Good luck Smithville! The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is hosting an amateur video contest in honor of Texas Travel and Tourism Week. The goal is to promote the products, culture, and communities that call Texas home. Texas residents are encouraged to videotape locales that represent what Texas means to them. Winners will receive free publicity and exposure for their videos on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, TDA websites, and GO TEXAN marketing pieces. The theme of the contest is "Texas Is..." Contestants will have the opportunity to define what the state of Texas means to them. Examples of acceptable video themes include, but are not limited to, the following: * Geographic: open spaces, rivers, lakes, beaches, plains, forests, canyons * Entertainment: sports, music, theater, festivals, amusement parks * Industry: wine, food, high tech, farming, ranching, military, energy * Nature: birding, fishing, hunting, photography, camping, biking, hiking * Culture: friendly people, diversity, neighbors, social events/gatherings * Home: family, friends, pets, house, property Video submissions must meet the following criteria: * Be one minute or less in duration * Use MP4/MPEG4 format * Be suitable for all audiences -- no violent or sexual content and no adult language * State verbally what "Texas is..." in the video * Be prepared by an amateur videographer: no professional submissions will be accepted Instructions and disclaimers: * All contestants must be 18 years of age or older * Video must be mailed to TDA on a CD, DVD, or USB Drive -- mail entries to: Texas Department of Agriculture Attention: Sherri Gothart-Barron PO Box 12847 Austin, TX 78711-2847 * Upon submission, contestants must submit a completed and signed Submission Form * TDA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all entries * By entering the contest, the participant accepts TDA's terms and conditions for the "Texas Is..." Amateur Video Contest, including turning over all exclusive rights to TDA Entries will be judged and scored by creativity; originality; video, script and production quality; and the delivery and effectiveness of the message. All entries must be postmarked by August 31, 2010 Winners will be announced on October 31, 2010
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FEMA has released more information about threats of wildfires in Texas. Please remember that Smithville is hosting a "firewise" workshop on Saturday, February 11 from 9AM-11AM at the Recreation Center to give you the information and tools you need to reduce the threat of wildfires near your home.
If you have a child in school in Smithville, please take our survey to let us know about how you feel about allowing students in your care to walk or bike to school. This is required through the grant we received for Safe Routes to School, and your answers will help us measure how well the program is working. Thank you for your participation in this important survey!
If you haven't seen it yet, watch the Day Tripper Episode 303 on Smithville. It features Zimmerhanzels, Tom Tierney, Main Street, Buescher State Park, and many other familiar places.
Please check out our local historian David Herrington's website about Smithville History. He and Carol Snyder literally wrote the book ("Images of America: Smithville") so he knows what he's talking about!
We always knew it, but Smithville is now officially a member of "Communities of Character" through the International Character First program. The character traits emphasized include: Loyalty, Justice, Self-Reliance, Self-Discipline, Integrity, Honor, Patriotism, Respect, Honesty, Responsibility, Compassion, and Perseverance. Smithville’s participation in this program is a natural extension of its strong tradition of service. Citizens take great pride in the many programs and projects that have been accomplished as a result of tenacious and committed volunteers.
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