Live &
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THE TOWN | THE PEOPLE | THE PRIDE
Economic Development May 2013 | VOL I, Issue 9
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Economic Development
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SM
E V E R Y T H I N G ’S INCLUDED HOMES
Welcome Home
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PROSPER Artesia $180s
For more information call 877-205-9146 or visit www.Lennar.com
Your Smile. Your Town. Your Orthodontist. Dr. Bodine is proud to call Prosper home.
Not only for his practice, but for his family as well. Our office is conveniently located in the heart of Prosper to better serve your family with the highest quality orthodontic and Invisalign care for all ages.
Call today to schedule your complimentary orthodontic or Invisalign exam. Dr. Trevor P. Bodine Orthodontic Specialist
972.347.1700
CHILDREN + TEENS + ADULTS
821 N. Coleman, Suite 110, Prosper, TX 75078 | 972.347.1700 | www.bodineorthodontics.com Flyer.indd 1
4/4/13 10:17 AM
972.346.9998 www.380dental.com
Dr. Travis Campbell, DDS 2111 E. University Dr. Suite 20 Prosper, Texas 75078 - Invisalign - Wisdom Teeth Removal - Crowns & Bridges - Root Canal Therapy - Treatment of Headaches - TMJ - Sedation Avaliable
Saturday & Emergency Appointments Available “ Great dentist and hygienist. Helped with my fear for dentists.” --Patt, Savannah
Going the
EXTRA MILE For your Family’s SMILE.
May 2013 | Contents www.live-prosper.com
Monthly Features Healthy Solutions - 8 Allergy and Asthma Awareness
Community Calendar - 16 May Events in Prosper
The Eagles Nest - 21
2013 Prosper High School Project Graduation
In Good Taste - 26
Wonderful Ways to Celebrate Mother’s Day
Police Week - 28 May 13-19
In His Presence - 29 Bloom.....
In This Issue Gates of Prosper - 10
On the Cover: Prosper Heading for Quality Growth
Interview with Joe Hickman of BlueStar Land
6 | Live & Prosper Magazine
Free to Breathe - 12
DFW’s Third Annual 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk
Meet Your Candidates - 18 Town Council & PISD School Board
Password Security - 20 Protect Yourself from Identity Theft
Prosper Cents - 22
Go Local with a Community Bank
Tucker Hill Garden Club - 23 Tucker Hill Opens Community Garden
Prosper EDC - 24 Your Road Leads to Prosper
May | 2013
Executive Publishers Jason & Heather Reynolds Editorial Director Heather Reynolds Production/Artistic Director Jason Reynolds Contributing Writers Dr. Jon Thomas Jennifer Sanchez Dr. Michael McGuiness Dionna Black Jerrica Anderson Vicki Northcutt Erin Hubbard Amy McLeod Doug Kriz Heather Reynolds Photography Contributors Cedarbrook Photography www.cedarbrook-photography.com Various Production / Design Cedarbrook Media Group www.cedarbrookmedia.com
CEDARBROOK
MEDIA GROUP TM
©2013 Live & Prosper Magazine All Rights Reserved Worldwide The title and all material are protected by international copyright laws and are reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the publisher’s permission. Although the greatest of care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this magazine at time of going to press, neither Live & Prosper Magazine nor Cedarbrook Media Group can be held liable for omissions, inexactness or errors. To be a part of upcoming issues, please contact Live & Prosper Magazine PO Box 405 Prosper, Texas 75078 Ph:469.481.2935 www.live-prosper.com heather@live-prosper.com
Economic Development
Publishers
Letter From The
L P & Magazine TM
It’s an exhilarating time for Prosper…we are on the brink of enormous growth in our town! We have already experienced the building boom all around us, with new homes going up seemingly overnight. The word seems to have gotten out…Prosper is a destination and THE place to be! And not just for homeowners either – the retailers have Prosper in their sights. We are fortunate, however, to have a Town Council who is committed to fostering quality growth, and citizens who embody a strong sense of community. We will soon have the same amenities and conveniences that our neighboring cities enjoy, and with careful planning and consideration, we will maintain our small town charm along the way. One of the ways that you can shape the development of our town and schools is by remembering to VOTE in the General Election on May 11. Candidates running for office include: Town Council – Place 1 are Michael Korbuly, challenged by Jack Dixon; Town Council – Place 4 is Meigs Miller, unopposed; and Town Council – Mayor is Ray Smith, unopposed. Running for PISD School Board – Place 1 are Mark McGuire, challenged by Melissa Randle; PISD School Board – Place 3 is Mary Lou Smith, unopposed; and PISD School Board – Place 6 is Jim Bridges, unopposed. We asked each of the candidates to give a brief summation of their vision for Prosper and the issues they stand for – please read about the candidates on Pages 18-19. We are also hosting a Meet the Candidates Forum on May 2nd at PHS in the cafeteria at 6:30pm. We welcome you to join us for light refreshments and the opportunity to get to know those who are running for office. Finally, the first FRIDAY AT THE PARK event is May 3rd at Frontier Park! Live & Prosper Magazine has partnered with Grace Christian Church, Bodine Orthodontics, The Cell, Prosper Bank, and First Graphic Services to bring you an evening of family fun!! Festivities will begin at 6:30, with fun games and activities for the kids, food and music. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets because as the sun begins to set, we’ll start the outdoor movie – Wreck it Ralph! We will also have grilled hot dogs, chips, candy and soft drinks, and all of the proceeds will benefit our Prosper Nonprofits – Cornerstone NCT, Prosper Open Foundation, Project Graduation and Bethlehem Place. We hope that you and your family will join us for this fun community event! For full details, please visit www.FridayAtThePark.com or for updates, “Like” us on Facebook! With Prosper Pride,
Jason & Heather Reynolds Follow Us! facebook.com/liveprosper
twitter.com/liveprosperMag
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Health & Wellness
Healthy S olutions by Dr. Jon Thomas
-Allergy and Asthma AwarenessSeasonal allergies (also called allergic rhinitis) and asthma are two commonly treated medical problems treated by family physicians. Asthma affects about 7% of the US population, while allergic rhinitis affects up to 30%. Some people are born with breathing problems while others develop them later in life, even into the adult years.
Testing for asthma may involve using a peak flow meter or spirometer, devices which measure how well you can inhale and exhale, as well as a chest x-ray. Allergic rhinitis can be diagnosed based on symptoms and a physical exam. Sometimes a referral is needed to an ear, nose, and throat specialist, lung specialist, or an allergy specialist for further testing.
Some of the symptoms of asthma are wheezing, cough, and shortness of breath. Allergic rhinitis causes nasal itching, sneezing, swelling of the nasal cavity, and sinus pressure. If you are having any of these symptoms, it is important to see a family physician for timely relief of these symptoms and to diagnose the underlying problem.
Treatment of asthma involves inhalers or nebulizers, and sometimes oral medication. Allergic rhinitis is treated by oral medications and intranasal steroids. There may be allergens in your home or outdoors that you may find you are allergic to. Allergy testing will identify which specific allergens to avoid. To learn more about treatment for allergy or asthma symptoms, call the office of Dr. Jon Thomas, Board Certified Family Physician, at 972-347-5778, or visit our website at www.ProsperFamilyDoctor.com to schedule your appointment online.
Centennial Family Medicine 170 N. Preston Rd. Suite 40 Prosper, Texas 75078 972.347.5778 www.prosperfamilydoctor.com
Proud Sponsor of Prosper Athletics
8 | Live & Prosper Magazine
May | 2013
Health & Wellness
Do Memorial Day the Heart Healthy Way by Dionna Black
Memorial Day is a day to remember soldiers who died in wars, the anticipation of the school year drawing to a close, the beginning of summer, and to many, the beginning of grilling season. Celebrating Memorial Day with a cookout does not have to sabotage your heart healthy eating habits. Let us discuss a few things to keep in mind. First, grilling is a healthy way to cook. The key is to not consume too many of the fatty meat choices that are popular for grilling, i.e., bratwurst, ribs, hamburgers, and steak. To watch your fat intake when grilling meat, look for key words such as loin and round. Some examples are sirloin, pork loin, tenderloin, and round steak. When shopping for ground beef, choosing 90% lean or higher is your best bet. And turkey is always a good lean choice. Second, you want to make sure you get your vegetables in. A nice salad is a standard way of including your vegetables, but why not try grilling them? Most vegetables can be grilled with a little cooking oil and herb seasonings. Only needing a short while on the grill, this brings out a smoky sweet flavor! And last, but certainly not least, the long awaited Memorial Day dessert. If you want to enjoy your favorite dessert, do so with the correct portion. It’s a holiday treat! But, if you want to finish strong with a low fat choice, choose grilled fruit with low fat whipped cream. Grilling fruit results in a caramelized coating that makes this part of celebrating the Memorial Day weekend even sweeter! Be mindful of your choices, including the calories consumed through beverages. Enjoying your Memorial Day holiday can be fun, without tipping the scale. Below are a few recipes to kick off your holiday. Cheers!
Citrus Vinaigrette Beef & Vegetable Kabobs
Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 25 minutes Yield: Serves 4
Preparation: Mix vinaigrette ingredients together in a small mixing bowl. Place cubed beef in a re-sealable bag and pour in marinade. Seal bag and allow it to marinate in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours. Preheat grill. Remove beef cubes from bag, reserve marinade. Thread meat, bell pepper, and onion pieces alternately on skewers. Grill over high heat for 9-12 minutes, brushing liberally with reserved marinade for the first half of cooking time. Once meat has reached desired doneness, remove kebabs from heat and serve. Dessert: Grilled Fruit Kabobs
Prep Time: 20 minutes Ready In: 30 minutes Yield: 4 servings Recipes by:
Lauren Caraway
TC
®
Ingredients: • 1 pound beef sirloin, cut into 1 inch squares • 1 bell pepper, cut into 1 inch squares (or tricolor) • 1 small red onion, cut into 1 inch squares • Skewers (if using wooden soak in water first) • 1 summer squash/zucchini sliced For Vinaigrette: • 1/2 cup olive oil • 1/4 cup tablespoons orange juice • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar • 2 teaspoons dry mustard • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning • 1 teaspoon honey • 1 teaspoon hot sauce • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce • 1 teaspoon salt • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
Ingredients: • 2 pounds assorted fruit (strawberries, pineapple, mango, kiwi) • 8 metal or bamboo skewers • 1 cup plain yogurt • 2 tablespoons honey • 1 teaspoon grated lime zest Directions: • Heat grill to medium heat, make sure grate is clean • Thread chunks of washed, peeled or seeded fruit onto skewers. (remember if using bamboo soak in water first to avoid burning) • Grill for 3-4 minutes per side, turning carefully so fruit doesn’t fall off skewers • Remove from heat and serve with dip For Dip: • Combine yogurt, honey, and lime zest and stir until well blended. Keep chilled until serving time. Or just use a light cool whip!
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“Ladies Night at The Cell” May 17th @ 7:00pm Must be 21 years of age Come laugh, create ZUMBA apparel and Party!! (Please call for more details and to RSVP) www.thecell4life.com
W
e’ve heard about it for years, and it now appears to be the right time. Gates of Prosper is a reality, and the timeline may surprise you! Blue Star Land is working diligently every day on this project. The real game changer for the timeline has been the development of the infrastructure, the building of our town. The utilities have to be there, the roads have to be built, and the stoplights must be put in. And, due to the challenges we’ve seen in the economy over recent years, this project has taken longer than anticipated. The first piece of land that Blue Star Land purchased was in 1994, and at that time, it was considered a 10 year project. However, the delay may be a blessing in disguise. The economic downturn has, if nothing else, allowed the roads to catch up. Now the roads will be six-lane divided throughout town. “We all want it sooner or later, but it’s a blessing that it’s allowed the infrastructure to get there before the construction starts”, says Joe Hickman, General Manager at Blue Star Land. Blue Star is currently in the development, planning and design phase for the sewer line. Not a small undertaking, the projected cost sits at $6million. However, once the infrastructure is there, the growth and development will follow quickly. Hickman shares, “The big retailers want to come, but you can’t beg or pay them to. What good does it do to offer them $1million to come if they lose $500,000 a month right off the bat? And, it’s not the Town that’s holding back the growth. Sure, there are certain ways the Town wants to develop, and we want to be good partners and build the highest, best use of
10 | Live & Prosper Magazine
the land. We want the best value – we are quality builders – that’s what we’ve built our company and our reputation on and that’s what we want to continue to do.” The bottom line is that the development, construction and timing are all driven by the retailers. Blue Star plans to have momentum going into it, with enough tenants under contract before starting construction. Their goal is to be over 50% leased before construction begins. “The worst thing you can do is go and open early, not have it leased up and fail. Then everyone from the start says you’re a failure”, says Hickman. Obviously, as with most developments, it all depends on the demographics, the driving radius and number of rooftops to support the stores when they open. That explains the timing to open the first phase, the Power Center, in early 2015, because that’s when the retailers are asking for it. With the growth that Prosper has been experiencing and the projected future growth, retailers feel that there will be enough rooftops to support them by that time. Preston Road, often referred to as the Golden Corridor, is a prime location for retailers. They gain consumer attention much easier with slower speeds and stoplights than they do with drivers going 80mph on the Tollway. In addition, Preston Road and US Highway 380 is a major retail hub, with great “spacing” from the malls and shopping centers at Highway 121. A good 8 to 9 miles north, the Gates of Prosper will
gain their fair share of the big retailers. The construction on Preston Road is slated for completion in early 2014. The water line is finsihed along By Heather Reynolds 380 and up the Tollway. With the completion of this infrastructure, construction on the pad sites will begin next year. “We have a lot of interest here; in fact, we are on Site Plan #68 – it’s a moving target. We’ve got a lot of land there, roughly 600 acres, and are still looking at a mixed use type development. We want to try to tie in old town Prosper with what we’ll create there, along with a new Town Center. Part of our developer agreement with the town includes giving them 8 acres for city development, whether it’s for a Fire Department, Police Department, Town Hall or a Library. And we’ll tie in to what the town wants to preserve and the design personality”, states Hickman. Blue Star Land is passionate about their architectural style, concepts and design standards, and they demand the same from their tenants. They are known for their quality developments and pride themselves on being responsible developers. They own other property in the Prosper area with future plans for development, including a 1,000 acre master planned community, StarTrail. Their dedication is clear in his statement, “We work hard to build amenities, open spaces and green spaces for our developments that are affordable and work financially, because once we’re finished, it’s the homeowners that have to pay for it. We are proud of the fact that in the other developments we’ve done, we haven’t left any debt for the homeowners to carry”. May | 2013
Joe Hickman, General Manager
Economic Development
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Free to Breathe
The Free to Breathe event series unites people who are passionate about creating public awareness of lung cancer and raising vital funding for research. Together, we can inspire hope, build awareness and create CHANGE. This year, we are proud to participate in DFW’s third annual Free-to-Breathe 10K Run and 5K Run/Walk and Family 1 Mile Walk in honor of every person fighting lung cancer. The event will be held at 7:30 am on May 19th, 2013, at the Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve in Plano, Texas, and will serve as an important milestone in the formation of a local chapter. (See event details and start times for each race/walk on the registration page.) http:// participate.freetobreathe.org/site/TR?fr_id=1840&pg=entry The first DFW Free to Breathe event in 2011 raised $133,000 and saw 750 participants on event day. The FTB Event in 2012 raised over $157,000 and saw more than 1000 participants. This year’s event should see between 1500 and 1800 participants. We are so excited about this! The first North Texas Free to Breathe was the highest grossing inaugural event to date! Nationwide for the 2011 season, the National Lung Cancer Partnership (NLCP) raised over $2 million through these events and engaged over 36,000 people affected by the disease. I cannot begin to tell you how exciting and encouraging it was to see everyone there on race day enthusiastically participating in the race and supporting the survivors! With only a 15% 5 year survival rate, lung cancer remains the number one cancer killer in America and yet it’s the least funded. For every breast cancer non-survivor, over $18,000 is donated to research. For every lung cancer non-survivor, only $1,600 is donated to research. WE CAN CHANGE THAT! We need to educate everybody. If you have lungs, you can get lung cancer! Did you know that over 60% of people who have lung cancer either never smoked, or quit decades ago? Astonishing, right? By having events such as Free to Breath, we are able to raise money for research, raise awareness through advocacy and educate the public. We are determined to make a change that will give people with lung cancer and their families a hopeful future. While tremendous progress is being made to discover new causes for lung cancer as well as new treatments, helping those affected by lung cancer remains a high priority and we need your support to make a difference. Lung cancer claims more lives than breast, prostate, colon, liver, kidney and melanoma cancers COMBINED, making it the clear leader among cancer deaths in America. Over 440 lives are lost to this unpredictable disease EACH DAY. The Free to Breathe® event that we are participating in will raise awareness of the disease and funding for vital research. Please boost our efforts by making a donation and/or participating in the race. It is simple, fast and totally secure. It is now time to enroll your support for Free to Breathe and the National Lung Cancer Partnership. I hope you will continue your support and participate with us on race day. Plus, it’s fun for the whole family! There will be a live band on stage, face painter, bounce house, snow cones and awards for the timed runners. Form your team now and join thousands of survivors and others affected by lung cancer to help double survival by 2022! Register today! http://participate.freetobreathe.org/site/TR?fr_id=1840&pg=entry
Amy McLeod Advocate
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May | 2013
Expert Care for your Skin
prosper dermatology associates Michael McGuiness M.D. P.A.
Please be aware, May is National Melanoma Awareness Month. At Prosper Dermatology, one of the major services we provide is thorough skin exams, in order to find and treat skin cancer and pre cancers as quickly and efficiently as possible, particularly melanoma. Melanoma is a deadly skin cancer, which can be found on any part of your skin surface, even places that never, ever are exposed to the light of day. For the last several years, through attendance at scientific meetings and discussions with experts in the dermatology field, I have been following the development of a device called Melafind, by Melascience. Melafind is a game changer. It is a completely non-invasive means to analyze a mole or other type of skin lesion to determine if it is getting close to melanoma, or is a melanoma. The device takes a picture of the lesion with different wavelengths of light, analyzes the results, and in a minute
or two you have the answer. No shots, no cutting, no pain. Melafind was not designed to be used to evaluate every mole on every body. Some moles clearly need to be biopsied, without further analysis, including Melafind. Some moles clearly are benign appearing and need no evaluation, particularly not with Melafind. Some moles are questionable, more difficult to analyze just by looking. This type of mole might be in a very cosmetic area where scar is an issue, or a young child might be involved. Clearly, Melafind is used selectively, but it is a fantastic device to have at our disposal. We are pleased to announce we will have this device in our office by mid May. We are one of very few practices in Texas to have it. Please call us to schedule your Melanoma Awareness skin check, and see how Melafind might help you. For more information on Melafind, including videos showing it in use please visit, www.melafind.com/dermatologists/downloads.
prosper dermatology associates medical services provided:
Skin cancer screening | Skin cancer surgery Mole evaluation and/or removal Psoriasis treatment | Wart treatment Rashes evaluated | Acne treatment
2440 East Prosper Trail Suite 70 Prosper, TX 75078
469-481-3001
cosmetic services provided:
Botox, Dysport | Juvederm, Restylane, Sculptra IPL | Stretch Marks | Laser hair removal Microdermabrasion | Chemical peels Skin care evaluation and treatment
- Our Associated Practices dermatology center of flower mound 4471 Long Prairie Road Ste 100 Flower Mound, TX 75028 972-316-4555 plano dermatology 6100 Windhaven Parkway, Plano, TX, 75093 214-615-1735, (Toll free)1-800-775-7787
www.mcguinessdermatology.com Advertisement
3rd Annual Golf Tournament Monday, May 6, 2013 Gentle Creek Golf Club Golf@CornerstoneNCT.org
Botox PARTY
Ear Nose & Throat Specialist of McKinney Now Seeing Patients in Prosper
May 23rd 4:00-8:00pm Call for your appointment
972-347-1320 Botox injections the night of the party @ $10/unit. Can’t Attend? Call May 23rd and receive special pricing for Botox, Juvederm & Sclerotherapy.
RAFFLE for Attendees:
2 Gift Certificates for 20 units of Botox and a Latisse.
Marcy Henson, MS RN FNP-C 221 N. Preston, Ste C Prosper, Texas
Pediatric & Adult ENT Services | Recurrent Tonsillitis Recurrent Ear Infections & Ear Tubes | Hearing Loss & Hearing Aid Services Seasonal Allergy & Sinus Disease | Thyroid & Parathyroid Disorders Hoarseness & Voice Disorders | Head & Neck Cancers
Joshua C. James, MD 221 N. Preston, Ste C Prosper, Texas
214.375.2637
www.entofmckinney.com
Economic Development
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Advanced training in all aspects of foot and ankle surgery Combined six years of residency training Eric M. Silvers, DPM, PA
Combined 21 years of clinical experience
Board Certified by the American Board of Prodiatric Surgery Immediate Appointments Friendly & Caring Staff Most Insurance Accepted
www.advancedfoottexas.com
221 North Preston, Suite C Prosper, Texas 75078 + 4501 Medical Center Dr, Suite 300 McKinney, Texas 75069
Your Foot & Ankle Specialists
Robert A. Hadfield, DPM
SUNDAY
Did You Know
The establishment of the St. Louis & San Francisco Railroad in March of 1902 created the change that forced the communities of Rock Hill and Richland to merge forming the Town of Prosper. For years, Prosper was the central stop for the railroad between Dallas and Sherman. When community officials applied for a Post Office with the name "Richland", they were informed that city name was already taken. Postmaster B.J. Naugle asked for an alternative name and J.C. Slaughter suggested the name Prosper, because crops that year had been very prosperous.
TUESDAY
Sponsor this Calendar or Advertise your Event!! Contact us at:
heather@live-prosper.com
469.481.2935 6
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~Cornerstone Golf Tournament @ Gentle Creek Golf Club for details visit www.cornerstonenct.org
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~PHS Jazz Band Concert
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Mother’s Day ~PHS Softball Banquet
~Prosper Chamber of Commerce Networking Meeting 7:30am ~Prosper Town Council Meeting @6:00pm
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~PISD School Board Meeting
For more information on Prosper Visit www.ProsperTX.gov
visit us at
MONDAY
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www.live-prosper.com Prosper Today | Current News and Events | Archived Issues | Reader Feedback | Nominations for Prosper’s Person of the Year
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Memorial Day
~Prosper Chamber After Hours Sponsored by The Mansions
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~Prosper Chamber of Commerce Networking Meeting 7:30am ~Prosper Town Council Meeting @6:00pm
May | 2013
e
e
All-Star
COMPETITIVE CHEER IN PROSPER! Schedule your tryout by phone or online 972-347-3444 theinitiativedallas.com/contact.php Accepting new tryouts until June 1st!
THE INITIATIVE CHEER TEAM
THURSDAY
WEDNESDAY
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~PHS Theatre Charlotte's Web Children's Play
~PHS Theatre Charlotte's Web Children's Play
~PHS Studio Dance Centre Concert
~PHS Studio Dance Centre Concert
~Friday at the Park www.FridayatThePark.com
~ManeGait Volunteer Training 8:30am-12:00pm or 1:00-4:30pm 469-742-9611
~Meet the Candidates Forum 6:30pm @ PHS Cafeteria
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11 ~ManeGait Volunteer Training 8:30am-12:00pm 469-742-9611
~PHS Show Choir Concert
~PHS Class of 2013 Group Picture
SATURDAY
FRIDAY
~Eagles Track State @ UT Austin ~General Election Day
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~Prosper Chamber Ribbon Cutting for Bodine Orthodontics @ 5:00pm
~Peace Officers Memorial Day
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~PHS Choir Banquet
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~PHS Band Banquet
~PHS Band Spring Concert
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25 ~Kid Print Cockrell Elementary School
~PHS Senior Awards Ceremony
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30 ~PHS NHS Induction ~PHS Underclassmen Awards Ceremony
~PHS Baccalaureate Service 7:00 p.m Prestonwood Baptist Church North Campus Sanctuary
31 ~PHS Early Release/Graduation 7:00 p.m Prestonwood Baptist Church Plano Campus ~Project Graduation 11:30pm-5:00am
For a complete list of Sports and District events, please visit www.prosper-isd.net
Economic Development
L P & Magazine TM
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Meet Your Prosper Candidates
Town Council
Mike Korbuly - I am Town councilman Mike Korbuly and seeking re-election for Prosper Town Council Place 1. I have consistently demonstrated my ability to support and uphold the principals and platform I campaigned for in the Fall of 2012. I approved agreements for The Town of Prosper’s largest public-private partnership with Mathews Southwest, a 157-acre mixed use development at the northwest corner of U.S. 380 and the Dallas North Tollway. I voted “yes” to hire Harlan Jefferson, an incredible leader for our new town manager who has already made a tremendous positive impact. In keeping with our vision of the Town, I voted against a developer trying to do away with Hike and Bike trails in the Lakes of Prosper Subdivision. I have challenged town staff to work together with developers and Prosper ISD on a plan repurposing a site slated for a park dedication in order to find a way to not only add a park but also a much needed elementary school. I am dedicated to continuing in and persevering in my efforts toward the building of a veteran’s memorial, downtown revitalization, preserving the history of Prosper, and continuing to grow the mutually beneficial relationship between the Town and Prosper ISD. I ask you to continue to let your voice be heard and your community interests represented by re-electing Mike Korbuly, Prosper Town Council Place 1.
Jack Dixon - Let’s all work together to keep Prosper a rural destination where family values, sense of community, superior schools, kid friendly neighborhoods and innovative growth and retail will be achieved. I want our Town to keep and expand upon the positive reasons that brought all of us to Prosper. Prosper is a kid friendly Town and I want to keep it that way. Prosper is truly a place where everyone matters and we need to keep it that way. I will earnestly fight to ensure our Town’s residential growth stays at a high level of excellence, while at the same time making certain our Town’s retail and commercial fits the desires and wishes of our residents. Our Town is special, like no other town in North Texas. So let’s keep our Prosper Pride, our Prosper history, and our signature high standards as we move forward together!
Meigs Miller - My family and I came to Prosper 9 years ago when the population was just under 4000. We’ve seen this great community grow through an economic slowdown yet I believe we are on the verge of an explosion of residential growth. It would be my desire to embrace this inevitable growth while seeking to maintain the small town, community feel that most moved here to enjoy. I believe we as a community expect to maintain high standards in quality and excellence with respect to our partnerships with our development community, Collin County, surrounding neighboring communities and Prosper Independent School District. I believe we need to remain fiscally responsible while providing the best safe, secure, and responsive services our community expects and deserves.
Ray Smith - I believe Prosper is the greatest community in Collin/Denton County. We are experiencing a lot of residential growth and I anticipate new commercial development will begin next year. The Town is negotiating additional public/private partnerships in preparation of our future infra-structure needs. We will continue to partner and develop our relationships with Prosper Independent School District, Collin County, TxDot and our neighboring Towns. The Council is committed to keep Prosper’s small Town feel and our vision is to remain 1. A safe community 2. Fiscally responsible 3. Attract high-quality development
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May | 2013
Mark McGuire - Prosper ISD is in great shape overall. We are frankly the envy of many school districts around us. First, we are in sound position financially – with no teacher layoffs or cutbacks the past couple of years, at a time when State funding was drastically reduced. Moreover, we have been able to add staff/programs as our student population has continued to grow. Our student achievement also continues to climb. The best and brightest teachers and administrators are attracted to our District, and we presently have strong leadership across the board. Our reputation for excellence is a major draw for families relocating to our area. In a nutshell, Prosper ISD is the place to be. This has not happened by chance. It is the culmination of many years of strong leadership, excellent stewardship and, in the end, sound decision making. With that said, the main priorities I see for the District in the next few years are: * Managing growth: this remains our biggest challenge at all levels. * Continuing to place Student Safety as a top priority. * Implementing our curriculum re-build that is rooted to our Graduate Profile. * Participating in the Texas High Performance Schools Consortium: work to minimize the burden of high-stakes testing. I am proud to have been a small part of the fine reputation we have at Prosper ISD, and look forward to building upon this over the next three years.
PISD School Board
Melissa Randle - I am a mother of 2 boys that have been attending Prosper ISD for 6 1/2 years. I have been a very active participant in their education. In addition to raising my children, I have been a very active community volunteer. I have led or been involved in several community projects; including planning and construction of Windmill Playground and the Grand Opening of Frontier Park. I am also involved with the Prosper Youth Sports Association, Prosper Citizens Police Academy, Previous Chair of Christian Womens’ Connection, a leader with Whispering Farms HOA and an active PTO member. I have spoken with countless parents and teachers who have voiced their opinions about the direction of our school system. I want to be a voice for them. Our school system is facing several real challenges today, including quality education, fiscal responsibility and the security of our students and teachers. Prosper ISD must be prepared to serve a wide range of children ranging from children with learning disabilities to gifted students and those that just need a creative learning environment that will allow them to reach their full potential. It is critical that the voice of the parents in our school system be heard. It is my desire to match the voice of the parent with the needs of the children.
Jim Bridges – As a parent, I am thrilled with the quality of education that my children are receiving in the Prosper Independent School District. We love the feeling of community and caring that we see every day in our interaction with the teachers, staff and administration. It is my strong desire to see that the district maintains this level of excellence for years to come.
Mary Lou Smith – As a former educator and mother of three children in Prosper schools, I am passionate and invested about the children of our community receiving an excellent education. Prosper is a premier town to raise a family because of its sincere dedication to ensuring top notch facilities for our schools and the hiring and training of high quality teachers. My vision for Prosper ISD is to enhance the dynamic tradition of empowering learners, to invest in cutting edge technology, and to inspire students to blaze a new trail of success.
Economic Development
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The Password is…......... Years ago, passwords were secret codes used by kids while playing with their friends or by secret agents in spy movies. Some of us remember game shows based on them. Today, passwords are a part of our daily lives. We use them for almost any account online, from email to Facebook to Visa. Protecting our passwords is definitely not a game. Failure to do so can cost time and money. Statistics show that we collectively spend more than 10,000 hours a year retrieving and resetting lost passwords. That doesn’t count how much time we spend dealing with the fallout from stolen or hacked ones. Take time to review and improve your passwords. You might just prevent a costly mistake and a major headache.
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The most important password advice is to not rely on the same one for everything, make them complicated and change them regularly. If you use the same one all the time, a hacker can figure it out on a website with low security and then use it on other sites you have accounts with. A simple password, like a common word or a number sequence or a password based on personal information (your birthdate) is a hacker’s dream. Consider using at least 8 characters and mixing capital letters, numbers and symbols to create a great password. Avoid using common words and use phrases with clever shortcuts, similar to those you would use on a personalized license plate. RU%Dun%Yet% and Cu_L8Tr are two examples. Finally, set reminders on your electronic devices to change your passwords at least every three months. If you don’t rely on electronics to organize yourself, tell yourself to change them with the seasons! The important thing is to make the time to change them often. “I have 3 email accounts, 4 credit cards, 2 bank accounts, Facebook and the log on to my kids’ grades. I can’t remember that many passwords.” Create a spreadsheet of your passwords and make the document secure by giving it its own password. That way, you only have one to memorize. There are also websites like LastPass.com that will manage your passwords. Then again, you can also use good ol’ paper and pencil, then lock your list in a fireproof safe. Finally, tell someone you trust where this information is if you are unable to retrieve it yourself. Accidents, injuries and illnesses happen. Decide who you would like to manage your accounts if one day you cannot. Give them the information they will need to pay your bills, change the account name or close the account entirely. You can protect yourself from identity theft, loss of data and enormous frustration if you take the time to create and maintain strong passwords. Do*1t*2Day! Jennifer Sanchez is a professional organizer and owns Organize & Prosper, LLC. For more information, go to www.OrganizeAndProsper.com or call 972.467.5107.
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Prosper ISD News
The Eagle’s Nest This year, Prosper celebrates its fifth year of participation in Project Graduation. Although still in its infancy, the popularity of this event continues to grow each year, with 75% of graduates attending in 2011. The 2013 committee is preparing for at least 200 to take part in the festivities. To ensure as many students as possible participate, there is no charge for seniors to attend PHS Project Graduation; however, they are required to sign a contract that states they will arrive sober and remain at the event for its duration. They lose their chance to win prizes and participate in the event for failing to comply with these two requirements.
Prosper ISD Special
The 2013 Prosper High School Project Graduation will take place on May 31, 2013, from 11:30p.m. to 5a.m. at the Frisco Fieldhouse. The theme is Casino Night. The committee has hired a DJ, a photo booth and has planned other activities to help fill the evening with activities that appeal to a wide variety of interests. At 11:45 we will have a special surprise; don’t be late – it will be a once in a lifetime event! It’s going to be a great night of fun and prizes – please join your classmates! Additionally, with an eye to future graduating classes, the 2013 Committee is dedicated to bringing this event to the forefront of the community’s mind through heavy publicity and outreach activities.
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Go Local with a Community Bank By Jerrica Anderson, Compliance Officer for Prosper Bank
BIGGER IS BETTER… That has been the movement for the past decade. We want super-sized options and retailers did not disappoint as shopping centers clutter the sides of nearby highways and increased availability of online services. However, this mindset has been challenged by the economic downturn and more and more consumers are ditching the big retailers and going back to local businesses that directly impact the communities in which they live. What are the personal and economic benefits of shopping and banking locally? According to The 3/50 Project, for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures. If you spend that in a national chain, only $43 stays here. Spend it online and nothing comes home. Community banks play an important role by participating in activities that promote economic development. Community banks are relationship lenders that only prosper when their customers and communities do the same, so meeting the needs of customers and fostering community development activities that revitalize or stabilize the local economy is simply the way community banks do business.
gic partners in order to be successful in their business endeavors. Likewise, community banks rely on the health of the local economy; therefore, they stick with their customers through the good times and the bad. Loyalty Community banks are typically deeply involved and committed to making their local communities a better place to live. Many community banks donate money to local charities as well as service hours. In addition, community banks support financial literature by teaching valuable saving strategies, identity theft prevention, and much more. Community banks want to create lifelong customers who share a stake in the community. Trust Community banks offer relationships you can bank on for years to come. Because many community banks have been locally owned and operated for numerous years, you will know that the financial needs of the community, including your family and small businesses, are being met by local residents managing the bank that has the community’s best interest in mind. Whether located in small towns, suburbia, or big city neighborhoods, community banks improve America’s communities. Join me in celebrating the unique role that community banks serve in our economic system and share the benefits of banking locally with a community bank.
Deposits Community banks lend locally where their depositors live and work, keeping the community vibrant and growing. By choosing a community bank, you will be putting local deposits back to work where it belongs - in your community. Community banks are also a major supporter of the community’s infrastructure by paying federal, state, and local taxes, creating jobs, and stimulating local economies. Loans Community banks are personally accessible to their customers. You can talk to a real person with local decision-making authority, not a recording in a far-away place. Additionally, many community banks are more flexible in their underwriting standards when it comes to loan needs. Community banks understand that not everyone fits in the same credit box and innovative lending practices are often utilized. Service Community banks are relationship lenders that concentrate on the financial needs of local consumers and small businesses. Because community banks know their customers and their customers know them, they are able to provide shocking levels of customer service. The retail banking services of community banks are also designed to be responsive in meeting the needs of the community. Expertise Community banks recognize the ups and downs of the local economic cycles. This is valuable in allowing community banks to serve the needs of small businesses that depend on strate-
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Tucker Hill Opens Community Garden
By Vicki Northcutt
Tucker Hill residents are celebrating the addition of another amenity with the opening of their new community garden. Located near the neighborhood’s entrance, the garden features 10 raised plots that will be maintained by and for residents. The garden itself sits within a quaint area surrounded by hedgerows and a white picket fence, assessable by two gates. The idea for the garden was developed by the Tucker Hill Garden Club and was completed thanks to the donation and preparation of the land by the community’s developer, Southern Land Company. From this point on, the residents who have committed to maintaining a plot for the first year are now members of the Community Garden Club and have adopted their own bylaws to oversee all aspects required for maintaining the garden. ”A community garden is a perfectly natural fit for a traditional neighborhood. It is a great place for all ages to share ideas and
experiences and to be active together towards a common goal. This year’s 10 raised beds are already showing signs of the gardener’s fun-loving and competitive nature. The problem of where any excess produce might best be distributed is just one of the things the gardeners will work out as a group,” said Denise Meier, SLC’s Flower Lady and Collin County Master Gardener. She continued by emphasizing that Tucker Hill is a place where residents truly value growing together. “I can practically taste the right-off- the- vine tomatoes already!” To keep up with the latest developments on the community garden as well as ideas and tips for spring plantings, check out the Flower Lady’s blog at www.tuckerhilltx. com or follow on FaceBook at www.facebook.com/TuckerHillTexas . Tucker Hill is a traditional neighborhood development located in McKinney, just north of Highway 380 between Ridge and Custer Roads. Our new homes boast front porches, colorful landscaping, and architecture reminiscent of the historic homes found in quaint communities around Swiss Avenue and Highland Park. With builder partners that include Darling Homes, David Weekley Homes and Tim Jackson Custom Homes, the community strives to promote a lifestyle of really knowing your neighbor. This is accomplished by offering not only planned resident activities, but also amenities like a resort-style pool, nature trails, dog park, playgrounds and coming soon – resident’s club and quaint neighborhood marketplace.
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Prosper Economic Development Corporation The Prosper Economic Development Corporation (PEDC) is a Texas 4A sales tax corporation that invests its sales tax revenues on behalf of the community of Prosper. Prosper is one of over 700 communities in the state of Texas that operates as a 4A legislation, which was created by the voters. They receive $0.05 of the sales tax revenue to use on economic development. Their two major goals are to create primary jobs with stable income and benefits, as well as to create capital investment. The PEDC is town-chartered and governed by a 7 member Board of Directors appointed by the Town Council. The Town of Prosper offers incentives on a case-by-case basis to stimulate business attraction, retention, redevelopment and expansion. The particular incentive package is determined by the type of operation, number of full-time jobs created, capital investment, median wage, size of space constructed or leased, and community impact. They are working diligently with developers to create the infrastructure needed for growth, without saddling tax payers with the expense. These public/private partnerships allow the developers to fund the infrastructure in advance, and receive reimbursement once their developments are performing. In August 2012, the PEDC selected Robert Winningham as Executive Director. The right mix of professional experience and innovative proficiency, Mr. Winningham has spent the last 17 years serving the EDCs in the cities of Allen and Greenville as Executive Director. He understands Prosper’s vision for quality growth while maintaining our small town charm. We asked Mr. Winningham several questions during a recent interview. To read the full interview, please visit www.live-prosper.com. For more information on the PEDC, visit www.prosperedc.com or call 972.346.3977. How close are we to signing a contract with a grocery store and where is the best location for that? The Prosper EDC and Town of Prosper are assisting developers in actively recruiting a grocery store to Prosper. Retail companies, including grocers, rely on numbers of ‘rooftops’ to determine where best to locate a store. Rooftops come from folks having what we call ‘primary jobs,’ meaning jobs that provide stable income with benefits. So not only can the PEDC assist in recruitment of retail, but also assist by making an effort to create primary jobs in Prosper. With the announcement of new developments that will include office space, such as the Matthews Southwest Development, or other office developments along Preston Road, more primary jobs will come to Prosper, thus creating the need for more housing and more retail. It truly is a domino effect. Due to the lack of current professional office space, are there any plans for spaces coming soon? There are two office buildings that will begin construction soon and both are on Preston Road. Don Lookadoo, a Dallas developer, is constructing a new single-story 12,000-sf office building
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named 1000 N. Preston. Construction on this project will begin this summer with completion by early 2014. Phil Jobe is adding another 8,300-sf office building to his development on Preston Road. Construction on the Jobe building should begin early this summer with completion by the end of this year or early 2014. How quickly will we see plans being drawn at US 380 & Dallas Tollway? Matthews Southwest has been working diligently with their site planners and engineers to complete a preliminary site plan by mid-May. This is an essential sales tool for their brokerage firm, Venture Commercial, because it showcases what space is available for retail and office. It is in the best interest of Matthews Southwest to earnestly begin their development because the economy is picking up steam and Prosper is becoming a hot marketplace. Retailers are watching Prosper’s growth, particularly recent announcements such as Terra Verde developing Windsong Ranch with over 3,000 high-end single-family homes with hike and bike trails and other amenities. What challenges (if any) have you seen thus far that may be preventing commercial growth? The main challenge has been the slowing of our economy from 2008 until last year. Job growth simply stopped, which impeded the construction of new homes and halted any attraction to retail, per the domino effect that I mentioned earlier. Now that the economy is picking up momentum, that challenge is dissipating somewhat and commercial developers are kicking our tires again, so to speak. The only other challenge we face is similar to what other growing cities face and that is infrastructure development. The Town is doing a good job of prioritizing where its primary sewer and water lines need to be installed, and roads widened. Obviously, we would love to have them all installed at once, however, the Town Council has wisely said they want to build infrastructure while also limiting any increase in property taxes. So the key is to create quality growth, and take the revenues from that growth and judiciously apply them to the installation of key infrastructure that will serve our citizens and our future growth. It is a balancing act and fortunately, our Town Manager, Harlan Jefferson, has had a great deal of experience in balancing quality growth and infrastructure from his time as Town Manager of Flower Mound. I’m confident that Prosper’s leaders will get this right. Are there challenges that we face that you may have experienced in Allen, and if so, how can we work through them? The primary challenge we faced in my 5-1/2 years as economic development director for the Allen EDC was attracting growth without losing our community’s sense of identity. I thought we did a pretty good job in Allen in making sure that while we added over 1 million square feet of new retail, that it was quality retail that gave our citizens a place to gather, such as Watters Creek. The Allen Event Center, with its professional hockey team, Disney on Ice, graduation ceremonies and more, also enabled Allen residents to gather as a community. Finally, I think Allen had the right idea in creating vast acres of parks, green space, and hike and bike trails. The key for us in Prosper is to do much of the same smart planning, while attracting quality growth and still maintaining our strong sense of community. Prosper has some great advantages that many other communities do not have. May | 2013
We have an abundance of churches, volunteer organizations and festivals. We also have a town staff this is committed to carrying out the Town Council’s vision of maintaining our sense of community, no matter how much quality growth comes our way. And yes indeed, it is coming. We have the opportunity to shape that growth and still enjoy our quality of life in Prosper.
Your Road Leads to Prosper! Matthews Southwest recently chose Prosper for its 157-acre mixed use development. They know that Prosper is in the growth corridor of Collin County and the DFW Metroplex, and that Prosper offers easy access to major points in North Texas via the Dallas North Tollway, Preston Road and Highway 380. They know that Prosper schools are among the best in Texas and that last year, over 460 new homes were built and sold in Prosper. You can bring your business to Prosper, too! The Prosper Economic Development Corporation and the Town of Prosper will assist you with site selection, fast-track permitting and other incentives for job creation and capital investment.
Call 972-346-3397 or visit us online at www.ProsperEDC.com
Back row L-R Reno Jones – Prosper EDC Board Member Kevin Drown – Prosper EDC Board Member Jordan Simms – Prosper EDC Board Member Gary Jackson – Prosper EDC Board Member Front row L-R Mayor Ray Smith Prosper EDC Board Chairman Jim Wicker David Bristol – Prosper EDC Board Member
Food and Entertainment
In Good Taste
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May | 2013
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Police
Week
May 13-19
By Erin Hubbard
On average, one law enforcement officer is killed in the line of duty somewhere in the United States every 57 hours. Since the first known line-of-duty death in 1791, more than 19,000 U.S. law enforcement officers have made the ultimate sacrifice. National Police Week is a way to honor the many individuals who work in law enforcement throughout the United States. Police work is an important part of keeping our country safe. Law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect their communities. This is why dedicating a week to them is a great way to honor their profession. In 2012, 13 officers in Texas were killed in the line of duty, two of which were K9. Fortunately, Prosper has not lost any officers from line of duty tragedies. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation which designated May 15th as Peace Officers Memorial Day and the week in which that date falls as Police Week. Currently, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the world converge on Washington, DC to participate in a number of planned events which honor those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. This year’s celebration will take place from May 12 to May 18 and the total number of attendees for events during National Police Week ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 people. For Peace Officer’s Memorial Day, the United States Flag may be flown at half staff by Presidential Proclamation or by the state’s governor. By statue, the President is required each year to issue a proclamation requiring government buildings to half staff the flag and invite all the people of the U.S. to do so as well, on May 15th.
Farm and Home
Some of the events that take place during National Police Week include a candlelight vigil for fallen law enforcement officers; a national police survivors’ conference; an honor guard competition; and receptions for various law enforcement charitable organizations, including Law Enforcement United, Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) http://www.nationalcops.org and Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) http://www.odmp.org. Celebrations of National Police Week also take place at the local and state level throughout the U.S. The Town of Prosper will have dedication proclamations for this week. Statistics There are more than 900,000 sworn law enforcement officers now serving in the United States, which is the highest figure ever. About 12 percent of those are female. -According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reports, an estimated 1.2 million violent crimes occurred nationwide in 2011, a four percent decrease from 2010. -The deadliest day in law enforcement history was September 11, 2001, when 72 officers were killed while responding to the terrorist attacks on America. -New York City has lost more officers in the line of duty than any other department, with 697 deaths. Texas has lost 1,653 officers, more than any other state. -On average, over the last decade, there have been 58,261 assaults against law enforcement each year, resulting in 15,658 injuries.
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Devotional
In His Presence
Bloom… I don’t know what it is about the Bluebonnets, Indian Paintbrushes and other wild flowers. They fascinate me. I love taking long road trips and watching the swaths of color stretch on for miles. But mostly, I am puzzled by the mechanics of it all. How long would it take for a single Bluebonnet to create enough seed to paint a mile of road? How many seeds found good soil? How many fell on the road? How many were fried by the sun? If I can’t get flowers to survive in my front yard, how is this even possible? I am reminded about a story Jesus uses in Matthew 13. A farmer sows seed. Some are eaten by birds, some fall on rocks and some burn up in the sun. Others, however, fall on good soil and yield many times what is sown. Jesus explained later that they would cast many seeds as they invested in people, served those in need, forgave those who hurt them and offered God’s news of grace. The seeds that took root would literally transform the world, but a bunch… a whole bunch would be wasted. You would think the creator of the universe would have everything running like a obsessive compulsive accountant. Nope. God is sloppy. God doesn’t do a background check. God doesn’t conduct a 360 degree evaluation. God doesn’t pull a credit score. God sows seeds. Lots of them. For that neighbor you can’t stand, that relative that just can’t keep a job, your ex, you and me.
Economic Development
As complicated as theology can be sometimes, I really believe the Christian faith sometimes boils down to the belief that when you cast enough seeds, God gets to work. Seeds take root and bear fruit. Anyone can change. The only thing more amazing than God’s generosity is that we are the ones who dish it out. After all, we are God’s hands, and they are packed full of seeds. We all have a decision to make. Will we live as tightfisted people? Or will we walk down the road slinging seed the way God does? Will we make a point of blessing others even when no one is watching? Will we make time in our family for what is really important? Will we let go of grudges? Can we find joy in serving, in giving, in loving even when some of those seeds fall to waste? There are too many miles of blooming color… too many seeds that have borne fruit, to spend a moment worried about the waste. - Doug Kriz, Pastor at Grace Christian Church a new congregation serving in Prosper currently worshipping at Baker Elementary School at 10:30 am on Sunday morning. www.graceprosper.org
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