City Holiday/No Trash Collection
In observance of Labor Day, there will be no residential trash, curbside recycling or brush collection on Sept. 2. In addition, the following facilities will be closed:
● City Hall ● Heritage Aquatic Center
● Hunter Ferrell Landfill ● Irving Arts Center
● Libraries ● North Lake Natatorium
● Recreation centers
All offices and services will resume normal business hours on Sept 3. n
Residents are invited to provide input on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20 budget to help shape the future of the City of Irving. See page 8 for opportunities.
Looking to bring a special companion into your life?
On Aug. 17, Irving Animal Services will waive animal adoption fees in conjunction with more than 60 North Texas shelters during the national adoption campaign, Clear the Shelters.
The all-day adoption event will be from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 17 at Irving Animal Care Campus (IACC), 4140 Valley View Lane. This year marks the sixth year of the national event.
Last year, 62 North Texas shelters participated and 7,401 animals were adopted in the North Texas area. A total of 103,037 pets went to their forever homes across the country in 2018.
The City of Irving started Clear the Shelters in 2014 in response to the abundance of animals brought to the shelter after the spring and summer animal birthing seasons.
In fact, according to DoSomething.org, approximately 7.6 million pets enter animal shelters nationwide every year. Of those, approximately 3.9 million are dogs and 3.4 million are cats. However, Clear the Shelters has helped bring animal adoption to the forefront of communities and showcase the loving personalities of shelter pets.
“Every year it’s amazing to see our community come together for shelter pets and to be part of a national movement to help homeless animals,” said Mayor Rick Stopfer. “And I am proud to say the idea for Clear the Shelters started right here in Irving, Texas.”
Since the national campaign began, more than 256,000 homeless animals have found their forever homes. With media partners NBC Universal and Telemundo, Clear the Shelters will continue to reach a larger community this year and provide a positive impact for shelters and their animals.
Adopters see firsthand the clean shelter facilities and the dedicated staff that provides loving care to the homeless animals waiting to be adopted. On event day, NBC 5 and Telemundo 39 will provide live adoption updates from North Texas shelters.
Residents also can follow the national campaign at CleartheShelters.com or by searching the social media hashtag #CleartheShelters. For more event details in Irving visit, CityofIrving.org/ClearTheShelters.
For adoption information and to view adoptable pets, visit CityofIrving.org/2086/Adopt. n
Food and beverages will be available for purchase. Outside food and nonalcoholic drinks may be brought in.
While there will be no profanity or obscene language, all comedic content is designed and intended for an adult audience. All ages are welcome to attend, but parental caution is recommended for children younger than 13.
To enhance child safety, residents are reminded the use of cellphones while driving in active Irving school zones is prohibited. Motorists cannot engage in calls by talking, dialing or listening on a hand-held mobile device, nor can they enter or read text or email messages.
This includes:
● Hand-held cellphones
● Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
● Pagers and other electronic communications devices
Violation of the ordinance is a Class C misdemeanor, which carries a fine of up to $500. Motorists can use hands-free devices to talk legally on their cellphones in school zones. Drivers also may use their cellphones in certain emergency situations including fire, police and ambulance calls.
For more information, call the Police Department at (972) 273-1010. n
The City of Irving takes mosquito control very seriously. Trapping continues across the city’s 57 trap and spray locations. In the case any traps test positive, Irving’s vector control technicians will spray at night. The city’s mosquito control staff works with the Dallas County Health and Human Services Department to conduct surveillance and testing year-round of the mosquito population for diseases.
How can residents help? Self-protection is the best course of action, so be sure to follow the four Ds:
● Dusk and Dawn – Avoid going outside when mosquitoes are most active.
● Drain – Eliminate standing water, such as in flower pots, rain gutters, etc.
● DEET – Make sure insect repellent contains this ingredient. DEET has been tested and approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
● Dress – Wear long sleeves, pants, shoes and socks when outside.
Share this information with family members and neighbors. The best way to stay safe is to take precaution. Visit IrvingFightsTheBite.org for more information. n
as a comedian, actor and voice actor.
Bringing blankets or lawn chairs is encouraged, as seating is not provided. The event will have open lawn seating.
Event parking is available in area parking garages for $10 per vehicle, cash only (no bills larger than $20 accepted). Garages will open to the public one hour before the event begins. For more information, visit IrvingEvents.org. n
Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd., is a Smithsonian affiliate institution that is home to many forms of art and entertainment. To learn more, visit IrvingArtsCenter.com or call (972) 252-7558.
Aug. 1 | JumpstART Stories and Art – Dog Days of Summer!
10 a.m. | Suite 200 | Free
Beat the heat with an art project and stories inspired by cool canine friends! Explore new stories and fun art projects on the first Thursday of each month.
Aug. 1-3 | Boeing, Boeing (presented by MainStage)
7:30 p.m. | Dupree Theater | $21-$28 MainStage presents a fast-moving farce by Marc Camoletti and directed by B.J. Cleveland. It is the 1960s and swinging bachelor Bernard could not be happier. He has a fantastic flat in Paris and three gorgeous stewardesses all engaged to him. Of course, the ladies know nothing of each other … yet! Bernard’s perfect life gets bumpy when his pal Robert drops in for a visit, and a new and speedier Boeing jet throws off all of his careful planning. Soon all three stewardesses are in town simultaneously … timid Robert forgets which lies to tell to whom … and catastrophe looms!
Aug. 2 | Goldirox and The Musical Chairs Student Showcase Performance
6:30 p.m. | Carpenter Hall | Free Irving Arts Center summer campers perform an original 60-minute musical adaption of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”
Aug. 5-9 | Between a Rock and an Art Place: Teen Scene Camp No. 3
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday | Ages 13-16 | $210; $105 half-day
The final Teen Scene camp features rock and roll mural creation, as well as illustration, sculpture, watercolor and mixed media painting inspired by fossilized creatures, ancient marine ecosystems and cave paintings. Half-day morning or afternoon options are available.
Aug. 5-9 | The Stone Cold Fox and Her Monster: Theatre Camp No. 2
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday | Grades 1-12 | $210
The final theater camp led by actor/educators from Compass Creative Dramatics is a Performance Residency. On Monday campers will be led through a no-pressure group audition. Rehearsals begin that day and by Friday, they are ready to perform an original 60-minute musical adaption of the beloved children’s classic “Beauty & the Beast.”
Aug. 9 | The Stone Cold Fox and Her Monster Student Showcase Performance
6:30 p.m. | Carpenter Hall | Free Theatre Campers perform an original 60-minute musical adaption of the beloved children’s classic “Beauty & the Beast.”
Aug. 11 | Second Sunday Funday: Sculpt It!
1 to 4 p.m. (Drop in) | Suite 200 | Free
Every Second Sunday, free guided craft projects, fun for the entire family, are offered. This month’s Funday festivities include an exploration of the third dimension with clay and other media. Free guided tours of the exhibits are offered at 2:30 p.m.
Aug. 11 | Ekal Vidyalaya presents Riyaaz
4 p.m. | Carpenter Hall | Ticket price TBD
Artistic director Sonny Mehta and the talented group of musicians and performers who comprise Riyaaz carry forward the rich tradition of the great Qawaalis which date back 700 years. Riyaaz are able to honor this legacy in a way that is relevant to contemporary American audiences, proving music is universal and can endure change, development and new influences. Presented by the Dallas Chapter of Ekal Vidyalaya, audiences will be treated to an inspiring evening of Bhajans, Sufi songs, Bollywood music and Qawwalis sang in Urdu, Punjabi, Persian, Gujarati and Hindi.
Aug. 31 | Office Drama (Presented by Eyeronic Stage Productions)
6 p.m. | Dupree Theater | $18.50-$31.50
In a business setting, lines can be crossed between one’s personal life and work life. Office Drama is a dramedy about a group of coworkers dealing with their day-today lives. In that dealing, sometimes the inappropriate becomes the norm … written by Christopher Boyd and directed by Teniqua Thomas, this stage play proves once and for all, “there is no drama like office drama!”
Aug. 31 | Music for Vision: Dr. K.J. Yesudas Live in Concert 6:30 p.m. | Carpenter Hall | $65
Sankara Nethralya presents Indian musician and playback singer Dr. K.J. Yesudas live in concert. Yesudas sings Indian classical, devotional and cinematic songs. He has recorded more than 80,000 songs in a number of Indian languages, including Malayalam, Hindi, Bengali and Telugu, as well as Arabic, English, Latin and Russian, during a career spanning more than five decades.
Sept. 14-Nov. | Billie Holiday at Sugar Hill: Photographs by Jerry Dantzic Main Gallery | Free
Featuring 60 vivid, breathtaking photographs that offer a rare glimpse into both the public and private life of one of the 20th century’s most iconic, significant artists: the consummate jazz and blues singer, Billie Holiday. Captured by photojournalist Jerry Dantzic, the photos were taken in April of 1957, during a week-long run of performances at the Newark, New Jersey nightclub Sugar Hill. The remarkable images reveal the warmth, complexity, elegance, star power and humanity of an artist who would pass away tragically just two years later at the age of 44. The exhibition is organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, in cooperation with Dantzic archives.
Sept. 27 | ArcAttack! Engineering
9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. | Carpenter Hall
Part rock concert and part science experiment, the crew of ArcAttack use their high-tech wizardry to generate an electrifying performance featuring the original singing Tesla coils. Audience members will have the opportunity to help the ArcAttack band fix their broken down instruments, getting them out on tour. The group and the audience will need to use the scientific method, critical thinking skills and rules of engineering to fix the gear.
Oct. 11 | The Kingdom Choir
7:30 p.m. | Carpenter Hall
The Kingdom Choir’s show-stopping performance of “Stand By Me” at the royal wedding of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry was viewed by more than 2 billion people around the world. With their first full-length album “Love, Hope and Inspiration” released this year by Sony Music, the pure joy and spiritual essence of this extraordinary London ensemble under the direction of Karen Gibson has further catapulted them into public consciousness.
Oct. 18 | Taj Express: A Bollywood Musical Extravaganza 7:30 p.m. | Carpenter Hall,
Through a fusion of film, dance, and music, this dazzling international sensation takes audiences on a live cinematic journey through modern Indian culture and society. Taj Express follows the story of ones man’s passion and another man’s genius as young composer Shankar struggles with his music before following in the footsteps of his idol, A.R. Rahman, leading to success. Featuring the songs of Oscar winner A.R. Rahman, this is an uplifting show full of color, high-energy music and sensational dance scenes brought to life by the stars of Bollywood cinema and its greatest musicians performing live on the same stage.
Free guided gallery tours are offered at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.
19th Annual Art Connection Members Show: Art Rocks!
Through Aug. 24 | Main Gallery | Free
This annual, nonjuried exhibition is open to all current Art Connection members who wish to participate. The entry fee is $5 per work, and artists may submit up to two pieces. Eligible entries will be judged for cash awards in three categories: Youth, Nonprofessional and Professional. An overall “Best of Show” prize also will be awarded.
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Irving’s program allows children with special needs, along with their families and guardians, to safely enjoy access to a premier city swimming facility. Join the next program from 10 a.m. to noon Aug. 10 at the West Irving Aquatic Center, 3701 Conflans Road. The cost is $2 for ages 4-17 and $3 ages for 18-54. The program is custom-designed for children with special needs and provides an opportunity to sidestep crowds. Participants must be accompanied by an adult or guardian. The pool features include an accessible ramp, accessible chair lift and water chair, making it an ideal location for the AquaStars program. The city will provide the appropriate lifeguard and staffing ratios, as well as access to waterproof wheelchairs. Visit CityofIrving.org/814 for more information. n
Registration for the upcoming After-School Program will continue at area recreation centers as space permits.
Elementary school students will participate in a variety of activities including gym games, crafts and homework time in a safe and supervised environment. An afternoon snack is provided daily. The program is offered on school days between the hours of 3:15-6 p.m. at Cimarron, Georgia Farrow, Lee, Mustang, Northwest and Senter Park recreation centers. The cost of each six-week session is $180. Georgia Farrow and Senter Park also offer a payment option of $40 per week.
Space is limited for these programs.
In Irving, a special dog named Ritter works for the Police Department and helps fight crime in a very quiet way. Ritter works at the department’s Family Advocacy Center (FAC). The FAC offers counseling and education classes for parenting, as well as services for overcoming domestic violence, trauma from crime victimization and child abuse. The FAC also provides play therapy counseling for children victimized by abuse and domestic violence. The laid-back 3-year-old Labrador retriever’s job at the FAC is to calm child victims of violent crime by helping them feel safe.
“Many of the children we see at the FAC are stressed and traumatized,” Irving Police Chief Jeff Spivey said. “You can see them relax as they spend time with Ritter.”
Ritter is trained to engage at the level where children are comfortable. He will sit at their feet and be quiet, or he will get up on the couch and put his head on their laps.
“When Ritter walks in to meet the kids, their faces light up,” Spivey said. “He gives the kids and the counselors something to talk about, which helps establish rapport.”
Canine Companions for Independence trained Ritter, who completed an extensive training protocol by the time he was 2½ years old. Ritter’s FAC handler was required to take written and field exams to become certified to help people in need. The super-smart pup joined the Irving Police Department in October and by the end of this year will have helped about 150 children at the FAC.
“His third birthday is coming up, and I’m sure we will throw quite a party for him,” Spivey said. “He’s a dog who makes everyone feel good, and it’s amazing what he can do to help children start their healing process.” n
Volunteers are needed to help make Irving cleaner and greener from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 28 during Keep Irving Beautiful’s (KIB) Annual Trash Bash. KIB is enlisting the support of individuals, groups and business organizations to make this year’s Trash Bash even bigger than last year. This year’s cleanup will be held at T.W. Richardson Grove Park, 333 E. Interstate Highway 635 (LBJ), at the Northeast corner of Valley View and I-635.
All ages can participate, but it is limited to 600 volunteers. Volunteers 17 and younger require a parent or guardian to complete a release form and must accompany the volunteer during the event.
The cleanup celebrates a collaboration among KIB, Parks and Recreation and Solid Waste Services departments. KIB will provide supplies, such as litter pickers, trash and recycle bags, and gloves. Lunch will be provided after the cleanup. While supplies last, volunteers that bring a canned food item for donation will receive a free T-shirt.
Event organizers are asking for prospective participants to register by Sept. 20. To register or for more information, call (972) 721-2175 or visit KeepIrvingBeautiful.org. n
Interested in serving on a board, committee or a commission? Visit CityofIrving.org/Board-Application to submit an application or pick one up from the City Secretary’s Office at City Hall, 825 W. Irving Blvd. Most board members must be qualified voters of the city and have resided in the city for at least one year immediately prior to the date of their appointment. Deadline to apply for November appointments is Friday, Sept. 27. For more information, call (972) 721-2493. Board descriptions are below.
Advisory Committee on Disabilities
Purpose: To serve as a contact and voice of residents to city council, to review and discuss matters referred to the committee by council and the city manager and to provide recommendations on matters pertaining to disabilities.
Qualifications: Members must live or work in the city.
Meeting Frequency: Bimonthly, Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Animal Services Advisory Committee
Purpose: To advise the Irving Animal Services regarding issues pertaining to animal care and welfare, animal rescue, standards for animal shelters, training of personnel, and any other issues that may be required by applicable law.
Qualifications: Members must live or work in the city; members include one licensed veterinarian, one county or city official, one person whose duties include the daily operation of an animal shelter (does not have to live in Irving), and one representative from an animal welfare organization.
Meeting Frequency: Bimonthly, Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Arts Board
Purpose: To serve the residents of Irving and attract visitors through the support and development of artistic opportunities by acquiring, maintaining and operating art facilities; by providing support to organizations and individuals who provide arts programming; and by providing direct programming.
Qualifications: Voting members must live in the city; two members should work for, represent, or own corporate or business operations within the city and do not need to be a resident of the city; nonvoting members are representatives from the hotel/motel industry.
Meeting Frequency: Monthly, Monday at 5:15 p.m.
Board of Health
Purpose: To offer vision, advice and the community perspective to the city council in matters concerning community health and related public policy.
Qualifications: Members must live or work in the city. Two members must be employed in a medical-related field; ex officio members include a designee of the city manager and the city health officer or designee.
Meeting Frequency: Quarterly, Monday at 5:45 p.m.
Building and Standards Commission
Purpose: To hear and determine cases concerning alleged violations of ordinances for the preservation of public safety, relating to the materials or methods used to construct a building or improvements.
Qualifications: Members must live in the city.
Meeting Frequency: Bimonthly, Thursday at 3 p.m.
Construction Board of Appeals
Purpose: To hear and decide appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the building official or fire chief.
Qualifications: Members include one resident of the city, one master electrician or electrical contractor, one master plumber or plumbing contractor, one class “A” licensed mechanical (HVAC) contractor or mechanical engineer, one home builder, one representative from the fire protection industry, one licensed architect or engineer. Meeting Frequency: As needed.
Convention and Visitors Bureau Board
Purpose: Market Irving as a premier travel destination, enhancing the community’s economy and quality of life. The board of directors makes recommendations to the city council about convention facilities, assists with attracting visitors to the city, and hires the executive director.
Qualifications: Members must live in the city and cannot be employed in the hotel or tourism industry; the additional voting members consist of the Chair to the Greater Irving Las Colinas Hotel Association, a representative of the hospitality industry, a representative of the hotel/motel industry, and a representative of the restaurant industry. Nonvoting members consist of three representatives of the
hospitality industry, a representative of the Las Colinas Association, a representative from University of Dallas, a member of the Salesmanship Club of Dallas and a previous ICVB board member. Ex officio, nonvoting members, include Chair of the TIF No. 1 board, Chair of Dallas County Utility and Reclamation District board, Chair of the Irving Arts and Culture Board, Executive Director of the Irving Arts and Culture department, President and CEO of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, Chair of board of the Greater Irving-Las Colinas Chamber of Commerce, and the city manager or designee.
Meeting Frequency: Monthly, Monday at 11:45 a.m.
Green Advisory Board
Purpose: To act as a contact and a voice of residents of the City of Irving to the city council, and to review and discuss matters referred to the board by the city council, city staff and board members on actions that concern the environment in the City of Irving.
Qualifications: Members must live or work in the city.
Meeting Frequency: Bimonthly, Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Housing and Human Services Board
Purpose: Assist Irving’s low- and moderate-income residents in achieving an improved quality of life by providing affordable housing and a broad range of social services through innovative programs and community partnerships.
Qualifications: Members must live in the city.
Meeting Frequency: Monthly, Wednesday at 6 p.m.
Library Board
Purpose: To advise the city council and the director on matters pertaining to the operation of the library system, and recommend policies for both the maintenance and improvement of library services.
Qualifications: Members must live in the city for at least one year; one member is a liaison for the Friends of the Library.
Meeting Frequency: Monthly, Monday at 5:45 p.m.
Museum Advisory Board
Purpose: To collect, preserve, interpret and exhibit the material culture and the heritage of Irving and the surrounding area.
Qualifications: Members must live in the city.
Meeting Frequency: Monthly, Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Parks and Recreation Board
Purpose: To act in an advisory capacity to the city council and the director in all matters pertaining to parks and recreation.
Qualifications: Members must live in the city.
Meeting Frequency: Monthly, Monday at 6 p.m.
Planning and Zoning Commission
Purpose: To hear, recommend or determine matters relating to zoning, planning or subdivision control as specified or required under ordinance, the city charter or the laws of the State of Texas.
Qualifications: Members must live in the city.
Meeting Frequency: Twice monthly, Monday at 6 p.m.
Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board, No. 1
Purpose: To enhance the tax base of the city, preserve the value of the existing developments and promote new development.
Qualifications: Members must be registered voters in Irving or at least 18 years old and own property in the zone.
Meeting Frequency: As needed, Tuesday at noon
Youth Council
Purpose: To develop an alliance among the youth, youth serving agencies, city government, schools and the community to secure for all children and youth the highest advantage in physical, mental, social and moral development.
Qualifications: Members must live in the city.
Meeting Frequency: Monthly, Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.
Zoning Board of Adjustments and Appeals
Purpose: To hear and decide appeals and special exception to the city ordinance.
Qualifications: Members must live in the city.
Meeting Frequency: As needed.
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Note:
Cimarron Park Recreation Center
201 Red River Trail, (972) 910-0702
● Aug. 2 | Dive-In Movie Night
8 to 10 p.m. | Free
Families are invited to Cimarron Aquatics Center to enjoy a family friendly movie and the pool. Registration is required at the recreation center and will be limited to 200 guests. Concessions will be available for purchase.
● Aug. 10 | Indian Heritage Celebration
11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Free
In honor of India’s Independence, the community is invited to this celebration that will include Indian cultural dance, music and food.
Georgia Farrow Recreation Center
530 Davis Drive, (972) 721-2519
● Aug. 17 | Neighborhood Garage Sale
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. | $10 per booth
Sell unwanted items at this community garage sale.
Vendor registration and payment is required by Aug. 16. Spaces are limited.
Heritage Senior Center
200 S. Jefferson St., (972) 721-2496
● Aug. 1 | Heritage Senior Arts Festival and Reception
6 to 8:30 p.m. | All Ages | Free Seniors will display their artistic talents with a painting and photography exhibit, and visitors will be entertained with musical performances.
● Aug. 22 | Member Appreciation
10 to 11:15 a.m. | Ages 50 and older | Free Heritage Senior Center will show appreciation to members with refreshments and fun games.
● Aug. 30 | Casino Night
6 to 8:30 p.m. | Ages 18 older | $10 for members, $12 for nonmembers
Try luck at roulette, blackjack and other games, as casino excitement fills the senior center. Registration deadline is Aug. 19.
Lively Pointe Youth Center
909 N. O’Connor Road, (972) 721-8090
● Aug. 3 | Teen Splash Jam
7 to 11 p.m. | West Irving Aquatic Center, 3701 Conflans Road | Free admission with a valid IPAR card or Irving school ID
One last summer splash bash open to middle and high school students only, with free swimming, games and music. Complimentary pizza and soda will be served. Participants must wear appropriate swimming attire.
● Aug. 23 | Livapalooza Back to School Party and Open House
3:30 to 6 p.m. | Middle and high school students | Free with school ID
Survived the first week of school? That calls for a celebration! Students are invited to an after school open house, featuring music, games and food. Bring a friend and learn all the things happening at Lively Pointe! Participants will receive a free IPAR ID card good for the entire year. Parents are welcome.
Freegal Magic
Irving Public Library offers Freegal Music free to its members. Freegal allows library members to download — and keep — five free songs of their choosing each week from Sony Music’s catalog of nearly 15 million tracks. The service offers music in a variety of genres ranging from top 40 hits, dance and R&B to religious, children’s and karaoke. Freegal carries a wide selection of artists from around the globe, including songs in Spanish and Hindi. Music video and streaming music options are available. Songs can be downloaded to a computer or an internet enabled device through the Freegal app for iOS and Android devices. There are no ads or hidden fees. Try it now at CityofIrving.FreegalMusic.com. A valid Irving Public Library card is required to use the service.
Summer Reading Challenge Continues
Children and teens who have already begun the Summer Reading Challenge have until Aug. 15 to complete the program. It is not too late to start reading to earn prizes. Adults have until Aug. 31 to read and earn prizes. Go paperless by visiting IrvingLibrary.ReadSquared.com.
Library Briefs
● Aug. 3 | Lit’s Alive: Wrinkle in Time-Planetarium
2 p.m. | South Irving Library, 601 Schulze Drive
Travel the universe in the Fort Worth Science Museum’s mobile planetarium and with a special theatrical screening of Madeleine L’Engle’s beloved classic. Planetarium availability on a first-come, firstserved basis.
● Aug. 3 | End of Summer Party with All About Animals
2:30 p.m. | East Branch Library, 440 S. Nursery Road
Which animal holds the record for jumping the highest? Which has the most flexible body or the longest life span? Find out, and see these animals in action.
● Aug. 10 | Novel Fiction Book Club
10 a.m. | Valley Ranch Library, 401 Cimarron Trail
This month the group meets up for fun, refreshments and a lively discussion about the novel “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?”
Reserve a copy of the title at the Valley Ranch Library information desk.
Copies are limited.
● Aug. 14 | Craftworks Junior: Back to School Crafts 2:30 p.m. | West Irving Library, 4444 W. Rochelle Road
As the summer ends and another school year begins, make a variety of back-to-school-themed crafts.
● Aug. 15 | Galaxy Slime | Grades 6-12
2 p.m. | West Irving Library, 4444 W. Rochelle Road Use common household ingredients to make this sparkly science project.
● Aug. 15 | Heritage Senior Center Book Club
7 p.m. | Heritage Senior Center, 200 S. Jefferson St. Enjoy meeting other book lovers and discussing “Ender’s Game,” the award-winning science-fiction novel by Orson Scott Card.
● Aug. 17 | Back-to-School Book Sale
9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Friends Warehouse, 3000 Rock Island Road
Find the best deals on great reads for the new school year! Educators and the general public are invited to attend at the following times:
● 9 a.m. to noon, exclusive teacher access
● Noon to 3 p.m., open to the general public
Purchase books for the family or donate them to school and classroom libraries. All proceeds support the Irving Public Library. Sponsored by the Friends of the Irving Public Library. For more information, call (972) 721-4612.
● Aug. 24 | Cook the Book: A Cooking Book Club noon | Ages 18 and older | Valley Ranch Library, 401 Cimarron Trail Home chefs who love to try new dishes are encouraged to join this monthly club that whips up recipes from a staff-selected cookbook. Stop by the Valley Ranch Library Reference Desk to register for the book club and pick out a recipe.
For more information about all the activites happening at the libraries, visit CityofIrving.org/Library.
Each month, the Think Green Be Green team brings workshops and events to the community.
Aug. 6 | Beneficial Insects
7-8 p.m. | West Irving Library, 4444 W. Rochelle Road
Is the garden overrun by pests? Not all insects are pests. Most are friends of the gardener. This class helps to identify insects that are helpful to the gardener and how to effectively decrease the dependence on pesticides.
Aug. 13 | Sensational Succulents
6:30-7:30 p.m. | West Irving Library, 4444 W. Rochelle Road
Succulents are one of the hottest trends in gardening and for good reason. Not only are they easy to grow ― needing very little water and attention ― but they also make dazzling additions to containers and landscapes alike. Learn all about growing various cacti, sedums, aloes, agave and more Texas-tough perennials from the ground up. Have the sharpest looking succulents in the neighborhood with all the information this class provides.
Sept. 12 | Miracle of Monarchs
6-7 p.m. | South Irving Library, 601 Schulze Drive
Join experts from Dallas County Master Gardeners to learn how the state butterfly of Texas ― the monarch ― migrates thousands of miles, farther than any other butterfly. See photos of their winter home in Mexico, and learn about the conservation efforts to help their struggling numbers, as well as what gardeners can do to help. For those who appreciate butterflies, this presentation is one to enjoy.
See the full list of upcoming events at CityofIrving.org/BeGreen. n
The majority of sanitary sewer overflows are due to grease buildup from homes and apartments. Help prevent costly sewer overflows by following a few simple steps.
DO:
● Put oil and grease in collection containers; wipe oil and grease from kitchen utensils, equipment, food scrapers and brooms.
● Keep grease out of wash water; place food scraps in the trash.
● Flush only toilet paper and human waste down the toilet.
● Dispose of towels, diapers, all wipes and cleaning cloths, and feminine products in the trash.
● Recycle used oil through the city’s Special Waste Collection program. For more information, call (972) 721-8059.
DO NOT:
● Pour oil or grease down drains; always place used oil in a container and dispose of it in the trash.
● Use hot water to rinse grease from any surface.
● Allow food scraps down the drain.
● Flush disposable or “flushable” cleaning cloths, wipes, diapers, feminine products or paper towels down the toilet.
For more information, visit CityofIrving.org/698 or call (972) 721-2281. n
Residents are invited to provide input on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2019-20 budget to help shape the future of the City of Irving. Below are a few of the public input opportunities available to Irving residents.
Online Input
Residents provided input on the budget during public hearings held earlier this year. Additional comments may be made to the city council online on any aspect of the budget including programs, projects, rates, services and fees using the “Ask the Budget Guy” feature at CityofIrving.org. The service offers taxpayers accurate information regarding financial matters and direct access to the “Budget Guy.”
Budget Retreat
Irving City Council’s Budget Retreat is set for Aug. 21-22. The Budget Retreat will be televised on ICTN 2 (AT&T U-verse 99, ICTN.tv, Spectrum Channel 95 and Frontier Channel 31).
Residents can ask the Budget Guy questions regarding the FY 2019-20 budget by sending an email to AsktheBudgetGuy@cityofirving.org. The Budget Guy will respond to all questions and post answers to the city’s Ask the Budget Guy web page. Submittals are subject to editing for content, tone and clarity. Adoption of the budget is scheduled for Sept. 19. n
Following resident input, Irving city staff has completed architectural designs for an improved and expanded 32-year-old Heritage Park.
Plans call for a new building with a permanent stage, a green room for performers, and public restrooms to serve the entire park. The built-in technology and stage will allow the city to draw a variety of entertainers and provide concertgoers a more comfortable experience.
“While Heritage Park will gain a local concert venue and other attractions, we have been careful to preserve the historic value that is so important to our city,” said Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer. “The additional land we purchased and added structures will allow the park to evolve from a visitor attraction to a true community gathering space.”
The city will better position the historic railroad depot, library building and caboose. Irving’s historic first water tower will be relocated to Main Street near its original location. The Caster Log Cabin will be restored as well.
Plans also call for food truck parking, picnic tables under shade trees and string lighting. A fountain feature that includes colorful dancing water jets will be built as well. The Irving Parks and Recreation Department is thrilled with the park plans.
“We soon will have the permanent event venue we’ve needed,” Parks and Recreation Director Joe Moses said. “When it’s open, Heritage Park will host the annual Christmas Holiday Extravaganza, Main Street Event, our parade parties and other events yet to be imagined. We are really looking forward to the opening.”
Construction on Heritage Park is slated to begin in the winter, with completion expected in the spring of 2021. n
The City of Irving Traffic Signal Division completed construction of its new traffic operations center, which is the nucleus of its Advanced Traffic Management System. The project, which includes a wireless communication network, is aimed at improving traffic safety and synchronizing traffic flow.
Since 2017, the Traffic and Transportation Department has upgraded 216 traffic signals and 114 school zone indicators, and added 90 traffic signal battery backup systems. Much like smart devices such as cellphones, laptops, tablets and voice-assistants that seamlessly synchronize and communicate with one another, the city’s wireless traffic management system will help motorists navigate Irving streets.
Before the upgrades, school zone indicators and traffic signals operated independently in the field. Traffic signal technicians manually programmed school zone indicators throughout the year to follow the CarrolltonFarmers Branch, Coppell and Irving Independent School Districts’ calendars. Inclement weather, power outages and vehicle accidents often required emergency services to direct traffic around congested areas.
With the new system in place and the operations center now active, city staff can monitor roadway issues throughout the day as traffic signals communicate with one another. This real time information will allow the traffic signal system to be proactive and adjust to
current traffic flows. If an accident occurs, a traffic signal technician can increase the green light response time of area traffic signals to allow more drivers in and out of the area until the accident is cleared.
The operations center’s central management software allows traffic signal technicians to monitor all parts of the system remotely, which will help the staff identify opportunities for improvements to signal operations. Additionally, automatic notification of signal malfunctions such as power outages and flashing operations will alert on-call personnel outside of normal working hours.
Other benefits of the system include the staff’s ability to:
● Remotely connect and program school zone indicators from a central location.
● Monitor and adjust signal timing to help improve travel time along a corridor, as well as mitigate vehicle emissions.
● Coordinate with neighboring cities’ traffic signal systems across city limits.
City funding was augmented by the Federal Highway Administration through a grant from the North Central Texas Council of Governments Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program.
Visit CityofIrving.org/2255/Investing-in-Our-Future for more information on the city’s ongoing infrastructure initiative. n
With the growing popularity of Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist and apps like Offer Up, it is easier than ever to buy and sell items online. To keep buyers and sellers safe, the Irving Police Department established an “Exchange Zone” in the Criminal Justice Center parking lot at 305 N. O’Connor Road.
The Exchange Zone is a designated location where these types of e-commerce transactions or child custodial exchanges can take place. The area is clearly marked and under continuous video surveillance. While the area serves as a safe place for face-to-face transactions, the Police Department reminds residents to use good judgment when dealing with strangers.
Regardless of whether the Exchange Zone is used, consider the following safety tips:
● When possible, arrange to meet during daytime hours in a public and trafficked location, such as a police station, a government building or a busy fast food restaurant.
● Avoid transactions at a private residence.
● Beware of scams. If something seems too good to be true, it is probably a scam.
● Be alert to someone using counterfeit money or stolen and forged checks and avoid carrying too much cash. Consider mobile payment services such as Venmo, Zelle or Cash App.
● Be aware of someone trying to sell stolen, broken or fake items. Thoroughly inspect items before an exchange is made.
● Save listings and contact information in case a report needs to be made to a social media site or the police.
For more information visit, CityofIrving.org/2741/ Exchange-Zone. n
The City of Irving reminds residents to “think blue” when using their curbside recycling service. In Irving’s blue bag recycling program, items intended for recycling go into translucent blue bags. Trash can be placed in any color bag other than a blue or red bag. A roll of black trash bags are available for $4.86 plus tax and a roll of blue recycling bags are available for $6.79 plus tax.
Purchase Recycling Bags
Blue recycling bags are available for purchase at recreation centers throughout the community.
● Cimarron Park Recreation Center, 201 Red River Trail
● Georgia Farrow Recreation Center, 530 Davis Drive
● Heritage Senior Center, 200 S. Jefferson St.
● Lee Park Recreation Center, 3000 Pamela Drive
● Mustang Park Recreation Center, 2223 Kinwest Parkway
● Northwest Park Recreation Center, 2800 Cheyenne St.
● Senter Park Recreation Center, 901 S. Senter Road
Purchase Refuse, Recycling Bags
Irving City Hall offers both black trash bags and translucent blue bags.
● City Hall, Customer Service windows on the first floor, 825 W. Irving Blvd.
Whether its lap swimming, water aerobics or just plain fun in the sun, residents can participate in a variety of programs offered through the Aquatics Division. Before the summer fun is over, enjoy what Irving aquatics has to offer. To view the schedule for the remainder of the summer, costs, locations and hours, visit CityofIrving.org/Aquatics. n
