April 15, 2008

Suggested L Street Names for Churchill Property

Send your suggestions to President@LStreets.org. Here are the suggestions so far:

La Marne
La Mattina
La Reine
Ladbrooke
Ladonna
Lafter
Lainey
Lake
Lamarque
Lanceleaf
Lancelot
Lansing
Lantana
Lark
Larkspur
Laurel
Lauren
Lauren Riley
Lavendale
Lavender
Lavish
Lee
Leeway
Leisure
Leontine
Leverkusen
Library
Lichterloh
Lifford
Lily
Limerick
Lincoln
Lincolnshire
Linda
Lindee
Linley
Lisbum
Lively
Livingston
Lockmore
Locksley
Lockyer
Logan
Lombard
Lorraine
Louis
Luce
Lucent
Lyric

2008 Clean Up Dallas





2008 Trash Attack & Graffiti WipeOut
Date: Saturday, May 3, 2008Time: Check-In 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.Time: Working at Locations 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.Time: Lunch at Reunion Arena 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
What is it?The 2008 Trash Attack and Graffiti Wipeout is a City-wide community effort to remove litter and trash and abate graffiti in our City. Who can participate?Anybody can! This is a great event for families, Scout troops, schools, and private corporations. You can even earn community service hours for school for this! *Minors will need adult supervision and have a signed liability waiver from their parent or guardian for the day of the event. Where do I register and check in?Registration will open online April 1. You Check-in Locations are listed below for the area you choose.




CENTRAL


East Dallas DPD Storefront4545 Bryan Street


NORTHWEST


Bachman Lake Recreation Center2750 Bachman Drive


SOUTH CENTRAL


Singing Hill Recreation Center1909 Crouch Road


NORTHEAST


Lake Highlands North Recreation Center9940 White Rock Trail SOUTHWESTKiest Recreation Center3080 South Hampton Road NORTH CENTRALFretz Recreation Center6950 Beltline Road


SOUTHEAST


Pleasant Oaks Recreation Center8701 Greenmound 4 Simple Steps: Register for the location you would like to work in.



On the day of the event, go the the assigned Check-in Location for your area.
Receive assigned work areas and go work them.



Return to Reunion Arena for clean up, lunch (provided), and entertainment.


Audelia Road Library

LONE STAR PUPPET GUILD

PRESENTS

10TH ANNUAL NATIONAL DAY OF PUPPETRY

AUDELIA ROAD LIBRARY
10045 Audelia Road

SATURDAY, APRIL 26, 1:00 p.m. TO 4:30 p.m.

PROGRAM

1:00-2:00 PUPPET MAKING WORKSHOP

2:00-3:00 LET’S PUT ON A PUPPET SHOW
Includes audience participation

3:00-3:30 PUPPET POTPOURI

4:00-4:30 “ANANCI & THE MOSS COVERED ROCK”
PERFORMANCE BY SANDY SHROUT

From the desk of Rep. Allen Vaught

As a parent, I share in the desire for a Texas with top-notch school systems that produce world class thinkers. When talking with our area teachers I hear a description of the many challenges they face in educating our students. Last session, the legislature took steps to address some of the concerns of Texas teachers, parents, and students.
The end of TAKS
A priority of our education system is preparing young Texans for college. The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test is the current measurement tool used to assess how well the public education meets that goal.
While TAKS provides accountability for our students, a better measurement may be garnered through the use of end of course exams. End of course exams quantify what students are learning and emphasize critical thinking skills. By using these exams, Schools will continue to be held accountable for instruction and more classroom time will be devoted to course content.
TAKS will be replaced in high school math, science, social studies and language arts classes beginning with the freshman class of the 2011-2012 school year. This change will better prepare our students for college and entry into the workforce.
Texas Tomorrow Fund II
To further encourage college attendance, the legislature created the Texas Tomorrow Fund II. Based upon the original tuition savings program, the Tomorrow Fund II allows families to pay for future college needs by locking in today’s costs for tomorrow’s scholars. The savings program will be available starting in September 2008. More information on the program can be obtained at www.texastomorrowfunds.org.
Educator Benefits
Education is vital to a productive society and economy. Having well qualified teachers is an essential component in educating our children. Texas currently ranks 32nd in the nation for educator salaries. This year the state budget allocates $280 million in discretionary funding to school districts and charter schools to increase teacher salaries.
Cumulatively, this sounds like a hefty sum. However, the raise averages out to only about $35 per month. Although this is a step in the right direction, Texas needs to do more to ensure we can attract the brightest minds to influence our state’s future.
Our retired teachers last saw a benefits increase in 2001. With the cost of living increasing, many retired educators are struggling to meet their financial responsibilities on their fixed incomes. The legislature authorized a “13th check” providing retired teachers with an overdue benefits increase. Additionally, the state contribution to the Teacher Retirement System was increased from 6% to 6.85%. This contribution provides an actuarial soundness to the fund - and a secure future to those who served our students.
The offer of a quality education is essential for Texas to continue to thrive. The last legislative session brought about many positive changes, but we still have work to do. To continue the dialogue on improvements to education or other state government matters, I welcome contact with my office at 214-370-8305.

April 14, 2008

Calloway's Timely Tips for May Gardeners

Calloway’s Timely Tip for May Gardeners

Crape Myrtles are one of the most popular summer flowering shrubs. They provide abundant summer blooms and vivid fall foliage while requiring minimum maintenance. Bloom colors range from red and pink to lavender and white.

Crape Myrtles range in height from 3 feet to more than 20 feet tall. They do best planted in full sun. Prepare the soil with organic material such as Calloway’s Landscape Mix and dig the hole just as deep as the container and twice as wide. Water well after planting and apply 2 to 3 inches of mulch to the surface.

Hand water at least once a week for the first year. Fertilize in early spring with a high nitrogen, lawn-type fertilizer to stimulate healthy, early season growth. Later in early summer, switch to a flower promoting fertilizer such as Calloway’s Professional Crape Myrtle Food.

Prune Crape Myrtles to remove only the seed heads or any branches that rub together. Do not “top” them as it will destroy their natural shape and beauty. Know the space requirements before planting, you do not want to try to control the size of a Crape Myrtle by pruning.

There is no such thing as a perfect plant and the Crape Myrtle is no exception. Crapes are susceptible to powdery mildew and to aphids, which will lead to sooty mold. We carry both organic and synthetic solutions; choose whichever program best suits your needs.

Increase the value of your landscape and plant a Crape Myrtle. You will enjoy its beauty year round!