August  Events 

River Valley Farmers Market in Downtown Elgin!    Every Saturday 10-2 at Veterans’ Memorial Park - look for special events and more in article below.

Elgin ISD Summer Lunch Program Free lunch served in Morris Memorial park behind Pool near playground June 6^th – August 9^th Monday – Thursday 11:30am – 12:30pm ages 1 to 18 years of welcome

Serve on a City Board Complete the City of Elgin Application for Community Boards by printing it at this link http://www.elgintx.com/pdfs/BoardApplication_000.pdf Mail the completed application to Shirley Garvel, City Secretary at PO Box 591, Elgin, TX 78621. You may also scan and email it to sgarvel@ci.elgin.tx.us. Learn more about all the City boards, at this link for the website.  http://www.elgintx.com/boards.asp

ACC Classes Available in Elgin. See details below!
Registration underway!www.austincc.edu/centers/elgin

Bus Stop Downtown!  Commuter Bus Service Available from Elgin to Austin! Daily weekly and monthly passes are available. See below or for information call 474-1200 or www.capmetro.org

Look for more information on these events below  or Check the website at www.elgintx.com for updates and more events!

Like the City of Elgin on Facebook! www.facebook.com/CityofElginTX

Elgin Public Library Children’s Programs
http://www.facebook.com/elginpubliclibrarychildren

Elgin Police Department provides alerts and notices through Nixle Community Information Service.  Subscribe at www.elgintx.com

Elgin
City Council
Meeting Information

Tuesday, August 7th
Tuesday, August 14th
Tuesday, August 21st
Tuesday, August 29th
time & location tbd

August Meetings are at 6 pm
(for budget workshops)
at the City Hall Annex

Contact the City Secretary for a
copy of the agenda or to request assistance at these public meetings.
512-281-5724

Elgin City Council
2011-2012

Marc Holm, Mayor

Keith Joesel - Ward 4
Mayor Pro-Tem

Theresa Scott - Ward 1
Kenneth Simpson

Patrick Dudley - Ward 2
Stacey Van Landingham  

Chris Cannon - Ward 3
Shirley McKamie 

Ron Ramirez - Ward 4

News and Events

Movies in Elgin

August movie
The Call of Life will be shown August 25 at 6:00pm at the Elgin Public Library Community Room.  This movie is a documentary that fully investigates the growing threat posed by the unprecedented loss of biodiversity on the planet – its causes, impact, and what can be done. For more information on the movie, go to www.calloflife.org.  A discussion will follow the movie.
In conjunction with The Call of Life, Babe, Pig in the City will be offered for children ages 5 and older.  Babe, Pig in the City is a sequel to the Academy Award®-nominated hit, Babe, and in this movie, Babe takes a journey to a far-away city to help save the farm.  The children’s movie will be shown on August 25 at 6:00pm in the children’s section of the Elgin Public Library.

September movie
Grow!, the final movie in the Elgin Summer Movie Series will be shown September 22 at 6:00pm in the Elgin Public Library Community Room.  Grow! profiles the next generation of young farmers.  For more information, go to www.growmovie.blogspot.com.  A discussion will follow the movie.
In conjunction with Grow!, Kung Fu Panda 2 will be offered for children ages 5 and older.  Po must uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins.  It is the sequel to Kung Fu Panda.  This movie will be shown on September 22 at 6:00pm in the children’s section of the Elgin Public Library.

City of Elgin & Elgin Wildcat Athletic Booster Club Movie Series 
August movies 
All movies will be shown at the Veterans’ Memorial Park in historic downtown Elgin.  A guest speaker will kick off the movie at 8:00 pm, and the movie will begin at 8:30.  Bring chairs, blankets, picnic gear, and maybe a little bug spray, too.  Free popcorn and lemonade will be provided by the WABC.  Admission to the movie is free.  Attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item or gently used or new book.  The food items will be donated to local Elgin food pantries, and the books will be given to youth organizations to increase literacy awareness within local communities.  Sponsored by Bastrop Abstract and Elgin Main Street Board.  Cooling water fans provided by Bluebonnet Electric!  
August 3 – Radio: A touching story of a developmentally challenged man and his involvement with a high school football team.  Rated PG.
August 10 – Remember the Titans: A high school football team is racially desegregated.  Rated PG-13.
August 17 – The Blind Side:  A real life story of NFL player, Michael Oher who came from the depths of despair and was adopted by a rich white family.  Rated PG-13.

Sustainable Places Project
Amy Miller Community Development Director
Six principles of sustainability
Variety of housing choices for all income levels and stages of life
Economic diversity in local employment, services and retail
Mobility or transportation options
Healthy, inclusive community options
Concentrated and balanced growth
Environment and natural resources, preservation, improvement, protection 
Join in a community conversation about these principles and how they could be implemented in the future in Elgin.  A community meeting will be held in early September.  Watch the Courier, Facebook and this E-News for date and time.  Send us pictures – one of something in Elgin you’d like to see preserved or continued and one photo of something that’s not here that you’d like to see in Elgin.  Send photos to comdevadmin@ci.elgin.tx.us For more information visit  http://elgin.sustainableplacesproject.com/  

Safe Routes to School

Elgin ISD is back in session at all campuses on Monday August 27.  Please remember to slow down for school zones, put away your cell phones, and watch for children throughout our community.  Texas Department of Transportation approved a bid from Bear Creek construction in late July, for construction of new sidewalks on FM 1100 from Elgin Middle school to Raymond Johnson road.  Construction will be underway in the fall.   

Clean Air Force & Ozone Warnings

Clean Air Force and Ozone warnings
At this time of year we hear more about Ozone Warnings.  For more information on ground-level ozone, please visit www.cleanairforce.org   You can reduce air pollution emissions by simply doing the following:
Limit Your Driving on Ozone Watch Days. Take your lunch to work. Combine errands or share a ride.
Ride the Bus. Elgin is served by CARTS and Capital Metro with three daily routes in to Austin and 3 return routes – see related article. 
Avoid Idling. Skip the drive-thru lane and park and go inside instead. For information on heavy-duty vehicle idling restrictions, please see www.engineoff.org.
Postpone Refueling Your Vehicle Until After 6 p.m. Also, don't top off the tank to prevent the escape of emissions.
Postpone Mowing Your Lawn and Using Gas-Powered Equipment Until After 6 p.m.
Tune Up Your Vehicle. A well-maintained car operates efficiently and cleanly.

American Red Cross
CPR/AED/First_Aid Training

Sign up and learn how to perform CPR on adults, children and infants as well as first aid.  This training could help you assist one of your family members or co-workers who needs help.  For registration ($35 for certification) or questions contact Alicia Stoll at 512-281-5724 or astoll@ci.elgin.tx.us.

Library News and Events

Book clubs, story times, family movie nights, arts and crafts, materials galore! 

Free Wi-Fi

Hours of Operation
Tuesday        10 to 7
Wednesday  10 to 6
Thursday       10 to 7
Friday            10 to 6
Saturday        10 to 4

Children’s and Youth programming
Lapsit Program every Tuesday at 10:30am
Monopoly every Tuesday 2:00-4:00pm
Arts and Crafts every Wednesday at 4:30pm
Snow Cone Day at the Elgin Public Library August 8 at 1:00 p.m.  Storytime, crafts and snowcones.
The Kissing Hand storytime and craft August 14 at 1:00 p.m.
The Kissing Hand ~ A perfect first day story. This is a story about a little raccoon ready to start school. He talks about his fears to his mother, fears that most children have before beginning school. His mother comes up with a wonderful solution to help her little raccoon remember that she loves him and is thinking about him, even when she isn't with him. A wonderful and heart-warming story to share with little ones. Great for kids going to school for the first time.

Ready for School? August 15 at 1:00 p.m.
Join us at the Elgin Public Library for an afternoon of reading, learning, colors, and numbers and a whole lot more activities to get ready for school

"Children's Area"
 in the Children's Area computers especially designed for kids and loaded with software just for them!  Lots of fun learning games.  Crafts Wed 4:30pm

Technology Talk
Library installs new software system
The library has new circulation software called ATRIUUM by Book Systems.
Patrons will need to have librarians put a pin number into their account and then they may search the catalog, renew their items, and reserve new items at elgintx.booksys.net.  Funding for the ATRIUUM software and a new server with future patron scheduling software was granted by the Tocker Foundation in April.

Backdoor Neighbors Computer Classes
Time to upgrade?  Your library can help.  Upgrade your skills.  Upgrade your job.  Upgrade your life.

To sign up for a class, or if you have questions, contact Judy at 281-5678 or jmaiewski@ci.elgin.tx.us

Afternoon Movie Classics with Popcorn
Elgin Library Cinema-
Aug 10th
The Maltese Falcon 1941 b&w
Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Peter Lorre
Aug 24th
Love Crazy 1941 b&w
William Powell, Myrna Loy

The Afternoon Book Club
Gathering of people that enjoy reading and like going off the beaten path from what they normally read. Meeting the second Tuesday of the month @ 2 o’clock

Family Movie Night 
Bring the entire family out and enjoy the movie!! 2nd Thursday @ 6:00pm

The Friends of the Elgin Library, this non-profit organization raise funds for books and programs at the library.  You can be a member!
http://www.elgintx.com/pdfs/FriendsofLibform.pdf

Parks Information

The City of Elgin Parks and Community Development Department helps to offer and market many special events and activities.  Events occur in all five parks and at the Elgin Municipal Pool.  Our parks include Elgin Memorial Park, Veterans’ Memorial Park, Thomas Memorial Park, Morris Memorial Park and Shenandoah Soccer Park and Greenbelt.  The parks website offers up to date information on events and other items such as a guide to reserving the parks or pavilions for your next party or special event. The parks are open to public and we encourage you to go outside and have fun enjoying these beautiful community treasures.  Please note our parks rules and regulations, hours and help keep the facilities safe and clean.  If you notice anything about the parks that needs attention or have questions and ideas please contact Alicia Stoll, Parks and Recreation Program Manager at 512-281-5724 or astoll@ci.elgin.tx.us.  Monday – Friday 8am-5pm.

Elgin Municipal Pool

For pool information: 512-281-5724 or
astoll@ci.elgin.tx.us, www.elgintx.com/parks.asp.

Economic Development

Joe Newman, Economic Development Director

Rumors of pending doom seem to be rampant lately.   The Elgin EDC office even heard a rumor that Austin Community College had changed their mind and weren’t going to build a campus in Elgin!  As you can see by the massive red iron and concrete being poured, that isn’t the case.   In fact, we learned last week that ACC construction is way ahead of schedule AND under-budget!  In other news…..Koy Chinese/Sushi Restaurant had a quiet opening and is doing well.  A formal grand opening will be coming up soon.  They have delicious food and a full bar.  Koy is in the shopping center just to the west of H-E-B.  And finally….we received the artist’s conception drawing of the proposed 156,000 sq. ft. Walmart Store this week.  It looks GREAT!   Unless something changes, we anticipate they will officially purchase the property in August and break ground in September.  The developer also has a site plan that shows seven additional stores that will be located between First National and Prosperity Banks.  Other announcements will be coming soon.  Please let your friends and family know that Elgin is ON THE GROW!!!

A Row to Share
From Our Gardens To Your Table

Stacey Vanlandingham Community Cupboard Board Member 

From Our Gardens to Your Table – Join a handful of Elginites who have decided to donate their own home-grown fresh produce to the Elgin Community Cupboard.  Simply prepare an extra row, sow a few more seeds or plant an extra container of cherry tomatoes. When you're ready to harvest contact Carolyn Lanford with the Community Cupboard at 281-4011 for information on when to deliver your donation or arrange for pickup. You can also visit us online at www.arowtoshare.wordpress.com for information.

River Valley Farmer's Market

Located in Veterans’ Memorial Park in historic downtown Elgin each Saturday from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Make your market shopping list now - here is a list of some of the currently available produce:  tomatoes (limited amount so come early), Swiss chard, squash – butternut and spaghetti, okra, bell peppers, jalapeños, onions, garlic, pears, grapes, cantaloupe, watermelon, grass-fed beef, pork, chicken, fresh bacon, and eggs.   Also, there will be honey, baked goods, pecan products, and craft items, including soaps and jewelry.  Butterfly Joe will be at the market on August 25.  Follow the RVFM at their website www.rivervalleyfarmersmarket.com/ or follow them on their Facebook and the City of Elgin Facebook pages.

ACC Classes Available in Elgin!

Austin Community College’s Elgin Center continues to offer classes in Elgin in advance of the opening of the new Elgin Campus.  Students can choose from a variety of transferable core curriculum classes.  Need Information?  Contact Elgin Center at 512-223-9400 or look online: http://www.austincc.edu/centers/elgin.php
Look for regular updates to the ACC Facilities project construction website.  Please see:
http://www.austincc.edu/faoadmin/images/ElginCampus.php or
http://www.austincc.edu/collegeoperations/pdfs/082611BastropCountyBreakfastMeeting.pdf
For the most up to date information on the new Elgin ACC Campus 

Commuter Bus Service from Elgin to Austin

Route Starts at Veteran's Memorial Park Bus Stop Downtown! or the Park n Ride on Hwy 95 North CARTS and Capital Metro have teamed up to provide service from Elgin to Austin.  The West Bound pick-ups from downtown at Veterans’ Memorial Park on Main Street at 5:40am, 6:40am and 7:40am and at the Elgin Park & Ride at 5:45am, 6:45am and 7:45am for the 990 Weekdays with stops at:  Manor, Applied Materials, Koenig at Guadalupe, Congress at Cesar Chavez.  The Return trips or East Bound stops start at Congress at 2^nd Street at 3:58pm, 5:03pm, and 6:08pm, with additional stops at Koenig at Guadalupe, Applied Materials, Manor and Elgin.   Daily weekly and monthly passes are available.  For information call 474-1200 or www.capmetro.org 

Depot Museum

Check out the current exhibit at the Depot Museum Tuesday through Sunday from 2-5.  Group tours may be arranged by calling 285-2000. 

Adopt a Spot

The adopt-a-spot program is sponsored by the Main Street Board to beautify Main Street and Elgin. This program is designed to help you and your neighbors play an ongoing role in maintaining an area that needs a little extra attention.
The adopting volunteers may plant plants and decorate their spot in order to beautify Elgin. The spot will have to be maintained on a regular basis. Adopting volunteers will perform routine maintenance such as weeding, litter removal and landscape plantings.  Currently adopted spots and available spots are listed below. 
Adopted Spots           
Central Avenue embankment - Burning Tree Lodge                               
S. Ave C/Central Ave flowerbed - Margo Sawyer                                   
Library Flower beds rear entrance - Sandy Ott                                                  
Taylor Road & Main St - Nalle Landscape Company                  
Chamber Building Rose Garden - Bastrop Rose Garden Club    
Available spots
City Hall flower beds
Flower beds on library sidewalk facing Main Street
Library flower beds in entrance courtyard  (has sprinklers)
Lexington & Main St. (litter pick up)
Elgin Memorial Park (litter pick up)
Loop 109 & 1704 (get creative with the triangle, litter pick up)
Hwy 95 N & Ave C
Any spot you may think of on public property can be considered
Please call 512-281-5724 ext 27 for information and any questions you may have regarding the adopt-a-spot program.

Wild Cat Flags & 78621 T-shirts for Sale

The Elgin Main Street Board is celebrating 20 years as a Texas Main Street City.  Celebrations include purple and white flags emblazoned with a wildcat and the words Elgin, Texas.  These full size flags can be flown at anytime at your home or business but are especially fun to have during Western Days, community events, and youth sport seasons.  Flags may be purchased for $25 at Elgin City Hall 310 North Main Street or Dorothy’s Jewelry and Gifts 104 Depot Street.  Or by email cpannell@ci.elgin.tx.us shipping and handling charges will apply for mail order requests.  For more information visit www.elgintx.com

Beautiful blue shirts emblazoned with 78621 and the downtown Elgin skyline are available now in a variety of sizes.  Dorothy’s Jewelry and Gifts and Coffee Catz downtown, Harpers Jewelry on Hwy. 290 all have shirts available for $10 each.   

KEEPING IT CLEAN!!!

Seniors Sign Up for Lower Garbage Rates!
Residents over 65 years of age, who are the primary account holder, can apply for a reduction on their bill of $2.02 per month for (1) 95 gallon cart only. Extra carts will not qualify for a reduction. Residents over 65 who wish to apply for the additional reduction MUST contact City Hall during regular business hours from 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday at 310 North Main or 512-285-5721 to request an application. Required documentation that will need to be provided can be either a valid driver license or a State issued photo ID for proof of age eligibility.

Weedy Lots!!!
Grass or weeds over 12” tall may be reported to Code Enforcement at 281-0119.  All calls are anonymous. Let's each take pride in our properties.

 Weekly Trash Service Information 
Weekly trash service for residents of the City of Elgin includes the following:  blue recycle box for tin, plastic, aluminum and paper, the blue cart for household trash, up to three extra bags, boxes or containers of household trash and four bundles of brush, as well as small bulky items that can easily be handled by one person.  Brush must be bundled with string into lengths of three feet or less and weigh no more than forty pounds.

Additional Recycling Information
City of Elgin residents receive curbside pick up recycling weekly.  A recycling station for oil, aluminum, tin and plastic is available at Precinct Four County Barn located at Bull Run Road and Central Avenue.  Paper recycling is available at all Elgin ISD School campuses. Paper items that are accepted are newspapers, magazines, office paper, paperback books and catalogues.  Phone books are not accepted. Old glass can be recycled at 707 E 9^th (9^th and IH 35) Ecology Action in Austin. For old electronics contact ESPI 512-251-4691.

Feel Like Cleaning Out the Garage? 
Take advantage of this service included in your monthly water bill

Usable item that you don’t need? 
Lions Thrift Store accepts donations Wednesday Thru Saturday at 108 North Main Street.  They can be reached at 285-5525.  Advocacy Outreach accepts donations Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am to 5pm closed noon to 1 for lunch.  They can be reached at 281-4180

Keep Bastrop County Beautiful compiled a listing of local places to recycle. The list can be found on the City of Elgin website parks area links page : www.elgintx.com/parkslinks.asp

FREE Bulky Trash Pick-up Service Available Monthly 
City of Elgin residents may request bulky trash pick-up for FREE once per month by calling 1-800-252-3586.  Pick up occurs the first Monday of each month. This service is included in the monthly garbage fee.   There is no additional charge for bulky trash pick-up.  Items that can be put curbside are box springs, mattresses, large pieces of furniture, stoves, washers, dryers, brush, and appliances that have had the refrigerant removed and are red tagged.  This is a FREE service.  Arrangements must be made with Allied/Republic Waste Services in advance of the pick-up day. The numbers to call are either 512-247-5647 or 1-800-252-3586.

Streetlight out? 
To submit information about a streetlight outage or malfunctioning street light.  Call 888-313-4747 or go online 
http://www.oncorgroup.com/community/streetlights/default.aspx

Hogeye Festival

Join the SOOOWEEEE!!  Fun – the festival planning committee will meet August 27 at 6:00pm in the Elgin Public Library Community Room – all hogs and sows are most welcome to share in planning the 25th Annual Hogeye Festival, the best pig gig in Texas since 1988!  Hogunteers needed for logistics, t-shirt sales, beverages, contests, check-in, traffic control, hospitality room and more!  Come on by or drop us a line and we’ll get you a spot at the trough for the best fun you’ve ever had! 
hogeyefesitval@ci.elgin.tx.us or find us on Facebook and at www.hogeyefestival.com 

NEW Bulky Waste Disposal Option at the Bastrop Transfer Station
Located at 1209 Linden Street Bastrop Texas Monday through Friday: 
7:30 am to 3:30 pm 
First Saturday of each month: 
8:00 am to 12:00 pm; 
except for holiday weekends
Brush, construction & demolition waste, some appliances, furniture, scrap metals  
Remove refrigerants & coolants (CFC’s) from air conditioners, refrigerators, & freezers Tires – $3.00 per tire ● Rims must be detached ● Passenger car & light truck tires only  $10.00 minimum charge / $10.00 per cubic yard  (calculated on length x width x height of truck and trailer beds  27 x $10.00)
___________________________________
No Hazardous Waste Accepted
This includes, but is not limited to the following: acids, air conditioners containing CFC’s, ammonia, antifreeze, asbestos, batteries, bleach, can, drums with flammable or hazardous labels, car engines, chemicals, chlorine, compressed gas containers (propane, Freon…), corrosives, explosives, flammables, freezers containing CFC’s, gasoline & containers, household cleaners, insecticides, medical waste, microwaves, oil & oil filters, paints & paint products, radioactive & liquid waste, refrigerators containing CFC’s, sludge, solvents, TV sets, weed killers
For questions, call:  (512) 332-8920 Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 3:30

Be Green with utility bills by Email!You may now receive your City of Elgin water bill via e-mail!  You will receive your bill around the first of the month and be able to view the consumption as usual.  We have the option to mail and e-mail the bill, mail only or e-mail only.  Please call 281-5724 or e-mail Melissa Lipiec (mlipiec@ci.elgin.tx.us) to sign up for Utility bill by Email.  Please specify if you want e-mail only or both e-mail and regular mail.

Making a Difference
Would you like to save money?  If you collect rain water from a roof, which is the most common method, you can store it in catchment tanks such as rain barrels.  You will be able to maintain a healthy yard, and take care of our state’s varied landscapes.  This will help to save you MONEY and help preserve our water sources.  Please go to this link for tips on how you can help take care of our community and become a Hero for Texas http://www.takecareoftexas.org/your-community/

Forward to a Friend

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