D 1997 NEWCOMERS’GUIDE

ACCORDING TO RECENTLY RELEASED POPULA-tion statistics, the Dallas-Fort Worth area- made up of the two big cities and all suburbs, towns and villages between-is now home to 2 million people. In the past five years, almost half a million souls have moved to the area: most into Dallas County, followed by Tarrant and Collin counties. Single- and multi-family housing construction is going great guns, especially in Piano, Carrollton and Arlington-proof that growth will continue.

THE BASICS: ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Most numbers below are for services in Dallas and Dallas County: we’ve included other counties as applicable. Recently, the 972 area code has joined the 214 and 817 area codes so check before you dial.



How Do I Get My Texas Driver’s License?

To get around this city, you have to have a car. And that means a trip to the always-convenient, ever-friendly Department of Public Safety. To obtain a Texas driver’s license, which is legally required within 30 days of residency, an out-of-state newcomer must (l)be 18 or older, (2) apply for a license at one of the many DPS testing stations, (3) produce a certified copy of his or her birth certificate or a valid out-of-state driver’s license. (4) pass a written examination, (5) pass a driving skill test if the out-of-state license has expired, (6) take a vision test and (7) show proof of liability insurance. Sixteen- and 17-year-olds may be licensed only if they have completed a certified driver-education program, are enrolled in school and have attended at least 80 days of the previous school semester. For DPS hours and locations, call 214-861 -2000. Call if you’re a parent who wants to teach driver’s ed.



Where Do I Get My Vehicle Registered?

Out-of-state vehicles may be registered for Texas license plates at substations of your county tax assessor’s office, which are located throughout North Texas. To get a Texas tag, you must ( 1 ) have your vehicle’s serial number verified as part of a safety inspection at a service station or a car dealership. (2) surrender your out-of-state title, (3) apply for registration within 30 days of moving here, (4) show proof of liability insurance and (5) pay a $ 15 new residenl\s fee, plus a $13 title fee and the cost of your license plates (based on the model year for cars and gross weight for trucks), which must be displayed on the front and rear of your car. For more information, call 214-653-7621 in Dallas County, 817-884-1100 in Tarrant County, and 972-424-1460 ext 5014 in Collin County.



Where Do I Get My Car Inspected?

All vehicles registered in Texas must be inspected for safety every 12 months. The fee for an inspection slicker, which is applied to the lower left-hand comer of the windshield and shows the number of the month and year in which it expires, is $23.50 in Dallas and Tarrant counties and $10.50 in Collin and Denton counties. To meet federal clean air requirements, cars 2 to 24 years old in Dallas and Tarrant counties must also undergo an emissions inspection, which accounts for the additional cost.

The price may also vary depending on the model and year of your car and on any repairs necessary to bring the vehicle up to safety standards. Inspections can be done at various service stations, dealerships, and garages where the state’s “Vehicle Inspection Station” sign is posted. For more information, call 214861-2400.

How Can I Register to Vote?

You must (1) be an American citizen, (2) be 18 years of age, (3) have a permanent residential address within the count)’ where you are registering and (4) not have been convicted of a felony or found mentally incompetent by a court of law. If you meet the requirements, you need to fill out a registration form and return it at least 30 days before an election to the Election Department, Records Building, 509 Main St., Dallas 75202. If you are registering in another county, call the Elections Department office in that county for the address. Voter registration cards can be obtained at branches of the tax office, post office. library or any federal office. Also, when you get your new driver’s license, they will ask you if you want to register to vote; with your signature, they can take care of it automatically. For more information in Dallas County, call 214-653-7871.



Can Homeowners Claim a Tax Exemption?

You bet. Every homeowner living within an independent school district in Texas has the right to claim on school taxes an exemption of $5.000 per year of the total assessed value of his or her house. Optional homestead exemptions may be offered by individual city or county governments, too. To qualify, you must have title to the property on Jan. 1 of the tax year and reside in the house. An affidavit claiming the homestead exemption must be hied with your local appraisal district office: Dallas Central Appraisal District, 214-631 -0910; Tarrant Appraisal District, 817-284-0024; Central Appraisal District of Collin County, 972-390-7990.

How Will I Find My Way Around?

It’s not just a map of Dallas-Fort Worth area streets; it’s a bible for North Texans new and old. MAPSCO is published in book form and updated and reissued each November in Fort Worth, Dallas and Mid-Cities editions. MAPSCO is sold at its shops, office supply companies, bookstores and selected grocery and drugstores. Suggested retail price: $29.95 plus tax. Call 214-521-2131 for more information.



Where Is My Local Post Office?

For ZIP code information, call 972-647-2996 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. For general information on postal service, call 214-741-5508 between 3 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Maps denoting ZIP codes are also included in the MAP-SCO books.



What About Public Transportation?

DART, or Dallas Area Rapid Transit, runs the public transportation in Dallas and many of its suburbs. Buses go to and from downtown (premium service, $2) and around downtown (local service, $1 ). DART’s new light-rail service currently runs from downtown Dallas to points in South and West Oak Cliff and as far north as Legacy Park in Piano. For information and schedules, call 214-979-1111.

Bus service in Fort Worth is operated by The T. Bus rides around downtown are free, and the fare on other routes around the city is 80 cents. For information and schedules, call 817-871-6200.



How Do I Recycle?

In Dallas: The city of Dal las publishes a book listing the locations of drop-off centers by ZIP code and what types of materials are taken. It also tells you where to take household hazardous waste, like paints, turpentine and poisons (8004 Chancellor Row; call 214-631-1660 for an appointment), and where to take grass clippings, which are not collected on regular routes. To get this book, call 214-670-4475.

Meanwhile, curbside recycling mandates putting aluminum, steel and plastic in a city-approved blue bag and putting newspapers in a brown paper bag.

In Fort Worth: Recycling is a curbside service. While there are no compost drop-off sites (mulching and composting are encouraged), city-provided compost is available free to residents. Information: 817-871-5171.

In Arlington: A curbside program is in place; new residents receive details when they sign up for water service. Residents can also use drop-off centers throughout the city. There is a ban on putting grass clippings in the regular garbage but the city does collect other yard waste, such as bundled tree limbs and leaves. In April, the city holds a household hazardous waste collection. Information: 817-459-6771.

In Piano: The city-which received the 1996 award for best community-wide recycling program from the Recycling Coalition of Texas and the $125,000 Keep Texas Beautiful Award-collects a variety of materials curbside and new residents receive details with their new refuse cans or in their utility bill. Yard clippings are also collected curbside once a week, but must be in special bags sold at all fire stations and the city warehouse, 4100 W. Piano Pkwy., where residents can also pick up free compost and mulch. Household hazardous waste is picked up curbside with a one-day notice. Information: 972-964-4150.

For all other communities, contact the sanitation department of your city to get details on the local program.



How Do I Get Further Information?

With a subscription to D Magazine, in-depth coverage of the people, events and news in the Dallas-Fort Worth area conies right to your mailbox monthly. For a subscription, call 1-800-732-9673.

Newcomer packets in Dallas containing general information on such topics as housing and education, including a map of Dallas and surrounding areas, can be obtained by calling 214-746-6704 or by writing the Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, Attn.: Research and Information, 1201 Elm St., Ste. 2000. Dallas 75270. Packets are S16; checks and credit cards are accepted.

Fort Worth offers newcomers a relocation packet containing a map of Fort Worth and a four-color magazine, Guide to the Fort Worth Area. The publication includes the history of the city as well as information on economy and business, transportation, housing, education, health care, shopping, arts and culture, sports and recreation, amenities and attractions, and facts of interest. Send $5 to the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, 777 Taylor St., Ste. 900, Fort Worth 76102-4997. Information: 817-336-2491 ext 222.

An Arlington newcomers’ packet is free. To get one by mail, call 817-275-26)3 or write the Arlington Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 1486, 76004-1486.



REFERRAL SERVICES

Information and Referral Service. Cal 1214-747-3711; sponsored by the United Way, this service specializes in health, counseling, welfare, financial aid and recreation services. Also, there’s the Information and Referral Center of Piano. 972-422-1850.

Newcomers’ Club of Greater Dallas. 972458-2395. Kay Russell, president. Social club with luncheons, coffees for new members, bridge, cooking groups, area tours and a theater group. Membership fee is $18 a year; includes newsletter and yearbook.

Dallas County Medical Society. 214-948-3622. Callers are given the names of doctors in their area. The society can also provide the credentials (training, certifications and age) of member doctors, Tell the operator you are seeking a referral.

Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council. 972-719~ 4900. This agency will advise you of the hospital nearest you and the various services area hospitals offer.

Dallas County Dental Society. 972-24-SMILE.Afree dental referral service available 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Monday-Friday.

Lawyer Referral Service. 2l4-979-9090. Sponsored by the Dallas Bar Association, this service can arrange an appointment for $20 for a 30-minute consultation with an attorney.

Can Someone Give Me a List of Numbers Might Need?

Emergency: Police, Fire. Ambulance: 911

Dallas City Council offices: 214-670-4050

Dallas City Manager’s office: 214-670-3302

Dallas Mayor’s office: 214-670-4054

Consumer Protection Action Center: 214-744-3600

Better Business Bureau: 214-220-2000

Dallas Municipal Court Info. Center: 214-747-3800

State Highway Department 214-320-6100

Texas Department of Public Safety: 214-861-2000

Dallas Housing Department: 214-670-5397

Dallas Partis Department: 214-670-4100

County Clerk: 214-653-7131

Tax Assessor-Collector: 214-653-7811

Street and Sanitation Department 214-747-2600

Dallas Water Department: 214-651-1441

Water Department-Emergencies: 214-744-5005

TU Electric: 214-812-4600

Lone Star Gas Company: 214-741-3750

Time and Temperature: 214-844-(any four numbers)

National Weather Service: 214-787-1111 (D/FW) or 787-1701 (national)

Dallas Chamber of Commerce: 214-746-6600

Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce: 817-336-8791

HIGHWAYS AND BYWAYS: Cracking the Code of Dallas’ Roads



A true Dallasite is an individual who knows all the numbers and corresponding names of every freeway, expressway and farm-to-market (FM) road in the Dallas area. Unfortunately, there are only three or four of these true Dallasites, and you may not meet one anytime soon, so let us help:



1-30…East R.L. Thornton Freeway

Old Dallas/Fort Worth Turnpike

I-35E…Stemmons Freeway

South R.L. Thornton Freeway

1-45…Julius Schepps Freeway

1-635…LBJ (Lyndon B. Johnson) Freeway

J. Elmer Weaver Freeway (Cedar Hid) Marvin D. Love Freeway East R.L. Thornton Freeway

U.S. Hwy. 67…1-30 (Garland. Mesquite, Rockwall)

U.S. Hwy. 75…North Central Expressway

S.M.Wright Freeway

Federal Drive/State Drive (Allen)

1-45 (Hutchins. Wilmer)

U.S. Hwy. 77…1-35E

U.5. Hwy. 80…East R.L. Thornton Freeway

1-20 (Mesquite, Sunnyvale)

U.S. Hwy. 175…CF. Hawn Freeway

Loop 12…Buckner Boulevard

Led better Drive Northwest Highway Walton Walker Boulevard

Spur 366…Woodall Rodgers Freeway

Spur 408 Walton Walker Boulevard

State Hwy. 114…John W. Carpenter Freeway

State Hwy. 121…Fort Worth-McKinney Road

(Coppell, Grapevine)

State Hwy. 183…Airport Freeway

State Hwy. 190…President George Bush Highway