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Don't miss it
While many don't think in terms of a "shorter" season, most of us have probably had the realization this week that Christmas is only two weeks away.
If you haven't yet - you're welcome.
We may all thank the Thanksgiving variable. As it always falls on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving can move around quite a bit in those waning days of the eleventh month of each year and, as such, it has a pronounced effect on the length of the ensuing Christmas season.
Then sometimes, there are the big jumps.
Last year, Thanksgiving was November 22. This year, November 28. For those of us that don't believe the Christmas season begins in earnest until after Thanksgiving, that means this year's season is a full week shorter than last year.
Suddenly, there's only 14 days to go.
The rush of activities and tasks in a standard season is enough to make anyone's head swim when running from point A to B to C, checking in with relatives and texting the kids, picking up the ham and way too many gift cards for the nieces and nephews, filling up the car, dodging the ice storm and on and on. Then, before you know it - you've missed it. You've missed enjoying the season of joy and of giving and of celebration with family and friends.
Well, there's still time, but this is your two-week warning.
Yes, we've all got a lot to do, but take time to take a breath, to soak in the twinkling colors of our Tour of Lights, or to simply watch the wonderment of kids as they sit on Santa's knee.
Take it in.
Listen to Christmas music from your childhood, or create a new wreath for the front door. Watch a great Christmas movie on DVD or in the theaters (some classics are playing on weekends) or watch "The Grinch" or "Charlie Brown" with the kids, the grandkids or the neighbor's kids.
Take it in.
Connect with your family, reflect on what this season means to you and, most of all, don't miss it.
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Santa & Cookies underway at Manske Library until 8 p.m. tonight
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Making his annual stop for delicious cookies and good company, the jolly old elf, himself, Santa Claus will be meeting and greeting youngsters and families at the Farmers Branch Manske Library on Wednesday, December 11 from 6 to 8 p.m. 
This year, kids will have time to write a letter to and have their pictures taken with Old Saint Nick, and to finish off the night by decorating a festive cookie with Mrs. Claus.
As a special feature, Farmers Branch City Manager Gary D. Greer will be on hand for a special Christmas story time with a reading of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.
For more information, call the Library at 972.247.2511.
  
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Take 2:
Rescheduled Christmas Tree Lighting event tries again Friday
FARMERS BRANCH ~ As Farmers Branch continues to thaw from last weekend's severe winter weather, fireworks are again scheduled to light the night sky at the annual Farmers Branch Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony, set for Friday, December 13 at 7 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
 The event was rescheduled from last Saturday when the ice storm forced a postponement.
Celebrate the season with Santa and activities for the family. Slide down a real snow hill, and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate and treats in what has become a holiday tradition.
Admission is free. 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 Station.
Parking is available at the MetroSquare Business Park, two blocks south of the Historical Park on Ford Road with a free shuttle to the gate. For more information, visit www.farmersbranchtx.gov or call 972.919.2620.
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Seasons GREETINGS Schedule
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Christmas Tour of Lights
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The holiday night will be alight each evening with the Farmers Branch Christmas Tour of Lights, through December 30. The tour will be open each night from 6:30 until 9:30 p.m.
However, the Historical Park segment of the driving tour will not be open on Friday, December 13 or Wednesday, December 25 (for the Christmas Tree Lighting Event and in observance of Christmas Day). The driving tour begins at Valley View Lane and I-35E and concludes at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. Admission to the Historical Park portion of the drive through is free with donations accepted by the non-profit groups working the tour.
  
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Holiday Cookies & Tea
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Join fellow bakers and tea enthusiasts at the Farmers Branch Manske Library to exchange recipes and drink tea on December 12 from 4 to 6 p.m.
All are welcome to the Holiday Tea & Recipe Exchange, but it is requested that participants bring multiple copies of their recipe. Tea will be provided by the Library, but personal teas are welcome. Participants are welcome to come and go during the program. For more information call the Library at 972.247.2511.
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Santa Makes House Calls
REC CENTER ~ Santa is getting ready to make a round of scheduled house calls during available reservation periods, December 13 - 24. Time slots are limited so call the Farmers Branch Recreation Center now to reserve a time. Visits are 15 minutes long and are limited to within a five mile radius of the Rec Center. Call 972.247.4607 for more information.
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Flapjacks with Santa
REC CENTER ~ Come by the Rec Center on December 14 from 8 to 10 a.m. to get a sneak peak at Santa. Enjoy a morning of pancakes and arts and crafts. $3 for members and $5 for nonmembers. To register, call 972.247.4607.
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Brookhaven College Classical Guitar Ensemble
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ On December 14 from 2 until 3:30 p.m. the Mankse Library meeting room will be filled with holiday music performed by the Brookhaven College Classical Guitar Ensemble. The concert will feature selections from the Renaissance and Barouque periods, including Vivaldi and Bach. Call 972.247.2511.
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Dr Pepper StarCenter Winterfest
STARCENTER ~ On Saturday, December 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. the Farmers Branch Dr Pepper StarCenter is bringing Santa, ice and snow to town. All activities are free and include ice skating, on-ice Holiday shows, snowman building with real snow and s'mores prepared over fire pits. Call 214.432.3131.
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REC CENTER ~ Kids, ages 2.5 to 12 are invited to enjoy four fun hours of gymnastics, games and crafts at Kids' Night Out at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center, Saturday, December 14 from 5 until 9 p.m.
Pizza and drinks are provided. Kids Night Out is hosted by Gayle Shank and Farmers Branch Gymnastics. Rec Center members' cost is $20 for the first child and $15 each for additional kids. Non-members pay $24 for the first and $19 for each additional child. Registration is necessary by 12 noon on Friday, December 13. Call 972.247.4607.
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 Tom BrysonFrosty fall
Icicles hang on trees outside City Hall earlier this week as a remnant of the late Fall ice storm that blew through last weekend. By Wednesday afternoon, several days of cool temperatures above freezing combined with sunshine to make a dent in the icy landscape.
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Volume 3 | Edition 50| Number 146 
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 Council meets 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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Town Hall Meeting polling ends Sunday
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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City facilities plan holiday hours
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Many Farmers Branch facilities will close early on Tuesday, December 24, for Christmas Eve and Tuesday, December 31 for New Year's Eve.
They include the Rec Center, Senior Center, Historical Park and Manske Library, closing at 5 p.m.
All City offices and facilities will be closed on Wednesday, December 25 in observance of Christmas Day and on January 1 for New Years Day. There will be no garbage pickup on those days.
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DECEMBER
Click on an event to find out more
Dec 11
6-8 pm @ Library
972.247.2511
Dec 13
4-6 pm @ Library
972.247.2511
Dec 13
7 pm @ Historical Park
972.919.2620
Rescheduled from Dec 7
Dec 13-24
Call Rec Center
972.247.4607
Dec 14
8-10 am @ Rec Center
972.247.4607
2 pm @ Library
972.247.2511
5-8 pm @ StarCenter
5-9 pm @ Rec Center
Pre-register by 12 noon Dec 13
Dec 17
972.247.3131
DEC 24 & 31
Some facilities closing early
Call for details
DEC 25 & JAN 1
All facilities closed
NO GARBAGE COLLECTION
No Tour of Lights Dec 25
DEC 30
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Grass pokes through the residual ice accumulation as the Tuesday sunlight begins to thaw the landscape from the weekend ice storm. Photo by Tom Bryson |
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Senior Center plans meeting on 2014 European trip
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch Senior Center will host a "Travel Party" on January 10, to share information on a Paris, France to Normandy cruise, coming up in late October, 2014.
The nine-day trip is planned for the small cruise ship 'Avalon Creativity,' October 20-29. Details, deadlines and pricing will be discussed at the gathering. Call 972.919.8743.
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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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