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Jacinto City celebrates 25th anniversary of National Night Out
  
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By MATT HOLLIS
The cool October breeze made for a pleasant day as Jacinto City celebrated the 25th anniversary of National Night Out, Oct. 7.
The smell of barbecue and the sounds of friendly laughter could be heard from Barnard Valdez’s home on Cheston. For the past three years, Valdez has opened up his home for National Night Out and has taken the opportunity to meet and greet his neighbors, both old and new.
“It’s just about getting together with your neighbors, meeting each other and staying united,” Valdez said.
Jacinto City had several locations set up for the event with the help of Police Chief Joe Ayala and Rhonda Lowe of Big Bass Resort Apartments. This is the 25th year the event has been held.
At the new City Hall on Market and Mercury, folks gathered for some food and games. Capital Bank sponsored a Wheel of Fortune-type game, in which people could spin the wheel and win a prize. There was a winner on every spin. City workers cooked food such as Frito pies, hot dogs, nachos, candy apples and served free drinks.
FEMA representatives were on hand with information about how to apply for assistance. The event also provided an opportunity to meet some of the police officers and firefighters who work in the neighborhood.
National Night Out was originally scheduled to take place in August, but organizers decided to move the date. This scheduled the event after Hurricane Ike, when many people had a chance to meet their neighbors due to the lack of electricity.
“People have been so stressed out,” said Rachel Munoz, Jacinto City councilwoman. “This is a chance for them to come out and have a good time and enjoy themselves. They have been through a lot, like most of us have. Also, they can thank the police officers and fire fighters who helped out so much during Hurricane Ike. We are a community that is united and appreciative of our police and fire departments. Also, our city employees are appreciated as well.”
Luisa Perez and her family have come to the National Night Out events for the past five years. She agreed the hurricane might have sparked more interest in the event than usual.
“People are coming out this year and they are talking about what they went through with the hurricane,” Perez said. “It’s a better way to express what you think is going on in the community rather than at a city council meeting. It’s more personal and a family-kind of atmosphere. People feel more comfortable at something like this.”
Al Gutierrez, banking center manager at Capital Bank, said getting to know neighbors and surroundings is a huge reason why National Night Out is a success.
“We are individuals like they are,” Gutierrez said. “We like to volunteer. We’ve been in this community since 1965 and we always participate in things like this. We are a big supporter of Jacinto City.”
Over at Valdez’s home, where barbecued chicken, rice and beans were on the menu, the neighbors were taking full advantage of sharing time while having fun.
“It’s a good thing,” said Juan Villarreal, one of Valdez’s neighbors. “It’s great (Barnard Valdez) does something nice for his neighbors. It’s something everyone should participate in.”
Raul Rodriguez, who cooked the barbecued chicken at Valdez’s home, summed up the event in his own words.
“My father always used to tell me you can have a dollar in your pocket and you can spend it, but a friend you can always keep,” Rodriguez said. “It’s good to get to know your neighbors. When you have a problem, they can be there to help. That’s what it is all about.”
The smell of barbecue and the sounds of friendly laughter could be heard from Barnard Valdez’s home on Cheston. For the past three years, Valdez has opened up his home for National Night Out and has taken the opportunity to meet and greet his neighbors, both old and new.
“It’s just about getting together with your neighbors, meeting each other and staying united,” Valdez said.
Jacinto City had several locations set up for the event with the help of Police Chief Joe Ayala and Rhonda Lowe of Big Bass Resort Apartments. This is the 25th year the event has been held.
At the new City Hall on Market and Mercury, folks gathered for some food and games. Capital Bank sponsored a Wheel of Fortune-type game, in which people could spin the wheel and win a prize. There was a winner on every spin. City workers cooked food such as Frito pies, hot dogs, nachos, candy apples and served free drinks.
FEMA representatives were on hand with information about how to apply for assistance. The event also provided an opportunity to meet some of the police officers and firefighters who work in the neighborhood.
National Night Out was originally scheduled to take place in August, but organizers decided to move the date. This scheduled the event after Hurricane Ike, when many people had a chance to meet their neighbors due to the lack of electricity.
“People have been so stressed out,” said Rachel Munoz, Jacinto City councilwoman. “This is a chance for them to come out and have a good time and enjoy themselves. They have been through a lot, like most of us have. Also, they can thank the police officers and fire fighters who helped out so much during Hurricane Ike. We are a community that is united and appreciative of our police and fire departments. Also, our city employees are appreciated as well.”
Luisa Perez and her family have come to the National Night Out events for the past five years. She agreed the hurricane might have sparked more interest in the event than usual.
“People are coming out this year and they are talking about what they went through with the hurricane,” Perez said. “It’s a better way to express what you think is going on in the community rather than at a city council meeting. It’s more personal and a family-kind of atmosphere. People feel more comfortable at something like this.”
Al Gutierrez, banking center manager at Capital Bank, said getting to know neighbors and surroundings is a huge reason why National Night Out is a success.
“We are individuals like they are,” Gutierrez said. “We like to volunteer. We’ve been in this community since 1965 and we always participate in things like this. We are a big supporter of Jacinto City.”
Over at Valdez’s home, where barbecued chicken, rice and beans were on the menu, the neighbors were taking full advantage of sharing time while having fun.
“It’s a good thing,” said Juan Villarreal, one of Valdez’s neighbors. “It’s great (Barnard Valdez) does something nice for his neighbors. It’s something everyone should participate in.”
Raul Rodriguez, who cooked the barbecued chicken at Valdez’s home, summed up the event in his own words.
“My father always used to tell me you can have a dollar in your pocket and you can spend it, but a friend you can always keep,” Rodriguez said. “It’s good to get to know your neighbors. When you have a problem, they can be there to help. That’s what it is all about.”
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