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Happy Labor Day | Most City Offices Closed | No Garbage Collection
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Family state of mind
I'm in a family state of mind.
This Labor Day weekend, many of us are taking a step back from the busy-ness of everyday life to spend time with loved ones. Cozy and I are among you as we head north to Nebraska to spend time with our family.
What many of you probably don't know is that our son, Andy, and his wife, Janae, will soon make us first-time grandparents.
 As such, one of the highlights of this holiday weekend for us is to engage in the increasingly-popular tradition of the "Reveal Party" where we find out if we're having a grandson or granddaughter.
Not only will this be a great opportunity to get together with our kids, it will only build the anticipation for the new arrival to the Greer clan and bring our families even closer together.
I have to say that the prospect of becoming a grandfather is one of the most exciting things I've ever experienced. However, its also a bit scary. And, that's only because it's so reminiscent of becoming a parent for the first time and the simultaneous joy and terror that experience brings.
But, that's not all. This weekend also presents us the opportunity to meet our freshly-engaged daughter, Haley's future in-laws. The wedding is still several months away, but the joining of our families begins now. It is always exhilarating to meet new family members and to bring families together under the common ground of love for our children. Please take this Labor Day weekend to engage with your family and tell them how much they mean to you. Turn off those electronic devices, stop working and concentrate on the joy of the time you have in each other's company. Join me in getting in a family state of mind.
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 E.T. phones home Saturday as Manske Movies kick off
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Continuing their tradition from recent years, the Farmers Branch Manske Library will feature two outdoor movies in the Library's amphitheater in September. First, on Saturday, September 5, the contemporary classic, "E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" will grace the screen. Then, on Saturday, September 19, the 2015 inspirational Kevin Costner film "McFarland, USA" will be shown in the amphiteater. Admission is free with blankets and lawn chairs recommended for lawn seating on the tiered levels of the amphitheater. Showtime is dusk. Later this month, the Parks and Recreation Department adds an outdoor movie to the September repertoire as they will present "Aloha" at the autumn edition of "Date Night in the Park," Saturday, September 26 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. |
Labor Day marks final weekend of summer swim season at Frog Pond
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Having seen thousands of swimmers pass through its gates the outdoor Frog Pond at the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center is planning a strong finish for its final weekend of the 2015 summertime swim season. 
One of two components of the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center, the Frog Pond is designed for activity during the summer months and will be open from 12 noon until 6 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day Monday.
The Margaret Young Natatorium, on the other hand, is open year-round. Additionally, the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center is taking reservations for fall events in the two Party Pavilions on the site.
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16th annual Pickups-N-Panels set September 12 at Historical Park
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Benefitting the American Cancer Society, the 16th Annual Pickups-N-Panels Classic Car-Truck Shootout is returning to the Farmers Branch Historical Park on Saturday, September 12.
 Open to all 1990 model, and older, cars and trucks, the event populates the verdant meadow at the Historical Park with all manner of classic vehicles. Registration begins when the gates open at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 12 noon. Awards will be at 2:30 p.m. Cost for registering vehicles will be $20. Owners can pre-register by mail or online at pickupsnpanels.com. Pre-registered participants will receive a free show t-shirt. Spectator admission is free. There will be concessions available for purchase and a bounce house for kids.
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Battle of the Badges pits public safety departments in annual fight for blood
FARMERS BRANCH ~ With bragging rights at stake, the Farmers Branch Police and Fire Departments will square off in their annual quest to raise the most blood donations in the Battle of the Badges, set Friday, September 11.  Planned for 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. anyone wishing to donate blood should go to the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center and cast a ballot for the Police or Fire Departments along with their donation.
For more information, call 972.247.4607.
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Firehouse Theatre readies semi-autobiographical 'Brighton Beach Memoirs'
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Set in Brooklyn, New York, Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical "Brighton Beach Memoirs" will be presented by the Firehouse Theatre on select nights, September 10-27.  Performances will be presented at the theatre, located in the old Farmers Branch Fire Station No. 1 at 2530 Valley View Lane, east of Interstate 35E.
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'Encounters' to bring the past to life at Keenan Cemetery, September 18 & 19
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Back for another year, Encounters from the Past is an interactive, guided tour of historic Keenan Cemetery, complete with costumed re-enactors portraying various characters from Farmers Branch history.
The tours are planned for Friday and Saturday, September 18 & 19 at the Cemetery on Valley View Lane, near City Hall.
"You and your family will have a chance to meet everyone from our first female postmistress to a mother who fought for better schooling for her children," said the Historical Park's Daneille Brissette.
Tours leave every 15 minutes from 7 until 9 p.m. Tickets are $5 per person with kids six and under admitted free. Call 972.406.0184.
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Fall season 'Date Night' to feature food trucks, live music, outdoor movie
FARMERS BRANCH ~ By popular demand, Date Night in the Park is expanding to two dates annually with the fall edition coming up Saturday, September 26 at the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Gates will open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free.
A variety of food trucks will be on hand with their culinary offerings. In addition, there will be craft beer for sale. Live music from Prophets & Outlaws will lead into the outdoor movie, "Aloha" which gets underway after dark.
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Water/sewer rate increase proposed to offset pass-through costs
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The record rainfall of 2015 in addition to a legal battle over the source for local drinking water is combining for a perfect storm that will likely result in higher water and sewer rates for the new fiscal year.
Most costs associated with water service come from Dallas Water Utilities, the City's water provider, and the Trinity River Authority, the City's wastewater service provider.  " About 80 percent of our water and sewer expenses come from fixed costs that are passed along to us by the Trinity River Authority and Dallas Water Utilities," said Farmers Branch Managing Director of Finance and Administration Charles Cox. "In addition to that, local water sales are down 15 percent, or about $3 million, because of the record rainfall this spring. MORE
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 Purple Heart City
Farmers Branch Mayor Bob Phelps (right) receives a special plaque on behalf of the City from the Military Order of the Purple Heart, after proclaiming Farmers Branch as a Purple Heart City, in support of America's wounded military veterans. Presenting the plaque was Farmers Branch resident Jon A. Lunkwicz, Commander of the DFW Mid-Cities Chapter 1513 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, along with other chapter members.
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Volume 5 | Edition 35 | Number 236
Wednesday, September 6, 2015
Branch Bulletin
is published weekly by the Communications Office of the City of Farmers Branch 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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Facilities list hours for holiday
FBTX ~ Most City of Farmers Branch offices and facilities
will be closed on Monday, September 7 in observance of Labor Day.
Exceptions are the Farmers Branch Historical Park and the Farmers Branch Community Recreation Center, both open from 8 am until 5 pm and the Frog Pond, closing for the season that day, but open from 12 noon until 6 pm.
The fitness area at the Rec Center opens at 6 am.
There will be no garbage pickup on Monday, September 7.
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SEPTEMBER 5
MANSKE OUTDOOR MOVIES
presents
"E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial" @ Manske Library Amphitheater @ Sundown
Free Admission
972.247.2511
SEPTEMBER 7
LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
Most offices & facilities closed
Historical Park & Rec Center open 8 am-5 pm
Aquatics Center open 12-6 pm
NO GARBAGE COLLECTION
farmersbranchtx.gov
SEPTEMBER 10
FIREHOUSE THEATRE opens
'Brighton Beach Memoirs'
With performances on select nights through September 27
972.620.3747
SEPTEMBER 12
PICKUPS-N-PANELS
9:30 am to 2:30 pm @ Farmers Branch Historical Park
972.670.0343
SEPTEMBER 15
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
6 pm @ City Hall
Study Session begins at 4 pm
LIVE on FBTV
972.247.3131
SEPTEMBER 18-19ENCOUNTERS from the PAST 7 to 9 pm @ Keenan Cemetery Tours leave every 15 minutes Tickets $5 (6 and under free) 972.406.0184
SEPTEMBER 19
MANSKE OUTDOOR MOVIES
presents
"McFarland, USA" @ Manske Library Amphitheater @ Sundown
Free Admission
972.247.2511
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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Proudly Waving
The flag of Farmers Branch flies proudly in the warm summer breeze in front of City Hall as the dog days of August give way to the promise of (eventually) cooler weather this Fall.
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VIDEO  EXTRA
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Farmers Branch Mustangs Vintage Base Ball Video Profile
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VIDEO EXTRA
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Cool off at the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center
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VIDEO EXTRA
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Farmers Branch Economic Development Update: 2nd Quarter 2015
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WATERCOLOR WORKS
Inspiration and dexterity in the use of transparent watercolor is being displayed at the Manske Library Art Gallery this month, by the Wednesday Painters of Artisan's Studio Gallery, working under guidance of nationally known watercolor instructor Naomi Brotherton. The exhibit is open now, through October 2.
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OCTOBER 5 | Special Night
6 pm @ City Hall
Study Session begins @ 4 pm
LIVE on FBTV
OCTOBER 6
6 pm @ City Hall
Study Session begins @ 4 pm
LIVE on FBTV
CITYWIDE CLEANUP DOCUMENT SHREDDING
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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