Welcome to UPdate. This mid-month publication provides residents with timely information about upcoming City projects, programs and events. You can sign up for things too.
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Virtual Snider Plaza Holiday Tree Lighting - November 22 - 4 to 6 p.m.
The Snider Plaza Tree Lighting will look a little different this year, but have no fear, the tree will still be here! In the interest of public health, due to the approaching Thanksgiving holiday, and continued limitations on the size of public gatherings due to COVID-19, this year's annual Holiday Tree Lighting festivities in Snider Plaza will take place virtually.
We hope you and your family members will watch our virtual broadcast, and that you will take a few minutes to drive through Snider Plaza with a new toy or two to benefit the Salvation Army before we light the tree.
Event particulars:
- Drive-through toy donation 4 to 6 p.m.
- Wave at the UPFD fire engine with Santa onboard
- Taped performance featuring holiday songs and other seasonal entertainment
- Virtual broadcast begins at 5 p.m.
- Lighting of the Holiday Tree at 6 p.m. following Mayor Stewart's countdown
Sponsors: Rotary Club of Park Cities, Salvation Army and the University Park Park and Recreation Department
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Mayor's helper to light the Holiday Tree in Snider Plaza |
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As we continue to balance efforts aimed at staying safe with accomplishing daily tasks surrounding family life, our children and grandchildren keep us focused, grounded and hopeful. To acknowledge and celebrate their adaptability and perseverance throughout this tough year, the City is looking for a resident, 16 years old or younger, to assist Mayor Stewart in lighting the holiday tree.
Nominee Requirements
Much like our Citizen of the Year award that annually recognizes a University Park resident who works behind the scenes to better our community’s quality of life, the City is looking for a young resident who has helped support classmates, teammates, friends, church members or family members during 2020. The resident we select must be available to attend the Snider Plaza tree lighting activities in person from 5 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 22.
Nominations will be accepted through tomorrow (November 16), and the City will announce the young resident who has been selected on Tuesday, November 17.
- Nominees must be 16 years old or younger
- Nominees must be residents of University Park
- Please do not nominate sisters and brothers from the same family (one child per family)
If you would like to nominate someone, please fill out a nomination form by clicking here.
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Virtual Elena's Children's Park Tree Lighting - December 1 - 6:30 p.m.
For many years, residents from across the Park Cities have gathered at Elena’s Children’s Park to remember children who are no longer with us. The gathering features short remarks, holiday carols and the lighting of a holiday tree.
This year, Elena's Children's Park Tree Lighting will be viewed virtually. We will have more details on City social media in upcoming days.
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Santa Around Town begins December 14
While his elves are back at the North Pole making sure his sleigh is ready for the big night, Santa Claus will tour the streets of University Park on a UPFD fire engine.
Starting Monday, December 14 and continuing each night through Friday, December 18, Santa will ride through a different section of University Park spreading holiday cheer. The fun begins each night at 6 p.m. and ends around 8 p.m.
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Santa Fire Engine Tracker
If you want to wave at Santa as he rides by, consult this color-coded City map below. Better yet, during his five-day visit, go to the City’s website homepage and click on the Santa Around Town details. There you will find a link to track Santa’s nightly progress through the neighborhoods. We will post details about Santa Around Town on the City's website after the Thanksgiving holiday.
* Dates/times subject to emergency calls
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Fireplace safety tips
With cooler temperatures just around the corner, now is the perfect time to make sure that your wood-burning fireplace is ready for use this fall and winter. That preparation begins with having your chimney inspected and cleaned by a licensed professional.
Here are additional fireplace safety tips from UPFD:
- Install a chimney cap to keep debris and animals out of your chimney
- Burn only dry, well-seasoned wood, ideally logs that have been seasoned for six months to a year
- Make sure your damper is open before you light the fire
- Always use a fireplace screen or glass doors to keep burning embers inside the fireplace
- Never burn trash or plastics in your fireplace
- Never start your fire with gasoline or other flammable liquids
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Centennial Master Plan Virtual Town Hall - Nov. 16/Nov. 22 |
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As we’ve previously mentioned, our Centennial Master Plan is in the early stages of development. This summer, residents helped provide guidance on long-term community concerns through an online survey. Beginning tomorrow, as the data-gathering phase continues, you will have the opportunity to participate in a Virtual Town Hall!
Monday, November 16 the Virtual Town Hall will launch and remain available for one week, giving you the flexibility to participate at your convenience. Through this platform, we are excited to share what we’ve learned so far and explore topics even more with integrated, interactive exercises.
The online format will provide a safe, self-paced experience while maintaining the collaborative nature of this engagement. An alternative option will be provided for those without online access. To access the Town Hall or learn more about the Centennial Master Plan, go to uptexas.org.
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Holiday Package Thefts
Package thefts occur year round, but they are more common during the holiday season with the constant ordering of online gifts. Here are some tips to prevent package thefts and to keep your orders safe:
- Use smart package lockers (such as Amazon locker) or convenience stores like the UPS store
- Have packages delivered to your workplace or office
- Install security cameras
- Require signature on delivery
- Require a vacation package hold if you are out of town
- Sign up for tracking alerts so you can arrange to be home when the package is scheduled to be delivered
This holiday season, please remember to lock your vehicles and place your valuables in the trunk. It's a good idea to also keep all household doors locked, even when home. Of course, UPPD appreciates all those who continue to quickly report suspicious activity.
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Instantly borrow free digital movies, music albums, eBooks, comic books, eAudiobooks and more, 24/7, with your library card - up to 6 items per month! Choose from thousands of Hollywood blockbusters, best-selling authors and music artists, and from an extensive catalog of educational materials, children's titles, foreign films, and hard-to-find content. All items are always available. Simply download the app or visit hoopladigital.com to get started.
Step 1: Sign up with your email and create a password.
Step 2: Choose University Park Public Library.
Step 3: Enter your 14-digit library card and PIN (last 4 numbers of your card) and click Sign Me Up.
Step 4: Browse the collections and borrow up to 6 titles a month. Books are available for 21 days, videos for 72 hours, and music titles for seven days.
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Virtual Holidays at UP Public Library
The University Park Public Library in the Plaza at Preston Center will be offering virtual Christmas programs Saturdays in December for holiday entertainment for all ages. All programs begin at 3 p.m. For more information call the library at 214-363-9095.
Dec. 5 – Virtual Christmas Craft Party
Dec. 12 – Virtual Story Time with Mrs. Claus
Dec. 19 – Virtual Christmas Magic Show
Sponsors: Christine McKenny and Allie Beth Allman and Associates
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Curbside Service is still available! |
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Curbside service is still available to all library card holders! Just place your items on hold as you normally would by either using our online catalog, calling the library at 214-363-9095, or using the library’s app. When your items are ready, a library staff member will call you. Please wait for the phone call before coming to the library for your items. A text from the library may not mean that your items are ready for pick up. When you pull to the curb in front of the library’s entrance, call us at 214-363-9095 to let us know that you are here! |
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Holiday Sanitation Schedule |
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Waste Wizard - Can I recycle that? |
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Where do I dispose of unwanted electronics? Can I recycle a greasy pizza box? Where do I take old paint cans? If residents have questions, the Waste Wizard has answers! Use this valuable feature to find out what bin it goes in! To access Waste Wizard, visit the Sanitation/Recycling page on the City’s website. The Waste Wizard widget is located in the middle of the page. Type the waste item in the search bar and Waste Wizard will explain where to properly dispose of it.
Click here to access Waste Wizard.
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If you have brush, leaves or grass clippings that need to be disposed of, please place the waste in a proper biodegradable paper yard waste bag (shown above). After the Sanitation Department picks it up, the yard waste is sent to a compost facility that cannot process materials such as plastic. Proper yard waste bags may be purchased at home improvement stores, including Lowe's, Home Depot, or Target, and they can also be found on Amazon.
Also, a reminder that residents may place up to eight yard waste bags in the alley. Anything more than that must be placed on the parkway for pickup.
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Follow us on social media for holiday information
The holiday season is rapidly approaching! For quick and simple access to updates on various City holiday happenings, including the virtual holiday tree lighting event in Snider Plaza and Santa Around Town, holiday office hours, and holiday sanitation schedules follow us on our various social media accounts! UP City Hall is on Facebook, Nextdoor, Instagram and Twitter. Click the buttons below to access and follow each account.
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Upcoming City Meetings & Events |
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STAY CONNECTED TO THE CITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
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