More West Nile Info

Download a PDF flier on the West Nile virus here.

UPDATE - West Nile Info

Press release from Dallas City Hall:

Aerial spraying for West Nile Virus continues tonight in the City of Dallas;

Residents encouraged to drain standing water to prevent more mosquitoes 

Dallas – Sunday evening’s aerial spraying was a success, with four planes covering the remaining 226,000 acres needed to complete the first round of application in those areas of Dallas County participating. Tonight, five planes will apply a second round of insecticide, weather permitting, to the entire target area of 362,328 acres, hoping to cover every city participating in the aerial spraying mission. 

Spraying will begin at 9 p.m. in the City of Dallas, earlier in other cities. Residents in all neighborhoods of Dallas should expect spraying to occur sometime between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. According to Dr. Roger Nasci and Dr. Janet McAllister of the Centers for Disease Control, (CDC) a second application is recommended to kill the larvae that have hatched since the first spraying event.  Until the results of tonight’s spraying mission are known, it is undetermined whether aerial spraying will occur Tuesday evening. CDC Representatives will be in North Texas this week, surveying and analyzing the region’s efforts to combat the West Nile Virus and will make recommendations on how to proceed. 

“Now that the aerial assault is showing positive preliminary results, we need to expand our assault on the ground and enlist residents to join the fight by draining standing water to cut off mosquito breeding grounds,” said Mayor Mike Rawlings.  "It only takes a little soil, compost or a few leaves, and water that stands stagnant for 1-2 weeks, to breed mosquitoes."

Therefore, in addition to the aerial campaign, the City of Dallas is encouraging residents to take the following steps:

·      Empty or get rid of cans, buckets, bottles, old tires, empty pots, plant saucers and other containers that hold water.

·      Keep gutters clear of debris and standing water. Remove standing water around structures and from flat roofs.

·      Change water in pet dishes at least once a day. Change water in wading pools and bird baths several times a week.

·      Fill in low areas in the yard and holes in trees that catch water.

·      Maintain your backyard pool or hot tub and be sure someone takes care of it if you are out of town.

·      Stock ornamental ponds with fish that eat mosquitoes.

·      Cover trash containers so they will not collect water.

·      Water lawns and gardens carefully so water does not stand for several days.

·      Repair any leaking plumbing and outside faucets.

·      Screen rain barrels and openings to water tanks or cisterns.

·      Keep drains and ditches clear of weeds and trash so water will not collect.

Aerial spraying precautions:
Aerial spraying is considered to be an effective and safe way to kill adult mosquitoes in large, densely populated areas. Although the pesticide is approved by the Environmental Protection Agency, residents are advised to take the following precautions:

·      Avoid being outside during spraying; close windows and keep pets inside.  

·      If skin or clothes are exposed, wash them with soap and water.

·      Rinse homegrown fruits and vegetables with water as a general precautionary measure.

·      Cover small ornamental fish ponds.

·      Because the chemical breaks down quickly in sunlight and water, no special precautions are suggested for outdoor swimming areas.  

Residents are also urged to reduce outdoor activity during evening and nighttime hours. When outside, cover arms and legs and use a mosquito repellant. Standing water should be eliminated promptly, as mosquitoes can grow from egg to adult in as little as seven days. Breeding places for mosquitoes include swimming pools that are not kept clean, stagnant ponds, pet watering dishes, birdbaths, potted plants, old tires, empty containers, toys and clogged rain gutters and French drains. 
To report standing water or mosquito problems, call 3-1-1. For more information on West Nile Virus aerial spraying, visit www.DallasCityHall.com.    

###

West Nile info

To date, there are no reported West Nile virus infections in our zip code, 75238.  Here's a PDF map indicating virus detections, human infections, and precautions: http://freepdfhosting.com/53a4079124.pdf.  Call code enforcement at 3-1-1 to report instances of standing water.

Citizen's Police Academy

From Phil Gordon, #8144, Senior Corporal, Dallas Police Department

It is time again to start collecting applications for the Citizens Police Academy class #34.  (Download the PDF application here).

The class will be held at the In-Service Academy and is 10 weeks long.  The class will begin on August 9, 2012 and will be every Thursday from 6:30-8:30. There are 2 field trips, 1 to communications and 1 to the range.  The completed applications will need to be returned by July 10, 2012 to allow the background unit time to run the background on applicants.

Please send the completed applications to:

Dallas Police Department
Training Division
5310 Red Bird Center Drive
Dallas, TX 75237-1935

Dallas Water Restrictions In Effect

Please be aware that as of April 23, 2012, the city of Dallas instituted permanent stage 1 water restrictions, limiting lawn watering to twice weekly. Your watering day is based on the last digit of your street address: even numbers water Sundays and Thursday, odd number Saturday and Wednesday. For more information, download this PDF or visit http://savedallaswater.com/twice-weekly-watering-schedule.

Basically Beethoven Festival 2012

Basically Beethoven Festival 2012. Free concerts every Sunday afternoon in July at Fair Park. Download a flier at: http://freepdfhosting.com/cd09f49170.pdf .

Low-cost vaccination & microchip clinic - Saturday, June 30

Dallas Companion Animal Project presents: BECAUSE WE CAN!
June 30, 2012,  10am - 1pm
Dallas CAN Academy
1227 N. Masters Drive Dallas TX 75217
Low-Cost Vaccination and Microchip Clinic held from 10:00 am – 1:00 pm.


For more info, download the PDF flyer.

MetroPCS Fair Park Fourth Event - FREE!

Free at Fair Park, the MetroPCS Fair Park Fourth on Wednesday, July 4, 2012, from 4:30 - 10:00.  Download the PDF flyer.

Annual Exchange Club July 4th Parade

The Exchange Club of Lake Highlands invites everyone to come celebrate our nation's birthday at this year's Annual Exchange Club July 4th Parade on Wednesday, July 4 at 9:00am in front of Lake Highlands High School.   Float judging begins at 8:30am with 4 cash prizes for Best of Show, Runner Up, Best HOA, and Craziest/Silliest/Loudest.  The Carnival begins after the parade at the Lake Highlands Rec Center will lots of food and games and live music by Bluestem Grass.

For more information see the Exchange Club poster or if you would like to be a sponsor or enter a float, please contact Robert Sullivan at sullivan_robert@sbcglobal.net

CityArts Festival at Fair Park this Memorial Day Weekend

Friday, May 25 - Sunday, May 27, check out the fun at CityArts Festival at Fair Park this Memorial Day weekend.  This is a great event for all ages that showcases everything Fair Park offers! Download this PDF flier or visit: http://cityartsfestival.com.

Tamale Throw-Drown between the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas Fire Department

A tamale eating contest will be held on Sunday, May 20 from 2 PM to 4 PM at Farmer's Market. The Dallas Police Department and The Dallas Fire Department will compete to see who can eat the most tamales.
Read more

Do EARTH. Do Good. THIS WEEKEND, April 21 and 22!

Don’t miss Dallas’  Spring Recycling Round-up this weekend, April 21 and 22 at Fair Park, Gate 9.  Bring your electronics, books, used cooking oil, batteries, clothing and more to be recycled.

For more details, go to: http://freepdfhosting.com/bc16df6c12.pdf

DART Police a text away

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) customers will be able to connect to DART Police via text message beginning Friday, April 6. It’s as simple as sending a short message with the keyword dartpolice to 41411.

The newest tool by DART Police is not meant to replace emergency calls, but instead assist crime fighting by transit customers that are hearing impaired, do not wish to make a phone call if they see a crime or something else that makes them uncomfortable while on DART. It is also expected texting will prove popular with customers who simply prefer texting over talking, such as teens and young adults.

The text number, 41411, is the same one used by DART customers to find the next departure and arrival times for buses and trains at their stop or station. The only difference with the police text service is customers must start the message with the keyword dartpolice to make sure it is delivered to a DART Police dispatcher. The dispatcher will read it, gather more information and, if needed, send an officer. Including details in the message about their route/rail line, location and direction of travel in their initial text helps the dispatcher assist the customer more quickly.

FREE automatic irrigation system check-ups

Dallas Water Utilities is conducting FREE automatic irrigation system check-ups.  For more info, visit:
http://savedallaswater.com/rebates-and-incentives/irrigation-check-ups

“Chief on the Beat” Crime Prevention Safety and Health Fair

“Chief on the Beat,” Crime Prevention, Safety and Health Fair. This event will take place on Saturday, March 31, 2012, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00p.m., at Prestonwood Baptist Church, located at 12123 Hillcrest Road.

For more info: https://local.nixle.com/alert/4805467/?sub_id=331942

8th Annual Run the Highlands 5K and 1 Mile Family Walk

8th ANNUAL RUN THE HIGHLANDS 5K AND 1 MILE FAMILY WALK
Saturday, April 28, 2012. For details, click here.

Concert benefiting the Lake Highlands Elementary Playground Project

A concert benefiting the Lake Highlands Elementary Playground Project will be held April 13, 2012 at the Kaycee Club on Shoreview.  Click here for details (PDF).

L Streets Website is down

The neighborhood website at www.lstreets.org is down due to a security breach.  Please look to this blog for up-to-date information going forward.  The website will be up as soon as we can correct the security issues.