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City of Burleson

June 4, 2010

Greetings!

Welcome to the City of Burleson, Texas, E-Newsletter! You are one of 980 subscribers who want to be in the loop and stay informed about what's happening in city government in Burleson! If you've missed an issue of the E-Newsletter, go to the archive, http://tinyurl.com/my5ak7 on the City web site, www.burlesontx.com. If you have questions or suggestions about City programs, services and events, call the public information office at 817-426-9622.

Victor Trevino Jr. brings Elvis rockabilly to Old Town tonight for Hot Sounds

The 1950s and 1960s . . . Elvis Presley rockabilly . . . does that bring back good memories? Then don't miss the second of the Hot Sounds of Summer concerts tonight, June 4, in Old Town. Victor Trevino Jr. will be bringing back the king of music's wilder years - the rockabilly '50s and '60s. Trevino is the real deal with accolades that include first place in an Elvis expo in Arizona in 2008 and first place in the Elvis Extravaganza national finals 2008. Trevino has headlined and performed in casinos, theaters, and festivals. Friday night's show on the City stage at the corner of Ellison and Wilson streets is a free 90-minute celebration. All you have to bring is your blanket or chair.

Celebrate fitness at the BRiCk's grand opening, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., June 5

Tropical relays, scavenger hunts, a limbo contest, and a Police Fitness Challenge for youth . . . that's just some of what will be going on at the Burleson Recreation Center (BRiCk) during the grand opening celebration, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Saturday, June 5. Center instructors will be hosting free demonstrations of their fitness classes and Cook Children's Hospital will be offering free physical assessment tests. The fire marshal's office will join the mix with Patches and Pumper (the robotic Dalmatian and his fire truck) as well as the smoke house. The opening ceremony is slated for 11 a.m. on the City stage at 550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd. The ribbon cutting will follow at 11:45 a.m. Free hot dogs and root beer floats will be served, courtesy of the Burleson Rotary Club and Burleson Lions Club. The classic rock band Silver Rail will perform on the City stage, noon-2 p.m. For more, go to

http://tinyurl.com/3xq3nwy.

Military veterans, and their stories, are focus of City's Operation Remember

Military veterans from several branches of service gathered at Veterans Memorial Park on Memorial Day as the City kicked off the project Operation Remember. The goal of Operation Remember is to archive the histories of local veterans as told by the veteran or by the veteran's family. Honor guards from the police department and fire department paid tribute to veterans with the posting of the colors, a firing party, and taps. To see more pictures, go to http://tinyurl.com/39vjvvs on the City of Burleson, Texas Facebook page.

Percussionist kicks off Summer Reading Club June 5

The Burleson Public Library's Summer Reading Club will kick off in a big way June 5 with Mark Shelton and his High Energy Percussion Party. The percussionist will bring the City stage to life at 10 a.m. during the grand opening of the Burleson Recreation Center at 550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd. His 45-minute show includes more than a dozen instruments. While Shelton is outside, library staff members and volunteers will be inside the center signing up children, ages 3-11 and 12-18, for the annual Summer Reading Club. You can also sign up at the library on June 5. Staff and volunteers will also help attendees sign up for a library card. Cards are free if you live in Burleson or own property inside Burleson's city limits. Go to http://tinyurl.com/36ytd8c or call the library at 817-426-9210.

Burleson Environmental Education award program's grand prize winners are announced!

Burleson students showed off not only their talents, but their concern for the environment recently with the Burleson Environmental Education (BEE) awards program. Each year, the City and Keep Burleson Beautiful challenges first through eighth grade students to create bumper stickers, posters, essays, and commercials with an environmental message. Suggested themes include litter and pollution prevention, recycling, conservation, and beautification. This year's grand prize winner in the bumper sticker and poster category is Maddie Lowther from Hajek Elementary. The grand prize winner in the essay contest is Trey Bentley from Hajek, and the grand prize winner in the video contest is Mr. Kelly's fourth grade class from The Academy at Nola Dunn. For a list of the winners in all three contests, plus the campus winners, go to http://tinyurl.com/29o96jj on the City web site.

Ringling Bros. 'Ambassador of Laughter' is coming to the Burleson Public Library June 29!

There's going to be some serious clowning around at the Burleson Public Library on Tuesday, June 29. The library is welcoming Kelly the Clown, a Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey "ambassador of laughter" at noon for a 45-minute Circus Story Time! The Ringling Bros. Ambassadors of Laughter will be in town to kick off "Reading with Ringling Bros.!" Children can earn a free circus ticket by simply doing their library reading. Children ages 2-12 years old can enroll with Children's Services Coordinator Carolyn Pennington. Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey will present Zing, Zang, Zoom at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, July 28-Aug. 8, and at the Fort Worth Convention Center, Aug. 11-15. Go to http://tinyurl.com/33wq2vn.

If you don't click it, expect a ticket

Buckle up, every rider, every time. The Burleson Police Department is participating in the Texas Department of Transportation's Click It or Ticket campaign, May 24-June 6. Since 2009, all passengers (including adults) in the back seat now must be buckled up, and children younger than 8 years old have to ride in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they are 4 feet 9 inches tall. For more about the laws, go to http://www.texasclickitorticket.com/. For the press release, go to http://tinyurl.com/23muf9n.

Take a quick sneak peek at the BRiCk!

If you haven't had time to go by and see the City's new Burleson Recration Center (BRiCk) at 550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd., you don't have to wait until Saturday's grand opening to get a peek inside. Go to http://tinyurl.com/2unn47v on the City of Burleson, Texas, Facebook page and take a look at the indoor and outdoor pools, workout machines and the rock wall. Then, make sure you stop by the BRiCk between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on June 5 for the grand celebration!

Verify state identification of door-to-door residential alarm company solicitors

May to August is the prime selling season for companies who want to get your residential alarm business. The Texas Burglar and Fire Alarm Association has highlighted the red flags that homeowners should listen for when someone comes knocking at your door, such as pressuring the consumer to make a decision quickly and offering a substantial discount for placing an alarm sign on the property. Homeowners should always ask for the salesperson's Department of Public Safety private security bureau pocket identification card, a business card from the alarm company that the salesperson claims to represent, and the company's local phone number. To see if a company is licensed and to verify the DPS identification, go to http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/psb. For tips and red flags, go to http://tinyurl.com/2ual5jy

Have you seen the parks and recreation Summer 2010 Community Guide?

Have you seen the Summer 2010 Community Guide put together by the City's parks and recreation department and library? It is full of information about the new recreation center and the classes and camps offered, the Hot Sounds of Summer concert series, and the special events slated for the Burleson Public Library. To see the Community Guide, go to http://tinyurl.com/24bxlqg on the City web site, www.burlesontx.com.

Check out the March Burleson Progress Report; next one comes out this month!

If you have a utility account with the City, you

received Burleson's 16-page March Burleson Progress Report in your mailbox during spring break. Find out about H-E-B, Cinco, the Hot Sounds of Summer concert series, free academies for kids and adults, the Father/Daughter Mother/Son Valentine's Dance, the Trash-Off, Mayor's Book Club and the May city council election. To see what it's all about, go to http://tinyurl.com/yb9er94 on the City of Burleson web site.

Thank you for your interest in what the City of Burleson has to offer you! You can post the City of Burleson E-Newsletter on your Facebook profile, Twitter, or a number of other social networking sites by clicking on "Share," above "Forward E-mail" at the bottom of this newsletter. Please forward this by clicking on the "Forward e-mail" or "Share" it with your friends, neighbors, family and co-workers.

Enjoy your weekend!

Sally Ellertson
City of Burleson

Public Information Officer

sellertson@burlesontx.com

Check out this link to Weather Underground on the City's web site. Find the forecast, air quality, and even see what the weather will be like for your favorite outdoor activities.
http://tinyurl.com/l7xabw.

The City has a Facebook page! Check it out, join the more than 2,235 fans, and tell us what you think! Comment on the wall posts and start your own discussion thread. Click on the Facebook icon on the City web site at www.burlesontx.com.

Do you have questions about the Burleson Recreation Center (the BRiCk)? We have the most Frequently Asked Questions listed on the City website. If you want to know what a membership includes, how children can use the center, and all about the classes, go to http://tinyurl.com/3xp2zqe.

Children between 10 and 18 years of age are welcome at the BRiCk, unsupervised, but not the first time. A parent or guardian must be with that child the first time the child attends in order to sign the child's waiver form. For more information, call the BRiCk at 817-426-9104.

What's coming up next week in the Hot Sounds of Summer concert series in Old Town? Check out Landon Dodd and the Dancehall Drifters as they take over the stage on June 11. Voodoo Blue is playing June 18, and Eight Arms to Hold You will entertain June 25. The 90-minute concerts are free. Go to http://tinyurl.com/32ld4ar.

Today at 5 p.m. is the deadline to sign up for the Burleson Police Department's free Citizens Police Academy! The academy starts June 10, 6:30 p.m.-9:30 p.m. The 10-week class will take place every Thursday in the council chambers at city hall. Graduation is Aug. 19. Several classes include "hands on" activities, however, none require strenuous activity. Applications are available at the police department. Class size is limited to 25. Call Burleson Police Sgt. Brian O'Heren, 817-426-9881, or e-mail boheren@burlesontx.com.

The Spazmatics

The Spazmatics wowed the crowd at the May 28 kickoff of the free Hot Sounds of Summer concert series in Burleson's Old Town. To see more, go to

http://tinyurl.com/34rqm6w on the City of Burleson, Texas Facebook page.

If you are looking for transportation, call City/County Transportation at 817-641-1800 or 1-866-913-1800. The system provides demand-response transportation for Burleson residents as well as a route bus that begins in Cleburne, stops in Joshua, Burleson and the Veterans Clinic in Fort Worth, then ends at the Intermodal Station in downtown Fort Worth. The Intermodal Station gives riders access to the T transit services in Fort Worth and the Trinity Railway Express (TRE) in to Dallas. Go to http://tinyurl.com/2v46rb7.