TOWN & COUNTRY
2019 USO Yellow Ribbon Gala • Tickets Available USO Fort Hood is holding
its annual Yellow Ribbon fundraising gala September 21 at 5:30pm at the Georgetown Sheraton to raise money for programs that support our armed forces at home, in the field, when rendering aid during disasters like Hurricane Harvey, and much more. Tickets are $100 and available at FortHood.USO.org. This event constitutes approximately 75-80 percent of the annual operating budget. USO Director Isabelle Hubbard is pleased to announce that even if you aren’t able to buy the $100 ticket, you can still participate in the silent auction at https:// usoforthood.ticket.qtego.net/tickets/. “We have so many great things available this year, and even though we are a military organization, this auction has something for fans of everything from Cowboys football to Star Wars.” The live auction has nearly a dozen VIP packages, destination packages, commemorative airplane rides, and even a full cardiac screening from Family Emer-
gency Medicine in Wolf Ranch. Tickets include dinner, live entertainment by Rotelle and the Hot Tomatoes, silent auction and live auction. Hubbard says all the money raised at this event stays in the Central Texas area. “Our fundraising is for our community so we can continue providing services and programs for our active duty personnel in the military community, including the Reserves,National Gala Committee: Anthony Triola, Anne Marshall, Graves Erskine, Tiffany Enos, Dwayne Erickson, Guard and Border Patrol. Isabel Hubbard, Mary Jo Burton, and Betty Schleder Wherever soldiers go, we go.” and volunteer staff. “But we will need a programs for retired personnel and their For 2020, the USO has a capital plan to lot more volunteers to fill that new space spouses, as well as expansion of existing move from their current facility, which is at Fort Hood so we encourage anyone who services for the growth in the area and the 5,500 sq/ft wood building to a 32,000 sq/ft wishes to help, no special skills required, to number of veterans who choose to remain brick and mortar. Hubbard says they have visit volunteers.USO.org. in Central Texas after completing their outgrown their space in terms of soldiers New services include veteran transition service. served, programs created, as well as paid
2nd Annual Veteran Job Fair
Services available to all job seekers
The City of Georgetown, along with the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and Workforce Solutions Rural Capital Area, hosted the second annual Veterans Job Fair Aug. 21 at the Georgetown Community Center, 445 E. Morrow St. Georgetown EDC Director Michaela Dollar explained, "The City did a workforce analysis and discovered that we have access to more than 700,000 people in our labor shed. We wanted to find ways to tap into that pool of talent, which includes many military veterans and their spouses. We have worked hard to reach out to that
population and find ways to engage them in our recruitment. We partnered with the Chamber and the Texas Veterans Leadership Program last year and, in our first job fair, we broke the record for the number of hires from a single event in this area." More than 40 businesses from Georgetown and the surrounding were onsite accepting applications and resumes. Veterans and their spouses were invited the event was opened to the public for the last hour. The event was free to employers and job seekers to ensure everyone who wants a job has the opportunity to find one. At the tables were 56 employers from engineers to the arts, and more than 170 job seekers
pre-registered. Casey Wade from the The Texas Workforce Commission added, "We exist to assist veterans in their transition back to civilian life. Whether they've been in for four years or 20, we connect them with resources and tools to bridge the gap; resume help, mock interviews, even how to dress for success." Craig Henry is a Business Solutions Consultant, said, "If job seekers were unable to attend, they can visit any Texas Workforce
Solutions office where they will have free access to phone, fax, email and workshops on how to get work. If you are a taxpayer, you are eligible for all our free services. Visit WorkForceSolutionsRCA.com for more job fairs and resources.
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MAYOR'S UPDATE • BY DALE ROSS
Public Safety and Quality-of-Life Top 2020 Priorities officer and a fire protection engineer also address growth demands. The budget also includes operational costs and staffing for Fire Station 6 and Fire Station 7, scheduled to open in 2020.
Parks
Making investments to enhance commu-
nity safety and quality of life are key priorities for the fiscal year 2020 budget plan for the City of Georgetown. Budget specifics and the tax rate are being discussed and approved this month by the City Council. Georgetown’s population growth remains an important factor for the budget. This year Georgetown was ranked the seventh-fastest growing city in the U.S. with more than 50,000 residents by the U.S. Census Bureau. Georgetown has been one of the top 10 fastest-growing cities in the country each of the past five years. Maintaining quality of life and community safety while responding to population growth are core elements of the proposed 2020 budget. These themes are evident in the programs and projects proposed for 2020.
Public safety
Two patrol officers, one community engagement officer, two emergency communications operators, and one digital forensics investigator are proposed for the Police Department to respond to growth in the city. An additional code enforcement
New projects include the design of the third phase of the renovation of San Gabriel Park, an update to the Parks Master Plan to guide future parks development, plans for regional trail development, and upgrades to the Heritage Community Gardens near Annie Purl Elementary.
Transportation and mobility
Responding to a top priority for residents, mobility projects include widening Leander Road from Norwood Drive to Southwest Bypass, widening Southwestern Boulevard from Raintree Drive to SE Inner Loop, the next phase of sidewalk improvements, and continued funding for GoGeo transit. Construction on the Northwest Boulevard bridge over I-35 funded in 2019 will continue in 2020.
Electric utility
A new energy portfolio management contract, a new risk management policy, and a new general manager for the electric utility are all currently underway and included in the 2020 budget. New feeder and transformer improvements and other upgrades address growth in our service area.
Water utility
New major projects addressing our growing population include the expansion of the Lake Water Treatment Plant water intake, a Round Rock supply pump station and ground storage tank, the Stonewall Ranch pump station, and other line upgrades.
Photos by Rudy Ximenez, courtesy City of Georgetown Major wastewater projects include the next phase of the Berry Creek wastewater line, the San Gabriel wastewater line, and rehabilitation of the San Gabriel Wastewater Treatment Plant, and other lift station and line upgrades. Other new positions funded in the budget include a new director of community services to add focus to animal services, code enforcement, and emergency management; a director of communication and public engagement; staff for the Visitors Center, purchasing, and the Georgetown Public Library; and program managers for performance management, business improvement, and staff training. The 2020 budget includes a total of 15.5 new positions compared to 30 in the 2019 budget. No rate changes are proposed for water, wastewater, electric, or drainage utilities. A 75-cent increase in the monthly solid waste and recycling fee for residential customers
is proposed to reflect increased operational costs by Texas Disposal Systems. The proposed 2020 budget includes a property tax rate of 42 cents per $100 property valuation, which is the same rate as 2019. For an average home in Georgetown valued at $285,357, city taxes would increase by $30 from 2019. While the tax rate is the same as last year, the increase in valuation will increase the taxes paid for the average home. The budget public hearing and the first public hearing on the proposed tax rate was on Sept. 3. The second public hearing on the tax rate is Sept. 10. Adoption of the budget ordinances is set for Sept. 10 and Sept. 24. Fiscal year 2020 starts Oct. 1. Go to the City of Georgetown website at georgetown.org to see details about the proposed 2020 budget or to see the complete schedule for budget hearings and adoption.
NEWS FOR PAWS & CLAWS AND HOOVES & SNOUTS
Summer is coming to an end and I’m looking forward to cooler weather. We’ve had a long streak of hot days that stressed the livestock, and our pastures, as well. With little or no rain and a lot of heat, some plants become stressed and can be dangerous for cattle, goats and sheep. One problem cattle operators can face with dry conditions is prussic acid poisoning. Prussic acid, or hydrogen cyanide, is found in certain plants like Johnsongrass, Milo, and other forage sorghums. Drought can concentrate prussic acid in the leaves; when fed as chop, or when cattle heavily graze an area, as is the case in high stocking density grazing operations, animals can become affected and die very quickly. The best bet for livestock producers is to reduce broadleaf weeds through herbicide application and stay away from sorghum green chop during these hot times. Also, if you used 2,4-D Amine late in the spring to kill off problem weeds, any
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remaining Johnsongrass will have high concentrations of prussic acid. Signs of prussic acid poisoning include staggering, labored breathing, foaming at the mouth, and laying down and thrashing around. Call a vet if you see these signs. High stocking density (HSD), or rotational grazing is a land management practice in which livestock herds are combined and moved through pastures in a rotational basis. This strategy allows most of the land to “rest” and not be grazed while a smaller percent of the management area is grazed more heavily. It is a good way to let the land replenish itself, especially during drought conditions. There are multiple benefits to this approach, including increased trampling of the landscape to press organic material into
the soil; grazing of less desirable plants or areas of the landscape; and reducing parasite burdens to the livestock. The downside is that there is an initial period that requires more labor and monetary investment in fencing and water for the smaller paddocks. This strategy also requires diligent attention to the animals and the land to make sure the pasture is not grazed too closely. The land should never be grazed to dirt, unless total defoliation is the objective. If defoliation is the objective, then parasite control and vaccination for preventable respiratory diseases need to be aggressively implemented and supplemental feeding must be made available. Drought can cause forages to produce
less vitamin A. Low vitamin A can lead to problems with calves like weakness and blindness, so be sure to give a vitamin A and D shot about 30 days before calving if your cows are near the end of their gestation. Another shot to calves at birth is also recommended. Surviving the Texas heat can be a challenge for both humans and livestock, but with a little extra caution, knowledge and planning, your herds can thrive here. After graduating from Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Dr. Carlton served four years in the United States Army as a Veterinary Corps Officer. Stationed at Fort Hood, his patients included the Military Working Dogs of Air Force Security Forces, Army Military Police, Army Rangers, Special Forces, and the Marines. While serving as an Army veterinarian, he also was the vet for the horses of 1st Cavalry Division. He honed his clinical skill set working on these unique animal populations, and now 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 Dr. Carlton will share news and views for your pets and animal friends as a regular writer for City Insider. Send your questions to info@fpgtx.com
SEPTEMBER 2019
CITY INSIDER
New Hope
BAPTIST CHURCH P A S T O R
K E V I N
R O S S
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
Wednesdays 7- 8 pm
Youth - Grades 7 through 12 God’s Kids - Age 5 - 6th grade • Adult Bible Study
“ THE BARN CHURCH ” SERVICES: Sunday: 11 am & 6 pm
Sunday School: 9:45 am Wednesday: 7 pm
(512) 746-2828 1700 CR 305 | JARRELL
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
The Rev. Dr. Bill Pederson, Pastor
10:30 am Sunday Worship 9:30 am Adult Sunday School Children & Youth Sunday School Parents Time Out
Children’s chapel & nursery offered during worship
SAN GABRIEL PRESBYTERIAN
PUMPKINS ARRIVE OCT. 6!
5404 Williams Drive | Georgetown | 512-868-0902 | www.sgpcgeorgetown.org
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CITY INSIDER
SEPTEMBER 2019 of your badge, place it where you want it on the sash, then let it dry. It will stay in place long enough to stitch the edges. When you launder it, the glue will wash right out. — R.D. in Florida
• What’s going on sale in September? Look for cookware, dishes, pool toys and pool accessories, patio furniture, plus great deals on new cars (2020 models and closeout sales on 2019 models). • Here’s a great mattress de-funker recipe: Mix a cup of baking soda with 10 drops of your favorite essential oil. Sprinkle evenly over your bare mattress. Allow to penetrate for up to an hour, then vacuum up the remaining powder. • It’s almost time for Scouts to start up again. I have been washing uniforms and sashes, and I find this trick to be helpful when it comes time to stitch on badges: Put a bit of plain school glue on the back
• A school-success tip: Have middle and high-school kids identify a friend in every class who they can turn to for questions about assignments or course material. It’s beneficial to be that friend for someone else, too! • Here’s a great tip for future international travel: Get yourself a power strip and you’ll only need one plug adapter for foreign plugs. You will make friends at the airport, too, on a layover. — G.G. in Arkansas • When searching for airline flights, try going incognito in your browser, using a private browser, or deleting your cookies between searches. It can sometimes make a price difference. • If you have to put a lid over something that is likely to stick to it, try giving the inside of the lid a very light coating of vegetable oil. I do this when I am trans-
matches ready (preferably strike-anywhere matches, but strike on box works, too). Dip each match head into the melted wax and set aside on a piece of parchment until dry and hardened. • You can use a light mist of 1/4 vinegar and 3/4 water to polish chrome bath and kitchen fixtures. Spray and buff smudges away. porting dip to a potluck. Vegetable oil has no flavor, really, and it’s just enough to let the lid come off without taking the top layer with it. — J.A. in Florida • I use an ice-cube tray to freeze leftover coffee so I can use it for iced coffee. It’s great because the coffee doesn’t water down — it just gets richer. I save broth this way, too. Last week I pulled out a couple cubes of what I thought were broth to thin my leftover chili. Turns out they were coffee cubes, and the flavor was really good! I was surprised enough that I had to share. — R.F. in Virginia • Here’s a great way to make waterproof matches for camping. Light a candle or use a wax melt in a warmer. When the wax is good and melted, get a box of
• My daughter is a softball player, and here’s what her coach suggested as an ice pack for when she gets home: unpopped popcorn kernels. They get cold but not uncomfortably so, they can easily mould to any body part and they don’t melt into a mess. If you needed to, you can empty them out into a pan and stick your hand or foot into it. Be sure to label them so you don’t try to pop them later! — L.D. in Georgia Send your tips to Now Here’s a Tip, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803. © 2019 King Features Synd., Inc.
CITY INSIDER
SEPTEMBER 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
COUGAR LUBE & WASH F U L L S ERV I C E O I L & LU B E
512-746-4274 AUTO MAINTENANCE
• STATE INSPECTIONS • CAR WASH
MON-FRI: 8am-6pm SAT: 8am - 5pm SUN: 10am - 4pm
www.CougarLubeandWash.com
171 Town Center Blvd | Jarrell Northbound IH-35 EXIT 275 | Southbound IH-35 EXIT 274
F R EE
CAR WASH with Full Service Oil Change Cougar Lube and Wash
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M•A•R•K•E•T•P•L•A•C•E MADE FRESH EVERY DAY!
UNIQUE LADIES’ BOUTIQUE FULL SERVICE SALON BARBER SHOP
Open 5 am Monday -Saturday (6 am Sundays)
and end of summer savings!
512-598-3915
8 Stylists / Barbers • Walk-In (any service) or by Appointment
180 TOWN CENTER BLVD | JARRELL
IH-35 South in Jarrell
(beside Brookshire Brothers)
254-291-4790 | Follow Us on Facebook for Sales & New Arrivals!
Northbound IH-35 Exit 275 • Southbound IH-35 Exit 274
COMPLETE AUTOMOTIVE CARE
512-864-9794 STATE INSPEC TIONS
SOSComm.com
Located across from GISD stadium
ALLPURPOSE HEATING & AIR
Smith Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.
(512) 746-5641 (512) 869-1032
LLC
R E F R I G E R AT I O N
Repair • Installation • Service Sheet Metal Fabrication
512-930-3750
E LY ! G ET LIV
St License # TACLA4518C
allpurposeair@ecpi.com
A-1 Automotive Complete Auto Service
700 S. AUSTIN AVENUE • GEORGETOWN 512.869.7659 www.quenansjewelers.com
607 Leander Rd. • Georgetown 512-869-6993 Over 20 years of Quality Service Monday - Friday 7:30am - 6pm
512.863.7633
OFF ROAD RECOVERY
✯
LOCAL & LONG DISTANCE
DEPENDABLE SERVICE
RV TOWING ✯ FLATBED AVAILABLE ✯ LOCKOUTS
254-721-6282 · bcsports.us bcsports-sales@usa.net
Georgetown • Serenada Walburg • Weir • Jarrell Salado• Holland •Bartlett Granger • Taylor • Thrall Liberty Hill • Bertram
Visit us online for rate plans & to see our full coverage map!
GeorgetownMufflerandAutomotive.com
TACLA 006424C
Highspeed Internet Services Available In:
CALL TODAY! 512.897.1860
2228 N. AUSTIN AVENUE • GEORGETOWN
Residential • Commercial
EXPANDED COVERAGE AREA!
MOTORCYCLE TOWING
CavLaw,
PLLC
WAYNE E. CAVALIER Attorney at Law
ELDER LAW • WILLS • TRUSTS • ESTATES SE HABLA ESPAÑOL
512.775-7676 • cavlawtx@gmail.com 181 Town Center Blvd • Suite 500 Jarrell, TX 76537
Equipping Leaders in
MINISTRY • BUSINESS • POLITICS Leadership Instruction & Professional Development
512-948-5750 wbendaniel@gmail.com
Breakfast ● Sandwiches ● Salads Smoothies ● Gourmet Coffee Espresso ● Homemade White & Wheat Bread & Bagels
Lively Coffeehouse & Bistro
21 N. Main Street Salado, TX
(in the Salado Square)
254-947-3688
Mon., Wed.-Fri 9-4 Sat. 9-4 Sunday 10-4
CITY INSIDER
SEPTEMBER 2019
Solution on previous page
Solution on previous page
CITY INSIDER
SEPTEMBER 2019