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Memo from the MANAGER |
One day without shoes
On April 10, don't be alarmed if you notice City of Farmers Branch employees walking around barefoot. Don't worry, it is not the newest trend in dress codes. Rather, it is to join with thousands of others across the world in helping to raise awareness of how many people go without shoes every day and the dangers they face.
 In the Phillippines, 30,000 people (approximately the size of Farmers Branch) live in a landfill.
Yes, you read that right. A landfill.
Every day, those people walk over debris including broken glass and who-knows-what-else. Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon sight in many parts of the globe. Millions are either infected with or are facing diseases from soil-borne insects or parasites. Even more are unable to attend school for lack of adequate footwear.
It's not a very pretty picture. One person asked me, "how will taking our shoes off help these people?" I can only say that education is empowerment and a demonstration like this can help foster that education.
Oddly enough, the event designed to take shoes off was begun several years ago by a shoe company that works through charitable organizations to give one pair of shoes to a child in need for every pair bought from their company. I'm not here to advertise for them, but you can find out more at www.onedaywithoutshoes.com.
So, if you happen into one of our City facilities next Tuesday, don't be surprised if the young man accepting your water payment or the young lady helping you with a fence permit is standing there in their socks or bare feet.
And, if you feel like it, kick off your shoes and join us.
  
Click Gary's picture for background and contact info |
Farmers Branch fares well in Tuesday storm outbreak
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Chief Steve Parker
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ Although more than a dozen tornadoes were reported in the Metroplex during Tuesday's wicked weather, the City of Farmers Branch appears to have dodged the fate of other communities that were impacted by the super cell storms.
Farmers Branch Fire Chief Steve Parker said there have been no reports of serious damage or injuries as a result of the weather. However, he added that things could easily have been different.
"For a while it was looking like the Tarrant County storm that slammed Arlington was headed directly for Farmers Branch," he explained. "However, it veered north as it approached us and, instead, belted Coppell with golf and tennis ball-sized hail."
Chief Parker emphasized that weather events like this only underscore the need for emergency planning for government buildings, offices and homes.
"In this part of the country, especially this time of the year, you never know what's coming our way," he said. "It is prudent to have a plan for what to do in the event of an emergency and be sure everyone knows it."
For more information on emergency planning, call the Farmers Branch Fire Department at 972.919.2640.
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ Free tickets for the 2012 Farmers Branch Liberty Fest concerts, featuring rock legend, Styx, with special guests, Gin Blossoms are now available at Farmers Branch city facilities, including City Hall, Community Recreation Center, Senior Center and Historical Park. Set for Saturday, May 26 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park, the concerts will be the grand finale of the 2012 edition of Liberty Fest. Gates will open at 4 p.m. with local bands playing from 5:15 to 7:15 p.m. to be followed by 1990s sensation, Gin Blossoms, then the legendary, Styx.
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Gin Blossoms
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Lawn seating is first-come, first-served. Blankets and lawn chairs are encouraged but reserved seating is available. A variety of food vendors and concessionaires will be on hand in the park. As such, no coolers or outside food or drink will be allowed into the park. Parking will be available at the Metrosquare Business Park, two blocks south of the Historical Park on Ford Road or at City Hall, 13000 William Dodson Parkway at a cost of $10 per vehicle after 4 p.m. (cash only, please). For more information or to purchase reserved seating, visit www.fblibertyfest.com.Looking for a few good volunteers
FARMERS BRANCH ~Anyone interested in working on behalf of their community to introduce Farmers Branch hospitality to visitors is encouraged to become a Liberty Fest volunteer Ambassador. Dozens of volunteers are needed for various areas of the Liberty Fest event from Friday evening through Saturday night. For more information and a volunteer application, visit www.fblibertyfest.com.
Want to sing before a live audience?FARMERS BRANCH ~ It's not exactly American Idol, but Farmers Branch
residents have the opportunity to express themselves vocally in an online competition for the opportunity to sing the "Star Spangled Banner" at Liberty Fest 2012. Community crooners should record an audition video, including their name and address and their rendition of the National Anthem. The top three videos will be featured on the Liberty Fest Facebook page where the top vote-getter will sing at the 2012 event and win a prize package to include reserved concert seating for four, Liberty Fest t-shirts, a parking pass and more.
Videos should be sent to fbinfo@farmersbranch.info and include the vocalist's name, address and contact phone number. All submitters agree to have their video featured on Facebook for the purpose of selecting a winner. Contest is open to Farmers Branch residents only. Call 972.919.2511. Deadline for submissions is May 1.
Receive tickets by email & maybe meet Styx
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Helping friends out by forwarding them free concert tickets will mean backstage passes for one lucky Liberty Fest fan.
Subscribers to BRANCH BULLETIN, the City's free e-news magazine, will be receiving an email with an attached concert ticket. For every 25 forwards of that email, the subscriber will receive one entry into a drawing for reserved concert seating for four and meet and greet passes to meet Styx. In order
to be entered, forwards must also copy fbinfo@farmersbranch.info. Without the copy, the number of forwarded tickets will not be counted.
To receive the email concert ticket, sign up for BRANCH BULLETIN at www.farmersbranch.info by April 15. Contest details will be printed on the email accompanying the ticket. Call 972.919.2511.
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Early voting begins April 30
FARMERS BRANCH ~ At the close of the filing period for City elections, three candidates have applied to run for two seats on the Farmers Branch City Council.
For the Place 3 City Council seat, Jeff Fuller is running against incumbent Michelle Holmes. In Place 5, current Councilman Ben Robinson is unopposed for re-election.
Early voting will be held Monday, April 30 through Saturday, May 5 from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Sunday, May 6 from 1 until 6 p.m.; and, Monday and Tuesday, May 7 & 8 from 7 a.m. til 7 p.m. Early voting polling places will be located throughout Dallas County, including Farmers Branch City Hall. Election day is set for Saturday, May 12.
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Tax help has two more Tuesdays before April 17
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. The 2012 tax filing deadline has been extended to Tuesday, April 17.
City offices to close for Good Friday holiday
FARMERS BRANCH ~ All Farmers Branch City offices will be closed on Friday, April 6 in observance of the Good Friday holiday. Likewise, there will be no garbage collection that day. The only facilities that will be open include the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center and Historical Park, both open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Business deals lead to Top 5 EcoDevo ranking
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John Land
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ With real estate deals in 2011 topping $261 million, the Farmers Branch Economic Development Department was named last week to the Dallas Business Journal's Top 5 Economic Development Agencies in DFW. The Farmers Branch office rounded out the list which also featured Economic Development offices in Dallas, Fort Worth and Arlington, along with the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
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Major LBJ work scheduled April 13-14
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The main lanes of LBJ freeway will be closed at Marsh Lane for bridge work Friday and Saturday nights, April 13 & 14.
Scheduled work time is from 8 p.m. each evening until 12 noon the following day. All work schedules are subject to change and weather conditions. For the latest updates, visit www.lbjexpress.com.
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Fishin' Fun 2012 returning to early May
FARMERS BRANCH ~
Anxious young anglers will be excited to know the popular annual event known as Fishin' Fun has returned to early May and is set for Saturday, May 5 from 8 until 11 a.m. along the banks of Rawhide Creek in Gussie Field Watterworth Park, near Farmers Branch City Hall. As always, the event is free of charge for children, ages 16 and under only. Onsite registration begins at 7 a.m. and requires a parent's signature. Kids are encouraged to bring their own rods or to use loaner equipment provided free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Fishing will actually take place from 8 to 10 a.m., to be followed by an awards ceremony.There will also be a catch and release fishing tank for smaller anglers, kayaking, prize giveaways, as well as other children's activities. For more information, call 972.919.1444 or log on to www.farmersbranch.info/play/special-events.
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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 Park
May 25-26
Liberty Fest @ and around City Hall & Historical Park
More info @ 972.247.3131
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Heart & sole
Farmers Branch City Staff members will be going barefoot on Tuesday, April 10 to raise awareness for the millions of people (many of which are children) that have no shoes. The effort is part of the annual One Day Without Shoes campaign.
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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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