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Lest we forget
Most of us remember where we were and what we were doing the morning of September 11, 2001. Only Pearl Harbor and the JFK assassination stand out as events of similar impact to the national consciousness in the past 100 years.
For those of us that are parents, one of the big challenges we faced immediately was 'how do we explain this to the kids?'
One member of our office mentioned to me the other day that today's high school juniors and seniors are the last kids that will have a vague recollection of that day. To everyone coming behind them, 9/11 will be another chapter in a history book.
As much as the images from that day bombarded our senses, and sensibilities, we still had a national debate in the years to come about whether or not it was a good idea to re-live September 11 by continuing to show the video of the planes striking the towers, or of the Pentagon on fire, or of the charred field in Shanksville.
Whether or not we should dwell on the events of that day is a debate for other people.
But, we should remember.
We should remember that our national identity was assaulted that day. We should remember that common bond we all felt in the weeks that followed.
What is beyond debate is the fact that 9/11 is about those 3,000+ fathers and mothers and sons and daughters that went to work that morning and never came home.
At least for today, we should remember them.
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REC CENTER ~The Farmers Branch Health & Wellness Expo is back, Saturday, September 14 at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center, from 9 a.m. until 12 noon.
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Battle of the Badges pits Police & Fire in fight for blood
REC CENTER ~ As part of the annual Community Health Fair, Chief Sid Fuller's Police Department squares off against Chief Steve Parker's Fire Department in an annual quest to see who walks away with bragging rights for raising the most blood donations. This year's event is no exception. A Carter Bloodcare bus will be parked outside the Community Recreation Center from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, September 13 & 14. The department with the most donations at the end of the day Saturday wins the 2013 battle.
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The public is invited and admission is free, however, payment may be required for some specific services.
Included will be a variety of health screenings, information and samples from numerous health and wellness providers. In addition, there will be fitness assessments, seasonal flu shots, pet adoptions and microchipping and the annual Battle of the Badges to see whether the Police or Fire Departments can wrangle the most blood drive donations.
Health screenings will include vascular, spine, vision and more. A limited number of free biometric screenings will also be available with appointments and will measure cholesterol, glucose, BMI, blood pressure and waist circumference.
There will also be children's activities and a Teddy Bear Clinic for younger kids with "sick" bears.
For more information or for biometric screening appointments, call 972.247.4607. The Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center is located at 14050 Heartside Place, near the intersection of Heartside and Valwood Parkway.
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Manske Library outdoor movie series continues Saturday with the Hitchcock classic, "North by Northwest"
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Following the 'Journey through the Stacks' theme for Adult Summer Reading this year, the Farmers Branch Manske Library plans movies under the stars in their outdoor amphitheater on the banks of Rawhide Creek the first three Saturdays in September.  Next up is the Alfred Hitchcock classic, "North by Northwest" with Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint on Saturday, September 14. Disney's 2013 film, "Oz: The Great and Powerful" will conclude the series on Saturday, September 21. The first weekend this month saw the 1985 feature, "Back to the Future." Admission is free and showtime is dusk. Blankets and lawn chairs are recommended for the tiered seating in the Library's amphitheater. Snacks and drinks are also welcome, but alcohol is not. For more information, call 972.247.2511.
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Pickups-n-Panels Classic Car Show to benefit American Cancer Society
The show is open to all 1988 and older model cars and trucks. Proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society.
Visit www.pickupsnpanels.com.
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City nets national award for marketing Liberty Fest 2012
SCOTTSDALE, AZ ~ In recognition of a superior marketing campaign that drew 15,000 people to Liberty Fest in 2012, the City of Farmers
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3CMA photo
Farmers Branch Assistant to the City Manager and graphic designer Rachael Johnson (center) receives the Savvy from 3CMA President Terry Bishirjian (l) and 3CMA Executive Director Dick Lillquist (r).
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Branch received the coveted 'Savvy' award from the national City-County Communications and Marketing Association (3CMA) at their annual conference, held recently in Scottsdale, Arizona.
The 2012 event featured multiple events, including the Scott Firefighters Combat Challenge and a featured concert from rock legend, Styx. Of the marketing campaign for the event, 3CMA judges said "very impressive depth of planning and execution, excellent metrics, enviable swag, we even love the T-shirt!"
This marks the second time in three years that the Farmers Branch team, led by the Parks and Recreation Department with support from the City's Marketing and Communications functions, has brought home the 'Savvy' for marketing Liberty Fest.
Overall, the City of Farmers Branch is a five-time Savvy recipient, dating back to 1996.
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 Tom BrysonFarmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department employees Maria Minter (from left), Wimberly Phillips and Jamie Rigsby joined with other City staff members on Wednesday to stage a bake sale for their fellow employee, Rodrigo Burgos, who was injured on the job two weeks ago. With a large turnout from both employees and members of the community, the Bake Sale continues Thursday from 2 until 4 p.m. in the lobby at Farmers Branch City Hall.
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Volume 3 | Edition 37 | Number 133 
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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City employees continue bake sale for injured worker
FARMERS BRANCH ~ City employees will continue a bake sale on Thursday from 2 until 4 p.m. at City Hall, designed to raise money for Parks and Recreation Department employee Rodrigo Burgos, who suffered a severe and debilitating injury on the job last month.
With strong response from the City staff and the public, Wednesday's sale was described as very successful. The public is invited to come by between 2 and 4 p.m. on Thursday.
  
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Council to consider adoption of new budget for 2013-14
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Nature Walks set at Burke preserve
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Dallas County Master Naturalists will conduct guided nature walks at the John F. Burke Nature Preserve, beginning at 9 a.m. on three Thursdays in the coming months, September 19, October 17 and November 21.
Walks are free, last about one hour and are suitable for all ages (might be a problem for strollers). Participants are encouraged to bring binoculars, water and wear appropriate clothing.
Those interested should meet in the parking lot at the preserve, 1111 Valley View Lane, under the President George Bush Turnpike.
For more information, call 972.919.2625.
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National Night Out coming October 1
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Local neighbors will be out in force as National Night Out, America's night out against crime, will be observed in Farmers Branch on Tuesday, October 1, beginning at 6 p.m.
Neighborhood gatherings are encouraged to promote a united front against crime in residential areas. Registered NNO parties will be visited by as many police, fire and City officials as possible.
For more information or to register a party, call 972.919.9304.
The regular Farmers Branch City Council Meeting, scheduled for that evening, has been postponed until Wednesday, October 2 at 6:30 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall.
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Movie in the Park invites families to look "Up"
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Disney-Pixar hit simply known as "Up" will be featured at the autumn edition of Movie in the Park, Saturday, September 28 at the Barney Wood Athletic Complex, next to the Community Recreation Center.
Admission is free and families are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets for the outdoor seating. Concessions, sno cones and a children's area will also be available. Activities start at 7 p.m. Showtime is at dusk.
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Registration open for fall softball, kickball
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Registration is now open for adult softball and kickball this fall at the nationally-recognized Oran Good Softball Complex.
Late registration is September 14-18. Fees for the fall season of adult softball are $350 per team plus a $25 USSSA sanction fee (paid once annually).
Fees for adult kickball are $225 per team. A $15 fee applies to late registrations.
Games begin the week of September 23.
For additional information, or to register, call 972.999.7180 and visit 27seventeensports.com.
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Victory Belles booked for Veterans Day
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Continuing their string of local appearances, the World War II-era song and dance troupe, the Victory Belles, have been scheduled to perform again at the Farmers Branch Veterans Day Celebration in November.
Operating from the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, the trio will bring a program of patriotic song and dance to the event, set for Monday, November 11 at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.
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 The 9/11 Remembrance Garden is located near the Gilbert House in the northeast corner of the Farmers Branch Historical Park. Dedicated in ceremonies on September 11, 2002, the landscaped area with a simple marker invites guests to reflect on the events of that day. |
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SEPTEMBER
Sep 14
Health & Wellness Expo
Pickups -n- Panels
Outdoor Movie at the Library - "North by Northwest"
Sep 17
City Council Meeting
Sep 21
Outdoor Movie at the Library - "Oz: The Great and Powerful"
Sep 28
Movie in the Park
- Disney-Pixar's "Up"
OCTOBER
Oct 1
National Night Out
Oct 2
City Council Meeting
Oct 5
Vintage Base Ball game
Oct 8
Star Party
Oct 18-19
Bloomin' Bluegrass
Oct 19
Chili Cookoff
Senior Center Craft Fair
Celebration of Roses
Oct 26
Halloween in the Park
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VIDEO GALLERY
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Bloomin' Bluegrass Preview with Alan Tompkins
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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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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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