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Current event
Different people may have different interpretations of what "going green" means to them. However, one thing is pretty commonly agreed upon.
"Going green" is the right thing to do.
As such, I'm happy to invite you to attend a celebration of the latest green initiative for the City of Farmers Branch. On Thursday, February 6 at 2 p.m., we will hold a ceremony celebrating the opening of three Electric Vehicle Charging stations in the west parking lot here at City Hall.
That said, the forecast is for an afternoon high of 32 degrees.
So, it will be a brief ceremony.
Still, it is an important occasion when governmental entities recognize the need to provide green energy service to an admittedly small, but growing, segment of our population. Not only does the provision of these fueling stations offer that service, in a greater sense it encourages the development of further technology as new and varied methods of transportation evolve in the coming years.
To help us celebrate, demonstrate and open these fueling stations, we will have two examples of electric vehicle technology on display - Chevrolet's Volt and from a local Farmers Branch business, a Tesla.
So, whether you have an electric vehicle or not, this will be a good opportunity to take a look at the emerging market and talk to some folks that have invested in and work with electric cars.
Plus, after our breezy ceremony, we will be able to warm up with some refreshments and conversation in the lobby at City Hall. So, come on by and let's take a look at this emerging technology.
You'll get a charge out of it.
  
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Gussie Field Watterworth Park gets 'Lone Star Legacy' status
AUSTIN ~ The Texas Recreation and Parks Society (TRAPS) has designated Gussie Field Watterworth Park in Farmers Branch as a 'Lone Star Legacy Park.'
 According to TRAPS, such designation is bestowed upon a "park that holds special prominence in the local community and in the state of Texas. These parks have endured the test of time and have become iconic to those who have visited, played and rested on their grounds."
"Designation as a Lone Star Legacy is one of the highest recognitions that can be bestowed on a park in Texas," said Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Harting. "On behalf of the team that makes this, and all of our parks, the best they can be, we're deeply appreciative of this honor."
A TRAPS award for that designation will be given at a recognition ceremony later this month.
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 Opening set for City Hall's Electric Vehicle charging stations
CITY HALL ~ Celebrating the proliferation of
alternative fuel technology, the City of Farmers Branch is inviting the public to a brief ceremony, celebrating the official opening of three Electric Vehicle fueling stations in the west parking lot at City Hall, Thursday, February 6 at 2 p.m.
To demonstrate the technology, a Tesla electric vehicle and a Chevrolet Volt will both be on display. The event will be followed by refreshments in the lobby at City Hall.
For more information, call 972.247.3131.
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Annual delivery of trash sacks continues this week
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The annual delivery of paper refuse sacks to all Farmers Branch homes continues this week after commencing last Thursday.
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 or email publicworks@farmersbranchtx.gov.
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Animal Adoption Center starts feral cat control program
FARMERS BRANCH ~ City of Farmers Branch Animal Services has begun a program to trap, neuter and return feral cats to their environments in an effort to reduce the population. 
Studies have shown that this method, sterilization rather than euthanasia, effectively reduces the feral cat populations in a given area, according to Farmers Branch Environmental Health Director Stacy Wright.
"Feral cats within the city are trapped, sterilized, vaccinated for rabies and returned to the feral cat colony where they were trapped, if possible," he explained. "By placing the feral cat back into the colony, it prevents other cats from entering into or effectively filling the void left by the trapped cat.
"Sterilization of more than 80 percent of the feral cats within a colony leads to a substantial decline of the feral cat population over time."
Mr. Wright said the feral cat population in Farmers Branch is estimated at 900. Grant funding will enable Animal Services to trap, neuter and return most, if not all, of them within about two years.
Farmers Branch residents can request a cat trap for participation in the program by calling Animal Services at 972.919.8770 or by coming by the Animal Adoption Center, 3727 Valley View Lane.
For additional information on the program, visit the Animal Services page on the City's website at www.farmersbranchtx.gov.
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Citizen Police & Fire Academies looking for spring participants
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Citizen Academies for both the Farmers Branch Police and Fire Departments plan to start their spring educational sessions in March and are looking for a few good men and women to fill out their classes.  
Both Academies are multi-week blocks of instruction designed to give local residents a working knowledge of their public safety agencies. The Citizen Police and Fire Academies are free and open to Farmers Branch residents over the age of 18.
For more information on the Citizen Police Academy, call 972.484.3620. To find out more about the Citizen Fire Academy, call 972.919.2640.
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Empowering Neighborhoods session planned Saturday in Carrollton
CARROLLTON ~ An educational session, designed for neighborhood leaders in any community, is planned for Saturday, February 8 from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the Family Life Center at Covenant Church, 2660 East Trinity Mills Road in Carrollton.
Sponsored, in part, by the City of Carrollton and the Community Associations Institute, the session is open to neighborhood leaders from any community and will include workshops on topics like 'Cyber Theft and Community Associations,' 'Neighborhood Crime Watch,' 'Board Meeting Dos and Don'ts' and 'Event Planning.'
The event includes breakfast and lunch but requires an RSVP at cityofcarrollton.com/comdevelopment or by calling 972.466.3175.
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StarCenter to celebrate Winter Olympics
FARMERS BRANCH ~ In observance of the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Farmers Branch has scheduled a lineup of events to highlight and celebrate winter sports.
A Kickoff Winter Sports Festival will be held on Monday, February 17 with free public skating, plus fun activities like relays, sling shot bowling and more.  Tuesday, February 18 will feature the basics of hockey.
Learn how to skate and the first moves of figure skating on Wednesday, February 19.
Curling takes center ice on Thursday, February 19 with the DFW Curling Club providing expertise on sweeping the rocks.
The World of Winter Sports celebration is presented, in part, by the City of Farmers Branch. For more information, visit drpepperstarcenter.com.
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Retro fashion to be featured at Library
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Fashion of the 1920s through 1940s will be featured in a special presentation by Tina Amyett, sponsored by the North Texas Dieselpunks, on Saturday, February 8 at 2 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Manske Library.  Ms. Amyett, a fashion enthusiast and member of the North Texas Deiselpunks, will present a brief look at the designers of the time, as well as the fashions that are popularly associated with the era. This presentation is free and open to the public. For more information, visit northtexasdieselpunks.wordpress.com.
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Employee: Richard Loftis 
Position: Firefighter Paramedic
Length of Employment: 10 months
Background: I have earned my Paramedic Certification from Grayson County College. I previously worked as a Paramedic with Texas Vital Care Ambulance Service before coming to work at the City. I am 24 years old, love the outdoors, and on my days off I like to hunt, fish and play golf.
What I like most about working for the City: I love the location of Farmers Branch, and the guys I work with. I couldn't ask for a better department of firefighters.
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Volume 4 | Edition 05 | Number 154 
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
Pre-register @ 972.247.4607
FEB 15
972.406.0184
Broadcast LIVE on FBTV
972.247.3131
PLAN AHEAD
MAR 15-16
CAMPING UNDER THE STARS
APR 12 CITYWIDE CLEANUP DAY DATE NIGHT IN THE PARK
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Facebook contest will decide movie for April 'Date Night'
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The first 'Date Night' in the park went so well last year that Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation officials have taken to social media to help decide the details for this year's event.
Date Night in the Park is set for Saturday, April 12 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park with gates opening at 6:30 p.m. and musical entertainment starting at 7.
Again, there will be food trucks for dining and snacking and an outdoor movie in the meadow starting after dark.
Through February 17, any users on the "FB Special Events" page on Facebook can choose between three movie trailers for the feature to be shown that evening.
The choices are "Safe Haven," "Now You See Me" and "Delivery Man." Watch for results, coming soon, along with additional details on the 2014 Date Night event.
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Rose landscaping classes shift to pruning clinic
REC CENTER ~ The Annual Landscaping with Roses Classes shift from the classroom to the field on Saturday, Februrary 8.
Farmers Branch Parks Landscape Manager Pam Smith said the annual rose pruning clinic will be held from 10 a.m. until 12 noon on Saturday and invited all rosarians to bring their pruners and leather gloves for the event.
Pre-register by calling 972.247.4607.
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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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VIDEO EXTRA
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Farmers Branch
"Above & Beyond"
A profile of Farmers Branch City employees who daily go "Above & Beyond" expectations to deliver service to citizens.
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thru April 15
AARP-Trained Volunteers on hand for tax questions and assistance on Tuesdays at:
Farmers Branch
Senior Center
14055 Dennis Lane
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Manske Library
13613 Golfing Green
1 to 7 p.m.
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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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Sculptural photography exhibit open at Library
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.
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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Although the forecast calls for a high of 32, there will be a brief event, celebrating the opening of the Electric Vehicle Charging stations in the west parking lot of City Hall at 2 p.m. Thursday. 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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