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Friday, July 25, 2008
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Wave Swim Team qualifies 87 members for state meet
The Lewisville Wave Swim Team celebrated its 20th season of summer competition at the TAAF Region 4 meet in Keller by qualifying 87 swimmers for the TAAF Games of Texas, to be held July 25-27 in San Antonio. A total of 18 teams competed in the regional meet. Lewisville Wave had 60 individuals or teams place among the top four in various events, including 18 first-place finishes.
Media contact: Aquatics Supervisor Hilary Boen, 972.219.3749
Free astronomy program planned for July 26
Lewisville Parks and Leisure Services will hold a free Stargazers astronomy program from 8 to 11 p.m. on Saturday, July 26, at Memorial Park, 1950 S. Valley Parkway. The program will be conducted by astronomer John Olson using electronically controlled 10-inch and 12-inch telescopes to view such celestial features as open and globular star clusters, distant galaxies, planets, moons and nebulae. Early visitors can use a special filter to view the sun. For information, call 972.219.5061.
Media contact: Recreation Specialist Monica Winters, 972.219.5061
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, July 27, starting at 10 a.m. Cost is $2 per person in addition to the LLELA gate fee of $3 per person.
Park officials reported six expectant mothers among the bison heard at the end of April, so seeing new-born calves during the tour is a strong possibility.
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
Purple Martin Landlords schedule Aug. 9 workshop, roost viewing
The public is invited to attend a free presentation on Aug. 9 by the Purple Martin Landlords of North Texas about the Purple Martin roost in Lewisville. The 6:30 p.m. presentation will be followed by a live viewing of the roost at 7:30 p.m., guided by members of the Landlords group.
The local roost is the largest in North Texas and one of the largest in the state. It is estimated that more than 50,000 birds return each year to Lewisville, choosing a roosting area near Main Street and Civic Circle since at least the year 2000. The roost can start in the second half of July and last into the early part of September, depending on weather conditions and food supply. Hundreds of bird-lovers visit Lewisville each year near sunset to view the roost and watch the aerial acrobatics of the Purple Martins.
Landlords president Gisela Fregoe will talk to attendees about the birds, their annual round-trip migration to Brazil, and the long history of human fascination with Purple Martins that dates back at least 10,000 years.
Registration is not required for the Aug. 9 presentation in the Glenmore Savage Community Room of the Municipal Annex, 1097 W. Main Street, or for the roost visit. For information, call 972.219.3550. For more information about the Purple Martin, visit www.//northtexasmartins.org.
Media contact: Parks and Leisure Services Director Bob Monaghan, 972.219.3552
Media contact: Purple Martin Landlords President Gisela Fregoe, 972.641.2981
Parade, vendor applications available for Western Day festival
Applications are being accepted from anyone wanting to participate in the Western Day parade or as a festival vendor during the popular annual event. This year’s festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 27, in Old Town Lewisville. Applications are available on the city’s Web site, www.cityoflewisville.com, or by calling 972.219.3401. Businesses interested in being a sponsor of any city festival can call 972.219.3726 for a sponsor packet.
Media contact: Events and Promotions Coordinator Melinda Stephens, 972.219.3712
Visual Art League schedules free artist workshop
Laurie Weller, juror for the recent Fresh Ideas 2008 show, will be the Visual Art League guest speaker on Tuesday, Aug. 5, starting at 7 p.m. at the VAL Gallery, 701 S. Stemmons Freeway. Weller is adjunct faculty for graduate painting, watercolor, and printmaking at Texas Woman’s University in Denton.
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.
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
