Coming Next Week: New Parks Activity Guide
 Next week, the Winchester Parks & Recreation Department (WPRD) will distribute a full color, 32-page activities guide jammed packed with new programs and information about services and facilities.
The Activities Guide will be mailed to most city residences and WPRD customers. If you do not receive a copy in the mail by August 22, please contact the WPRD at 662-4946 or stop by the War Memorial Building or City Hall to pick up a copy. Or click here to view it online now.
If you and your family like to be active and have fun, then you've got to see what the Winchester Parks & Recreation Department has to offer you this fall!
Adopt-A-Tree Program
Trees provide cleaner air, shadier streets and aesthetic beauty and are an important asset to the City of Winchester and its citizens. For years, the City has been planting trees and you can help make a difference by adopting a city tree.
With the Adopt-a-Tree Program a resident or business owner can adopt a tree and help keep our urban forest thriving and enhance the beauty of our city. The City encourages the Winchester community to take a more active interest in the city's trees.
The City of Winchester is proud to be a Tree City.
City Employees and Council Members Show They Care
Each year, the City of Winchester puts together a large group of employees and council members (40-50) to participate in the United Way's Day of Caring. This year is no exception.
 On September 10, the City's team will take on a big assignment and help the United Way accomplish many community improvement projects around Winchester. In the past, the City's team has spruced up areas inside and out at the Salvation Army, removed brush at the Youth Development Center, washed windows at the Fremont Street Nursery, painted houses, and performed other forms of property maintenance at residences all over the city. It is a worthwhile day spent helping neighbors and improving the beauty and quality of life in Winchester.
To get involved in the United Way's Day of Caring, contact the United Way at 536-1610 or uway@visuallink.com.
INSIGHT Citizen's Academy - Less Like School, More Like WOW!
Whether you know a lot or very little, there is always more to learn about your City of Winchester local government.
Each year the City offers to the public the opportunity to learn how the government is ran from the inside out during the INSIGHT Citizen’s Academy. Don’t let the name fool you. It’s nothing like going back to school. Yes, you hear new information and learn about services you didn’t even know existed, but you’ll also have so much fun the hours will simply fly by.
“This program was one of the highlights of my life in Winchester.”
- 2004 Graduate
The most effective part of INSIGHT for most participants is meeting the local government staff that make decisions and keep the city running smoothly.
“Having the opportunity to meet the people first hand was the best part - as it made the workings of the government come to life.”
- 2006 Graduate
Find out why some decisions are made and how you can get involved. Ask the questions you’ve always wanted to ask and get straight answers.
“All my questions were answered with respect.”
- 2007 Graduate
Many Winchester and Frederick County residents and people that work, shop and play within city limits have participated in the INSIGHT Citizen’s Academy since it’s inception in 2004. Some INSIGHT graduates have gone on to serve on City Council or Boards and Commissions and almost all gain a new perspective and respect for the hard work and dedication of City of Winchester's public servants.
The INSIGHT Citizen’s Academy is held every Thursday night (6:30-9:00 pm) from August 21 through October 23. Each session is held at a different City facility (i.e. Timbrook Public Safety Center, Rouss City Hall, Water Treatment Plant, City Yards, etc.).
Prior to each regular Thursday session, participants can attend bonus sessions (i.e. Handley Library, Public Works, Constitutional Officers, Winchester Public Schools and more) and guided facility tours (i.e. Wastewater Treatment Plant, Water Treatment facility, new Visitor Center & Civil War Center, J.H.H.S., Juvenile Detention Center, and Regional Jail) on Tuesday nights at 6:30 pm.
 Don’t miss this opportunity. Register NOW and gain a deeper understanding of how the City government works from the people in the government that directly serve YOU! Visit www.winchesterva.gov and click on the INSIGHT button for a complete schedule and registration form or contact Amy Simmons at 533-0603 or asimmons@ci.winchester.va.us.
Did You Know?
Public Utilities has personnel on-call 24 hours a day to respond to emergencies such as sewer backups or stoppages, and water line leaks or breaks.
Providing an around-the-clock service is vital to our consumers. Public Utilities strives to be ready to address any emergency. For reporting an emergency, please call one of the following numbers:
Utilities Maintenance Headquarters
662-5353 - M-F, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
869-1699 - after hours and on weekends and holidays
Kickball Tournament for Charity
In 2006, a group of City of Winchester employees created a kickball tournament to not only provide a fun activity at the annual employee picnic and pool party, but to give back to the community as well.
 A total of six kickball teams are put together each year. Four are made up of City staff and their friends and family members. Another team consists of council members and the last team represents the media. After several preliminary games, two champions will be crowned. Staff teams play each other for the championship and the council team plays the media for the second title.
To raise money, all players pay an entry fee and Council and media players enjoy a friendly fund-raising competition - the team that raises the most money will have bonus runs added to their final score. All money raised goes to the WINC Chain of Checks (except $5 per player for the team t-shirt). Over the last two years, the kickball tournament has raised over $4,000. Barry Lee for WINC 92.5 serves as the announcer for the championship game and accepts the donation on behalf of the WINC Chain of Checks.
The next kickball tournament begins August 15 with the championship games to be played under the lights at Jim Barnett Park's Henkel-Harris field at 7:00 p.m. on August 16.
Victim Witness Assistance Program
When an individual violates the law, as part of the charge, he is accused of offending “against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth.” Every victim of every crime personally feels the violation of his or her peace and dignity. Added to that injury is the insult of having to go to court and testify against the perpetrator.
The system often looks like it is set up solely for the offender and not the victim. Knowing that you are following the rules and doing what is right rarely makes you feel better about the pain of the whole process. Nothing can compensate for the personal violation that you feel. However, the Victim Witness Program is here to help. The Commonwealth’s Attorneys’ staff, will assist you throughout testifying in court, the process of getting restitution and moving beyond victimization.
Many services are provided as required by the "Victim's Bill of Rights" in addition to the personal assistance offered by the Victim Witness Program. If you need any assistance as a victim or a witness of a crime in the City of Winchester, please call 667-5770, extension 421 or 473. | 