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Voluntary vigilance
With water conservation on the forefront of everyone's mind in this years-long drought, the City of Farmers Branch moved to Stage 1 of our Drought Contingency Plan on New Year's Day, 2012.  And, as of right now, we're still there. Stage 1 formalizes what most of you practice on a daily basis anyway - voluntary conservation of this precious resource. It's not news to anyone that north Texas has been in the throes of a prolonged drought. Even though this has been a relatively mild and moderately wetter summer by comparison to some of the dry scorchers we've had, overall rainfall is still down over the years. And, while some cities have decided upon more stringent water requirements, we prefer to call upon our residents for voluntary conservation - for now. Time and time again, you've risen to the occasion with significant decreases in water consumption when we've asked for it. Right now, we're continuing to ask for it. On our website there's a list of things all of us can do to voluntarily conserve but the best strategy I can recommend is still common sense. Simple things like - don't leave the hose running when washing your car, when brushing your teeth, don't leave the faucet running, watch excessive runoff from landscape watering and the like. The bottom line is, as I'm fond of saying - use what you need, save the rest. Here's where the 'for now' part comes in. Voluntary conservation is only Stage 1 of our Drought Contingency Plan. There are more advanced stages that do get into watering schedules and call for penalties for violations. We hope we won't ever have to step up to that, but we're prepared to if the drought worsens. In the meantime, the first strategy of voluntary conservation is also our best strategy for doing what we can to fend off the need for more restrictive measures later on. So, let's continue to use what we need, save the rest. |
 
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Enticing taste buds as well as open ears, the 2013 edition of the Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival and Chili Cookoff is coming to the Farmers Branch Historical Park on Friday and Saturday, October 18 & 19.
Video  Extra 
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Alan Tompkins previews the 2013 Bloomin' Bluegrass Free Music Festival in Farmers Branch
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Bluegrass artists confirmed for this year's free festival include Suzy Bogguss and the Travelin' McCourys. Music will begin on Friday evening and continue all day Saturday. Admission to the Farmers Branch Historical Park and parking are both free. Concessions will be available.
In addition to the world-class bluegrass entertainment on stage, musicians will be gathering on historic porches and under 100-year-old shade trees for informal jam sessions throughout the festival.
A new event, begun last year, the Chili Cookoff will be on Saturday, again featuring chili cooks from around the area vying for the prizes and prestige as part of this growing tradition.
The Farmers Branch Historical Park is located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, between Denton Drive and Ford Road and a short walk from the Farmers Branch DART Green Line rail station. Free parking will be 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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West Nile precautions ongoing
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Although not as severe a season as last year, Farmers Branch Environmental Health Officials still treat the threat of West Nile virus very seriously.
Environmental Health Director Stacy Wright said that even though there have been no confirmed human cases of West Nile virus in Farmers Branch this year, they still take a comprehensive and proactive approach to prevention.
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Residents reminded to conserve water
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Although the summer of 2013 has proved to be wetter than usual for north Texas, Farmers Branch City Manager Gary D. Greer wants to remind residents voluntary water conservation measures remain in effect.
"Although the rain we've had in July and August is extremely rare for this time of year, we remain in the clutches of a prolonged drought," he explained. "That's why we implemented Stage 1 voluntary conservations measures, under our drought contingency plan, in early 2012 and that's why we're continuing that stage now."
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Summer Funshine Carnival to benefit Historical Park General Store project
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The annual Summer Funshine 'End of Summer' carnival is set for Friday, August 23, from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center.
Open to the public, the carnival features game booths, face painting, concessions and much more as the kids of Summer Funshine prepare to return to school next week.
Each year, the end of summer carnival benefits a specific cause or charity. The 2013 event's proceeds will be donated to the Farmers Branch Historical Park General Store project. Call 972.247.4607.
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Tollway grace period runs thru Sep 13
AUSTIN ~ Any driver with past-due bills from travel on area toll roads has the opportunity to come clean as part of a grace period for cleaning up these accounts.
Until September 13, drivers can address outstanding tolls at a potential discount by contacting the North Texas Tollway Customer Service center at 972.818.6882.
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City lists holiday hours for Labor Day
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Most City of Farmers Branch offices and facilities will be closed on Monday, September 2 in observance of the Labor Day holiday.
The Community Recreation Center and Historical Park, however, will be open that day from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. There will be no garbage collection on Labor Day.
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'Visions' continues at Manske gallery
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ 'Art Focus XC Presents: Visions,' an exhibition of 15 different artists from the Dallas area, now on display 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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Volume 3 | Edition 34 | Number 130 
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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Council sets Saturday workshop on budget plan
FARMERS BRANCH ~ In preparation for adoption of the 2013-2014 fiscal year budget, the Farmers Branch City Council will hold a public hearing September 3, in addition to a Saturday morning workshop on August 24. 
Finance Director Charles S. Cox said the public hearing will be held as part of the Council's regular meeting set for 6:30 p.m. each evening at City Hall, 13000 William Dodson Parkway in Farmers Branch. The first public hearing on the budget took place at the regular meeting of August 20.
The public is also invited as the City Council will meet in special session to study and discuss the proposed budget in a workshop, set for Saturday morning, August 24 at 8:30 a.m., also at City Hall.
For more information, call City Hall at 972.247.3131.
>> View the proposed budget
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Two-part genealogy class concludes tonight
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Learning the ABCs of 'Genealogy Basics' is the focus of a two-part class concluding at the Farmers Branch Manske Library on Wednesday evening , August 21 at 7 p.m.
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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Chemical drop off at Dallas truck starts Saturday
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.
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Employee: Matt Ulibarri
Position: Firefighter
Employed: 5 months
Background: I have an Associates Degree from Tarrant County College and my Paramedic Certification from Brookhaven College. I previously worked as a Firefighter Paramedic for the City of Seguin. I am 24 years old from Nocona and I enjoy being outdoors, working out, and spending time with my two Dalmatians.
What I like most about working for the City of Farmers Branch: What I enjoy most about working for the City is all the fun experiences I encounter every day at the Station. |
VIDEO  GALLERY
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Aquatic Center Groundbreaking
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Dr. Gilbert's Diary
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Farmers Branch Business: Anything but Usual
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Check the latest weekly report on the five-year reconstruction of Interstate 635 that includes:
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 Farmers Branch Parks Maintenance Supervisor Kerry Phillips hoists the giant frog from the side of Don Showman Pool as part of the demolition process to make way for next year's opening of the new Aquatics Park. The iconic frog, source of water sliding fun for decades, won't be going far. Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Harting said the plastic amphibian will be going on vacation while a decision is made on his future.
Parks and Recreation Staff Photo
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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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