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September 6, 2007 – Volume 6, Issue 36 |
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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:
“Don't do what others say, just listen to them, but do what you feel is good.” - Warren Buffet
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 – YMCA of Frisco: 3 Spotlight On…AmeriPlan Corporation: 3 Interview to be Mrs. Frisco 2008!: 4 Brand Your Business With The Largest Radio Group in DFW!: 5 HD Radio and the Apple iPod: 6 CARE PACKAGES FOR OUR TROOPS in Honor of Patriot Day, September 11th: 6 Locks of Love Seeking Donations from Children & Adults: 6 Chili’s Restaurant and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital: 7 Autumn Park Community Garage Sale: 7 Frisco Suns Select Baseball Team Looking for Players: 7 Frisco Quilt Guild Fall Festival: 8 Third Annual MK5K Fun Run/Walk Benefiting the Mary Kay Ash Charitable Foundation: 8 Feeding 5000 Golf Tournament hosted by First United Methodist Church of Frisco: 9 Ebony Ladies Golf League to Host Golf Tournament to Benefit Susan G. Komen Foundation: 9 The 6th Annual Wachovia Securities Tennis Spectacular: 9 Vendors Wanted for Holiday Bazaar at Grace Avenue UMC: 10 St. Francis 6th Annual Holiday Bazaar: 10 Vendors Wanted for Fall Bazaar: 10 Third Annual 343 Memorial Climb To Benefit Fallen Firefighters At Pizza Hut Park In Frisco: 11 “BIG CATCH” Bass Tournament - October 20, 2007 - $4,000 Cash Guaranteed!!: 12 Frisco Women’s League Fall Membership Social: 12 American Business Women’s Association Meetings: 12 Frisco Youth Volleyball Registration: 13 i9 Sports Winter Frisco Basketball League Registrations Under Way: 13 Happenings in Frisco ISD by Sarah Ianace: 13 2007 Chrysalis Ball Benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Collin County: 14 Legacy Christian Academy Auction Fundraiser: 15 Heroes for Children 5K Run/Walk 2007 Event Information: 15 Frisco Area Republican Women's Meeting: 16 Abundant Life in Christ – New Leadership, New Direction: 16 Greater Dallas Walk to Cure Diabetes: 17 Shawnee Trail Elementary Hosting First North Dallas Area Boosterthon Fun Run: 17 CALM Charity Golf Tournament: 17 Town Hall Meeting with State Representative Ken Paxton and the Texas Conservative Coalition: 18 Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano Upcoming Programs: 18 Dance Lesson Open House and Free Lessons: 19 Wakeland High School Cheerleading/Wakeland Cheer Booster Club Annual Joint Fundraiser: 20 Newstart Church of the Nazarene Launching Celebrate Recovery: 20 Clothe-A-Child Frisco 2007: 20 Mark Your Calendar for Frisco-OnLine Happy Hour: 22 National Life Chain - Sunday, October 7, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.: 22 40 Days for Life - September 26 to November 4: 23 Frisco Community Parade Needs Volunteers: 23 Call for Cribs – Please Help Save the Lives of Infants in Dallas County: 24 Are you looking for an Integrative Approach to treating ADD, ADHD, or Learning Disabilities?: 25 Christmas in the Square (It's never too early to make plans): 26 Frisco Police Department Joins Crimeweb.net: 27 Sound of Shotguns – Dove Hunting Season: 27 Town Hall Meeting With State Representative Ken Paxton: 28 Word of Mouth Productions Fall Drama Classes: 28 Plano Civic Chorus Announces 2007-2008 Season: 29 Spray Ground Features Open Through September: 30 Frisco Fire Department Marks 10 Years of Citizens Fire Academy Training: 30 NTTA Declares September ‘Get-A-Tag’ Month: 33
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.makemattmayor.com in the “Issues” section.
One of the things I have always disliked about developments in North Texas is the amount of alleys in our neighborhoods. In my opinion, they are not conducive to creating good neighbors. On the flip side, some people like the aesthetics of not having a garage in the front of the house. I’d like to hear from you, “What do you think about alley driven developments?”
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.
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. In my neighborhood, there are several neighbors who say they would like more street lighting. Is there a minimum that a developer has to install when initially building the community? Would we be able to get more street lighting? Would the City be responsible for the costs or would the HOA? Thank you in advance for your assistance.
A. The City reviews the developer’s plans prior to construction to ensure that they meet current standards. The City does have street lighting standards that specify what is necessary. Once the subdivision is built, it would be expensive to add lighting. The City does have a program to install lighting along major thoroughfares, but I am not aware of any locations where we have installed lights within neighborhoods.
This Day in History – September 6, 1522 – Magellan’s Expedition Circumnavigates Globe:
From the History Channel…
One of Ferdinand Magellan's five ships--the Vittoria--arrives at SanlÚcar de Barrameda in Spain, thus completing the first circumnavigation of the world. The Vittoria was commanded by Basque navigator Juan SebastiÁn de Elcano, who took charge of the vessel after the murder of Magellan in the Philippines in April 1521. During a long, hard journey home, the people on the ship suffered from starvation, scurvy, and harassment by Portuguese ships. Only Elcano, 17 other Europeans, and four Indians survived to reach Spain in September 1522.
On September 20, 1519, Magellan set sail from Spain in an effort to find a western sea route to the rich Spice Islands of Indonesia. In command of five ships and 270 men, Magellan sailed to West Africa and then to Brazil, where he searched the South American coast for a strait that would take him to the Pacific. He searched the RÍo de la Plata, a large estuary south of Brazil, for a way through; failing, he continued south along the coast of Patagonia. At the end of March 1520, the expedition set up winter quarters at Port St. Julian. On Easter day at midnight, the Spanish captains mutinied against their Portuguese captain, but Magellan crushed the revolt, executing one of the captains and leaving another ashore when his ship left St. Julian in August.
On October 21, he finally discovered the strait he had been seeking. The Strait of Magellan, as it became known, is located near the tip of South America, separating Tierra del Fuego and the continental mainland. Only three ships entered the passage; one had been wrecked and another deserted. It took 38 days to navigate the treacherous strait, and when ocean was sighted at the other end Magellan wept with joy. He was the first European explorer to reach the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic. His fleet accomplished the westward crossing of the ocean in 99 days, crossing waters so strangely calm that the ocean was named "Pacific," from the Latin word pacificus, meaning "tranquil." By the end, the men were out of food and chewed the leather parts of their gear to keep themselves alive. On March 6, 1521, the expedition landed at the island of Guam.
Ten days later, they dropped anchor at the Philippine island of Cebu--they were only about 400 miles from the Spice Islands. Magellan met with the chief of Cebú, who after converting to Christianity persuaded the Europeans to assist him in conquering a rival tribe on the neighboring island of Mactan. In subsequent fighting on April 27, Magellan was hit by a poisoned arrow and left to die by his retreating comrades.
After Magellan's death, the survivors, in two ships, sailed on to the Moluccas and loaded the hulls with spice. One ship attempted, unsuccessfully, to return across the Pacific. The other ship, the Vittoria, continued west under the command of Juan SebastiÁn de Elcano. The vessel sailed across the Indian Ocean, rounded the Cape of Good Hope, and arrived at the Spanish port of SanlÚcar de Barrameda on September 6, 1522, becoming the first ship to circumnavigate the globe. The Vittoria then sailed up the Guadalquivir River, reaching Seville a few days later.
Elcano was later appointed to lead a fleet of seven ships on another voyage to Moluccas on behalf of Emperor Charles V. He died of scurvy en route.
September is National Cholesterol Education Month:
Cholesterol Month 2007 extends the theme "Know your cholesterol numbers—Know your risk—Give yourself some TLC." Cholesterol Month 2007 features information to help the 65 million American adults with high blood cholesterol make the therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) needed to lower their cholesterol and, with it, their risk for heart disease.
To check their cholesterol status, all adults should have their cholesterol measured, know their cholesterol numbers and their risk for heart disease, and follow a heart-healthy lifestyle to lower their risk and keep it down. Cholesterol Month Kit 2007 contains a variety of materials that will assist you in bringing cholesterol lowering information into your community, program, or practice.
For those with an LDL (bad) cholesterol above their goal, the publication, Your Guide to Lowering Your Cholesterol With TLC (Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes), which is based on the NCEP Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) guidelines, details a three-part program that uses diet, physical activity, and weight management to bring cholesterol levels down. The guide offers a set of tools to help people get started and embrace a heart-healthier way of living.
For all Americans, whether they have high blood cholesterol or not, Cholesterol Month Kit 2007 makes it easy to access the tools and materials that can help them make heart-healthy lifestyle changes to lower cholesterol.
Visit the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute as well as the American Heart Association 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:
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. Alcoholics Anonymous Frisco – 972-708-5086 American Cancer Society of Collin County – 214-819-1221 American Red Cross of North Texas – 972-542-5642 Boy Scouts of America – 214-902-6754 CASA of Collin County – 972-529-2272 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 Connection – 214-544-0666 Collin County Gay and Lesbian Alliance – 214-521-5342 Collin County Genealogy Association – 972-231-4190 Daughters of the American Revolution Downtown Merchants Association Frisco A&M Club – 214-618-5079 Frisco Al-Anon Family Group – 972-978-8757 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 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 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 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 KittiCo Cat Rescue – 214-826-6903 Labrador Retriever Rescue of North Texas Meals on Wheels – 972-562-6996 North Texas Tollway Authority – 214-461-2000 OU Club of Collin County – 972-797-9708 Senior Center at Frisco Square – 972-335-5515 SPCA of Texas – 972-562-7387 Toastmasters Club of Frisco – 972-712-4611 Volunteer Center of North Texas Young Life Frisco – 972-424-6339
About Matt Lafata:
Matt Lafata and his fiancée 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…
Since 2001, Matt and his marketing company have produced this very popular e-newsletter that goes out every week to over 40,000 people and businesses which keeps the Frisco community in touch with local events and businesses.
In July 2007, Matt announced his bid for Mayor of Frisco in the May 2008 election. Visit www.matt4mayor.com for more information about his candidacy.
How to “Whitelist” this Frisco Community Newsletter in Your Spam Filter:
With the advent of outrageous volumes of unwanted email these days, of which I get a ton, it's unfortunate that legitimate email publications like this are not being seen by some of the readers who enjoy those publications. There is much fear today that the email publishing/marketing industry is in serious trouble, due to mistakes in filtering when legitimate email is erroneously tagged as unwanted email.
While we applaud the anti-spam industry for removing the plethora of unwanted email from many of our mailboxes, from time to time, some legitimate email publications are mistaken as unwanted.
Sometimes, this results in our mailings bouncing back, with requests for us to respond to challenge/response messages to prevent future filtering. However, due to the size of our list, it's nearly impossible for us handle the volume of such requests.
To that end, please realize that we want our readers to always anticipate and enjoy the valuable information that this community newsletter delivers.
If you currently use an anti-spam program or service, we ask that you take just a minute or two to add this newsletter to your "safe" or permitted email sender list. This usually involves simply adding our sending address (From:) to your whitelist, safelist, or list of privileged senders. This is commonly known as whitelisting a publication. Simply add the email addresses of matt@mattlafata.com and matt@mattlafatamarketing.com.
If you wish to be removed from this list, please send an email to matt@mattlafata.com.
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Dear Friends,
This week’s newsletter is proudly Sponsored by the YMCA of Frisco. Find out about some of the great things going on at the YMCA including FREE fitness assessments for newsletter readers and exclusive pricing deals for newsletter members to join. Just print out their part of the newsletter below to take advantage of their special offers. Also check out the Spotlight on AmeriPlan and their discount medical plans. Nobody should be without some kind of medical coverage. 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.
We are running a great “back to school” special on advertising in the newsletter. If you have ever thought about reaching this audience before, there is no better time. Email sales@mattlafatamarketing.com for details on this offer before it expires.
I’d like to wish all my Jewish friends a very Happy New Year as the High Holydays season begins. Visit the B’nai Israel web site for more information about services and upcoming events.
Our own FC Dallas plays this Saturday night at 7:30pm against Toronto FC. The first 5,000 kids will receive a free soccer ball courtesy of Texans Credit Union. Visit www.fcdallas.net to get your tickets today.
This coming Tuesday, September 11, is the sixth anniversary of the worst terrorist attacks on American soil. Please take a few moments to reflect on what happened to our great country on September 11, 2001, and let’s not ever forget those who were killed or injured in those attacks. Please also pray for our troops who are fighting for your freedom each and every day in different parts of the world. Whether you agree with the war or not, there are fellow American citizens who are sacrificing their comforts, and in some cases their very lives for all of us. Please keep them in your prayers. God Bless America!
You’ve seen this in the newsletter before and as you all know, helping our children is something I am very passionate about. If you can help, the Leadership Frisco Class 10 could really use it. Every year, the Leadership Frisco class chooses a special project for the community. Class 10 chose to purchase a 29-passenger bus for the Boys & Girls Club of Frisco. They are very close to meeting their financial goal but need just a little more. Please consider helping as The Boys and Girls Club of Frisco reaches out to hundreds of children every day and they really could use your support. Make your tax-deductible donation payable to The Boys and Girls Club of Collin County and mark it "Bus". Mail it to "Leadership Frisco Class 10, Frisco Chamber of Commerce, 6843 Main St., Frisco, TX 75034. For additional information, please email Cathy Barker at cbarker@bgccc.org or call 214-544-8924. Thank you.
Thank you to everybody who responded to last week’s “Issue of the Week: “What do you think about the amount of street lighting on our streets?” I really appreciate everybody’s input and if I haven’t emailed you back personally, please know that I will. Every person’s response is important to me. I also publish a sampling of the comments along with some commentary on my web site at www.makemattmayor.com in the “Issues” section. Yes I know that I am a few weeks behind in updating that page but I should get it updated this weekend. This week’s issue, “What do you think about alley driven developments?” is now posted in the left hand column. If you have an opinion on this, please write in.
If you have a business, restaurant or a service and are interested in advertising and reaching more than 40,000 individuals and businesses in Frisco and the surrounding areas, please email us at sales@mattlafatamarketing.com for more details on the various options available to you. The newsletter is also included on the web site www.mattlafatamarketing.com and www.frisco-online.com for additional exposure. It’s a great way to promote your business, promote an event at your place of business and is the most cost effective and efficient way to reach a large segment of the Frisco population. You may want to also consider providing a special offer to newsletter readers only.
Newsletter Sponsor – YMCA of Frisco:
FREE FITNESS ASSESSMENTS at the YMCA. Fitness experts will assess your cardiovascular endurance, strength, body composition, and flexibility and help you set realistic goals. Bring this email in on Thursday, September 27, from 9am – noon and 3pm – 6pm at the Frisco Family YMCA. PAY THE DAY AT THE YMCA. Join the Y in September and your joiner fee = the calendar date. For example, join on Sept. 6 and your joiner fee is $6. Join on the 7th, its $7. Save up to $89! Membership includes free exercise classes, fitness coaching and more. Bring this email in to redeem. NEW YMCA BREAKING GROUND: Frisco will soon have two YMCAs! This month, the Y will break ground on a new location on Main & Teel. It will feature a family-friendly environment with plenty of activities for kids & teens as well as a full fitness facility. Go to www.friscoymca.org for updates as they begin building. QUALITY AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM: Professional role models are leading children in fun, value-based activities at your elementary school! Program features hands-on science & technology, character development, youth fitness and tutoring led by a certified teacher from your school. Available until 6:30pm. AFFORDABLE FOR ALL: The YMCA offers financial assistance to any families that cannot afford to pay the published rate for programs and membership. They believe no one should be turned away based on financial need. Community volunteers raise funds each year to provide assistance to these families. If you would like to donate scholarship funds, volunteer to raise funds or host a fundraising event, the Y is now organizing the campaign to help families in 2008. For information on any of these YMCA activities, go to www.friscoymca.org or call 972-335-3222. The YMCA is located within Hall Office Park at 2401 Internet Blvd., Ste. 100, Frisco, TX 75034.
Spotlight On…AmeriPlan Corporation:
Mary, you have a much needed service. Please tell us about your business:
With the current healthcare crisis in the USA there are over 140 million uninsured or underinsured. The market is huge and AmeriPlan has a solution for individuals, families and employee groups.
AmeriPlan Corporation... the nation's premier Discount Medical Plan Organization, saving its members hundreds of millions of dollars in supplemental healthcare benefits since 1992.
AmeriPlan is the largest discounted fee-for-services program of its type in the country. Our track record of success in providing access to affordable supplemental healthcare speaks |
