Burleson's Veterans Memorial Park was packed Nov. 5 for the City's fifth annual Military Veteran Tribute. The crowd was estimated at 400. Highlights included the flyover of a B-17; U.S. Army Spec. Justin Pennington returning home to surprise his family, on stage; guest speaker U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jerry Singleton of Burleson who was shot down while flying a rescue mission then became a prisoner of war at the Hanoi Hilton; special presentations to the family of Jesse W. Dietrich, who died in Afghanistan this year; a salute to the family of J.W. Arnold, a World War II Purple Heart recipient who died this year; and the pomp and circumstance of the Burleson Fire Department honor guard, Burleson Police Department honor guard and bugler, Burleson High School ROTC, and bagpiper Steve Pruitt. For more pictures go to the Fifth annual Military Veteran Tribute 2011 photo album on the City Facebook page.

The City's parks and recreation department is looking for Burleson Independent School District third graders with artistic talent for the annual Christmas Coloring Contest. One lucky boy and girl who color the best pictures will be selected to ride with Santa Claus in the Burleson Rotary Club's annual Christmas parade at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 3. The two winning youngsters will help Santa Claus light the 10,000-plus bulbs on the City's Christmas tree at the corner of Ellison Street and Johnson Avenue at 6 p.m. on Dec. 3. Copies of the coloring contest are available at the BRiCk. The coloring contest may also be downloaded from the City's website. All entries must be turned in at the BRiCk by Nov. 28. Read More

Author and minister David Stokes combed newspaper articles and court records to write this true crime drama, "Apparent Danger: The Pastor of America's First Megachurch and the Texas Murder Trial of the Decade in the 1920s." The Rev. Dr. J. Frank Norris was pastor at First Baptist Church of Fort Worth where he railed against vice and injustice. But he was also tagged as a killer after shooting an unarmed critic to death in 1926. The killing and trial became a national media sensation. Request a copy of the book from the Burleson Public Library and join in the discussion at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 21, at 248 S.W. Johnson Ave.

If your youngster is interested in soccer, mark your calendar for Dec. 6 and Dec. 13. The BRiCk will be hosting free soccer demonstration classes called Soccer Sparks. Children 4-5 years old participate 4:30 p.m.-5:15 p.m. and children 6-8 years old participate 5:15 p.m.-6 p.m. The goal is to spark a passion for the game as well as teach children sound principles and techniques. Monthly (indoor) sessions will start in January. Those sessions will include dribbling, passing, shooting and teamwork. For more, call the BRiCk at 817-426-9104.

The Digital Bookmobile was a hit Nov. 2! Approximately 125 people went through Overdrive's Digital Bookmobile, which is inside a 74-foot 18-wheel tractor-trailer. The vehicle is equipped with broadband Internet-connected computers, high-definition monitors, premium sound systems, and a variety of portable media players. Interactive computer stations gave visitors a chance to search the digital media collection and 'Virtual Branch' download website, use supported mobile devices, and sample eBooks and audiobooks from the library. Many of the people were interested in eBooks, but didn't know how eBooks worked. Others were already users but were having technical issues with a device and needed help.  For more go to North Texas Libraries On-the-Go.

The Burleson Rotary Club's annual Christmas parade will step off from Kerr Middle School at an earlier time, 4:30 p.m., this year. The theme for the Saturday, Dec. 3, parade is "Old Fashioned Family Christmas." The route starts at Irene Street, to Gregory, Johnson, Ellison, Warren, back to Gregory, and back to Irene Street. The parade is open to floats, cars, horses, fire trucks, and more! The parade lineup starts at 2:30 p.m. Rotary Club Christmas parade applications are available at the Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce, Service First Mortgage and Burleson City Hall and also on the Rotary club website.

Do you know what's going on in your City? Choose the form of communication that best suits your style by going to the Communications page on the City website. We have City news releases, streaming video of meetings, the free weekly E-Newsletter, City Focus monthly newsletter, City of Burleson Facebook page, City of Burleson Twitter Page, Connect-CTY emergency phone notifications, Burleson Progress Report and the Annual Financial Report.