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May days
Although it seems like 2012 has barely started, all of a sudden, we've arrived in May. Fish are arriving at Rawhide Creek, school will be out soon and the massive celebration that is Liberty Fest is within sight.
May will be a busy month.
It all gets started this weekend with an earlier date for Fishin' Fun. Every year, thousands of folks come out to see kids pull one ton of catfish out of Rawhide Creek near City Hall. Even if fishing isn't your thing, its a lot of fun and scheduled a bit earlier this year in hopes of the fish biting better than later when it gets warm. The event is open to kids ages 16 and under. Check out more info on at www.farmersbranch.info.
May brings two treats to the Manske Library. Tim Ostermeyer is an Allen photographer that has spent the last quarter century hopping the globe for wildlife photography. Much of this work has been formatted into books for children featuring Mr. Ostermeyer's subjects from his travels. Tim Ostermeyer will be at the Manske Library on Monday at 4 to talk about his unique profession and to show off his work. Then, on Saturday, May 19, local authors and illustrators from around the area will converge on the Library for a book signing/meet and greet with the public. The last one of these was very successful so we hope you'll come out to this one as well.
For good measure, there's a Star Party on Tuesday, May 15. And, if you think we don't have unique activity in Farmers Branch, there's going to be a ham radio field day event May 23-24 at Fire Station No. 3.
But, then, here we go.Liberty Fest 2012 opens with a flourish on Friday, May 25 and continues through the evening of Saturday, May 26. If you like great cars, outdoor activity, really unique competition for firefighters, great music or if you just love this country, please make plans to be here for Liberty Fest over Memorial Day weekend. There will be much more about Liberty Fest in this space and other communications channels as the month rolls on but I encourage you to "hold the date" and join us for what will be the best Liberty Fest yet.
The weather, like our activity in Farmers Branch, is just warming up.
Click Gary's picture for background and contact info |

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Few things are greater on a Spring Saturday morning that watching kids excited about being outdoors while fishing in Farmers Branch. Such many are saying about the 2012 renewal of Fishin' Fun, set for this Saturday, May 5 on the banks of Rawhide Creek in Gussie Field Watterworth Park, near Farmers Branch City Hall.
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Fish and fun.
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Scheduled three weeks earlier than last year, Parks and Recreation Department officials said the change in date should result in better biting when the water has not yet warmed up for the coming summer.
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. |
Wild ride continues on LBJ in May
Midway closure coming this weekend
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Work continues moving at a brisk pace on the five-year makeover of Interstate 635/LBJ Freeway with projects going on in and around Farmers Branch in May.
According to LBJ Express, the construction group responsible for the project, the coming month will see widespread activity that could have an affect on Farmers Branch motorists. Unless otherwise noted, all locations are at their intersections with LBJ:
- Nighttime main lane closures - Various main lanes of LBJ, in alternating directions, will be closed in various locations during overnight hours for the next month to facilitate bridge work.
- Midway Road - Partial bridge demolition has been re-scheduled for this weekend beginning at 8 p.m., Friday, May 4 and continuing through 5 a.m., Monday, May 7. Midway will be closed and all traffic will be detoured.
- Denton at Harry Hines - Utility relocation work continues for another five to eight weeks.
- Josey Lane - Inside lanes are closed and expected to remain closed through June for drainage improvements. In addition, there will be utility line relocation in the area which may require nightly closures of some lanes of Josey at the westbound frontage road.
- Also, the eastbound Josey exit will be closed in the next week. Access to Josey will be via the reopened Forest Lane.
- Also, on May 29, the westbound Josey exit to Denton is scheduled to be closed. By that time, a new Josey/Denton/Harry Hines exit ramp should be open east of Josey.
- Welch Road - Bridge remains closed.
- Marsh Lane - Ramps to and from Marsh will be closed for beam hanging, May 4 & 5, although Marsh will remain open.
- Rosser Road - Rosser remains closed through July for gas line relocation work.
- Valley View Lane - Valley View will be closed at LBJ from May 7 at 8 p.m. until late May 8 or early May 9. Eastbound traffic will be detoured via Alpha and Midway.
Schedules are weather-permitting and subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, visit www.lbjexpress.com.
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Celebrating 50

Photo by Derrick Birdsall
Farmers Branch Manske Library Director Belinda Jacks stands by while Mayor Bill Glancy addresses the crowd gathered for the unveiling of the "Turning the Tables" artwork and the reception for the kickoff of the Library's year-long 50th anniversary celebration. |
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Master wildlife photographer to profile work for kids at Library, Monday
 MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Master Photographer Tim Ostermeyer will stop by the Farmers Branch Manske Library for a presentation on the best images from the travels over the past 25 years on Monday, May 7 at 4 p.m.  A DFW-area resident, Mr. Ostermeyer has traveled extensively with his camera, winning 250 first place awards for his photography and is known for his images of wildlife from around the world that have been used to formulate many childrens books. For more information, call 972.247.3131. The Farmers Branch Manske Library is located at 13613 Webb Chapel, at the corner of Webb Chapel and Golfing Green. Visit the Library online at www.farmersbranch.info/library. |
Early voting continues through Tuesday
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ Early voting for the May 12 City officers election is now underway at Farmers Branch City Hall. Voting continues 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. At the close of the filing period for City elections, three candidates 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 Election day is set for Saturday, May 12 with polling places at City Hall and at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center. For more information, including precinct numbers and corresponding polling places, consult www.dalcoelections.org.
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LibertyFESTUPDATES

Cast your vote for National Anthem singer for Liberty Fest
FARMERS BRANCH ~ With the audition period concluded, the top three sample videos, featuring local vocalists in their rendition of the "Star Spangled Banner" will be available for voting on YouTube by this weekend. Voting will continue through May 15 with the winner singing the National Anthem at Liberty Fest and receiving a prize package. Check it out this weekend at www.facebook.com/fblibertyfest.
Volunteers needed for Liberty Fest
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.
Still time to get concert tickets via email
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Anyone subscribing to Farmers Branch Enews by Friday can still get in on a contest to meet Styx backstage at Liberty Fest.
New subscribers to Farmers Branch Enews (BRANCH MAIL & BRANCH BULLETIN) will receive a link to a free, printable e-ticket to the Liberty Fest concerts on May 26, featuring Styx with Gin Blossoms.
That ticket can be printed as many times as needed, Also, for every 25 people the ticket is forwarded to, the original sender 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 May 4. Contest details will be printed on the email accompanying the ticket. Call 972.919.2511 for more information.
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Now thru May 8Early Voting for City Election @ City Hall
May 5
Fishin' Fun @ Gussie Field Watterworth Park, 8 amMay 7
Master Photographer Tim Ostermeyer
@ Manske Library, 4 pm
May 12Election Day
May 19 Local Authors Book Signing @ Manske Library, 3-5 pm May 25-26Liberty Fest @ and around City Hall & Historical Park
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Fired Up About Literature
This 4th grader from Cabell Elementary was the winner in the Farmers Branch Fire Departments "Fired Up for Literature" contest on his campus, having read more minutes than any of his classmates during the contest period.
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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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