Lancaster Today! December 2017

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1 Intro to Pinterest, 10:30 am @ Library Lancaster Historical Society Tour of Homes

2 Book a Librarian, 9-10 am, 3 pm @ Library Family Storytime, 1 pm @ Library 9 Book a Librarian, 9-10 am, 3 pm @ Library Family Storytime, 1 pm @ Library Christmas Parade & Festival, 5 pm

4 Special Work Session/Re gular Meeting, 7 pm @ Council Chambers

5 Toddler Time, 10:30 am @ Library Book a Librarian, 12-4 pm @ Library Hook, Yarn, & Needle, 2 pm @ Library Future City Project, 4 pm @ Library Family Games Night, 6:30 pm @ Library

6 Computer Basics, 10:30 am @ Library Book a Librarian, 12-4 pm @ Library Bilingual Family Storytime, 4 pm @ Library Developer Luncheon, 11 am – 1 pm @ Grand Hall

7 8 Book a Librarian, 12- Computer Basics, 10:30 am 4 pm @ Library @ Library Future City Project, 4 pm @ Library Teen Club, 4 pm @ Library

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12 Toddler Time, 10:30 am @ Library Book a Librarian, 12-4 pm @ Library Hook, Yarn, & Needle, 2 pm @ Library Future City Project, 4 pm @ Library

13 PowerPoint Basics, 10:30 am @ Library Book a Librarian, 12-4 pm @ Library Family Storytime, 4 pm @ Library

14 Book a Librarian, 124 pm @ Library Future City Project, 4 pm @ Library Family Movie Night, 6 pm @ Library

15 PowerPoint Basics, 10:30 am @ Library

18 6:30 p.m.

Family Craft Night

19 Toddler Time, 10:30 am @ Library Book a Librarian, 12-4 pm @ Library Hook, Yarn, & Needle, 2 pm @ Library Future City Project, 4 pm @ Library

20 PowerPoint Basics, 10:30 am @ Library Book a Librarian, 12-4 pm @ Library Family Storytime, 4 pm @ Library

21 LISD-Student Early Release Book a Librarian, 124 pm @ Library Future City Project, 4 pm @ Library Teen Club, 4 pm @ Library

22 City Holiday - City offices Closed LISD Winter Break December 22 through January 5 Winter Break Camp begins through January 5, 7:30 am – 6 pm @ Recreation Center

24 25 Christmas Christ mas Holiday Eve City offices Closed

26 Toddler Time, 10:30 am @ Library Book a Librarian, 12-4 pm @ Library Hook, Yarn, & Needle, 2 pm @ Library

27 28 29 Excel Basics, 10:30 Book a Librarian, 12- Excel Basics, 10:30 am @ am @ Library 4 pm @ Library Library Book a Librarian, 12-4 pm @ Library Family Storytime, 4 pm @ Library

31 New Year’s Eve

16 Book a Librarian, 9-10 am, 3 pm @ Library Senior Life Center Christmas Family Storytime, Legacy Ball, 7-9 pm @ Senior 1 pm @ Library Life Center Juggling Class, 2:30 pm @ Library 23 Book a Librarian, 9-10 am, 3 pm @ Library Family Storytime, 1 pm @ Library

30 Book a Librarian, 9-10 am, 3 pm @ Library Noon Year’s Eve Party, 11 am @ Library

Lancaster Veterans Memorial Library 1600 Veterans Memorial Pkwy Lancaster, Texas 75134 LIBRARY HOURS Monday – Thursday: 10:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. Fridays: 10:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. Saturdays: 9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. John Melton- Library Manager Jimi Davis – Assistant Library Manager

Fun Facts: An almanac prediction states that if snow falls on Christmas Day, Easter will be warm, green and sunny.

The term Yuletide comes from a Norse tradition of cutting and burning a tree to bring in the Winter Solstice that was to last through 12 days – later known as the 12 days of Christmas.

December 12th is Poinsettia Day. The first artificial Christmas tree was made in Germany and fashioned out of goose feathers that were dyed green!

“Jingle bells” was composed in 1857 and not for Christmas – it was meant to be a Thanksgiving song!

As Lancaster ISD seeks to hire a new Superintendent, the District is interested in your input and invites you to participate in the Superintendent search survey. The survey is designed to gather your perception of the school district and the importance of various characteristics found in effective superintendents. To take part in the survey, please go to the link below and we thank you in advance for your input!

Survey Link: https://survey2.ecragroup.com/index.php/292739?lang=en

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS Dec 4 – Special Work Session/Special City Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers Jan 8 – City Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers Jan 22 – City Council Meeting, 7:00 p.m., Council Chambers

• When is winter averaging?

The months of December, January and February • Why does the city use winter use for averaging?

Your sewer bill is based on your water consumption. Outdoor water use (such as irrigation, car washing and recreational use) does not typically enter the city’s wastewater system and using winter averaging consumption therefore, prevents the wastewater portion of your utility from spiking during the summer.

Please find me at the Annual Christmas Festival and take me home for Christmas!

Woof! Woof!

Meow!

City of Lancaster & Lancaster Lion’s Club 64th Annual Christmas Parade Saturday, December 9, 2017

All Parade Entry Forms Must be Submitted by 3 p.m. Friday, December 1, 2017 This form is available online at: www.lancaster‐tx.com/ChristmasInLancaster

Contact Information: (PLEASE PRINT)

Organization: ____________________________________________________________ Group Name: ____________________________________________________________ Contact Name: __________________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________ City: ____________________________ Phone: ________________________________ Email: ___________________________

Entry Description:

Type of Entry: ____________________________________________________________ Detailed Description: ______________________________________________________

Category:

Band

Float

Motorcycle

Walkers

Horse

Other _______________________________

Dance/Cheer Group

Number of Participants: ____

Music:

Yes

No If Yes, Describe: ____________________________

*No amplified music is permitted (small portable sound systems are allowed)

Award Categories:

Please indicate your judging preference:

Best Holiday Themed Entry

Best Performance Group

Best Entry‐ Business

Best Entry – Organization (churches, civic groups, etc.)

_____________________________________ ________________________________ Applicant Signature Date

Return this form to: City of Lancaster Attn: Community Relations, 211 N Henry Street (in person) PO Box 940, Lancaster, TX 75146 (by mail)

Questions?

Call: 972‐218‐1300 Fax: 972‐275‐0917 Email: communityrelations@lancaster‐tx.com

City of Lancaster & Lancaster Lion’s Club

64th Annual Christmas Parade Rules and Guidelines

Entry Fee: The entry fee is a donation of new unwrapped toys or at least five (5) non-perishable food items to be brought to the mandatory parade meeting. All donations will benefit The Society of St. Vincent De Paul Community Outreach Center.

All entries are required to attend a mandatory parade meeting on Thursday, December 7, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at Lancaster City Hall, 211 N. Henry Street.

Entry lineup will be from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. traveling eastbound on Pleasant Run Road from Elsie Robertson Middle School to southbound Dallas Avenue concluding at Historic Town Square. Prior to the parade, you will be provided a designated time to arrive and location for your entry. Event staff and volunteers will assist you to locate your line up position; do not change the parade lineup. All individuals and vehicles associated with your entry must check in together.

The parade will begin promptly at 5:00 p.m.

Judging will take place along the parade route and awards will be presented at the end of the parade in the Historic Town Square (weather permitting) or the Lancaster Recreation Center (if inclement weather) at 6:00 p.m.

Once the parade has begun, please do not stop until the conclusion of the parade.

One banner preceding your entry is allowed; there is no size limit. There is no limit on the number of banners that can be attached to the entry.

Entries may be sponsored by a business; however, the entry may not be used primarily for advertising purposes and must be in keeping with the spirit of the parade and theme.

All entries must be decorated or in support of the theme “A Hometown Christmas”.

Children under 13 years of age must be adequately supervised from the parade lineup to completion.

All motorized equipment must be clean and in good working condition. All vehicles must maintain a safe distance of at least 20 feet between units.

Use live music when possible. No amplified music is permitted (small portable sound systems are allowed).

Pursuant to the City ordinance # 2004-06-18, and for the safety of the spectators, throwing candy is prohibited. Those wishing to distribute candy must walk along-side parade route.

All participants must dress appropriately. Shoes and shirts are required. No clothing that makes mention of or reference to any obscenities, sexually explicit material and/or drugs.

Appropriateness is at the discretion of staff.

All parade entries must submit a parade application to the Community Relations Division by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday November 29th. Applications can be submitted on the City website at www.lancaster-tx.com.

Please refrain from the inclusion of live Santa costumes, as this can confuse children. For additional information call 972-218-300 or email communityrelations@lancaster-tx.com.

Future City Competition

For middle school kids in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Future City is a national competition that offers students a fun way to build their math and science skills and learn about engineering by solving the real‐world problems in designing cities of the future.

A group of Lancaster students meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Library in preparation for the national competition.

The National Competition registration is scheduled for January 26th and the competition is January 27th at the University of Texas at Arlington, Nedderman Hall, 416 Yates Street, Arlington.

Holiday Trash/Recycle Schedule Trash/Recycle service for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays will be delayed one day from the day of the holiday through Saturday.

Monday, December 25th pickup is moved to Tuesday, December 26th Tuesday, December 26th pickup is moved to Wednesday, December 27th Wednesday, December 27th pickup is moved to Thursday, December 28th Thursday, December 28th pickup is moved to Friday, December 29th Friday, December 29th pickup is moved to Saturday, December 30th Monday, January 1st pickup is moved to Tuesday, January 2nd Tuesday, January 2nd pickup is moved to Wednesday, January 3rd Wednesday, January 3rd pickup is moved to Thursday, January 4th Thursday, January 4th pickup is moved to Friday, January 5th Friday, January 5th pickup is moved to Saturday, January 6th

DID YOU KNOW? Did you know that you can receive a citation for letting your dog run loose?

Avoid receiving a citation by taking the following precautions: • Keep your dog and/or cat contained in your yard. • Dogs must be held by a leash at all time in a park or public playground, except in park areas designated and posted by the parks and recreation department to be "dog friendly areas", such as City Parks across the Golf course.

FREE Vet Services FREE vet services are offered to pets residing within the 75134 zip code area.

Services include FREE spay & neuter, microchip, and vaccine on every 2nd Friday of the month. Call 972-472-3500 to make a reservation TODAY. Drop off site: 1501 N. Dallas Ave. For questions, please call 972-218-1324

December is a Bulk/Brush December Bulk/Brush Schedule First Week Dec 4-8 Second Week Dec 11-15 Third Week Dec 18-22 Fourth Week Dec 25-29 Set bulk out by 7:00 am on Monday of your pickup week.

Bulk trash is picked up bi‐monthly on even months of the year.

Residents may place out up to 12 cubic yards of brush/bulk waste By 7:00 a.m. on Monday of your pickup week.

On odd months, Lancaster Residents can drop off up to 12 cubic yards of trash/debris free of charge at the CWD transfer station at 2010 California Crossing, Dallas. A copy of your current bill is required.

Charges will apply to volumes in excess of 12 cubic yards.

Download the FREE app from your Apple store or Google Play and get a personalized trash collection schedule. This app allows you to set reminders for your trash, recycling, and bulk/brush collection from an hour, 12 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours or even a week prior to collection at no cost to you. Search "Recycle Coach" and select LANCASTER, Texas for your location.

For additional information, call 972-218-1324.

Did you know you have 16 ways/opportunities to dispose of your bulk/brush in a 12 month period?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

January 20 February March 24

CWD Transfer Station and/or City Wide Quarterly Trash Off Bulk/Brush Pickup Month CWD Transfer Station and/or City Wide Quarterly Trash Off Extreme Green (Household Hazardous Waste collection) April Bulk/Brush Pickup Month May CWD Transfer Station June Bulk/Brush Pickup Month July 21 CWD Transfer Station and/or City Wide Quarterly Trash Off August Bulk/Brush Pickup Month September CWD Transfer Station October Bulk/Brush Pickup Month November 3 CWD Transfer Station and/or City Wide Quarterly Trash Off Extreme Green (Household Hazardous Waste collection) December Bulk/Brush Pickup Month

CWD transfer station at 2010 California Crossing, Dallas

Did You Know?

The Transportation Code (Sec. 545.303) prohibits parking the wrong way on a street.

The Texas State Transportation Code States: (a)

Did you know?

The City of Lancaster ordinance (Sec. 22.06.004) prohibits leaving or parking a motor vehicle, boat or other impediment upon any public street or alley between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. within ten (10) feet of a mailbox, except a US Postal Service vehicle, and except on Sundays and federal holidays.

An operator who stops or parks on a two-way roadway shall do so with the right-hand wheels of the vehicle parallel to and within 18 inches of the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. (b) An operator who stops or parks on a one-way roadway shall stop or park the vehicle parallel to the curb or edge of the roadway in the direction of authorized traffic movement with the right-hand wheels within 18 inches of the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway or left-hand wheels within 28 inches of the left-hand curb or edge of the roadway. This subsection does not apply where a local ordinance otherwise regulates topping or parking on the oneway roadway.

Illegal Dumping What is Illegal Dumping?

Illegal Dumping occurs when a person places, deposits, dumps or accumulates refuse on or in any public or private street, public right-of-way or easement, gutter or sidewalk within the Lancaster City limits.

Why is Illegal Dumping a problem? ‐ Property values decline. ‐ Illegally dumped material can become a breeding ground for vectors, such as mice, rats and mosquitoes, which can spread diseases such as encephalitis, Hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and West Nile Disease. ‐ Illegal dumping is hazardous to the environment. From refrigerators to tires to auto parts to televisions, many contain heavy metals and other toxins. ‐ Illegal dumping costs taxpayers money.

Legal Alternatives to dispose of your unwanted items: ‐ Drop off your waste free of charge at the CWD transfer station located at 2010 California Crossing Dallas, TX 75220. A copy of your water bill is required. ‐ Order a special pick up at 972-218-1300. This allows residents to schedule a pickup of bulky waste at a decent fee. ‐ You may drop off your waste at the Trash-off event on January 21st. ‐ Move the unwanted items away from public view until the next Bulk/brush collection.

Fine for Illegal Dumping Up to $4,000.00 How can You Help? ‐ Report it! Call 972-218-1200 and provide information that leads to a citation of the illegal dumper.

lÉâÜ V|àç VÉâÇv|Ä Mayor Marcus E. Knight Mayor Pro Tem Clyde C. Hairston – District 5 Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Nina Morris – District 6 Councilmember District 1 – Carol Strain Burk Councilmember District 2 – Stanley Jaglowski Councilmember District 3 – Marco Mejia Councilmember District 4 – Spencer Hervey

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Important Numbers

@lancastercityof

Animal Services

972-218-1210

Building Inspections/Code Compliance

972-218-1200

City Career Opportunities

972-218-1794

City Hall

972-218-1300

Country View Golf Course

972-227-0995

County Health Dept (Immunizations)

214-819-1800

County Tax Office

214-653-7811

Development Services

972-218-1200

Driver’s License Office

469-272-9301

Economic Development

972-218-1314

Facility Rentals

972-218-3706

Fire (Non-Emergency)

972-218-2600

Lancaster Regional Airport

972-227-5721

Library

972-227-1080

LISD Administration

972-218-1400

Municipal Court

972-218-1334

Parks Operations

972-218-3709

Planning & Zoning

972-218-1317

Police (Non-Emergency)

972-218-2700

Public Works

972-275-1752

Recreation Center

972-218-3700

Senior Life Center

972-218-3780

Texas State Auxiliary Museum

972-218-3790

Volunteer Opportunities

972-218-3706

Water/Sewer Repair

972-218-2324

Water/Utility Billing

972-218-1328

@Lancaster_TX

For more information contact: Community Relations, 972-218-1300, communtiyrelations@lancaster-tx.com