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Press Release - 5/13/2015 - 5/13/2015 This Week in Huntsville City Welcomes New Deputy City Secretary Clasina Watson, TRMC What a difference a month can make! On the 6th of April, Clasina Watson joined the City of Huntsville as its new City news, Deputy City Secretary. Although she comes to the job with local government and municipal clerk experience, the first few days of any new job can be overwhelming, but Watson felt prepared. features, past experience will allow for a smooth transition into my new position. and Secretary, along with the Mayor, City Council, City Manager, and the city staff. updates Former Deputy City Secretary Kristin Edwards took a public relations/tourism position with the City of Deer Park in January, so the City has been without this key position for several months. City Secretary Lee Woodward is thrilled to have Watson on staff. e l As the Deputy City Secretary, Watson will work with the City Secretary as they provide City Council support; ensure l proper elections procedures; process Public Information Requests; create and disseminate publications, media i communications, and social media content; oversee record retention, preservation, and destruction; liaise with City v and continue their professional development. s t Watson received her certification as a Texas Registered n Municipal Clerk in January 2013. She will continue her required education for re-certification over the next two and a half years. u Watson began her career in city government at the City of Lufkin in 1991, as a volunteer in the Code Enforcement H Department. After six months, a position opened and she was promoted to Office Assistant and later became the first female Code Enforcement Officer at the City of Lufkin. Additionally, she has worked at the City of Nacogdoches as an Office Assistant to the Public Works Director and n then at the City of Oak Ridge North as City Secretary, As- sistant City Secretary, Water Utility Billing Clerk, and in the i Water Utility Department, Permit Department, and Ac- counting Department. Most recently, Watson served the Westwood North Water k Supply Corporation as the Office Administrator. e e W going, welcoming, and confident, she also took on these new challenges without hesitation. I am delighted to have Watson has two children, daughter Kristie Watson, who works in the medical field and resides in The Woodlands, and son Dean Watson, who is in his 16th year serving in the United Stated Army and is currently stationed in Killeen with his wife Shelly. Watson currently resides in the Conroe/Woodlands area, but is very excited about s . . i . e u h s s i -- page 7 s i h t T n I P h o t o C a l l ! Library programs - page 3 - p a g e May 13, 5 2015 May 2015 Huntsville Public Library Events Regular events Story time is a fun and exciting time every Wednesday morning at 10:45 a.m. Each week we read stories, sing songs and make a craft that follows the theme of the week. Upcoming themes include Space on May 20 and Ocean on May 27. Delightful Doodlers is an informal craft time for preschoolers every Monday at 11:00 a.m. Take some time out, let the children make a super cute craft, and then stay a little bit and play with friends. The next Delightful Doodlers date is May 18th. Krafty Kids n us on May 15May 22and May 29 th, nd, th . The June Family Movie Night Plan. All movies are rated G or PG. Complimentary popcorn and drinks are served at all movies. For more information call the library at 291-5472. Read With The Dogs 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 third Monday of from 4:00-5:30. For more information contact Chil- th -5910. Lego Club 5:00 p.m. The Lego Club meets for approximately 45 minutes and is for ages 5-12. We have icebreaker activities, group work, and show and tell time, and the library provides all materials. At this time registration is not required but highly recommended. For more -5910. The Teen Department will host a Teen 3-D Art Activity on Thursday, May 28 at 4:30 p.m. For more information about this activity please contact Ashley Newsome at 291-5472. Family Story Time Family Story Time is Thursday, May 28 at 6:00 p.m. Children are encouraged to wear pajamas and bring a pillow. Mark your calendars! Summer Events Coming Soon! Teen Computer Classes will be held every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from June 9-July 16 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Summer Reading Program- sign up on Saturday, June 13at 12:30 p.m.- for ages 0-13 Superhero Craft Activity, Tuesday, June 23 3:30, Tuesday, July 7 3:30, Friday, July 24 3:30 rdthth Read for Chocolate - Summer Reading Program for those aged 14-114 begins Monday, June 15 th Texas Mime Program with Mitch Corley, Tuesday, June 16 at 10:30 a.m. - All ages are welcome. gram -5910. Intern at the City! Jasmine Title: City Secretary Intern Moss Time employed with City of Huntsville: Three and a half months Education: Sophomore - Sam Houston State University - Bachelor of Science in Political Science, Minor in Accounting Spring 2015 Job description: During her internship, Jasmine was responsible for a con- City Secretary digitization software, an ongoing process to ensure documents are easily ac- cessible and kept for the appropriate retention period. She also trained in Intern ing the Council chamber for City Council meetings, and posting city events and Colleague perspectives: agendas to web and social media. learn about city government. Not only is she attentive to her duties, but is constantly asking other employees if she can help them. Jas- Certifications/Memberships/Activities: Jasmine has been an active member mine has the skills and mind-set to go a long way in a career. We are of Sam Houston State University Kats In Support of Shelters (K.I.S.S) for two - years. In the organization, she has been selected as Rookie of the Year (2013- Clasina Watson, Deputy City Secretary 14), Secretary (Fall 2014), and Vice President (Spring 2015). Photo Call! Here at the City, we hope you have one of the 2014-2015 City calendars and are enjoying it! - Please submit photos taken in City parks, at City events, or of groups working with the City on occa- sions such as All Paws In or the Spring Clean anything City-related. Maybe you attended the Fourth of July celebration or E-Recycling Day, or took the kids to an Outdoor Explorer class and have a great picture. Or perhaps your group received a proclamation or made a donation or participated in Local Government Day. ss owners and organizations to submit their best photos for use in the calendar, on our Facebook and Twitter accounts, in our digital newsletter, and maybe even for upcoming special projects. Please submit their original photography along with the name of the photographer for photo credit. The City requests participants send the highest resolution copies available, and that only material suitable for viewing by all ages be submitted. Digitalphotos smaller than 20 MB may be emailed to lwoodward@huntsvilletx.gov (please make contact with us before trying to send larger files, either at the email address or by calling 936-291-5403). The City requests any hard copies be brought to City Hall, locat- ed at 1212 Avenue M. If necessary, hard copies will be scanned and returned to the provider. For more information, contact Wood- ward at(936) 291-5403. LINEAGE SOCIETY WORKSHOP Who Could Be in Your Family Tree?...Have you ever wondered if your ancestors fought alongside George Washington in the American Revolutionary War, or maybe even sold provisions to the Continental Army? Perhaps they were passengers on the Mayflower. Want to prove it? Then a lineage society is for you. And while a lineage society is a way to take pride in an ancestor's accomplishments, it's also a great way to test your research skills and learn more about certain lines in your family history. The Mary Martin Elmore Scott Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Huntsville Public Library are hosting their annual Lineage Society Work- shop Thursday, June 11, 2015, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Community Room at the Huntsville Public Library, located at 1219 13th Street. The workshop will offer assistance in preparation of lineage applications to any patriotic or lineage society (for women and/or men). Be sure to put it on your calendar! Ser family materials you have, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates, bible records, land records, etc. If in doubt, bring it along. Help will be available to assist in The workshop is taught by Johnnie Jo Sowell Dickenson, a local professional genealogist who has helped many with history and lineage society applications. Lunch break (on your own): 12:301:30 p.m. Contact: Mary Kokot at 936-291-5471 or the Huntsville Public Register at: www.myhuntsvillelibrary.com Library at 936-291-5472 - This is a free event! (Registration is required to receive handouts and worksheets) City will be closed for Memorial Day City facilities will be closed May 25 Winter is gone, spring is passing us by, and summer is upon us with TRAVEL PREPAREDNESS TIPS: Travel and weather web sites can help you thoughts of sandy beaches and sunshine. Folks from across the nation will avoid storms and other regional challenges that could impact your safety. be traveling the highways for a fun-filled holiday. If you are planning to be on the road, please keep in mind some of the following tips to ensure your Other things you should do to prepare for your trip include: trip will be a safe and happy one. Have a wonderful Memorial Day! 2. Carry a Disaster Supply kit in your trunk. 3. Let someone know your destination, your route, and when you expect to arrive. If your car gets stuck along the way, help can be sent along your predetermined route. 2. Pay attention avoid distractions such as cell phones. 4. Pay attention to the weather forecast for your destination and find out 3. Turn the headlights on as dusk approaches or in bad weath- what disasters could occur there. 5. Download the Red Cross apps to have important information on hand 4. Make frequent stops. During long trips, rotate drivers. If for different types of weather disasters and how to handle first aid emergencies. 5. If you have car trouble, pull off the road as far as possible. Recreation Services Activities Water Aerobics ter Aerobics. Classes will be Monday through Wednesday mornings from 8-9 a.m., and Monday through Thursday evenings from 8-9 p.m. Participants must be 18 years or older and are required to complete a registration form and pay a fee of $55.00 for the year or purchase a day pass for $4. Registration is available at the City of Huntsville Service Center and before class at the Huntsville Aquatic Center. For more information, call 936-294-5725 or visit the website at http://www.huntsvilletx.gov/departments/community_services/recreation.htm. Outdoor Explorer partment to learn basic safety for biking, hiking, and kayaking. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring the State Park with backpacks, bikes, and kayaks provided for use. Class size is limited to twenty participants and pre-registration is required. Classes are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Youth ages twelve and up can register with an attending parent or guardian. Upcoming program dates are May 30 , June 20 , July 18 , August 15, and September 19. There is no charge for the program but ththththth there is a $5 admission fee into the park for each participating adult (no cost for those 12 and under). For more information call 936- 294-5725 or visit the website at http://www.huntsvilletx.gov/category/subcategory.php?categoryid=12 or the Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/COHrecservices. - The Huntsville Public Library is pleased to present Mary Anne Burkhalter in Tuesday, May 19, from 2 to 3 p.m., in the Community Room. The show is free and requires no registration. Take a rousing sing-along tour through American history, perfect for the upcom- George M. Cohan, Irving Berlin, and others are going to get you cheering. By the Mary Anne Burkhalter was raised in Houston, where her first role was playing Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz at the Alley Theatre. She has since performed from coast to coast and overseas, and is currently writing and performing more than a dozen musical shows. The Huntsville Public Library is located at 1219 13 Street. Contact Mary Kokot th at 936-291-5471 for more information.