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I read, therefore, I am
I think its easy to guess that my love of history is a direct result of my love of reading. Through that simple process of putting ink on paper in the right form, words fly off those pages to take readers away to momentous events, faraway places, special settings and historic battlefields.
This week, the Manske Library concludes its first season of a special storytime series called "Readers are Leaders," where different leaders from different positions in our community came in to read a story to kids at the Library.
It's been my great fortune to have had the opportunity to do this on several occasions and, believe me, the responsibility of the task sinks in when you see those young faces reacting to your interpretation of those words that transport them to another place and time, even if just for a few moments.
My thanks go to Library Director Belinda Jacks and her staff that have orchestrated this very timely program. This is just the first step in a process that will continue to promote and support reading and reading programs in our community and there will be more "Readers" who are "Leaders" in special storytimes in the coming months.
However, for now, I'd like to challenge the adults of Farmers Branch to model the "Readers are Leaders" attitude in their homes, at school, church and anywhere kids get together and have the opportunity to be entertained, and, unbeknownst to them, educated by adults reading wonderful stories to them.
It gives them not only reading skill, but a greater understanding of history, great literature, tall tales and other stories that have shaped their world.
Be a reader and, in doing so, a leader.
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 Farmers Branch Police Chief Sidney Fuller takes questions from the a recent Citizen Police Academy class in the courtroom at the Farmers Branch Justice Center.
JUSTICE CENTER ~ Affording regular citizens a unique opportunity to gain perspective and insight into the inner workings of their local law enforcement agency is what the Farmers Branch Citizen Police Academy is all about.
Mirroring successful programs in other agencies, the Farmers Branch Police Department began its twice yearly academy in April of 1998. The Department is now accepting applications for enrollment in class number 26, set to begin in September. In 15 years, the Academy has graduated more than 400 Farmers Branch residents.
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Officer Jim Stephens helps CPA students during the session on fingerprinting.
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Lieutenant Mike Blum is the Academy's coordinator and says citizens come into the class with different perspectives on law enforcement.
"Some come in with confidence that the department does a good job, but want to find out more about it," he explained. "Others may not be sure of why officers engage in certain actions. We try to give them a common perspective with eyes and ears inside the Farmers Branch Police Department to learn about and, in doing so, better understand our personnel, procedures and policies."
Citizen Police Academy classes combine for a 33-hour block of instruction, meeting once a week for a term of 11 weeks. Class topics include training, communications, criminal investigations, crime scene search, crime prevention, programs for children, gangs and more. Instruction on these and other topics will consist of lectures, demonstrations, tours and hands-on experience.
"Our students seem to really enjoy the 'hands-on' experiences, like SWAT and traffic stops," Lt. Blum said. "The K-9 class and demo is a huge hit, as well as the narcotics and gang presentations."
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The firearms simulator offers a realistic understanding of the rigors and safety measures involved in officer training.
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"Overall, the Citizen Police Academy gives a better understanding of not only how the police department operates but why. It is a real behind-the-scenes look and we have fun along the way."
Farmers Branch resident and Citizen Police Academy graduate Don Shulman summed up the critical importance of the program.
"CPA was and remains vital to me and my being connected to MY City," he said. "The training prepared me to be aware and the continued connection with Citizens On Patrol activities reaffirms my desire to think and be safe."
Farmers Branch Police Chief Sid Fuller explained that programs like this are much more than just public relations.
"Citizen Police Academies are incredibly valuable tools in community policing in the 21st century in that they give everyday folks eyes and ears inside their law enforcement agency," he said. "Once they have that informed perspective, they frequently becomes advocates for the department, some end up as volunteers and as members of Citizens On Patrol. It's a win-win program for Farmers Branch."
  
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Employee: Matt Hudson  Position: System Support Specialist
Employed: 2 months
Background: I have technical certifications for servers, desktops and security. I began working at the early age 11 years old for my father, stacking 45 lb bundles of Dallas phone books onto skids. Professionally I have been in IT for 20 years but I have also worked as a truck driver, draftsman, stuntman, body guard and even a missionary for a few years. For hobbies, I like to fence and climb indoors. I also love to write and have managed to complete one children's book for my kids that I will probably never try to publish! Mostly I like spending time with my wife and kids. I was lucky enough to marry by best friend 19 years ago and I have two great teenage boys.
Why I like working for the City of Farmers Branch: Since I love what I do, almost anywhere would be fairly easy to work, but the City of Farmers Branch really makes it easy and it shows. The vast majority of people here are not just pleasant, they are actually nice! I am glad I get to share in the experience.
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Staff Photo Trying it on for size A police officer's job can be heavy but so can the equipment as this youngster discovered when trying out SWAT gear as part of the annual Teen Police Academy, held recently in Farmers Branch.
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870 days to project completion
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The weekly update on the Interstate 635 expansion project has been made available by LBJ Express, the construction team responsible for the five-year project that will completely renovate the freeway from the Dallas North Tollway to Interstate 35E. This update is for Wednesday, July 31, 2013.
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LBJ Express Finished Project Animation
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Valley View (at IH35E): Expect the northbound right lane to be closed again through August. There will be various off-peak lane closures along Valley View between the IH35E frontage roads for several weeks to facilitate construction of a new IH35E northbound entrance ramp over Valley View.
IH 635/IH35E Interchange: The ramp connecting westbound LBJ to northbound IH35E and the westbound Josey entrance ramp will be closed on the night of August 5.
Denton Drive: Denton will be closed for bridge work on the night of August 6. The westbound frontage road from Josey to Denton will be closed nightly through September.
Josey Lane: Construction of the sidewalk on Josey will require various lanes closed through August 8. The eastbound frontage road is closed between Josey and Bankway until August 30. Frontage road traffic is detoured via Forest Lane to Webb Chapel. Josey will be closed for bridge work on the nights of August 5 and 8. The eastbound Josey exit will reopen on August 2. The westbound exit to Josey will close on August 20 following the reopening of the Webb Chapel exit.
Webb Chapel: The eastbound Webb Chapel entrance ramp will reopen on August 3. The Webb Chapel westbound exit ramp will reopen on August 19. The Webb Chapel westbound bypass bridge will open by August 30.
Marsh Lane: The westbound Marsh entrance ramp is closed through August 19. The westbound Marsh exit will be reopened by August 30.
Valley View at IH635: Valley View will be closed for bridge work on the night of August 9.
Midway Road: The southbound left turn lane on Midway Road at LBJ and both U-turn lanes are closed indefinitely. Expect various additional lanes to be closed on Midway at LBJ during off-peak hours. The eastbound Midway exit is scheduled to be closed on the nights of July 31 and August 1. Midway Road will be closed for bridge construction on the night of August 7. The eastbound frontage road east of Midway will be closed during off-peak hours daily through August.
Welch Road: Welch is narrowed to one lane in each direction south of LBJ through August 9 for drainage work.
Other Locations: 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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Although some of these kids in this file photo may be in college by now, the scene evokes the spirit of summer as the countdown is on to the beginning of school and to the closing of old Don Showman Pool. Construction on the new aquatics park will begin immediately after the end of the season. |
Volume 3 | Edition 31 | Number 127 
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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Flashlight Reading program tonight at 7 p.m.
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ The second installment of 'Flashlight Reading' will take place at the Library tonight at 7 p.m.
Everyone is invited to bring his or her flashlight and read under the covers Wednesday evening in the Library meeting room. Books, snacks and extra flashlights will be available.
"Flashlight Reading' is free and open to the public. For more information call the Library at 972.247.2511.
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'Ride into Reading' party set for Aug 2
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ The Summer Reading Club will come to a close on August 2 at the Manske Library with a "Ride into Reading" party beginning at 10 a.m.
Everyone is invited to the party to decorate his own motorcycle, bike or trike and dress up as his or her favorite book character for a short outdoor parade at 10:30 a.m. Materials to decorate will be provided by the Library. Prizes will be awarded for the best decorated vehicle and best costume.
Activities following the parade include games, a bounce house, snow cones, prize drawings and a special appearance by the DART motorcycle and K9 unit. For more info, call 972.247.2511.
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Historical Park to open reservations for teas, 2014 rentals
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch Historical Park will begin accepting reservations for Christmas High Teas, to be held in December, as well as for 2014 park rentals on Monday, August 5.
Anyone interested in attending the annual Christmas tradition at the Park or renting the park or one of its buildings for an event in 2014, should call 972.406.0184 after Monday morning, or come by at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, between Denton Drive and Ford Road.
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Two-part genealogy class coming to Library in August
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Learning the ABCs of 'Genealogy Basics' is the focus of a two-part class coming to the Farmers Branch Manske Library on Wednesdays, August 7 and 21.
Led by J.T. McKinney, the class will focus on building a family tree, the dos and don'ts of genealogy research, as well as free websites that can come in handy. Call the Library at 972.247.2511 for more information.
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Firehouse Theatre invites kids to the 'Rumpelstiltskin' tale
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ The age-old fable of the miller's daughter who must turn straw into gold will be retold by the Firehouse Theatre in "Rumplestiltskin" with performances August 3 & 10 in the theater at the Farmers Branch Manske Library.
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Art camp invites kids to discover 'mediums'
REC CENTER ~ Kids can experience several artistic mediums including watercolor, acrylic, mosaic, frieze and collage as part of the latest Art University camp coming up August 5-8 at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center.
The camp will go from 12:45 to 2:30 p.m. for ages 6-10 and from 2:30 until 4 p.m. for ages 11 and up.
Cost for the camp is $50 for Rec Center members and $54 for non-members, plus a $15 supply fee.
For more information, call the Rec Center at 972.247.4607.
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Library Gallery to open 'Visions'
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ 'Art Focus XC Presents: Visions,' an exhibition of 15 different artists from the Dallas area, opens Saturday in the gallery at the Farmers Branch Manske Library.
Since its founding in 1992, Art Focus XC has shown the work of its participating artists in more than 15 exhibitions ranging from museums to corporate buildings to college campuses. Additionally, they have been featured in Southwest Art magazine and have supported Metrocare Services and the Foundation Fighting Blindness.
The exhibition runs through September 6.
For more information, call the Manske Library at 972.247.2511.
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Residents can recycle chemicals at Dallas drop off truck
DALLAS ~ Farmers Branch residents will soon be able to participate in a city of Dallas mobile truck drop off program that will dispose of batteries, oils, such as motor oil and oil filters, latex paint and antifreeze, known  collectively as BOPA (Batteries, Oils, Paints, Antifreeze).
The program begins August 24 and will include drop off at Southwest Center Mall, 3662 West Camp Wisdom Road in Dallas, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., on the fourth Saturday of each month. Proof of residency may be required and the truck may be available only until filled.
More >>
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Council to meet August 6 & 20
 FARMERS BRANCH ~ After a single meeting in July, the Farmers Branch City Council is set to return to the traditional first and third Tuesday schedule in August with meetings on the 6th and 20th, at the new start time of 6:30 p.m.
Regular meetings of the Farmers Branch City Council are held at Farmers Branch City Hall, 13000 William Dodson Parkway. Replays of the most recent meeting air at 6:30 p.m. seven days a week on FBTV. For more information, call 972.247.3131.
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Beware anyone writing a check for more than amount
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Although there has not been a substantial increase in reported scams, Farmers Branch Police want to be sure citizens are educated on the work done by con artists, in hopes of avoiding victimization.
Farmers Branch Police Lieutenant Jay Siegel said scams come in a variety of guises but usually have some common patterns. Every week, in this space, a different type of scam will be profiled in hopes of raising awareness.
CHECK OVERPAYMENT SCAMS
Scammers seek you out through a classified ad or online auction postings and offer to pay for the item with a check. The scammer then comes up with a reason for writing the check for more than the purchase price of the item and provides instructions for you to wire back the difference after the check is deposited. The check ultimately bounces and you are left liable for the entire amount.
Notify the Farmers Branch Police Department at 972.484.3620 if you or someone you know is being scammed. If you are called by someone who you suspect is a telemarketing scammer, hang up. If they continue to call you in a harassing manner, call the police.
Please visit the resources listed below for more information on scams and what you can do to defend yourself against these practices:
> More Info on Scams
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Farmers Branch Environmental Health officials have
posted information online
that can help local residents and business people guard against
the West Nile threat by eliminating potential mosquito breeding areas.
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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 farmersbranchtx.gov, visitfarmersbranch.com, lovethebranch.com or call 972.247.3131.
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