Publishing program
Ever considered publishing a book? Award-winning author, Dr. Liese Sherwood-Fabre will describe current opportunities for those interested in entering the thrilling, and  sometimes frustrating, world of publishing at a special presentation at the Farmers Branch Manske Library on Wednesday, August 15 at 7 p.m. Call 972.247.2511.
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Fines forgiven through Monday
School supplies can be your ticket to good standing with the Manske Library during the Library Amnesty Program, continuing through August 20.
For the two week period, fines for overdue Library items can be wiped out in exchange for a donation of new, unused school supplies to benefit Metrocrest Social Services and the local families that they serve.
A list of needed supplies can be found on the City 's website at However, one need not have a Library fine to donate school supplies as there will be collection boxes available at all City facilities for the same period of August 6-20.
For more information, call 972.247.2511.
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Olympic exposure
 Look carefully at the fountain in the screen grab from a national restaurant commercial. Yes, that is the Chapel View Park fountain at the corner of Webb Chapel and Valley View in Farmers Branch that recently aired during the recently completed Olympics on national television as part of a Subway commercial, featuring Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III.
The Heisman Trophy winner and former Baylor star was in Farmers Branch last Spring to film the commercial in advance of the London Olympics.
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Firehouse Theatre's "Enchanted Evening"
While renovations continue to their new home in old Fire Station No. 1, the FIrehouse Theatre will present "Some Enchanted Evening," featuring the songs of Rodgers & Hammerstein, August 16-19 at the Plaza Arts Center in downtown Carrollton.
Thursday through Saturday performances will be at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Call 972.620.3747 for ticket prices and availability.
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Blue Banner
The westside water tower provides a substantial landmark for Farmers Branch as its orientation can be seen from locations in Carrollton and Irving.
Photo by Tom Bryson
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Report card time
As adults, if we do it right, we never stop getting report cards. That is to say, we can and should value appraisal of our performance in the never-ending quest to take it to the next level, to always strive to do more, to do better.  At the City of Farmers Branch, we take that feedback very seriously any time we get a call or an email from any one of you and when we hear from you at Town Hall Meetings, among other forums and events.
And, every two years, we have the opportunity to put some scientific method to the process and conduct a Citizen Satisfaction Survey that gives you the opportunity to weigh in on all manner of services provided by the organization and impressions about the City in a quantifiable instrument that gives us a very concise look at how you feel about how we're doing.
On Monday, August 20, surveys will be randomly mailed to more than 5,000 residents. However, there will also be an opportunity for any resident of Farmers Branch to take the survey online by clicking on the "Survey" box on our home page at www.farmersbranch.info, beginning that date. The survey will remain up and available for four weeks. We use this information for budgeting, for planning programs, services, activities and events. It is really our most important measure of the community's take.
So, let us know what's important to you. If you don't get a survey in the mail, please log on and register your opinion.
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BreakingNEWS
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ Following other Dallas County cities in the area, Farmers Branch has approved aerial spraying of insecticides for mosquitoes as a countermeasure to the spread of West Nile virus this summer.
Dallas County will be responsible for costs and operation of the aerial procedure that is scheduled to spray above Farmers Branch late this week depending on weather conditions.
Farmers Branch Environmental Health Director Stacy Wright said the decision was made after consultation with City leaders and was not made lightly.
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Photo provided by Dynamic Aviation
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"This is a very emotional issue where feelings run high on both sides," he explained. "In the final analysis, we believe the region needs to be working together to curb the mosquito population and help stop the spread of West Nile virus this season." The border or nearby communities of Addison, Carrollton, Coppell and Dallas have all made the decision to go forward with aerial spraying.
So far this year, the entire residential center of Farmers Branch has been truck-sprayed at least four times with higher concentrations in some areas. As of Wednesday, four Farmers Branch residents are among the more than 200 in Dallas County that have been diagnosed with some form of West Nile virus.
Mr. Wright added that the Dallas County Health Department, Texas Department of State Health Services, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have all endorsed aerial spraying as a valid means of combating the West Nile Virus outbreak.
"Aerial spraying has been proven to be safe and effective in substantially reducing mosquito populations," he said. "However, it is not a cure and we need the help of all residents in eliminating standing water in bird baths, flower pots, clogged roof gutters, french drain systems, tires, and any other containers that can hold water where mosquitoes can breed. Otherwise, the mosquito population will begin to rebound and can lead to more West Nile human cases."
With any spraying, whether ground or air-based, common sense precautions include staying indoors with doors and windows closed and consider bringing pets inside.
In addition to the aerial operation, Mr. Wright said aggressive identification and treatment of standing water and ground spraying will continue through the mosquito season which usually runs through the month of October.
> Centers for Disease Control West Nile Virus Fact Sheet
> Texas Department of State Health Services West Nile FAQ
> West Nile Virus Prevention Measures
  
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Central Area Plan video draws 200 hits; Council to consider August 21
FARMERS BRANCH ~ On the heels of a public hearing before the Planning and Zoning Commission earlier this week, the update to the Comprehensive Plan for the central area of the City will go before the Farmers Branch City Council at their regular meeting of August 21.
VIDEO EXTRA
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An explanatory video on the Central Area Plan is available on YouTube and has been viewed more than 200 times in the past week. The video also airs on FBTV at 3, 6, 9 and 12 o'clock, both a.m. and p.m.
Farmers Branch Planning Director Andy Gillies explained the overall Comprehensive Plan is the long term development blueprint for how the city should grow in the future.
"Typically, a Comprehensive Plan looks forward 20 years," he said. "Our Central Plan looks towards 2030."
He added that citizens are invited to the City Council public hearing to express their opinions on land development, traffic, housing and public facilities.
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Library looking for time capsule items
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Library-related materials are being sought for inclusion in a Manske Library 50th anniversary time capsule to be sealed this Fall for opening by the community upon the 75th anniversary in 2037.
Library Director Belinda Jacks said submissions should fall into one of five categories: politics, literature, Farmers Branch community, technology and programming.  She added that organizers would like to include perspectives from Library patrons in 2012 by asking for answers to these questions: What do you think libraries will be like in 2037? What is your favorite library experience? What are you currently reading and in what format?
Anyone with perspectives or ideas for submission to the time capsule should contact the Manske Library before August 31.
The time capsule will be sealed in a special ceremony at the Library on September 22.
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