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Matt Lafata’s Weekly Community News |
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September 13, 2007 – Volume 6, Issue 37 |
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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:
"Destiny is not a matter of chance; but a matter of choice. It is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved".
For advertising opportunities, please contact sales@mattlafatamarketing.com
Like I said earlier, this newsletter is absolutely packed with information – something for everyone. There is always something going on in our great city and I try to include everything I can. In this jam packed issue you will find lots of great information. There is something for everyone including the following…
Matt Lafata’s Weekly Community News Newsletter Sponsor – Sharon Carr Travel: Spotlight On…Green Peridot Salon: Interview to be Mrs. Frisco 2008!: Brand Your Business With The Largest Radio Group in DFW!: Attention Frisco Business Owners: Locks of Love Seeking Donations from Children & Adults: Chili’s Restaurant and St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital: Autumn Park Community Garage Sale: Frisco Suns Select Baseball Team Looking for Players: Frisco Quilt Guild Fall Festival: Feeding 5000 Golf Tournament hosted by First United Methodist Church of Frisco: The 6th Annual Wachovia Securities Tennis Spectacular: Vendors Wanted for Holiday Bazaar at Grace Avenue UMC: St. Francis 6th Annual Holiday Bazaar: Vendors Wanted for Fall Bazaar: “BIG CATCH” Bass Tournament - October 20, 2007 - $4,000 Cash Guaranteed!!: Frisco Youth Volleyball Registration: i9 Sports Winter Frisco Basketball League Registrations Under Way: 2007 Chrysalis Ball Benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of Collin County: Legacy Christian Academy Auction Fundraiser: Heroes for Children 5K Run/Walk 2007 Event Information: Greater Dallas Walk to Cure Diabetes: Shawnee Trail Elementary Hosting First North Dallas Area Boosterthon Fun Run: Chill out with a good book! Come to the Book Fair Blizzard: FC Dallas Visits Fisher Elementary: 3rd Annual FSpN Golf Tournament: Newcomer Friends of Greater Plano Upcoming Programs: Wakeland High School Cheerleading/Wakeland Cheer Booster Club Annual Joint Fundraiser: Liberty High School’s REDHAWK BAND Announces its FALL 2007 MARCH-A-THON: National Life Chain - Sunday, October 7, 2:00 to 3:00 p.m.: 40 Days for Life - September 26 to November 4: Call for Cribs – Please Help Save the Lives of Infants in Dallas County: Vendors Needed for Ridgeview Ranch Event: Stonebriar Commons Fall Festival: Upcoming Children’s Book Signing at Walgreens: Upcoming Meeting of the Texas Democratic Women of Collin County: Happenings in Frisco ISD by Sarah Ianace: Accident Reports Available Online: Homebuyers Seminar Saturday – Be Home for the Holidays: Heart Day on Frisco Square to Raise Big Hope for Tiny Hearts: American Cancer Society Relay For Life Frisco 2008: Frisco-OnLine.com: Are you prepared? Frisco Gymnastics Center Block Party: Frisco Residents of Color (FROC) Promoting Unity in the Community: Landscape Design/Detail (Mid Sept - Late Sept): St. Philip’s Episcopal to Sponsor 3rd Annual ‘Blessing of the Animals’: U.S. Postal Service at City Hall: NTTA TollTags Available at City Hall: Frisco Athletic Center to Open October 29: Laugh ‘til it Hurts at the Frisco Storytelling Festival: National Emergency Preparedness Month: Spinning Your Wheels the Safe Way: Eldorado Parkway from FM423 to Dallas North Tollway: Margaux Development Company Purchases Highly Desirable Frisco Property to be called “The District”: Health Department Warns of Approaching Head Lice Season: Upcoming Events at Stonebriar Centre: The County Line by Collin County Commissioner Joe Jaynes:
Issue of the Week:
Each week I will post a different issue 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.
I have mixed feelings about cars parking on neighborhood streets. I realize that sometimes you just have to if you have more cars than will fit in your garage or driveway. On the other hand, I believe it makes our streets look cluttered and actually poses a safety problem. My question to you is, “What do you think about parking on neighborhood streets?
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. I've struggled to find a good place to play tennis at night. The public courts I've tried either don't have lights or they don't work. The schools either have their lights off or are jammed with players. Where's the best place to play at night? Where can I find more information on courts, lights, and light schedules?
A. As far as public courts, I believe that
all Middle School and High School campuses of the FISD have lighted
tennis courts that are available to Frisco residents. For more
information regarding these, I would suggest contacting the School
District at 469-633-6000 and speaking to the Athletic Director's office.
This Day in History – September 13, 1814: Key Pens Star-Spangled Banner:
From the History Channel…
On this day in 1814, Francis Scott Key pens a poem which is later set to music and in 1931 becomes America's national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner." The poem, originally titled "The Defence of Fort McHenry," was written after Key witnessed the Maryland fort being bombarded by the British during the War of 1812. Key was inspired by the sight of a lone U.S. flag still flying over Fort McHenry at daybreak, as reflected in the now-famous words of the "Star-Spangled Banner": "And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there."
Francis Scott Key was born on August 1, 1779, at Terra Rubra, his family's estate in Frederick County (now Carroll County), Maryland. He became a successful lawyer in Maryland and Washington, D.C., and was later appointed U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia.
On June 18, 1812, America declared war on Great Britain after a series of trade disagreements. In August 1814, British troops invaded Washington, D.C., and burned the White House, Capitol Building and Library of Congress. Their next target was Baltimore.
After one of Key's friends, Dr. William Beanes, was taken prisoner by the British, Key went to Baltimore, located the ship where Beanes was being held and negotiated his release. However, Key and Beanes weren't allowed to leave until after the British bombardment of Fort McHenry. Key watched the bombing campaign unfold from aboard a ship located about eight miles away. After a day, the British were unable to destroy the fort and gave up. Key was relieved to see the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry and quickly penned a few lines in tribute to what he had witnessed.
The poem was printed in newspapers and eventually set to the music of a popular English drinking tune called "To Anacreon in Heaven" by composer John Stafford Smith. People began referring to the song as "The Star-Spangled Banner" and in 1916 President Woodrow Wilson announced that it should be played at all official events. It was adopted as the national anthem on March 3, 1931.
Francis Scott Key died of pleurisy on January 11, 1843. Today, the flag that flew over Fort McHenry in 1914 is housed at the Smithsonian Institution’s Museum of American History in Washington, D.C.
September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month:
Last week we covered Cholesterol Awareness…
September kicks off National Ovarian Cancer Awareness
Month. Each year in September, awareness is raised about
ovarian cancer, a disease that
is often called the "silent killer". *Ovarian cancer is the most deadly type of cancer that women can develop. * Over 20,000 American women will be diagnosed in 2007. Over 15,000 women will die of ovarian cancer this year.
* Ovarian cancer is currently the 5th leading cause of
death among women.
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. 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…
· 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 · Board member for the Frisco Square Municipal Management District · City of Frisco Technology Committee member · City of Frisco Budget and Audit subcommittee member · Tax Increment Finance board member · Wakeland High School PTA Technology/Publicity Committee Chairperson · Co-Director of the Mrs. Texas United States Pageant · Honorary Chair for World AIDS Day 2007 in Collin County
Since 2001, Matt and his marketing company have produced this very popular e-newsletter that goes out every week to over 40,000 people and businesses which keeps the Frisco community in touch with local events and businesses.
In July 2007, Matt announced his bid for Mayor of Frisco in the May 2008 election. Visit www.matt4mayor.com for more information about his candidacy.
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 Sharon Carr Travel and an incredible deal they have on an amazing Disney vacation! Don’t delay as space is extremely limited and this deal of a lifetime offer expires September 27. Also check out the Spotlight on Green Peridot Salon at The Shops at Starwood. They have a great offer for newsletter readers of your first cut with your first color service free or 20% off your first product purchase. Woo-hoo! 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 miss the Texas Tornado this Friday, September 14 as they take on the Wichita Falls Wildcats in an exhibition game. Game time 7:30pm. Doors open at the Deja Blue, Frisco at 6:30pm. The two teams will match up again September 28, in the Tornado home opener. Tickets start as low as $10 and can be purchased by calling 972-335-9800 or online at tornadohockey.com.
Thank you to everybody who responded to last week’s “Issue of the Week: “What do you think about alley driven developments?”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 parking on neighborhood streets? 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 – Sharon Carr Travel:
It’s time to start shopping for the perfect Christmas gift. This year, why not surprise your family with a fabulous Disney Vacation. We have an amazing special you won’t find anywhere else. And best of all, it comes with an unheard-of price!
Date: January 27th – February 2, 2008. Price: starting at $995 per person/double occupancy
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So when’s the best time to explore Disney? When the crowds are smaller, the lines are shorter and the weather is beautiful! You get the best of both worlds! A relaxing Disney cruise and a visit to Disney parks. This is the perfect time to take your pre-school kids on a family vacation. They’ll explore the high seas on the Disney Wonder, a beautiful ship where magic lurks around every corner. And for you Singles, Couples, and Parents…. Think Disney is only for the little ones? No way! On the Disney Wonder, there are plenty of designated “Adults Only” areas. From the adults only pool, to the spa, to the elegant restaurant Palo, you can get away from it all and enjoy some peace and quiet on this full-service luxury cruise.
Then it’s on to Disney World resort. You’ll stay on Disney property at the wonderfully animated All-Star Movies resort. And we’ve included a free upgrade to the preferred section of the resort.
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Spotlight On…Green Peridot Salon:
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