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Friday, October 10, 2008
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Dispatcher honored as “Telecommunicator of the Year”
Lewisville public safety dispatcher Gwinna Pedigo was named “Telecommunicator of the Year” at the recent Heroes of Denton County awards banquet. Pedigo has been with Lewisville for more than 21 years, all as a public safety dispatcher.
Media contact: Police Chief Russ Kerbow, 972.219.3667
Teen Writers Group schedules Oct. 16 session
The Lewisville Public Library will hold a Teen Writers Group meeting on Thursday, Oct. 16, at 6:30 p.m. at Teen Point on the second floor of the library, 1197 W. Main Street. The group meets the third Thursday of each month and is open to all teen-aged aspiring poets, novelists and short-story writers. Participants are invited to bring their own work to share, as time allows.
This month’s special guest is Candace “Candy” Havens, award-winning author and nationally syndicated entertainment columnist for FYI television.
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
City, business leaders creating “Brownfields” program
The city’s economic development office is working with local business and community groups to develop a Brownfields program designed to identify environmentally contaminated properties around Lewisville and help owners find options for cleaning them up.
The city plans to apply for $400,000 in federal grant money earmarked for Brownfields projects. Half would be dedicated to sites believed to have contamination from petroleum products, and the rest will be used for other hazardous contaminants such as pesticides. If a site is found to be contaminated, property owners will be given voluntary options for how they might address any contamination that is discovered
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) describes Brownfields as “abandoned, idled or under-used industrial and commercial facilities where expansion or redevelopment is complicated by real or perceived environmental contamination.” Similar programs in other cities have resulted in increased property values and enhanced development opportunities. Locally, it already has received the support of the Old Town Business Association.
This program’s implementation is the latest fact of a City Council priority to encourage revitalization and redevelopment within the city. It will require active community awareness and involvement as potentially contaminated sites are identified and submitted for testing. Public input is being accepted in writing through Oct. 31, and public comments also will be sought during the Oct. 20 City Council meeting. In addition, a community lunch on Oct. 22 will feature information from city officials and the EPA. Attendance at the lunch is limited to 75 people, and reservations are required.
For information, please call the Economic Development Department at 972.219.3417.
Media contact: Economic Development Specialist Elizabeth Trosper, 972.219.3417
Visual Art League schedules free art exhibits at local gallery
The Visual Art League of Lewisville will hold two concurrent exhibits during October and November, including one featuring hand-cut paper and sculptures by guest artist Jessica McCambly. Her show, titled “The Moment After a Wave Crashes,” and a members shop called “Masquerade,” will run from Oct. 11 through Nov. 15. Opening reception for both shows is 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11.
The VAL Gallery, 701 S. Stemmons Freeway, is located in the Lewisville West Shopping Center, on the west side of Interstate 35E between Main Street and Fox Avenue. Gallery hours are 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
McCambly has bachelor’s and master’s degrees in painting and drawing from the University of North Texas and currently is an assistant professor of art at Crafton Hills College is Yucaipa, Ca. Her work has been shown at the Dallas Museum of Art, the Santa Monica Museum of Art, The Dallas Contemporary, The Garage Gallery in San Diego and the London Biennale.
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
KLB offers free class on gardens and trees
Keep Lewisville Beautiful will hold a free gardening class at the Lewisville Public Library on Thursday, Oct. 16. The program, “Trees Conserver Water,” will be held 7-8 p.m. at the library, 1197 W. Main Street. Presenter is
Eric Larner, a Dallas County Master Gardener and Citizen Forester who works with the Dallas Urban Forest Advisory Committee.
Keep Lewisville Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Texas Beautiful, is the city’s longest-standing and most successful environmental organization, committed to educating Lewisville residents to take greater responsibility for enhancing their community. For information on becoming a KLB volunteer or sponsor, call 972.436.5100 or log on to www.keeplewisvillebeautiful.org.
Media contact: KLB Executive Director Coralee Lennert, 972.436.5100
Parade, vendor applications available for “Holiday at the Hall”
Applications are being accepted from anyone wanting to participate in the Sam Pack’s Ford Country Christmas Parade or as a vendor during the popular “Holiday at the Hall” festival. This year’s festival will be held Saturday, Dec. 6, 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
KLB to plant daffodils for annual Make A Difference Day
Keep Lewisville Beautiful will mark national Make A Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 25, with its annual daffodil bulb planting in city rights-of-way. This year’s plantings will be along Fox Avenue and FM 407. Volunteers are needed to help with the planting that morning. The event is open to all ages and groups. KLB will provide supplies and all volunteers will receive t-shirts and a pizza lunch.
The Lewisville City Council also has declared Oct. 25 to be “Keep Lewisville Beautiful Day.”
Keep Lewisville Beautiful, an affiliate of Keep America Beautiful and Keep Texas Beautiful, is the city’s longest-standing and most successful environmental organization, committed to educating Lewisville residents to take greater responsibility for enhancing their community. For information on becoming a KLB volunteer or sponsor, call 972.436.5100 or log on to www.keeplewisvillebeautiful.org.
Media contact: KLB Executive Director Coralee Lennert, 972.436.5100
LLELA sets October schedule of family-friendly activities
Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) has set its October schedule of fun and educational activities.
· Bird Walk: Saturday, Oct. 11, 7:30 a.m. Bird watchers of all skill levels are welcome to join master birder Keith Lockhart as he guides visitors to birding locations at LLELA. Some of the best spots are not normally available to the public, outside of a scheduled tour. Ages 10 and up. There is a $2 program fee for the bird walk, in addition to the regular gate fee. Reservations are required by calling 972.219.7980.
· Open House at the Minor-Porter Log House: Saturday, Oct. 18, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Completely restored and furnished with all the trappings of frontier life, the log house gives visitors to LLELA a window on everyday life in Denton County in 1870. Interested visitors of all ages are welcome to arrive at any time during the open hours and tour at their own pace. Knowledgeable volunteers will be on hand to guide visitors through the structures and answer questions in this informal tour. There is no additional charge.
· Star Gazing: Saturday, Oct. 18, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Local astronomer John Olson will set up his electronically controlled 10-inch and 12-inch telescopes so visitors can view such celestial features as far-away galaxies, planets, moons and nebulae. Visitors are welcome to arrive and depart at any time during the open hours. There is no additional charge.
· Paddle the Elm Fork: Kayak Power provides equipment and instruction followed by a six-mile trip down the Elm Fork to a shuttle vehicle. Paddlers of all skill levels are welcome. For fee information and reservations, call Kayak Power at 214.669.1663.
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. Admission is $3 per person, free for children 5 and under. For information, visit www.ias.unt.edu/llela or call 972.219.3930.
Media contact: LLELA Publicist Lisa Cole, 972.219.3930
