Citizens Fire Academy apps are available

Are you interested in a crash course on what it takes to be a firefighter? Then sign up for the Burleson Fire Department's free five-day Citizens Fire Academy. Class is April 6-10, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. The Citizens Fire Academy is open to residents of Burleson and employees who work in Burleson. You must be at least 18 years old and in good physical shape because the Citizens Fire Academy includes the ever popular live fire burn. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 3. Do you have what it takes? Read More 

Tell us what you think during Burleson Police Department's reaccreditation

If you can't attend the public hearing for the Burleson Police Department's reaccreditation, you can call in. A phone call-in session is slated for Monday, March 30, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. Just dial 817-426-9921. A team of assessors representing the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) will arrive in Burleson on March 29 as the Burleson Police Department vies for its ninth reaccreditation. The public hearing is slated for 6:30 p.m. on March 30 in the Precinct 2 courtroom at the Ron Harmon Sub Courthouse, 247 Elk Dr. Burleson was the first police department in Texas to be accredited by CALEA in 1987. The accreditation program requires agencies to comply with standards in four basic areas: policy and procedures, administration, operations and support services. Comments should address the agency's ability to comply with CALEA's standards. Read More

Sign up for April 25 Trash Bash

Do you want to make a difference? Then grab some friends and spend three hours beautifying Burleson as part of the 17th annual Trash Bash. The event is Saturday, April 25, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. The event is hosted by Keep Burleson Beautiful. Participants will remove litter and debris from retail corridors, drainage channels, streets, parks, and other public areas. Following the cleanup, volunteers are invited to Warren Park on Johnson Avenue for a free pizza lunch. Volunteers of all ages are welcome but youth participants are required to have adult supervision. To receive a free t-shirt, volunteers are asked to register. The deadline to sign up is April 20. You can sign up online.

Be part of Old Town planning and designing workshop March 27 & 28

If you want to be part of the planning and design changes in Old Town Burleson, RSVP for the Old Town Burleson Pedestrian Mobility Planning & Design Workshop, March 27 & 28. This is part of the Congress of New Urbanism's Legacy Charrette project. During the workshop, participants will talk about pedestrian mobility challenges and opportunities within Old Town. New urbanism is a planning movement that encourages walkable and sustainable communities.  It promotes variation in housing types, increased density and mixed uses. The public is invited to attend the workshop - 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on March 27 and 2 p.m.-8 p.m. on March 28 - on the second floor above Babe's Restaurant, 120 S. Main St. Public input will be taken between 2:30 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Friday and 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 6 p.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday. RSVP now by email.. For more, go to the Congress for the New Urbanism website.  

Paw Pals is for animal lovers

Are your pre-teens considering a career involving animals or just crazy about dogs and cats? Then sign them up for the Burleson Animal Services' Paw Pals Animal Care Academy. The free academy is on Saturdays in June - June 6, 13, 20 and 27. Class is 90 minutes, noon to 1:30 p.m. The academy is for students who are entering the sixth grade in the 2015-2016 school year. It is limited to 15 students who must either live in Burleson or attend school in Burleson. Students will get wet, and covered in dog hair, as they work with selected adoptable shelter dogs for the grooming and training classes. They will also learn how to read a pet's body language. Read More  

Think outside the box with your entry for the Recycled Boat Regatta

Gather your recyclables, create a boat, and participate in the City's Recycled Boat Regatta at the BRiCk on May 16. The City and Keep Burleson Beautiful are looking for youth, 6-17 years of age, who can build a boat out of recycled items, then race it in the BRiCk's outdoor pool. The fun will take place, 9 a.m.-noon, at 550 N.W. Summercrest Blvd. Boats must be on-site for inspection and judging by 9:15 a.m. The race will start at 10 a.m. To register for the Recycled Boat Regatta or for more information about the event, call Environmental Specialist David Lenartowicz at 817-426-9842 or email him. The registration deadline is May 6. 

March 28 is the day to hunt eggs

Be adventurous and dive in for Easter eggs, race against your peers for prize eggs at Hidden Creek Sports Complex, or enjoy a leisurely stroll through fields dotted with eggs at the City's Russell Farm. Whatever you choose, make sure your calendar is cleared for Saturday, March 28. The fun begins at 10 a.m. with goggles and swimsuits for the Aqua Egg Hunt at the BRiCk's indoor pool. Children up to age 11 will be divided into four age groups for hunts in the play structure area and the lap pool. This year, Bunny Daze is moving to Field #1 at Hidden Creek Sports Complex. The free festivities start at noon. The Easter egg hunt starts at 1:30 p.m. And, Joey the Donkey and all his farm friends are hosting a free Easter egg hunt at Russell Farm for children up to 4 years old. That free hunt is at 3 p.m. Read More  

Learn basic CPR and first aid

If you want to learn how to do basic CPR, the Burleson Fire Department is hosting free basic CPR classes on Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon, at Fire Station #1, 828 S.W. Alsbury Blvd. The dates are March 28, April 25, May 23, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, Sept. 12, Oct. 10, Nov. 7, and Dec. 5, 2015. You must be at least 15 years old. Participants will receive a certificate. This is not a card class. The three-hour course includes very basic and easy hands on CPR, basic first aid, and instruction on an AED. Classes are open to the first 30 people who sign up. Call 817-426-9170.

Burleson will honor Vietnam veterans with celebration March 27

Major General Lester "Les" Simpson will be the guest speaker for the Friday, March 27, fourth annual Vietnam Veterans Celebration at Veterans Memorial Plaza in Burleson. The event begins at 2 p.m. The Burleson Heritage Foundation and the City of Burleson are hosting the event. The celebration will include the presentation of colors; the Burleson Police Department's firing team and "Taps" by a bugler; and representatives from Burleson, Cleburne, Arlington, Midlothian and Fort Worth Police serving with the Pipes and Drums Corps. Burleson Mayor Ken Shetter and Congressman Roger Williams are also scheduled to speak at the celebration. Read More 

Learn more about transportation

The Greater Johnson County Transportation Coalition will meet Wednesday, March 25, at 9 a.m. at Texas Health Huguley Fitness Center. Curvie Hawkins, assistant vice president of planning of the "T," will be the guest speaker. Updates from area transportation agencies will also be provided. The public is invited to attend. The center is located at 11801 S. Freeway in Fort Worth. The Greater Johnson County Transportation Coalition's mission is to plan and advocate for improved transportation in the greater Johnson County area. The GJCTC is striving to assist in the development of a continuing, comprehensive, multi-modal transportation planning process carried on cooperatively with state and local agencies. 

Al Nelson headlines City's Fourth of July concert

Don't leave Burleson, Texas on the Fourth of July! The City's Independence Day Celebration concert and fireworks show takes place at Chisenhall Fields Sports Complex on Saturday, July 4. This is the fifth consecutive year for the Fourth of July celebration at Chisenhall. The gates to the park at 500 W. Hidden Creek Pkwy. will open at 5 p.m. The 90-minute Fourth of July concert featuring Al Nelson starts at 7:30 p.m. and the fireworks show choreographed to patriotic music will start shortly after 9 p.m. Admission is free. Al Nelson's concerts span three decades of music and he is known for his showmanship and vocal talents. He has been entertaining audiences since his first show band went on tour in 1970. Nelson's shows include tributes to Roy Orbison, Paul McCartney, and Elvis, and he even features himself. Nelson has performed in Branson, Missouri, on Broadway, Las Vegas, and across Texas. Don't miss the fun!

Catch up on what's being built

What's being built in Burleson? Thirty-four residential permits valued at $6.34 million plus were issued in February. The average home value of the newly permitted home is $186,485. The average square footage of those new homes is 3,017. The City issued new commercial permits to Senior Focus Living, 301 Elk Dr., a commercial remodel at 1161 S.W. Wilshire Blvd. (new police department), and Awards by Mastercraft remodel at 225 Exchange St. There are 27 active permits, seven completed projects, and 15 commercial certificates of occupancy applications. For all the details, go to the February 2015 Building Permit & Activity Report.  

Are you registered to vote?

If you haven't registered to vote, the deadline to do so and still be eligible to vote in the May 9 Burleson City Council election is April 9. You need to register with the county in which you reside. Go to the Texas Secretary of State Voter Registration page. Two of the three races are contested. Place 1 incumbent Stuart Gillaspie did not draw an opponent. Place 3 incumbent Jerry W. Allen withdrew his name from the ballot. Seeking the Place 3 seat are John Garrison, Shannan Sutter, Curtis E. Hawk and DanO Strong. Place 5 incumbent Dan McClendon is being challenged by Mark Hotchkiss. The election is for three-year terms. Early voting is Monday-Friday, April 27-May 1, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Monday-Tuesday, May 4-5, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., at Burleson City Hall. Election Day is May 9, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.