The Colony Connection Magazine winter 06.qxd
Transcription
The Colony Connection Magazine winter 06.qxd
WINTER 2006 December January February The Ultimate Holiday Reading Issue New Year’s Resolutions “Pick List” Local Talent Shines Again A Children’s Classic Pg. 2 Facts About Flu Pg. 9 Pg. 11 Holiday Helpers Pg. 3-4 City & Chamber Announcements 12 Things To Do In The Colony Pg. 8 TCHS Announcements Pg. 9 Healthy or After Party Recipes Exchange Pg. 11 Business Resources Pg. 15 A Compliment ary Quarterly Magazine Publication of The Colony Chamber of Commerce Pg. 1 On the cover Seasons Greetings from Your Chamber of Commerce Looking Forward to a Winning Year... O Above: Weston Baker as Andy and Ashley Napoli as Raggedy Ann Raggedy Ann and Andy, America’s most endearing and enduring folk dolls, come to life in a production that captures the imagination. With simple inventive staging this action-packed plot encourages lively audience participation. Your kids will love the story as it unfolds in a special playroom where magical events transpire December 8 at 8:00 PM and December 9 at 3:00 pm and 8:00 PM (following the Christmas parade and city Tree Lighting ceremony) at the Lakeside Arts Center, 6301-B Main Street (behind the Denton County Government Center). Tickets are specially discounted for this production at $8 for children and seniors and $10 for adults. Family pack of 4 tickets are $32.00. Only one discount is allowed per group. Presented by Lakeside Community Theatre in conjunction with Vibrant Dreams Acting Company, this performance is performed by and for children and is appropriate for all ages. This production is sponsored in part by Lakeside Arts Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and promoting fine arts and arts organizations within our community and encouraging community participation in all aspects of the arts. For information, check our website at www.vibrantdreamsacting.org or www.lakesidetheatre.org, or call (972) 625-7811. Directed by Victoria Irvine, the talented cast features Ashley Napoli as Raggedy Ann and Weston Baker as Andy. Joining these two rag-dolls in their magical playroom are their fellow toys and imaginary friends played by Taylor Hepburn, Shelby Koenig, Abigail Accipiter, Phoenix Accipiter, Colt Wimbish, Ana Ortega-Williams, Kelsey Carr, Amanda Carson-Green, Savanna Baker, Victoria Carnes, David J. Wallis, Matt Cook, Cameron Baker, Zoe McGonnell, and Trinity Carnes. Your Community Magazine! The Colony Connection is a complimentary quarterly magazine published by C-Media Services, LLC with over 14,000 copies distributed to residents and businesses within The Colony. Also available online at www.thecolonychamber.com and through city e-mail subscribers, The Colony Connection is the #1 resource for community news. While every effort has been made to avoid errors, neither C-Media Services, LLC., The Colony Chamber of Commerce, or the City of The Colony assumes any responsibility for errors or omissions. If you discover an error, please contact The Colony Chamber of Commerce or email us at info@c-mediaservices.com. Advertisers and advertising agencies assume liability for content of all advertisements. Here’s what's coming in the next issue: Spring ‘07 - Tax & Finance Advertising rates as low as $50. Ask about our frequency discounts. Visit www.thecolonychamber.com for rates and advertising information. For advertising opportunities or to submit community news and information in The Colony Connection call 972.624.8335 or e-mail us at info@c-mediaservices.com. ur 2007 chamber board is preparing a progressive calendar of activities for the next year, keeping in mind that each activity must be measured against our mission statement. This goal of promoting business development, economic growth and quality of life in our city requires many volunteer hours. As with sports, building a successful team in a non-profit organization is key to having a winning year. All chamber members are part of our team. Volunteers become the first string. The Board of Directors are the coaches, meeting with the members and discovering their strengths as well as their areas of interest. Each coach focuses on the goals they must accomplish and look for captains for their teams; chairpersons who have the ability and drive to “take the ball and run with it.” These captains inspire and motivate the rest of the group. They encourage them to keep in shape by attending networking events and continuing business education opportunities. With their coach, they review past plays and strategize, striving to improve the quality and outcome of their efforts. They poll the team for feedback. They respect the discipline of consistency, yet are not opposed to being creative when necessary. Above: Allison Mihavics The Colony Chamber of Commerce -President- In addition to playing for the team, these volunteers have families to care for and businesses to tend to. The time they have given to our organization is precious. On December 8th they will gather again to map out the strategy to cope with our rapid growth. Our winning year will include working with SCORE and local universities to provide continuing education and support for businesses. We further develop networking opportunities for chamber members. We will continue to work with the city on preparations for business development and enhancement of the city's gateway. We will aid our schools and community organizations by connecting them to the assets of their business community. And we will continue to provide quality mediums to keep our community informed as well as provide avenues for our businesses to create awareness about their product or service. As President of The Colony Chamber of Commerce, I wish to thank the outgoing 2006 Board of Directors for sharing their time and talent. David Bayliss of Supreme Lending, Sheri De Wet of Cartridge World, Lavell Garner of Century 21 Judge Fite, Becky Miller of IESI, and Ambassador President Sue Walden gave us several years of enthusiastic and creative input and leadership. It is with gratitude that I welcome the 2007 Board of Directors. Chairman, Manuel Rivera of Keller Williams NW 121, is joined by returning directors, Bill Jamme, Christi VerMilyea-Burns of C-Media, John Gordon of Gordon and Gordon Insurance, as well as the newest directors: Karen Endres of GNB, Will Haynes of Wells Fargo, Lynn Jackson of Capitol One, Alan Robinson of Star Insurance Services, and Ambassador President, Patrick Lenaghen of Texas Security Group. We invite you to join us in a winning year! Allison Mihavics is President of The Colony Chamber of Commerce and can be contacted at 972.625.4916 or info@thecolonychamber.org. For more information about TCCOC, its benefits, members, or calendar of events, visit www.thecolonychamber.com. 2007 Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Manuel Rivera Treasurer Bill Jamme Ambassador President Patrick Lenaghen City Liaison Dale Cheatham LISD Liaison Clint Mosely Business Development John Gordon Governmental Affairs Alan Robinson Media Resources Christi VerMilyea-Burns Special Events Lynn Jackson Membership Karen Endres At-Large Will Haynes Outgoing Chairman Jeff Meyers Chamber Staff: President Allison Mihavics Pg. 2 HOLIDAY HELPERS • HOLIDAY CHEER Your Holiday Packaging And Shipping Just Got Easier Tired of mostly "misses" when it comes to good customer service? Been saving awkward boxes for holiday shipments? Go ahead and toss the boxes and get ready for a journey in high-performance customer service combined with a new era of shipping conveniences. Pre-assembled gift boxes, peanuts, bubble wrap, and the perfect-size box are waiting to put the cheer in your holiday as professionals at The UPS Store in The Colony organize and expertly pack everything. The UPS Store in The Colony ensures the safety of your items while specializing in packaging fragile, hard-to-pack, and odd-shaped items. You can be assured these professionals have you and your packages covered. Courtesy e-mails enabling you to track your packages complement the conveniences at The UPS Store in The Colony. Come and browse through an assortment of unique all-occasion greeting cards. Combining the amusement of "tickle" and the accessibility of "envelope", the USPS approved Tickelopes add laughter and zany charm to any greeting. Need copies on colored paper, laminating, binding, colored copies, or business services? The UPS Store in The Colony provides fast and affordable copy and print services, communication and business services, notary services, office products and supplies, and 24-hour mail box access. Check out their website for services and holiday hours at www.theupsstore.com/5168.htm or visit their location for your personal or office copy and print needs. The UPS Store in The Colony is located at 3751 Main St., Suite 600 (around the corner from Wal-Mart) Call (972) 370-1525 to see how your holiday packaging and shipping just got easier. Holiday Packaging and Shipping information brought to you by The UPS Store in The Colony, TX. Preventing Holiday Burglaries Matt Courtney Allstate Agency Offers Tips To Protect Your Home This Holiday Season The holidays are a time filled with expensive presents, traveling - and burglaries! Burglaries rise during the holidays because there's more perceived loot and people leave their home unattended to visit loved ones. According to the latest data from the Texas Department of Public Safety, a burglary occurs every two minutes in Texas. The key to keeping your home safe over the holidays is to make it look like you're home, even if you're not. To prevent holiday burglaries, the Matt Courtney Allstate Agency encourages The Colony residents to stop mail and newspaper deliveries, have neighbors check for packages or flyers that might be delivered on your doorstep, and put lights on automatic timers. It's always a good idea to make a habit of turning on your home alarm monitoring system every time you leave and install motion detectors outside to help scare off burglars, and trim back shrubs criminals can climb on to make it as difficult as possible for burglars to get in your home. And some even forget the most obvious safety precautions. No matter what time of year it is, you should always make sure that you lock your doors and windows. Also, never hide keys in places a burglar might look. And when the holidays are over, don't let your guard down. Avoid leaving the boxes from your gifts on the curb, particularly boxes from big-ticket items like electronics. Leaving these on the curb advertises new purchases inside your home. Matt Courtney owns the Allstate agency at Lakeridge Plaza, 6700 Main Street Suite 128, in The Colony. Located between Roma's Italian Restaurant and Fitness USA next to CJ's Restaurant & Club. Call to find out how you can save with Home, Life, and Auto Insurance through the Matt Courtney Allstate Agency at (972) 624-0239. Preventing Holiday Burglaries brought to you by Matt Courtney Allstate Agency, The Colony, TX. Pg. 3 R • HOLIDAY HELPERS • HOLIDAY CHE More Than Just Fluff, This Medical Spa Offers Tangible Results For A Variety of Aesthetic Needs A visit to the spa is no longer just a luxury, but an experience that provides a full range of services that focus on your entire well-being. Spa O2 and Medical Aesthetics is a local pioneer in the medical spa, a place that exemplifies "The Convergence of Beauty and Science". For more than three years, Spa O2 has served as an aesthetic and wellness resource for North Texas men and women. While the facility's services include traditional spa treatments like facials and massage, advanced aesthetic treatments performed by medical professionals are in highest demand. Spa O2 boasts a menu of more than 30 specialty treatments, from which their staff will help you choose the most effective course of treatment. Their wide range of treatments can give you just what you need to get through the holidays or maintain a balance year-round. Services include everything from oxygen facials, ear candling, and medical microdermabrasion to Botox® Cosmetic, a medically-supervised weight loss program, and Portrait® Skin Regeneration. What's the hottest seller this season? While gift cards are the most popular item sold during the holiday season, photofacials and laser hair removal are always at the top of the list of desired treatments. However, a new favorite is emerging: Portrait® Skin Regeneration Procedure. This treatment is unlike any other available today. It utilizes a completely new plasma energy technology that works both on and below the surface of the skin to modify the skin's architecture so that new collagen is generated. Portrait® is effective in reducing fine lines and deep wrinkles, treating sun-damaged skin, improving skin elasticity and texture, improving acne scars and tightening skin. Downtime is minimal and clinical studies show that the improvements you see following your treatment will become even more dramatic over time. Whether you want to decompress from the stress of the season, lose weight after your holiday indulgences, or learn what you can do to turn back the hands of time, Spa O2 can help you. Spa O2 and Medical Aesthetics is located at 1701 Legacy Drive, Suite 100. Visit www.SpaO2.com or call (972) 334-9900 for a menu of services and a list of current specials. Medical Spa information brought to you by Spa O2, Frisco, TX Pet Awareness - If Pet Giving This Year . . . Please Do So Responsibly Each year over the Christmas period, abandoned pet calls are received at their highest level. Pets can be a wonderful addition to any family, but adopting or buying a pet is a major decision that should be made with careful consideration and research. This holiday season and all throughout the year consumers should consider the important responsibilities of being a Pet Parent before giving a pet as a gift. Pets have many benefits including companionship, teaching children responsibility, and help ease the feeling of loneliness with the elderly. If you are thinking about buying a pet as a gift this holiday season, please consider the following: Thoroughly research the pet type, its care, and housing requirements. Consider the lifespan and special needs of the pet when deciding what type of pet to give. Before introducing a pet into the family, gift givers should consider how much time the future Pet Parent spends away from home, if there are small children or other pets in the household, and the pet's age. If a pet is given as a gift, all of the basic necessities - such as housing, food, toys, and accessories - should be given at the same time. Behavioral problems are the number one reason pets are relinquished to shelters. If buying a pet as a gift, consumers should consider giving a gift card for training as well. For more tips on responsible pet adoptions or to visit a variety of pets waiting for a good home call The Colony Animal Control Division at (972) 370-9250 located at 4720 E. Lake Highlands. Closed Sundays. Sources: www.parkvets.com, www.petsmart.com, The Colony Animal Control Division Pg. 4 City of The Colony T he Colony Receives TCEQ Award The Colony received recognition from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) for its outstanding performance demonstrated for the calendar year 2005 for showing initiative in exceeding the requirements for the Total Coliform Rule. The award program was implement this year by TCEQ to recognize public water systems for the effort, dedication and contribution made to the state and to protecting the public health of Texas citizens. Coliforms are bacteria that are abundant in the feces of humans and animals. They are also found in streams, in soil and on plants. Although most types of coliforms do not cause illness, their presence in drinking water is used as an indicator of the possible presence of other fecal contaminants. Typhoid fever, cholera, dysentery, polio, and hepatitis A are examples of diseases caused by fecal contaminants that can be transmitted to humans in their drinking water. The city uses chloramines as a residual disinfectant in the water distribution system. Chloramines are used instead of free-chlorine because they are not as reactive with organics and produce substantially lower concentrations of disinfection by-products than free-chlorine. Some of these by-products are carcinogens that are regulated by EPA. We also know that chloramines are more stable and continue to disinfect longer than free-chlorine. This fact is particularly important because the residual disinfectant is used to keep the drinking water free of disease causing pathogens as it travels through the distribution system to your home. Chloramines have been used in drinking water since the 1930's and about 30percent of the water distribution systems in the U.S. are currently using them as the residual disinfectant. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), "Chloramines are produced by combining chlorine and ammonia. While obviously toxic at high levels, neither pose health concerns to humans at the levels used for drinking water disinfection." The city continues to protect the public by maintaining a minimum residual for disinfection and meeting EPA standards by not exceeding the maximum level for chloramines in drinking water. The purpose of the Total Coliform Rule award is to recognize The Colony for exceeding the minimum acceptable TCEQ standards, focusing public attention on the importance of water system enhancement activities, serving as an example to other water systems, and for taking extra steps to protect their public drinking water. If you desire more information on the city's superior water quality, please refer to the Water Quality Report on the city's website. The Colony's goal is to provide an adequate supply of superior quality water to its citizens. Utility Billing Cycle The Utility Billing Department has been on the cycle billing system for several years. A frequently asked question has been if the customer could change zone or cycle billing dates. Zones are read by geographical location, and because of this customers cannot change their zone. It is time efficient and less costly to read by geographical zones. For customer service it means receiving your utility bill within ten days of the date the water meter was read. Cycle billing allows for quick detection and correction of water leaks. The city mails bills out every Wednesday. If you are not sure when your bill is mailed, call the Utility Let's Keep Our Water Clean! Do you have a backflow prevention device? How about an irrigation system or, for businesses, a soda fountain? Do you know what this device is for? It is logical to assume that because water is always under pressure, it can only flow in one direction. However, it's possible for the flow to be reversed. Water will always flow to the lowest point. If a main water line in our system should break, or if a fire occurred and the fire department opened several hydrants, the pressure in our water mains could drop dramatically, causing a reversal of flow. The potential for this reversal of flow is why the city is concerned about the possibility of contaminants back flowing into our water system. Backflow prevention devices prevent the water from flowing back into our water system and polluting our drinking water. Our drinking water is among the safest in the world. Federal and State regulations require water suppliers (such as the Pg. 5 Office (972-625-2741) and we will be happy to provide you with your billing schedule. We have had several questions about when we process payments. Payments are received in the Utility Office several different ways: in person, in the night depository, in the drive-up drop box, through the mail, automatic draft, and online credit card. Payments received in person are processed the same day, and payments in the night depository drop box are processed at 8:00 a.m. every business day. We process all mail payments as of the date they are received, not the postmarked date. Postal customers need to be aware that The Colony does not have a local drop mail box at the Post Office. All mail received at the local Post Office is sent to the North Texas Mail Processing Center at Coppell for processing before it is returned to The Colony for delivery. This process can sometimes take up to three days, so if you are mailing close to the due date, you may want to drop off your payment in person or put it in our night depository drop box. Just as a reminder, we will be recalculating sewer charges in March. The calculation is based on average winter water usage, and we choose the three winter months with the lowest consumption citywide. Months that we consider are December, January, February and March; the month with the highest consumption is discarded. We then determine the individual average winter water usage using the other three months to calculate the new sewer charge. The new sewer charge will remain the same until April of the next year when we once again re-average all accounts. The greatest benefit of this method is that the customer is not paying sewer charges in the summer for water that is going on the lawn, filling pools, etc. Our primary goal at the Utility Department is to serve our customers courteously and responsibly. You can help us serve you better by having your account number handy when you need to call us. Also, bring your entire utility bill when paying in person. City of The Colony) to protect their water systems from contamination or pollution. To do this The Colony Building Inspections Department will conduct surveys throughout the city. Through these surveys, the City's Water Protection Specialist will determine the extent of backflow protection that is required. In January 2007 the City of the Colony will have a Water Protection Specialist perform annual testing on all residential and commercial backflow devices throughout the city. The cost of testing each device will be added to your monthly water bill; Residential $3.33/month and Commercial $7.08/month. For example, if you're residential property has an irrigation system, your backflow assembly will be tested once a year by the city and you will be charged $3.33 per month on your water bill. Only property owners where backflow prevention devices exist will be charged. No charges will be incurred to properties that do not have these devices. For more information about backflow prevention devices contact Jay Henson at 972-624-3155. We have a limited number of customer service representatives, so if you call and get a busy signal, please keep trying. You can also fax us at (972)624-2286. Our regular business number is (972)625-2741 and the after hours emergency utility calls can be made to (972)625-4471. Please do not hesitate to call or come by if you have a question, concern, suggestion, or compliment. We look forward to serving you. Nationwide Author Tour Stops in The Colony of the road, we just assume they are used to the flow of traffic and we either stare at them as we go by, wondering what they are doing, or ignore them completely. On September 1, 2003 a traffic law went into effect that is designed to protect emergency vehicles and personnel that are working on the side of the road with their emergency lights on? It's simple really. It gives emergency personnel room to work safely by the side of the road. Texas Transportation Code 545.157 says passing motorists should move one lane away from wherever the emergency personnel are working or, if that is not possible, to slow down to 20 miles per hour below the posted limit. That limits the possibility of the personnel being injured or killed by passing motorists. Also, please remember, we all learned in driver's education to yield to emergency vehicles. When an emergency vehicle is approaching you from the front or the rear with its lights and/or siren displayed, please move quickly and safely as far to the right as possible and stop. The police officer behind you may just be trying to get around you to get to an emergency somewhere else. If you pull to the left you are endangering yourself and the officer, and may delay help reaching someone who may desperately need it. Above: Wahoo Authors Elise Pritcher Carr and Dennis Carr So give us a brake, and don't forget to buckle up! Welcome to Wahoo authors Dennis Carr & Elise Pritcher Carr visited The Colony Public Library, 6800 Main Street, on Saturday, October 14, 2006, to speak with an audience of teens about their experiences as authors and screenwriters. Audience members participated in creating a 3-act outline of an adventure story, while learning about the value of reading in developing creativity. Construction Nears Completion At Wastewater Treatment Plant Kick off Teen Read Week with the opportunity to meet the authors of this 2007 Best Books for Young Adults nominee. The husband and wife writing team, whose book has been nominated for the 2007 Best Books for Young Adults list, is currently embarked on the largest middle and high school author tour in history. The Carrs moved out of their Las Vegas home into a 45-foot touring bus, which is vinyl wrapped with the cover of the book. The Wahoo tour (16,000 miles so far) is designed to encourage students to read and write. Their literacy tour's theme is "It's cool to be smart in school again". For information about this author visit or about Teen Read Week, contact the Library at 972-6251900 ext. 3. Safety First. Give Us A Brake. (A reminder from your local public safety departments.) When we pass police officers working with accidents or contacting traffic violators on the side Above: New Headworks Facility After two years of construction at The Colony's Stewart Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, the expansion project nears completion. The plant has a rated capacity of 3.39 million gallons per day (mgd) and with the expansion will be capable of treating 4.45 mgd. This increased capacity provides for increased wastewater flows from developing areas such as Wynnwood Peninsula, Austin Ranch and the SH 121 corridor. Basically we took a thirty year old plant and retrofitted it into today's technology. The plant was built in the seventies to the standards at that time; the old plant could not perform to the current standards of contaminant removal. The plant now has the ability to treat wastewater to the state requirements for all contaminants regulated by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. In addition to the expansion, new technologies were introduced to meet TCEQ requirements. One of the new technologies incorporated with the expansion is the Integrated Fixed Film Activated Sludge (IFAS) process. This system is used throughout Europe and has been used in several states in the U.S. The Colony's plant is the first in Texas to utilize this technology. This technology treats more wastewater in a smaller treatment basin than conventional activated sludge and allowed the city to increase treatment capacity by 30-percent without constructing a new activated sludge treatment basin. City staff and the design engineer presented a paper at the 2006 Texas Water Conference in Austin on the use of this new technology at The Colony's treatment plant. Headworks, where debris and inorganic solids are removed from the raw wastewater prior to IFAS processing, were constructed with the expansion. This facility increases the efficiency of the IFAS treatment process. New filters were installed that remove 99-percent of the solids from the IFAS treated water. Another new technology is the use of ultraviolet lamps for disinfection of the filtered water. The old plant used chlorine for disinfection, which had to be removed before discharging the water so that the chlorinated treated water would not mix with Lewisville Lake water that contains organics and form chlorinated hydrocarbons, some of which are carcinogens. The ultraviolet disinfection system uses light to destroy pathogens in the treated water. Our finished water that is discharged to Lewisville Lake is nearly crystal clear and, upon completion of the construction, will meet or exceed TCEQ requirements. The new construction includes a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system that allows plant personnel to monitor operations throughout the plant from computer terminals. SCADA provides plant operators with the information needed to determine what changes in operations need to be made to optimize the wastewater treatment and it notifies the operators of equipment failures so they can be promptly repaired. The plant improvements were designed to not only address TCEQ requirements and meet future treatment demands, but also to limit odors with improved solids handling and treatment processing. Please contact David Stallings, Wastewater Supervisor, at the plant if you have any questions. City of The Colony Ph: (972) 625-1756 www.thecolonytx.gov Pg. 6 The Colony Growing Strong The Colony Economic Development Corporation Receives Economic Development Award Acknowledging The Colony Economic Development Corporation (TCEDC) for its advertising campaign, the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) presented its Paid Publication Advertising Campaign award to The Colony, Texas-based organization at IEDC's Annual Conference, which took place in New York City, September 17-20. The organization was recognized for this achievement during an awards ceremony on Tuesday, September 19th. Competing in the category of Paid Publication Advertising Campaign by organizations serving areas with populations under 50,000, TCEDC was a clear standout with its "Leader" ad campaign, created by OnMessage, a local marketing firm. The series was designed to increase awareness for specific types of development projects within The Colony. Three unique designs and headlines were created to highlight specific initiatives. The objective of the campaign is to properly promote The Colony in the minds of consumers, business owners, developers, and real-estate agents, resulting in increased economic development activity. Through a series of images, each ad focused on premier opportunities for corporate office, light industrial/distribution sites as well as mixed-use, big-box retail and specialty retail. The message positions The Colony as a prospering city that provides businesses with incentive packages and the flexibility they desire to get projects completed in a cost effective and efficient manner. certificate of occupancy The below listing shows active plats, site plans, and zoning cases currently being processed by The Colony Planning Department, listing the name,type of project, and the location. Please contact the Planning Dept. at 972-624-3164 with questions. Active Development Services Projects October 16, 2006. The following table lists Certificates of Occupancy issued in July, Aug. & Sept.: Project Name Type of Project Location Water's Edge Annexation Annexation Annexation of Water's Edge Subdivision Potter Addition Final Plat Main Street and Memorial Drive Tribute Subdivision (Balmerino) Final Plat Wynnwood Peninsula off future Lebanon Road Hidden Cove Marina and Resort Preliminary Plat, Site Plan, Development Plan Vassar Court Preliminary and Final Plat Site Plan Hackberry Creek Park Rd McKamy Trail Gateway Shops Addition Preliminary Plat &Site Plan Market St. & HWY 121 Cottonwood Springs Phase I Replat Cypress Cove Dr Cascades at The Legends -Amenity Center Site Plan Clearwater D&R Floors/Baby Safe Carpet Cleaning Site Plan Elm Street Inner City Trail Site Plan Slay Baker Park to North Colony Did you know that there is a link between The Colony and the Alamo? New Businesses Name Location Description David Terre QPI Nails Prudential Texas Properties Dees Colony Barber Hair Peace Nail It PTS Building 4316 5333 6700 5201 6805 5001 7552 Business Office Nail salon Real Estate Office Barber Shop Hair salon Nail salon Office Tony Whitley Inc. dba Security Hdwce Mkt. Co Profit Power, Inc. Hannah's Catfish Cove Hurricane Mirror & Glass US Business Loan 6700 Main #132 Office 4316 4750 7512 5910 Business Office Restaurant Glass Work Loan Office Main St. #210 HWY 121 #137 Main #116 S Colony #694 Main #148 Main #107 Main Main St. #R250 S. Colony Main #108 Paige #D Photo Provided By: Harper's Weekly, 1861 - www.sonofthesouth.net development activity Local volunteers have been surprised by unusual discoveries about the history of the area that is now The Colony. Find out about this link and other discoveries - and about how you can be involved in uncovering our past, preserving it for the future, and telling others about it - join the adventure at one of two gatherings hosted by The Colony Public Library, 6800 Main Street on Tuesday, January 16 and Thursday, January 18. The events start at 7 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room. For information, contact Library Director Joan Sveinsson at 972-624-3184 or via email at jsveinsson@thecolony.lib.tx.us. Pg. 7 arts, entertainment, and events 12 THINGS to do in The Colony this Holiday Season Nov 30 - Dec. 2nd TCHS Musical "Into The Woods": in the TCHS Performing Arts Center, tickets available at the door. Begins @ 7:30pm Dec. 1 - 2nd Nativity Exhibit: Fri. 10am-9pm, Sat. 10am-8pm. Come view the incredible Exhibit of nativities of all sizes at the LDS Church @ 6800 Anderson (corner of Anderson and Keys - next to Lakeview Middle School). Dec. 1 - 23rd Hidden Cove’s Christmas Cabins By The Lake: Take a stroll while viewing the festive holiday lights and decorated cabins at Hidden Cove. Each cabin is sponsored by a business or organization competing for prizes. Business may sponsor $100 with proceeds going to local SPCA and Denton Co. Advocacy Center. Contact Drenda Burris @ 972-294-1443. Dec. 2nd Photos with Santa: Sat. from 12pm-2pm at The Colony Public Library, 6800 Main Street, join in Christmas Carols with the Fiddle Rascals while you wait for your turn to pose with Santa. This event is sponsored by the Friends of The Colony Public Library. A $2.00 donation per picture is suggested (proceeds benefit the Library's Youth programs). Dec. 5 - 7th The Colony High School Band, in conjunction with the Griffin and Lakeview Middle School Bands: will host two evenings of Band concerts. Both concerts will be at The Colony High School Performing Arts Center and free to the public. Dec. 8 - 9th Raggedy Ann And Andy: Production by Lakeside Community Theatre in conjunction with Vibrant Dreams Acting Co. Fri. @ 8:00pm, Sat. @ 3:00pm and 8:00pm (following the Christmas parade and city Tree Lighting ceremony) at the Lakeside Arts Center, 6301-B Main Street (behind the Denton Co. Government Center). Tickets are specially discounted for this production at $8 for children and seniors and $10 for adults. Family pack of 4 tickets are $32.00. Only one discount is allowed per group. Dec. 9th Breakfast w/ Santa: Sat. 8am-11am. Pancakes and sausage, christmas crafts for kids, gift wrapping, craft fair, and karaoke. Pictures w/ Santa $3, RSVP Breakfast price $4 (ages 10 and Under) $6 (ages 11 and Up) Add $1 if paying at the door. Sponsored by TCHS Cheerleaders hosted at TCHS cafeteria. Visit http://tchs.lisd.net/santa.htm for details or RSVP by leaving a message at 469-713-5178 ext 254. E-mail jonesha@lisd.net Dec. 9th Christmas Parade and City Tree Lighting Ceremony: Sat., Parade begins approx. 5:45pm at TCHS parking lot followed by Tree Lighting Ceremony at City Hall at approximately 7:00pm Dec. 14th TCHS Orchestra Holiday Concert: in the TCHS Performing Arts Center at 7:30pm, no admission charge. Dec. 15 - 17th Feb. 9th Feb. 22nd Live Nativity: includes real camels, animals and live performers located at Lakeway Church @ 4000 N. Colony. View seven different live nativity scenes while you enjoy cookies and hot chocolate. (7-9pm ) The Colony Night and Business Expo at the Deja Blue Arena: Fri., located inside the Dr Pepper StarCenter. Hosted by Texas Tornado Hockey and The Colony Chamber of Commerce. Special discounts for Texas Tornado Hockey game and fun for the whole family. TCHS Orchestras Pre-UIL Concert: begins at 7:00pm in the TCHS Performing Arts Center, no admission charge. Pg. 8 NEW Alumni Website www.thecolonyalumni.com sponsored by TCHS. Register FREE with us today and connect with your classmates. Congratulations to those student who made the President's List (or Straight A Honor Roll) and Dean's List (A and B Honor Roll and at least one A) This list will be posted every 9 weeks. Dec. 1 & 2 @ 7:30pm TCHS Musical "Into The Woods" in the TCHS Performing Arts Center, tickets available at the door. December 9th from 8-11am Breakfast with Santa. Vendors need to display crafts! Visit http://tchs.lisd.net/santa.htm for more information. FACTS ABOUT FLU Dec. 14 at 7:30pm TCHS Orchestra Holiday Concert in the TCHS Performing Arts Center, no admission charge. Dec. 4 at 7:00 in the PAC is 9th grade Parent Meeting on working out their child's 4Year Plan for High School. Dec. 5 & 7: - The Colony High Band, in conjunction with the Griffin and Lakeview Middle School Bands, will host two evenings of Band concerts. Both concerts will be at The Colony High School Performing Arts Center and free to the public. Dec. 5 & 6 Classroom visits in Fall 9th Grade World Geography classes to do 4-year plans. Also, in January, counselors will visit the Spring 9th grade World Geography for same. Dec. 20-21: Final Exams. Dec. 22 - Jan. 3: Winter Break. Jan. 15: School Holiday. Jan. 22: Senior Parent Meeting on Financial Aid plus a mini college fair in TCHS PAC at 6:30. Feb 3rd: Topcats host regional drill team contest @ high school from 8:00am - 8:00pm. Drill teams from around Texas will be attending to compete for regional placement to advance to nationals. Feb. 10 & 24:Topcats compete at regional competitions. Striving for nationals bid for March 30-31 nationals competition in Denton at UNT. Feb. 16: End of 4th 6 weeks Feb. 20: 9th TAKS Reading, and 10th & 11th TAKS ELA (English Language Arts) test administered. Feb. 22: 7:00pm TCHS Orchestras Pre-UIL Concert in the TCHS Performing Arts Center, no admission charge. Feb. 5, 12, 19 & 26 from 4:30-6:30pm: ‘07-’08 Cheerleading Prep Clinic Tryouts. Jump, stunt, and tumbling techniques encouraged. Be sure and check out http://tchs.lisd.net for the following schedules and come out and support TCHS. Wrestling, Girls/Boys Basketball, Tennis, JROTC, Golf, Swimming, Girls/Boys Soccer, Powerlifting, Track. Lori Stephenson, German Teacher, is organizing the Goethe Institute "Award of Excellence". Entire student body eligible. Chance to win grand prize. Learn more about interconnected nature of global society and bring recognition to the school. See Mrs. Stephenson for more details. Coming in March: March 5-9 the Topcats will hold a training clinic for all girls 8th grade through junior who desire to audition for the 2007-2008 edition of the Topcats. Auditions will be Friday, April 9, 2007. TCHS Alumni: go to http://tchs.lisd.net/Alumni/ to register and receive Alumni information. The faculty and staff of TCHS are looking forward to a great 2007 school year! Pg. 9 The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It affects all age groups. Flu season begins in October and lasts through spring. Symptoms include: · fever (usually high) · headache · extreme tiredness · dry cough · sore throat · runny or stuffy nose · muscle aches · stomach symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Flu viruses spread from person to person through coughing or sneezing of people with influenza. Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to five days after becoming sick. If you get the flu, get plenty of rest, drink a lot of liquids, and avoid using alcohol and tobacco. Medications such as Tylenol relieve the fever and muscle aches. Never give aspirin to children or teenagers who have flu-like symptoms, particularly fever. The best way to protect yourself and others against influenza is to get a flu vaccination each year, either the "flu shot" or the nasal-spray flu vaccine. October or November is the best time to get vaccinated. These steps may help prevent the spread of the flu: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Wash your hands often with soap and water. Avoid close contact with people who are sick. If you get the flu, stay home from work, school, and social gatherings. Dr. Deepa Rajakrishnan, M.D. V.S. Arjun Raj Family Medicine P.A. http://www.cdc.gov/flu/keyfacts.htm winter calendar The Colony Chamberof Commerce City of The Colony Dec. 25 & 26 december City offices closed for Christmas Holiday Dec. 4 & 18 City Council Meetings, 7:00 pm Dec. 9 Cultural Arts Board Mtg., 9:00 am Dec. 12 Planning & Zoning Meeting, 6:30 pm Dec. 13 4A (EDC) Board Meeting, 7:00 pm Dec. 14 4B (CDC) Board Meeting, 7:00 pm (Parks/Rec Admin. Offices) Dec. TBD Code Enforcement Board Mtg., 6:30 pm Dec. 12 Technologies Board*, 6:30 pm Dec. 20 Board of Adjustments*, 7:00 pm Dec. 28 Library Board Meeting, 7:00 pm january Jan. 1 City offices closed for New Year's Day Holiday Jan. 8 & 15 City Council Meetings, 7:00 pm Jan. 9 & 23 Planning & Zoning Meetings, 6:30 pm Jan. 9 Technologies Board*, 6:30 pm Jan. 10 4A (EDC) Board Meeting, 7:00 pm Jan. 11 4B (CDC) Board Meeting, 7:00 pm (Parks/Rec Admin. Offices) Jan. 13 Cultural Arts Board Mtg., 9:00 am Jan. 17 Board of Adjustments*, 7:00 pm Jan. 25 Library Board Meeting, 7:00 pm Jan. TBD Code Enforcement Board Mtg., 6:30 pm february Feb. 5 & 26 Feb. 8 City Council Meetings, 7:00 pm 4B (CDC) Board Meeting, 7:00 pm (Parks/Rec Admin. Offices) Feb. 10 Cultural Arts Board Mtg., 9:00 am Feb. 13 & 27 Planning & Zoning Meetings, 6:30 pm Feb. 13 Technologies Board*, 6:30 pm Feb. 14 4A (EDC) Board Meeting, 7:00 pm Feb. 19 City offices closed for President's Day Feb. 21 Board of Adjustments*, 7:00 pm Feb. 22 Library Board Meeting, 7:00 pm Feb. TBD Code Enforcement Board Mtg., 6:30 pm *Please note that the BOA & Technologies Board meets only if there is a case or issue before them. december 8 2007 Board Planning Retreat @ Hidden Cove Park 8 Ambassador Club Meeting @ Estancia Apts. 13 General Membership Holiday Dinner @ The Tribute Special Holiday Performance 14 Holiday Open House Mixer at Wells Fargo Bank Begins at 6:30, RSVP by 12/08/06. january 10 Board Meeting @ Chamber office 20 Annual Awards Banquet @ The Tribute february 9 Business Expo at The Colony Night @ Texas Tornado Hockey game 14 Board Meeting @ Chamber office 28 General Membership Luncheon @ TBA Friday Focus Networking Join us every Friday Morning at 8:00 am at Nick’s Sports City Cafe (5110 Paige Road) for breakfast and Friday Focus Networking. A great way to get motivated in the morning and incredible networking opportunities to introduce your business to a group of 40 or more. Every 3rd Friday of the month, breakfast is courtesy of Nick’s - bring a guest! Don't Miss It! Coming in APRIL - Casino Night Extravaganza. Get ready to play BIG! volunteer Start your New Year off right by volunteering with The Colony Chamber of Commerce. A terrific way to discover new talents while giving back to your community. www.thecolonytx.gov See our online calendar or visit for website for exciting Chamber and Community news. www.thecolonychamber.com City of The Colony phone: 972-625-1756 Chamber of Commerce phone: 972-625-4916 Pg. 10 Healthy or After Party Recipe Exchange Rich and velvety yam cheesecake with spiced crust 1 cup graham cracker crumbs 2 tablespoons sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, divided 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice, divided 2 tablespoons margarine, melted 2 packages (8 oz.) reduced-fat cream cheese 1 cup nonfat plain yogurt 1 can (15 oz.) sweet potatoes (yams), drained and mashed, OR 1 cup fresh cooked and mashed yams 1 1/3 cups dark brown sugar 1 large egg 1 large egg white 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Holiday fun for everyone! Makes 12 Servings Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon allspice, and margarine. Pat into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. In a large bowl, beat together cream cheese and yogurt until creamy. Add yams, brown sugar, remaining 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon allspice, beating until smooth. Add egg and egg white one at a time, beating after each addition. Add vanilla. Spoon mixture into crust. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until set. Remove from oven to cool. Refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours. Nutrition Information Per Serving: Calories 308 Protein (g) 7 Carbohydrate (g) 44 Fat (g) 12 Calories from Fat (%) 34 Saturated Fat (g) 6 Dietary Fiber (g) 1 Cholesterol (mg) 45 Sodium (mg) 299 Diabetic Exchanges: 3 other carbohydrate, 2.5 fat. Source: FabuliousFoods.com After Party Dessert Nutritional Treats Classic flavors and textures of lemon meringue pie with marshmallow topping on your early morning waffles. Chocolate fondue is not only fun but also a great way to add nutrition to the table by serving it with fresh fruit. This also adds an assortment of color to your holiday setting using strawberries or apples for reds and grapes with mint garnish for greens. 6 1/2 quantity basic waffle batter (click for recipe), sweetened 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest 6 tablespoons Greek, or whole-milk, yogurt 6 tablespoons lemon curd 6 small meringue cookies, lightly crushed mint leaves, to decorate Serves 6 Prepare the half quantity of waffle batter, adding the lemon rind to the batter. Cook the waffles and keep warm until you are ready to serve. Fondue fountains are über-popular this year; you are sure to win your guests over with such a tempting and tasty display. To serve, gently swirl the yogurt and lemon curd together and spoon on top of the waffles. Sprinkle with crushed meringue and decorate with mint leaves. Source: FabuliousFoods.com New Year’s Resolutions, Are They Tradition? he celebration of New Year's Day is one of the oldest living traditions. Regardless of when and where it is observed, the holiday is rich in history and celebrated throughout the world. Common themes of health, wealth, and renewal are still very much alive in today's festivities. T With traditions such as a baby to signify the New Year or black-eyed peas to bring us good luck, it’s no wonder we still pass out clackers and toy trumpets as party favors to frighten off evil spirits. Over the years, the first person one encounters in the New Year was supposed to carry significance, Pg. 11 however, we have taken this a step further and made it a tradition of kissing a special person on New Year's. The Tournament of Roses Parade dates back to 1886, when members of the Valley Hunt Club decorated their carriages with flowers to celebrate the ripening of the orange crop in California. The football game became the sport of choice for festival. Toasting or "toast" originated from placing bread or burnt toast into a bowl or cup of wine to remove acidity. The clinking of the glasses was a common way to gesture that you trusted the host, and is also believed to help scare away evil spirits. resolutions were returning their neighbors' farming tools, many of our resolutions today are more likely to surround topics of health and wealth. If you are stumped or running out of New Year resolution ideas, here’s a list that may help jump start your prosperity. • Spend more time with family • Exercise • Go back to school • Quit smoking • Be a better friend • Take a vacation • Save money • Listen more • Get out of debt • Smile more • Lose weight • Relax more • Change careers • Eat better • Healthy lifestyle If you are planning on toasting upon the New Year, you may want to brush up your toasting etiquette. • Go to church • Make more money • Volunteer • Increase productivity Making New Year's resolutions originated from The ancient Babylonians, although their most popular • Be happy • Remember birthdays, etc. Holiday Cravings Cured T here is a popular saying that “stressed” spelled backwards is “desserts”. If part of your stress this holiday season includes feeding visiting relatives and guests, you can hop in the car and relieve that stress without leaving town. Braum's and Sonic specialize in yummy ice cream confections and both are open late for those holiday cravings. Smoothie Factory can add some stress busting nutrition in your dessert. In addition Christmas Food Safety T he holiday season is upon us and with it comes the traditional festive meals. However, the improper storing, cooking, and serving of ham, beef, lamb, and turkey can lead to the growth of harmful bacteria like salmonella, which can cause food borne illness. The Colony Health Department advises consumers that safe food handling is essential in preventing food borne illness. Here are some tips for preparing traditional holiday foods safely: Ham: Fully cooked, ready-to-eat ham must be kept refrigerated. If heated for a meal, heat to internal temperature of 155°F. Use a meat thermometer to be sure the proper internal temperature has been reached. After the meal, cut the ham into thin slices and refrigerate promptly. Slices will keep up to four days in the refrigerator. Lamb and Beef: Raw lamb or beef should be used within three to five days of purchase. Lamb and beef roasts should be cooked to an internal temperature of at 145°F to be medium rare, and 170°F for well done. Use a meat thermometer to be Arby's, Chick-fil-A, McDonald’s, Quizno's and Whataburger have sweet treats to compliment their meals. We asked our other chamber member restaurants to tell us which special dessert item they recommend from their menus. Their replies made us decide we need a little stress reduction every day. • Amore's Pizza and Pasta Homemade Cannoli (fried pasta tubes filled with sweet mascarpone cream) • Angelina's Mexican Restaurant - 'Enrolados' (pastry filled with cheesecake, topped with cinnamon) • Dos Hermanas Mexican Restaurant - Mexican style Cheesecake • Hunan Garden - 'Sugar Bread' (giant donut holes frosted with granulated sugar) • Larry's Family Restaurant Old Fashioned Banana Split • Mi Casa Tex Mex Restaurant - Fresh Sopapillas with honey • Nick's Sports City Cafe Homemade Apple Pie topped with ice cream, whipped cream and caramel • Roma's Italian Restaurant - Turkey: Thaw frozen turkey in the refrigerator. Allow one day for each five pounds of turkey. A twenty-pound turkey will take approximately four days to thaw. (Hint: Remove neck & giblets from inside the bird as soon as possible to hasten thawing.) Do not thaw on the kitchen counter. If you do not have time to thaw in the refrigerator, you can thaw the turkey in the kitchen sink, provided you refill the sink with cold water every half-hour. Cook fresh turkeys within two days, thawed turkey within four days. Read and follow the cooking directions on the label. Cook turkey until it is done (165°F). Do not slow cook overnight at low temperatures or partially cook. Some turkeys come with pop-up thermometers. They are to be used only as a guide to doneness, taking the temperature with a meat thermometer is still important. Stuffing should not be prepared a day ahead and the turkey should not be stuffed until it is ready to cook. A quicker, safer method is to cook the stuffing separately in a casserole, using some of the pan juices to flavor and moisten the stuffing. Food Safety Basics: Remember some basic food safety measures when handling any meal: · Eat the meal as soon as it is prepared. · For leftovers, cut the meat off the bones or into slices and put it in shallow containers in the refrigerator. Put Allison M. Mihavics, President - The Colony Chamber of Commerce other leftovers in shallow containers as well. Food that takes too long to cool can still grow harmful bacteria in your refrigerator. · Reheat all leftovers to 165°F (use your thermometer). Gravy should be brought to a rolling boil. · Wash your hands with hot, soapy water before and after handling raw meats. · Wash all knives, cutting boards, and utensils also. Following these simple tips helps assure your family and guests a safe holiday meal. Enjoy! the house or going to bed. • When cooking for holiday visitors, remember to keep an eye on the range. • When decorating Christmas trees, always use safe tree lights. Some lights are designed only for indoor or outdoor use, but not both. T Holiday Decorating & Lighting If you like some smooth jazz and coffee along with your dessert, try Java Haus' turtle cheesecake or Daily Grind's carrot cake. sure the proper internal temperature has been reached. Cut into thin slices and refrigerate promptly after the meal. Message from Mike Nolen - Fire Chiefe he winter holidays are a time for celebration, and that means more cooking, home decorating, entertaining, and an increased risk of fire due. With the holiday season upon us, please remember that you and your family's safety is our first priority. The Colony Fire Department wishes you and your loved ones a happy and safe holiday season!! Traditional Italian Tiramisu (a Mascarpone - Espresso cake) • Smiley's Famous NY Hot Dogs - Homemade Miniature New York Style Cheesecakes topped with Cherries • Stan's Lakeview Taphouse and Grill - 'Dream Cake' (Hershey's Chocolate Brownie cake ala mode) • Never use electric lights on a metal tree. • Any string of lights with worn, frayed or broken cords, or loose bulb connections should not be used. • Purchase only lights and electrical decorations bearing the name of an independent testing lab, and follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation and maintenance. • Never use lit candles to decorate a tree, and place them well away from tree branches. • Try to keep live trees as moist as possible by giving them plenty of water daily. • Use caution with holiday decorations. Choose those made with flame-resistant, flame-retardant or noncombustible materials. • Carefully inspect new and previously used light strings and replace damaged items before plugging lights in. Do not overload extension cords. • Keep candles away from decorations and other combustible materials. Do not use candles to decorate Christmas trees. • Do not mount lights with nails or in any other way that can damage the cord's wire insulation. • Store matches and lighters out of the reach of children. • Turn off all light strings and decorations before leaving • Do not place the tree where it may block exits. • Choose a sturdy tree stand designed not to tip over. • Keep a watchful eye on children when around the tree. Pg. 12 ribbon cuttings • ribbon cuttings • ribbon cuttings • ribbon cuttings • ribbon cuttings • ribbon cuttings • ribbon cuttin Infinity Prosperity Group , LLC Ken Partain: 214-755-1996 chamber member benefits • Business Referral Service • Display Promotional Literature/Business Cards in our Office • Listings in Annual Membership Directory and Online Directory • Networking at Luncheons, Dinners, and Mixers • Ribbon Cutting Features • Membership Display Plaque • Weekly Networking at Friday Focus Lake City Handyman Service Scott Lipskey: 469-362-3399 welcome new chamber members Join us in supporting these local businesses. AAA Affordable Transportation Service Armen Aslanyants 214-566-4656 Transportation,Taxi and Limo-The Colony Lake City Handyman Service Scott Lipskey 469-362-3399 Home Repair and Remodeling-The Colony • Community and Business Information Call today to see how we can help your business at 972-625-4916. the chamber works for you If you are a home-based business or business in The Colony that has not yet joined the chamber, we invite you to come and attend any of our events and try us on for size. Each event is designed to update you on current happenings within our community as well as provide you with networking opportunities specific to your business needs. Be sure to let us know if you are attending, so we can give you a warm welcome and assign an Ambassador to show you the ropes. Pg. 13 chamber member anniversaries Happy Anniversary to these members who have recently reinvested in The Colony Chamber of Commerce. 16-25 Years City of The Colony '86 Colony Counseling Center '88 Lazerset Printing '88 Angelinas Restaurant '89 10-15 Years Re/Max Empire Realty Brian McMeans 469-362-3360 Real Estate - The Colony Calvary Christian Center '93 North Colony Animal Clinic '93 Gordon Publications '95 Len Langman Painting & Roofing '95 Mulkey - Mason Funeral Home '95 David J. Rossen, DDS '96 AAA All Pro Door Repair Cheryl Focht 972-625-7277 Garage Door Repair-The Colony 5-9 Years • Advertising Benefits • President and Board of Directors Working for You Lowe's Home Improvement of Little Elm Compton Creel: 972-963-4032 Cyber Knights Don Munoz 972-935-1695 Computer Services and Repair-The Colony Infinity Prosperity Group , LLC Ken Partain 214-755-1996 Marketing - Little Elm Silver Investor Level Lowe's Home Improvement of Little Elm Compton Creel 972-963-4032 Retail- Home Improvement Supplies Gayla and Manuel Rivera, Keller Williams NW 121 '98 Lone Star Realtors, Charles Eicke '98 Whataburger, Inc. '99 1-4 Years Dallas Morning News '02 Senator Jane Nelson '02 Cottonwood Creek Marina '04 David L. Prince, CPA '04 Geeks on Call '04 Hurricane Mirror and Glass '04 Ransoft Consulting '04 Spears and Associates '04 The UPS Store-The Colony '04 Sherwin Williams Paint '05 Great Values! Local Merchant s! BUSINESS RESOURCE DIRECTORY LISTING Insurance Car Services Life changes. Your insurance should keep up. That’s our stand. I can help you with your changing insurance or financial needs. (972) 624-0239 Matt Courtney Classifieds Employment Have your own business but need extra cash? Quarterly, Part-Time, Sales Position available. The Colony Connection is seeking a part-time Sales & Marketing Associate. Business owner or consultant preferred. Make extra cash quarterly without tying yourself down to full-time hours. Very flexible hours and a fun way to network. Call 214-632-9708 for inquiries or e-mail info@c-mediaservices.com. The Colony Subject to availability and qualification.s Allstate Life Insurance Company. Northbrook, Illinois © 2004 Allstate Insurance Company. Churches Laundry Professional Volunteers The Colony Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers for our Media Resource Committee. If you are you interested in contributing, participating, or further developing your skills in the following: •Creative writing, editing, or campaign development •Community Relations and Reporting •Photography •Develop marketing strategies and Best Practices •Establish relationsips with surrounding papers, magazines, news, and radio •Website editing and content development •Press releases, public relations, and more Also seeking volunteers for Special Events, Membership, and Ambassador programs. Marketing Communication If you can donate one hour per quarter or month (depending on project demands) please contact us at 972.625.4916. A great way to exercise your talents and build your skills. Become a volunteer and help support your local community. Lets make a difference, together! Garage Doors & Openers Public Service Announcement Promotional Products Home Repair & Remodeling Shipping • Business Services The Colony now has an American Legion post The post was started by a group of Veterans who are still serving their country. The new post has been named Holley-Riddle Post # 21 and meets in the back of the Lakeside Arts building behind the Denton County building on Main Street. The Post was dedicated on Veterans day Nov 11th at the Five Star Veterans Memorial. The American Legion stands for Law and Order, Justice, Freedom, and Democracy. The Legion supports community projects and strives to make life better for all citizens. If you are a Veteran who served one day during a time of crisis and receivedd an honorable discharge, or are still on active duty, come join us and continue to serve this great nation as an American Legion member. The Legion is the largest Veterans organization in the world and is constantly trying to better the lives of its members through local projects and in Washington, D.C. to safe guard the benefits of Veterans. For information call Dewey Fambry at 972 370 5141 cell 972 672 4264. We meet the 2nd Wednesday each month at 7pm. Pg. 14 Vo l u n t a r y Wa t e r R a t i o n i n g On October 10, 2006 Phase 1 Voluntary Water Rationing was enacted in The Colony. The rationing is being implemented because Dallas Water Utilities' reservoirs were 35-percent depleted. Reservoir water levels as of October 13, 2006 are depicted in the figure above. If DWU's reservoirs become 45-percent depleted, The Colony will move to Phase 2 Mandatory Water Rationing. North Central Texas is in a severe drought. The drought started in the spring of 2005. The National Weather Service is projecting that the El Nino that has formed in the Pacific off northern South America will continue for at least the next three months. The Colony is at the northern boundary of the area that may experience above normal rainfall and higher than normal temperatures for the winter. These projections are based on the modeling of atmospheric conditions. Many of the drainage basins for DWU's reservoirs are north of The Colony, making it even less likely there will be immediate relief in the drought conditions at the water supply reservoirs. Outdoor water use is encouraged to follow the schedule below, and no new pool permits will be issued. Last Digit of Address Even number Odd number No watering on Sundays Allowed Irrigation Dates Monday, Wednesday, Friday Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Outdoor uses consist of washing vehicles, boats and trailers, landscape sprinkler systems and irrigation, and recreational use of sprinklers. All commercial accounts and accounts servicing more than one address such as office buildings and multifamily complexes shall use the street number indicated on the service building. This restriction applies to public facilities including recreation fields, parks, and schools. The Colony's water supply is better off than most of its neighbors. The cities of Frisco, Little Elm, and Plano are served by the North Texas Municipal Water District. These cities have been under Stage 3 water restrictions for the entire summer. Lake Lavon, one of the main sources of water for North Texas Municipal Water District, has been as much as 65-percent depleted. There is no need to be overly concerned with water supply in The Colony, just consider conservation when making decisions on water usage and follow the recommended schedule for outdoor water usage. The city encourages its citizens and businesses to conserve water and follow the recommended schedule for outdoor water use. Recognizing The Chamber’s Major Investors Platinum Sponsors Gold Sponsors Silver Sponsors for their generosity & participation