BRANCH BULLETIN: E-News Magazine from Farmers Branch
Memo from the MANAGER
Strategic success

 

   I like January. Always have.
   Part of it may be the sense of relief that comes from another successful holiday season put to bed. But, I think most of it comes from the renewed spirit of drive and determination that comes with the birth of a new year.City Manager Gary D. Greer - Backyard
   That's one of the reasons it makes a great deal of sense to hold planning retreats in January. And, that's exactly what your City Council is doing next week.
   The City Council retreat each year is a single day, set aside for the process of setting the City's Strategic Plan for the coming year and to get direction on policies and programs that will be needed to achieve the goals laid out in the plan.
   It's not about the location (we're "retreating" all the way to the Fire Department training room). It's about the experience. This year, the heads of our City departments will be there with Mayor Glancy and members of the Council to get a specific take on our direction for 2012.
   For your review and information, our current strategic plan can be found here and may be modified at this year's retreat depending on the direction of the Mayor and Council. When this retreat is completed, the City staff and I will get about implementation of the plan in terms of its long and short-term goals.
   I remain excited about progress in Farmers Branch. Even in a bad economy, we're still attracting businesses to locate here and accomplishing goals set out each year by this strategic planning process. This is the springboard that provides the momentum that will carry us as a City organization, working on your behalf, throughout the year. To me, this is exciting stuff.
   Like I said, I like January.  

 

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BreakingNEWS
Panda Express to be Walmart Market's first new neighbor

FARMERS BRANCH ~ In the continuing redevelopment of the Josey at Valley View shopping area, the Farmers Branch City Council on Tuesday approved the sale of land that will resuIt in construction of a Panda Express restaurant
Panda Express
near the soon-to-be-completed Walmart Market on the southeast corner.
   The 2,200 square-foot building will be located just south of the Josey and Valley View intersection, on Josey, in front of the Walmart project, and is planned to include a drive-through lane.
   Farmers Branch Economic Development Director John Land said this development reinforces the Council's vision of commercial rebirth in the retail area formerly known as the "Four Corners" and now
dubbed "The Shops at Branch Crossing."
   "Panda Express will be a tremendous complement to Walmart Market and will add another amenity to the area for our residents," he said. "However, we're not stopping there as interest remains high on
adding more new and exciting businesses to the Shops at Branch Crossing."
   Mr. Land said construction on Panda Express should start later this year. The Walmart Market grocery store is expected to open this spring.

 

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FeaturedSTORIES
Winter nature walks coming to John F. Burke Nature Preserve
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Intrepid individuals are invited to share a Winter Nature Walk at the John F. Burke Nature Preserve on Saturday, January 21, with Master Naturalist, Jim Varnum. John F. Burke Nature Preserve
   There will be a bird walk at 9 a.m. to identify the winged residents of the preserve this time of year. Then, at 11, the focus will shift to the cold weather flora for a plant walk.  Both walks are suitable for all ages, but not stroller-friendly. A water bottle, binoculars, sturdy shoes and long pants are recommended. Nature walks are free and open to the public. Call 972.919.2625.
 

 

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Daddy Daughter Dance
Daddy-Daughter Dance tickets now on sale

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Rapidly becoming a winter event favorite, the annual Daddy-Daughter Dance is returning to the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center on Saturday, February 4 from 6 to 8 p.m.

   Advance tickets are now on sale at $5 per person at the Community Recreation Center. After February 2 or at the door, tickets will be $10.

   For more information, call 972.247.4607. 


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Fragrance in roses to be aired at next rose landscaping class   

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Master Consulting Rosarian and National Rose Show Judge Mike Becker will be the featured speaker on "Fragrance in Roses as the next in a series of free classes on landscaping with roses in 2012. 

   The City of Farmers Branch, along with the Dallas Area Historical Rose Society and the Dallas Rose Society, is co-sponsoring the series of six classes in January and February, designed to promote landscaping with roses. Classes are held at 7 p.m. each scheduled evening at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center, unless otherwise noted. 

    Upcoming sessions include: 

  • 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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Love the Branch

CityStaff Snapshot

STAFFName:  Allison CookAllison Cook

Position: Business Development Specialist

Department: Economic Development

Years with the City: 1 month 

Background: I came from the private sector in commercial real estate leasing. I have worked for a Dallas developer as the leasing manager for their projects and also worked for a residential staging consulting company for which I am certified, and hold a Texas Real Estate license. I graduated from Southern Methodist University and just finished my first relay race at the White Rock Marathon.

What Do You Like Most About Working for the City of Farmers Branch? I really enjoy the work environment since moving from the private to the public sector. It is different in a good way and all the people I have met since coming to the City have been great!

 

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Water: Use What You Need, Save the Rest
PartingSHOT
PARTINGSHOTMap of the John F. Burke Nature Preserve
Wayfinding in the Wilderness
Maps on site give prospective hikers a better idea of the expanse of the 104-acre John F. Burke Nature Preserve on the westside of Farmers Branch. Farmers Branch Staff Photo
BranchBRIEFS
SundialTime for a "History of Clocks" tonight at Manske Library  

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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REGULAR FEATURES
TOOLS
LBJ bridge work continues through January

INTERSTATE 635 ~ Demolition of some bridges and rebuilding of others is on tap for the LBJ Express project in January.Interstate 635-LBJ
  Demolition will take place on the Welch Road bridge over LBJ the weekend of January 20.
   Beam hanging on the Rosser bridge was completed last weekend while the same work for the Joe Ratcliff pedestrian bridge has been postponed.
   Likewise, hanging of beams on the reconstructed Marsh Lane bridge has been postponed until February. Additionally, the U-turn lane on the east side of Midway Road, under LBJ, has been closed for construction work through January 20. Information and additional updates on these and other components of the LBJ Express project can be found at  www.lbjexpress.com.

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Garbage Bag delivery now underway

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The annual delivery of garbage bags to Farmers Branch residences is now underway, ahead of schedule, 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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Local authors to gather for book signing event

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Local authors Mel Barney and Tom Nollette will be on hand with their recently published works for a book launch and signing event on Satuday, Februrary 11 from 2 until 3:30 p.m. in the art gallery at the Farmers Branch Manske Library. 

   Other published members of the Farmers Branch Writers Organization will also be present, including Jeanne Ann Macejko and Binion Amerson. 

   For more information, call 972.247.2511.

 

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Love the BranchLove the Branch: Rebuild
Love the Branch: Rebuild
Love the Branch: Renovate
Love the Branch: Renovate
BannerBANNERSign of the Times
With forecast highs in the 60s, it may not feel much like winter, but intrepid explorers will still get the full impact of a winter nature walk at the John F. Burke Nature Preserve this Saturday. See featured story.

Staff Photo
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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. 
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LBJ Express

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.Unsub