Mobile App Coming Soon
Peruse thousands of books online! The Grapevine Public Library has unveiled its new online catalog at bit.ly/2IXUPAT. Visit the online tutorial at bit.ly/3jlJJSS for tips on logging in to your account, searching for materials, viewing your barcode, and/or placing holds.
And, a new mobile app is coming soon - replacing the existing app with fantastic new features! Stay tuned for additional details coming soon.
Rainbow Challemge from (5yo) Grace in London!
Let’s Take Part In The Rainbow Challenge -
Thank you to those who have accepted the Rainbow Challenge from Grace in London, England! If you haven’t done so, color, paint or print a rainbow and place it in one of your front-facing windows of your home and share your photo below (please include your first name and the city you represent). If you tweet, use #BrighterDaysAhead. Grace has another message below. Let’s show England your rainbows, Texas! 🌈
WE HAVE BEEN RAINBOW CHALLENGED - 🌈
It seems we have been challenged by a brother/sister duo in London, England! Grace sent us this video challenging us Texans to put a rainbow in a front window of your home as a reminder that we are going to get through this - TOGETHER and that there’s always a rainbow after the storm.
Let's show Grace and her brother, Henry, how Texans come together and that we ACCEPT their challenge! Show us your rainbows (drawn, colored, painted of any size) by adding a photo (in the comments below) of you and your rainbow in a front-facing window of your home. Please include your first name, the city you live in, and a kind or encouraging comment. All ages welcome to participate!
Let's show Grace and Henry and ALL OF London, England our TEXAS 🌈 RAiNBOWS!
Let's turn Grapevine RED!
NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY® Is This Friday
This Friday, February 7 is National Wear RED Day to help raise awareness about cardiovascular disease - the leading cause of death in women.
Private message us photos of you and your family members wearing RED on Friday, February 7 and you may be featured in our Grapevine family (social media) photo album.
FACTS:
• About one in five heart attacks are silent — the damage is done, but the person is not aware of it.
• Someone in the US has a stroke about once every 40 seconds. Every four minutes, someone dies of a stroke.
• Heart disease is the #1 killer of all Americans, but 80% may be preventable through lifestyle changes!
Visit GorRedForWomen.org/ for additional information.
How The Magic of the Christmas Capital of Texas® Comes Together -
Have you ever wondered who transforms Historic Downtown Grapevine this time of year? And who takes care of the placement of the enormous Christmas decorations that find their spot for the tens of thousands of photos that are captured by an estimated 1.5 million visitors that experience our 40+ days of Christmas festivities in the Christmas Capital of Texas®?
From Main Street to Northwest Highway (and let's not forget North Pole Express), our very own Parks and Public Works employees create the Christmas magic that warms our hearts and makes us proud to call Grapevine home.
A small number of amazing city employees make all of this happen and are responsible for wrapping, hanging, and meticulously placing over one million LED lights throughout Historic Downtown. These same city employees also install all of the Christmas décor, including our 30' singing Christmas tree, the big red reindeer that proudly adorns the intersection of Main Street and Northwest Highway, dozens of delightfully decorated Christmas trees, several animated characters, and multiple photo-op spots within the merriest half-mile radius in all of North Texas! Visitors also enjoy nightly snowfall at the gazebo and around the singing snowmen (in a separate location).
Synchronized light shows are also programmed and choreographed by four talented city employees. Their talents are showcased all over the front of City Hall, Liberty Park, our 30' singing Christmas tree, and the singing snowmen. These tech wizards work behind the scenes to ensure the symphony of lights and music dance and perform perfectly each night.
On Monday, November 25, Mayor William D. Tate will flip-the-switch and officially illuminate all of Historic Downtown Grapevine. The merriment begins at 4pm. Visit GoGrapevine.com for full event details. Visit GrapevineTexasUSA.com to view our entire Christmas event calendar.
ROCKET FIZZ LAUNCHES NEW LOCATION IN GRAPEVINE -
Retro and novelty candy retailer Rocket Fizz is launching a new location in Historic Downtown Grapevine, bringing a taste of nostalgic treats, soda, and pop culture to the city’s historic Main Street. The store, which is located at 317 South Main Street will host its grand opening on Saturday, November 23 from 10am to 9pm. Enjoy soda tastings, taffy samples, and product giveaways!
Rocket Fizz, which originated in California, is a family-friendly retailer featuring something for people of all ages. The Grapevine store will offer more than 400 flavors of glass-bottled craft sodas made in the U.S.A., nearly 1,000 different types of candy, and an array of different varieties of taffy that will rekindle fond memories of the past for some and establish new favorites for others. The store will also offer a variety of specialty gifts and pop culture items.
Store manager, Doug Moore, who was born and raised in Grapevine and is returning to the area from Las Vegas after 40 years, says he hopes the Rocket Fizz in Grapevine adds to the joy people experience on Main Street.
GROW Bus Unveiling -
It was a monumental evening when the Grapevine Public Library's GROW (Grapevine Resources on Wheels) bus was unveiled at our Community Outreach Center, yesterday. Mayor William D. Tate, Mayor Pro Tem Darlene Freed, and other city leaders led the chant "Show Us The Bus" as children, families, and area educators excitedly watched our Grapevine Police Department motor officers escort the mobile library into view.
This all-new mobile library will make appearances throughout Grapevine on various dates, offering a variety of books and activities for children and adults. Look for our amazing library team and the GROW Bus throughout Grapevine. Readers are Leaders!
New (Enforceable) Speed Limits In Grapevine Lake Parks -
New (Enforceable) Speed Limits In Grapevine Lake Parks -
For the safety of all park patrons, children at play, trail runners/walkers, and cyclists, Grapevine City Council recently approved a new speed limit of 25 miles per hour for all Grapevine Lake Parks. This includes Rockledge Park, Acorn Woods, McPherson Slough, Oak Grove Park, Meadowmere Park, Katie’s Woods, and Lakeview Park.
This new speed limit is now in effect and is enforceable by the Grapevine Police Department.
Win A Stay-Cation At Hotel Vin -
Be the lucky winner of an overnight stay at Hotel Vin, a 120-room boutique hotel under the Marriott Autograph Collection - opening in the Summer of 2020 in Grapevine! Your overnight stay also includes breakfast for two and a $100 gift certificate for Harvest Hall. Simply share your opinion by taking a brief survey at bit.ly/2L1A9Xo. One lucky winner will be announced this October. Good luck!
Fairway Drive Reopened -
Fairway Drive Reopened -
Micro seal and restriping of Fairway Drive across the Grapevine Lake Dam are complete. Downstream embankment slope repairs are complete and the dam continues to function as intended, providing flood risk management, water supply, and recreation opportunities. Please observe all traffic laws and speed limits while using Fairway Drive. This time-lapse video (sped up) does not depict the actual speed limit this vehicle was traveling. The driver was traveling no faster than the posted speed limit.
ᑎOTIᑕE:The City of Grapevine will restrict all commercial truck traffic regardless of size or weight on Fairway Drive over the entire Grapevine Lake Dam.
ᗪᖇIᐯE ᔕᗩᖴEᒪY!
Walk of Fame -
Following her recent retirement, former Grapevine Public Library Director Janis Roberson was honored with a plaque on our Walk of Fame (located in front of City Hall) on Friday, May 31. While employed with the City, Janis dedicated 40 years of library services to thousands throughout our community and is also the first female to be recognized with a plaque on our Walk of Fame. Congratulations, Janis!
The City of Grapevine Has Officially CLOSED ALL LAKE PARKS AND BOAT RAMPS -
With the amount of rainfall the area has received in recent months, Grapevine Lake levels currently sit over 16 feet above normal pool and are projected to rise. As of today, Wednesday, May 22, all Grapevine Lake parks and boat ramps are officially closed until further notice.
Currently, there is no boat launch or pedestrian access to Grapevine Lake from the Grapevine side at this time due to the elevated lake levels, flooded areas, and danger of submerged structures and debris. In consideration of the health and safety of the general public, the City of Grapevine urges patrons to not attempt access or enter any Grapevine Lake parks until further notice. These areas are mainly inaccessible and considered dangerous. The parks and boat ramps will have posted signage confirming their official closure. Patrons found inside the parks will be considered trespassing. These closures will be in effect until further notice, including throughout the Memorial Day weekend. View the closures map at bit.ly/2VY2oNy.
Boaters should stay near the center of the lake, at least a 0.25 mile from the shoreline, to avoid danger or damage from submerged structures. Personal watercraft and paddlers should stay away from and off of all submerged and partially submerged structures. View the Grapevine Lake Hazards Map at bit.ly/2HxxeUr, This hazards map includes structures categorized as small, medium, and large to inform boaters on the water.
For the most up to date information regarding Grapevine Lake Park closures, visit GoGrapevine.com or contact the Parks and Recreation Administration at 817.410.3122. View the full media release at bit.ly/30FiZ7o.
Paycom Software Inc. Groundbreaking -
Paycom Software Inc. (“Paycom”) (NYSE:PAYC), a leading provider of comprehensive, cloud-based human capital management software, hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the all-new 150,000 square foot Texas Operations Center on Wednesday, April 10 at 4pm at 3489 State Highway 121, Grapevine.
The event included remarks from Mayor William D. Tate and Paycom’s founder and CEO, Chad Richison and entertainment by the Grapevine High School drumline. Construction will begin immediately with plans to complete the facility within the next two years. Paycom’s 14-acre campus in Grapevine will eventually house 1,000 well-paying jobs. View the full media release at bit.ly/2DcDizg
One Alarm Fire -
At approximately 3:06am, the Grapevine Fire Department responded to Baker's Ribs Grapevine (1720 N SH 26) for a reported structure fire. Upon arrival, responding companies found a large amount of smoke and fire coming out of the roof and several sides of the structure. Battalion 1 declared a working fire and confirmed the fire defensive. The fire was held to a one alarm but several additional companies were called to help relieve the crews on scene. Grapevine was assisted at the scene (or at our stations) by Coppell, Flower Mound, Southlake, Euless, Bedford, and Colleyville fire personnel.
No injuries were reported and the cause of the fire is unknown. The investigation is ongoing by the Grapevine Fire Marshal’s Office.
Kilwins - Now Open!
That incredible scent of hand-crafted confections is coming from Kilwins at 338 South Main Street! Stop in and enjoy their creamy Mackinac Island Fudge, "The Perfect" caramel apple, hand-crafted chocolate dipped pretzels, corns and brittles (prepared in traditional copper kettles), or Krispie treats. Since 1947, Kilwins provides authentic, in-store craftsmanship in a fun atmosphere.
Naughty & Nice!
Various Courts, Dispatch, and City Hall staff donned ugly sweaters in celebration of holiday fun! Are you able to locate the naughty and the nice in these images?
TEXRail BEGINS SERVICE IN GRAPEVINE ON 01.05.19!
TEXRail Officially Begins Service In Grapevine on 01.05.19!
It's Time to Train! We are so proud to be a part of Trinity Metro’s TEXRail project. This integral light rail system not only makes transportation a cinch, it also connects our communities. TEXRail is a new 27-mile commuter rail line that will extend from downtown Fort Worth, across northeast Tarrant County, through North Richland Hills and Grapevine, and into DFW International Airport’s Terminal B.
This line, which will begin service on January 5, 2019, is projected to serve more than 8,000 daily riders at nine stations by the end of the first year of operation. By 2035, nearly 14,000 riders are projected to ride the system. As a courtesy extended by Trinity Metro, everyone may ride the TEXRail route at no charge during the first two-weeks of operation.
Visit RideTrinityMetro.org/TEXRail to learn more about this impactful project. View schedules at RideTrinityMetro.org/TEXRail/Schedules/
Boat Ramp & Road Closures Due to High Water -
Due to heavy rains, the following City managed boat ramps and roads are now closed on Grapevine Lake:
- Sand Bass Point
- Trawick
- Dove Loop
- McPherson
- Lakeview
- Meadowmere
Katie’s Woods high water boat ramp is currently open.
Meadowmere Lane and the Minnow Loop area are closed. The Vineyards Campground & Cabins has ceased accepting any new reservations through December 31.
Grapevine Employees Wear PINK!
Several of our employees from the Grapevine Fire Department, our Service Center, and from City Hall wore pink today in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. We salute all the WARRIORS out there!
It's College Colors Day -
Tell us your favorite college! Representing Omaha, TCU, Arkansas, and OSU, are the college students pictured below - whose proud parents are employed with the City of Grapevine!
TODAY: Dine at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) on Tuesday, June 5 & Help Us Save Lives -
The Grapevine California Pizza Kitchen has teamed with the Grapevine Fire Department to benefit their Loan a Life Jacket Program. Dine at CPK in Grapevine, 1051 State Highway 114 on Tuesday, June 5 (today) and 20% of your food and beverage purchase will benefit the Loan a Life Jacket Program.
The Grapevine Fire Department implemented the Loan a Life Jacket program last summer, making life jackets available to those who visit Grapevine Lake without this life-saving tool. With every loanable jacket in use most every day last summer, the Fire Department has made life jackets in various children's and adult sizes available at the following boat ramp locations: Meadowmere, Lakeview, Oak Grove, Sand Bass, and Rockledge.
This program was implemented in efforts to educate and prevent loss of life and is in memory of James McKenzie, a Grapevine Firefighter who was enjoying a day at Grapevine Lake with his family and tragically drowned in July of 2016. Each of the City managed boat ramps in the aforementioned has a life jacket station/tree with life jackets for children and adults. These life jackets are to be borrowed and worn while on, in, or near Grapevine Lake - and returned before leaving the boat ramp area(s). BORROW.SURVIVE.RETURN
BIG NEWS: THE TRADE GROUP® Relocating Their Global Headquarters to GRAPEVINE, TEXAS -
The Grapevine City Council proudly announces that THE TRADE GROUP® will be relocating their global headquarters to Grapevine, Texas and will be celebrating with a groundbreaking celebration scheduled for Friday, June 8 at 10:30 a.m. at 2060 Enchanted Way, Grapevine.
THE TRADE GROUP® has made the Inc. 5000 list of fastest growing private companies for the past four years and is one of the nation’s leading event marketing and creative design firms. Since 1986, their team of live event, design and engineering experts have helped thousands of clients amplify their brands and successfully navigate a wide range of events and experiences. Clients rely on THE TRADE GROUP® for: event ideation, creation and production; eSports expertise; exhibit design and fabrication; graphic design and production; strategic marketing solutions; technology integration and more.
Established in January of 1986, THE TRADE GROUP® has grown their award-winning company to a staff of more than 150. The new global headquarters is projected to be a two-story, 200,000 square foot, state-of-the-art facility, adding 80,000 square feet to their current one level 120,000 square foot facility. The new facility will be designed with the bottom level reserved for graphics production, fabrication, and warehouse space, and all offices placed on the top level. Their new Grapevine headquarters will also boast an on-site café offering their employees the convenience of healthy in-house dining options. Additionally, several casual meeting spaces will be added, allowing teams to work together collaboratively.
THE TRADE GROUP® has serviced some of the world’s most prominent clients, such as Facebook, Twitch.tv, Google Home, Mavs Gaming, PepsiCo, Ubisoft, Fidelis Cybersecurities, ONKYO, G6 Hospitality (Motel 6 parent company), Dallas Envy, Walt Disney, Xbox, Warner Brothers, Community Coffee, Yahoo, RIOT Games/League of Legends
Dine at California Pizza Kitchen (CPK) on Tuesday, June 5 -
The Grapevine California Pizza Kitchen has teamed with the Grapevine Fire Department to benefit their Loan a Life Jacket Program. Dine at CPK in Grapevine, 1051 State Highway 114 on Tuesday, June 5 and 20% of your food and beverage purchase will benefit the Loan a Life Jacket Program.
The Grapevine Fire Department implemented the Loan a Life Jacket program last summer, making life jackets available to those who visit Grapevine Lake without this life-saving tool. With every loanable jacket in use most every day last summer, the Fire Department has made life jackets in various children's and adult sizes available at the following boat ramp locations: Meadowmere, Lakeview, Oak Grove, Sand Bass, and Rockledge.
This program was implemented in efforts to educate and prevent loss of life and is in memory of James McKenzie, a Grapevine Firefighter who was enjoying a day at Grapevine Lake with his family and tragically drowned in July of 2016. Each of the City managed boat ramps in the aforementioned has a life jacket station/tree with life jackets for children and adults. These life jackets are to be borrowed and worn while on, in, or near Grapevine Lake - and returned before leaving the boat ramp area(s). BORROW.SURVIVE.RETURN
Grapevine WINS Silver Fleet Award -
The City of Grapevine’s fleet was recognized with a Silver Award for participating in the DFW Clean Cities partnership in 2017 for using alternative fuel vehicles and advanced technology vehicles within its fleet. DFW Clean Cities is a program of the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the Regional Transportation Council.
The City of Grapevine was awarded the Bronze in 2016 and improved to a Silver level due to collective efforts of using alternative fuel vehicles, reducing fuel usage and by following an anti-idling policy that the City has adopted. Grapevine fleet vehicles used more than 155,000 gallons of the alternative fuel, E-85 in 2017, reducing diesel and unleaded consumption by over 60,000 gallons.
The City of Grapevine continues to purchase E-85 vehicles, Hybrid vehicles and clean diesel vehicles when it is time to replace older and less fuel efficient vehicles and equipment. The City also uses methods such as telematics to monitor vehicles idling times and drivers driving habits as well as vehicle fuel consumption through daily reports provided by our technology advanced fuel management system. The City has also started using independent power units on service trucks which does not require the truck to be running to provide air, hydraulics and electricity for power tool use, conserving fuel and reducing vehicle engine wear.
Attached are photos of our fleet team, one of our Hybrid Ford Escape vehicles, and a Hybrid Ford C-Max. Our fleet also consists of Hybrid Chevrolet Malibu’s and over 120 of our vehicles are designated E-85 vehicles. And 90% of our heavy trucks and excavation equipment are certified clean diesels. The majority of our fleet uses E-85 or certified clean diesel engines.
The Grapevine team is working towards a Greener, Cleaner Grapevine!
TxDOT & NorthGate Constructors OPEN New Direct Connectors Seven Months Ahead of Schedule -
This morning, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), NorthGate Constructors and the City of Grapevine hosted a ribbon cutting in celebration of the SH 121/360 Interchange project. Completed seven months ahead of schedule, this $61 million project added new direct connectors for SH 114, SH 121 and SH 360 to minimize weaving, reduce congestion and improve safety in the area.
The SH 121/360 Interchange was the first Texas Clear Lanes project to start construction, part of an overall $3.8 billion congestion relief initiative provided by Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Legislature to reduce gridlock in some of the state’s most congested areas.
In 2016, Governor Abbott called on the Texas Transportation Commission to develop a focused initiative to address the most congested choke points in Texas.
The SH 121/360 Interchange improvements were included in the original $1.6 billion DFW Connector project, but funds were not available at that time to deliver the entire scope. When congestion funding became available for these improvements in February 2016, TxDOT and NorthGate negotiated a plan to rebuild this portion of the original project.
For information on how TxDOT and local partners are further addressing congestion, visit TexasClearLanes.com. For information about construction of the DFW Connector, including all current and upcoming lane closures, visit DFWConnector.com, or call 877.411.4212.
Drive safely, Grapevine!
Gaylord Texan Resort Prepares to Open VINEYARD TOWER -
The sprawling Gaylord Texan Hotel/Resort is preparing to open the doors of its latest addition, the all-new Vineyard Tower, in the beginning of May. The $120M project was completed by property owners Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. (NYSE:RHP), a lodging real estate investment trust (“REIT”) specializing in group-oriented, destination hotel assets in urban and resort markets.
An addition to the existing resort property, the Vineyard Tower offers a contemporary take on the existing Gaylord Texan design. It adds 303 guest rooms to the resort’s current 1,511 room inventory and it also includes 86,000 square feet of carpeted meeting space, bringing Gaylord Texan’s total meeting space to approximately 490,000 square feet. Once complete, Gaylord Texan Resort will be the third largest non-gaming convention/meetings hotel in the United States as measured by total self-contained exhibit and meeting space.
Rustic and refined, the first floor of the Vineyard Tower will welcome guests with a dedicated main driveway and outdoor garden terrace. Inside, the tower will feature 30,000 square feet of carpeted breakout space, generous pre-function space that is open to the second floor, and a corridor to the existing portion of the resort.
On the second floor, the tower will feature expansive pre-function space as well as another large outdoor terrace overlooking the shores of magnificent Lake Grapevine. The second floor will also house the new 30,000-square-foot Tate Ballroom, named in honor of Grapevine’s Mayor William D. Tate.
The Grapevine Fire Department hosted their annual awards banquet this past weekend honoring numerous personnel for their accomplishments in 2017.
The following Fire personnel were recognized:
- Administrative Employee of the Year was awarded to Fire Inspector/Investigator Mark Mertens.
- Captain Sheli Pugach was awarded Officer of the Year.
- Brad Feldpausch took home Driver/Engineer of the Year.
- Caleb Melton claimed Firefighter of the Year.
- Caleb Conder was named the department’s Rookie of the Year.
- Firefighter/Paramedic John Netterville was honored with Paramedic of the Year and the Medical Director’s award for Paramedics.
Grapevine Main Groundbreaking -
Mayor William D. Tate, City Council and representatives from TEXRail, Coury Hospitality, Manhattan Construction, Architexas and other City of Grapevine stakeholders took part in the ground breaking of "Grapevine Main", a $105 million dollar public/private sector transit-oriented development project. Grapevine Main, located at the intersection of Main Street and Dallas Road in Historic Downtown Grapevine, will consist of a 38,000 square-foot expansive outdoor Plaza; a 42,000 square-foot, five-story Rail Station; and Hotel Vin, a six-story, 121 room boutique hotel, all supported by a 552-space parking garage.
TEX Rail is a 27-mile commuter rail project being developed by the Fort Worth Transportation Authority (The T) and will be the next passenger rail service coming to Tarrant County. The opening commuter rail line, or initial service section, will extend from downtown Fort Worth, and continue through North Richland Hills and Grapevine to the northern entrance of Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (Terminal B). TEXRail will be fully operational by December of 2018 and Hotel Vin is scheduled to open in late 2019.
PAWS by Reading Families -
Attention animal loving readers! Back by popular demand - The staff (and their furry friends) from the Grapevine Animal Shelter and Adoption Center are partnering with the Grapevine Public Library on Monday, March 12 at 10:30am to learn about dog safety, how to greet a dog, and how to prevent dog bites. Ms. Rae from the Grapevine Public Library will be leading the reading!
Due to space limitations at the animal shelter and in an effort to allow more children to attend, this event will be hosted at the Grapevine Service Center, 501 Shady Brook Drive (across the street from the Animal Shelter). Parking will be available in the Animal Shelter parking lot. After the event, everyone is welcome to come and meet all of the adoptable shelter animals.
This fun and educational event is a great way to kick-off Spring Break! To register your spot(s) for this event, please email Kristina at [email protected] with the first name(s) and age of attending child(ren). Space is limited.
