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Most precious lives
There's little more to be said about December's unspeakable tragedy in Newtown, Connecticut that hasn't already been
expressed by far more eloquent commentators.
What I can speak to, however, is the readiness of the Farmers Branch Police Department, working with the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD, to respond to any threat on school campuses in our City.
And, its not limited to C-FB.
Chief Sid Fuller and his department are in regular contact with Dallas ISD for security of Cabell Elementary, with the private schools in Farmers Branch as well as the security chiefs at Brookhaven and Dallas Christian colleges.
While it may be impossible to plan for every possible scenario, Chief Fuller and his officers train both independently and with school district personnel to be sure that everyone knows what to expect and what actions will be taken in the event of an incident.
To help further that end, the Farmers Branch Police Department is meeting next week with officials from local college, school and daycare campuses in Farmers Branch, along with security folks from C-FB. In light of Sandy Hook, this is being presented as a good opportunity for everyone to reaffirm their familiarity with emergency plans and procedures so that, working together, we can protect the most precious lives in our community.
If anyone has any questions or concerns about school safety, the Farmers Branch Police Department would be more than happy to speak with you.
  
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Westbound Valley View set to reopen by weekend
FARMERS BRANCH ~ With repairs substantially complete, Farmers Branch Public Works officials expect to reopen a stretch of westbound Valley  View Lane by Friday. Major excavation to repair a sewer main has kept westbound Valley View Lane, between Templeton Trails and Challaburton, completely shut down since early February.
Although a major east/west thoroughfare, Public Works officials said the one lane, each way detour onto the eastbound side didn't create significant traffic problems, adding that many drivers apparently heeded the advisory to seek alternate routes.
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Ending Saturday, Egyptian exhibit wants its mummy
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ The ancient Egyptian art of mummification will be demonstrated Saturday, February 16 as part of the final day of the immensely popular ancient Egyptian exhibit at the Farmers Branch Manske Library.
Noted Egyptologist Rollin Phipps will be on hand to demonstrate the mummification process every half hour between 1 and 4 p.m.
The 75 authentic relics and museum-quality reproductions have been moved from the gallery to the Library mezzanine and will remain on display during Library hours through Saturday.
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 Employee: Maria Minter  Department: Parks and Recreation Position: Athletic Program Coordinator Background: I started working part-time for the City's Parks and Recreation Department in 1995 as a Youth Program Leader. In 1999, I transitioned to a full-time Recreation Programmer position. In that role I managed the City's youth and teen programs. I recently took on a new role as the Athletic Program Coordinator. I'm passionate about Parks and Recreation and feel very fortunate for the different opportunities and experiences I've had within the Department. I attended C-FBISD schools growing up and have a Bachelor's Degree from TWU. I have ten-year-old twin girls and an almost-three-year-old son. Outside of work I serve as a Marathon Coach for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training Program. I love distance running, and also enjoy sailing, traveling with my family, listening to music and helping my husband with the logistics of his record label.
What I like most about working for the City: I am so proud to work for the City of Farmers Branch. I get to work with an incredibly talented, smart, people who offer so much to our community. Additionally, my involvement in the youth programs, special events, and now athletics has given me the opportunity to directly impact the quality of life for our residents. Over the years, I've seen thousands of children and their families benefit from the services we provide. I'm pretty sure that means I have the coolest job ever. |
Citizen Police Academy getting geared up for Spring session
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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Library bringing back basic bridge
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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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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Rose classes conclude with pruning clinic
 GUSSIE ROSE GARDEN ~ Five weeks of mid-winter classes on landscaping with roses in 2013 come to a close at 10 a.m., Saturday, February 16 with a "hands on" pruning clinic in the rose garden at Gussie Field Watterworth Park. The clinic is free but pre-registration is required. Call 972.247.4607 for more information or to register.
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Volunteers sought for worldwide bird count
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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Tax assistance set Tuesdays
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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 Well, the "dead of winter" in north Texas has been anything but with unseasonably warm temperatures for much of the past several weeks - certainly nothing like this heavy snowfall on Valentine's Day 2004 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. Photo by Tom Bryson
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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 13, 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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