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.