Lancaster Today March 2017

Published by the City of Lancaster, Texas

www.lancaster-tx.com

March 2017

March 2017 Sun

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Mon

6 City Council Special Meeting, 7pm, Council Chambers

Tue

7 Toddler Time, 10:30am, Library P&Z Meeting, 7pm, Council Chambers

Wed

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Fri

Sat

1 Senior Groom and Glamour, 11am Computer Basics, 10:30am, Library Bilingual Family Story Time, 4pm, Library Family Story Time, 4pm, Library

2 AARP Senior Tax Assistance, 11am, Senior Life Center LISD NEHS Induction Ceremony, 6-7pm, LHS

3 Computer Basics, 10:30am, Library

4 “Community Health Challenge” AnyTime Fitness Boot Camp 11am Stork’s Nest Symposium 9am Rec Center Family Story Time, 1pm, Library

8 PowerPoint Basics, 10:30am, Library Family Story Time, 4pm, Library

9 Senior Outing, 10:30am, Salt Grass AARP Senior Tax Assistance, 11am, Senior Life Center

10 City Offices closed all day

11 “Community Health Challenge” AnyTime Fitness Boot Camp 11am Family Story Time, 1pm, Library

17 Word Basics, 10:30am, Library

18 “Community Health Challenge” AnyTime Fitness Boot Camp 11am Family Story Time, 1pm, Library

25 Mayor’s Couch to 5K Run/Walk, 9-11am, Community Park Trash-off, 8am-2pm, 1501 N. Dallas Avenue Overnight Campout 4pm, Bear Creek Nature Park LISD March Madness-STEM Expo, 9am-1pm, LHS

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13 City Council Meeting, 7pm

14 Toddler Time, 10:30am, Library

15 Senior Groom and Glamour, 11am Word Basics, 10:30am, Library Family Story Time, 4pm, Library

16 AARP Senior Tax Assistance, 11am, Senior Life Center Dive In Movie Night, 7:30pm, Aquatics Center LISD Spring Break March 13-17, 2017

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20 City Council Work Session, 7pm

21 Toddler Time, 10:30am, Library Low Cost Vet Services

22 Senior Groom and Glamour, 11am Excel Basics & Charts, 10:30am, Library Family Story Time, 4pm, Library Low Cost Spay & Neuter Transport

23 AARP Senior Tax Assistance, 11am, Senior Life Center Cedar Valley College Health Fair,

24 Excel Basics & Charts, 10:30am, Library

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27 City Council Meeting 7pm

28 Toddler Time, 10:30am, Library

29 Pinterest class, 10:30am, Library

30 LISD School Board Meeting, 7pm

31 Pinterest class, 10:30am, Library Last day of Community Challenge

St. Patrick’s Day fun facts: 

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The first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in the United States on March 17, 1762, when Irish soldiers serving in the English military marched through New York City.

There are 34.7 million U.S. residents with Irish ancestry. This number is more than seven times the population of Ireland itself.

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STEP UP TO THE 2017 IT’S TIME TEXAS COMMUNITY CHALLENGE! January 9th-March 31st The IT’S TIME TEXAS Community Challenge, Presented by H-E-B, is an easy and fun way for entire communities to mobilize in celebration of healthy living! In its fifth year, the Community Challenge is the only statewide competition of its kind that gets community members, mayors, schools, businesses, and organizations all earning points for their cities and towns by making healthy choices! The question is, which five Texas communities will demonstrate the greatest commitment to health in 2017?

How it Works: All Texas communities are grouped into five categories according to their population size. Using the Community Challenge website www.ittcommunitychallenge.com, Texans can earn points by participating in a variety of activities such as posting Healthy Selfies, hosting healthy community events, and tracing physical activity. The winning community from each size category will receive funds to put toward future community health efforts!

The participant with the most points earned will be recognized as healthiest resident in the Lancaster Connection and win an annual Fitness Atrium membership (Lancaster Recreation Center).

Here are some ways to earn points: Register at www.ittcommunitychallenge.com 1000 points Upload a selfie doing exercise or a healthy activity 200 points per photo Download the Map My Fitness App and start adding healthy activity to your day-to-day. Every time you use it, you’ll earn 50 points for your community.

Weekly Weight Tracker 100 points Upload a selfie eating healthy 200 points - Your face must be in the selfies and you must show what you are doing, drinking water (3 per day), eating a healthy snack (2 per day) or meal (3 per day), working out, walking, etc.

For more information contact Community Relations at 972-218-1300.

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MARCH “Love Your Healthy Self Boot Camp” Saturday mornings, 11 a.m., AnyTime Fitness Mar 2 – LISD NEHS Induction Ceremony, 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., Lancaster High School (LHS) Mar 4 – Storks Nest Symposium, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Recreation Center Mar 6-10 – LISD Career Go Get It Week Mar 10 – Staff Development – City offices closed 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Mar 13-17 – Spring Break March 16 – Dive In Movie “Meet the Robinsons” , 7:30 p.m. @ Aquatics Center Mar 23 – Community Health Fair, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., Cedar Valley College Mar 24 – Older Americans Day program, 10:30 a.m., Senior Life Center Mar 25 – Mayor’s Couch to 5K Run/Walk 9 a.m., Community Park Mar 25 – Spring Trash-Off 8 a.m. – 2 p.m., 1501 N. Dallas Avenue Mar 25 – March Madness – STEM Expo, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., LHS Mar 25-26 – Overnight Campout, 4 p.m. – 7 a.m., Bear Creek Nature Park

APRIL Apr 8 – Annual Greater Dallas Bicyclist Country Ride, 7 a.m., Downtown Lancaster Apr 8 – Art Festival, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Historic Town Square Apr 14 – Good Friday Holiday – City offices closed Apr 15 – Easter Egg Hunt/Fun Run, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m., Community Park Apr 16 – Easter Apr 20 – Dive In Movie “Over The Hedge”, 7:30 p.m., Aquatics Center Apr 21 & 28 – Flashback Friday Music in the Park, 7 p.m., Community Park Apr 22 – Earth Day Celebration, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Bear Creek Nature Park

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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.

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AARP Tax-Aide Every Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., from February 2nd to April 13th, AARP representatives and volunteers will be on site at the Lancaster Senior LIFE Center to help with tax preparation and assistance. No appointment is necessary.

Location: City of Lancaster Senior LIFE Center Lancaster Community Park 240 Veterans Memorial Parkway Lancaster, TX 75134 Please call 972-218-3780 with any questions.

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April is Bulk/Brush Month April Bulk/Brush Schedule First Week Apr 3-7 Second Week Apr 10-14 Third Week Apr 17-21 Fourth Week Apr 24-28 Set bulk out by 7:00 am on Monday of your pickup week.

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Winter averaging is a practice by which water use during the winter time period is used to determine maximum sewer charges for the upcoming year. The utility bases winter average on the average water consumption during December, January, and February. The winter averaging rate is effective April 1st of each year.

Why does the city use winter use for averaging?

Your sewer bill is based upon 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.

How is winter averaging calculated?

Consumption information is calculated during the three winter billing periods to arrive at the winter average. For example, if your water use for December =5000 gallons, January =3000 gallons, and February =5500 your total winter consumption would be 13,500 gallons. This consumption is divided by 3 to determine your winter average would be 4500 gallons (13,500 gallons / 3 months = 4500 gallons). Your winter average consumption would be 4500 gallons. The figure of 4500 gallons would be your maximum sewer consumptions for the next year.

What if I use less water than my winter average?

If an account uses less water than the winter averaging consumption, the sewer charges would reflect charges for the actual water use. For example if your winter averaging rate was 4500 gallons and your current water consumption was 3900 gallons your sewer charges would reflect 3900 gallons of sewer use.

What can I do to reduce my sewer charges?

Reducing overall water use during the winter averaging period is essential in cutting your sewer charges for the coming year. This reduction can be accomplished by fixing all leaks as soon as possible (toilets, faucets, service lines, irrigation systems).

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Turn off irrigation systems.

Consider replacing old toilets with new, water-efficient models.

Replace old shower heads and faucet aerators with new, efficient models.

Use only the water that is needed when washing hands, dishes or brushing teeth.

Please note: If you have a water leak during this time period which caused your water consumption to be higher than usual, it is extremely important to notify the billing office at (972) 218-1328.

Senior Citizens over the age of 62 qualify for a discount on their water bills.

How much is the discount? _ $1.94 water _ $1.76 sewer How do I sign-up? _ Complete the form located at the utility billing desk at City Hall (211 N. Henry) What should I bring with me? _ Bring your Driver’s License for proof of identity. The water bill must be in the senior citizens name.

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Important Numbers 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

For more information contact: Community Relations, 972-218-1303, communtiyrelations@lancaster-tx.com

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