In observance of Thanksgiving, there will be no residential trash, curbside recycling or brush collection Nov. 28-29. In addition, the following facilities will be closed: ● C ity Hall ● Heritage Aquatic Center ● Hunter Ferrell Landfill ● Irving Animal Care Campus ● Libraries ● North Lake Natatorium ● Recreation centers
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IRVING
CITY
CITY OF IRVING.ORG
NOVEMBER 2019 / VOL 26 / NO 11
PAID
AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE CITY OF IRVING
PRSRT STD ECRWSS U.S. POSTAGE
The City of Irving Solid Waste Services Department provides collection of recyclable household items through the curbside Blue Bag Program.
IRVING, TX PERMIT NO. 883
Irving Arts Center will be closed Nov. 28 and the box office and galleries will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Nov. 29 and resume normal business hours Nov. 30. Visit CityofIrving.org for the full city holiday schedule. n
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RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER
City Holiday/No Trash Collection
CityofIrving.org A N O F F I C I A L P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E C I T Y O F I R V I N G
DISABILITY POSTER CONTEST WINNERS The Irving Advisory Committee on Disabilities has recognized 10 students for their artwork as part of National Disability Awareness Month. There were 153 entries. The students were presented the awards during the Oct. 3 City Council meeting. First-Place Winners Amariss Arenas – Otis Brown Elementary Layton Goff – T. J. Lee Elementary Gabriela Ramos – Brandenburg Elementary Marissa Sanchez – Otis Brown Elementary
Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Promises to Light Up the Night The City of Irving welcomes the season with the Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting, beginning at 5 p.m. Dec. 7 in the Heritage District. New this year: lights! Parade-goers can expect a lit-up procession of floats traveling through the historic Heritage District in downtown Irving. Immediately following the parade, the tree lighting ceremony and fireworks show will take place outside City Hall, 825 W. Irving Blvd. This year’s theme is Santa’s Workshop in the North Pole. Parade participants are tasked with designing floats around the theme. With lights added to the list of accepted decorations, organizers are hoping for a bigger and brighter parade. One tradition staff members knew they had to keep — Santa Claus’ big debut. As usual, Old Saint Nick will close out the parade and officially mark the start of the season.
Parade participation is free. Interested groups must submit an application online by 5 p.m. Nov. 28. To submit an application, visit CityofIrving.org/Parade-Appl. Float participants will be judged in four categories: Best Overall, Best Themed, Best Use of Lights and Santa’s Choice. After the parade, visitors may head over to the east lawn of City Hall where the lighting of the 30-foot Christmas tree will take place. A fireworks show will follow the lighting and conclude the evening.
Honorable Mention Nathan Ceja – T. J. Lee Elementary Raymond Gaona – Schulze Elementary Anshika Goyal – Valley Ranch Elementary Manini Punihani – Valley Ranch Elementary David Ramon – Thomas Haley Elementary J’Niya Robles – A.S. Johnston Elementary The annual poster contest provides fourth grade elementary school students with an opportunity to showcase artistic talents as they express how persons with disabilities can use their abilities to be part of the community. Entries were judged on originality and the content of how it relates to persons with disabilities. Visit CityofIrving.org/ Posters to view the poster images. n
Parking and admission to the event are free. Food and beverage vendors will be on-site for purchase. For more information, visit CityofIrving.org/1327 or call (972) 721-2501. n
LIGHT UP THE HOLIDAYS AT CENTENNIAL PARK Irving’s Centennial Park at 444 W. Second St. is lit up for the holidays. This year’s display is open to the public from dusk to 10 p.m. Dec. 7-25, weather permitting. The free light display affords a leisurely stroll through one of the jewels of Irving’s Heritage District, Centennial Park. The park is decorated with 60,000 lights on the fences, trees and bridge, and walkways are lighted on each side to keep pathways visible for visitors after dark. This holiday tradition is staffed 24/7. On-duty employees wear uniforms day and night, clearly identifying them as city staff, and visitors can ask any questions they have about the decorations. Portable restrooms are available. No bike riding through the display.
Go ‘Blue’ for Irving’s Kids The Police and Fire Blue Christmas Food and Toy Drive returns for the holiday season with events starting Nov. 30 and running through December. Those planning to donate items have two chances to drop them off at Walmart, 4100 W. Airport Freeway, on the following dates: ● 5 to 9 p.m., Nov. 30. ● 5 to 9 p.m., Dec. 10.
For more information, contact the Parks and Recreation Department at (972) 721-2501. n
Volunteers are asking for new, unwrapped toys and nonperishable food items. Two other events to remember: C hili Cook-Off: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 7 at Heritage Park, 217 S. Main St. ● P ancake Breakfast: 8 to 11 a.m. Dec. 14 at Plymouth Park Baptist Church, 1714 N. Story Road. ●
Contestants can enter the Chili Cook-Off for $10, and chili enthusiasts can taste entries for $5. At the breakfast, plates of pancakes, bacon and sausage cost $10 for adults
and $5 for ages 10 and younger. Both events will feature various family friendly attractions. Santa Claus will be making an appearance at both events. Donations also can be made at any Irving Fire Station beginning Nov. 30 through Dec. 31. For more information, visit CityofIrving.org/2661. n