C h a n g e  o f  A d d r e s s USPS Online Address Change C o u n t y Galveston     A r e a   C o d e 409   G e o g r a p h y Galveston is located on a barrier reef island, approximately 50 miles southeast of Houston. The island is two miles wide at its widest point and measures 32 miles long. Average elevation is seven feet above sea level.     C l i m a t e Semi-tropical. Average temperatures range from 54°F to 83°F. Average annual rainfall totals approximately 45 inches.   P o p u l a t i o n City: 59,070 County: 217,399   G o v e r n m e n t City - Council/Manager County - Commissioners County Seat - Galveston Information about city and county government policies and procedures can be obtained from: Galveston City Hall 823 Rosenberg Galveston 77550 766-2150 Galveston County Courthouse 722 Moody at 21st Street Galveston 77550 766-2200 - County Clerk   T a x e s Property tax rates may fluctuate yearly and vary according to location of residence. For information, city residents contact the Galveston Tax Collections Office, phone 744-9398; county residents contact the Galveston County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office, phone 766-2821.   L i c e n s e s State auto and driver licenses may be obtained from: County Tax Assessor-Collector's Office Motor Vehicle Registration Division 722 Moody at 21st Street Galveston 77550 766-2486 Texas Department of Public Safety Drivers License Division 6812 Broadway Galveston 77554 740-0031   E c o n o m y   &   E m p l o y m e n t The local economy is primarily based on the University of Texas Medical Branch, tourism, manufacturing, construction, educational employment, transportation, fishing, agriculture and the wholesale and retail trades. For current information about employment opportunities in the area, contact: Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) 1922 Sealy P. O. Box 149 Galveston 77553-0149 763-8571   H o u s i n g Because the availability and cost of homes and apartments change constantly, it is advisable to check the classified columns of the local newspaper, particularly the Sunday editions, for current information. Or, contact the following for assistance and/or names of realtors: Galveston Association of Realtors Cotton Exchange Building 2102 Mechanic Street, Room 212 Galveston 77550 765-6250   U t i l i t i e s Water City of Galveston Water Department Customer Service Division 823 Rosenberg Galveston 77550 766-2111 Gas Southern Union Gas Company 402 33rd Street Galveston 77550 763-8551 Phone Southwestern Bell Telephone 713-638-7200 Electric Houston Lighting & Power Company 2116 Church Galveston 77550 713-207-7777 800-332-7143 Refuse City of Galveston Public Works Department 823 Rosenberg Galveston 77550 766-2122   E d u c a t i o n Elementary and secondary public school information may be obtained from: Galveston Independent School District 3904 Avenue T Galveston 77550 766-5100 The district operates nine elementary schools, three middle schools, one high school and one alternative school. For information about Catholic schools in the area, contact: Diocese of Galveston-Houston Schools 2403 Holcombe Boulevard Houston 77201 713-741-8704 Colleges Public Galveston College, Texas A&M University at Galveston and the University of Texas Medical Branch.   B a n k s The community has seven commercial banks, one savings bank and one savings and loan association. In order to transfer credit information, ask your present banker for assistance. New checking accounts may take ten working days to open. Grocery stores will not accept out-of- town checks. New residents may need traveler's checks, cash and/or credit cards.   P l a c e s   o f   W o r s h i p The community has two synagogues and more than 50 churches of various denominations. Information concerning them may be obtained from: Galveston Chamber of Commerce 621 Moody - #300 Galveston 77550 763-5326   N e w s p a p e r s The local daily newspaper is the Galveston Daily News (mornings). For home delivery service, contact: Galveston Daily News 8522 Teichman Road P. O. Box 628 Galveston 77553-0628 744-3611   L i b r a r y Rosenberg Library 2310 Sealy Galveston 77550 763-8854   M e d i c a l   C a r e Local hospitals include: University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) 301 University Boulevard Galveston 77550 772-1011 Rebecca Sealy Hospital (Part of UTMB) 401 University Boulevard Galveston 77555 770-0492 Shriners Hospitals for Children 815 Market Street Galveston 77550 770-6600 For Medicare information, contact: Social Security Administration 4918-A Seawall Boulevard Galveston 77551 766-3631 800-772-1213   O r g a n i z a t i o n s A listing of local organizations can usually be obtained from the local chamber of commerce, the phone book or your present chapter can usually refer you to the local organization in your new city.   C u l t u r e A sampling of Galveston's cultural attractions are the Galveston Island Outdoor Musicals, The Strand Street Theatre, Grand 1894 Opera House, Broadway Theatre, Elissa Texas Seaport Museum, Center for Transportation & Commerce, Moody Gardens, Galveston Symphony Orchestra and the Galveston Ballet. The island also features a number of historic homes. A few of these are Ashton Villa, Bishop's Palace and Samuel May Williams Home.   R e c r e a t i o n For information about municipal and county recreational programs and facilities, contact: City Parks & Recreation Department (at City Hall) 823 Rosenberg Galveston 77550 766-2138 County Parks Department 601 Tremont - Suite 100 Galveston 77550 770-5355 Residents and visitors enjoy a number of activities on Galveston's 32 miles of sandy beaches.   S h o p p i n g Major shopping areas include the Strand Shopping Area, Mall of the Mainland, Westgate Mall, K-Mart Mall, Factory Stores of America, Baybrook Mall, and Alameda Mall. Major Retail Outlets K-Mart, J.C. Penney, Sears, Wal-Mart Super Center and Weiner's. Grocers Arlans Market, Circle K, Gerland's, H.E.B., Kroger, Randall's, Fiesta and Stop 'N Go.   T r a n s p o r t a t i o n Bus transportation throughout the city is provided by Island Transit; phone 762-2903 for routes, fares and schedules. Galveston is connected to the mainland by the Galveston Causeway, the San Luis Pass Bridge and free public ferry service to the Bolivar Peninsula. Texas Bus Lines (765-7731) offers service between Galveston and Houston. Interstate bus service is offered by Greyhound. The local airport, Scholes Field, services private planes and offers aircraft charter, rental and leasing services. Commercial flights are available at Houston Hobby and Houston International Airport. Two commuter flights are available between Galveston and Dallas.   C h a m b e r  o f  C o m m e r c e Galveston Chamber of Commerce 621 Moody - #300 Galveston 77550 763-5326 web site address: www.galvestoncc.com       A d d i t i o n a l  I n f o r m a t i o n WELCOMING SERVICES For the phone number of your nearest Welcome Wagon representative, contact their headquarter's office, phone 800-779-3526.