City employee honored for coordinating national event in Burleson

A City employee who went above and beyond when the City was in the national spotlight, was selected as Employee of the Quarter. Paula Skundberg, executive assistant in the city secretary's office, was responsible for coordinating all of the activities and logistics for the National League of Cities Small Cities Council meeting in Burleson. This was a four-day event in June 2014 and included representatives from more than a dozen states. According to one of the nominations, "Burleson put its best foot forward and Paula made it happen!" Several City departments have benefitted from her expertise. She has been a senior administrative secretary for the fire marshal, economic development, communications, information technology and city manager's office; and senior administrative secretary and executive assistant for city secretary's office and city council. More

Grab some coffee and talk to us about changes to City's noise ordinance

Stop by for coffee at the BRiCk on Tuesday, Nov. 25, at 9 a.m., and talk about the proposed changes to the City's noise ordinance. The Burleson Police Department wants to know what you think! City staff will be on hand for 90 minutes to present the changes, take your input and answer your questions. The proposed changes were Item 4F on the Nov. 10 council agenda (pages 185-196). You can also view Police Chief Billy Cordell's presentation to council, Item 4F on the Nov. 10 City Council meeting video. The BRiCk is located at 550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd.

Turn in those coloring contest entries

Get out those crayons and colored pencils. The City of Burleson's parks and recreation department is looking for some talented third graders who are also Burleson residents to participate in the annual holiday coloring contest. The Christmas coloring contest flier is available on the City website. Two children - one lucky boy and one lucky girl - will be selected to ride with Santa Claus in the Burleson Rotary Club's Parade of Lights on Saturday, Dec. 6. The parade steps off from Kerr Middle School at 6 p.m. The two winners will also help turn on the lights at the City's Christmas tree lighting at 7 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the corner of Johnson Avenue and Ellison Street. The deadline is Nov. 26. More  

You cleaned out and recycled!

There was some serious cleaning of garages, media rooms and offices this fall. When the City hosted the semiannual Household Hazardous Waste, Electronic Recycling & Paper Shredding event on Nov. 8, an estimated 267 residents showed up. Approximately 12,500 pounds of hazardous waste were collected (roughly 1,500 pounds recycled); a reported 5,200 pounds of paper were shredded; and 4,608 pounds of electronics were accepted. This is the City's second free event, for City residents only, in 2014. More 

Make a break for the BRiCK Nov. 24-26

Pack a sack lunch and tennis shoes and make a break for the BRiCk for the Thanksgiving Fun Camp! This camp is three days - Monday, Nov. 24 through Wednesday, Nov. 26 - and it is geared toward students six to 12 years old. The camp is 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Campers will participate in fun and exciting activities like group games, arts and crafts, rock climbing and team building. Make sure your pre-teens have a swimsuit for Tuesday and Wednesday. Snacks will be provided every afternoon. The fee ranges from $60 to $75 for the three days or single-day registration for $25-$35. Call the BRiCk at 817-426-9104 for more information and to register.

Sign up for Breakfast with Santa

The big guy from the North Pole is hosting the City's 15th annual Breakfast with Santa on Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 a.m.-11 a.m., at the BRiCk. The event is geared to children from birth to 12 years old (children 2 and younger get in free). Saint Nick's elves will be cooking up and serving breakfast. Santa will be in the Winter Wonderland until 11 a.m. to hear Christmas wishes, so bring your camera. Stop by Santa's workshop to make holiday crafts. Advance tickets are available at the BRiCk now, or you can buy them at the door Dec. 6. Advance tickets are $4 for children and $5 for adults. Tickets at the door are $5 for children, $7 for adults. More 

Story Time takes a break in December - new times starting Jan. 7

Story Time at the Burleson Public Library is taking a break for the month of December, but it will be back in January 2015. Story Times will have new times and age groups. Wednesdays, 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m., is Toddler Time, 18 months to 3 years old. Staff and families will read stories, sing songs, and participate in other fun activities. Thursdays, 10:15 a.m.-10:45 a.m., is Baby Time for newborns up to 18 months old. Staff will read stories and have music movement for the babies. Also on Thursdays, 11 a.m.-11:30 a.m., will now be Preschool Time for children ages 3 to 6 years old. Staff and preschoolers will read stories, sing songs, and more. The library is located at 248 S.W. Johnson Ave. For more information call 817-426-9210. 

Need more insight on grants?

Do you want to learn more about grants? Then reserve two hours, noon-2 p.m., on Tuesday, Dec. 16. The Burleson Funding Information Center at the Burleson Public Library will present "Grantseeking Basics Brown Bag." Bring your lunch - no registration is required. Nonprofit organizations and other grant seekers looking for grant funding now have access to a valuable new collection of databases and print resources at the Library, which has become a Funding Information Network partner with the Foundation Center of New York. Whether you are looking for grants for your church, non-profit organization, or school or you are seeking grants to fund your education, the Library now has some powerful resources to help you in the process. More

Ani-Meals helps your neighbors and pets

If you want to make a difference in the life of an elderly or homebound resident and their pets, become a part of the Ani-Meals pet food program. Ani-Meals is a partnership between Meals-on-Wheels of Johnson and Ellis counties and area animal shelters that began in 2009. Ani-Meals was started because Meals-on-Wheels staff and volunteers found that the homebound elderly clients were sharing their own meals with their pets because they could not afford to buy pet food. The Burleson Animal Shelter helps coordinate the program and stores the donated pet food. On the first Saturday of each month, Meals-on-Wheels volunteers meet at the Burleson Animal Shelter on John Jones Drive to pick up and deliver the donated pet food to 10 to 20 Meals-on-Wheels recipients in Burleson. If you want to donate pet food, toys, or treats, call the animal shelter at 817-426-9283 for more information.

Fireworks are the big finale

Fireworks will light up the sky in Old Town Burleson on Saturday, Dec. 6, to serve as the big finale for a day full of Christmas festivities. The Burleson Rotary Club is hosting the Parade of Lights that steps off from Kerr Middle School at 6 p.m. on Dec. 6. Santa will be on that last Parade of Lights float. His final stop for the day is the corner of Johnson Avenue and Ellison Street, which will be bustling with dancers and singers entertaining the parade crowd. The big finale is at 7 p.m., at that same corner, with the lighting of the City's Christmas tree and a firework show choreographed to holiday music. More 

Get your Christmas crafts

You don't want to miss this. Stop by the Burleson Senior Activity Center on Saturday, Dec. 6, for the Christmas Craft Fair. The fair takes place 9 a.m.-2 p.m. and showcases one-of-a-kind handmade items - sewn creations, art, jewelry and more - from area vendors. This is a great time to get that special gift for friends and relatives. The center is located at 216 S.W. Johnson Ave., next to the Burleson Post Office. If you are a crafter and you are interested in selling your unique handmade items, call the Burleson Senior Activity Center at 817-295-6611. Booth spaces range from $10 to $15.

Hang out at Russell Farm & meet

the Rein Donkey 

Get your picture taken with Joey, the "Rein-Donkey," during the three-day Christmas at Russell Farm festivities. The City's 30-acre historic farm at 405 W. County Road 714 is the site for fun Dec. 18-20. The hours on Thursday and Friday are 5 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday's hours are 2 p.m.-8:30 p.m. The festivities are free. More

Most City facilities close Nov. 27-28

City of Burleson facilities, with the exception of public safety, will be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 27-28, in observance of Thanksgiving. There will be no trash or curbside recycling collection on Nov. 27. Trash will be collected on the next Monday, Dec. 1. The curbside recycling will be collected on your next scheduled day. Hidden Creek Golf Course will close at 2 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The Senior Activity Center will be closed on Saturday, Nov. 29. The Compost/Mulch/Recycle Center will be open Nov. 29. If you want to drop off the curbside recycling that was not collected on Thanksgiving Day, please stop by the Compost/Mulch/Recycle Center on Nov. 29. The center is located behind Fire Station #2. More