2015/09/23
City news,
features,
and
updates
September 23,
2015
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City’s Water Division Assists
in SHSU Study
The City of Huntsville enjoys being part of the community, and working with organizations and individuals
on many projects, events, and initiatives. Recently, staff members had the opportunity to assist on a re-
search study with Sam Houston State University.
Associate Professor Dr. Tim Pannkuk and Assistant Professor Dr. Art Wolfskill, in the Department of Agri-
cultural Sciences & Engineering Technology at SHSU, reviewed three years of water usage and lot data
for over 1200 residential units in one local area (customer names and addresses were removed before
the material was released to the researchers).
“We partnered with the City of Huntsville Public Works Department to study outdoor residential water
use,” Pannkuk said. “Specifically, we examined how much overuse of water might be occurring in the
landscape…a documented common occurrence across the United States.”
Titled Residential outdoor water use in one East Texas Community, the report found over-irrigation to be
occurring at almost all of the units reviewed, based on the scientists’ estimates of indoor water usage
and outdoor irrigation. The study was recently featured in the Texas Water Journal, an online, peer-
reviewed journal devoted to water resources management and policy issues, published in cooperation
with the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and Texas A&M University.
Water conservation is a hot topic across Texas, and the study noted that it is often urged by municipali-
ties, particularly in relation to landscape watering. The researchers found outdoor water use accounted
for 64% of the total water use by the households studied, and determined that, “based on the data over-
all, greater conservation efforts in landscape irrigation are crucial for Texas residents if water demands
are to be met in the 21st century.”
“We would like to further study methods of developing better educational outreach opportunities to help
homeowners understand how to better conserve this precious natural resource,” added Pannkuk.
The professor went on to note that Robert Mace, Deputy Executive Administrator for the Water Science
and Conservation Division of the Texas Water Development Board referenced the work in a presentation
at the Texas Nursery and Landscape Association in Dallas in August.
“Mr. Mace was discussing the state of water in Texas, and more specifically the need for greater water
conservation now, to help ensure a plentiful water supply in Texas’ future,” relayed Pannkuk. Mace, he
said, used the study published in the Texas Water Journal as an example of the opportunity that exists
for education in water conservation.
Carol Reed, Director of Public Works for the City, said staff were pleased to have an opportunity to assist
the researchers, and were interested to hear the results and conclusions after the completion of the
study. Pannkuk thanked Reed for the City’s support.
“Working with the City on this endeavor was seamless and efficient,” Pannkuk said. “Several City employ-
ees, led by Carol Reed, made the data available to us as researchers.”
View the full article at http://bit.ly/1PArhkA or contact Reed at creed@huntsvilletx.gov, Pannkuk at
agr_trp@shsu.edu or Wolfskill at wolfskill@shsu.edu.
In this issu
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Haunted Hayride - page 2
Wynne Home Events - pages 5-6
Election Dates - page 4
Ongoing Events at the Huntsville Public Library!
Yoga Classes –
Are you looking for a convenient way to try yoga for the first time? Attend our free six -week Adult Yoga Program for Begin-
ners at the Huntsville Public Library Community Room on Tuesdays from 5:45 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. (started September 8). It’s
a perfect opportunity to learn and practice yoga techniques with other enthusiasts.
Bring your own mat or towel. Please consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program. Sign up at the library,
call Mary Kokot at 936-291-5471, or online at www.myhuntsvillelibrary.com.
Essential Oils –
What are essential oils and how can they benefit you and your family? A five -week series is planned at the Huntsville Public
Library, commencing with a class to demonstrate how you can use essential oils in many ways, from cleaning to health.
Future class dates are scheduled for Mondays September 28 and October 5, at 5:45 p.m. Instructors Melissa Gonzalez
and Amber Gilman will feature topics on healthy and happy kids, mood enhancement, pain management, and keeping a
safer, cleaner home. Learn how to make your life more environmentally friendly using essential oils for everyday use.
The City of Huntsville's Third Annual
Haunted Hayride will take place at
Kate Barr Ross Park on Saturday, Oc-
tober 24, at 6:30 P.M. Tickets will be
$5 per hayride and $3 per fire truck
ride. Concession prices will vary.
Contact Penny Joiner in the City of
Huntsville Parks and Leisure Depart-
ment at (936) 294-5708 for more in-
formation, or if you are to volunteer as
an actor or assistant for the events.
HUNTSVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY SCHEDULE FOR RECURRING EVENTS
September Events
Story Time - Every Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. at the library. This complimentary program promotes emergent reading skills for young chil-
dren. Story Hour includes stories, songs, dance and finger plays and concludes with a craft activity. September 30
Read With the Dogs - This is an excellent program that helps children who experience anxiety when reading out loud or in a group setting.
The dogs are trained and friendly, and make excellent reading companions. Read With the Dogs takes place on the 3rd Monday o f every
month.
Family Movie Night Series - Huntsville Public Library, in partnership with Texas Children’s Health Plan, is offering a free monthly family
night movie. All movies are rated PG or G. Complimentary popcorn and drinks will be served.
Lego Club - The Lego Club for ages 5-12 is held the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of every month, at 5 p.m., in the Children’s Room at the
Huntsville Public Library.
October Events
Story Time - Every Wednesday at 10:45 a.m. at the library. This complimentary program promotes emergent reading skills for young chil-
dren. Story Hour includes stories, songs, dance and finger plays and concludes with a craft activity. October 7, 14, 21, and 28.
Read With the Dogs - This is an excellent program that helps children who experience anxiety when reading out loud or in a group setting.
The dogs are trained and friendly, and make excellent reading companions. Read With the Dogs takes place on the 3rd Monday o f every
month. October’s READ is Monday the 19th from 4:00-5:00 p.m.
Family Movie Night Series - Huntsville Public Library, in partnership with Texas Children’s Health Plan, is offering a free monthly family
night movie. All movies are rated PG or G. October’s Family Movie night will be Friday, October 9, at 5:30 p.m. Complimenta ry popcorn
and drinks will be served.
Lego Club - The Lego Club for ages 5-12 will be the 1st Thursday and 3rd Thursday of every month. They will meet on Thursday October
1st at 5:00 and Thursday October 15th in the Children’s Room at the Huntsville Public Library.
Special Events - Scare on the Square, Saturday, October 31, from 3:00-5:00 p.m. Stop by our booth for special prizes!
For more information on all events, call the Library at (936) 291-5472 or visit at 1219 13th Street.
November 3, 2015 General Election - Important Dates to Remember
First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail - Friday, September 4, 2015
(does not apply to FPCA (Federal Postcard Application for Military/Overseas))
Last Day to Register to Vote - Monday, October 5, 2015
First Day of Early Voting - Monday, October 19, 2015
Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked)
Friday, October 23, 2015 (regular ABBM (Application for Ballot by Mail))
or Tuesday, October 27, 2015 (FPCA)
Last Day of Early Voting - Friday, October 30, 2015
Last Day to Receive Ballot by Mail - Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 7:00 P.M.
(unless overseas deadline applies)
Downtown Save the Dates for Fall!
Downtown Farmers Market - Fall Edition - Saturdays from 8 a.m.-noon, the
2nd Saturday in October until Thanksgiving (same place as summer market, on
University Avenue between 11th and 12th Streets). Call the Main Street office at
936-291-5920 for more information.
Fair on the Square - Saturday, October 3 - contact the Chamber of Commerce at
936-295-8113 for more information
Scare on the Square - Saturday, October 31, from 3-5 p.m. downtown. Booth appli-
cations are now available through the Main Street office at 936-291-5920.
Downtown Christmas Fair and Winter in the Park - events held together this year,
on Saturday, December 5, from noon-5 p.m. Booth applications are now available
through the Main Street office at 936-291-5920.
Wynne Home
Happenings!
The Wynne Home’s Day of the Dead events
will be held on Friday, October 23, including
a showing of the animated children's movie
The Book of Life (still from the film at right),
and a craft/art project involving sugar
skulls.
Liberties - Area Artists Show opened Sep-
tember 17 and runs through January 9.
The No Foolin’ String Band is confirmed for
the Wynne Home’s afternoon and early
evening events on November 14.
The Wynne Home will hold a book signing
and author talk on September 24th with res-
ident Kermit Cummings on his A Backyard
Birding Adventure: What's in Your Yard?.
The book features a downloadable app with
bird calls. Find out more by visiting
http://www.kermitcummings.com/
For all events and lots more, regularly check
in with the Wynne Home on the City web site
at www.thewynnehome.com