Christmas Tree Roundup: Through Jan. 7, trees will be collected as a regular part of Irving’s weekly brush/bulky waste pick-up. Weekly brush/bulky waste collection is offered the same day as curbside recycling. To find out more about curbside recycling and weekly brush/bulky waste collection, call (972) 721-8059. Christmas trees also are being accepted at the following locations through Jan. 9:
- Cottonwood Park, 4051 N. Story Road
- Southwest Park, 2800 Shady Grove Road
- Drop-Off Recycling Center, 8555 Home Depot Drive (east corner of The Home Depot parking lot)
- Irving Landfill, 220 W. Hunter Ferrell Road (7 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. daily, except New Year’s Day.)
Whether trees are recycled at curbside or at drop-off locations, residents must remove all obstructions such as tree stands, lights, tinsel, nails and ornaments. All plastic bags covering the tree also must be removed. All trees collected as part of this program will be mulched and made available for a nominal fee at the Hunter Ferrell Landfill. Call (972) 721-7322 for details. Watch YouTube video to see what happens to trees collected as part of the Christmas Tree Roundup.
Spirited Youth Award: Nominations for the Spirited Youth Award are being accepted through Jan. 7. This award is given by the Irving Youth Council to high school students who show exemplary character, integrity and leadership qualities. Anyone from the community can nominate a teen. Nomination forms are available at Lively Pointe and at www.cityofirving.org. The award will be presented at the Friday Nite Live Teen Talent Competition at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. For more information, contact Christine Wordlaw, youth services specialist, at (972) 721-8090. Download application.
Open Line: The Super Bowl is coming to Texas. Residents with questions about the big game and its impact in Irving are encouraged to e-mail ictn@cityofirving.org by Jan. 10. Mayor Pro Tem Rose Cannaday, Super Bowl Host Committee Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Tara Green, and Irving Convention and Visitors Bureau Communications Director Diana Pfaff will answer questions on “Open Line,” which will air at 7 p.m. Jan. 12 on ICTN 1 (Time Warner Channel 16, Verizon Channel 30).
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.”
King Celebration: The City of Irving’s annual Martin Luther King Jr. observance will be held at 7 p.m. Jan. 17 in Carpenter Hall at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. The theme for this year’s celebration is A Message of Hope. The free event will feature a tribute to youth and a performance by the Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Admission is free. For more information, call (972) 721-2501.
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. Residents who cannot attend the meetings are invited to provide written input online. For more information, call (972) 721-2606.
Friday Nite Live: The City of Irving is hosting a Friday Nite Live Teen Talent Competition at 7 p.m. Feb. 18 at the Irving Arts Center, 3333 N. MacArthur Blvd. At the competition, teens will compete and showcase their talent. This event is free to the public. Auditions will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 22 at the Irving Arts Center. Registration deadline is Jan. 20.
Libraries Closed: Library patrons are advised that all Irving Public Library locations will be closed Jan. 27 for a staff in-service day.
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.
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. Applications are due Jan. 21. For more information, call (972) 721-3601. Download an application online.
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.
