Holiday Lights Display: The Holiday Lights at Centennial Park will be on display from dusk to 10 p.m. through Dec. 26. The display will feature a festive arrangement of holiday-themed illuminated exhibits. The park is located at 444 W. Second St. For more information, call (972) 721-2501.
Holiday Closings: City offices will be closed Dec. 23–24 and 31. There will be no residential trash, curbside recycling or brush collection on those days. The Hunter Ferrell Landfill will be closed Dec. 24-25 and Jan. 1. The drop-off recycling centers will close at 4 p.m. Dec. 24 and 31, and remain closed Dec. 25 and Jan. 1. Libraries will not be open Dec. 23-25, 31 or Jan. 1. Recreation centers will not be open Dec. 23-25, Jan. 1, and will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 31. Recreation centers will close at 5 p.m. Dec. 31. The Irving Animal Care Campus will be closed Dec. 25. Heritage Aquatic Center will close at 2 p.m. Dec. 22, and will remain closed Dec. 23–25, 31 and Jan. 1. North Lake Aquatic Center will be closed Dec. 22–Jan. 2. Irving Arts Center administration offices and box office will be closed Dec. 23–25 and 31.
Best of 2010: In a special edition of “City Source,” enjoy a look at some of this year’s best stories at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 26 on ICTN 1 (Time Warner 16, Verizon 30). The entire show also is available for viewing at anytime online. Watch “City Source” on YouTube.
CERT Training: The Office of Emergency Management is hosting a free Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan. 8-9. Training will take place at the Fire and Police Training Academy, 2603 Esters Road. CERT members will learn how to be self-sufficient for up to 72 hours following a major emergency or disaster. CERT members are volunteers who others in the community will rely on to meet their immediate life-saving and life-sustaining needs. Space is limited. To sign up for this volunteer training opportunity, contact Emergency Management Planner Billy Owens at (972) 721-2183 or bowens@cityofirving.org by Dec. 31. View flier for more information.
Public Input Meetings: Residents will have the opportunity to provide input to city staff and project architects on the new South Irving Library at community input meetings scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Jan. 17 and 20 at the Central Library, 801 W. Irving Blvd. The new library will replace the existing Central Library location, which is slated to open late 2012. For more information, call (972) 721-2606.
State of the City: The 2011 State of the City dinner is set for Jan. 27 at the Irving Convention Center at Las Colinas, 500 W. Las Colinas Blvd. For ticket information, visit www.irvingchamber.com or call (214) 217-8473.
Green Gardening Class: Residents are encouraged to sign up for the Soils of Irving class, which will be offered from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Jan. 15 at the Valley Ranch Library, 401 Cimarron Trail. Students will learn how to determine soil type, how to garden in a variety of soil conditions and how to improve poor soil. To register, call (972) 742-2296, or visit www.cityofirving.org/begreen, select “Educational Opportunities” and select “Soils of Irving.”
Master Composter Course: The annual two-day Spring Master Composter training course will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Feb. 19 and 26 at Senter East Building, 228 Chamberlain St. To register, call (972) 742-2296, or visit www.cityofirving.org/begreen, select “Educational Opportunities” and select “Master Composter Training.” A refundable deposit of $20 is required for registration. Registrants must attend both days to receive their deposit at end of the course.
Teen Court Volunteers: The next Teen Court training session will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Jan. 29 at the Criminal Justice Center, 305 N. O’Connor Road. Teens, ages 14-17, who want to participate in the program as prosecutors, defense attorneys, jurors, clerks or bailiffs are invited to complete an application and attend the training session. For more information, call (972) 721-3601. Download application online.
Eco-Calendar: The 2011 eco-calendar features a different environmental topic each month—providing readers with tips on how to be better stewards of the planet. Free copies of the eco-calendar are available to residents at City Hall and at all public library locations. For more information, call (972) 721-2533. View a preview of the calendar online.
