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No ordinary winter
With the holidays over and colder weather setting in, our attention for events and activities turns inside for presentations and activities that can enlighten and inspire.
This is no ordinary winter.
There has been so much going on at the Manske Library in the past few months, from the interior renovations to the "turning tables into artwork" project and so much more. In January, there are several programs designed to share information and, perhaps, foster a new hobby.
Next week, on Tuesday, numismatics will be the topic of the day as Larry Herrera presents a session on the ins and outs of coin collecting.
Later in the month, there will be two programs at the Library on Wednesday, January 18. From 4 to 5 p.m., the Farmers Branch Police Department will be teaching a class on Internet safety, designed primarily for kids, but parents are encouraged to come as well. Later, at 7 p.m., horological expert, Fred Tischler, will be on hand to extoll the "History of Clocks." A timely subject.
Then, there's more coming from different fields as the City's Landscape Manager extraordinaire, Pam Smith, starts her winter series on "Landscaping with Roses in 2012." That series of classes continues through January and February. Also, next month, the annual Daddy-Daughter Dance is coming to the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center on February 4. And, back at the Library, the Farmers Branch Writers Organization will feature a book signing with local authors on February 11.
All of this and more takes place before winter gives way to spring and the many events that will lead us up to Liberty Fest over Memorial Day weekend.
So, grab a sweater, maybe a coat, and come find out about coins, clocks, roses or just pull up a good book at the Manske Library and discover something. Go beyond the ordinary.
And, don't let anyone tell you there's nothing to do in Farmers Branch when it's cold outside.
  
Click Gary's picture for background and contact info
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Old Four Corners screening wall along Veronica to come down
FARMERS BRANCH ~ As construction on the new Walmart Neighborhood Market nears completion, the decades-old, brick screening wall that separated Veronica Drive from the now-demolished grocery store building will be taken down this week.
Farmers Branch Economic Development Director John Land said the old wall served its purpose in its day, but has now been replaced by a new screening wall behind the new Walmart store. "With the new building has come a new screening wall that will help insulate the adjacent neighborhood from the commercial activity in the area," Mr. Land explained. "The old wall, that is leaning in some spots, no longer serves any purpose and will be demolished."
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ Contemplating change? Lawrence Herrera will offer his two-cents worth with his numismatic presentation on "The Basics of Coin Collecting," Tuesday, January 10, from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Manske Library. "If you are considering coin collecting as a hobby, there is much to know before you start," said Mr. Herrera, an expert coin collector with decades of experience. "We will try to answer the following questions - where to buy, who to trust, what to read, what equipment is needed and how much to pay. "Yes, you can learn from my mistakes," he added. No prior coin collecting experience is necessary. The session is free and open to the public. The Farmers Branch Manske Library is located at 13601 Webb Chapel, at the intersection of Webb Chapel and Golfing Green. Call 972.247.2511.
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Time is now for landscaping with roses in 2012
Free class series heralds planting season
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Although winter's bite has barely begun, Farmers Branch Landscape Manager Pam Smith says there's no time like the present to begin plans for landscaping with roses in 2012.
 As such, the City of Farmers Branch, along with the Dallas Area Historical Rose Society and the Dallas Rose Society, is co-sponsoring a series of six classes in January and February, designed to promote landscaping with roses.
"With the proper selection of variety, roses have proven themselves to be a very drought resistant plant," Ms. Smith said, explaining that the EarthKind roses in Gussie Field Watterworth Park were watered only three times this past, brutally hot summer and still bloomed beautifully in the fall. "The time to plant and establish roses is now, before summer weather sets in."
The sessions lead off on Tuesday, January 10 with Landscaping Designer and Consulting Rosarian, Carolyn Hayward elaborating on "Color in the Rose Garden - Journey from Gardener to Landscape Designer." Ms. Hayward will discuss the steps necessary to turn a collection of plants into a pleasing landscape.
All class sessions are held at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center at 7 p.m. each scheduled day, unless otherwise noted. Remaining class sessions include:
- January 17 - Texas A&M's Dr. Steve George with "EarthKind Roses - Lessons from the Garden - Top Performers in the National EarthKind Trials."
 - January 24 - Master Consulting Rosarian and National Rose Show Judge Mike Becker with "Fragrance in Roses." This session starts at 6:30 p.m. and will be held in conjunction with the Dallas Area Historical Rose Society monthly meeting.
- January 31 - President of the Dallas Area Historical Rose Society and Master Consulting Rosarian Claude Graves will present "A Classic Collection of Roses for the Metroplex."
- February 7 - Peter Schaar will teach participants "How to Prune Roses" as preparation for a Rose Pruning Clinic, to be held at Gussie Field Watterworth Park on Saturday, February 11 at 10 a.m.
- February 28 - The class will again join the Dallas Area Historical Rose Society meeting where Mark Chamblee, owner of Chamblee's Roses in Tyler, will present "Roses Bred for Toughness - Buck Roses and Kordes Roses." This session will begin at 6:30 p.m.
Attendance is free but registration is requested. Call 972.247.4607 to reserve a spot for one or more. Attendance at five classes and the pruning clinic will make participants eligible for a 30 minute personal landscape consultation. Additionally, rose plants will be available for $10 each.
For more information, call 972.919.2625.
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 Name: Ken LeMoine 
Position: Crew Leader
Department: Parks and Recreation
Years with the City: 24 yrs
Background: I graduated from RL Turner High School. I have a life filled with love and laughter with my family; wife, Christi, sons, Justin and Kenny Ray and granddaughter Addison Paige. I enjoy visiting and helping my mother who lives in Carrollton and my in-laws on their cattle ranch in the Sherman/Denison area.
What Do You Like Most About Working for the City of Farmers Branch? I enjoy the people I work with the most. We're like family. We've all grown up together and spend almost more time with one another than we do with our families at home. I enjoy knowing we maintain our parks at a high level and watching the kids play in our parks is a consistent reminder that I have a positive impact on the lives of others. I also enjoy the variety of projects that I have been involved with, and doing things in such a way that I am able to save the City money! There's a real sense of accomplishment when we create something new!
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2011 lights shine on heavy crowds
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Marked by a relatively weather-friendly December, the Farmers Branch  Christmas Tour of Lights saw record attendance in 2011 with 9,943 vehicles traversing the driving trail between Thanksgiving and New Year's weekends. That total vehicle count is nearly 1,000 more than the previous year.
Additionally, the non-profit organizations working during the Tour of Lights in the Historical Park, reported taking in a collective $23,044 in donations, up $3,595 from 2010.
The 2012 Tour of Lights is scheduled to get underway on Friday, November 23.
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Internet safety session designed primarily for kids
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Online safety for kids will be the focus of a late afternoon session, taught by the Farmers Branch Police Department, on Wednesday, January 18, 4 p.m., at the Farmers Branch Manske Library.
Although designed for kids, parents are encouraged to attend as well.
Participants will learn about the risks faced online and what steps can be taken to ensure safety.
The session is planned for one hour, is free and open to the public. Pizza and drinks will be provided. Call 972.247.2511.
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January 18 is time for a history of clocks
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Horological expert, Fred Tischler invites anyone interested in time to a "History of Clocks" presentation Wednesday, January 18, 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Manske Library.
Mr. Tischler will conduct a  historical journey about time keeping devices from water clocks to incense timepieces, sundials and clocks from across the globe.
The session is sponsored by the Library and the National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, Lone Star Chapter 124. Call 972.247.2511.
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Garbage Bag delivery begins in January
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The annual delivery of garbage bags to Farmers Branch residences is scheduled to begin in late January, according to Public Works officials.
Two bundles of 42 bags each will be delivered to each home during the period with delivery expected to finish by the end of February, weather permitting.
Call 972.919.2597 for more information.
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Colder Weather
It's too early to tell if the winter of 2012 will be anything like the record cold of 2011, pictured here by the snow accumulation on tree branches in Gussie Field Watterworth Park. However, forecasters predict above normal precipitation for January and February. Temperature is, of course, the wild card.
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LBJ 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
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www.lbjexpress.com
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Branch Bulletin is the 
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.
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