1. Dead limbs.
2. Branches that are crossing or rubbing on other, more desirable branches.
3. Branches that are growing into the side of the house or into the roof.
4. Low branches that interfere with mowing and other activities beneath the tree.  There is a current tendency to cut all the limbs off mature trees except for those in the upper one third of the canopy.  This is a bad practice for any tree.  While live oaks are tough enough to usually survive this treatment, although in a weakened state, many other trees will eventually die after being pruned too severely.

1. Go out about six inches from where the limb connects with the trunk and make a cut from underneath that goes about one third way through the limb.
2. Go about three inches further out and saw the limb all the way off.
3. The stub that is left will have a collar around it where it connects with the trunk.  Cut the stub off flush with the outside of that collar and the wound will heal quickly and properly.  Do not cut the stub on the inside of the collar flush with the trunk or you will leave a slow healing wound that will invite infection.  Paint the wound if it's an oak tree. 

Hazardous Chemicals or Waste

Environmental Collection Center, 6400 Bridge St., 76112

817-871-5257,

Hours; Thurs. & Fri.11:00 am – 7 p.m., Sat., 9:00 a.m. – 3:00p.m.

Items they accept;

Acid, aerosol cans, anti-freeze, batteries (all kinds incl. car batteries), brake fluid, cleansers, cooking oil, craft & hobby chemicals, degreaser, drain cleaner, fertilizer, flammable liquid, fluorescent lights (incl. compact fluorescent lights “CFL’s), gasoline, herbicides, household cleansers, mercury thermometers, motor oil, oil filters, paint & stain, paint thinner, pest strips & pesticides, pharmaceuticals/old medicines, photo chemicals, pool chemicals, solvents, transmission fluid and varnish.

What’s NOT Accepted?
Ammunition, asbestos, building materials, butane cylinders, electronics, explosives, medical waste, PCBs, propane cylinders, radioactive material, smoke detectors, tires and TVs.

They have a “FREE” shelf. Help yourself to household products in good condition, cleaners, paints and automotive products OR, for a schedule of area collection dates, times and locations for the                                                                       

 CRUD CRUISER   call 817-392-6268

•  If a product is still usable, give it to someone who can use it instead of bringing it for disposal.
•  Bring a recent water bill as proof of residency. If you live in a participating city that requires a voucher, bring a voucher from them as well.
•  Bring liquid paint sorted by type (i.e. latex, oil-based, and lead-based).
•  Keep chemicals in their original containers; place broken or leaking containers in a second container of like material (i.e. glass for corrosives, metal for flammables).
•  If a container has no label and its contents are known, please place a label on the container clearly stating the contents.
•  Do not transport chemicals in the passenger compartment of your vehicle. Put them in the trunk.

Garbage Collection   817-392-3279 Garbage and Recycling

• Yard Trimmings (grass, leaves, prunings, etc.)
• Household hazardous wastes including explosives, paints, solvents, pesticides and household chemical products (take to ECC)
• Pesticide containers unless they are empty and have been triple rinsed before being placed for collection (these are not  recyclable in the blue cart)
• Used oil and oil filters (take to ECC)
• Paint (take to ECC)
• Fluorescent lights (take to ECC)
• Lead-acid batteries (take to ECC)
• Automobile parts
• Tires (you may take up to four used tires to a Drop-off Station)
• Dead Animals weighing five pounds or more
• Liquids (anything mixed with liquids and all containers of liquids must be drained before being placed for collection)
• Hot ashes or charcoal (let them cool first!)

What to put in your recycling cart

Paper
Paper clips and staples are OK.

• Advertising circulars
• Carbonless paper
• Cardboard –  corrugated cardboard. Large boxes must be broken down or cut to fit inside the cart.
• Catalogs
• Envelopes – with or without windows
• Junk mail
• Magazines
• Newspapers – all sections
• Office paper – file folders, letterhead, sticky notes, printer paper, calendars, school papers
• Paperback books
• Paperboard – cereal boxes (liners removed), soda and beer carry cartons, dry goods packaging, paper towel and toilet paper cores.
• Paper bags
• Phone books
• Shredded paper (place in paper grocery bag & roll shut to prevent litter)

Metal Containers
Please rinse. Labels can be left on.

• Aluminum drink cans – do not flatten
• Aluminum baking tins – durable type, not disposable
• Steel or tin food cans and lids
• Empty aerosol cans – with spray nozzle; remove plastic lid unless part of the can
• Empty steel paint cans – a thin skin of dry paint on bottom and sides is OK; remove lid and recycle

Glass Containers
Please rinse. Labels can be left on. All colors accepted.

• Bottles and jars – remove metal and plastic lids and recycle
• Ceramics
• China
• Dishes
• Mirrors – must fit inside cart with lid closed
• Windowpanes – no auto glass

Plastic Containers
Please rinse. All colors accepted. Containers must be hard plastic.

• Bottles, cups and jars – rigid plastic containers with #1 through #7 recycling symbols on bottom of container; remove caps and lids and recycle
• Food trays, tubs and bowls – with #1 through #7 recycling symbols on bottom of container
• Plastic eating utensils

The city’s Comprehensive Plan which charts the course for Fort Worth’s future, has been updated for 2009 and is ready for review at City Hall, all city libraries and community centers. Or visit

www.fortworthgov.org/planninganddevelopment

I found the information to be very interesting and informative and important to our neighborhood. (Note, on most of the maps, our area is referred to as “far southwest”.) For more information about the plan or to schedule a meeting in your area, call the Fort Worth Planning and Development Department at

817-392-8000

Monitor Crime in your neighborhood

Pinpoint crime across the region with Star-Telegrams interactive map.  Just enter an address to find police reports from your neighborhood.

(This is a great website! -Theresa-)

www.dallasfortworthcrime.com

Want more crime news? See www.star-telegram.com/blogs

Sex Offenders Database   www.txdps.state.tx.us

On the left side of page under “Top 10 DPS Links”, click on “Crime Records”

Then click “Sex Offender Search” then you can choose to search by several options. I use zip code, it will pull up a page with names and addresses, you can click on the name and you get all information on the offender along with a photograph.  

Helpful numbers and/or websites;

Code Enforcement 817-392-1234

Who Represents Me?   Go to www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us

Submitted by SCHA Member Mary Runyon;

The City of Fort Worth has a newly appointed  Water Conservation Specialist, James Burgdorf  He will conduct a free inspection of your sprinkler system in regard to water conservation and of course saving you money.  Contact him for an appointment at 817-392-8531  or 817-350-9032.
The inspection took two hours for my yard.  If you help him read the water levels in the catch cups, it will save him time.  Afterward, he puts all the data into his computer for the analysis process.   A few days later he returns for a 15 minute appontment to suggest changes.  My second appt. will be this Friday.  Spread the word to your neighbors!