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Gearing Up
The heat has kicked in and summertime is in full swing. But, as warm weather of July gets ready to give way to the dog days of August, something else begins to happen.
Your City staff begins to gear up for the upcoming Fall event season.
I know it might be difficult to discern, but that slight rumbling you almost hear in the background when you're in the vicinity of City Hall is the well-oiled event machine, led by Special Projects Manager Meredith Dowdy, starting to hum.
Between Meredith and her colleagues in Parks and Recreation, and in other departments, the event schedule coming up will be one for the books. It all begins with the final installment of a new series that has been a big hit - 'Tastes & Tunes' goes out on a high note August 14, with it's combination of food trucks and live music.
Then, the uniquely Farmers Branch experience of 'Encounters from the Past' is planned for September 18 & 19. With interactive, guided tours of historic Keenan Cemetery, the event brings local history to life.
The following weekend sees a new, fall installment of the popular spring event, 'Date Night in the Park,' with music, food trucks and an outdoor movie on Saturday, September 26.
Please mark down Tuesday, October 6 as Farmers Branch neighborhoods take to the great outdoors for 'National Night Out.' And, don't forget the City Council meeting originally scheduled for that night will be held on Monday, October 5.
 The music explodes in the Farmers Branch Historical Park on the weekend of October 16 & 17 with the 'Bloomin' Bluegrass Music Festival & Chili Cookoff.' Country / Bluegrass artist LeeAnn Womack leads the bill of nationally-known musicians that will be featured on stage that weekend. 'CityWide CleanUp' returns on Saturday, October 24 with another document shredding event. Stay tuned for times and location on that one.
And, this is one of those rare years when 'Halloween in the Park' falls actually on Halloween, Saturday, October 31.
If that weren't enough, we will gather as a community to honor those who have served on 'Veterans Day,' Wednesday, November 11. This is followed only a few weeks later by the kickoff of the 'Christmas Tour of Lights' on Friday, November 27.
There's no lack of activity in Farmers Branch this fall. C'mon out!
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Full main lane closure
LBJ Express to close all lanes of eastbound 635 Thursday night
FARMERS BRANCH ~ As they move towards the scheduled conclusion of the project later this year, the LBJ Express group has announced a full closure of all main lanes of eastbound Interstate 635, from Marsh to Midway, Thursday night. 
The work is scheduled to begin Thursday night at 8 p.m. and conclude by Friday morning at 6 a.m.
In addition, they will close the eastbound frontage road from Webb Chapel to Marsh, Friday night from 8 p.m. to midnight.
Ongoing intermittent lane closures on east and westbound frontage roads continue through the project area in July.
For more information, log on at lbjexpress.com.
   
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Assistance requested
Farmers Branch PD trying to identify suspected car thief
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch Police Department is seeking the public's help in identifying a subject that was photographed stealing a black 2008 Ford F-350 from a parking lot in the 2600 block of LBJ Freeway.
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Anyone with information on the identity of this subject is asked to call Farmers Branch Police at 972.484.3620.
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Surveillance video captured a clear image of the subject entering a business at around 5:20 a.m. on July 19. Shortly thereafter, the subject exited and climbed into the backseat of a white Cadillac Escalade, which was then seen pulling to the back of the parking lot. There, the subject got out and broke into the Ford truck.
The subject was seen driving off with the truck at 5:42 a.m.
According to national FBI statistics, full size Ford trucks consistently rank in the top five stolen vehicles. The Texas Department of Public Safety ranks the Ford model truck as the most stolen vehicle in Texas.
Anyone with information regarding the identity of the subject or his vehicle is asked to call the Farmers Branch Police at 972.484.3620.
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West Nile season prompts call for precautions as weather heats up
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Although there have been no reports in Farmers Branch, Dallas County has recorded its first human case of West Nile Virus this year and incidence of the disease in tested mosquitoes in on the rise. 
Farmers Branch Environmental Health Manager Katy Evans said the numbers of mosquitoes winding up in City traps has remained consistently low.
The entire City of Farmers Branch has been sprayed once this season with crews standing by if additional spraying is necessary.
In the meantime, Ms. Evans emphasized prevention of standing water locations as a common sense approach to curb mosquito breeding. For more West Nile Virus information and precautions, visit farmersbranchtx.gov/mosquito.
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Residents asked to help Aquatics Center 'Name the Frog'
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The mascot of the Frog Pond at the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center is becoming a familiar face to regular attendees of the outdoor water facility this summer.  But, he has no name.
That is about to change as the City of Farmers Branch, in association of the DoubleTree by Hilton Dallas near the Galleria, is sponsoring the 'Name the Frog' contest now in progress, through August 5. Anyone can enter the contest with the entry form and a good name for the Frog Pond's Frog. Click here or come by the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center at 14032 Heartside Place. The winner will receive a weekend 'staycation' at the DoubleTree by Hilton Dallas near the Galleria in Farmers Branch, for up to a family of six with complimentary breakfast, and a VIP family pass to the Frog Pond.
For more information, visit fbh2o.com or call 972.919.8720.
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Multiple factors add up to expected rise in water/sewer rates
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The record rainfall of 2015 isn't the only weather affecting water and sewer issues as that, plus a legal battle over the source of local drinking water, is combining for a perfect storm that will likely result in higher rates for the new fiscal year.
Farmers Branch Finance Director Charles Cox said all players in the Farmers Branch water and sewer equation are experiencing issues. First, local water sales are down 15 percent this year, or about $3 million below expectations, due to the excess rainfall.
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Superhero Send-Off planned to wrap up Summer Reading Club
MANSKE LIBRARY~ It is time to end summer reading with a BANG!
All of the super-readers are invited to attend the Superhero Send-off at the Farmers Branch Manske Library on Friday, July 31 at 12 noon.
Participants can play a wide array of games around the amphitheater, including Bean Bag Attack, Water Balloon Spoon Races, Dinosaur Pinata and more. There will also be chalk for making sidewalk art, as well as door prizes!
Enjoy some lemonade as the official list of summer reading grand prize winners is announced. Attendance is not necessary to win. Participants should wear clothes they don't mind getting dirty or wet.
This event is free and open to the public. For questions about this and other events, please contact the Library.
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Life on the Beat with Sgt. Eoff set for Library July 28
MANSKE LIBRARY~ Ever wonder what a day in the life of one of our local heroes serving with the Farmers Branch Police Department might be like?
On July 28 at 7 p.m. Farmers Branch police officer, Sgt. Terry Eoff, will be at the Farmers Branch Manske Library to give a presentation on what it is like to be a police officer, including being present at the scene of a crime with a brief Q&A session to follow.
The Manske Library is located at 13613 Webb Chapel. For more info call 972.247.2511.
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Random Act of Kindness
In what can only be described as an unsolicited Random Act of Kindness, an unknown person plastered the public soft drink machine at the Manske Library with dollar bills last week. The accompanying note asked anyone passing by to "have a soda on me." Library Director Denise Wallace said that the staff is unsure who the mystery benefactor is, but that many appreciated the gesture.
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Volume 5 | Edition 29 | Number 230
Wednesday, July 22, 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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Aquatics Center nominated for magazine honor
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Dallas Child magazine has nominated the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center as one of the Best Places for Kids' Parties in DFW. 
That announcement came last week with the promotion that the magazine will be taking online votes to determine which places take top honors in their annual categories.
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Town Hall Meeting on Recycling planned July 30
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Mayor Bob Phelps and the members of the Farmers Branch City Council invite the community to a Town Hall Meeting on Recycling, planned Thursday, July 30 at Farmers Branch City Hall.
On the agenda will be discussion of a curbside recycling plan for the City. Meeting time is 7 p.m.
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Economic Development office posts quarterly update
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The Farmers Branch Economic Development Department has posted their video update for the second quarter of 2015 on the City's YouTube channel.
VIDEO  EXTRA
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Farmers Branch Economic Development Update: 2nd Quarter 2015
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Firehouse Theatre presents "Oklahoma!"
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The first effort of a fruitful partnership will be featured in Farmers Branch as the Firehouse Theatre presents the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic, "Oklahoma!" on select nights through August 2. 
Performances will be offered at the Firehouse Theatre, 2535 Valley View Lane. For reservations and ticket information visit www.thefirehousetheatre.com or call 972.620.3747.
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Next Tell it to the Mayor sessions coming in August
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Mayor Bob Phelps will resume his popular open office hours 'Tell it to the Mayor' sessions in August on the traditional second and fourth Wednesdays at Farmers Branch City Hall. Set from 3 until 6 p.m. August 12 & 26, anyone is invited to come by City Hall and visit with the Mayor on any topic, without an appointment, during that time frame. Call 972.919.2515.
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Honoring Heroes
The massive flag a Liberty Plaza flies at half-staff in honor of the service members killed last week in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
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FIREHOUSE THEATRE
Select Nights thru Aug 2
CHILDREN"S THEATRE
presents "Cindereller"
July 28 10 a.m./Noon
972.620.3747
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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SEPTEMBER 18-19ENCOUNTERS from the PAST SEPTEMBER 26
All events & meetings are subject to change. Call listed numbers or 972.247.3131 for verification or more information.
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Make a SPLASH with your NEXT BIRTHDAY BASH!
Click on the Frog
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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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