun canine activities is planned, including contests and prizes. Proof of current vaccinations must be presented upon check-in on the day of the event. Only dogs will be permitted in the water. For more information, contact either the Civic Circle Recreation Center at 972.219.3560 or Memorial Park Recreation Center at 972.219.5061. Cost is $4 per dog and space is limited to 400 dogs.
Media contact: Aquatics Supervisor Hilary Boen, 972.219.3749
“Sounds of Lewisville” schedules free fall concerts
Five top regional acts have been scheduled for the “Sounds of Lewisville” Fall Concert Series, presented by the City of Lewisville in Old Town Lewisville
The free concerts will be held on Tuesday nights, from Sept. 9 through Oct. 7, starting at 7 p.m. in Wayne Ferguson Plaza across from Lewisville City Hall. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs. Alcohol is prohibited at the concert series.
The final concert will be the city’s National Night Out event. The full series is coordinated by the City of Lewisville Community Relations & Tourism Department with assistance from the Parks and Leisure Services Department. Scheduled performances are:
Sept. 9 TrueHeart
Sept. 16 Mighty Marvelous 4
Sept. 23 Spector’s Gun Collection
Sept. 30 Hard Night’s Day
Oct. 7 Briefcase Blues
For more information, please call 972.219.3401 or visit www.cityoflewisville.com.
Media contact: Events and Promotions Coordinator Melinda Stephens, 972.219.3712
Dragon Readers Book Club set schedule at Lewisville library
The Lewisville Public Library will hold the Dragon Readers Book Club for readers in grades 4-6, with monthly sessions devoted to books on the 2008-09 Texas Bluebonnet list. Meetings will be held the first Wedbnesday of each month, 4:30-5:30 p.m., in the children’s area of the library. At the Sept. 3 session, readers will discuss Crossing Bok Chitto by Tim Tingle. For more information, call the Youth Services Desk at 972.219.3570. Library services also are available on the Internet at http://library.cityoflewisville.com.
Media contact: Youth Services Supervisor Pat Peters, 972.219.3691
Library kicks off Teen Chess Club
The Lewisville Public Library will hold a Teen Chess Club on the first Satuday of each month starting Sept. 6. Sessions, conducted by chess champion Igor Kravets, will be 2-3 p.m. at Teen Point on the second floor of the library, 1197 W. Main Street. The group is open to players of all skill levels from grades 6 through 12. For more information, call the Youth Services Desk at 972.219.3570. Library services also are available on the Internet at http://library.cityoflewisville.com.
Media contact: Teen Services Librarian Amy Albrecht, 972.219.3567
Visual Art League schedules workshop on artist exhibitions
Artist Marcie Inman will be guest speaker for the Visual Art League of Lewisville during its free monthly workshop being held Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 7 p.m. at the VAL Gallery, 701 S. Stemmons Freeway.
Inman, currently the Director of Exhibitions and Education Programs for the Irving Arts Center, will discuss how artists can exhibit their work effectively. Topics will include how to research exhibition opportunities, putting together a proposal and approaching a gallery or arts center. She will also address exhibition preparation and such issues as framing, loan agreements, hanging the work and helping to promote the show.
The VAL Gallery is located in the Lewisville West Shopping Center, on the west side of Interstate 35E between Main Street and Fox Avenue. Gallery hours are 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Admission is free.
Visual Arts League (VAL) is one of six local groups receiving funding from the Greater Lewisville Arts Council through the City of Lewisville grant program designed to foster cultural and fine arts in the community.
For more information, call 972.420.9393 or visit www.visualartleague.org.
Media contact: VAL Publicity Chairwoman R’Lene Winters, 972.874.3919
LLELA offering guided tour of bison range
Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) is offering a guided tour of the wildlife preserve’s bison range on Sunday, Aug. 31, starting at 10 a.m. Cost is $2 per person in addition to the LLELA gate fee of $3 per person.
Participants will meet herd owner Robert Vaughan at the gatehouse, then drive out for an opportunity to see the bison up close and learn more about bison natural history and husbandry. All ages are welcome, but reservations are required by calling 972.219.7980. The bison are normally off view in a secure area of LLELA, so this is a chance to visit a part of the preserve most people don’t get to see.
The Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area is 2,000-acre wilderness of prairies, forests and wetlands managed as a wildlife preserve by a group of agencies including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the University of North Texas, the City of Lewisville, Lewisville ISD and Texas A & M University. Its mission is to preserve and restore native ecosystems and to provide and promote environmental education and scientific research.
LLELA is open to the public every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for fishing, hiking, camping, bird watching, kayaking/canoeing, picnicking and other outdoor activities. For information, visit www.ias.unt.edu/llela or call 972.219.3930.
Media contact: LLELA Publicist Lisa Cole, 972.219.3930
Volunteers needed for Western Day festival
Volunteers are needed in a variety of roles assisting with the annual Western Day festival, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 27, in Old Town Lewisville. Helps is needed in such areas as parade monitors, parking attendants, Vendor relations, general setup, stage management and more. For information, please visit the city’s Web site, www.cityoflewisville.com, or call 972.219.3401.
Media contact: Events and Promotions Coordinator Melinda Stephens, 972.219.3712
Citizens Police Academy accepting applications
The Lewisville Citizens Police Academy, the closest civilians can come to the men and women in blue, short of pursuing a badge of their own, is accepting applications for its 2008 class that starts on Sept. 4.
The free 13-week program includes instruction and training experiences from the classroom to the firing range. Since 1989, dozens of Lewisville residents have gained a better understanding of local law enforcement efforts through the program.
“As both an instructor and program coordinator, I’m always pleased to see the students’ excitement and enthusiasm each and every week,” said Lewisville Police Training Coordinator Scott Pedigo. “At the conclusion of each class, I’m always overwhelmed by the appreciation of the students. It seems that most don’t want their involvement in the program to end.”
Classes are held on Thursday evenings, and there are Saturday sessions on Oct. 11 and Oct. 18. Graduation will be Dec. 4. After completing the class, many graduates join the CPA Alumni Association and volunteer with the department in a variety of capacities. Alumni also are eligible to ride with patrol officers as observers.
For information on the next class, scheduled to begin in September, call Training Coordinator Scott Pedigo at 972.219.3608. Participants must be at least 18 years old before classes begin and either live or work in Lewisville. Class space is limited, so those interested in participating should apply as soon as possible. Applications can be obtained at the Lewisville Police Department, can be mailed to applicants, or can be downloaded from www.cityoflewisville.com.
Media contact: Training Coordinator Scott Pedigo, 972.219.3608
