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Above & Beyond
Want to know what makes me crazy?
It's very simple.
There is a perception, out there in our country, that government workers are lazy. Some believe that people go to work for government because they aren't qualified to do anything else, or because they can't get a "real" job.
This perception may have begun at the federal level, but the trickle-down effect is that people begin to think the same of local government employees.
Makes me crazy.
What I need for you to know is that if any of these folks exist in other strata of government, none of them work for the City of Farmers Branch. The City Staff here work tirelessly, day after day, to provide you a higher quality of service and a higher quality of life than can be found anywhere.
We have many people that could easily be making more money working in the private sector, and even some that left private sector jobs, because they have a desire to serve.
In our organization, we try our best to hire well but we also train our people to know they are empowered to make decisions and to go above and beyond expectations whenever and wherever possible.
 You want proof? We keep a board at City Hall where we post messages, emails, cards and letters received from citizens. They range from notes appreciating VIDEO  EXTRA
 | | Farmers Branch "Above & Beyond" |
service and events to even one I recall that complimented a police officer that had given this citizen a citation. As new messages are posted, older ones rotate off the board and into a binder where we keep them for future reference. The pictured binder is only three years worth of positive messages. More are coming in all the time. To emphasize this element of our organizational culture to the community, and to reinforce it for our people, we have prepared a short film that highlights just some of the cases where our people have gone "Above & Beyond" to do the right thing for citizens. I hope everybody in Farmers Branch can see this, so I encourage each of you to use the links below to forward this issue to someone you know that might benefit from the message. I am proud of the folks that serve the City of Farmers Branch. They are the best!   
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Closures set for I-635/I-35E intersection Thursday
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The eastbound main lanes of Interstate 635 LBJ and northbound main lanes of Interstate 35E Stemmons will be closed the night of January 30 as the massive LBJ Express project continues.
 LBJExpress is the construction group responsible for the makeover that is systematically rebuilding the LBJ freeway over a five-year schedule. According to LBJExpress officials, various main lanes of Stemmons and LBJ will be closed nightly this week, along with numerous nightly closures of various ramps connecting LBJ and Stemmons Freeways throughout the following week. However, they added, roadway closures for bridge work at the LBJ/Stemmons interchange should no longer be necessary after the first week of March. > LBJExpress.com
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Annual delivery of trash sacks begins Thursday
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The annual delivery of paper refuse sacks to all Farmers Branch homes begins on Thursday and will continue until all residents have received their new supply, which is expected to take seven to 10 days.
Farmers Branch Public Works Director Randy Walhood said the two bundles of 42 sacks, each, will be delivered and placed on the porch of each home in the City. If a resident does not want delivery, they should call the Public Works Department at 972.919.2597.
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Tax assistance unveiled for the 2014 filing season
FARMERS BRANCH ~ In preparation for the 2014 tax filing season, trained volunteers from AARP are now available for questions, concerns and other tax-related assistance.
Volunteers will be on hand at the Farmers Branch Senior Center on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. and at the Farmers Branch Manske Library, also on Tuesdays, from 1 until 7 p.m.
Tax help from AARP volunteers is free.
These hours will be maintained through the Tuesday, April 15 tax filing deadline.
> Farmers Branch Manske Library location
> Farmers Branch Senior Center location
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Tickets going fast for Saturday's Daddy-Daughter Dance
RECREATION CENTER ~ Tickets are going fast as the advance purchase deadline of Friday looms for the Daddy-Daughter Dance, coming up on Saturday, February 1, 6 to 8 p.m., at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center.
Dads and their daughters are invited to dance their way into the classic children's story, Alice in Wonderland as the theme for this year's event. In addition to dancing, there will be a live DJ, light refreshments, keepsake photo and more.
Advance admission is $5 per Farmers Branch resident or $8 for non-residents through Friday. All tickets are $10 at the door.
> Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center location
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Employee: Stephanie Castro  Position: Recreation Programmer Department: Parks - Recreation Center
Employed: 3.5 years
Background: I have worked in the Parks and Recreation Department for almost 3 years and spent my other year in Public Works. I did not realize how different two departments could be within the same organization! I went from seeing kids every day to calls regarding trash pick-up and water main breaks. I am grateful to have had that experience in that I learned so much more about our city and how we pride ourselves in accommodating our residents with just one call. However, Parks is where my first love is and I'm glad to be back at the Recreation Center where I first started. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and playing indoor soccer.
Why I like working for the City of Farmers Branch: Farmers Branch has a great passion for its residents and community and to be a part of this brings me great joy as I am a resident here myself. The other part is being surrounded by the best group of co-workers both at the Recreation Center and City Hall.
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Volume 4 | Edition 04 | Number 153 
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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FEBRUARY
All events subject to change
972.247.4607 for tix & info
Thru FEB 11
LANDSCAPING WITH ROSES
Pre-register @ 972.247.4607
FEB 4 & 18 CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6:30 pm @ City Hall
Broadcast LIVE on FBTV
972.247.3131
FEB 15
972.406.0184
PLAN AHEAD
MAR 15-16
CAMPING UNDER THE STARS
APR 12 CITYWIDE CLEANUP DAY DATE NIGHT IN THE PARK
MAY 24 LIBERTY FEST
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Rose landscaping classes to feature Chandor Gardens
REC CENTER ~ The Annual Landscaping with Roses Classes are underway in January and February.
Each class begins at 7 p.m. except for the February 8 class, which will begin at 10 a.m. Most classes will be held at the Community Recreation Center and are free and open to all. Pre-register by calling 972.247.4607.
Remaining sessions include:
Feb 4 - Inspirations from Chandor Gardens
Feb 8 - Rose Pruning: Hands on in the Garden
Feb 11 - The Elephant in the Room: Rose Rosette Disease
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Storytelling Workshop planned at Senior Center
SENIOR CENTER ~ Author L.E. Taylor will share secrets learned about memoir-quality storytelling in a Family Storytelling Workshop, set for 1 p.m. on February 10 & 17 at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.
Registration at the Senior Center is limited to ages 50 or older at a fee of $39. Call 972.919.8740.
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Firehouse Theatre sets "Charlie Brown"
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Firehouse Theatre in Farmers Branch has announced their production of the classic musical, "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," will be staged at the Farmers Branch Manske Library on select dates in March.
Winner of two Tony Awards and three Drama Desk Awards, the play will be presented March 7-8, 14-15 and 21-22.
For more information on the play, on ticket prices or season ticket prices, contact the Firehouse Theatre at 972.620.3747.
 
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New Library exhibit opens Saturday
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Vanessa Lee and "Mokey" Lee Davidson will be exhibiting "Sculptural Photography and Sculpture" in the Art Gallery at the Farmers Branch Manske Library throughout the month of Februrary. Vanessa's work includes original works of sculptural photography and metal sculptures while Mokey's endeavors concentrate on ceramics and sculpture. There will be a reception for the artists on February 15 at 2:30 p.m. when new photographers are encouraged to bring their work for a professional critique. Call the Library at 972.247.2511.
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Ice in Chapelview Fountain glistens in the rising sun as the overnight temperature in Farmers Branch dipped into the lower 20s with upper teens in some areas. Photo by Tom Bryson |
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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