Irving City Spectrum, March 2019

Irving Crime Rate at 14-Year Low

Irving Police Department’s (IPD) outreach programs credited for decline. IPD has announced that violent crime and property crime together dropped 6.35 percent in 2018, marking the city’s lowest crime rate since 2005.

“Our Police Department is one of the best in the country,” said Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer. “Irving officers are true professionals who work every day to ensure our safety.”

Chief of Police Jeff Spivey attributes the decline to good policing and a focus on neighborhood outreach.

“The Irving Police Department has worked hard to know our community,” Spivey said. “We have established a number of programs that allow us to interact on a friendly basis with our residents, and that interaction fosters trust. Where there’s trust, there’s communication, and communication is key to thwarting crime.”

The department has a number of established outreach programs and recently launched a new one: the Mental Health Intervention Team. This program is designed to better understand mental health conditions, provide officers de-escalation tools during crises, and employ health care assistance as an alternative to incarceration.

The IPD is the first department in Texas to build a specific team to address mental health.

“I’m extremely proud of this program,” Spivey said. “Mental health is a significant national issue that remains

hidden. Our department faces these issues every day, and we want to start talking about it.”

As an additional crime reduction measure, Irving police also recently added Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The specialized drones help officers during high-risk situations, such as apprehending fleeing suspects and armed suspects, search and rescue missions, and disaster response. Officers completed in-depth training required to operate the drones.

Regarding outreach, Coffee with a Cop offers residents an opportunity to talk to officers over breakfast. The casual meetings allow for relationship building and shared information.

The Irving Police Athletic League (IPAL) is a nonprofit organization that volunteer police officers and residents operate. IPAL helps at-risk children develop self-esteem through sports and interaction with positive role models. IPAL also provides an Urban Outdoors program where police and volunteers introduce the youth to outdoor activities such as camping, kayaking and mountain biking.

Irving police also regularly lend a hand in Irving’s fundraising events, including Special Olympics, Blue Christmas and Make-A-Wish. n

Construction Plans Heat Up on Fire Station No. 4

The Irving Fire Department is getting closer to breaking ground on the new energy-efficient and environmentally friendly Fire Station No. 4. The city is in the process of looking for a contractor, and construction is expected to begin in May.

The station will sit on 1.9 acres at 800 Metker Street near Toler Lane. Fire Station No. 4 will replace the existing Station No. 4 at 3303 N. MacArthur Blvd.

The station was designed around a Hill Country theme, featuring Austin stone, cedar trim and a metal roof. Building designs were done in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council requirements to receive Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification. Landscape designers worked to preserve the trees and plant life already on the property. The Fire Department chose this site to help reduce response times and better serve the community.

“Irving saw about an eight percent population growth last year. If the city is growing, so should our emergency services,” said Mayor Rick Stopfer.

The site for Fire Station No. 4 once belonged to the Toler family. Since 1870, several generations of the family have lived on the land. To honor the Toler homestead, the Fire Department chose to designate an area in the day room of the station to the Toler family’s history.

“Irving has a fascinating past. As we look toward the future, it’s important we preserve the history and heritage that got us where we are today,” said City Manager Chris Hillman.

The more than 8,000-square-foot station will house four firefighters, a battalion chief, one pumper truck and one ambulance. The Fire Department hopes to get the station up and running by fall 2020. n

Teens, tweens, parents and educators should pack their book bags and mark their calendars for the 2019 North Texas Teen Book Festival (NTTBF). The festival is scheduled for March 22-23 at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd. March 22 is a registration-only event dedicated to educators; March 23 is fan day and is open to the public.

More than 70 authors are scheduled to attend, including 2017 Eisner Award-winning cartoonist and author Raina Telgemeier (“Smile,” “Drama,” “Share Your Smile”), Tahereh Mafi (the Shatter Me series), Tomi Adeyemi (“Children of Blood and Bone”), Angie Thomas (“On the Come Up,” “The Hate U Give”), Julie Murphy (“Dumplin’”) and Becky Albertalli (“Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda”). The festival also will feature BookTubers, who create book reviews and other related video content on YouTube.

Admission to the NTTBF is free; parking at the Irving Convention Center is $10. Turn to page 5 or visit NTTBF.org for more information. n

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME: CHANGE YOUR CLOCK, CHANGE YOUR BATTERY

Residents are reminded to advance clocks one hour for the beginning of Daylight Saving Time on March 10.

As part of the Irving Fire Department’s “Change Your Clock, Change Your Battery” campaign, it is recommended that residents also replace 2019 NORTH TEXAS TEEN BOOK FESTIVAL RETURNS MARCH 22-23

Music, Movies and More this March at Irving Arts Center

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.

March 2 | Ilya Yagushev, Entertainment Series of Irving

7:30 p.m. | Carpenter Hall | $26.50 Russian pianist Ilya Yakushev continues to astound and mesmerize audiences at major venues worldwide. Winner of the World Piano Competition in Cincinnati, Ilya received his first award at age 12 at the Young Artists Concerto Competition in St. Petersburg. Recipient of The Award for Excellence in Performance, presented to him by the Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation in Moscow and the recipient of other awards; too numerous to list here. Do not miss a chance to see him in Irving!

March 2 | Alex Clark, The A Lotta Nada Tour

8 p.m. | Dupree Theater | $26.50-$46.50

Alex Clark is a seasoned comedian, YouTuber and animator most known for his self-titled animated YouTube channel “It’s Alex Clark,” where he has amassed nearly 4 million subscribers. This one night only event will include improv and stand up. Audiences can expect stories about his ridiculous family with tons of laughs and a few surprises. Clark is a four-time people’s choice award winner, and has appeared on “America’s Got Talent.”

March 3 | Beneath the Scar, The Movie

3:30 p.m. | Carpenter Hall | $20-$30 Author, educator and motivational speaker Dr. Sheila Samone Brown’s book, “Beneath the Scar: Rise to Healing,” is adapted as a screenplay by Director Cynthia Reid Wills. Unlimited Arts of Dallas presents the premier of “Beneath the Scar: The Movie,” the story of Samantha Allen (Nykol Harris), the Mississippi debutante and member of one of the town’s most prominent families.

March 6 | March Madness, Lone Star Youth Orchestra

7 p.m. | Carpenter Hall | $6.50-$13.50 Sporting events are not the only events causing excitement around this time of year. Featuring works ranging from marches to waltzes, March Madness will have the audience dancing out the door.

March 7 | JumpstART Stories and Art: Happy Birthday 10 a.m. | Suite 200 | Free Green eggs and ham, anyone? Create a take-home art project and then browse the galleries as part of this fun morning activity held the first Thursday of each month. Celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss, the legendary author and illustrator of such classics as “Horton Hears a Who,” “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” and “The Lorax.”

March 8 | Celtic Nights

7:30 p.m. | Carpenter Hall | $20-$40

Through music, song and dance, Irish history comes to life. It is the story of America, Australia, Canada and New Zealand; a story of a people moving across oceans from all nations in hopes for a better and brighter future.

March 9 | The Rise of the Chain Breakers

7 p.m. | Carpenter Hall | $26.50-$36.50

A one-night-only theatrical event by Puissance Maison Productions, Center of Empowerment for Families and Youth. A group of dynamic and successful women from all walks of life check into a mental institution. What appears to be a common insane asylum is transformed into a House of Healing where together they turn their trials and tragedies into triumph.

March 9, 16 | Working with Wax: An Introduction to Encaustic Painting

10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Suite 200 | $75

Designed for beginning to intermediate artists ages 17 and older, introductory encaustic painting workshops will be offered on two dates. The workshops will provide

hands-on instruction in the materials, techniques and tools of encaustic painting. Participants will be able to make as many test panels as they wish and go home with their own 8-inch x 12-inch finished painting.

March 10 | Second Sunday Funday: Playing with Patterns

1 to 4 p.m. | Suite 200 | Free

March is Texas History Month, Women’s History Month and National Quilting Month. Experience quilt-inspired art-making activities led by members of the Irving Quilt Guild. These hands-on art days give parents and children projects they can co-create, far from daily distractions.

March 15-30 | The Night of the Iguana, MainStage 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2:30 p.m. | Dupree Theater | $21-$28

Widely hailed as Tennessee William’s last great play, “The Night of the Iguana” grapples with some of life’s biggest mysteries. A defrocked priest has been accused of having inappropriate relations with a teenage girl. He seeks shelter at a Mexican inn run by his blowsy, widowed old friend who finds herself competing for his attentions with a kindly spinster who is caring for her grandfather, an aging poet. Of this play, the New York Times raves, “This is Tennessee Williams at the top of his form.”

March 16 | Paul Siverthorne, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra (LCSO)

7:30 p.m. | Carpenter Hall | $16.50-$46.50

LCSO presents an evening concert featuring Paul Siverthorne on viola, featuring AUBER overture to “The Bronze Horse,” WALTON Concerto for Viola and Orchestra and the 14th annual Movie Scores Quiz.

March 17 | Miss Texas Latina Pageant

The Miss Texas Latina Pageant is one of the largest state pageants for latinas in the United States. For more information, visit MissTexasLatinaUS.com.

March 18 | TwoSet Violin World Tour (The Journey of a Soloist)

7 p.m. | Carpenter Hall | $35-$75

TwoSet Violin a classical comedy duo founded in 2014 by Australian duo Brett Yang and Eddy Chen first went viral with their funny and sometimes painfully accurate videos depicting life as classical musicians. With more than 200 million views worldwide, inspiring musicians everywhere with humor and a relatable “imperfectness.”

March 22-24 | Spotlight Dance Cup

Spotlight Dance Cup comes to Irving. For more information, visit SpotlightEvents.com.

March 30 | Aga Khan Foundation Youth Summit noon to 4 p.m. | Suite 200 | Free

The Aga Khan Foundation 2019 Youth Summit features the works of high school students who have participated in art, spoken word and innovative challenge competitions based on the theme: “A Global Vision for a Brighter Future.”

March 30 | Grand Finale “Spectrum” A Tribute to Motown and R&B, Irving Symphony Orchestra 7:30 p.m. | Carpenter Hall | $38-$49

Concluding the season with a tribute to Motown and R&B with guest artists: Spectrum, the Motown Men. Relive the musical magic of greats such as The Temptations, The Four Tops, Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, The Spinners and much more. This super group recreates the style and sounds of the greatest Motown music, classic soul and R&B.

Art Rocks! Camp Registration Opens March 15 Be rocked with mind-expanding musical adventures, geological explorations and unique experiences in

and

In the Galleries

Free guided gallery tours are offered at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.

Out of the Wild: Robert Glen Bronzes Through March 31 | Courtyard Gallery | Free Bronze sculptures of African wildlife by noted artist Robert Glen are featured. Glen is the sculptor of the iconic “Mustangs of Las Colinas,” a monumental installation of nine larger-than-life bronze horses in Williams Square in Irving since 1984.

Here and Now: Prints by Carolyn Muskat Through March 31 | Dupree Theater Lobby | Free An exhibition of the works of printmaker Carolyn Muskat is being held in conjunction with the 2019 Southern Graphics Council International Conference (SGCI) scheduled for North Texas, March 6-9. She owns and operates Muskat Studios, a printmaking studio in Somerville, Massachusetts. She is the recipient of the 2019 SGCI Excellence in Teaching Award. 7 to 9 p.m. March 6 | Reception

Richard Widener: Going Solo March 2-31 | Focus Gallery | Free Richard Widener has been an Irving resident for more than 60 years. Art has been his avocation since the age of 10. He has worked in a variety of mediums including clay, oil, acrylic and printmaking and has taken many classes at North Lake College. Widener celebrates his 92nd birthday with the opening of his first one-person show on March 2. 6 to 8 p.m. March 2 | Reception

Nancy Macko: Fragile Bee Through April 28 | Carpenter Lobby | Free California-based artist Nancy Macko has drawn upon images of the honeybee society to explore the relationships between art, science, technology and ancient matriarchal cultures. Macko combines elements of painting, printmaking, digital media, photography, video and installation to create a unique visual language.

Annual Exhibition of Irving ISD Student Artwork

March 6-May 11 | Main Gallery | Free Featuring artwork by IISD elementary, middle and high school students. In addition, graduating seniors, most of whom have taken advanced placement courses in the visual art, exhibit works from their portfolios built up during the four years at their respective high schools. The full schedule of the exhibit features and receptions are available at IrvingArtsCenter.com.

Emergency Preparedness Guide

An Emergency Preparedness Booklet is available online to assist residents in preparing for potential disasters in North Texas. Download the booklet at CityofIrving.org/Prepare. For more information, call (972) 721-2100.

Outdoor Warning System Reminder

When the city activates the outdoor warning sirens during inclement weather, Know What To Do and be prepared.

● Do take cover inside a building on the first floor in an interior room, closet or bathroom that does not have windows.

● Do not call 911, police or fire dispatch for information. If there is inclement weather in the area and the sirens are activated, assume there is the possibility of a tornado and take cover immediately.

Siren Testing

The sirens are tested at 1 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month unless the sky is overcast or there is inclement weather in the area.

Stay Prepared for Emergencies

Create a Family Disaster Plan:

● Meet with family members and discuss the types of disasters that are most likely to occur.

● Explain what to do in each case.

● Designate two places to meet.

● Develop an emergency communication plan.

● Ask an out-of-town relative or friend to be a “family contact.”

● Discuss what to do if authorities request evacuation.

● Be familiar with escape routes.

● Plan how to take care of pets.

Disaster Kit

The kit should include enough supplies to meet needs for at least three days. Store supplies in a sturdy, easy-tocarry, water-resistant container. Keep a smaller kit in the car trunk. The disaster supply kit should include:

1. A three-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day) and food that will not spoil.

2. One change of clothing and footwear per person.

3. One blanket or sleeping bag per person.

4. A first aid kit with prescription medications.

5. Emergency tools including a battery-powered radio, flashlight and plenty of extra batteries.

6. An extra set of car keys and cash.

7. Special items for an infant, elderly or disabled family member.

8. An extra pair of glasses.

9. Those who take medicine will need enough to last at least a week. Keep a copy of prescriptions and dosage information. If a weeklong supply is not possible, keep as much on hand as possible, and talk to a doctor about what else should be done to prepare.

10. Auto emergency kits should contain blankets and warm clothing, booster cables and tools, bottled water, canned fruits and nuts, first aid kit, flashlight and batteries, traction mats or chains, a shovel and emergency prescription medication.

Learn More

For more information, emergency management presentations and disaster preparedness public education materials are available at CityofIrving.org/ Group-Presentations. Additional resources may be found at Ready.gov and KnoWhat2Do.com.

Natural Hazards

Natural hazards are severe and extreme weather events that occur naturally in all parts of the world. The Irving area is more vulnerable to natural hazards such as severe storms, flash flooding, tornadoes, earthquakes, extreme heat and winter weather. Natural hazards become natural disasters when people’s lives and livelihoods are destroyed. It is important to know about some of the natural disasters that may affect Irving and how to be prepared.

Earthquakes

An earthquake is the shaking of the earth caused by a sudden movement of rock beneath its surface. Earthquakes strike suddenly, violently and without warning. These rumblings occur at any time of the year and at any time of the day or night. Millions of earthquakes occur around the world every year, and the vast majority are minor. Irving’s quakes range from 1.1 to 3.6, which are considered minor.

Earthquake Safety Tips

● When in a high-rise building, move against an interior wall or under a desk or table. Protect your head and neck with your arms. Do not use the elevators.

● When outdoors, move to a clear area away from trees, signs, buildings or downed electrical wires and poles.

● When on a sidewalk near buildings, duck into a doorway to protect yourself from falling bricks, glass, plaster and other debris.

● When driving, pull over to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses and power lines. Stay inside your vehicle until the shaking stops.

● When in a crowded store or other public place, move away from display shelves containing objects that could fall. Do not rush for the exit.

● When in a stadium or theater, stay in your seat, get below the level of the back of the seat and cover your head and neck with your arms.

Flooding

● If flooding occurs, get to higher ground. Leave areas subject to flooding.

● Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles, including sport utility vehicles and pickup trucks.

● When there is excessive water in the roadway, play it smart — turn around, do not drown.

Lightning

Although lightning kills or injures hundreds of people every year, most deaths from lightning are preventable. On average, six people die each year in Texas from lightning strikes.

Always seek shelter indoors during a lightning storm. If outside, keep away from metal objects, find a ditch or shelter and stay away from hilltops and open fields. Most importantly, stay away from open water and tall trees — both are great lightning conductors.

Lightning always accompanies thunderstorms, so keep an eye and ear to the sky. Hearing thunder means a person is close enough to be struck by lightning. A person can continue to be at risk, even if they cannot hear thunder.

Residents Encouraged to Register for iALERT

The city’s iALERT notification system provides residents with critical information during emergencies or critical situations. It allows public safety officials to notify the city’s population about gas leaks, boil water notices, power outages, crime alerts or other high-priority events.

Residents may specify areas of the city they want to receive information about by adding addresses such as their home, schools or daycare centers, nursing homes or job locations.

The service is completely customizable. Residents can select the areas to be notified about and can sign up to receive up-to-the-minute information, keeping their families safe during an emergency.

The application will contact the communication devices selected by those who sign up, including mobile phones, landlines, smartphones, email, SMS and instant messaging — in the order specified by the user’s account.

Included in the system are listed telephone numbers of residents and businesses; however, they are encouraged to use the registration link to add additional ways to be contacted, such as cellphone numbers or email addresses. All information provided will be kept confidential. For more information, visit CityofIrving.org/iAlert.

PROPER GREASE AND OIL DISPOSAL

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.

● Do keep grease out of wash water; place food scraps in the trash.

● Do flush only toilet paper and human waste down toilet.

● Do dispose of towels, diapers, all wipes, cleaning cloths and feminine products in the trash.

● Do 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.

● Do not use hot water to rinse grease from any surface.

● Do not allow food scraps down the drain.

● Do not 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

TEMPORARY SIGN DISPLAY TIME CHANGES

The Code Enforcement Department would like residents to know that the times on when temporary signs can be displayed in the city’s right-of-ways has changed.

Previously residents could display temporary signs from noon Friday to noon Monday. Now they can be displayed from 12:01 a.m. Thursday to 12:01 a.m. Monday. Essentially, temporary signs can be displayed Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday but must be removed by midnight on Sunday.

For more information, call (972) 721-4829. n

WARRANT ROUNDUP REMINDER

In March, the Irving City Marshal’s Office and the Irving Police Department will participate in the Texas Warrant Roundup. Across the state, law enforcement officials will focus on defendants with outstanding warrants for Class C misdemeanor violations. Offenders may be arrested anywhere, including at their place of employment.

Those with outstanding warrants are urged to contact the Irving Municipal Court’s Warrant Division at (972) 721-2671, or visit the Irving Criminal Justice Center at 305 N. O’Connor Road, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. n

Time-of-Day Water Conservation

To promote good water use habits, minimize water waste and preserve Irving’s water supply, the city enforces time-of-day irrigation restrictions.

These limits make it a violation of city ordinance to water between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. from April 1 through Oct. 31. Although people readily understand water restrictions during drought conditions, it is important to develop good water use habits for the long-term protection of Irving’s water supply.

That is the goal of the city’s Water Conservation Plan. For example, in warmer weather, irrigation water is more susceptible to evaporation during warm, sunny days. As a result, early morning or late evening watering is more effective. Additionally, the cycle-soak method of running sprinklers for two or three, seven-minute cycles, with one-hour rest periods in between, optimizes irrigation.

Other Water Conservation Plan features that can minimize water consumption include:

Volunteers Needed for Texas Trash-Off

Join good Samaritans across the state in making Texas the cleanest and most beautiful state in the country as part of the Great American Cleanup, the nation’s largest community improvement program.

Keep Irving Beautiful invites all residents, businesses and civic groups to make a clear and clean difference in the community by participating in the 2019 Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off from 9 a.m. to noon April 6 at Trinity View Park, 2298 E. Sixth St. The annual trash-off is Texas’ signature event for the Great American Cleanup.

Part of a national movement, Keep Irving Beautiful is one of more than 1,200 organizations that will engage millions of volunteers in improving their communities through litter-abatement events and activities on or around April 6. In Irving, volunteers will focus on Trinity View Park ― part of Campion Trail ― which borders the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. Removing litter from Trinity View Park is critical because the adjacent waterway supports the water needs of 9 million people, which equates to about 40 percent of all Texans.

● Watering no more than twice per week from April through October (in warm weather) and only once per month if needed in winter (in cold weather).

● Attaching positive shutoff nozzles when hoses are used for hand watering or car washing.

● Repairing private property leaks.

● Installing water-conserving landscaping including native and adaptive plants.

● Using water-conserving plumbing fixtures at residences and businesses.

● Purchasing water-conserving appliances.

● Registering at WaterMyYard.org for a weekly message about how much to irrigate.

For more information on the city’s Water Conservation Plan or tips for conserving, visit CityofIrving.org/ WaterUtilities. n

Volunteers will be provided with safety vests, gloves and litter grabbers, as well as bags for trash and recycling. In addition, volunteers will be treated to a free lunch after the event. All volunteers are encouraged to bring canned foods or other nonperishable food items to benefit the Crisis Ministries Food Pantry in Irving. Those who donate items will receive a T-shirt, while supplies last.

For more information, email rhose@cityofirving.org or call (972) 721-2175. For individual or group registration, visit CityofIrving.org/KIB and locate the “Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off/Great American Cleanup” link. Online registration closes March 29. All ages are welcome. n

Open Data Portal Provides Access to City Information

Residents who want access to the city’s latest permit data or an interactive map that displays where crimes are reported can find this information and more on the city’s new open data portal.

The City of Irving was one of 100 cities selected to participate in Bloomberg Philanthropies’ What Works Cities initiative, aimed at helping municipalities across the country further the use of data to guide decision-making, improve service delivery and engage residents.

As part of this effort, the city has created an open data portal that seeks to foster transparency and accountability between the city and its stakeholders. The portal allows users open access to the data Irving generates, provides interactive maps, presents useful information about the city, and promotes economic development and research while improving internal performance management.

By exploring the portal, users will be able to better understand the community and make suggestions on datasets they would like to access. The city hopes to engage residents as it moves forward with using open data to promote transparency, help solve pressing community issues, and fulfill the data wants and needs of residents.

Residents are invited to visit the portal and are encouraged to submit feedback by completing the survey at the top of the page at Data-CityofIrving.OpenData.ARCGIS.com or emailing opendata@cityofirving.org. n

Parks and Recreation Camps, AquaStars, Briefs

March 11-15 | Spring Break Camp

7 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Grades K-5 | $95 per child

City recreation centers will offer a Spring Break Camp. A variety of activities will be offered in a fun and safe environment, including arts and crafts, gym games, field trips and more. Campers are asked to bring a sack lunch each day, but are provided morning and afternoon snacks. Register in person at a recreation center or online at CityofIrving.org/IrvingRec. Space is limited.

Cimarron Park Recreation Center

201 Red River Trail, (972) 910-0702

● March 30 | Community Flea Market

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Booth – $15; Booth, table and two chairs – $20

Clean out the house and sell gently used items at a flea market. Set up will take place Friday night and Saturday morning. No food or drinks may be sold. Call for more details.

Heritage Aquatic Center

200 S. Jefferson St., (972) 721-7311

● March 10, April 14 and May 12 | AquaStars Swim Program

11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | $1 – ages 4-17; $1.50 – ages 18-50

This program allows children with special needs, along with their families and guardians, to safely enjoy access to a premier city swimming facility. An adult or guardian must accompany participants. Pool features include an accessible ramp, accessible chair lift and water chair. This program will be held on the second Sunday of each month.

Heritage Senior Center

200 S. Jefferson St., (972) 721-2496

● Through April 15 | Free Tax Service by AARP

Volunteers

Volunteers from AARP will be on-site to assist residents with their 2018 tax returns. This free service is available Monday and Thursday mornings at 8:15, 9:15, 10:15 and 11:15 a.m. by appointment only. Appointments may be scheduled by calling AARP

representative Ms. Beckner at (214) 770-5599. Income restrictions apply.

● March 15 | St. Patrick’s Shenanigans

10 to 11 a.m. | $3 per person (Members and guests) Join fellow seniors for a morning of music, games and entertainment by the Emerald School of Irish Dance. Participants are encouraged to wear green. Refreshments will be served. Registration deadline is 5 p.m. March 12.

● March 19 | Heritage Shuffle Dance

7 to 9:15 p.m. | Ages 18 and older | Free

Dance the evening away in the Heritage Senior Center ballroom as DJ Andrea plays everyone’s favorite musical requests. Light refreshments will be served.

Lively Pointe Youth Center

909 N. O’Connor Road, (972) 721-8090

● March 9 | Teen Jam: March Madness Jam

7 to 11 p.m. | Middle and high school students | Free with valid IPAR card or school ID

Teens can bring a team and play 3-on-3 basketball. Compete with friends to see who can be named as Irving’s best ballers! Complimentary food and beverages will be served.

Mustang Park Recreation Center

2223 Kinwest Parkway, (972) 556-1334

● April 20 | Easter Festival and Helicopter Egg Drop

10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Free

Children of all ages are welcome to this annual Easter Festival. The helicopter egg drop is for ages 5-12. Activities include games, bounce houses, food, a visit from the Easter Bunny and much more.

Northwest Park Recreation Center

2800 Cheyenne St., (972) 721-2529

● March 2 | Pottery Painting

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Ages 5 and older

Enjoy a day of relaxation while painting a piece of pottery to take home. Prices vary by piece and can be purchased the day of the event. Children younger than age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.

Library Spring Break Events, Adult Event Briefs

Spring Break Events

An exciting event line-up awaits young children at all Irving Library locations during Irving ISD’s Spring Break, March 11-15. With live animal encounters, an eggcellent book celebration and hands-on activities for creative kids, there will be no shortage of delightful learning opportunities. Event highlights include:

March 11 | Peter Rabbit Celebration and Egg Hunt

2:30 p.m. | East Branch Library, 440 S. Nursery Road Beatrix Potter’s beloved tale comes alive with an opportunity for children to meet Peter Rabbit. Participate in an egg hunt and make spring crafts while enjoying refreshments.

March 12 | Dairy Farmer Day

2:30 p.m. | West Irving Library, 4444 W. Rochelle Road

Be wowed by cows at a milking demonstration and show provided by the Southland Dairy Farmers. Following the presentation, sample delicious dairy treats and make cow crafts.

March 13 | Wednesday Night Live (In the Afternoon)

2 p.m. | Valley Ranch Library, 401 Cimarron Trail

Get ready for a super silly time with the Cat in the Hat. This birthday party for Dr. Seuss features crafts and refreshments in celebration of his literary legacy!

March 15 | Art Attack

4 p.m. | South Irving Library, 601 Schulze Drive

Get ready to raid the art drawer! Children in grades K-5 are invited to unleash their creativity with a kite decorating activity.

Adult Event Briefs

March 16 | Novel Fiction Book Club

10 a.m. | Valley Ranch Library, 401 Cimarron Trail

Join fellow fiction-lovers for a discussion of the 2015 Pulitzer Prize-winning book “All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr. A limited number of copies are set aside

for attendees to check-out at the Valley Ranch Library Information Desk. This event is presented in collaboration with the University of Dallas as part of the UD Reads series.

March 19 | Craft Like Crazy: Pots of Fun

6:30 p.m. | South Irving Library, 601 Schulze Drive In this come-and-go craft program, adults are encouraged to express their originality by decorating clay flower pots. Supplies are provided.

March 21 | Heritage Senior Center Book Club

7 p.m. | Heritage Senior Center, 200 S. Jefferson St. Make new book club buddies at this discussion group that meets at the Heritage Senior Center library. This month’s selection is “The Snow Child” by Eowyn Ivey. For more information, call (972) 721-4612.

March 30 | Plan On It: Monthly Planner Meet-Up

11 a.m. | South Irving Library, 601 Schulze Drive Attendees will learn new techniques to get organized while planning out the month ahead using colorful stickers and pens. Members must arrive with their own planner or bullet journal. Basic supplies are provided.

IRVING POLICE LOOKING FOR BEST AND BRIGHTEST

Interested in becoming an Irving police officer or an emergency dispatcher? Irving Police Chief Jeff Spivey says now is an exciting time to join the force.

Citing a terrific team of more than 500 people, Spivey explained that the city has experienced tremendous population growth, and with that growth, the department has budgeted to hire additional personnel. The Irving Police Department is an attractive place to work because it takes a progressive approach to policing.

“We recognize the importance of proactive policing, community partnerships and the need to employ the use of technology and data to arrest criminals,” Spivey said. “We are very involved in community outreach and have numerous opportunities for our employees to be involved.”

In fact, the Irving Police Department just launched a Mental Health Response Team, which will provide a comprehensive response to calls involving behavioral health emergencies. This is the first of its kind in the state.

Last year, the crime rate dropped nearly 6.5 percent from the prior year. Spivey attributes the decrease to the trust and relationships employees have established with Irving residents and businesses, adding, “That trust encourages our community members to be a part of fighting crime.”

When hiring, the department looks for particular characteristics: integrity, honesty and professionalism combined with the ability to make difficult decisions quickly. Applicants also must care about serving the public with fairness and compassion.

Police Department employees say they chose to work in Irving because the department is large enough to provide tremendous promotional and income opportunity, but small enough to feel like family.

“The professionalism at the Irving Police Department is apparent,” Irving Mayor Rick Stopfer said. “They do a tremendous job serving our city.”

For more information on the hiring process, visit CityofIrving.org/Recruiting. n

NTTBF CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS

Preparations for the North Texas Teen Book Festival (NTTBF) are underway for a full-day literary celebration featuring authors, illustrators and social media celebrities. Event planners are looking to the community for help. Organizers need volunteers to assist with the following positions on March 22-23 at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd.

● Greeters – in the lobby and meeting busloads of teens attending the event on field trips.

● Signing Line Assistants – help the lines flow smoothly for authors signing books.

● Book Sale Volunteers – monitor the area and help with book selections.

● Photo Booth Assistants.

Those who volunteer four hours (or alternatively, one hour and the signing line shift from 2:30 to 5 p.m.) will receive an exclusive NTTBF T-shirt. It is an incredible opportunity to help out North Texas area educators, an all-star line-up of authors, and make NTTBF a phenomenal experience for all attending. Visit NTTBF.org and select “Volunteers” to sign up. Email cmorgan@ cityofirving.org for more information. n

How Water Utilities Department Moves Its Supply From East Texas Reservoir to Irving Faucets

For the past 16 years, Irving has pumped water roughly 80 miles from Jim Chapman (Cooper) Lake to Lewisville Lake.

The City of Irving has carved its own path toward water independence through decades of planning, study and construction.

Depending on the time of year and flood level conditions, the city pumps 60 million gallons of water per day from Jim Chapman Lake, outside of Cooper, in northeast Texas. The City of Irving is unique in its ability to provide its own water supply to 240,000 residents, as well as a commercial and industrial business community.

Emphasis on Sustainability

During the 1950s, a devastating drought swept across Texas. As Irving began to blossom, city leaders prioritized a future water supply for the growing community. Plans were drawn to include water near Cooper Lake on the Sulphur River.

In 1968, Irving signed a contract for water rights with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In 1987, construction began on the dam-site location, and by 1991, the dam was complete and the lake was beginning to fill. During the next decade, pipelines were added for water transport, and the reservoir’s name — originally Cooper Lake — was later changed to Jim Chapman Lake.

Today, the city shares the rights to the lake’s water with the North Texas Municipal Water District; Cooper and Sulphur Springs, Texas; and the Upper Trinity Regional Water District.

From Source to Faucet

It is a long journey from Jim Chapman Lake to an Irving resident’s kitchen or bathroom faucet. Irving’s water supply travels through six North and East Texas counties before it makes its way into a drinking glass.

The process begins when water from Jim Chapman Lake is pumped more than 40 miles west to Farmersville, Texas, and into a 12 million-gallon balancing reservoir. The reservoir collects and balances flow between pump stations, while alleviating pressure surges in the pipelines. From there, raw water is run through the Princeton Booster Pump Station, which transfers millions of gallons of water per day through 33 miles of 72-inch pipe. The facility houses a control room, which is

operated 24/7, and monitors all of the facilities along the pipeline. Water from the pump station travels through the pipeline and several miles of creek channel before reaching Lewisville Lake, where it is stored for future use.

The City of Dallas’ Elm Fork Water Treatment Plant cleans and processes the city’s water supply from Lewisville Lake. Dallas then delivers the water to Irving’s Hackberry Pump Station, which houses five ground storage tanks that combined can hold 28 million gallons of water. The facility can pump 105 million gallons of consumable water per day to other pump stations and throughout the city for residents and businesses.

Planning for the Future

In addition to delivering high-quality drinking water to its residents, Irving is committed to incorporating state and federal standards and regulations in a costeffective manner for taxpayers. The annual City of Irving Water Quality Report informs residents of its practices, including spending methods, irrigation guidelines and drinking water test data.

As Irving continues to develop and the population increases, the city will explore additional water conservation tactics, including reuse opportunities. Water reuse promotes environmental sustainability and water-efficient practices. It is an available drought tolerant water supply that uses treated wastewater for non-consumable uses, such as irrigation, and consumable water supply with additional treatment. Currently, the city has a permit from the state to reuse a portion of the Jim Chapman Lake water supply, and an agreement with the Trinity River Authority to use 25 million gallons of reuse water per day that has been treated at the wastewater treatment plant, some of which is already being used to irrigate the Irving Golf Club.

The city’s staff and leadership will continue to examine future supply planning in order to supplement its current resources and ensure that it is using water wisely and is prepared in the case of a drought.

Visit CityofIrving.org/Water-Utilities for more information on the Water Utilities Department, including conservation and water quality. For more information on the city’s ongoing infrastructure initiatives, visit CityofIrving.org/IrvingInvests. n

Kickstart a Career with a Summer Job

Spend the summer learning new skills, making new friends and making money! Calling all teenagers of legal age to work get résumés ready, Irving Parks and Recreation is looking for seasonal summer employees.

Poolside for the Summer

Consider becoming a lifeguard. Students considering a career in the medical or emergency response sectors will have their First Aid, CPR and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certifications through lifeguarding. Certification classes are offered through the City of Irving; scholarships are available. Visit CityofIrving.org/ Lifeguard for details.

Work with Animals

Parks and Recreation needs part-time employees to work the Fritz Park Petting Farm. For nearly 50 years, the petting farm has given children of all ages the chance to learn and interact with different animals. Employees will feed and water animals, help keep areas clean and supervise visitors. The farm is home to chickens, cows, goats, horses, sheep, rabbits and even peacocks.

Help With Summer Camps, Events and Activities

There also are a few spots available at several of the city’s recreation centers, overseeing the summer camps. Candidates should have a willingness to work with children of all ages, be active and engage in the varied activities the summer camps offer.

Summer Jobs Offer Future Opportunities

For many of these teens and young adults, these jobs are their first steps into the workforce.

Before applying, prepare a résumés listing education, extracurricular activities, volunteer history, and if applicable, previous work experience. Qualifying candidates also may have to consent to a background check. Seasonal employment opportunities typically open during March. Visit CityofIrving.org/653 to apply for a position. n