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HomeMy WebLinkAboutReporter October 2012Paul Elkins with Texas Public Power Association award © City of Georgetown, 2012 VOL. 10 • NO. 10 A Publication of the City of Georgetown October 2012 which includes courses such as electrical power systems, smart grid technology, and climbing skills. Despite a very competitive job market for younger workers, Elkins says such trade programs are looking for students. ACC is the only college in Texas offering the Lineworker Technology two- year degree. Lineworkers are a rare breed who can master complex technical information and have the physical stamina and fearlessness to climb utility poles. “You cannot be afraid of heights and work as a lineman,” says Elkins. The daily risks of working with high-voltage lines— often in the heat of summer or in ice storms—create a high level of camaraderie among those in the trade. “They have to truly watch each other’s back,” says Elkins. For information about the Lineworker Technology degree, go to the ACC website at www.austincc.edu. Utility Lineworker Technology at Austin Community College. Elkins was instrumental in developing four new classes in the 64-credit-hour degree that provides graduates with the knowledge and skills to start as a lineworker. Elkins is an instructor in the program, The development of the first college degree program in Texas for electric line workers was recognized for an award in August by the Texas Public Power Association. Paul Elkins, energy services manager for Georgetown Utility Systems, helped to create an Associate Degree in Award for Lineworker Degree Program New services are on the way for solid waste and recycling in Georgetown. In August, the city council approved a new five-year contract with Texas Disposal sys- tems. Recyclables will be collected in Starting in November Single-Stream Recycling and Green Waste Pickup one single-stream 96-gallon cart, which will replace the smaller bins. A wider range of items will be accepted, including more grades of plastics and cardboard. Recycling pickup will move to every-other- week collection. Other new services will include a Green Builders program for con- struction waste, as well as a seasonal curbside residential green waste col- lection. During certain months in the winter and spring, green waste will be collected every-other-week in bundles or biodegradable craft bags. Look for more details and the roll- out schedule in the next issue of the Reporter or at Georgetown.org. More detailed information also will arrive with the new cart. October Events Farmers Markets Sun City Market, Tuesdays: 9 a.m. to Noon, 2 Texas Drive at Social Center Georgetown Market, Thursdays: 3:30 - 6:30 p.m., Church of Christ, 1525 W. University Avenue Details at www.gtfma.com The Palace Theater I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change,Sept. 21 – Oct. 14 Always,Patsy Cline, Oct. 26 – Nov. 25 Details at GeorgetownPalace.com, or call (512) 869-7469. National Night Out, October 2 Sponsor an evening block party from 6 to 9 p.m. to show neigh- borhood support against crime. Register your block party with the Georgetown Police Department to have an officer attend your event. Go to: pd.georgetown.org/ pro- grams-services/national-night-out for an online application or contact Sgt. Pearson, at (512) 930-2594 or Loyd.Pearson@georgetown.org. Art Hop, October 4 – 27 Art Hop is a juried art exhibit including works by high school students and other artists in Texas. Artwork will be exhibited in several downtown Georgetown businesses. Pick a map at the Visitor Center, Williamson Museum, or the Georgetown Public Library. Details at www.georgetownartworks.com. First Friday, October 5 Downtown live music, shops, and restaurants are open late. See the Downtown Georgetown Assoc. website at: TheGeorgetownSquare.com. City news and events Sign up for e-newsletters at:lists.georgetown.org Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/CityofGeorgetown www.facebook.com/LivePlayGeorgetown www.facebook.com/ShopGeorgetown www.facebook.com/DowntownGeorgetown Discover the latest news about the city at www.georgetown.org The Georgetown City Reporter is a publication of the City of GeorgetownPublic Communications Department, P.O. Box 409, Georgetown, Texas, 78627. For questions or comments, contact KeithHutchinson, public communications director, at (512) 930-3690 or by email at keith.hutchinson@georgetown.org. Spurred by advances in directional drilling technology, the U.S. is expe- riencing a boom in oil and gas pro- duction. A critical piece of technolo- gy that has enabled that boom is manufactured by a company here in Georgetown. Bench Tree Group, located on County Road 110 in Georgetown’s extraterritorial jurisdiction, makes a component that is placed inside the drilling shaft behind the drill bit. Using three-dimensional subsurface imaging, the component allows the drill to be steered into a horizontal strata containing oil or gas during the drilling process. The devices are built to operate at temperatures of 350 degrees Fahrenheit deeper than four miles underground. Drilling Tech Company Key in Current Boom Harvest Fest 5K & FamilyFun Run, October 6 This event in San Gabriel Park starts with a half-mile Family Fun Run at 8 a.m., followed by a 5K chip-timed run at 8:30 a.m. Awards for male, female, and age- group winners. Proceeds benefit WBC Opportunities, providing Meals on Wheels and Head Start in Williamson and Burnet Counties. Register at www.harvestfest5krun.org. For details, call (512) 763-1400. St. John’s UMC HarvestFest, October 6 The 54th annual Harvest Fest is 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Georgetown Community Center in San Gabriel Park. Dine–in or drive-thru turkey dinner with all the trimmings. Baked goods, country store, live and silent auctions with entertainment throughout the day. Proceeds benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Georgetown and CASA of Williamson County. Georgetown Art in theSquare, October 6 – 7 The Square is turned into an outdoor art gallery in this fourth annual event. You’ll see works from fine artists in a wide range of media including clay, drawing, sculpture, painting, jewelry, fiber, and metal. From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Details at artinsquare.com. Sponsored by the City of Georgetown and the Arts and Culture Board. Market Days, October 13 Handmade arts and crafts, food, and more on the Square from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details at TheGeorgetownSquare.com. Chisholm Trail Days, October 19 – 20 Presented by the Williamson Museum and the Service Club Coalition, the event kicks off with Bench Tree CEO Aubrey Holt explains their high-tech drilling components to Mayor George Garver on a recent tour. October Events Art for Animals February 2013 Bench Tree CEO Aubrey Holt says that unlike older vertical drilling methods, directional drilling “is like dropping a string off the top of the Empire State Building and then at street level, stringing it through the open window of every car on the block.” Holt, who started the com- pany nine years ago, says horizontal drilling now accounts for 72 percent of the oil and gas wells in the U.S. As a result of the strength of the industry, Bench Tree expanded into a new 38,000 square foot facility in 2011. Due to the tremendous demand for the directional drilling components they make and repair, Holt says they are “selling all that we can make.” Georgetown Public Library Closed for inventory October 1 – 5 October Events The Cattleman’s Ball on Friday from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Community Center. Saturday’s fun in San Gabriel Park starts at 9 a.m. with a cowboy breakfast, live music, barbeque cook-off, living history camps, chuckwagons, blacksmiths, children’s corral, and more. Don’t miss the authentic longhorn cattle drive on the banks of the San Gabriel River at 4 p.m. A barbeque dinner ($10 each) at the Community Center starts at 5:15 p.m., followed by the Dueces Wild Ranch Rodeo at 6:30 p.m. at the Rodeo Arena. For details, go to upthechisholmtrail.org, or call (512) 943-1670. Pianist Jan Jiracek inConcert, October 21 The Georgetown Symphony Society presents a return performance by Jan Jiracek, Finalist in the Tenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. GHS Klett Center for the Performing Arts, 4 p.m. Free pre-concert lecture by Dr. Ellsworth Peterson at 3:15 p.m. in the Little Theatre. Tickets available at the door. Details at www.gsstx.org or call (512) 864-9591. Halloween Festival, October 25 Sponsored by the Georgetown Parks and Recreation Department, this 18th annual Halloween event takes place in San Gabriel Park. Hayrides begin at the Community Center at 5 p.m. Ticket sales end at 8 p.m. Tickets for children 5 or older and adults are $2. Children under 5 are $1. The carnival is in the Community Center from 5 to 9 p.m. Trick-or-treat Village will be set up in front of the Community Center from 5 to 8 p.m. A free Movie in the Park showing of Monster House (PG) will be at the former Eagle Field in San Gabriel Park and starts at 7:30 p.m. Call (512) 930-3595 or email erin.ruyle@georgetown.org.