...for City of Southlake news, business, and community happenings.
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- Senior Center
Thursday, April 18, 2024
The most wonderful time of the year is upon us. Many businesses are winding down for the holidays, but the Community Services Department is working hard to provide world-class holiday programming to residents of all ages.
Breakfast with Santa may have already passed, but there’s still a lot of holiday cheer to look forward to. We’re wrapping up the year with a bang, and we can’t wait to celebrate the holidays with all our residents. Here’s a quick overview of all the incredible holiday programs this month.
Club Metro Winter Palooza
Club Metro had a great year, and it’s all lead up to the Winter Palooza. Our participants will celebrate the holidays at Legends Hall on Wednesday, December 13 at 6:00 PM. Get ready to dance your socks off, eat delicious food, take photos with friends, and show off your ugliest holiday sweater! Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the celebration.
Seniors Holiday Party and Gift Exchange
There’s no merrier place than the Southlake Senior Activity Center. Bring your holiday cheer as we celebrate another successful year with a light lunch and a fun white elephant gift exchange on Thursday, December 14 from 11:30-1:00 PM. Limited spots remain.
Holiday Break Camp Mania- Christmas Week
Southlake’s favorite day camp is back to provide world-class structured and free play to your kiddos over the winter holidays. This program begins on Tuesday, December 26, and ends on Friday, December 29. Structured activities take place between 9:00 AM and 4:30 PM. Before and after care is provided free of charge from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM and from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. While this popular program is already sold out, we know it will be a week worth celebrating!
Holiday Break Camp Mania- New Year’s Week
Wring in the New Year with Holiday Break Camp Mania. There’s no better way to kick off the New Year before heading back to school than with Camp Mania! Enjoy all the fun activities planned by our awesome staff. This program will sell out fast!
We look forward to celebrating the upcoming holiday weeks with our incredible residents. Thanks for another year of creating life-long memories with us!
See you in 2024!
The City of Southlake and the Community Services Department emphasize internal movement and staff development. When opportunities become available, we love filling them with our world-class staff.
Tammie Garcia began working for the City in early April as the Senior Recreation Specialist at the Senior Activity Center. In her short time with the Department, she quickly made a great impression by providing world-class service to our senior members. When the Hospitality and Sales Assistant position became available in Legends Hall, we knew Tammie would be the perfect fit.
Let’s get to know her a little bit better.
What drew you to a career in local government?
My daughter, DeLaney, drew me into local government. She has worked for the City of Southlake for four years, and during that time, she suggested job opportunities to me. I decided to apply and was very excited about being offered the position at Legends Hall.
What are you most excited about in your new position?
I am excited about the people I work with and the opportunities for a new challenge. Most of all, I am excited about helping families create memories and milestones every day.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I love to read and try new restaurants. I enjoy being with my husband and children, and we love to travel!
What’s something every Legends Hall visitor should know?
Anyone walking into Legends Hall should know that our entire team is here to answer any questions regarding the Senior Center, book an event, or give directions!
If you find yourself near Legends Hall, say hello to Tammie! Congratulations on your new position! We’re so happy to keep you on the team.
Summer is finally here, and it’s all hands on deck to deliver a world-class summer to our residents.
Summer is our bread and butter, and it is here! Everyone from our Parks Technicians to our Recreation Specialists is preparing for the arrival of the summer crowds. Whether it’s training our staff and volunteers for another sold-out summer of Camp Mania, ensuring the playgrounds are in tip-top shape, or welcoming increased crowds at Champions Club, summer is the busiest time of the year!
Here’s a look at what our department has in store for the next three months:
Camps, Camps, and More Camps!
Our popular Camp Mania and Summer Cross Timbers Nature Camps may be sold out, but our department offers much more than our two flagship camps. If you are looking for full and half-day camps to keep your kiddo engaged and learning this summer, our Recreation Programs have something for you! Whether your little one is into art, music, coding, or technology, there’s a day camp available to meet their interests. Learn more about our summer day camps here.
Summer Basketball and Girls’ Volleyball
It wouldn’t be a real Southlake summer without our Athletics staff managing our busy leagues. While they’re already gearing up for the Fall, our summer leagues are underway! Stop by a game to support our Southlake youth athletes. This team also manages several athletics day camps and programs! Check them out here.
Summer Champions
Champions Club is always busy, and summer is no exception. The hottest months of the year are when we welcome back our collegiate members and high school volunteers. We love seeing the facility bursting with life. Cool off in our world-class Aquatics Center or catch a morning group fitness class. There’s no better place to work out and escape the heat than Champions Club! Not a member yet? Join today!
Senior Trips
Our seniors will spend the summer months exploring the DFW area. They plan to visit the Crow Museum of Asian Arts, Eataly and North Park Mall, and the George Bush Center in June alone! There’s always something exciting at the Southlake Senior Center for our 55 and better members!
Summer Hours and Flowers
Early birds might catch our incredible parks technicians all over town beautifying our parks. They take pride in ensuring our parks and safe, green, and clean for all to enjoy. The beautiful landscaping they planted in the Spring is in bloom around this time. Did you know the Parks team starts their day bright and early during the summertime to beat the heat?
You’re bound to bump into our world-class Parks and Recreation professionals this summer. Our team members do everything from helping out at Stars and Stripes, chaperoning camp field trips, to clearing hiking trails for summer explorers. Don’t forget to thank them for their hard work!
It’s another motivational Monday at the Community Services Department as we pause to recognize International Day of Happiness.
March 20 is the UN International Day of Happiness. Parks and Recreation professionals know a thing or two about happiness because it’s our job! This year’s theme is “Be Mindful. Be Grateful. Be Kind.” While the world seems stressful, finding happiness can be simple if you practice the tenants of this year’s theme.
Be Mindful
Mindfulness is a practiced skill that can help you stay in the moment. If you start feeling overwhelmed, take a few minutes to breathe deeply and notice how your body is feeling. Commit to appreciating every moment you experience today!
Our Fitness and Performance Supervisor knows a thing or two about being mindful. Everyone at Champions Club has experienced Jake Coldren’s happy energy. Here’s how he maintains a healthy balance throughout his day by practicing mindfulness.
“I like to practice mindfulness by taking the time to stop and live in the present, also I try to remind myself that life isn’t happening TO me but more so FOR me,” stated Jake.
Be Grateful
Gratitude is essential to increasing our happiness. Instead of stressing about the things you don’t have or haven’t achieved yet, jot down a list of the things you are grateful for in your life. We’re thankful for many things at the Community Services Department, especially spending our days helping our residents create life-long memories.
Here’s what our Deputy Director of Community Relations is grateful for today. “I am most grateful for the time spent with my wife and two stepdaughters. I try very hard to be mindful of how powerful every moment is that we get to share together. Whether it’s a conversation during our weekly Sunday evening dinners as we prepare for the week ahead, or sitting outside watching my youngest ride her bike in the cul de sac, those are small moments of joy that I am very grateful for. I am also very grateful to work for the City of Southlake as we have an opportunity to truly serve others and live out our mission to create world-class experiences every day. I’m grateful for the teamwork and camaraderie that City of Southlake employees share that is truly second to none.”
Be Kind
Kindness is a quintessential trait for happy individuals. When you are kind to others, you enhance your confidence and sense of optimism. The best part? Kindness tends to be contagious! Once you give it to others, they tend to give it back.
Our staff knows that kindness is crucial to our commitment to world-class service. They also incorporate it into every aspect of their lives. Our Senior Center members experience Soheila’s caring nature every day. Here’s how Soheila keeps kindness at the forefront of her customer service approach.
“Happiness is allowing people to express and be themselves. Kindness is bringing joy and a smile to someone’s day by doing the smallest things like acknowledging a new hairdo, a colorful outfit, and letting them know you are happy to see them. It’s letting someone know they matter to you and their joy is your joy. Seniors like to be seen, and letting them know you see them brings them joy and a reason to keep going,” said Soheila.
We love the UN’s theme for this year’s International Day of Happiness! Mindfulness, gratitude, and kindness go hand-in-hand with the Community Services Department’s mission to create world-class experiences.
How will you incorporate this year’s theme into today?
The Southlake Senior Activity Center cordially invites you to join them for the upcoming Legends Hall Dance.
Every year, the Legends Hall team works tirelessly to plan an extravagant night of music, dancing, and celebration for its Senior Center members and their special guests. This year is no different. Save the date for Thursday, March 23, at 7:00 PM at the Traditions Ballroom in Legends Hall for the Spring Legends Hall Dance.
All community members aged 21 years or older are invited to join in the celebration. Let’s cut a rug and dance the night away! The Now and Then will provide the entertainment. Now and Then is a world-class band specializing in all your favorite hits from yesterday and today. You won’t want to miss this event! As always, light refreshments and a great time are a given!
Legends Hall is always bustling with activity, but the Legends Hall Dance is one of our favorite events because it provides an opportunity for intergenerational connection. It’s a chance for the Southlake community to come together and celebrate with and get to know our outstanding members. Everyone from our hard-working staff to our dedicated volunteers enjoys the camaraderie this fun event provides.
“The Legends Hall Dance program is organized by the Southlake Senior Activity Center with the purpose of bringing our community of all ages together. We know from experience that our Active Adult members are always delighted to see the community’s support, and there’s no better way to show support than while enjoying the great music and dancing. We hope you can join us even if you have two left feet. The music and people-watching will surely bring joy to your evening,” stated Senior Services Coordinator Soheila Phelps.
Don’t miss your chance to join in the fun. Reserve your spot today! Tickets are $6.00 per person and will also be available at the door for purchase by credit card only.
See you on the dancefloor!
The Southlake Senior Activity Center is here to help our members celebrate holidays big and small!
Our staff knows that any holiday is an excuse to gather and eat good food, and National Chili Day is no exception! The Senior Center invites its members to join us on Thursday, February 23, at 11:30 AM for an afternoon of crowd-pleasing chili!
In preparation for this social celebration, our staff did a bit of research to figure out why chili is such a home-run dish. What we found out was that chili has a fascinating history. We know from historians, and allrecipes.com, that chile peppers have been farmed in the Americas for approximately 10,000 years. The use of red peppers gives the dish its signature color.
While the origins of chili are obscure, it’s well-known that people in Texas have been making variations of this dish for centuries. Whether it was Mexican cowboys along cattle trails, gold-seeking pioneers, or San Antonio women in the Military Plaza, Texans have always loved chili! So much so that chili became the official state dish of Texas in 1977!
Don’t miss your chance to enjoy this gem of Texan cuisine with friends. In true Southlake fashion, the event will consist of a Chili Cook Off where the best-of-the-best will win a fabulous prize! Pull out your super-secret family recipes and get ready to compete and eat to your heart’s content! You bring the chili, and the Senior Center will provide the toppings and refreshments.
Brush off your dancing shoes and get ready to swing with the best of them because the Legends Hall Dance is just around the corner!
You are cordially invited to join our Senior Activity Center members on Thursday, December 8 at 7:00 PM for the annual Legends Hall Dance. A time-honored tradition, the Legends Hall Dance is your chance to boogie with our 55 and better community!
What better way to kick off the holiday season than by dancing the night away with friends? The Legends Hall team invites you to the beautiful Traditions Ballroom to show off your moves. The Southlake Swing Band will provide the perfect music to get the whole room off its feet! Pull out your favorite business casual outfit and enjoy a delicious spread of light refreshments!
Adults aged 21 and over are welcome to attend the celebrations. Tickets are $6.00 per person. You can click here to purchase your tickets or get them at the door.
We can’t wait to celebrate with you!
From making your dream celebration a reality to providing a private space for our 55 and better community, the Hospitality and Sales Division strive to create life-long memories.
Parks and Recreation can encompass a myriad of services. The Hospitality and Sales Division sets us apart from other Recreation organizations thanks to their commitment to excellence. This critical Division oversees Legends Hall at The Marq Southlake, creating world-class experiences for everyone on this side of The Marq. This team of dedicated Recreation professionals spends their days booking and planning all sorts of events at Legends Hall. The Hospitality and Sales team executes incredible events and programming, from large-scale weddings, corporate gatherings, Board and Commission meetings to birthday parties, outdoor concerts, and running the Senior Activity Center.
This team consists of dedicated professionals who make your important milestones memorable. Here’s a look at the services they provide our community.
Private Events
Weddings and large-scale events account for approximately 29% of the gross revenue for Legends Hall since it opened in 2015. Legends Hall has made its Marq as a premier DFW wedding destination and as an award-winning facility. Our wide range of event packages and knowledgeable staff make Legends Hall the ideal place to say, “I Do.”
Other events this Division hosts include social events like birthday parties, baby showers, graduation, and holiday parties. Corporate events and smaller-scale events are also commonplace at Legends Hall. The Hospitality and Sales Division collaborates with community partners like APEX Arts League and Arts Council Northeast to bring cultural performances to our community at the Aria Amphitheater.
Senior Activity Center
The Senior Activity Center is a critical component of the services provided by this team to our community. The Senior Services team lovingly works to ensure our senior citizens access quality programs, exciting field trips, community meals, and their designated space. It’s no secret that the Senior Center holds a special place in our hearts!
Celebrating life’s most memorable events is what the Hospitality and Sales Division does best! This team of incredible Recreation professionals creates life-long memories for our residents and guests every day, and we are so thankful for them this Park and Recreation Month!
Summer is in full swing in Southlake and the entire town is bustling with activity. The Southlake Senior Activity Center is no exception with three adventure-filled trips scheduled for July.
Planning and accompanying our Seniors on local field trips is a staff highlight at the Senior Center. July’s Senior trips have something for everyone—from resident dino-philes, art buffs, or musical theater connoisseurs!
The Dinosaur Company
Wednesday, July 6 at 10:00 AM
Visit the only animatronic dinosaur factory in the US. Enjoy a one-hour tour of the creature workshop and animatronic exhibit in the City of Allen. The Dinosaur Company is a leader in the development and design of animatronic technology. See the amazing world of dinosaurs come to life. Register here.
The Music Man at Theater Denton
Sunday, July 17 at 1:00 PM
Revisit Meredith Wilson’s infamous Golden Age musical about a traveling conman who falls in love with a witty librarian in the stubborn town of Rivercity, Iowa. Sing along to Broadway classics such as “76 Trombones,” “Shipoopi,” and “’Til There Was You.” Enjoy a wonderful weekend matinee performance with friends. Register here.
Kimble Art Museum
Wednesday, July 27 at 9:30 AM
Art lovers assemble and join us as we explore The Language of Beauty in African Art special exhibit at the Kimble Art Museum in Fort Worth. This world-class art museum curates the most cutting-edge exhibits and brings them to life for a DFW audience. This exhibit illustrates sub-Saharan concepts of beauty through a unique exploration of language, objects, and visual arts. Register here.
Explore the DFW Metroplex with us! See you at the Southlake Senior Activity Center!