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Perspective
A few weeks ago, we introduced you to a short film we produced on City employees that have gone "Above & Beyond" in delivering service to citizens.
This week, we were all afforded the big picture perspective of the risks faced by city workers with Tuesday's news of the death of Dallas Firefighter Scott Tanksley, while working what should otherwise have been considered a routine accident, in southwest Dallas.
News reports said that Firefighter Tanksley was working an auto accident on an upper ramp of Spur 408 at Interstate 20 when a vehicle slid into the wrecked car which then hit the firefighter, sending him over the rail onto the roadway below.
In every city, Police officers and Firefighters are most frequently exposed to hazards in the community. Also, vulnerable however, are Streets and Utilities workers and Parks and Recreation crews, as illustrated by last year's critical injury to our own, Rodrigo Burgos.
And, Rodrigo's case isn't the first example of City employees injured on the job. We hope it will be the last, but moving towards that goal is, and always will be, a work in progress.
The takeaway, of course, is that there is no such thing as "routine" work when hazards are present. That's why training is so important on the part of our employees.
That's also why awareness is so important when any one of us is behind the wheel. Our attention needs to be on the road and on nothing else.
Nothing else.
In the meantime, we join the rest of north Texas in recognizing Dallas Firefighter Scott Tanksley as someone who went Above & Beyond for his community and offer condolences to his family and to our friends at Dallas Fire & Rescue.
  
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Tom Bryson
Ron Swanson, President of the North Texas Electric Auto Association connects his Nissan Leaf to the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Farmers Branch City Hall.
EV Charging stations ribbon cutting reset for third time (charm)
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Snakebit by old man winter, the Electric Vehicle Charging Stations ribbon-cutting event has now been rescheduled twice and will take place on Tuesday, February 18 at 5:30 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall.
Officials said the new date and time corresponds to a scheduled meeting of the Farmers Branch City Council, to be held at 6:30 p.m.
The brief ceremony will include representatives with electric cars on display and will be followed by refreshments in the City Hall lobby.
For more information, call 972.247.3131.
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Fire Department features awards at annual dinner
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Fire Chief Steve Parker characterized 2013 as a great year with firefighters going above and beyond the call of duty at every opportunity, when announcing the Farmers Branch Fire Department awards, bestowed recently at the 25th Annual Knights of Columbus Fire & Police Appreciation Dinner in Farmers Branch. 
Caleb Swaney was recipient of the 2013 Golden Eagle Award for his contributions to safety efforts by serving as "Squirt," a Branch Brigade Safety Clown, as well as voluntarily managing the janitorial account for all three fire stations, representing the department in the Guns & Hoses Charity Boxing Tournament and volunteering to repair a patient's wheelchair ramp while on a medical call.
Firefighter of the Year was awarded to Kyle Richardson for exemplary service to the community. Chief Parker said Firefighter Richardson works well with everyone and is willing to learn as well as teach. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Fire Science, performing at a high level as an acting Lieutenant and exhibiting a team-centered, "infectious" positive attitude.
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Farmers Branch Fire Chief Steve Parker (center) congratulates the team of Medic 131, Firefighter/Paramedics Justyn Knowlton (left) and Garath Rosson on their Company Citation Awards.
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Captain Steve Murphy was named 2013 Officer of the Year. Chief Parker said Captain Murphy serves "as a positive role model and has demonstrated leadership traits over his 28 year career by showing dedicated support and love for the Fire Department and community."
The Company Citation Award went to Justyn Knowlton and Garath Rosson of Medic 131 for their assistance to a Farmers Branch Police Officer in subduing a combative, disoriented and hallucinating individual. No one was injured in the incident.
Finally, the Fire Department awarded a Certificate of Appreciation to Knights of Columbus Council 5052 for their 25 years of continued support and encouragement to the Farmers Branch Fire and Police Departments.
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Feral cat control program launched by Animal Services
 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.
>> MORE
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Citizen Police Academy seeks participants for spring session
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch Police Departments'
 Citizen Police Academy is searching for a few good men and women who want to know more about their hometown law enforcement agency. Designed as a firsthand look inside Police Department operations, the Academy is a multi-week block of instruction that gives local residents a working knowledge of the programs, personnel and policies that make up Chief Sid Fuller's department. The Citizen Police Academy is free and open to Farmers Branch residents over the age of 18. For more information on the Citizen Police Academy, call 972.484.3620. |
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Winter Olympics celebration starts Monday at Dr Pepper StarCenter
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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Employee: Ta'Ronda Harvey 
Position: Patrol Officer
Length of Employment: 1 year
Background: I previously worked as a civilian duty officer for the City of Denton Police Department. I also worked for the United States Post Office. I received my Associates Degree in Liberal Arts from Trinity Valley Community College in Athens, Texas and am now pursuing my Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Arlington. I have also earned my Texas Peace Officer license. My hobbies include professional tap, jazz and hip hop dancing and working out at the gym.
What I like most about working for the City: What I enjoy most about working for the city is the citizens in our community who really appreciate our hard work and dedication that we, as officers, do to keep our city safe. I've come in contact with a few citizens on a day to day basis and they compliment the Police Department and give thanks for what we do.
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Volume 4 | Edition 06 | Number 155 
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
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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All play Vintage Base Ball set Saturday
HISTORICAL PARK ~ The public is invited to play base ball by 1860s rules at the All Play Ball event, set February 15 from 1 to 3 p.m in the Gilbert Meadow at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Anyone can join the members of the Farmers Branch Mustangs Vintage Base Ball club for the game. All equipment and uniform jerseys will be provided for players at this free event.
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Gene Kelly's niece to teach dance at Rec
REC CENTER ~ The niece of a famous Hollywood dancer will be in Farmers Branch Monday, February 17, to teach a Dance Master Class at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center.
 Gene Kelly |
Colleen Kelly Beaman, EdE., is a professional dancer, choreographer niece of the legendary Gene Kelly and will be at the Rec Center from 5 til 6 p.m. that day.
Pre-registration is required at $15 per person by February 14 or $20 per person after February 14. For more Information contact Kay-Lynn Lyon at 972.484.6211.
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Band announced for 'Date Night,' April 12
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The southern rock band, 'Prophets & Outlaws' will entertain the crowd at Farmers Branch Date Night in the Park on Saturday, April 12.
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. 'Prophets & Outlaws' will play at 7 p.m.
Again, there will be food trucks for dining and snacking and an outdoor movie in the meadow starting after dark.
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.
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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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 February.
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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Crystals of ice and snow lay on the green leaves of trees in the back courtyard at City Hall. Most of the area received at least one inch of snow in last Thursday's winter weather event. 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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