CASA of Tarrant County is excited to announce Denee Borchardt, Program Director for CASA of Tarrant County, has been named as the recipient of the prestigious Liberty Bell Award 2023 by the Tarrant County Bar Association.  She was recognized at the Tarrant County Law Day 2023 “Cornerstones of Democracy”  luncheon on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at the Hilton Fort Worth. Past recipients of this award include Opal Lee,  “Grandmother of Juneteenth,” American retired teacher and activist, in 2022, and Pamela Young, Lead Criminal Justice Organizer for United Fort Worth, in 2021. 

The Liberty Bell Award is presented to an individual who is a non-lawyer significantly engaged in community service that promotes a better understanding of government, especially the Bill of Rights. The awardee must encourage greater respect for the law and the courts, while stimulating a deeper sense of individual responsibility so that citizens recognize their duties and their rights. This individual also contributes to the effective functioning of our institutions of government and instills a better understanding and appreciation of the law.

Borchardt joined CASA of Tarrant County in 2016 after spending 13 years with Child Protective Services, investigating and supervising child abuse and neglect cases. As its Program Director, Borchardt works closely with many different local stakeholders including Our Community Our Kids, Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, and the judicial system. Ultimately, she works tirelessly to ensure families and children receive the most appropriate support during the most difficult time in their lives.  

“I can honestly say that she is one of the hardest-working and most supportive members of the child welfare system in North Texas,” said Dwayne Smith, CASA of Tarrant County, Board Member.  “As the program director for CASA, we’ve grown over 100% in terms of revenue in less than five years, seen to it that our advocates were able to provide their services to children in the foster care system through the COVID pandemic, and continues to work steadily towards achieving our goal of providing a CASA to every child in need in Tarrant County,” Smith continued. 

To learn more about CASA of Tarrant County, the services provided by CASA, or volunteering for CASA (volunteer child welfare advocate),visit SpeakUpForAChild.org.

###

About CASA of Tarrant County

CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of Tarrant County is an organization of volunteer advocates who stand up on behalf of abused and neglected children because they want them to have a future brighter, more hopeful than their past. Tarrant County has the third-highest confirmed number of cases of abuse and neglect in Texas. From helping siblings find permanent placement together, to finding a child a stable home with a relative, to uncovering positive information that helps a loving family reunite, to something as simple but yet important to that child as ensuring that their shoes are not too tight for their feet, volunteer Advocates make incredible differences in the lives of children. Currently CASA of Tarrant County has more than 400 active volunteers who come from all walks of life, however, there are still about 500 kids each year who are left waiting for a CASA, because there aren’t enough volunteers to meet the demands of the child welfare system. Visit SpeakUpForAChild.org to learn more and sign up to make a difference in a child’s future.  

Arlington, Texas is legendary for being the destination for fun at world-renowned attractions, and when it comes to the holidays, in true American Dream City fashion, the city lights up with unique events and activities that will create beautiful memories to last a lifetime. From strolling through its German month-long holiday celebration Texas Christkindl Market, admiring the floats at the annual community-driven Arlington Parade of Lights, admiring the beautiful Christmas décor drive through historical Interlochen Lights, or enjoying the thrills of Holiday in the Park, Arlington has something for everyone to enjoy.

In its sixth year, the Texas Christkindl Market is one of the largest open-air holiday markets in the Southwest.  Inspired by a cherished German tradition, this free, family-friendly market features a unique shopping experience for holiday gifts, decorations, and unique one-of-a-kind finds.  Guests can shop for traditional handcrafted gifts and collectibles straight from Germany including exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt  merchandise and designs from the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village. Indulging in authentic German treats and eats while enjoying festive music and entertainment throughout the Market is always a crowd pleaser.  Several new features including Peppermint Park and a 200 ft. long Artic Blast Tubing Run have been added this year to make it a destination guests will continue to enjoy throughout the entire event, Nov. 25 – Dec. 23, 2016.

SPECIAL EVENTS NOT TO MISS AT THE TEXAS CHRISTKINDL MARKET

Opening Ceremonies - Nov. 25 at 7 pm

Kicking off the 2016 Market, the community is invited to welcome the beautiful Christkindl Angel at the Opening Ceremonies on Nov. 25. The angelic namesake of the event, the Christkind opens the market, sharing German holiday traditions and stories. Special guests join the Angel as she lights up the Christmas tree and opens the Market for a successful 29 days.

Children’s Lantern Parade - Dec. 7 at 7 pm

One of the event’s most cherished activities is the Children’s Lantern Parade. According to the legend, the parade recognizes the generosity of St. Martin, a 4^th century Roman soldier who one late, freezing cold evening was approached by a poor, scantily clothed beggar. Martin, who had nothing to give to the man, tore his military cloak in half to share with the man to shield him from the cold. Paying homage to his pure act of selflessness and work on the behalf of the poor, children light lanterns in the late evenings in search of St. Martin and a chance to catch a glimpse of the giving man. Children are invited to participate in this activity, but reservations are extremely limited. // Cost: $25 per child and includes souvenir lantern and photo with the Christkindl Angel. Visit website to make reservation.

(NEW) Arctic Blast Tubing Run - Open Daily

New to Christkindl this year, the Arctic Blast Tubing Run is an amazing tubing attraction with a 200-ft.-long track that replicates a tube ride in the snow. The Artic Tubing run uses state of the art snow technology to create “the closest thing you’ll find to snow in DFW,” according to Southern Star Events spokeswoman Joe Horan and Texas Christkindl Market is the only place in the Lone Star State where guests can experience it!

(NEW) Peppermint Park – Open Weekends (Friday—Sunday) until Dec 12 and Daily Dec. 16—Dec. 23.

Several new elements have been added to this year’s Texas Christkindl Market to make it an even more memorable experience – especially for the kids. Peppermint Park is a new holiday children’s attraction featuring several children activities, winter carnival games, kid crafts, puppet shows and even a holiday-themed train ride sure to make your little elves as jolly and bright – every weekend at the Texas Christkindl Market. // Cost: Peppermint Park Children’s Kinderpasses start at $8 and includes a train ticket, puppet show pass, and game tokens.

Activities at the Peppermint Park include:

The Holiday Train —Kids will depart Peppermint Park on the Christkindl Express trackless train to tour holiday themed lights and tour the grounds around Christkindl.

Winter Carnival Games – Children can use their Kinderpass to play games to win wooden tokens. Games include the Snowball Derby, Ice Fishing, Catch-a-Snowflake, Mr. Abominable, Reindeer Ring Toss, and more. Children can redeem tokens for prizes.

Toy Shack Redemption Center – Children can redeem their game tokens for prizes and toys at the Toy Shack redemption center.  ‘Light Up the Night’ toys and other fun holiday-themed items are also available for purchase.

Holiday Puppet Show Stage—children and families can watch holiday marionette shows on the children’s stage presented by Geppetto’s Marionette Theater.

Elves Workshop —Children can assemble holiday themed crafts and gifts and make one-of-a-kind workshop creations.  Additional workshop kits and activities are also available for purchase.

The Peppermint “S’mores & More” Sweet Shop*— Confections and treats are available for purchase at the candy store, along with a hot cocoa bar and drink station.

Kids Face Painting* – Kids can have their face painted in a variety of styles including Snow Princesses and other holiday favorites.

Reindeer Games—Kids will participate in games led by Santa’s lesser known reindeer, ‘Pepper’.  Learn the Blitzen Boogie and make sure to bring your camera for great holiday photos.

A Petting Zoo* - Get cozy with a little one-on-one time with cute and furry animals at the Texas Christkindl Market petting zoo.

*Items require additional coupon purchase

Santa Haus with St. Nick, Presented by Viridian

And no trip to the Texas Christkindl Market would be complete without a visit to Saint Nicholas (Sankt Nikolaus or der Heilige Nikolaus), the patron saint of children, sailors, students, teachers, and merchants.  Although legend has it that he brings children gifts on Dec. 6, guests can stop anytime throughout the market at the Santa Haus to meet St. Nick. // Cost: Anyone is invited to visit with St. Nick and receive a free candy.  No personal cameras are allowed, however photo packages may be purchased onsite starting at $19.95.

Arlington Highlands Warming Hut

Enjoy the comforts of warm, covered seating in the Warming Hut presented by Arlington Highlands as a cozy place to enjoy eating your schnitzel or catch up with an old friend.  Adorned with festive holiday décor, heaters, tables and chairs, the Arlington Highlands Warming Hut is an ideal destination to host organizational meetings (with space for 10 – 200 people) during the holidays. To reserve a space, interested parties may contact Barbara Kovacevich at barbara@arlington.org or call 817.704.7613. // Cost: By request.

Live Entertainment

From local school choirs and dance groups to favorite authentic Texas-German dancing and singing groups, the Texas Christkindl Market brings the holidays alive with entertainment throughout the month. Hear the sweet sounds of young voices recite Christmas carols or see kids practice traditional German dance with acts like Alpenmusikanten, Dallas Frohsinn, and Texanischer Schuhplatter Verein. Special guests such as the Dallas String Quartet and the UTA Jazz Lab Band also make a special appearance at the market. Check the website for a daily schedule of special entertainment. 

Holiday Gift Vendors

The cornerstone of the Texas Christkindl Market is its vendors. Offering a unique holiday shopping experience, guests can select handmade goods, décor and ornaments that cannot be found anywhere else besides the market including the only place to purchase exclusive Käthe Wohlfahrt  merchandise and designs from the iconic Rothenburg ob der Tauber Christmas Village in the Southwest. With classic German products like nutcrackers, cuckoo clocks, and beer steins, a walk through the market will feel just like a shopping experience from the original Christkindl Market in Nuremberg, Germany.  Many vendors also demonstrate how their handicrafts are made and then can be purchased directly from the hut. Get a full list of vendors on the website.

Oh the Food!

One of the most anticipated features at the Texas Christkindl Market is the German cuisine. With aromas of roasting nuts, sizzling brats, and freshly made funnel cake filling the air, guests can wander from hut to hut to enjoy the authentic flavors of a Christkindl market as well as try something new. Watch vendors prepare potato pancakes on the large open-air skillet or sip on the traditional German spiced wine called gluhwein, there’s tons to try throughout the market. Several huts throughout the market make it easy to share with your friends or fill up a plate to enjoy a real authentic German feast under the Arlington Highlands Warming Hut. And be sure to save room for dessert – with strudel, pastries and other candied goodies, the market is a sweet-tooth’s fantasyland either to experience at the market or to bring home to enjoy later.

Commemorating visitors’ unique experience to Germany by way of Arlington, several photo opportunities throughout the Market. Stand with the 16-foot Nutcrackers, admire the Christkindl Tree, and don’t forget to take a Selfie with an Elfie #SelfiewithanElfie before leaving…or at least until returning again next year to enjoy the magic of the Texas Christkindl Market in Arlington, Texas.  

Texas Christkindl Market

Sponsored by Arlington Highlands; Linebarger Goggan Blair and Sampson, LLP; Ben E. Keith; Paulaner; Charter Spectrum; and Viridian

Nov. 25 – Dec. 23, 2016

Opening Day, Nov. 25: 5 pm – 8 pm

Monday-Friday: Noon – 8 pm

Saturday: 10 am – 10 pm

Sunday: Noon – 7 pm

Adjacent to Globe Life Park in Arlington, Road to Six Flags & Ballpark Way. Admission to the market and parking is free. For more information visit www.TXChristkindlmarket.com.

www.facebook.com/TXChristkindl, www.twitter.com/TXChristkindl, www.instagram.com/TXChristkindl #TXChristkindl