HometownGeorgetown.com

On Wednesday, July 15th, residents and visitors can meet Georgetown artist Nick Ramos at the Georgetown Public Library, where he’ll sell limited edition, signed and numbered prints of his “At the Library” series, created to draw children into the library’s summer programs. 20% of the proceeds will be donated to the library.

The five vibrantly colored banners celebrate the joy of reading with whimsical scenes. In one, a boy is dressed as a pirate with a parrot on his shoulder. “Walk the plank at the library,” it says. In another, a girl examines mysterious footprints with a magnifying glass, under the caption “Get a clue at the library.” The banners will be on display outside the library throughout the summer.

“I was thrilled to create pieces that would attract attention to all the wonderful programs the library offers for free to the community,” Ramos said. “They give so much to everyone in Georgetown, especially to the children.”

The Georgetown Public Library offers summer programs for children of all ages. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays in June and July, the library offers storytime, performances, and crafts for young ones. Teens will make their own video games, take an animation workshop, create a zine (a short magazine), and more. All age groups will enjoy summer reading programs with prizes.

The staff and volunteers designed the summer programs to show kids that adventures can be found inside the pages of a book. Nick Ramos captured this idea with the illustrations he created for the library. He hopes that Georgetown children will take pleasure in having his artwork decorating their bedrooms at home, as well.

Prints will be sold for $35 each. As a special promotion, the price will be lowered to $25 each on July 15th only. Ramos will be available from 10 am to 2 pm. After that date, prints can be purchased online at graphismo.etsy.com.

From a press release submitted by the Palace Theatre: The Georgetown Palace Theatre Guild, in cooperation with the Palace Theatre in Historic Georgetown presents: A Night On The Red Carpet, a Gala Event. This special performance is one night only and features Palace favorites such as Joe Penrod, Rick Felkins, Cliff Butler, Wendy Zavaleta, Patty Rowell, Cathie Sheridan and other special guest artists. This one night only event features songs from such Classics as South Pacific, Cabaret and Annie, and Palace choreographer Jessica Kelpsch rounds out the evening with beautiful choreography to pluck the heartstrings. Join us for a night of song and dance that will leave you wanting more.

The Gala Event is open to the public Saturday, June 6th with a 7:30pm Curtain.

Tickets for this exclusive event are $10.00 for all seats. The Palace seats about 295, with reserved seating paid for in your ticket price. The Palace office in the lobby of the theatre is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. for your convenience. Purchase tickets and select seating on-line at www.thegeorgetownpalace.org or by calling 512-869-7469 or 512-869-5081. Visa and Master Card are accepted.

The Palace Theatre is located at 810 South Austin Avenue in Historic Georgetown, just a half-block off the Square.

Matt Bertling, owner and chief instructor at Bertling’s ATA martial arts studio on Williams Drive in Georgetown, TX, announced at our networking group today that he’s hosting a child safety event on May 9 at 11 a.m. at Forbes Middle School. This event, Kids ‘N Power, is free to the public. Kids will learn about stranger dangers and some simple self-defense techniques that could mean the difference between abduction and escape. This is vital information that every kid should have. In addition, representatives from the Georgetown Police and Fire Departments will be on hand to help educate the kids about what they should know to stay safe.

Every child will leave with a fingerprint kit, dental records, DNA swabs, hair follicle samples, Child ID cards including a photograph… and it’s all completely free! If you have kids, I hope you’ll plan on attending this very valuable day.

Georgetown just put out a newsletter with ten romantic things to do in Georgetown over Valentine’s Day weekend. They’re trying to encourage more tourists to come to town to enjoy everything Georgetown has to offer. I would love it if our downtown area became as much of an attraction as Fredricksburg’s, and I think we’re heading in that direction. The Downtown Georgetown Association is certainly doing everything they can to make the square fun and lively. They’re having a fabulous event, tied in with the launch of First Fridays. This coming Friday evening, from 6 - 8 p.m., the public is invited to come to the square for Death by Chocolate. Local restaurants are providing delicious chocolate desserts in some of the stores on the square, and there’s going to be a drawing for a Death by Chocolate gift basket. Musicians will play live music, and you can bet there will be wine, too. Stop by Moreland’s if you’re out and about. I have it on good authority that the agents at Moreland’s will have some delicious desserts on hand, as well–for free!

On February 21, the Georgetown animal shelter is hosting a dog walk and canine costume contest at San Gabriel Park. You’ll see the poster below around town a lot over the next month. (Designed by the multi-talented Nick Ramos of Graphismo.)

The dog walk’s major sponsor is our local Schlotzky’s restaurant. I have to say, Michele J., the owner of this particular Schlotzky’s (whose last name will be too hard for me to spell until her upcoming marriage), has a philanthropic spirit. This past weekend, in fact, they donated 50 cents for every sandwich sold to the very talented Georgetown High School band. Support Schlotzky’s by eating there when you’re in the mood for a sandwich; they sure do a lot to support Georgetown. They also provide great catering services with fresh ingredients.

Online registration is available for the Mardi Gras dog walk. I’ve already signed up. Now I’m practicing with my dog to wear his colorful Mardi Gras costume so he’ll wear it all the way around the 3.1-mile walking path. He is going to have so much fun!

Tune your TV’s to KXAN (Channel 36) Friday morning between 5-7 for coverage of this weekend’s Holiday Home Tour. The Home Tour will take place on Saturday and Sunday from noon to 5. The news coverage will air again on Saturday morning’s news program.