Shoppers are invited to Shop Small, Shop Local with Georgetown merchants during the annual Small Business Saturday event Saturday, Nov. 26.

Holiday shoppers and visitors are encouraged to celebrate the season and support a small business by shopping at locally owned businesses. Participating retailers and restaurants will have specials and discounts available.

The kick-off event will be held from 10 a.m.-noon Nov. 26 at the Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St. A free canvas tote bag and refreshments will be given to shoppers while supplies last.

The annual Small Business Saturday event is sponsored by the Georgetown Main Street Program, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, and the Downtown Georgetown Association.

For more information, visit mainstreet.georgetown.org/shop-small.

Many City facilities will be closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday. Click here for a full list of closures and information about other events, including Community Thanksgiving and Lighting of the Square.

Final unofficial election results from the Williamson County Elections Department for the City of Georgetown election on Nov. 8, 2022. Early vote totals included.

To see complete Nov. 8 election results, go to wilco.org/elections.

Votes will be canvassed at the regular City Council meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 22.

City of Georgetown offices and facilities will be closed Friday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day. There will be normal solid waste and recycling collection Nov. 11.

Click here for more information about the annual Veterans Day Ceremony in Sun City and the Field of Honor in San Gabriel Park.

City offices closed Nov. 11

The City offices and facilities closed Nov. 11 for Veterans Day include the following:

• Airport Terminal, 500 Terminal Drive
• Animal Shelter, 110 Walden Drive
• Art Center, 816 S. Main St.
• City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
• Council and Courts Building (including Municipal Court), 510 W. Ninth St.
• Georgetown Municipal Complex, 300-1 Industrial Ave.
• Grace Heritage Center, 817 S. Main St.
• Parks and Recreation Administration, 1101 N. College St.
• Planning Department, 809 Martin Luther King Jr. St.
• Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St. The library will be closed Nov. 7- 10 for inventory.
• Public Safety Operations and Training Center, Police Records, and Fire Support Services offices, 3500 D.B. Wood Road
• Recreation Center, 1003 N. Austin Ave.
• Tennis Center, 400 Serenada Drive
• Visitors Center, 103 W. Seventh St.

Facilities open

• Collection Station, 250 W.L. Walden Drive, will be open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Garey Park, 6450 RM 2243, will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

GoGeo paratransit bus service

There will be service Friday, Nov. 11.

Recycling and solid waste

There will be regular recycling and solid waste collection for City of Georgetown customers on Friday, Nov. 11. Please place carts at the curb by 7 a.m. on your scheduled pickup day. For questions, call Texas Disposal Systems at 512-930-1715.

The annual Veterans Day Ceremony in Georgetown is at 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 11, at the Georgetown-Williamson County Veterans Memorial Plaza, 2 Texas Drive. All veterans and their families attending will be recognized, and several veterans will participate in the program. The Georgetown High School band, orchestra, and choir will provide music beginning at 10:45 a.m.

The guest speaker during the event is Juan Amaya Jr., Williamson County Veterans Services Director.

Parking is available at the Sun City Social Center at 2 Texas Drive and across the street at the Activities Center at 1 Texas Drive. Seven hundred folding chairs will be placed at the memorial for event seating. Guests also may bring a folding chair and sit at the plaza under the trees.

The Sun City Community Association will serve refreshments on the Social Center patio after the ceremony.

The event is free and open to the public. In case of rain, the event will be held in the ballroom at the Social City Social Center, 2 Texas Drive.

More information available here.

Field of Honor®

The Rotary Club of Georgetown Foundation, in cooperation with the City of Georgetown, is hosting its sixth annual Field of Honor® from Nov. 5-12 in San Gabriel Park, at Chamber Way and East Morrow Street.

The event features a field of up to 1,600 American flags, each purchased to honor of a past or present veteran, active or reserve-duty military, or first responder, including K-9 and equestrian heroes. This year the event also will include the Tunnel to Towers 9/11 “Never Forget” Mobile Exhibit. An escorted arrival and ceremony is set for 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 in San Gabriel Park.

From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 6, large static displays – tanks, fire, police, sheriff, and emergency vehicles – will be on display. The Grand Opening Ceremony begins at 1:30 p.m. with a Parade of Colors. A Veterans Day Ceremony will also be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 11, with a Patriots Celebration barbecue that evening.

Flags will be on display Nov. 5-12. The flag sales and repost tent will be open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday-Thursday (Nov. 5-10) and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday (Nov. 11-12). Proceeds from flag sales benefit veteran and first-responder organizations. Flag pick up will be noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 12, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13.

More information, including a schedule of events, can be found at georgetowntxfieldofhonor.org.

City offices closed

Many City of Georgetown offices and facilities will be closed Friday, Nov. 11, in observance of Veterans Day. Click here for a full list.

The first day of early voting is Monday, Oct. 24, for the November election. Georgetown residents will be able to vote on Proposition A, which is the reauthorization of the 0.25 percent sales tax for the resurfacing and repair of city streets.

The early, in-person voting period is Oct. 24-Nov. 4. Election Day is Nov. 8.

Early voting locations in Georgetown are:

• Cowan Creek Amenity Center, 1433 Cool Spring Way, 78633
• Georgetown City Hall, 808 Martin Luther King Jr. St., 78626
• Georgetown ISD Technology Building, 603 Lakeway Drive, 78628
• Williamson County Georgetown Annex, 100 Wilco Way, 78626

For early voting, polls are open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Oct. 24-29 and Oct. 31-Nov. 4, and noon-6 p.m. Oct. 30.

All polling locations in Williamson County, dates, and times during early voting and on Election Day are listed at wilco.org/elections. Also on the elections website, find information on voter ID requirements, voter and sample ballot lookup, and an app to check live wait times at the polls.

For information about the 0.25 percent street maintenance sales tax, go to transportation.georgetown.org/quarter-cent-sales-tax. For details about the City election, go to government.georgetown.org/city-secretary/elections.

The City of Georgetown is joining other cities across the country for  this year’s Imagine a Day Without Water day of action on Thursday, Oct. 20.

Imagine a Day Without Water is an annual, “national education campaign that brings together diverse stakeholders to highlight how water is essential, invaluable, and in need of investment.” According to the website, “the U.S. Water Alliance and DigDeep identified that there are two million individuals who experience lack of access to adequate drinking water and sanitation.”

“The Georgetown Water team works around the clock to provide several millions of gallons of clean, drinkable water to more than 50,000 customers every day—water that not only helps us in our daily necessities, but also goes into manufacturing, fire prevention, and more,” Water Director Chelsea Solomon said. “This day is an opportunity to celebrate how important water is to our lives.”

Georgetown residents and visitors will be able to visit businesses around the Square, including Black Sugar Café, Hydrate, and others, to receive free cups featuring the Imagine a Day Without Water messaging. Limited quantities are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

People who collect at least one stamp on an informational postcard from participating businesses and bring it to the City’s booth at the Autumn Art Stroll between 4 and 8 p.m. on Oct. 20 will be entered into a goodie bag giveaway. The Water conservation booth will be located near the information/check-in table in the Grace Heritage Center, 817 S. Main St.

The Water conservation team also will be in the South Main Arts District (located between Founder’s Park and Grace Heritage Center, 817 S. Main St.) Sunday, Oct. 22, for a silent auction for the Painted Rain Barrel Project.

People can submit bids for the rain barrels 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. in person at the Water conservation booth at the South Main Arts Festival. Bids start at $125. Proceeds from the auction will go toward water conservation education and outreach efforts in our local school systems.

For more information about our water conservation program, please visit water.georgetown.org.

Oct. 21 update: The mosquito traps that tested positive for West Nile Virus Oct. 11 came back negative this week. The City and WCCHD will continue expanded testing next week.

Two mosquito trap samples collected Oct. 11 in Georgetown have tested positive for West Nile virus. The traps were located in Geneva Park, 1021 Quail Valley Drive, and in Berry Creek, at Diamond Dove Trail and Airport Road.

This testing is part of the City of Georgetown’s participation in the Williamson County and Cities Health District’s (WCCHD) Integrated Vector Management program. The positive tests were indicated in lab results received Oct. 13 from the Texas Department of State Health Services lab in Austin.

West Nile virus is the most common mosquito-borne disease in the United States. In 2022, there have been four mosquito samples pools that returned positive for West Nile virus in Williamson County. These are the first positive traps in 2022 at these locations. The last positive trap collected at Geneva Park was in October 2018 and in October 2021 in Berry Creek..

The City and the Health District are encouraging everyone to be especially vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites when outdoors and preventing mosquito breeding on their personal property. Recent rain and continued warm temperatures are prime breeding conditions for mosquitoes.

While there have been no reported incidences of human infection of West Nile virus in Williamson County this year, symptoms of infection may include fever, headache, and body aches, a skin rash on the trunk of the body, and swollen lymph nodes. Those age 50 and older and/or with compromised immune systems are at a higher risk for severe symptoms, which may include stiffness, disorientation, coma, tremors, vision loss, paralysis, and in rare cases, death.

City of Georgetown parks staff will continue mosquito control efforts with the treatment of standing water with larvicide, and WCCHD will continue enhanced monitoring and testing, along with increased public outreach and education. The City is prepared to take additional action if necessary.

Mosquitoes are present in Central Texas year-round, but the population is largest and most active from May through November. During this period, WCCHD monitors the mosquito population and tests for mosquito-borne viruses.

The most important way to prevent West Nile virus is to reduce the number of mosquitoes where people work and play. Health officials strongly encourage everyone to remain vigilant about protecting themselves from mosquito bites and preventing mosquito breeding on their personal property. Mosquitoes breed in standing water, needing as little as one teaspoon. By draining all sources of standing water in and around your property, you reduce the number of places mosquitoes can lay their eggs and breed.

What you can do

Eliminating places where mosquitoes can breed and reducing the chances of mosquito bites are the most effective lines of defense against exposure to West Nile virus. As part of its Fight the Bite campaign the Health District recommends the 3 Ds of mosquito safety:

• Drain standing water in flowerpots, pet dishes, or clogged gutters so mosquitoes don’t have a place to breed and treat water that can’t be drained,
• Defend by using an EPA-approved insect repellent, and
• Dress in long sleeves and pants when outdoors.

For more information, go to the WCCHD website at www.wcchd.org or visit the Texas Department of State Health Services West Nile website at txwestnile.org.

Updated: The silent auction will take in person Saturday, Oct. 22.

The City of Georgetown Water Conservation team and Arts and Culture Board have awarded 10 pieces of work by nine different artists for the Painted Rain Barrel Project, a water conservation project with the objective of bringing awareness to the accessibility of conservation methods.

The artists and their works are:

The rain barrels will be displayed at local businesses and City facilities in the downtown area Oct. 17-21. Each barrel will be up for auction, and people can place bids in person from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, in the South Main Arts District (located between Founder’s Park and Grace Heritage Center, 817 S. Main St.). The Water conservation team will have a booth set up as part of the South Main Arts Festival. Bids start at $125. Proceeds from the auction will go toward water conservation education and outreach efforts in our local school systems.

Visitors to the Square Oct. 20 also will have an opportunity to “Imagine a Day Without Water.” Downtown businesses will have free swag available, and people can enter a raffle to win a chance for themed giveaways. Water plays a vital role in our daily lives, and this event is designed to bring awareness to what life would be like without water.

For more information about our water conservation program, please visit water.georgetown.org.

The City of Georgetown is celebrating the Month of the Arts this October with several events for our residents and visiting art lovers.

Oct. 13 | Brown Bag Luncheon: How the Hotel Occupancy Tax Can Help Fund the Arts

The City will host the quarterly Arts and Culture Brown Bag Luncheon Oct. 13.

Ann Graham, executive director of Texans for the Arts, will present on the Hotel Occupancy Tax Toolkit and discuss ways to utilize 15 percent of the tax revenues for community arts and culture initiatives.

The meeting begins at noon in the Friends Room at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth St. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch. There will be time after the discussion to share and learn about arts and culture programs happening in the Georgetown Community.

This quarterly professional development presentation is sponsored by the Georgetown Arts and Culture program. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to arts@georgetown.org.

Oct. 20 | Autumn Art Stroll & South Main Arts District ribbon cutting

Patrons are invited to engage in arts experiences from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, at various locations across the Downtown Georgetown Cultural District. Experiences include kids’ activities, artist demonstrations, art exhibits, live music, and art shopping opportunities.

During the Art Stroll, the 2022 Georgetown Sculpture Tour award winners will be announced at 4 p.m. at the Shotgun House, 801 West St., and the South Main Arts District ribbon cutting will be at 5:30 p.m. SOMA is located between Founder’s Park and Grace Heritage Center (817 S. Main St).

 Oct. 22 | South Main Arts Festival

Celebrate Georgetown’s inaugural South Main Arts Festival dedicated to the fine arts and located in the new South Main Arts District – a project that received Cultural District grant funding from the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Shop the juried artist booths for a variety of artistic media while viewing the yarn bomb installation that was designed and created by Preservation Georgetown, the Knitting Cup, and passionate fiber artists and volunteers from the community. Enjoy food trucks, live music, and ribbon dancers throughout the day, as well as kids arts activities and pottery by Cordovan Art School, an outdoor theatrical performance, and more. The evening’s live music headliner is Texas Commission on the Arts Touring Roster Artist, Sue Foley. Foley’s performance starts at 5 p.m.

For more information about this and other Arts and Culture events, visit our webpage here.

Oct. 17-21 | Water conservation events

The City of Georgetown’s Water Conservation team is looking to bring awareness to the importance of water and sustainable watering through two opportunities, planned in conjunction with the arts events.

Ten rain barrels painted by area artists will be displayed at local businesses and City facilities in downtown area Oct. 17-21 as part of the inaugural Painted Rain Barrel Project. The vibrant, painted rain barrels will be up for auction during that week, and people can place bids via a QR code. Proceeds from the auction will go toward water conservation education and outreach efforts in our local school systems.

Additionally, in efforts to spread more awareness and promote community engagement about water conservation, the Water Conservation team will also be hosting its first Imagine a Day Without Water event on Oct. 20.

Water plays a vital role in our daily lives, and this event is designed to bring awareness to what life would be like without water. Downtown businesses will have free swag available, and people can enter a raffle to win a chance for themed giveaways.

More detail will be provided closer to the event. More information about Imagine a Day Without Water here.