Matt Lafata’s Weekly Community News

January 24, 2008 – Volume 7, Issue 4

matt@mattlafatamarketing.com – www.mattlafatamarketing.com

Last weekend, we took the kids to see Erika’s family in southeast Texas. On our way back up to Frisco, we stopped at Space Center Houston. The kids enjoyed all that the Space Center had to offer and were surprised to learn that the space program, as we know it, will end in 2010, mostly due to lack of funding.

Tuesday marks the 22nd anniversary of the space shuttle Challenger accident. I don’t know about you, but I remember the exact location of where I was when I heard the horrific news. The orbiter was destroyed 73 seconds after liftoff on Jan. 28, 1986 when a rocket booster seal failed, leading to a subsequent fireball and the deaths of all seven astronauts aboard - including Christa McAuliffe, the first school teacher to launch spaceward. 

Additionally, the space shuttle Columbia’s scientific mission was tragically cut short on February 1, 2003, when the shuttle disintegrated during routine re-entry about 39 miles above the earth at a speed of approximately 12,500 miles per hour. All seven crew members aboard the shuttle were killed.  Friday of next week marks the 5 year anniversary of this disaster.

I feel that we are so blessed to live in a country that has had the ability and foresight to have the desire to discover the mysteries of our universe. Many people have sacrificed much, including some who have made the ultimate sacrifice: their lives. I continued to be humbled by the fact that we have had the choice to attempt something that so many thought could never be possible.

This newsletter and information source is designed to bring us all a little closer together each week by providing coverage of so many things going on in our community. There are so many amazing things in this newsletter, as there are every week. Please forward this newsletter to all your friends and neighbors and encourage them to sign up to receive it themselves. They will greatly appreciate you for it as no citizen should be without this important information at their fingertips.  Let’s work to get all Frisco citizens on this list as a more informed society is a more functional society.

If you have questions or have any community events, people or groups you want to recognize, fundraising events, or any newsworthy items you would like to see added and shared with more than forty thousand residents and businesses in Frisco and the surrounding areas, please send me an email so I may include them. The newsletter goes out each Thursday and I need materials by the end of the day on the preceding Wednesday if you want something to be included.

If you received this from somebody else and would like to be added to the list, just send me an email. Your email address will never be sold or given to anybody else for any reason. All newsletters can also be found on our web site at www.mattlafatamarketing.com.

Inspirational Quote of the Week:

"You’re born into this life paying, for the sins of somebody else’s past” – Bruce Springsteen from “Adam Raised A Cain”

For advertising opportunities, please contact sales@mattlafatamarketing.com

As always, this newsletter is absolutely packed with information – something for everyone. There is always something going on in our great city and I try to include everything I can. In this jam packed issue you will find lots of great information. There is something for everyone including the following…

Dallas North Tollway Phase 4 and 5 Progress: 38

Newsletter Staff Members and Contributors

Matt Lafata – Editor and Publisher – 214-336-3355

Kaleigh Lafata – Tornado Talk

Sarah Ianace – Happenings in the

Frisco ISD

Glenn Kopanski – Landscape Design

Pedro Checo – Advice from Dr. Checo

Joe Hockaday, CPA – Today’s Tax Talk From Joe

Citizen of the Month and Neighborhood of the Month Details

If you have a citizen or neighborhood you would like to nominate, please send it to me.

The Citizen of the Month will focus on a person or group in Frisco who has been nominated by another individual. He, she or they could be a person or a group who has recently done something special that contributes to the well-being of our city and/or its citizens, or it could be somebody who has had (or currently has) an interesting career or experiences that could be shared with our readers.

The Neighborhood of the Month will highlight a particular neighborhood in our city. I am looking to hear from you as to why your Neighborhood is so special.

The Citizen of the Month for January is one of our FISD crossing guards. Frisco resident Jennifer Heard nominated this person and here is what she had to say:

“I would like to nominate one of the neatest people in our city to be the citizen of the month for the Frisco Community newsletter.  I have no idea what her name is but she is faithful to show up every school day to help the children of Frisco ISD. 

This beautiful lady is the crossing guard at the corner of Hillcrest and Lebanon on the east side of town. She is energetic and happy to see each and every child that crosses her path.  At one time, both she and her husband worked together for the Frisco ISD but his failing health has resulted in her doing this job with a different partner this year.  You will not pass by her corner during the after/before-school hours without hearing things like "good morning, kids!"  "how ya doing today?"  "alright!!!!"  She even brings cold water bottles for the children during the incredible Texas heat for them to have on their way home. 

This crossing guard is a jewel and my kids (not even in Frisco schools) LOVE to roll down the window and wave to her.  We all should have such a fantastic attitude about our jobs.  She is one of a kind.  Just drive by one day and you will see what I mean.

City of Frisco Related Question of the Week:

Q. The beeping sound at “request to walk” buttons, is this something required by the ADA or just a warning sound?

A. Some of our traffic signals are equipped with audible pedestrian buttons for the blind. The sound directs a blind person to the button and instructs the blind pedestrian when the walk indication comes on.

We have installed these devices on a trial basis because national standards are still being adopted. It is very possible that at some point in the future, audible pedestrian signals will be required at all traffic signals just as wheel chair ramps are now required for new sidewalk construction.

This Day in History – January 24, 1935: First canned beer goes on sale

From the History Channel…

Canned beer makes its debut on this day in 1935. In partnership with the American Can Company, the Gottfried Krueger Brewing Company delivered 2,000 cans of Krueger's Finest Beer and Krueger's Cream Ale to faithful Krueger drinkers in Richmond, Virginia. Ninety-one percent of the drinkers approved of the canned beer, driving Krueger to give the green light to further production.

By the late 19th century, cans were instrumental in the mass distribution of foodstuffs, but it wasn't until 1909 that the American Can Company made its first attempt to can beer. This was unsuccessful, and the American Can Company would have to wait for the end of Prohibition in the United States before it tried again. Finally in 1933, after two years of research, American Can developed a can that was pressurized and had a special coating to prevent the fizzy beer from chemically reacting with the tin.

The concept of canned beer proved to be a hard sell, but Krueger's overcame its initial reservations and became the first brewer to sell canned beer in the United States. The response was overwhelming. Within three months, over 80 percent of distributors were handling Krueger's canned beer, and Krueger's was eating into the market share of the "big three" national brewers--Anheuser-Busch, Pabst and
Schlitz. Competitors soon followed suit, and by the end of 1935, over 200 million cans had been produced and sold.

The purchase of cans, unlike bottles, did not require the consumer to pay a deposit. Cans were also easier to stack, more durable and took less time to chill. As a result, their popularity continued to grow throughout the 1930s, and then exploded during World War II, when U.S. brewers shipped millions of cans of beer to soldiers overseas. After the war, national brewing companies began to take advantage of the mass distribution that cans made possible, and were able to
consolidate their power over the once-dominant local breweries, which could not control costs and operations as efficiently as their national counterparts.

Today, canned beer accounts for approximately half of the $20 billion
U.S. beer industry. Not all of this comes from the big national brewers: Recently, there has been renewed interest in canning from microbrewers and high-end beer-sellers, who are realizing that cans guarantee purity and taste by preventing light damage and oxidation.

January is National Blood Donor Awareness Month:

So far this month we have covered Stalking awareness, Cervical Cancer awareness and Rotary Club awareness…

National Blood Donor Month, which takes place every January, provides an opportunity to encourage individuals to donate blood or pledge to give blood at a time of the year when it is typically in short supply due to the holidays, inclement weather and illness.

For advertising opportunities, please contact sales@mattlafatamarketing.com

Homeowner Association Meetings and Other Group Meetings:

If you have an upcoming meeting that you would like a city official at, just to be available to answer any questions, please let us know. If Matt’s schedule permits, he would love to attend.

Answering Questions for Kids and Young Adults:

As you know, communication and sharing information is something that I spend a lot of time doing. I frequently get asked to answer questions for kids and young adults for school projects or leadership programs. Usually the project involves getting these questions answered from somebody in a leadership position, and as a City Council member, I’m always happy to take the time to do this. If your son or daughter ever needs questions answered from a leadership figure for projects of any kind, please feel free to contact me or have them contact me directly.

Alternatively, if your child is interested in learning more about city government and has questions, feel free to contact me.

Finally, if you are looking for a speaker to talk to a group of kids or young adults about city government or Frisco in general, I’m happy to try and schedule something.

All the opinions, endorsements or recommendations in this newsletter are mine alone and they do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of any organization or group with whom I am affiliated or the individuals who are a part of such organizations and groups.  You should not rely on any statement made in this newsletter as evidenced of how I may act as a member of any organization or group.  Inclusion of news, events and other information in this newsletter does not imply an endorsement; it merely serves as my effort to be of service to the readers.

All About Frisco:

In our continuing efforts to bring information to our great community, we have updated our web site with listings of:

·         Frisco Neighborhoods and Homeowner Associations

·         Churches and other places of Worship

·         Clubs and Organizations

·         The Frisco Independent School District and other Schools

Visit www.friscocommunity.com to access this information and I look forward to your feedback. This site will continue to grow and evolve over time.

Clubs, Groups and Organizations in and around Frisco:

Frisco is home to a very diverse and numerous set of clubs, groups and organizations. If your group or organization is missing, and you would like to get it listed, please send me an email so we can list it and continue to maintain the most comprehensive list available.

 
AARP – 972-335-2478

Alcoholics Anonymous Frisco – 972-708-5086

Allen-Frisco-Plano Autism Spectrum Parent Group

American Cancer Society of Collin County – 214-819-1221

American Legion Post 178

American Red Cross of North Texas – 972-542-5642

Angel Food Ministries – 214-282-5576

AroundTown Kids

Arts of Collin County

Association of Frisco Retired School Personnel – 972-335-3040

Boy Scouts of America – 214-902-6754

Boys and Girls Club

CASA of Collin County – 972-529-2272

Celebrate Recovery – 214-282-5576

Chamber of Commerce

Christian Community Action – 972-436-4357

City of Frisco – 972-292-5000

Collin County – 972-424-1460

Collin County Association of Realtors – 214-618-3800

Collin County Community College

Collin County Community College Education Foundation

Collin County Connection – 214-544-0666

Collin County Early Childhood PTA – 972-712-3634

Collin County Gay and Lesbian Alliance – 214-521-5342

Collin County Genealogy Association – 972-231-4190

Collin County Republican Party

Dallas Athletic Rugby Club

Daughters of the American Revolution – 972-307-5906

Democratic Party of Collin County

Denton County

Downtown Advisory Board – 972-292-5108

Downtown Merchants Association – 972-292-5108

FamilyWatchdog.com

FC Dallas

Frisco A&M Club – 972-897-7765

Frisco American Business Women’s Association (ABWA)

Frisco Al-Anon Family Group – 972-978-8757

Frisco-Allen Texas Area Alumnae Panhellenic

Frisco Area Children’s Theater – 972-377-2675

Frisco Area Republican Women

Frisco Association For the Arts

Frisco Athletic Network

Frisco Bar Association

Frisco Baseball/Softball Organization – 972-712-2288

Frisco Business and Professional Women – 972-377-0335

Frisco Chamber of Commerce

Frisco Chorale

Frisco Community Band – 972-668-5315

Frisco Community Theatre – 972-377-3868

Frisco Convention and Visitors Bureau

Frisco Cycling Club

Frisco Democratic Party

Frisco Dog Park

Frisco Ducks Unlimited – 972-712-5049

Frisco Early Childhood PTA

Frisco Economic Development Corporation – 972-668-5550

Frisco Education Foundation – 469-633-6066

Frisco Family Services Center – 972-335-9495

Frisco Family YMCA – 972-335-3222

Frisco Fire Department – 972-335-5525

Frisco Football League – 972-712-0558

Frisco Garden Club – 972-335-3812

Frisco Gymnastics Center – 972-377-0888

Frisco Humane Society – 972-498-8980

Frisco Independent School District – 469-633-6000

Frisco Kiwanis Club

Frisco Noon Lion’s Club – 972-335-2487

Frisco Music Teachers Association

Frisco Neighborhood Watch

Frisco Police Department – 972-292-6000

Frisco Post Office – 972-335-7453

Frisco Pride

Frisco Public Library

Frisco Quilt Guild

Frisco Republican Men’s Club

Frisco Republicans – 972-335-9176

Frisco Residents of Color

Frisco Rotary Club – 972-701-2801

Frisco RoughRiders

Frisco Soccer Association – 972-712-4625

Frisco Square

Frisco Sunrise Rotary

Frisco Swim Team

Frisco Thunder Professional Football

Frisco Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #8273 – 972-712-5611

Frisco Women’s League – 972-712-8890

Frisco/Plano Christian Women’s Club – 972-668-4464

Frisco Youth Volleyball Leagues

Heritage Association of Frisco – 972-335-6684

Heroes for Children – 214-256-5824

Kids Kaleidoscope

KittiCo Cat Rescue – 214-826-6903

Labrador Retriever Rescue of North Texas

Lewisville Independent School District

Meals on Wheels – 972-562-6996

Miracle League of Frisco

MOMS Club of Frisco – East Central Chapter - 972-712-1789

MOMS Club of Frisco – South Chapter – 214-336-8001

MOMS Club of Frisco – SE Chapter – 214-2272418

MOMS Club of Frisco – SW Chapter – 469-384-8002

MOMS Club of Frisco – West Central Chapter

MOMS Club of Frisco – West Chapter – 214-504-9223

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) – 972-668-7458

North Texas Tollway Authority – 214-461-2000

OU Club of Collin County – 972-797-9708

Overeaters Anonymous – 972-832-5263

Play Pals – 972-839-0312

Senior Center at Frisco Square – 972-292-6550

SPCA of Texas – 972-562-7387

Speak Up – Frisco Toastmasters Group – 972-881-9989

Stonewall Democrats of Collin County

Texas Democratic Women of Collin County

Texas Tornado Hockey

Toastmasters Club of Frisco – 972-712-4611

Visual Arts Guild of Frisco

Volunteer Center of North Texas

Voter Registration Information – Collin County

Voter Registration Information – Denton County

Women Encouraging Business – 972-335-9522

Word of Mouth Productions

WOVI-Frisco: Women of Visionary Influence – 469-252-4528

Young Life Frisco – 972-424-6339

Youth Leadership Frisco

Churches and other Places of Worship in and around Frisco

One of the wonderful things about Frisco is the many diverse religions you can find. If your Church is not listed, please contact me at matt@mattlafata.com so we can list it and continue to maintain the most comprehensive list available.

Apostolic Temple – 972-712-5673

Assembly of God Cornerstone Community Church – 972-335-4704

Celebration Covenant – 214-387-9833

Central Christian Church – 972-377-2608

Church of God in Christ – 972-377-3649

Church of Living Stones – 972-335-3499

Compass Christian Church – 972-335-7546

Congregation B’nai Israel

Cornerstone Christian Reformed Church - 469-362-7844

Cornerstone Community Church – 972-335-4704

Crossroads Community Church – 972-712-0582

Crosswalk Community Church

Faithbridge Presbyterian – 972-377-9560

Fellowship of Frisco – 972-335-1700

First Baptist Church of Frisco – 972-335-9830

First Pentecostal Church – 972-292-3174

First United Methodist – 972-335-4380

Frisco Bible Church – 972-335-8150

Frisco Church of Christ – 972-335-2118

Frisco Trails Fellowship Bible Church – 972-731-5999

Genesis Metro – 469-450-6277

Grace Avenue United Methodist – 972-335-2882

Grace Church - 469-633-9104

Grace Pointe – 972-292-3174

Hamilton Chapel Baptist Church – 972-377-3348

Hope Fellowship – 972-377-8855

Kingdom Life Christian Center – 214-618-1500

Lebanon Baptist Church – 972-377-3348

Liberty Baptist Church – 972-625-3546

Living Waters Family Worship Center – 214-387-9602

Lone Star Baptist Church – 469-358-7089

Newstart Church of the Nazarene – 214-282-5576

Northstar Church – 972-712-8282

Praise Fellowship Worship Center – 214-387-9397

Preston Ridge Baptist Church – 972-712-7007

Preston Trail Community Church – 972-668-1244

Rejoice Lutheran Church – 972-335-6411

Revolution Ministries – 214-649-0623

Rock Hill Church of Christ – 972-346-2710

Shawnee Trail Church of Christ – 972-377-9106

St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church – 972-712-2645

St. Philips Episcopal Church – 214-387-4700

Stonebriar Church of Christ – 972-712-9264

Stonebriar Community Church – 469-252-5000

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints – 972-377-4724

The Journey – 214-529-8873

Turning Point CMA Church – 469-733-3196

Water’s Edge Lutheran Church – 972-712-7377

About Matt Lafata:

Matt Lafata and his wife Erika share six children between the two of them. In January 1999, Mr. Lafata moved to Frisco from Gloucester, MA. Mr. Lafata has helped build several highly successful businesses for more than 20 years. A long-time business consultant, entrepreneur and human resources professional, he is the Director of Business Development with the Frisco-based HR strategy and technology consulting firm HRchitect (www.HRchitect.com). He is also the founder of several marketing and public relations agencies including The Matt Lafata Marketing Group (www.mattlafatamarketing.com). Previously, Mr. Lafata was an Executive Vice President of a computer software company where he was responsible for corporate development, marketing, sales, product development and more. Mr. Lafata studied finance and business management at Salem State College in Salem, Massachusetts.

Mr. Lafata is involved in numerous organizations throughout Frisco. He is in his 2^nd term as a Frisco City Council member and has been involved in the following…

·         Former Deputy Mayor Pro Tem on the Frisco City Council

·         Former Planning & Zoning Commissioner

·         Graduate of Leadership Frisco

·         2005 recipient of the “21 Leaders of the 21^st Century” by Inside Collin County Business

·         Graduate of the Citizen’s Police Academy and a member of the Alumni group

·         Youth sports coach

·         Past board member for the Frisco Family Services Center

·         St. Francis of Assisi Knights of Columbus Member

·         Member of the Frisco Heritage Association

·         Member of the Frisco Association for the Arts

·         Member of the Frisco Community Theatre

·         Community Advisory Board member for the Frisco Women’s League

·         Friends of the Frisco Public Library Member

·         Board member for the Frisco Square Municipal Management District

·         City of Frisco Technology Committee member

·         City of Frisco Budget and Audit subcommittee member

·         Tax Increment Finance board member

·         Wakeland High School PTA Technology/Publicity Committee Chairperson

·         Co-Director of the Mrs. Texas United States Pageant

·         Honorary Chair for World AIDS Day 2007 in Collin County

Since 2001, Matt and his marketing company have produced this very popular e-newsletter that goes out every week to over 40,000 people and businesses which keeps the Frisco community in touch with local events and businesses.

In July 2007, Matt announced his bid for Mayor of Frisco in the May 2008 election. Visit www.matt4mayor.com for more information about his candidacy.

How to “Whitelist” this Frisco Community Newsletter in Your Spam Filter:

With the advent of outrageous volumes of unwanted email these days, of which I get a ton, it's unfortunate that legitimate email publications like this are not being seen by some of the readers who enjoy those publications. There is much fear today that the email publishing/marketing industry is in serious trouble, due to mistakes in filtering when legitimate email is erroneously tagged as unwanted email.

While we applaud the anti-spam industry for removing the plethora of unwanted email from many of our mailboxes, from time to time, some legitimate email publications are mistaken as unwanted.

Sometimes, this results in our mailings bouncing back, with requests for us to respond to challenge/response messages to prevent future filtering. However, due to the size of our list, it's nearly impossible for us handle the volume of such requests.

To that end, please realize that we want our readers to always anticipate and enjoy the valuable information that this community newsletter delivers.

If you currently use an anti-spam program or service, we ask that you take just a minute or two to add this newsletter to your "safe" or permitted email sender list. This usually involves simply adding our sending address (From:) to your whitelist, safelist, or list of privileged senders. This is commonly known as whitelisting a publication. Simply add the email addresses of matt@mattlafata.com and matt@mattlafatamarketing.com.

If you wish to be removed from this list, please send an email to matt@mattlafata.com and simply put the words REMOVE in the subject line.

Any Political Advertising contained in this newsletter is Paid for by Matt Lafata for Mayor - Sarah Ianace, Treasurer, 6061 Pintail Lane, Frisco TX 75034 

Dear Friends,

This week’s newsletter is Proudly Sponsored by the new Homewood Suites by Hilton, Dallas-Frisco, which is located on Parkwood Blvd. They have a special offer on a weekend rate for newsletter readers so treat yourself to a night out. Also check out the Spotlight on The Frisco Bar, which will soon open near Solare Spa and Cafe. A lot of work goes into putting this newsletter together and I greatly appreciate the support of our sponsors so please patronize them wherever possible.

This is a community newsletter, YOUR community newsletter, and as such, I want to encourage you to send me community events as well as write-ups about people or groups who should be recognized and/or commended for what they do or have done. This is a newsletter about Frisco for all of us to play a part in. It is designed to bring our community closer together so please submit stuff to me at any time.

If you have a business, restaurant or a service and are interested in advertising and reaching more than 40,000 individuals and businesses in Frisco and the surrounding areas, please email us at sales@mattlafatamarketing.com for more details on the various options available to you. The newsletter is also included on the web site www.mattlafatamarketing.com and www.frisco-online.com for additional exposure. It’s a great way to promote your business, promote an event at your place of business and is the most cost effective and efficient way to reach a large segment of the Frisco population. You may want to also consider providing a special offer to newsletter readers only.

Newsletter Sponsor – Homewood Suites by Hilton, Dallas-Frisco:

Frisco’s newest addition, the Homewood Suites by Hilton, Dallas-Frisco has just recently opened its doors to welcome residents and guests of the Frisco area.  Owned and managed by locally based Magnolia Lodging, this extended stay hotel provides guests with a full complement of services and amenities including a complimentary Suite Start hot breakfast daily, complimentary shuttle service within a 5-mile radius, executive business center complete with printer, pc and fax and a private landscaped courtyard with heated outdoor free form pool and spa. Included within each spacious one or two bedroom suite are amenities such as complimentary high-speed internet access, LCD televisions with over 100 premium channels, DVD player, fully equipped kitchens and separate, private bedrooms.

From the lobby to each suite, this 21^st century designed hotel is exquisitely adorned with modern furnishings and artwork from such artists as Beatriz Milhazes and Jay Shinn.

Beginning in January, the Homewood Suites by Hilton, Dallas-Frisco is inviting all residents of Frisco to experience a *weekend stay for $89.00 per night. “We are excited to become a part of Frisco and are dedicated to providing exceptional service and accommodations to every guest” says Michelle K. White, Director of Sales.

To make a reservation, guests may visit the hotel’s website at www.dallasfrisco.homewoodsuites.com, dial 1-800-CALL-HOME, or contact the hotel directly at 214-618-0111. For a personalized tour please visit the hotel at 3240 Parkwood Boulevard. (*offer is valid until February 24, 2008; offer based on availability; residents must show proof of residency at time of check-in; weekend nights are defined as a Friday or Saturday evening stay;© 2008 Hilton Hospitality, Inc.)

Spotlight on…The Frisco Bar:

This interview was conducted with Von Best, my good friend and Owner of the soon to be open The Frisco Bar” located adjacent to his wife Rosanne’s combination California café and elegantly “cool” spa known as Solare Spa & Café.

Von, I know you and Rosanne are very active in the Frisco community with Solare Spa & Café, the Boys and Girls Club of Collin County, your church and more. Why open the Frisco Bar?

Matt, simply put I wanted to create a place where I could go and meet friends, have a bite of well-prepared food, drink a nice cold draft or perhaps a martini and feel comfortable. Many of “the” places Rosanne and I visit are too noisy, too “club like” and not conducive to having a good conversation with a friend. It made sense to open The Frisco Bar in my own neighborhood because I really wanted to create an environment where old friends meet and new friends can be found. To offer a place locally where individuals and friends can gather, to be entertained, to drop in simply for a bite to eat or a drink, where they feel welcomed and at home, that is my ultimate goal.

That sounds fantastic and I am looking forward to its opening! Speaking of that, what can people expect?

With our tagline “Frisco’s Finest Neighborhood Retreat” I wanted to be sure to create an environment that is classy yet comfortable. Plus combining an old neighborhood feel with a modern day look was important to me. Imagine dark, distressed woods, copper accents on the bar along with cobalt blue lighted glass. Our bar stools are distressed wood with fine leather seats and our soft seating areas include cobalt blue velvet sofas, mustard leather chairs along with dark brown leather winged back chairs. And we will have a thirty-seat patio area too. Combine all that with a distressed wood floor, eight plasma screens, a dart board area, a beautiful carved wood shuffle board along with a super friendly staff who won’t rush you out the door and the best burger or sirloin sandwich you’ll ever eat and a fantastic martini, you’ve got The Frisco Bar.

So you’ll be serving food too?

Absolutely. The Frisco Bar menu items will include “killer” burgers, sirloin steak sandwiches, California style fish and chips, clams and chips, tenderloin nachos and other high-end bar type food. We’ll also offer Solare chicken wraps, fish tacos and other Solare favorites as some of our healthy fare menu offerings.

I’m getting hungry just talking about this. So with the number of new restaurants and bars opening in Frisco, what will make The Frisco Bar different?

We wanted to create a place for all types of people in all types of modes. If someone feels like meeting up with friends to play darts or shuffleboard then they can do that. If others feel like relaxing on our sofas with friends enjoying a glass of wine and conversation we offer that too. Or if you are alone and feel like connecting with others while you have something to eat and or a beverage that’s okay as well. The Frisco Bar is a place where people can meet their friends or neighbors and gather in a classy spot right here in the neighborhood. The suburbs don’t offer this kind of gathering place and I wanted to offer it. As I stated previously it’s where I hope that “Old Friends meet and new friends are found.”

Von, one of my passions is music. Will your place offer live music?

You bet. We’ll offer live music on the weekends with a special focus upon local musicians on Sundays. Our hours will generally be Monday, Wednesday, Thursdays and Fridays 4pm until midnight, weekends from eleven am until midnight. We’ll also be featuring a movie night on Wednesdays where you may watch classics if you desire with subtitles.  We’ll offer viewing of important sporting events throughout the week and music video concerts on Thursdays.  All this will be going on and you can enjoy them or focus upon something or someone else! Look us up at www.TheFriscoBar.com for our schedule of events when we open.

Thanks so much for your time, Von. I look forward to your grand opening and wish you the greatest of success. When do you expect to open?

We hope to open by the end of February but as you know the construction process can be unpredictable at times. I’ll be sure to keep you posted.

Please Register To Vote:

We have a very important election in May of 2008 where we will elect a new Mayor of the City of Frisco for the first time since 2002.

If you are not registered in the City of Frisco, please take the time to register to vote, so that you can participate in this very important election. You need to register in Frisco if you have moved from outside the city and you also need to register if you have moved from Collin County to Denton County and vice versa.

For voter registration information, click on the county where you reside.
Denton County or call 940-349-3200
Collin County or call 972-547-1990

You can also visit the City Secretary’s office at City Hall to get a voter registration card.

Collin County Songwriters Association News:

Frisco composer, songwriter and filmmaker, C. Aaron Moore has released a new EP (five song release) into digital distribution.  The EP is entitled “MindNumbing Overtures and Preludes” and includes diverse instrumental tracks, from light jazz to techno.  He is known for his inventive use of keyboard synthesizers to create evocative ambient/emotronic soundscapes, perfect for soundtracks.  Mr. Moore often plays locally with his backup band, The Issues.  He is a graduate of the University of North Texas Radio, TV, and Film program.  You can acquire the tracks from www.Myspace.com/mentallycranked.

Performing songwriter, author, speaker and “Alpha Gigster,” Ryan Michael Galloway, has also released his latest EP into digital distribution.  Titled “Rock the Big House Down,” it is immediately available at the “set your own price” MP3 download site, www.Songslide.com.  The physical CD will be available at CDBaby.com in a few weeks, and CD download distribution will be available from Walmart.com, Amazon.com, ITunes, etc., in a few months. While the titular track is a high energy rock anthem, the remaining four songs feature rich harmonies and tasty acoustic work with intimate singer/songwriter vocals.  The songs have been getting approximately 3000 plays a day at www.Myspace.com/ryanmgalloway, where you can also give them a listen.  According to Myspace, Ryan is currently ranked the 7th top acoustic independent artist in Texas, and number 9 in the Folk Rock category.  Mr. Galloway’s new music career DVD and textbook package, “Live Sound,” is also available at http://www.gigsterclinics.com/livesound.

Mardi Gras Frisco 2008:

LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL … for an evening you won't want to miss at the

3rd Annual Mardi Gras Frisco 2008   Friday, February 1, 2008 from

7PM to 12:30AM, at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, Frisco, Texas. Party the night away at the hottest event in town This year we will again feature "The Cajun Sensation", Hunter Hayes (from Breaux Bridge, LA ) and the Louisiana Hot band.  Hunter plays a variety of music from Cajun to Country, to Rock, to Blues.  Other entertainment includes street/courtyard performers, a Jazz Band, and the world famous ( O.K. famous in Frisco) Reverse Raffle with $8,000 in total prizes including $6,000 for the winner.  The food will also be even better than last year