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Matt Lafata’s Weekly Email Newsletter |
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March 8, 2007 – Volume 6, Issue 10 |
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Pictured with Erika and I are good friends Steve and Jan Smith at the Frisco Family Services Center Gala last weekend. As a former board member for the organization, I know how much work goes into planning this huge fundraiser. A heartfelt “thank you” all those who were involved in any way – whether volunteers, attendees, board members, or people who donated items for the auctions.
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 thirty-five 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:
“Life without a purpose is a languid, drifting thing; every day we ought to review our purpose, saying to ourselves, 'This day let me make a sound beginning” -Thomas Kempis
For advertising opportunities, please contact sales@mattlafatamarketing.com
In this jam packed issue you will find lots of great information. There is something for everyone including the following…
Matt Lafata’s Weekly Email Newsletter 1 Newsletter Sponsor – DeBonair Custom Cleaning: 2 Spotlight on…Pros vs. Prospects Tornado Charity Classic: 3 Mrs. Texas United States® Pageant – Be a Part of It: 4 Frisco Association of Concerned Taxpayers Launch Petition Drive For Late Night Hours Initiative: 5 Upcoming Lane Closure for Parkwood Drive: 5 Tornado Talk…by Junior Sports Reporter, Kaleigh Lafata: 6 Salon M is Now Offering –The Newest Wave in CELLULITE Treatment: 6 The Embassy Suites Frisco Presents Champagne Easter Brunch: 7 Loving Expressions Seeking Sponsors: 8 Northridge Subdivision Community Garage Sale: 8 Heritage Green Community Garage Sale: 8 The Circus is Coming to Frisco: 8 Special Needs Free Circus Event: 9 Life Fellowship – Relationships 101: 9 An Evening of Rising Stars!: 9 Frisco High School Choir Booster Club Presents...A Spring Shopping Fair: 10 Community Emergency Response Team Classes: 11 Third Annual Frisco Special Olympics Golf Tournament: 11 Looking for Donations – Fisher Elementary Spring Carnival: 12 Family Art Night at Sem Elementary: 12 Frisco Rotary Club’s Annul Tee Off For Kids Golf Tournament: 12 Golf Tournament Benefiting the Frisco Ballet: 13 Grace Avenue United Methodist Church Presents, “The Questions on the Table”: 14 Spring Fling! Manicures & Pedicures for all!: 14 Citizens Police Academy Class 21 Begins on March 22: 14 Centennial High School Girls Soccer Mini-Clinic and Upcoming Games: 15 Miss Hemisphere – Hemisphere Cover Girl & Boy Pageant: 15 Frisco Netweavers - Netweaving not Networking: 16 “A Class on Class” by Joy Weaver: 16 Hector and Friends---The Four Seasons!: 17 Collin County Council on Family Violence Business Summit: 17 Arts of Collin County Public Forum to be held March 21st: 17 Frisco Aquatics Swimmers Prepare for Swim-A-Thon 2007: 18 The CLUB Grand Opening/Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: 19 Use Your Coupons and Donate FREE Food to the Food Pantry (Frisco Family Services Center): 19 Want to “Tee It” Up For a Round of Golf at Craig Ranch?” 20 PGA Tour Superstore to Host 1st Annual Dallas Junior Golf Expo: 20 Calling On All Aggie Volunteers and Sponsors: 21 Equine Angels First Annual Golf Tournament at Plantation Golf Club: 21 Calling All Local Cancer Survivors: 23 Daylight Savings Time and Problems With Microsoft Outlook Calendars: 23 Update From Recent Planning and Zoning Meeting: 26 Underwater Scuba Game to Benefit Youth Foundation: 27 “Trees of the Year” and “Best New or Unique Environmental Project” Contests: 28 FISD Students Honored at Youth Art Month State Capitol Exhibit 2007: 29 St. Philip’s Episcopal Announces Holy Week Schedule: 29 Upcoming Events at Stonebriar Mall: 29 Capitol Steps by Rep. Ken Paxton: 33
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.
Matt’s Blog - Blog - an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page – LAST UPDATED 1/30/07
Newsletter Staff Members and Contributors
Matt Lafata – Editor and Publisher – 214-336-3355
Kaleigh Lafata – Tornado Talk
Sarah Ianace – Happenings in Frisco ISD
Glenn Kopanski – Landscape Design
Pedro Checo – Advice from Dr. Checo
Joe Hockaday, CPA – Today’s Tax Talk From Joe!:
State Representative Ken Paxton -- Capitol Steps
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 has been chosen for March and will be unveiled next week.
The Citizen of the Month will focus on a person in Frisco who has been nominated by another individual. He or she could be a person 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.
Please send an email to community@mattlafatamarketing.com to nominate and explain why a Frisco citizen or a neighborhood should be honored with this monthly recognition.
“Dear Neighbor” Column:
Hi Neighbors, in attempt to assist The City of Frisco Residents with their Spring Projects this newsletter would like to start a ‘Dear Neighbor’ column for questions and inquiries about home improvements. Such improvements might include questions regarding accessory buildings, sheds, patio covers, gazebos, fences (new or replacements) foundation repairs, re-roofing projects, arbors, room additions or alterations, tall grass, trash, outdoor kitchens, fire-pits, spas and pools.
It would be something similar to the famous ‘Dear Abby’ or ‘Heloise’ column, where readers submit their questions or concerns and the response is printed in this newsletter. This newsletters’ reader’s, as the citizens of Frisco, will be able to ask for information in regards to home improvements, general building practices and property nuisances.
So, if you have questions or home improvements, general building practices property nuisances or any newsworthy items you would like to ask and have shared with all our readers, please send them to me at community@mattlafatamarketing.com so I may include them.
Question of the Week:
Q. I am in the process of seeking a contractor to put in a retaining wall to level my backyard. Do I need any special engineering report from the City in order to build a wall about 4'6" tall?
A. Any retaining wall in excess of three in height is required to be designed by a structural engineer to make sure it will support the loads placed upon it. The City may be able to provide a geotechnical soils report to assist your contractor or engineer in the design of the retaining wall. We can also provide a grading and drainage plan to ensure that your improvements do not impact adjacent properties. Contact the Building Inspection Department at 972 292-5301 if you have any questions.
Wine Question of the Day:
Since we enjoy a glass of wine from time to time, we have become more fascinated with wine in general and in trying to learn more about wine. This week’s question…
Q. What is “Cabernet Sauvignon”?
A. Often called the "king" of red grapes, cabernet sauvignon is, along with merlot, the famous grape of Bordeaux, and is also grown in other renowned wine regions throughout the world including California, Washington state, Italy, Australia, and Chile. Cabernet sauvignon possesses what can be an impressive structure along with deep, rich cassis flavors.
Featured holiday of the week
March 8 is International Women’s Day… International Women's Day marks the role of women in both the past and the present. a day commemorated at and appointed by the United Nations and recognized internationally for the purpose of taking time to remember and celebrate the many milestones marked by women’s achievements around the world, especially in the advancement of equality, justice and peace. This day is basically a celebration of womanhood- the privilege of being a woman.
This day is not like Valentine’s Day, which is a celebration. It was started to highlight the importance of working women and bring to light their problems. Thus women must come together and emancipate themselves and this is not a one-day agenda. However using such an occasion to start the process is welcome.
This day is a great way to honor the many
women in our lives- mothers, sisters, wives, daughters — everyone should
be made to feel special.
Here are a few ways by which you can mark the cause:
1. Think about all those women, living and
dead, who have helped in their own way to shape your life. Do something
they (or at least a few of them) would have liked.
8. Last but of course not the least is the
feeling that originates from within-remember the hardships in general
and discrimination in particular that plagues the womankind and mars
their overall well-being because to progress (in life), one needs a
discrimination-free existence. After all, we mere mortals should not
take the liberty to judge a person superior or inferior.
This Day in Disney History – March 8 and March 9
Being big fans of Disney, I thought I would include a little bit of Disney history…
March 8
1859: Author Kenneth Grahame is born in Edinburgh, Scotland. His most famous story The Wind in the Willows will be re-told in Disney's 1949 animated feature The Adventures of Icahbod and Mr. Toad. His 1898 children's book The Reluctant Dragon will serve as the key element for Disney's 1941 feature film The Reluctant Dragon.
1924: Actor Sean McClory is born in Dublin, Ireland. His Disney credits include the live-action features The Gnome-Mobile, The Happiest Millionaire, and Follow Me Boys!.
1945: Emmy Award-winning composer Bruce Broughton, whose music can be heard throughout the Disney theme parks and in Disney's The Rescuers Down Under, is born in Los Angeles, California. His Disney theme park projects include The Timekeeper/From Time to Time, Honey I Shrunk the Audience, and The Making of Me. He also conducted and supervised the recording of Gershwin’s "Rhapsody in Blue" for Fantasia 2000.
1986: The Pirates of the Caribbean and Alice's Tea Party attractions both open in Tokyo Disneyland.
1987: The television series The Wonderful World of Disney airs "Big Foot."
2001: Disney On Ice begins a 4-day engagement at the Tri-Cities Coliseum in Kennewick, Washington.
2006: Actress Rhoda Williams - the voice of Drizella in Disney's 1950 animated feature Cinderella - passes away at age 75 in Oregon. A star of radio, television, and movies, Williams appeared on such programs as Dragnet, Ironside, The Twilight Zone, Marcus Welby, M.D. and General Hospital.
March 9
1911: Animator & Disney Legend John Lounsbery, one of Walt's "Nine Old Men," is born in Cincinnati, Ohio. (His vast contributions include Fantasia, Cinderella, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.)
1955: On ABC-TV, Disneyland airs "Man in Space," the first of a 3-part series about space travel. The show features Walt Disney, animator Ward Kimball (the director of the series), and scientists Willy Ley, Heinz Haber, and Wernher von Braun (who will later be one of the leaders in the American space program). The show is narrated by Dick Tufeld (who will later be known as the voice of the robot on the TV series Lost in Space). The next two parts "Man and the Moon" and "Mars and Beyond" will be aired over the next few years. (The Disney "science factual" series will be very influential in drumming up support in the U.S. for a manned space project.)
1984: Touchstone Pictures (part of the Disney family) releases its first film, Splash (directed by Ron Howard and starring Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, and John Candy.) Touchstone Pictures has been created to allow Disney to produce non-G-rated movies. In a scene from Splash, Madison (played by Hannah) is at Bloomingdales' electrical department when she passes television sets playing Disney's 1979 The Black Hole and the 1954 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.
Roy E. Disney resigns from the central board of the Walt Disney Company, setting in motion a series of takeover bids and maneuvering that by August will actually leave him in control of the company.
1985: Tokyo Disneyland's Main Street Electrical Parade debuts. It is basically a carbon copy of the original Disneyland parade.
1986: Actress Brittany Snow, who appears in Disney's 2005 comedy feature The Pacifier, is born in Tampa, Florida. She also took part in the short-lived TV series Walt Disney World Inside Out.
1994: Previews begin for Disney's newest Broadway stage show Beauty and the Beast. (Opening night will be April 18.)
1997: Walt Disney Records hosts an exclusive event for NARM (National Association of Recording Merchandise) '97 Convention attendees in Disney World's Tomorrowland.
2001: Disney Channel's original movie, The Luck of the Irish airs. (It will be the network's highest-rated original movie in the past three years.)
2004: Disney's Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo is released on DVD.
2006: Movie fans catch a sneak peek of Pixar's new computer-animated feature Cars. Disney offers the World Premiere of the new theatrical trailer on a variety of broadcast outlets, basic cable channels, internet sites, and in person at the Disney Theme Parks, ESPN Zones, Disney Stores, and on the ABC SuperSign in Times Square in New York City.
This Day in Music History – March 8 and March 9:
Since Erika and I are very passionate about our music, I thought we’d start including some music history here in the newsletter…
March 8
1999 - Bill Sammeth files suit against Cher, charging that she owes him a 15% personal manager's fee involving the proceeds of "Believe," her hit single. Sammeth says he masterminded her comeback as a recording artist, but after 22 years he was "unceremoniously terminated" just before the Super Bowl gig he claims he got her.
1993 - Bandleader Billy Eckstein dies in Pittsburgh of complications from a stroke. He is 78. Among the musicians he recruited for his orchestra were Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro, Miles Davis and Art Blakey. His million-selling records include ``My Foolish Heart'' and ``I Apologize.''
1974 - Bad Company gives its debut performance in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England.
1973 - Paul McCartney is arrested for growing marijuana on his farm in Scotland.
1973 - Ron ``Pigpen'' McKernan of the Grateful Dead dies of a stomach hemorrhage.
1971 - Radio Hanoi broadcasts Jimi Hendrix's ``Star Spangled Banner.'' The tape is sent by Abbie Hoffman.
1968 - The Fillmore East opens in New York City.
1958 - Gary Numan is born in Hammersmith, England. His only song to make the Hot 100 is ``Cars,'' a No. 9 song in 1980.
1945 - Mickey Dolenz of the Monkees is born in Tarzana, Calif. The Monkees have three million-selling No. 1 songs: ``Last Train to Clarksville'' (1966), ``I'm a Believer'' (1966-67) and ``Daydream Believer'' (1967).
March 9
2000 - Ricky Martin and Cher are named most successful international male and female artists, respectively, at the year's Echo Awards, the German equivalent of the Grammys.
1999 - First ladies of hip-hop Salt-N-Pepa embark on their first North American tour in four years in Indianapolis.
1998 - Olivia Newton-John previews a song from her forthcoming MCA album, "Back With A Heart," at New York's Bottom Line. She joins Victoria Shaw onstage to sing "Love Is A Gift."
1997 - Bad Boy Entertainment rapper Notorious B.I.G. is killed in a drive-by shooting in the early morning hours outside a party in Los Angeles thrown by two prominent music industry magazines. Police have no suspects.
1995 - Rapper T-Bone is acquitted of murder charges in Torrance, Calif.
1987 - Carole King is inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City.
1975 - Elvis Presley begins his final recording session at RCA's Hollywood studios.
1972 - James Taylor, Carole King and Barbra Streisand perform a benefit concert for Democratic presidential candidate George McGovern.
1948 - Soul singer/songwriter/drummer Jeffrey Osborne is born in Providence, R.I. He is the lead singer of L.T.D. until 1980.
1933 - Lloyd Price is born in Kenner, La. His first recording is the No. 1 R&B hit ``Lawdy Miss Clawdy'' in 1952. He tops the pop chart for four weeks in 1959 with ``Stagger Lee.''
Just a reminder - this newsletter is put together with information from many different sources. You can also view this newsletter and past newsletters in the News section of my web site at www.mattlafatamarketing.com. If you do not receive your emailed newsletter for some reason, please visit www.mattlafatamarketing.com each week as some mail servers block emails that are sent to multiple recipients. Just remember that if you don’t get it by each Friday, you can read it on the web site.
For advertising opportunities, please contact sales@mattlafatamarketing.com
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.
About Matt Lafata:
Matt Lafata is the proud parent of three children and moved to Frisco from Gloucester, MA in January, 1999. Mr. Lafata has helped build several highly successful businesses for more than 20 years. A long-time business consultant and entrepreneur, he is the Director of Sales and Marketing with the Frisco-based HR 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, strategic supervision of marketing and 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 is also 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 · Community Advisory Board member for the Frisco Women’s League · 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 · Co-Director of the Mrs. Texas United States Pageant
Since 2001, Matt has produced a very popular e-newsletter that goes out every week to over 38,000 people which keeps the Frisco community in touch with local events and businesses.
Matt recently became engaged to Erika Howe of Frisco, who also has three children.
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.
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Dear Friends,
This week’s newsletter is proudly sponsored by DeBonair Custom Cleaning, a reputable and dependable cleaning service that will personalize your cleaning experience around your needs. I have used them on a number of occasions to great satisfaction. Also, check out the Spotlight on the Texas Tornado and their upcoming Pros vs. Prospects game here in Frisco. 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.
Don’t forget to turn your clocks ahead this weekend. It is earlier than usual so check the time on your computers, phones, etc. to see if they adjusted properly. Also, it is a good time to change the batteries in your smoke detectors.
Do you like to write? I am looking for new monthly columns for the newsletter, similar to the “Advice From Dr. Checo” or “Today’s Tax Talk From Joe” columns. It has to be an informative topic for our readers and this is a great opportunity for you to showcase and grow your business. Just ask Dr. Checo what kind of positive impact it has had on his business. In any event, I have several spots available for a monthly column and you would need to make a minimum three month commitment. If interested, please email sales@mattlafatamarketing.com with your idea and we will get back to you with details on this advertorial opportunity.
Congratulations to our friends, and fellow Chamber of Commerce members, Annette Weber and Tom Osterland who tied the knot last Friday!
Please continue to conserve water wherever possible. I know that you hear me say this all the time but it is a very serious matter. We will most likely remain at Stage 3 water restrictions for a long time to come and the best way for us to get out of Stage 3, besides lots and lots of rain, is for people to be very diligent with their water use.
If you have a business, restaurant or a service and are interested in advertising and reaching more than 35,000 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 – DeBonair Custom Cleaning:
Are you Looking for a Reputable, Dependable and Trustworthy Cleaning Service? Call DeBonair Custom Cleaning Today
Debbie Childers, owner of DeBonair Custom Cleaning, is eager and happy to schedule time to visit with you in your home regarding your specific cleaning needs and requirements. DeBonair has been serving the Frisco area since October, 2005 and currently services over 40 clients.
Debbie creates a personalized checklist for your home identifying your individual cleaning requirements such as: specific and unique supplies needed for various surfaces within your home, specific items needing special attention, your likes/dislikes when working with a cleaning service, etc. The customized list is “your individual wants and needs” and allows DeBonair to provide a more personalize service to you. We understand that every home and client has different needs and expectations and we work very hard to make certain we meet those at every level.
DeBonair does not send teams or crews into your home. We identify the best employee for your home creating a more consistent and personalized approach. All employees speak English and have a complete background check completed before working for DeBonair.
The owner of DeBonair will call or email the day before to remind you of your scheduled cleaning. She will also follow-up with you making sure your expectations are being met after each cleaning.
DeBonair Custom Cleaning can help whether you need a one-time, weekly, bi-monthly or monthly cleaning. Please call Debbie Childers at 214-886-2588 or email her at debonair-cleaning@sbcglobal.net Additional information can be found at www.debonaircustomcleaning.com
Spotlight on…Pros vs. Prospects Tornado Charity Classic:
Messier, Hull, and The
Hanson Brothers highlight Pros vs. Prospects III Tornado Charity Classic
in Frisco |
