Around the City Vol. 9

NOV/DEC 2023 | VOL. 9

AROUND THE CITY WHITE SETTLEMENT, TX

MERRY AND BRIGHT

the city is bathed in holiday lights and there’s lots going on as the holiday season ushers in the end of 2023

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2023

IN THIS ISSUE...

Seasons Greetings

The holidays are upon us and we’ve got all the info on what to do during the final two months of the year.

Fifty-One Years One local couple just celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary!

Learn about this couple’s long history and strong ties to White Settlement.

Development Updates

There are several business developments happening and we’ve got the scoop right here!

P.A.W.S. Checkup

It’s been a year since we last checked in with the team at P.A.W.S. and we wanted to see how things are going as they look after our local animals.

CITY COUNCIL Mayor: Faron Young Mayor Pro Tem/Place 3: Amber Munoz Place 1: Paul Moore Place 2: Alan Price Place 4: William Wright Place 5: Gregg Geesa CITY MANAGER JEFFREY J. JAMES AROUND THE CITY TEAM Aaron C. Hall, Communications Manager Maureen Barrett, Community Services Coordinator With assistance from the departments and staff of the City of White Settlement

Some material included in this publication is provided by other entities. The opinions expressed by those entities do not necessarily reflect the official views of the City. The City does not guarantee the accuracy of the information provided and is not responsible for errors or omissions. All Dates subject to change.

CITY MANAGER'S BIG 3 Welcome back to "Around the City", our digital newsletter. In this volume of the newsletter, you'll hear all about the events and programs the City has going on this holiday season. I’m also excited for you to read a one year check up article about our Protecting the Animals of White Settlement (PAWS) department and for you to learn about a local couple that are a big part of White Settlement and just celebrated their 51st wedding anniversary. I hope that you and your family have a safe and enjoyable holiday season and that you enjoy this volume of “Around the City” beginning with my Big 3 Topics below.

City Manager Jeff James

It’s the time of year where we’re all feeling a little thankful and this year when I look at the things going on around White Settlement I see a lot to be thankful for. I continue to receive great reports as more and more people discover the new military aircraft display at the entrance to Veterans Park. I love that we have this new symbol of our support and bond with the military and that it means so much to those who see it. I’m thankful for the strides forward the City has taken with communications this year. From this very newsletter that you’re reading to the improvements we’ve been able to make with our City Council meeting recordings, it’s been a good year for communications. We’ve utilized more video to connect with each of you and our Public Safety departments have continued to excel in communicating with the entire city. The Public Works department has also invested more time into communicating about upcoming and ongoing projects. Transparency is something I believe in strongly and I believe that focusing on quality communications will continue to drive that forward as we move into the new year.

Prior to the COVID pandemic, we were experiencing a major drop in volunteer participation across the City. As I speak with colleagues and peers in other cities, many of them report that volunteer numbers remain stagnant to this day. However, that’s not what we’re experiencing here in White Settlement. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a steady influx of volunteers across many different areas. This includes more organized volunteer groups and programs such as the Citizens on Patrol, Friends of the Library, and the North Central Texas Chapter of the Native Plant Society, just to name a few. These groups keep schedules, and reliably volunteer their time and efforts to make White Settlement better. There’s also been a rise in volunteers who show up to our events and cleanup efforts. These people give up their free time to help the City pull off major events or to participate in our environmental cleanup programs through the Keep White Settlement Beautiful initiative. There’s no doubt, the spirit of volunteerism is on the rise in our city. We’re very blessed to have this much involvement and I’m grateful for all who volunteer.

Something positive that I’ve noticed this year is the way that White Settlement is perceived by those who live around us. A lot of people have made great efforts to help improve our image.

The Police Department have bravely faced challenges and have done a great deal to tackle some tough situations. Public Works have shifted how they approach major projects and how they engage with the public about these projects. Many builders and developers are working hard to help us put our best foot forward to help everyone see this as an attractive, quality place to bring your business or to call home. I look forward to seeing these cumulative efforts continue into 2024. White Settlement is a city with a host of great qualities and I’m excited for more and more people to discover that in the years to come.

SEASONS GREETINGS The end of the year is upon us which means it’s time for the holidays. For most people, the holiday season gets very busy, and that’s true for the City too! Below we’ll take a look at events and programs happening through the holiday season so you won’t miss out on anything!

THANKSGIVING RESOURCES

The Thanksgiving holiday offers one of the best times of the year to take a moment and acknowledge all of the good things in your life. For most, Thanksgiving is a holiday filled with family, friends, football, and food. But not everyone has the resources available to make this a joyous occasion. If you or someone you know is struggling to put together a Thanksgiving dinner this year, please utilize the following organizations that are helping families in the area this year.

The HARVESTING IN MANSFIELD organization will be hosting two Thanksgiving food giveaway events on Monday, November 21.

Click the link above for more information on how to take part.

The Arlington based MISSION ARLINGTON organization will deliver baskets of Thanksgiving food to more than 6,000 families on Thanksgiving day. To learn more, call 817-277-6620.

The SALVATION ARMY OF NORTH TEXAS will host a food pantry on Wednesday, November 23 at 1855 E. Lancaster Avenue. Food pantry hours are from 9 am to 11 am and from 2 pm to 4 pm.

A great way to help others on Thanksgiving is to extend an invitation to those who may be less fortunate to join you and your family for Thanksgiving dinner. Fixing a few extra plates may seem like a simple gesture to you but it can go a long way for those who otherwise wouldn’t have been experiencing the holiday this year.

TOYS FOR TOTS

The City has worked hard in recent years to be a premiere participant in the Toys for Tots program. The above photo shows City Manager Jeff James and City employees Maureen and Yvette who run the City’s donation program posing for a picture with the 2022 donations. If you’re not familiar with Toys for Tots, this organization asks for donations of new, unwrapped toys. These donations are then distributed to less fortunate children across the United States so they’ll have a gift for Christmas. The City is a designated drop off location and has donation boxes at City Hall, the Senior Center, the Library, Fire Station, Police Station, and the PAWS Community Center. If it’s within your means this year, we ask that you consider donating at one of these locations so we can continue making a large contribution to this worthy cause so all children in our area can know the joy of having something to open on Christmas.

HOLIDAY GREASE ROUNDUP

A lot of cooking gets done during the holiday season which means you might end up with a lot of grease on your hands. It may be tempting to dump the grease down the drain but doing so can cause major damage to your personal plumbing and the City sewer systems. Oil builds up in pipes, causing backups and damage that can cause major infrastructure issues. So instead of dumping the grease, we ask that you let it cool, then store it in a leakproof container and bring it to the Recycling Dropoff Station at 8212 Albert Street. Once there you’ll see the grease disposal site. Not only does this act keep the grease from causing damage to pipes, but the recycled grease gets put to new use by being turned into bio-diesel fuel.

LIGHT THE NIGHT

Each year the City puts on one last major event in December, the Light the Night Christmas Parade. This year, the event will be held on Saturday, December 2nd, beginning at 6 pm. There is a new parade route this year. The parade will start at the corner of Cherry Lane and White Settlement Rd and will travel west down White Settlement Rd, will turn and head North up Las Vegas Trail, before turning west at Clifford and finishing at Veterans Park. See the route map below for a visual of this new route.

One of the things that makes Light the Night such a special annual event is the community involvement. Local groups, organizations, churches, and businesses participate in the parade, making this event a joy for those who come out to watch. We’re also thankful that year after year there’s a strong group of vendors who set up in our Christmas Market and give visitors at the event an opportunity to buy unique, high quality local goods. And don’t even get us started on the food trucks, who will be back out in force this year with some delicious options!

There are also some great events that happen at the conclusion of the parade.

These include the lighting of the Christmas tree as well as an opportunity to get your picture taken with Santa! If you watch the parade along the route, be sure to head over to Veterans Park once it concludes so you can be part of the rest of the festivities. You can even knock out some of your Christmas shopping by taking a stroll through the aforementioned Christmas Market!

THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME For many people, the Thanksgiving and Christmas season is considered the most wonderful time of the year. But it’s important to remember that this is not the case for everyone. For some, the holidays are a time that can bring on stress, anxiety, depression, or mental distress. While we hope that your holidays are wonderful, if you do find yourself facing struggles this year please know that the greatest gift you can give yourself is seeking assistance. Below are some links to organizations and information that you can utilize.

MHMR TARRANT COUNTY Five Ways to Take Care of Your Mental Health This Holiday Season - Mental Health First Aid 2-1-1 211 is an essential service available 24/7 that connects people to expert social services support in their local area. This includes assistance in mental health crises. You can call or visit www.211texas.org.

CRISIS TEXT HOTLINE Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the United States, anytime. Crisis Text Line is here for any crisis. A live, trained Crisis Counselor receives the text and responds, all from a secure online platform. The volunteer Crisis Counselor will help you move from a hot moment to a cool moment. They offer services for anxiety, depression, and many others.

OTHER HOLIDAY INFO A great place to be during the holiday season is the White Settlement Library. They’ll be hosting crafting activities, themed storytimes, and even some special holiday events. Be sure you pay them a visit at 8215 White Settlement Rd for more information or keep an eye on the White Settlement Community Services Facebook Page for event announcements.

On December 16th, come to the Rec Center at 8213 White Settlement Rd at 6 pm for a free screening of the holiday film Polar Express. This event is free of charge and is a great way to spend a holiday evening with the family!

There are several upcoming holiday closures that you need to be aware of. City offices and buildings will be closed on the following days.

Please note, trash service will not run on Thanksgiving Day (Nov 23), Christmas Day (Dec 25), and New Years Day (Jan 1).

NOV 23 & 24TH - CLOSED FOR THANKSGIVING DEC 22 & 25 - CLOSED FOR CHRISTMAS DEC 29 & JAN 1 - CLOSED FOR NEW YEARS

FIFTY-ONE YEARS

AND COUNTING

Marriage can be tough, which makes it all the more worthwhile to spotlight when one lasts over 50 years. On October 12th of this year, Gary and Cathey Wilson celebrated 51 years of marriage. The two of them have not only remained committed to one another for the past half century, but they’ve also been a big part of White Settlement as well. Gary was elected to the City Council in 2006 and served in that position until 2012. Since that time he’s served on multiple City boards including the Board of Adjustments and Appeals and the Crime Board. As for Cathey, she currently serves as the receptionist at City Hall, but her roots serving the people of White Settlement go back much deeper.

Most people know her from her time as the office manager of the popular TJ’s Grocery Store on White Settlement road.

“I’ve lived here all my life, I love this city,” Cathey said.

Service runs deep in the Wilson family, with family members serving in law enforcement, their son Melvin serving as a City Marshal and Fire Marshal, and a nephew who is also a Fire Marshal.

Gary and Cathey still recall their first date.

They went to Kips Big Boy, a burger restaurant. Later that year, they were married, with Cathey making her own wedding dress for the big day. They bought a house in White Settlement in 1972 and have lived in the city ever since. As for how to keep a marriage going for over fifty years, the Wilson’s had two simple but key pieces of wisdom to share.

“It’s all about give and take,” Gary said.

“No matter what, you just don’t go to bed mad,” Cathey said.

MOVIES WORTH WATCHING Each volume, City staff members select a few themed movies that we think are worth watching.

While all movies suggested are rated PG-13 or below, please be sure to research the movie's content for yourself to ensure it is appropriate for you and your family.

JINGLE ALL THE WAY

1996 - FAMILY/COMEDY - PG

In this ridiculous film, Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as a workaholic dad who desperately tries to find the hottest toy of the season in a last minute Christmas Eve shopping frenzy. Unfortunately, the entire city is also after the toy, including a maniacal father played by comedian Sinbad. The movie is filled with slapstick humor, ludicrous antics, and some great comedic performances from Schwarzenegger and Sinbad. It’s a holiday must watch, especially if you enjoy over the top comedic antics in your Christmas movies.

Suggested by Aaron H

CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT 1945 - COMEDY/ROMANCE

Elizabeth Lane, a successful food writer who has fabricated an idyllic farm life for her readers, must scramble to create a convincing façade when her publisher and a war hero invite themselves to her nonexistent Connecticut home for Christmas. This movie harkens back to a completely different era and style of storytelling. If you’ve never seen this Christmas film it’s definitely one worth checking out this holiday season.

Suggested by Maureen B

NATIONAL LAMPOON’S CHRISTMAS VACATION

1989 - COMEDY/SLAPSTICK - PG-13

For many people, this one is a yearly watch. Clark Griswold is determined to have the perfect Christmas for his family, but his wellintentioned plans go hilariously awry. As the holidays approach, Clark's obsession with creating a picture-perfect Christmas spirals into chaos, causing havoc for his family and neighbors. Keep the rating in mind as this one can be a bit much for younger viewers!

Suggested by Robert N, Lisset C, Ann E

GREMLINS

1984 - HORROR/FANTASY - PG-13

People may debate if this fits as a Christmas movie or not, but either way, Gremlins makes an impression. In the film, a young man accidentally unleashes a horde of mischievous monsters on his small town after breaking the three important rules of caring for his new pet Mogwai. This all takes place across the Christmas holiday and leads to a lot of wacky action as the gremlin monsters attack the townspeople. It’s fun, ridiculous, and a nice break from the usual Christmas movie formula you’re used to.

Suggested by Sarah D & Jennifer A

WHITE CHRISTMAS

1954 - MUSICAL/ROMANCE

In this enduring Christmas classic, a successful song-and-dance team teams up with a sister act to save their former commanding general's failing Vermont inn during the Christmas season. The film features a number of musical numbers, including the classic song “White Christmas.” This film is a heartwarming and nostalgic Christmas classic that has been enjoyed by audiences for generations.

Suggested by Shelly P, Jill P, Donna N

DEVELOPMENT UPDATES

Fort Worth-based Street Realty has acquired a 12-acre site with 1,100feet of frontage along West Loop 820 between Clifford Road and Silver Creek. The site will be the future home of West Loop Business Park, a 140,000-square-foot light industrial business park composed of 14 modern buildings that offer shallow-bay flex space for a wide variety of businesses and tenants.

Completion is slated for mid-late 2024.

The new business Shoe Dept. will be opening soon at 708 Alta Mere directly next to Aldi.

Across multiple brands, this shoe company operates over 1,000 stores across 47 states.

With a focus on providing quality products, service, and value, Shoe Dept. will be a welcome spot to pick up footwear when they open soon!

Longtime local eatery Chicken Express (8805 Clifford) is temporarily closed to undergo a remodeling project. The location is under new ownership and management and is promising a bigger and better Chicken Express experience once they reopen!

New restaurant Hawkins Tasty Food is now open for business! Located at 108 N. Jim Wright Freeway Suite 101, this is a permanent brick and mortar home for the Hawkins Tasty Food on the Move food truck that many people in the area have come to love and enjoy. The next time you’re looking for lunch or dinner, swing by Hawkins Tasty Food, grab a meal, and welcome them to the City!

The new laundromat being built at 901 S. Cherry Lane has made lots of progress in recent weeks as they continue to push toward completion. This brand new, high quality laundromat will be a great place for residents to take care of any of their laundry needs.

PAWS - ONE YEAR LATER

It was about one year ago when we checked in with the new Protecting the Animals of White Settlement (PAWS) department as it assumed command of the animal services in the City of White Settlement. At that time, PAWS was just a few months old. Now a year later, we wanted to check in again and see how things have gone over the past year and what some of the future plans are for the PAWS team.

If you follow them on social media, you know that PAWS has had some major wins this past year. They have built great relationships with rescue groups, allowing them to move more animals out to other organizations that can help them get adopted. The relationship building goes

beyond rescue groups to community businesses partners who regularly donate pet food and other necessities to the shelter. Spotlighting pets and encouraging adoptions has been another major victory that has helped some of the animals that have been at the shelter longest find their forever homes through adoption.

Another big victory for PAWS over the past year is encouraging community involvement. Across the entire City, PAWS has the highest number of volunteers of any department. This strong core of volunteers keeps the shelter running smoothly and helps spread the word about adoptions and other events happening at the shelter.

The early days of this new approach to animal control services weren’t without their challenges, as Lt. Denise Callahan, one of the key people who help run PAWS, explained.

“Changing the public perception was one of our biggest challenges,” Lt. Callahan said. “We did that by being transparent and focusing on communicating with the public.”

Looking to the future, Lt. Callahan shared some of the things that the PAWS team is focusing on moving into the new year. They are looking to hold more events, but are also looking to add educational classes as well. These would cover practical aspects of pet ownership that would equip and empower people to better care for their pets. PAWS is also looking to expand their relationships with rescue groups while continuing to push adoptions so that every animal that comes through the shelter has the best possible chance of finding a forever home.

If you’d like to learn more about PAWS, adopt an animal, or become a volunteer, please call 817246-1043.

COMMUNITY SERVICES CHRISTMAS DECORATING CONTEST The Pride Commission is on the hunt for the most festive Christmas House this December. Nominate the house you think has the most Christmas Spirit. Contest is limited to what can be seen from the street, in a homeowner's front yard. People or live animals not allowed in the display. Judging will be done on the evening of December 19th, 2023. Please have decorations (lights and animation) on by 6pm. Judge's decisions are final. Three homes will be awarded gift cards. Please be sure to provide the correct home address and homeowner information, if possible.

Houses (not apartments) can be nominated by emailing the address to kwsb@wstx.us or visit www.wstx.us

HOLIDAY OPEN GYM

Looking for something for the kids to do while you go Christmas shopping? The White Settlement Recreation Center is hosting Open Gym during the holiday breaks when the kids are out of school. From Monday to Thursday, except on actual holidays, they can come over to the rec center between 1 pm and 5 pm to play basketball.

Thanksgiving can cause problems for your pipes and sewer Please bring your own systems. When you pour fats, oils, and grease down the drain, basketball and if you have any they stick to the pipes and create blockages, causing backups and questions please call 817-246sewage overflowing into your house, the streets, and the 5012. waterways nearby. Fixing these issues can be a huge hassle and expensive too. If the sewer overflows, the city has to close off streets, causing traffic jams and more costs for everyone. Instead of pouring your grease down the drain, you can take part in the Holiday Grease Roundup and recycle it for free! The 2023 Holiday Grease Roundup starts on Monday, November 13, and goes until Friday, January 12th.

GREASE ROUND UP

TOILETRIES NEEDED FOR SENIORS

TOYS FOR TOTS White Settlement is honored to be a designated drop-off station for the Toys for Tots program. The Marine Toys for Tots program aspires to embrace the true essence of Christmas and extend a message of optimism to underprivileged children across the United States by providing them with brand-new toys. If you wish to donate to the 2023 Campaign, we ask you to drop off a new, unopened toy at one of our designated locations, City Hall, Senior Center, Library, Fire Department, Police Department or PAWS Center. We thank you for your gracious donations. To learn more about the program or make an online contribution, visit toysfortots.org.

Keep White Settlement Beautiful will be collecting toiletries to make gift bags for the Seniors at the White Settlement Senior Center. Here is a list of common items needed.

Any wipes, adult diapers, body wash, shampoo, bar soap, toothbrushes, denture glue, deodorant, powder etc.

Every donation will go directly to the Seniors. If you would like to make donation or if you have any questions please call Maureen at 817-246-5012. EXT 859.

COMMUNITY SERVICES CHRISTMAS TREE DROP OFF

TEXAS RECYCLES DAY The statewide recycling outreach campaign is held annually on November 15th. The Texas Recycles Day Campaign was launched in November 2021 and is designed to align with the lifestyle and recycling habits of Texans.

The main obstacle to successful recycling programs in Texas is contamination. Contamination occurs due to confusion regarding what can be recycled and proper recycling practices. By implementing consistent and standardized outreach efforts throughout the state, we can significantly improve recycling in Texas.

The presence of clothing, shoes, and broken toys can impede the efficiency of the recycling process. Hoses, cords, batteries, and propane tanks have the potential to cause machinery damage or initiate fires. Food waste and liquids can significantly diminish the value of recyclable materials such as paper, cardboard, and metals.

Always review the guidelines and instructions provided to understand the items suitable for recycling before disposing of them in the appropriate bin. Additionally, ensure that all recycling materials are devoid of any residues, thoroughly cleaned, and completely dry.

If you have any inquiries or would like to acquire further information, please feel free to reach out to us via email at kwsb@wstx.us or contact us directly at 817-246-5012.

During this time of year, many of us are focused on decorating our trees rather than getting rid of them.

However, we would like to inform you that after the holidays, the City of White Settlement will provide a convenient Christmas tree drop-off location for tree disposal. This drop-off location will be located at the monthly Community Clean-up area on Melrose, but only for a limited time. We ask that you remove all ornaments, lights, and other decorations from the trees before dropping them off. If you have any questions call 817-246-5012.

MOVIE NIGHT AT REC

AROUND THE TOWN COWTOWN FARMERS WHITE SETTLEMENT INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT MARKET FESTIVALS Hey, the holidays are here! Check out the White Settlement Independent School District's break schedule below.

Thanksgiving Break is November 20th through November 25th.

Winter Break is December 18th through January 5th, 2024.

The Cowtown Farmers Market is bringing back their awesome holiday markets, where you can shop for some amazing seasonal goodies and gifts from your favorite vendors. They've got live music, specialty items, food trucks, and handmade gifts to check out. Don't forget to mark your calendar for November 18th and December 16th so you don't miss out on these amazing holiday markets. In the meantime, you can always swing by Veterans Park every Saturday from 8 am to noon to grab some delicious farm fresh produce. Happy shopping!

Calendar of Events NOV 4TH: TIRE RECYCLE NOV 7TH: CITY COUNCIL MEETING NOV 10TH: CITY OFFICES CLOSED(VETERANS DAY) NOV 18TH-19TH: COMMUNITY CLEANUP NOV 23RD-24TH: CITY OFFICES CLOSED (THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY)

DEC 2ND: LIGHT THE NIGHT CHRISTMAS PARADE DEC 5TH: CITY COUNCIL MEETING DEC 15TH POLAR EXPRESS MOVIE NIGHT AT REC DEC 16TH: PAWS HOME FOR HOLIDAYS DEC 16TH-17TH: COMMUNITY CLEANUP DEC 22ND-25TH: CITY OFFICES CLOSED(CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY) DEC 29TH-JAN 1ST: CITY OFFICES CLOSED (NEW YEARS HOLIDAY)

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City Numbers to Know City Hall

(817) 246-4971

Library

(817) 367-0166

Utility billing (payments)

1-855-715-1312

Senior Center

(817) 246-6619

SplashDayz Waterpark

(817) 246-2204

Police (non-emergency)

(817) 246-7070

Parks and Recreation

(817) 246-5012

Fire (non-emergency)

(817) 246-1761