2015/01/09
City news,
features
and
updates
January 9,
2015
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In this issue... 2-1-1 info and City emergency preparedness- page 3
Winterize your home - page 4 Take a walk on the City’s trails - page 2
Wynne Home to present
quilt exhibit -
Opening reception January 15
The Wynne Home Arts Center will present a new exhibit
entitled “Dry Goods: The Quilts of Mary Laura Gibbs,”
beginning Thursday, January 15.
The exhibit will be offered free of charge through April
15.
According to Linda Pease, Cultural Services
Coordinator, an opening reception for the exhibit
sponsored by the Friends of the Wynne Home will be
held on January 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Artist
remarks will commence at 5:30 p.m.
“We’re happy to exhibit the quilts of Mary Laura Gibbs,
who has created beautiful wall hangings with very
intricate designs,” Pease said. “The exhibit will include
in excess of 20 unique quilts, and some of the designs
will be reproduced in cards that are suitable for
framing and available for purchase.”
According to her artist biography, Gibbs has been
quilting since 1990 and has participated in the annual
Airing of the Quilts every year since 2005.
The Wynne Home Arts Center is located at 1428 11th
Street. For more information, call (936) 291-5424.
Walker County Proud Communities will host its 18th Annual Tree Sale on Saturday,
February 7 and the public is encouraged to take part and purchase one of
thousands of available seedlings.
The event will be held at the Walker County Storm Shelter, located at 455 State
Highway 75 North, from 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
“WCPC was established over 20 years ago to promote a green environment in the
City of Huntsville and Walker County, and our annual Tree Sale is a significant part
of that mission,” said Esther Herklotz, Solid Waste and Recycling Superintendent.
“Our gracious Texas Forest Service has continued to provide thousands
of tree seedlings every year for this event, and we hope to see even more public
participation in the event this year.”
According to information from the Texas Forest Service, the Tree Sale will include
2,000 Hardwood and Softwood trees available for a $1 donation per tree.
Pecan trees will also be available for $2 each (limit five per person), Bluebonnet
seeds will be available for $1 per package, and wood chips will be sold for $1 per
bag. For each five trees sold, one bag of wood chips will also be included.
WCPC active members include Walker County Master Gardeners, Walker County
Commissioners, Planning Department and Environmental Enforcement staff,
Walker County Judge Danny Pierce, City of Huntsville Superintendent Esther
Herklotz and multiple local businesses such as James Murff of Try 2 Recycle. James
Ray Necker of Walker County Pct. 1 serves as the WCPC President.
For more information, contact Herklotz at (936) 294-5724.
18th Annual Tree Sale - Saturday, February 7 Mark your
calendars!
Walker County Proud
Communities will host
the 20th Annual Trash
Bash on Saturday,
March 7 from 8 a.m.
to 12 p.m.
During the event, four
locations including
the City Recycling
Center, Try 2 Recycle,
the Precinct 3 Barn
and the Precinct 4
Barn will accept
varying trash items.
Free bags are
available.
For more information,
contact Herklotz at
(936) 294-5724.
“Plus, there are seasonable pleasures to think about – walkers
might see more migratory birds come through, and they might
even catch a glimpse of the deer or foxes that always live in the
woods.”
Zellar said the City offers three different types of trails –
cemented sidewalk trails, woodchip surface trails and single-
track trails, which put walkers right in the middle of woodland
surroundings.
“A lot of people like to make the cement sidewalk loop by the
Aquatic Center, but others like to walk among the trees,” he
said. “It all depends on what your group of walkers is
comfortable with.”
On the City’s Web site, www.huntsvilletx.gov, the Parks and
Leisure Department maintains a map of the entire Eastham-
Thomason trail system, outlining where each trail begins and
ends, the locations of trail junctions and approximate lengths
and elevations. The park is located at 1500 7th Street and
Avenue N.
The map may be accessed directly at
http://www.huntsvilletx.gov/egov/documents/1255464100_2
Take a walk on the City trails!
The winter months are an opportune time to take advantage of the
many trails and walkways maintained by the City of Huntsville.
According to Natalie Reid with the Parks and Leisure Department,
the City maintains five major trails in and around Eastham-
Thomason Park, including Town Creek East, Town Creek West,
Prairie, Top of Hill and Smith Hill Trail.
“The City of Huntsville walking trails offer a great opportunity for
local families to experience the beauty of nature at no cost,” Reid
said. “Because there are five trails of varying lengths and
challenge levels, there is an ideal trail for everyone from walkers
with small children, independent hikers or mountain bike riders.”
In particular, the winter months present an excellent opportunity to
utilize the various available trails. According to David Zellar, City
Horticulturalist, the combination of lower humidity, fewer bugs and
snakes and a lower understory makes cooler periods a great time
to utilize the trail system.
“There are a lot of advantages to walking on trails during cooler
months,” Zellar said. “In general, wooded areas are more user-
friendly when it’s cold outside – the Poison Ivy, brush and leaves
at ground level are lower and more open, making visibility much
better.
Photo by Kristin Edwards
Eastham-Thomason Park isn’t just for humans—man’s best friend is
free to enjoy it, as well! While all dogs must be kept on a leash while
enjoying the five major trails, there is a separate facility, the Eastham-
Thomason Pet Park, where dogs can run free, play fetch, and interact
with new friends.
There are a few rules to keep in mind when utilizing the facility:
The park is open from sunrise to sunset, and pet owners are
responsible for the actions and behavior for their dogs at all times. A
limit of three dogs per owner is allowed in the park at one time.
Dogs must be leashed when entering or leaving the park.
Owners must remain within the fenced area with their dog while the
dog is off of his or her leash.
Dogs must remain within view and voice control of the owner.
Owners are responsible for picking up and disposing of any dog waste.
No dogs under four months old, dogs in heat, or dogs who have not
received their complete round of vaccinations are allowed. Dogs must
also wear current license tags.
Dogs showing signs of aggression must be leashed and/or immediately
removed from the park.
Finally, no food is allowed in the park, and children must be over 10
years of age and supervised by an adult.
Get a puppy for Christmas? Come play at Eastham-Thomason Park!
The City maintains a second dog park - Pineview
Park - located at 2335 23rd Street.
For more information, visit the City’s Web site at
www.huntsvilletx.gov.
State of Texas Emergency Assistance Registry
(STEAR)
Call 2-1-1 to register today!
The State of Texas offers residents the option to register with the STEAR program, a free
registry that provides local emergency planners and responders with additional information
on the needs of their community.
While registration is voluntary and does not guarantee specific services, joining the 2-1-1
network allows local responders to maintain an up-do-date database of those individuals
who may need special assistance during emergencies.
Required information to register:
Name, address, phone number, primary language
Who should register?
·· People with disabilities;
- People with access and functional needs such as:
(1) Those with limited mobility;
(2) Those with communication barriers;
(3) Those who require additional medical assistance during an emergency event;
(4) Those who require transportation assistance; and
(5) Those who require personal care assistance.
Additional questions asked to capture vital information for local emergency planners and
responders:
Emergency contact information; caregiver information; any necessary information related
to pets; transportation assistance for home evacuation; communication barriers; disability,
functional or medical needs.
How to register:
Dial 2-1-1 or use a video phone relay option. Alternatively, contact Emergency
Management Coordinator John Waldo at (936) 291-5945.
For more information, visit https://www.211texas.org/cms/.
City of Huntsville
Emergency
Preparedness
Web page
The City’s Emergency
Preparedness page features
several downloadable tools
including:
Meal plans for emergencies;
Shopping lists;
Maps of surrounding
counties;
FEMA’s Financial First Aid
Kit;
Tips for creating and
maintaining supply kits and
more.
To access the page, visit
www.huntsvilletx.gov, scroll over
Departments and Fire
Department and select
“Emergency Preparedness.”
Expert in Every Office
Kristin Edwards, MPA, TRMC
Time employed with City of Huntsville: 5.5 Years
Education:
Master of Public Administration – Sam Houston State University
Bachelor of Arts – Mass Communications – Sam Houston State
University
Job description:
As the Deputy City Secretary, Edwards supports the City Council
through the functions of the City Secretary’s office, including City
Council meeting preparation, records retention, responding to
public information requests, interfacing with members of the
public and facilitating public outreach efforts. Specifically, in the
capacity of Assistant Public Information Officer, Edwards
produces the monthly City Connection print newsletter, the
semimonthly This Week in Huntsville digital newsletter, press
releases and multi-platform social media content.
Kristin Edwards
Deputy City
Secretary/
Assistant Public
Information Officer
(936) 291-5413
Certifications/Memberships/Activities:
Texas Registered Municipal Clerk – January 2012; Heart Walk
of the Piney Woods organizing board member – 2012-2014;
Huntsville-Walker County Chamber of Commerce HISD
“Promoting Our Potential” board - 2014
Recent training:
During 2014, Edwards continued her work with the Texas
Municipal Clerks Certification Program, working toward her re-
certification as a Texas Registered Municipal Clerk through the
University of North Texas. She also attended the 2014 Texas
Association of Municipal Information Officers conference.
Unique contribution to City of Huntsville:
“In 2013, our office established the City’s first digital
newsletter, entitled This Week in Huntsville,” Edwards said.
“The publication, designed to provide the timeliest City
information possible to an ever-growing list of e-mail
subscribers, has experienced great success and a consistent
following, receiving as many as 2,300 views per issue.
“We have released not only two regular issues each month
since the establishment of the publication, but also a variety of
special issues on disaster preparedness, holiday events and
more.”
Colleague perspective: Tom Waddill, Managing Editor for the
Huntsville Item
"Working with Kristin has always been a pleasure. As the
Deputy City Secretary for the City of Huntsville, she has been
the picture of professionalism. Kristin understands well the
inner workings of the city and she makes it easy for reporters to
approach her to ask questions, or for more information. Kristin
was a strong and ambitious reporter during her time at The
Huntsville Item. She was a better public servant in the city
secretary's office. The City of Huntsville, and The Huntsville
Item, are going to miss Kristin and the fine work she did here."
Edwards has accepted a new position in the City of Deer Park,
Texas. Her last day with the City of Huntsville is January 9.
“Winterize” your home - FEMA tips for freezing weather
Winterize your home to extend the life of your fuel supply by
insulating walls and attics, caulking and weather-stripping
doors and windows, and installing storm windows or
covering windows with plastic.
Winterize your house, barn, shed or any other structure that
may provide shelter for your family, neighbors, livestock or
equipment. Clear rain gutters; repair roof leaks and cut
away tree branches that could fall on a house or other
structure during a storm.
Maintain heating equipment and chimneys by having them
cleaned and inspected every year.
Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic
and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to
avoid freezing. Running water, even at a trickle, helps
prevent pipes from freezing.
All fuel-burning equipment should be vented to the outside
and kept clear.
Keep fire extinguishers on hand, and make sure
everyone in your house knows how to use them. House
fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to
alternate heating sources without taking the necessary
safety precautions.
Learn how to shut off water valves (in case a pipe
bursts).
Insulate your home by installing storm windows or
covering windows with plastic from the inside to keep
cold air out.
Hire a contractor to check the structural ability of the roof
to sustain unusually heavy weight from the accumulation
of snow - or water, if drains on flat roofs do not work.
For more tips, including ways to “winterize” your vehicle,
visit http://m.fema.gov/before-winter-storms-extreme-
cold