Decemb 2025
DISTRICT2
NEWSLETTER
WelcomeDecember
Greetings,District2Family!
AswewelcomeDecemberandthewinter season,I’mremindedofthepeace,light,and renewalthistimeofyearbrings Winter invitesustoslowdown,reflect,and appreciatetheblessingswe’veexperienced throughouttheyear andDistrict2has muchtocelebrate
Fromcontinuedneighborhood improvementstocommunitygatheringsand ongoingdevelopmentacrossourcity,the progresswe’vemadetogetheristruly meaningful.Yourengagement,feedback, andpassionforourcommunityremainthe drivingforcebehindeverythingwe accomplish.
Decemberalsoencouragesustolook forward.Asweprepareforanewyear,thisis aperfecttimetosupportoneanother,stay connected,andmakesureeveryfamilyin ourdistrictfeelsseen,valued,anduplifted. Simpleacts—checkingonaneighbor, lendingahelpinghand,orshowingkindness insmallmoments—helpkeepour communitystrongthroughthewinter months
Iamdeeplygratefulforthetrustyou’veplaced inmeandfortheopportunitytoserveasyour District2CouncilMember.Together,wewill continuebuildingafuturethatreflectsthe resilience,unity,andhopeofTemple.Maythis winterseasonbringwarmthtoyourhomes,joy toyourfamilies,andrenewedstrengthforthe yearahead
Withwarmwishes, ZoeGrant, CityCouncilMember,District2
CONTACT& STAYINFORMED
As your District 2 City Council Member, I’m committedtobeingaccessibletoyou.
While Council Members do not maintain a dedicated office, I am available to meet with you Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and6:00pm
Meetingscanbeheldatalocationthatbestfits your concern whether that’s in your neighborhood, at City Hall, or another public spacethatcanbereserved.
I value our time together and strive to respond promptlytocalls,emails,andmeetingrequests during the week Weekends are reserved for personal time, but I will always do my best to addressurgentmatters
Your input and concerns matter to me, and I’m here to listen, collaborate, and work for the bettermentofDistrict2.
Emailsarealwaysappreciated: zgrant@templetx.gov
CityMonthlyNewsletter
CityNews
Councilinfo
DestinationMarketing/DowntownTemple/Tourism
TemplePublicLibrary
Parks&RecPrograms
Railroad&HeritageMuseum
SammonsCommunityCenter
TempleEconomicIndicatorReport
WilsonRecreationCenter
SummitRecreationCenter
SpecialEvents
Talkdirectlywithanagent(Monday–Friday,8AM–5 PM):
ForAT&T,Verizon,orT-Mobilewirelesscustomers,simply dial311fromanywhereinsideTemplecitylimits.Call 254-298-5000fromanyphone,anywhere
Textusat254-298-5000fromanyphoneforassistance fromourCustomerCareteam!
Useourchatfeaturetotalkwithliveagents
What does the holidays mean to you?
ebrating the Winter Holidays: Honoring Traditions, Memories, and the Many Ways We Embrace the ason
The winter season is one of the most meaningful and diverse times of the year a moment filled with light, reflection, and connection Across our community, families celebrate in countless beautiful ways. Whether it's Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s, or simply embracing the cozy joy of cold weather, this season reminds us of how our differences make our community stronger and richer.
Christmas brings families together with traditions of love, generosity, and togetherness from decorating the tree to sharing meals and making memories that last for generations
Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, symbolizes hope, resilience, and the miracle of enduring light Each night of lighting the menorah stands as a reminder of faith shining through all circumstances
Kwanzaa celebrates African heritage and the seven guiding principles unity, purpose, creativity, and collective responsibility. It is a time for reflection, pride, and honoring cultural identity
New Year’s gives us a fresh start a moment to reflect on the past year’s challenges and triumphs and to welcome new possibilities with expectation and hope.
Continued on Page 4
WINTERHOLIDAYCONT.
Continued from Page 3
But winter brings even more traditions: Winter Solstice/Yule, celebrated by many cultures, marks the return of longer days and symbolizes renewal, rest, and spiritual grounding
Las Posadas, observed in many Latin communities, honors Mary and Joseph’s journey and brings neighborhoods together through song, celebration, and hospitality.
Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes) on January 6th celebrates the visit of the Magi and closes out the Christmas season for many families around the world.
And for some, winter is simply a cherished time to enjoy the cold weather, warm drinks, cozy blankets, winter activities, and the peaceful quiet the season brings
No matter how we celebrate through faith, culture, family traditions, or simply savoring the winter chill this season connects us through shared experiences of love, meaning, and togetherness.
Some of my fondest winter memories come from the small and simple moments: gathering in the kitchen, laughter filling the house, the smell of comfort food, and the feeling of being surrounded by people you love. Those are the memories that stay with us and carry warmth through the cold days
I would love to hear your winter traditions and memories
What do you celebrate?
What moments mean the most to you this time of year?
Share them with me, and I’ll be honored to highlight your stories on social media as we honor the beauty of this season together.
AROUNDTOWN
Picture credit: Discover Temple
BLORALIGHTS
Check out Discover Temple to see what's going on in and around your city, Blora Lights: 7999 Sparta Road Belton, TX 76513 https://www.discovertemple.com/event/naturein-lights-at-blora/2434/
MERRY&BRIGHT HOLIDAYLIGHTS
The 4th Annual Holiday Decorating Contest is in full swing! While the deadline to enter has passed, the fun is far from over community viewing and judging continue through December 15th. Take a drive through our neighborhoods, enjoy the creative displays, and celebrate the festive spirit shining across our city, oh, and vote!. The winners will be officially awarded at the December 18th City Council Meeting, and we look forward to recognizing the families/homes who help make this season bright for all of Temple
The interactive map is active on December 8 . Check out the locations here th Holiday Lights interactive Map
RINK ONTHERAILS GRANDOPENING
Grand Opening with Anna and Elsa, Friday, December 12, 2025 at 10:30am, and runs through Sunday, January 4, 2026, at the MLK Festival Grounds (301 S 4th St )
Rink on the Rails’ operating hours follow the Temple Independent School District (TISD) calendar, with adjusted schedules for school days and holiday breaks
• Regular hours: Monday–Thursday, 11 a m –8:30 p m ; Friday–Saturday, 11 a m –10:30 p m ; Sunday, 11 a.m.–8:30 p.m.
• Student Holiday Hours: Monday–Thursday, 3–8:30 p.m.; Friday–Saturday, 11 a.m.–10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a m –8:30 p m Rails on the Rink pricing:
• Admission: $12 per person
• Skate aids: $5 each
Don’t forget to sign up for the City of Templke Newsletter See Page 2.
AROUNDTOWN
TEMPLEPOLICETRAININGCENTER TEMPLEPOLICETRAININGCENTER
Honored to Be Part of Temple’s Next Chapter: The Groundbreaking of the Public Safety Training Center
December 3rd, I had the privilege of standing alongside our city leaders, first responders, and community members as we broke ground on the next phase of the Public Safety Training Center right here in Temple, Texas. It was more than a ceremony — it was a moment that marks progress, commitment, and a clear investment in the safety and future of our city.
As Council Members being part of this milestone reminded me why we work so hard every day: to ensure our residents have a community they can trust, rely on, and feel protected in. This expansion isn’t just about new buildings — it’s about strengthening the foundation of public safety for generations to come.
The next phase of the Public Safety Training Center will bring state-of-the-art resources to support the advanced training needs of our first responders This includes a dedicated Temple Police Department classroom facility, an updated modern shooting range with secure storage, spaces designed specifically for K-9 training, and a new defensive tactics area. It will also include a future home for virtual reality training — preparing our officers with innovative tools and real-world simulations that enhance readiness and decision-making.
Standing at the groundbreaking, I felt proud — not only of the progress we’re making, but of the unity behind this project. Our officers put their lives on the line every day, and they deserve the very best training and support we can offer. This expansion reflects the City of Temple’s commitment to excellence, accountability, and continual improvement in public safety.
I look forward to watching this vision become reality and to seeing how it strengthens the incredible work our police department already does. Moments like these remind me how blessed I am to serve our community and to champion projects that build a safer, stronger Temple for all.
City Residents — Your Voice Matters!
As your City Council Member and the District where Wilson Park is located, I am committed to making sure our community continues to grow, thrive, and reflect the needs of the individuals who utilize our parks and recreation.
I'd like to invite you to take a moment to complete this survey. Your input helps guide decisions, improve services, and ensure that we are addressing the issues that matter most to you and your family.
Thank you for being an active part of the progress happening in District 2. Together, we move forward.
The open house is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9th, at the park located at 2205 Curtis B. Elliot Drive.
The survey is available online and open through Dec. 23
To complete the survey, visit templeparks.com/wilsonsurvey .
By now, you should have received a door hanger with information about the Brush & Bulky Item Collection process. Every home will receive one directly on the door. If yours hasn’t arrived yet — don’t worry, it’s on the way!
NeighborhoodCoalitions
WhatisaNeighborhoodCoalition?
ANeighborhoodCoalitionisnotaHomeowner’s Association.Itisnotanexclusivecluboragovernmentruninitiative.Itisagrassrootseffort neighborsjoining forcestocreatelong-termsolutionsthatmakeour communitieshealthier,safer,andmorevibrant.
Everyneighborhoodisunique,withitsownneedsand challenges,andtheroleofaNeighborhoodCoalitionis tohelpaddressthoseneedsbasedonwhatresidents prioritize
Thegoalissimple:tobringpeopletogether,establish prideinourcommunities,andbuildrealchangethat lasts.Whetherit’sadvocatingforbetterstreetlighting, organizingcommunitycleanups,addressingcrime concerns,orcreatingmoreopportunitiesforyouth,the coalitionisaplatformforresidentstouniteandtake action.
Butit'salsoabouthavingfun,backintheday,neighbors knewandtalkedtoeachother,theyknewthekids,they sharedrecipes,borrowedsugar,andwedrankfromthe waterhose Soit'saboutgettingbacktothebasicsof neighborlyloveandblockparties
Didyouknowwehaveapartytrailer?Ithasavarietyof games,awatercooler,foldingtablesandchairsa10x10 canopy. Youcanfindoutmoreaboutthatfromour HousingResourceCenter,KirbyFiebig, NeighborhoodRevitalization@templetx.gov 254-298-5999
Someoftheideasthathavecomeoutofthecoalition meetingsarefoodtrucknights,yardsofthemonth, musicalgatheringsinparks,egghuntsarecomingup andnationalnightsout.Ibelievelastyearwasoneof thelargestparticipationsinvariousneighborhoods.
PowerofCommunity: StrengtheningOur NeighborhoodsTogether! ContactBelindaGarcia,ourCity’s NeighborhoodNavigator. at2542985808 bgarcia@templetx.gov
You’reInvited:CityCouncilMeetings
TheTempleCityCouncilmeetsonthefirstandthird Thursday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at City Hall. Each meeting is preceded by a City Council Workshop
I would love to see you there! Please attend, participate,andcomeuptomeetme letmeknow you’re from District 2. Your presence matters, and yourvoiceiswelcome.
YourOpportunitytoSpeak
Didyouknowthatatthebeginningofeachmeeting, youcanspeakforuptothreeminutesonanytopic? Simply sign up before the meeting starts You can alsoshareinputoraskquestionsaboutitemsonthe regular agenda your feedback helps guide the decisionswemake.
