January News Releases
January 28, 2011
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Zoo opens two new reptile exhibits housing turtles, tortoises and an iguana. “We had available space perfect to exhibit some of our reptiles” says Zoo Director Bill Gersonde. Over the last several months staff has installed artificial rockwork and plants creating environments suitable for the species.
The first exhibit houses the Coahuila box turtle, the most aquatic of all box turtles. Native to the Cuatro Cienegas basin of Coahuila, Mexico, this 6 inch long species is endangered due to habitat destruction. The zoo has a successful breeding program for the turtle and hopes to raise additional young again this year. The Abilene zoo is one of only ten U.S. zoos that exhibit these animals.
The second exhibit houses a common iguana and two red–footed tortoises. Each of these species is native to South America, inhabiting a variety of environments including the rainforest and grasslands. Both of the exhibits are located on the walkway to the entrance of Elm Creek Back Yard.
January 14, 2011
Mayor Archibald to deliver 2011 State of the City address
ABILENE, Texas – Mayor Norm Archibald will present the third annual State of the City address on Monday, January 24 in Conference Room Two in the north wing of the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 North 6th Street. The program begins at 10:30 a.m. This year Mayor Archibald will be joined by Abilene Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Heath Burns to speak to the education status in Abilene.
The public is invited to attend the State of the City event.
Abilene Television Network TV Channel 7, the City’s education/government channel, will air Mayor Archibald’s State of the City address on the following days and times:
- Tuesday, January 25 – 3:00 p.m.
- Wednesday, January 26 – 1:30 p.m.
- Thursday, January 27 – 1:00 p.m.
- Friday, January 28 – 1:00 p.m.
- Saturday, January 29 – 7:30 p.m.
- Sunday, January 30 – 8:00 p.m.
Register now for the 13th Annual Daddy/Daughter Dinner and Dance
ABILENE, Texas – Come celebrate at the 13th annual Daddy/Daughter Valentine’s Dinner and Dance scheduled for the night of Thursday, February 10 at the Abilene Civic Center. This year’s theme is A Princess and her Prince. The City of Abilene’s Recreation and Senior Citizens Divisions are once again sponsoring the event for Dads, Granddads or Best Gentlemen Friend and their “Special Valentine”.
The dinner and dance features a night of food, fun and lots of dancing along with song requests and door prizes.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
$20 per couple
Abilene Civic Center
5:45 p.m. Pictures
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Dinner/Dancing/Door Prizes
7th grade and under
Casual to semi-formal dress
The registration deadline is Friday, February 4. Seating is limited and no tickets will be sold at the door. Tickets are available at the Community Services office, 633 Walnut.
For more information, call (325) 734-5301.
January 13, 2011
Installation of new signs to benefit Abilene tourists and residents
ABILENE, Texas – During this morning’s City Council meeting, Mayor Norm Archibald unveiled the highly anticipated wayfinding signs that will help visitors and citizens alike find points of interest more easily in Abilene. The first of the 117 four-foot tall signs went up today, Jan. 13, with the installation of all the signs expected by the end of February. The $264,100 project is being paid for through Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District funds.
“These signs that will be strategically placed throughout the city demonstrate our commitment to making Abilene a tourist destination,” explained Mayor Norm Archibald. “Now, we’ll have signs pointing the way to Lake Fort Phantom Hill and the Abilene Zoo to name a few of the destinations featured on them. Not only will they help visitors explore our city, the wayfinding signs will also remind those of us who live and work here of the wonderful attractions and historical sites we have right at our fingertips.”
The first wayfinding sign was installed today along Highway 36 in the westbound right-of-way between Abilene Regional Airport and Tigé Boats. The signs are designed to welcome visitors, cross promote local attractions and assist with directing the public to these sites. The signs feature a new logo with a shooting start over the word “Abilene” logo developed for the Abilene Branding Partnership.
The signs are a culmination of many years of hard work which began in 2004. Mayor Archibald commended City staffer Lesli Andrews for her tenacity and determination to see the project through to completion. The City Council accepted a contractor’s bid for the project in May 2010.
January 12, 2011
Record number of animals adopted out at Animal Shelter
ABILENE, Texas – Animal Services adopted out a record number animals in December 2010. 198 animals were adopted as compared to 152 the same month the previous year. Animal Services Manager Aaron Vannoy attributes the adoptions to unseasonably good weather, adoption promotions with the help of Rescue the Animals and more importantly, the quality of animals at the shelter.
The City of Abilene Animal Services program strives to find suitable homes for as many unwanted animals as possible through its adoption program. Animal Services will partner with PetSmart Charities National Adoption Weekend on February 11 - 13, and also offer a Valentine’s Day Special Adoption in February.
January 6, 2011
Abilene Zoo lion joins the family
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Zoo’s male lion has been successfully introduced to the lioness and her five cubs, following a carefully planned and closely monitored introduction. “For animal management reasons we were not able to introduce the male sooner” says Zoo Director Bill Gersonde “but we’re thrilled that we finally have our family pride on display”.
The introduction took approximately eight days under the watchful eye of zoo staff. “Lions are the only social cat living in groups called prides. Putting this group together was a very natural thing to do but as with any animal introductions, there’s always a risk” says Gersonde. The introduction took place in the lion exhibit. The pride will be on display daily from 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Be part of our wild family by becoming a Zoo Docent
ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Zoo is looking for individuals 18 years of age and older to lend their time and talents and become a zoo docent (volunteer). “Being a docent is a great way to support the zoo and educate others about our wonderful animals” says Education Curator Joy Harsh. Docents are trained education volunteers that interact with the public through interpretive discussions, animal encounters and educational classes while supporting the goals of the zoo. Docents also assist in the care of the education animals.
Docents will attend a three day training class and contribute an average of 8 hours per month. The docent training classes will be held the first three Saturdays in February from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Interested individuals may attend an informational open house on Saturday, January 15, from 1:30 p.m. -3:00 p.m. in Classroom A at the Abilene Zoo.
For more information, including a docent application, visit the zoo web site www.abilenezoo.org or visit the zoo gift shop.
Most City offices to close for Martin Luther King Jr. Day
ABILENE, Texas – In observance of the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday, most City of Abilene offices and community service centers will be closed on Monday, January 17, with the exception of those providing life safety services such as fire and police protection.
The Abilene Animal Shelter will be closed January 17. Citizens with an Animal Control emergency may call the Abilene Police Department at 673-8331 and an Animal Services Officer will be available to respond. Any animal that is picked up as a stray during the holiday will be attended to at the shelter. The Animal Shelter will re-open on Tuesday, January 18 at 10:30 a.m. to resume normal business hours.
Solid Waste Services division offices will not be open January 17. There will be no residential refuse collection on Monday. Residents who would normally receive collection service on January 17 will receive service the following Thursday, January 20. Residents who are scheduled for curbside brush and bulky refuse collection on January 17 will receive service the next day, beginning Tuesday, January 18. Commercial refuse collection will continue as scheduled. The Environmental Recycling Center (ERC) will also be closed Monday. The ERC will resume regular business hours on Tuesday.
CityLink Transit will run regular hours on January 17. The Abilene Zoo will be open regular hours, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., on January 17.
The Municipal Court will be closed on January 17. All citations due January 17 will be due on January 18 with no penalty.
Other City closings for January 17 include: City Hall, the Water Office, Health Division, all Abilene Public Library locations, Abilene Civic Center, the Development Corporation of Abilene, the Airport Administration Office, City Recreation, Senior Citizen centers, Police Administration and Investigative Services although Police Records will remain open.
The Water Services Center, 701 E. Hwy. 80, will be open on January 17, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., to take delinquent payments for customers whose water has been turned off and for new customers needing water service. For water emergencies, sewer problems and reports of water conservation ordinance violations, citizens may call the Water Services Center’s emergency hotline, 676-6000, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.