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Stars & Spokes Photos & Racer Feedback ~ Scroll Down
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Memo from the Manager
Base Ball revisited
No, it's not a typo.
Vintage Base Ball is played, and spelled, according to days-gone-by, back to the 1860s when the game was invented. With that in mind, the Farmers Branch Historical Park entered the world of Vintage Base Ball a few years ago and now field two teams to play with others in the region - the Farmers Branch Mustangs and the Rawhide Creek Tanners.
This Sunday, September 18, everyone in Farmers Branch has the opportunity to come out and watch some Vintage Base Ball and get involved in the game (minors should be accompanied by an adult). "All Play Ball" is a time when anyone can try out the great game according to those 1860s rules that include play without a glove, fly balls caught on one hop still result in an out and pitchers typically throw sidearm or underhand.
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Circa 1908
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The 19th century slang is also distinctive for the period. The ball, itself, is referred to as an "apple," "horsehide" or "onion." The pitcher is a "bowler," "feeder" or "hurler." "Club Nine" is the team. A player is a "hand" and "three hands out" is the end of an inning. A "daisy cutter," "ant killer" or "grass
clipper" would be a well-hit ground
ball. And, if a player needs to exert some additional effort, he may be encouraged to "show a little ginger."
The Farmers Branch Mustang uniforms are patterned after a Farmers Branch team photo from the early 20th century.
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Circa 2008
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If you are interested in taking part, I invite you to come out on Sunday to the meadow at the Farmers Branch Historical Park, from 3 to 6 p.m., to discover the roots of the distinctly American game we know today as baseball.Both players and spectators are welcome.
As team organizer Barbara Judkins, at the Farmers Branch Historical Park, is fond of saying, you don't need athletic ability, just a nickname.
And, don't worry if you don't have one. We'll be happy to give you one.
  
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ Health screenings, fitness consultations and class demonstrations are among the activities on tap for the Annual Farmers Branch Health & Wellness Expo, set for Saturday, September 17 from 10  a.m. til 2 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center. The event is open to the public and admission is free although some services or activities may carry an additional charge. The Expo will include flu and pneumonia shots (including a needle-free option), vision, bone density, glucose and other health screenings, medical and fitness consultations, demonstrations of fitness classes at the Rec Center, children's activities, teddy bear clinic, pet micro-chipping and more. Again, the Farmers Branch Police and Fire Departments will engage in the "Battle of the Badges" blood drive with a ceremonial traveling trophy going to the public safety department that musters the most blood donations at the Rec Center during the Expo. The Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center is located at 14050 Heartside Place. Call 972.247.4607 for more information. |
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Larger dollars
StarCenter bond refinance to net nearly
$1 million more than expected
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Based on prime market conditions, the refinance of municipal bonds used to build the Dr Pepper StarCenter will save the City of Farmers Branch nearly $1 million more than originally anticipated.
 Farmers Branch Finance Director Charles Cox said the refinance process was begun last week and is expected to save the City a total of $2.5 million in interest at an average rate of 3.22 percent. This surpasses the original expectation of saving $1.6 million at a rate of 4.22 percent. Current rates on the 2004 bonds range from 4.95 to 5.8 percent.
Mr. Cox added the deal will further reduce the maturity from the expected 2.5 to four years.
The City of Farmers Branch built the Dr Pepper StarCenter in 2004 and leases it to the Dallas Stars organization. Farmers Branch Finance Director Charles Cox said rental income of $660,000 per year pays the entire debt service on the bonds.
The Dr Pepper StarCenter in Farmers Branch plays host to more than 750,000 visitors per year, due in part to its central location in the Metroplex and easy accessibility just south of the intersection of Stemmons Freeway and Valley View Lane.
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Deconstruction delayed
Expected Ratcliff bridge removal postponed
ALONG INTERSTATE 635 ~ Citing concerns with the demolition phasing,  officials with the LBJ Express project late Friday postponed removal of the Joe Ratcliff pedestrian bridge over Interstate 635.
As part of the project work to widen and improve Interstate 635 through Farmers Branch, the Joe Ratcliff pedestrian bridge, between Marsh and Midway, was scheduled for systematic demolition September 10-11. The work will be rescheduled for the near future and officials say the new bridge will still be constructed by early 2012.
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Library limited service . Sep 12-16
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ To allow for a small scale renovation of the computer and media area, the Farmers Branch Manske Library will offer limited access the week of September 12 through 16.
Library Director Belinda Jacks said some services will be available in the Library gallery, including Internet access (no printing), material holds and interlibrary loans. She added that Library staff will retrieve materials from the shelves for checkout when possible. Programs will continue in the Meeting Room as scheduled and the book drop, as well as online catalog, will remain available 24/7. The Library will reopen to full access no later than Saturday, September 17.The interior work involves rearrangements of some materials on the first floor in the media area, installation of new computer furniture and a reallocation of computer terminals throughout the first floor. For more information, call 972.247.2511. |
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Fire Station cornerstone ceremony . Sep 24
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ A cornerstone leveling ceremony for new Farmers Branch Fire Station No. 1 will be conducted by James A. Smith Lodge #395, A.F. & A.M. at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 24 at the construction site, 13601 Webb Chapel Road.
According to Lodge officials, past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Texas, Elmer Murphey, III will be presiding over the ceremonies. The public is invited to attend.
Fire Station No. 1 is intended to replace its 50-plus-year-old namesake on Valley View and is expected to open in early 2012. |
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Movie in the Park . Sep 24
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| FARMERS BRANCH ~ Local families should mark their calendars now for an evening under the stars as the Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department presents the annual Movie in the Park, featuring the Disney-Pixar hit, "Toy Story 3," Saturday, September 24 at the Barney Wood Athletic Complex, adjacent to the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center, near the corner of Heartside Place and Valwood Parkway.
Call 972.247.4607 for more information. The weather hotline that day will be 972.919.1455.
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Senior Holiday Trip . Registration deadline Sep 30
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SENIOR CENTER ~ To take in the sights and sounds of the holiday season in the Alamo city, a motor coach trip has been planned by the Farmers Branch Senior Center, for local seniors, to San Antonio, November 28 through December 2.
Cost is $469 and includes motor coach transportation, four nights lodging and eight meals (four breakfasts and four dinners). There will be visits to the Institute of Texan Cultures, San Antonio missions and tours of the LBJ Ranch. Additionally, seniors will embark on a city tour, cruise the holiday-decorated Riverwalk, visit the Alamo and more.
Registration deadline is September 30 and space is limited. For more information, call the Senior Center at 972.919.8740. |
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Crimes Against Seniors Seminar . Oct 1
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SENIOR CENTER ~ In an effort to better educate older Americans on topics of crime prevention and general safety, the Crimes Against Seniors and Safety Information Seminar has been scheduled for Saturday, October 1 at 9 a.m. at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.
Seminar organizers Renee Junkin-Luck and Dru Swanson said speakers are scheduled to include Officer Sue Sharp and Detective James MacPhail of the Farmers Branch Police Department, Wendi Kimpton from the Farmers Branch Fire Department, health insurance specialist Carmen Irwin and a representative from Senior Adult Services. Topics will include crime prevention, medicare fraud, safety plans for the elderly and mobility-impaired, services available to seniors and much more. For more information, call the Senior Center at 972.919.8740. |
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Parting Shots: Stars & Spokes 
Photos by Amy Cooper 
Racing for first responders More than 235 avid cyclists participated in the Stars & Spokes USAC Bike Race, commemorating the 10th anniversary of 9/11, on Saturday in Farmers Branch. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Texas Association of First Responders and the family of Dallas Fire Lt. Todd Krodle, who was killed in the line of duty last month. Farmers Branch Police Chief Sidney Fuller (left) and Farmers Branch Fire Chief Steve Parker salute during a special 9/11 commemorative ceremony. 9/11 plaques unveiled at the ceremony will be permanently placed at Liberty Plaza, just south of the Dr Pepper StarCenter. Additionally, there was a one-mile family bike tour and activities in and around Fire Station No. 3. STARS & SPOKES RACER FEEDBACK "Just wanted to say THANKS for supporting the bike events today. As one of the racers, I can tell you, it was a top-notch event; i have some small idea of what's involved with so many road closures and all the city resources required and on behalf of the Plano Athletic Cycling Club, you have our thanks. Many of the other racers also remarked on the quality of preparations, little touches that only racers would notice such as haybales in front of telephone poles, police at the intersections, and, number one, a clean, safe, fun race course. Please pass my thanks to the City, and let us know how we can help make next year even better." ~ Scott Braden "Wanted to say thanks for putting on the Stars and Spokes bike race. My wife, dog and I had a really great time." ~ Mike Steeves "It was a blast and the course great. I hope the city of Farmers Branch will allow this race next year." ~ Matt Denton "I just wanted to express my gratitude for the race yesterday. The course was awesome and the race went very well. There were no delays (which is huge deal) especially with the amount of cones that had to be put out on the course. The course was flat, open and very safe and I have heard alot of positive comments on the course (which is also not normal for cyclists). I look forward to racing this course again next year if it is available, and have heard others say the same thing. Most likely if it is available again next year, there will be a much larger turn-out (due to positive experience this year). I would guess that most of the fields would be maxed out next year due to the positive comments that I have heard this year. Thank you for allowing us to race in your city!!! ~ Marc Parlette "My team Velossimo Racing had a great time and will certainly be back for the 2012 addition (sic). We are a local racing group out of Austin and Ft. Worth which gave us some ideas on how to run a race in a metropolis. Again thanks so much. Looking forward to next year. ~ Scott Simmons |
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In the Banner
Laying Down
on the Job
The annual Battle of the Badges pits the forces of Police and Fire in a friendly competition to collect blood donations as part of the annual Community Health Fair. Fire Chief Steve Parker gives on behalf of his department, which is in desperate need of a win with Police having claimed the traveling trophy four years running. The Battle of the Badges will be waged on Saturday, September 17 at the Community Recreation Center.
Staff Photo
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City Staff
Mini-Profile
Officer DeLaPaz
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Position:
Police Officer
Department:
Police Department
Years with City:
4 yrs
Background:
Served in the United States Marine Corps for 13 years and is an Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Military Vet. Currently a Police Training Officer and a member of the Farmers Branch SWAT Team.
Personal:
Plays indoor soccer and enjoys working on muscle cars.
What Does You Like Most About Working for the City of Farmers Branch?
"I am grateful to serve the community and its citizens. The City is filled with outstanding citizens who openly show their appreciation for the Police Department."
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Weekly Report
LANE CLOSURES
MAIN LANES
FRONTAGE ROADS
CROSS STREETS
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Eastbound Left turn lane of EB I-635 from Marsh exit ramp to intersection
Sept 12 - 14 / 9 am - 3 pm
Right lane closure of EB on ramp after Marsh Lane to I-635 daily
Sept 14 - 17 / 9 am - 3 pm
Westbound Right main lane on WB I-635 from Marsh Lane on-ramp to Webb Chapel exit ramp Sept 15 - 16 / 8 pm - 6 am Right lane of WB frontage road from west of Josey Lane to Metro Blvd Til Sept 18 / 7 am - 7 pm Right turn lane from WB frontage to Webb Chapel Rd Sept 12 - 17 / 9 am - 3 pm Right turn lane from WB frontage to Marsh Lane Sept 12 - 17 / 9 am - 3 pm Left lane from WB frontage road Marsh Lane to east of Webb Chapel Rd Sept 13 - 14 / 8 pm - 6 am Right WB frontage lane from Marsh Lane to east of Webb Chapel Sept 13 - 17 / 9 am - 3 pm Right front lane of WB I-635 between Inwood and Midway Til Sept 30 / 24 hrs Two right main lanes on WB I-635 from Marsh Lane to Webb Chapel Sept 13 - 14 / 8 pm - 6 am Forest Lane closed WB between Denton Drive and Harry Hines Blvd. Traffic detoured to Harry Hines Blvd. Til Dec 2011 / 24 hrs Right frontage lane of WB I-635 from west of Josey to Metro Blvd Til Sept 18 / 9 am to 3 pm Right frontage lane WB I-635 between Inwood Rd and Midway Rd Til Sept 30 / 24 hrs Northbound Right lane of Marsh Lane at NB I-635 from High Meadow Dr to frontage road Thru Oct 8 / 24 hrs Left frontage lane of NB I-35 from Royal Lane to Crown Rd Until Aug 2012 / 24 hrs Southbound Traffic shift of I-35 to Joe Field Road cross street
Thru Sept 30 / 24 hrs
HOV LANE CLOSURES Effective June 17 Eastbound Beginning east of Luna Road and extending to just east of Hillcrest Westbound Beginning east of Hillcrest Rd and extending just east of Josey Lane 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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