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Life. Celebrated Daily.
I don't often profess great admiration for other cities' branding strategies, but I've always been a fan of the tagline for Norfolk, Virginia - "Life. Celebrated Daily."
What a wonderful statement of affirmation that is and what a great sentiment for all of us to emulate.
A spectacular example was on a Saturday, earlier this month, in the amphitheater to the east of City Hall, where something wonderful happened.
There was a small group of about two dozen people around the amphitheater, not at all worried about the grey, dreary day nor the brisk wind and the spotty rain. They had tied green and white balloons to the pillars of the amphitheater. Several of the young men in the group had guitars and four of the children were carrying handmade posters.
After waiting for about an hour, the group seemed to come alive. A video camera started rolling as they all looked towards a young man who was guiding his blindfolded girlfriend along the pathway from behind City Hall towards the amphitheater.
They slowly navigated the steps up to the stage at which time the guitars started playing. The young man faced her towards the assembled group in the center of the stage and removed her blindfold so she could see, presumably her family and friends, with the four children holding up their signs that said "Will" "You" "Marry" "Me?"
She reacted with the expected mix of shock and surprise and turned around to find her boyfriend on one knee with a ring in his hand. As he put it on her finger (we assume she said "yes"), the small group erupted in cheers.
From our side of the glass window, not much could be heard, but the smiles, the excitement, the sheer joy on these young people's faces said it all.
Despite bad news all over the media, despite economic hardships and despite political disagreements, in Farmers Branch life is still celebrated daily.
How will you celebrate today?
  
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City Council approves distracted driver ordinance
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch City Council on Tuesday took action to help safeguard motorists and pedestrians from the danger created by distracted drivers by limiting use of a handheld wireless communication device while driving.
 The new ordinance prohibits the operator of a motor vehicle from using a handheld wireless communication device to send, receive or read text-based messages while driving. This includes reading, writing or sending email, posting or reading communications or messages on social media, use of the internet, or the use of any smart phone application except GPS navigation with voice activated directions. Farmers Branch Police Chief Sid Fuller said the ordinance will not solve the "texting and driving" problem but is a step towards changing habits. "The goal is to combine this ordinance with an education program to modify driver behavior in Farmers Branch and create awareness of the dangers of texting while driving," he explained.
There will be a 90-day grace period in which no citations will be issued in order to educate the public on this new ordinance.
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Summer swimming will be available in Carrollton
FARMERS BRANCH ~ While the new Aquatics Center is being built this summer on the site of the old Don Showman Pool, Farmers Branch residents will be able to take advantage of Carrollton's Rosemeade Rainforest facility at a special discounted rate.
The Farmers Branch City Council approved the plan during their regular meeting Tuesday night.
Farmers Branch residents can go to the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center to fill out appropriate paperwork, show proof of residency and pay a fee equivalent to the 2013 fees at the Don Showman Pool. That is $18 for residents and $55 for families. Residents will then take their paperwork to the Rosemeade Recreation Center, 1330 Rosemeade Parkway, Carrollton 75007, to have photo IDs made.
The Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department will work with Carrollton to make up the difference in fees.
Construction on the new Farmers Branch Aquatics Center is expected to begin this spring with a year-round indoor facility and seasonal outdoor section to feature slides, a lazy river, kids play area and more.
For more information, call 972.247.4607.
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Interstate PROJECTS Update
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Valley View to close Friday night for bridge beam installation
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The northern reaches of the LBJExpress project will close Valley View Lane at I-35E this Friday night, March 21, at about 8 p.m., for bridge beam installation. Motorists are advised to find alternate routes until this work is completed, no later than midday Saturday. As always, projects are weather dependent.
>> MORE ON LBJ EXPRESS
>> WEEKLY UPDATE
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35Express schedules south segment public meeting March 27 at City Hall
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The 35Express construction group, responsible for the overhaul of the busy interstate highway, has scheduled the next in a series of regular community information meetings for Thursday, March 27 at 6:30 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall. 
Work is now underway on the $1.4 billion massive re-build of I-35E from LBJ in Dallas to U.S. Highway 380 in Denton County.
Anyone affected by or interested in the 35Express project should plan to attend the information meeting.
>> MORE ON 35EXPRESS
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Elections Info web page available
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Information for voters on the upcoming City election, including early voting dates and times and the ability to look up elected officials, voting precincts and City Council districts, has been published on the City of Farmers Branch website. 
The May 10 election will not only feature balloting for the offices of Mayor and Councilmember, District 2, there will also be questions of a local option for legal sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption and a $23.5 million bond issue.
Running for Mayor to replace the retiring Bill Glancy are (in drawn ballot order) Bob Phelps, Carol Dingman and David Koch. For District 2 Councilmember, candidates are Luther Bernstein, Harold Froehlich and Garrett Smith.
Early voting will be held according to the following schedule:
- Monday, April 28 - Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, May 4, from 1 until 6 p.m.
- Monday and Tuesday, May 5 & 6, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Farmers Branch residents may vote early at any Dallas County early voting location, including Farmers Branch City Hall. Additionally, special close-to-the-door parking spaces will be available at City Hall for all days balloting takes place.
For more information, call 972.247.3131.
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"Local Heroes" sought for video project
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Much in the same way that the short film 'Above & Beyond' helped illustrate the Farmers Branch City staff's commitment to service, the City's Communications office hopes to demonstrate examples of Farmers Branch neighbors working together to help each other in upcoming, followup productions.
"Whether its a single example of neighbors helping neighbors or an ongoing situation of a Farmers Branch resident that contiually goes out of their way to help others, we want to know about it," said Communications Director Tom Bryson. "Drop us an email so we can compile a listing of these stories and plan to profile those that we can." The Farmers Branch Communications office can be reached at fbinfo@farmersbranchtx.gov.
   
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Basics of DNA for genealogy to be profiled
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Learn the basics of DNA testing for tracing your ancestry with Library Director Belinda Jacks' presentation "DNA for Genealogy" at the Farmers Branch Manske Library on Saturday, March 22 at 2 p.m. Easier than ever, DNA testing is readily accessible and more accurate in tracing family lineage. This free presentation requires no sign up and is open to everyone who wants to learn about genealogical research using DNA. For more information, call the Library at 972.247.2511.
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Jacaranda Guitar Ensemble to perform at Library
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Brookhaven College professor Carlo Pezzimenti and his Jacaranda Guitar Ensemble will be performing at the Farmers Branch Manske Library on Saturday, March 29 at 2 p.m. Pezzimenti, a frequent performer at the Library, will be playing for the first time with his professional ensemble. The other members include Leslie Enlow, Brian Rowe and Pedro Haley. The program for the afternoon will include works by Isaac Albeniz, Ernesto Garcia de Leon, Ravel and others. This concert is free and open to the public. For more information, call the Library at 972.247.2511.
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Community Garden has plots available
FARMERS BRANCH ~ After operating at full capacity for a number of years, a limited number of plots have become available in the Farmers Branch Community Garden, at 12411 Templeton Trail.
Plots are available to members of the Farmers Branch community who live or work here, go to school or attend church here or are, in some way, an active member of the community.
For more information, visit the Community Garden page on the Farmers Branch website or call 972.919.2625.
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Voluntary water conservation remains in effect
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Although 2013 proved to be wetter than usual for north Texas, Farmers Branch City Manager Gary D. Greer wants to remind residents voluntary water conservation measures remain in effect.
"Although the rain we've had last summer was extremely rare for that time of year, we remain in the clutches of a prolonged drought," he explained. "That's why we implemented Stage 1 voluntary conservation measures, under our drought contingency plan, in early 2012 and that's why we're continuing that stage now."
>> MORE
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Employee: Traci Glenn 
Division: Police - Communications
Title: 9-1-1 Dispatcher
Employed: 9 months
Background: I went to school in Indiana graduating from Calumet College of Saint Joseph with a Bachelors in Organization Management. I have worked in various areas of service for several communities including the Gary, Indiana Police Department prior to moving to Texas. I am an animal lover, and enjoy interior decorating, gardening, cooking, movies and spending time with family and friends.
What I like most about working for the City: I most enjoy working here because I get to help others in times of need.
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Volume 4 | Edition 11 | Number 160 
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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This Week
All events subject to change
DNA FOR GENEALOGY
2 pm @ Manske Library
MONDAY . MAR 24
PLANNING & ZONING COMMISSION MEETING
7 pm @ City Hall
972.247.3131
SENIOR DANCE CLUB
w/ Dave Alexander
7 pm @ Senior Center
972.919.8740
TUESDAY . MAR 25
AARP TAX HELP
10 am to 2 pm @ Senior Center
1 to 7 pm @ Manske Library
Every Tuesday thru Apr 15
ONGOING Thru MAR 28
UNDER THE BIG TOP: Circus Images 2D & Beyond
Manske Library Art Gallery
972.247.2511
Next Week
All events subject to change
THURSDAY . MAR 27
NATURE WALK & TOUR
9 am @ Burke Nature Preserve
972.919.8740
CHEEROBICS
5 pm @ Manske Library
972.247.2511
35EXPRESS COMMUNITY MEETING . SOUTH
6:30 pm @ City Hall
SATURDAY . MAR 29
FARMERS BRANCH CARROLLTON ART ASSN
Exhibit Opens (thru May 2)
Manske Library Art Gallery
MONDAY . MAR 31
SENIOR DANCE CLUB
w/ J.C. Tippett
7 pm @ Senior Center
972.919.8740
TUESDAY . APR 01
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6:30 pm @ City Hall
972.247.3131
All events subject to change
APR 8
STAR PARTY
Dusk til 9 pm @ Historical Park
Alternate Weather Date Apr 10
972.406.0184
APR 12
CITYWIDE CLEANUP DAY
9 am - 12 noon @ Oran Good
972.919.2510
DATE NIGHT IN THE PARK
6:30 pm @ Historical Park
972.919.2620
APR 15
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6:30 pm @ City Hall
972.247.3131
APR 28 - MAY 3 (Mon-Sat)
EARLY VOTING
8 am - 5 pm @ Dallas County Polling Places including Farmers Branch City Hall
MAY 3
FISHIN' FUN
8 am @ Gussie Field Watterworth Park
972.919.8740
1 - 6 pm @ Dallas County Polling Places including Farmers Branch City Hall
7 am - 7 pm @ Dallas County Polling Places including Farmers Branch City Hall
Dusk til 9 pm @ Historical Park
Alternate Weather Date May 8
7 am - 7 pm @ Dallas County Polling Places
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The past will be 'Encountered' this fall at Keenan
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Switching seasons from previous years, officials at the Farmers Branch Historical Park have announced that the hugely popular 'Encounters from the Past' interactive tours of Keenan Cemetery will be moving to the autumn months.
The 'Encounters' tours offer visitors the chance to walk through the oldest cemetery in Dallas county, encountering historic figures in Farmers Branch history (portrayed by costumed re-enactors). For the past several years, the tours have taken place in the early spring. However, officials said the fall season offers a better opportunity for staffing the event and a special atmosphere, with the impending holidays and other programs set for that time of year.
Specific dates will be announced later this year. In the meantime, for questions about this or any other program at the Farmers Branch Historical Park, call 972.406.0184.
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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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The sunset in the western sky over Farmers Branch paints a brilliant picture. Photo by Derrick Birdsall |
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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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