Speaking of LISD, The Board of Trustees election is coming up in May, with the seats held by Placke, Kim, and Duke up for re-election. Duke has announced she'll run again, and I have one other Lewisville resident who has told me she will run, but there is some coordination with other cities to determine which seat. Tiny Highland Village is a small fraction of the population and tax base of the district, but has 3 board members. That needs to change this cycle.
City Council Liveblog The Lewisville City Council met tonight, and TJ Gilmore has the live blog. (Strangely, his site is down at the moment with this message: "TJGilmore.com will be back after these commercial messages. Site redesign in progress. " - What do you think that means?)
Urban Drilling Meeting This weekend, we posted video from Thursday night's urban drilling town hall meeting. Txsharon of Bluedaze wrote about 387 posts about this today, so I'm just linking you to her main website, so you can read them all.
If you love me... You will buy me one of those mandolin banjos like the guy who was playing alongside Taylor Swift on last night's Grammy awards. I want one. I need one. And God bless her heart, Taylor is just as cute as can be, but lord have mercy she was so off-key.
Name of Event: Choral Concert: presented by The Musical Feast Choral Society of Greater Lewisville
Dates and Time: Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 7PM Sunday, February 14, 2010 at 3PM
Location: The Episcopal Church of the Annunciation. 602 N. Old Orchard Lane, Lewisville, TX 75077
Admission: $15 general admission; $12 students & seniors; $7 children. Discounted tickets: $30 family of four; $10 per person for groups of ten or more.
Artistic Director: Blair King Accompanist: Mark Parker
Music Theme: “Let Me Call You Sweetheart” – Timeless and Classic Love Songs
The Lewisville City Council will receive recommendations Monday Night from the city's Charter Commission, which has now wrapped up its work in reviewing the city's charter. The charter is a somewhat like a constitution, in that it sets out the powers of the local government. Once every two years, the city can review its charter and present necessary change to the voters for approval.
Most of the changes recommended were either technical clarifications, or removal of language that conflicted with, or was already covered by state law.
The biggest recommendation was to allow non-binding citizen referendums. The Council had previously considered a non-binding referendum on the question of banning smoking at restaurants, but our current charter does not specifically allow it. State law precludes non-binding referendums except where they are explicitly allowed in the charter.
The Commission minutes, which are a good read for anyone interested in the process, reveal interesting discussion with Councilman John Gorena about whether to add term limits to the Council seats. Gorena believes members should be limited to no more than 2 full 3 year terms.
I thought this snippet from the minutes was enlightening:
Councilman Gorena stated that it would behoove him not to have term limits. He stated that he ran because he wanted to see changes because he was concerned regarding the Good Old Boy System calling the shots for the City. He stated that he was not saying anyone was doing a bad job; however, sometimes things need mixed up and being on the City Council was not a rubber stamp.
Councilman Gorena acknowledged that City Secretary Heinze was typing everything he said and indicated she did not need to type everything and include it in the minutes. City Secretary Heinze stated that she was doing her job.
Councilman Gorena stated that staff gathers information for the City Council to review and then they vote based on that information. He stated that he was just trying to get things done and he was not saying that the City Council are bad people. Councilman Gorena stated that it is a choice to make to do term limits and acknowledged that good people could be gotten rid of and bad people may get into office.
The Commission went on to reject the idea of term limits 5-0.
If the Council agrees on the recommendations, they will place put them on the May 8th ballot for the next City Election. In May, Lewisville voters will vote for the Council seats currently held by Gorena, and Rudy Durham
Overall, the crime rate increased by .9% this year, with Part I offenses up 7.8% and Part II offenses down 4.2% this year. Rapes and robberies were down by 12.5% and 16.5% respectively, but burglaries of habitations were up by 10.4%, with 382 in 2009, versus 346 in 2008. Motor vehicle theft was up 32.2%, with 447 in 2009, versus 338 in 2008. Aggravated assaults were down 8.9%, at 92 down from 101 in 2008.
Shoplifting is up 30.9%, with 699 in 2009 versus 592 in 2008.
Overall, LPD answered 74,622 calls for service, responding to 2,414 traffic accidents. There were 9 traffic fatalities in Lewisville in 2009, and at least 1,019 people injured in accidents. Hit and run crashes were 516. LPD officers issued 26,429 traffic citations (just over 1 for every 4 residents), and 4,677 warnings. LPD issued more warnings in 2009, and fewer citations.
LPD was responsible for 5,243 arrests, up from 5,018 last year. Of those, 454 were for major crimes. There were 523 drug-related arrests, and 532 DWI arrests.
Prestigious soccer tournament heads to Railroad Park
Lewisville’s new Railroad Park will host its first major sporting event February 5-7, as the Legacy Freedom Cup 2010 will showcase top-notch youth soccer players.
The tournament, put on by Liverpool FC and featuring more than 100 teams with players from U-15 through U-19 age groups, will be held at the new facility, which boasts seven full-size lighted soccer fields, in addition to Lake Park and two soccer parks in adjacent cities.
Lewisville’s newest athletic complex, the 269-acre Railroad Park, opened on Nov. 2 and already is drawing large crowds to its state-of-the-art outdoor sports facilities. Key components of the park are seven lighted soccer fields with championship-quality hybrid turf and bleacher seating; four lighted football fields with scoreboards; four lighted baseball/softball fields with 400-foot outfield fences; three concession buildings with covered patios; three manmade lakes; a 1.5-mile walking trail; the city’s first skate park; and the city’s first dog park.
On Labor Day weekend of 1969, just two weeks after the Woodstock Festival, 150,000 music lovers and other hippies converged on Lewisville, Texas for the Texas International Pop Festival- 3 days of music and camping, skinny dipping, and assorted other hippie activities.
Now 40 years after the historic festival, Denton resident Richard Hayner is raising money to place a historical marker at the DCTA Hebron Station, currently under construction near S.H. 121 and I-35E in Lewisville. The marker is expected to cost $1,600.
To raise funds for the marker, Hayner is holding a fundraiser on Sunday, January 31st at the Flying Pig Roadhouse in Lake Dallas from 1 PM to 8 PM.
Admission is $10, and the following acts will be there:
Johnny Nitzinger, Soul Sacrifice (Santana tribute), Swan Song (Led Zeppelin tribute) Piece of My Heart (tribute for Janis Joplin)
Memorabilia and autographed CDs will be offered as door prizes and raffle items.
Ongoing - January 22nd - Public Comment on Oil and Gas Ordinance Change The City of Lewisville is considering a change to the Oil and Gas Ordinance to change the qualifications of the Oil and Gas Inspector or the City's Oil and Gas advisor.
Ongoing - Feb 23rd - Elm Fork Trinity Trout Stocking
Texas Parks & Wildlife, in conjunction with the City of Lewisville and the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, will stock the Elm Fork of the Trinity River with more than 4,000 rainbow trout on four dates this winter as part of an ongoing program to boost the fish population and encourage recreational use of the river.
The state will release more than 3,700 fingerlings on three dates – Dec. 14, Jan. 12 and Feb. 23 – below the Lewisville Dam spillway into the river. More Info...
January 17th - Acoustic Jam - Lewisville Acoustic Society The Lewisville Acoustic Society will hold its inaugural jam at the Lewisville Public Library January 17 from 2 to 4 p.m.
The Lewisville Acoustic Society is a group of musicians who love to play acoustic instruments and share songs in an informal atmosphere. Music lovers of all ages are welcome to enjoy an afternoon of live music. Musicians are asked to bring acoustic instruments only and be ready to share a song with the rest of the group.
January 18th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day We celebrate the ideas and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr.
Events: 7:00 P.M. - Flower Mound - Trietsch Memorial United Methodist Church The keynote speaker will be Roy Minter of the Denton Police Department. There will be an art and essay contest which will be open to children in grades 6 through 12 with prizes ranging from $50 to $150. For more information, email greggr@lisd.net.
January 23rd - Hearts and Roses Ball The City of Lewisville Parks & Leisure Services will host its annual Hearts & Roses Ball Saturday, Jan. 23 at the Hilton Garden Inn Dallas/Lewisville at 785 SH 121. For accompanied children ages 4-13, the afternoon ball will be held from 3 to 5 p.m. and the evening ball is slated for 7 to 10 p.m. Deadline to register is Jan. 19.
Cost for the afternoon event is $15 a person, the evening ball cost is $30 each. Pricing for the afternoon ball includes dessert, refreshments and dancing. Ticket pricing for the evening ball includes a dinner served at 7:30 p.m. by the Hilton wait staff. Dinner meal selection is required during registration along with any seating preferences. Photos will be available at a minimal charge as well as music and dancing, all in a ballroom setting during both events. Semi-formal attire suggested.
January 23rd - Free Throw Competition Boys and girls, ages 10 to 14 as of January 1, 2010, are invited to participate in the 2010 Knights of Columbus Free Throw Championship.
Noriko performs on the marimba in the Lewisville Lake International Chamber Series on January 29, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. The concert takes place at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5500 Morriss Road in Flower Mound (just south of Marcus HS, on the other side of the road.)
Recently, Noriko performed before the Imperial Family at their palace in Tokyo. Since winning the 1st prize of the Japan Classical Music Competition she has performed across Japan and in Belgium, Switzerland, France, Poland and the United States.
Born in Saitama, Japan, Noriko began her musical studies at age 3 on the piano. She started studying the marimba when she was 12 years old. Currently, she is continuing her studies at University of North Texas on a scholarship from the Meiji Yasuda Cultural Foundation.
The Concert is sponsored by the Lewisville Lake Symphony in cooperation with the University of North Texas. It is free although a donation to the Symphony is appreciated.
Noriko will play works by Debussy, Mikake and Espel as well as Keiko Abe’s “Variations on Japanese Children’s Songs.” For more concert details, driving directions and a video of her playing the marimba, go to www.lewisvillesymphony.org .
This is one of ten events presented by the Lewisville Lake Symphony, acknowledged by the Texas Senate as one of the most respected regional orchestras in the State.
Ongoing - January 22nd - Public Comment on Oil and Gas Ordinance Change The City of Lewisville is considering a change to the Oil and Gas Ordinance to change the qualifications of the Oil and Gas Inspector or the City's Oil and Gas advisor.
Ongoing - January 14th - Christmas Tree Recycling Starting Dec. 14th and running until Jan. 14th Bring your undecorated trees to Lake Park @ N. Mill street (area near the soccer fields) and follow the signs to the drop off location! Please remember to remove all nails, wires, lights, ornaments, and tinsel prior to disposing of tree.
Between Dec. 29th and Jan 14th, bring a bucket and shovel to the drop off site for free mulch! For more information, please contact the KLB office at 972-436-5100.
Ongoing - Feb 23rd - Elm Fork Trinity Trout Stocking
Texas Parks & Wildlife, in conjunction with the City of Lewisville and the Lewisville Lake Environmental Learning Area, will stock the Elm Fork of the Trinity River with more than 4,000 rainbow trout on four dates this winter as part of an ongoing program to boost the fish population and encourage recreational use of the river.
The state will release more than 3,700 fingerlings on three dates – Dec. 14, Jan. 12 and Feb. 23 – below the Lewisville Dam spillway into the river. More Info...
January 11th - Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees Meeting LISD Board of Trustees meetings are held in the Board Room of the William T. Bolin Administrative Center, 1565 W. Main St., Lewisville, at 7 p.m.
January 12th - Visual Art League Workshop The Visual Art League of Lewisville will present a free workshop by artist Susan Giller on Tuesday, Jan. 12, starting at 7 p.m. at the VAL Gallery, 701 S. Stemmons Freeway. Giller’s work will be on display at the gallery through Jan. 16.
January 14th - Republican Gubernatorial Debate Republican Gubernatorial candidates Rick Perry, Debra Messina, and Kay Bailey Hutchison will face each other live in Denton at 7:00 P.M. on KERA TV (Channel 13) and KERA Radio (90.1 FM). For more information...
January 15th - Democratic Candidates Forum Meet the Democratic Candidates of Denton County at the 2nd Biennial Candidate Forum, sponsored by the Stonewall Democrats of Denton County. The forum will take place at the next SDDC meeting on Friday January 15, 2010 at the Castle Hills Community Center at 2501 Queen Margaret Drive, in Lewisville from 7pm to 9pm.
January 15th - Free H1N1 vaccinations in Lewisville The Frederick P. Herring Recreation Center, 191 Civic Circle Drive, will host an H1N1 influenza clinic Friday, Jan. 15, from 4 to 8 p.m. The clinic will be open to the public and will provide vaccinations free of charge.
In accordance with the Texas Department of State Health Services, the Denton County Health Department has relaxed the H1N1 vaccination requirements. The key risk groups for H1N1 influenza, set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, have expanded to include members of the general public.
Denton County will continue to allocate and outreach to those in the key risk groups to ensure that all who need the vaccine are able to receive it, but will also invite members of the general public to be vaccinated.
In addition to multi-dose vials and intranasal vaccine, the DCHD has a small stock of thimerosal-free vaccine specifically earmarked for pregnant women and small children.
For the timeliest information on the H1N1 flu, please call the Denton County Flu Hotline at 940.349.4FLU (4358) or visit www.dentoncounty.com/health.
One of our readers tells us this morning that the Tutor Time day care center on F.M. 407 in Highland Village has closed today on the advice of Highland Village Police Department due to an apparent natural gas leak near the Fina gas station across the street. Heritage Elementary, which is nearby, will remain open.
We're told that Atmos Energy crews are on scene as well as the Highland Village Fire Department. We've contacted Atmos for more details.
Update - 11:42 AM: Atmos energy spokeswoman Jean Hooker says that this morning a truck lost control on an icy patch of road and hit a vacant meter loop beside the Fina station on F.M. 407. Atmos received notification at 6:30 AM, and had repairs completed by 8:30. No customers lost gas service in the incident.
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Ongoing - January 22nd - Public Comment on Oil and Gas Ordinance Change![Open in new window](javascript:CaricaFoto("http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/img4b1953c9724a4.gif");)
Noriko performs on the marimba in the Lewisville Lake International Chamber Series on January 29, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. The concert takes place at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 5500 Morriss Road in Flower Mound (just south of Marcus HS, on the other side of the road.)
January 11th - Lewisville ISD Board of Trustees Meeting![Open in new window](javascript:CaricaFoto("http://www.whosplayin.com/xoops/uploads/img4afc4bf28d9e3.gif");)
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