Seven employees were honored for 20 or more years of service to the City of Burleson and five were honored as Employee of the Year for their departments at the City's annual awards luncheon Dec. 10. The Public Works Employee of the Year is Brandi Rendon. The Parks and Recreation Employee of the Year is Guadalupe Fajardo. Mary Longbotham is Hidden Creek Golf Course's Employee of the Year. Kim Peckler is the Administration Employee of the Year (external services) and Kristina Johnson is the Administration Employee of the Year (internal services). Those earning 30-year service awards include Steve Bell and Carol Ward. Employees with 25 years of service include Carolyn Pennington and Ike Vera. Honored for 20 years of service were Randy Crum, Bob Sherman and Tom Foster. Nine employees were honored for 15 years of service to the City; 19 were recognized for 10 years of service; and 24 were congratulated for five years of service. Read More

Santa Claus and his pancake breakfast brought more than 765 people to the BRiCk on Saturday, Dec. 14, for the 14th annual Breakfast with Santa. Children had a chance to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. They also got their faces painted, created Christmas crafts, and enjoyed a breakfast of pancakes and sausage. City employees as well as numerous community volunteers pitched in to make the event, which had been rescheduled due to the ice storm Dec. 7, happen. To see all of the pictures, go to the  Breakfast with Santa picture album on the City of Burleson Facebook page.

City facilities will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec. 24-25, and Wednesday, Jan. 1, in observance of Christmas and New Year's Day. The trash and curbside recycling collection will not be affected Dec. 25 or Jan. 1 since those are not regular collection days. If you are on the Tuesday/Friday route, your trash and curbside recycling will be collected on Dec. 24. Progressive Waste will not do bulk collections Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. The BRiCk will be open Dec. 31, but the hours are shortened to 5 a.m.-5 p.m. The Compost/Mulch/Recycle Center will be open Dec. 27-28. Hidden Creek Golf Course will close at 2 p.m. on Dec. 24 and will be closed Dec. 25. The course will be open Dec. 31 and Jan. 1. Read More 

Are your children looking for something to do over the holidays? Winter Fun Camp is Dec. 23, Dec. 26-27, Dec. 30 and Jan. 2-3. Campers, 6-12 years old, will participate in group games, arts and crafts, rock climbing and team building events. There will be swimming Dec. 26-27 and Jan 2-3. The camp is 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Campers need to bring a sack lunch, swimsuit and tennis shoes. A snack will be provided every afternoon. Fees range from $115 to $130 for all six days, or ask about single day registration by calling the BRiCk at 817-426-9104.

Are you looking for gifts that will make the receiver pampered or loved unconditionally? Then the City of Burleson has some great ideas for you. The BRiCk's three month special BRiCk membership is available for purchase Dec. 16 - Jan. 24. Kristi Adams, a licensed massage therapist at the BRiCk, is offering one-hour Swedish massages, in December, for $55 ($10 off). Hidden Creek Golf Course has gift certificates for you, in any denomination. And if you want to add a four-legged friend to the family, buy a gift certificate at the Burleson Animal Shelter for $45. With a gift certificate, your spouse, child, parents, friends, neighbors and co-workers can pick out their own pet. The $45 gift certificate covers the adoption of a dog or cat from the shelter and it is good for six months from the date of purchase.  Read More