Jan Woody

   To summarize someone's life and work in a few paragraphs always seems like an insurmountable task. However, when a staunch advocate for the community passes from our sight, it seems like the right thing to do. 

   And, so it is with Jan Woody.

  When Jan lost her battle with a lengthy illness yesterday, she left this community a much better place than when she found it. I find myself saying that a lot lately but that's because Farmers Branch inspires that kind of lifelong passion. It did with Jan Woody.

  Her kind of dedication was to serve with a smile and the expectation of nothing in return. Making her community a better place was Jan's reward. Whether it was her work on the Farmers Branch Historical Preservation & Restoration Board or the Board of Dallas County Schools, where she served for nearly 10 years. She was a volunteer at Christ United Methodist Church for more than three decades and took her school board experience to the Farmers Branch Chamber of Commerce Education Committee.

Jan Woody

   Some of you may remember that Jan organized a Town Hall Meeting on Crime and Drugs in Farmers Branch in 1990 that was televised on Channel 8. She worked with teens through a suicide and crisis hotline and even served as a Channel 13 auction volunteer co-chair for six years (where her team achieved the highest net profit of any PBS station in the USA). 

   On top of all that, Jan was a valued member of the Farmers Branch Woman's Club, where she was named Volunteer of the Year three times.

   Those are just some elements of the resume of a true community volunteer who sincerely enjoyed giving more than receiving. 

   People like Jan make a difference.

   It seems like I've been writing about the loss of great members of the Farmers Branch community too much lately. But, in our loss, we must celebrate what we gained by their participation, their volunteerism and their pride in their hometown.

   Jan loved Farmers Branch and Farmers Branch loved her back.

   Our deepest sympathies go out to Judge Bruce Woody and the rest of Jan's family.

   We'll miss her. 

GUSSIE FIELD WATTERWORTH PARK ~ An annual rite of spring in Farmers Branch, the annual Fishin' Fun event returns to the banks of Rawhide Creek, near City Hall, in Gussie Field Watterworth Park on Saturday, May 2, from 8 a.m. til 12 noon. 

   Rawhide Creek will be stocked with one ton of farm-raised catfish waiting for young anglers (16 and under). 

   The event is free of charge and no registration is required. Additionally, there will be a kayaking area further downstream beginning at 9 a.m. 

   Fishing will take place between 8 and 10 a.m. with an awards ceremony at 10:30. Kayaking will continue until 12 noon. Kids can pick up a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes after the Awards Ceremony. 

   In addition, there will be a "Catch and Release" tank for younger anglers, a photo booth and a free KidZone with a Shark Attack Slide, Zip Line, Bounce House and more. 

Kids will start with the primary ingredients for mud before creating imaginary delights in the all-new "Mud Kitchen" at Fishin' Fun this year.

   New this year will be a special "Mud Kitchen" where kids will have the opportunity to use their creative imagination by exploring, mixing, creating and concocting with natural materials.

   Kids are welcome to bring their own gear or to borrow from the inventory of rods and reels on hand. For more information, call 972.919.1444. 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ With the heavy rains of late, elimination of standing water has shot to the top of the priority list for prevention of breeding mosquitoes that can carry diseases such as West Nile Virus.

   Farmers Branch Environmental Health Manager Katy Evans said the wet spring has made it more important than ever for residents and business owners to be vigilant about standing water.

   "Even the most innocuous areas can wind up harboring breeding mosquitoes," she explained. "It could be a bird bath, old tire, planter or maybe an outdoor garbage can. Anything that can hold water should be examined."

   Ms. Evans said the City of Farmers Branch is again providing mosquito larvicide briquettes, or "dunks," that can be used to treat standing water when eliminating it is not possible. The briquettes are available for residents at Farmers Branch City Hall and at the Farmers Branch Senior Center at no cost.

   "With the goal of eliminating standing water, we've been training employees to report issues when they see them in the community" she explained. "We hope that citizens will do the same."
   In order to report standing water, call 972.919.2536. For additional information about preventing West Nile Virus, visit www.farmersbranchtx.gov/wnv. 

CITY HALL ~ The early voting period for the May 9 City election opens continues through Tuesday, May 5, at Dallas County early voting locations, including Farmers Branch City Hall.  

   Voters may vote early between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. through Saturday, May 2. On Sunday, May 3, voting is available from 1 until 6 p.m. Then, on Monday and Tuesday, May 4 & 5, early voting is available from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

   On Election Day, May 9, voters will cast ballots at their assigned voting precincts. There is a precinct and Council district lookup facility on the City's website at www.farmersbranchtx.gov/elections.

   The Mayor and City Council members in Farmers Branch are elected to three year terms with two positions up for election each year. Council members are elected from geographically-defined single member districts while the Mayor is elected at-large.

   On the ballot for this year's election are the City Council seats for Districts 3 and 5. 

   In District 3, the candidates (in ballot order) are Andy Olivo, Brenda Brodrick and John Norwood. For District 5, candidates (in ballot order) are David Merritt and Mike Bomgardner.

   For more information, visit www.dallascountyvotes.org or www.farmersbranchtx.gov/elections.