Artists, their families and art patrons alike attended an awards reception Oct. 14. Juror James R. Spurlock, an international award winning painter, sculptor, muralist and portrait artist attended and spoke about the artists and their exceptional artwork, which made his show selection a daunting task. Irving Animal Care Campus director, Fred Sanderson was on hand to talk about the work the Campus is doing in wild animal rescue.

The show had 162 entries from across 21 states. Seventy pieces were selected for the exhibit.

The IAA Wildlife show will be on exhibit until Oct. 26 at Jaycee Park Center for the Arts. Although at the same location, due to the 183 expansion, Jaycee Park Center for the Arts has a new entrance and a new address, 1975 Puritan Drive Irving, Texas 75061.

The Award Winners:

Best of Show Akiko Watanabe, CA Tiger Face

IAA President’s Award Carolyn Mock, OK Marmet Mountain Monarchs

Gamblin Award Sheridan Keglovits, TX Bucks

IACC Award Patsy Lindamood, TX Giraffe in a Box
Oil / Acrylic On Canvas

First Place Marti Millington, IL Attitude
Second Place Dana Feagin, OR Got Mice
Third Place Shari Hornish, TX Fishin’
Honorable Mention Marie Williams, TX Next in Line
Water Media

First Place John Cappadonna, TX Reddish Egret
Second Place Shirley Nichols, TX Phlaming Phlamingo
Third Place Sherry Daerr, TX Sleeping Duck
Honorable Mention Barbara Mason, TX Smiley

Drawing/Mixed Media

First Place Steve Miller, TX   Freedom’s Choice
Second Place Sandra Godfrey, TX Ahhh-qua Fur
Third Place Stephanie Grimes, SC Eye of Africa
Honorable Mention Beverly Fuqua, TX She NOSE My Hart
Photography/Sculpture

First Place Donna Miller, TX Leaving the Roost
Second Place Robert Kelly, CA ZZZZZ’s
Third Place Carolyn Weinman, TX Royalty
Honorable Mention Dotty Umphress, TX Hang Glider

Irving Art Association provides new exhibits each month as well as classes, programs and workshops for artists of all skill levels for Irving and the DFW metroplex.

Source: Irving Art Association

As most Americans set their clocks back one hour, the Coppell Fire Department wants homeowners to "change your clocks and change your batteries" on Sunday, November 4.

"Fresh batteries in smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors can help provide the extra seconds needed to save a life," Coppell Fire Chief Kevin Richardson said.
Eighty four percent of all civilian fire deaths occurred residential and building fires, according to the United States Fire Administration's 2009 statistics. Ninety-six percent of all homes have at least one smoke alarm. However, only three-quarters of all U.S. homes have at least one working smoke alarm, meaning that one-quarter of all U.S. homes do not have an operating smoke alarm.
Statistics also say that somewhere in the United States, a fatal home fire occurs every three hours.

"The peak time for home fire fatalities is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. when most families are asleep," Chief Richardson said. “Smoke alarm maintenance is a simple, effective way to reduce home fire deaths.”
In addition, Chief Richardson recommends residents not only use the "extra" hour they save from the time change to test smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors and to plan and practice escape routes, but also make sure fellow neighbors and community members do the same. Families should also prepare a fire safety kit that includes working flashlights and fresh batteries.
Homes should also have carbon monoxide detectors and the batteries should be changed during the same time. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, invisible gas. Low levels of carbon monoxide poisoning cause symptoms similar to those of the flu or a cold. Higher levels of poisoning lead to dizziness, mental confusion and severe headache among other issues.
Carbon monoxide detectors are designed to sound an alert before the exposure to carbon monoxide would present a hazard to a healthy adult. Experts recommend that every home should have at least one working carbon monoxide detector.
Now is also a good time to test your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector by following the manufacturers' instructions for testing. Smoke alarms can be 'cleaned' by vacuuming them monthly or utilizing compressed air following the manufacturer instructions. Smoke alarms should be replaced after ten years of service.

Source: City of Coppell

The Nimitz High School Academic Decathlon team recently competed in the Rockwall Practice Meet. The meet featured a competitive field of over 20 teams that included several former state champions from Texas, Arizona, and Mississippi.

Nimitz finished sixth in the meet and had several strong individual performances. The top scoring Nimitz student was Timothy Betts as he finished 8th out of more than 100 A students. But Nguyen was Nimitz’ top B student finishing 8th, and sophomore Rebecca Van Pammel finished 11th of all B students. Blaine Stevens was the highest ranking Nimitz student, as he placed 3rd out of nearly 90 C students. Alex Hernandez, Timothy Betts, and But Nguyen posted perfect scores on the Math test, while Timothy recorded a perfect score in Economics. Emily Petrosky and Matthew Jauregui also placed among the top twenty students in their GPA categories.

Source: Irving ISD

Advance Placement participation and performance continues to increase within Irving ISD through a strategically developed advanced placement action plan. The numbers are in and the results point in the right direction. Irving ISD witnessed a 9.4 percent increase in the amount of students participating in courses. There was also an 11.8 percent increase in the number of AP exams taken, a 17.6 percent increase in the number of AP exams with passing scores and a 14.4 percent increase in the number of AP Scholars.

Source: Irving ISD