BRANCH BULLETIN: eNews from Farmers Branch
Memo from the MANAGER  
Looking for Heroes
   
Memo from the Manager     My entire life I have always searched out people I admire and tried to emulate the way they live, work and generally treat others. When I was younger it was easy to find such Heroes, but lately I have been dismayed by the declining number the people who are willing to always do the right thing. Back in the day you could always find a member of Congress, sports figure or business person that you could put on a pedestal.
   Not so much anymore.
   At first I thought that I was just getting grouchy and old and this caused me to lack perspective on this search. But then, I realized I am just looking in the wrong places. You see, you don't have to look far away to find Heroes these days.  Sometimes they are right next to you.  So, indulge me a little, as I tell you about the Heroes in my life.
   First, and foremost, I live with someone who
demonstrates what being a good person is all about. My wife Cozy has the purest of heart and seems to care about everyone she encounters. I am amazed by her positive attitude, even when things are challenging. She always desires to make things special for everyone around her without much regard for herself. She amazes me with her ability to draw people in and make them feel comfortable.  In my eyes, Cozy is a Hero.
   Each day two young ladies go to their classrooms in Ravenna, Nebraska to make sure that their kindergartners and 4th graders experience the best education they can. Our twin Daughters, Haley, and Caley, understand that being a teacher is one of the most important professions on earth. They commit themselves to the highest standards to make sure their students have the greatest chance to succeed in life. Each and every one of their students is special to them. Their dedication to their life's work is miraculous and admirable. In my eyes, Haley and Caley are Heroes.
   And then there is the young man who works for the University of Nebraska who approaches life with such an enthusiasm that he contagiously spreads positive energy everywhere he goes. Our son, Andy seems to make everyone he comes in contact with feel happy and hopeful. He specifically tends to share his optimistic world view with folks that need to know that life is good. His values, integrity, and vision seem to permeate from him like a fountain. If everyone touched people as Andy does, the world would be such a better place. In my eyes, Andy is a Hero.
   So, as 2012 winds down and more time is spent with family, look closely for heroes in your life.
   They may be closer than you think.

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FeaturedSTORIESFEATURED 
2013
Ring in the New Year with final night on Tour of Lights 
 
Tour of LightsFARMERS BRANCH ~ After 37 days of showing off more than a quarter million twinkling lights, the Farmers Branch Christmas Tour of Lights comes to a close New Year's Eve.
   The driving tour continues each night this week from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m., through next Monday, December 31. Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation officials said traffic this year appears to be on par with previous years, but that final numbers will not be available until early January.
   Tour-ists can follow clearly marked candy cane signs from the intersection of I-35E and Valley View, down William Dodson Parkway and through the DART station area to the Farmers Branch Historical Park. Along with way are more than 300,000 twinkling lights on displays, trees and buildings.
   Admission is free with donations accepted. More at  www.farmersbranch.info or on Facebook @branchlights
 
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BusinessNEWSFEATURED 
Mississippi firm buys local warehouses for $41 million 
 
FARMERS BRANCH ~ A Mississippi-based firm has completed the purchase of five Valwood-area warehouses in Farmers Branch, according to a report by The Dallas Morning News.
   EastGroup Properties bought the Farmers Branch properties, including four acres of land adjoining the buildings, for $41 million.
   The warehouses contain a total of 722,000 square feet and were 95 percent leased to more than a dozen tenants.

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SeasonalSNAPPollRESULTSSNAPPOLL
Snap Poll - Favorite TV Special
PartingSHOTFEATURED 
snow blankets the roof of the general store
Winter wonderland
As the sun climbed higher on the Christmas Day blanket of snow, ice started to drip off the roof of the new 1920s General Store on the grounds of the Farmers Branch Historical Park, Wednesday morning.
City of Farmers Branch Staff Photo by Derrick Birdsall
Volume 2.52 | Number 96
Branch Bulletin
is published weekly by the  Communications Office of the City of Farmers Branch, TX.
Two-time TAMI Award Winner for Best eNewsletter in Texas 
Given by the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers 

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QuickHITS   
City employees respond to Christmas snowfall issues
 
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Christmas snow of 2012 caused few problems in Farmers Branch, according to the Public Works, Police and Fire Departments. Let it snow
   Farmers Branch Interim Public Works Director Randy Walhood said crews came in late Christmas afternoon to begin sanding operations on bridges, inclines and major intersections. Walhood said those crews worked through the night but are not expected to be needed Wednesday evening as roadways are drying up.
   Farmers Branch Fire Chief Steve Parker said firefighters on duty Christmas Day responded to a number of calls, including arcing electrical wires and three auto accidents that seemed to be weather-related.
   Likewise, Police Chief Sid Fuller said officers responded to one house without power, seven minor accidents and one motorists assist where ice on a bridge had stranded the vehicle.
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City offices plan to close at noon on New Year's Eve
 
FARMERS BRANCH ~ City of Farmers Branch offices will be closing at noon on December 31 for New Year's Eve. Other City facilities have listed their closing hours according to the following schedule:
Mon, Dec 31 - New Year's Eve
City Hall - Closes at noon.
Rec Center - Closes at 5 p.m.
Senior Center - Dance til 9:30.
Historical Park - Closes at 5 p.m.
Library - Closes at 6 p.m.
Tour of Lights closing night.
Tue, Jan 1 - New Year's Day
All offices and facilities closed.
No garbage collection.
   All schedules are subject to change. Call 972.247.3131 for more information.
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City Manager
Gary D. Greer recognized by ICMA

WASHINGTON, D.C. ~ As a means of recognizing his continued record of success and ongoing professional development, the International City/County Management Association has renewed the professional credentials of Farmers Branch City Manager Gary D. Greer.
CIty Manager Gary D. Greer
Gary D. Greer
   Serving as City Manager of Farmers Branch since 2007, Mr. Greer is one of only 71 credentialed city managers, out of the more than 1,800 cities in Texas. 
   "It's an important qualification for city managers to be credentialed by ICMA," he explained. "But more than that, it is vital that city managers engage in constant and ongoing professional development that, in turn, enables active renewal of credentials."
   ICMA established the credentialing program in 2001 to define and recognize local government managers and to promote lifelong learning. To maintain credentials, members must submit an annual report, describing 40 hours of professional development during the previous year.
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Holiday Craze continues until school resumes in January

REC CENTER ~ Holiday Craze is keeping plenty of kids occupied at the Community Recreation Center during the break from school.
   A recreational day camp, designed for kids ages 6 to 12, Holiday Craze is operated by the Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department during all non-federal school holidays in Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD. The program meets at the Community Recreation Center, 14050 Heartside Place, from 7:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. on specified days.
   Call 972.247.4607 for more information. 
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EcoDEVO   
November 2012 Branch Business BriefView our videos on YouTube
VIDEO EXTRA
 
November 2012
Branch Business Brief
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IN the BANNER     
BRANCH BULLETIN: eNews from Farmers Branch
A thin blanket of Christmas snow covers the roof and yard of the Gilbert House at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. Mother Nature saw fit to sprinkle between one and three inches of the white stuff Christmas afternoon and evening. Although the precipitation stopped before midnight, frigid temperatures kept much of the snow and ice frozen on Wednesday.
City of Farmers Branch Staff Photo by Derrick Birdsall
LBJUpdateLBJ
About the City of Farmers Branch 
Farmers Branch Logo
An historic community in the geographic center of the DFW Metroplex, Farmers Branch boasts a residential population of 28,800 and a daytime employment population of 66,000. Located on the northwest border of the City of Dallas, the City's 27 parks and lush greenbelts feature nationally-acclaimed, award-winning soccer fields, football facilities as well as baseball and softball complexes. The city's location in the center of the Metroplex and only 15 minutes away from both DFW Airport and Love Field, along with the 2,200 hotel rooms within the city, make Farmers Branch an ideal location for residents and for business. For more information on the City of Farmers Branch, visit farmersbranch.info,  visitfarmersbranch.com, lovethebranch.com
or call 972.247.3131.