🌱 Irving Tightens Water Usage + Should You Rent Or Buy In DFW?

Hello neighbors. Great to have you here again. This is Merlin Douglass, your regular guest curator. Let’s look at what’s going on today in Irving.

First, today's weather:

It’s been a rough couple of days weatherwise. Windy today. High: 71 Low: 47

Here are the top five stories in Irving today:

1. Water use restrictions are in force for Irving from April 1 through October 31. Watering is banned every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and watering is entirely banned for Monday, Thursday and Friday. Of the remaining days, Sunday and Wednesday are reserved for odd numbered addresses while Tuesday and Saturday are available for even numbered addresses. The city urges residents not to water more than twice a week. They have additional recommendations and suggestions to conserve water on their website. (Irving Weekly)
2. Speaking of gardening, Irving residents can pick up free mulch at the city’s solid waste services. Mulch can cut down the evaporation of water that plants need and helps keep down weeds. Mulch is available at the Hunter Ferrell Landfill from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. (Dallas Morning News; subscription required)
3. Bluebonnets are back! Though they are late this year and not as robust as in some years past, Texas’ favorite wildflowers are starting to pop up. In Irving they can be found along either side of SH 183 near the airport, on northbound SH 161 and there are even more around the Northgate Drive and Walnut Hill exits. A popular spot for family photos is in a small field on a hill at 114 at Solana Boulevard in the Trophy Club/Westlake area. (Culture Map)
4. The City of Irving recognized the efforts of Steve Allen for spearheading the Irving inclement weather shelter. The shelter provided bed space for 179 individuals during the coldest months of the year. Allen is the pastor of Christ Church Irving, and he pulled together 20 non-profits and ten faith-based agencies to create the warm, safe space. He was helped by 200 volunteers. (Irving Weekly)
5. Housing is in the news. Housing prices are sky high and interest rates are climbing but rents are also rising. How can you tell if you would be better off financially as a homeowner or a renter? Realtor.com has just issued a report that says landlords they interviewed said rents have risen almost 25% in the DFW area in one year, and vacancies are in short supply. While this is a personal decision, this report says it’s still cheaper to rent than to buy in North Texas and the key factor is how long you plan to live there. (WFAA)

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Today in Irving:

• The Valley Ranch Library is holding Preschool Storytime today from 10:30 a.m to 11:00 a.m. The program is for 3 to 5 year olds and their grown ups. Story time consists of stories, puppet shows, songs and crafts.
• Women in Business is holding a networking event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The gathering will take place at the La Cima Club, 5215 N. O’Connor Road. This is a monthly event for local business women to connect and share with other women and provide young women with mentors in their area.
• The Irving Arts Center is presenting the ViVA Trio, a Canadian female vocal group at Carpenter Hall at 7:30 p.m. The group is known for its gorgeous voices, fabulous ball gowns and a wry sense of humor. The trio will perform pop songs, operatic numbers and original material. Tickets range from $27.50 to $42.50.

From my notebook:

• If you're new to Irving, you might be curious about the neighborhoods. The Irving Chamber has prepared information about five of the great neighborhoods in the Irving city limits. Learn more about the Las Colinas, Ranch Valley, Hosp8ital, Heritage and Northgate Heights neighborhoods.
• The Irving League of Women Voters is holding a series of candidate forums April 13 and 14 for the May 7 general election. Early voting will begin April 25. Get personalized voting information here. Get more information about the forums by calling the League at 972-737-7274.

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Thanks for joining me this morning. Hope your day is brilliant. Ash will be back here tomorrow morning to take a look at all the important stories that you need to know.

— Merlin Douglass