Being in the middle of things has always been my deal. Whether it was the high school cheerleading team, running a school booster club or organizing a parade entry, I liked the excitement and energy that went along with the people and the plan.<\/p>\n
Definitely, I have a severe case of FOMO (fear of missing out).<\/p>\n
So, when our daughters had the nerve to grow up and move out of our two-story house, my husband and I searched for a sensible one-story residence. I really thought New York City or Paris sounded fun (see FOMO, above), but family is here, and that\u2019s a pretty big magnet. With our search narrowed down to Tarrant County, it\u2019s no surprise that we chose a suburb with a tagline of \u201cDiscover the Center.\u201d<\/p>\n
Bedford, a city of about 50,000, really does sit in the center of North Texas. The northeast Tarrant County suburb has the enviable spot of being close not only to Fort Worth but also to Dallas and the mega sports complex known as Arlington.\u00a0<\/p>\n
With highways just minutes away, I can zip to my church First United Methodist Church of Fort Worth, or head east to Dallas for a little indulgence \u2014 like testing perfume samples at the Neiman Marcus beauty counter. Living here means the best of both worlds: small-town ease with big-city energy easily within reach.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re not alone with this decision. As it turns out, Bedford\u2019s 76021 ZIP code is among the fastest-selling areas in Texas. Houses, just five minutes from my previous Colleyville two-story, are in high demand.<\/p>\n
Not only is it easy to whoosh onto a highway, but the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district is among Texas\u2019 best for academic performance and financial efficiency. With an International Baccalaureate program, competitive athletics, an innovative career center and Macy\u2019s Thanksgiving Day Parade-worthy musicians, HEB succeeds at educating its students in multiple ways.<\/p>\n
Turns out, living at \u201cthe center\u201d suits us. My husband, Mr. Cargo Shorts, has the yard he thinks of as a blank canvas for growing flowers, shrubs and trees. I volunteered for three city commissions, including serving on the advisory committee for the award-winning Bedford Public Library where new programming always is popping up.<\/p>\n
![\"(Maria](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1217-OldBedfordSchool-01--1024x683.jpg\")
Joy Donovan is a longtime resident of Northeast Tarrant County and currently lives in Bedford on Dec. 17, 2025. Donovan is an active part of the community, and was elected onto the Bedford City Council. Donovan has been working on the Old Bedford School as well as other projects across town. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n
So, one thing led to another, and I was asked to run for City Council. Much to my delight, I won. I\u2019m privileged to serve my community. It\u2019s been action packed, and I\u2019m honored to be a part of many projects Bedford is developing.<\/p>\n
Bedford is reshaping itself. Yes, we\u2019ll open an H-E-B grocery store in HEB, a partnership between Bedford and our neighbor, Euless. But there\u2019s more, too.<\/p>\n
In the northeast quadrant of Bedford, The Market at Gateway<\/a> on Highway 157 will open with Sprouts grocery store and new restaurants. A mixed-used development in the center of the city, the long-planned Bedford Commons<\/a>, is in the works.<\/p>\n Redevelopment is kicking into gear, too. Stonegate Shopping Center,<\/a> an area just south of 183, is brewing with opportunity. The property owners are revitalizing this zone, which is home to Turning Point Beer,<\/a> a new food hall and ATP Pickleball<\/a>, set to open this month.<\/p>\n