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Living history
"Those that do not learn from their history are destined to repeat it."
The phrase has been worded a bit differently through the years and attributed to half a dozen people from Plato to Churchill.  The sentiment is more broadly expressed by the thought that we have to know where we've been in order to know where we're going. That's true of us as individuals and as a society.
This is one of the biggest reasons we rather zealously safeguard our history here in Farmers Branch. Not only are we the oldest continuous settlement in Dallas County, we have the oldest house in Dallas County still on its original foundation - the Gilbert House at the Historical Park.
We are a people that like to think progressively towards the future, but with one eye firmly fixed on celebrating the heritage that got us to this point.
One of the most dramatic opportunities for learning about our unique local history occurs this weekend as the Farmers Branch Historical Park presents 'Encounters from the Past' at our historic Keenan Cemetery (yes, the oldest cemetery in Dallas County).  For anyone new to the concept of interactive cemetery tours, let me reassure you that this is an outing suitable for all ages. As guides usher individual tour groups around Keenan Cemetery, which dates from 1843, various characters along the way will be brought to life by costumed interpreters.
These folks portray various 'residents' of Keenan Cemetery, like Jimmy Porter, Alice Webb, Annie Rainwater and Albert Stanley, and help paint a vivid picture of Farmers Branch in the 19th and early 20th centuries. As an added bonus, descendants of some of the folks you'll be meeting are portraying their ancestors.
It really is a fascinating way to spend a weekend evening.
More details are listed below, but let me offer specific thanks to Danielle Brissette and the staff of the Historical Park, to the R.L. Turner Theatre Department and to all the volunteers that get together to make this happen.
I'll be selling tickets on Saturday so be sure to say 'hi' when you come out. It'll be well worth the trip.
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'Encounters' to bring the past to life at Keenan Cemetery
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Back for another year, Encounters from the Past is an interactive, guided tour of historic Keenan Cemetery, complete with costumed interpreters 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. Parking is available onsite.
Farmers Branch Keenan Cemetery is located at 2570 Valley View Lane, near City Hall. Call 972.406.0184.
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Manske Movies to screen 'McFarland, USA' Saturday
 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. The Farmers Branch Manske Library is located at 13613 Webb Chapel Road, near the intersection of Webb Chapel and Golfing Green Drive. Call 972.247.2511 for more info. |
Square Foot Gardening class set tonight
FBTX ~ 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.
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TFT continues 'Brighton Beach Memoirs'
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Set in Brooklyn, New York, Neil Simon's semi-autobiographical "Brighton Beach Memoirs" is presented by the Firehouse Theatre on select nights, through September 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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'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.
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DEA prescription takeback set Sep 26
FARMERS BRANCH ~ The lobby of the Justice Center will serve as a drop off location for the Drug Enforcement Administration's National Prescription Drug Takeback Day on Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone can drop off old medication in the police department lobby during those posted hours.  The DEA will be accepting old prescriptions at locations around the country as part of their annual effort to properly dispose of outdated medications. The program is an addition to the Farmers Branch Police Department's regular prescription take-back program which operates Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Farmers Branch Justice Center is located at 3723 Valley View Lane at the corner of Valley View and Marsh Lanes.
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'Date Night' says 'Aloha' to food trucks, live music and outdoor movies
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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AARP Smart Driver Course set Sep 24
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.
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Registration underway for National Night Out block parties coming October 6
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Celebrating the Texas version of America's "night out against crime," National Night Out is planned in Farmers Branch and around the Metroplex on Tuesday, October 6.
Farmers Branch Police Chief Sid Fuller said Community Watch members are hoping to organize a record number of block parties, designed for neighbors to get to know each other.
For more informaiton or to register a block party, call the Farmers Branch Police Department at 972.919.2515.
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First Council meeting in October changes dates to accommodate National Night Out
FARMERS BRANCH ~ In order to encourage as many neighborhoods as possible to participate in National Night Out on Tuesday, October 6, Mayor Bob Phelps and the Farmers Branch City Council have opted to move their regular meeting, scheduled for the same night, to Monday, October 5. The Council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall and will be broadcast live on FBTV (Time Warner Cable Channel 16, AT&T Uverse Channel 99 and online at farmersbranchtx.gov). Farmers Branch City Hall is located at 13000 William Dodson Parkway. For more information, call 972.919.2515.
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Writers Organization announces book event coming up Halloween afternoon
FARMERS BRANCH ~ Donning the costumes of their characters, a group of local authors will be hosting a book reading and signing event on Halloween, Saturday, October 31, from 12 noon to 2 p.m. at the Farmers Branch Manske Library. The Halloween Book Event will feature local authors launching six new books, including science fiction, historical biography, poetry, romance and children's picture books.In addition to dressing like their characters, the authors will share Halloween treats and raffle original artwork and books at this free event. The Writers Organization meets on the second and fourth Tuesdays of each month and welcomes new writers to join them. Membership is open to anyone and is free.
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A land down under
Antique cars combined with modern emergency vehicles for a parade that broke the ribbon and officially opened the completed $2.4 billion overhaul of Interstate 635 from Greenville Avenue in Dallas to Luna Road in Farmers Branch. The parade broke the ribbon on the below-grade managed toll lanes near Webb Chapel. For more information, visit lbjexpress.com.
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Volume 5 | Edition 38 | Number 239
Wednesday, September 9, 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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Harkening Back
A costumed interpreter portrays an historical figure from Farmers Branch's past during the 'Encounters from the Past' interactive tours of historic Keenan Cemetery, set this weekend.
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Adopted Trail Master Plan available online
Designed with the goal to promote a pedestrian and bicycle-oriented trail network, the Trail Master Plan would provide connectivity for all of Farmers Branch, linking neighborhoods, schools, parks and key destinations to surrounding communities.
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Applications open for vacant City boards
FBTX ~ Applications are being accepted for membership on several of the City's volunteer advisory boards and commissions, according to Acting City Secretary Amy Piukana.
Currently, the Community Watch Committee, Family Advisory Board and Senior Advisory Board all have openings.
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Hope spurred by two weeks' tests
West Nile-free
FBTX ~ For the past two weeks, mosquito traps in the City of Farmers Branch have tested negative for West Nile Virus, prompting cautious optimism that the season may be waning.
"This is good news," according to Farmers Branch Environmental Health Manager Katy Evans. "We've seen a reduction in mosquito infection rates, thanks to staff's vigilance and the cooperation of our residents.
"However, the season is not over yet and we remind everyone to continue to drain standing water, wear insect repellent with DEET, and avoid going outside at dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active."
Although there have been infected mosquitoes discovered in traps, there has not been a human case of West Nile Virus in Farmers Branch this year.
City of Farmers Branch residents are encouraged to report standing water to 972.919.2536 and learn more about the mosquito program at farmersbranchtx.gov/mosquito.
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Water/sewer rate increase to offset fixed costs
FBTX ~ 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.
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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
DATE NIGHT in the PARK
PRESCRIPTION TAKEBACK
THRU SEPTEMBER 27
FIREHOUSE THEATRE sets
'Brighton Beach Memoirs'
With performances on select nights through September 27
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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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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