Labor Day | City Offices Closed | Historical Park & Rec Center Open 8-5 | No Garbage Collection
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Does anybody really know what time it is?
"Work is hard. Distractions are plentiful. And, time is short."
If ever there was a mantra for 21st century life, American author Adam Hochschild nailed it with this short, but succinct monologue. He probably didn't have time to say anything else.
The simple truth is that technology has enabled us to do wondrous things in this age. However, the exponentially increasing nature of that technology is also allowing us to load on considerably more work than we ever had time for 20 years ago.
In order to accomplish anything these days, I know I have to view time as a commodity - a tangible asset that, when used wisely, can yield great rewards. Conversely, when this commodity is used poorly, or worse - wasted, the yield can be great trouble.
As a government executive, I am tasked with keeping up with myriad different projects. The problem, of course, is keeping that many plates spinning at any given time, without them all crashing to the floor.
Then, mix in the need for balance of work life and home life, and the equation becomes even more complex.
Sound familiar?
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Charles Cox (left) & John Land
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The best advice I can offer anyone is to find and use really great people that are well-versed at spinning plates. At City Hall, I am blessed to have two of the best plate spinners in the business with Managing Directors Charles Cox and John Land. Whether the topic du jour is the upcoming fiscal year budget, the combined dispatch center project, Farmers Branch Creek, expanding the landfill or any of a dozen other major projects we've got going on, Charles and John are turned on, tuned in and ready to roll when it comes to any of these issues.
Having them working with me is invaluable and my appreciation for them is great. It is because of folks like this, along with the other directors and managers that are so diligent and mindful of the City's business, that we rarely break a plate.
Being able to confidently delegate responsibility, without much worry, is the best hope for achieving the work life/personal life balance. We may not always be successful at it (there are some weeks my wife relies on the pictures in our house to remember what I look like). But, we need to look for those opportunities that are about nothing but family, and rest and downtime. Without it, none of us would be remotely effective at our jobs.
Remember, the fundamental things apply, as time goes by.
  
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Resident confirmed to have first West Nile-related
illness since 2012
FARMERS BRANCH ~ A Farmers Branch resident is at home, after being recently hospitalized for the neuroinvasive form of West Nile Virus.
According to Dallas County Health officials, this is the fourth confirmed human case of West Nile Virus in Dallas County this year and the first case of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease.
It is the first recorded occurrence of West Nile Virus in a Farmers Branch resident since 2012. Although there have been multiple positive readings of West Nile Virus from mosquitoes in Farmers Branch traps in recent weeks, this patient has recently traveled to a region outside of Dallas County with confirmed human cases of West Nile Neuroinvasive Disease.
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Environmental Health Intern Heather Firn places a new spraying advisory sign near a major intersection earlier this week.
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However, officials cautioned that there is no way to pinpoint exactly when and where the patient was exposed.
Farmers Branch Environmental Health officials said the uncharacteristically wet summer, combined with August temperatures, is creating a perfect scenario for mosquito-breeding. Elimination of standing, stagnant water that promotes mosquito-breeding areas continues to be the best way to combat the spread of West Nile Virus.
As such, mosquito larvacide briquets are available to Farmers Branch residents at no charge, for treating bodies of standing water. These "dunks" can be picked up at Farmers Branch City Hall or the Farmers Branch Senior Center, while supplies last.
CURRENT SPRAYING: The area north of Brookhaven Club Drive, along with neighborhoods between Josey and Webb Chapel, have been sprayed several times this season, including Monday and Tuesday night this week, with another round scheduled for Wednesday after 9 p.m. Other neighborhoods are sprayed regularly, and as needed depending on mosquito concentrations and other data. Additionally, the Environmental Health Department is now deploying advisory signs near spraying areas.
STAY INFORMED: Residents can stay informed about spraying schedules by signing up for spraying alerts via email or text message. That sign-up, along with additional information about West Nile Virus prevention can be found at www.farmersbranchtx.gov/wnv. A West Nile Virus hotline has also been established and can be reached at 972.919.9868.
STAY SAFE: If residents must be outside between dusk and dawn hours, when mosquitoes are most active, they should use mosquito repellent with DEET, dress to protect exposed skin and limit time outdoors during those hours. For more information, or to report stagnant water, call the Environmental Health Department at 972.247.3131.
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Public Hearing on proposed Stormwater Utility set for September 16
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Mirroring what most other cities in the Metroplex have already implemented, the City of Farmers Branch is considering a Stormwater Utility to provide for management, maintenance and improvements to the City's stormwater drainage system and other related activities.
The Farmers Branch City Council will hold a Public Hearing on the proposed Stormwater Utility program as part of their regularly scheduled meeting on Tuesday, September 16, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall.
The Stormwater Utility will provide a number of different, but related services, including street sweeping, flood control, creek sediment removal, erosion protection, water quality management, channel repair and reconstruction, vegetation management and bridge & culvert construction.
Funding for the utility will come from assessments on each developed property, based on that property's area of hard surface, such as rooftops, driveways or parking lots, and their impact on the stormwater system.
It is proposed that residential properties will pay a rate of $3.05 per month for homes with less than 3,100 square feet of impervious area. Single family residences with impervious area between 3,100 and 5,100 square feet will pay $4.50, while houses with more than 5,100 square feet of impervious area are proposed to pay $7.20 per month.
Other properties, such as multi-family and commercial, will pay $4.50 per Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) of impervious area on the property. One ERU is equivalent to 4,000 square feet of impervious area, which is the average impervious area for a single family residence in Farmers Branch.
For example, a commercial property with 10 times more hard surface than an average house, will pay $45 per month. Upon approval, the Stormwater Utility fee will be shown as a line item on monthly utility bills and is expected to take effect January 1, 2015.
For more information, call 972.919.2597.
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Library kicks off outdoor movie series with 'E.T.'
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Drawing on stories of "other worlds" for the theme of the Farmers Branch Community Reads program this fall, the Manske Library will kick off the companion outdoor movie series on Saturday, September 6 with the Steven Spielberg classic, "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial."  The movie will be shown outdoors in the Library's amphitheater, on the banks of Rawhide Creek. Admission is free. Families are advised to bring lawn chairs or blankets for grass seating on the tiered amphitheater rows.
The series continues on September 13 with "National Treasure" and concludes on September 20 with a showing of the recent release, "The Amazing Spider-Man 2."
For more information, call the Library at 972.247.2511.
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Summer Funshine Carnival raises $2,000
COMMUNITY RECREATION CENTER ~ With Farmers Branch firefighters in attendance, the Community Recreation Center's season-ending Summer Funshine Carnival drew more than 300 people and raised $2,000.
The carnival featured games, concessions and raffle prizes. The proceeds will go to benefit Farmers Branch resident "Little Johnny," a medically fragile young man whose mother is in need of a new wheelchair van for transport to and from medical visits. "Little Johnny's" mother was also in attendance.
After making numerous medical calls to their house, firefighters have taken on the cause of helping the family fund a new van. The Summer Funshine Carnival helps them get closer to their goal.
972.247.4607
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Firefighter promoted to Driver 
BOB PHELPS FIRE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ~ With colleagues looking on, Farmers Branch Firefighter Scot Vickers was promoted to Driver in a brief ceremony recently at the Bob Phelps Fire Administration Building. He is currently assigned to "B" shift at Farmers Branch Fire Station No. 1.
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October Council meeting moved for NNO
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.
For more information on National Night Out, call the Farmers Branch Police Department at 972.919.9304.
972.919.2515
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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
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Mosquito Dunks available free for residents
CITY HALL ~ To continue to combat mosquito-breeding that can lead to the spread of West Nile Virus, the City of Farmers Branch is offering free mosquito larvacide briquets, or dunks, to put in standing water. Those are available while supplies last at Farmers Branch City Hall and the Farmers Branch Senior Center.
Likewise, residents can be informed about mosquito spraying in neighborhood areas by signing up for text alerts at the City's website.
972.919.2539
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Farmers Branch Aquatics Center Construction
Updated: August 27, 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 34 | Number 183 
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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Living antiques
The Queen Anne Victorian Cottage stands stately behind the Ruthann Rogers Antique Rose Garden at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Photo by Derrick Birdsall
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Coming Soon
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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
WED, SEP 10
TELL IT TO THE MAYOR
Open Office Hours with Mayor Bob Phelps @ City Hall
3 - 6 pm
972.919.2515
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.
OUTDOOR MOVIE SERIES 
"The Amazing Spider-Man 2"
@ Manske Library Amphitheatre @ Dusk
972.247.2511
ENCOUNTERS FROM
THE PAST
@ Keenan Cemetery
972.406.0184
TUE, SEP 23
STAR PARTY
@ FB Historical Park
Dusk - 9 pm
972.406.0184
TELL IT TO THE MAYOR
Open Office Hours with Mayor Bob Phelps @ City Hall
3 - 6 pm
972.919.2515
SAT, SEP 27
MOVIE IN THE PARK 
Walt Disney's "Mary Poppins"
@ Barney Wood Athletic Cplx
972.247.4607
Mark Your
Calendar
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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 8
TELL IT TO THE MAYOR
Open Office Hours with Mayor Bob Phelps @ City Hall
3 - 6 pm
972.919.2515
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
HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR
@ Senior Center
9 am to 4 pm
972.241.8636
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 22
TELL IT TO THE MAYOR
Open Office Hours with Mayor Bob Phelps @ City Hall
3 - 6 pm
972.919.2515
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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 | | Teen Camp Video Blog |
 | | "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
lovethebranch.com or call 972.247.3131.
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