Branch Bulletin: E-News from Farmers Branch    

Memo from the Manager 

Of crime prevention & common sense   

    

  "If you see something, say something."

   This was a practice long before Homeland Security made it a catchphraseCity Manager Gary D. Greer - Backyard for airports and other transportation hubs.

   Reporting suspicious activity is the basis for all things crime prevention as it pertains to neighbors watching out for each other.

  Farmers Branch Police Chief Sid Fuller will tell you to report anything you see that looks out of place. "If it looks wrong, it probably is." But, too many times, folks either don't want to get involved or they "weren't sure" if something was amiss or not. Chief Fuller has said, repeatedly, that we'd much rather send officers out on a call that turns out to be nothing than to miss a warning sign of criminal activity.  

   Earlier this week, we got to celebrate that opportunity for neighbors to get together and get to know each other with National Night Out. There were more than a dozen block parties all over our neighborhoods, ranging from full-blown, streets closed affairs to a couple of families getting together for a cookout. That kind of familiarity is the best defense we have to neighborhood crime. 

   Much like New Year's Day, National Night Out only comes once a year. But, for the other 364 days, Farmers Branch Community Watch is working at the neighborhood level, promoting crime prevention and resident awareness.Find out more by calling the Farmers Branch Police Department. 

   Finally, if everyone were to exercise some simple, common sense steps, we could have an immediate effect on residential crime. Things are as simple as making sure your garage door is closed at all times. Keep doors locked, even if you're home. Keep blinds closed during the business day. When out and about, keep your vehicle locked and valuables out of sight. And, again, when you see something that looks wrong or out of place, call 9.1.1 and tell them you want to report suspicious activity. If everyone were to exercise these few, simple steps, property crime in Farmers Branch would go down dramatically.

   It's not hype if it actually works. Together we CAN make a difference.  

  

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FBFD Captain Melissa Murphey quizzes kids on safety
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Neighborhood kids off Austell Parkway clamored around the red engine as Farmers Branch Fire Department Captain Melissa Murphey handed out stickers, but only when kids prove they knew their address.
Police officers made the rounds on bikes.
Police Lt. Jeff Ashabranner made this young man's day with a FBPD sticker.
   Such was the scene at one of the National Night Out neighborhood parties held in Farmers Branch earlier this week. Steps away from the Fire Department safety quiz, neighbors were piling cookies, popcorn and lots of chili on a continuous line of red, white and blue-decorated tables. A few blocks away, on Sunbeck Circle, neighbors put their names 
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National Night Out 2011
National Night Out 2011
into a bowl for prize drawings. In the LasCampanas neighborhood, more chili was sampled while a young man and his guitar entertained the evening crowd. As the sun continued to drop, a squad of police officers on bicycles made their way from party to party, greeting residents and sampling the fare.
   National Night Out, for decades, was traditionally held on the first Tuesday in August. However, due to the intense
heat in the southwest that time of year, Texas was given special dispensation to move the celebration to the first Tuesday in October. This was the fourth
City Manager Gary Greer also made the rounds
City Manger Gary Greer (right) also made the rounds to neighborhood parties.
 consecutive year of better weather for the annual event, designed to present a united front against property crime by banding neighbors together in a show of unity.
   For more information on National Night Out or other crime prevention programs, call the Farmers Branch Police Department at 972.484.3620.

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The Bridges of LBJ
Motorists advised to avoid LBJ due to bridge work this weekend
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Major construction operations will continue thisHeavy traffic on LBJ. weekend on the LBJ project, at the Joe Ratcliff pedestrian bridge and the Marsh Lane traffic bridge.
   Work this weekend will include beginning demolition on both bridges and result in major traffic issues from Thursday evening through Monday morning. 
   According to LBJ Express, the construction group responsible for the project, traffic will be impacted on Marsh Lane beginning Thursday at 8 p.m. Through most of the weekend, Marsh Lane will be closed at Ridgeoak. Local traffic is advised to use Webb Chapel or Midway as alternate routes.
 Throughout the weekend, all lanes of LBJ will be closed at times. All freeway traffic will detour across Marsh via two-lane ramps in each direction. No traffic is being detoured onto Farmers Branch city streets.
   All freeway lanes, plus four lanes of Marsh over LBJ, are expected to be open by 5 a.m. Monday.
   LBJ Express says the pedestrian bridge should be rebuilt within about five months while complete reconstruction of the Marsh Lane bridge will take an estimated nine months. More info is available at www.lbjexpress.com.

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BranchBriefs

Bloomin' Bluegrass  . Oct 14 & 15     

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The lineup of performers for the 2011 edition of Bloomin' Bluegrass in Farmers Branch has been announced.
   Performers scheduled this year include J.D. Crowe & the New South, Lonesome River Band, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out, Seldom Scene, Kenny & Amanda Smith, The Whites, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, Special Consensus, The Herrins, Highland Crossing and more.
   The festival is set for Friday and Saturday, October 14 & 15 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
   Thousands of bluegrass music fans from across the country are expected again this year to sit in on impromptu jam sessions with other musicians, browse bargains on instruments and take in music on the main stage.
   The public is invited and admission is free. Blankets and lawn chairs are recommended. More at bloominbluegrass.com.

Farmers Branch Craft Fair  .  Oct 15 

  FARMERS BRANCH ~ Just in time for the gift-giving season, the Farmers Branch Senior Center has announced its annual Craft Fair on Saturday, October 15 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.
   More than 100 artisans, artists and entrepreneurs will be on hand to show and sell their handmade quilts, crafts and decorative wares. The public is invited and admission is free. Concessions will be available for purchase.
   The Farmers Branch Senior Center is located at 14055 Dennis Lane. Call 972.919.8740.

Meetings with the Mayor  .  Oct 18

CITY HALL ~ Mayor Bill Glancy is setting up office hours to offer citizens an opportunity to discuss issues, ask questions or just chat during "Meetings with the Mayor" at 3 p.m. on regularly scheduled Council days at City Hall.
   Anyone can come meet with Mayor Glancy in Council Chambers between 3 and 3:45 p.m. on Council days. Those upcoming dates are October 18, November 1 & 18, as well as December 6 & 20. For more information, call 972.247.3131.

Adult Yoga @ Library  .  Weekly thru Nov 28     

MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Adults can now stretch their muscles as well as their minds at the Farmers Branch Manske Library with a new Adult Yoga class every Monday, from 6 to 7 p.m.
   The free class is geared towards beginning and intermediate levels and is available to anyone age 18 and older who is interested in exploring the art of Yoga. The focus for the class is on the basic skills and practices to develop personal growth and understanding of Yoga. Call the Library for additional information at 972.247.2511.

Firehouse Theatre Benefit  .  Dec 16-18

FARMERS BRANCH ~ As soon as the Fire Department moves out of old Station No. 1 on Valley View in early 2012, the Firehouse Theatre moves in to create a permanent amenity for the arts in Farmers Branch.
   In the meantime, Broadway performers John Wilkerson and Margaret Shafer will join other Metroplex performers in the theatre's inaugural production, "The Firehouse Theatre Christmas Spectacular," set for December 16-18 at the Victoria restaurant, 13435 Bee Street. Tickets are $35 for adults, $32 for seniors and $30 for students. For more information, call 469.744.3456 or e-mail [email protected].
Parting Shot:
Fire Prevention Poster Contest Winners
Fire Prevention Month Poster Contest Winners
Photo byTom Bryson
Protecting Their Families
Representing all Farmers Branch Elementary Schools, the winners of the 2011 Fire Prevention Month Poster Contest were honored at Monday's City Council Meeting. The theme of this year's contest was "Protect Your Family From Fire."  
In the Banner
Neighbors Go
The corner of Randy & Austell was a hot area for a  National Night Out block party this year, complete with cookies, popcorn and many, many varieties of chili. Hundreds of Farmers Branch residents spent the evening outdoors on
National Night Out getting to know their neighbors and visiting with members of the Police and Fire Departments as well as City staff members.
 
Photo by Tom Bryson
In This Issue
National Night Out
Bridge work on LBJ
Branch Briefs
Bloomin' Bluegrass
Craft Fair
Meetings with the Mayor
Adult Yoga
Firehouse Theatre
Fire Prevention Poster Contest Winners
Your Weekly Planner
City Staff Mini-Profile
LBJ Express Weekly Report
About the City
Bloomin' Bluegrass 2011
RoseDango
Farmers Branch Craft Fair 2011
Your Weekly Planner
MON /  OCT 10  
Planning & Zoning
7 pm @ City Hall
Senior Dance  
7 pm @ Senior Center
Dave Brewer  
 
THU / OCT 13
Senior Advisory Board
1 pm @ Senior Center
Library Board
7:15 pm @ Manske Library
 
FRI-SAT / OCT 14-15
Bloomin' Bluegrass
@ Historical Park
 
SAT / OCT 15
Craft Fair
9 am - 4 pm @ Senior Center
RoseDango
@ Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch
Schedules at
___________________
 
All meetings & events subject to change. Call 972.247.3131
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City Staff

Mini-Profile

 

Calvin Walker 

Calvin Walker 

 Position:

Driver 1  

Department:

Public Works Dept /Solid Waste

Years with City:

8 yrs 

Background:

Employee of the Year award winner in Carrollton and Farmers Branch. Earned a degree in Early Childhood Development from Western New Mexico University.

Personal: 

I coach pee wee football and play tennis and flag football. I like to hang out with family and friends.

What Do You Like Most About Working for the City of Farmers Branch?

 "I have enjoyed meeting new people and employees through my employment. I have made several good friends through these encounters."   

Halloween in the Park Coming October 29
LBJ Express

Weekly Report

 LANE CLOSURES

 

LBJ Express is the name given to the five-year project that will renovate and expand capacity for Interstate 635, the LBJ freeway. Begun in 2011, the project updates its status, and lane closure information weekly. Click the "LANE CLOSURES" link to be taken directly to the most recent report.  

 

www.lbjexpress.com

 

Farmers Branch Logo 

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.