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Unified Development Code Amendments Office Hours
The City of Georgetown Planning Department will be hosting office visiting hours for anybody interested in learning more about the amendments, running through specific development examples, and addressing any questions you may have. Dedicated office hours will be held Wednesday, January 4 from 4 to 6 p.m.
To sign up for a specific appointment please email planning@georgetown.org. If a different time or day works better for you please do not hesitate to email us so we can arrange a separate time. UDC proposed changes can be found at udc.georgetown.org/udc-amendments.
Animal Shelter: Bring Your Pets Indoors
With an arctic front bearing down on Texas, the Georgetown Animal Shelter wants to remind everyone to take special care of their animals this winter.
The best thing to do is to keep pets indoors during bad weather. In addition to cold temperatures, the wind chill is dangerous, and pets can suffer hypothermia and frostbite.
For dogs and cats that are left outside all the time, make sure to provide a dry, draft-free shelter that is small enough to hold body heat and large enough for them to lie down. The shelter should have supplemental bedding or auxiliary heat and protection from wind and rain.
“We hope people will take good care of their cats and dogs and other animals because it is the right thing to do, but they should also remember animal neglect or cruelty is a citable offence,” according to shelter manager Jackie Carey.
If you notice a pet in the city limits of Georgetown that is not being properly sheltered, you can report the details to animal control by calling the police dispatcher at 512-930-3510, ext. 6. (Outside the city limits, contact Williamson County Animal Control.)
For questions, contact the Georgetown Animal Shelter at 512-930-3592 or animalsvc@georgetown.org. The shelter is located at 110 WL Walden Dr. in Georgetown, and their web address is pets.georgetown.org.
Rentsch Brewery Set to Expand Operations
After a year in business, Georgetown’s first brewery can’t keep up with demand and is set for a major expansion. Rentsch Brewery at 2500 NE Inner Loop is planning to triple its building footprint and increase production by ten-fold. In addition, the craft brewery plans to add an outdoor beer garden where patrons can socialize and enjoy entertainment.
Since opening, Rentsch Brewery has sold a variety of beers available by the glass at the brewery or on draft from kegs sold to restaurants. The expansion will include a canning operation that will allow Rentsch beer to be sold in packages in stores. Packaged retail sales will be a significant share of the increased production capacity, which will add 3,750 square feet of production space and 3,500 square feet of warehouse and storage space. (Pictured are Stefano Anianelli, David Rentschler, Andrew Rentschler, founders of Rentsch Brewery.)
Rentsch Brewery was founded by father and son David and Andrew Rentschler, and is family-owned and operated. In selecting equipment for the brewery expansion, the Rentschlers opted for an electric boiler heated by electricity from the City electric utility. This will mean that the brewery will be powered by 100 percent renewable power when Georgetown moves to solar and wind energy next year.
“In May, the U.S. Census Bureau named Georgetown the fastest-growing city in the nation for cities of its size. Apparently the secret is out: Georgetown is a great place to raise a family, start or expand a business or retire” says Georgetown Mayor Dale Ross. “Rentsch Brewery is the latest example of an existing Georgetown business expanding its business operations in the greatest city on planet Earth. I wish David and Andrew Rentschler all the best in expanding their footprint in Georgetown and for them embracing the city’s move to 100 renewable energy.”
As part of the expansion of the brewery, the City Council approved a $70,000 performance agreement from the Georgetown Economic Development Corporation at their meeting last week. Funds will be used for electric and water line upgrades to serve the facility.
“Rentsch Brewery is thankful to the City of Georgetown for being so supportive of our growing business,” says David Rentschler. “We are also thankful for GEDCO’s support, allowing us to become one of a handful of breweries to brew with 100 percent renewable energy. Starting next year, our beers will be made with Texas sun, Texas wind, and Texas water.”
The brewery expansion is expected to be completed by the spring of 2017, according to David Rentschler. He hopes to be selling Rentsch beer in cans in retail locations soon after the expansion is complete.
Community Thanksgiving on Nov. 24
Organizers of a community-wide dinner on Thanksgiving Day are seeking volunteers and monetary donations. Community Thanksgiving will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, November 24. Event organizers plan to serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal, free of charge, to 500 people.
The Community Thanksgiving will be served at three Georgetown locations:
- Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth Street
- Georgetown Housing Authority – Community Activity Learning Center, 210 B W. 18th Street
- First Baptist Georgetown – Recreation Center, 1333 W. University Avenue
A sit-down dinner as well as boxed take-out meals will be served at these locations.
Community Thanksgiving is being planned and supported by the City of Georgetown Police and Fire departments, Georgetown Public Library, Alycia Tandy’s Do Yourself a Flavor Catering, and The Salvation Army – Williamson County.
The menu for the dinner includes turkey, dressing, gravy, cranberry sauce, green beans, rolls, and sweet potatoes. Water and tea will be served.
This event is free and open to the public. There is no ticketing involved. Meals will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis at each location.
Monetary donations to help fund the event can be made to The Salvation Army – Williamson County, with “Community Thanksgiving” in the memo line on the check. Donations may be mailed to: The Salvation Army – Williamson County, 1930 S. Austin Avenue, Georgetown, TX, 78626.
In addition to monetary donations, volunteers are needed to assist with event set-up, food preparation, serving, logistics, and clean-up. If you or your organization would like to help volunteer, or if you have questions, please contact the organizing committee at gtxthanksgiving@gmail.com.
Art Hop at Art Center and Library in October
The ninth annual Art Hop is a statewide arts competition sponsored by the Georgetown Art Center. Works in the exhibition, including prints, drawings, paintings, sculptures, and photographs, are on display from September 30 through October 29 at the Georgetown Art Center and Georgetown Public Library.
“The Art Hop is a wonderful opportunity to experience art from all across Texas,” says Mari Ramirez, president of Georgetown Art Works, which is the nonprofit that operates the Georgetown Art Center.
There will be a public artist reception for the Art Hop on Saturday, October 1. The reception is progressive in nature, starting at 2 p.m. at the Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth Street, and then moving at 3:30 p.m. for an awards ceremony to the Georgetown Art Center, 816 S. Main Street.
Awards will be determined by a panel of judges who will award best in show ($1,000 cash plus prizes) as well as individual category prizes for first ($500), second ($300), and third place ($200) in each category: 2D abstract, 2D representational, 3D, photography, and printmaking.
Find out more about Art Hop at the Georgetown Art Center website at www.georgetownartcentertx.org or at the Georgetown Arts and Culture website at arts.georgetown.org.
Call for Arts and Culture Grant Proposals
The Georgetown Arts and Culture Board invites grant proposals for art, music, theatre, and cultural heritage events or projects to take place in Georgetown between December 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017. The total budget for grants is $20,500. Recent grants have averaged $2,000 apiece. Nonprofit organizations, schools, informal arts and culture organizations, and individual artists who are creating public art or an event open to the public are eligible to apply.
Proposals should be no more than 2 pages long and include:
- Purpose and description of the event or project
- Amount being requested and total budget, including other anticipated funding sources (e.g., donations, ticket sales, other grants)
- Date, location, admission charge, and anticipated attendance
- Size and demographic makeup of past audiences or participants
- Contact information (phone and email) for someone who is readily available to answer questions about the proposal
Special consideration will be given for events or projects that meet one or more of these criteria:
- Are free and open to the public
- Include outreach to populations that are traditionally underrepresented
- Have a cultural tourism or economic impact (e.g., events that may attract people who also attend other arts & culture venues or events, stay overnight, shop, or dine in Georgetown)
Organizations or individuals that receive funding will be required to follow up by:
- Recognizing the City of Georgetown Arts and Culture Board in their advertising and programs
- Submitting a one-page report to the Arts and Culture Board no later than Sept. 30, 2017, with a description of the use of grant funds and copies of event promotion materials
The deadline for grant proposals is 5 pm on Tuesday, November 8, 2016. Organizations will be notified by email about funding decisions by November 30.
Submit grant proposals to Lawren Weiss, Georgetown Public Library, 402 W. Eighth Street, Georgetown, TX, 78626, or by email to Lawren.Weiss@georgetown.org.
Library Creates Community Resources Coordinator Position
Georgetown has grown rapidly in the last few years, and with that growth Georgetown Public Library employees have seen an increase in families and seniors in crisis and those who are homeless. Library staff assisting these patrons often find that services are available, but researching those services and the agencies that provide them is challenging. Needs include housing, food, clothing, rent, medical and dental care, mental health services, transportation, disability benefits, and benefits for veterans.
Seeing the need to help people find these types of services, the Library has created a new community resources coordinator position. The coordinator will be a licensed social worker who can talk with patrons who have social service needs and help them navigate available services.
The position also will work with nonprofit and governmental social service organizations in the region and will assist nonprofit organizations to use Library materials and resources. The Library will provide space for nonprofit organizations to meet with clients, conduct trainings, and provide informational fairs.
“Librarians by profession are information providers,” says Eric Lashley, director of the Georgetown Public Library. “We came to realize that providing the information many of these residents were requesting required a different set of skills and knowledge base. Therefore, we wanted to have a member of our staff with the right set of skills to help this segment of our population and we feel a person with knowledge of social work and the social services sector would be most beneficial.”
The position is funded by a three-year grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Texas State Library and Archives. The position is currently posted and Lashley hopes to have the new coordinator in place next month.
2016-2017 Georgetown Arts & Culture Guide
Note: this issue is no longer available but continue reading for a summary.
The new edition of the City’s Arts and Culture Guide is now available. The Guide includes a calendar of art, music, theatre, and cultural events in town from September 2016 through August 2017, as well as an arts and culture business directory, a Cultural District map, and other features.
The Guide lists events offered by Southwestern University’s Sarofim School of Fine Arts, The Williamson Museum, the Georgetown Art Center, Georgetown Heritage Society, Georgetown Symphony, Georgetown Festival of the Arts, Georgetown Public Library, the Georgetown Palace Theatre, and the Georgetown Independent School District Fine Arts Department.
The custom cover artwork by Leslie Kell features a collage of Georgetown photographs in a digital piece that Ms. Kell constructed in the style of stained glass.
Pick up a free printed copy of the Guide at the Georgetown Art Center, Georgetown Public Library, Visitors Center, Sarofim School of Fine Arts at Southwestern University, or The Williamson Museum, or click on the cover image at left to visit the digital version of the 2016-2017 Arts & Culture Guide.
Get the latest at facebook.com/artsgeorgetown or at arts.georgetown.org.
Animal Shelter Garage Sale Sept. 23 – 24
The 17th annual Garage Sale to benefit the Georgetown Animal Shelter is September 23 – 24 at the Community Center, 445 E. Morrow Street in San Gabriel Park. The annual event is sponsored by the Friends of the Georgetown Animal Shelter.
Sale hours on Friday and Saturday are 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. each day. There is no admission fee.
This year the sale involves renting booth spots in the Community Center at which people will be able to sell their items. Booths are available in three different sizes at prices of $25, $35, and $50.
The booth fee benefits the Georgetown Animal Shelter. The Animal Shelter will not be collecting items prior to the sale this year.
Contact the Animal Shelter at (512) 930-3592 or at animalsvc@georgetown.org. The Georgetown Animal Shelter website is pets.georgetown.org. The City of Georgetown Animal Shelter is located at 110 W.L. Walden Drive near the McMaster Athletic Complex.
Vote for the Best of Georgetown, TX
Where can you find the best comfort food in Georgetown? Where is the best meeting and event venue? The best catering? The best place to volunteer?
Tell us your favorites during the month of September in the Best of Georgetown, TX contest. Vote online at Bestof.Georgetown.org from September 1 to 30.
The top three winners in each category will be announced on Thursday, November 3 at 6 p.m. at Union on Eighth Street at 224 E. Eighth Street. The list of winners will be posted at Bestof.Georgetown.org.
Winning businesses receive window decals as well as certificates showing their award and category. In addition, the business name will be listed on the 2016 winners flyer at the Visitors Center and on the Bestof.Georgetown.org website for one year. Winners will have access to the Best of Georgetown 2016 logo for use in their websites and printed material.
The annual Best of Georgetown, TX contest is sponsored by the City of Georgetown Convention and Visitors Bureau.
