For the Week of June 20th, through June 27th, 2017

For the Week of June 20th, through June 27th, 2017

This year the cities of DeSoto and Lancaster are again joining forces to celebrate our nation’s independence. DeSoto and Lancaster’s July Fireworks Festival will take place on Saturday, July 1st in DeSoto at Meadowcreek Park, 1400 Uhl Road. DeSoto and Lancaster residents are invited to bring your lawn chairs and picnic baskets and come on out to Meadowcreek Park. Gates will open at 4 pm and the festivities begin at 6pm with live performances by saxophonist and DeSoto favorite, Don Diego followed by 1990’s recording artist, . Dru Hill is an American singing group whose repertoire includes soul, and gospel music. Founded in , and active since 1992, Dru Hill recorded seven Top 40 hits, and is best known for the R&B #1 hits “”, and “How Deep Is Your Love.”

There will also be lots of carnival-style food available for purchase and free activities for kids. The fireworks to music spectacular will follow the free Dru Hill concert at 9 pm or as soon as it’s good and dark. Since this is a free, community event in a city park, city ordinance requires that there be no smoking or alcohol on the premises. Proper attire is required and we are asking that you leave pets at home due to the large crowd expected. Use of a mosquito repellent containing DEET is recommended. Shade tents will be allowed in designated areas.

There are approximately 3,000 parking spaces available at the park. Once the parking lots are full, thru traffic will be closed on Uhl Road and patrons will be directed to remote parking at DeSoto High School with free shuttle bus service to and from the event. To preserve a clear route for emergency vehicles, parking will not be allowed on Blue Bonnet Drive. Once the fireworks end, traffic leaving the park from the grass parking area will be required to go north on Uhl Road and those on the south side of the park will be required to exit and go south on Uhl Road until the park is cleared. DeSoto Fire Marshal, Wayne Orr would like to remind everyone that fireworks are not allowed within the city limits of DeSoto.

If you have any questions or would like more information on the show, please call 972 230-9651.

2 For the Week of June 20th, through June 27th, 2017

DeSoto Teens Are Encouraged To Apply Now To Attend The DeSoto Junior Civic Academy

Do you know a DeSoto teenager who might be interested in pursuing an internship that could lead to a career in local government? Encourage that teen to take the first step by applying now to join the DeSoto Junior Civic Academy. The DeSoto Junior Civic Academy (JCA) is an 11-week program de- signed to expose high school juniors and seniors to the inner-workings of our local government.

This program is an extension of the Civic Academy that the City has offered for more than ten years. It is designed to introduce high school juniors and seniors to career opportunities in public administra- tion, economic development, municipal finance and budgeting, library services, public works, parks and recreation, police, fire and EMS and much more. Parents are encouraged to attend with their teen.

“I am very excited about kicking off our new Junior Civic Academy,” said DeSoto Mayor, Curtistene S. McCowan. “This unique educational opportunity will include some unforgettable moments for students whom we expect to become outstanding future leaders in the City of DeSoto and beyond. I can’t wait to meet the high school juniors and seniors selected to become part of our inaugural JCA Class!”

Completion of this free program offers students community service credit hours and opportunities for internships in municipal government that could lead to employment after high school graduation. JCA is a great resume builder and teaches important interview and job skills. Apply online now to attend the DeSoto Junior Civic Academy at www.desototexas.gov/jca.

The Junior Civic Academy will run concurrently with our traditional Civic Academy for adults. Applica- tions are being accepted for that program as well. Both the Junior Civic Academy and the traditional Civic Academy begin August 17, 2017 and continue every Thursday from 5:45 pm to 8:30 pm for 11 weeks. Sessions are hosted at DeSoto City Hall and other City facilities. Dinner is provided at each session. If you would like to participate or need more information on the Civic Academy program, please call Nelda Bond at 972.230.9643.

3 For the Week of June 20th, through June 27th, 2017

About Swim Lessons  Swim lessons are held at Moseley Pool.  Registration must be done at the DeSoto Recreation Center.  Students must complete the requirements of a particular swim level before progressing to the next level.  The instructor can change the swim level lesson based on the student’s swimming abilities on the first day of class. All sessions are $50 per person.

2017 Session Dates Session dates for youth, parent/tot and adult levels Youth Swim Lesson Session I: June 13 - 23 Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and Parent & Tot Session II: June 27 - July 7 9:20 a.m. - 10 a.m. Session III: July 11 - July 21 10:10 a.m. - 10:50 a.m. Session IV: July 25 - August 4 11 a.m. - 11:40 a.m. 6:30 p.m. - 7:10 p.m. 7:10 p.m. - 7:50 p.m. Parent & Tot Swim This swim class is geared for children ages 18 months to 3 years. Parents are required to participate in this course and will be entering the water with their child.

Swim Levels Adult Swim Lessons Level 1 – Introduction to Water Skills Water Aerobics and Adult Lessons This level helps students feel comfortable in the water and 8:30 a.m. - 9:10 a.m. enjoy the water safely. Students will learn elementary aquatic 8:10 p.m. - 8:50 p.m. skills, which will help them progress through the six Learn To Swim levels.

Level 2 – Fundamental Aquatic Skills This level gives students success with fundamental skills. Students will learn to float without support and to recover to a vertical position. They will also learn simultaneous and alternating arm and leg actions on the front and back. Must have completed requirements from Level 1 . Level 3 – Stroke Development Students will be taught to coordinate the front crawl and back crawl. Elements of the butterfly and the fundamentals of treading water will be introduced. Students will also learn rules for head-first entries from the side of the pool. Must have completed requirements from Level 2.

Level 4 – Stroke Improvement Students will improve their skills and increase their endurance by swimming familiar strokes for greater distances. They will continue to build on the butterfly and be introduced to the elementary backstroke, breaststroke and elements of the sidestroke. Students will also learn the basics of turning at the wall. Must have completed requirements from Level 3.

4 For the Week of June 20th, through June 27th, 2017

DeSoto City Council Approves Amendment to Garbage, Trash and Refuse Ordinance

An amendment to the City’s Garbage, Trash and Refuse Ordinance was recently passed by the DeSoto City Council that specifies a timeframe for when trash and recyclables can be placed at the curb for pickup. In order to minimize wildlife disturbing the refuse or other elements coming in contact with plastic bags or containers, residential refuse and recyclables shall not be placed at the curb before 6 pm the day before collection day.

“This amendment addresses problems resulting from trash being put out at the curb or in the alley for pick-up a day or more prior to the actual collection time,” said Tracie Hlavinka, DeSoto Assistant City Manager. “When trash is allowed to sit on the curb, it attracts animals who tear into the bags and scatter it.”

To guarantee your trash is not missed by Republic Services, please have your trash and recyclables at the curb or placed in the alley no later than 7 am on the day of collection. All residents who live west of Hampton Road have their trash collected on Tuesdays and Fridays. Those living east of Hampton Road have their trash collected on Mondays and Thursdays. All recycle bins, throughout the City, are emptied on Wednesdays.

DeSoto’s Code Enforcement Department would like to remind residents that all garbage must be placed in a plastic refuse bag for garbage pick up. This picture shows some garbage in bags and some loose garbage in the container. All garbage must be bagged to avoid having loose garbage scattered when the containers are being emptied into the truck. Residential customers shall utilize a plastic refuse bag that is designed and sold for the purpose of placing garbage, trash, or refuse in it for disposal. If your trash is not bagged, the solid waste contractor will tag the container and leave the trash to be bagged for removal. Habitual offenders of the Garbage, Trash and Refuse Ordinance will be fined. Trash and recycling bags are available for purchase at the Utility Billing window in City Hall. Trash bags are $9.56 for a roll of 50 and recycle bags are $4.76 for a roll of 50 bags.

For more information on the Garbage, Trash and Refuse Ordinance, please go to

5 For the Week of June 20th, through June 27th, 2017

6 For the Week of June 20th, through June 27th, 2017

7 For the Week of June 20th, through June 27th, 2017

8 For the Week of June 20th, through June 27th, 2017

9 For the Week of June 20th, through June 27th, 2017

10 For the Week of June 20th, through June 27th, 2017

11 For the Week of June 20th, through June 20th, 2017

12 For the Week of June 20th, through June 27th, 2017

www.DeSotoTexas.gov/hotline

13 For the Week of June 20th, through June 27th, 2017

Connecting The Community With Valuable Resources

“I think it's so important that our residents have easy access to information regarding social services and resources available to them in our area,” said DeSoto Mayor ProTem Rachel Proctor. “Many val- uable resources out there often go unused, not because there isn't a need for them but because the people that need them aren't aware they exist. That's why we, as a City, put forth the effort to bring awareness to the Texas 2-1-1 program.”

Texas 2-1-1 is a valuable database that houses information for community re- sources ranging from assistance with health care and disability, employment, education, legal issues, housing, crisis counseling, transportation needs, and much more.

The City has launched a new page on our website at www.desototexas.gov that links to the 2-1-1 Texas program of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Just click on E-Services at the top of the City’s homepage and look for the Community Resources link.

2-1-1 Texas is committed to helping Texas citizens connect with the services they need. Whether by phone or internet, the goal is to present accurate, well-organized and easy-to-find information from state and local health and human services programs.

In addition to their website, 2-1-1 Texas operates a free, anonymous, social services hotline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year that can be reached by dialing 2-1-1 or 877-541- 7905.

“I also want to urge social service providers and non-profit organizations in DeSoto to register with 2-1 -1 Texas so our residents can be referred to services in their local area,” said Proctor.

Information on how to register your non-profit community or social service organization with 2-1-1 Tex- as is posted on the City’s website. Just click on the Community Resources page under E-Services on the homepage.

“I'm excited to know that such a simple solution exists to meet a myriad of needs for our community,” said Mayor Pro Tem Proctor.

14