Arlington Police Dept Advisory: DWI awareness starts with prevention...

Bartender’s Against Drunk Driving (B.A.D.D.) joined the Arlington Police Department today at the South District police station to discuss DWI prevention with businesses that serve alcohol. Today was also the release of the Department’s new video to discourage drunk drivers from getting behind the wheel. Check it out here –
http://youtu.be/nWc6jfel7HE Remember, it takes only 4 drinks an hour for a 160-pound man to be legally intoxicated. For a woman, it takes only 3 drinks. One drink is equal to a 12-ounce can of beer, a 5-ounce glass of wine or a 1.5-ounce shot of 80-proof liquor. Get the facts. Be informed. Don’t drink and drive.
For full details, view this message on the web: https://local.nixle.com/alert/4764945/?sub_id=647819

There's No Place Like Home

You don't have to be Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz to feel like there's no place like home.

Home is a place to call your own. It's a place to raise your family and share with your friends. It's a place to create memories. A home is a place to feel safe and secure.

Inspect all of your decorations and electrical lighting before using them. While you're enjoying the holidays this year, it's important to pay attention to some of the things that may affect your safety.

• Extension cords should not be placed under the carpet or rugs or bundled together which could cause overheating.
• Limit three standard size sets of lights to a single extension cord.
• Consider using portable or permanent ground fault circuit interrupters with all lighting to avoid possible shocks.
• Turn off holiday lights when you leave the home or got to bed.
• Avoid using candles near trees or wreaths.
• Do not allow natural trees to dry out during the time they're displayed to potential fire hazard.
• Make certain that all trees are on a firm, steady base to avoid tipping over.
• Don't burn wrapping paper in fireplaces.
• Small children are particularly susceptible to accidents and should be protected from potential harm.

Here's hoping your time at home is special during this holiday season. Please let us know if there is anything we can do for you.

Buy Sell Invest with Hart 

SWAPO 2011 news... City Planning & Zonning Pass Rush Creek & Maharishi Sites

Although the zoning case passed, at least 2 restrictions were made to the Rush Creek site, one that the site be electric powered to reduce the noise level (except for back-up generators in the event of power failure) and two, the following traffic restrictions: No truck traffic between 7:00 am to 9:00 am and 4:30 to 6:30 pm, Monday through Friday. Approximately 230 neighbors attended the Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting tonight, the major topic being the Rush Creek site which the Commission passed unanimously with the support of approximately 76% of the attendees. Many memorable comments were made in support of this site by several people, and the opposition did have their say. On a side note, an issue was raised over concerns about the Lake in Oak Lake Addition. The lake requires dredging at a minimum cost of $250,000 to save it. There was some discussion of how to do this, but no resolution.

The Maharishi site was approved too. (IH-30 and 360 approximately, specifically 601 Avenue H East)

Both issues will now go to the City Council Meeting on January 3^rd at 6:30pm for approval.

SWAPO Team reporting live from the meeting.

First Annual Arlington Christkindl Market

Christkindl Market (kris-kin-dill) is an enchanting family market in the tradition of markets held throughout Germany during the Holiday season. Featuring authentic German cuisine, beverages, entertainment, arts, crafts, and holiday gifts. Admission is free.

Event Information Schedule & Hours: click link below

http://www.arlington.org/things-to-do/events/christkindl-market

Hours of Operation:
Thursday - December 8 from 3pm–10pm
Friday - December 9 from 3pm–10pm
Saturday - December10 from 10am–10pm
Sunday - December 11 from 11am–7pm

Arlington and the National League of Cities Bring Free Prescription Discount Card Program to Residents

Arlington today launched a program to help provide residents with some relief from the high cost of prescription medications. Through the program -- sponsored by the National League of Cities (NLC) -- the City is making free prescription discount cards available to residents. The discount cards offer residents an average of 23 percent savings off the retail price of prescription medications. The NLC Prescription Discount Card can be used by all residents of Arlington and has no restrictions based on a resident’s age, income level, or existing health coverage. The card can be used at pharmacies around the city, as well as at more than 60,000 participating retail pharmacies across the country. “Given the current economic climate, where many people need to watch what they spend, we are happy to partner with the National League of Cities to make this prescription discount card available to our residents,” said Mayor Robert Cluck. “This card helps residents who are completely uninsured, as well as residents who have insurance but have specific medications that are not covered by their insurance. In both scenarios, residents experience significant savings on prescription medications not covered by health plans.” Council Member Sheri Capehart, who has been working with the NLC over the past three years to bring the discount card program to Arlington, says the City is always looking for programs, like this one, that benefit residents.“We are so excited to partner with the NLC to offer this prescription discount card to residents of Arlington,” said Capehart. “When it comes to quality of life, nothing is more important than good health, and affordable healthcare is a key component. This card could provide a real difference to families in Arlington.”Residents can obtain a free NLC Prescription Discount Card in a number of ways. They can print them from the Internet at www.caremark.com/nlc or can get a card at all Arlington libraries, recreation centers, senior recreation centers, and more. A complete listing of distribution locations is available at www.arlingtontx.gov/drugcard.  Residents can also use www.caremark.com/nlc to locate the nearest participating pharmacy or call toll-free at 1.888.620.1749 for assistance with the program. “We’re pleased to have joined forces with Arlington to help their residents maintain their health in a cost-effective way,” said Marc Shapiro, National League of Cities Program Director. “By offering a health-focused program that provides significant cost savings and is easy to use, we are helping our member cities target an important need among their residents. We hope that the Prescription Discount Card program brings to residents welcome relief from the high cost of prescriptions.” CVS Caremark administers the NLC Prescription Discount Card program.About NLC
The National League of Cities (NLC) is the nation’s oldest and largest organization devoted to strengthening and promoting cities as centers of opportunity, leadership and governance. NLC is a resource and advocate for 19,000 cities, towns and villages, representing more than 218 million Americans. To learn more about NLC, go to http://www.nlc.org.http//www.arlingtontx.gov/news/2011/archive_1211_04.html

SWAPO 2011 news... map of Rush Creek proposed pad site by Chesapeake...

The map below shows the proposed Rush Creek Drill site in red for Chesapeake, the location is just South of IH-20 at S Bowen Rd and W Bardin Rd. on the West side of Bowen Rd.

SWAPO News...Notice of Public Hearing...

Chesapeake has filed a zoning request with the City of Arlington for the Rush Creek drill site located at the SW corner of Bowen and Bardin Roads.  The Planning and Zoning Commission will have a public hearing on Wednesday 12/7/11 on two zoning cases concerning the Rush Creek site.  The case numbers are:

ZA11-6 which is a zoning change from Planned Development (PD) to Office (O)
SUP11-9 which is the Specific Use Permit for gas drilling

Arlington City Council will take the recommendations of the P&Z Commission and have a public hearing on the two cases on Tuesday 1/3/2012.  If you have concerns over having a industrial site in your neighborhood, please attend both meetings and let the P&Z Commissioners and the City Council members know how you feel about the Rush Creek drill site.  The agenda for the P&Z meeting will be posted on the City web site on Friday afternoon.  Here's a link to the web site: http://www.arlingtontx.gov/planning/zoning_pz_cases.html

SWAPO Team