Volume 3, Issue 6 - November 2013
Hello Friends!
As we begin to plan for the holidays and wrap up 2013, it’s a good time to reflect on the goals we’ve
achieved, but we must also be looking forward to what we have yet to do in the coming year.
Commissioner Andy Nguyen
Tarrant County, Precinct 2
IN THIS ISSUE…..
Commissioner’s Corner
1
Southeast Tarrant Small
Business Conference
2
Recognizing Kennedale
3
Veterans Day
Commemoration
3
Property Tax Half Payment
Option
3
Meals on Wheels - Building
for the Future
4
Red, White & You Veterans
Job Fair
4
UTA Physicists Connection
to Nobel Prize Award
4
Pct 2 Maintenance News
5
YET Center Now Open!
5
Hometown Heroes
6
Tarrant County Veterans
Services
6
Christkindl Festival
7
Taste of Asia - Supporting a
Good Cause
8
Calendar of Events
9
Tarrant County Contacts
9
www.tarrantcounty.com
Arlington Sub-Courthouse
700 E. Abram St., Suite 304
Arlington, TX 76010
Mansfield Sub-Courthouse
1100 E. Broad St., Suite 101
Mansfield, TX 76063
Improving our infrastructure is critical to the growth and success of our region. On October 17th, TxDOT
held a Public Hearing on their plan for the expansion of State Highway 360. The meeting was crowded
with stakeholders. The overwhelming message was clear: move forward with the construction of SH360
South now.
In October, we were joined by about 300 business leaders, entrepreneurs, representatives of area cities,
UTA, TCC, JPS and many more, for the 3rd Annual Southeast Tarrant Small Business & Technology Conference. The conference was held in partnership with the Arlington, Grand Prairie, Kennedale and Mansfield Area Chambers of Commerce, and featured expert speakers covering topics that are crucial to the
success of business owners and entrepreneurs. Thank you to all of our outstanding sponsors, guest speakers, exhibitors and volunteers for making this event a great success.
Our 3rd Annual Taste of Asia fundraiser took place on November 1st. We had a great turnout of guests
who enjoyed a variety of Asian dishes donated from area restaurants, a silent auction and great live entertainment provided by our friend, and Country music artist, Sonny Burgess. Thank you to all who came
out, and to our generous donors who helped make this a successful fundraiser benefitting the United Way
of Tarrant County. That is what this time of year is all about... giving back, gratitude, family, and reflection. During this holiday season, we should be thankful for what we have, and pause to remember the
sacrifices that others have made, and continue to make, so that we can enjoy our cherished freedoms.
Finally, join me today, on this Veteran's Day, in thanking our veterans who have served for the love of our
country, and sacrificed so much for the good of us all and deserve our utmost respect. Keep them and all
our brave military troops, who are still serving, in your prayers now and every day.
To stay up-to-date on important and helpful events and information in Southeast Tarrant County, visit my
website, and find us on Facebook and Twitter. If this newsletter has been forwarded to you and you
would like to receive it directly, along with information about other events in the community and our
weekly Commissioners Court agenda information, please call my office and share your contact information, or click here to send an email request.
I'd like to extend my gratitude to you for allowing me to serve my community as County Commissioner
for Southeast Tarrant County. My office and I are always open and ready to hear your comments and suggestions. Please feel free to contact me at 817-548-3900. You can also reach your Constituent Service
team at 817-473-5151 or by email at Precinct2@TarrantCounty.com.
Wishing you and your family a holiday season filled with joy, and peace, and many blessings.
Andy
Southeast Newsletter
“Where Community Empowerment Begins with YOU!”
Volume 3, Issue 6 Page 2
Although there is only one day each year that is
officially dedicated to honoring our veterans, we must never
forget those who have earned our everlasting respect and
gratitude. It is through their bravery and willingness to
sacrifice so much, that America remains a great country
and that our freedom and liberties are preserved.
2013 Southeast Tarrant Small Business & Technology Conference a Great Success
We’d like to extend a huge Thank You to everyone who joined us at the 2013 Southeast Tarrant Small Business & Technology Conference, held on October 10th at the Arlington ISD Mac Bernd Professional Development Center. Nearly 300
business leaders, owners, entrepreneurs and professionals took advantage of this exciting opportunity to increase their
knowledge, network with Economic Development professionals, procurement specialists and their peers, and boost their
business success.
Informative expert panels were the highlight of the conference that also offered valuable interaction with Economic Development leaders, procurement specialists and specialists in various industries all with the focus of helping business focused exhibitors. Guests received practical insight, and gained new perspectives to make help make their businesses more
profitable.
Every year the conference gets bigger and better, and this year was no exception. The success of the event is due to an
outstanding partnership with the Arlington, Grand Prairie, Kennedale and Mansfield Area Chambers of Commerce,
our generous sponsors, a resourceful group of exhibitors, our volunteers and YOU! Thank you again, and keep an eye
out for future announcements so you can bookmark your calendars for next year’s event.
Southeast Newsletter
“Where Community Empowerment Begins with YOU!”
Volume 3, Issue 6 Page 3
The City of Kennedale Receives Well-Deserved Recognition
Kennedale has been focused on making their Great City an even better place to live, work and play. In
October, they were presented with 3 different awards in recognition of their efforts.
Councilmember Brian Johnson, City Planner Rachel Roberts, and City Manager Bob Hart accepted the
2013 Comprehensive Planning Award from the Texas Chapter of the American Planning Association
on October 4th at the Texas APA Conference. The award recognizes exemplary work in planning that
addresses the development of an area, town, city, county, or region.
On October 9th, Councilmember Brian Johnson, City Planner Rachel Roberts, and City Manager Bob
Hart accepted the award for 2013 Scenic City Designation from the Texas Municipal League Conference in Austin. The City of Kennedale was one of just seven Texas municipalities to be awarded the
Scenic City Certification. The certification recognizes high-quality scenic standards and is awarded following a thorough review of
infrastructure programs for public roadways and public spaces.
Finally, on October 16th, they received the 2013 Train Town USA Designation from Union
Pacific Railroad. Following his annual “State of the City” presentation at the Kennedale Chamber of Commerce Luncheon, Mayor John Clark accepted the award from Clint Schelbitzki, Director of Public Affairs for Union Pacific Railroad.
Make sure to attend one of Kennedale’s many activities they host throughout the year, and see
for yourself one of the beautiful cities that makeup southeast Tarrant County!
Learn more at http://www.cityofkennedale.com/
Commissioner Attends Veteran’s Day Ceremony
More than 56 World War II veterans participated in a Veterans Day
Commemoration Ceremony held at Veterans Park in Arlington on November 11, 2013.
The very moving ceremony opened with the Presentation of Colors by
the United States Marine Corp. Color Guard and the Vietnamese Color
Guard, and an Invocation by Dr. James Campbell Quick, Col., United
States Air Force (Ret.).
A highlight of the event was when each veteran was presented a WWII
commemorative medal by Rear Admiral James A. Lair, U. S. Navy
(Ret.), while a crowd of family, friends and other supporters showed
their respect and appreciation for their service.
The veterans were serenaded by the Cowtown Music Club with a medley of armed forces anthems, and Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the
USA, which had everybody singing along. Judge Brent Carr closed out
the ceremony by playing solemn and emotional “Taps.”
It is humbling to be in the presence of such fine men and women who
have sacrificed so much and bravely defended our country and our liberty, and a privilege to shake their hand.
Half Payment Property Tax Deadline
Ron Wright, Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector, advises Tarrant County taxpayers that they have an option
when paying property taxes. Taxpayers may pay at least
one-half of the property taxes by November 30, 2013
with the balance due by June 30, 2014. No penalty and
interest will accrue on the second half until after June
30th.
The Tarrant County Tax Office sent property tax statements in early October. By now all taxpayers should have
received their statement. If you have not received a statement, contact the Tax Office on the internet at
www.tarrantcounty.com to print a statement or call 817884-1100 to have a statement sent to you. Failure to receive a notice does not invalidate the tax or penalty and
interest.
If you do not opt to use the half payment method, you
have until January 31, 2014 to pay the full amount of
taxes to avoid penalty and interest. Partial payments are
accepted at any time after the statements have been
mailed.
Taxpayers with an over 65 or disabled exemption may
make equal quarterly payments with the first installment
due by January 31, 2014.
Payments may be made in person at any of the 8 Tax Office locations. Electronic checks and credit cards are accepted over the internet at www.tarrantcounty.com or by
phone at 817-884-1110. There is no additional charge for
e-checks. There is a charge for the use of credit cards
that is payable directly to the credit card provider.
Southeast Newsletter
“Where Community Empowerment Begins with YOU!”
Volume 3, Issue 6 Page 4
Meals on Wheels – Building for the Future
Meals On Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County serves nearly
1 million meals per year. By 2020 - just over six years
away - that need is expected to grow by 50% to 1.5 million meals per year.
In order to meet the
increased demand in
the coming years, they
are in the midst of
raising funds to construct a new 59,000square-foot facility
that will house their
central kitchen, volunteer training center, and administrative offices. Without this new facility, they simply
do not have the space to accommodate this increase in
services.
The cost of the facility is $12.75 million. Much of this
amount has already been raised through foundations,
corporations, and individual support, but they still need
help to reach their goal.
For more information about the Building for the Future
campaign or to contribute, click here or contact AnnMaree Harrison at 817-258-6404 or annmaree@mealsonwheels.org.
UT Arlington - Physicists enjoy connection with Nobel Prize award
Kaushik De, co-director of the College of Science’s Center of Excellence for High Energy Physics, says the Nobel Prize awarded
Tuesday to physicists Peter Higgs and Francois Englert for their discovery of the Higgs boson particle is indirect recognition of the
work of UT Arlington physicists.
De is director of the U.S. computing centers for the ATLAS experiment, one
of the collaborations at the Large Hadron Collider at CERN that helped discover the Higgs boson. UTA is home to the ATLAS Southwest Tier 2 grid
computing center that stores more than 2 million gigabytes of data generated
from the experiments that confirmed the so-called “God particle.”
University physicists and engineers constructed portions of the massive detector on campus. Beginning in 2000, those pieces were shipped in 135 half-ton
boxes to the particle collider in Geneva, Switzerland.
Other faculty members involved in the Higgs boson research are physics professors Andrew White, co-director of the Center of Excellence for High Energy
Physics; Andrew Brandt; and Jaehoon Yu; and Associate Professor Amir Farbin.
Physics professors Kaushik De, left, and Andrew White, codirectors of the Center of Excellence for High Energy Physics,
oversee the ATLAS Southwest Tier 2 grid computing center that
played a part in the discovery of the Higgs boson. At right, from
top, are Dr. Andrew Brandt, Dr. Amir Farbin, and Dr. Jaehoon
Read articles about the Higgs boson discovery in UTArlington Magazine and Inquiry magazine.
For full story, read the UT Arlington MavWire October 14, 2013 edition.
Southeast Newsletter
“Where Community Empowerment Begins with YOU!”
Volume 3, Issue 6 Page 5
Interlocal Projects in Process
Town of Pantego – Chisholm Trail, Country Club Court & Peachtree Lane
(reconstruction)
Completed Interlocal Projects
TxDot (City of Grand Prairie) – Hwy 360 and Camp Wisdom/Sublett Rd
(pedestrian cross walk)
Pending County Projects
Kennedale New Hope (reconstruction)
Grimsley Gibson Rd (overlay)
Ousley Rd (overlay)
Pending Interlocal Projects
City of Kennedale – Link Street/High Ridge Road (new construction/
reconstruction)
Arlington Parks & Recreation – Hugh Smith Rec Center (parking lot overlay)
Keep up with activity regarding the State
Highway 360 project on the TxDOT website here. Information includes traffic
counts, a corridor map, a video on the
ultimate improvements and more.
http://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/
projects/studies/fort-worth/sh-360.html
For an overview of the project, click here
or visit:
http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/
txdot-info/ftw/sh360-projecttracker.pdf
Arlington’s Youth Education Town Officially Open
The newest Youth Education Town (YET) officially opened on October 14th. It is located in
Arlington at the Salvation Army - 712 W. Abram Street.
The center, which expects to serve close to 200 students a day, is a Super Bowl XLV legacy
project, which was funded in part by the National Football League. The 8,000 square foot
renovation includes a $1 million grant by the NFL, a $1 million grant by the Gene and Jerry
Jones Family Arlington Charities, and support from the Super Bowl XLV Host Committee.
The YET facility will provide after-school programs, college prep classes, fitness, art instruction and more, for disadvantaged youth both after school and on weekends. They will be able
to enjoy activities in the new art room, computer lab, dance studio, game room, music room,
gym, on the playground and outdoor all-purpose field, and in the community rooms.
Adults will also be able to participate in programs such as financial education, counseling, professional development and
automotive training.
YET leaders are working with Arlington ISD to identify students who are struggling academically, and connect them with
activities and resources, such as tutors, in order to increase their chance of graduating.
Visit the center website for more information, including a list of events and activities
Lt. Patrick, Emmitt Smith, and Darryl “Moose” Johnston
begin the big play that opens the YET
Emmitt Smith hands off the YET game ball to YET Director,
Kevin Dean Fuller
The entry of the new Youth Education Town.
Southeast Newsletter
“Where Community Empowerment Begins with YOU!”
Volume 3, Issue 6 Page 6
Arlington ISD - Notable Alumnus: Flying High
By the seventh grade at Barnett Junior High, Daniel Walker was already thinking legacy, as in what he
could do to leave a lasting impact on his immediate family and those who follow him. Turns out, it
wasn’t too difficult to find. For years he’d heard the stories of his great uncle Norman Scales, a famed
Tuskegee Airman during World War II.
Now 2nd Lt. Walker is slicing through the clouds in a soaring piece of machinery his great uncle
would find simply mind-blowing – an F-22 Raptor, America’s most technologically advanced fighter
jet capable of hitting a top speed of 1,498 miles per hour.
The 2006 Bowie High School graduate is living in a world he long dreamed of, he said by phone from
Tyndall Air Force Base, which is about a dozen miles east of Panama City in Florida.
2nd Lt David Walker, U.S. Air Force.
“Everything I thought it would be like was almost completely wrong,” Walker said of the fighter pilot’s life. “The precision, the discipline, the pressure, the limits physically and mentally. The technology
on the plane is remarkable. You just can’t know about it until you enter into this world.”
Walker’s new world began shortly after Bowie when he attended the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., graduating
in May 2010 with a bachelor of science degree in political science. He logged a year as an academy recruiter before heading off to
pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi. He was promoted to first lieutenant, receiving his silver wings on June 29,
2012. As a result of demonstrating premiere flight skills, he was awarded the "Top Gun" honor.
At Bowie, Daniel excelled in band and as a baseball outfielder, earning defensive player of the year. He credits his work ethic to a
number of people, such as his family and teachers at Bowie.
For Complete Story, click here.
Tarrant County Veteran Services - Here to Serve Those Who Have Served!
The Tarrant County Veteran Services Office is an advocate agency for veterans and their survivors who live in Tarrant County. They
assist veterans and their survivors, FREE OF CHARGE, with filing for benefits from the VA and the State of Texas. They help
the veteran and their survivor complete all of the paperwork necessary to file benefit claims and they provide their expertise and assistance from the submission of the claim until a decision has been made by the VA.
Although they do not adjudicate claims, they do provide advice about various programs and eligibility requirements, and assist in
completing the forms and other correspondence necessary to file a claim or an appeal. They will also assist in resolving problems
and getting answers to questions about the laws and regulations that govern veterans’ benefits.
Programs & Services that they provide assistance with include, but are not limited to:
Disability Compensation Claims
Non-Service Connected Pension Claims
Dependency & Indemnity Compensation Claims
Death / Widow's Pension Claims
Aid and Attendance Benefits Claims
Housebound Benefits Claims
Healthcare Benefits Info
Educational Benefits Info
Insurance Benefits Info
Home Loan Benefits Info
Veterans Homes Info
Discharge Upgrades Info
Obtaining discharge documents, military medical records, and medals/decorations
Claims Disagreements/Appeals Assistance
Debt Waivers Assistance
Texas State Benefits Info for Disabled Vets
Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Vets
For more information, including links to many helpful resources, and the location and hours of operation of the Tarrant County Veterans Services office, click here.
Southeast Newsletter
“Where Community Empowerment Begins with YOU!”
Volume 3, Issue 6
Page 7
Festive Cheese Cake
2 packages lady fingers
24 ounces cream cheese
1 cup granulated sugar
4 eggs
1 1/2 pints sour cream
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon almond extract
1 (20 ounce) can cherry pie filling
Directions:
Announcing the 3rd Annual
Arlington Christkindl Market
Christkindl Market (kris-kin-dill) is an enchanting family market in the tradition of markets held throughout Germany
during the Holiday season. It features authentic German
cuisine, beverages, entertainment, arts, crafts and holiday
gifts. Admission and Parking are FREE.
2013 vendor applications now being accepted. Click here to
download the food vendor application or the product vendor
application.
2013 Market Days & Hours
OPENING DAY:
November 29 – 5:00 – 10:00 pm
WHEN:
Friday, November 29 - Sunday, December 22, 2013
HOURS:
12:00 pm - 9:00 pm Tuesday - Thursday and Sunday
12:00 pm - 10:00 pm Friday
10:00 am - 10:00 pm Saturday
WHERE:
1000 Ballpark Way, Arlington, TXC 76011;
Main entrance is at Road to Six Flags and Ballpark Way.
Visit website here.
http://www.arlingtonchristkindl.com/
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line the sides of one 10-inch
springform pan with lady fingers then line the bottom with lady
fingers, cutting lady fingers, if necessary. Blend the cream
cheese and sugar together until smooth consistency. Add the
eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the extracts, and fold in the sour cream. Pour batter into the prepared pan. Cover tops of lady fingers with foil. Bake at 375
degrees F for 50 to 60 minutes, until almost set in the middle.
Remove cake from oven and let stand for 30 minutes; then remove sides of pan. Place in the refrigerator for at least 24
hours before serving. Top with fresh/canned fruit of your
choice. Original recipe makes 10 - 12 servings.
Have a Peaceful & Happy Holiday Season!
Senior Center Activities
Arlington Central Senior Center
(817) 269-5322
Open Mon-Fri, 9 AM -2 PM; Lunch Noon
401 W Sanford, Suite 1100, Arlington 76011
Eunice Activity Center
(817)277-8091
Call or visit the website for hours of operation;
Lunch not served at this location
1000 Eunice St., Arlington TX 76010
Roosevelt Center (Vietnamese)
(817) 200-8070
Open Mon, Wed & Fri, 8 AM-2:30 PM; Lunch Noon
2117 Roosevelt Dr, Suite #F, Pantego 76013
Senior Center New York
(817) 460-5009
Open Mon-Thu, 8:30 AM-4 PM; Lunch 11:30 AM
1815 New York Ave., Arlington 76010
Kennedale
(817) 985-2131
Open Mon-Fri, 8 AM -2 PM ; Lunch Noon
420 Cory A Edwards Dr., Kennedale 76060
Mansfield
(817) 453-5420 ext 2227
Open Mon-Fri, 9 AM -2 PM; Lunch Noon
106 S. Wisteria, Mansfield 76063
Southeast Newsletter
“Where Community Empowerment Begins with YOU!”
Volume 3, Issue 6 Page 8
All for a Good Cause
This year’s Taste of Asia United Way
Fundraiser was a fun time had by all.
Delicious food, great entertainment
and a silent auction rounded out the
activities at the event. Thank you to everyone who
attended and to those who contributed to make it a
successful event to raise contributions for the
United Way of Tarrant County.
North Texas Radio for the Blind — A New Way of Listening
The North Texas Radio for the Blind recently announced a new way of listening to the radio station. Just dial 214 871 7685 to listen 24/7.
Reading & Radio Resource was founded in 1969 by Edythe and Henry X. Salzberger. For
32 years, the agency produced “Talking Books” for the Library of Congress. The Recorded
Books Program began in 1972 and the Radio Reading Service was established in 1976. Audio Description Service was added in 2010.
Reading & Radio Resource operates with a staff of six full-time employees and the talents
of more than 270 volunteers who collectively donate more than 17,000 hours each year to benefit our clients.
The mission of Reading & Radio Resource is to enrich the lives of children and adults who because of
physical, learning or vision limitations cannot read for themselves.
Learn more at: http://www.readingresource.org/
$15,000 in Scholarship Money Available to Arlington ISD Students
As part of the Champion Education Initiative, the Arlington Chamber Foundation is offering
six $2,500 scholarships to 2013-2014 graduating Arlington ISD students who plan to attend
either the University of Texas at Arlington or Tarrant County College. One $2,500 scholarship per high school is available. To download the application, please click here.
Southeast Newsletter
“Where Community Empowerment Begins with YOU!”
Tarrant County Commissioner’s Court
Regular meeting days - Tuesdays at 10:00 AM
100 E. Weatherford St., Fort Worth, TX
www.tarrantcounty.com
Keep up with What’s Happening in
Southeast Tarrant County.
Visit our website here,
and find us on Facebook.
Tax Office:
Arlington (817) 548-3936
Mansfield (817) 473-5127
Constable’s Office
Precinct 2 (817) 548-3910
Precinct 7 (817) 473-5110
County Clerk
Arlington (817) 548-3928
Mansfield (817) 473-5135
Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 (817) 548-3925
Precinct 7 (817) 473-5101
Juvenile Services
Mansfield (817) 473-5118
District Clerk
Tarrant County - Precinct 2
Andy Nguyen, Commissioner
Administrative Office:
Jeni McGarry, Precinct Administrator
jmcgarry@tarrantcounty.com
Morgan Tran, Community Outreach Coordinator
tmtran@tarrantcounty.com
Kelly Rodriguez, Assistant Precinct Administrator
kdrodriguez@tarrantcounty.com
Southeast Tarrant County Contacts
——
Volume 3, Issue 6 Page 9
Arlington (817) 548-3963
——
Amanda Au, Executive Secretary
alau@tarrantcounty.com
Lisbeth Maldonado, Administrative Assistant
lmaldonado@tarrantcounty.com
Precinct 2 Southeast Maintenance Center Office:
Karen Kayser, Assistant Director of Field Operations
kkayser@tarrantcounty.com
Community Services & Corrections Department
724B Border Street Arlington, TX 76010 - (817) 548-3905
Bridgett Burciaga, Office Administrator
bkburciaga@tarrantcounty.com
Calendar of Events…
Bailey Batts, Office Clerk
mbbatts@tarrantcounty.com
ACA 1st Annual Arts & Craft Fair - FREE
Saturday, November 16th
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Arlington Classics Academy, 5200 S Bowen Rd., Arlington
Prairie Lights Drive Thru Holiday Light Park - $20/carload
Thursday, November 28th - Saturday, November 30th
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Lynn Creek Park, 5700 Lake Ridge Pkwy., Grand Prairie
972-237-GLOW or www.PrairieLights.org
Candy Train & Tree Lighting
Saturday, November 30th
4:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Bicentennial Park , 3206 Smith Barry Rd., Pantego
For more info, click here.
Olde Town Christmas - FREE
Friday and Saturday, December 6th and 7th
12:00 PM– 7:00 PM
Dottie Lynn Rec. Center, 3200 Norwood Ln., Arlington
Hometown Holidays - FREE
Friday, December 6th
5:00 PM– 9:00 PM
Mansfield City Hall, 1200 East Broad St.., Mansfield
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Constituent Services
817-473-5151
precinct2@tarrantcounty.com
Arlington Sub-Courthouse
700 E. Abram St., Suite 304
Arlington, TX 76010
817-548-3900
Mansfield Sub-Courthouse
1100 E. Broad St., Suite 101
Mansfield, TX 76063
817-548-3900
Southeast Maintenance Center
1203 E. Kennedale Pkwy.
Kennedale, TX 76060
817-483-6920
To join our newsletter distribution list, please
email us at precinct2@tarrantcounty.com.