It is a difficult time to be a police officer.

   Not that the job is ever easy, but with anti-police sentiment boiling over in some communities, it seems the incidence of police officers killed in the line of duty is on the rise.

And these murders are so senseless.

 It doesn't really matter if the roots of this thing are in Ferguson, or Baltimore or New York, they impact us all right where we live.

   Make no mistake about it, your police officers in Farmers Branch are among the finest anywhere. And, I don't just mean the best trained or equipped or supported by excellent leadership. While all that is true, I mean these are fine people. We make sure of that by hiring well. It's not enough to make the right grades in the Academy or be able to score better than anyone else on the qualification range. You have to be a good person, with a servant's heart and the willingness to go above and beyond every day.

   These people are.

   No matter the community, police officers are there because they want to serve, to give back, to make the world a better place. And, they are people with families - husbands, wives, children. All it takes is to look into the face of Louisiana State Trooper Steven Vincent's son at his father's funeral to understand the heart-wrenching toll of this random violence.

  What we can, and should, do here in Farmers Branch is what so many of you already do. Back the Blue. Support our men and women in the Police Department and let them know it whenever you can. It is only by turning the tide of popular, public opinion will conditions change.

   Law enforcement is here to help us live our lives with safety, security and liberty. For that alone, they deserve our respect and support.

Love classic cars & trucks? Pickups-N-Panels set Saturday @ HP

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.

   For more information visit www.pickupsnpanels.com or call 972.670.0343.

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.

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.

   For more information, visit thefirehousetheatre.com or call 972.620.3747.

Square Foot Gardening preps people for growing in small spaces

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Whether it be an apartment patio or a small back yard, 'Square Foot Gardening' will help prepare folks for growing in small space and will be presented Thursday, September 17 at 7 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Manske Library.

   The presenter will be Dallas County Master Gardener Billy Clark.

   The short primer for beginners uses principles from 'The All-New Square Foot Gardening Book' by Mel Bartholomew. Emphasis will be placed on how to get started growing vegetables at home, soil prep, planning, planting and harvesting.

   Admission is free. Call 972.919.2625 for more information.

'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 Danielle 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.

Manske Movies to show 'McFarland, USA' Saturday night, September 19

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The 2015 Disney release, 'McFarland USA,' starring Kevin Costner, will be screened Saturday night, September 19 at the Farmers Branch Manske Library's outdoor amphitheater as part of their Manske Movies in September.

   Admission is free. Blankets and lawn chairs are recommended for the lawn seating on the tiered levels of the amphitheater.

   Showtime is at dusk. Call 972.247.2511 for more info.

'Neglected History' to delve into historical events at upcoming lectures

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Guest speaker and book author, Dr. Richard McCaslin, will delve into 'Neglected History: An Exercise in Critical Thinking' at his continuing series of lectures at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.

   Billed as an exploration of alternative views of past events and what history means for society today and in the future, the series examines "The New South" on Friday, September 18 and "The Progressive Era" on Friday, October 23. Both lectures begin at 9:30 a.m.

   Call the Senior Center at 972.919.8740 for additional information.

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.

   For more information, visit fbspecialevents.com.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The AARP Smart Driver Course will be held Thursday, September 24 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.

   The course teaches participants how to compensate for age-related changes in driving which may reduce traffic violations, accidents and chance for injury. Organizers say participants may be eligible for an insurance discount but the course does not qualify for dismissal of a traffic violation. Call the Senior Center at 972.919.8740.