|
Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremonies | Saturday | Historical Park
|
|
|
Submerged in very shallow water, and still leaking oil into Pearl Harbor, the USS Arizona will sit silently on Monday as Americans honor the 74th anniversary of the day she was sunk.
 The surprise attack on the U.S. Pacific Fleet that quiet Sunday morning in Hawaii is one of those turning points in the history of mankind. It precipitated our country's entry into World War II and forever changed the outcome. My purpose today is not so much to engage in a history lesson or to offer tribute to our troops, although both are extremely important and appropriate. Rather, in these few lines, I'd like to ask young people, who barely have a memory of 9/11, much less World War II, to pause a moment and understand why it is important that we, as a nation, remember these things that happened long ago. We lower the flags to half-staff on December 7 every year so that we never forget that day or the 2,400 Americans that lost their lives as the sky over Oahu filled with planes and bombs. It changed the course of the war and, in doing so, world history. How important is Pearl Harbor to our national awareness? The U.S. Navy still allows survivors of the USS Arizona, upon their passing, to be cremated and interred aboard the sunken ship with their mates. To date, several dozen have done just that. Sailors tell the story that when the divers go down with the cremated remains of survivors, there is a specific place they will hold the container, then let go, and the current takes it in. The Arizona keeps her own. Today, there are nine Arizona survivors still with us. Soon, that tradition will be concluded. But it is critical that our memory of Pearl Harbor remain constant. President Roosevelt called December 7 "a date which will live in infamy." Since then, warring nations have made peace and life goes on. Still, we must take at least a moment every December 7 and remember. We must.
|
|
City Council sets special meeting to revisit trash & recycling
FBTX ~ The Farmers Branch City Council will meet in special session on Monday, December 7 at 4 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall to consider issues related to the upcoming contract for trash collection and curbside recycling. 
At their November 17 meeting, members of the Council voted 3 to 2 to direct the City Manager to negotiate a contract with Community Waste Disposal for residential trash collection and curbside recycling, utilizing rolling containers for each.
This meeting has been called to take another look at that decision.
As with all regular City Council meetings, this special meeting will be broadcast live on FBTV, cable channel 16 in Farmers Branch, AT&T Uverse channel 99 throughout the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex and online at farmersbranchtx.gov.
Farmers Branch City Hall is located at 13000 William Dodson Parkway, just south of Valley View Lane, east of Stemmons Freeway. Call 972.247.3131.
|
FBTX ~ The 2015 Christmas season in Farmers Branch officially gets underway on Saturday, December 5 with the annual Christmas Tree Lighting festivities at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free. There will be a brief ceremony followed by the countdown to the fireworks show that officially opens the season and activates the 500,000 lights in the park and beyond.  Kids can visit with Santa, write a letter to Santa and slide on a tube on a real snow hill. Plus, there will be cookies and hot chocolate and more. Visit fbspecialevents.com for more information. The Farmers Branch Historical Park is located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, between Denton Drive and Ford Road and a five minute walk south from the DART Green Line Station in Farmers Branch. Parking will be at the Metrosquare Business Park, two blocks south of the Historical Park on Ford Road, with a free shuttle to the gate.Call 972.919.2620.
|
Tour of Lights now open
FBTX ~ Having seen a wet opening weekend during the Thanksgiving holiday, the Farmers Branch Christmas Tour of Lights is now open every evening from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. through December 30. 
Beginning at the intersection of Valley View Lane and Stemmons Freeway, the tour follows the miles of lights and Christmas displays down Denton Drive to the Farmers Branch Historical Park where a synchronized light show awaits all tour participants.
Admission to the driving tour is free with donations accepted by the non-profit groups helping to work the light tour each evening. Beyond that, donations of a new, unwrapped toy are also accepted every night to benefit the area families served by Metrocrest Services.
By the way, kids are sure to get a look at St. Nick towards the end of the tour. The Historical Park portion of the tour is not open December 5 or 25. For more information, visit fbspecialevents.com.
|
Citizen Bond Committee applications open til January 5
FARMERS BRANCH ~ In preparation for the prospect of presenting a bond issue to voters in 2016, the Farmers Branch City Council is seeking community volunteers to serve on a Citizen Committee to research and champion a potential quality-of-life bond effort.
The City Council will also be asking citizens to consider immediate public safety needs in a May bond election but would like to engage a Citizen Committee to consider other quality of life proposals for a possible November 8, 2016 bond election. 
The Citizen Committee would be expected to begin work in January after having had an opportunity to meet with Council for finalizing appointments. Although a volunteer effort, committee members would be expected to commit several hours and days per month towards planning the future of Farmers Branch.
The Committee will have three to four months to assess current City facilities and needs, consider Council suggestions, identify new projects for consideration, determine costs and prioritize proposals.
Members of the committee will create a written report and present their findings to the City Council in mid-June.
Organizers say the committee will likely be self-directed so people with a passion for Farmers Branch are necessary. Anyone interested in applying for service on the committee should complete an application and return no later than 12 noon on January 5, 2016.
For more information, call 972.919.2505.
|
Mayor Bob Phelps to hold open office hours on December 9 at City Hall
 FBTX ~ With the fourth Wednesday of December falling near Christmas Eve, Mayor Bob Phelps will hold only one 'Tell it the Mayor' open office hours session, Wednesday, December 9, from 3 until 6 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall. Anyone is welcome to come by City Hall to visit with the Mayor on any topic without a prior appointment. The regular 'Tell it to the Mayor' schedule of the second and fourth Wednesdays resumes in January.
|
HISTORICAL Park HAPPENINGS
|
Stirrings of Christmas past to be experienced on Historical Park tours
FBTX ~ Holiday traditions and decorations of the past will be profiled in a series of tours at the Farmers Branch Historical Park on consecutive Saturdays, December 5 & 12.
Everyone is invited and admission is free. Guests are asked to meet at the Historical Park flagpole at 2:15 p.m. Tours will last about one hour and will showcase Christmas in the Old Church, School House, Queen Anne Victorian Cottage and the General Store.
Historical Park Superintendent Derrick Birdsall also said tours are available upon request December 6-23. Call 972.406.0184.
|
Patron appreciation and Patsy Cline on the book for Tuesday
FBTX ~ An annual rite of the holiday season, the Farmers Branch Manske Library invites all patrons by for cookies, light refreshments and holiday cheer during their Patron Appreciation Reception on Tuesday, December 8 from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Then, later in the day, the unmistakable sound of the immortal Patsy Cline will be recreated by world-renowned artist Sherrill Douglas in a musical tribute called "Crazy 'Bout Patsy." The show starts at 6 p.m. and admission is free.
|
Brookhaven brings electric guitars to the Library, December 5
FBTX ~ All patrons are invited to listen to the music of the Brookhaven College Electric Guitar Ensemble on Saturday, December 5 at 2 pm in the Meeting Room.
Directed by Paul Metzger, the Electric Guitar Ensemble consists of electric guitars with a rhythm section. Relax and enjoy as the group performs a variety of jazz styles including swing, funk, blues, and more.
|
Santa & Cookies coming December 9
FBTX ~ The whole family is invited for an evening of cookie decorating, activities and song at 'Santa & Cookies' at the Farmers Branch Manske Library, Wednesday, December 9 at 6 p.m. Kids will be able to decorate cookies while visiting with Santa and listening to a special reading of Clement Clarke Moore's classic tale, "T'was the Night Before Christmas' by City Manager Gary D. Greer. Call 972.247.2511.
|
LaJeana Thomas
Star Party
Farmers Branch residents joined together to watch the Dallas Stars during their annual practice at the Dr Pepper StarCenter in Farmers Branch, the day before Thanksgiving. In addition to the practice, the Open House that day featured a live broadcast from SportsRadio 1310, The Ticket, demonstrations and free public skating.
|
Volume 5 | Edition 48 | Number 249
Wednesday, December 2, 2015
Branch Bulletin
is published weekly by the Communications Office of the
City of Farmers Branch, Texas since March 5, 2011
|
|
Seniors plan holiday light tour next week
FBTX ~ Seniors are invited to get into the spirit of the season at a tour of area lighting displays Thursday, December 10, from 5 until 10 p.m.
For a fee of $3, seniors can meet at the Senior Center to enjoy hot chocolate and snacks before boarding their 50-passenger bus for the journey.
Destinations include the Farmers Branch Tour of Lights, Vitruvian Lights in Addison and Main Street in Grapevine. Space is limited. Call 972.919.8740.
|
Annual open house set Friday
FBTX ~ Everyone is invited to the Rec Center's annual Open House on Friday, December 4 at 7 p.m.
The annual event will feature arts & crafts, visits with Santa, Storytime with Mrs. Claus, stage entertainment, fitness demonstrations, refreshments and more. Call 972.247.4607.
|
Santa will make house calls
FBTX ~ Santa Claus will make visits to kids in their homes in Farmers Branch again this year as part of his "Santa Makes House Calls" program, sponsored by the Community Recreation Center.
The Jolly Ol' Elf will come during
 a pre-arranged appointment on the evenings of December 11 through 24, from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Visits are 15 minutes long and Santa will enter through the front door. Cost is $25 for Community Recreation Center members and $29 for non-members. Prime timeslots go fast so call the Rec Center at 972.247.4607 for reservations.
|
|
All flags at all City facilities will fly at half staff on Monday, December 7 in honor of those lost in the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
|
|
Having a ball on a tube
Kids of all sizes will slide on a real, snow hill on Saturday, December 7 at the Farmers Branch Christmas Tree Lighting Festivities at the Farmers Branch Historical Park. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and admission is free.
|
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:
Parks & Recreation Board Community Watch Committee
|
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
4 pm @ City Hall
LIVE on FBTV
972.247.3131
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.
|
|
|
