Need plans tonight?!

Grab your family and friends and head to Historic Downtown Huntsville for the annual "Wine Down,Shop Small" event! It takes place TONIGHT, May 4, from 5:00pm - 9:00pm and is filled with live music, unique downtown shopping, wineries, food vendors and good times! And, always remember to "Shop Small" and "Shop Local." Tickets can be purchased on the square tonight for $30!

Airing of the Quilts

The Tall Pines Quilt Guild invites you to the "Airing of the Quilts" on Saturday, May 6, 2017 from 9:00am - 4:00pm. It's "Texas' Oldest Outdoor Quilt Show and Market." This event happens rain or shine so try to make it on down to downtown Huntsville for this unique event! Remember, to "Shop Small" and "Shop Local."

Busy, Busy!

The weekend of May 12-14 is sure to be a busy one in Huntsville, meaning drivers need to plan for delays and alternate routes. SHSU will be holding their spring commencement ceremonies May 11-13. Congratulations to all the graduating Bearkats! You can view the schedule here http://www.shsu.edu/dept/registrar/graduation/commencement/commencement-schedules.html

That weekend is also the 30th annual General Sam Houston Folk Festival on the Sam Houston Memorial Museum Grounds. Visit http://gshff.com/ for more information.

And don't forget Mother's Day is Sunday, May 14!

Plan for driving delays and be sure to welcome our many out of town guests to Home Sweet Huntsville!

City Council Adopts Comprehensive Smoking Ordinance

During the 2017 City Council Strategic Planning session, the Council identified their desire to focus on improving overall City appearance. Goal #1, City Appearance - Provide policies, amenities, and events that enhance the City’s already beautiful and historic natural environment. Within that goal was Objective #2 - Review and consider various proposals for an updated smoking ordinance.

After the adoption of the Strategic Plan, City staff began reviewing ordinances from 10 cities that are similar in size, budget, and demographics to Huntsville. Before presenting a new ordinance for Council consideration, the City invited 30 local businesses and restaurants to attend meetings to share their input regarding a new comprehensive smoking ordinance. The businesses were those that might be the most impacted by a more restrictive ordinance (some locations are already smoke-free).

The current ordinance that is in place was adopted in 1987. The new updated ordinance proposes restricting smoking in workplaces, bars, restaurant patios, bowling alleys, indoor restaurants and various other places defined within the ordinance.

At the April 18 City Council meeting, the updated comprehensive ordinance was on the agenda for a first reading, meaning Council heard the item and allowed for public comment but no action was taken. The ordinance was on the agenda May 2 and was adopted by the Council. You can view the ordinance at http://huntsvilletx.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8617 on page 137 of the packet.

Please visit www.huntsvilletx.gov and our various social media pages to see more updates regarding public education and enforcement. We encourage you to speak with your City Council members via email, their emails can be found at http://huntsvilletx.gov/343/Mayor-City-Council. For businesses wanting more information on the changes that may have to be made at your establishment, please reach out to the City Health Inspector at 936-294-5771 or the City Building Official at 936-294-5771.

Farmers Market

Are you looking for fresh, local produce and artisan goods? Look no further than Historic Downtown Huntsville where you will find everything you are looking for! Join us at the Farmers Market every Saturday, May through July from 8:00am to noon! Many downtown shops and eateries will be open, so you can spend your Saturday morning discovering everything that downtown has to offer! For more information, visit http://www.huntsvilletx.gov/590/Farmers-Market.

Town Creek Updates

University Avenue, Midway Plaza parking lot and Avenue J are all in the forecast for closures in the next coming months.

University Avenue is scheduled to be closed the week of June 5th. As excavation moves through the parking lot at Midway Plaza, the contractors will backfill each section to allow for parking. Entry into the parking lot will be from Avenue J.

As the construction progresses through the parking lot, University Avenue will be reopened and Avenue J will be closed. As that time, entry will be made from University Avenue. It is anticipated this section will be reopened the week of August 14th.

Between August 14th and September 1, finishing touches will be completed (asphalt, sidewalk, curbs) and all roads will be open.

Sam Houston Avenue is scheduled to reopen fully in early June.

Thank you for your patience throughout this project. We can’t wait to share the finished improvements with you!

Brown Bag Lecture Series

Join the Huntsville Public Library for the next Brown Bag Lunch Lecture Series on Thursday, May 25th, beginning with lunch at 11:30 a.m. and the lecture to follow at noon. Dr. Caroline Crimm, retired Professor Emeritus of History at SHSU, will speak this month on “Cinco de Mayo.” As a Latina/Hispanic immigrant herself, her empowering speeches entertain and challenge her audiences to overcome obstacles and find success through hard work and education. Her own experiences have given her an infectious, positive message that she shares with audiences of all ages. Since her retirement from SHSU, Dr. Crimm has begun speaking nationwide to corporations, teachers’ groups, university students, and historic associations.

The lecture series is planned for the fourth Thursday of each month. Beverages will be provided. Attendees may bring a brown bag lunch. Admission is free. Please call 936-291-5471 for additional information. No registration required.

Support HPD

Join the Huntsville Police Department for the 3rd Annual Five-O 5K/1-Mile Family Fun Color Run! This is a great event to end the school year and start summer off in a colorful way. Snacks and drinks will be provided along with loads of FUN! The race will take place at 125 Medical Park Lane, behind Huntsville Memorial Hospital.

The money raised is given to the Huntsville Police Officers Association which provides support to youth initiatives in the community.

Registration is $25 for the 5K and $15 for the 1-Mile Race. Register before May 20 and you will be guaranteed a t-shirt. Visit https://endurancecui.active.com/event-reg/select-race?e=42761452 to sign-up!