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Matt Lafata’s Weekly Community News

May 8, 2008 – Volume 7, Issue 19

matt@mattlafatamarketing.com www.mattlafatamarketing.com

 

Lafata Family Web Site

 

Matt’s BlogLast Updated 5/08/08

 

Erika’s Blog – Last Updated 4/10/08

 

Matt for Mayor of Frisco Web Site

 

Matt for Mayor Television Commercial

 

 

MattLafata

 

 

 

 

 

Mornings with Matt:

 

“Mornings with Matt” takes places 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). Stop by on Wednesdays to talk about issues facing our great city, or really anything for that matter. As an additional note, somebody asked if I will continue doing this after the good citizens of Frisco elect me as their next Mayor. The answer is a big YES as I want to make sure the Office of the Mayor is as open and accessible to the public as possible. I guess we will then change the name to “Mornings with the Mayor”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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:

 

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -- Maya Angelou

 

 

 

 

 

 

For advertising opportunities, please contact sales@mattlafatamarketing.com

 

 

 

 

 

As always, this newsletter is absolutely packed with information – something for everyone. In fact, it’s one of the longest newsletters to date. 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…

 

 

 

Matt Lafata’s Weekly Community News 1

Spotlight on…Election Day This Saturday: 2

Newsletter Sponsor…DeBonair Custom Cleaning: 3

Population of Frisco: 3

DFW Family Hope Int’l Seeking Host Families for Summer 2008 Orphan Camp: 3

Announcing The Frisco Chorale Garage & Bake Sale: 4

Huge Yard Sale to Support Local Animal Rescue Organizations: 4

Preston Highlands North HOA Community Garage/Yard Sale May 17th: 4

Used Eyeglasses Needed: 5

Scholastic Reading Road Trip will be zooming into Pink Elementary's Library on May 14th - 22nd: 5

Robertson Elementary First Annual Spring Carnival: 5

Centennial Touchdown Club First Titan Spring Huddle: 5

Centennial High School Golf Team Invites You to Tee it Up!: 6

North Texas Missions 2008 Annual Golf Tournament: 6

Trails of Frisco Men’s Golf Association: 7

The Frisco Area Children’s Theater Presents Hyronomous A. Frog, The Frog Prince: 7

DBU Basketball Summer Camps in Frisco: 7

Auditioning for the Frisco Chorale: 8

People to People Donation: 8

3rd Annual Motherless Daughters Day Luncheon: 8

Frisco High School Stars Drill Team's Spring Show: 9

Leadership Frisco Now Accepting Applications: 9

Frisco's "Angel Twins" need your help!: 9

5th Annual Monte Carlo Night "A Star Studded Frisco Night" Saturday, August 2, 2008: 10

The September Days - Frisco local band: 10

Prosperity Place Hosts Family Fun Fair in Prosper: 11

5th Annual Share A Smile Foundation Polo Match: 11

We Love Families Day: 12

Grandparents Raising Children: 12

An Evening of Music With the Frisco Community Band: 12

Healthy Hometown - A healthy dose of family fun!: 13

Frisco Residents of Color 2nd Annual Membership Drive: 13

Frisco A&M Club Information and Upcoming Events: 14

Visual Arts of Frisco Upcoming Events: 15

Honor your “Mother” this Mother’s Day & Think Pink!: 15

WOVI, Frisco Chapter Hosts Holli Terry, Financial Consultant: 16

Angelman Syndrome Foundation National Walk-A-Thon: 17

DBU-North: Collin County’s University for Christ Centered Education Information Session / Open House: Monday, June 2, at 5:45 p.m.: 17

Happenings at Faithbridge Presbyterian Church: 17

Come out and eat a Mooyah Burger and help find a cure for Cystic Fibrosis: 18

Frisco Flyers Thank You: 18

Summer Volleyball Activities: 19

Last Chance to See Treasure Island THIS WEEKEND!: 19

Maybe Baby Seminar this Saturday!: 19

Frisco Career Opportunity of the Week - sponsored by CareersInFrisco.com: 20

Thunder Flag Football Tournament June 7-8 Offers Added Incentives: 20

Movies in the Square: 21

Frisco Grooves: 21

Calling All Remnants: 22

City of Frisco Accepting Applications for Planning & Zoning Commission Members: 22

Advice From Dr. Checo – White Coat Hypertension: 23

A Dog Show for Fish June 7 & 8, 2008: 23

FISD News…by Sarah Ianace: 24

Frisco Police Blotter: 25

Adopt a pet at Stonebriar Centre on Saturday, May 17: 25

Mexican Street Food with an Attitude Joins the Shops at Starwood: 25

Update From Recent Planning and Zoning Meeting: 26

The County Line…by Collin County Commissioner, Joe Jaynes: 27

Hermansen Prepping Site for $100M-Plus MXD: 28

Insurance Options for Texans: 29

 

 

 

 

 

Newsletter Staff Members and Contributors

 

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

 

Kaleigh LafataTornado Talk and Thunder Happenings

 

Sarah IanaceHappenings in the

Frisco ISD

 

Glenn KopanskiLandscape Design

 

Pedro ChecoAdvice from Dr. Checo

 

Joe Hockaday, CPAToday’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. Are there plans for median improvements in the City? Specifically on Main from the Tollway to 423 and on Teel from Main to Eldorado.

 

A. Our current median improvement priorities are street lighting, installing irrigation, planting trees and grass establishment. The following improvements have already been completed in these areas:

Teel Road (Eldorado Parkway to Main Street)

• Street Lights Installed
• 187 Trees Planted
• Full Irrigation Installed
• Bermuda Hydro Mulch Applied

Main Street (Tollway to FM 423)

• Street Lights Installed
• 178 Trees Planted
• Full Irrigation Installed
• Bermuda Hydro Mulch Applied

With regards to the Main Street Improvements, street lights were installed along the entire area. Because of future construction issues, trees and irrigation have not been added to the drainage area median just west of the tollway. The tree planting and irrigation installation begins at Majestic Gardens.

The City still has several older medians that have had no improvements added, but will be done in the future. Therefore, no additional improvements are scheduled at this time for the Main and Teel medians

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Day in History – May 8, 1945: V-E Day is Celebrated in America and Britain

 

From the History Channel…

 

On this day in 1945, both Great Britain and the United States celebrate Victory in Europe Day. Cities in both nations, as well as formerly occupied cities in Western Europe, put out flags and banners, rejoicing in the defeat of the Nazi war machine.

 

The eighth of May spelled the day when German troops throughout Europe finally laid down their arms: In Prague, Germans surrendered to their Soviet antagonists, after the latter had lost more than 8,000 soldiers, and the Germans considerably more; in Copenhagen and Oslo; at Karlshorst, near Berlin; in northern Latvia; on the Channel Island of Sark--the German surrender was realized in a final cease-fire. More surrender documents were signed in Berlin and in eastern Germany.

 

The main concern of many German soldiers was to elude the grasp of Soviet forces, to keep from being taken prisoner. About 1 million Germans attempted a mass exodus to the West when the fighting in Czechoslovakia ended, but were stopped by the Russians and taken captive. The Russians took approximately 2 million prisoners in the period just before and after the German surrender.

 

Meanwhile, more than 13,000 British POWs were released and sent back to Great Britain.

 

Pockets of German-Soviet confrontation would continue into the next day. On May 9, the Soviets would lose 600 more soldiers in Silesia before the Germans finally surrendered. Consequently, V-E Day was not celebrated until the ninth in Moscow, with a radio broadcast salute from Stalin himself: "The age-long struggle of the Slav nations...has ended in victory. Your courage has defeated the Nazis. The war is over."

 

 

 

 

May is National Osteoporosis Awareness Month:

 

Last week we covered Motorcycle Safety Awareness…

 

For May 2008, National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) is celebrating Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month by producing and disseminating campaign materials throughout the country. Much is happening in the field of osteoporosis. One of the most important developments is NOF’s new prevention and treatment guidelines. NOF has expanded its guidelines beyond Caucasian postmenopausal women to include African-American, Asian, Latina and other postmenopausal women. It also addresses for the first time men age 50 and older. Updated calcium and vitamin D recommendations can
be found in the Guide as well.

To recognize Osteoporosis Awareness and Prevention Month in 2008, NOF developed a Public Service Announcement (PSA) campaign and Bone Tool Kit with the theme, "Osteoporosis. It's Beatable. It's Treatable." This campaign addresses important issues osteoporosis-related issues for diverse audiences. It also encourages people to take action to protect their bone health and prevent osteoporosis.

 

Visit the NOF 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.

 
AARP – 972-335-2478

Adopt A Pet – 972-668-4311

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

Chronic Hugs: Chronic Pain Support Group – 214-726-9060

City of Frisco – 972-292-5000

Collin County – 972-424-1460

Collin County Association of Realtors – 214-618-3800

Collin County Central Appraisal District

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

Dallas Athletic Rugby Club

Daughters of the American Revolution – 972-307-5906

Democratic Party of Collin County

Denton County

Denton County Central Appraisal District

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 Cares

Frisco Chamber of Commerce

Frisco Chorale

Frisco Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.s)

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 Housing Authority

Frisco Humane Society – 972-498-8980

Frisco Independent School District – 469-633-6000

Frisco Kiwanis Club

Frisco Lion’s Club – 972-335-2487

Frisco Music Teachers Association

Frisco Neighborhood Watch

Frisco Parents of Multiples

Frisco Police Department – 972-292-6000

Frisco Police Officers’ Wives Association

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

Hall Office Park

Heritage Association of Frisco – 972-335-6684

Heroes for Children – 214-256-5824

Inside Collin County Business

Kids Kaleidoscope

KittiCo Cat Rescue – 214-826-6903

Labrador Retriever Rescue of North Texas

Legacy Christian Academy

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

National Alliance on Mental Illness of Collin County – 214-509-0085

Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano

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

Prosper Independent School District

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

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

Bella Casa

Chapel Creek

Cheyenne Crossing

Coventry Oaks

Creekside at Preston

Creekside at Stonebriar

Crestview

Custer Creek Farms

Cypress Creek

Dominion at Panther Creek

Eldorado Fairways

Estates on Legacy

Fairfield Estates

Frisco Fairways

Frisco Heights

Frisco Square

Golden Gate Village

Grayhawk

Griffin Parc

Heather Ridge Estates

Heritage Green

Heritage Lakes

Hickory Springs

Hickory Street Village

Hillcrest Estates

Hillcrest Highlands

Hillcrest Lebanon/Cecile Place

Hillcrest Lebanon/Hillcrest Meadows

Hillcrest Lebanon/Smith Estates

Hunters Creek

Kings Garden

Kings Ridge

Lakehill

Lakes on Legacy

Lakes of Preston Vineyard

Lonestar Ranch

Meadow Hill Estates

Northridge

Oakbrook Park

Panther Creek Estates

Parkside Estates

Plantation Estates

Plantation Resort

Plantation Resort 2

Plantation Springs

Prestmont

Preston Estates

Presto\n Gables

Preston Glen

Preston Highlands

Preston Lakes/Lakes of Hillcrest

Preston Manor

Preston Oaks

Preston Ridge

Preston Trace Estates

Preston Vineyards North

Quail Meadow Village

Queen’s Gate

Red Bud Estates

Russwood Acres

Saddlebrook Village

Shenandoah Village/Villages of Stonebriar Park

Shepherds Hill

Starwood

Sterling Ranch

Stewart Creek Estates

Stonebriar

Stonebriar Country Club Estates

Stonebriar Creek Estates

Stonebriar Village

Stonelake Estates

Stonelake Estates West

Stonebrook Estates

The Chase at Stonebriar

The Creeks on Coit

The Enclave at Stonebriar Creek Estates

The Trails of West Frisco

The Villas/Lakes on Legacy

The Vintage/Lakes on Legacy

Townhomes of Tuscany Square

Turnbridge Manor

Tuscany Meadows

Villages of Hillcrest

Villages of Lake Brook Farms

Villages of Stonebriar Park

Villages of Willow Bay

Waterford Falls

Westfalls Village

Willow Pond

Windsor Place

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

·         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:

 

Erika Lafata has long been involved in her community and with volunteer work. After winning her local Lions Club charity contest during her Senior year of high school 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-competitions. Working with 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.

Professionally, Erika has had a career in the media for 18 years, including newspaper writer, photographer & managing editor; in radio as on-air talent (DJ) for 6 years in the Houston and southeast Texas area, as well as radio ad sales & promotions for 5 years; in cable TV ad sales and production for 8 years; and as talent, lending her voice & face to scores of radio & television commercials & industrial films locally to internationally. She has worked for clients such as Kroger, Foley’s, Oshman’s, Sakowitz, Pier One Imports, and Academy Sports & Outdoors.

Erika has been recognized in the radio & television industries a number of times for her sales accomplishments, including being the Dallas local market recipient of the 2003 Comcast Spotlight’s President’s Club Award, and was named the 2004 CBS Radio President's Award Winner for the Dallas radio market’s six stations.

Erika moved to Frisco in May, 2002 from Bay City, Texas. For many years she was a church minister back in her hometown and at St. Francis of Assisi in Frisco as a Lector, and also on the Diocesan level, serving on the Youth Ministry Resource Team. Additionally, she is the past Secretary of the American Women in Radio & Television Dallas-Ft. Worth Chapter, & past member and Ambassador of various Chambers of Commerce. Additionally, Erika is proud to be a graduate of the Frisco Citizens Police Academy Class 20.

Erika is passionate about helping other businesses grow, and draws from her 18 years of diverse media experience to help find effective marketing solutions for them. She currently works for a cable advertising rep firm in Frisco, is on her second term to serve on the advisory board for the National League of Junior Cotillions—Frisco Chapter, and is the Public Relations/Marketing Co-Chair for the Boys and Girls Club of Collin County Chrysalis Ball 2008. Additionally, Erika is a former winner and now holds the Texas franchise license (Mrs. Texas) for the prestigious Mrs. United States® competition for married women. This spring will mark the 4th year she has produced it, with families coming from all over Texas to experience what Frisco has to offer. It doubles as a fundraiser, having given money to charities such as the Cancer Monument Fund and Autism Speaks. (Her nephew, Luke, is autistic.)

Erika has three sons, ages 15, 10 and 4 who keep her very busy with their respective activities, including ba