...for City of Southlake news, business, and community happenings.
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Sunday, May 28, 2023
The Southlake Women’s Club is thrilled to announce Methodist Southlake Medical Center as its presenting sponsor for its 23rd annual nationally ranked, award-winning Art in the Square held April 28-30 at Southlake Town Square. Gather with family and friends for a fun-filled weekend of art, music, good food, refreshing spirits, and children’s activities. New this year, food and beverage purchases are NOW CASHLESS.
Southlake Women’s Club showcases the incredible artwork of 200 juried renowned, emerging, and high school artists. Visit “Arts Alive,” Apex Arts League photo op stop for snapshots. Tour the Youth Art tent to view the exceptional artwork of the high school students of Northeast Tarrant County.
The Methodist Southlake Medical Center Main Stage hosts free entertainment throughout the weekend. Friday night, April 28, at 8:30 pm, the “Manhattan” dance band entertains the crowd with music from the sixties to the present. Come wearing your boots and Stetsons on Saturday, April 29, at 8:30 pm. Canaan Smith of Nashville will bring that country sound to the stage performing “Love You Like That” and other favorites.
Local entertainment from schools, performing art studios, dance groups, and more will perform on the Texas Health Hospital Southlake Gazebo Stage. Sit back, relax, and enjoy our community stars’ jazz, contemporary, classic, instrumental, and vocal talents.
Children’s activities in Kid’s Korner and The Zone are always engaging and fun for families. In Kids Korner, sponsored by Cook Children’s, options are face painting, creating butterfly wings, pinwheels, or canvas art. The Zone’s activities make laughable fun with bouncing, climbing, and jumping. New this year is a 9-hole putt-putt course, carnival games, and more!
Save the dates, April 28-30, for a fun-filled weekend. The Southlake Women’s Club gives the DFW community a family-friendly experience while raising funds for charities that benefit women, children, and families in Northeast Tarrant County. www.artinthesquare.com
Submitted by: Sherri Whitt, Marketing/Publicity – Sjwswc1@aol.com
The City of Southlake is finishing the month of March off strong with several mobility and construction improvement projects set to take place over the next few weeks.
If you’re a driver who regularly travels through these areas with ongoing construction, it’s important to remain vigilant and take extra precautions on the road.
Here’s the list and project details:
Drainage Improvements on San Saba Drive, March 27
Contractors will be on-site to install a storm line for the San Saba Drive Drainage Improvements Project on Monday, March 27, weather permitting. The closure will be conducted at the culvert crossing. Plans to detour traffic through Mission Drive to the Mission Hills neighborhood are set to occur. This project is expected to last approximately four to five weeks. Commuters should expect some traffic delays.
Asphalt Repair on Brumlow Avenue, March 27
The Public Works Streets Division will be on-site at the 1400 block of Brumlow Avenue starting Monday, March 27, through Tuesday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., weather permitting. Traffic control procedures will take place throughout the project. One lane of traffic will remain open at all times.
Concrete Repair at the intersection of Lakeside Court and Westmont Drive, April 4- 7
Traffic improvements at the Lakeside Court and Westmont Drive intersection are set to occur on Tuesday, April 4, through Friday, April 7, weather permitting.
Contractors will be on-site to repair concrete at the intersection to make it easier for vehicles to transition into the turning lanes. One lane of traffic will remain open during the project.
This week on Minute with the Mayor, get the low down on our newest beautification project for the Bicentennial Park playground!
Director of Community Services Chris Tribble and Parks Manager Mike Reasoner gave a rundown of the project, including timelines and details of what is to come.
Director Tribble mentioned that a section of the playground at Bicentennial Park will soon be replaced with artificial turf. This area has already been poured with concrete to accommodate any winter weather we may experience.
The artificial turf will allow our youngest Southlakers to play safely regardless of weather conditions. “The playground is heavily used, and with the foot traffic we’ve had to maintain, it’s just a muddy pit down here,” said Reasoner.
The project should not cause closures to the surrounding areas of the park, but there is a chance that the playground may close when the installation nears the sidewalk.
Reasoner mentioned cones, barricades, and caution tape would be used to keep safety in mind for residents. In addition to the turf installation, shade structures and planter beds will be added to the playground. A seating wall by the small slide has already been completed.
Stay tuned for updates on this project as we move forward in 2023! To watch the full episode of Minute with the Mayor, click below.
Start the season of giving a bit early this year on North Texas Giving Day!
Founded in 2009, North Texas Giving Day is an online event organized by the Communities Foundation of Texas. Donors can contribute to this 18-hour event regardless of their physical ability or volunteer status.
More than 3,000 nonprofits will participate in North Texas Giving Day. Organizers describe it as “the largest community-wide giving event in the nation,” encouraging nonprofits to get involved.
Since its start, North Texas Giving Day has raised more than $441 million for nonprofits.
The giving season began early for the Southlake Chamber of Commerce. The organization previewed the North Texas Giving Day event during its August luncheon. A drawing for $1,000 was held for 17 local nonprofit organizations that spoke about their missions. John Fletcher of Fletcher Consulting Public Relations donated the $1,000 giveaway award.
Nonprofits in attendance included:
GRACE was presented with the $1,000 grand prize from a random drawing.
For more information about North Texas Giving Day, how to contribute to your community, or to donate, visit the North Texas Giving Day website.
The City of Southlake places incredible importance on internships. Throughout the numerous departments, there are many opportunities to explore the City and make a difference. Many times, those interns find their place and stay within the walls of Town Hall.
As Bora Sulollari walked in for her first day as an intern at the City of Southlake, she was greeted with big smiles and new experiences.
“I felt so welcomed from the first moment I stepped into the building,” said Sulollari. “My time as an intern was so important to me, not only because of the valuable things I got to learn and experience but also because of the amazing people I got the chance to work with daily.”
Sulollari began her journey as a Management Intern. After obtaining her Master’s in Public Administration, she worked her way up to a full-time role as a City Manager’s Office Management Assistant. In her role, she assists the CMO with various budgetary, research, strategic management functions, and much more. “I’m forever grateful for all the various insightful projects I have gotten the chance to collaborate on,” she mentioned.
At the City of Southlake, our interns’ talents span many departments and topics. Several other full-time employees got their start just like Bora Sulollari and they continue to service the City through their dedication and commitment to excellence.
Enhancing Southlake’s mobility landscape is just one of the many roles the Southlake Mobility Team plays in the success of building a better transportation system that both pedestrians and commuters can enjoy.
For everyone to benefit and enjoy the community around us, we want to encourage everyone to fasten your seat belts before you hit the road.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts save more than 13,000 lives every year.
Buckling up helps secure you inside of your vehicle and acts as a defense mechanism against aggressive, impaired and distracted drivers.
Below is a list of seat belt guidelines by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that can help you stay safe.
After 18 years of service, Southlake Assistant City Manager Ben Thatcher is leaving to become the City Manager of Boerne, Texas.
Thatcher was honored at the June 2, 2020, City Council meeting for his years of service. In her presentation to the Council, Southlake City Manager Shana Yelverton called Thatcher “a tremendous asset to the City” and that he had worked “…tirelessly to serve our organization and the community.”
Thatcher was hired as a City Manager’s Office intern in June 2002 as he was pursuing his Master of Public Administration at the University of North Texas. After a short stay in Denton, he was hired as Southlake’s Assistant to the City Manager in November of 2004, and then promoted to Assistant City Manager in July of 2007.
During his time with the City, Thatcher has tackled numerous projects, including the establishment of financial benchmarks, and the formation of the City’s strategic management system. But it’s his work with the community and City employees where he has made his most significant impact.
With expressions like Mentor, Thoughtful, and Gracious, Yelverton used the words of Ben’s colleagues to describe a man who has not only invested in Southlake as a City but its residents and City employees.
Following Yelverton’s comments, the City Council offered their congratulations to Thatcher and his family. Mayor Laura Hill noted, “We think the world of you, we think the world of the kind of man that you are, we think the world of your family, and I’m grateful that you (his family) lent him to us.”
Thatcher’s last day with the City is June 15.
City of Southlake’s Purchasing Manager, Tim Slifka, was recently presented with the Presidential Award of Merit by the Texas Public Purchasing Association (TxPPA).
The Presidential Award of Merit recognizes a member whose level of contribution to the organization has been significant and noteworthy. In the 12 years that Tim has served as our City’s purchasing manager, this would be his second time to receive this award. The Texas Public Purchasing Association (TxPPA) is a professional association that represents over 500 purchasing professionals from across the state of Texas, including State, County, Municipal, Special Districts, and Independent School District employees tasked with purchasing duties for their represented organization.
TxPPA representatives noted that Tim’s support of the association as Treasurer and as a volunteer, his integrity and his professionalism were all standout qualities.
Southlake’s Chief Financial Officer, Sharen Jackson concurred, stating, “As the City of Southlake’s purchasing manager Tim has prioritized competency and efficiency.”
Additionally, the City of Southlake was recognized by the National Procurement Institute for seven consecutive years of excellence in public procurement, an accomplishment championed by Tim. The annual award recognizes organizations that have obtained a high score based on criteria designed to measure innovation, professionalism, productivity, e-procurement and leadership attributes of the procurement organization. The awards are illustrative of Southlake’s financial success.
It was a great day of creative solutions for Carroll’s 18 “Odyssey of the Mind” teams on Saturday in Waller, Texas at the State Finals Tournament.
A record 15 teams medaled and 10 teams are advancing to “Odyssey of the Mind” World Finals in May.
To advance to Worlds, the top teams from across the State of Texas competed and only the top two teams in each Problem and Division compete at World Finals, held on the campus of Michigan State niversity May 24-28. Congratulations to all our Southlake Carroll OM teams, you’ve impressed and inspired your coaches and community.
Below are the Carroll teams who placed in the top three, earning medals at the state finals tournament.
| Problem / Division / School / Achievement | Coach/Coaches | Team Members |
| Vehicular Problem
Division 1 DURHAM Int. SECOND PLACE WORLD FINALISTS |
Diane Pierce Ogle | Grant Ogle
Jope Iluyomade Andrew Balson Julia Dietrich Madison Petty Vanessa Vazhappilly Cody Williams |
| Vehicular Problem
Division 2 CARROLL MID SCH. THIRD PLACE |
Anne Vanderbush | Lindsay Vanderbush
Abigail Balson Lillian Cooper Avani Koganti Tin Lau Blayne Williams Neha Boyapati |
| Vehicular Problem
Division 3 Southlake Carroll HS THIRD PLACE
|
Heather King | Miranda King
Akshaya Hemanth Marissa Vazhappilly Rachel Clements Ella Driskill Sophie Dietrich Lauren Hendler |
| Technical Problem
Division 1 Rockenbaugh Elem SECOND PLACE WORLD FINALISTS |
Suman Gohel | Khushi Gohel
Dhruv Gohel Swati Shankar Noemie Houtekei Sanjana Senthil Praneel Veerabathina |
| Technical Problem
Division 2 Eubanks Int FIRST PLACE WORLD FINALISTS |
Geetha Panchapakesan
Crystal Johnson |
Ashwin Iyer
Grace Johnson Allison Chang William Ward Nicolas Veit Ben Fleming Alfred Hale |
| Technical Problem
Division 2 Durham Int SECOND PLACE WORLD FINALISTS |
Tonja Walker
Sarah Stoklas |
Jackson Walker
John Stoklas Ryan Adamson Samhith Dharani Connor MacLean Graham Davidson Ethan Phan |
| Technical Problem
Division 3 SC Senior High FIRST PLACE WORLD FINALISTS
|
Inna Dietrich | Alexis Dietrich
Venezia Guzman James Stewart Akash Hemanth Trevor King Cara Connelly Ethan Connelly |
| Classics Problem
Division 2 Carroll Middle FIRST PLACE WORLD FINALISTS |
Diana DiCesare
Shelli Nickel |
Kiera DiCesare
Sydney Nickel Heloise Hoffmann Tanner Hunt Emma Johnson Lizzie Garcia Diya Panjabi |
| Classics Problem
Division 3 Southlake Carroll HS FIRST PLACE WORLD FINALISTS |
Keith Buckley
|
Reilly Buckley
Katie Moore Kayla Grosskopf Catie Pratt Kayin Jones Eric Lovenburg Cole Ragsdale |
| Structure Problem
Division 1 Carroll Elem FIRST PLACE WORLD FINALISTS
|
Saroja Mummini | Sonia Naidu
Alisha Naidu Ethan Menezes Eva Menezes Tonio Castillo Joel Hansen Juliet Scot |
| Structure Problem
Division 2 Durham Int. THIRD PLACE |
Tanuja Reddy | Vivek Reddy
Pierce Ogle Jackson Dockal Samad Rizvi Andrew Chen Vansh Shah Azlaan Shafi |
| Drama Problem
Division 1 Carroll Elem SECOND PLACE (TIE) WORLD FINALISTS |
Niraj Mehta | Jaiden Mehta
Harrison Moore Dylan Mehta Ayden Patel Kennedy Nguyen Adam Forst Kenneth Warren Fambro, III |
| Drama Problem
Division 1 Rockenbaugh Elem SECOND PLACE (TIE) WORLD FINALISTS |
Peter Kao | Livi Kao
Kate Fancher Abbie Fordyce Chloe Criswell Ava Burke Riley Govek Maria Mazey |
| Drama Problem
Division 2 Eubanks Int. THIRD PLACE |
Anne Bean | Catt Gill
Elizabeth Fong Amelia Chand Trey King Katie Chon Matthew Fisher Nahita Kamireddy |
| Drama Problem
Division 3 Southlake Carroll HS THIRD PLACE |
Kathy Marshall | Zack Marshall
Jake Marshall Chloe Moore Sarah Wassef Sarah Chapin Olivia Hooper Logan Mikolasik |