Easter Eggstravaganza set Sunday @ FBHP

Branch Bulletin - E-News from Farmers Branch

Memo from the Manager

Event-Full Spring

    On the normally busy Farmers Branch event calendar we had an even earlier start this year by the recent anniversary events at the FarmersCity Manager Gary D. Greer Branch Historical Park and Derrick Birdsall's now infamous cabin odyssey, and associated video blogs (now viewed more than 2,300 times on YouTube). 

   The rest of the season is now in full "Spring" with last Saturday's CityWide CleanUp Day and the very special dedication ceremonies for the 104-acre John F. Burke Nature Preserve on the City's west side. And, if you didn't think it possible to wander in the wilderness in the middle of the Metroplex, we invite you to come out to the Burke preserve and take in the nature.

   Now, with Easter soon upon us comes the annual dash for candy and treats at the Easter Eggstravaganza, Sunday, April 17 at the Historical Park. There will be egg hunts for kids up to age 10 and lots of fun for the whole family.

   Before we know it, the second installment of Liberty Fest will be here. A few things have changed this year - Fishin' Fun is back where it belongs on Saturday morning of Memorial Day weekend. Also, we have two big-name concerts this year with southern rockers, 38 Special on Friday night and 80s icon, Rick Springfield on Saturday night. Also, there is a modest admission cost for each concert of $10 per night for advance tickets and $15 at the gate, but you can get a $5 off coupon at Liberty Fest sponsor locations. Take a look at the website for those locations at www.fblibertyfest.com. There is also a special price for preferred seating, so log on and take a look at all the options.

   Tickets are now on sale.

TimOHareTim O'Hare

Mayor reflects on politics, parenthood and love of hometown as he prepares to leave office 

 Mayor Tim O'HareFarmers Branch Mayor Tim O'HareMayor Tim O'Hare

After six memorable years as a City Councilman and as Mayor, Farmers Branch native Tim O'Hare shocked the community this spring by announcing he would not seek re-election to the office that brought him acclaim as well as controversy. Before leaving office, he sat down with Branch Bulletin E-News editor, Tom Bryson, for a candid conversation. 
 

Part 2 of 4: Efforts in Immigration 

 

BRANCH BULLETIN: Since 2006, that is since the headlines have associated Farmers Branch with illegal immigration nationwide, worldwide for that matter, there has been an increased awareness that there's a town named Farmers Branch in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  As far as the goal in mind when it comes to illegal immigration do you consider the effort thus far to have been successful? Do you consider that there's something that should have been done differently? 

TIM O'HARE: Good question. If you ask me is there something that I would have done differently, I wish we would have done it sooner. Now, we started this talk in 2006 and I got on the City Council in 2005, so I don't know that it would have made that much of a difference, but I wish somebody would have started talking about this in 1998. If I had that to do over again, I would start this battle sooner. You ask me if I think it has been successful. Ultimately, the success I think is going to lie in the hands of the United States Supreme Court, and if the United States Supreme Court eventually rules that our ordinance is constitutional I think you could call this an overwhelming success and there is zero doubt in my mind that cities all across the country will follow suit.

 

READ MORE at www.farmersbranch.info

Eggsactly!  

EggsFARMERS BRANCH ~ Unfazed by the "iffy" critical reception to the current motion picture fictionalization of his life story, Peter Cottontail is scheduled to appear at the annual Farmers Branch Easter Eggstravaganza, coming up on Sunday, April 17 from 1 until 3 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.

 

Kids should bring their Easter baskets for egg hunts in age ranges 1 to 4, 5 to 7 and 8 to 10. There will be visits with the aforementioned Easter Bunny along with a petting zoo and interactive children's activities. Photo buttons and concession sales will benefit local non-profit agencies. Admission is free with canned food donations accepted to benefit Metrocrest Social Services.

 

The Farmers Branch Historical Park is located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, between Denton Drive and Ford Road, just east of the DART Green Line tracks. For more information, call 972.247.4607.

Mayor and the elder Mr. Weir 

A grand opening

Farmers Branch Mayor Tim O'Hare (front row,left) helps Weir's Furniture Village Founder, J. Ray Weir (front row, center), who turned 100 years old last month, cut the ribbon to open the new Weir's complex in Farmers Branch, Monday, April 11. The company has moved its corporate headquarters, warehousing operation, distribution center, and outlet store to 420,000 square feet at the intersection of Spring Valley and Inwood Roads.

Economic Development UPDATE
Performance Bicycle pedals into Farmers Branch anchor position

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~  After considering numerous sites in the north

bicycle wheel

Dallas area, the nation's leading cycling retailer, Performance Bicycle, has announced they will open their newest store in Farmers Branch.

 

The high-end cycling store will be anchoring the Valley View Market center at LBJ and Midway Road, next to Saltgrass Steakhouse. They are expected to open the new, 7,500 square-foot store in May. Performance Bicycle currently has more than 90 stores in 16 states, including Lakeside Village, Plano and Southlake in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Snap Poll:
Longevity

Snap Poll: How long have you lived in Farmers Branch? 

 

  Last Week's Results:
 
CityWide CleanUp Day
 

 Results: CityWide CleanUp Day

A complete wrapup of CityWide CleanUp Day is coming in the April 20 edition of BRANCH BULLETIN

THIS WEEK'S ISSUE
Tim O'Hare: The Interview - Part 2
Weir's opens Farmers Branch complex
Bicycle store comes to town
Snap Poll
In the Banner
Burke Nature Preserve dedication
Staff Profile: Danielle Daniels
Early Voting Schedule
LBJ Express report

In the Banner

Hoppin' Down the

Bunny Trail

 

The annual dash for candy eggs is set for Sunday, April 17 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. Peter Cottontail (left) will be on hand to welcome visitors and extend greetings of the Easter season. 

 

Farmers Branch Staff Photo

John F. Burke

Celebrating nature

Former Farmers Branch City Manager John F. John F. Burke Nature PreserveBurke was on hand to help celebrate the dedication of a new nature preserve, named in his honor, during ceremonies Saturday, April 9. The 104-acre John F. Burke Nature Preserve is the newest jewel in the Farmers Branch parks system and provides a wilderness experience in the heart of the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. For more information, call 972.919.2620.

 

Video View our videos on YouTube Extras

John F. Burke Nature Preserve: An Introduction
John F. Burke Nature Preserve: An Introduction
City logo graphic

aprilStaff Mini-Profile

 Danielle Daniels 

Name: Danielle Daniels

 Position: Administrative Technician
 Dept
: Police Records

 Years with the City: 11.5

  Personal: "German-born Army brat. I am a big kid who only acts like an adult when I absolutely have to, like when I'm greeting everyone who visits my department or talking to Chief Fuller. Just trying to stay young at heart."

 What Do You Like Most About Working for Farmers Branch:

"It's never a dull moment here. Something is always going on to keep me focused and interested in what I do. Also, with the fantastic friends and coworkers I have here at the City, I wouldn't want to work anywhere else!" 

Liberty Fest 2011 

May 27 & 28

 Concert tickets now on sale at City Hall, Rec Center and online at

www.fblibertyfest.com 

 

Early Voting for May 14 City Election 

Mon thru Sat, May 2-7

8 am to 5 pm

_________________

 

Sun, May 8

1 to 6 pm

_________________

 

Mon & Tue, May 9-10

7 am to 7 pm

________________

 

Early voting at

Farmers Branch City Hall 13000 Wm Dodson Pkwy

 

www.dalcoelections.org

 

LBJ Express 

Weekly Report

 

NOISE WALL CONSTRUCTION

 

will begin in Farmers Branch in April

 

LANE CLOSURES

 

WESTBOUND FRONTAGE ROADS
 
Right lane from east of Noel to Preston in Dallas
through 5/16- 24 HOURS

 

Right lane from east of Meandering Way to Park Central in Dallas through 5/16 - 24 HOURS

 

Right lane from east of Hughes Lane to Preston Road in Dallas

 

through 5/16 -

24 HOURS

 

 

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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About the City of Farmers Branch

Located on the northwest border of the City of Dallas, Farmers Branch is a vibrant and vital community with a residential population of 28,800 but a daytime population of 66,000. The City's 28 parks and lush greenbelts feature nationally-acclaimed, award-winning soccer fields, football facilities as well as baseball and softball complexes. The Farmers Branch Historical Park allows residents to step back in time and the John F. Burke Nature Preserve offers the opportunity to experience a real, 104-acre wilderness in the middle of one of the busiest metro areas of the world. The City's location in the geographical center of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, only 15 minutes away from both DFW International Airport and Dallas Love Field, make Farmers Branch an ideal location for residents and for business. For more information about Farmers Branch, visit www.farmersbranch.info or call 972.919.2515.