City Connections - October Edition

Fall Clean-up Collection Event

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2009
Location: Copperas Branch Park
1-35E and Highland Village Road
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (noon)
Due to limited capacity, may close early!
FREE to all RESIDENTS

The City of Highland Village is sponsoring the Fall Clean-up Collection Event. This event is an opportunity for Highland Village residents to dispose of the following – and at no cost to you! (Except for hard drive destruction - $10.00 per drive)

• Hazardous Waste
• Tree & Lawn Clippings
• Paper to be Shredded
• Electronics & Batteries (All Types)
• Scrap Metal
• Miscellaneous “Stuff” you don’t want anymore - but someone else might.
  Please BRING THIS NOTICE or your DRIVER’S LICENSE showing a HIGHLAND VILLAGE address, to be admitted to the collection site.
• There is no need to bring your latex paint, you can let those cans dry out and dispose of them in your household trash.

Senior All Stars Programs

Choctaw Casino

Wednesday, October 21, 2009 and November 18, 2009! Register by the Monday before the trip. 
Cost is $5, includes $10 Casino play money, $10 Black Jack play money and a $5 food coupon.      
The bus leaves from the City of Highland Village Municipal Complex, 000 Highland Village Road, at 9:00 a.m. and leaves Choctaw at 4:00 p.m.                                         

Registration for all events takes place at the Parks and Recreation department at the Municipal Complex, 1000 Highland Village Road. For more information on individual events, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 972-317-7430.

Texas State Fair

Thursday, October 15
Cost of trip will be $5.00 per person plus lunch on your own.
We will leave the Municipal Complex at 9:00 a.m. and return approximately at 4:00 p.m.
Sign up by October 12

Canton, TX Flea Market

Friday, October 30
Cost of trip will be $5.00 per person plus dinner on your own.
Bus will leave the City Complex at 9:00 a.m.
Please sign up by October 26

Flu Shot Clinic

Saturday, October 10 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Monday, October 12   10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: 1 Community Center Drive
Ages: 9 & up
Participants with Traditional Medicare Part B must present the Medicare cards.
All other flu shots will be $25.00
Sponsored by Senior All Stars

Hogwarts Festival at Kids Kastle

Are you a fan of the Wizarding World? Come to the fifth annual Hogwarts Halloween Festival sponsored by Highland Village Parks Foundation and Studio B Performing Arts Center. Tour Hogwarts Kastle, see your favorite wizarding characters, and enjoy games, food and lots of fun in Hogsmeads Village!

Saturday, October 24 from 12 - 9 pm
Kids Kastle at Unity Park in Highland Village
Admission $3 children/$1 adults
Need more info?  www.studiobtheater.info or call 972-966-2787
Proceeds again benefit Studio B Theater and an additional water fountain for the City Inland Trail system.

Fall Festival at Kids Kastle

We’re bringing it back! Bring the whole family to Kids Kastle at Unity Park, October 31 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for a haunting good time. It will be a night full of excitement for all ages plus free candy, hotdogs and more. Our goal is to provide a fun and safe alternative for Halloween. Don’t forget to wear your costumes! For more information please contact the Parks and Recreation Department at 972-317-7430

How to Protect Stormwater Quality

You can protect our untreated water resources:

• Report illegal dumping;
• Use the least toxic alternatives for managing pests and diseases in landscapes;
• Follow package directions when applying pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers;
• Do not apply pesticides or fertilizers when rain is expected;
• Recycle or properly dispose of toxic chemicals in your home.  For more information on free drop-off locations for household chemicals, call the City of Highland Village Public Works Office at 972-899-5091.

Weather Tips & Water Meters

Please be reminded of the location of your water meter, especially when autumn leaves fall to the ground.  All the different temperatures, continually mixing could cause pipes to burst and flooding would occur if one’s meter weren’t easily located. Please keep your water meter box uncovered, cleaned off and easily accessible, so we can locate it in the event of an emergency.  It is especially important during the fall months when temperature fluctuations occur. We provide you 24 (twenty-four) hour emergency service with a 30 (thirty) minute response time.  If you do not have your own water shut-off valve, keep your meter box uncovered, maintained and exposed.  Consider having a licensed third party plumber install a water shut off for you.

Water Main Flushing

During the fall months, it is not uncommon to see fire hydrants open and water flushing through the lines.  This is a standard operation to circulate fresh water in the piping system, so disinfection is maintained at the mandated levels. Please call and report other unusual circumstances that may need our attention.  Please don’t hesitate calling us.  Our Utilities Operations office’s telephone number is 972-317-2989.  After hours, please call the emergency telephone number 972-317-6551.   

Save a Life – Learn CPR

The Highland Village Fire Department conducts monthly CPR and Health Care Provider courses. This training covers Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) for Adults, Infants and Children and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) training.

Upcoming Class Dates:  Thursday, October 8  6:00-9:00 PM and Thursday, November 5  6:00-9:00 p.m.

CPR Costs: $25 for residents, $45 for non-residents ~ HC Provider Costs:  $35 for residents, $55 for non-residents

A form of ID is required for address verification. Class size is limited; please contact Highland Village Fire Department at 972-317-0890 to sign-up.

Highland Village Veterans Luncheon

The Highland Village Business Association dedicates their November luncheon to honor our area veterans. The 7th Annual Salute Our Veterans Luncheon is scheduled for November 10 this year and will be held at Celebrations Grand Ballroom. If you’re a veteran, we would like to honor you at this luncheon. Please contact Sandy McCoy at 972-899-5091 to make your reservations. As in past years, the HVBA takes donations from residents and local businesses to provide lunch for every veteran in attendance. Contact Sandy McCoy at 972-899-5091 for more information on sponsoring a veteran or to make your reservations.

Halloween Safety Tips

Trick-or-Treating

• Smaller children should always be with an adult.  It’s best to take little ones out early.
• If older children are going out without you, go over the ground rules first!
• Know what neighborhoods they will be in.
• Don’t allow them in areas with which you are not completely comfortable.
• Have the children stay in a group.
• Let them know what time to be home.
• Give them change to use the telephone if necessary.

Instruct Children To:

• Use sidewalks.
• Cross only at the corners - never dart out between parked cars.
• Cover one side of the street at a time.
• Never go inside someone’s home unless it’s a friend.
• Never accept a ride in a car.
• Only approach houses where the outside lights are on as a signal of welcome.
• Bring their bags home to be checked by an adult before eating a single treat.

Costumes:

• Children should carry a flashlight and their costumes should be bright-colored or have reflective tape to highlight them.
• Be sure all parts of the costume are labeled and flame retardant.
• Costumes should not have trailing materials or tails long enough to cause falls.
• Pointed objects such as swords should be made of soft material.
• If you child wears a mask instead of make-up, double check that the eye holes are large enough to see through clearly.
• Children should wear sturdy shoes and temperature appropriate clothing underneath their costumes.

Decorations:

• Use a small flashlight in pumpkins instead of a candle.
• Only use flame-proof crepe paper.
• Keep dried leaves and cornstalks away from all flames and heat sources.

Checking Treats:

• Throw out anything that appears tampered with, home made foods or home packaged foods unless you are certain of the source.
• Inspect fruit closely and take away treats that may not be age appropriate.  Young children may choke on things like hard candy or peanuts.
• When in doubt, throw it out.

Top Reasons to Take a Bus

Health / Fitness

Walking to and from the bus stop improves fitness and health.

Earth Friendly Environment

Leaving your vehicle at home results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and a healthier community.

Leaving your vehicle at home results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and a healthier community. Safety

Reduces the number of vehicles on the road... Less opportunity for accidents!

Reduces the number of vehicles on the road... Less opportunity for accidents! Less Stress

You don’t have to deal with traffic congestion or impatient drivers.

You don’t have to deal with traffic congestion or impatient drivers. Efficiency

Fifty (50) students on a bus are better than fifty (50) separate vehicles in traffic.

Fifty (50) students on a bus are better than fifty (50) separate vehicles in traffic. Economy

Lower fuel costs... Your vehicle will last longer.  Your tax dollars are paying for the school buses... Use them!

Lower fuel costs... Your vehicle will last longer.  Your tax dollars are paying for the school buses... Use them! Responsibility

Teaches our youth to be conscious of the “footprint” they leave on our planet.  If learned now, this is a message they will pass along to future generations.

Teaches our youth to be conscious of the “footprint” they leave on our planet.  If learned now, this is a message they will pass along to future generations.

NCTC will be served by DCTA

The Denton County Transportation Authority and North Central Texas College will jointly launch a shuttle service on August 24th to serve the college’s Corinth campus. An agreement recently was reached between the two entities authorizing DCTA to operate a shuttle service between Lewisville and Denton to serve the campus. The contract also includes access for NCTC students to DCTA’s other services including Connect and Commuter Express.  NCTC students, faculty and staff will be required to show a valid ID. Those without a valid ID will be charged a fare. The NCTC Shuttle will have two pick up points Monday-Friday at the Denton Golden Triangle Mall and the Lewisville Commuter Express Park and Ride at 420 Oak Bend Boulevard. The shuttle will operate between 7:00 A.M and 5:00 P.M. with one-hour frequencies. See dcta.net for full schedule. The service contract will be funded by a student transportation fee of $1 per credit hour, up to $12 per semester.  This fee is assessed only for courses offered at the Corinth Campus and Pinnell Square.  NCTC officials approved the fee June 15 and DCTA Board of Directors approved the contract on June 25th. The final contract was signed by both parties in late July.

November Election Information

On November 3, 2009 an election will be held to amend the Texas State Constitution. Since it was first enacted in 1876, the State Constitution has been amended more than 400 times. The Texas Legislature has placed 11 amendments on the ballot for this November. They require majority approval by Texas voters to become part of the constitution. Locally, the election will be administered by the Denton County Elections Office. Residents are encouraged to register to vote, or update their registration if their address has recently changed, to ensure they are eligible to cast their ballots in November. The last day to register to vote for this election is October 5. Early voting will be held October 19 – 30. Sample ballots and a list of polling places will be available on Denton County’s web site prior to the election. If you have questions or would like more information about the November 3 statewide election, please visit http://elections.dentoncounty.com or call the Denton County Elections Office at (940)349-3200.