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Everyone knows a veteran.
If not a family member or friend, perhaps the parent or grandparent of someone you work with or are close to.
 Maybe the veteran you know is your mailman, or the police officer on your beat or the mechanic that fixes your car. For sure, our Senior Center is teeming with veterans of our armed forces through the years - as it was earlier today when we celebrated Veterans Day as a community. Everyone knows a veteran. And, if you haven't taken the opportunity to thank them for their service, well, the day's not over yet. We all owe a tremendous debt to these men and women who have worn the uniform of our country in times of conflict and times of peace. Many of them went away and never came home. Some came back, but they were changed forever. But even those service members who were fortunate enough to return to their families safe and sound endured hardships and made sacrifices for the greater good. The literal least we can do is offer them our thanks on this day set aside for that specific purpose. Why not take it a step further? It's been 50 years since the start of the Vietnam War and 70 since the end of World War II. Many of our veterans are getting on in years and if our families don't record that living history from those that were there, those memories will someday be lost forever. In this day and age where everyone can practically shoot a feature film on their phone, there's no reason not to record the stories and anecdotes while we still can. Everyone knows a veteran and the day's not over yet. Be sure to say "thanks." |
Household Hazardous Waste collection event coming Saturday
FBTX ~ Dallas County will hold a Household Hazardous Waste Collection event in Farmers Branch on Saturday, November 14 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Oran Good Park. 
Residents will be able to dispose of common household chemicals such as paint, antifreeze, lawn and garden chemicals, aerosol sprays, pool chemicals and more.
Oran Good Park is located at the corner of Valley View Lane and Tom Field Road. Call 972.919.2597 for more information.
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Star Party rescheduled for Thursday
FBTX ~ Due to multiple forecasts of overcast skies, the Star Party scheduled for Tuesday night at the Farmers Branch Historical Park has been postponed to Thursday evening.  Star Parties are traditionally Spring and Autumn events at the Park where volunteers from the Dallas Chapter of the Texas Astronomical Society help Star Party viewers with high-powered telescope viewing of deep space objects.
Thursday's event is free and open to the public, from sundown until about 9 p.m. Call 972.406.0184 or visit texasastro.org for additional information. The Farmers Branch Historical Park is located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, between Denton Drive and Ford Road and a short walk from the DART Green Line Station in Farmers Branch.
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HISTORICAL PARK ~ Birders of all ages and experience levels are invited to join a series of Bird Walks, starting November 12 and presented by Audubon Texas and the Farmers Branch Historical Park.
The series begins Thursday with an "Owl Prowl" from 7 until 8:30 p.m. Participants are asked to bring a flashlight and binoculars.
OWL PROWL
Thursday, November 12
7 to 8:30 pm
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BIRD COUNTING 101
Saturday, February 6
9 to 11 am
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MIGRATORY BIRDS
Saturday, May 7
9 to 11 am
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"Bird Counting 101" is slated for Saturday, February 6, from 9 until 11 a.m., in preparation for the "Great Backyard Bird Count."
Finally, the series concludes on Saturday, May 7 with a celebration of "Migratory Birds" on Migratory Bird Day, from 9 until 11 a.m.
Danielle Brissette, Museum Educator for the Historical Park, said that although the Park's mission is the preservation of history, outdoor education is highly valued in all its forms.
"The Historical Park is also a park full of flora and fauna and nature at its fullest," she said. "We host Bird Walks, Star Parties and Geocaches so that our citizens and visitors can explore various aspects of nature to their full extent."
All walks are free and open to the public but space is limited so advance reservations are recommended. Call 972.406.0184 to reserve a spot. No pets please.
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Tour of Lights set to kick off Thanksgiving weekend Friday
FBTX ~ The half million lights on the 2015 edition of the Farmers Branch Christmas Tour of Lights will illuminate for the first time on Friday, November 27 for day one of the holiday tradition. The driving tour begins at I-35E and Valley View and continues down Denton Drive to Farmers Branch Lane and into the Farmers Branch Historical Park where an interactive light show is set to seasonal music. |
Firehouse Theatre perpetuates 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 through November 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.
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Brookhaven Music series plans multiple events at Manske Library
All patrons are invited to enjoy the Brookhaven College Opera Workshop on Saturday, December 14 at 2 p.m. Under the direction of Dr. Susan Wyatt, this workshop provides students with the opportunity to perform repertoire from opera, operetta and musical theater. The Brookhaven College Vocal Jazz Ensemble will perform at the Library on Sunday, November 22 at 2:30 p.m. The group consists of music majors and minors performing a variety of jazz classics and vocal jazz styles. Additional Brookhaven musical performances are planned in December with Electric Guitar on December 5 at 2 p.m. and the Handbell Ensemble on December 12, also at 2 p.m. For more information, call the Library at 972.247.2511.
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Dallas Stars set practice, open house at
Dr Pepper StarCenter
FBTX ~ The Dallas Stars have scheduled their annual practice at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Farmers Branch as part of an open house at the facility on Wednesday, November 25. The Stars are scheduled to be on the ice for their practice between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Additionally, there will be a live broadcast from SportsRadio 1310 "The Ticket" from 10 a.m. until noon, a Girls Hockey Clinic from 1 until 2 p.m. and free public skating from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. The Dr Pepper StarCenter is a City-owned facility, leased to the Dallas Stars. It is located at 12700 North Stemmons Freeway in Farmers Branch. For more information, call 214.432.3131 or visit drpepperstarcenters.com.
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Shredding event yields three tons of paper
FBTX ~ The second of two document destruction events held last weekend at City Hall collected more than three tons of old records, bank statements and miscellaneous paper for shredding. Public Works officials said a total of 6,788 pounds of paper was shredded onsite by the third party vendor arranged by the City. Two shredding dates for 2016 will be announced after the first of the year.
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Two Manhattan Dolls & one Manhattan Dude
Derrick Birdsall
Katherine and Jessica, from the performing troupe, Manhattan Dolls, along with special guest, Jason, entertain the crowd earlier today at the 2015 Veterans Day Celebration. An estimated crowd of more than 400 packed the Senior Center for the annual salute to all Veterans.
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Volume 5 | Edition 45 | Number 246
Wednesday, November 11, 2015
Branch Bulletin
is published weekly by the Communications Office of the
City of Farmers Branch, Texas since March 5, 2011
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Salute
U.S. flags are out in force today as we pause to honor everyone that has worn the uniform of the United States Armed Forces in times of conflict and times of peace.
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Farmers Branch residents are invited to show their support for the Farmers Branch Police Department by picking up a "Standing with Farmers Branch Police" rubber bracelet at City Hall or at the Justice Center.
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The Farmers Branch Senior Dance Club was featured in this week's edition of SR Magazine, distributed throughout the DFW area. The cover story was on the Annual Veterans Day dance the club will observe next Monday. For more information, contact the Senior Center at 972.919.8740.
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City offices to close Thursday & Friday for Thanksgiving
FBTX ~ All City of Farmers Branch offices and facilities will be closed on Thursday, November 26, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
On Friday, November 27, most offices remain closed except for the Community Recreation Center and Margaret Young Natatorium, both open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Also, the Historical Park will be open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
There will be no garbage pickup either day and the Citizen Collection Center will be closed.
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Library programs multiple events in coming weeks
FBTX ~ Although the holiday season is nearing, programs at the Farmers Branch Manske Library are continuing at a steady pace. Coming up:
Lego Mania - Friday, November 13 at 4 p.m. in the Meeting Room. Participants can build anything using Legos and their imaginations.
Pioneer Day - Monday, November 16 at 4:30 p.m. Attendees can try on pioneer clothes, listen to tall tales and take a turn churning butter.
Minecraft Competition - Tuesday, November 17 at 6 p.m. Kids from 7 to 14 can see which team can build the best creation.
For more information on these and other programs, call the Manske Library at 972.247.2511.
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The Farmers Branch Carrollton Art Association Student Scholarship Fall show will feature works from CFBISD art students thru December 4.
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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:
Family Advisory Board
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TELL IT TO THE MAYOR
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.
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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.
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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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