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Memo from the Manager
Here's hoping you see red
It hardly seems a year since we left the Historical Park at the end of the success that was the first-ever Liberty Fest, here in Farmers Branch.
Now, here we are again.
You have seen much information on the events that will comprise this year's event. From the red, white and blue of the Field of Flags to the rubber and chrome of the Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show and everything in between, Liberty Fest offers something for everyone to enjoy.
So, whether you're a Rick Springfield fan or simply want to try out a kayak, there's one thing I want you to look for  while you experience Liberty Fest 2011. Take note of the folks in the red "STAFF" t-shirts. These are City employees working together as a single unit to make Liberty Fest the best it can be. They are there for you.
Should you have a question, need directions or have any other issue, please feel completely free to approach any one of these red-shirted folks and I guarantee they will be happy to assist.One of the ingredients that made the first Liberty Festsuch a success was the ownership that the staff took in making the event work - coming together across departments to unite for a common goal.
So, we hope you enjoy Liberty Fest 2011 and let us know what you think. Whether they be compliments or constructive criticism, we want to know so we can always strive to make your experience the best it can be. |
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ Building on the success of its inaugural year, Liberty Fest returns to Farmers Branch this Memorial Day weekend, May 27 and 28 with varied activities and events, punctuated by headlining concerts each evening, featuring southern rockers, 38 Special and 80s icon, Rick Springfield.
The bookends of the event are the concerts, beginning Friday night at the Farmers Branch Historical Park with 38 Special in concert, with special guests, Whiskey Myers. Park gates will open at 5 p.m. Liberty Fest will conclude
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38 Special will kick off Liberty Fest with a concert Friday night at the Historical Park. |
Saturday night with Rick Springfield at the Historical Park, along with special guests, Spin Doctors. Gates on Saturday open at 3 p.m. General admission lawn seating for each night is a separate ticket, now on sale for $10 each with a $5 off coupon available at participating sponsor locations. Tickets will be $15 at the gate, the day of each show. Preferred seating, close to the stage, is available for $50 per ticket Friday night and $75 per ticket Saturday night. Tickets and sponsor location information is available at www.fblibertyfest.com. Additionally, each concert evening, the Liberty Kidzone will be open inside the Historical Park with activities for kids at no additional charge.
Saturday morning, Liberty Fest gets underway with a Volksmarch 5K and 10K walk and the angling adventures of kids ages 16 and under at Fishin'  Fun. There will be a 7 on 7 touch football tournament at Dallas Christian College and a rugby tournament at Cox Park. For the auto enthusiast, the Liberty Fest Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show runs through the afternoon from 12 noon until 4 p.m. The Liberty Fest Outdoor Expo, complete with demonstrations and hands-on experiences with kayaking, rock climbing, archery and more, goes from 12 noon until 5 p.m.
The centerpiece of Liberty Fest is the patriotic tribute to American troops at Liberty Plaza. This year, there will be a Field of Flags, featuring 1,700 12 by 18-inch U.S. flags, planted in the ground and each dedicated to the memory or honor of a U.S. military member. The Field of Flags will be on display from Friday, May 27 through Monday, Memorial Day, May 30. Proceeds from each $5 flag sponsorship goes to benefit the American Fallen Soldiers Project, which will be in Liberty Plaza at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 28 to present a portrait of U.S. Army Sgt. James P. Muldoon to his family as part of a very special ceremony. Sgt. Muldoon was killed in action in Iraq in 2006. Find out more about the project at www.americanfallensoldiers.org.
For more information on any Liberty Fest event or concert or details on parking, visitwww.fblibertyfest.com or call 972.919.2620. |
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Concert tickets still on sale; preferred seating available
FARMERS BRANCH ~ With a lineup like 38 Special and Rick Springfield, there is sure to be a crowd at Liberty Fest concerts
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Work continues on the concert stage at the Farmers Branch Historcial Park for Liberty Fest 2011. |
this year. However, there are still opportunities to grab tickets for the headline concerts, set for Friday and Saturday, May 27 & 28.
On Friday, Whiskey Myers will lead off the evening on stage at the Farmers Branch Historical Park to be followed by southern rockers 38 Special, known for their hits like "Caught Up in You" and "Hold on Loosely."
Then, on Saturday, the concert evening at the Historical Park will begin with a special performance by the kid rock band, For Those About to Rock Junior School All Star Band, featuring members ranging in age from 7 to 12. After that, Spin Doctors will take the stage. Finally, 80s icon, Rick Springfield will close out the 2011 edition of Liberty Fest with a concert, featuring hits, including "Jessie's Girl," "Human Touch" and "Affair of the Heart."
Advance tickets are $10 per person for each night with a $5 off coupon available at local participating sponsor locations. Preferred seating is $50 for Friday Night and $75 Saturday night. Tickets are available at Farmers Branch City Hall, the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center and online at www.fblibertyfest.com. Preferred seating tickets are available online only. Advance pricing is available through Thursday. On Friday and Saturday, tickets increase to the gate price of $15 each.
Call 972.919.2620. |
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Fishin' Fun returns to Saturday morning start
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Following last year's evening event, the angling returns to the A.M. as Liberty Fest Fishin' Fun is set for Saturday morning,  May 28 at Rawhide Creek in Gussie Field Watterworth Park, next to Farmers Branch City Hall.
One-ton of farm-raised catfish and perch will be swimming the waters of Rawhide Creek awaiting the anxious anglers, ages 16 and under. Onsite registration for kids ages 16 and under, with a parent in tow, is free and begins at 7 a.m. Loaner equipment and bait is available on a first-come, first-served basis but kids can bring their own gear if preferred.
Fishing will take place from 8 until 10 a.m., followed by a performance by the Morris Brothers at 10 while tabulations are made for the awards ceremony that begins at 10:30. In addition to awards for age groups, prizes will be given away throughout the event. There will also be a catch and release fishing tank for smaller anglers, other children's activities and ticket booths for Saturday evening's Liberty Fest concert with Rick Springfield. |
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Manske Library has new director
FARMERS BRANCH ~ With a track record of strong management, programming and operational performance, Belinda Jacks has been named  as the new director of the Farmers Branch Manske Library, it was announced last week by LSSI, the management firm that operates the facility.
Ms. Jacks comes to Farmers Branch after 22 years in the Grand Prairie Independent School District where she served as Director of Library services since 1994. During her tenure at GPISD, she was responsible for updating 75 percent of library collections, moving from card catalog to technology-based system and a consistently high circulation rate of 950,000 items per year. Additionally, Ms. Jacks led the creation of the award-winning "Read Across the Prairie" initiative and, in doing so, authored three books in collaboration with librarians under the pseudonym, Reid Dailey.
Ms. Jacks assumes her new position July 13. |
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BRANCHbriefs
Senior Center's Random Acts of Kindness group profiled on Channel 4
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Paying it forward is the mission statement for the Random Acts of Kindness group at the Farmers Branch Senior Center,  profiled recently on KDFW, channel 4's "Hometown Heroes" segment. Each month, the group gets together to make an impact on a different charity in north Texas. The group was recently recognized by the Texas Recreation and Parks Society as the best recreation volunteer group in their class. For more information on Random Acts of Kindness at the Farmers Branch Senior Center, contact Rotha Crump at 972.919.8740.
No garbage collection as City offices close for Memorial Day Monday holiday
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Most City offices will be closed and there will be no garbage collection on Monday, May 30, in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. The only exceptions will be the Community Recreation Center and the Farmers Branch Historical Park, both open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. In addition, the Don Showman Pool will be open from 1 until 7 p.m. |
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Snap Poll Results:
Outdoor Expo
A New Snap Poll Returns
Next Week
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LIBERTY FEST 2011
Parking Info
Shuttles at the following parking locations will be provided to and from the festival:
Villa Creek Business Lots
Villa Creek Road & Ford Road intersection
Janie Stark Elementary 12400 Josey Lane, 75234
Farmers Branch Elementary
13521 Tom Field, 75234
Vivian Field
Middle School
13551 Dennis Lane, 75234
CFB-ISD
Technology Center
2427 Carrick Street, 75234
Handicapped parking will be available at the Sam Moon parking lot at Villa Creek and Ford Road just east of Denton Drive. Shuttles will be provided. |
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LIBERTY FEST 2011
Video  Extras |
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Field of Flags |
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Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show
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Outdoor Expo |
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In the Banner |
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Planting glory | |
Parks and Recreation staff members begin to place the first of 1,700 incarnations of Old Glory that will become the Liberty Plaza Field of Flags for Liberty Fest 2011. In the background, the new "Liberty Lives Here" banner can be seen.
Staff Photo by
Derrick Birdsall |
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City Staff
Mini-Profile
Jenette Naranja
Position:
Equipment Services
Fleet Analyst
Dept:
Equipment Services
Years with the City:
6 1/2
Personal:
I have a Bachelors in Accounting and a Master's in Business Administration-Aviation Management. I also am a CPA. I am an Army Vet having served 4 years for my country. I like to travel around the U.S., Carribean and Europe to enjoy local cuisine and culture.
What Do She Like Most About Working for Farmers Branch:
"I enjoy working at Farmers Branch because of the awesome teamwork of its talented employees in providing excellent service to our co-workers and the people of this beautiful city." |
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Weekly Report
LANE CLOSURES
MAIN LANE CLOSURES
Eastbound
Right lane of I 635 between Webb Chapel and Midway
May 24 - 27 / 8 pm to 6 am
Westbound
Left lane of I 635 between Midway and Webb Chapel
May 22 - 26 / 8 pm to 6 am
Right shoulder of I 635 just east of Montfort to the Montfort bridge
May 22 - 27 / 8 pm to 6 am
FRONTAGE ROADS
Southbound
Right lane of Valley View Lane from 500 feet north of I 635 to the freeway
May 19 - 27 / 9 am to 3 pm
Eastbound
Right lane of I 635 between Montfort Dr and Hillcrest Rd
Until May 30 / 7 am to 6 pm
Northbound
Right lane of NB Marsh Lane from I 635 Westbound Frontage to 200 ft north
of I 635
June 9 / 9 am to 3 pm
Right lane of NB Josey Lane from I 635 Westbound Frontage to 100 ft north
of Villa Creek
June 10 / 9 am to 3 pm
Right lane of NB Rosser north of I 635 to the alley
June 14 / 9 am to 3 pm
HOV LANE CLOSURES
Eastbound
Beginning east of Luna Road and extending west of Midway
Began May 15
Westbound
Beginning west of Midway Road and extending just
east of Josey Lane
Began May 15
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. |
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