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Matt Lafata’s Weekly Community News

August 16, 2007 – Volume 6, Issue 33

matt@mattlafatamarketing.com – www.mattlafatamarketing.com

Photo courtesy of SDS Photography

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:

“Never live in the past but always learn from it. You cannot change the past, but you can change the future.”

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 Community News 1

Newsletter Sponsor – James Fomby, Realtor/Associate with RE/MAX Premier Group’s Frisco Office: 2

Spotlight on R/C Zone Hobby Shop: 3

Interview to be Mrs. Frisco 2008!: 4

The 18^th Annual Visions Women’s Expo at Dallas Market Center: 5

Legendary Self Storage: 5

Frisco Citizens Police Academy: 5

Frisco Farmer’s Market at Frisco Square: 6

Frisco Quilt Guild Fall Festival: 6

Third Annual MK5K Fun Run/Walk Benefiting the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation: 6

First Annual Grace Avenue United Methodist Church GAMMA (Grace Avenue Missions, Ministry and Assistance) Golf Tournament: 7

21^st Annual John Weinberg Golf Tournament: 7

Feeding 5000 Golf Tournament hosted by First United Methodist Church of Frisco: 7

Plantation Resort 2 HOA Back to School Scramble: 8

Ebony Ladies Golf League to Host Golf Tournament to Benefit Susan G. Komen Foundation: 8

The 6th Annual Wachovia Securities Tennis Spectacular: 8

August 26th Auditions for Cross Timbers Youth Orchestras: 9

National Police Motorcycle Championship set for August 22-25: 9

Vendors Wanted for Holiday Bazaar at Grace Avenue UMC: 10

St. Francis 6^th Annual Holiday Bazaar: 10

Frisco Aquatics 2007-2008 Season Try-Outs: 11

Tickets Available for Red, White, and Boots Dance: 11

Frisco Chorale Holding Auditions for Upcoming Season: 12

Angel Food Ministries: 12

Third Annual 343 Memorial Climb To Benefit Fallen Firefighters At Pizza Hut Park In Frisco: 12

First Annual Titan 10k March-A-Thon – The Centennial Titan Band Is On The March: 13

Save the Date for Frisco Arts Gala – Saturday, September 29, 2007 - Gala d'inspirations d'art de Le Rêve: 14

Gala Sponsorship Opportunities Available: 14

Children's Theater Class Registration: 15

High Holiday FunShop: 16

Chunk Your Junk: 16

Upcoming Meeting of the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County: 16

Frisco Women’s League Baby Shower Benefiting FFSC: 17

Junior Frisco Women’s League Applications Available: 17

WANTED--Teens seeking a new level of Adventure....: 17

American Business Women’s Association Meetings: 18

August Events at Stonebriar Centre: 18

Toby Mac to Headline Faith and Family Day at Pizza Hut Park: 19

Frisco Youth Volleyball Registration: 19

B’nai Israel -- Frisco’s First Synagogue Has Arrived: 19

Word of Mouth Productions Cordially Invites you to our Broadway Extravaganza Benefit Concert: 20

National Night Out 2007 Summary: 21

Wondering What to do this Weekend?: 21

Word of Mouth Productions Presents Our Literary Classics Series: 21

Operation Neighbor’s Porch: 22

Happenings in Frisco ISD by Sarah Ianace: 22

Barktoberfest Needs Sponsors: 23

RBD Returns to Pizza Hut Park: 23

OU Club of Collin County Fall Kick-off Party: 24

Upcoming Meeting for the Association of Frisco Retired School Personnel: 24

Operation ID For Your Valuable Possessions: 24

The Red Light Running Problem: 25

Landscape Design/Detail (Mid August - Late August): 26

Frisco Police Arrest Registered Sex Offender: 27

Going Green: 27

A Good Airline Story Tip: Keep Inconveniences in Perspective: 28

2007 Chrysalis Ball Benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Collin County: 29

Aid's Education in Frisco: 29

Frisco Has One Confirmed Case of West Nile Virus, Second Case Under Investigation; City Reminds Residents to Protect Themselves Against Mosquito Bites: 30

2008 Executive Officers Installed - American Business Women’s Association: 31

Suspect in Drug Store Robbery Arrested: 32

Traffic Signal Update: 32

Road Construction Update: 33

Update From Parks and Recreation Department: 34

US 80 to Temporarily Close Sunday in Mesquite: 38

Capitol Steps by Rep. Ken Paxton: 38

Issue of the Week:

I’ve started this new column where I will post a different issue each week for discussion. Your opinions mean a lot to me and I’d love to get your feedback on the subject. Please send me an email with your thoughts. While your feedback is for my own use at this time, I do publish a sampling of the comments along with some commentary on my web site at www.matt4mayor.com in the “Issues” section.

Frisco has a sign ordinance in place to keep our streets relatively clean from the clutter of too many signs. On the flip side, many people like to have a garage sale, or a special event, or an open house, for instance, but are restricted from putting signs out. The Council is currently reviewing the sign ordinance so I thought it would be a good time to ask, “What do you think about our sign ordinance and our sign restrictions in Frisco?”

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 August Citizen of the Month goes to…Marsha Clark! Resident Nikki Miller submitted this entry and here is what she had to say about Marsha Clark and why she is so deserving of this recognition.

I would like to Nominate Marsha Clark as the citizen of the month. Marsha is a Frisco resident and former EDS executive who, after leaving EDS, invested her time and money to develop a leadership program for women.

The program named "Power of Self" is designed for women who are already leaders in their organizations or communities to help them be more effective. Power of Self is a 9 month program that covers a variety or topics all designed to help women be more successful in their personal and professional lives. As part of the program each woman is assigned a coach who reinforces the knowledge received in the classes by encouraging her to implement it in real life situations. Marsha’s program provides the support to women so they can continue in the work force, take on volunteer opportunities, and give back in their own communities. Currently, this program is not well known, but with its incredibly powerful content, it is gaining momentum and becoming notable.

Marsha is now working on a program geared towards younger women earlier in their career/life to assist them in moving into leadership roles. She does this while traveling all over the world consulting and training for companies and organizations such as Texas Instruments, Sabre, Bell Helicopter, and even the City of Frisco. She is tireless in her service to other women, which is a true testimony of her value to the community.

Marsha is a phenomenal woman and Frisco should be proud to have her.

To learn more about Marsha’s programs go to www.marshaclarkandassociates.com.

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.

City of Frisco Related Question of the Week:

Q. Is there a law for electric scooters in Frisco? If so, what is it?

A. ARTICLE III. SCOOTERS

Sec. 90-60. Definitions.
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Adult means any individual 18 years of age or older.

Child means any individual under 18 years of age, but does not include a licensed minor, as defined below.

Helmet means properly fitted protective headgear that is not structurally damaged and that conforms to the standards of the American National Standards Institute, the American Society for Testing and Materials, the Snell Memorial Foundation or any federal agency having regulatory jurisdiction over bicycle helmets, as applicable, at the time of the manufacture of the helmet.

Licensed minor means any individual who is 16 or 17 years of age and has in his possession a valid license issued to him by the state, or the state of the licensed minor's residence, for the operation of a motorcycle or motor vehicle on public streets and highways.

Motor assisted scooter shall have the same meaning assigned by V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 551.351, as it exists or may be amended, and includes a self-propelled device with at least two wheels in contact with the ground during operation; a braking system capable of stopping the device under typical operating conditions; a gas or electric motor 40 cubic centimeters or less; a deck designed to allow a person to stand or sit while operating the device; and the ability to be propelled by human power alone.

Parent means the natural or adoptive parent or court-appointed guardian or conservator of a child.

Pocket bike or mini-motorbike shall have the same meaning assigned by the V.T.C.A., Transportation Code § 551.301, as it exists or may be amended, and includes a self-propelled vehicle that is equipped with an electric motorscooter or internal combustion engine having a piston displacement of less than 50 cubic centimeters, is designed to propel itself with not more than two wheels in contact with the ground, has a seat or saddle for the use of the operator, is not designed for use on a highway, and is ineligible for a certificate of title under V.T.C.A., Transportation Code ch. 501, as it exists or may be amended; but does not include a moped, motorcycle, electric bicycle, motor-driven cycle, motorized mobility device, electric personal assistive mobility device or a neighborhood electric vehicle as those are defined in the Texas Transportation Code, as it exists or may be amended.
Public way or public property means real property owned, leased or controlled by a political subdivision of the state, a governmental entity or agency, or similar entity, or any property that is publicly-owned or publicly-maintained or dedicated to public use, including, but not limited to, a path, trail, walkway, sidewalk, alley, street or highway, and a public park facility.

Wearing a helmet means that the person has a helmet fastened securely to his head with the straps of the helmet securely tightened in the manner intended by the manufacturer to provide maximum protection.
(Ord. No. 03-11-96, § 2, 11-4-2003; Ord. No. 05-08-61, § 3, 8-3-2005)

Sec. 90-61. Restrictions and prohibitions for motor assisted scooters, mini-motorbike or pocketbike, penalty for violation.
(a) Restrictions and prohibitions on locations of use.
(1) It is unlawful for any child to operate or ride a motor assisted scooter on any public way or public property within the city, except on paths and trails set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles. It is unlawful for any adult or licensed minor to operate or ride a motor assisted scooter on any path, trail, walkway, alley, sidewalk or public park facility within the city, except on paths and trails set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles.
(2) It is unlawful for a parent to allow or permit a child to operate or ride a motor assisted scooter on any public way or public property within the city, except on paths and trails set aside for the exclusive operation of bicycles.
(3) It is unlawful for any child, licensed minor or adult to operate or ride a minimotorbike or pocketbike on any public way or public property within the city.
(4) It is unlawful for a parent to allow or permit a child or licensed minor to operate or ride a mini-motorbike or pocketbike on any public way or public property within the city.
(5) It is presumed that a parent allowed a child or licensed minor to operate or ride a motor assisted scooter, mini-motorbike or pocketbike in a restricted or prohibited area.
(6) It is unlawful for any adult or licensed minor to operate or ride a motor assisted scooter on any public way or public property for which the posted speed limit is more than 35 miles per hour. The motor assisted scooter may cross a road or a street at an intersection where the road or street to be crossed has a posted speed of more than 35 miles per hour.
(7) It is a defense to prosecution that the motor assisted scooter, mini-motorbike or pocketbike was not being operated upon public property or a public way at the time of the alleged offense.
(b) Penalty.
(1) A person who violates any provision of subsection (a), above, shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined an amount not exceeding $500.00.
(2) The purpose of this section is to promote safety and discourage the use of motor assisted scooters, mini-motorbikes and pocketbikes in unsafe areas. The courts may consider deferred dispositions under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, as it exists or may be amended, whenever the circumstances warrant deferred dispositions.
(Ord. No. 03-11-96, § 3, 11-4-2003; Ord. No. 05-08-61, § 4, 8-3-2005)

Sec. 90-62. Helmets required, penalty for failure to wear helmet.
(a) Helmet required.
(1) It is unlawful for any child or licensed minor to operate or ride a motor assisted scooter unless the child or licensed minor is wearing a helmet.
(2) It is unlawful for a parent to allow or permit a child or licensed minor to operate or ride a motor assisted scooter unless the child or licensed minor is wearing a helmet.
(3) It is presumed that a parent allowed a child or licensed minor to operate or ride a motor assisted scooter without wearing a helmet.
(4) It is a defense to prosecution that the motor assisted scooter was not being operated upon public property or a public way at the time of the alleged offense.
(b) Penalty.
(1) A person who violates any provision of subsection (a), above, requiring helmets, shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be fined an amount not exceeding $50.00 upon the first conviction and an amount not exceeding $100.00 upon the second and each subsequent conviction.
(2) The municipal court shall dismiss a charge against a child, licensed minor and/or parent for a first offense under subsection (a) upon receiving proof that:
a. The defendant acquired a helmet for the child or licensed minor who was operating or riding the motor assisted scooter in violation of subsection (a); and
b. The defendant acquired the helmet on or before the tenth day after receiving the citation of the violation.
(3) If the charge against a person is dismissed under subsection (b)(2), a later conviction for a violation of subsection (a) shall be considered a second or subsequent conviction for purposes of subsection (b)(1).
(4) The purpose of this section is to promote safety and encourage the use of helmets. The courts may consider deferred dispositions under the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, as it exists or may be amended, whenever the circumstances warrant deferred dispositions.
(Ord. No. 03-11-96, § 4, 11-4-2003; Ord. No. 05-08-61, § 5, 8-3-2005)

This Day in History – August 16, 1896: Gold Discovered in the Yukon

From the History Channel…

While salmon fishing near the Klondike River in Canada's Yukon Territory on this day in 1896, George Carmack reportedly spots nuggets of gold in a creek bed. His lucky discovery sparks the last great gold rush in the American West.

Hoping to cash in on reported gold strikes in Alaska, Carmack had
traveled there from California in 1881. After running into a dead end, he headed north into the isolated Yukon Territory, just across the Canadian border. In 1896, another prospector, Robert Henderson, told Carmack of finding gold in a tributary of the Klondike River. Carmack headed to the region with two Native American companions, known as Skookum Jim and Tagish Charlie. On August 16, while camping near Rabbit Creek, Carmack reportedly spotted a nugget of gold jutting out from the creek bank. His two companions later agreed that Skookum Jim--Carmack's brother-in-law--actually made the discovery.

Regardless of who spotted the gold first, the three men soon found
that the rock near the creek bed was thick with gold deposits. They staked their claim the following day. News of the gold strike spread fast across Canada and the United States, and over the next two years, as many as 50,000 would-be miners arrived in the region. Rabbit Creek was renamed Bonanza, and even more gold was discovered in another Klondike tributary, dubbed Eldorado.

"Klondike Fever" reached its height in the United States in mid-July 1897 when two steamships arrived from the Yukon in San Francisco and Seattle, bringing a total of more than two tons of gold. Thousands of eager young men bought elaborate "Yukon outfits" (kits assembled by clever marketers containing food, clothing, tools and other necessary equipment) and set out on their way north. Few of these would find what they were looking for, as most of the land in the region had
already been claimed. One of the unsuccessful gold-seekers was 21-year-old Jack London, whose short stories based on his Klondike experience became his first book, The Son of the Wolf (1900).

For his part, Carmack became rich off his discovery, leaving the Yukon with $1 million worth of gold. Many individual gold miners in the Klondike eventually sold their stakes to mining companies, who had the resources and machinery to access more gold. Large-scale gold mining in the Yukon Territory didn't end until 1966, and by that time the region had yielded some $250 million in gold. Today, some 200 small
gold mines still operate in the region.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month:

So far this month we have covered Breast Cancer Awareness and Cataract Awareness.

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. This observance provides the opportunity to remind the community of the importance of immunization. Make sure that your family and friends are up-to-date on their immunizations.

In August, parents are enrolling children in school, older students are entering college and adults and the health care community are preparing for the upcoming flu season. This makes August a particularly good time to focus community attention on the value of immunization.

Vaccines are responsible for the control of many infectious diseases that were once common in this country. Vaccines have reduced and, in some cases, eliminated many diseases that once routinely killed or harmed tens of thousands of infants, children and adults.

The viruses and bacteria that cause vaccine-preventable diseases and death still exist and can infect people who are not protected by vaccines. Vaccine-preventable diseases have a costly impact, resulting in doctors' visits, hospitalizations and premature deaths. Sick children can also cause parents to lose time from work.

Maintaining high immunization rates protects the entire community by interrupting the transmission of disease-causing bacteria or viruses. This reduces the risk that unimmunized people will be exposed to disease-causing agents. This type of protection is known as community or herd immunity, and embodies the concept that protecting the majority with safe, effective vaccines also protects those who cannot be immunized for medical reasons.

Visit the Immunization Awareness area of the Collin County web site for more information.

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

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 and Organizations in and Frisco:

Frisco is home to a very diverse and numerous set of clubs 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

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

American Legion Post 178

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

AroundTown Kids

Arts of Collin County

Boy Scouts of America – 214-902-6754

Boys and Girls Club

CASA of Collin County – 972-529-2272

Chamber of Commerce

Christian Community Action – 972-436-4357