Garbage Pickup Resumes

Due to the winter storm, there was no garbage or recycling pickup on Monday, Feb. 23 or Tuesday, Feb. 24. Pickup resumed on Wednesday, Feb. 25. If your regular pickup day for garbage or recycling was on Monday or Tuesday this week, please set it out on your next regularly scheduled pickup day.

Blood Drive Feb. 27

Save a life! Come out to the GP/YMCA Blood Drive on Friday, Feb. 27, noon-6 p.m. conducted by the American Red Cross. The need for blood is constant during the winter months. In the DFW area alone, more than 1,000 donors are needed just to maintain the local blood supply. Donating blood is quick, easy and healthy to do, and this simple act of giving blood could save a life! Get Fit Grand Prairie's Blood Drive will be at the YMCA, 4556 S. Carrier Pkwy., Grand Prairie, TX 75052. For questions, call 972-237-8037 or email: ehorton@gptx.org

Skywarn School March 14

Learn to become a storm spotter.

Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Grand Prairie Public Safety Building (2nd floor)
1525 Arkansas Lane

The effects of severe weather are felt every year by many Americans. To obtain critical weather information, NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) established Skywarn with partner organizations. Skywarn is a volunteer program with nearly 290,000 trained severe weather spotters. These volunteers help keep their local communities safe by providing timely and accurate reports of severe weather to the National Weather Service.

Anyone interested in learning more about how to identify the potential for severe weather, or interested in becoming a storm spotter, will want to attend this FREE event hosted by the City of Grand Prairie and presented by the National Weather Service. Training topics include:

Basics of thunderstorm development
Fundamentals of storm structure
Identifying potential severe weather features
Information to report
How to report information
Basic severe weather safety

For more information, email Anthony Guthrie.

Rain Barrel Making Class March 21

Learn how to make a rain barrel and recycle water for your landscape Saturday, March 21, 10 a.m.-noon, at the "Make it and Take it Rainwater Barrel Class," Grand Prairie Public Works Training Center, 317 N. Belt Line Road. Pre-registration is required and space is limited. The cost of the class and materials is $40 for Grand Prairie residents and $55 for non-residents. To register, call 972-237-8377 or email Sylvia Salazar.

Spring Gardening Classes

Enjoy free spring gardening classes at the Grand Prairie Memorial Library, 901 Conover Dr. All classes are 6:30-8 p.m. For more information, call 972-237-5700 or visit gptx.org/library.

Thursday, Feb. 26 - Native & Adaptive Plants - Fit native/adaptive plants into the landscape design developed in the last class.
Thursday, March 12 - Colors are Crayons in the Landscape - Use color in the landscape and make your landscape "pop." Be the envy of your neighbors.
Thursday, March 19 - Containing the Garden - Contain your garden to increase area and productivity. Even an old boot can be a planter!
Thursday, March 26 - Organics 101 - GO GREEN by using these tried and true methods to rid your yard of unwanted creatures.

Heaven in a Wildflower

Photographer and writer Don Smarto will present two free photography seminars at the Grand Prairie Libraries.

On Saturday, March 7, he will speak at the Warmack Branch Library, 760 Bardin Rd., at 2 p.m.
On Tuesday, March 10, he will speak at the Grand Prairie Main Library, 901 Conover Dr., at 6 p.m.

Don's seminars are an interesting behind-the-scenes look at the stories behind the photographs in his latest book, Heaven in a Wildflower. Don will project and discuss some of the more than 500 color photos from his book, which were taken over a 40 year period. The settings of his beautiful photographs range from Texas to Tuscon, and Seattle to San Francisco. Australia, Africa, and Italy are also revealed.

More info.

Shotwell Life Center Class-A-Thon

Come to the Shotwell Life Center, 2750 Graham St., on Wednesday, March 11, 6:30-9 p.m. to check out classes and programs. Enjoy a free evening of family fun with free adult fitness trials in yoga, boxing, cardio and abs and boot camp. For info. call 972-237-7529.

Tangle Ridge and Prairie Lakes Golf Courses Offer Winter Specials

Winter golf specials are available at Tangle Ridge Golf Course, 818 Tangle Ridge Dr., and Prairie Lakes Golf Course, 3202 SE 14th St. More info.

Citizen Police Academy

Class begins March 19 - The Grand Prairie Police Department Citizen Police Academy (CPA) is an educational program designed to familiarize the public with the nature of police work. Participants are encouraged to share this realistic view of the Police Department with other citizens. The goal is to improve the efficiency of law enforcement in neighborhoods through open lines of communication, shared responsibilities and resources.

The CPA program is a series of 13 class sessions held on Thursday evenings and three Saturday sessions: March 19-May 21, 2015. There is no cost to attend the CPA. Residents who live or work in Grand Prairie are invited to apply. Participants must possess a valid Texas driver's license, agree to a criminal background check, be 21 years old or older, and not convicted of a felony.

For an application or more information: call Emil Balliet, Volunteer Coordinator, at 972-237-8998 or email: eballiet@gptx.org Class size is limited, so apply early.

City Events at the Click of a Button

Don't miss a great Grand Prairie happening! Visit the City of Grand Prairie's online calendar to view all current and upcoming events.

Neighborhood Info. at Your Fingertips

Grand Prairie's new My Neighborhood web tool allows you to find out information about your neighborhood including your City Council district, City Council representative, school district, voter precinct, county, garbage and recycling days, water days, brush pickup days, nearest library and nearest park. Go to gptx.org/MyNeighborhood

Pipeline Monthly Newsletter

The Pipeline water bill newsletter mails out monthly to residents who receive paper water bills. The newsletter is filled with city news and events. To view the Pipeline water bill newsletter online go to: gptx.org/pipeline

February/March Calendar

Kids Fishing Day

Saturday, Feb. 28

1-4 p.m., Mike Lewis Park Lagoon
2410 N. Carrier Parkway
For children ages 16 and younger
A limited number of rods and reels will be available.
972-237-8100

World Sword Swallower's Day

Saturday, Feb. 28

Show starts at 1:30 p.m.
Official swallow at 2:28 p.m.

Ripley's Believe it or Not! and Palace of Wax
601 E. Palace Parkway

Performance is free, admission fee required for touring the museum

972-263-2391 or ripleys.com/grandprairie

Free Tax Help

Monday, March 2

11 a.m.-3 p.m., Main Library,
901 Conover Dr.

Volunteers from AARP provide free tax assistance to low-income and elderly residents.
Bring last year's tax return as well as 1099's and W-2's.

972-237-5700 or gptx.org/library

Read Across America - Celebrate Dr. Seuss

Monday, March 2

Main Library, 901 Conover Dr.

11 a.m. - Dr. Seuss storytime followed by a movie

4-6 p.m. - movie and craft

972-237-5700

Warmack Library, 760 Bardin Rd.
4-6 p.m. - Dr. Seuss movie
972-237-5770

Shotwell Library, 2750 Graham St.
4 p.m. - Dr. Seuss storytime
6:30 p.m. - movie and craft

972-237-7540

gptx.org/library

Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting

Monday, March 2

7 p.m., City Hall, 317 W. College St.

972-237-8255

City Council Meeting

Tuesday, March 3

6:30 p.m., City Hall, 317 College St.
972-237-8035

Free Tax Help

Wednesday, March 4

11 a.m.-3 p.m., Main Library,
901 Conover Dr.

Volunteers from AARP provide free tax assistance to low-income and elderly residents.
Bring last year's tax return as well as 1099's and W-2's.

972-237-5700 or gptx.org/library

State of the City

Thursday, March 5

6:30 p.m. , Ruthe Jackson Center

3113 S. Carrier Parkway
Mayor Ron Jensen will speak about Grand Prairie's progress and plans for the future. Tickets are $50 per person. To purchase tickets and register click here.

Blues at the Uptown

Friday, March 6

11:30 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Uptown Theater, 120 E. Main St.
Starring the son of McKinley "Muddy Waters" Morganfield

972-237-8786 or uptowntheatergp.com

Household Hazardous Waste Collection

Saturday, March 7

9-11 a.m., Grand Prairie Development Center, 206 W. Church St.

Registration required at 972-237-8055 or gptx.org/WQ/HHW

The Grascals

Saturday, March 7

8 p.m., Uptown Theater

120 E. Main St.
972-237-8786 or uptowntheatergp.com