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Memo from the MANAGER |
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Fifty-two
If you look at the top right of this electronic document, just above the colorful picture of the blooming daffodil, you will see a series of numbers. The designation "Volume 2, Edition 8" simply indicates that this is the second calendar year of publication for BRANCH BULLETIN and we are on the eighth issue of 2012. However, the next number is all-important. That is the total number of issues we've published since we began this venture in 2011.
Today's edition is number 52, completing our first  year of spreading the good e-news of Farmers Branch via this 21st century information channel.  We estimate that we've placed issues of BRANCH BULLETIN in e-mail in-boxes more than 250,000 times during that first year. In doing so, we've offered you more than 700 individual stories or nuggets of information, about 200 full-color photos, and 52 different banners, giving each of our issues an individual personality based on the season, upcoming event or, simply, a beautiful setting. In addition, each week we take the opportunity to introduce you to a member of the City staff in hopes of putting names with faces and giving you a little bit of background on the superior expertise of the people who work for you each and every day. Finally, this week marks the return of the Snap Poll. Questions for the poll sometimes have been pertinent and sometimes have been just for fun. This week, we'd like to know what you've enjoyed most about BRANCH BULLETIN during this first year. However, going forward, rest assured that status quo is not an option when it comes to any of our communication channels. Therefore, we'd like to hear what you would like to see in this e-news magazine as we move into our second year of publication. Let us know at fbinfo@farmersbranch.info or click on my picture to send a message directly to me. Above all, thanks for your interest in the City of Farmers Branch.
  
Click Gary's picture for background and contact info |
FARMERS BRANCH ~ More than just souped up golf carts, two federally-funded all-terrain vehicles now in service for the Farmers Branch Police Department will go a long way to improve response capabilities of police officers in unique situations, says Deputy Police Chief Mark Young. These special use vehicles will enhance the Police Department's ability to patrol special events, nature and bike trails, golf courses, commercial lots, business centers, hard-to-traverse residential alleys and easements and crowded venues.
"Prior to this, our department had no off-road apparatus to respond efficiently to injured persons or crime scenes in remote locations," Chief Young added. "Among other duties, these vehicles will be designated for the emergency evacuation of handicapped patrons at some of the City-sponsored special events such as Liberty Fest and Halloween in the Park."
The two gas-powered all-terrain vehicles were purchased for $18,936 through a federal Criminal Justice Programs Grant. They seat up to six adults with a fold-down rear seat for carrying equipment. With rustproof aluminum frames, three-times stronger than competitors, and Kawasaki 400cc, gasoline-powered, 13 horsepower engines, these vehicles can hit a blazing 16 mph.
Additionally, each is equipped with a six-inch lift kit for ground clearance and off-road tires for navigation through the dirt and mud. After delivery, the Farmers Branch Equipment Services Department outfitted each vehicle with a rear-view mirror, public address/siren system, police decals and emergency red and blue flashing lights.
The vehicles were put into service in early February.
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Fresh Ham
Amateur radio operators invite the interested to demonstration at Farmers Branch Fire Department
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Those interested in taking their hobbies to the airwaves are invited to attend an Amateur Radio presentation on Saturday, February 25 at the Farmers Branch Fire Department Administration Building, 13333 Hutton Drive. The first session will be at 9:30 a.m. and repeated at 1:30 p.m. Each session will begin with a video, narrated by the late Walter Cronkite, an amateur (or ham) radio enthusiast and continue with demonstrations of both High Frequency (HF) and Very High Frequency (VHF) radio equipment.
"Amateur radio operators have a place in emergency operations around the world," said Farmers Branch Fire Chief Steve Parker. "Especially in cases of natural disaster when conventional phone lines are down and cell towers are damaged, sometimes ham radio is the only way to get information in or out of certain areas."
The sessions are presented by Glen Warnstaff of the Metrocrest Amateur Radio Society with support from the Farmers Branch Fire Department. For more information, call 214.986.6803.
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Name: Amy Cooper
Position: Recreation Programmer
Years with City: 17 years full time
Background: I started working part time in the Farmers Branch Parks Department while attending high school and college. After graduating I acquired a full time position and have been with the City ever since. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends, and volunteer with a local charity providing photography services for their events.
What Do You Like Most About Working for the City of Farmers Branch? I have a career in "play"...What's not to love about that!
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Police Alert Network keeps neighbors in the know
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Drawing on 21st century information technology to keep citizens informed about what's going on in their neighborhoods, Farmers Branch Police Chief Sid Fuller has unveiled the Police Alert Network. >>> More
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Certified Tourism Ambassador class set for March 8
FARMERS BRANCH ~ There is still an opportunity to get in on a class that will enable local residents to act as Certified Tourism Ambassadors for the City of Farmers Branch.
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Look for results in next week's issue |
March 3
Grand Opening @ Fire Station No. 1
March 20
Star Party @ Historical Park
March 23-24 & 30-31
Encounters from the Past @ Keenan Cemetery
March 24-25
Camping Under the Stars @ Historical Park
April 1
Easter Eggstravaganza @ Historical Park
April 6
Good Friday Holiday ~ Most City Offices Closed
April 14
CityWide CleanUp Day @ Barney Wood Athletic Complex
May 5
Fishin' Fun @ Gussie Field Watterworth ParkMay 25-26
Liberty Fest @ and around City Hall & Historical Park
More info @ 972.247.3131 |
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Fire Department plans Grand Opening for new Station No. 1
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Grand Opening ceremonies for the Farmers Branch Fire Department's new Station No. 1 have been set for Saturday, March 3 at 10 a.m. at the new facility.
Station No. 1 is located at 13601 Valley View, just south of the Manske Library.
Refreshments, kids activities and tours of the new building will continue after the ceremonies, until 12 noon.
The 12,000-square-foot, $5.5 million facility replaces the 50+-year-old original Farmers Branch Fire Station No. 1 on Valley View Lane, near City Hall that had become too small and outdated for contemporary firefighting operations.
For more information, call 972.919.2640.
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Tax help on hand Tuesdays at Rec & Senior Center
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Helping residents sort out the different tax forms and find answers to tax questions are among the duties of AARP volunteers offering free tax assistance at two Farmers Branch facilities every Tuesday through this year's slightly extended tax deadline.
Volunteers will be on hand at the Farmers Branch Senior Center every Tuesday from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and at the Manske Library from 12 noon through 7 p.m.
According to the Internal Revenue Service, the 2012 tax filing deadline has been extended to Tuesday, April 17.
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Last chance coming Tuesday for rose class series
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The winter 2012 edition of the  "Landscaping with Roses" class series concludes on Tuesday, February 28 at 6:30 p.m. with a session on "Roses Bred for Toughness."
Mark Chamblee, owner of Chamblee's Roses in Tyler, will present the session at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center.The City of Farmers Branch, along with the Dallas Area Historical Rose Society and the Dallas Rose Society, has co-sponsoring the class series.
Attendance is free but registration is requested at 972.247.4607. Additionally, rose plants will be available for $10 each. For more information, call 972.919.2625.
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Daffodils in February
It's February in Texas so its time for the annual appearance of the daffodils in Farmers Branch parks, medians and public spaces. These bright yellow flowers were spotted in Gussie Field Watterworth Park near City Hall.
Staff Photo by Tom Bryson |
VIDEO  LIBRARY
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Strategic Success 12:01
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Turning Tables 4:57
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Love The Branch: The Drive - :46
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CITY
EDUCATION
COMMUNITY
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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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