TOWN & COUNTRY
Happy Thanks-mas, Georgetown! Lighting of the Square, November 29
kids throughout Georgetown and Williamson County for the Blue and Brown Santa programs respectively. (Wilcobrownsanta.com for Brown Santa or Bluesanta.georgetown. org for Blue Santa.) Both programs accept toy donations until mid-December. Look for donation barrels at the Courthouse and at All Things Kids on Main Street.
What’s Next?
Native-American fiction writ-
er Stephen Graham Jones says, “Some people are born for Halloween, and some are just counting the days until Christmas.” Fortunately, if you are one of the latter and you live in and around Georgetown, there are plenty of decades-old traditions that usher in the most wonderful time of the year. Starting November 29, Georgetown will celebrate the official start of the City’s holiday cele-
bration. Mayor Dale Ross will headline the festivities and pull the switch to light up Texas’ Most Beautiful Town Square. Customarily, around 6pm, the Mayor and his special guests lead the crowd in a “Santa!” chant to bring the big red man to the stairs before turning on the million-plus lights, supported by Georgetown Utility Systems. Crews are already hard at work wrapping trees for the event. The growth of the holiday
lighting project was spearheaded by a joint fundraising collaboration between city leaders and the Main Street Advisory Board. Downtown businesses continue to support these efforts through beautification and lighting additions of their own, and private contributions are always needed and welcomed to continue the expansion. There is also a window decorating contest for businesses on and around the Square and
the shops will be open late for the crowd. Entertainment will be provided by the Austin Carolers, with help from more than 100 youngsters. Santa will be available for photos and accept donations for needy
The 39th annual Christmas Stroll is coming up in downtown Georgetown around the Courthouse Square. This holiday festival, sponsored by the Downtown Georgetown Association is 5-9pm on Friday, December 6; 10am to-8pm on Saturday December 7. The Stroll is a rain or shine event. In the event of severe weather conditions such as lightning or high winds, festival activities will be adjusted as warranted. Check the City social media pages for updates. Saturday begins with a parade at 10am, live entertainment on three stages, and holiday shopping at 150 booths as well as downtown merchants. The Bistro Food Court offers hot chocolate, funnel cake, and other seasonal treats. Enjoy Santa’s Village all day Saturday; photos and visits with Santa and the Whoo-village children’s area Friday night and Saturday. There will be rides for the kids, the popular Whoo-hair booth, and the Grinch himself.
It’s literally the season for making a list, and it’s a good time to look at what you’re going to be trampling people over at Toys R Us or Walmart for this year. We’re not going to advertise a brand, but you can do a search on our generic labels to find some that are right for you.
What’s Hot 2019
Gift
Giving
Even more things to do with your phone...
This year look for mobile lenses for the camera in your phone as well as mini-projectors that will turn your phone into a portable cinema. Also in the high-tech world, 3-D pens are an easy and safe way for your kids to experience creativity in a new way. Instead of being limited to paint and pencils on paper, your kid may design and construct 3D items that spin, roll, and stand up. Or, for your house, bring a little bit of home to your out-of-state relatives, or remind yourself of your own with the "Homesick Scented Candle." Using input from locals in various states, Homesick crafted scents that embody those places and bring people back home.
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MAYOR'S UPDATE • BY DALE ROSS industrial space on Aviation Drive near the Airport. Half of the space will be speculative for industrial tenants. The Westinghouse Business Center, a 98,000-square-foot business park on Westinghouse Road, will provide speculative space for a variety of commercial uses, such as medical, technology and professional services, as well as retail space. Holt Caterpillar’s new regional 85,000 square-foot facility on Airport Road for the sale and service of construction equipment is set to open in the next month. The dealership will have a net benefit to the City of more than $13 million over 10 years.
New Jobs, Retail, and Commercial Development If 2020 follows the recent
trend, we can expect many new people will begin to call Georgetown home in the next year. Our town has been one of the top-10 fastest-growing cities in the country for the past five years in a row. Since 2010, our population has increased more than 56 percent. Why are so many people moving here? There are many reasons—our safe neighborhoods, top-notch parks, award-winning library, and having the
Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas. All of this contributes to an authentic sense-of-place that makes Georgetown unique. Despite its challenges, it is fair to say that the phenomenal growth we are experiencing also is our biggest opportunity. Georgetown is currently seeing a significant increase in retail and commercial development. These projects add jobs to our local economy and attract investment that strengthens the tax base for our schools and local
Retail and downtown
government services. Given the key role that commercial development
plays in our local economy, the City of Georgetown remains focused on expanding employment opportunities, while preparing for the growth that we know will come. Our community wants the city to grow in a strategic way, while retaining its character and “small town charm.” Several significant commercial projects that fit into our overall economic development strategy are currently under construction or have recently opened. These include office, mixed-use, industrial, and retail developments.
Office and professional services
A key economic development strategy is to encourage more professional service businesses in Georgetown. Sedro Crossing, a 170,000-squarefoot professional medical
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and office development, broke ground earlier this year on Williams Drive. This represents the largest office project in Georgetown to-date. Mixed-use developments including Riverplace and Heritage Court are also on schedule to open in 2020, bringing new residential, office, and retail space to downtown. Riverplace will be the new home to WBW Development, a company relocating from Killeen in a strategic move to attract talent.
Industrial and commercial
Texas Speed and Performance, one of the largest high-performance auto engine parts retailers in the country, announced their expansion plans this year. The Georgetown-based company plans to construct 200,000 square feet of
In addition to the Academy Sports and Outdoors on SH 29, the first stores at Wolf Crossing are beginning to open. When complete, the 200 million dollar, 250,000-square-foot retail center will feature restaurants, medical facilities, a hotel, and a grocery store – all identified as targets in the City’s 2016 economic development retail analysis. Even with all this growth, we haven’t forgotten what makes Georgetown unique – our historic downtown. The most beautiful town square in Texas has experienced incredible reinvestment. In fact, in 2019 alone, we’ve had over 11 million dollars in private commercial development in downtown. New shops, restaurants, bars, offices, apartments, and a bookstore have all opened this year – with more retail slated for 2020. The increase in unique consumer experiences has truly created a live-work-play atmosphere for every age. The City Council’s vision for Georgetown—a caring community honoring our past and innovating for the future—is apparent in many ways across the city. From major infrastructure investments in projects like the Southwest Bypass, to the public art in downtown, we are a city committed to retaining our character while paving the way for opportunity.
NOVEMBER 2019
CITY INSIDER
The Rev. Dr. Bill Pederson, Pastor
FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH of Jarrell WEEKLY SCHEDULE Sundays
9:45 am Bible Study • 11 am Morning Worship 5 pm Choir Practice • 6 pm Evening Worship
New Hope
BAPTIST CHURCH P A S T O R
K E V I N
R O S S
Wednesdays 7- 8 pm
Youth - Grades 7 through 12 God’s Kids - Age 5 - 6th grade • Adult Bible Study
Even if you are not ready to be a member, you are encouraged to worship with us! We will be honored to be of service to you. We will provide a place in our church fellowship for temporary residents (and others) and a transitional step for those who need more time to review Baptist beliefs.
NEED A RIDE? Call (512) 966-0971 Dr. Max Johnson, Pastor
110 W. Avenue G, Jarrell, TX
9:15 am
Adult Sunday School Children & Youth Sunday School • Parents Time Out
10:30 am Sunday Worship
Children’s chapel & nursery offered during worship
“ THE BARN CHURCH ” SERVICES: Sunday: 11 am & 6 pm
Sunday School: 9:45 am Wednesday: 7 pm
5404 Williams Drive | Georgetown | 512-868-0902 | www.sgpcgeorgetown.org
PAWS & CLAWS AND SNOUTS & HOOVES
(512) 746-2828 1700 CR 305 | JARRELL
If you’ve been by our
Early Voting thru November 1 Early in-person voting continues until October 26 and Oct. 28-Nov. 1. During the early voting period, voters may cast ballots at any early voting location in Williamson County. Polling places, dates, and times, as well as voter ID requirements and sample ballots can be found at wilco.org/elections. For voters in the City of Georgetown, the Nov. 5 ballot includes the Williamson County Proposition A bond for road projects and Proposition B bond for parks and recreation projects. The road projects in Proposition A include these projects in Georgetown: • Southwest Bypass extension from Hwy. 29 to Wolf Ranch Parkway would construct a roadway and include intersection improvements at Hwy. 29. • SE Inner Loop extension from Hwy. 29 to Sam Houston Avenue would construct a roadway with a bridge over SH 130. • Four projects in Sun City include: 1) CR 245 from north of RM 2338 to Ronald Reagan Boulevard involving reconstructing and widening to four lanes, 2) Ronald Reagan at Silver Spur Boulevard turn lanes involving constructing
intersection improvements, 3) Ronald Reagan at Sun City Boulevard turn lanes involving construction of intersection improvements, and, 4) Hwy. 195 northbound off ramp at Ronald Reagan involving construction of exit ramp. Voters in Georgetown’s City Council District 1 can cast ballots to determine who will fill the vacancy created when Anna Eby resigned from the council on Aug. 2. The winner of the election will complete the remainder of the term ending in May 2021. Candidates running for District 1 include Mary Calixtro, Alex Fuller and Stevie Nicole Jones. Georgetown City Council members typically serve three-year terms representing one of seven single-member districts. To see maps of council districts, go to maps. georgetown.org/council-district-maps. On Election Day on Nov. 5, voters may cast ballots at any vote center location in Williamson County. Polling places, dates, and times during Early Voting and on Election Day are listed at wilco.org/elections.
clinic in Jarrell lately, you probably noticed a blue, 76’ square-body Chevy pickup with a vet box in the parking lot. I’ve always loved those square body pickups—the simple lines of the truck; no computers; it’s rugged and dependable, and if I treat it right, it’ll probably be rolling down the road long after I’m gone. I rode out to a client’s house in that pickup last week. The suspension is tight and the old bench seat is full of springs that launch you into the ceiling if you take a bump too hard. Kaitlin, our practice manager, and I rumbled down the driveway bouncing and jostling around the cab like kernels in a popcorn bag. We were there to vaccinate a couple of show pigs for a student in the high school FFA. The easiest way to vaccinate a pig is to put them in a squeeze and then give them the shots; the next “easiest” way is to grab their front legs, pick them up and turn them over onto their backs and squeeze their shoulders between your feet. They hate it and scream like crazy, but if you keep them that way for a minute or so they stop struggling and
you can give those shots. Since we had no squeeze, we commenced to flipping hogs around and giving shots. After our hearing returned, we said our goodbyes and went back to the office. Why give pigs vaccines? Pig breeders give them shots at weaning, so why go through all this? There are some changes that have occurred lately that have made vaccinating even more important. There are new federal rules about medicated feed that prevent the use of feeds with antibiotics without the prescription of a vet. For years, medicated feeds prevented disease outbreaks of Erysipelas, but without the medicated feeds, we are seeing this disease come back. Show pigs are brought together from all over which means they are exposed to infectious agents constantly. Vaccines can help prevent or reduce the symptoms seen in a disease process. Also, a sick pig with a weakened immune system will be more likely to contract other diseases like
the flu which can further compromise the animal, or allow for re-assortment of viral DNA or RNA into new combinations that can affect people. Pigs can actually be infected with human, avian, and swine influenza viruses to make an antigenic shift to a new influenza A subtype that can infect people. So, like riding in an old pickup, giving pigs shots is not fun, but it is important for the health of the animal and the people around them. Dr. Carlton served four years in the United States Army as a Veterinary Corps Officer. He honed his clinical skill set working on these unique animal populations, and brings that special knowledge to the community at Jarrell Animal Hospital. Dr. Carlton is a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Association of Equine Practitioners, Texas Veterinary Medical Association, and he continues to serve in the United States Army Reserve. Jarrell Animal Hospital 191 Town Center Blvd. Jarrell JarrellAnimalHospital.com and Facebook
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CITY INSIDER
NOVEMBER 2019
Loyce J. Graham MD, PLLC 181 Town Center Blvd. Suite 400 � Jarrell � 512.746.2690 Office Hours: Mon., Wed., Thurs., Fri. 8 am - 5 pm | Tues. 8 am - Noon
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512-746-4274 AUTO MAINTENANCE
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MON-FRI: 8am-6pm SAT: 8am - 5pm SUN: 10am - 4pm
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171 Town Center Blvd | Jarrell Northbound IH-35 EXIT 275 | Southbound IH-35 EXIT 274
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F R EE
CAR WASH with Full Service Oil Change Cougar Lube and Wash
NOVEMBER 2019
CITY INSIDER
IN MEMORIAM Robert “Bob” John Klepac
Robert “Bob” John Klepac, passed away Oct 15, 2019, in Fredericksburg with family members at his side. Bob was born on October 22, 1931, in Robstown, Texas to John and Mary Klepac. He grew up in Robstown and Corpus Christi, Texas. He attended Texas A&I in Kingsville and St. Mary’s University in San Antonio. While working in San Antonio, Bob
met and married Caley Nell Jones, on August 25, 1956. They moved to Blanco where Bob joined his parents in the early stages of Blanco Greenhouses, Inc., which later became Klepac Bros. Greenhouses Inc., with his brother Jim. The Klepac family were members of St. Ferdinand’s Catholic Church for many years. When Bob was not working, you could find him fishing on the coast or hunting in South Texas with his family. Bob is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 59 years, Nell Klepac; his parents John and Mary; and his brother Jim. He will be deeply missed by his two sons, Robert Klepac; Michael Klepac. His three daughters, Laura, and husband Todd Petty; Jackie, and husband Eric Ashley; Marilyn, and husband Alan Gray. He was the beloved “Papa” of Courtney, Kathryn, Raleigh Klepac; Michael Jr. and Claire Klepac; Ryan Petty and
Danielle and husband Steve Sorenson; Joshua, Rachael and Emily Ashley; Caley and husband Andrew Powers; Kimberley and husband Kelly Miller; Kyle Gray and two great grandsons Nolan Powers and Hayes Miller. Bob is also survived by his sister, Anna Marie Eszlinger. Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 6, 2019, at the Chapel of St. Ferdinand Catholic Church in Blanco, TX. A Christian burial will follow at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Twin Sisters, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to one of the following organizations, The Spirit Center- Attn: Sister Martha Ann Snapka, 5201 Lipes Blvd., Corpus Christi, Texas 78413 Ave Maria Hospice PO Box 3445 Fredericksburg, Texas 78624.
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Smith Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
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allpurposeair@ecpi.com
(in the Salado Square)
254-947-3688
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NOVEMBER 2019
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CITY INSIDER
CITY INSIDER
NOVEMBER 2019