The City’s 2002 Neighborhood Academy graduates will join the winners of the Mayor’s Award for Neighborhood Excellence at a Celebration of Neighborhoods event being organized for the first time by the Neighborhood Services Department.

The Celebration of Neighborhoods will occur at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, in the Fellowship Hall of the First Baptist Church, which is located at 300 S. Center St. in Arlington.

At the celebration, Mayor Elzie Odom will announce the winners of the Mayor’s Award for Neighborhood Excellence. The four categories are:

• Outstanding Neighborhood Leader
• Outstanding Neighborhood Communication Tool (newsletter, website, etc.)
• Outstanding Neighborhood Improvement or Beautification Project
• Outstanding Neighborhood Partner (business, school, civic group, etc.)

During the celebration, 45 residents will also complete the 2002 Arlington Neighborhood Academy as graduates.

"We are pleased to recognize the great neighborhood leaders and important projects that help make Arlington’s neighborhoods our greatest resource," Mayor Odom said.

The keynote speaker will be Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods President Cathy Hirt. The former Fort Worth City Council member will speak about the importance of citizen participation and the influential role that active neighborhood organizations have in the community. Event co-sponsors include the City of Arlington, Arlington Star-Telegram and Spaghetti Warehouse.