Burleson is featured in the National League of Cities' national report on City Leadership and Families for the Burleson Opportunity Fund. The report highlights efforts by cities to improve the lives of children, youth and families in communities with populations below 75,000. The Burleson Opportunity Fund is a joint effort of the City of Burleson, Burleson Independent School District, Hill College, and donations from local businesses, groups and individuals. Students who graduate from a Burleson high school or live in Burleson and graduate from a nearby high school are eligible for a scholarship that fully covers tuition and fees for two years of attendance at Hill College at Burleson. Read More

The Burleson Police Department hosted its annual open house May 14. The department's honor guard presented the colors and conducted a firing party to pay respects to all the law enforcement officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Members of the Burleson Fire Department Pipes and Drums also participated. The Tri-County Auto Burglary and Theft Task Force and Johnson County Crime Stoppers were on hand. The Burleson Lions Club offered free hot dogs and drinks to those who attended. To see more pictures, go to the Burleson Police Department Open House album on the City of Burleson Facebook page.

The Tarrant Regional Water District reservoir storage capacity continues to fall. It's highly likely that it will reach the 75 percent trigger for Stage 1 drought in the next couple of weeks. Stage 1 Water Restrictions include a twice per week limit on outdoor landscape watering with sprinklers and irrigation systems. The measures will apply to all communities (including Burleson) served by the water district. The TRWD covers almost all of Tarrant and surrounding counties. The good news is that maintaining landscapes doesn't have to be a daily ritual. In fact, according to the TRWD, lawns right now need only about an inch of water per week to stay healthy. Check out this Sprinkler Talk video from the Lawn Whisperer.

Do you want to learn more about the history of the Russell-Boren House at the City's Russell Farm? Thanks to a team of volunteers, you can take a free guided tour of the farmhouse on Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The farm is located at 405 W. CR 714. Built in 1877 by the widowed Martha Glenn Russell, an independent pioneer woman, the house sheltered not only Martha and her five children but also descendants of the Russell family for 135 years. Even today, the central core of the farmhouse is made up of two of the three original rooms built in 1877. The tour is best suited for students middle-school aged and older. The students should be accompanied by their teacher or parents. Read More

Don't miss the Summer Sizzler at the BRiCk! Between now and June 30, you can stop by the BRiCk and sign up for the three-month Summer Sizzler Membership Specials! The categories include youth (3-15 years old), adult (16-61 years old), senior citizen (62 and older) and family. The Summer Sizzler rates for city residents range from $71-$100 for individual memberships and $155 for a family. Non-residents pay $97-$134 for individual memberships or $210 for a family. And, if you are active military and you are in town for the summer, don't pass up the special rates of $56 for youth, $79 for adults and $124 for a family. Call the BRiCk at 817-426-9104! Read More

Pull two more ones out of your pocket, grab a golf cart, and enjoy play on the City's newly redesigned Hidden Creek Golf Course. The new rates went in to effect May 15. The rates,  Monday-Friday, 6:30 a.m.-10:59 a.m., are $32 and 11 a.m.-2:59 p.m. are $28. Senior citizens (55 and older) can play for $26 between 6:30 a.m. and 2:59 p.m., and for $20 from 3 p.m. to closing time. Juniors (six-17 years old) can play for $19 during the week. On Saturday, Sunday and holidays, the rates include $42 for 6:30 a.m.-10:59 a.m.; $32 for 11 a.m.-2:59 p.m.; $22 for 3 p.m. to closing time; and $19 for juniors (after 12 p.m.). Active duty military receive 20 percent off green fees, Monday-Friday, at any time as well as after 12 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday, and holidays. This is for active duty military only. Read More

"Dig into Reading" is the theme of the Burleson Public Library's Summer Reading Club which kicks off on June 1, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., at 248 S.W. Johnson Ave. Children, birth to 11; teens, 12-18; and adults are invited to join in the fun and win cool prizes. The youngest readers earn a small prize for every five hours read. Babies (birth-3 years old) use a special log. Children 4-11 use time logs. Certificates will be awarded after 20 reading hours are completed. Several special guests are scheduled to visit the readers! For every five hours a teen reader reads, he/she earns an entry in the weekly prize raffle. While supplies last, a free ticket to the Texas Rangers home game on Aug. 18 will go to those who read five hours; a set of designer stereo headphones goes to those with 15 hours under their belts; and a gel bracelet with a 2 GB USB drive concealed inside goes to those with 25 hours of reading. Adults who read any 10 books win their choice of a mini USB car charger or a canvas book bag. Three lucky winners will be randomly picked to win a round of golf for two at the newly redesigned Hidden Creek Golf Course. Read more

Test your computer skills with Computer/Internet Skills classes at the Burleson Public Library. There are two levels, Basic/Introduction and Step-Up/Intermediate, and both start in June. The basic class is on Mondays, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., June 10-July 29. Intermediate classes are on Wednesdays, 1 p.m.-3 p.m., June 12-July 31. To register, call 817-426-9207. The library is located at 248 S.W. Johnson Ave.

Wear your dancing shoes May 31 because the 2013 Hot Sounds of Summer concert series starts off with a street dance! The bands for the City of Burleson's free concert series include Steve Story on May 31; Le Freak, June 7; Two Tons of Steel, June 14; Metal Shop, June 21; and Quaker City Night Hawks, June 28. The free 90-minute concerts take place on the City's stage, which will be set up at the corner of Ellison and Wilson streets (124 W. Ellison St.) in front of city hall. Come early and get some great food at the restaurants in Old Town. Then set up your lawn chairs and blankets on Ellison Street (Wilson to Main). Picnics are allowed, but glass bottles are discouraged, for safety reasons. Read More

The fourth prize drawing for the Shop on Wilshire Loyalty program will take place Monday, May 20, at the 7 p.m. city council meeting. The Texas Department of Transportation is making median improvements to Hwy. 174 between I-35W and Elk Drive. During the construction, the City of Burleson is encouraging everyone to keep visiting your favorite Wilshire businesses in the improvement area as part of the City's Shop on Wilshire Loyalty program. Collect five separate receipts from businesses in the improvement area, then deliver or mail the receipts (the May 20 drawing is for the April receipts) to city hall prior to the meeting May 20. Prizes include items from local Wilshire businesses. For more, go to the Shop on Wilshire Loyalty page on the City website.