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Vote.
A few weeks ago, we had a discussion on the nature of public service and what it means, really means, to put yourself out there, open and vulnerable to productive praise or condescending criticism. And, I believe that with all my heart that those that do opt to say, "Yes, I will serve my community," deserve our thanks - whether they have your vote or not. Again, we can disagree, without being disagreeable.
So, if you didn't vote early and you're headed to your polling precinct on Saturday you may find yourself on the receiving end of a hearty handshake from one of our candidates for City or school board elections. I hope you'll join me in offering them a word of thanks for their civic-mindedness and dedication to Farmers Branch.
Then, wherever you stand on the candidates or on the issues, please exercise one of our most profound and meaningful freedoms as Americans.
Vote.
Just get out and vote. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. There's plenty of information on this page about where to find your precinct and other information on the election. Please take advantage of it or call us at City Hall (972.247.3131) before Friday at 5 p.m. and we'll help you the best we can.
It is important to note that our elections are operated by Dallas County who is responsible for counting the votes, as well. The unofficial results that they post on the Dallas County website will also be posted to City media on Saturday night, as soon as those final numbers become available. Since you already have a BRANCH BULLETIN subscription, you will be receiving a BRANCH MAIL with the unofficial tallies. That same info will be available on the City's website and on FBTV. If the past few years are any indicator, it could be upwards of 10 p.m. before we get final results but we will pass them along as soon as we know them.
So, be sure to stand up and be counted so your vote will make a difference.
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ELECTION Day
INFO 
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Voting precincts listed
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Polling places for the 2014 City elections, set for Saturday, May 10, are divided according to voting precincts. Voters  should refer to their voter registration cards for information on their precinct number or look up their precinct by address here. Precinct numbers 2076, 2302, 2305, 2306, 2307, 2308, 2309, 2310 and 2312 will vote at Farmers Branch City Hall, 13000 William Dodson Parkway. The Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center will play host to balloting for precinct numbers 2300, 2301, 2303 and 2311. Polling places will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
> ELECTIONS INFO WEB PAGE
> BOND ELECTION WEB PAGE > BOND ELECTION VIDEO: "My Dinner with Randy" |
Stories
ONLINE
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Featured
STORIES
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Be Social!
City launches #fbtx social media campaign
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The most recent Citizen Satisfaction Survey showed us that 84 percent of citizens still prefer the tried-and-true Branch Review as their primary, but not only, source for City information. Giving credence to the supposition that "print is not dead," this statistic nonetheless is tempered by the dramatic spike that same survey saw in use of 'eNews' products like Branch Mail eNews blasts and the Branch Bulletin weekly eNewsletter. In two year's time, use of those information channels by Farmers Branch residents skyrocketed from 28 to 63 percent.
National statistics tells us that social media is here to stay with 56 percent of all Americans having a profile on a social networking site and 55 percent of the 45-55 age range. Facebook boasts 845 million active users. And, the total number of text messages sent and received each day exceeds the population of the planet.
Since branching out into the social media realm, the City of Farmers Branch has seen residents, businesspeople and visitors using platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook to share their own Farmers Branch stories and photos.
To encourage more of the same, the City is launching the #fbtx Social Media Campaign.
"We invite you to be a part of the #fbtx campaign simply by following and interacting with the City on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter," said the Parks and Recreation Department's Maria Minter. "Share your Farmers Branch pictures and stories with us by 'tagging' posts with the hashtag 'fbtx.'"
She explained that "hashtags" are keywords or phrases, preceded by the # sign, that allows anyone to search for content under that hashtag.
"As we roll out a new 'theme' each month, we invite you to participate by sharing your theme-related posts," Ms. Minter added. "Just be sure to include '#fbtx.'"
Upcoming themes are: June - "Show Us Your Shades" / July - "Liberty Plaza" / August - "Dog Days of Summer" (people and their pets).
Links to City of Farmers Branch social media sites can be found on the City's homepage at www.farmersbranchtx.gov or users can go to the City's social platforms directly.
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Stars & Strings
Liberty Fest presents the sounds of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in Memorial Day weekend event
HISTORICAL PARK ~ With the intent of appealing to variety of audiences through the years, the City of Farmers Branch has announced the next generation of its summer kickoff event with this year's "Liberty Fest presents Stars & Strings," featuring the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. 
The event is planned for Saturday, May 24 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park and will celebrate liberty while honoring America and the men and women who serve her.
Fireworks and a tribute to our nation's heroes will all be a part of the evening, highlighted by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in concert.
There will be a variety of food options including food trucks, pre-ordered picnic baskets from Central Market or families can bring their own dinner and snacks. Beer and wine will be available for sale.
Families can set up their lawn chairs and blankets in the meadow to enjoy an evening under the stars.
Admission will be free. Call 972.919.2620 for more information or visit www.fbspecialevents.com.
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Shakespeare's 'Shrew' is set for the stars, May 8-11 & 15-18
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Firehouse Theatre will present "The Taming of the Shrew" as their annual Shakespeare Under the Stars offering in May at the Farmers Branch Manske Library Amphitheater.
The classic will be presented May 8-11 and 15-18 at 8 p.m. at the venue, 13613 Webb Chapel Road.
Producing Artistic Director John Wilkerson said this would be FHT's second year to produce Shakespeare under the Texas sky and have added a second weekend to allow more patrons to attend.
Theatre-goers should bring a blanket or lawn chair for the grassy, tiered rows in the amphitheater.
For tickets, call 972.620.3747 or thefirehousetheatre.com.
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Class creates crafts out of old books
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North Texas Dieselpunks present consumerism and flapper fashion
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ At the next meeting of the North Texas Dielselpunks the focus will be on the rise of modern consumerism and the flapper phenomenon of the 1920s on Saturday, May 10 at 2 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Manske Library.
Writer, public speaker and North Texas Dieselpunk founder Larry Amyett will give a presentation on how the modern world has been influenced by 1920s consumerism.
   
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Employee: Randy Portillo 
Background: I graduated from WT White High School in 2012 and am now attending Brookhaven Community College. Prior to being employed with the City I worked in retail and banking which gave me good experience with the public which I brought with me to the City's Customer Service Department. I enjoy sports, landscaping and travel.
What I like most about working for the City: Working for the City has been a great experience. The City is an awesome workplace with good values and very dedicated coworkers. This is a great place to start a career or to grow in an already existing one!
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Volume 4 | Edition 18 | Number 167 
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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Election Day
7 am - 7 pm @ Dallas County Polling Places
Additional Information:
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Coming Soon
All events subject to change
MAY 20
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 24
LIBERTY FEST presents STARS & STRINGS
Featuring the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in Concert
@ Historical Park
972.919.2620
Most City offices closed
NO GARBAGE COLLECTION
Historical Park open 8-5
Rec Center open 8-5
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youtube.com  fbtv16
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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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"My Dinner With Randy"
Dinner & dialogue with information on the 2014 bond election
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"Pool's Closed!"
But, Farmers Branch residents have swimming options for the 2014 season.
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John F. Burke Nature Preserve: An Overview
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Local
NEWS
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Registration now open for summer youth camps
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Whether teaching teens about law enforcement, fire & rescue or the merits of leadership, three tried and true Farmers Branch Youth Camps open registration for the 2014 summer season on May 1.
The "Leader in Training" teen camp runs throughout the summer from June 9 through August 22. Designed for ages 13-15, the camp meets weekly and includes volunteer opportunities throughout the City. There is a $15 weekly fee.
Open to ages 13 to 18, the Teen Fire and Rescue Academy will be held June 23-27 and will include hands-on training, challenges and drills for the teens in attendance.
The Teen Police Academy is also open to ages 13 to 18 and will be held July 14-18. Cost for both the Teen Police Academy and Fire and Rescue Academy is $50 for members of the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center and $65 for non-members.
Call 972.247.4607 for more information.
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Hanna Kim to exhibit in Library art gallery in May
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ With unique works of oil on canvass, along with drawings, artist Hanna Kim will be featured in the Art Gallery at the Farmers Branch Manske Library from May 3 - 30.
The gallery is open during regular Library hours. Call 972.247.2511 for more info.
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Mosquito dunks available to get jump on season
FARMERS BRANCH ~ With mosquito season again at hand, the City of Farmers Branch Environmental Health office is providing mosquito dunks to residents.
Dumping standing water is always the preferred method of eliminating potential mosquito-breeding areas, if dumping is not possible, treating with mosquito dunks is the next, best option.
Dunks are available at no cost to residents at Farmers Branch City Hall and at the Farmers Branch Senior Center, while supplies last.
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Vote. |
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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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