May 18, 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

National Run-A-Mile Day

Celebrate the mile and join us for a festive event that promotes running as an important aspect of health and well-being at Lively Pointe, 909 N. O’Connor Road. There will be vendor booths on site and games for the kids. Runners of all ages, but especially students in elementary and middle school, are encouraged to participate in this event which was founded and produced by the American Running Association. Participation is free, but registration is required. For more information, call (972) 721-8090, or register online at www.cityofirving.org/livelypointe/.

May 18, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

DCCCD Teaching Job Fair

Each of the seven colleges in the Dallas County Community College District will hold an adjunct faculty job fair to find qualified persons interested in teaching part time. Bring copies of your resume and transcripts to the college where you would like to interview. Individuals who want more information should call the college where they plan to apply.

May 18, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

Home Energy Saving Class

Are energy bills weighing you down? Home Energy Savings will teach you how to make more environmentally sustainable and socially responsible choices in your home. The class will discuss ways attendees can transform their homes to be more sustainable and energy efficient based on LEDD Platinum standards. The class is free of charge and registration is not required and will be held at Fire Station 3 Training room, 133 Parkway Blvd, Coppell, TX.

May 18, 5:00 p.m.

Special Needs Planning Workshop

Special needs families face many challenges such as financial planning and saving money. This course is designed to help families understand that the special needs planning process will provide personal, financial, and emotional security for a loved one, as well as peace of mind for the parents and family. $10 individual/$15 couple. Brent Woodall Foundation, 3021 Gateway Drive, Suite 295, Irving, TX, 75063. Register at woodallkids.com .

May 18

Wear Red Saturday

HP Byron Nelson Championship officials are asking patrons to "Be a Part of the Heart" at the 2013 tournament in support of the at-risk kids served by Salesmanship Club. For every patron who wears red, HP will donate $1 to Salesmanship Club Youth and Family Centers. The Club, which has two Dallas campuses, offers education and therapeutic programs to more than 7,000 kids and family members each year.

May 19, 2:30 p.m.

A River of Music

The New Philharmonic Orchestra of Irving concludes its 2013-13 season at the Irving Arts Center The performance includes two great works of mainstream classical music: Johannes Brahms’ Symphony No. 3 in F Major, and Bedrich Smetena’s “The Moldau.” The afternoon is also the occasion for the orchestra’s silent auction, its major fundraiser of the year. During the auction, audience members can bid on a variety of items, including tickets to concerts, theater, and museums.

May 19, 20, 22

Auditions for ICT MainStage’s Bells are Ringing

If you want to be part of ICT MainStage’s newest production, prepare 16 bars of a classic, up tempo Musical Theatre song, but be prepared to finish the song if asked, and come to the Irving Arts Center on May 19 or 20 to audition. To book an audition, call 972-594-6104. Please bring headshot/resume or updated photo and resume.

May 23, 7:00 p.m.

Creative Writing Circle

Heritage Senior Center hosts a Creative Writing Circle on the 1^st, 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays of the month. The group shares excerpts from their work and discusses ideas. Bring your writing and join them. For more information call 972 721-7313.

May 23, 7:00 p.m.

City Budget Hearing

Planning for the city’s 2013–14 fiscal year budget is under way. Residents have the opportunity to provide input on the budget during public hearings. Comments can be made to the City Council on any aspect of the budget including property tax rates, water and sewer rates and sanitation fees at City Hall, 825 W. Irving Blvd. The city’s budget year runs from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. The current year’s budget is available for review on the city’s website and a public input form is available under the “Public Input” tab at cityofirving.org.

Register Alarm Systems with City

Nationwide, 98.4 percent of the time when police are dispatched for an alarm call, it is false. The City of Irving is no different. A relatively low number of business and residential addresses generate the vast majority of repeat false alarm calls.

Cutthroat Kitchen

The Food Network is looking for executive chefs, sous chefs and private chefs with big personalities and who love winning as much as they love cooking! The show, hosted by Alton Brown, is a more strategic/mischievous version of Chopped and chefs have the opportunity to win up to $25,000. The time commitment is no more than two days in Los Angeles and shooting will begin in June. Interested? Email Lauren at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your contact information, picture and why you have what it takes to be on the show.

By Will Jukes

In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Saint Peter says “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” The passage is an instruction on witnessing, the Christian doctrine of sharing their faith and spreading the word of God. And historically, it has been accomplished through charity, uprightness, and evangelizing. Now, though, there are some that think the word of God may be best conveyed with a pile driver to the face.

“If they don’t know Jesus Christ as their personal savior, we want them to leave here tonight knowing him,” said Rob Vaughn, Founder and President of the Christian Wrestling Federation. The organization has been around for a while, working out of Rockwall to bring the gospel to North Texas in a novel way.

Click here for the whole story.

By Will Jukes

Main Street and nearby Irving Heritage Park were full of activity as people celebrated Spring Extravaganza on April 27. The day’s event featured a Main Street market, where local merchants and vendors were allowed to set up shop on the sidewalk, an Arbor Day celebration in Irving Heritage Park, and a live concert by Vocal Trash, an advocacy group that promotes recycling through music and dance.

The Arbor Day celebration educated citizens about the positive benefits trees bring to urban settings, as well as the proper care and maintenance of trees.

“This is actually our fourth year to be recognized as a Tree City USA recipient,” said Mike Griffith, parks superintendent and city arborist. “We want to celebrate trees, the value of trees, and we want to teach our citizens how to take care of them.”

Click here for the whole story.

By Phil Cerroni

Hackberry Creek Home Owner’s Association (HOA) connected neighborhood residents with more than 30 local businesses in a refreshing environment with a strong focus on community building at its annual Taste of Hackberry festival. Held on Bradford Pear Dr. April 27, the celebration boasted roughly 2,000 attendees, making it the largest event hosted by the HOA each year.

HOA board member, Joyce Schneider, stressed that beneath the fun, laid-back surface, Taste of Hackberry attempts to weld the neighborhood into a cohesive community.

“We have a very diverse neighborhood of various cultures,” Schneider said. “We have everything from young marrieds to senior citizens, so it’s just a good event to see each other [who] maybe don’t cross your path in your normal, everyday life.”

Click here for the whole story.