The Burleson Public library’s plan was simple enough: An “anti-Valentine” party for teens who weren’t interested in Cupid and “pink hearts.”

The party was going to include unromantic music and a nacho bar.

But after pushback from the community and from council member Jimmy Stanford, the library decided it was best to change course.

The library posted on its Facebook page that “it was never our intention to be hateful or to teach teens to be hateful with this event. We were simply trying to find a fun, different way to celebrate this holiday with teens. As you may know some teens don’t like all the lovey dovey stuff that comes along with Valentines. Some teens aren’t in relationships and can feel like this holiday excludes them. We want to create an environment that welcomes all teens.”

The party is still going on from 5 pm. To 7 pm. Tuesday. It’s now called “Nacho Average Valentine party.”

Stanford did not return a voicemail and email seeking comment.

Deanna Phillips, a Burleson spokesperson, said the library’s original plan was to play non-romantic music and have teens make anti-love crafts.

Soon after the anti-Valentine event was posted, the city started getting criticism, Phillips said.

Phillips said people commented that the library should be teaching about love. “There were concerns about that.”

But when the library apologized and changed the anti-Valentine theme, parents and others who thought their teens would like a party without the hearts and romantic themes weighed in on Burleson Library page.

One person wrote, “This makes me so sad! I, the parent of a teen who doesn’t like the hearts and lace stuff, thought this event looked like a ton of fun for them.”

Another person commented that now her teen wouldn’t be going.

Some who commented also criticized Stanford. One person wrote: “Since you’re worried about tax dollars, I’ll cover the cost of the party if you’ll back off attacking the library staff and let them throw it the way they want.”

A Texas Watershed Steward workshop on water quality for the Village Creek – Lake Arlington watershed will be held on July 25 at the Russell Farm Art Center in Burleson.

The event will be presented by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board in cooperation with the Trinity River Authority of Texas and the City of Burleson.

The event will be from 12:30-4:30 p.m. at the art center, located at 405 W. County Road 714. Doors will open at noon with a lunch sponsored by the City of Burleson and the Trinity River Authority to those who register by end of day on July 21 or when capacity is reached.

The workshop is free and open to anyone interested in improving water quality in the region. Participants must preregister at https://tx.ag/TWSRegistration or by calling 979-862-4457. Additional meeting information will be provided after pre-registration is completed.

Light refreshments will be provided in addition to the lunch. Attendees will receive a copy of the Texas Watershed Steward Handbook and are eligible to earn a certificate of completion.

“This workshop is designed to help watershed residents learn about their water resources and how they may become involved in local watershed protection and management activities,” said Michael Kuitu, AgriLife Extension program specialist and coordinator for the Texas Watershed Steward program, Bryan-College Station.

The workshop will include a discussion on watershed systems and the types and sources of pollution that may be faced. A group discussion on community-driven watershed protection and management and an overview of water quality as it relates to local watershed management will follow.

The public is encouraged to attend and learn about water quality management and how they may become involved with maintaining the water quality of the Village Creek – Lake Arlington watershed through best management practices.

Three general CEUs are offered for Texas Department of Agriculture private pesticide applicator license holders, and two credits are offered for nutrient management specialists.

There will be four hours of continuing education units for the following professional disciplines, including soil and water management for certified crop advisers, professional engineers, certified teachers, professional geoscientists and certified floodplain managers. American Institute of Certified Planners are eligible for four certification maintenance and one law hours. The quantity of CEUs offered may vary for select disciplines.

Four CEUs are also offered for each of the following Texas Commission on Environmental Quality occupational licensees: wastewater system operators, public water system operators, on-site sewage facility installers and landscape irrigators.

For questions regarding professional continuing education afforded to attendees, contact Kuitu.

Funding for this effort is provided through a federal Clean Water Act Nonpoint Source Grant administered by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information on the Texas Watershed Steward program, contact Kuitu at 979-862-4457, michael.kuitu@ag.tamu.edu; or Justin Hale at 817-556-6370, justin.hale@ag.tamu.edu.

For more information on the Village Creek – Lake Arlington watershed, contact Heather Firn at 817-467-4343, firnha@trinityra.org.

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From stick horse races to two-step dancing, Burleson Area Chamber of Commerce’s Wild West Gala had entertainment deluxe.

The gala, which was held April 15 at Modeana, Texas, was the second annual event.

Chamber President Gabrina Daniels welcomed guests to the gala before handing the microphone over for award presentations.

Aaron Samuels with Tack Advisors sits on the board of directors and is a diplomat. As last year’s winner of the Marzie Bartee Chamber Volunteer of the Year Award, he presented this year’s winner.

“The Marzie Bartee Award is named after a very special lady who still resides here in Burleson,” he said. “Some of you may know her for her King Ranch Chicken. She coordinated several groups of people who cooked week after week, all year long, out of the kitchen at her church, First United Methodist.”

Bartee was publicly recognized for her efforts when she was named Citizen of the Year in 2008. Since then, the chamber has given an annual Marzie Bartee Chamber Volunteer Award.

Nominees this year included Dallas Owen, Barbara Black and Terri Perez-Turner.

“As we mentioned, the Marzie Bartee Volunteer Award goes to a chamber member who has gone above and beyond to ensure the success of the chamber in may areas,” Samuels said.

This year’s winner was Black, who taught third- through fifth-grade at Burleson ISD and has volunteered at Russell Farm Art Center for 11 years. In those 11 years, she served as a docent in the Historical Home, led story time in the garden and is a mentor to many who know her by her leadership and willingness to serve the community.

Sean Lemon, chief operating officer of Texas Health Huguley Hospital Fort Worth South, presented the ATHENA award.

The ATHENA Leadership Award is presented to an individual who has been nominated by community members and chosen by a non-partial committee of community leaders for her professional excellence, community service and for actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.

This year’s ATHENA award went to Mary Slaney, who serves on the chamber’s board of directors. She is a former event coordinator for the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life.

Slaney is also the chamber’s Former Director of First Impression. She was integral in the beginning of the Power of Heels in 2011.

The final award of the evening was for Citizen of the Year, which was presented by Burleson Economic Development Director Alex Philips, who was last year’s winner.

Nominees included Jennifer Woods with Harvest House, Max Price with First Financial Bank, Allison Gross with Wings of Hope Equitherapy, Misty Stasney with JM Family Wellness Center and Rhyan Anderson, First National Bank of Burleson.

This year’s winner was Woods, who has served as executive director for Harvest House since 2016.

Woods led the organization through the pandemic while increasing organizational revenue 500% over her tenure. In her time, Harvest House has served over 21,000 people with food, clothing and financial assistances.

The recently relocated Reale shop took it from a 1,700-square-foot space to a 10,000-square-foot space to allow growth and continued sustainability of the organization.

After the awards presentations it was time for the Pony Express Horse Races. Three rounds of four teams competed by rolling a dice and letting their teammates take their turn down the track.

After a final round, American National Bank walked away the winners.

BURLESON, Texas (CBSDFW.COM) - Burleson ISD is hoping to set an example for other North Texas districts.

Monday night, the district hired eight former law-enforcement officers with elite training and skills to protect their students and staff.

The school board unanimously approved the hires, placing the armed officers in elementary schools.

Following the Uvalde school shooting, Jessica Woods started thinking about her own children's safety and security in school.

"Having school-age children in elementary school right now.. it hit a little bit closer to home being in Texas," she said.

So far, she's been pleased with Burleson ISD's response. At Monday's school board meeting, district officials reported the district has successfully passed the state's security audit.

"They know a lot more about who is on campus and who is off campus," she said. "All the doors are locked."

"Making sure doors are locked, no question is a top priority, but we knew we had to take it a step further," Superintendent Bret Jimerson said.

Jimerson says at first, the board and administration considered arming elementary school teachers but then arrived at placing one armed school safety officer in each of the district's elementary campuses.

Together, these officers bring a combined 300 plus years of former law enforcement experience.

"Each one will be put on a teacher salary, on teacher pay scale with years of experience," he said. "Folks that want to be here, want to keep kids safe and live out a purpose."

Some officers will start as early as tomorrow.

"I think this is going to be a very mimicked program when other school districts and parents see the quality of people that have been hired," school safety officer Curtis Brannan said.

The goal is to have all of the officers at campuses in the next few weeks.

"They're trying to do anything in their power to keep our kids safe and we just need to be appreciative of that," Woods said. "I love that they're moving in the right direction."

Erin Jones

Raised in Richardson, Erin Jones is proud to call North Texas home. Her passion for journalism began in elementary school. For a 5th grade graduation memory book, she was asked what do you want to be when you grow up? She wrote journalist.

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BURLESON, TEXAS — Dallas-based developer Corsair Ventures has opened The Riley, a 178-unit multifamily complex in Burleson, a southern suburb of Fort Worth. Designed by HEDK Architects, The Riley offers studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom units with an average size of 880 square feet. Residences are furnished with stainless steel appliances, quartz or granite countertops and private balconies/patios. Amenities include a pool, fitness center, dog spa, wine bar, clubhouse/activity center, game room, coworking offices and package lockers. Rents start at roughly $1,250 per month for a studio apartment.

BUDA, TEXAS — Texas-based private equity firm SPI Advisory has acquired The Bradford, a 264-unit apartment community located in the southern Austin suburb of Buda. Built in 2010 as Trails at Buda Ranch, the property offers one-, two- and three-bedroom units, according to Apartments.com. Amenities include a pool, fitness center and outdoor grilling and dining stations. Patton Jones of Newmark represented the undisclosed seller in the transaction. SPI Advisory will undertake a light capital improvement program at the property. Fritz Waldvogel of Colliers Mortgage originated an undisclosed amount of Fannie Mae acquisition financing for the deal.

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IRVINE, CALIF. — Premier Workspaces has taken over a co-working location at 100 Spectrum Center Drive in the Irvine Spectrum area.

Formerly a Carr Workplaces, this 24,200-square-foot location offers ninth-floor views, 87 private offices, three serviced meeting rooms, an on-demand office and a common area lounge with on-site hospitality staff.

This latest transaction expands Premier Workspace’s footprint in Irvine to more than 233,000 square feet across 10 locations.

RIVERSIDE, CALIF. — Clarion Partners has provided a has provided a mezzanine loan that’s part of the acquisition financing package collateralized by an industrial building in Riverside.

An affiliate of Societe Generale arranged the $10 million mezzanine loan subordinate to a $70 million senior loan.

The Class A, 600,000-square-foot facility is fully leased and serves as the headquarters for a third-party logistics provider.

FLAGSTAFF, ARIZ. — Faris Lee Investments has arranged the $23.5 million sale of The Marketplace, a 268,000-square-foot shopping center in Flagstaff.

Tenants at the property include Petco, Best Buy, World Market, Marshall’s, Old Navy and Bealls Outlet.

Don MacLellan, Jeff Conover and Scott DeYoung of Faris Lee represented the seller, Macerich, in the all-cash transaction. A California-based 1031 investor purchased the property.