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Clean up
Spring cleaning is an older term still used today but usually without much knowledge of its origins.
Simply, it refers to that time of year when it becomes hospitable enough to go outside again, open up some windows to air out the house and clean up from a long winter of being more inside than out.
For quite a few years now, we've taken that old concept to heart and offered our residents a place to come dispose of household stuff they don't need anymore with CityWide CleanUp Day. Over the last few years, this thing has taken on a life of its own with people starting to line up as early as 7 a.m. last year, before the event started at 9.
This Saturday, for the second consecutive year, we're going to stage CityWide CleanUp Day in the southeastern parking lot of Oran Good Park, near the corner of Tom Field Road and Valley View Lane. The secret is you want to enter the park from the Tom Field Road side since they'll be routing all traffic out from the event onto Valley View.
In addition to the standard document shredding and electronics recycling, prescription medication disposal makes a return appearance and we have a special this year with Dallas County on hand to accept household chemicals. This is not always easy to get so we're especially happy to be able to offer it this year.
Beyond that, if you've got old books or DVDs, bring them on by for donation to the Manske Library for their Used Book Sale fundraisers later in the year. Also, Metrocrest Services, the great local service organization that resulted from the marriage of Metrocrest Social Services and Senior Adult Services, will be on hand to accept donations of clothing and shoes. However, please be sure the donations are clean and in good order or else they can't really use them.
This event is designed specifically for residents, but when these vehicles collecting this diverse material hit capacity they can't accept any more so be sure to get there early.
  
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Citizen Collection Center to reopen
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Just in time for CityWide CleanUp Day weekend, the Citizen Collection Center will reopen for Farmers Branch resident use on Thursday, April 10 at 9 a.m. 
Closed in 2009, funding to reopen the center was approved by the Farmers Branch City Council earlier this year. Located at 1399 Valley View Lane, the convenience station features drive up dumpsters to drop off large trash and debris, along with regular household garbage and recycling items.
Public Works officials emphasized the Center is designed for use by residents only. No commercial vehicles or contractors will be allowed use of the site.
The all-new Citizen Collection Center will be open Thursday through Saturday, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. There is no cost for Farmers Branch residents to use the facility.
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City Council to consider mid-year budget amendments in workshop
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Mayor Bill Glancy and members of the Farmers Branch City Council will consider a presentation on mid-year
 adjustments to the 2013-2014 fiscal year budget during a special workshop during their April 15 Study Session, beginning at 3 p.m. in Council Chambers at Farmers Branch City Hall. The Council will consider other Study Session items following the budget workshop. The regular Council meeting that evening will begin at 6:30 p.m. and can be seen live on FBTV, cable channel 16 in Farmers Branch, AT&T Uverse channel 99 throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex and online at www.farmersbranchtx.gov. For more information, call 972.247.3131.
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HISTORICAL PARK ~ With a mild forecast in store for the weekend, a hearty crowd is expected to converge on the Historical Park meadow Saturday evening for the new, but very popular, 'Date Night in the Park.'
Gates to the Historical Park open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free.
There will be music from the band, 'Prophets & Outlaws' beginning at 7 p.m. in advance of the outdoor movie, "Delivery Man," starring Vince Vaughn at dusk. Throughout the evening, food trucks will be available for dinner and snacking.
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The Vince Vaughn comedy, "Delivery Man" will be shown on the outdoor screen in the Historical Park meadow.
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This year's food truck lineup includes Camp Corn (Fresh Kettle Corn), Mad Grill (Pan Asian Cuisine), Snowies (Snow Cones),Yummy Pizza (Pizza and Wings), Rockin' Ricks (Cajun American), Texas Burrito Company (Burritos and Tacos), Misha's Kitchen (Russian), Four Seasons (Philly Cheese Steak & American) and wine and beer from Gilley's!
Date Nighters are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating. However, Friends of the Historical Park will be renting chairs for $2 each for anyone needing one.
The Farmers Branch Historical Park is located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, between Denton Drive and Ford Road and a five minute walk from the DART Farmers Branch Green Line Station. Parking for the event will be at the Metro Square Business Park, 12300 Ford Road with a free shuttle to the gate.
Keeping with the Date Night theme, childcare will be available that evening at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center for $10 per child. Deadline for reservations is Friday.
For more information, visit www.fbspecialevents.com or call 972.919.2620.
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Full house at Animal Adoption Center prompts $35 special
ANIMAL ADOPTION CENTER ~ With the Animal Adoption Center at capacity, and in order to free up space, City officials have lowered the cost for pet adoptions temporarily to $35.  Normally $85, the adoption fee covers more than $200 of veterinary services including heart worm testing for dogs over six months old, feline leukemia testing for cats over six months, sterilization, rabies and selected vaccinations, microchipping and a free veterinarian exam at participating vet clinics.
The reduced fee will remain in effect until further notice. For more information, call the Animal Adoption Center at 972.919.8770.
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Young Scientists return to Library
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ The popular program, "Young Scientists," returns this Saturday, April 12 at 11 a.m. at the Farmers Branch Manske Library. Open to children ages 8 through 12 years who want to become young scientists, kids will conduct science experiments, create cool crafts, and share ideas with the help of Newton's Lab. For more information call the Library at 972.247.2511, or visit Newton's Lab, www.newtons-lab.com.
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DART Art station tour planned next Wednesday
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Concentrating on the artistic expression that has led to what are essentially outdoor galleries along DART's light rail lines, "The Community as Canvas: DART Art Station Tour" will depart the Farmers Branch Manske Library Wednesday, April 16 at 10 a.m. Participants will ride the DART train and enjoy the collection of public art that has won the numerous awards for its Design Program. Commuters will marvel at how artists have transformed common elements in the transit stations, such as canopies, columns, paving, windscreens, fencing and landscaping, into striking art and design elements. The tour will last until about 1:30 p.m., and a lunch stop will be scheduled along the way. It is suggested that passengers bring a lunch, or are welcome to purchase food at a local restaurant. The tour is free but seating is limited so advance registration is requested by calling the Library at 972.247.2511, registering online, or by signing up at the Library's service desk.
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Sale of e-cigarettes to minors prohibited
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Responding to the growing proliferation of the electronic cigarette market, the Farmers Branch City Council recently took action to safeguard youth by restricting sale of e-cigarettes to minors.
The new ordinance prohibits the sale of e-cigarettes to minors as well as possession of e-cigarettes by minors. In addition, e-cigarettes are restricted from sale in self-service machines where minors could have access.
Violation of the ordinance carries a fine of up to $500 per offense. For more information, call 972.484.3620.
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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 or call 972.919.2510.
   
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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 non-typical weather patterns," 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: Danielle Brissette 
Division: Parks - Historical Park
Employed: Started on April 1, 2014
Background: I came to the Historical Park from the Sam Houston Memorial Museum in Huntsville where I served as the Curator of Education. I attended graduate school in Leicester, where I earned an MA in Museum Studies. As the Museum Curator for the Historical Park I will be tasked with creating engaging programming for the park's visitors. In addition, I will be managing the volunteer corps and vintage base ball team.
Why the City is excited to have Danielle on board: "We are very excited to have Danielle join our team. She brings a lot of experience and energy to the Historical Park staff and we are lucky to have her here." ~ Derrick Birdsall, Historical Park Superintendent.
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Volume 4 | Edition 14 | Number 163 
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
SATURDAY . 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
TUESDAY . APR 15
AARP TAX HELP
10 am to 2 pm @ Senior Center
1 to 7 pm @ Manske Library
LAST DAY
STAR PARTY
Dusk til 9 pm @ Historical Park
Alternate Weather Date Apr 10
972.406.0184
6:30 pm @ City Hall
Budget Workshop @ 3 pm
All events subject to change
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
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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City offices to close for Good Friday, Easter Sunday
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Most City of Farmers Branch offices and facilities will be closed on Friday, April 18 in observance of the Good Friday holiday.
The only exceptions will be the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center and Historical Park, both of which will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
There will be no garbage collection on Good Friday.
All City offices and facilities will be closed on Easter Sunday, April 20.
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New online payment system on the way
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Customers in Farmers Branch will soon be seamlessly directed to a new online utility payment site when they access the City's website at www.farmersbranchtx.gov to pay their utility bill.
The new site will allow customers to pay their account by debit or credit card using Visa, MasterCard or Discover on a one-time basis or to set up recurring payments. Customers may also choose to auto draft their bank account on a recurring basis on their bill due date.
Additionally, customers can sign up for e-notifications to receive alerts about their account.
The system will guide customers through the first-time setup process. For more information, call 972.919.2525.
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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 Historical Park meadow will be buzzing with food trucks, music and movies at Date Night, Saturday night. Photo by Tom Bryson |
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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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