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Home My WebLink AboutUBI 2011 FEBeBill sign up for electronic utility bills Customers are encouraged to sign up for College Station Utility’s eBill services to receive a paperless bill via their e-mail account. E-billing is faster, lessens our environmental impact, and is much more efficient than standard mailing. The program now has more than 7,000 participating residents which is saving the city almost $37,000 annually in printing and postage costs. The eBill sign up form can be found at cstx.gov/ucs. eBill CITY OF COLLEGE STATION Station Municipal Court Building from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. Snacks and refreshments will be provided. Topics are as follows: February 8 - Recycling Opportunities April 12 - Energy Sources and Savings May 10 - Sustainability in College Station June 14 - Water Conservation Sign-up for classes at cstx.gov/green or call 979.764.6228. LEARN TO COMPOST The Master Composter Training Program is designed to train committed individuals who want to gain composting expertise and assist in educating their community in the area of backyard composting. The program provides an opportunity for hands-on experience, lectures by guest speakers, instructional books and videos and an overview of the latest composting tool and techniques. After completing the two-day training course the Master Composters then volunteer 20 hours teaching friends and neighbors in the community. Completion of the class and volunteer hours leads to certification as an official Master Composter. Inside College Station * * * * * * * City of College Station * Home of Texas A&M University® * College Station, Texas * * * * * * * The City of College Station encourages residents to keep the “green” theme in mind this spring by participating in the activities and programs listed below. HOME, GARDEN & RECREATION SHOW Are you interested in buying products or services for your home, garden or for personal recreation? Then you need to stop by the 32nd Annual Home, Garden and Recreation Show going on Feb. 26 and 27 at the Brazos County Exposition Center. The show is sponsored by the Bryan- College Station Home Builders Association. A variety of departments from the City of College Station will have booths there offering sustainability options that you can do in and around your home. Tickets are $1 for children 12 and under, $3 for teens and adults, and $2 for senior citizens over 65 years of age. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Feb. 26 and 12 to 5 p.m. on Feb. 27. GREEN SEMINARS College Station Recycling will host free “green” seminars for College Station residents and students. These seminars will take place in the new Public Works Office located on the 2nd floor of the College February 2011 For more on sustainability initiatives and events, go to: cstx.gov/green Spring into Green Activities a season of “green” opportunities in College Station & Bryan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . The next class is scheduled for: March 25 - Friday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. March 26 - Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Each participant will receive a compost bin, instructional materials and lunch on Saturday. There is a $15 fee per person for the class. All classes take place at Municipal Court, 300 Krenek Tap Rd. Rm. 203. If you have any questions about the Master Composter Class, please call Program Coordinator Shelia McQueen at 979.764.3806. Download the class registration form at cstx.gov/bvswma. that can hold 12 to 420 people, plus a large catering kitchen with an ice machine, refrigerator, two microwaves and a conventional oven. There is also a beautiful deck and patio area. The space includes a variety of amenities including: audiovisual equipment, internet access, flip charts, tables, disco ball, a piano, wedding trellis, lattice screens and much more. The facility’s friendly, experienced staff will help make your event a success. College Station Conference Center 1300 George Bush Drive 979.764.3720 cstx.gov/conferencecenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . March 14 – 20 (FIx a Leak Week) Check, Twist, Replace City of College Station Water Services would like to encourage residents to check their plumbing fixtures and irrigation systems in honor of Fix a Leak Week. 1. Check Check sprinkler heads and outdoor faucets. Find toilet leaks by adding a few drops of food coloring to the toilet tank. If any color appears in the bowl, your toilet has a leak. 2. Twist Apply pipe tape to be sure plumbing fixture connections are sealed tight and give leaking faucets and showerheads a firm twist with a wrench. 3. Replace If you can’t nip that drip, it may be time to replace the fixture. Look for WaterSense labeled models, which use at least 20 percent less water and are independently certified to perform as well or better than standard plumbing fixtures. Replace inefficient showerheads with a WaterSense labeled models to save about 2,300 gallons annually. Replace your old toilet with a WaterSense labeled toilet and you may qualify for a rebate! Visit cstx.gov/water to learn more. For more information about how to save water and DIY repair tips, visit epa.gov/ watersense/fixaleak. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Get Financially Fit! Try Increasing your Savings: The Individual Development Account (IDA) is a matched savings account that enables low-income families to save money and build assets. A partnership between the United Way of the Brazos Valley and the Brazos Valley Community Action Agency rewards the savings of families who are working toward purchasing an asset, most commonly buying their first home, paying for post-secondary education or starting a small business. For more information, contact Dana Eckhart at 979.696.4483 (ext. 131) or call 2-1-1. Make the Most of Your Money: The United Way has free community tax sites that offer free tax services to Brazos Valley citizens. Trained tax preparers answer questions and help with tax returns at no cost. Call 2-1-1 to make an appointment. Lift Yourself Out of Debt: Money Management International offers free budget and debt counseling services with certified credit counselors. To make an appointment or learn more, call 800.747.4222, or send an email to Jeanine. lipka@moneymanagement.org. Invest in Homeownership: Interested in purchasing a home in College Station? You may be eligible for down- payment assistance. College Station’s Down-Payment Assistance Program helps income-eligible homebuyers with down payment and closing costs. Qualified buyers may be eligible to receive interest-free financial assistance and a deferred loan of up to $10,000. For more information go to cstx.gov/ housingassistance or call 979.764.3778. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . College Station Conference Center Looking for a facility to host your next spring event? The College Station Conference Center is a perfect and affordable option! Reserve a room today for your next graduation party, family reunion, spring social, birthday party, reception or shower. The Conference Center has seven rooms CITY OF COLLEGE STATION Feb. 28 - May 9 (11 weeks) Citizen Fire Academy Each year, College Station Fire Department invites 26 citizens to join the fire department family by participating in the Citizen Fire Academy. If you are looking to gain first- hand knowledge of the fire department, and become a better informed citizen, then this class is perfect for you! Participants must be at least 18 years of age and live or work in the Brazos Valley. To apply for the program, go to cstx.gov/fire, or contact Cindy Giedraitis at 979.764.3712 or cgiedraitis@cstx.gov. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Upcoming Events Adult Spring Volleyball Registration: Feb. 28 to March 11 Play begins: Tuesday, March 22 Go to: parksweb.cstx.gov Swim Stroke Clinic Registration: March 14-25 Clinic Begins: Monday, March 28 Dates: Mon/Wed or Tues/Thurs Go to: parksweb.cstx.gov Swim Team Registration: March 14 – April 22 Tentative Practice Date: Monday, May 2 Go to: parksweb.cstx.gov Neighborhood Seminar Supper March 14 at 6 p.m. CS Conference Center Topic: Code Enforcement RSVP by March 11 to Barbara Moore at bmoore@cstx.gov or at 979.764.6262 Exploring History Lunch Lecture March 16 at 11:30 a.m. CS Conference Center Topic: Camp Hearne - German Internment Camp by Cathy Lazarus Cost: $5 per person RSVP by March 14 to Anne Boykin at aboykin@cstx.gov or at 979.764.3491 Inside College Station February 2011 {PAGE 2}