Events and special date reminders for Sierra Vista residents | Community Spirit

Dates and events of interest for residents of Sierra Vista for this week and the holiday week:

CHRISTMAS CLOSURES:

All City facilities will be closed on Monday and Tuesday, December 24 and 25 for the Christmas holiday. This includes the Sierra Vista Public Library, City Hall, Ethel H. Berger Center, Henry F. Hauser Museum, Oscar Yrun Community Center, Visitor Center, Pedro Castro Center, Vista Transit, and the Nancy J. Brua Animal Care Center. Vista Transit buses will not operate on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Monday and Tuesday, December 24 and 25.

TRASH COLLECTION:

During the holiday week, Tuesday/Friday trash customers will have their trash picked up on Wednesday, December 26 and recycling picked up on Friday, December 28. Monday/Thursday trash customers will not be impacted by the holiday and will have normal trash picked up on Monday, December 24 and recyclables picked up on Thursday, December 27. There will be no special pickups on Wednesday, December 26.

During the winter break, the Sierra Vista Aquatic Center, the Cove, will offer these special open swim hours:

• December 26–28     1:30–5 p.m.
• December 31            1:30–5 p.m.
• January 2–4, 2013   1:30–5 p.m.

Last Chance to Donate to the Firefighters’ Annual Christmas Toy Drive - December 19, 4p.m. to 6 p.m. - Food City Parking Lot

Santa’s firefighting elves will be in the Food City parking lot this Wednesday to collect donations of new, unwrapped toys, cash, and checks. If you wish to donate and don’t have a chance to come to this event, please bring your donation to any of the local SVFD stations. Donations are being accepted until Friday, December 21 when the gifts will be bagged-and-tagged. Along with donations, the SVFD needs volunteers to help with their “bag-and-tag” on Friday, December 21 beginning at 2:00 p.m. and delivery of gifts on Saturday, December 22 beginning at 8:00 a.m. Both of these events are held at Fire Station #1 on Fry Boulevard.

If you need to make arrangements for the pickup of large donations, or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Fire Station #3 at 417-4400. For media inquiry, please contact Paul Cimino at Fire Station #1at 458-3319.

WANTED: Basketball Coaches

Leisure Services is looking for a few good men and women volunteers (18 and older) who would like to pass on their knowledge and skills to our community youth in the upcoming 2013 Youth Basketball Program. The program is for girls and boys ages 5–15. Previous coaching experience would be great, but is not necessary. We can’t train you to be the next Lute Olsen, but we will provide you with the necessary skills to do the job and have the most fun you’ve had in years! Coaches are needed by January 4, 2013 with the program scheduled to start January 30, 2013. To volunteer, please pick up a Volunteer Application at the Ethel H. Berger Center, Oscar Yrun Community Center, or at The Cove. Be sure to ask for the coaches information letter when applying. For more information call 417-6980.

Youth Coed Basketball League - Register at any Leisure Services Facility by January 8, 2013

The basketball season is here! Register your child for the 2013 Youth Basketball Program before January 8, 2013 to avoid the rush and the $15 late fee. Register now at any Leisure Services facility. League play is scheduled to begin on or about January 30, 2013. The league is open to girls and boys, 5 to 15 years of age. All divisions will be coed and registration is $75 per player for ages 5–8 and $85 per player for ages 9–15 with all participants keeping their shirt/jersey. There will be a waiting list established for all age divisions, so be sure to register by close of business on January 8. Registration is ongoing at the Oscar Yrun Community Center, the Ethel H. Berger Center and The Cove. A copy of your child’s birth certificate will be required when registering. Skills Evaluation for 9–15 year olds is scheduled January 7 and 8 at Joyce Clark Middle School. Please call 417-6980 for more information.

Wanted: Host Families for German Exchange Students

The Sister Cities Commission is looking for families to host German high school students arriving in Sierra Vista in February 2013 for their annual student and teacher exchange. The students will be here from February 3–23, but will be visiting our sister city Cananea from February 10–17. Host families do not have to live within the city limits to participate. For more information, please call Barbara Hays at (520) 378-1822 or email her at bhays@cis-broadband.com.

Animal Control Holiday Wish List

While you’re in a generous gift giving mood for the holiday season, don’t forget to donate to the dogs and cats of the Nancy J. Brua Animal Care Center. Year round the Animal Care Center accepts donations for the following items:

• Bleach
• X-small to X-large harnesses
• Purina Kitten Chow
• Purina Puppy Chow
• Flea/tick spot on treatment for dogs and cats
• Small cat beds
• Kong dog toys
• Cat toys
• Dog/cat shampoo
• Towels
• Soft dog treats
• Peanut butter
• Canned dog food
• Washable dog beds
• Nylabones
• Clay cat litter
• HE laundry detergent
• Dog toys

Donations can be dropped off at the Animal Care Center during normal business hours Tuesday–Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

If you wish to donate funds to a specific animal’s care go to www.petfinder.com, select a pet to sponsor and donate via PayPal. Any funds left after the animal is adopted will go toward care for another animal waiting for a forever home.

Thank you for your continuous support of the shelter. Your contributions throughout the year are greatly appreciated. If you’re considering purchasing a pet during the holiday season, please come visit our animals first. We have numerous animals in search of forever homes. Our affordable adoption fee of $25 includes a rabies shot, vet exam, micro chip, sterilization and more. Stop by the Care Center, at 6799 E. Hwy. 90 or call 458-4151 for more information.

Unique and Locally Inspired Gifts Offered At Museum

Add the Henry F. Hauser Museum Gift Shop to your holiday shopping stops as a place to find special and distinctive gifts for friends and family. In addition to jewelry, fine art, memorabilia, and a large variety of Folkmanis® puppets, you can find books and children’s stories from local authors. New this year, discover the history and frontier days of Hereford as told by author Suzanne Arnold.

The Museum Gift Shop is located inside the Ethel H. Berger Center at 2950 E. Tacoma Street, and is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information, call 417-6980.