City Limits Newsletter - June 2009
A monthly newsletter for the Citizens of Waco, Texas
To view the previous issue, click here: May issue
Fourth on the Brazos Celebration
The City of Waco and H-E-B invite Central Texans to join the annual Fourth on the Brazos celebration in downtown Waco. Each year, more than 10,000 people celebrate the Fourth of July along the river with live music, family fun and the H-E-B Fireworks Extravaganza.
The festivities begin at 6 p.m. and a patriotic ceremony will take place at 9:45 p.m. The fireworks show, which is visible from throughout downtown Waco, is set for 10 p.m. Downtown streets near the event will begin to close around 7 p.m. However, parking is available throughout the downtown area.
This year’s concert will feature Waco’s Sloppy Joe, the 11-piece soul band T-Bird and the Breaks, and one of Texas’ top rock and roll tribute bands, The Fab 5. The show will conclude with the Waco Community Band and spectacular fireworks display.
The patriotic ceremony will feature the Young Marines, Mayor Virginia DuPuy and the National Anthem performed by the winner of Star 92.9 FM’s “Waco Idol” contest. The anthem, along with the Waco Community Band’s performance during the fireworks, will be broadcast live on Star 92.9 FM.
Other attractions at the event include a food court, inflatable games and a free arts and crafts area for children. Coolers, blankets and chairs are allowed in the park. Tents, pets, glass bottles, grills, and fireworks of any kind are not allowed. For more information, visit www.brazosnightswaco.com or call 750-5781.
Tri-Waco: Triathlon on July 26th
The Waco Chamber of Commerce, City of Waco and Ironhead Race Productions will present Tri-Waco on Sunday, July 26 at Indian Spring Park. Tri-Waco, a USA Triathlon sanctioned Olympic distance event, starts with a 1,500-meter open water swim in the Brazos River followed by a mostly flat and fast 25-mile bike ride on country roads north and west of Waco. Finishing out the race is a hilly 10-K run along the Brazos River that leads to the oldest suspension bridge in the U.S.
Along with the Triathlon, the race also offers a great beginner Sprint: a 400-meter swim in the Brazos River, a 12-mile bike ride along the same country roads and a 5-K run finishing on the suspension bridge. Registration is under way and costs vary based on type of event. All participants will receive dry fit T-shirts, recyclable water bottles and dry fit running caps. For more information, visit www.triwaco.org.
Waco’s National Night Out Returns to August
Each year, the Waco Police Department participates in National Night Out by partnering with the citizens of Waco and numerous Neighborhood Associations.
This year, Waco will be celebrating National Night Out on Tuesday, Aug. 4. This is the night that neighbors join together or partner with their Neighborhood Association to let the criminal element know that crime will not be tolerated in their neighborhood.
Waco citizens can call to register their party for National Night Out in order to have their party visited by our caravan. The caravans consist of Waco Patrol Units, S.W.A.T., Waco Fire Department, as well as T.A.B.C., other local area law enforcement, East Texas Medical Service, McGruff the Crime Dog, and other agencies. In 2008, there were 19 registered parties. Each year, the numbers continue to increase, and we hope to continue this increase by bridging the gap between the citizens of Waco and the Police Department.
Please continue to support our City and neighbors by participating in this event. Registration begins June 15 and the deadline is July 31, so register before the deadline. To register, call our Crime Prevention Unit at 750-1761.
Dive-In Movies at Waco Water Park
Bring the family to a Dive-In Movie at the Waco Water Park this summer. “The Goonies” will be shown on July 6 and “Stuart Little” on July 20. Movies will be shown on the first and third Mondays through August. Twilight admission rates apply and the gates will open at 8:30 p.m. Please visit www.waco-texas.com for a complete list of upcoming movies.
All-Star Basketball Clinic
Registration has begun for the City of Waco’s 7th annual All-Star Basketball Clinic. This year’s clinic will take place Aug. 11 at the Ferrell Center. Registration is open through July 31 to players ages 5 to 18.
The free clinic will feature special guests from the Dallas Mavericks and the Baylor Bears. Players ages 5 to 10 will meet from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., while ages 11 to 18 will meet from noon to 4 p.m. Lunch will be provided at the clinic for all participants.
Registration forms are available at the City of Waco Parks and Recreation office, online at www.waco-texas.com or by calling 750-5980.
City of Waco Fireworks Ordinance
The City of Waco Fire Department encourages everyone to have a safe Independence Day free of fires by enjoying the fireworks at 4th on the Brazos.
It is a violation of City ordinances to possess, use, manufacture, sell, give away, transport or discharge fireworks within the city limits of Waco or within 5,000 feet of the city limits 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 $241 for possession, sale, give away or use of fireworks; and the fine for aiding a minor to use fireworks is $296. For more information, call the City of Waco Fire Department at 750-1740.
Ask Yourself
Have I seen the bald eagles on Lake Waco? Have I seen how volunteers like Nancy Cagle are making a difference in Waco?
Have I seen Wacoans speed skating and playing hockey? Have I traveled up the beautiful Brazos River from a boat?
If not, you need to start watching the Waco City Cable Channel where you’ll see these and many more unique and beautiful features about our city, all locally produced in high definition available on Grande channel 410 and in standard definition on Time Warner and Grande channel 10 (not available on satellite systems).
These programs are also available online at waco-texas.com. Check it out! It’s YOUR city cable channel where more locally produced programming comes from than any other channel.
New Rat & Mosquito Control Ordinances
The Waco City Council approved new rodent control and mosquito control ordinances during their meeting on May 5, 2009. Utilizing the model ordinances approved by the Health Board of the Waco-McLennan County Public Health District as a guide, the new ordinances are more detailed and require property owners and occupants to be proactive in eliminating conditions that attract rodents and mosquitoes.
The rodent ordinance focuses on rats and mice that may carry disease. The previous ordinance primarily focused on rat proofing buildings and the storage of things that rats might feed on. The new ordinance includes other requirements to deal with rodent harborage and includes responsibilities required of an occupant, and an owner of buildings or property. There are several things a person can do to maintain their home, buildings and property free of rats and mice. Remember that rodents are good chewers, diggers and climbers. A rat can squeeze through a hole the size of a quarter.
- Seal any openings into a building such as holes and cracks in walls and gaps around pipes and wiring. Use materials resistant to chewing.
- Provide tight fitting doors and windows. Keep screens in good condition.
- Store all food, animal feed and bird food in solid closed containers inside and outside.
- Do not leave out any food or animal feed inside or outside. Sweep up any spills.
- Clean up and get rid of junk, debris, trash, refuse and worn out materials to eliminate hiding places. This includes not only inside, but also outside, the garage, storage sheds and other buildings.
- Keep garbage in solid, sturdy containers with tight fitting lids.
- Store useful materials off the ground on stands or racks by at least 15 inches.
- Trim bushes and branches away from the sides of buildings.
- Use traps and baits as needed following all precautions and label directions.
The City Council also adopted an ordinance to address mosquito control. The purpose of the ordinance is to control and reduce the mosquito population by eliminating breeding sources. The ordinance includes responsibilities required of an occupant, resident or owner to address and eliminate breeding sources. Mosquitoes need stagnant water to lay eggs and develop the larvae into adult mosquitoes. This process can take as little as 10 days. The simplest and most effective method to control and eliminate mosquitoes is to remove anything that holds water for more than seven days. Some effective methods include:
- Draining, emptying or discarding any containers holding water. A container can be a bucket, tin can, vase, an old tire or a clogged roof gutter.
- Change the water regularly in bird baths or pet bowls to keep it fresh.
- Keep swimming pool water clean, circulated and treated.
- For situations where draining the water is not possible such as areas with poor drainage, treat the water with an EPA approved substance.
- Keep the grass mowed, bushes trimmed to reduce hiding and resting places for the adult mosquitoes.
- Products for mosquito control may be found at hardware, feed, home improvement and variety stores.In some cases, such as stock tanks and ornamental ponds, fish that eat the mosquito larvae can limit mosquito populations.
- The owner or occupant of a premise with a stock tank is required to manage the tank to minimize breeding of mosquitoes using substances that will not impair the use of the water for livestock.
For more information or to report a violation, please contact the Environmental Health Division of the Public Health District at 750-5464.
4th of July Holiday Collection Schedule
The Solid Waste offices will be closed on Friday, July 3 for the Independence Day holiday. The Landfill and Cobbs Recycling Center will be open on Friday, but closed on Saturday. Friday’s trash will be collected as usual on Friday, July 3. For more information, call 299-2612.
Summer Showcase
Free children’s attractions such as plays, music, storytelling, and animal shows, continue through Aug. 7 at all four Waco-McLennan County Libraries.
Presentations are aimed for ages 5 to 10 and last 45 minutes to one hour.
Highlights include: plays such as “True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk” and “Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock;” mad science experiments and demonstrations; storytellers Nancy Worcester, Kim Lehman, and Catherine Whiteman; musical entertainer Lucas Miller; and live Texas animals, reptiles and bugs.
Program Schedule
- Tuesdays at East Waco Library, 901 Elm – 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
- Wednesdays at Hoover Library, 1428 Wooded Acres – 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
- Thursdays at Central Library, 1717 Austin – 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m.
- Fridays at South Waco Library, 2737 S. 18th – 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
For more information, please call 750-5942 or visit www.waco-texas.com and select Library and the Youth Services page.
Youth Flag Football
Registration is under way for the Youth Flag Football. The cost is $45 per child and open to youth ages 5 to 14. Registration is open until July 17 and the league begins August 29. For more information or to register, please call 750-5875.
Family Movie Time
East Waco Library has a Family Movie Time on the third Saturdays of each month from 3 p.m. -5 p.m. Movies will be aimed toward PG-13 audience. Light refreshments are provided, including popcorn. See you July 18!
Having Fun in the Kitchen
The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District is sponsoring “Having Fun in the Kitchen” classes for parents and their children. The classes will be held July 8 and 22 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at 1105 Washington Ave.
Protein is the topic and they will vary the recipes main ingredients such as meat, beans and eggs. The class will be offered again Aug. 12 and 26. For more information or to register, call 750-5475.
Family Physical Activity Program
The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District diabetes program invites you to join their 8-week Family-Focused Physical Activity Program. Through a partnership with Bledsoe-Miller Recreation Center, children can participate in structured recreational activities and aerobics while parents attend aerobics classes and use the workout facilities.
The free program is for families with any of the following risk factors for diabetes:
- Family history of diabetes
- Parents or children who are overweight
- African American or Hispanic
The program begins June 29 and continues through Aug. 22. The workout begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by a children’s aerobics and adults’ aerobics class from 6 to 7 p.m. Call Kelly Thompson at 750-5461 for more information.
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