City Limits Newsletter - December 2008

A monthly newsletter for the Citizens of Waco, Texas
To view the previous issue, click here: November issue

Bond Update: Parks & Recreation Projects

park photoThe City of Waco’s Parks and Recreation Department will kickoff the New Year with numerous renovation projects that will greatly improve the quality of life in Waco. Thanks to the 2007 bond election, Waco’s parks system will receive $11.7 million worth of improvements and upgrades.

The money has been allocated to Cameron Park, Cameron Park East, neighborhood park trails and the South Waco Recreation Center.

While construction will be an inconvenience during 2009, the end result will be better parks and facilities that meet the needs of our growing community. The following is an overview of the upcoming projects. Additional and up-to-date information can be found at www.waco-texas.com.

Cameron Park:

Cameron Park East:

Neighborhood Park Trails:

South Waco Recreation Center:


Holiday Collection Schedule

The City of Waco will not offer solid waste services on Thursday, Jan. 1 and Monday, Jan. 19 in observation of New Year’s and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. For both holidays, the routes will be picked up on Wednesday. All other routes will not change.

On New Year’s Day, the landfill and Cobbs Collection Center will be closed. However, on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the landfill will be open, but the Cobbs Collection Center will be closed. For more information, contact the City of Waco Solid Waste Department at 299-2612.


City Fireworks Ordinance

The City of Waco Fire Department encourages everyone to have a safe holiday season.

In connection with the New Years’ holiday, the Fire Department reminds everyone it is a violation of city ordinances to possess, use, manufacture, sell, give away, transport or discharge fireworks within the city limits of Waco without a permit from the fire marshal.

The ordinance also prohibits the possession of fireworks by a minor. The fine for violating the ordinance is $219 for possession, sale, give away or use of fireworks; and the fine for aiding a minor to use fireworks is $259.

For more information, call the City of Waco Fire Department at 750-1740.


Christmas Tree Recycling

After the presents are unwrapped, it’s time to recycle your Christmas tree.

Bring the undecorated tree to Keep Waco Beautiful’s annual “Chippin’ of the Green” at the Paul Tyson Field parking lot on Saturday, Jan. 3 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and watch the tree turn into a bag of mulch.

Those who participate may take the mulch home and use it on their lawns or gardens. They will also receive a small tree sapling.

For more information, contact Keep Waco Beautiful at 750-5728.


Do Well, Be Well With Diabetes Class

Do you or a loved one have diabetes or pre-diabetes?

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District is offering a comprehensive course to cover the essentials to manage your diabetes with meal planning, monitoring your blood sugar, managing your medications, and preventing complications of diabetes.

Lessons are taught by community health educators, nurses, dietitians, exercise specialists, and a podiatrist. Classes will be held at the Waco McLennan County Public Health District from 1 to 4 p.m. on Jan. 12, 14, 21, 26, & 28, 2009.

The class is free of charge, but fills up quickly, so call Christine Smith at 750-5631 to register.


January Children’s Library Activities

Preschool Storytime for ages 3 – 6 resumes the week of Jan. 5 at 10:30 a.m. at all four library locations. Each weekly program utilizes stories, music, crafts, puppets, and other activities to explore a theme and is a good introduction to reading, books and the library. The schedule is:

Toddler Time is a special storytime for 12 – 36 months of age, which features lots of movement, songs, stories and other pre-reading activities geared for the attention span and interests of this age group. Toddler Time is offered on Wednesdays at 9:45 and at 10:30 a.m. at the Central Library, 1717 Austin Ave.

Baby Time, a special six-week storytime for ages birth through 12 months, will be held at the Central Library, 1717 Austin, starting Feb. 3. This series features lots of parent /child interaction through language development activities, music and stories. Space is limited to 10 participants so please call 750-5956 to register.


Earned Income Tax Credit: Earn It. Claim It. Save It.

money imageSome dedicated local volunteers want Waco-area workers to know that they could be eligible for a tax refund of up to $4,800, and they are even willing to help you fill out the appropriate paper work.

The Asset Building Coalition of Waco (ABC Waco) is operated by NeighborWorks Waco, a local non-profit, and represents more than 50 organizations and institutions that have agreed to help spread the word about Earned Income Tax Credit or EITC, as well as free tax preparation services in general. They promote financial awareness through supporting two free tax preparation programs in Waco; an IRS/VITA site at A.J. Moore Academy and eight sites through AARP. They also help connect taxpayers with asset-building services provided by the local non-profit community, such as financial literacy and Individual Development Accounts.

Here’s what to consider in determining whether you’ll qualify for an EITC credit:

Taxpayers should be aware that a variety of restrictions may apply and they should seek a tax preparer, preferably a free one, or consult IRS Publication 596 to determine eligibility.

List of Free Tax Preparation Centers

AARP Sites:
Harrison Center, 1718 North 42nd St.
Opens March 17
Tuesday & Thursday: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

NeighborWorks Waco, 922 Franklin Ave.
Opens Jan. 26
Monday - Thursday:
12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 2710 Speight
Open Jan. 28
Wednesday - Friday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Waco McLennan County Library,
1717 Austin Ave.
Opens Feb. 3
Tuesday & Thursday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Providence Hospital, 6901 Medical Parkway
Opens Feb. 2
Monday & Wednesday: 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

R. B. Hoover Branch Library, 1428 Wooded Acres Dr.
Opens Feb. 2
Monday & Friday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Hewitt Community Center, 208 Chama
Opens Feb. 2
Monday: 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Thursday: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) sites include:
A.J. Moore School Library, 500 N. University Parks
Open Jan. 22 - April 15
Closed Spring Break - March 9, 10, 12
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday:
5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information about the tax preparation centers, call NeighborWorks at 752-1647.


10 Green Resolutions for the New Year

  1. Recycle your Christmas Tree at the Chipping of the Green on Jan. 3.
  2. Mark your calendar now to attend local Earth Day events, such as “Earth Day at the Zoo” (April 18-19)
  3. Take gently used items to resale or thrift stores instead of just throwing them away.
  4. Use reusable shopping bags instead of plastic sacks.
  5. Experiment with non-toxic cleaners in your home.
  6. If you don’t already have them, sign up for a free blue recycling and/or green yard waste cart. More information is available at 299-2612.
  7. Pledge to avoid letting anything into nearby storm drains. “Only Rain Down the Drain!”
  8. Join the Litter Challenge! If each person picks up and throws away just one piece of litter a day (their own or someone else’s) they will have put 45 pounds of litter in its place by the end of the year.
  9. Consider drought-resistant and native plants when planning landscaping.
  10. Plan your trips when shopping to economize on gas and reduce emissions.


Want to know what's happening this month,
visit our our on-line
Community Calendar