Everybody remembers where they were on September 11, 2001, what they were doing and how they felt. But, do you remember the four or five days that followed?
   It seemed like there wasn't a cloud in the sky that week. Neither was there a plane since the full groundstop had eliminated air traffic over the country for the first time in the modern era. The normally busy airspace was clear and crisp and as open as the oncoming autumn. But it was only a part of the surreal atmosphere that permeated our society in that first week following the attacks in New York and Washington and Pennsylvania.
   Bipartisan patriotism ran rampant through our cities and towns like a wave of emotion that purveyed a sense of American reassurance, even in the face of abject tragedy. Members of Congress joined together on the steps of the U.S. Capitol, Republicans and Democrats side-by-side, to solemnly sing "God Bless America." Full page advertising in USA Today was pulled in favor of open letters of support and condolence to the American people from foreign governments and multi-national corporations. Late night comedy shows went off the air for a week, out of respect for the 3,000 souls that didn't come home that night.
   You couldn't buy an American flag. Stores sold out of Old Glory as fast as new supplies could be stocked. The Stars & Stripes flew from pickup trucks, store windows, fire engines, front porches and so much more.
   And, we were transfixed by the incomprehensible images that showed the smoldering rubble where the Twin Towers stood the day before, the blaze that consumed a section of the Pentagon and the charred earth in Shanksville where regular Americans became heroes.
   You see, to alter context on an old saying, 9/12 was the first day of the rest of our lives - an existence that now knows the intense and deep injury of an attack on our soil.
   We were all a little nicer to each other that week, whether it was in the supermarket checkout line or in bumper-to-bumper traffic, giving a reassuring wave to the drive that needed into our lane. We were all Americans that week, and whatever our background or politics or personal circumstance, we all had 9/11 in common.
   Today, shouldn't we still  remember that we're all Americans? Can't we put away our disagreements and solve our problems in the same spirit that brought us together 11 years ago?

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Electrical products  wholesaler, Elliott Electric, has announced the move of their North Texas regional distribution center from Grand Prairie to a new site in Farmers Branch, at 13405 North Stemmons Fwy.

   Elliott's west Dallas store will also relocate to the same building. The move takes the firm from a 75,000 square foot facility to more than double the size at 155,000 square feet in Farmers Branch. 

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Dallas County Health Officials have confirmed that a 79-year-old female resident of Farmers Branch has been diagnosed with symptoms related to West Nile Virus.

   This latest case is the seventh recorded in Farmers Branch this year, among the more than 200 in Dallas County.

   Farmers Branch Environmental Health officials said that even though cooler weather is approaching, mosquito breeding season is not over until the first freeze and encouraged continued vigilance for standing water areas.

 

> West Nile Prevention 

> West Nile FAQ 

 

   In the spirit of the book, where the young heroine, Scout, tells the story through the eyes of a child. Ms. Critt, a produced playwright and staff writer at Radio Disney will lead a lively interactive writing workshop, where participants will have an opportunity to re-create, on-the-spot, their most colorful childhood memories and characters.
   Once completed, volunteers will be encouraged to take their turn in the spotlight, reading their newly created works. This optional portion of the program will immediately follow the live reading. Open to all and the workshop is suggested for ages 13 and up.