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Neighborhoods matter
It is an extraordinary time to be in Farmers Branch with strong economic development creating new jobs, transportation options opening up new opportunities and more new housing options than many cities have seen in years.
With all of this creating a climate of growth and renewal in our City, and on the heels of voters approving bond funds to improve streets over the next decade, now is the time to reinvest in neighborhoods.
We've taken a critical look at each of the City's 20 neighborhoods and specifically analyzed housing conditions, "walkability" score, neighborhood assets and more.
Basic tools for revitalization could include trails and sidewalk expansion, park enhancements, neighborhood identity projects, tree canopy and landscaping projects and other neighborhood assistance.
A commitment of two cents on the property tax rate, per $100 of assessed value, will generate $800,000 per year for neighborhood revitalization. Staff wants to work with each neighborhood and the City Council to select and prioritize projects, coordinated with infrastructure improvements, that will infuse new life into the residential heart of our City.
We begin this quest next Wednesday morning at the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce Branch Out breakfast meeting, set for 7:30 a.m. at Saltgrass Steakhouse, where I will present the particulars of this plan. I encourage you to be there, but you should call the Chamber to RSVP at 972.243.8966.
This is the first time we'll talk about the Comprehensive Neighborhood Revitalization Program. But, it will not be the last.
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Valley View, 35E left lane nighttime closures now extended to July 28
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The left lane of north and southbound I-35E will be closed nightly from 9 p.m. through 6 a.m., between Valley View Lane and Valwood Parkway, through July 28, according to officials with the 35Express construction group.
 In addition, due to unusual mid-summer rain events, officials with the 35Express group have once again extended nighttime closures of Valley View Lane under Interstate 35E now until Monday, July 28. Construction crews close the intersection to affect work on the overhead bridge and support during the nighttime hours of 9 p.m. through 6 a.m. All closures are subject to weather conditions and may be postponed if necessary. More info at www.35express.org or call 214.483.7777.
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Town Hall Meeting set Thursday at Senior Center
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The plans for street refurbishment in the next 10 years, stemming from the 2014 voter-approved $23.5 million bond
 program, will be the topic of discussion at a Town Hall Meeting, set for Thursday, July 24 at 7 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Senior Center. Mayor Bob Phelps and members of the City Council will be on hand to meet citizens and hold a question and answer session, following the Street program presentation. For more information, call 972.919.2515.
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Mid-summer rains wash up rare aquatic discovery
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Last week's heavy rains left behind more than just soggy sod and filled up creeks.
For one Farmers Branch resident, the rain event led to an odd and rare discovery. 
On Thursday, Ms. Jo Bennett discovered a large, multi-colored, gelatinous-like "blob" on the Rawhide Creek dam behind Farmers Branch City Hall. Never having seen anything like it, she called City Hall to have someone come take a look.
"In many, many years of doing this job, I had never seen anything like it," said Farmers Branch Environmental Health Director Stacy Wright. "It was clearly an invertebrate, about 16 inches long and weighing about three pounds."
After trading photos with biologist Greg Conley from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and invertebrate expert Dr. Stephen W. Ziser, from Austin Community College, the "blob" was positively identified as a "magnificent bryozoan" (Pectinatella magnifica).
 Dr. Ziser said the species was originally native to drainages east of the Mississippi but this appears to be farther west than previously reported. In fact, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, this is only the second time a bryozoan has been confirmed in the state of Texas (previously in Belton Lake in 1983). Officials have no idea how it got into Rawhide Creek but Farmers Branch will be listed as the first perennial stream in Texas with such a finding.
The magnificent bryozoan is a filter feeder which extracts nutrients from fertilizers and other urban runoff. It is not generally considered harmful to humans.
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Fire Department plans public meeting on Station No. 2 plans
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Updating a very busy schedule in the coming month, Farmers Branch Fire Chief Steve Parker has announced a public meeting on the relocation of Fire Station No. 2, to be held Wednesday, August 6 at 6 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Municipal Court. 
The meeting is planned to share information in advance of the City's planned purchase of the undeveloped land known as "Holiday Park" from the Dallas County Community College District, for the relocation of Fire Station No. 2 and dedication as a City park.
Chief Parker will brief the public on the Station No. 2 relocation study, the proposed time frame regarding the land purchase and the master site plan that will be developed in partnership with the Parks and Recreation Department.
Farmers Branch Municipal Court is located on the northwest side of the Farmers Branch Justice Center at 3723 Valley View Lane.
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Aquatics Center construction update
Updated: July 23, 2014
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Construction continues throughout the summer on the new Aquatics Center to be located next to the Community Recreation Center on Heartside Place, near Valwood Parkway.
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2014 Swim Season Options
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The year-round, indoor section of the new complex is expected to be open next winter with the outdoor portion ready for the summer, 2015 swim season.
In the meantime, Farmers Branch residents can still get season passes, at 2013 Farmers Branch prices, for the Carrollton Rosemeade Rainforest Aquatics Facility. Call 972.247.4607 for more information, or check out this video.
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Dignitaries gathered on a warm morning Tuesday to cut the ribbon on the new Brookhaven Trail, a joint venture between Brookhaven College, the City of Farmers Branch, Dallas County, and the Town of Addison. Farmers Branch Mayor Bob Phelps (from left) was joined by Addison Mayor Todd Meier, Brookhaven College President Dr. Thom D. Chesney, Dallas County Community College District Trustee Bob Ferguson, Dallas County Public Works Director Alberta Blair and Dallas County Commissioner Mike Cantrell.
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Volume 4 | Edition 29 | Number 178 
is published weekly by the Communications Office
of the City of Farmers Branch, TX.
Three-time Award Winner for
Excellence in E-Newsletters in Texas
Awarded by the
Texas Association of Municipal Information Officers
www.texastamio.org
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Cones are ready
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Traffic cones will have plenty of work over the next 10 years as street projects under the voter-approved bond issue will improve roadways across Farmers Branch. The particulars of the street improvement plan will be featured at a Town Hall Meeting, set for Thursday, July 24 at 7 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.
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Charity Car Wash
The Farmers Branch Fire Department will hold a charity car wash for "Little Johnny" on Saturday, August 2, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Walmart Neighborhood Market at the corner of Josey Lane and Valley View. "Little Johnny" is a Farmers Branch resident in a fragile state of health and his mother's wheelchair van is no longer operational. Firefighters, who have made numerous medical calls to the residence over the years, are trying to raise money for a new van for the family.
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Tell it to the Mayor
Farmers Branch Mayor Bob Phelps will be available for open office hours on the second and fourth Wednesdays of every month, 3 to 6 p.m., at Farmers Branch City Hall, beginning in August. Anyone is welcome to come by, without an appointment, to chat with Mayor Phelps on any topic. Call 972.919.2515 for more info.
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Citizen Police Academy
The Farmers Branch Police Department is gearing up for the Fall session of its Citizen Police Academy. The 30-hour block of instruction is broken into classes over 10 weeks designed to give adults a working knowledge of Farmers Branch Police Department policies, personnel and procedures. Enrollment is free. Call 972.406.0184.
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Craft Fair vendor registration
Following two weeks of registration by Farmers Branch residents, open registration to be a vendor at this year's annual Craft Fair begins on Thursday, July 24. The event is set for Saturday, October 18 at the Senior Center. Call 972.919.8740.
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FBHP Volunteers
The Farmers Branch Historical Park is seeking volunteers to assist with school tours, special events and projects. No experience with museum work is necessary. Two training sessions for prospective and veteran volunteers is set for Thursdays, July 31 and August 7, 6:30 p.m. at the Historical Park. For more information, call or email Museum Educator Danielle Brissette at 972.919.8731.
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Vintage Base Ball
The Farmers Branch Mustangs Vintage Base Ball Club is seeking new players to engage in the great game as it was played by 1860s rules - no glove, no ungentlemanly conduct, no stealing of bases and more. Residents are encouraged to come and play ball with the Mustangs or join the Mustang's Fan Club. No sports experience necessary. Upcoming open practices are from 6 until 8 p.m. on August 12 and September 16 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. Call 972.919.8731.
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Paddle Boarding
The Farmers Branch Senior Center is also sponsoring a paddle boarding outing at Lake Ray Hubbard on Saturday, July 26 from 9 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. Cost is $13 and covers lessons, all equipment and two hours of water time as well as transportation. Call 972.919.8740.
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AARP Smart Driver
The AARP Smart Driver Course will be taught at the Farmers Branch Senior Center on Thursday, July 24 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Fees for AARP members are $15 and $20 for non-members. Call 972.919.8740.
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Firehouse Theatre
The classic musical, "Hello, Dolly!" will be presented by the Firehouse Theatre at the Plaza Arts Center in old downtown Carrollton with performances through July 27. For reservations and more information, call 972.620.3747 or visit thefirehousetheatre.com.
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Oncor begins tree trimming in area neighborhoods
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Oncor has notified Farmers Branch that they will be trimming trees in several local neighborhoods in the coming weeks.
According to Oncor, the area to be trimmed is generally bounded by Webb Chapel Road, Belt Line Road, Marsh Lane and Pebble Beach Drive. Oncor can be reached at 888.313.6862.
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 | | Teen Camp Video Blog |
 | | "Don't Text & Drive" |
| | "Pool's Closed!" |
 | | "Above & Beyond" |
 | | "John F. Burke Nature Preserve: An Overview" |
 | | "Farmers Branch Connections" |
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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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