BRANCH BULLETIN: eNews from Farmers Branch
Memo from the MANAGER
Really cleaning up
 
I always knew that CityWide CleanUp Day seems to get bigger and bigger every year.
Gary 2013
   But, this year, when I received a text that
Farmers Branch residents had started cueing up at our new site in Oran Good Park at 7 a.m., I knew this was going to be the biggest year yet.
   When I got there at about 8:30, the line of folks waiting to recycle electronics and shred documents and more, had stretched back onto Tom Field Road towards Farmers Branch Elementary.
   By the time it was over at 12 noon, an estimated more than 300 vehicles had come through Oran Good, leaving a dozen pallets of old TVs, computers, monitors and other electronics; more than 9,000 pounds of shredded paper; large boxes full of old medications and a couple of cafeteria tables full of books and magazines for the Library.
   How big was it? Balcones Operations Manager Anthony Torres, who was directing the document shredding truck, told us that in his experience, this was easily one the the largest turnouts he's ever seen for an event like this. Top three, he said.
   What's more is our new location at Oran Good seemed to work really well, with traffic coming in from Tom Field Road and exiting out onto Valley View. It will be our goal to keep that location for CleanUp days in future years.
   We'll have complete totals of materials received in the next week or so and will report on it in BRANCH BULLETIN. But, in the meantime, to everyone that ventured out on that absolutely beautiful Saturday morning, thanks for taking the time to participate and continuing to help keep Farmers Branch looking good.  
   
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Other STORIES Online
Traffic ALERT
Valley View Lane to be shut down Thursday night

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Crews will be closing all lanes of Valley View Lane, in both directions, at Interstate 35E for construction work at 8 p.m. Thursday night.
   Both directions of travel on Valley View are slated to reopen at 6 a.m. on Friday. Suggested alternate routes are through the I-35E interchanges to the north and south of that area. 
   
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Don't MISS
Date Night
Food truck frenzy
Saturday's 'Date Night' features music, movie and mobile menus

 

HISTORICAL PARK ~ Grown-ups should plan on spending an evening out, complete with food trucks, music and a movie on Saturday night, April 20 as the City of Farmers Branch presents "Date Night" at the Historical Park, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Trouble with the Curve

   Entertainment will include the Dallas band, "The O's," along with some of DFW's best gourmet food trucks and an outdoor movie, "Trouble with the Curve," starring Clint Eastwood, Amy Adams and Justin Timberlake.

   Food trucks scheduled to be there include The Guava Tree, Rock and Roll Tacos, Easy Slider, Gypsy Scoops, Yellow Belly, Cono Pizza and Cup Cakin.

  Childcare is available at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center, but must be pre-registered by calling 972.247.4607.
   The Farmers Branch Historical Park is located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, between Denton Drive and Ford Road, just east of the DART Green Line (the event is a five minute walk from the DART Farmers Branch station, more at dart.org). Parking will be available at the Metrosquare Business Park, two blocks south of the Historical Park on Ford Road with a free shuttle to the gate.
 
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Finance FACTS
Standard & Poors affirms strong Farmers Branch bond rating

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Citing a strong economy and excellent financial planning, the bond rating agency, Standard & Poors, has re-affirmed the bond rating for Farmers Branch at AA+.
   In issuing the rating announcement, the bond rating agency said its rating reflects its opinion of the City's "strong and diversified economy," along with its "strong wealth and income with extremely strong market value per capita" and "historically very strong reserves."
   "This excellent bond rating affirms the strong financial management policies supported by City Council enabling the City to borrow funds at low interest rates," said Farmers Branch Finance Director Charles Cox. "The rating also helps to keep our property tax rate one of the lowest in Dallas County."
 
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Quick
HITS
   
West Nile prevention urged as weather warms
 
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Hoping to avoid another serious season of West Nile virus, Farmers Branch Environmental Health officials have posted an informational diagram on the City's website that can help local residents eliminate mosquito breeding areas before they become a problem. Find out more at www.farmersbranch.info.
Information meeting planned for Library Friends
 
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Anyone who loves the Farmers Branch Manske Library and wants to help advance its programs and objectives is invited to an information meeting for the Friends of the Farmers Branch Manske Library, set for Wednesday, April 24 at 7 p.m. in the Library Theatre.
   For more information, call the Library at 972.247.2511.
Certified Tourism Ambassador class set April 30
 
CITY HALL ~ Those interested in becoming Certified Tourism Ambassadors for the City of Farmers Branch are invited to participate in a private certification class on Tuesday, April 30 from 1 until 5 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall.
   A nationwide certification, the CTA program seeks to increase tourism by training and inspiring front-line hospitality employees and volunteers to work together to turn every visitor encounter into a positive experience.
   The Farmers Branch Economic Development and Tourism Department is hosting the class with an emphasis on Farmers Branch attractions.
   Deadline for registration is April 15. For more information, costs and registration information, visit www.ctanetwork.com, using promotion code EC03081230007733.
Parting SHOT
CRT stack
Photo by Tom Bryson
CRT stack

A stack of shrink wrapped CRT computer monitors bears witness to the progression of technology at the electronics recycling station at CityWide CleanUp Day held Saturday at Oran Good Park. An estimated 300 vehicles came through dropping off electronics, documents for shredding, old prescriptions and books for the Manske Library.

 
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Volume 3 | Edition 16 | Number 112
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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What's CURRENT  
Liberty Fest announces 2013 singing contest

Liberty Fest Tree  

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Building on the success of a similar event last year, Liberty Fest is calling all vocalists to try out for the "God Bless America" singing contest.

   Aspiring singers should video record themselves singing the first verse of "God Bless America" and email the clip, or a link, to [email protected]. Deadline for entries is May 1.

   A panel of judges will select the best three from the virtual auditions to be posted on the Liberty Fest Facebook page for fan voting, to take place from May 3-15. The winner will be the video with the highest number of Facebook "Likes."

   This year, the winner will sing "God Bless America" during the patriotic ceremony program on the main stage at Liberty Fest, May 25 and will win a prize package to include reserved Liberty Fest seating for four, a VIP parking pass and four Liberty Fest t-shirts. In addition, the winner will be invited to join the Farmers Branch delegation as part of the audience for "Good Morning, Texas" on May 17. For more information, email [email protected].

Star Party moved to Thursday

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Celestial viewing will be in focus at a Star Party, bumped from Tuesday and now scheduled for Thursday, April 18 from dusk until about 9 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.

   Volunteers from the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Astronomical Society will be on hand with high powered telescopes to assist with viewing and answer questions.

   The Star Party is free and open to the public. Visit  www.texasastro.org.

Street survey finishes

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Aided by good weather, a Public Works-contracted firm has completed driving every lane mile of streets in Farmers Branch in preparation for an extensive report on street conditions.

   The specially-equipped van used a combination of 21st century tools, including lasers, video cameras and GPS mapping, to measure all aspects of roadway conditions.

   Farmers Branch Public Works Director Randy Walhood said the data will be complied into a comprehensive report that will paint a very descriptive picture of street conditions in different parts of the City and better enable prioritization of projects.

   That report is expected in six to eight weeks.

Embossing available on history books ordered by Monday

HISTORICAL PARK ~ Advance orders are now being taken for a limited edition pictorial history book of Farmers Branch, set for publication later this year.

Isabelle Gilbert
Dr. Samuel Gilbert's daughter, Isabelle.

The Farmers Branch Historical Park says the volume will be full color with expanded history and an index that will provide a great historical reference of the City.

   "The book will update the first pictorial history that was published in 1996," said Historical Park Superintendent Derrick Birdsall. "While readers will find some old favorites, there will be many, many new images that the Historical Park has acquired during the past 17 years.

   "Readers will go along on a journey from the founding of Farmers Branch up to the present day in a full color format."

   Advance orders are $35 through May 31 and $50 afterwards. Additionally, orders placed by April 22 will qualify for free name embossing.

   Call 972.406.0184 or click the link for the presale order form.

 

PRESALE ORDER FORM

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Liberty Fest 2013
Coming SOON  

Fishin' Fun brings kayaks to Rawhide, Saturday, May 4


FARMERS BRANCH ~ Ever expanding the range of offering fun, with fish, the 2013 edition of Fishin' Fun in Farmers Branch will feature kayaking and kayak fishing as part of this year's event, set for Saturday, May 4 around Rawhide Creek at Gussie Field Watterworth Park, near City Hall.
   The traditional fishing event, open to kids ages 16 and under, will begin with registration starting at 7 a.m. that morning. The tournament goes from 8 until 10 a.m. with kids looking for the biggest of the one ton of farm-raised catfish that have been stocked in the creek. The awards ceremony will follow.
   Additionally, the Kids Zone, featuring games for younger kids, will be open from 8 a.m. until 12 noon.
   Kayak fishing will be held from 9 a.m. until 12 noon with onsite reservations available for specific time slots. General kayaking will be available throughout the morning. As always, registration for Fishin' Fun is free and loaner fishing equipment is available at no charge. For more info, call 972.919.1444.
ECO devo UPDATE
Click on the video or print links to download different media for the Farmers Branch Office of Economic Development and Tourism Year End Report
IN the BANNER
BRANCH BULLETIN: eNews from Farmers BranchFarmers Branch Solid Waste Administrator Shane Davis helps direct traffic at the 2013 edition of CityWide CleanUp Day, held Saturday at Oran Good Park.
Photo by Tom Bryson
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.