Dallas to host regional environmental conference

The City of Dallas is committed to conserving natural resources for all people living and working with city limits. This year, the City is celebrating its 10-year anniversary of having an ISO 14001 certified Environmental Management System. To mark this milestone, the Office of Environmental Quality & Sustainability (OEQS) is hosting the North Texas ISO 14001:2015 Environmental Management Conference in October. The conference is the first of its kind in North Texas specifically targeting local municipalities and businesses.

On October 18, OEQS will be welcoming dozens of representatives from regional municipalities and corporations to Dallas to meet and share practices to reduce impacts to the environment. The keynote speaker will be Dallas’ Director of Aviation Mark Duebner, speaking on the Aviation Department’s Environmental Management System Journey.

City of Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings, Assistant City Manager Majed Al-Ghafry, and Gary Robinson, VP of Solutions for British Industrial Standards (BSI) will also speak on the benefits of an Environmental Management System.

The Environmental Protection Agency, will moderate a panel discussion on how an environmental management system helps operations, discuss lessons learned during the implementation of an environmental management system, and share universal best management practices. Panelists include industry experts from Eaton, Texas Instruments, Cisco, Lockheed Martin, the Dallas Zoo, and Dallas Park and Recreation.

Look for conference highlights and conclusions on GreenDallas.net at the end of October.

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source http://www.dallascitynews.net/dallas-host-regional-environmental-conference

New program helps businesses recover from natural disasters

A natural disaster strikes – not only are the effects devastating to the environment, but if you run a business, a bad storm can wreck you and your company financially.

The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) is rolling out a new initiative with the Disaster Prepared Resident program and Public-Private Partnership programs to help Dallas communities return to a sense of normal faster after a disaster. This program is geared toward businesses of all sizes to help them answer the inevitable, “now what?” after a catastrophic event. The program is designed to help those in the private sector have the tools, communication strategies and resources necessary to contact employees, suppliers and customers and to get back to business.

According to FEMA estimates, 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen after a disaster and more than 60 percent of those that do recover fail within two years. This means that just 20 percent of small businesses survive these crisis situations. OEM is working with the Chambers of Commerce and industry professional groups for their input so that Dallas’s business community is more than just a statistic if disaster strikes.
For more information on this program, contact Rhonda Simpson at rhonda.simpson@dallascityhall.com.

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Racing in Dallas is riskier than you think

If you race on Dallas roads, you risk more than just a speeding ticket. Drivers who engage in this behavior are at risk of injuring themselves and the public.

Racing is illegal is Dallas and motorists caught racing can face serious penalties. The Dallas Police Department will enforce all applicable laws.

Drivers who race on Dallas roads:

• Could be punished with a fine up to $2000 and/or six months in jail on a first offense.
• Could be punished with a fine up to $10,000 and between two and 20 years in jail if a crash causes serious bodily injury or death to anyone.
• Could have their vehicle impounded and/or their driver’s license suspended.

In 2016, there were over 2,000 crashes and 300 deaths related to speeding on Texas roadways, according to the Texas Department of Transportation.

Speeding isn’t fun, it’s foolish. Racing is reckless and driving faster than the speed limit or what is safe for road conditions endangers the lives of the driver and all others on the road. Don’t become a statistic.

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Dallas 311 launches major website upgrade, new mobile app

Dallas 311 is launching new service request software, updating their website, and replacing the current Dallas 311 mobile app with the new OurDallas app.

The current 311 app will be taken down on Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 10 p.m., and online access for residents will be removed beginning Friday, Sept. 28 at 4 p.m. to begin the transition to the new system.

“While the app and website are down, residents may dial 311 at any time to report an issue while the app and website are temporarily disabled,” Margaret Wright, Assistant Director of the 311 Customer Service center, said. “Our call center will be staffed with additional agents to handle the anticipated increase in call volume during this time.”

The new system will be online on Oct. 1 and residents using the old 311 app will be directed to the new OurDallas app available on the App Store and Google Play.  The updated system will make it easier for residents to request City services.  Please contact 311 at dallas311@dallascityhall.com if you have questions or concerns regarding the new 311 service request process.

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Join your neighbors for National Night Out 2018!

It’s time for National Night Out  – Dallas style! This year is the 35^th anniversary of National Night Out and promises to be the best yet with family-friendly celebrations around Dallas. The purpose of National Night Out is to promote stronger bonds between neighbors, as well as promote closer relationships between neighborhoods and police.

Millions of people take part in National Night Out in all fifty states by hosting block parties, festivals, cookouts, and various other community events.

Our National Night Out date is set for October 2, 2018. We want to see your fun festivals, so use our official social media hashtag: #DallasNNO2018. Ready to get involved? Visit dallascityhall.com/mayor/nno  to register your National Night Out event.

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Six ways to be all about autumn in Dallas

Despite warm temperatures, autumn has arrived in Dallas. Looking to get in the spirit of the season? Here are some of the best ways to celebrate fall in the upcoming months.

Visit Autumn at the Arboretum – This fall tradition is a must-see exhibit in Dallas from Sept. 22 through Nov. 21. The arboretum is home to a display of over 90,000 pumpkins and over 150,000 blooming plants. Each weekend, enjoy live music as well as a variety of events for children.

Browse the Dallas Farmers Market Pumpkin Patch – Look no further to pick the perfect pumpkin this season than the Dallas Farmers Market. Every day until October 31, find more than 25 varieties of pumpkins and gourds perfect for carving or decorating at The Shed.

Drink a Pumpkin Spice Latte – Head to your favorite local coffee shop for the season’s sweetest pick-me-up. Order the PSL iced while it is still warm outside but enjoy the classic fall drink hot when the temperatures drop.

Learn Successful Fall Gardening in Dallas – Now that summer has passed, are you wondering what plants will thrive in your garden into the fall and winter? Head to the White Rock Hills branch of the Dallas Public Library on Sept. 30 to learn from expert gardener Judy Meagher what you need to be planting this autumn.

Exercise in the City’s Parks & Trails – Get outside to enjoy the cooler weather and changing leaves on one of the City’s numerous walking and hiking trails, like the Katy Trail, the Cedar Ridge Preserve Trail, White Rock Lake Park Trail and more.

Enjoy the State Fair of Texas – Nothing screams fall quite like the State Fair. This year’s theme is “Celebrating Texas Innovation” and runs from Sept. 28 until Oct. 21. With entertaining performances, games and creative food options, the fair offers something for the whole family to enjoy.

 

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source http://www.dallascitynews.net/six-ways-autumn-dallas

Public input needed for Harold Simmons Park

The City of Dallas and the Trinity Park Conservancy is seeking citizen input for the multi-phase design process for Harold Simmons Park.

Ten interactive workshops will be held throughout the month of September and October to discuss the future of the park, development processes and ways to get involved in the project. The purpose of this project it is to help shape Harold Simmons Park to become the heart of Dallas and a natural gathering space for all. Each event is family-friendly, free and open to the public.

Harold Simmons Park Public Workshop 1
Sat, Sept. 15 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
West Dallas Multipurpose Center, 2828 Fish Trap Road, Dallas, TX 75212
RSVP

Harold Simmons Park Public Workshop 2
Mon, Sept 17 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Cedar Crest Golf Course, 1800 Southerland Avenue, Dallas, TX 75203
RSVP 

Harold Simmons Park Public Workshop 3
Sat, Sept. 22 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Trinity River Audubon Center, 6500 Great Trinity Forest Way, Dallas, TX 75217
RSVP

Harold Simmons Park Public Workshop 4
Mon Sept. 24 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Lake Highlands High School, 9449 Church Road, Dallas, TX 75238
RSVP

Harold Simmons Park Public Workshop 5
Tues. Sept. 25 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
South Dallas Cultural Center, 3400 S Fitzhugh Avenue, Dallas, TX 75210
RSVP

Harold Simmons Park Public Workshop 6
Wed Sept. 26 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Solar Preparatory School for Girls, 2617 N Henderson Ave, Dallas, TX 75206
RSVP

Harold Simmons Park Public Workshop 7
Thurs Sept 27 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Bachman Lake Recreation Center, 2750 Bachman Drive, Dallas, TX 75220
RSVP

Harold Simmons Park Public Workshop 8
Tue Oct 2 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Jimmie Tyler Brashear Elementary School, 2959 S Hampton Rd, TX 75224
RSVP

Harold Simmons Park Public Workshop 9
Wed Oct. 3. 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
J Eric Jonsson Central Library, 1515 Young Street, Dallas, TX 75201
RSVP

Harold Simmons Park Public Workshop 10
Thurs. Oct. 4 . 6:30 p.m. – 8 p.m.
George Bannerman Dealey Montessori, 6501 Royal Lane, Dallas, TX 75230
RSVP

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