City of Allen E-News

March 20, 2015

Don't be alarmed by our siren test! The Allen Fire Department will perform an audible test of outdoor sirens on Saturday, April 4. The test will take place at noon. If the forecast calls for thunderstorms, the test will be postponed.

Allen operates fourteen outdoor warning sirens that sound during severe weather events, including large hailstorms, heavy winds and tornado warnings. Though the sirens are placed strategically throughout the city, they are designed to warn people who are outdoors. People who are inside may not hear them, as air conditioning, thunder, wind, rain and other conditions can drown out the sound. The City of Allen highly recommends each home and business have other means to receive warnings and notifications, including internet, radio, television or a NOAA weather radio.

Support the Allen Animal Shelter at "Pirouettes for Pets"

This dance is for the dogs...literally! The Allen Civic Ballet will perform "Pirouettes for Pets" on Sunday to raise awareness about animal adoption and responsible pet ownership. The concert will feature classical and contemporary selections, culminating in "Stupid Ballerina Tricks," with a winner being selected by the audience.

The performance will take place in the Allen Public Library Civic Auditorium at 3 p.m. Admission is free, but donations to the Allen Animal Shelter are welcome. Interested in adopting a pet? Check out the shelter's website, Facebook page, and Petfinder page for details.

Final Tips from "Fix a Leak Week"

We've reached the end of another Fix a Leak Week! Water leaks can take a toll on the environment and your budget; in fact, the average family wastes 10,000 gallons of water every year! Instead of flushing more money down the drain, take a few minutes to examine your water use with these helpful tips:

* Examine your winter water usage. If your winter use exceeds 12,000 gallons per month for a family of four, you likely have a serious leak.

* Check your water meter before and after a two-hour period when no water is used. If the meter readings are not identical, you probably have a leak.
* Hire a licensed irrigation specialist to inspect your irrigation system to ensure it was not damaged by frost. Even a tiny leak, with an opening no bigger than a toothpick, can waste thousands of gallons of water per month.

Residents can find instructions on how to find (and fix!) leaky shower heads, toilets and faucets by visiting the EPA's Watersense website.

City of Allen Community Calendar Highlights

March 20

Celtic Festival

March 28

Recycling Fundraiser for

Allen Eagle Escadrille

March 28

Eggcellent Family Adventure

Does your community organization have an event open to the general public you want us to know about? Simply fill out the form at CityOfAllen.org/SubmitCalendarItem to see about getting it added to our Community Calendar.