City Limits Newsletter - May 2009

A monthly newsletter for the Citizens of Waco, Texas
To view the previous issue, click here: April issue

Zoobilee & Kid Zoobilee Set for June 26-27

Zoobilee! and KidZoobilee! 2009 are scheduled for Friday, June 26 and Saturday, June 27. This year’s theme is “Orient Xpress” and will include a tour around the Zoo and the new Asian Forest Expansion for the patrons. Zoobilee! and KidZoobilee! are the annual capital fund-raisers for the Cameron Park Zoo.

The patron party for Zoobilee! will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, June 26, and the general admission gate opens at 8 p.m. Ticket packages range from $2,500 for a VIP table for 10, which includes five parking passes and 10 tickets to the patron party, to $100 for a general admission ticket. The event will include music, a silent auction and a $100 per ticket raffle in which anyone can win beautiful Tahitian Pearl jewelry from the Design House.

Area children can join the celebration on Saturday, June 27, with KidZoobilee! The fun begins at 5 p.m. with the patron party and then continues on as the general admission gate opens at 6 p.m.

Tickets are $50 per child for patron admission and $25 per child for general admission. The cost for parents to attend with their children is $25 per adult. At least one parent is required to stay and help supervise his or her children.

KidZoobilee! is for children ages two to 12. Activities will include games, crafts, face painting and plenty of food. In a change from years past, the entire zoo will be open and activities will be scattered around the zoo instead of all focused in the Meadows area. It is recommended that the children wear swimsuits because some of the activities involve water to help them stay cool.

Online ticket sales begin on June 1 at www.cameronparkzoo.com or call 750-8429 to order tickets by phone.

Brazos Nights Concert - June 5

The good times and great music continue on June 5 in downtown Waco at the Brazos Nights concert series. Presented by Metro PCS, the concert will feature blues and soul vocalist Ruthie Foster and Texas song writing legend Ray Wylie Hubbard.

The concert is free and will begin at 7 p.m. at Indian Spring Park, next to the Suspension Bridge. Concessions will be available. The final concert of the series will be held on the Fourth of July and will include a spectacular fireworks display.

For more information and a complete schedule, call 750-5781 or visit brazosnightswaco.com.

graphicNew Ways to Stay Informed

The City of Waco is offering several new ways for citizens to stay informed about City news and upcoming events. You can now watch news stories and programs produced by the Waco City Cable Channel on YouTube, receive alerts via Twitter or become a fan of the City’s Facebook page. We offer links to these free resources on the City of Waco Web site at www.waco-texas.com.

Some of the programs featured on YouTube include Brazos Nights concerts, segments on Waco’s history and attractions. The City’s Facebook page provides scenic photos, videos celebrating Waco attractions and news about upcoming events. Twitter is used to send out alerts regarding news of the day and emergency notices when necessary.

For more information, call Larry Holze, Director of Municipal Information, at 750-5636.

Beat the Heat at Waco Water Park

Bring the family and spend the day at the Waco Water Park this summer. With two pools and two water slides, the Waco Water Park offers an adventure for all ages.

Activities at the water park include water aerobics, water volleyball, swim lessons and Dive-In Movies. Upcoming promotions include:

Library Card Day on June 10. Present a library card to receive half-price admission.
Father’s Day on June 15. All fathers get into the park for free.

The water park opens for the summer starting Memorial Day weekend. For more information, call 750-5874 or visit waco-texas.com.

Waco Wave Swim Team

The Waco Wave is back for another season of recreational and competitive swimming. Swimmers ages 5 and up are welcome to join the swim team. Team members compete in local and regional meets and have an opportunity to advance to the TAAF Games of Texas. Registration is $100 per person. Practices begin June 9 at the Waco Water Park. For information, call 750-5874.

Summer Splash

The Waco-McLennan County Library and Waco Water Park will sponsor Summer Splash Day on Tuesday, June 9 from noon to
4 p.m. Sign up for a library card prior to June 9 and receive half price admission that day. For more information, call 750-7900.

Bicycle Rodeo

The Central Library is hosting “Gear Up for Safety,” a bicycle rodeo on June 19 from 10 a.m. to noon.

Kids will learn traffic safety rules and bike maintenance. They can also decorate their bikes and helmets. Parents will be asked to complete a waiver and release form when they register their children for the safety obstacle course.

The program is sponsored by Generations in Motion and Hillcrest Baptist Medical Center and is funded by a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation. For more information, call 750-5942.

Zoo Adventure Camp

The Cameron Park Zoo is offering several sessions of their Zoo Adventure Camp this month.

ZSI—Zoo Science Investigations (June 8-12) students will use their investigative skills to learn about animals. Super Critters (June 15-19) focuses on extraordinary animals and their super abilities.

If your child loves animals and being outside then zoo camp is for them! The information is online at www.cameronparkzoo.com or call 750-8467.

Teen Summer Programs at the Library

The Waco-McLennan County Library is sponsoring a variety of fun activities for teens throughout the month of June. Teens can win prizes by participating in the “Time Twistin” Summer Reading Club. The program is offered from June 1- Aug. 15. For more information, call 750-5944 or e-mail:
referencewaco@ci.waco.tx.us.

Teen Calendar for Central Library

Writing Workshop: How to Hook your Reader!
Published author Terry Spear shows how to engage the reader in your work from start to finish.
June 6 from 2 –3:30 p.m.

Altered Book Scrapbooking
It’s one part recycling, one part creativity, and fun all over with Artist David Leifeste!
June 13 from 2-4 p.m.

Travel Thru Space & Time
Teens will participate in hands on cool experiments. Go to Mars and fly through space with Instructor Robert Bardin & Librarian Gillian Wiseman.
June 20 from 2-4 p.m.

R U Game?
Video Gaming every Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m.

Time Twisted Movie Matinee
Every Wednesday after 2 p.m. Popcorn is provided!

Summer Camps and Recreation Programs

Registration is under way for the City of Waco Parks and Recreation Department’s summer camps and athletic programs.

South Waco, Bledsoe-Miller and Dewey recreation centers will offer Summer Day Camps from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays for ages 5 to 13. Children will participate in indoor and outdoor activities, arts and crafts, games, field trips and more. The registration fee per child is $50 and the camp cost is $160 per session. For information, contact the recreation centers at South Waco 750-8650, Bledsoe-Miller 750-8684 and Dewey 750-8677.

Camp Cameron is an outdoor adventure summer camp beginning June 8. The camp is for ages 5 to 13 and will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. The registration fee is $50 per camper and $140 per two week session. Camp Cameron offers campers a mix of environmental and recreational activities such as hiking, archery, kayaking, swimming and nature studies. To register, call 750-5980.

Team Waco is a great way to keep youth active during the summer months. The track and field program provides youth ages 5 to 18 a chance for athletic achievement in a positive setting. College athletes teach the fundamentals of track to team members. Team Waco practices on weekdays and travel to track meets on the weekend. Participants can advance to the TAAF Games of Texas. Registration is $45 per participant. For information, call 750-5875.

Summer Showcase

Guest performances such as puppeteers, plays, wild animals, music, and storytelling, are just some of the fun programs that are featured in the Summer Showcase. This program is held weekly at each library from June 9 through Aug. 7.

Performers include Austin’s Emmy-winning musical band - The Biscuit Brothers, theatrical versions of “True Story of Jack and the Beanstalk” and “Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock”, animal presentations by “Bug Man” Jim Klinger, Critterman, and Austin Reptile Service, and Austin’s Mad Science Demonstrations.

Program Schedule

For more information, call 750-5942.

Summer Reading Club

Earn a book and other treats at our Summer Reading Club! Register in June at any of the Waco-McLennan County Libraries.

Youth who read 20 hours by Aug. 15 will receive a book, pen, and coupon treats from Shipley Donuts, Subway, Chick-Fil-A, Pizza Hut and Auntie Anne’s. Target is the sponsor of our book awards.

This reading club is for ages 12 and under and pre-readers may participate by listening to stories read to them. Studies show that summer reading will help children be more successful when school resumes in the fall.

Angel Paws Reading Buddies

The Central Library is sponsoring the Angel Paws Reading program again this summer. Children can boost their self-esteem and reading skills while reading to our special “Dog Buddies.” Please call 750-5942 for more information or to schedule 20 minute reading sessions.

Beginner’s Genealogy Class

The Waco-McLennan County Library together with the Central Texas Genealogical Society will sponsor a Beginner’s Genealogy Class on Saturday, June 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Central Library, 1717 Austin Ave.

The class is free and will cover topics such as how to use genealogy forms, an introduction to basic records, Internet sources and research, and a tour and orientation of the Genealogy Division’s collection at the Central Library. The instructor for the class will be Carol Scarborough of the Central Texas Genealogical Society. For more information, call Bill Buckner at 750-5945.

Having Fun in the Kitchen

The Waco-McLennan County Public Health District is sponsoring “Having Fun in the Kitchen” classes for parents and their children. The classes will be held June 10 and 24 from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Protein is the topic and they will vary the recipes main ingredients such as meat, beans and eggs. The class will be offered again July 8 and 22. For more information or to register, call 750-5475.

Library Book Donations

The Friends of the Waco-McLennan County Library are in need of donations for the November book sale. Help us recycle by donating your gently used books, CDs and DVDs. Pick up is available for larger donations. For more information contact Kim Salome at 750-5974.


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