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April 2011 City of Victoria, Texas |
 | | Elizabeth Gilbert (left), author of the nationally-acclaimed book Eat, Pray, Love, is pictured with Victoria Public Library Director Dayna Williams-Capone at the Victoria Reads event on March 30 at the Leo J. Welder Center for the Performing Arts. Gilbert participated in a candid Q&A discussion about her life, her book, her travels and the things that inspire her. Gilbert signed copies of her books following the discussion. Later that afternoon, Gilbert was the featured speaker at the Lyceum Speaker Series at Victoria College. (Photo contributed by Felecia Vela) |
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| Summer Parks & Rec Jobs Available | |
 Summer is fast approaching and the Victoria Parks & Recreation Department is gearing up to open the City Municipal Swimming Pool. Applications are being accepted for temporary employment as a lifeguard, pool manager, pool cashier and part-time recreation worker.Lifeguards provide safety and order to the swimming pool area, and perform CPR, first aid and other lifesaving techniques when necessary. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older. American Red Cross Lifeguard certification, American Red Cross First Aid and CPR certification is required. Rate of pay is $7.50 per hour. The Pool Cashier receives and processes payments for pool admission, provides customer service and maintains a clean, orderly work area. Applicants must be 16 years of age or older. At least six months experience in customer service and cash handling is preferred. Applicants must have a credit report that meets City guidelines. Rate of pay is $7.25 per hour. Recreation workers provide assistance for recreation, athletic and special events. This position also assists with a variety of camp activities as part of the City's Recreational Program. The position is subject to varied hours and call-out work. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age or 16 years of age if employed in the Summer Youth Program. Applicants must have a credit report that meets City guidelines and a valid Texas Driver's license with a driving record that meets City guidelines. Rate of pay is $7.25 per hour. |
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Composting Spring Fling Event is April 9 | |
The City of Victoria Environmental Services Department invites you to attend a Composting Spring Fling event to promote and learn about composting from 8 am to 2 pm on Saturday, April 9 at the Garden-Ville Composting Facility, located next to the Landfill at 18125 FM 1686 in Victoria County. The road to the facility is only accessible from Highway 185. The event is free and open to the public.
There will be a "meet and greet" with the Victoria County Master Gardeners and published author/special guest Malcolm Beck. There will also be giveaways, in addition to information about the benefits of composting, gardening and organics.
The Garden-Ville Composting Facility opened in spring 2008. The facility converts yard waste such as trees, trimmings, leaves, grass, clippings and brush into compost, which is valuable for gardening and landscaping.
In Victoria, it is estimated that 40% of trash during the spring and fall is comprised of yard waste. Yard waste makes up approximately 15% of municipal solid waste in America, contributing millions of tons of waste to landfills annually. Composting offers the Victoria community a natural method to reduce the amount of yard waste placed in the landfill and to recycle yard waste into organic, enviornmentally-friendly nutrients for gardens and flower beds.
For more information, please call 361-485-3230 or check out the Composting Spring Fling public service announcement by visiting http://www.vtv15.org |
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New Victoria Fire Chief Selected |
Taner Drake has been selected as the City of Victoria's new Fire Chief. Drake, who is currently serving as Assistant Fire Chief of Emergency Medical Services in Odessa, Texas, will assume the new position in mid-May. Drake was selected from more than 40 candidates that applied for the position. "Chief Drake has the leadership skills, experience and educational background that we were searching for in a new fire chief," said Victoria City Manager Charmelle Garrett. Drake has 18 years experience in the Odessa Fire Department, having served as a Firefighter, Firefighter/Paramedic, Captain, Central Captain, Operations Assistant Chief and currently as Assistant Chief over EMS. He has a Master's Degree from Sul Ross University and a Bachelor's degree from Western Illinois University. Drake is a 2009 graduate of the Executive Fire Officers Program at the National Fire Academy. In addition, he has Master Fire Fighter and Fire Instructor II certifications issued from the Texas Commission on Fire Protection, and is a Licensed Texas Paramedic. |
| April Library Programs |
CHILDREN
Toddler Story Time - Wednesdays, 9:30 and 10:30 am
Stories, repetitive songs, simple crafts, and finger plays to encourage early language development for ages two to three.
Pre-K Story Time - Thursdays, 10:30 am
Stories, music, games and simple crafts for ages four and five.
Family Craft - April 12, 4 to 6 pm
Confetti Eggs: Celebrate Easter at the Library by making confetti eggs. Registration is required.
Read and See - April 14, 4 to 5 pm
Visit different countries during Read & See. This month we will visit England with traditional English folktales, play an English game and watch Charlie and Lola. Program is for children in Kindergarten and older.
Lego Club - April 19, 4 to 5:30 pm
Bring your wild imagination, build with Legos, meet other Lego enthusiasts and win a prize for fabulous Lego designs. Families of all ages welcome.
Signing Time - April 26, 4 to 5:30 pm
Learn sign language with games and activities. This month will focus on coversation.
TEENS
Teen Gaming Guild - April 11, 4 to 5 pm
Hang out with teens to play strategic board games on the Wii and Xbox 360. Program open to teens in 6th - 12th grade.
Duct Tape Wallets - April 18, 4 to 5:30 pm
Celebrate National Recycling Month by making long-lasting wallets made out of duct tape. For teens in 6th - 12th grade.
Teen Advisory Group Meeting - April 21, 6 to 7 pm
The Teen Advisory Group gives local teens a voice in the collections and services for teens at VPL.
ADULTS
Friends of the Library Annual Meeting - April 10, 2 pm
The Friends of the Victoria Public Library will be hosting New York Times best-selling author, Susan Wittig Albert, who will be the guest speaker during this annual meeting. She is the author of An Extraordinary Year of Ordinary Days, recently released by the University of Texas Press. A book signing will follow the meeting where Albert's books will be available for sale. The community is invited and encouraged to attend.
Lunchtime Learning - April 19, 11 am to 1 pm
A monthly educational program to learn about genealogy research held in the Bronte Room of the Victoria Public Library. This month will focus on Works Progress Administration books and resources. A light lunch of soup and fruit will be served. Registration is requested.
Friday Genealogy - Held every Friday from 9 - 11 am, this two-part program informs and assists genealogy researchers. The first hour discusses genealogy resources and topics. This portion of the program is held in the Bronte Room and accomodates 40 participants. The second hour is held in the Computer Lab and is available to the first 10 registered participants with the opportunity to research online resources. Upcoming Programs include:
April 8- Footnote.com
April 15- Research Resources in New York
April 29- War of 1812 Genealogy
COMPUTER CLASSES
9 am - 9 pm Monday, Tuesday & Thursday
9 am - 5:30 pm Wednesday
9 am - 5 pm Friday, Saturday
Closed Sunday
Library programs are at 302 N. Main, Victoria, Tx 77901, unless another location is indicated. Call (361) 485-3302 or visit the library website, www.victoriapubliclibrary.org for more details and to register for programs as indicated.
VPL has three book drop locations:
- In the Victoria Mall parking lot at 7800 N. Navarro near Red Lobster
- In the Victoria City-County Health Clinic parking lot at 2805 N. Navarro
- Next to the Victoria Public Library on Main Street
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Fire Department Wants Your Feedback | |
The Victoria Fire Department is seeking feedback on how they are serving the public and there are several ways to let them know. Most "customers" receive a customer survey from the EMS or Fire Department when they respond to 9-1-1 calls. This customer survey is also available online for anyone who has contact with EMS, the fire marshal's office or the life safety division. The survey can be accessed by visiting
www.VictoriaFire-EMS.com
This type of feedback is used for the department's quality assurance program and its strategic planning process. Your feedback is appreciated. For assistance or questions about the survey, please call the Fire Department at 485-3450. |
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Kids Can Showcase Their Pitch, Hit & Run Skills |  |
Boys and girls ages 7-14 are invited to take part in the Aquafina Pitch, Hit & Run Competition on April 30, 2011. This free competition, hosted by the Victoria Parks and Recreation Department, will be held from 8 to 9 am at Riverside Stadium, located at 405 Memorial Drive in Riverside Park.
The competition offers youth an opportunity to compete in batting, fielding/throwing and base-running abilities.
Age classifications are: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14 year-olds determined as of July 17 of the competition year.
Boys and girls will compete together and a copy of each participant's birth certificate is required upon registration.
Please note that no cleats (metal or rubber) are allowed.
For more information, please contact the City of Victoria Parks and Recreation Department at 485-3200 or visit www.playvictoriatexas.com. |
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City Employees Showcase Talents in On My Own Time Contest | |
City of Victoria employees recently showcased their artistic talents by taking part in the annual On My Own Time art show hosted by the Cultural Council of Victoria. Twenty five entries were received. Winners of the show include:
BEST OF SHOW
Nancy Anders (Police Dept.) - "Tumbling Blocks"
Black & White Photography
1st Place: Wendi Duvall (Police Dept.) - "50 Years of Love"
Color Photography
1st Place: Keith Denison (Library) - "Red Barn"
2nd Place: Wendi Duvall (Police Dept.) - "Summer Fun"
Honorable Mention: Michael Leet (Police Dept.) - "Water Days"
Honorable Mention: Felecia Vela (Library) - "Dead Pretty"
Digitally Enhanced Photography
1st Place: Felecia Vela (Library) - "Conflict Ugly"
2nd Place: Kedre Parson (Police Dept.) - "Green-Eyed Monster"
Honorable Mention: Keith Denison (Library) - "Horses"
Mixed Media
1st Place: Felecia Vela (Library) - "Battle Beauty"
Drawings/Graphics
1st Place: Chris Canales (Police Dept.) - "The Real McCoy"
2nd Place: Chris Canales (Police Dept.) - "Football - The Gospel According to Priest"
Textiles
1st Place: Nancy Anders (Police Dept.) - "Tumbling Blocks"
2nd Place: Gayle Beck (HR) - "Stars"
Crafts
1st Place: John Kaminksi (Development Services) - "Stained Glass Shellfish"
Jewelry
1st Place: Marchelle Schlenker (GIS Dept.) - "Dragonflies"
2nd Place: Lila Foster (Development Services) - "5 Layer Amazonite Adventure"
Honorable Mention: Lila Foster (Development Services) - "Statement in Turquoise"
Wooden Art
1st Place: Ray Moreno (Engineering) - "Wooden Bowl"
Sculpture
1st Place: Trudie Sandberg (Community Center) - "Nature in Clandestine"
PEOPLE's CHOICE AWARD: Gayle Beck (HR) - "Stars"
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Reserve the City Pool or Parks for Your Summer Parties | |
Reservations are now being accepted for summer pool parties at the Gary T. Moses Municipal Swimming Pool. The pool officially opens for the summer season on June 4, 2011.
The pool can be reserved for parties from 7 to 10 pm on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays during pool season. The cost to reserve the pool is $200 for 100 people. The Victoria Parks & Recreation Department will provide lifeguards for the duration of the party.
The pool premises must be cleaned by the Leasee at the end of the event. At 9:30 pm, the host of the party will be asked to begin the cleanup process. All patrons must be out of the pool by 10 pm.
For more information, please contact the Parks & Recreation staff at 485-3200 or visit www.victoriatx.org/parks/pool.asp
Eleven city parks throughout Victoria can be reserved for special events. For pricing and availability, visit www.victoriatx.org/parks/parksdivision.asp
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InTouch Victoria is published by the City of Victoria Communications Office. If you have comments or suggestions please contact us at 361-485-3110 or pio@victoriatx.org.
City of Victoria
Communications Department
700 Main Center, Suite 105
Victoria, TX 77901
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