BRANCH BULLETIN ~ eNews from Farmers Branch
Memo from the MANAGER

The Most Interesting Planner in the World

  

   Today, I'd like to introduce you to a video - a short film, if you will.

  Although drawing its inspiration from a popular series of ads for a multi-national company, this film is based on the premise that humor helps get the viewer interested in the information to be conveyed.

Gary 2013

   Also, I believe Andy Gillies to be an interesting guy.

   Shot in a single day, last week, in Farmers 

Branch, "The Most Interesting Planner in the World" takes Andy through the stages of analysis that led to our desire to revitalize neighborhoods based on a combination of factors, including walkability, housing conditions, connected-ness and others.

   Although this video was shot last week, the conceptual roots of the neighborhood revitalization movement go back several years to the process Andy undertook, as our Planning Director, to orchestrate the public process that led to development of a long-term plan for the Central Area of our City, where most of our residential neighborhoods are located.

   While it may be humorously portrayed in the video, the very hard work that Andy and his staff undertook to arrive at this point is very real and we hope for the opportunity to be able to implement many of these revitalization ideas. These are neighborhood improvements that would happen over and above the $23.5 million in street enhancements already approved by voters and now underway.

VIDEO View our videos on YouTube EXTRA
"The Most Interesting Planner in the World"

   The bottom line is our property values continue to increase. In order to make Farmers Branch the very best it can be, we must be sure the value of our neighborhoods keeps pace.

   I invite you to take a look at our short film, then visit the Neighborhood revitalization page at www.your2centsworth.org for additional information.

   Let us know if you have questions.

 

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Important INFO
City Council moves October meeting in support of National Night Out

FARMERS BRANCH ~ With the Texas version of National Night Out again set for the first Tuesday in October, Mayor Bob Phelps and the members of the Farmers Branch City Council will hold their first meeting of the month 24 hours earlier on Monday, October 6.
   The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall. Study Session will precede the Council Meeting at 5 p.m. in the second floor conference room at City Hall.
   Coverage on FBTV begin with Study Session at 5 p.m., then continues with the Council meeting at 6:30. The most recent City Council meeting is replayed on FBTV at 6:30 p.m. every evening.
   To view agendas online and video of past Council meetings, visit the calendar page on the City's Government Information Center.
   For more information on National Night Out, call the Farmers Branch Police Department at 972.919.9304.

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West Nile Virus detected in fourth mosquito trap in Farmers Branch

FARMERS BRANCH ~ With this week's confirmation of mosquitoes in another trap showing signs of West Nile Virus, the total number of positive mosquito tests in the City rises to four. 
   As yet, there have been no human cases of West Nile Virus reported in Farmers Branch since 2012.  West Nile Watch
   Officials said the positive trap reported is situated in the neighborhoods south of Valley View Lane, between Josey and Webb Chapel. They said those residential areas will be sprayed for mosquitoes tonight, Tuesday and Wednesday after 9 p.m., weather permitting. 

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Featured STORIES

NASHVILLE, TN ~ Among the flurry of announcements of worthy artists nominated for the 2014 International Bluegrass Music Awards, came the word that the Farmers Branch Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival had snagged a nomination in the category of 'Bluegrass Event of the Year.'
   Now entering its fifth year, the Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival was honored as a nominee, along with hometown festivals in McMinville, TN, North Adams, MA, Turnbridge, VT and Richmond, MN.
   The awards will be given out at a special luncheon on October 2, at the World of Bluegrass Business Conference in Raleigh, NC.
   The 2014 edition of the Bloomin' Bluegrass Music Festival and Chili Cookoff, in Farmers Branch, is set for the weekend of Friday and Saturday, October 17 & 18 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. 
   Scheduled to appear are featured bluegrass performers Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, Seldom Scene, The Gibson Brothers, Rambling Rooks, Balsam Range, Flatt Lonesome and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.bloominbluegrass.com.
Bloomin' Bluegrass

 

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New natatorium at Aquatics Center named for Margaret Young

CITY HALL ~ Citing her extensive experience and decades-long support of Parks and Recreation programs in Farmers Branch, the City Council on Tuesday named the new natatorium section of the under construction Aquatics Center in honor of Farmers Branch icon Margaret Young.
Margaret Young
   In doing so, the Council heeded the unanimous recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Board.
   Chair of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board for more than 30 years, Ms. Young has been instrumental in steering projects during her tenure as a City volunteer, including the Community Recreation Center and the new Aquatics complex.
   Being built adjacent to the Community Recreation Center, the new Farmers Branch Aquatics Center will feature two primary facilities - the Margaret Young Natatorium and an interactive outdoor water play area, dubbed the "Frog Pond."
   The Margaret Young Natatorium will operate year-round and is expected to be ready for swimmers by March 2015. The Frog Pond is planned to open by next summer.

 

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Summer Funshine's season-ending carnival coming Friday

COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER ~ Always ending the summer vacation season by giving back to the community, the 300-plus kids in the Parks and Recreation Summer Funshine Program will hold their annual Carnival on Friday, August 22, from 2 until 4 p.m., at the Community Recreation Center.
   There will be carnival games, bounce houses, face painting, raffle prizes and concessions. All proceeds to benefit the Farmers Branch Firefighter Charity for "Little Johnny," a local teen with serious medical conditions whose mother is in need of a new wheelchair van for his transportation.
   The Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center is located at 14050 Heartside Place. For more information, call 972.247.4607.

 

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Branch BRIEFS
Asphalt down on Templeton Trail

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Asphalt has been laid on Templeton Trail as the first project under the voter-approved $23.5 million bond program for street enhancements during the next decade.
   Farmers Branch Public Works Director Randy Walhood said concrete replacements are also coming up on sections of Golfing Green and Valwood Parkway.
   Residents can be kept informed about street projects under the bond program by registering for text alerts on the City's website.
972.919.2597
Tell it to the Mayor coming up August 27

CITY HALL ~ 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. The next date is Wednesday, August 27. Anyone is welcome to come by to chat with Mayor Phelps on any topic.
972.919.2515
Citizen Police Academy still needs applicants

JUSTICE CENTER ~ 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.
972.484.3620
Construction CAM
Indoor facility goes vertical
Updated: August 20, 2014 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Walls are going up on the newly named Margaret Young Natatorium in the new Farmers Branch Aquatics Center, located next to the Community Recreation Center on Heartside Place, near Valwood Parkway.

   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. Call 972.247.4607 for more information.


 

 

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Volume 4 | Edition 33 | Number 182   
Branch Bulletin
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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IN the BANNER
Baseball fans
  These two young fans were on hand with dozens of others Saturday at the Farmers Branch Historical Park as the Farmers Branch Mustangs took on the Irving Estelles in Vintage Base Ball (played by 1860s rules). The Mustangs prevailed by a score of 15 to 6. For more information on Vintage Base Ball, contact the Farmers Branch Historical Park or call 972.406.0184.
Photo by Danielle Brissette
YOUR Calendar
Coming Soon
==============
MON, SEP 1
LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
> Most City facilities closed
> No garbage collection
> Rec Center & Historical Park open 8 am - 5 pm
972.247.3131
TUE, SEP 2
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
@ City Hall
Study Session @ 5 pm
Regular Meeting @ 6:30 pm
972.247.3131
Watch LIVE
* All meeting dates & times subject to change. Call for verification.

SAT, SEP 6
OUTDOOR MOVIE SERIES
"E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial"
@ Manske Library Amphitheatre @ Dusk
972.247.2511

SAT, SEP 13
HEALTH & WELLNESS EXPO & BATTLE OF THE BADGES BLOOD DRIVE
@ Community Rec Center
9 am - 12 noon
972.247.3131

PICKUPS-N-PANELS
@ FB Historical Park
10 am - 3 pm

OUTDOOR MOVIE SERIES
"National Treasure"
@ Manske Library Amphitheatre @ Dusk
972.247.2511

TUE, SEP 16
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
@ City Hall
Study Session @ 5 pm
Regular Meeting @ 6:30 pm
972.247.3131
* All meeting dates & times subject to change. Call for verification.
 
SAT, SEP 20
OUTDOOR MOVIE SERIES
"The Amazing Spider Man"
@ Manske Library Amphitheatre @ Dusk
972.247.2511

TUE, SEP 23
STAR PARTY
@ FB Historical Park
Dusk - 9 pm
972.406.0184
TUE, SEP 23
MOVIE IN THE PARK
Walt Disney's "Mary Poppins"
@ Barney Wood Athletic Cplx
Dusk
972.247.4607
Mark Your
Calendar
==============
OCT 6
CITY COUNCIL MEETING  -
Special Date
@ City Hall
Study Session @ 5 pm
Regular Meeting @ 6:30 pm
972.247.3131
Watch LIVE
* All meeting dates & times subject to change. Call for verification. 

OCT 7
NATIONAL NIGHT OUT
Schedule Neighborhood Parties by calling FBPD @ 972.919.9304

OCT 17-18
BLOOMIN' BLUEGRASS
FREE MUSIC FESTIVAL &
CHILI COOK-OFF
@ FB Historical Park
972.919.1433

OCT 18
CELEBRATION OF ROSES
@ Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch
972.919.2550

OCT 21
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
@ City Hall
Study Session @ 5 pm
Regular Meeting @ 6:30 pm
972.247.3131
* All meeting dates & times subject to change. Call for verification. 

OCT 25
HALLOWEEN IN THE PARK
@ FB Historical Park
972.919.1433

NOV 11
VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION
@ Senior Center
10:30 am
972.919.2620

DEC 6
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
@ FB Historical Park
972.919.1433 

NOV 28 thru DEC 30
CHRISTMAS TOUR OF LIGHTS
972.919.1433

All events & meetings are subject to change. Call listed numbers or 972.247.3131 for verification or more information.

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Video GALLERY
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"Don't Text & Drive"
Farmers Branch
"Above & Beyond" 
John F. Burke Nature Preserve: An Overview
"John F. Burke Nature Preserve: An Overview"
"Farmers Branch Connections"

LBJ Express
Check the latest weekly report on the five-year reconstruction of Interstate 635 that includes:
35E
xpress
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  lovethebranch.com or call 972.247.3131.
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