BRANCH BULLETIN - eNews from Farmers Branch
Memo from the MANAGER

Flower children

 

  As we begin to think about transitioning from winter to spring, it's not just our closets and attics that are due for a cleaning.

  If you take a good look outside, those rose bushes are in need of pruning in order to get ready for the upcoming season. 

   In the same way we're supposed to change our smoke detector batteries when the time changes, we're supposed to prune our roses at Valentine's Day. It's kind of poetic.

   But, let me add a new wrinkle for your consideration this year. Include your children and/or your grandchildren in the process.

   Last Saturday, as part of the Rose Pruning Clinic we had at the big garden at Gussie, I had a wonderful opportunity to help teach some Farmers Branch young people about roses and how to care for them. It occurred to me that this kind of generational knowledge should be a part of the heritage we impart to our kids.

   In today's instant gratification world, it was a real learning moment to explain to them that the work we were doing that day won't pay off for a few more weeks, but when it does, we'll be happy we were out here on a cool morning in February.

   Now, more than ever, they need to understand the importance of nature, being outside and tending to a tiny patch of earth that can bring forth the most incredible beauty.

   The most knowledgeable flower child I know is Pam Smith, our Landscape Manager. She is always ready to share her knowledge with the community, whether that be at a series of weekly classes or one-on-one in a garden setting. 

   If you have questions, give Pam a shout.

   So while you're giving or receiving roses this weekend for Valentine's Day, remember to share an outside activity with your kids.

   If you're not a gardener, perhaps you can simply visit any of the Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch and find out more about the craft of growing roses. 

To contact Gary, click on his picture 

In case you missed it, please check out these links for the most recent month of 'Memos from the Manager' and complete editions:

January 14 .  "Lessons of 9/11"

January 07 .  "Water is gold"

Neighborhood MEETING
Public Works sets meeting to unveil plans for southbound Marsh bridge

FARMERS BRANCH ~ In order to show preliminary plans for the replacement of the southbound Marsh Lane bridge over Farmers Branch Creek, the Farmers Branch Public Works Department is holding a Neighborhood Meeting on Monday, February 16 at 6:30 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center. 
   Set for the Pecan Room at the Rec Center, the meeting is designed for residents living adjacent to the project location, but anyone is welcome to attend.
   Set lower than its northbound counterpart, the southbound Marsh Lane Bridge has flooded multiple times when Farmers Branch Creek has risen in heavy rains. The replacement project is being coordinated and equally funded by Dallas County and by the bond package approved by Farmers Branch voters last year for street replacement and repair.
   For more information, contact Public Works at 972.919.2597.
Featured STORY

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Citizen Academies for both the Farmers Branch Police and Fire Departments plan to start their spring educational sessions in March and are looking for a few good men and women to fill out their classes. 
   Both Academies are multi-week blocks of instruction designed to give local residents a working knowledge of their public safety agencies. The Citizen Police and Fire Academies are free and open to Farmers Branch residents over the age of 18.

 The 10 class sessions of the Citizen Fire Academy are held on either Thursdays or Saturdays from early March through mid May and will cover topics and activities like: Fire Department History, Rank and Structure, CPR/AED training, Fire Demonstrations, Fire Station Tours, Emergency Operations Center, Vehicle Extrication, EMS Helicopter Landing, and Ride-Along Opportunities, among others.

   Most classes will be held at Farmers Branch Fire Admin/Station No. 3 - 13333 Hutton Drive.   

Farmers Branch Police car

   The Farmers Branch Police Department Citizen Police Academy is a 33-hour block of instruction designed to give the public a working knowledge of the Police Department's personnel and policies. It consists of a series of classes held once each week for three hours. The instruction is comprehensive, covering a different area of the Police Department each week. 

   Most classes are held at the Farmers Branch Justice Center, 3723 Valley View Lane.

   For more information on the Citizen Police Academy, call 972.484.3620. To find out more about the Citizen Fire Academy, call 972.919.2640.
ONLINE @ farmersbranchtx.gov


 
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Growing a City of roses requires commitment, skill and sometimes information, in order to promote healthy plants that showcase our streets and neighborhoods.

>> More

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Citing community partnerships and advances in technology, Farmers Branch Police Chief Sid Fuller announced this week that overall crime in Farmers Branch dropped to its lowest level in the past 15 years with 997 incidents reported.

>> More

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ On an unusually warm Tuesday in January, a crew of specialized craftsmen carefully helped place a 100-plus-year-old bell back into the belfry where its service began in the 1890s.

>> More

Volume 5 | Edition 06 | Number 207  
Branch Bulletin
is published weekly by the Communications Office since March 5, 2011
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

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter View our videos on YouTube
Valentine SPECIAL
Special $14 pet adoptions offered
Fri & Sat only

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ In hopes of prompting some Valentine's Day giving that will find some wayward pets a good home, the Farmers Branch Animal Adoption Center has lowered its adoption fee to $14 for Friday and Saturday only, February 13 & 14.

   All adoptable animals, including puppies and kittens, can be taken home for the one-time $14 fee.

   That adoption fee includes sterilization, vaccinations, microchipping and a free exam at participating veterinarians.

   Next week the adoption fee returns to its regular level of $85.

 

Upcoming DATES
FEB 12 - MAR 1
FIREHOUSE THEATRE
"The Drowsy Chaperone"
@ Firehouse Theatre on
select dates
972.620.3747
thefirehousetheatre.com

FEB 17
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
@ City Hall
4 pm - Study Session
6 pm - Regular Session
LIVE on FBTV
972.247.3131

FEB 19
CHURCH BELL DEDICATION
@ Historical Park Old Church
4 to 6 pm
972.406.0184


All events & meetings are subject to change. Call listed numbers or 972.247.3131 for verification or more information.
Branch BRIEFS
'Drowsy Chaperone' to open Thursday at Firehouse Theatre

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ A parody of the American musical comedies of the 1920s, "The Drowsy Chaperone" will be presented by the Firehouse Theatre, 2535 Valley View Lane, on select nights February 12 through March 1.

   Tickets are available now at the Firehouse Theatre box office. For more information, call 972.620.3747 or visit thefirehousetheatre.com.

 

Camping registration nears capacity

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Registration for the spring edition of the popular 'Camping Under the Stars' event at the Farmers Branch Historical Park continues this week but is nearing capacity, according to Park officials.

   The event is planned for Saturday into Sunday, March 14 & 15. Registration requires a $50, non-refundable fee per campsite that includes the site for one family, a community campfire, s'mores and breakfast. Camping equipment is not provided. Call 972.406.0184 for availability and more information.

 

Tax help open at Library & Senior Center

 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Tax preparation assistance from AARP-trained volunteers is now underway on Tuesdays at the Manske Library and Farmers Branch Senior Center and will continue through the season.

   Volunteers are available at the Senior Center from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. each Tuesday, but by appointment only. Call 972.919.8740.

   Library-based tax help is on from 1 until 7 p.m. each Tuesday.

   Anyone needing assistance should bring all necessary documents, last year's tax return and printed tax forms.

 

Homecoming of the Bell to be celebrated

 

HISTORICAL PARK ~ To help celebrate the 30th anniversary of the relocation of the Old Church from Renner, Texas to the Historical Park and installation of its original bell, there will be a special "Homecoming of the Bell" presentation on Thursday, February 19 at 4 p.m. at the park.

>> More

 

Vintage Base Ball Spring Training set February 21

 

HISTORICAL PARK ~ Anyone wanting to learn to play the great game by 1860s rules, when it was still two words - base ball, is invited to come out to the Farmers Branch Mustangs Vintage Base Ball team spring training day on Saturday, February 21 from 1 until 4 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.

   All equipment is provided and no previous sports experience, or talent, is necessary. Visit fbvintagebaseball.com for more information.

IN the BANNER
Warm southerly winds of late have kept he windmill spinning in the front yard of the Dodson House at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Staff Photo

Like us on Facebook

Follow us on Twitter

View our videos on YouTube
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.