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It is time to trim the roses. Don't know how? No worries. Come on out Saturday, February 20 to the Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch in Gussie Field Watterworth Park for a hands-on rose pruning clinic with experienced rose gardeners, led by our own Pam Smith.
The garden is located at 2610 Valley View Lane, near City Hall. The clinic will be on from 10 a.m. until 12 noon. And, everyone gets a rose plant for participating in the pruning clinic.
If you didn't know, or hadn't guessed, Farmers Branch is big on roses. That garden, in particular, was originally planted as the largest EarthKind Rose Trial garden in the United States.
Since that trial ended, it has evolved into an outdoor showplace for up-and-coming roses and for events, receptions and weddings.
Even if you don't grow roses, you might want to come out and take a look.
If you do grow roses, you want to take this pruning time of year to be on the lookout for the dreaded rose disease known as Rose Rosette. If you suspect Rose Rosette, remove all infected plants and separate from healthy plants.  Otherwise, this is a good time of year to clean up all rose debris to minimize other disease. Put down fresh native hardwood mulch. Get a soil test and apply a slow release or organic fertilizer. This little bit of work now will yield great results as the year moves on.
For more information, check out fbroses.com or call Pam Smith directly at 972.919.2625.
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'Dive In Movie' splashes down Saturday with family friendly film
AQUATICS CENTER ~ Residents can enjoy indoor swimming and the 'Dive In Movie' family-friendly event at the Margaret Young Natatorium at the Farmers Branch Aquatics Center 14032 Heartside Place on February 20 at 6:30 p.m.  Doors open at 6 p.m. for a nominal fee of $4 for residents and $6 for non-residents. Concessions will be available, and inflatable tubes and life jackets will be provided. Registration is limited, so call 972.919.8720 now or stop by the Aquatics Center for information on the event or movie titles.
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Excitement building
Recycling program kickoff coming
FARMERS BRANCH ~ With trash collection remaining twice a week on designated days, residents can look forward to the return of residential recycling the week of April 4.
 Anyone not ready to participate in curbside recycling has until February 26 to opt-out of the program. New 95-gallon carts will be delivered to Farmers Branch residents beginning the week of March 21 that will be an important part of the new residential recycling program. Lightweight and easy to maneuver, the new carts will be designed specifically for depositing recyclable materials. Officials said there is no need to sort those materials as that takes place at the recyclable material recovery facility.
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FB Recycles Generates Excitement
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Carts as well as the recycling service are free to Farmers Branch residents.
Under the City's new solid waste contract with Community Waste Disposal, current trash service days and location of pickup will not change.
Also, Green Grabber bulk pickup service will not change. However, the City will no longer provide paper bags to residents. Paper or plastic sacks will be acceptable for trash collection and can be purchased at most grocery or hardware stores.
Recycling carts must be stored in a location or manner so that they are hidden or screened from street view. They will be placed in the same vicinity as your trash for regular pickup. Carts can be placed out for collection no earlier than 6 p.m. the day before pickup and must be returned to their storage location no later than 8 a.m. the day after pickup. When trash is collected at the curb, recycling carts must be placed behind the curb, not in the street. For streets with no curb, the cart must be placed behind the pavement. It is permissible to place the container in or at the edge of the driveway behind the curb-line or edge of the pavement.
For residents whose trash is collected in an alley, carts must be
placed adjacent to the alleyway, away from fences and hedges.
- Fill out the form @ fbrecycles.com
- Call 972.919.2597 with your name, address & phone number
- Drop an email to fbinfo@farmersbranchtx.gov with your name, address & phone number
- Come by City Hall with your name, address & phone number
- Use the prepaid postcard coming in your February mail
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Deadline is February 26.
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Rose pruning clinic wraps up winter landscaping series on Saturday
FBTX ~ The finale of the winter landscaping program of classes is the  "hands on" rose pruning clinic at the Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch, 2610 Valley View Lane, on Saturday, February 20 from 10 am to 12 noon. Participants will receive a free rose plant.
All classes and clinics are free and open to the public but pre-registration is requested by calling 972.247.4607.
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Coffee with a Cop coming February 27
FBTX ~ The next opportunity to chat up some of Farmers Branch's finest will be Saturday, February 27 when Coffee with a Cop moves to the Victoria restaurant, 13435 Bee Street.
The informal gathering will be held from 9 until 10 a.m. Residents are invited to spend time with Farmers Branch officers and ask questions.
For more information, call 972.484.3620.
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John F. Burke Nature preserve remains closed due to flooding
FBTX ~ As it has been for most of the past year, the John F. Burke Nature Preserve remains closed due to flooding on the Elm Fork of the Trinity River that borders the preserve.
Extraordinary rains last Spring first closed the 104-acre preserve on the west side of Farmers Branch when the Trinity River jumped its banks in the area.
Since then, water release into the Trinity River from Lake Lewisville and Lake Grapevine has kept water levels in the Burke Preserve too high for safe operation.
There is no current expectation as to when the preserve will be able to reopen.
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Flags at half staff for late Justice
FBTX ~ All flags at all City of Farmers Branch offices, buildings and facilities will remain at half-staff in memory of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, through sunset Saturday, February 20.
As a matter of common practice, the City mirrors White House proclamations on half-staff orders when the situation calls for such action.
Justice Scalia passed away Sunday in south Texas. His funeral and interment are set for Saturday.
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Residents must purchase trash sacks
FBTX ~ Under the new solid waste plan that begins this spring and reintroduces curbside recycling to Farmers Branch residents, citizens must provide their own trash sacks or bags.
Residential trash collection will remain two days a week and from the same pickup point as it has always been.
Additionally, the service remains without cost to residents, except that they must now provide their own paper or plastic bags or sacks.
Call 972.919.2597 for more information.
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AARP tax help at the Senior Center
FBTX ~ Trained volunteers from AARP will be available for questions and assistance in preparing returns at the Farmers Branch Senior Center by appointment on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. through mid-April.
Call the Senior Center for appointments at 972.919.8740.
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Seniors plan scenic trip through woods of East Texas April 9
FBTX ~ Come along on a scenic train ride and day trip through the East Texas countryside planned by the Farmers Branch Senior Center, Saturday, April 9 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
For a $75 fee, seniors can enjoy transportation by chartered bus and train, lunch, dessert and more.
The trip departs at 8 a.m. from the Senior Center to travel by bus to the train station in Rusk, Texas. Travelers will board the Texas State Railroad for a vintage train ride to the final destination of Palestine, Texas, where there will there be lunch and dessert (selection must be made at time of registration) and time to explore the picturesque downtown.
This trip does involve extensive walking through the historic districts of Palestine.
Resident registration opens February 19 at noon, with open registration for non-residents on February 26. For more info call 972.919.8740.
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Volume 6 | Edition 07 | Number 260
Wednesday, February 17, 2016
Branch Bulletin
is published weekly by the Communications Office of the
City of Farmers Branch, Texas since March 5, 2011
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VIDEO  Extras
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Economic Development 4th Quarter Update & Year in Review
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FBPD 'Open Carry Law' Meeting Presentation
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In order to better highlight visibility for Code Enforcement patrols in the Community, all existing department vehicles have received a makeover. The new decals overlay the existing vehicles' paint schemes by adding sweeping strokes of the City's colors, along with the much larger and more visible letters "CODE ENFORCEMENT."
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Painting by Janell Pritchard
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Watercolors of Brookhaven Country Club Golf Courses by Pat Kochan and Janelle Pritchard are currently on display in the Manske Library Gallery thru February 26.
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CANDIDATE FILING
. 972.919.2503
EARLY VOTING
LAST DAY TO REGISTER TO VOTE IN MAY 7 ELECTION
ELECTION DAY
LOOKUP HELP
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
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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:
Community Watch Committee
Family Advisory Committee (youth positions only)
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All events & meetings are subject to change. Call listed numbers or 972.247.3131 for verification or more information.
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Most City facilities including Citizen Collection Center closed
Rec Cntr & Historical Park open
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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