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Virtual twister
Last Friday may have seemed like a relatively calm day in Farmers Branch. You were at work, or at school or taking care of your yard and didn't even realize that a tornado came through the middle of town.
Don't worry. It was a virtual tornado, made up for the benefit of a Dallas County-wide disaster drill that we participated in.
If you ever encounter a member of our City staff with a red ribbon across the bottom of their ID badge that says "Emergency Operations Officer," that means they are designated to play a vital role in our Emergency Operations Center, if we were ever to have an actual crisis.
Disaster planning for emergencies, whether they be weather-related or man-made, is a meticulous process that is headed up by Fire Chief Steve Parker, who also serves as Emergency Management Coordinator for Farmers Branch.
Friday's exercise was a great example of the mix of people required to make a successful emergency management operation run. Of course, there are specific representatives of the Fire and Police Departments, but also members of our Community Services, IT and Purchasing Departments. Finance was there, along with Communications, Parks and Recreation representatives of the City Manager's office, the City Attorney and more.
The fact is that if we ever have to stand up our Emergency Operations Center (EOC), we will need to know what has happened, who has been affected, how to take care of them, how to tell you about it and so much more that you may not always think of. How do we order supplies for our responders? How do we staff an EOC over a period of days if it is an extended event? How do we coordinate with county, state and federal agencies?
All of this goes into the advanced planning we engage in for an unforeseen event that we hope never happens. But, if it ever does, you can rest assured knowing Farmers Branch is ready.
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Districts for voter-approved beer & wine sales set for Council meeting
FARMERS BRANCH ~ As part of their only regularly scheduled meeting in June, the Farmers Branch City Council will hold a public hearing on a proposal to create beer and wine sales overlay districts, following voter approval of a local option to allow such sales for off premise consumption.
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LaJeana Thomas
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The meeting is set for Tuesday, June 17, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall.
The City is amending the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to reflect this change for beer and wine sales, after voters approved the local option at the May 10 election by a total of 2,469 (71.65 percent) to 977 (28.35 percent). This follows a similar public hearing at a special Planning and Zoning Commission meeting last month.
The Farmers Branch Planning Department will outline a proposal to create 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.
The public is invited to attend.
   
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'Groove Knight' to return to Independence Day
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Returning for a second consecutive year, the classic party band, Groove Knight will appear in concert at the Farmers Branch Independence Day celebration, set for Thursday, July 3 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. The Groove Knight concert begins at 8 p.m.
Festival food will be available for purchase from a variety of vendors and there will be a free Kidzone with many activities for children.
New this year will be a Pie-Eating Contest, sponsored by Uncle Willie's Pies, on stage at 7:30 p.m. Entry fee is $10 with all proceeds benefiting military charities.
Call 972.919.1433 for more information on the event or visit fbspecialevents.com.
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Summer Reading program to include reading with seniors
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ In a partnership with Emeritus, the Farmers Branch Manske Library's Summer Reading program will include Reading PALS on Fridays at 10:15 a.m. beginning Friday, June 13.
PALS, or Partner And Learn with Seniors, is open to young readers who need extra assistance with reading comprehension. Children will be able to read aloud with their special tutor from Emeritus.
Space is limited, and advanced sign up at the Youth Services desk is required. For more information, call the Library at 972.247.2511.
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Parks & Rec's Mitzi Davis graduates from leadership class
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Parks and Recreation Program Manager Mitzi Davis recently completed a nine-month leadership development class with the Metrocrest Chamber of Commerce and was honored in graduation ceremonies held in May.
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Mitzi Davis
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Leadership Metrocrest is a program designed to identify, educate and motivate future community leaders.
Meeting one day per month for the past nine months, the experience provides knowledge and insight to understanding the greater community, its businesses and key players. Mitzi said the outcomes from the class were the development of professional relationships, better understanding of the business community and how the municipal and county governments interact with local commerce, and the improvement of leadership and communication skills.
A Farmers Branch veteran, Mitzi has more than 15 years experience on the Parks and Recreation Department staff.
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"The Talent Tree" to be concluded by Firehouse Theatre June 14
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Firehouse Theatre will present the children's play, "The Talent Tree" June 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.
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Senior men invited to Father's Day weekend celebration at Senior Center
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Fathers, grandfathers and other men over 50 are invited to a Father's Day weekend event on Friday, June 13, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.
The event will begin with a pancake breakfast, followed by chair volleyball, Wii bowling, billiards and checkers tournaments. The celebration will conclude with a lunch and gift card awards for first and second places in different events. Register at the Senior Center front desk or call 972.919.8740.
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Swimming passes still available at last year's rates for summer season
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Farmers Branch residents can still take advantage of Carrollton's Rosemeade Rainforest facility at a special discounted rate, while the new aquatic center is being built on the site of the old Don Showman pool.
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.
For more information, call 972.247.4607.
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Volume 4 | Edition 23 Number 172 
is published weekly by the Communications Office
of the City of Farmers Branch, TX.
Two-time TAMI Award Winner & 2014 TAMI Finalist for Best eNewsletter in Texas
Given by the Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers
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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
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
JUL 3 (Thu)
INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION
@ FB Historical Park
. Gates open at 6:30 pm
. Concert by Groove Knight
. Pie-Eating Contest
. KidZone
. Fireworks finale
JUL 4 (Fri)
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Most City offices and facilities closed | Only exceptions are Community Rec Center and Historical Park, both open 8 am to 5 pm |
NO GARBAGE COLLECTION
RED, WHITE & BLUE INDEPENDENCE DAY WALKING PARADE
9 am @ Rawhide Parkway between Josey & Longmeade
JUL 15 (Tue)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6:30 pm @ City Hall
Broadcast LIVE on FBTV
972.919.2515
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Reception for Mayor Glancy to precede Tuesday Council meeting
FARMERS BRANCH ~ As a means of showing appreciation for his service and leadership during the past three years, outgoing Farmers Branch Mayor Bill Glancy will be celebrated in a brief reception to occur at about 6 p.m., prior to Tuesday's Council meeting.
The public is invited to attend.
Mayor Glancy is retiring from the City's top job after a single three-year term, but a period that caps more than three decades of service to the City of Farmers Branch.
Tuesday's regular Council meeting will follow the reception at 6:30 p.m.
   
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Early voting continues through Tuesday
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Early voting for the June 21 runoff elections will be held according to the following schedule:
- Today 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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Only regular Council meeting in June is next week
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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Family Advisory Board plans walking parade
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Creativity will be on display Friday morning, July 4 as the Farmers Branch Family Advisory Board sponsors the Red, White and Blue Independence Day Parade.
The annual walking parade begins at 9 a.m. at Rawhide Creek, between Josey and Longmeade. Everyone is invited to bring flags, wear red, white and blue, decorate strollers, bikes and wagons.
In addition to the walking parade, there will be a kids' watermelon eating contest, adult pie eating contest, other games, prizes and food.
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The Citizen Collection Center is again in operation on the west side of Farmers Branch at 1399 Valley View Lane. Hours are 9 a.m. until 6 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
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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