Thursday, May 21, 2009

Prosper Texas: Why So Popular

Why are so many people talking about Prosper Texas as a place to live? One reason is its proximity to Dallas now that the Dallas North Toll road is open from downtown Dallas to Prosper...a 36 mile trek. And, Prosper is now only 10 minutes to Frisco, 20 minutes to McKinney, and 30 minutes to Denton and 35 minutes to Dallas! A new Prosper Awareness campaign to be launched this spring is named "All Roads Lead to Prosper". But proximity is only one reason.

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Frisco evolving into destination city

May 19, 2009
Dallas Business Journal

The City of Frisco says a recent study show it pays to focus on the North Texas city’s value as a destination for tourists.

A new report commissioned by the Frisco Convention & Visitors Bureau found than in 2008, the city received $1.24 billion in direct visitor spending from 4.33 million visitors. Those visitors included 3.83 million day-trippers who live in other parts of the Dallas-Fort Worth area and within a 200-mile radius.

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Friday, April 17, 2009

Celina Area Heritage Museum sprucing up for Memorial Day

The Celina Area Heritage Museum is getting a makeover.

When it is ready to face the public again it will have more display area and a miniature street. Museum patrons will be able to look through windows to see the “Celina Record” office as it looked in the '40s and '50s.

Bob McKnight, treasurer of the board of directors of the Celina Area Heritage Museum has built and installed a row of display cases that will house a number of displays.

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What's on Dallas real estate investors' minds? Lots!

The biggest homebuilding slowdown on record has left the Dallas-Fort Worth area with lots of empty lots.

How many? Enough to last more than five years, according to the latest estimates.

"Home starts have declined almost 67 percent while the lot supply has fallen only 2 percent," said local housing analyst Ted Wilson.

For investors, those unwanted properties offer the potential for profit.

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Baseball: McKinney shuts out Frisco

McKinney shut out Frisco, 8-0, on Tuesday at home behind a two-hit win by Matt Lipka. The pitcher also homered as the Lions posted 12 hits. Jacob Smith doubled.

Sherman (8-2), tied for first in District 9-4A with McKinney (8-2), topped Frisco Centennial, 3-2.

Frisco Wakeland (7-3) beat Denison, 6-3.

McKinney North (6-4) had 16 hits in a 14-2 win at Frisco Liberty. Kindle Ladd held Liberty to four hits.
Mall operator says Chapter 11 filing won't affect shopping at Galleria, Stonebriar, other centers

Shopping, uninterrupted.

That's the message General Growth Properties Inc., the second-largest U.S. mall operator, struggled to get out Thursday after it filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.

The company said none of its 200 malls – including several in the Dallas area – is closing and shoppers shouldn't notice anything different. But there's a chance your favorite mall could be sold over the next few months, the company said.

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Thursday, April 09, 2009

Frisco Adopts New Water Management Plan

Outdoor Watering Restricted To Two Days Per Week During Summer Months

The City of Frisco has new, mandatory water restrictions for summer months which emphasize watering efficiently and reducing waste. Last night, the Frisco City Council approved the plan.

As of today, the City of Frisco's new Water Management Plan takes effect.

This new plan encompasses a Drought Contingency Plan and a Water Efficiency Plan. Under the new Water Efficiency Plan, outdoor watering is restricted to two days per week and is based on residents' trash and recycling service schedule and an additional, designated day.

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Wednesday, March 25, 2009

INJURED BOB CAT CAPTURED IN FRISCO, TX

ANIMAL CONTROL REMIND RESIDENTS TRAPS ARE ILLEGAL AND MAY INJURE PEOPLE, PETS

(March 23, 2009) Animal control officers remind residents that setting metal traps to catch unwanted wildlife is illegal within city limits and may result in injuries to people and pets, as well.

Shortly after 9 a.m. yesterday morning, March 22, dispatchers were alerted an injured bob cat was in the alley of the 4100 block of Freedom Lane. Animal control officers were called and they were able to capture the injured bob cat. Animal control officers say the animal was missing a back paw. Staff says it appears the injury resulted from the animal being caught in a claw type¨ trap. Animal control officers add, the animal was a juvenile cat and appeared thin, indicating the bob cat may have had the injury for sometime.

The traps are considered inhumane and therefore, illegal in the City of Frisco¨ said Gregg Carr, Animal Control Administrator. We appreciate residents apprehension about wildlife, such as bob cats and coyotes, but we don't recommend traps because the devices don't discriminate and children and family pets can easily become caught and hurt in the traps, too.¨
The injured bob cat was taken to the Outdoor Learning Center in Plano, which rehabilitates injured wildlife. However, the Outdoor Learning Center is not equipped to rehabilitate bob cats, so the animal will eventually be transferred to another facility.

Carr stresses city animal control officers were only able to capture the bob cat because it was hurt. Otherwise, Carr adds, the animals usually scare and run away when they see people. Carr reminds residents to use the following tips to help keep their families and pets safe from wildlife.

"X Do not leave pet food out overnight. Keep food outside for only a half an hour during the day, if possible.

"X Remove any fallen fruit from trees, daily.

"X Keep trash in a secure container. This alleviates easy meal access. Place container outside on trash pick up day.

"X Be mindful of birdfeeders and scattered seed on the ground. Birdseed attracts squirrels and rodents.

"X Make a disturbance when confronted with wildlife so the animals know they're in your territory. Waving a stick or banging pots and pans are good means for creating a disturbance.

"X Take a stick with you when walking pets. This can be used to harass a wild animal, if you're confronted during your walk.

"X Keep eye contact and slowly back way from larger, wild animals. Don't turn your back and run, as this can trigger an animal to attack.

"X Physically restrain all pets and bring them into the house overnight, if possible.

"X Keep landscaping trimmed back around the house and pool. This helps prevent wild animals from finding shelter at your home.

"X Immediately report sightings of wildlife which appear to be staggering.

Call the DFW Wildlife Coalition Hotline at 972-234-WILD. Normally, wild animals run away at the sight of humans. However, if an animal is staggering and continues to move towards you, it's possible the animal may be rabid.

For more information, contact the City of Frisco Animal Control at 972-292-5303. Call the local division of the Texas Wildlife Damage Management Service at 817-978-3146. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also provides information at http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild. To donate or to find out more information about the Outdoor Learning Center and Living Materials Center, call 469-752-1195. The Outdoor Learning Center is supported by the Plano Independent School District.

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Home sales, outlook getting better


February 25, 2009, Austin Business Journal

A February survey of public and private builders across the country from John Burns Real Estate Consulting shows that Texas saw new home sales, traffic and expectations pick up in January. The survey gathered information from 236 home building industry executives.

“I spent several days in Texas this month and can confirm that the pick-up is real and is driven by lower mortgage rates in an area where home price appreciation was insignificant and the economy is still OK,” said John Burns, CEO of Irvine, Calif.-based John Burns Real Estate Consulting.

However, Burns said, new home prices are still trending downward everywhere, including Texas.

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FISD art show to paint picture of students’ creativity


By JAN BELLAMY, February 23, 2009

More than 2,000 works of art by Frisco students are being displayed Tuesday and Thursday nights at the new Career and Technical Education Center, 9889 Wade Blvd., Frisco. The works reflect the talents of youngsters from kindergarten through 12th grade.

“We are celebrating National Youth Art Month, which is in March,” said Laverne Forwark, art teacher at Curtsinger Elementary and coordinator of the annual exhibit for three years.

“We started the annual student art show in 1998,” Forwark explained, “and I think we had only five campuses then compared to the 40 campuses now part of the district and represented in this show.”

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Outlook healthy for FISD budget


By DEVIN MONK, February 20

If projections and proposals go according to plan later this year, Frisco ISD will pass its financial checkup for the coming fiscal year and further explore ways to help its employees maintain their wellness through an on-site health-care clinic.

Frisco ISD officials learned at Monday night’s regular board meeting that the district will likely have a robust budget in store.

Conservative estimates of a $15.65 billion tax base for the 2009-10 fiscal year would bring in a projected revenue of $266.76 million. If Collin and Denton county appraisal districts value property at a higher mark this June, then projections would approach $277.16 million in revenue.

FISD Director of Finance Rick Bankston said that appraisal districts were holding off on releasing their preliminary projections because of the impact home foreclosures could have on property values, but continued commercial development within the district’s boundaries would counterbalance any reductions.

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Makeover on track for Frisco Superdrome cycling facility


February 16, 2009

By DAN X. McGRAW

Six years of abuse and Texas weather are showing on the wooden planks of the Frisco Superdrome.

Bicyclists race at a blazing-fast 30 mph on the 250-meter velodrome, an oval track with 45-degree turns designed to help riders maintain high speeds. The constant pounding has left potholes large and small dotting the straightaways and turns.

Now, volunteers are removing, replacing and repainting every board on the track – its first major renovation in more than six years.

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Walking the talk: Expedition for clean water makes Frisco stop


Feb 23, 2009
Frisco reached out a helping hand to Africa on Saturday. About 50 area residents came together at The Canyons climbing gym to welcome a Texas native son and a fellow traveler walking to raise awareness of the need for clean and healthy water sources to save lives.

Bryan Schlackman, 22, of Richardson joined Daren Wendell, 27, of Ohio at the California border and is travelling with Wendell on the second leg of a multi-year, 18,000-mile journey around the world. They passed through Texas on their way to Dahlonega, Ga., as part of the Earth Expedition and Blood:Water Mission.

“I’ve always wanted to do something about the diseased water that kills so many Africans each day,” Schlackman said. “I just can’t stand seeing people die because they don’t have water.”

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Frisco faces $3M budget shortfall; budget cuts, hiring freeze initiated


By ELIZABETH LANGTON / The Dallas Morning News

Frisco is projecting a $3 million gap in this year's budget, prompting immediate spending cuts and a hiring freeze, officials said this week.

While the city's property and sales tax revenues remain at or near projected ranges, earnings from building permits and interest are well below budgeted levels, Assistant City Manager Nell Lange said.

In response, city staff has been directed to cut 4 percent from each department's budget and freeze 28 open jobs. The cuts will not require layoffs, Lange said.

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Monday, January 26, 2009

Inauguration education: Frisco students march into inauguration history



Two Wakeland High School students were among the crowd of more than 1 million people who braved freezing temperatures to attend the inauguration of President Barack Obama on Tuesday.

Juniors Ben Hauser, 17, and Tanner Jones, 16, marched in the inauguration parade with the Cadets of Allentown, Pa., one of the oldest and most celebrated marching bands in the country. Both students returned to Frisco Wednesday exhausted and sick, but they said the experience was worth the trouble.

“It was indescribable at some points,” said Jones, who plays the baritone. “Whether it was that I couldn’t think through the bone chilling cold or it was amazing how many people we saw when we walked in, there were some moments where I just wanted to stand [and watch] instead of march through it.”

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Hundreds shop Dallas Bridal Show to score money-saving specials



January 24, 2009

By KATRINA GUTIERREZ

The Dallas Bridal Show is in full swing this weekend as hundreds of brides-to-be flock to Market Hall in hopes of creating the perfect wedding.

At this year’s show, many brides and vendors have a new goal: to scale back wedding costs during a struggling economy without stripping all the beauty from one of life’s most special ceremonies.

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Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Collin Bank opens in Frisco Town Square



Collin Bank recently opened its first branch in Frisco Town Square. The bank, whose name reflects the pride and growth of Collin County, serves clients at 8802 Coleman Blvd., one block south of Pizza Hut Park in Frisco Square.

See Announcement

Collin Bank Website

Sotherby Homes Closing - Going out of Business


WFAA reports that Sotherby Homes, specializing in high end homes--mostly in Frisco and McKinney, Texas is closing some operations. "Plano-based Sotherby Homes builds more than 300 houses a year that sell for between $300,000 and $500,000."

The Sotherby Homes website is down.

Full Story WFAA

Frisco Celina Prosper