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Say it forward
Admittedly, we're pretty far removed from the days of the Town Crier, at least in the literal sense of the words. Back in the day, the Town Crier would put on some elaborate costume, ring a very large bell and deliver public notices to the people. Today, we have very different methods but our goals are much the same. In our 2012 survey, you told us two things loud and clear about City communication - you approve of this e-mail format for receiving news but, you still love your printed newsletter.
We hear you and we plan to make both, along with our other information channels, the very best they can be in 2013. However, I'd like to challenge you to help us implement another, world-renowned method of getting the word out.
It's called "getting the word out." For all our modern technology and storytelling expertise, there is not much that beats the basic simplicity of "word of mouth."
We know that you are in the know. You're up on the Mustang Station development going up next to the DART station and the patio homes now under construction just to the south. We know that you know that firms like O-K Paper picked Farmers Branch for their new home and that business is taking off in the Shops at Branch Crossing.
 But, do your neighbors avail themselves of the same access you have, be it printed or electronic or online or other? How about your golfing partner or your Sunday School teacher? They might not know if you don't tell them.
At City Hall, we work hard every day to channel our news and information out to you in a variety of ways. We hope you'll help us continue that storytelling in our community by passing along the good word, either by word of mouth, by directing someone how to subscribe to our eNews or by using the "Forward this issue" command at the bottom of every story on BRANCH BULLETIN.
Alas, no more do we have people stand on street corners and proclaim the news.
Although, it would be really cool to see Tom Bryson or John Land walking around Mustang Crossing shouting, ringing bells and wearing triangular hats.
  
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FeaturedSTORIES
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COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER ~ Renewing a Farmers Branch Valentine's tradition, the immensely popular "Daddy-Daughter Dance" is coming back to the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center on Saturday, February 2 from 6 until 8 p.m. with a "Red Carpet" theme for this year's event, exclusively for daddies and their daughters. Advance tickets are $5 per person for residents or $8 for non-residents or $10 at the door. There will be a live DJ, dancing, face painting, keepsake photo and refreshments. For more information, visit the Rec Center on Facebook @ fbreccenter or call 972.247.4607.
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 Farmers Branch Fire Chief Steve Parker, (from left) Driver Ron Morrison, Deputy Chief of Operations Gabriel Vargas, Division Chief of Training and EMS Mike Thomson, Lieutenant Jim Dennis and Mayor Bill Glancy.
Fire Department promotes four in Tuesday morning ceremony
BOB PHELPS FIRE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ~ Filling a cascading series of vacancies precipitated by the January retirement of longtime Deputy Fire Chief Ronnie Inman, four members of the Farmers Branch Fire Department received official promotion Tuesday in ceremonies before colleagues, family and friends in the training room at the Bob Phelps Fire Administration Building. Former EMS Division Chief Gabriel Vargas was tapped by Fire Chief Steve Parker to serve as the new Deputy Chief of Operations. Filling the position of EMS Division Chief is Mike Thomson. Fifteen-year FBFD veteran Jim Dennis is the department's newest Lieutenant. Completing the circle, Firefighter Ron Morrison was promoted to Driver.
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 FBPD sets spring edition of the wildly popular Citizen Police Academy
JUSTICE CENTER ~ Focusing on the inner workings of law enforcement, rarely seen by outside eyes, the Farmers Branch Police Department Citizen Police Academy is now accepting applications for its Spring session. The 11-week course meets once a week and offers everyday citizens both classroom and hands-on learning experiences on all aspects of law enforcement and the operations of the Farmers Branch Police Department. The class is open to adult residents of Farmers Branch. For more information, contact Lt. Mike Blum at 972.484.3620 or mike.blum@farmersbranch.info.
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One more week for Egyptian artifacts display at Manske Library gallery
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Even though the formal presentations on ancient Egypt are over, the gallery exhibition, featuring 75 authentic artifacts or museum-quality replicas, remains on display at the Manske Library art gallery through February 5.
Rollin Phipps, former professor at the University of Texas at Arlington and expert on ancient Egypt, has provided an exhibition now on display at the Library Gallery that includes a variety of both authentic relics, up to 5,000 years old, and museum replicas that span the history of the region from the time of the pyramids to the Ptolemaic Period of the Greek rulers. The exhibit includes a eight-foot-tall obelisk and a reproduction of a mummy case along with a replica of the Sphinx and more.
For more information, call the Manske Library at 972.247.2511.
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Few spots remain for Citizens Fire Academy
FARMERS BRANCH ~ For anyone that's ever wondered what it's like to be a Firefighter or just wanted to know more about the Fire Department and how it operates, a few spots remain for enrollment in the Farmers Branch Fire Department's 8th annual Citizens Fire Academy.
The class is open to Farmers Branch residents, 18 and older, who can commit to at least seven of the 10 classes.
Some of the topics and activities included in the Academy are Fire Department history, rank and structure, CPR/AED training, fire extinguisher training, fire demonstrations, fire station tours, search and rescue, protective gear, Self Contained Breathing Apparatus, Emergency Medical Services, current projects, ride-along opportunities and much more.
Anyone interested should contact the Farmers Branch Fire Department as soon as possible as the class is filling up. Phone number is 972.919.2640.
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 Ronnie in retirement
Farmers Branch Deputy Fire Chief Ronnie Inman gladly greets the members of the Farmers Branch Fire Department at the outset of his retirement ceremonies held Saturday at Fire Station No. 3. Chief Inman retires after more than 31 years of service to the citizens of Farmers Branch. Photo by Tom Bryson
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Volume 3.05 | Number 101 
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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'Empress of the Garden' set for February 5
rose class
REC CENTER ~ Continuing the mid-winter landscaping with roses class series, Mike Shoup, owner of the Antique Rose Emporium, will present his latest book, "Empress of the Garden" at 7 p.m., Tuesday, February 5 at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center.  The large coffee table book will be available for purchase and for author autographs that evening. Farmers Branch Landscape Manager Pam Smith said the book delves into the nature of rose varieties' individual personalities that can influence their garden usage. Like all roses classes, admission is free but registration is requested by calling 972.247.4607. The series concludes with a class on February 12 and a hands-on rose pruning clinic on February 16. For more information, call 972.919.2625.
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Writers' Organization plans Second Annual book signing event
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Following on the heels of a highly successful outing last year, the Farmers Branch Writers' Organization will host their second annual Book Launch and Signing event Saturday, February 9 from 2 until 4 p.m. at the Manske Library.
Featured authors will include Binion Amerson, Mel Barney, Ron Decuir, Susan Decuir, Randy Deutch, Jeanne Macejko, Connie Martin and Allyson Solis.
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Great Backyard Bird Count counting on local volunteers
OUTSIDE ~ Thousands of volunteers around the world hope to have a good year in 2013 with the 16th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count.
Locally, Texas Master Naturalists are inviting local volunteers to meet them at the Farmers Branch Bird Sanctuary or the John F. Burke Nature Preserve to help lay eyes on all manner of local feathered fowl as part of the worldwide event.
The Farmers Branch Bird Sanctuary count is set for Saturday, February 16 while the Burke Nature Preserve event is coming Monday, February 18. Both begin at 10 a.m.
For more information, call 972.919.2625.
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 Ominous clouds boil over the Peters Colony Land Grant Office at the Farmers Branch Historical Park in advance of Tuesday's rare January hailstorm. No damage was reported from the brief, pea-sized hail. Photo by Derrick Birdsall
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LB JUpdate
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LBJ Express Project Animation VIDEO
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FARMERS BRANCH ~ Weekly updates are provided by LBJ Express Project, the construction company responsible for the 5-year project that will completely renovate the freeway from the Dallas North Tollway to Interstate 35E. The following update is for the week of January 30, 2013.
Valley View: The IH35E northbound frontage road left lane is be closed south of Valley View through February. Denton Drive: AT&T work continues to require lane closures on the west side of Denton. Beginning January 30, the westbound LBJ frontage road between Ford and Denton is planned to be closed for up to 10 weeks. Josey Lane: Construction of the permanent paving and drainage on Josey will require various lanes closed until late February. All lanes of Villa Creek at Josey are reopened. Webb Chapel: One southbound lane of Webb Chapel north of LBJ will be closed beginning next week for several days to accommodate utility work. Expect nighttime closures of Webb Chapel at LBJ next week for relocation of temporary signals. Marsh Lane: The southbound right turn lane at LBJ has been opened. The pavement and bridge work on Marsh south of Ridgeoak will continue until April. The new Marsh Lane bridge deck was placed successfully on last Saturday night and Sunday morning. There are no more closures of Marsh Lane expected. Midway Road: Midway will be closed during nighttime hours on May 30 and 31 for bridge construction. Expect Midway to be closed again during nighttime hours on February 8. The southbound left turn lane on Midway Road between the LBJ frontage roads will remain closed indefinitely. Southbound lanes are being reconfigured to allow for one left turn lane and two through lanes at the eastbound frontage road. Expect various lanes to be closed on Midway at LBJ during night-time hours. Various lanes on Midway south of LBJ are expected to be closed during the weekend of January 25 for drainage work. The right northbound lane south of LBJ will be closed for several weeks for drainage work. Dallas North Tollway: LBJ is narrowed to 3 main lanes in each direction at the DNT. Other Locations: The new westbound frontage road from Valley View to Marsh and the new section of eastbound frontage road from Marsh to Midway have experienced delays and are now expected to be opened in March. Various main lanes of LBJ will be closed frequently during night-time hours. There will also be intermittent night-time closures of various LBJ entrance and exit ramps. All scheduled work is tentative as permitted by weather conditions and other factors.
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About the City of Farmers Branch
 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. |
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