FARMERS BRANCH ~ Years of planning and coordination have given way to the moving of dirt as construction has begun on the state-of-the-art Fire Training Tower that will be shared by Farmers Branch, Carrollton and Coppell's departments.

   Soon to rise on 1.5 acres behind the Bob Phelps Fire Administration Building at 13333 Hutton Drive in Farmers Branch, the Tower will be jointly operated by the three agencies with proportional training time shared according to the size of each fire/rescue department.

   The $2.4 million, six-story structure will feature more than 7,000 square-feet of space for all manner of public safety training. State-of-the-art fire science technology will be incorporated in three burn rooms for various fire rescue and control scenarios.

   "The height of the structure will allow for practice on multi-story rescues and the flexibility to conduct multiple exercises," said Farmers Branch Fire Chief Steve Parker. "This project is the latest example of regional cooperation where we pool our resources to produce maximum benefit for our citizens."

	Ground is moving behind the Farmers Branch Bob Phelps Fire Administration Building on Hutton Drive in Farmers Branch.

   Farmers Branch, along with Carrollton, Coppell and Addison recently launched the North Texas Emergency Communications Center, a joint public safety dispatch center, designed to streamline calls and provide seamless service in each community.

   Cost for the construction and operation of the facility will be shared by the three departments. The new Fire Training Tower should be complete by the winter of 2016/17.

   "Smaller departments typically can't afford to build a facility like this on their own and they can frequently have difficulty scheduling training time on another agency's tower," Chief Parker said. "But, putting our heads together, our three agencies have been able to make this happen and that will only benefit the citizens of our respective communities with the best-trained personnel in the area."

FARMERS BRANCH ~ The City Council-appointed Citizen Bond Committee is inviting the public to attend one of, if not both, "Listening Meetings" on potential bond issues, set for Tuesday, July 19 at 2 p.m. at the Senior Center or at 7 p.m. at the Community Recreation Center.

   The Committee is asking for the public's help in deciding on potential bond issues for a 2017 ballot by offering suggestions for bond projects through June 30 and by attending the Listening Meetings on July 19.

   Requesting feedback on potential bond ideas, the Citizen Bond Committee is posing a single question - What can Farmers Branch do for you and your family to help make Farmers Branch an even better place to live, work and play?

   The committee is asking residents to answer the question via several response options:

• Log on at farmersbranchtx.gov/bond to fill out a returnable form
• Mail ideas to or stop by City Hall at 13000 William Dodson Parkway, Farmers Branch, TX 75234
• Call 972.919.1410 and leave a message

   The Citizen Bond Committee requests that residents please submit their ideas by Thursday, June 30.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Mayor Bob Phelps will be unable to attend the regularly-scheduled fourth Wednesday "Tell it to the Mayor" session on June 22.

   The next regular 'Tell it to the Mayor' sessions will be held July 13 and 27, from 3 until 6 p.m. at Farmers Branch City Hall.

   Mayor Phelps holds these open office hour session traditionally on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month as an opportunity for citizens to sit down with the Mayor on any topic, without an appointment.

   For more information, call 972.919.2515.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ This allegorical love story, "The Fantasticks," performed to music by Harvey Schmidt and with lyrics by Tom Jones will be onstage at the Firehouse Theatre select nights through June 19.

   The musical takes listeners on a journey of love, deception, loss and sweethearts reunited.

   The Firehouse Theatre is located at 2535 Valley View Lane. For tickets or more information, visit thefirehousetheatre.com or call 972.620.3747.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Bringing her mix of magic, stories, jokes and many, many puppets, kids' entertainer Penny, the Pirate will perform Wednesday, June 15 at 1 p.m. for children in attendance at the Farmers Branch Aquatic Center's Frog Pond.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ Anyone can come by the Frog Pond through June 16 to register for a drawing for a gift basket, inspired by the new Disney-Pixar movie, "Finding Dory."

   The basket contains "Finding Dory" goodies and a Cinemark gift card to be used for movie tickets. The drawing will be held June 17 at 12 noon.

FARMERS BRANCH ~ In association with the Farmers Branch Manske Library, the Aquatics Center's Frog Pond offers 'Ribbit Reading' poolside storytimes from 9:30 to 10 a.m. June 6 through July 25.

   The event is designed for ages 2 to 7. Admission is free but kids must be accompanied by an adult. There will be no Ribbit Reading on July 4.

   Following that, there will be activity pool time "Just for Tadpoles" from 10 until 11:30 a.m., June 6 through August 8, for ages 0 to 9. Admission rates apply but kids may re-enter the Frog Pond any time the same day with a wristband. Again, kids must be accompanied by an adult.

MANSKE LIBRARY ~ Teens are invited to a special after-hours screening of the contemporary twist of the Jane Austen's classic, "Pride & Prejudice & Zombies" on Friday, June 10 at 7 p.m.

   Free soft drinks and snacks will be provided. The film is rated PG-13. Call 972.247.2511 for more information.

FARMERS BRANCH MARKET ~ All Library patrons are invited to stop at the Library's special story time at the Farmers Branch Market on Saturday, June 11 at 10 a.m.

   The Farmers Branch Market is a local take on the Farmers Market concept and can be found in The Grove @ Mustang Crossing on Saturdays in the summer, from 8 a.m. until 12 noon. Call 972.247.2511 for more information on the Story Time. Visit farmersbranchmarket.com for a profile of the market.