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Memo from the MANAGER |
Spring cleaning
Although largely identified with southern traditions, the concept of "spring cleaning" really comes from more frigid northern territory (anything north of Denton) when long, cold winters can really dictate a need to clean up and air things out once the seasons change for the better.
 Whatever your background, we hope that Farmers Branch residents will be able to take advantage of the City assistance with spring cleaning at the annual CityWide CleanUp Day this Saturday in the parking lot at the Barney Wood Athletic Complex, next door to the Community Recreation Center.
We've really been amazed at the level of participation this event gets and it seems to be growing each year, especially since we introduced electronics recycling and document shredding.
Last year, on a bright, sunny spring day, we saw electronics waste up 30 percent from the previous year and shredding up more than 70 percent from the previous year. This, along with the flood of calls we've been getting, tells us you like this service and, frankly, it's a great opportunity for us to get out there and have some great conversations with you.
So, if you have some old documents that your office store shredder just can't handle or if you've about had it with the 1988 36-inch tube TV or if you just want to meet and greet our public safety departments, find out about Community Watch, pick up a free rose or see about adopting a pet, come on by Saturday morning from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Details are below.
We'll see you there.
  
Click Gary's picture for background and contact info |
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Giving local residents the opportunity to jump-start spring cleaning, the City of Farmers Branch will sponsor the annual CityWide CleanUp Day on Saturday, April 14 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon at the Barney Wood Athletic Complex, adjacent to the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center. 
All services are offered to Farmers Branch residents at no charge, at the event only.
BOOK RECYCLING
Just announced - the Manske Library will be on site to accept old books, books on tape, DVDs or LPs. Contributions will be added to the Library's Used Book Sale, coming up in May.
DOCUMENT DESTRUCTION Residents can bring old checkbooks, tax returns and other paperwork for document destruction onsite at the event. ELECTRONICS RECYCLING
Sims Recycling Solutions will be on hand to accept old electronics for proper disposal. Items could include computers, monitors, printers, mobile phones, computer cables, mice, keyboards, fax machines, music players, VCRs, DVD and CD players, televisions, scanners and more. They cannot accept microwaves, air conditioners, household appliances, batteries or smoke/carbon monoxide detectors. DONATIONS Representatives from Metrocrest Social Services will be present to accept donations of clothing and non-perishible food items for local families in need. ROSES Continuing the proliferation of roses in the City, there will be a limited number of rose plants available for giveaway that morning to new registrants for the City Manager's Rose Program. Roses will be available with registration on a first-come, first-served basis. OTHER SERVICES
Members of the Farmers Branch Police and Fire Departments will be present with equipment to meet residents answer questions. Also there will be members of Farmers Branch Community Watch, Code Enforcement Officers and Animal Adoption Center volunteers with pets available for adoption. Finally, CityWide CleanUp Day is an official Liberty Fest ticket distribution center where residents can pick up free tickets to this year's May 26 Liberty Fest concerts, featuring rock legend, Styx, with 90s favorites, Gin Blossoms. Call 972.919.2510 for more information. |
Fishin' Fun set earlier this year, coming May 5
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.
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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 concludes Tuesday
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.
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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Name: Deborah Turner
Department: Public Works
Position: Admin Assistant I
Years with City: Almost 5 months
Background: I originally grew up in Texas, but have spent the last 8 years in Florida. I returned to Texas in November and instantly went to work for the City of Farmers Branch. I had previous city experience with the City of Fort Walton Beach, FL where I worked in the capacity of Assistant to the Finance Director. While I enjoyed Florida, I am very happy to be back in Texas.
What do I like most about working for Farmers Branch?
I enjoy being able to help the residents of Farmers Branch with their questions related to the utilities, streets, or solid waste divisions of the Public Works Dept. I feel very lucky to be a part of such a professional and caring organization as the City of Farmers Branch. The excellent dedication of service they have for this community is admirable.
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Da feet in sight
City staff members paused a moment for a memorable photo during the One Day Without Shoes event observed at the City organization on Tuesday. The annual observance offers participants the chance to go barefoot for one day to heighten awareness for the millions across the globe without access to adequate footwear. Photo by Tom Bryson
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LibertyFEST
UPDATES
Ambassadors needed to greet & guide Liberty Fest guests
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.
Who wants to sing for a live audience?FARMERS BRANCH ~ It's not exactly American Idol, but Farmers Branch residents will 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 must 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.
Want concert tickets by email? Want to 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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April 14CityWide CleanUp Day @ Barney Wood Athletic ComplexApril 30 - May 8Early Voting for City Election @ City Hall May 5Fishin' Fun @ Gussie Field Watterworth ParkMay 12Election Day May 25-26Liberty Fest @ and around City Hall & Historical Park
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CleaningUp
Hundreds of Farmers Branch residents will be out on Saturday to participate in CityWide CleanUp Day 2012 depositing electronic waste, documents for shredding and more in the trucks at Barney Wood Athletic Complex.
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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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