BRANCH BULLETIN: E-News from Farmers Branch
HeadLINES
Memo from the MANAGER
MEMOMGRCity Manager Gary D. Greer - Backyard
Shining Stars

 

   Many folks probably don't even realize that the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Farmers Branch is owned by the City but operated by the Dallas Stars NHL organization to promote hockey in the greater community.

   An important segment of our partnership with the Stars is the opportunity to bring the team to Farmers Branch for a practice at least once a year.

   That next opportunity is coming up on Monday, December 5 and we really want to make it special. As such, we're offering a free box lunch to the first 300 fans that come to the 10:30 a.m., open practice session. Secondly, we're also hosting a live broadcast from SportsRadio 1310, "The Ticket" at the StarCenter during the practice.

   This is just another example of how Farmers Branch adds value for its residents and businesspeople. And, we want the Stars players, coaches and management to feel the electricity that can be generated by a Farmers Branch crowd. 

   So, we hope you'll come out and help us show the Dallas Stars that they made the right decision when they put their best StarCenter in Farmers Branch. 

 

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Click Gary's picture for background and contact info
FeaturedSTORIES
Free food, hockey & The Ticket?!
STARSPRACTICEDecember 5 Stars practice time changed to 10:30 am 
 
STARCENTER ~ The first 300 to arrive at the December 5 Dallas Stars practice in Farmers Branch will be treated to a free box lunch, along with a live radio broadcast from SportsRadio 1310, "The Ticket."
   The NHL team practices at least once every year at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Farmers Branch, 12700 North Stemmons Freeway, near the Farmers Branch DART station.
   The practice is free and open to the public and is tentatively scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m. Watch for more details in BRANCH BULLETIN and other City of Farmers Branch media. 
Light the Night: Tree lighting set for December 3LIGHTTHENIGHT
FARMERS BRANCH ~ In keeping with decades-old tradition, the holiday season in Farmers Branch will officially get underway on Saturday, December 3, weather permitting, with the Christmas Tree Lighting festivities at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
   The ceremony to light the City's tree, along with the 300,000 lights that line the buildings and streets from the park to City Hall, will begin at 7 p.m. There will also be fireworks, tubing on a real snow hill, the Dallas Puppet Theater, cookies, hot chocolate and punch. Following the lighting, Santa will arrive in style and many historic structures will be open for tours. Additionally, there will be performances from the Firehouse Theatre and Branch Park Academy.
   Parking will be at Metrosquare Business Park, two blocks south of the Historical Park with a free shuttle to the gate.

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PEARLPearl Harbor 70th anniversary commemoration set Dec. 7  

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The City of Farmers Branch will remember the heroes of Pearl Harbor with a brief ceremony of commemoration on the 70th anniversary of the attack, Wednesday, December 7.U.S.S. West Virginia at Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941
   Set for Farmers Branch Liberty Plaza at 10 a.m., the ceremony will feature excerpts from FDR's famous speech to Congress following the attack, remarks from local officials and the unveiling of the next in a series of plaques at Liberty Plaza, marking significant turning points in American military history.
   The public is invited to attend. Farmers Branch Liberty Plaza is located at 12700 North Stemmons Freeway, just south of the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Farmers Branch and is most easily accessible from Denton Drive. For more information, log on at www.farmersbranch.info or call 972.919.2620.
USEDBOOKSReturn of Manske Library's Used Book Sale planned Dec. 8-10

FARMERS BRANCH ~ A local Library tradition returns in December with the Manske Library Used Book Sale, December 8 through 10.
   Planned for the Library's Meeting Room, the sale will be held during regular Library hours, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Thursday as well as 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
   Hundreds of titles will be available, many for less than $1.
CityStaff Snapshot

STAFFName: Shanna Sims-Bradish 

Assistant City Manager Shanna Sims-Bradish

Position:Asst City Manager

Department: Administration

Years with the City:  

Background: I have a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Missouri and a Master's Degree in Public Administration from the University of Kansas. I have worked with cities for 16 years including seven with the City of Carrollton and four with the Town of Addison. 

Personal: I enjoy spending time with my husband, two-year-old son and energetic dog. I love reading all types of fiction and enjoy scuba diving with my husband. 

What Do You Like Most About Working for the City of Farmers Branch? There is a true partnership between the residents and the employees. Everyone is committed and works so well together to help enhance the quality of life in Farmers Branch You won't find more dedicated city employees than those in Farmers Branch.

HolidayHOURS
CHRISTMAS TOUR OF LIGHTS
Thru SAT / DEC 31
6:30 to 9:30 pm
Historical Park segment closed Mondays & Dec. 3, 25 & 31

SAT / DEC 24
Christmas Eve
Manske Library open 10 am to 6 pm
Rec Center open 7 am to 5 pm
Historical Park open 12 to 6 pm
ALL OTHER OFFICES & FACILITIES CLOSED 

SUN / DEC 25
Christmas Day
ALL OFFICES & FACILITIES CLOSED

MON / DEC 26
Christmas Holiday Observed
MOST FACILITIES CLOSED
Rec Center open 6 am to 5 pm
Historical Park open 8 am to 5 pm
No garbage collection

SAT / DEC 31
New Year's Eve
Manske Library open 10 am to 6 pm
Rec Center open 7 am to 5 pm
Historical Park open 12 to 6 pm
Senior Center open 1 to 5 pm
ALL OTHER OFFICES & FACILITIES CLOSED  

SUN / JAN 1
New Year's Day
ALL OFFICES & FACILITIES CLOSED

MON / JAN 2
New Year's Holiday Observed
MOST FACILITIES CLOSED
Rec Center open 6 am to 5 pm
Historical Park open 8 am to 5 pm
No garbage collection

All hours are subject to change
Call 972.247.3131
PartingSHOT
PartingSHOTThe Need for Speed
Speeding down the snow hill.
Farmers Branch Staff Photo
Kids of all ages love to slide down the snow hill at the annual Farmers Branch Christmas Tree Lighting event.
InsideTHISWeek
STORIES
FEATURES
TOOLS
BranchBRIEFS
COUNCILMEETCouncil to meet December 6

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers
Farmers Branch logoBranch City Council will meet in regular session on Tuesdays, December 6 & 20 at 6 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall. Agendas can be found online at www.farmersbranch.info after 5 p.m. the Friday before the following Tuesday's Council meeting.
   All regular Council meetings are broadcast live on FBTV, Time Warner cable channel 16 in Farmers Branch, AT&T Uverse channel 99 throughout the Metroplex and onlne at www.farmersbranch.info.  
PETADOPTPet adoption gift certificates now a gift-giving option

FARMERS BRANCH ~ As a non-traditional option for gift-giving this holiday season, the
Barking Lot - Pet place marks 100 percent adoptionFarmers Branch Animal Adoption Center is offering Pet Adoption Gift Certificates.
   Each $80 gift certificate includes the adoption of an animal, sterilization, rabies and pre-selected vaccinations, microchip and free vet examination.    For more information, call the Animal Adoption Center at 972.919.8770. 
STNICKLibrary plans an evening with St. Nick

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Ever want to meet the Grinch?
   He plans to be in attendance at the Farmers Branch Manske Library, along with Santa Claus for a special event December 14 at 6:30 p.m. The event will include ol' St. Nick reading Clement Clarke Moore's classic "The Night Before Christmas," along with cookie decorating, photos with Santa, a bounce house and a dance performance by Branch Park Academy.
   Earlier, on December 6, the Manske Library will hose a festive Cookie Exchange from 6:30 until 9 p.m. Everyone is invited to bake their favorite cookies to swap. All in attendance can leave with an assortment of holiday goodies and recipes.
FIREHOUSEFirehouse Theatre sets holiday performance

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Soon to be a tenant of old Fire Station No. 1, the all-new Firehouse Theatre has planned its inaugural performance in December.
   Broadway performers John Wilkerson and Margaret Shafer will join other Metroplex performers in "The Firehouse Theatre Christmas Spectacular," 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 469.522.0766 or e-mail info@thefirehousetheatre.com
InTheBANNER
BannerBANNER O Tannenbaum
Whether abstract or in sharp focus, the shape of the iconic Christmas Tree is always easy to distinguish. In this case, a staff photographer took a different look at last year's Farmers Branch tree.

Staff Photo by Tom Bryson
 
WeeklyPLANNER
WEEKLY SAT / DEC 3
Christmas Tree Lighting
@ Historical Park, 7 pm

MON / DEC 5

Dallas Stars Practice @ StarCenter, 11 am, Free

Senior Dance
 
ImportantLINKS
LinksoCITY
Farmers Branch Website
Convention & Visitors Bureau
Parks & Recreation
Community Recreation Center
Senior Center
Historical Park
Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch
Garbage Pickup Holiday Schedule
Police
Fire
Online Water Bill Payment 

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COMMUNITY
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LBJExpressLBJ Express is the name given to the five-year project that will renovate and expand capacity for Interstate 635, the LBJ freeway, from Central Expressway to Stemmons Freeway through parts of Dallas and Farmers Branch. Begun in 2011, the project team updates its status, and lane closure information weekly, including weekend bridge construction that could have serious traffic impacts. 
For More, Click Here

LBJ Express

www.lbjexpress.com

 

Branch Bulletin is the TAMI Award
 recipient of the 2011
TAMI Award
for Best
E-Newsletter in Texas, bestowed by the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers
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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.Unsub