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Household Hazardous Waste Event | Saturday, 9-3 | Oran Good Park
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Don't worry, be happy
This week I am taking a break from life, and going to a place where I can't be reached.
You see, as City Manager I seem to be on the job 24/7. If you look at my phone records, e-mails, and texts you would know part of why this is true.
The other part of the equation is in regards to my constant concern for the 362 full time staff, hundreds of part time employees and the 30,000 citizens that I am responsible to and for.
Even though I have tried, I can't seem to turn this concern off. I am constantly engaged when I am in or around the city limits. This sometimes wears on me and some, especially my wife and the folks in the City Manager's office, can see a change in my personality.
When I get too stressed out, I am grateful for those who help me realize that I need a break. Last week, bless his heart, Mayor Phelps told me to go on vacation and leave the city behind and concentrate on celebrating my 31st wedding anniversary without distractions.
That order pretty much foiled my plans to read the first draft of the budget and the 1999 Farmers Branch Creek report on the beach this week.
I am lucky that I have great folks working for the City, like Charles Cox, Managing Director, who can step in and manage anything that comes up in my absence. I appreciate this more than he will ever know.
If you need anything this week, Charles is in charge.
So, I am taking a vacation and trying to let things go, knowing the City is in good hands. I promise I will not do any work related to the City this week, but I will think about how grateful I am to have such a tremendous group of employees and citizens to work for.
I will listen to an assortment of calming island music, including Bobby McFerrin's 1988 hit, "Don't Worry, Be Happy."
See you next week!
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Valwood ramp to close nightly in the coming week
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Household Hazardous Waste
Residents invited to drop off chemicals at Saturday event in Oran Good Park
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Dallas County will hold a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event in Farmers Branch on Saturday, June 27 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Oran Good Park.
Residents will be able to dispose of common household chemicals such as paint, antifreeze, lawn and garden chemicals, aerosol sprays, pool chemicals and more.
Check the Solid Waste page on the City's website at www.farmersbranchtx.gov for more information on what types of materials will be accepted.
Call 972.919.2597 for questions.
   
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Disaster Assistance
FEMA to stage sign-up event for residents, businesses affected by severe weather
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Hugh Pender appointed Building Official
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Having to look no farther than the current staff, Farmers Branch City Manager Gary D. Greer has announced that Plans Examiner Hugh Pender has been promoted to the position of Building Official.
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Farmers Branch Building Official
Hugh Pender
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An 18-year-veteran of municipal government work, Mr. Pender was selected after an exhaustive open search process.
He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Architecture from the University of Texas at Arlington.
Mr. Pender has served the City of Farmers Branch for the past nine years, after nine years at the City of Carrollton.
"It is a privilege to get to work with a professional group of colleagues who really take pride in the betterment of the City," he said.
Mr. Pender fills the position vacated by longtime Building Official Jim Olk earlier this year. His appointment is effective immediately.
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Independence Day festivities set July 3 at Farmers Branch Historical Park
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Hometown parties don't get any better than the Annual Farmers Branch Independence Day Celebration, coming Friday, July 3 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free.
There will be a concert from the band, "Inside Out," along with a free KidZone area, historical structure tours, concessionaires selling festival favorites and more.
By popular demand, Uncle Willie's Pie Eating Contest will return. There will be two rounds for adults and one for children, top three places of each round will be awarded prizes. The proceeds from the $10 entry fee will go to a local hero.
The Farmers Branch Historical Park is located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, between Denton Drive and Ford Road, and a short walk from the Farmers Branch DART Green Line Station.
Free parking is available at the Metrosquare Business Park, two blocks south of the Historical park on Ford Road with a free shuttle to the gate. For more information, visit www.farmersbranchtx.gov or call the Special Events Hotline at 972.919.1433.
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Home Depot children's workshop planned Friday
MANSKE LIBRARY~ Bring your tiny builder to the Farmers Branch Manske Library on Friday, June 26 at 5 pm to participate in the second Home Depot Workshop of the summer.
Children, ages 6-12, are invited to attend this event under the supervision of a parent or guardian. This will be a fun and educational experience where kids can roll up their sleeves and build cool stuff. Tool kits will be provided for each child in attendance.
As space and supplies are limited, everyone must sign up in advance to attend and each child may only attend one session. Call or come by the library to make sure that your child's name is on the list.
There will be one more workshop on Monday, July 13 at 12 pm. Sign-ups will open two weeks before the day of the scheduled event. .
For more information call the Library at 972.247.2511.
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Wednesday fun set next week with Willy Welch and Chief Parker
MANSKE LIBRARY~ Come to the Farmers Branch Manske Library on Wednesday, July 1 for an afternoon of stories, songs, and fun with author Willy Welch at 3 pm and Fire Chief Steve Parker at 4 pm.
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Farmers Branch Fire Chief Steve Parker
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Willy Welch, or Mr. Willy, is the Wonderful Wednesday Performer this week, and the author of children's books such as "Playing Right Field," "Dancing with Daddy," and "Grumbly Bunnies." During this author visit, Mr. Willy will use humor, songs, and storytelling to connect with and entertain our young audience.
Then, at 4 pm, Fire Chief Steve Parker will read children's books about firefighters as part of our "Readers are Leaders" series at the Library. Parker was named Fire Chief in 2011 after more than ten years of service with the Farmers Branch Fire Department.
Both of these events are free and open to the public. For more information on these or other events, please call the Library at 972.247.2511.
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Volume 5 | Edition 25 | Number 226
Wednesday, June 24 2015
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
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A Hard Night's Day
The Beatles cover band plays for the shaded crowd at the inaugural Tastes & Tunes event last week at The Grove @ Mustang Crossing. Food trucks and music will again combine for the festive atmosphere at two more events this summer with The Bad Monkeys on July 16 and Live 80 on August 14.
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Civil War medicine to be profiled at the Gilbert House
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Visitors are invited to come explore the Gilbert House and learn more about Civil War-era medicine Saturday, June 27 from 1 until 4 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Built before the Civil War, the Gilbert House is the oldest house in Dallas County still on its original foundation.
Dr. Samuel Gilbert was the local doctor of the time. Costumed docents will be available to guide visitors and answer questions.
For more information, call 972.919.2137.
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Aquatics begins lap swim class
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Open to anyone 18 or older, a new Adult Lap Swim class is starting in July at the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center.
The class will be held Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, July 6-31, from 6:15 to 7:15 a.m. in the Margaret Young Natatorium at the Aquatics Center.
"The adult lap swim program is for anyone 18 and older," said Aquatics Manager Miklos Valdez. "Whether you're a beginner, lap swimmer or triathlete, our goal is to help you achieve your swimming and fitness goals."
As an introduction, there will be two free days on July 1 and 3. For more information, call the Aquatics Center at 972.919.8720.
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Holiday closings listed for July 4
FARMERS BRANCH ~ As the national holiday falls on a Saturday this year, most City offices and facilities will close to observe the Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 3.
There will be no garbage collection and the Citizen Collection Center will be closed.
Some facilities will be open limited hours through the holiday weekend.
Friday, July 3: Community Recreation Center open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m., Margaret Young Natatorium open 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., Frog Pond open 12 to 6 p.m., Historical Park closed. Saturday, July 4: Community Recreation Center open 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.; Margaret Young Natatorium open 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Historical Park and Frog Pond both open 12 to 6 p.m.
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Single Council meeting planned in July
CITY HALL ~ In order to accommodate summertime and holiday schedules, the Farmers Branch City Council has announced they will meet one time in regular session in July, on Tuesday, July 14.
The City Council will resume its regular first and third Tuesday schedule in August. Regular meetings begin at 6 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall.
All meetings are subject to change, call 972.247.3131.
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All events & meetings are subject to change. Call listed numbers or 972.247.3131 for verification or more information.
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AUGUST 4 & 18
CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS
6 pm @ City Hall
LIVE Coverage on FBTV
972.919.2515
All events & meetings are subject to change. Call listed numbers or 972.247.3131 for verification or more information.
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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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During this closure, traffic will continue north on the frontage road and enter I-35E at the Belt Line Road entrance ramp.
