It’s time to dust off your bats and gloves as the Flower Mound Parks and Recreation Department will offer three Spring Softball leagues at Gerault Park beginning on March 5. The men’s, church, and co-ed leagues will consist of an eight-game regular season followed by a postseason tournament. Registration begins for returning teams from 7 to 8 p.m. and for new teams from 8 to 9 p.m. on February 16 at the Parks and Recreation office, 3925 Churchill Drive. Entries, which can be received until February 24, carry a $350 per team fee that is due up front. For more information, call 972.874.6271.

Posted January 30, 2006

The Master Plan Steering Committee will host open forums throughout February to provide the committee with an opportunity to solicit feedback from Flower Mound residents and stakeholders regarding the upcoming Master Plan update and provide the community with an open dialogue in which to submit questions, suggestions, and concerns. The forums are scheduled for 6:30 – 9 p.m. on February 2, 9, 16, and 23 at the Flower Mound Library, 3030 Broadmoor Lane.

The Master Plan is an important policy tool that sets a vision for the orderly growth and development of the Town and provides the framework for many of Flower Mound’s governing policies, specifically zoning regulations. The current Master Plan was adopted in 2001 and is scheduled to be updated this year. The proposal is not to rewrite the plan, but to update it to reflect the community’s current needs and issues.

Scheduled to take up to 18 months, the update process will include stakeholder and community meetings hosted by the Steering Committee, public hearings before the Planning and Zoning Commission and the Town Council, and a formal adoption. For more information, visit here, email masterplan@flower-mound.com, or call 972.874.6350.

Posted January 30, 2006

The Flower Mound Public Library recently received a $1,500 Alibris for Libraries Collection Award that will help support the "Sit! Stay!! Read!!!" program. The program pairs students with Animal Assisted Therapy certified dogs and owners in an effort to help children gain confidence in reading aloud. The children, who are recommended to the program through their elementary school, participate each week in a reading session with dogs and owners. The dogs and owners are graduates of a training program certified by the Delta Society, a national organization dedicated to improving human life through service and therapy animals.

The grant will be used to purchase books with stories that feature dogs, as well as informational books on dogs. Although the books are aimed at the SSR program, they will be added to the regular library collection, and may be checked out by any customer. Alibris, a used and out-of-print books vendor, selected the Library in a competitive process after deeming the SSR program "innovative and interesting." For more information, call 972.874.6153.

Posted January 30, 2006

Treat your loved one or significant other to a little intrigue this Valentine’s Day courtesy of the Friends of the Flower Mound Library’s Murder Mystery Dinner. “When You Kill Upon a Star” is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on February 11 at Celebrations, 2380 FM 407. The show will feature Flower Mound Mayor Jody Smith, as well as other prominent area government and business leaders, as stars Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, and Jimi Hendrix in an interactive whodunit performance.

The cost is $50 per person, which includes food provided by The Village Grill. Adult beverages will be available with a $10 donation to the Friends of the Flower Mound Library. Corporate tables, which include the cost of the dinner, play, and adult drinks, are available for parties of 10. The Teen Center at Highland Village, directly behind Celebrations, will provide babysitting for the evening at a cost of $15 per child. The Friends, a volunteer support group, has set a goal of raising $20,000 for the Library in 2006. For more information, call Bill Collins or Johanna Skiles, 972.539.4042.

Posted January 30, 2006

The Flower Mound Public Library will host “Secrets from the Employer’s Side of the Desk”, a free job search seminar, at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 11 at the Library, 3030 Broadmoor Lane. Presented by Barbara Cervantes, a Dallas-based human resources manager, the lecture will provide several job searching tips including résumé writing, preparing for an interview, and ways to stand out from other candidates. For more information or to register, call 972.874.6165.

Posted January 25, 2006

Flower Mound Animal Services will offer the chance to celebrate your beloved companion with Valentine Pictures With Your Pets from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. February 9-11 at the Animal Adoption Center, 3950 Justin Road. Four by six prints will be available shortly after they are taken at a cost of $5.

All proceeds will go to the Adoption Center’s Medical Fund, which helps fund vaccinations, surgeries, supplies, and injury treatments. All dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a pet carrier. For more information, call 972.874.6390.

Posted January 24, 2006

The Master Plan Steering Committee will hold its first meeting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, January 26 at Town Hall, 2121 Cross Timbers. The introductory meeting, which is open to the public, will include an outline of the process to update the Master Plan, a brief presentation on the key issues facing the committee, and the coordination of future meetings. The committee consists of various board and commission members, city staff, and residents.

Posted January 24, 2006

In order to safely remove the overhead electric lines at the intersection of FM 3040 and Gerault Road and reinstall them underground, TXU will be required to initiate a brief power outage in a limited area on January 26. The outage will last approximately four hours and could affect customers in the Shadow Ridge 1 addition on Strait Lane, Trail Ridge, Bar Harbor, and Shadow Wood Lane.

Posted January 23, 2006

The 13th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day event, entitled “A Global Village,” attracted a record crowd of more than 400 people to Flower Mound High School on January 14. The night included recognition of winning art and essay contest entries from Lewisville ISD middle and high school students, a keynote address by Flower Mound Mayor Jody Smith, and performances by the Westside Baptist Church Choir, the Lewisville High School Step Team, and Flower Mound High School student Jordan Brodess. The event was sponsored in part by the Town of Flower Mound.

Members of the Westside Baptist Church Choir, directed by Dr. Patrick Bradley, open the night with a performance.	More than 400 people attended the event.
Flower Mound High School senior Jordan Brodess performs a Human Video set to Dr. King’s “I have a dream” speech.	Lewisville ISD middle school students receive award certificates from Martin Luther King, Jr. organizing committee chairman Dr. Fariborz Davoodi.
Lewisville ISD high school students are recognized with awards for their art and essay contest entries.	The Lewisville High School Step Team closes the night’s performances.

Posted January 18, 2006

Police work doesn’t have to be a mystery. This spring, the Citizen Police Academy will explore the inner workings of the Flower Mound Police Department during a free, 12-week course. Classes will meet every Thursday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. and two Saturday’s from 9 to 11:30 a.m. from March 2 through May 11 at the Police Department, 4150 Kirkpatrick Lane.

The course provides informational and hands-on experience of law enforcement and its practices, such as recruitment and personnel, training, narcotics, firearms, K-9, School Resource Officers, SWAT, and the Patrol, Criminal Investigation, and Traffic divisions. Upon completion, participants will be eligible to join the Flower Mound Police Department Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association, which holds activities with and for the Police Department throughout the year.

Applications are available at the Police Station, 4150 Kirkpatrick Lane, or here. Applications are due by February 17. Applicants must meet certain criteria and complete the necessary application and release forms, and will be subject to a criminal history and background check. For more information, please contact 972.874.3304 or flowermoundcpa@flower-mound.com.

Posted January 25, 2006

In times of disaster, the situation can easily become overwhelming for both the victims and the emergency response personnel. Residents can learn how to efficiently react to crisis situations and become qualified to support first responders in combating major disasters by enrolling in the Fire Department’s Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program. The free, eight-week course will be held from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. on Tuesday evenings from February 21 through April 11 at Central Fire Station, 3838 Forums Drive.

The course will educate participants in a classroom setting as well as with hands-on training on the topics of disaster preparedness, fire safety, disaster medical operation, search and rescue, disaster psychology, and terrorism. The final class will consist of a live exercise that encompasses every skill taught during the course. In addition, participants will learn to assist with non-emergency projects that enhance community safety, such as conducting traffic control during special events. Upon completion of the program, CERT members could be called upon to actively assist emergency response personnel if a major disaster occurs in Flower Mound or the North Texas Region

The Fire Department has planned three CERT courses for 2006. The program is part of the Citizen Corps Council initiative funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). For more information or to register, please contact Karen Skordinski at 972.874.6209 or Karen.Skordinski@flower-mound.com or Ken MacInnes at 972.874.6265 or Ken.Macinnes@flower-mound.com. For more information on CERT, visit www.citizencorps.gov/programs.

Posted January 6, 2005

The Seniors In Motion will strap on their boots and cowboy hats for a visit to the Fort Worth Rodeo from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on January 30. The trip will include a visit to the exhibit buildings, lunch at the Round Up Inn Food Court, and the rodeo. Transportation will be provided from the Flower Mound Community Church at 10 a.m. The cost is $19 per person, which does not include lunch. Reservations must be made in advance by calling 972.874.6275.

Posted January 6, 2006

Youth ages 16 and younger are invited to participate in this free event from 9 a.m. to noon on January 28 at Rheudasil Park Pond, 2401 Lake Forest Boulevard. Rheudasil Pond will be stocked with more than 1,000 rainbow trout. Prizes will be awarded in several age categories for the largest fish. Children can participate in KIDFISH College, which teaches fishing, conservation, and respect for other anglers. “Graduates” will receive a “Bachelor of Angling” degree and are then allowed to fish. Participants are encouraged to bring their own equipment. Bait, tackle, and loaner rods and reels will be available if needed. Participants may choose to collect sponsorships prior to the event. All proceeds benefit the KIDFISH Foundation. Prizes, such as bass trophies, medals, caps, T-shirts, and Zebco 33 Rod & Reel Combos are awarded for accomplishing different sponsorship levels. Anglers will need the Freshwater Fishing Stamp, which is included in all freshwater license packages. Anglers under 17 years of age are not required to have a license and don't need to purchase a stamp. Rheudasil Pond is regulated by Texas Parks & Wildlife Game Wardens. For more information, call 972.874.6276.

Posted January 6, 2006

The Flower Mound Public Library will host a Virtual Research Workshop at 7 p.m. on January 24 at the Library, 3030 Broadmoor Lane. The free workshop will provide information on how to use a library card to discover the “hidden web” and locate information that can’t be found by searching Google. Participants can also learn how to access business, genealogy, and health information, as well as newspaper, magazine, and encyclopedia articles. For more information or to register, call 972.874.6165.

Posted January 6, 2006

Flower Mound recently formed a Steering Committee charged with assessing and updating the Master Plan. The Town’s Master Plan was last updated in 2001. The Steering Committee will focus its work on senior housing, economic development in the Denton Creek and Lakeside Business Districts, and infill development. The committee will consist of chairmen from various boards and commissions, city staff, and residents.

Posted January 6, 2006

The Flower Mound Public Library recently received a $15,000 Verizon Foundation Grant that will fund the Computer Literacy for Life program. The program provides basic computer classes for residents with limited computer experience. Flower Mound was awarded the grant based on a proposal that advances e-literacy skills. For more information, call 972.874.6151.

Posted January 6, 2006

Keep Flower Mound Beautiful will hold free Master Composter Classes February 23-25 at the Flower Mound Central Fire Station, 3838 Forums Drive. Participants will learn the benefits of reducing approximately 70% of their “trash” from the waste stream and reusing it by recycling it into compost material. All three classes must be attended and additional hours must be completed in order to obtain the Master Composter Certification. Participants will receive free refreshments, class materials, and a Keep Flower Mound Beautiful T-shirt. Pre-registration is required; space is limited. For more information, call 972.874.6333. Click here to register.

Posted January 4, 2006

Please click here.

Posted January 4, 2006

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, Flower Mound Town offices and the Library will be closed Monday, January 16. Police and Fire Emergency Services will remain in operation. Allied Waste Services’ trash pick-up schedule will not be affected.

Posted January 4, 2006

Join the celebration of the 13th annual Martin Luther King, Jr., Day event at 6:45 p.m. on January 14 at Flower Mound High School, 3411 Peters Colony. Entitled “A Global Village,” this year’s event will include recognition of the winning art and essay contest entries, performances by the Westside Baptist Church Choir, the Lewisville High School Step Team, Flower Mound High School student Jordan Brodess, and a welcoming statement by Flower Mound Mayor Jody Smith. The event is sponsored in part by the Town of Flower Mound. For more information, call 972.874.6079. Click here to view the event poster.

Posted January 4, 2006