Friday, March 25, 2011

Community Service Weekend Conceived and Coordinated by Tech Terrace Neighbor Melinda Corwin

Tech students put on honey-do fundraiser


Volunteers from the Texas Tech chapter of American Institute of Chemical Engineers will participate in a workday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 2 during which they will be available for one to six hours to plant flowers, pull weeds, wash cars, rake leaves, move large items to storage, clean out garages or rain gutters or complete other household chores in exchange for donations.

All proceeds from the workday will benefit the Stroke/Aphasia Recovery Program at the Health Sciences Center. Last year, chemical engineering students raised $4,000 for the therapy program.

http://student.ttuhsc.edu/aphasia/

Lubbock residents may send their name, address, telephone number, requested time, number of students needed (up to six), type of work needed and tools/equipment students should bring (such as gloves) to Melinda Corwin, TTUHSC Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, 3601 Fourth St., Suite 2A-300.

For more information, call 743-5660, ext. 223 or email melinda.corwin@ttuhsc.edu.

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Deadline for Magnet Application to Top Ranked Tech Terrace Schools Roscoe Wilson and JT Hutchinson Approaching



The deadline for making applications to one of LISD's magnet campuses is April 1, 2011.  For additional information, http://www.lubbockisd.org/, contact your school counselor or call 766-1022

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Neighborhood Association President Contact Information

Neighborhood residents can contact Tech Terrace/UNIT President Susan Tomlinson via email at stomlinson12@yahoo.com. She often cycles and walks the neighborhood and looks forward to visiting with neighbors.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Flatlands Dance Theatre Event


Flatlands Dance Theatre, which is run by several neighbors, submitted the following press release to UNIT News:

Flatlands Dance Theatre Presents Continuum: An Evening of Original Dance


April 1st and 2nd, 2011 at 7:00 pm

Firehouse Theatre - LHUCA
511 Avenue K Lubbock, TX

Flatlands Dance Theatre will captivate audiences with an evening of original dance works that feature innovation, diversity, and continuity. Local artists Valerie Hill and Sarah Mondle join the company as guest choreographers for this exciting production. Continuum will be presented in the Firehouse Theatre at the Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts on Friday, April 1st and Saturday, April 2nd, 2011 at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $15 general admission and $8 for students with ID, children, and seniors. Tickets can be purchased online at www.selectaseatlubbock.com or by calling Select-A-Seat at (806) 770-2000.

The Space Between - Choreographer Valerie Komkov Hill uses the passage of a single day to convey a sense of inner potential, growth, and exploration beyond one's perceived reality.

In Quiet Tribute - Choreographer Sarah Mondle presents a solemn look into grief and those lingering memories of loss in this contemporary quintet accompanied by music from composers Nick Cave and Warren Ellis.

Anchor/Armor – Choreographer Ali Duffy performs a solo that explores the notion of being seen and of choosing to either hide or expose oneself to a particular gaze. Self-protection and neutrality as social and political provocation are related themes in the piece. Deconstruction of the performance space and of the theatrical “fourth wall” have implications both in the way a performance is experienced and the way it is interpreted, and Duffy defies these traditional boundaries in the work.

Bound and Free – Choreographer Yvonne Racz Key creates a narrative duet about two women who are bound by religious persecution, but are free in their souls. The duet features the beautiful Ave Maria Guarani by Ennio Morricone

We Are All On Fire - Choreographer Genevieve Durham DeCesaro explores individual culpability in group tragedy, or perhaps group culpability in individual tragedy. The title and theme of the work are taken from the words “I’m burning, I’m burning” that were spoken by Neda Agha-Soltan after she was shot at the Iranian election protests in 2009. The work is not linear, in that it does not tell a cohesive story. Instead, viewers are encouraged to find in its movements and music moments of clinging and warmth juxtaposed with patterns of ignorance, abuse, and disregard as the given tragedy ceases to be anything more than a curiosity.

She Is... – Choreographer Kyla Olson explores the unique characteristics that make women so vital and enriching in her own life in a work for six dancers. The piece features the hauntingly beautiful compositions of Max Richter.

Runaway - Choreographer Genevieve Durham DeCesaro uses a quirky and intimate sound score as the background for a beguiling duet that weaves in and out of independence and partnership. Audiences will appreciate the abilities of the performers as they move through complex partnering and dynamic diversions ever in search of a pathway just out of reach.

Dominoe - Choreographer Yvonne Racz Key explores the music of Doug Smith and Lloyd Maines in a lighthearted solo that she created for dancer Laci Ratliff.

Shoo Be Doo Wop (Scat a Tat Tat) – Choreographer Ali Duffy explores a fusion of jazz, swing, and contemporary dance genres in a bright and bouncy work featuring seven dancers. A layered investigation of structure, variance and group form, the piece maintains high energy and focuses on the traditional performative elements of American vernacular jazz dance. Shoo Be Doo Wop is set to the music of Count Basie, Nat King Cole, and Billie Holiday.



Monday, March 14, 2011

GO GREEN WITH  COMPOSTING!!


Composting is the decomposition of plant remains and other once-living materials to make an earthy, dark, crumbly substance that is excellent for adding to houseplants or enriching garden soil.

It is the way to recycle your yard and kitchen wastes, and is a critical step in reducing the volume of garbage needlessly sent to landfills for disposal. Old time farmers refer to finished compost as “Black Gold”.

The necessities of composting are:

Air: To aid in the decomposition of your organic materials. Depending on the type of compost bin you are using you should either pitch fork your compost weekly or spin your compost tumbler.

Water: Your compost pile should be as moist as a ‘wrung out sponge’. If your pile is too dry, the microbes or composting rate will be slowed dramatically. If your pile is too wet, then your composting materials will become matted, thus lessoning the airflow = slow decomposition and bad smelling compost. If your compost bin is an open-air type, such as a screened in area and we are due for a significant, long period of rain, you may want to cover your compost pile with a tarp.

Food: “Browns” and “Greens”. These are the necessary ingredients in your success to composting. Just like baking a cake, flour and sugar or water are necessary, thus a ration that contains equal portions of both and is well mixed works best.

Definition of Foods:

Browns
Brown ingredients are dry and dead plant materials such as:
• Straw
• Dry, brown weeds
• Autumn leaves
• Wood Chips and Sawdust
• Cardboard & Newspaper, shredded
• Peanut Shells
.
Greens
Green ingredients are fresh (and are often green in color) such as:
• Green grass
• Green weeds, green leaves
• Kitchen fruit and vegetable scraps
• Coffee ground and tea bags
• Fresh horse manure
• Vegetable peels
• Eggshells

Items not suitable for composting are:

• Chemically-treated wood products
• Avoid diseased plants
• Human & Pet wastes
• Fatty foods and milk products
• Bones
• Morning glory/bind weeds, sheep sorrel and ivy.


Types of Composters
There are many options today for containing and processing your compost from home made bins using untreated lumber, recycled pallets, wire caged containers to commercial bins which are upright, tray form or compost tumblers.

STARTING A NEW COMPOST PILE?
Try adding any of the following to the pile:

Aged Manure
Cottonseed Meal
Alfalfa Meal
Blood Meal
Compost Starter or Compost Accelerator

WHEN IS YOUR COMPOST FINISHED COOKING?

There is no set time when a compost pile should be ready or done ‘cooking’. The process is heavily dependent on the organic matter you put in the bin/heap, the airflow, temperature of the bin and the aeration. Usually, if all these factors are prime, than your compost should be complete and ready to use within three to 12 months.

Finished compost is dark in color and has an earthy smell, like rich soil. Usually it’s hard to identify any of the original ingredients that you put in the bin other than fine bits of straw if you’ve used that.

Where to use your new compost?
Many will turn compost into their gardens prior to spring plantings giving the soil a rich organic matter content. In clay soils, compost helps to add tiny holes and passageways into the soil; making it drain more quickly thus not making it waterlogged and doesn’t dry out like a brick like substance.

On lawns, you can sprinkle it on as a top dressing to improve the soil for better grass growth.

It is also a great idea to add a small portion of compost to houseplants occasionally.

You can mulch with compost, but bear in mind that it will decompose further into your soil, thus if you’re mulching for aesthetic reasons, while it will look great in the beginning, as it decomposes it will not look as fresh as the day you originally spread it. This would also be considered “top dressing” your plants.

Composting is a cheap and easy way to create your own fantastic fertilizer and it's totally natural!

So instead of throwing out your food you can put it to good use. This will save some space in landfills. You also can save money not having to pay for fertilizer and save time by putting some of your grass clipping and leaves into your compost bin.

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Town Hall Meeting At Roscoe Wilson


Citizens headed to Roscoe Wilson Elementary on Fat Tuesday to attend a forum hosted by District 3 City Councilman Todd Klein.  City Staffers in attendance included:
  • City Manager Leigh Ann Dumbauld
  • Police Chief Roger Ellis
  • Fire Chief Mike Kemp
  • Assistant City Manager Quincy White
  • Chief Financial Officer Andy Burcham
  • Chief Operating Officer Marsha Reed
  • City Secretary Becky Garza
  • Former City Councilman T.J. Patterson
Neighborhood Cub Scouts from Pack 536 presented the colors at 7:30.  

Mr. Klein introduced everyone and shared some opening comments, COO Marsha Reed gave an update on Traffic Signal Upgrades and 34th Street.  She expects the 34th Street Project to go out to bid on time in January 2012.  She also commented on three new fire stations and other street improvement projects.  

Asst. City Manager Quincy White then discussed Animal Services.  Mr. White reported that the City averages around 1,545 calls per month.  He also reported a 20% reclaim rate for dogs vs. a 2% reclaim rate for cats.  Adoption rates run 11% for dogs and 8% for cats.

Councilman Klein added that Animal Services needs to be included in an overall Strategic Planning Initiative.  He also commented that Storm Water fees should be used for Storm Water run-off, not to fund other city operations.  

Citizens were then invited to the microphone to share their questions and concerns.

Roy Gomez asked about security at the new Homeless Tent City at Broadway and Ave A.  He also asked about why man-hole covers are in the tire lanes on 34th Street and expressed concern about motorcycle safety.  

The next citizen advocated the opening of two new libraries along with the relocation of Godeke.  She also expressed frustration at the lack of Irish Travel Guides at Mahon Library.  She also said the City needs a good "Indoor Swimming Hole."  The unidentified speaker then commented that 19th and University is a dangerous intersection.  She ended with a comment that "the mayor hates parks, swimming pools and libraries."

The next speaker was UNIT resident Cliff Ashby who inquired about the status of the proposed traffic circle at 23rd and Flint.  Mr. Klein replied that the neighborhood had opposed that project.   Mr. Ashby also asked about sidewalks and code enforcement.  Mr. Klein said Code Enforcement does not have the resources (people) to be proactive and remain incident oriented.  He urged citizens to call Code Enforcement to report issues.  

Lee Bryant from the Heart of Lubbock area reported that LISD was considered closing Ave T at Lubbock High to expand the cafeteria.  She also stated that cuts in state library funding would decimate research databases.  

Tech Terrace resident Darrell Vines took the microphone to express his delight with the new microsurfacing on the streets of the neighborhood.

Maurice Stanley of Jerry's Barber Shop shared a new logo for 34th Street:  34th Street- Historic Gateway to the Future.  Mr. Stanley asked Chief Ellis about the status of the Police Dept reaching its goal of 2 officers per 1000 citizens.  Chief Ellis replied that the department needed 460 officers to meet that goal and they were 77 short at this time.  

Val Corley, neighbor of Mr. Stanley, asked why LP and L continues to advertise when they are the only electric provider in Lubbock?  He also asked if the 311 System reduced the number of folks answering phones.  City Manager Leigh Ann Dumbauld answered that the 311 system reduced the need for backup department receptionists and was working better than expected.  

Mary Vines then urged the City to increase funding to improve quality of life in the City.  She also asked about the new council districts.  John Grace, a City attorney working on redistricting,  reported that the census numbers are back and that the new districts will be drawn soon.  

The meeting ended at approximately 8:45.

Becky Garza, Quincy White, Todd Klein and Roger Ellis
City Manager Leigh Ann Dumbauld
UNIT Neighborhood Association President Susan Tomlinson expresses her enthusiasm for the 34th Street Project.  

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Text Suspicious Behavior to the Police!

You can now text crime tips to the Lubbock Police Department:

When sending a tip to the Lubbock Police Department via SMS Text message please remember the following:

You will need to text your tip to 274637 or (CRIMES on a dial pad).
For every NEW tip you text to 274637, you must always include the keyword "LBKTIPS" at the beginning of your text message, followed by a space.
After entering in the keyword and space you can then enter your tip.
Provide Location Information
Crime Detail/Description
Number of Persons involved, etc.
SAMPLE MESSAGES:
FROM: 8067753000
TO: 274637
MESSAGE:
LBKTIPS There are 3 kids on the corner of Main & Ave. Q that are painting graffiti on all of the buildings. They appear to be in their early teens.


FROM: 8067753000
TO: 274637
MESSAGE:
LBKTIPS In my neighborhood, I spotted the arson suspect from the recent park fires. I saw the person in a white older model pick-up. Location: 200 Block of Texas Avenue.
When finished composing your tip, please press the "SEND" button.
Once your tip is submitted, you will receive an automatic response with a confirmation containing a unique Tip Alias.
To submit follow-up information on a specific tip, please simply reply to the automatic response(s) previously received.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Town Hall Meeting in Neighborhood



District Three City Council Member Todd Klein will host a public forum on March 8th for residents to discuss the budget, strategic planning and stormwater fees.

Residents could also discuss 34th Street road construction, Klein said.

The meeting will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Roscoe Wilson Elementary Library, at 2807 25th St.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Lubbock United Neighborhood Newsletter for February 2011

The February 2011 Newsletter for the Lubbock United Neighborhood Association is availble below.  It contains some timely news items and good ideas.  Thanks to Mary Vines for sharing it with UNIT News.

February - 2011