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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Santa Around Town continues through December 18
While his elves are back at the North Pole making sure his sleigh is ready for the big night, Santa Claus is touring the streets of University Park on a UPFD fire engine.
Santa began his journey through portions of our community last night and will continue to ride around UP each night through Friday, December 18, spreading holiday cheer. The fun begins at 6 p.m. and ends each night about 8 p.m.*
* Dates/times subject to emergency calls
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Santa Tracker
If you want to wave at Santa as he rides by, consult the color-coded City map below. Better yet, click the green button to find a link you can use to track Santa’s progress as he travels through your neighborhood!
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As the weather gets cooler, in addition to using your fireplace, it's possible you will also plug in a space heater or two! While portable heaters can bring warmth and comfort to particular areas of the home, you certainly don't want to create a fire hazard when you use them. Please remember that it is never a good idea to plug your portable heater into a power strip.
The Texas Department of Insurance has produced this short video with more space heater safety tips.
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Holiday collection schedule |
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Christmas tree recycling
Don’t forget to recycle your Christmas tree. The Sanitation Division will pick up discarded trees on scheduled collection days from front curbsides. Before setting your tree out for collection, remove the tree’s stand and all ornaments, lights, tinsel and plastic. If you live south of Lovers Lane collection is free if the tree is at the curb by January 11. For residents who live north of Lovers Lane, curb collection is free through January 12. After those dates, the collection fee is $26.81. If you place your tree at curbside and do not remove the tree stand, lights or ornaments, your next monthly water bill will show a $26.81 charge. For more information, call the Sanitation Division at 214-987-5451, or dial 311.
Would you like to receive an email reminder to set your tree out? Click on the bar below. Then, type in your home address and ask for a reminder.
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He's making a list, and checking it twice... let Santa know if you were naughty or nice!
From the North Pole, Santa will send your reply... Faster than Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer can fly! Our Letters to Santa program runs through December 20. Submit a letter request on the form below and you will receive a personalized, electronic letter from Santa!
Click here for a flyer with more information.
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Holiday Package Thefts
Package thefts occur year-round, but they are more common during the holiday season with the constant delivery of online gifts, especially as more people are shopping online to maintain social distancing. 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. UPPD appreciates all those who continue to quickly report suspicious activity.
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Holiday Donations for Genesis Women's Shelter |
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Each year during the holidays, UPPD hosts a toy drive benefitting the Genesis Women's Shelter. Like many things this year, Genesis is taking extra precautions and doing things a little bit different. Instead of a toy drive, they are asking for gift card donations.
Here is some more information from Genesis -
While the past year has been uncertain for everyone, it has proven to be particularly difficult for women and children trapped in abusive homes. We plan on reminding each and every client that she is valued and loved this holiday season, but we need your help! To keep staff, clients and volunteers safe, we have limited our Holiday Program to gift cards, and more than half of our families still need to be adopted. Some of our donors have asked us how can a gift card really make a difference?
Gift cards allow our clients the autonomy to shop for their own children in the way that they best see fit. They know their children better than anyone, so having a gift card empowers our clients to have control over the presents that their children most want and need.
To make sure our clients know that they are valued, all moms and single women will also receive a gift card for themselves. They may choose to shop for household or self-care items, fill their cars with gas so they can attend counseling sessions, purchase groceries, or whatever best suits their own unique situations.
If you would like to make a donation or adopt a family, click the button below.
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It's time to get your 2021 Resident Parking District stickers |
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All 2020 Resident Parking District permits will expire on December 31.
The process to obtain parking stickers and hangtags is now handled electronically. All you have to do is contact Dawn Kossmann at 214-987-5355 or dkossmann@uptexas.org and your 2021 stickers will be mailed to you!
If you need temporary parking permits, dial 214-363-3000. Temporary permits are delivered 24/7.
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Holidays @ UP Public Library
The Virtual Christmas Magic Show is the last of three virtual holiday-themed events at the library. Enjoyable for all ages, the fun begins at 3 p.m. For more information call the library at 214-363-9095.
December 19 – Virtual Christmas Magic Show
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Santa Around Town Virtual Story Times
Tune in to the UP Public Library Facebook page at 5:30 p.m. for a virtual Christmas story time before Santa leaves for his trip each night of Santa Around Town! Here are the stories that will be read on each of the remaining nights -
Tuesday, December 15 - "How Santa Got His Job"
Wednesday, December 16 - "Santa Duck"
Thursday, December 17 - "The Little Reindeer"
Friday, December 18 - "Olive, the Other Reindeer"
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FRIENDS OF THE UP PUBLIC LIBRARY |
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Happy Holidays from the Friends of UP Public Library |
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Michael Gerstle - Friends President
The Friends of the University Park Public Library thank you for making 2020 another successful year! In mid-September, the Friends opened Second Chapter Bookstore, a pop-up, volunteer-driven, used bookstore located at 6827 Snider Plaza (across from CVS). Since the Store opened, we have received more than 10,000 gently used books and made nearly $8,000 selling some of them, with the proceeds benefiting the University Park Public Library. Due to the generosity of our landlord, Bob Teeter, the foresight of University Park’s Mayor, Tommy Stewart, and the tireless efforts of many Members of the Friends and volunteers who have generously donated their time and capital, Second Chapter Bookstore will remain open through January 31, 2021, operating Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please visit the Store while it is still popped up! For more information about the Store, volunteering opportunities, and donating books, please visit the Friends website at https://uplibraryfriends.org/books.
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In September, the Friends also began offering virtual programming in cooperation with the SMU Meadows School for the Performing Arts, the SMU Center for Presidential History, the Meadows Museum, the Dallas Architectural Forum, the Van Cliburn Foundation, and others. A calendar of events as well as community content is accessible though the Friends’ website at https://uplibraryfriends.org/calendar and https://uplibraryfriends.org/community-events.
Lastly, our holiday giving campaign allows you to honor a friend, colleague, teacher or family member by making a donation of as little as $25 to the Friends. More information about the campaign, including payment options, is available at https://uplibraryfriends.org/holiday-gift.
We wish each of you a happy, healthy and safe 2021, and hope you continue to support the Friends in the coming year. Cheers!
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Upcoming City Meetings & Events |
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STAY CONNECTED TO THE CITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA |
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