Nov. 12, 2023

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Mistie Gardner Promoted to Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives

Mistie Gardner has recently been promoted to Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives.

In this role she will continue to provide leadership to the Emergency Management, Public Health and Environmental Health departments, in addition to dedicating considerable time to organization-wide initiatives.

Gardner previously served as Director of Operations and Emergency Management, overseeing the Office of Emergency Management in addition to the Environmental Health and Public Health departments. 

Gardner was recognized in 2022 as Garland’s Public Servant of the Year. She received the 2022 Who’s Who in America’s Neighborhoods award in the governmental category for her extraordinary efforts and involvement during the COVID-19 crisis as well as during Winter Storm Uri.

Ready, set, shop! Downtown Garland is your one-stop-shop for the holidays!

Explore Downtown and Discover Fun with Your Downtown Passport

Embark on a journey through Downtown Garland! Pick up a free Downtown Garland Passport at the Garland Visitor Center, 501 W. State St.

On Saturdays, present your passport at participating Downtown businesses when you make a purchase to receive a stamp. At the end of the month, turn in your completed passport to the Visitor Center. Each stamp you collect counts as an entry into a drawing for a gift from the featured business of the month.

Small Business Saturday, Nov. 25

The kickoff to Garland’s holiday season is Small Business Saturday! From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, Nov. 25, participating merchants will offer limited-edition ornaments with purchases.

Check in outside the Garland Visitor Center at 501 W. State St. for a complimentary cup of warm wassail, a special holiday ornament and a ticket to redeem at a Downtown business.

Redeemed tickets will be entered into a holiday basket raffle, hosted by the Garland Chamber of Commerce.

A Garland Christmas on the Square Thursday, Dec. 7

Mark your calendars! After a two-year hiatus because of Downtown construction, Christmas on the Square will return to the Square at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, with music, kids’ activities, food and, of course, the traditional lighting of the Garland tree.

Also check out Magical Candlelight Christmas-town 2023 from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 7, hosted by Friends of Garland's Historic Magic 11th Street.

For more holiday events in Garland, head to VisitGarlandTX.com.

Mystery Book Club at Walnut Creek Branch Library Thursday, Nov. 30

This adult book club for lovers of mysteries and thrillers will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at the Walnut Creek Branch Library, 3319 Edgewood Drive.

The November book selection is "Mad Honey" by Jodi Picoult.

No registration required. Light refreshments will be served. Call 972-205-2585 for more information.

Garland Police Boxing Gym: Road to the Olympics

Check out the fantastic things happening at our Garland Police Boxing Gym. We have two amazing kids on the road to the Olympics!

Alex Espinoza and Adriana Aviles are working toward the highest level. Watch the video and help us cheer them on!

Garland Earns State Video Awards

The City of Garland earned 14 awards during the annual Texas Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors conference in early November in Dallas.

Garland received awards in 12 categories, including three first-place trophies, one second-place award, three third-place awards and seven honorable mentions. Learn more.

Garland Animal Shelter Takes Fast Track to Heartworm Treatment

The Garland Animal Shelter & Adoption Center has paired with Friends of Rescue Animals in a groundbreaking heartworm treatment initiative program.

Shelter dogs who test positive for heartworms are given an injection of the FDA-approved medication Diroban, followed by another dose some 30 days later.

Diroban is expensive – a $493 box treats 200 pounds worth of animal, according to shelter veterinarian Dr. Alison Jennart. But in the weeks since the program’s rollout, 35 to 40 of the shelter’s dogs have been treated at no cost to the City. That’s because of a partner organization that is very in tune with the issue. Learn more.

Garland in the News

Celebrating culture, community and the people who have impacted our lives, CBS 11 featured the City of Garland’s Día de los Muertos event last week. Watch the news coverage.

In case you missed it, the City recently posted video of Elle Davis’ inspirational delivery of “Why Art Must Be Here” at the Downtown Square Grand Opening on Facebook. You can also see a photo gallery from the event on Visit Garland’s blog.

City Council Meetings

Nov. 13 and 14

The Garland City Council Work Session will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13. Regular Meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, at City Hall, 200 N. Fifth St. 

You can watch the meetings online. Closed captioning is available in English and Spanish.

Plan Commission

Nov. 13

The Garland Plan Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13, at City Hall, 200 N. Fifth St.

All upcoming Boards & Commissions meetings can be found on the Public Meetings calendar at GarlandTX.gov.

View agendas at GarlandTX.gov and be sure to click the "subscribe" button to receive notifications when meeting agendas are posted.

Districts 3 and 5 Storm Drainage Open House

Nov. 28

Meet with District 3 Council Member Ed Moore, District 5 Council Member Margaret Lucht and City staff to learn about three drainage improvement projects in the 2019 Bond Program. Share your thoughts and ask questions during this come-and-go event from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28, at The Atrium, 300 N. Fifth St.

District 5 Town Hall

Nov. 30

Join District 5 Council Member Margaret Lucht for district and City of Garland updates at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, at the South Garland Library, 4845 Broadway Blvd. There will be presentations by Animal Services, Police, Code Compliance and the parking Marshals. There will also be an eAssist demonstration followed by a Q&A session. Submit questions for the Q&A to Council5@GarlandTX.gov or call or text 469-264-3556.