Gulf Coast E-news

The City of Galveston Visionaries in Preservation Steering Committee has called a public meeting on January 22, 2003 to explain its program to the community. Photos and Audio

"We're looking at about a 14-month process," said Lori Feild, the city's preservation officer. "We are looking to have feedback from the community, to get the citizens to participate in this process and in this planning for our historic areas of the city."

Feild said the Visionaries in Preservation Program is modeled after an "innovative planning process" called "visioning."

Literature from the Texas Historical Commission explains visioning as "a tool that brings a community together to develop a shared image of the future and form an action plan for achieving that vision."

The process is based on four questions. Where are we now? Where are we going? Where do we want to be? How can we get there?

Galveston Historical Foundation Executive Director Marsh Davis introduced Dr. James A. Glass, director of the historic preservation program at the Ball State University, who is in Galveston to advise GHF on issues related to historic preservation.

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Galveston Arts & Historic Preservation Board

The City of Galveston Arts & Historic Preservation Advisory Board met with non-profit organizations seeking a portion of the hotel occupancy tax to support events that will attract overnight visitors to Galveston. Photos and Audio

Chair Buzz Elton said 7/8 of one percent of the hotel occupancy tax collected in Galveston is distributed to the organizations. One-eighth cent has been dedicated to payment of bonds for the Galveston Island Convention Center. One percent of the HOTax generates $675,000.

"The moneys from the hotel tax basically get funneled through the city," Elton said, explaining that the committee will make its recommendations to Galveston City Council. "Then the city tells the Park Board of Trustees who is eligible for their funding, based on their putting in their reports, then the park board writes the checks."

Allocation of the funds is staggered. Major organizations, funded for multiple years, have received their allocations previously. This year, groups requesting funding for one year, or seed money to begin new projects, are vying for a share of $23,600 that is available.

Representatives of the interested organizations were advised to meet the deadline of January 15 to submit their applications, and to observe all requirements for filing financial reports. It was noted that organizations have lost their funding for failure to meet reporting requirements.

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Philadelphia Mummers Parade

The Quaker City String Band, perennial entertainers at Galveston's Mardi Gras Celebration, finished second in the annual Mummers Parade in Philadelphia.

Cathy Conlon Townsend was there and reports that the group is eager to return to Galveston. Report

Krewe of Gambrinus

The Krewe of Gambrinus will select a King and Queen to reign over the krewe's activities at Galveston's 2003 Mardi Gras with a King's Day Celebration from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. this evening at Fisherman's Wharf, 22nd and Harborside.

Krewe members vying for the titles will be selected on which male and female member chooses the slice of King's cake containing the baby doll.

For additional information, visit www.KreweofGambrinus.org.

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League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters of the Galveston Area is hosting a program on "Current Community Issues," at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2003 at Rosenberg Library. Members of Galveston City Council have been invited to participate.

"Each council member will briefly discuss a topic and then there will be a question and answer period," said Abdul-H Amin, president of the League, noting that Mayor Roger Quiroga will be out of town and unable to attend.

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Sparkles and Spurs Fashion Show

The NASA/Clear Creek/Friendswood Go Texan Committee will sponsor the “Sparkles and Spurs” Fashion Show Extravaganza!! at NASA’s Gilruth Center on Friday, January 24, 2003. The western Fashion Show and Luncheon will be professionally produced by Lenny Matuszewski of Matuszewski Productions.

Local area models will strut down the runway wearing fashions which include everything from casual to formal, along with some Western flash and glitter outfits.

"This western fashion extravaganza combines an incredible steak luncheon, by Mark Yoder and Outback Steakhouse, with the excitement of a Las Vegas Casino, and the fun of kicking up your heels on the dance floor (with DJ David Robertson of Musical Cheers), plus a great Silent Auction!!" said Pat Patton, publicity chairman. "After the fashion show and luncheon, the casino opens, and the gambling and dancing will continue until 6:00 P.M."

Patton said the NASA Go Texan “Sparkles and Spurs” Fashion Show, is sold out, but the NASA Go Texan “Sparkles and Spurs” Casino Party and Dance from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM, is free and open to the public. "You only buy your drink tickets and casino chips."

The fashion show, and all the other Go Texan events, benefit the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to local high school seniors. All of the funds raised at by the Go Texan Committee will benefit the four local high schools.

The Master of Ceremonies for the NASA Go Texan “Sparkles and Spurs” Fashion Show is Constable Bill Bailey.

For more information about the NASA Go Texan “Sparkles and Spurs” Fashion Show, Casino and Dance, Click Here or call Publicity Chairman, Pat Patton - Born Wild - Innovative Promotions at (281) 488-1880.

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Clear Creek Country Theatre

Clear Creek Country Theatre is producing "Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean".

"In a small Texas town, the disciples of James Dean gather for their twentieth reunion," said a news release about the play. "Now middle aged women, they were teenagers when Dean filmed 'Giant' in nearby Marfa. Their reminiscences mingle with flashbacks."

The play opens Friday January 17 at 8:00 p.m. and runs Friday and Saturday nights until February 2. Two Sunday matinee performances at 2:30 will be offered January 19 & February 2.

For reservations, call (281) 335-5228.

The theatre also is holding auditions for the February production of "The Boys Next Door" on January 12 and 14 at 7:00 p.m.

Clear Creek Country Theatre is located in the Nassau Bay Shopping Village, 18091 Upper Bay Road, Nassau Bay, Texas.

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Friendswood Holiday Decoration Removal

The Friendswood Parks and Recreation Department, the Street and Stormwater Department, the Police Department, and Texas New-Mexico Power Company will work together today to remove the city’s holiday decorations along FM 518 and FM 2094.

Removal of the wreaths is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Police officers will be assisting with traffic control, but motorists are encouraged to be aware of the event and travel cautiously through the area during these times.

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Coastal Island Toastmasters

Coastal Island Toastmasters on Galveston Island has moved its meeting location to the Rosenberg Library McCullough Room. The group meets each Monday at 5:45 p.m.

For information, call Barbara Perez at (409) 744-5051 or Trisha Bell at (409) 938-1195.

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Scheduled Meetings
Meetings will be held in the regular meeting place of the city council or other governmental body, unless otherwise specified.

Today, January 6
9:00 Galveston County Commissioners Court, Holbrook Building.
9:00 City of Galveston Health Benefits Plan Board of Directors, City Hall Room 204.
12:00 Galveston County Municipal Utility District 2, 1001 Fannin Suite 800, Houston.
1:30 Jefferson County Commissioners Court
4:00 Galveston Landmark Commission.
5:30 College of the Mainland Building and Grounds Committee. http://www.texascitysun.com/report.lasso?WCD=1619
6:00 Jamaica Beach City Council.
6:00 Dickinson ISD Board of Trustees.
6:00 Krewe of Gambrinus King's Day Celebration, Fisherman's Wharf, 22nd and Harborside, Galveston.
Cancelled 6:30 El Lago City Council
7:00 Friendswood City Council.

Tuesday, January 7
8:30 Port Arthur City Council.
7:00 Harris-Galveston Coastal Subsidence District Public Hearings.
10:00 Harris County Commissioners Court