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Eye of the beholder
A millennia-old quotation, frequently attributed to Plato, suggests that "Art, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder."
Scholarly works seem to suggest that is actually misquoting Plato, that he was referring to beauty only, but you get the idea.
Whether it comes as sculpture, painting, drawing, the written word, performance or any other form, art is a subjective and highly interpretive venture that has the power to enrich lives, enhance perspectives and add to the quality of the community - be it ancient Rome, or modern-day Farmers Branch.
Historically, Farmers Branch has been appreciative of the arts. The gallery at the Manske Library has hosted works of art ranging from charcoal and pastels to bronze sculpture and 5,000-year-old Egyptian artifacts. The Senior Center holds an exhibition of spirited dance every Monday night. And, a group of involved citizens got together and donated public art to the City in the form of several pieces we still enjoy today. These include the bronze sculpture, "Poppies" at the Farmers Branch Veterans Walk of Honor and "Standing Tall" outside Fire Station No. 3.
Art has always been important to this, and every, progressive community.
To that end, I am very happy to announce a public art initiative in Farmers Branch that will endeavor to seek out opportunities for artistic expression and display for the betterment of our City and those that live and work here.
This effort will stem from the work of a yet-to-be-appointed community arts council (of sorts) that will do everything from seeking grants for public sculpture to facilitating public performances of music and theater. They will draw on the talents and strengths of our residential community, along with the backing and support of our business citizens.
If you, or your company, have any ideas, suggestions or would like to volunteer to be involved in the arts movement, please reply at
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Council meeting in March reset for first Monday
FARMERS BRANCH ~ As City Hall is a polling place for the March 4 election primaries, the Farmers Branch City Council has opted to move up their regularly scheduled meeting 24 hours from that date to Monday, March 3.
Regular meetings of the Farmers Branch City Council are held on the first and third Tuesdays of each month at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall. However, with polling going on in the lobby until 7 p.m., members of the Council felt it best to move the meeting in order to avoid confusion with the balloting process.
For more information, call 972.247.3131.
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Gussie designated 'Lone Star Legacy' park in ceremonies today
CORPUS CHRISTI ~ Calling it a "park that holds special prominence in the local community and in the state of Texas," the Texas Recreation and Parks Society (TRAPS) today has designated Gussie Field Watterworth Park in Farmers Branch as a Lone Star Legacy Park.
The honor was bestowed late this afternoon in awards ceremonies at the TRAPS conference in Corpus Christi. Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Harting was on hand to receive the award on behalf of the City.
According to TRAPS, such designation is bestowed upon "parks that have endured the test of time and have become iconic to those who have visited, played and rested on their grounds."
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CityWide CleanUp Day announced for April 12
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Because of the tremendous response last year, City officials have announced that CityWide CleanUp Day 2014 will return to Oran Good Park, corner of Valley View Lane and Tom Field Road on Saturday, April 12 from 9 a.m. until 12 noon.
Again, the event will feature opportunities for electronics recycling, prescription medication disposal and document shredding, along with regular refuse disposal and recycling drop off. In addition this year, there will be household chemical collection on site, provided by Dallas County.
Services provided are for Farmers Branch residents.
Representatives of the Farmers Branch Manske Library will be on hand to accept any old books, DVDs or other media that residents would like to donate to future used book sales.
Book and other media should be in good condition and suitable for resale. Additionally, there will be public safety equipment on display, Community Watch, animals available for adoption and more.
Oran Good Park is located at 13401 Tom Field Road, near the corner of Tom Field and Valley View Lane. Entry for CityWide CleanUp Day should be made from the Tom Field Road entrance. Call 972.919.2510 for more information.
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Winter Olympics celebration concludes with curling
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 has featured public skating, hockey instruction, figure skating basics and will conclude Thursday, February 19 with the DFW Curling Club providing expertise on sweeping the rocks across the ice in, arguably, the most unique of winter sports.
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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Warrant round up underway now through March 9
FARMERS BRANCH ~ In coordination with law enforcement agencies across Texas, the Farmers Branch Police Department is participating in the Statewide Warrant Round Up, going on now through March 9.
Farmers Branch Police officials said arrests are being scheduled and if anyone has an outstanding local warrant and wants to avoid arrest at their home or place of employment, they should call Farmers Branch Municipal Court at 972.484.4112 as soon as possible.
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Spring Star Parties set soon
HISTORICAL PARK ~ The spring slate of Star Parties gets underway Tuesday, March 4 from dusk until about 9 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Star Parties are free opportunities for anyone to take advantage of high-powered telescopes to view celestial objects. Telescopes and volunteer expertise are provided by the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Astronomical Society. Additional parties are set for April 8 & May 6 with inclement weather, or heavy cloud cover, days set for the Thursday following each date.
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Rachael Johnson What a Charge! Mayor Bill Glancy (second from left) and the Farmers Branch City Council were all smiles after cutting the ribbon, officially opening three Electric Vehicle Charging Stations at Farmers Branch City Hall, Tuesday. They are (from left) Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Fuller, Mayor Glancy, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Kirk Connally, Councilman Ben Robinson, Councilmember Ana Reyes and Councilman Harold Froehlich.
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Volume 4 | Edition 07 | Number 156
Branch Bulletin
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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PLAN AHEAD
MAR 15-16
CAMPING UNDER THE STARS
APR 12 CITYWIDE CLEANUP DAY DATE NIGHT IN THE PARK
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35Express to hold business meeting Friday at City Hall
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The 35Express project team, overseeing the reconstruction of I-35E, will hold a community meeting for businesses in the southern sector, including Farmers Branch and Carrollton, on Friday at 7:30 a.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall.
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Date Night to feature Vince Vaughn flick, 'Delivery Man'
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Thanks to a Facebook poll, the Vince Vaughn comedy, "Delivery Man" will be the featured movie at 'Date Night' in the park on Saturday, April 12 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. The southern rock band 'Prophets & Outlaws' will play at 7 p.m.
Again, there will be food trucks for dining and snacking and the outdoor movie in the meadow starting after dark.
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Enhanced Reading course set for Senior Center in March
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Specially designed for students over the age of 50, an Enhanced Reading course of study has been planned on Saturdays in March, from 2 to 4 p.m., at the Senior Center. According to organizers, students will gain speed, improve comprehension, memory and retention. The workbook is $15 and students over 50 must register in advance, by February 28.
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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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Spring CPA session accepting applications
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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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.
Call the Library at 972.247.2511.
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After all manner of ice, sleet and snow two weeks ago, the Stars & Stripes flap in a southern breeze, backed by a crystal blue sky for daytime highs in the 70s Tuesday and Wednesday. Another cool-down is expected 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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