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| The bustling time of the holiday season shows signs at every turn this time of year. Retailers are vying for sales, and shoppers are at the intersection of making purchases for the perfect and unique gift for friends and family.
I have always said Denton County is a great place to live, work, and play, but did you know Denton County is also a great place to Shop Small and Shop Local? Our cities and towns across the county are peppered with unique shops and restaurants. Our communities’ entrepreneurial spirit is strong despite their many difficulties in recent years. Our independent retailers are resilient and continue to provide a necessary economic impact for Denton County.
I want to encourage you to shop local, shop small, and with a purpose this holiday season. Why? Think about a few of the reasons stated below.
· Did you know shopping locally can be better for the environment? It creates less travel, less congestion, and ultimately less pollution.
· What happens when money is spent locally? It keeps the money and taxes paid here in our communities. This, in turn, helps maintain services provided by local governments. Another plus is that local businesses also donate and support groups in their communities with their dollars.
· What products are found locally? Typically, you’ll find unique, and handmade products. Those items are usually not found in big box stores. This provides an opportunity for a one-of-a-kind special gift.
· What are the additional positives of shopping locally? Usually, local shops provide excellent customer service because their name is on the line. Small businesses are the ones who create more job growth in communities. Small shops keep their communities unique and bring an original personality while nurturing innovation.
· Best of all, shopping small and local helps to keep the American Dream alive and thriving!
I hope you’ll consider your purchases this holiday season and seek out our local businesses for a unique gift. We can all be grateful this holiday season for our bounty of goodness and, in the spirit of sharing and gratitude, remember others and their needs. |
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National Injury Prevention Day
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| Saturday, Nov. 18, is National Injury Prevention Day, and it was recognized during the Denton County Commissioners Court on Tuesday, Nov. 14, with a Court Proclamation.
Safe Kids North Texas – Fort Worth Coalition, led by Cook Children’s, helps lead the way in awareness and through various efforts to keep our children safe from injury. An estimated 32,500 children live in Denton County, and 16% of those have received emergency care for an accidental injury.
It is important for our local communities to recognize these statistics and join hands to keep our children safe. As we all work together, it will directly affect the amount of accidental injuries that our children will incur. |
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Funding our local social service organizations
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| Denton County Commissioners Court approved funding for social service agencies on Sept. 12, 2023. On Tuesday, Nov. 14, some of those funds, which are from the tobacco settlement proceeds, were dispersed to the following agencies:
· CCA of Lewisville – $11,497
· Health Services of North Texas – $50,678
· PediPlace – $56,054
· SPAN Transportation – $115,472
Supporting these non-profit organizations helps ensure Denton County residents receive mental health services. The support also helps them advocate for training to meet children’s needs, and provide assistance for women and children facing issues due to domestic violence.
We can all support our non-profit agencies through donations or by volunteering our time. |
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Denton County Legislative Luncheon
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Veterans Day at the Denton Square
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| Last Friday, Nov. 10, our Denton County Veterans Services Office (VSO), in conjunction with Texas Woman’s University and the University of North Texas, hosted a Veterans Day Program at 11 a.m.
The event is designed to honor our veterans and pay tribute to their selfless service to our nation. Denton County is home to over 40,000 veterans, and our county desires to ensure they are aware of and receive the services available to them. Our VSO works tirelessly to serve their fellow veterans, and I am so proud of their work.
Again, thank you, Veterans, for your loyal service to our nation! |
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| Denton County is leading the way yet again, and we are proud to be on the cutting edge of providing ease of services to our citizens!
The Denton County Commissioners Court approved the Limited Service Deputy (DERKA), and it is now fully functional in Lewisville as a pilot program at Tom Thumb and Triple AAA. This is a one-stop shop for vehicle inspection and registration renewal. Customers can have their vehicle inspected and then proceed to renew their registration afterward. It is live now, and our Tax Assessor-Collector Michelle French was onsite to watch the action in real-time. All sequences flowed together, and the result was a success and a happy Denton County citizen who agreed to have her photo taken and shared.
According to the Inspection Station Association, Denton County is the first county to work with the inspection stations in Texas to provide Limited Service Deputy services.
I am so proud to see this service come to fruition and hope it will serve our citizens well! |
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Heart Gallery of North Texas: Meet Jeremiah
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| Heart Gallery of North Texas provides photos and information about children in North Texas who are in CPS care and available for adoption. Each child is professionally photographed and has biographical information included with the photo. Each child is unique in their situation, but all long to be adopted into a loving home and have a family.
Please meet Jeremiah. Below is his biographical information from the
Heart Gallery of North Texas. He is 6 years of age.
Click here to inquire about Jeremiah.
Jeremiah is a very loving, inquisitive yet active boy. He likes to be out in the fresh air playing and having fun. He also loves to play with his video games and with his tablet. He enjoys sports with his favorites being basketball and football. He also enjoys free play with others. He can be quiet sometimes yet, when he is comfortable, his personality will flourish. He likes playing with his action figures and toy cars. Jeremiah loves to be encouraged as it helps him to focus and build confidence. He is a boy who thrives when he is praised and rewarded. Educationally, he is open to help and learning his classwork. He likes to be challenged when involved in fun activities. He enjoys going out and participating in events. He especially loves going to play at the park where he can run around freely.
Jeremiah’s forever family will provide him with a stable, well-structured home environment. He wishes to have a nurturing and loving home so that he can flourish. His family will be patient, understanding, and committed to his needs. His family will be a persevering and loving family who can give him the stability he needs. Jeremiah’s family will encourage him as he needs positive reinforcement. He responds to redirection but requires a family that will give him time to gather himself and think through his decisions. Jeremiah can thrive in a home where he can express himself and truly be part of a family unit. His family will be consistent and compassionate toward him as he needs time to adjust to his new surroundings. An unwavering and dependable family will work wonders for him. |
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Metroport Meals on Wheels: Stockings for Seniors
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| Registration is open for the Metroport Meals on Wheels Stockings for Seniors program. This program allows you to adopt a senior and purchase an item for them from the Amazon gift registry: https://loom.ly/Ew6ZK1E.
If you prefer to adopt and contribute in person, stop by Sadie’s Upscale Consignment & Resale at 432 U.S. 377 North, Roanoke, and choose one or more stockings from the Stocking Tree.
Please donate by Saturday, Dec. 1, to meet our goal of providing area seniors with something special this Christmas season! |
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Wreaths across America in Denton County
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| National Wreaths across America is fast approaching and will be here on Saturday, Dec. 16. Typically, more than two million volunteers and supporters will gather to Remember, Honor, and Teach on Dec. 16 at more than 4,000 participating locations in all 50 states, at sea, and abroad.
Below are the cemeteries in Denton County that participate in this program by placing wreaths on veterans’ gravesites. By clicking the city name, you will be directed to the cemetery and can purchase a wreath or volunteer to serve on Wreaths across America Day.
· Celina, 11400 FM 2478
· Denton, 747 East Prairie Street
· Flower Mound, 6550 Cross Timbers Road
· Flower Mound, 1501 Flower Mound Road
· Frisco, 16594 King Road
· Krum, FM 156
· Lewisville, 1200 McGee Lane
· Pilot Point, 400 St. Thomas Aquinas Avenue
· Trophy Club,1130 Trophy Club Drive |
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Holiday Lighting on the Denton Square needs volunteers
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| The always successful Holiday Tree Lighting Festival at Denton Square will move to a first Saturday event instead of a first Friday in December, as it has been for many years. The festival will run from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2.
This year, the Denton Holiday Tree Lighting Festival is looking for volunteers to help with some kid’s activities. The volunteers will help to keep the lines moving and the schedule going.
If you are willing to do a two-hour shift between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2, please respond to Christine Sanders at 214-680-2929. There will be a volunteer meeting before the big day on Thursday, Nov. 30. |
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Volunteer to be a Scholarship Reader with LISD
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| The Lewisville Educational Foundation is seeking readers for Lewisville ISD student scholarship applications.
Requirements for a reader include:
A reader will read the assigned 25-30 applications online (on your own device) and grade each one, sort of like a teacher grades a student’s work. LEF will provide readers with a rubric to follow while grading. The time requirement is estimated to be 15 minutes per application. LEF asks that readers take their time and grade each one fairly. Each application is read and graded by a team of up to four volunteers. The scores are combined for the final review by the team leader.
For more information and to apply as a volunteer, follow this link. |
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Upcoming events around Denton County!
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On Thursday, Nov. 30, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Founders Square Chick-fil-A in Flower Mound, officers will accept tips as they wait tables and work the drive-thru. Tips and donations will be used for families in need this Christmas. |
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A 5K run and a 1 mile run for the kids on Saturday, Dec. 2, at
Bakersfield Park, 1201 Duncan Lane, Flower Mound. |
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This luncheon is Friday, Dec. 8, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. at Courtyard Marriott, 4330 Courtyard Way, Flower Mound, and benefits CCA. |
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| 2nd Annual AFE Blood Drive
The 2nd Annual AFE Blood Drive with the American Red Cross is set for Saturday, Dec. 30, at Medical City Lewisville, 500 W. Main St. |
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In the News Around Denton County
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John Baines, CPA picked as United Way of Denton County 2023 humanitarian
United Way of Denton County has announced the 2023 Dr. Bettye Myers Humanitarian Award will recognize local CPA John Baines for his selfless dedication to supporting dozens of nonprofits and community organizations including United Way of Denton County for over four decades.
Continue reading |
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Celina steals the show as Texas’ newest film-friendly community
The city of Celina is officially film-friendly. A Nov. 14 news release from the Texas Film Commission, a branch of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and Tourism first created in 1971, was the first to announce the city’s accomplishment.
Continue Reading |
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Lewisville City Council considers May 2024 bond election for capital projects
The Lewisville City Council is considering a bond election to be held in May 2024 that would ask voters to approve a list of proposed capital projects.
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Upcoming Reminders for Denton County
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Mark your calendars!
Tuesday, Nov. 21 – NO Commissioners Court
Thursday, Nov. 23 – Denton County Offices closed -Thanksgiving
Friday, Nov. 24 – Denton County Offices closed – Thanksgiving
Monday, Dec. 25 – Denton County Offices closed – observance Christmas Eve
Tuesday, Dec. 26 – NO Commissioners Court (offices closed) – observance Christmas Day
Monday, Jan. 1, 2024 – Denton County Offices closed – observance of New Year’s Day
Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024 – NO Commissioners Court
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