I'm no scholar, but I do know enough to realize that when the disparate band of statesmen gathered in Philadelphia in the summer heat of 1776, none quite realized what the outcome of their effort would be. Nor did they know when they turned the July calendar from the third to the fourth that they were creating an iconic date that is synonymous with the independent spirit of this nation.

   Today, politicians, judges and other assorted folk seem to be vying for their place in the history books with sweeping change that will, for better or worse, leave a lasting impression on the fabric of the U.S. And whatever the news of the day might be, it parks itself squarely in the middle of our attention span at the speed of light.

   Nearly 240 years ago, it took more effort to discover sweeping change.

   "Matthew parted the curtain and looked out the window when he heard the horses trotting restlessly in the pen as the midnight moon cleared the high clouds to cast a pale glow on their shimmering backs. He couldn't sleep either. There was something happening. Something in the wind that would change their lives forever. 

   "Quietly, he pulled on his boots and wrote a note to Sarah telling her not to worry but that he was riding into town to hear of the news and that he loved her more than life itself.

   "Big Ben was happy to be out and strode with a spring in his step as he and Matthew closed in on the center of town, oddly illuminated for that very late hour. As he entered the square, the streetlamps were still ablaze as townspeople, some still dressed and some in their bedclothes, scurried about to huddle with others and read the freshly printed postings that were being handed out by excitable young boys in tri-cornered hats.

   "Matthew saw one of the papers tacked to the freshly painted outside wall of the newspaper storefront. He fumbled for his spectacles as he walked towards the tattered and slightly smudged flyer. But, his heart soared as he read the words ... 'In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776, the unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America ...'  With tears in his eyes and pride in his new country, he continued to drink in every word as the bell in the old church tower began to toll."

   I've quoted this old story before but its been a few years so I thought the perspective was worthwhile on this occasion.

   Wherever any of us might fall on the ideological spectrum of today's political and social issues, we all share one vitally important commonality - the birthright guaranteed to us 239 years ago in a warm meeting hall in Pennsylvania.

   Happy Fourth of July!

FARMERS BRANCH ~ LBJ Express has announced the full closure of eastbound main lanes of Interstate 635 between Marsh Lane and Midway Road, from 8 p.m. Monday night, July 6 through 6 a.m. the next morning.

   Traffic will be detoured to the frontage road and will re-enter LBJ using the Midway on-ramp. North and southbound lanes of Marsh and Midway will also be closed during this time.

   All work is weather permitting and may be postponed. Message boards and signs will be placed along the roadway to alert motorists of closures and detours. 
   For the latest on lane closures and traffic-related news, go to the Roadway Info tab and select Construction and Lane Closures at www.LBJTEXpress.com.

   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. 

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch Family Advisory Board will again sponsor their Red, White and Blue Independence Day Walking Parade on Saturday, July 4, beginning at 9 a.m. on Rawhide Parkway between Josey and Longmeade.

   Families are invited to join in the longstanding event with decorated bicycles, tricycles, wagons, pets and more.

   There is no entry fee and everyone is welcome to participate.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Federal Emergency Management Agency will be staging a Disaster Recovery Center at Farmers Branch City Hall, through 7 p.m. Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, to allow Farmers Branch and Dallas County residents affected by May's severe weather to request assistance.

   For more information, contact Farmers Branch Emergency Management Specialist Ashleigh Feryan at 972.919.2640 or email emergency.management@farmersbranchtx.gov. Additional info on federal assistance can be found at www.disasterassistance.gov or by calling 800.621.3362.

   Farmers Branch City Hall is located at 13000 William Dodson Parkway.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Capping a quarter century of dedicated involvement in local government, Farmers Branch City Manager Gary D. Greer will receive a 25-year local government service award from the International City Management Association at their upcoming 101st Annual Conference, in September. 

 An ICMA-credentialed City Manager, Mr. Greer has been the City Manager in Farmers Branch for eight of those 25 years, following service in Texas, Kansas and Nebraska. 

   He is among 82 credentialed City Managers in Texas, out of more than 1,800 municipalities. There are currently 1,342 credentialed managers across the country.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Tropical rock band, The Bad Monkeys, will evoke the essence of Jimmy Buffett as they breeze into Farmers Branch for the July edition of Tastes & Tunes, set Thursday, July 16 at The Grove @ Mustang Crossing. 

   Planned for 5 to 8 p.m., the summertime series features a different band at each of the three planned events along with a variety of food trucks to satisfy a variety of appetites. 

   Tastes & Tunes is staged in The Grove @ Mustang Crossing, at the southeast corner of Bill Moses Parkway and Denton Drive, near the Farmers Branch DART Light Rail Station. Blankets and lawn chairs are suggested for the lawn seating event. Admission to the area is free.

   The series will conclude on Friday, August 14 with Live 80.

   For more information, visit www.fbspecialevents.com or call 972.919.2620.

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