City Connections - October Edition

Highland Village Road Closure

Highland Village Road is currently closed from Doubletree Lane to Sellmeyer Boulevard. The heavy storms on September 8 caused severe damage to Highland Village Road constituting a declaration of disaster. The City is working with Denton County to expedite the voter approved funding for the reconstruction of this section of Highland Village Road. City Manager Michael Leavitt stated the road will likely be closed for a six-month period. Recommended detour routes are Brazos Boulevard, Garden Ridge and Highland Village Road to FM 407.

FM 2499 Grand Opening October 30

Section 4 of FM 2499 in Highland Village is nearing completion and will open to the public on Saturday, October 30,2010. Section 4 includes the much-anticipated bridge that will connect FM 2499 in Highland Village with FM 2181 in the City of Corinth, traversing a portion of Lake Lewisville. A ribbon-cutting ceremony is being planned in conjunction with the City and the County to be held the morning of October 30, prior to the official opening of the road. You are invited and encouraged to attend the event before driving across the new bridge. Visit the city website for details on this event.

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-hour emergency service with a 30 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.

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.

Save a Life! Learn CPR!

Upcoming CPR Classes are held from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on the following dates:

• Wednesday, October 6
• Wednesday, November 10
• Wednesday, December 8

CPR Costs: $25 for residents, $45 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.

Flu Shot Clinic

Saturday, October 9 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Monday, October 11 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Location: 1 Community Center Drive
Ages: 9 & up
Participants with Traditional Medicare Part B must present their Medicare cards.
All other flu shots will be $25.00
Sponsored by the Highland Village Senior All Stars

DCTA…At Your Service

The Denton County Transportation Authority serves Highland Village and north Lewisville with their Connect RSVP bus service. This curb-to-curb bus service operates Monday through Friday from 5:30am to 9:00am and 4:00pm to 7:00pm, excluding New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Connect RSVP passengers may travel among locations or transfer to Connect within the designated Connect RSVP zone. Passengers are asked to reserve their trip between one and seven days in advance by calling DCTA customer service at 940-243-0077. If a vehicle is not available at the requested time, a customer service representative will offer the closest available time.

For more information on this service or to schedule a trip, please visit dcta.net or call 940-243-0077.

Highland Village Veterans Memorial

The city is currently constructing a Veterans Memorial to provide an opportunity for family members of veterans to memorialize their veteran. The Memorial is adjacent to the existing Veterans Monument on the Brazos Boulevard side of the Municipal Complex along the trail. Individual bronze star plaques can be ordered with the submittal of an application. Stay tuned for future information related to this new opportunity.

Salute Our Veterans Lunch

The Highland Village Business Association dedicates their November luncheon to honor our area veterans. The 8th Annual Salute Our Veterans Luncheon is scheduled for November 9 this year and will be held at Celebrations Grand Ballroom. If you’re a veteran, we would like to honor you at this luncheon. As in past years, the HVBA takes donations from residents and local businesses to provide lunch for every veteran in attendance. Sponsorships begin at $45.00, which covers the cost of three Veterans lunches. If you wish to choose to sponsor additional Veterans, the lunches are sold in increments of $15.00, allowing you to choose the amount of your donation, $60.00 for four Veterans, $90.00 for six Veterans, etc. If you have any questions regarding sponsorship or our Salute Our Veterans luncheon, please contact Sandy McCoy at (972) 899-5091 or e-mail smccoy@highlandvillage.org.

November 02, 2010 General Election

The Municipal Complex, located at 1000 Highland Village Road, will be an early voting location for the November 02, 2010 General Election. Denton County residents may cast their ballot at any early voting location. Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted at the Municipal Complex on the following dates and times.

October 18-22.......8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
October 23............7:00 a.m - 7:00 p.m.
October 24............1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
October 25-29.......7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

On Election Day, residents must vote at their assigned precinct location. For additional information, please call 940.349.3200 or visit Denton County’s website.

Fire Prevention Week is October 3-9

October is the month in which fire departments and life safety educators across the country will bring important safety messages to their communities, showing them simple ways they can "Stay Fire Smart! Don’t Get Burned."

Fire Safety Basics

• Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each sleeping area and on every level of the home. For the best protection, interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. When one sounds, they all sound.
• Test smoke alarms at least once a month using the test button.
• Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
• Replace batteries every October when you turn back your clocks.
• Make sure everyone can hear the sound of the smoke alarms.
• Have a home fire escape plan. Know at least two ways out of every room, if possible, and a meeting place outside. Practice your escape plan twice a year.
• When the smoke alarm sounds, get out and stay out.
• Keep hot foods and liquids away from tables and counter edges so they cannot be pulled or knocked over. Have a 3-foot "kid-free" zone around the stove.
• Never hold a child in your arms while preparing hot food or drinking a hot beverage.
• Teach children that hot things hurt.
• Be careful when using things that get hot such as curling irons, oven, irons, lamps, heaters.
• The leading cause of fires in the kitchen is unattended cooking.
• If you must leave the room even for a short time, turn off the stove.
• If you have young children, use the stove’s back burners whenever possible.
• When you cook, wear clothing with tight-fitting or short sleeves.
• Allow food cooked in a microwave oven to cool for a few minutes before you take it out.
• Ask smokers to smoke outside and provide smokers with deep, sturdy ashtrays.
• Never smoke if you are tired, have taken medicine, drugs, or alcohol that makes you sleepy.
• Keep smoking materials away from things that can burn, like bedding, furniture, and clothing.
• Keep lamps, light fixtures, and light bulbs away from anything that can burn, such as lamp shades, bedding, curtains, and clothing.
• Replace cracked and damaged electrical cords.
• • Use extension cords for temporary wiring only. Consider having additional circuits or receptacles added by a qualified electrician.
• If you have young children in your home have tamper-resistant electrical receptacles.
• Call a qualified electrician or landlord if you have recurring problems with blowing fuses or tripping circuit breakers, discolored or warm wall outlets, flickering lights or a burning or rubbery small coming form an appliance.

Mosquito Prevention is the Best Solution

Mosquito season is here! City staff will be monitoring mosquito updates for the Denton County area. Here are some tips to help prevent mosquito breeding habitat.

• Empty standing water from idle containers, such as:
• Flower pots
• Buckets
• Cups, dog bowls
• French Drain Systems
• Clean bird baths regularly

HVTV on the Web

Did you know you can watch HVTV on-demand on the city website? Just go to www.highlandvillage.org, click on HVTV under Quick Links and watch the videos of interest to you. Videos range from Council, Board and Commission meetings to current Pets for Adoption.

Fall Festival at Kids Kastle

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

Stay up to date with Parks and Recreation programs, activities and events by signing up for eConnect under the E-Services box on the city website or become a fan of City of Highland Village Parks and Recreation on Facebook.

We’ve Moved!

Parks and Recreation Administrative Offices are now located at The Robert & Lee DuVall Center, 948 Highland Village Road. The facility will be open for public use on October 18 and will be available for city events, senior activities and rentals. For rental information, rates and amenities for the Robert & Lee DuVall Center please call (972) 317-7430 or visit www.hvparks.com

Senior All-Stars

Potluck and Game Night
Saturday, October 9 at 6:00 p.m.
Highland Shores Community Center, 1 Community Drive

Pumpkin Festival at Dallas Farmer’s Market
Sunday, October 17
Cost - $5.00
Bus will leave at 12:30 p.m. and will return by 4:00 p.m.

Choctaw Casino Day Trips
Wednesday, October 20, November 17 and December 15
Must Sign Up By 3:00 p.m. the Monday before the trip
The cost is $5 and you get $10 Casino play money.
Space is limited.

5th Annual North Texas Expo on Aging at Southfork Ranch
Friday, November 5
Cost - $5.00
Bus will leave at 9:00 a.m. and will return around 3:00 p.m.
There will be a tour of the Ranch, 80 exhibitors, free lunch and entertainment.
Please sign up by Monday, October 25.

Cross Timbers Artist Tour
Saturday, November 13
Cost is $5.00
We will be visiting local artist’s at their homes or shops.
Bus leaves at 9:15 a.m.
Lunch is on your own along the way.
Bus leaves from the Municipal Complex, 1000 Highland Village Road

Fall Clean-up Collection Event

When: Saturday, October 16, 2010
Where: Copperas Branch Park
I-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!

• 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.

There is no need to bring your latex paint, you can let those cans dry out and dispose of them in your household trash. Please BRING THIS NOTICE or your DRIVER’S LICENSE showing a HIGHLAND VILLAGE address, to be admitted to the collection site. Visit www.hvparks.com for details on this clean-up event.