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Name that prune
So which industry gleans the greater benefit from Valentine's Day - the greeting card business or the florists among us? Well, according to the U.S. Greeting Card Association, about 160 million Valentine's Day cards will change hands this year.  That's a lot of cards trying to fit in mismatched envelopes when people hit that section of the store on February 13 and the pickings are slim.
Not that I've ever done that.
But, flowers still rule the day. According to the Floral Trends Consumer Tracking Study, approximately 200 million roses will be bought, shipped, delivered and "ooohed at" this Valentines Day. In fact, those 200 million roses will account for 75 percent of the rose traffic this year.
As most of you know, in Farmers Branch, we're doing our part to keep the culture of rose growing alive and well in our part of the world. And Valentines Day is not only a great time to send roses, but the right time to prune them as well. Our Landscape Manager and resident flower child, Pam Smith, told me some basics about pruning in February.- Shrub roses can easily be pruned using hedge shears. In general, prune these down about two feet below desired height.
- Hybrid tea roses, floribundas and grandfloras should be cut back more severely, removing very old or very small canes. In addition, open up the middle for better air circulation.
- A general shaping is good for old garden roses. Cut back gently to control the size.
The good news, Pam says, is that roses are very forgiving and adapt to most gardeners. For anyone needing the practice, Pam and other rosarians will be in the garden at Gussie Field Watterworth Park for a pruning clinic on Saturday, February 16 from 10 a.m. til 12 noon. Call 972.247.4607 to sign up for the free experience. So, whether you're sending roses or pruning roses this Valentine's Day, be sure to plan ahead so everything will be, yes, coming up roses.
  
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ImportantUPDATES
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City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission to discuss west side in special meeting, Thursday
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FeaturedSTORIES
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 Council approves incentives for relocation of fast-growing, family-owned produce company
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch City Council on Tuesday approved a business personal property tax rebate that clears the way for the relocation of a Metroplex-area produce company headquarters and distribution center to the City.
La Bodega is a family-owned company that stores and distributes high quality and healthy food products to 12 supermarkets across the Metroplex and 400 in Texas. They also own El Rancho grocery stores. As such, they are outgrowing their existing 140,000 square foot distribution facility in Garland. With anticipated inventory and equipment eclipsing $29 million, this expanded relocation to the Farmers Branch east side commercial district will consume some 240,000 square feet.
"We want to thank Mayor Bill Glancy, members of the City Council and Economic Development Director John Land for their support in our relocation efforts," said Tim Willingham, Vice President Operations for Supermercado El Rancho Corporation. "El Rancho Supermarkets corporate headquarters and La Bodega Wholesale distribution center will be relocating to Farmers Branch in the summer of 2013 and we look forward to working with and being a part of the community for many years to come."
La Bodega will be bringing 150 jobs with them to Farmers Branch, with an expected jump to 330 jobs by year five of their 10-year lease.
"We want to welcome La Bodega to Farmers Branch with open arms," said Economic Development Director John Land. "As a family-owned company whose mission to to provide sustenance to other families in Texas, we're honored to have them as part of the Farmers Branch corporate family."
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Westbound woes
Two week sewer project sends drivers scurrying for alternate routes
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Major excavation to repair a sewer main will keep westbound Valley View Lane, between Templeton Trails and Challaburton, completely shut down through mid-February, according to Farmers Branch Public Works officials.
They explained the closure is unavoidable due to the depth of the dig under the westbound lanes. They added that both directions of travel will be diverted onto what is normally the eastbound side of Valley View with one lane headed each direction.
The extent of the repair work is expected to take up to two weeks so alternate routes are recommended. Work began Monday.
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Tax prep Tuesdays set for Library and Senior Center
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Free tax preparation assistance from AARP volunteers is now available on Tuesdays at the Farmers Branch Senior Center and at the Manske Library.
Volunteers are on hand at the Senior Center on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and at the Manske Library from 1 until 7 p.m. through April 16. The tax filing deadline is Monday, April 15.
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Beginner Bridge Basics coming back
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ The Farmers Branch Manske Library's Bridge Beginners Basics class was so popular in a previous incarnation, it will start anew on March 6 at 6:30 p.m. at the Library.
Designed for players looking to learn about and begin to play the popular card game, the class will continue every Wednesday with each class building on the previous. Anyone interested is asked to sign up at the Library's circulation desk by March 5.
For more information, call 972.247.2511.
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Applications accepted for Spring CPA
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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Volume 3.06| Number 102 
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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Horticultural honor
For her efforts and innovation in landscaping and horitculture, Parks Landscape Manager Pam Smith has been named one of only three Honorary Master Gardeners of Dallas County. That announcement came in January. |
Book signing event set for this weekend
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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Ancient Egypt exhibit held over til February 16
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ After hundreds took in its history in the Manske Library gallery, the Ancient Egypt exhibit has been held over due to popular demand.  The 75 authentic relics and museum-quality reproductions have been moved to the Library mezzanine, where they will remain until Saturday, February 16. On that day, noted Egyptologist Rollin Phipps will be on hand to demonstrate the ancient Egyptian art of mummification, in demonstrations every half hour from 1 until 4 p.m.
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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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 Bright colors are soon to appear on the horizon but first, roses have to be pruned in February. See the Memo from the Manager for more information about Valentine's Day and pruning roses.
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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 February 6, 2013.
Valley View: The IH35E northbound frontage road left lane is be closed south of Valley View through February. Denton Drive: The closure of the westbound LBJ frontage road between Ford and Denton (planned duration up to ten weeks) has been postponed indefinitely.
Josey Lane: Construction of the permanent paving and drainage on Josey will require various lanes closed through February. All lanes of Villa Creek at Josey are reopened
Webb Chapel: One southbound lane of Webb Chapel north of LBJ will be closed this week to accommodate utility work. One northbound lane will be closed next week. Webb Chapel will be closed at IH635 on the night of February 19 for bridge beam installation.
Marsh Lane: The pavement and bridge work on Marsh south of Ridgeoak will continue until April.
Valley View: Valley View will be closed under IH635 during nighttime hours on February 12 and 13 for retaining wall work.
Midway Road: The southbound left turn lane on Midway Road between the LBJ frontage roads will remain closed indefinitely. Southbound lanes have been 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. Midway will be closed at IH635 on the night of February 18 for bridge beam installation.
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 experience 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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