Memo from the Manager

So far, so good

   Preliminary  statistics indicate that you like what you see in "Branch Bulletin." The industry standard "open" rate for an e-mailed newsletter from a government source is about 23 percent. In its first issue, "Branch Bulletin" reached an open rate of 38 percent. That's great news, but rest assured, we won't stop there. Our ever-evolving charge is to make "Branch Bulletin" the most dynamic, informational  and interactive municipal e-news source there is. 

    In this week's installment, you will see the addition of the latest report from the folks at LBJ Express, overseeing the I-635 expansion project. Although this is not a City construction job, we want to be sure that our citizens are receiving the latest information from the LBJ folks so that everyone can make an informed decision when it comes to traversing LBJ during the next five years. 

   So, stay tuned to "Branch Bulletin."

   We're just getting started.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Anyone that wants to own a piece of Super Bowl history has a limited opportunity to do so by purchasing a set of street pole banners from the City of Farmers Branch.

As one of 12 host cities for Super Bowl XLV, the City of Farmers Branch flew a number of street pole banners in the City during the weeks surrounding the big game. Several sets of the banners are now for sale at Farmers Branch City Hall. There are only a few sets left and will be sold on a first come, first served basis at a price of $250 per set. Proceeds will help defray the City's cost for purchasing and installing the banners.

For more information, call 972.919.2509 or come by City Hall between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Checks should be made out to the City of Farmers Branch.

Video  Extra

Super Bowl Banners For Sale

GALVESTON ~ In an effort to further her work to reduce crime by avoiding

Officer Susan Sharp

it, Farmers Branch Police Officer Susan Sharp was recently recognized as a Certified Crime Prevention Specialist by the Texas Crime Prevention  Association at their winter conference in Galveston. 

Officer Sharp is the first person in the Farmers Branch Police Department to receive this certification, having successfully completed two crime prevention courses along with Crime Prevention through Environmental Design training. This advanced training will better enable Officer Sharp to continue her work with the Mandatory Crime Reduction program in helping apartment managers to reduce crime on their properties. In the past year, that program saw a 32.7 percent total drop in crime among the participating apartment complexes with previously high crime rates.
 

A 12-year veteran of the Farmers Branch Police Department, Officer Sharp is currently assigned to the patrol division. She holds Advanced Police certification from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Standards and Education. Additionally, Officer Sharp is a crime scene technician and an associate Explorer scout advisor.

As a Certified Crime Prevention Specialist, she is trained to conduct home surveys for residences and businesses in Farmers Branch. Additionally, she can conduct crime prevention presentations on Senior Safety, Personal Safety, Crime Awarness and many other types of prevention training.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Holiday Craze, a recreational day camp program operated by the Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department, will be open Spring Break, March 14-18.

Holiday Craze is open to children ages 6 to 12 years old and meets from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center, 14050 Heartside Place, near the corner of Heartside and Valwood Parkway, on all non-federal school holidays in the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. Fees for Spring Break are $50 for Farmers Branch residents and $100 for non-residents.

All field trip admissions and program related expenses are included. Financial assistance is available on a limited basis to qualifying Farmers Branch families. For more information, call 972.247.3131.

Following an enormously successful inaugural year in 2010, the second edition of Liberty Fest is planned to be even better. Set for Memorial Day Weekend, May 27-28, Liberty Fest 2011 will feature patriotic tributes, family entertainment,

Fishin' Fun and top name concerts, featuring 38 Special, Spin Doctors and 80s pop icon, Rick Springfield. More can be found at www.fblibertyfest.com, but, in the meantime, let us know if you plan to attend Liberty Fest this year. Poll results will be listed next week.  

In the Banner

Coming Up Roses

With Spring on the way, what better time to get out and enjoy the beauty of the Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch. Did you know the pictured garden at Gussie Field Watterworth Park is the National EarthKind Rose Trial Garden, the largest of its kind in the nation. From this park, rosarians, horticulturalists and landscapers from around the world will learn about EarthKind roses and how they work best with little care. Find out more about the Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch.

Farmers Branch Staff Photo

Celebration

Events

Staff Mini-Profile

Name: Kristy Mays

Position: Front Desk Receptionist

Building: City Hall

Years with the City: 3

Look for

Video  Extras throughout

Branch Bulletin

Weekly Report

NO LANE CLOSURES THIS WEEK

LBJ Express will hold an

Open House

@ Sheraton Dallas North Hotel, April 21 from 1-8 pm

For More Project Information

www.lbjexpress.com

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