McKinney receives more than $1 million energy grant

City of McKinney Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

McKinney receives more than $1 million energy grant
Department of Energy funding to be used for new green initiatives

McKINNEY, TEXAS (May 12, 2010) – The City of McKinney is the recipient of a grant totaling $1,071,500 from the Department of Energy (DOE) as part of that organization’s Energy Efficiency Conservation Block grant.

In order to receive the grant, however, McKinney first had to develop an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Strategy (EECS) and used an initial $100,000 of the grant to hire architectural, engineering and consulting firm HDR to assist in the effort. A team of 25 city staff members across all city departments comprises the Green Team, which also worked on the initial plan.

The DOE notified the city of approval of the EECS and made the remaining $971,500 of the grant available to complete the projects identified in the EECS. The eight activities for the grant proposal include water conservation education and marketing, building and facility energy efficiency, developing a community sustainability plan, hiring an environmental coordinator and grant administrator, installing a high-visibility renewable energy demonstration project, conducting an urban forest study, conducting a comprehensive commuter bike study, and replacing 97 high-pressure sodium bulbs in city-owned street lights along Virginia and U.S. 380 with LED light bulbs.

“The City of McKinney worked hard to receive this grant, and we are excited aboutimplementing the programs this money will fund. We will be developing and implementing eight initiatives, all as part of this Energy Efficiency Grant effort. We are proud that our projects are innovative – a true mark of a community that is unique by nature,” said Green Programs Manager Julie Smith.

The EECS process produced an outline of what programs the city intended to implement to utilize renewable energy sources and reduce energy demand, fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. HDR assessed the potential for funding activities identified by the city’s Green Team. The assessment included developing a carbon footprint for the city for 2008 and 2009 that evaluated total electric and/or gas consumption by department, building address and building type; fuel use by department, type and carbon dioxide emissions; and water consumption by department and address.

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McKinney Main Street helps kick off the 2010 Relay For Life

City of McKinney Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

McKinney Main Street helps kick off the 2010 Relay For Life with event
Community Kick-Off calls for community support for American Cancer Society

McKINNEY, TEXAS (Jan. 12, 2010) – McKinney Main Street has partnered with Relay For Life to host the 2010 Community Kick-off in Historic Downtown McKinney. The event will take place at the McKinney Performing Arts Center (MPAC) on Friday, Jan. 22 at 6 p.m. The Community Kick-off is a way to educate potential participants about the official Relay event, which will be held on April 30 through May 1 from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. at the Ballfields at Craig Ranch.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) national fundraising event to raise money to fight all types of cancer in children and adults, men and women. It is a volunteer-driven, local community event in which teams of 8 to15 members commit to camp overnight, from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., with each participant raising a minimum of $100 through pledges and fundraising activities. More than 91 cents of every dollar raised at Relay goes to the ACS to fund cancer research and patient services that can directly benefit McKinney residents.

“McKinney Main Street is honored to support and participate in such an important cause,” said Ty Lake, Main Street Program Director. “So many people have been affected by cancer. With more than 128 businesses located in Historic Downtown McKinney, it made perfect since to launch the Kick-Off downtown and do our part to help increase community awareness.”

The Community Kick-off is free and open to the general public. It will provide opportunities for event attendees to learn how to form a team, sign up as a survivor or caregiver, purchase luminaria, become a sponsor or serve on one of several committees. Relay For Life officials will be on hand to answer questions and provide information.

Mayor Brian Loughmiller will welcome the crowd, and Jon Christopher Davis of Lone Star Attitude will take center stage to perform a concert during the evening’s awareness activities. Davis, a McKinney-based singer/songwriter, will introduce the theme song which he recently composed for Relay For Life.

“McKinney’s Relay For Life has been named the #1 Relay out of 54 in the North Texas Region,” said Becky Neeley, Relay for Life Co-Chair. “McKinney’s Relay is larger than those held in Dallas, Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio. In its first eight years, Relay For Life of McKinney has raised almost $2.4 million dollars for the fight against cancer, and we are extremely grateful to our wonderful community for the ongoing support.” McKinney’s Relay For Life event has been chosen as one of six Texas sites to enroll participants in a nationwide Cancer Prevention Study which will help the American Cancer Society understand genetic and lifestyle factors that cause and prevent cancer. For more information about McKinney’s Relay please visit www.mckinneyrfl.com. For more information regarding this event, please contact McKinney Main Street at 972-547-2660.

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About McKinney
McKinney, Texas, is unique by nature. As one of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S., McKinney has a current population of 126,500. Incorporated in 1848, the city is located 30 miles north of Dallas and is the county seat of Collin County. McKinney offers rolling hills, lush trees, a historic downtown square and unique neighborhoods and developments, and it was recently ranked as one of the Top 10 Best Places to Move by Forbes Magazine. Visit the city’s Web site at www.mckinneytexas.org.

Media contact: Anna Folmnsbee, afolmnsb@mckinneytexas.org, 972-547-7525

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Cell phone use limited in schools zones during school hours

City of McKinney Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cell phone use limited in schools zones during school hours
Use allowed with hands-free devices or when vehicles stopped

McKINNEY, TEXAS (Aug. 7, 2009) – McKinney City Council passed an ordinance last night limiting the use of mobile devices while driving in school zones. City leaders, McKinney Police and Fire Departments and school districts within the city worked together on the ordinance with the goal of increasing safety measures for school zones.

Use of a mobile communication device on city streets is prohibited when the school zone hours are in effect in the morning and afternoon for drivers of any vehicle if the car is in motion. Hands-free devices are allowed when using a mobile communications device in a school zone, and cell phone use is allowed in a vehicle when it is stopped. It is permissible for passengers in the cars to use cell phones. There are exceptions for medical, fire or police related emergencies.

“Using a cell phone to talk or send messages while driving distracts drivers and increases safety risks and creates a danger to school children. We want to do everything we can to limit those risks, and this ordinance helps us achieve that goal,” said Police Chief Doug Kowalski.

Drivers caught using a cell phone to place calls or send text messages in a school zone or in the public street without using a hands free device while operating a vehicle could get warning the first time or up to a $200 fine. Signs will be posted warning drivers of the new ordinance.

The ordinance was amended from one passed in February to be in compliance with state law and will be enforced at the start of the school year.

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City of McKinney offers special storm debris pick up

City of McKinney Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of McKinney offers special storm debris pick up

McKINNEY, Texas (June 12, 2008) – Due to storms that caused damage to McKinney yards this week, the city is offering a free, special storm debris pick-up service for residents starting Monday, June 15 and ending on Friday, June 26. Service is restricted to trees and limbs that are too large or bulky to be picked up as yard waste during regular yard waste collection.

No fencing or tree stumps will be accepted. Trees and limbs are limited in size according to the following guidelines:
• Each tree or limb must be less than 8 inches in diameter, weigh less than 80 pounds, and cannot exceed 15 feet in length.
• Debris must be removed from personal property before collection can occur.
• Place debris at the curb or alley, whichever is closest to where damage occurred.
• Keep debris out of the street and pedestrian walkways when placing it out for pick up.
• Placing tree debris on driveways or near garages will result in non-collection.
• This service is provided to residential homes only (no commercial accounts).
• Pick up must be scheduled.

To schedule service, contact Environmental Services at 972-547-7385. Requests for service must be scheduled at least one day prior to the regularly scheduled trash collection day for the residence. When calling to schedule service, please provide the name, telephone number and address of the residential account, and specify whether debris is stacked at the curb or the alley. This service will be performed in conjunction with the city’s regular yard waste collection service, so debris will be collected on the regularly scheduled trash collection days, only.

Residents can also take debris or other waste to the Custer Road Transfer Station, 9901 Custer Road. The facility is open Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed
Sunday. A current McKinney water bill and a valid Texas Driver’s license with the same address are required to use the facility. Fence posts must be free of concrete. Box trucks and flat bed trailers are not accepted at this facility. For more information about the Custer Road Transfer Station, call 972-727-6341

Additional disposal is available at the 121 Regional Disposal Facility, 3802 Highway 121North in Melissa. Call 972-837-4015 for more information about this facility. If you are using a box truck or flat bed trailer to haul your items, contact Environmental Services at 972-547-7385 prior to your visit to this facility. An authorization letter from the City of McKinney is required before residents may use the 121 Regional Disposal Facility.

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McKinney 2009 City Council election results

McKINNEY, Texas (May 9, 2009) – Today McKinney residents turned out to cast their ballots in the general election to elect new City Council seats for Mayor, one At-large seat, District 1 and District 3. To be elected to City Council, a candidate must receive a majority of votes in the general election, or more than 50 percent of the total vote.

Brian Loughmiller has won the seat of Mayor and earned a three-year term on McKinney City Council, according to the unofficial election results from the Collin County Election Administrator. Loughmiller earned 3915 votes or 60.53 percent of the total, defeating George Fuller, who earned 2553 votes or 39.47 percent of the total. Travis Ussery ran unopposed for the District 3 Council seat and collected 602 votes.

David Brooks was elected to the seat of At-large on McKinney City Council. He earned 3878 votes or 64.32 percent of the vote total and defeated Gilda Garza who earned 1117 votes or 18.53 percent, and Curtis Rath who earned 1034 votes or 17.15 percent of the vote total.

Don Day also was elected to City Council. He will represent District 1 during a three-year term. He earned 205 votes or 54.52 percent of the vote total. Day defeated Alonzo James Tutson, who earned 72 votes or 19.15 percent, Randall Odell Wilder who earned 36 votes or 9.57 percent of the vote total and Maurice Malvern who earned 63 votes or 16.76 percent of the vote total.

Please visit www.mckinneyinfo.com for more information on details for the run-off election for City Council.

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Jay A. Bender - Attorney at Law

JAY A. BENDER
2150 S. Central Expy.
Suite 1000
McKinney, Texas 75070
tel. (972)562-8900
fax. (469)952-2363
jay@lawbender.com

Steel Magnolias

Steel Magnolias

Date: 4 - 24 - 2009
Event Time: 0:00 AM - 0:00 AM (event web site)
Admission: $13-16
Attendance: 400
With a group of gossipy southern ladies in a small-town beauty parlor, Steel Magnolias is alternately hilarious and touching and, in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness which underlies the antic banter of its characters. A story of friendship, Steel Magnolias serves up a slice of life in Louisiana that`s as warm and comforting as sweet potato pie. In the haven of Truvy`s beauty salon, six very different women come together to share their secrets and bare their souls, throwing in a little neighborly gossip for good measure. Truvy`s beauty salon is where all the ladies who are anybody come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the town`s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, (”I`m not crazy, I`ve just been in a bad mood for forty years”); an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee; and the local social leader, M`Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole boy.” The McKinney Repertory Theatre production features Carissa Powell, Jean Roberts, Jean Trout, Jana Walters, Tammy Williams and Jaime Wilson. Steel Magnolias will run April 24 - 25, and May 1-3, 2009 at MPAC. Performances are at 8:00 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are available at MPAC, or call 214-544-4630 or visit www.mckinneyperformingartscenter.org. Additional fees apply to online and telephone ticket purchases.

LOCATION

Location  McKinney Performing Arts Center
Address 111 N. Tennessee Street
City, State. Zip.  McKinney,TX. 75069

CONTACT INFORMATION

Organization: McKinney Repertory Theatre
Name:  Jake Correll
Email:  info@mckinneyrep.org
Phone: 972-542-1603

PF Chang’s Allen

My wife and I meet with friends for lunch at PF Chang’s in Allen.  Being extremely health conscious I definitely appreciated the nutritional information provided on their site.  I ordered a lunch bowl of Buddha’s Feast which had only 1 gram of saturated fat.  Eating out always concerns me as I do not know how it is cooked but it definitely made me feel a little better knowing what I was eating.

My wife order a Beef with Brocolli lunch bowl which she stated was incredible.

We both had lunch bowls and a drink for approximately $26.00

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