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6-1-16 TWIH City news, features, and updates June 13, 2016 Th i s W e e k i n H u n t s v i l l e Restoring History You can be a part of restoring history for the City of Huntsville! The Huntsville Fire Department has begun selling raffle tickets to raise money to restore Fire Engine 3. This antique truck responded to the Old Main fire and the Huntsville Baptist Church fire during its service from 1948 to 1978. Currently this fire engine is used in fire prevention presentations, parades, events and school visits. “It is a tradition for Fire Departments to take care of the fire trucks that took care of them while in service, that is why we need to restore this historic engine” said Assistant Fire Chief John Hobbs. The Fire Department is raising the money to restore the paint and upholstery and add secure benching on the truck. Several items are being raffled off including a Yeti Cooler, $250 Visa gift cards and more. If you are interested in bringing back a piece of history, contact Assistant Fire Chief, John Hobbs at 936-291-5943 to purchase raffle tickets or to make a donation. The raffle tickets will be sold until July 4, 2016 and the drawing for the prizes will also be July 4, 2016! Street Conversion Underway Construction is scheduled to begin the week of June 6 to convert sections of Bearkat Boulevard and Bobby K. Marks Drive to 1-way traffic. The City is working with SHSU on this project to provide safer, slower one-way traffic on the designated segments. The construction is scheduled to be finished 45 calendar days after construction begins. A) Bearkat Boulevard (from University Avenue to Bobby K. Marks Drive) - traffic movement will be restricted to eastbound only. B) Bobby K. Marks Drive (from Bearkat Boulevard to Bowers Boulevard) - movement will be restricted to southbound only. The work to be completed in converting the street segments to 1-way traffic, including pavement striping and traffic sign installation is expected to be complete by mid-July. In addition to converting from 2-way traffic movement to 1- way traffic movement, paid parking spaces will be provided along these two street segments. Be sure to follow our social media pages and website for updates on construction progress and dates! CityofHuntsville http://twitter.com/HuntsvilleTexas www.facebook.com/HuntsvilleTX Get Social! Summer means vacation, outdoor activities and fun in the sun! It’s a time when families hit the road to visit national parks or distant relatives. The warm months and long days mean that there is plenty of time for baseball games and barbecues. The sultry temperatures practically invite you to take a dip in the pool or ocean. Don’t let the sunny days and warm nights fool you. Summer also holds significant weather hazards. Heat waves can be lengthy and deadly. Lightning deaths are at their peak during the summer. Beach hazards such as rip currents can catch the unprepared. And, it’s the start of hurricane season. We want our Huntsville residents to be prepared and stay safe this summer. You will likely hear weather forecasters use these terms when a heat wave is predicted in our community: Excessive Heat Watch - Conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event to meet or exceed local Excessive Heat Warning criteria in the next 24 to 72 hours. Excessive Heat Warning - Heat Index values are forecasting to meet or exceed locally defined warning criteria for at least 2 days (daytime highs=105-110° Fahrenheit). Heat Advisory - Heat Index values are forecasting to meet locally defined advisory criteria for 1 to 2 days (daytime highs=100- 105° Fahrenheit). Preparation is the key to keeping you and your family safe. It is crucial that you pay attention to the weather forecast during the summer months so you will know when to expect excessive heat. Now is the time to discuss with your family proper heat safety precautions and begin familiarizing yourself with those in your community who may need extra assistance and help during extreme heat. If you do not have air conditioning, look for places you could go for relief from the heat such as the Huntsville Public Library! Also don’t forget your pets. Make sure their needs for water and shade are met and if possible bring them inside during a heat wave. Knowing what to do during an actual heat wave is critical. Your body will need plenty of fluids; staying hydrated is a key to staying safe and healthy in the heat. Even if you do not feel thirsty you should continue drinking water to help prevent heat cramps. If you plan on spending extended periods of time outdoors remember to wear lightweight and light colored clothing. Dark colors absorb the sun’s rays and can make you hotter. Slowing down and avoiding strenuous activities during the hottest part of the day is also a good practice for you and your family. One of the greatest dangers during a heat wave is hot cars. Be sure to never leave children or pets alone in an enclosed vehicle. Look Before You Lock. When the days are too hot and dangerous to be outside check out our social media pages to find events going on in Huntsville. The Wynne Home Arts Center, Huntsville Public Library, Main Street Program have events that will allow you to beat the heat. Don’t forget about the Frank D Poncho Roberts Aquatic Center and splash pad located at Eastham- Thomason Park, they offer shaded areas for when you are not in the water. The City of Huntsville encourages you to have a fun and safe summer! Find more heat safety resources at ready.gov, fema.gov and redcross.org. Beat the Heat Location: Aquatic Center Summer is finally here, so spend your day soaking in the sun at the splash pad in Eastham-Thomason Park! The splash pad was added to the park just a few years ago and has been a family favorite ever since it opened. The splash pad is great for all ages and offers numerous covered tables for an afternoon picnic and sun shade. The splash pad is free to the public and is open daily from 9 a.m. through 8 p.m. Grab your picnic basket and family and head to the splash pad this summer. Don’t forget the Frank D Poncho Roberts Aquatic Center opened June 4, be sure to get your summer pass now. For more information call 936-291-5433. We would love for you to share your photos with us on social media using the hashtag #mysummerinhuntsville. June’s Park Spotlight is the Splash Pad! Junk — A —Palooza wil l b e o n SATURDAY J U N E 1 8 from 8AM – NOON On Your Mark, Get Set, Read! The 2016 Summer Reading Program has started off big ! Come to the library to register and receive your reading log and free book (or pre-register online). The summer reading program is an annual six week program for children up to 12 years old. Children are encouraged to read 2.5 hours/ week for six weeks. This year’s theme is “Sports and Fitness.” Keep track of your reading time on your Reading Log. After four weeks, come to the library for a prize! After six weeks, come get another prize and enter our raffles. Be sure to check out the great promotional video for the Summer Reading Program produced by the Huntsville Public Library, https://youtu.be/ OuYBukcRjLo. We Need YOU To Be A Volunteer Whether you need community service hours, want to boost your resume, or just want to donate your time to help your city we have opportunities for you! The Sam Houston Visitor Center, Main Street Program, Wynne Home Arts Center and the Huntsville Public Library need your help, so become a volunteer today. There are jobs for any interest and flexible schedules to work around your needs. Contact each department to learn how to get involved. The Huntsville Public Library is looking for volunteers to lend their hands and hearts to make the library succeed! Anyone over the age of 16 can be a volunteer, you can simply apply here http://huntsvilletx.gov/230/Library - Volunteers.Volunteers assist with shelving books, kids programs, genealogy, literacy, flyers and marketing and administrative duties. “Our volunteers are crucial to the library, they help the wheel go-round and make our work more effective” said Assistant Librarian, Anne Sparks “We also hope to inspire the next generation of library lovers from our volunteers!” This past year the library had an exceptional group of volunteers, Cheryl Straughter and Janet Gardner gave over 1,000 hours of volunteer service to Huntsville Public Library each. All others volunteered over 100 hours a piece. The City is happy to welcome high school students, college students, retirees and everyone in between to help out around town and the work is truly appreciated of all our volunteers who make a huge impact on our community! The Huntsville Public Library continues its Brown Bag Lecture Series on June 23. Anne Prouty and Rick Bello of the Audubon Society will present “Birds You’ll See in Your Backyard and Other Sites in Walker County.” Attendees may bring a brown bag lunch. Lunch time begins at 11:30 a.m. and the lecture will begin at noon. The lecture series is planned for the fourth Thursday of each month. Some of the topics that will be explored include interesting and novel topics of general appeal to Huntsville. Beverages will be provided. Admission is free. For more information, call 936-291-5471. Birds You’ll See in Your Backyard Have you ever seen a crocodile in the Library? Come to Story Time – a fun early literacy program for kids 5 and under. Join us for interactive stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts. The early literacy practices featured each week help build the foundation for a lifelong love of reading and learning. For parents and caregivers, story time offers an opportunity to experience early literacy practices in action, discover great books and resources for home use and socialize with other parents after Story time. Each session has its own theme. Story Time is sponsored by Amerigroup and sign-up is not required. Story times are held on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10:45 a.m. June dates are the 1st, 3rd, 8th, 10th, 15th, 17th, 22nd, 24th, and 29th. It’s a Duplo Party at 11:30 a.m. at the Library for ages 5 and under. This program encourages hands-on and imaginative play and early learning through building with large blocks. Sign-up is not required. Do you have children ages 2 and under? Then Mother Goose Lapsit is a story time designed for you! Held on Mondays at 10:30 a.m., enjoy a half hour of developmentally appropriate play featuring stories, songs, and rhymes. This program introduces little ones to the story time experience and is perfect for their language development and vocabulary. Sign-up is not required. June dates are the 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th. You don’t want to miss Family Movie Night at 5:30 p.m. Friday, June 10th. Enjoy complimentary popcorn and drinks sponsored by the Texas Children’s Health Plan. Bring your own pillow or blanket. Sign-up is not required. All ages welcome. Beat the heat by coming to Elementary Craft Time for ages 12 and under at 3 p.m. Make a craft to take home and enjoy. Sign-up is not required. June Elementary Craft days are Monday, June 7th; Thursday, June 16th; and Tuesday, June 21st. Children five and under are invited to Crafts for Tots, an enrichment craft hour at 11:15 on select Tuesday mornings in June and July. Sign-up is not required but supplies are limited. Camp Invention is coming to the Huntsville Public Library at 3:30 p.m. Monday, June 6th. Camp Invention is a nationally recognized multi-day summer program focused on creativity, innovation, real-world problem solving and the spirit of invention. Two members from Camp Invention will be coming to the library in June and July for programs at the library that embody and challenge the creativity of young minds and emulate the Camp Invention experience. Sign-up is not required but supplies are limited. Children of all ages are welcome. The Discovery Dome from the Houston Museum of Natural Science is returning from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 14th for all ages. This portable, inflatable theater displays awe inspiring presentations on a variety of topics from the solar system to pre-historic life. Each presentation can hold 30 people and lasts 30 minutes approximately. Sign-up is not required but space is limited. This year’s presentations include: Robot Explorers, Force 5,Ice Worlds ,Night of the Titanic , Dinosaur Prophecy Come to the Huntsville Public Library at 3 p.m. Monday, June 27th for Crocodile Encounter, Houston’s largest reptile show. The owners of Crocodile Encounter will bring approximately eight crocodiles to teach about animal care, reptile preservation, and to show off the crocs! All ages are welcome to this adventurous program. For more information please contact HPL at: 936-291-5472. June Library Events DATES EXTENDED! Genealogy dead ends: Where do I go now? The Huntsville Public Library is offering an opportunity for genealogy enthusiast to meet with an experienced and qualified genealogical researcher, who will be able to help them find the next step in the pursuit of their family history. Two-hour sessions will be offered the first and second Saturdays during the months of June, July and August. Sessions are scheduled to begin at noon and will end at 2 p.m. Attendance will be limited to no more than three researchers. The small group will allow each participant to receive individual attention. For more information or to register, call 936-291- 5471. 25th annual Lineage Society Workshop The Huntsville Public Library will host its 25th annual Lineage Society Workshop from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, June 9, and the public is encouraged to attend. The workshop will be held in the Community Room in the library, located at 1219 13th Street, and will offer assistance in preparation of lineage applications to any patriotic or lineage society (women and men). Attendees will have an hour for independent lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The workshop is taught by Johnnie Jo Sowell Dickenson, Professional Genealogist, and is sponsored by the Mary Martin Elmore Scott Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Huntsville Public Library. For more information or to register, call 936-291-5471. Drive Texas With summer comes road trips and vacations but we can’t forget about the heavy rain and flooding that the summer months also bring. It is important to stay informed and alert before heading out traveling. Never drive into water because you do not know how deep the road flooding actually is, respect warning signage and obey law enforcement. As an extra precaution check http://drivetexas.org/ to see current road conditions where you are and where you’re headed! This is a free interactive map provided by TX-DOT that shows the condition and construction on most Texas roadways. Something for Everyone at the Library City of Huntsville Recycling Guidelines Direct questions to (936) 294-5712 Curbside recycling guidelines: 1. Rinse all plastics and cans to remove residue 2. Only plastics 1-7 stamped with number and symbol 3. Flatten items to save room inside of cart 4. Keep cart five (5) feet from all other objects including vehicles 5. Carts must be placed at the curb or street’s edge no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection. Carts must be removed from the street’s edge by the end of the collection day (carts cannot be stored at the street’s edge) Items that cannot be placed in the City cart: Garbage, food waste, yard waste, loose shredded paper, glass/oil/filters, batteries, cell phones, electronics, Styrofoam, aluminum foil, or plastic bags of any kind. No plastic wrap, shrink wrap, or bubble wrap. No Styrofoam, even if it has a recycling number and symbol on item. Recycling Drop-Off Center Information: The Recycling Center accepts self-hauled recyclable items and is located at 590 I-45 North. The Recycling Center Attendant will be onsite to assist customers from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Drop-offs can still be made Monday - Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and holiday closings are posted. Recycling Drop-off Center Guidelines: Aluminum - Soda cans, beer cans: Flattened/unflattened. Keep aluminum cans separate from steel cans. NO FOIL, BAKING PANS OR FOOD TRAYS. Steel Cans - Food cans, pet food cans, aerosol cans: Rinse out the can, you can leave the label on. Aerosol cans must be empty. Newspaper - Whatever comes inside the newspaper can be recycled. Stack and put in paper bags or cardboard boxes. Throw away plastic rain sleeves and rubber bands. Magazines - catalogs, phone books: Keep separate from newspaper. Place in brown bags or small cardboard boxes. DO NOT place in plastic bags. Paper - White or colored paper, remove paper clips, rubber bands and staples if possible. Put in small boxes or paper stacks. Glass - Clear, green or brown only: Throw away lids, rinse out. You can leave the label on. Place glass in separate containers. NO window panes, light bulbs or dishware. Cardboard - Toilet/paper towel cores, food boxes, medicine boxes, shoe boxes, shipping/moving boxes, sugar bags, dog/cat food bags which include a recycling logo, paper bags. NO packing materials, plastic liners or foam. Plastics - Numbered 1-7: Recycling symbol and number are required. Milk Jugs and Water Jugs - Throw away cap/lid. Rinse with warm water and try to flatten. Keep these jugs separate from soda bottles or colored plastic. Other #1 and #2 Plastic Containers - Examples of other recyclable containers: syrup bottles #3, snap on coffee lids #4, cottage cheese containers #5, yogurt containers #6, and ketchup bottles #7 Drop-off Center also accepts: Used motor oil, oil filters, cooking oil & antifreeze. Visit www.huntsvilletx.gov for curbside recycling schedules, full list of acceptable curbside items, and more recycling information. Yard Waste Specifics Collection Service: 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesday of each month - No call-in required! Yard waste is classified as leaves, grass, pine needles, yard clippings and small brush, items referred to as “green waste.” The total number of paper compostable-bagged, canned, or bundled yard waste items is limited to twelve (12) per household per collection day. All yard waste materials must be placed within two (2) feet of street’s edge no later than 6:00 a.m. on the morning of the scheduled pick-up. Yard waste such as leaves, grass, pine needles or small clippings must be: (1) Bagged in paper compostable bags or placed in personal garbage cans (not to exceed 32 gallons); (2) Cannot exceed 50 pounds each; (3) City-issued garbage and recycling carts cannot be filled with yard waste. Tree limbs and brush must be: (1) No longer than four (4) feet in length; (2) Limbs no larger than four (4) inches in diameter; (3) Must be tied securely in bundles which cannot exceed two (2) feet in diameter and can’t exceed 50 pounds each. The following items and locations DO NOT qualify for Yard Waste pick-up: (1) Household garbage of any kind; (2) Anything other than green waste: NO flower pots, fertilizer, mulch, bags, dirt, potting soil, sand, rock, gravel, etc. (3) Commercial businesses or commercially generated yard waste. Bring your City utility bill showing that you pay for garbage service and dispose of your yard waste at the City Transfer Station free of charge. This excludes commercial customers, yard waste contractors, and any lawn service providers. The customer must be present with their current City garbage bill at the time of disposal. For more information on yard waste trimming collection services, contact the Solid Waste Services Division at (936) 294-5712.