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November 22
When I was two years and two days old, something happened that changed the world.
November 22, 1963 was that day.
And, as Friday marks 50 years since the Kennedy assassination, it is difficult not to revisit those images that are burned into our collective consciousness.
There was the optimism of the breakfast in Fort Worth and the President and First Lady greeting the jubilant crowds at Love Field. Those happy visions are a polar contrast with the unspeakable shock of frame 313 of the Zapruder film, Secret Service Agent Clint Hill climbing onto the trunk of the limo as it accelerated towards Stemmons Freeway, and Judge Hughes administering the oath to a mournful LBJ aboard Air Force One, while Jackie looked on in her blood-stained dress.
Natives of north Texas who are old enough to remember that day will also remember the stigma that was attached to Dallas for years following the assassination.
Today, as we approach the half century anniversary, it seems that nature of Dallas' place in this page of history has transitioned from mourning to remembrance. The JFK Memorial continues to draw visitors. The Sixth Floor Museum has become a place of perspective and reflection on President Kennedy and the impact of his assassination. And, to some, Dealy Plaza has almost become sacred ground.
Through it all, the Kennedy assassination remains a fascinating event on our nation's timeline. I have to admit that I've always been obsessed with it. Political affiliations aside, to me, it seemed to change the very direction of our country, the tone of our politics and the nature of the media. There was a civility to public discourse that seems to have been lost.
I wonder what the world would be like now if that tragic event never happened.
What if it had continued to rain, as it had that morning? What if the parade route had not come through downtown? What if the assassin hadn't been hired to work at the Texas School Book Depository in the first place? And, what else might we know today if Jack Ruby hadn't been allowed into the underground garage at Dallas Police Headquarters with a gun in his pocket?
We don't know and we'll never know.
What we do know is that a young man's life was taken that day. A Dallas Police Officer was gunned down for doing his job. An immigrant clothing merchant unwittingly took the most famous film ever made. And, the course of world history was forever changed.
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City renews Library contract
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Based on a successful track record, the Farmers Branch City Council on Tuesday renewed the three-year contract with Library Systems and Services (LSSI) for operation of the Farmers Branch Manske Library. 
Originally contracted to manage the Library in 2010, LSSI's tenure has seen a 91 percent customer satisfaction rating, a 73 percent rise in the number of programs offered at the Library and a steadily increasing stream of visitors with a record of more than 215,000 in 2013.
Farmers Branch Managing Director John Land said the City will save an estimated $900,000 over the term of the contract.
Additionally, LSSI has agreed to purchase RFID (radio frequency identification) self checkout technology with installation scheduled for spring.
  
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Guided walks planned through Nature Preserve, Bird Sanctuary 
FARMERS BRANCH ~The week before Thanksgiving will be laden with opportunities to get back to nature with separate, guided walks through the John F. Burke Nature Preserve and the Farmers Branch Bird Sanctuary.
First, on Thursday, November 21, Dallas County Master Naturalists will lead a one hour walk through the John F. Burke Nature Preserve. Participants are asked to bring binoculars, water and wear suitable clothing. The group will meet in the parking lot at 1111 Valley View Lane, near the President George Bush Turnpike, west of Luna Road.
Then, on Saturday, November 23, bird lovers are invited on a walk through the Farmers Branch Bird Sanctuary. Those same binoculars, water and suitable clothing items are encouraged.
Both walks are free and open to the public.
Call 972.919.2625.
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Texas Industries nearing relocation to LBJ corridor
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Announced earlier this year, Texas Industries, Inc., a leading supplier of cement, aggregate and consumer product building materials, will begin moving their corporate headquarters to Farmers Branch at the end of November. A permit has been issued for their $250,000 renovation of the fourth floor at the Park West complex, 1501 LBJ Freeway. |
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City offices to close for Thanksgiving
FARMERS BRANCH ~ All City of Farmers Branch offices and facilities will be closed on Thursday, November 28 in observance of Thanksgiving Day. On Friday, November 29, most offices remain closed, except the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center and Historical Park, both open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. There will be no garbage collection either day.
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Dallas Stars plan public practice in Farmers Branch
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Prepare for Thanksgiving with the Dallas Stars as they hold a public practice at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Farmers Branch on Wednesday, November 27 at 11 a.m.
After the practice several members of the team are scheduled to skate with the public and there will be an opportunity to meet the players.
Additionally, Norm Hitzges from SportsRadio 1310, The Ticket, will broadcast live from 10 a.m. til 12 noon.
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FHT presents "The Sound of Music"
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Firehouse Theatre's production of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, "The Sound of Music" continues at the Plaza Arts Center in old downtown Carrollton November 21-23 and November 30 - December 1.
For more information, visit www.thefirehousetheatre.com or call 972.620.3747.
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City Council to meet once in December
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch City Council plans to meet in regular session only once in December, on Tuesday, December 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall.
Meetings can be seen live on FBTV, cable channel 16 in Farmers Branch, and on replay at 6:30 p.m., seven days a week.
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Residents reminded to keep fats, oils and grease from going down the drain
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Especially during the holiday season but otherwise year-round, the Farmers Branch Public Works Department reminds residents to properly dispose of F.O.G. (fats, oils and grease) in order to avoid costly plumbing or sewer repairs. For more information, call the Public Works Department at 972.919.2597.
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 Derrick Birdsall Fall color
The brilliant yellows and oranges of the turning leaves are starkly contrasted with the brilliant blue sky in this scene of autumnal color at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
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Volume 3 | Edition 47| Number 143 
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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'Book Feast' set tonight
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Children are invited to celebrate the traditional season of harvest by enjoying the first "Book Feast" at the Farmers Branch Manske Library on Wednesday, November 20 at 6 p.m.
Seated in the "cafe" by a teen volunteer hostess, children and their guardians will be able to order from a menu of popular picture books. The teen waitstaff will serve the selections to the table, where they can be read together.
Registration is required. Sign up in the Library at the Youth Services desk or through the online calendar. Teens are also encouraged to sign up for volunteer positions at the Youth Services Desk. For more information call the Library at 972.247.2511.
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Town Hall Meeting polling questions now available online
FARMERS BRANCH ~ A dozen questions on potential bond elections, posed to the November 14 Town Hall Meeting audience, are now available online for public participation, through December 15 at www.farmersbranchtx.gov.
The questions deal with public preferences concerning any potential bond election including choice of dates and how much of a property tax increase could be acceptable.
The cumulative results from the Town Hall Meeting polling and the additional online survey will be released to the City Council at a later date.
A replay of the Town Hall Meeting is available on FBTV at 3 p.m. seven days a week, also through December 15.
  
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Kickoff event to launch Tour of Lights during holiday
GUSSIE AMPHITHEATER ~ While all forms of turkey leftovers are still in the fridge, a new event will usher in the 2013 Christmas Tour of Lights Thanksgiving weekend, while also offering the opportunity to support WFAA's Santa's Helpers.
The amphitheater at Gussie Field Watterworth Park, near City Hall, will be the setting for the event with live entertainment, sweet treats food trucks, hayrides through the Tour of Lights and costumed holiday characters.
Admission is free but everyone is asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to help Santa's Helpers make the season a bit brighter for less fortunate kids in north Texas.
The 300,000+ twinkling lights will first come on Friday, November 29, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. and continue nightly through December 30, closed only December 7 and 25.
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NOVEMBER
Nov 28-29
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS
THU - All facilities closed.
FRI - Most closed, Rec Center & Historical Park open 8-5.
NO GARBAGE COLLECTION
Nov 30
TOUR OF LIGHTS KICKOFF
6:30 pm @ Gussie Field Watterworth Park Amphitheater near City Hall
972.919.2620
DECEMBER
Dec 5-8
Regular Hours @ Library
972.247.2511
Dec 6
REC CENTER OPEN HOUSE
6:30-8:30 pm @ Rec Center
972.247.4607
Dec 7
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
7 pm @ Historical Park
972.919.2620
No Tour of Lights
Dec 11
SANTA & COOKIES
6-8 pm @ Library
972.247.2511
Dec 13-24
SANTA MAKES HOUSECALLS
Call Rec Center
972.247.4607
Dec 14
FLAPJACKS w/ SANTA
8-10 am @ Rec Center
972.247.4607
BROOKHAVEN COLLEGE CLASSICAL GUITAR ENSEMBLE
2 pm @ Library
972.247.2511
DR PEPPER STARCENTER WINTERFEST
5-8 pm @ StarCenter
DEC 24 & 31
CHRISTMAS & NEW YEARS EVES
Some facilities closing early
Call for details
DEC 25 & JAN 1
CHRISTMAS 7 NEW YEARS DAYS
All facilities closed
NO GARBAGE COLLECTION
No Tour of Lights Dec 25
DEC 30
LAST NIGHT of TOUR OF LIGHTS
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The City in a Park is highlighted by the bench and the setting western sun behind Gussie Field Watterworth Park.
Photo by Derrick Birdsall
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VIDEO GALLERY
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Chimney Safety
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Fire Department Dinner Brigade
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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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Check the latest information on the 28-mile, $1.4 billion reconstruction of Interstate 35E from LBJ, through Farmers Branch, to U.S. Highway 380 in Denton County.
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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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