|
Celebrate Our Veterans | Wednesday, Nov 11 | 10:30 am | Senior Center
|
|
|
Imagine a four-lane divided roadway auto, truck and bus traffic. On one side is a bike lane with arguably more traffic than the highway.
Next to it is a light rail line with regular trains carrying commuters and tourists to and from areas of town.
Then, across the hedge from that is a walking trail, crowded with pedestrians making their way through the falling autumn leaves.
No, it's not a idyllic scenario from our Trail Master Plan. It's what Farmers Branch team member Tom Bryson has told us about what he saw last week on a personal vacation in Holland.
As he told us, the Dutch apparently have it figured out as the City of Amsterdam boasts an estimated 2 million bicycles for a population of 800,000.
That said, context is everything.
|
| |
Bike parking crowds the storefronts of high end
shopping in downtown Amsterdam.
|
In Amsterdam or The Hague, the average daily cyclist commutes between 12 and 18 miles round trip. Here in Texas, that might be the number for some of us, but for others its is greatly increased. Our climate can also be much more harsh for cyclists, especially during the summertime. So, biking to work perhaps doesn't make sense for a lot of Farmers Branch residents.
But for others, perhaps it does. Or maybe it makes sense to be able to get to nearby shopping, dining or parks on a bike.
That's why we feel so strongly about our Trail Master Plan and its designed interconnectivity to other cities and their trail plans. European cities may have it figured out, but our task is not to copy what they do but adapt those best ideas to how they makes sense for us and our people.
I encourage you to read up on our Trail Master Plan and join us as we move forward on this ambitious and very exciting endeavor.
All indications are we're on the right track ... er, trail.
|
Previously postponed by weather, Shredding event now set Saturday
FBTX ~ The second of two annually scheduled document destruction opportunities for Farmers Branch residents, has been set for November 7. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 12 noon at City Hall, 13000 William Dodson Parkway. 
This November 7th event was rescheduled from its original date of October 24 when it was postponed due to inclement weather. Please note that these document destruction services are designed for residents only and proof of residence may be required.
There will also be a Household Hazardous Waste collection event that is on schedule for Saturday, November 14, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Oran Good Park. Call 972.919.2597 for more information.
|
City Council to meet with P&Z in rescheduled meeting on Monday
FBTX ~ Mayor Bob Phelps and the City Council will conduct a joint meeting with members of the Planning & Zoning Commission on Monday, November 9.
Originally scheduled for Thursday, October 29, the meeting will still take place in the Viewpoint Room on the second floor of the Dr Pepper StarCenter, 12700 North Stemmons Freeway.
Designed as a discussion session on plans for the west side of Farmers Branch, the meeting is set to begin at 7 p.m.
|
|
Salute
Annual Veterans Day Ceremonies to celebrate those who served
SENIOR CENTER ~ Celebrating with swing-style song and dance, the entertainment trio, "Manhattan Dolls" will be performing this year at the Farmers Branch Veterans Day Celebration, set for 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11 at the Farmers Branch Senior Center.
Everyone is invited to the annual celebration of those who have worn the uniform of the U.S. military and admission is free.
The traditional free hot dog lunch will follow the proceedings at about 12 noon.
The Farmers Branch Senior Center is located at 14055 Dennis Lane, between Josey Lane and Valwood Parkway. Call 972.919.2620 for more information on the event.
|
|
Trio of weekend activities planned at the Historical Park
HISTORICAL PARK ~ Make a full day of it at the Historical Park, located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, with three activities available Saturday, November 7 for watching, learning or just having fun.
 First, the Farmers Branch Vintage Base Ball Team, the Mustangs, will be taking the field with the Topeka Westerns at 12 noon. Rounding out this Vintage Base Ball Double Header, the Topeka Westerns will play against the North Texas All Stars at 2 p.m.
Also happening this Saturday, from 1 to 4 p.m., a costumed  character portraying Mrs. Gilbert will be providing information and a tour of the Gilbert House, the oldest house in the Historical Park. 'Mrs. Gilbert' will talk about Farmers Branch in the 19th century, Dr. Gilbert's job as the local doctor, and the lovely Gilbert home. Adults, children and everyone in between  are invited to come inside the 1890s caboose, as well as the Train Depot to learn about railroad transportation, Morse code, the life of a railroad worker or a station agent and more. A costumed guide will be on hand to answer your questions from 1 to 4 p.m.
|
|
Autumn viewing scheduled for Star Party, Tuesday
HISTORICAL PARK ~ People of all ages are invited to view the stars through high powered telescopes at the Historical Park, located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, Tuesday, November 10 from sunset to 9 p.m.
Star viewings are free and open to the public. Members of the Texas Astronomical Society of Dallas will provide a variety of telescopes, or bring your own.
Telescopes will be focused on Neptune, star clusters, and planetary nebulae including the Orion Nebula. Alternate weather date is Thursday, November 12. More info 972.406.0184 or www.texasastro.org. |
|
North Texas fossils and the geological history of the area to be profiled at Library
MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Tom Dill of the Dallas Paleontological Society  will be speaking at the Manske Library, located at 13613 Webb Chapel on Tuesday, November 10 at 7 p.m. on the geological history of North Texas. He will be discussing and showing some of the typical fossils from the area, as well as some of the rarer, more spectacular ones. He will also advise on the best places to go fossil hunting on your own.
For more info, call 972.247.2511.
|
35Express lists construction update
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 crews work to widen and lengthen the ramp.
- The southbound entrance ramp at Valwood will move into its final alignment in October.
|
'Tell it to the Mayor' schedule changes for upcoming holiday season
FBTX ~ Mayor Bob Phelps will be available for conversation and questions during his 'Tell it to the Mayor' sessions, set for single dates in November and December. There will be a holiday alteration to the schedule in November and December as the fourth Wednesdays of each month fall on holiday weeks. In November, the only 'Tell it to the Mayor' session will be held on Wednesday, November 11. In December, it will be Wednesday, December 9.
Regularly set for the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month at Farmers Branch City Hall, the sessions are held between 3 and 6 p.m. and anyone is welcome to visit with the Mayor without an appointment, but on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call City Hall at 972.919.2515.
|
Firehouse Theatre prepares for Poppins
FBTX ~ Based in part on the classic movie and on the original books by P.L. Travers, the musical 'Mary Poppins' will be presented by The Firehouse Theatre on select nights November 5 - 22. The adaptation, which blends elements of the classic 1964 Disney film with narrative from the Travers books, premiered in London in 2004 before moving to Broadway in 2006. This will be the north Texas stage debut for the show. For tickets and more information, call 972.620.3747 or visit thefirehousetheatre.com.
|
Richard Posey
Stay-Puft Marshmallow kid
This cute little tot was a staff favorite and a big costume winner in the Manske Library's Boo-ville Bash & Pumpkin Patch annual Halloween event.
|
Volume 5 | Edition 44 | Number 245
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Branch Bulletin
is published weekly by the Communications Office of the
City of Farmers Branch, Texas since March 5, 2011
|
|
VIDEO  EXTRA
|
|
| |
Farmers Branch Economic Development Third Quarter Update 2015
|
|
The Farmers Branch Carrollton Art Association Student Scholarship Fall show will feature works from CFBISD art students thru December 4.
|
|
Tribute in Song
The Manhattan Dolls will make a return appearance to the Farmers Branch Senior Center for Veterans Day 2015 on Wednesday, November 11, beginning at 10:30 a.m.
|
Applications are being accepted for membership on several of the City's volunteer advisory boards and commissions, according to City Secretary Amy Piukana.
Currently, the following boards have vacancies:
Community Watch Committee Family Advisory Board
|
9 am to 12 noon @ City Hall
Free to Farmers Branch residents
JOINT CITY COUNCIL/P&Z MTG
7 pm @ Dr Pepper StarCenter
Free admission | Lunch provided
Only Opportunity This Month
3 to 6 pm
Open office hours with Mayor Bob Phelps at City Hall
972.919.2515
Study Session begins @ 4 pm
LIVE on FBTV
972.247.3131
THANKSGIVING HOLIDAYS
Most City offices closed
No garbage collection
972.247.3131
All events & meetings are subject to change. Call listed numbers or 972.247.3131 for verification or more information.
|
DECEMBER 1-30 CHRISTMAS TOUR OF LIGHTS
6:30 to 9:30 pm each evening thru Dec 30 (closed Dec 5 & 25)
CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY
Gates open 6:30 pm / Tree lighting 7 pm @ Historical Park
Only Opportunity This Month
3 to 6 pm
Open office hours with Mayor Bob Phelps at City Hall
972.919.2515
Only Meeting This Month
6 pm @ City Hall
Study Session begins @ 4 pm
LIVE on FBTV
972.247.3131
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS
Most City offices closed
No garbage collection
972.247.3131
All events & meetings are subject to change. Call listed numbers or 972.247.3131 for verification or more information.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
