FBTX ~ An affiliate of AmTrust

 Financial Services has bought the office building at 4455 LBJ Freeway, near Midway in Farmers Branch, and plans to consolidate its North Texas offices into about 150,000 square feet in the 12-story tower. 

   Expected to bring new vitality to the building, AmTrust plans to move in by the end of 2015.

FBTX ~ The second of two annually scheduled document destruction opportunities for Farmers Branch residents is still on for Saturday morning, October 24 but could be affected by rain in the forecast.

   Set for 9 a.m. to 12 noon at City Hall, the event is designed for Farmers Branch residents to shred old documents and personal records. 

   However, as of late Wednesday, the National Weather Service was calling for an 80 percent chance of heavy rain in Farmers Branch Saturday morning.

   As the forecast is subject to change during the next 48 hours, City officials said a decision on the event will likely be made on Friday. If weather precludes holding the event, it will be rescheduled for a later date. Continue to monitor City media channels for updates.

SOUTHLAKE ~ Drawing on their training and years of experience, members of the Farmers Branch Parks and Recreation Department won first place out of 28 teams represented at the Texas Recreation and Parks Society Equipment Rodeo for the North Region, held recently in Southlake. 

The TRAPS North Region Parks Equipment Rodeo Champions are (first row, from left) Jose Ramirez, Jose Torres, Robert Carrera (second row, from left) Earl Marett, Joey Romans, Will Tosch, Alfredo Flores, Tony Derrick, Kerry Phillips, Roberto Sarabia and Porfirio Leyva.

   Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Harting said the North Region includes all communities from the DFW Metroplex north to the Red River and east to the state line. 

   "The Equipment Rodeo is an opportunity for our team to showcase their ability by competing against their peers," he explained. "Events are based on utilization of equipment and practices common to parks maintenance." 

   He said those events include back hoe operation, mowers, trailer backing, irrigation installation and plant identification. 

   "There were 28 teams and 330 competitors overall," Mr. Harting said. "This victory confirms what many of us already realize, some of the most capable and talented parks and recreation professionals in Texas work right here in Farmers Branch and we are blessed to have them on our team."

FBTX ~ Festive and fun frights will fill the air on Halloween night, Saturday, October 31 for "Halloween in the Park," set from 5 until 10 p.m. under the starry sky of the Farmers Branch Historical Park.

   Admission and parking are free. Concessions will be available for purchase. Once again, people will line up for the experience of the "Haunted Hedge," opening at 7:30 p.m. and taking brave adventurers deep into the dark recesses of the Historical Park's scary shrubbery. 

   The event will also feature "Trick-or-Treat Row," carnival games, pony rides, a petting zoo, state fair-style food vendors, photo buttons and more. 

   The Farmers Branch Historical Park is located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, between Denton Drive and Ford Road and a quick five minute walk from the Farmers Branch DART Green Line station. Parking will be 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, call 972.247.4607 or visit fbspecialevents.com.

FBTX ~ Everyone is invited to learn more about 3D Printing and how it is redefining the way physical objects are made at TinkerCademy sessions, the last of which is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, October 24 at the Farmers Branch Manske Library.

   Participants will learn to design 3D objects using TinkerCAD and see the Library's 3D printer in action.

   TinkerCademy is open to all ages but children under 10 should be accompanied by a caregiver. Participants will receive one free print per class. For more information, call the Library at 972.247.2511.

FBTX ~ Kids ages 12 and up are invited to create zombie animals on Monday, October 26 at 4:30 pm at the Library.

I-35E ~ The 35Express group, responsible for the 30-plus mile overhaul of Interstate 35E, has listed construction updates for October that affect Farmers Branch.

• Harry Hines under I-35E will be closed nightly for bridge beams.
• Work on the northbound exit ramp at Valley View Lane has been postponed until early 2016. The ramp will be closed for approximately three months.
• The southbound exit ramp to Valwood Parkway is expected to reopen toward the end of October as crew work to widen and lengthen the ramp.
• The southbound entrance ramp at Valwood will move into its final alignment in October.

Free smoke alarms available for those who qualify

FBTX ~ Renewing their participation in a long-standing program, the Farmers Branch Fire Department is offering free smoke detectors to local residents who qualify.

   "The Farmers Branch Fire Department wants residents to have the early warning needed to escape a fire," said Fire Chief Steve Parker. "If anyone is over the age of 55 or cannot afford a smoke alarm, they may qualify to have smoke alarms installed in their home at no cost."

   Chief Parker added that supplies are limited and alarms will be installed on a first-come, first-served basis.

   For more information, call 972.919.2640.

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.