An Insider's Guide to Santa's Village 2018
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Published by the City of Richardson www.cor.net — 972-744-4104 December 2018, Vol. 31, No. 3 What’s Inside An insider’s guide to Santa’s Village 2018 Santa’s Village, the City of Richardson’s holiday wonderland of tiny buildings, will come to life for the 30th year beginning Dec. 1. Visiting the colorful “town” filled with activities, live entertainment and St. Nick himself has become a deeply rooted family tradition for hundreds of area families. To get the most enjoyment out of your visit, here are some top insider tips: • Have your kids look at the map (see page 3) and pick out 3-4 “must- see” buildings to visit, then visit more if there’s time. Our pull-out map lists the activities/freebies available at each building. Holiday Events • The snow-making machines are back this year Dec. 1, Dec. 13 and Calendar Dec. 16! • Plan time to pause and recharge. A great space to do that is inside the Page 4 Richardson Civic Center/City Hall—it’s relatively quiet, has several vignettes set up for holiday picture taking and has public restrooms. • Spend time at the Library before you head to the Village. The Library often hosts free family-friendly events and workshops (visit www.cor. net/library for a complete schedule). • Remember that Santa’s Village grounds are open even when the build- ings aren’t, from 8 a.m.-9 p.m. daily, another great time to take pho- tographs, walk around, sit on a bench and enjoy more than 4,600 A free ticket is required to attend the Dec. 6 and Dec. 13 “Hometown twinkling lights. Thursdays” for Richardson residents. The tickets are available at the fol- In addition to activities and treats for children (and photo opps), San- lowing locations while supplies last: ta’s Village includes Prancer’s Stage, with local music and performance • Richardson City Hall, 411 W. Arapaho Rd. groups providing entertainment throughout each evening (see schedule • Heights Recreation Center, 711 W. Arapaho Rd. on page 4), and the Castle Café, featuring refreshments including hot • Huffhines Recreation Center, 200 N. Plano Rd. cocoa. Richardson residents must show proof of residency, such as a drivers’ Santa’s Village will be open Dec. 1-2, Dec. 6-9 and Dec. 13-16 from license or water bill, to receive up to eight tickets per night. A limited 6-9 p.m., with special “Hometown Thursdays” Dec. 6 and Dec. 13 for number of tickets are available. Santa’s Village Map Richardson residents only. Admission is free, with additional charges for Santa’s Village is located on the City Hall/Civic Center plaza at 411 W. Arapaho Rd. For more information, visit www.cor.net/santasvillage. Page 3 concessions. A Santa’s Village map provides the location of Infosys announces new facility Annual parade Dec. 1 presents every building and a brief description of activities will add 500 jobs in Richardson “A Seussical Christmas” available in each one. Infosys Limited announced last month that it is expanding its pres- ence in Dallas-Fort Worth with a new facility in Richardson that will bring 500 new jobs and $12.3 million in capital investment to the city. Infosys was founded in 1981 and provides software development and engineering services to corporations worldwide. Headquartered in India, Mark your calendars for Team Jefferson Apartments; Hos- “Tree Cycle” Infosys is a true global company, with operations in 45 countries and Saturday morning, Dec. 1 for pitality Sponsor: Jason’s Deli; Car- Page 8 more than 200,000 employees worldwide. the “Seussical Christmas” 46th oler: The Standard at CityLine. A “We are pleased to see Infosys establishing its new technology and Annual Richardson Christmas special thank you to North Texas Residents are encouraged to innovation hub in Richardson,” said Richardson Mayor Paul Voelker. Parade benefiting the Network of Mustang Club, Shelby Cobra As- “tree cycle” after the holidays. ® “Infosys will benefit tremendously from the Telecom Corridor area’s Community Ministries. sociation of Texas and Toyota of access to leading corporations across a variety of sectors, a deep pool of The parade will begin at 9 a.m. Richardson. experienced tech talent and strong academic partners preparing the pro- and will travel north on Coit Road For more information, visit fessionals of tomorrow. We are grateful to our community for helping us from Cherrywood Drive to J.J. www.cor.net/parade or contact Pa- build a well-deserved global reputation as a leader in digital innovation, Pearce High School. The family rade Manager Allison Rhinebarger and we are also deeply appreciative of the State’s support in bringing this of Richardson’s fallen Police Offi- at [email protected] or project to fruition.” cer David Sherrard has graciously 972-744-7853. Infosys’ move to Richardson was due in part to the amount of highly accepted to serve as this year’s skilled technology workers that call the area home. Grand Marshals. J.J. PEARCE HIGH SCHOOL “Texas’ world-class educational institutions are key to Infosys’ work- Later that evening, the parade’s force development efforts,” said Infosys President Ravi Kumar. “As we award ceremony will be held at 5 MELROSE DR keep growing in Texas, our increased investment will improve our ability p.m. on the lawn of the City Hall/ to deliver for our clients by helping to broaden the STEM talent pipeline Civic Center plaza, 411 W. Arap- here and providing training for the specialist skills that our clients need.” aho Rd. Be sure to stay after the To help attract Infosys to Richardson, the company received a Texas award ceremony for the City’s an- RD N COIT Enterprise Fund grant offer of $3,075,000 from the state of Texas. Since nual tree lighting ceremony and W ARAPAHO RD 2015, the Texas Enterprise Fund has committed more than $853 million the opening of Santa’s Village. in new capital investments, resulting in more than 16,500 new jobs in The parade is made possible Texas. by our sponsors, which include CHERRYWOOD DR “Texas is a leader in the establishment of booming technology hubs Rudolph Sponsor: the Richard- because of innovative companies like Infosys,” said Gov. Greg Abbott. son Rotary Clubs; Santa’s Helper: “Companies such as Infosys are choosing to invest in the Lone Star State RICHARDSON First Baptist Richardson; Reindeer HIGH SCHOOL because of our business-friendly practices and rich and diverse talent Sponsors: Methodist Richardson pool. Infosys’ expansion in the city of Richardson will create hundreds of Medical Center, Christensen Tire, good jobs for Texans, and I thank Infosys for their investment and look The Flying Biscuit, Golden Chick, W BELT LINE RD forward to building on our already strong partnership.” Page 2 Richardson Today, December 2018 Longer outdoor siren test set for Dec. 5 The City’s Office of Emer- from inside a house or building. gency Management will conduct Their primary purpose is to move While we are celebrating the a full three-minute test of its people indoors and allow them to holidays this year, it is a great time Outdoor Warning System at noon seek shelter and more informa- to consider giving back to the com- Wednesday, Dec. 5. Emergency tion. munity. One way to give back is by Management conducts a 30-sec- The test will be rescheduled to donating your time to a cause dear ond test of the Outdoor Warn- Wednesday, Jan. 2 if there is in- to your heart. Nonprofits through- ing System the first Wednesday clement weather or overcast skies out Richardson need volunteers of each month, with a full test at in the area during the time of the year-round, while the City has least once per year. The full test test scheduled for Dec. 5. numerous volunteer opportunities allows the system to work through For more information on the that are both fun and enjoyable. one complete warning cycle as Outdoor Warning System, visit Every year, Richardson resi- would be done during times of www.cor.net/sirens or call 972- dents spend thousands of hours emergency. 744-0900 to speak with an Office volunteering at community events As a reminder, residents are of Emergency Management rep- such as Santa’s Village, Trash Bash not expected to hear these sirens resentative. and Wildflower! The City’s Com- munity Services Department also has a Volunteer Assistance Pro- Mayor Holiday schedule, gram, which connects volunteer Paul Voelker groups with homeowners who [email protected] recycle makeup days need assistance maintaining their ground. More than $480,000 has Due to the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, property. Volunteers also work closely with the staff at our Ani- been raised for the playground to there will be NO recycling pick up, solid waste mal Shelter to make sure pets are date, which will be at Cottonwood pick up or special pick up Monday, Dec. 24, kept clean and happy, and get their Park and provide play opportuni- Tuesday, Dec. 25 or Tuesday, Jan. 1. The table hands dirty ensuring our parks and ties for children of all ages and abilities. To match potential do- below shows the recycle makeup days. waterways are kept clean through the Community & Corporate En- nors with opportunities, the City created a Philanthropic Opportu- Recycle collection day affected by holiday Makeup day vironmental Cleanup Program. The operation of facilities such as nities web page earlier this year that can be found at www.cor.net/ Monday, Dec. 24 Wednesday, Dec. 26 the Library and Eisemann Center would also not be possible with- giving.