Auto Burglaries Have Risen Dramatically in Frisco
Learn How you can Avoid Becoming the Next Victim!

They say that imitation is the best form of flattery. I have noticed that articles, links and other info I put on my web site and in this newsletter being used in many different places in Frisco and surrounding area.  I really do not mind and, as I have said before, the more people that information reaches, the better I feel that I have done my job in keeping our citizens informed.  However, some of the info being used changes often. I would request that if you copy and reuse some of the information I put on my web site or newsletter you put a link or something to show where the original data is held at or where it came from. In this manner, those that have corrections or comments can get that info to me so that I can fix it for everyone's benefit.  Some of you already do that. I have seen notices such as "information provided by www.friscofirst.com" or "Maher Maso's Newsletter (with link)."  The Link to my web site is http://www.friscofirst.com and the link to the newsletter archives (work in progress) is http://www.friscofirst.com/newsletters.html 

The new Community Calendar seems to be working great. You can see it by clicking on the link in the previous sentence or visiting my website.  Also, the web site updates are continuing and I really appreciate the comments/suggestions that I have been receiving.  The newsletters are now archived Here.   That page is not yet complete, but I will continue to update it as time permits.

A suggestion for those that send me notices to include in the newsletter. Please try to avoid PDF files and fancy formatting.  The newsletter takes some time to create and much of that is spent re-formatting what is sent to me.  Most of the content in this newsletter is created by me, but I try to cut and paste where possible.  The best way to send me information is to use a plain text file or word document. I typically use Verdana as the font.  I like things to be sent in paragraph format and the shorter, the better. It is especially useful to send me contact information and web sites. If you have a link to a more complete article or additional information, it is very easy for me to add that link! 

I received a note that Jerrod Allen, son of Council Member Bob Allen, has entered a fundraiser to promote awareness of specially challenged Americans.  Jerrod has dedicated himself to ride a bicycle from the far west coast to Washington DC.  As a member of the Journey of Hope Charity, Jerrod will spend 71 days this coming summer raising awareness and funds for people with special needs.  Jerrod is a 2005 graduate of Frisco High School.

[While this is also listed under General Announcements, as a cancer survivor, I felt it deserved special attention here also.  Please do what you can to support the Relay for Life event.  If you have never attended a relay for life event; it is a lot of fun for the entire family. -- Maher ]

Contact: René Sinclair – 972-816-9816- cup1999@sbcglobal.net
Lisa Flowers – 972-365-6268 – lisa@jcflowers.com

January 23, 2007

Volunteers Needed for American Cancer Society
Relay For Life in Frisco, Texas

(Frisco, TX) — The local American Cancer Society office of Frisco is looking for volunteers and teams for the seventh annual Relay For Life. They are hosting a meeting at 8:00 p.m. on February 7, 2007 at Grace Avenue United Methodist Church on Main and Teel to share with residents the importance of Relay For Life in saving lives from cancer.
Relay For Life is a fun-filled, overnight event that mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and raise money for the fight against cancer.

“Relay For Life raises awareness about the progress against cancer while also raising funds to fight the disease,” said Shannon Swarbrick, Collin County representative for the American Cancer Society. “Individuals who are willing to give their time and energy to this exciting event, as a volunteer or participant, have made a commitment to fight back against cancer and let the community know that cancer can be beat.”

Teams of eight to fifteen members gather with tents and sleeping bags to participate in the largest fundraising walk in the nation. Relay For Life unites friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, and churches ... people from all walks of life. Teams seek sponsorship prior to the Relay, all with the goal of supporting a cure for cancer.
Volunteers are needed to organize and recruit teams, seek community support, coordinate logistics, find refreshments and prizes, plan entertainment and lend their support in any way. “Volunteering for Relay For Life has made a great impact on me. This will be my second year on the planning committee and the relationships I have made and the overwhelming feeling of being able to be apart of something bigger than I am, is incredible.” said René Sinclair

If you would like to reserve a seat for the informational meeting on February 7, 2007, Volunteer on the Relay For Life committee or serve as a team captain, contact René Sinclair, 972-816-9816  Lisa Flowers, 972-365-6268.  For more information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour help line at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health Organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.
 

Dallas North Tollway - From S.H. 121 to S.H. 380.  NTTA continues to work at a fast pace.  The outside Eastbound Lane on Main Street  will be closed between Dallas Parkway frontage roads through the end of the month.  The dynamic lane use signs erected for Eastbound traffic on Main Street now provide the ability to designate the middle lane as a right-turn lane during AM peak and a thru lane during the rest of the day. This sign shows as a right-turn for now (until the EB Lane is open). 

 • Dancing with the Collin County Stars

There’s nothing more exciting than a little friendly inter-city fun! And what’s more fun these days than ballroom dancing? So when all that is put together, PLUS it benefits local charities, everybody wins!

You have an opportunity to join in all this fun on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2007 from 8 to 11 pm. The 1st annual “DANCING WITH THE COLLIN COUNTY STARS” event will be held at the DaVindy Ballroom in McKinney, TX.

Here’s what’s happening. Three fun loving folks, one each from Frisco, Allen and McKinney, ‘volunteered’ to take just a few dance lessons from a professional instructor. On Saturday February 3, they will each perform their dance (a waltz). Everyone in attendance, such as ‘loyal followers’ and the general public alike, will be able to ‘vote’ for their favorite by making donations to a charity chosen by each dancer performing.

The winner is determined by the largest amount of total donations to their charity. What do they win? Why BRAGGING RIGHTS of course! The winner will be able to say they are the reigning champion of the ‘Dancing with the Collin County Stars’ event! Of course each charity will win as well, since they have the donated ‘votes’ that were cast. And when charities win, we all win.

This year’s participants and their chosen charities include:

Terrie Keith – EVP Member Services – McKinney Chamber of Commerce.
Terrie chose the Serenity High School in McKinney as the charity to receive her votes.

Maxine Sweet – Vice President of Public Education at Experian – Allen, TX
Maxine chose the Allen Community Outreach program as the charity to receive her votes.

Joy West – City Council Member – Frisco, TX
Joy chose the Miracle League of Frisco as the charity to receive her votes.

In addition to the above performers, there will be a special performance by the renowned ‘Evening Stars’ tap dance group, and maybe a few surprise performances (still in the works)!

For more information, visit www.DaVindyBallroom.com, or call Dave at (469) 450-4954.

Best Real Estate Deals

Frisco Tapped for Best Real Estate Deals Finalists for 2006

January 15, 2007 -- The Frisco Economic Development Corporation congratulates the Dallas Business Journal Finalists for 2006. AmerisourceBergen Specialty Group (ABSG), the City of Frisco’s, Grand Park, Phillips Creek Ranch, and SANYO Energy (U.S.A.) Corporation, is among the finalists. Finalist will be announced on February 22, 2007.

About the Finalists

AmerisourceBergen (ABSG) announced in June the relocation of their regional headquarters to the City of Frisco. The 213,000 square foot facility located in Hall Office Park. Frisco is now home to one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical services companies serving the United States, Canada and selected global markets.

Phillips Creek Ranch is a 950-acre, 3,228 lot master-planned community with seven lakes and an extensive creek system that take advantage of the distinctive topography of this historic Frisco site. Homes in the community will range from the $200s to $2 million plus. Phillips Creek Ranch will be a signature development based on its combination of unique amenities, topography with scenic views of Lake Lewisville, wide sweeping boulevards with lush landscaping, beautiful entrances that will hold the largest public outdoor bronze art display in North Texas, and the preservation of the rich history of the Phillips Ranch/B.F. Phillips Family through its theme, historical references and planned on-site museum.

SANYO Energy (U.S.A.) Corporation (SANYO) announced in June that they were moving their North American Headquarters to Frisco, Texas from San Diego, California. Located at Hall Office Park, SANYO Energy (U.S.A.) Corporation is a subsidiary of SANYO North America Corporation, whose parent company is SANYO Electric Co., Ltd. (NASDAQ: SANYY), a $20 billion manufacturer and distributor of consumer and commercial electronics, including solar products and batteries. SANYO is the world’s leader in rechargeable batteries with clients ranging from wireless communication giants to renowned power tool manufacturers. Most recently, SANYO Energy has expanded aggressively into next generation technologies and supplies the technology that powers Hybrid Electric Vehicles and has also been focused on sales of its solar technologies.

“We are very pleased that these projects have been acknowledged as finalists for the Dallas Business Journal’s Best Real Estate Deals, said Jim Gandy, president, Frisco Economic Development Corporation. “We are very proud of Frisco and these finalists are just one another example of the good things happening in Frisco.”

Next City Council Meeting will be held on Tue, Feb 6 at 5:30PM.

Next P&Z Meeting will be held on Tuesday, Feb 13 at 6:30PM.

New City of Frisco City Hall Address:

6101 Frisco Square Blvd., Frisco, Texas 75034