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Matt Lafata’s Weekly Community News
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February 29, 2008 – Volume 7, Issue 9 |
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Kenny Cooper (left) and Drew Moor pose with
Matt Lafata at this week’s FC Dallas Uniform unveiling. Erika and I attended the event Wednesday
night at the Verizon Wireless Club. FC Dallas did a great job
with the event and we are looking forward to a great season. The
season opener is March 30 and you can visit
www.fcdallas.com to learn
more and purchase tickets for the upcoming season.
Hurry! Only one week left!!! The Frisco
Family Services Center Presents Your Chance to Win a Car. Their
upcoming Gala, which is their biggest fundraiser of the year,
takes place on March 8. The evening will conclude when one lucky
person will be the winner of a 200 Audi TT courtesy of Frisco
Family Services Center in partnership with Boardwalk Audi.
Tickets are $100 and only 750 tickets will be sold. You do not
need to be present to win and you can purchase your ticket at
www.friscocenter.org Mornings with Matt: I’m always looking for more ways to
communicate and reach out to citizens and an idea that I have
had for a long time is to pick a day each week where I hang out
at a local coffee house and just have an open forum with anybody
who wants to come by. We recently started doing this each
Wednesday morning from 7:30-8:30 at It’s A Grind located at the
Shops at Starwood (SW corner of Lebanon and the Dallas North
Tollway). The owner, Marchand Froschheuser, is a Frisco resident
and dear friend and I hope you will support her business any
chance you get and stop by on Wednesdays to talk about issues
facing our great city, or really anything for that matter. 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, rented, or given to anybody
else for any reason as your privacy is of the utmost importance
to me. All newsletters can also be found on our web site at
www.mattlafatamarketing.com. Inspirational Quote of the Week: "When God calls you to do something, he
enables you to do it. - Robert Schuller 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, quite frankly the
biggest issue ever, you will find lots of great information.
There is something for everyone including the following…
Matt
Lafata’s Weekly Community News
1
Newsletter
Sponsor – DeBonair Custom Cleaning:
2
Advantage
Storage Special Offer for Newsletter Readers:
5
Twice As
Nice MOPS Consignment Sale:
5
Last Chance
to Purchase FRISCOPOLY:
5
Frisco
Thunder Talk…by Junior Report, Kaleigh Lafata:
6
The Thunder
is Back! Get Your Tickets Now:
6
Frisco
Thunder Official Newsletter:
7
DFW Family
Hope Seeking Host Families for Spring 2008 Orphan Camp:
7
Frisco
Residents of Color Presents its 2nd Annual Garage Sale “Spring
Shopping Fling”:
7
Frisco
Humane Society is Having a “Spring Cleaning” Yard Sale:
8
Garage Sale
to Benefit Youth Mission Trip:
8
Garage Sale
for Katy Parkinson:
8
Bright
Elementary School Hosts 4th Annual Sock Hop:
9
Sparks
Elementary Book Fair:
9
Curtsinger
Elementary 3rd Annual Sock Hop and Silent Auction:
9
Frisco
Retired School Personnel:
9
Centennial
High School Baseball Booster Club Opening Day Celebration:
10
Dallas
Therapy Offering Social Skills Groups for Preschool and
Elementary Age Children:
10
Frisco HS
Offers Soccer Clinics:
10
Centennial
High School Girls and Boys Soccer Mini Clinic:
10
US Youth
Soccer Olympic Development Program National Championships to be
Played in Frisco:
11
Frisco
Women’s League Hosting 3rd Annual Mother-Daughter Tea:
11
Family
Symphony Sundays! - A Fun, Interactive Concert Series for
Families!
12
DBU-North
Information Session / Open House: Monday, March 17, at 5:45
p.m.:
12
Frisco
Flyers Fourth Annual Golf Tournament:
12
Frisco
Family Services Center Gala 2008 Deep In the Heart of Frisco
Just Weeks Away:
13
Frisco High
School Choir Booster Club Presents...A Spring Shopping Fair:
13
Plano
Symphony Orchestra Presents “Multi-Media World Salute to Young
Artists”:
14
CCBT Gala
"Unmask The Night" April 5, 2008:
15
Hippity
Hoppity, Frisco’s Easter Eggstravaganza is on its way!:
15
FISD: 2008
Teen Court Summer Internship Program:
15
Frisco
Aquatics Needs Your Help:
16
Einstein
Kidz March Events - Webkinz Workshops:
16
Fifth Annual
Teachers on Ice:
16
National
League of Junior Cotillions – Frisco Chapter:
17
Frisco
Community Band Spring Concert:
17
Are you
Raising a Child that it's not your own?:
18
Frisco
Residents of Color (FROC) “Tranquility by the Glass” Event:
18
“The Glass
Slipper” A Cinderella Story:
18
Donna Ross
School of Classical Ballet:
19
Frisco City
Ballet - Interdisciplinary Classical Ballet Summer Camp:
20
Frisco
Career Opportunity of the Week - sponsored by
CareersInFrisco.com:
20
Sign-up
Underway for Citizen Police and Fire Programs:
20
Financial
Peace University:
21
“Kids in the
Kitchen” Fighting Childhood Obesity:
22
FWL 3rd
Annual Carter BloodCare Blood Drive:
22
Rolater
Water Line Construction - Lane Closures:
23
March Events
and Programs at Stonebriar Centre:
24
Newcomer
Friends of Greater Plano Upcoming Program:
25
Visual Arts
Guild of Frisco 2008:
26
Frisco A&M
Club Feb Events:
27
RoughRiders
to Honor Local Student Athletes:
28
Eyes of
Texas and Indoor Football will be upon Frisco Saturday Night:
29
Thunder
Announces Broadcasting Partnership with Sports Kings:
30
Landscape
Design/Detail (Late February - Early March):
30
Advice From
Dr. Checo – Labels:
33
Collin
County Ballet Theatre Announces “Dancing Through Time”:
34
Treasure
Island a Musical Adventure by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy:
35
Bicycle
Safety Encouraged by Frisco Pediatrician:
36
Frisco
Square Starts New Building for Starbucks:
36
HRchitect
Announces Third Annual Texas Talent Management & HR Systems
Regional Expo:
37
1st Annual
Rover Rally 2008:
38
Misty
McMillan, Realtor® has Pledged Contributions to Children’s
Miracle Network:
39
City Seeking
Input on Public Transit Study:
39
Spring
Frisco Fun Guide Available Soon!:
39
Computer
Cleaning Tips from The Knowledgeable Nerd:
40
Show
Emergency Workers You Care – Slow Down or Move Over:
42
TCEQ
Announces Proposed Changes to Air Quality Permits:
42
Dallas North
Tollway Phase 4 & 5 Progress Report:
43 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. City of Frisco Related Question of the
Week: Q. With the passage of new
federal law in 2005 allowing towns to take proactive measures to
create “quiet zones” I’d like to understand what steps our city
representatives are taking to create a quiet zone for train
whistle noise. Over the past several months train whistle noise
in the early morning hours has become significantly worse. I’ve
seen posts dating back to January 2006 saying this issue was
being evaluated, but no update since then. A. The City is anxious to
establish a Quiet Zone on the BNSF railroad south of Eldorado
Parkway. This Quiet Zone will silence all train horns between
Eldorado Parkway and the DNT (Dallas North Toll-way) except in
emergencies. This Day in History – February 28, 1953:
Watson and Crick Discover Chemical Structure of DNA From the History Channel… On this day in 1953, Cambridge University
scientists James D. Watson February is National Children’s Dental
Health Month:
So far this month we have covered
AMD/Low Vision Awareness, American Heart Month and Congenital
Heart Defect Awareness… Each February, the American Dental
Association sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to
raise awareness about the importance of oral health. Developing good habits at an early age and
scheduling regular dental visits helps children get a good start
on a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Whether you’re a member of the dental team,
a teacher or a parent, the ADA has free online resources that
can help you with oral health presentations, ideas for the
classroom and coloring and activity sheets that can be used as
handouts. Visit the
American Dental Association web site for more information. 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.
Alcoholics Anonymous
Frisco – 972-708-5086
Allen-Frisco-Plano
Autism Spectrum Parent Group
American Cancer Society of Collin County – 214-819-1221
American Red Cross of North
Texas – 972-542-5642
Angel Food Ministries
– 214-282-5576
Association of Frisco Retired School Personnel – 972-335-3040
Boy Scouts of
America – 214-902-6754
CASA of Collin County – 972-529-2272
Celebrate Recovery
– 214-282-5576
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
Event Professionals – 214-542-1317
Collin County Gay and Lesbian
Alliance – 214-521-5342
Collin County Genealogy Association – 972-231-4190
Collin County
Republican Party
Daughters of the American Revolution – 972-307-5906
Democratic Party of Collin
County
Downtown Advisory Board – 972-292-5108
Downtown Merchants
Association – 972-292-5108
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 Association For the
Arts
Frisco Baseball/Softball
Organization – 972-712-2288
Frisco Business and
Professional Women – 972-377-0335
Frisco Community
Band – 972-668-5315
Frisco
Community Theatre – 972-377-3868
Frisco Convention and
Visitors Bureau
Frisco Ducks Unlimited –
972-712-5049
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 Noon Lion’s Club
– 972-335-2487
Frisco Music
Teachers Association
Frisco Police Department
– 972-292-6000
Frisco Post Office –
972-335-7453
Frisco
Republicans – 972-335-9176
Frisco Rotary Club –
972-701-2801
Frisco Soccer Association
– 972-712-4625
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
KittiCo Cat Rescue –
214-826-6903
Labrador Retriever
Rescue of North Texas
Lewisville Independent School
District
Meals on Wheels – 972-562-6996
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
Toastmasters Club of
Frisco – 972-712-4611
Volunteer Center
of North Texas
Voter Registration Information – Collin County
Voter Registration Information – Denton County
Women Encouraging
Business – 972-335-9522
WOVI-Frisco: Women of
Visionary Influence – 469-252-4528
Young Life Frisco
– 972-424-6339 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
Cornerstone Christian
Reformed Church - 469-362-7844
Cornerstone Community Church
– 972-335-4704
Crossroads Community Church – 972-712-0582
Destiny’s Place Ministries – 972-712-1130
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 Masjid –
972-898-8691
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
Harvest
Church International – 214-632-4581
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 Frisco Neighborhoods and Homeowner
Associations:
If your HOA or neighborhood is not listed, please contact me
at matt@mattlafata.com
so we can list it and continue to maintain the most
comprehensive list available. For a map of where each HOA is
located, along with contact information for each HOA, visit the
City of Frisco HOA Directory
Autumn Park
Coventry Oaks
Creekside at Stonebriar
Crestview
Cypress Creek
Estates on Legacy
Frisco Heights
Golden Gate Village
Hickory Springs
Hickory Street Village
Hillcrest Highlands
Hillcrest Lebanon/Cecile Place
Hillcrest Lebanon/Hillcrest Meadows
Hillcrest Lebanon/Smith Estates
Kings Garden
Kings Ridge
Lakes on Legacy
Lakes of Preston Vineyard
Parkside Estates
Plantation Estates
Preston Estates
Presto\n Gables
Preston Glen
Preston Lakes/Lakes of Hillcrest
Preston Manor
Preston Oaks
Preston Ridge
Preston Trace Estates
Quail Meadow Village
Red Bud Estates
Russwood Acres
Saddlebrook Village
Shenandoah
Village/Villages of Stonebriar Park
Shepherds Hill
Stonebriar
Stonebriar Country Club Estates
Stonelake Estates West
Stonebrook Estates
The Chase at Stonebriar
The Creeks on Coit
The Enclave at Stonebriar Creek Estates
The Villas/Lakes on Legacy
The Vintage/Lakes on Legacy
Townhomes of Tuscany Square
Tuscany Meadows
Villages of Lake Brook Farms
Villages of Stonebriar Park
Villages of Willow Bay
Woodstream Hills Bios of Erika and Matt Lafata: Erika and Matt Lafata are a great team
and enjoy a great marriage and life partnership. Together they
try to do everything they can to give back to the community.
They are involved in so many things together and in fact, they
have even been referred to as “The Dynamic Duo” by a fellow
Frisco City Council member! 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 2nd
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 21st
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. About Erika Lafata:
After winning a local Lions Club contest for her numerous
achievements during her high school career, Erika volunteered as
the contest director for the next 9 years. During that same
time, she was given the license for four years to produce a
local preliminary to Donald Trump's Miss USA©/Miss Teen USA©
state preliminaries, Miss
Texas USA© & Miss Texas Teen USA©.
She has the distinct honor of having two local winners win the
highly competitive Miss Texas Teen USA© competition title
back-to-back in 2001 & 2002, with one eventually becoming 3rd
runner up to Miss Teen USA©
2001. Erika has
judged, been a
coach/mentor to contestants, emceed and consulted
numerous like-contests. Working with young women to
develop their potential has always been a passion of hers.
Erika was a
charter member
and former Vice President and
twice Past
President of the Bay City Coastal Lions Club,
where she also served on the
District 2S-4
Governor’s Cabinet in Publicity/Marketing.
She spent a lot of time traveling around the state speaking to
various groups about the humanitarian causes of
Lions Clubs
International. |
