DECEMBER 2021
Branch Review C I T Y
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FA R M E R S
B R A N C H ,
T E X A S
Memo from the manager Dear Citizens, Neighbors and Friends of Farmers Branch, By any measure, it has been an extraordinary year to celebrate our City’s 75th anniversary. As we approach the holidays and a season of gratitude, I believe it’s important to observe just how far we’ve come in the last calendar year and to appreciate the substantive accomplishments of 2021. On the heels of a global pandemic, we entered the new year fully masked and waiting on vaccines. Farmers Branch, like the rest of Texas, observed the national protocols of social distancing and our City Council observed a hybrid meeting routine with some Council members attending virtually. We were tracking COVID infection rates across Dallas County and the City hosted a vaccine registration event. In January of 2021, the first phase of our Community Rec Center renovation was well underway. It reinvented our multipurpose gym as a new and expanded fitness zone with an enhanced lobby and children’s play area. The Winter storm of the Century arrived on Valentines weekend with almost unprecedented Arctic weather overwhelming the state’s electric infrastructure and causing massive power outages. Farmers Branch City employees rallied, however, and went out to serve residents who were struggling with frozen streets, broken water pipes and little or no power for days on-end. Manske Library closed in May and hosted a Grand Re-Opening in July. The Library renovation added a modern façade to the front entrance, five glass study rooms, a multipurpose maker space adjacent to the lobby and 20 new computer workstations. On July 2, the City hosted a major Independence Day celebration in the Historical Park and it was an overwhelming success. In fact, our Parks and Recreation Department has attracted record crowds at many events and facilities this year, demonstrating a tremendous comeback after the social distancing provisions in 2020. Three new restaurants opened in Mustang Station, creating a true dining destination in Farmers Branch. Our City Council passed a new budget in September that increased revenue and lowered spending, paving the way for a “pay as you go” low-debt future. It includes a federal relief grant of $12 million over two years to help recover from the pandemic. It also reflected increased property values and increased sale taxes for the City, both of which are important indicators of economic vitality. In all, we have made incredible progress on the heels of a world health crisis, from which many American cities are still struggling to recover. Although Farmers Branch may not quite be back to business as usual, we are resilient and optimistic. I am extremely proud of our City’s staff and the manner by which they continue to exceed expectations to make our City in a Park one of the true gems of North Texas, this 75th year or any other. Sincerely,
Charles C. Cox
farmersbranchtx.gov
holiday hours FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24 CHRISTMAS EVE • City facilities closed • Garbage / recycling will be collected SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25 CHRISTMAS DAY • City facilities closed FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31 NEW YEAR’S EVE • Most City facilities open • Historical Park is closed • Rec Center closes at 5 p.m. • Library closes at 6 p.m. • Garbage / recycling will be collected SATURDAY, JANUARY 1 NEW YEAR’S DAY • City facilities closed
Branch Review ahora disponible en español A Spanish version of the monthly Branch Review newsletter will now be available digitally and can be accessed by scanning the QR code or visiting farmersbranchtx.gov/ branchreview.
escanear para
español
OPEN DAILY
November 26- December 21 Monday through Friday: 5 - 7:15 p.m. | 7:30 - 9:45 p.m.
Saturday through Sunday: 12 - 2:15 p.m. | 2:30 - 4:45 p.m. 5 - 7:15 p.m. | 7:30 - 9:45 p.m.
Ice skate outdoors under the blanket of the Texas night sky at Skating Under the Stars opening Friday, November 26 at 5 p.m. at the Children’s Health StarCenter Farmers Branch, 12700 North Stemmons Freeway.
December 22 – January 9 Monday through Sunday:
12 - 2:15 p.m. | 2:30 - 4:45 p.m. 5 - 7:15 p.m. | 7:30 - 9:45 p.m. Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve 12 - 2:15 p.m. | 2:30 - 4:45 p.m.
SCAN TO REGISTER TO SKATE
Admission is $10 for ages 4 and up. Ages 3 and under are free. Ice skate rentals are $5. RESIDENTS RECEIVE FREE ICE RINK ADMISSION ON SUNDAYS* *Farmers Branch residents who provide proof of residency will be able to enjoy “Free Skate Sundays” during the Skating Under the Stars season. Residents only have to pay the skate rental fee if needed. Limit four per household. Dates include November 28, December 5, 12, 19, 26, and January 2, 9.
C H R I S T M A S I N T
Christmas Activities FELIZ NAVIDOG Friday | December 3 | 6 - 8 p.m. Free|Barney Wood Bark Park Join us for a furr-tastic evening at the Bark Park with food, dog friendly vendors and plenty of photo ops! DEC
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Saturday | December 4 | 5 - 9 p.m. | Free | The Grove at Mustang Station The night is filled with a visit from Santa, a fireworks show, amazing stage entertainment, carnival rides, concessions, beer and wine, strolling characters, face painters and balloon artists and holiday shopping vendors. New this year is the lighting of the 50 ft tree!
SANTA & COOKIES AT THE LIBRARY! Wednesday | December 8 | 6 - 8 p.m. All Ages Welcome | Free Celebrate the holidays at the Manske Library. Enjoy delicious treats and Santa Claus! PANCAKES & PAJAMAS Saturday | December 11 | 9 - 11 a.m. $5 Member/$8 Non-member Community Recreation Center Register by December 10
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Saturday | December 11 | 5 - 9 p.m. | Free | The Grove at Mustang Station Celebrate the holiday season by shopping at the Marketplace, Skating Under the Stars, carnival rides, strolling characters, face painters, concessions, beer and wine, and let’s not forget about Santa! Saturday | December 18 | 5 - 9 p.m. | Free | The Grove at Mustang Station Join us for the Holiday Marketplace at The Grove featuring the tastes and tunes of the Latino culture. There will be Santa, shopping and various activities.
Santa & Friends O N
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December 18 | 1 - 4 p.m. Santa and friends are loading up in a fire truck and City vehicles and coming to you! Farmers Branch City staff will be transporting Santa and friends on a special sleigh around neighborhoods in Farmers Branch. When you hear the sound of Christmas cheer, know that Santa’s “sleigh” is near! Grab the kids and neighbors --- Christmas is here! Santa’s route can be found at christmasinthebranch.com.
H E B R A N C H . C O M
Come celebrate the holiday season with your family and friends, and join us for a morning full of holiday cheer! Event festivities include breakfast, craft making, and an opportunity to meet Santa. Don’t forget to wear your holiday pajamas! Register at fbreccenter.com. ART AT THE PARK: AIR DRY CLAY ORNAMENTS Saturday | December 11 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Ages 7 + Farmers Branch Historical Park $50 includes all materials and a snack; space is limited and pre-registration is required. Please bring a sack lunch and water bottle. Artist drop off and pick up via carpool line in the Historical Park’s parking lot. Learn more at fbhistoricalpark.com.
BULK PICK UP schedule
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Christmas Exhibit Tours Saturday | December 4, 11, and 18 | 2:30 p.m.
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Friday | December 10 & 17 | lantern-led at 6:30 p.m. Family Friendly | Farmers Branch Historical Park Free; space is limited and pre-registration is required.
• The highlighted dates indicate the bulk pickup week for December.
You are sure to have a swell time as we harken back to the glitz and glamour of the Jazz Age with the Historical Park’s holiday exhibit, A Celebration of Christmas: The Roaring 20s. Guests will tour several historical structures and get a better understanding of why the 1920s was the bee’s knees.
• During this week, the Green Grabber will pick up bulk items such as furniture, large appliances, brush and other items that cannot be placed in a garbage bag.
A Celebration of Christmas
THE ROARING 20S - PROGRESSIVE POP UP DINNER AT THE PARK Thursday | December 9 | 6:30 - 9 p.m. | Historical Park Ages 18 and up; alcohol provided for 21 + with ID $50 per person; space is limited and pre-registration required. Join us for our third annual progressive pop up dinner as we celebrate the glitz and glamour of the Roaring 1920s. Sample small bites and cocktails as you tour historic structures. The evening concludes with dinner and dessert. The event will require some low-impact walking outdoors.
Utility Billing upgrade
The City’s Finance Department places a priority on safeguarding the privacy of citizens’ online payments. In fact, the City has never maintained a database with customers’ credit card or debit card information, which are often used to process utility bills.
So, we need your help. In 2022, the City will migrate the utility bill-pay function to a new and more advanced software. This upgrade requires that the old system be shut down while the new one is installed. During the month of January 2022, any online automatic bill payment process customers have previously established with the City will be disabled. Any City utility bill received by a customer on or after December 21 will need to be paid either by phone, by mailing in a check, by making the payment in-person at City Hall or by initiating a one-time payment from a bank. The new system will be available starting February 1st and more detailed instructions on how to set up an automatic payment account will be provided in the new year. Thank you for your patience while we upgrade our process and protect your online security. For more information, visit farmersbranchtx.gov/utilitybill or call 972.919.2525.
• The Green Grabber does not pick up glass or garbage bags • Be sure items are not blocked by vehicles, trees, utility poles or other structures. Learn More at farmersbranchtx.gov/brushbulky
holiday grease round up DON’T POUR YOUR holiday GREASE DOWN THE DRAIN - ROUND IT UP AND RECYCLE IT FOR FREE INSTEAD! The holiday season with its delicious buttery foods, and gravy, can be hard on the diet—and on pipes and sewer systems. When fats, oils, and grease are washed down the drain, they stick to the inside of pipes, hardening and building up until they cause clogs and sewer backups. This can cause sewage to overflow into homes, streets, and local waterways. Whether the repairs are in your home or in the street, it can be costly and inconvenient. If the sewer overflows, city crews have to shut down streets, tying up traffic and increasing expenses for both residents and municipalities.
november 22 - january 10 Thur, Fri, Sat - 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
citizen collection center 1399 Valley View Ln.
Instead of washing your grease down the drain, participate in the Holiday Grease Roundup and recycle it for free!