BRANCH BULLETIN - eNews from Farmers Branch
Memo from the MANAGER

Relevant, revealing & revolutionary

 

 A little more than three years ago, our Communications office had an idea to augment our traditional print publications and other City media channels with an electronic newsletter that wouldn't simply be a different way to get the same information.

Photo banners have been a hallmark of Branch Bulletin with a different photo each week depicting either a special event, or setting in the City that had a bearing on the past week.

  We wanted this new venture to be relevant in its content, revealing in approach to "pulling back the curtain" on City operations, and revolutionary in that it wouldn't be quite like any other eNewsletter in any other city.

   I wanted to be sure we were putting out something that people wouldn't regard as SPAM in their inbox, but something people would actually enjoy and that would help them to live, work and play in Farmers Branch.

   And, so, in March of 2011, Branch Bulletin was born.

Gary 2013

   But, make no mistake about it, that was simply a starting point of a constant work in progress where we will always strive to reach those benchmarks of being relevant, revealing and revolutionary.

   Today, 170 issues down the line, that work continues anew each week as every issue starts with a blank slate from which we carve your weekly dose of City news and information.

   What some numbers?

   Branch Bulletin has been published each and every week, without fail, since March 2, 2011. Included in those 170 editions have been two special editions, one noting the untimely passing of a longtime member of the City staff and the other when a Parks and Recreation crew member was critically injured in an accident.

   With a subscriber list that has fluctuated between 4,500 and 5,000, we have sent eNews to an aggregate of 2.7 million email addresses in that time (more than 200,000 in the last three months, alone). Oh, and the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers has twice named Branch Bulletin the best eNewsletter in Texas (and is up for that honor again this year).

   Are you reading it?

   Well, our analytics tell us you are, our surveys tell us you are (eNews consumption up from 23 to 67 percent between surveys), but most of all, you tell us you are.

   This little column has also been published 170 times and I'm starting to lose count of how many of you come up to me to comment on it. I was playing golf on a Saturday a few weeks ago when a gentleman hurried up to our tee box after everyone's first shots were away, just to tell me how much he enjoys reading this column each week.

   That's the kind of feedback that is invaluable.

   But we want more people to know what's going on and to share in this venture with us. So, this week, I'd like to challenge every reader to us the "Forward this Issue" button at the bottom of this column to send it to a friend and advise them that all they need to do, in order to get this every week, is to sign up on this link.

   And, you can tell them, it will be relevant, revealing and revolutionary.

 

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PUBLIC Hearings
Public hearings begin Thursday on beer & wine sales overlay districts

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Following the outcome of the May 10 local option election, where voters strongly favored sale of beer and wine for off-premise consumption, the City of Farmers Branch is beginning the process to amend the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to reflect this change, beginning with a public hearing at a special Planning & Zoning Commission meeting on Thursday, May 29.

   Set for 7 p.m. at City Hall, the City's Planning Department will outline a proposal to create 11 Beer and Wine Sales Overlay Districts, adopting regulations regarding uses permitted to sell beer and wine and prohibiting the sale of beer and wine in drive-through alcoholic beverage sale facilities. 

   There will be a second public hearing at the regularly scheduled City Council meeting of Tuesday, June 17, at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall.

The public is invited to attend both meetings.

 

> PROPOSED BEER & WINE SALES OVERLAY DISTRICT MAP

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RUNOFF Elections
Early voting begins June 9, ahead of June 21 runoff election date


FARMERS BRANCH ~ Early voting for the June 21 runoff elections will be held according to the following schedule:

  • Monday, June 9 thru Saturday, June 14, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
  • Sunday, June 15, from 1 until 6 p.m. 
  • Monday and Tuesday, June 16 & 17, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

   In the runoff election for Mayor, the candidates, in ballot order, are Bob Phelps and David Koch. Running for District 2 City Council are, in ballot order, Luther Bernstein and Harold Froehlich.

   Runoff Election Day is Saturday, June 21 with the polls open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. 


> ELECTIONS INFO WEB PAGE

 

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BRANCH Briefs
Firehouse Theatre presents kids show, "The Talent Tree"


FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Firehouse Theatre will present the children's play, "The Talent Tree" June 7 & 14 at 10 a.m. and 12 noon in the Farmers Branch Manske Library Theatre.

   "The Talent Tree" is about a boy named Bobbin, who can't figure out what, if any talent he has, so he is in search of the Talent Tree. He has heard of it and hopes it will help him discover his talent.

   All seats are $5. For more information, visit www.thefirehousetheatre.com or call 972.620.3747.

Library seeks teen volunteers for Summer Reading Club


FARMERS BRANCH ~ Teen volunteers, between the ages of 13 and 17, are needed for the Summer Reading Club at the Farmers Branch Manske Library.

   Teens interested in volunteering are required to attend one of two orientation sessions on either May 29 or June 17, both at 4:30 p.m. During the course of the summer, teens will have several opportunities to fulfill their volunteer hours, including running the Summer Reading Club registration table, being a program assistant to Library staff and keeping the stacks tidy.

   For more information, call 972.247.2511.

Registration still open for public safety academies this summer


FARMERS BRANCH ~ Kids, from 13 to 18, can still register for the Teen Fire & Rescue Academy or Teen Police Academy, both to be held over separate weeks  this summer.

   Each academy is an opportunity for kids to take a close look at their public safety agencies policies, procedures and personnel. Classes include lecture, field trips and hands-on activities.

   Find out more by calling 972.247.4607.

 

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PARTING Shot Gallery: Stars & Strings
This young lady got into the red, white and blue of things as Liberty Fest presents Stars & Strings, featuring the Dallas Symphony Orchestra on Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Assistant Conductor Rei Hotoda directed the Dallas Symphony Orchestra through a rousing program of patriotic selections and popular hits.
Former World War II Navy Nurse Geneva Holland, 92, receives her 70-years-overdue service medals, presented by Congressman Kenny Marchant as part of his Medal Retrieval Program. 
The packed house enjoyed the concert, the fireworks and the various food truck offerings of the evening.
Photos by Sherry Muldoon
Dream Focus Studio 
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Volume 4 | Edition 21 Number 170
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
 and 2014 TAMI Finalist 
Given by the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers 

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Current EVENTS
Valley View to close at I-35E Wed-Fri
 
FARMERS BRANCH ~ As part of the ongoing work associated with LBJ Express, Valley View Lane is scheduled to be closed at the overpass with I-35E Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights at 9 p.m.
   Work on the overpass is expected to allow traffic to resume each of the following mornings by 6 a.m.
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City Council plans summer schedule for June & July
 
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Rather than the traditional first and third Tuesdays of the month, the Farmers Branch City Council will meet in regular session only one time per month in June and July.
   There will be no City Council meeting on the first Tuesday of each month but the Mayor and Council will meet on the third Tuesday, that is June 17 and July 15.
   All regular meetings are at 6:30 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall. All Study Sessions now begin at 5 p.m. For more information, call 972.919.2515.
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Coming Soon
All events subject to change

JUN 9-14 (Mon-Sat)
EARLY VOTING
For Runoff Election
8 am to 5 pm @ Dallas County Early Voting Locations

JUN 15 (Sun)
EARLY VOTING
For Runoff Election
1 to 6 pm @ Dallas County Early Voting Locations

JUN 16-17 (Mon-Tue)
EARLY VOTING
For Runoff Election
7 am to 7pm @ Dallas County Early Voting Locations

JUN 17 (Tue)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6:30 pm @ City Hall
Broadcast LIVE on FBTV
972.919.2515

JUN 21 (Sat)
ELECTION DAY
For Runoff Election
7 am to 7pm @ Dallas County www.dallascountyvotes.orgoting Locations

JUL 3
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
@ FB Historical Park
Gates open at 6:30 pm
Concert by Groove Knight
Fireworks finale

JUL 15 (Tue)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6:30 pm @ City Hall
Broadcast LIVE on FBTV
972.919.2515

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Local
NEWS CAMPS

Medical City recognizes paramedics for lifesaving efforts

Firefighter/Paramedics Timothy Adams and Brett Schonfeld.

DALLAS ~ Medical City hospital recently recognized Farmers Branch Firefighter/Paramedics Timothy Adams and Brett Schonfeld as "Lifesavers" for their care of longtime Farmers Branch resident Joe Floyd.

   On New Year's Eve, 2013, Angela Floyd recognized that something was wrong with her husband and called 9.1.1 for help. Responding Paramedics Adams and Schonfeld immediately recognized that Mr. Floyd was having a stroke and began advanced life support while calling into Medical City a "Code Stroke."

   Upon arrival at Medical City, Mr. Floyd was treated during a two week period and was released with no neurological impairment.

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Balcones lauds City's efforts at being "green"


FARMERS BRANCH ~ Balcones Recycling has recognized the City of Farmers Branch as a "Partner in Green" for its commitment to a greener workplace.

   Balcones said 14 tons of recyclable material were received from the City in 2013, resulting in the conservation of 231 trees, 5,171 gallons of oil, 95,270 gallons of water, 55,801 kilowatt hours of electricity and 44 cubic yards of landfill space.

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35Express sets business stakeholder meeting

 

LEWISVILLE - The 35Express team will host a series of morning information meetings for business owners in June that will feature economic development staff from cities along the 35Express project corridor.

   These economic development experts will share information and resources their respective cities have available for existing
businesses.
 These periodic meetings are designed to help businesses stay abreast of construction progress. Each meeting will highlight a different segment of the 30-mile corridor. 

   The South Segment meeting, including businesses in Farmers Branch and Carrollton, is planned for Friday, June 6 at 8:30 a.m. at the C2 Cafe in Old Downtown Carrollton, 1101 South Broadway. 

   The 35Express Project is a 30-mile, $1.4 billion design build expansion of the Interstate 35E corridor from US Highway 380 in Denton County to I-635 in Dallas County.

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Summer swimming options now open

 

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. 

Video View our videos on YouTube Extra
Pool's Closed!
Pool's Closed!

   The Farmers Branch City Council approved the plan earlier this year. 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 IDs made. The Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department will work with Carrollton to make up the difference in fees.

  For more information, call 972.247.4607. 

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IN the BANNER
BRANCH BULLETIN - eNews from Farmers Branch
The Farmers Branch Fire Department supports the Janie Stark Elementary PTA every year by providing a "Ride to School' in a Fire Truck auction item. This year winner was Griffin Goodno. Quint 131 from Fire Station #1 picked up Griffin on Monday last week, drove him to Fire Station No. 1 for a tour, then dropped him off at Stark just in time for school. Pausing for a quick photo are (from left) Firefighter Billy Hartman, Driver/Paramedic Jason Shelby, Captain/Paramedic Rusty Henley, Griffin Goodno & Firefighter/Paramedic Todd Worley. 
FBFD Photo
LBJ Express
Check the latest weekly report on the five-year reconstruction of Interstate 635 that includes:
35Express
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.


About the City of Farmers Branch Farmers Branch Logo
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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