BRANCH BULLETIN - eNews from Farmers Branch
National Night Out  |  Tuesday, October 7  |  972.919.9304
Memo from the MANAGER

Happy New Year

 

   There may not have been fireworks at midnight, funny hats and spirited parties. But, today is still New Year's Day.

Gary 2013

  Fiscal new year, that is.

   It is a day when we begin with a fresh perspective based on the months of planning that preceded the Fiscal Year 2014-2015 budget's formulation by City staff and adoption by the City Council.

  You can look at the numbers if you wish - the budget document along with all manner of financial records are very publicly available on the City's website. Hat's off to Managing Director Charles Cox and his crew who not only shepherd our budget process, they also guarantee our records are as transparent and easy to find as can possibly be.

  On this day, and every day of the 364 to follow, it is important for you to know that we continually seek to use your public dollars in efficient and effective ways, where they can do the most good. 

   We are able to be very successful on fiscal matters because of the process we use to bring about the spending priorities for the community. 

   The City's Strategic Plan assures that we spend taxpayer money in a manner that reflects the wishes and desires of the Citizens and the City Council. Careful planning and investment allow us to make our tax dollars bring about the best bang for the buck. 

   This is evident each year when an independent survey conducted in the area to measure cost of services rates Farmers Branch number one as the most cost effective City to live in.

   We are looking forward to carrying out the important work of the City and are excited to start the "New Year."   

 

To contact Gary, click on his picture

Special SCHEDULING
City Council to meet Monday

 COUNCIL

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. The agenda will be posted by 5 p.m. on Friday. Call 972.247.3131.
Featured STORIES

BBG
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Appealing to fans of both music and chili, the Bluegrass Heritage Foundation's Alan Tompkins invites everyone to converge on Farmers Branch, Texas, October 17 & 18 for the fifth annual Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival and Chili Cookoff, in a video released on YouTube late Tuesday. 
   Set for Friday night and all day Saturday, the International Bluegrass Music Award-nominated Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival will be staged at the picturesque Farmers Branch Historical Park, 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, and features free admission and free parking. 
NEED to KNOW
   The musical lineup for the 2014 festival includes Grammy and IBMA-award winners and Grand Ole Opry stars including Rhonda Vincent & the Rage, Seldom Scene, the Gibson Brothers, Rambling Rooks, Flatt Lonesome, Balsam Range and more. 
   The Chili Cookoff is a Chili Appreciation Society International-sanctioned event where festival-goers can sample all manner of chili on Saturday, beginning at noon and running until the chili is gone. Awards will be presented later in the afternoon. 
   Kids will enjoy the free KidZone including a petting zoo, face painting, bounce houses and more.
   Out of town guests can take advantage of the Stay & Play in Farmers Branch packages at nearby hotels including discounted room rates, shuttles to and from the festival and food and beverage vouchers to use at the park. Find out more about the Stay & Play packages and all details about the 2014 incarnation of Bloomin' Bluegrass at www.bloominbluegrass.com.
Dozens of neighborhood gatherings on tap for National Night Out

JUSTICE CENTER ~ With six days left to register, neighborhood parties for National Night Out on Tuesday, October 7, are expected to hit record numbers in Farmers Branch.
Farmers Branch Police Sgt. Erik Stokes hands out goodies during National Night Out celebrations last year.
   America's "Night Out Against Crime" is traditionally observed in August across the country. However, the date for Texas was pushed to the first Tuesday in October by the founding National Association of Town Watch, as special dispensation for the Lone Star State, where the outdoor weather is typically inhospitable in late summer.
  Farmers Branch Police Chief Fuller explained that more than 30 neighborhood parties registered with the Police Department last year and said interest in Farmers Branch Community Watch could push that number even higher.
 The event is designed to get neighbors outside, meeting, greeting and getting to know each other and, in doing so, present a united front against crime in residential areas.
   Registered neighborhood parties may receive visits from the Farmers Branch Police and Fire Department as well as the Mayor, some members of the City Council and other City officials. In deference to National Night Out neighborhood get-togethers, the Farmers Branch City Council will be holding their regular meeting on Monday, October 6.
   For more information or to register a neighborhood party, call the Farmers Branch Police Department at 972.919.9304.
Tuskegee Airman to speak at Library on National Night Out

MANSKE LIBRARY ~ The Experimental Aircraft Association 168's October meeting will feature a presentation by Lieutenant Calvin J. Spann, an original Tuskegee Airman, on Tuesday, October 7 at 7 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Manske Library.
Lt. Calvin J. Spann
   As a part of National Night Out, Lt. Spann will share his experiences as a combat pilot during World War II, and his journey to joining the elite group of pilots and living legends, of the 332nd Fight Group and the 100th Fighter Squadron.
   Lt. Spann flew 26 combat missions including the longest and most historic mission of WWII, from Ramitelli, Italy to Berlin, Germany.  Spann is among the elite group of pilots and living legends, of the 332nd Fight Group and the 100th Fighter Squadron who served under Col. Benjamin O. Davis, upholding the impeccable record of "never losing a bomber to enemy air attacks."
   Time for questions and answers will follow Lt. Spann's presentation. Additionally, he will have copies of his book Boundless Sky for sale and to autograph. Light refreshments will be served.
   This program is presented in part by the Farmers Branch Manske Library as part of its ongoing outreach to the community. For more information, call 972.247.2511.
Branch BRIEFS
35Express sets business meeting Thursday

LEWISVILLE ~ The 35Express team has announced a series of business owner information meetings highlighting the progress of the 35Express project as the first anniversary of construction nears.

   Each meeting will highlight a different segment of the 30-mile corridor and will focus on upcoming construction and the steps being taken to mitigate the effects on local traffic.

   Businesses in the South Segment (Farmers Branch and Carrollton) are invited to a meeting on Thursday, October 2 at 8:30 a.m. at C2 Café, 1101 South Broadway in Carrollton. For more information about the 35Express Project, visit www.35Express.org or call 214.483.7777.

Historical Park stages blacksmithing demos

HISTORICAL PARK ~ As part of its ongoing mission to educate the public on the history and customs of the past, the Farmers Branch Historical Park has planned a series of demonstrations on the historically important practice of blacksmithing.
   The live demonstrations take place in the Log Culture area at the Park and are suitable for all ages. The next series of presentations will be Saturday and Sunday, October 4 & 5. Demonstrations go on between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m. Dates in November include November 8, 15, 16 and 30 with additional sessions planned for December. Call 972.406.0184 for more information.
All Play Vintage Base Ball planned Saturday

HISTORICAL PARK ~ The Farmers Branch Mustangs will hold an "All Play" Vintage Base Ball game from 1 until 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 4 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
   Anyone interested is invited to come by to play Vintage Base Ball by 1860s rules. No prior experience or talent level is required. Call 972.406.0184.
Coffee with a Cop coming October 11

FARMERS BRANCH ~ As a new means of community outreach, the public is invited to come by McDonald's from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 11 to have "Coffee with a Cop."
   Farmers Branch Deputy Police Chief David Hale said there is no agenda or speeches during that hour, just a chance for residents to ask questions, voice concerns and get to know the officers in their neighborhoods.
   McDonald's is located at the corner of Valley View and Josey Lanes. Call 972.919.9305 for more information.
Senior Center celebrates National Fossil Day

SENIOR CENTER ~ In observance of National Fossil Day, Farmers Branch seniors will be going fossil hunting on Thursday, October 2 at the Ladonia Fossil Park.
   The trip is planned from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and costs a transportation fee of $3. Seniors, ages 50 and older, are asked to sign up at the Senior Center to pick up a supply list. Call 972.919.8740.
Charlie & the Chocolate Factory screens at 6

MANSKE LIBRARY ~ October is full of exciting "other worldly" events for all ages at the Farmers Branch Manske Library.
   On Wednesday, October 1 at 6 p.m., there will be a screening of the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, inside the Library. Next up on Monday, October 6, children reading Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library can try their hand at their own library escape and scavenger hunt. 
   Lecturer Rollin Phipps will return to present on the history of various different secret societies on Tuesday, October 14 at 7 p.m. Teens are invited to a life-size board game of literary Clue on Wednesday, October 22 at 4 p.m.
   The movie adaptation of the teen title, Coraline, will be shown on Saturday, October 25 at 2 p.m. inside the Library. The month will be capped off with another crafting session of Repurposed Books with a Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore theme.
Firehouse Theater visits 'Ivy Gap'

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Following generations of churchgoers from 1945 to 1970, the Firehouse Theater continues their production of "First Baptist of Ivy Gap" at the Farmers Branch Manske Library Theater on select dates through October 5.
   For ticket information and reservations, call the Firehouse Theater box office at 972.620.3747 or visit www.thefirehousetheatre.com.
Parting SHOT
Zipping along
This intrepid group of Farmers Branch seniors takes a break for a photo during their recent excursion to the Trinity Forest Adventure Park. These 18 adventure junkies flew through the forest on zip lines and navigated the ropes course. The oldest participant was 90 while the youngest was 61. To find out more about programs and excursions offered at the Farmers Branch Senior Center, call 972.919.8740.
Volume 4 | Edition 39| Number 188   
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Quick GLANCE
LBJ Express plans overnight closures

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Officials at the LBJ Express project will be conducting separate roadway closures in the coming week to accommodate work in different locations.

  First, crews will close the westbound service road of I-635/LBJ between Marsh Lane and Webb Chapel at 8 p.m. Thursday night, with a planned reopening at 6 a.m. Friday morning.

   Then, all lanes of eastbound and westbound Valley View under Interstate 35E will be closed Friday night at 8 p.m. until Saturday morning at 6 a.m.

In the Banner
  An upright bass lays down in an artistic depiction from the Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival and Chili Cookoff, scheduled for Friday and Saturday, October 17 & 18 in the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
This WEEK
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

TUSKEGEE AIRMAN TO SPEAK
@ Manske Library @ 7 pm
Free Admission
972.247.2511

All events & meetings are subject to change. Call listed numbers or 972.247.3131 for verification or more information.
Head start on holiday shopping planned for annual Craft Fair

SENIOR CENTER ~ The traditional head start on shopping for the holiday season gets underway Saturday, October 18 with the annual Craft Fair at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.
   Planned for the hours of 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the show will feature hundreds of local artisans selling handmade wares for the upcoming holiday season.
   Admission is free. Call 972.919.8740.
Celebration of Roses to draw gardeners from around the area

CITY HALL ~ Completing a trio of high profile events, the Farmers Branch Celebration of Roses is scheduled for Saturday, October 18, along with the Bloomin' Bluegrass Festival and Chili Cookoff and the annual Craft Fair.
   Slated for 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., the free event will celebrate roses in the gardens of Farmers Branch, with a rose show and with a slate of speakers at Farmers Branch City Hall.
   Shuttles will provide easy access to the rose gardens and the Bluegrass music at the Historical Park. 
   Check fbroses.com for the latest information.
Coming SOON
OCT 8
TELL IT TO THE MAYOR
Open Office Hours with Mayor Bob Phelps @ City Hall
3 - 6 pm
972.919.2515

OCT 11
COFFEE WITH A COP
@ McDonald's, 2899 Valley View
10 - 11 am
972.919.9305
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

CRAFT FAIR
@ Senior Center
9 am to 4 pm
972.919.8740

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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Updated Wednesday, September 17, 2014
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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