Jan. 30, 2022
This Week's News
Celebrate Build Garland Day: Friday, Feb. 11
Build Garland Day 2022 will be celebrated in a series of public events from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11.

City officials will cut the ribbon at Gale Fields Recreation Center at 9 a.m. The action will progress to the formal opening of the Dorfman Park playground, the Transportation Operations & Maintenance Facility, and finally, at 2 p.m., at the Garland Animal Shelter & Adoption Center.

Build Garland Day's format reflects the quick progress of the record $423.7 million bond program approved by voters in May 2019. The initial event in 2021 consisted mostly of groundbreakings. But the shovels will be left behind at Build Garland Day 2022 in favor of the celebration of completed projects. Learn more.
Mayor's Annual State of the City Address Available Online
Get on Garland's inside track to start off 2022!

Watch the video of the annual State of the City address to hear the latest from Mayor Scott LeMay.
COVID-19 Testing Site Opens in Garland
The Centers for Disease Control in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services has opened a drive-thru COVID-19 testing location at Johnson Stadium, 1029 E. Centerville Road.

Preregistration is preferred for anyone being tested, however drive-up registration is available. Register online at https://ineedacovid19test.com/Garland_TX_14603.html, by calling 800-635-8611 or by scanning or scan the QR code provided.

The site offers only the PCR test, not the rapid test. It is anticipated that test results will be ready within 24 to 36 hours. The site is open Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

For more information, call 800-635-8611 or email support@TrueNorth.com.
Sweetheart Dance Saturday, Feb. 5
Dads, granddads and uncles, experience a magical evening with your little sweetheart at this year's Sweetheart Dance, Saturday, Feb. 5, at The Atrium at the Granville Arts Center, 300 N. Fifth St.

The evening includes dinner, dancing, a professional 5x7 photo, and each little girl will receive a special gift.

Ages 3 to 7 dance from 5 to 7 p.m. Ages 8 to 15 dance from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. If you have a sweetheart in each age category, you may attend the dance of your choice.

Tickets may be purchased at any Garland recreation center through Friday, Feb. 4. For more information, please call 972-205-2772.
Typing Classes at the Central Library
Learn to type professionally! Beginning Feb. 3, the Central Library will offer typing classes for adults at 6:30 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of the month. Classes will be offered through April 21.

Registration is required and begins two weeks prior to each class. Space is limited. Register for the Feb. 3 class today!
Free Veggie Gardening Basics Class Feb. 26
Interested in gardening, but don't know where to start? Come learn from the best!

Jeff Raska with the Dallas County AgriLife Extension Office will teach this informative session about seed starting, garden types, soil amendments, seasonality, pest control and more. As an added bonus, tour the County's demonstration garden for inspiration!

The class will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, at the Texas A&M AgriLife Dallas County Extension Office, 715 Rowlett Road. The class will be held both indoors and outside, so please dress appropriately.

Class is limited to 50 attendees. Secure your spot and register today!
Free Water Box Meter Key to Turn Off the Water to Your Home
Did you know you can pick up a complimentary water meter box key from the Utility Customer Services Department at the Charles E. Duckworth building, located at 217 N. Fifth St.? Please note, only one key per customer account and only the account holder can request the complimentary key.

The City of Garland Water Utilities Department has made an instructional video to help homeowners locate and operate both their house shut off valve and their water meter shut off.

If you have any trouble or need assistance, call Water Operations at 972-205-3210.
COVID-19 Vaccines, Boosters Available at Garland's Public Health Clinic

You can get the COVID-19 vaccine or booster without an appointment at our Public Health Clinic, 206 Carver St., between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Public Health Clinic is a vaccine site, not a testing site. A list of testing sites, along with more resources, is available at GarlandTX.gov. Every home in the U.S. can now order four free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests at covidtests.gov.
Flu Shots Available at Garland's Public Health Clinic

Flu shots are available at the Garland Public Health Clinic, 206 Carver St., from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekdays for adults, children and seniors who are insured. Low-cost flu vaccines for uninsured children and adults are also available. 

Call 972-205-3370 for pricing and to learn what insurance plans are accepted. Learn more.
Events and Announcements
City Council Meetings
Jan. 31 and Feb. 1
The Garland City Council Work Session will begin at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 31. Regular Meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 1, at City Hall, 200 N. Fifth St.

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

In-person meetings have resumed, but you can continue to watch the meetings online. The virtual meeting link will be included in the individual meeting agenda. You may participate by telephone. Dial-in numbers will be posted with the virtual meeting information.

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

DART Extends Free Transit Rides Promotion Through Feb. 6
Dallas Area Rapid Transit has extended the free ride program for its new bus network through Sunday, Feb. 6. DART will also offer 50% off full-fare rides purchased with any contactless payment option Feb. 7-21. More information about DART's New Bus Network is available at DARTzoom.org.

Last Day to File for a Place on the May 7 Ballot
Feb. 18
Friday, Feb. 18, is the last day candidates may file for a place on the May 7 City of Garland General Election for City Council Districts 1, 2, 4 and 5. A candidate package is available on the City Secretary’s webpage under "Elections." Learn more at GarlandTX.gov. 
COVID-19 Updates
As of Monday, Jan. 24, the Garland Health Department has received reports of 8,224 active cases out of 53,643 confirmed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in Garland residents since the beginning of the pandemic, as well as 658 deaths. The City updates its posted case numbers each Monday.

The City of Garland and its community partners are facilitating access to recovery programs for Garland residents who have been impacted by COVID-19. Assistance is available for a variety of services, including financial assistance for housing, utilities, food and medical expenses, as well as workforce training and job placement services, and counseling and emergency shelter assistance.
Public & Media Relations
P.O. Box 469002 | Garland, Texas 75046