FBPD asks the community for extra "eyes" with SafeCam

FARMERS BRANCH ~ As one of its newest crime prevention and investigation tools, the Farmers Branch Police Department is asking local residents and businesses to register their surveillance cameras for the SafeCam initiative. 

   "Citizen-provided security camera footage is becoming an increasingly valuable asset to our department, helping to establish leads and identify suspects," said Farmers Branch Police Chief Sid Fuller. "Surveillance video recorded by cameras owned by residents and business owners have resulted in the arrest of numerous criminals." 

   Chief Fuller explained that the SafeCam Initiative asks residents and business owners with exterior security cameras to register them with the department so investigators know who they can contact in the event of an incident in their neighborhood or business area. 

Revised alarm ordinance aims to reduce false calls

Dennis Lane detour designed to run through August

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Roadwork on Dennis Lane will have traffic from Valley View to Richland Avenue running one way only through mid-August.

   Traffic can travel northbound only on Dennis during the five-month project. Southbound traffic will be detoured to Sundown, to Richland, then back to Dennis.

   The project length is designed to be 150 days, weather permitting.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ With the new Curbside Recycling Program now underway, residents are reminded to store their recycling cart out of view of the street. 

   Participating residents received carts in March prior to the start of the program the week of April 4. 

   Storage of the 95-gallon rolling cart can be in a garage or inside a backyard with solid fencing. For those that, for whatever reason, cannot store a cart in the garage or backyard, they may store the cart next to the house provided that carts are screened in with opaque fencing in an L-shaped configuration. 

   There will be a grace period until October 1 for installation of proper screening. Fines for solid waste ordinance violations will range up to $500. However, City officials emphasize that residents will have ample opportunity to learn about proper storage and correct any issues. 

   Fines will not be assessed except in cases of multiple repeat violations. For more info, visit fbrecycles.com or call 972.919.2597.

Public invited to East Side planning process workshop, set for April 14

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Following a "walkshop" bus tour of the East Side of Farmers Branch on March 31, City leaders are inviting the public to chime in on their thoughts for the future of the historically commercial sector of the City.

   The East Side planning process workshop will be held on Thursday, April 14, 6 to 8 p.m., at Brookhaven College, Building H, Room 125. The popular keypad polling devices will be used to gauge preferences of the crowd in attendance.

   Some members of the City Council and Planning & Zoning Commission, along with other City leaders, took part in the "walkshop," or walking workshop, tour of the East side to examine the areas strengths, challenges and potential for the future.

   Brookhaven College is located at 3939 Valley View Lane, east of the intersection of Valley View and Marsh Lanes.

Date Night band has its literal roots in water

FARMERS BRANCH ~ With a sound described as "Americana" and "Texas Groove," the New Braunfels band, "Midnight River Choir" should be perfect to set the mood in the Farmers Branch Historical Park for the annual spring edition of Date Night in the Park, Saturday, April 23. 

   Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and admission is free. More food trucks than ever will be on hand to serve the ever-increasing crowd for this popular event. Midnight River Choir will perform at 6 p.m. before the evening outdoor movie, "Daddy's Home".

   The history of the band is one of happenstance. One night, four strangers wound up singing harmonies together on a late night float trip down the Guadalupe River. The story goes that the next morning, they overheard a camper saying they were awakened the previous night by a midnight river choir. 

   The name stuck. Since then, this group of guys have established themselves as some of the most original Texas singers/songwriters performing today. 

   The Farmers Branch Historical Park is located at 2540 Farmers Branch Lane, between Denton Drive and Ford Road and a short, 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. 

   As always for this event, childcare is available for ages 3-12 at the Community Recreation Center for $10 per child. However, pre-registration is required by Thursday, April 21. Call 972.247.4607 for information or to register for childcare. 

   Lawn chairs and blankets are recommended for lawn seating. For more information on Date Night in the Park, visit fbspecialevents.com or call 972.919.2620.

Boards & Commissions Recruiting Event planned for May 10

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Anyone that has ever considered serving on a City board is invited to attend a 'Boards and Commissions' Recruiting Event, planned for Tuesday, May 10 at 6 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall. 

   The public can come learn about the roles of each of the City's board and commissions, visit with current board members and board chairs, along with City Council and City staff. 

   Applications for Board service are being accepted April 18 through May 16. Eligible applicants may be asked to attend a followup interview session with the City Council on May 24. 

   For more information call the City Secretary's Office at 972.919.2503 or find out more about City Boards and Commissions online at the City's website, www.farmersbranchtx.gov.

Manske Library releases video to explain "Blackout Poetry"

VIDEO    EXTRA BLACKOUT POETRY: A Tutorial

Firehouse Theatre to open the interestingly-titled "[title of show]"

FARMERS BRANCH ~ [title of show] is the title of the next show to be staged by The Firehouse Theatre on select nights April 14 through May 1 at the theatre, 2535 Valley View Lane.

   A show within a show, the one-act musical chronicles its own creation as an entry in the New York Music Festival in 2004.

    For more information or tickets, visit thefirehousetheatre.com or call 972.620.3747.