InTouch - December 2015                               City of Victoria, Texas

 
Victoria Proclaimed as a Purple Heart City

At a recent Council meeting, the Victoria City Council proclaimed and recognized the City as a "Purple Heart City in the State of Texas". On hand to accept the proclamation were members of the Chapter #3077 of The Military of the Purple Heart, including (front row from left to right) Walter Garley, Jr., Guadalupe Guajardo, Rene Reyes and Martin Garcia. Mayor Paul Polasek is pictured on the far right. On the back row, from left to right, is Victoria City Councilman Andrew Young, Art Ramirez, Ray Neilsson and Sam Phillips.
Applications Being Accepted for
Citizens Academy Class #10
 
Ever wonder why the police department has a SWAT team, how your water is kept clean and safe for drinking, or how the Engineering Department determines which roads will be improved or built each year?  We'll tell you, during the City's Citizens Academy!
 
The annual Citizens Academy is a 9-week series of classes designed to teach citizens about how their local government works for them. The 2016 academy will be held each consecutive Thursday from January 7 to March 3, 2016.

The Citizens Academy explains the services offered through your city municipality, how its governing process works, and how citizens can participate in that process. 
     
During the weekly sessions held from 6 to 8:15 pm each Thursday, participants learn about the responsibilities of City departments and the services they provide to the community. Presentations and facility tours give participants a better understanding of the
role local government plays in the quality of life that Victorians enjoy.

Most Citizens Academy sessions will be held in Room 205 at 700 Main Center. Other sessions will be held at city facilities including the Victoria Public Library, the Surface Water Treatment Plant, Police Dept., Emergency Operations Center and the Fire Training Facility. Participants will also have an opportunity to attend a City Council meeting.

The academy is free to Victoria residents 21 years and older. We accept up to 20 citizens for the academy - but the class fills up fast so apply soon - deadline to apply is Dec. 31, 2015. Any residents interested in learning about city operations are invited to apply online at www.victoriatx.org, click on the Communications link and then the Citizens Academy link. You can also call 361-485-3110 today for more information.
Holiday Schedule for Garbage Collection
 
Christmas
If your normal garbage collection falls on December 25, 2015, then your garbage will be collected on Saturday, December 26, 2015.

Yard waste will NOT be collected from December 26, 2015 through December 31, 2015.

Additional garbage will be collected from December 26, 2015 through December 31, 2015 on your assigned day.

Additional garbage must be packaged in garbage bags or trash cans no larger than 45 gallons (no barrels).

Live Christmas trees will be collected as yard waste beginning on January 4, 2016. Please be sure there are no decorations or metal tree stands and that the trees are not flocked (covered with fake snow) as these can not be processed into compost.

New Year's Day
If your normal collection day falls on January 1, 2016, then your garbage will be collected on January 2, 2016.

Library Programs 

All programs are held at the Victoria Public Library, 302 N. Main in Victoria, TX, unless another location is listed. For more information, call 361-485-3302 or visit www.victoriapubliclibrary.org
 
CHILDREN and TEENS
Baby Time - Every Tuesday at 10 am
Baby Time is for the enjoyment of babies up to the age of 2. Lap play, songs, flannel boards and interactive reading to engage caregivers and babies.

Toddler Story Time - Wednesdays at 9:30 am and 10:30 am, and Thursdays at 9:30 am
Stories, repetitive songs, simple crafts and finger plays to encourage early language development for 2-3 year olds. 
 
Story Time - Thursdays at 10:30 am 
Stories, music, games and simple crafts for ages 4 to 5.   
  
Lego Play with Lego Wedo Robotic Kits - Dec. 8, 4:30-5:30 pm
Bring your imagination to the Library! Build with Legos and meet other Lego enthusiasts. We will have Legos for the younger children and Lego Wedo robotics kits for the older children. Families of all ages welcome.
 
Gingerbread House Workshops - Dec. 10, from 4-7 pm and Dec. 12, from 10 am-3 pm
It's that time again to make your very own gingerbread house. Everything is provided, just come to the Victoria Public Library with your creative ideas  to make the best house possible!

ADULTS 
Brown Bag Book Group - Dec. 2, noon-1 pm
The Brown Bag Book Group meets every first Wednesday of the month in the Bronte Room. Light Refreshments and relaxed atmosphere provided. 
 
COMPUTER CLASSES
We offer three kinds of technology programs on an ongoing basis: Tech Basics, Tech Labs and Tech Extras. Classes range from beginner to advanced courses and are taught at Workforce Solutions of the Golden Crescent Computer Lab and the Victoria Public Library. Visit the Events Calendar at www.victoriapubliclibrary.org for more information.
 
Tech Labs - Every Wednesday at the Library from 9-11 am. These labs include:
 
Tech Lab: Skills Practice for learning how to set up an email account, how to download an eBook from the Library's free eBook collection, or how to use one of the Library's computer skills tutorials. No registration required.
 
Tech Lab: Online Job Application Help for filling out online job applications. Bring the information for your job application to this open lab. No registration required.
  
Tech Extras are programs on new and popular technology programs. They vary month to month, so be sure to check our newsletter, website and facebook page for upcoming programs. 
  
LIBRARY HOURS
9 am-8 pm                 Monday through Thursday
9 am-5:30 pm            Friday
9 am-5 pm                 Saturday
                                  Closed Sunday
Holiday Events & Activities    
Christmas on the Square
The annual Christmas on the Square event will held  Friday, Dec. 4 at DeLeon Plaza. There will be free activities for children from 6 to 9 pm, including train rides provided by the Texas Zoo and activities provided by the Children's Discovery Museum.  "Jack Frost" will be shown from 7-8 pm. For more information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 485-3200.

Lighted Christmas Parade 
The Lighted Christmas Parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 5 in downtown Victoria. The parade starts at 6 pm. Parade entries will travel along Main and Bridge Streets. For more information, call 485-3200.

Gingerbread House Workshops
Due to its popularity, the Victoria Public Library will host two Gingerbread House Workshops this year. The workshops will be held from 4-7 pm on Thursday, Dec. 10 and from 10 am-2 pm on Saturday, Dec. 12. All ages are welcome at this free come and go event. All supplies will be provided.   

Upcoming Meetings
City Council
Victoria City Council meets on the first and third Tuesdays of the month beginning at 5 pm in the Council Chambers, located at City Hall in downtown Victoria, 108 W. Juan Linn. The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 15.

Planning Commission
The Planning Commission meets on the third Thursday of the month at 5:15 pm in the Council Chambers. The next meeting is scheduled for Dec. 17.

Parks Commission
The Parks Commission meets on the second Monday of the month at 5:30 pm in the Council Chambers. The next scheduled meeting is Dec. 14. 

Fire Station #6 Opens

The Victoria Fire Department recently held a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Fire Station #6, located on Ball Airport Road, between Glascow and Northside Road. The new $2.7 million fire station is anticipated to improve emergency response times in north Victoria. Quicker response times to emergencies is a key reason the new station is being built.
Pictured at the ceremonial ribbon cutting, from left to right, are City Manager Charmelle Garrett, Council members Jan Scott, Dr. Andrew Young, Tom Halepaska, Mayor Paul Polasek, Council members Jeff Bauknight, Josephine Soliz, Emett Alvarez and Fire Chief Taner Drake.

DeLeon Exhibit at
Bob Bullock Museum

A portrait of Victoria founder Martin De Leon and a sword that he owned is currently on exhibit at the Bullock State History Museum in Austin. The exhibit spotlights De Leon as the only Mexican empresario to receive a land grant to settle Texas, along with Stephen F. Austin as an Anglo empresario who helped settle central Texas. The exhibit featuring De Leon will be on display from November 2015 to November 2016 at the museum, located at 1800 Congress Ave. in Austin. For more information about the museum or the exhibit, call 512-936-8746.

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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 [email protected]

City of Victoria 
Communications Department
700 Main Center, Suite 105 
Victoria, TX 77901 

 

 
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