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Dedication held for new school
Karen Satterwhite, Blanton Elementary principal, introduces fifth-graders Drew Mizer and Emily Schatz at the school's dedication ceremony on Tuesday.

Brownie Scouts, Sara Ann Miller, E.P. Rayzor Elementary student, and Sara Ceanna Cooksey, Blanton Elementary student, led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance during the dedication ceremony.

Bluegrass fest is hot ticket
Don't fiddle around too much or you may miss out.

Tickets for the 2009 Argyle Bluegrass Festival are going fast, and organizers want to make sure that area residents don't miss a note of it.

"Our most common complaint is that the diehard bluegrass fans snap up all the tickets and local folks don't get any," said Jackie Thomas, Executive Director of the annual event.

The festival will be held March 6 and 7, 2009 at Cross Timbers Church in Argyle.

Two day reserved and general admission tickets are on sale now, with single day seats going on sale January 5th. Click here to purchase tickets.

The festival features such acts as the Dan Tyminksi Band, Tony Rice, Mountain Heart, Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper, the Carolina Chocolate Drops and more. Comment on this story

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Commercial real estate foreclosures up
Foreclosure postings of commercial real estate skyrocketed this year in Denton County.

Filings on commercial property surged 78 percent over last year, according to figures released by Foreclosure Listing Service, Inc. These included retail centers, office and industrial buildings, apartment complexes, and unimproved commercial land.

"Foreclosure postings of commercial real estate climbed at a much steeper pace than residential postings," said George Roddy, Sr., president of Foreclosure Listing Service.

The research firm reported that 132 foreclosure postings were filed on Denton County commercial properties this year, compared to just 74 in 2007.

Roddy said the good news is that quality properties are not going into default.

"The largest share of commercial properties posted for foreclosure this year due to a mortgage delinquency has involved miscellaneous buildings that were smaller, older, and in less desirable locations," Roddy said.

"There does not appear to be an alarming number of postings among the quality commercial properties." Comment on this story

Gas company to perform emergency training exercise
If you happen to see emergency vehicles on FM 1171 in the west end of Flower Mound this Monday morning, don’t be alarmed – it is only a training exercise.

Local emergency management agencies and firefighters are teaming up with employees from Williams Energy from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Dec. 8 at a natural gas compressor site in Flower Mound.

The event is a simulation of an emergency. According to Williams’ safety specialist Lucas Smith, the full-scale exercise gives everyone a hands-on opportunity to practice their response plans.

"The goal is to see how our plans and procedures stack up against an emergency scenario. It’s one of the most important things we’ll do all year because we’ll come away with new ideas for enhancing our readiness to protect the public," Smith said. Comment on this story

Lighting and delighting

Thousands of people turned out Tuesday night to witness the annual Christmas tree lighting at The Shops at Highland Village. The Our Village Glows celebration has been coordinated by the Highland Village Women's Club since 1999 and was sponsored in part this year by The Cross Timbers Gazette.

Police investigating weekend crime spree
A Cadillac Escalade was stripped of its wheels in the 8300 block of Victoria Lane in Heritage on 11/30/08.

Several Lantana neighborhoods were affected by a rash of vehicle-related crimes over last weekend.

It all started late Saturday night when thieves broke into a 2004 Chevy Tahoe and stole two vehicle jacks in the 700 block of Skyler St. in Brenham.

Police said that the bandits apparently used the jacks to take all four chrome wheels off a 2007 Cadillac Escalade parked on Victoria Lane in Heritage. The wheels were valued at $1,500.

The same night, a 2005 Dodge pickup truck was stolen in the 1000 block of Metalmark Ct. in Laurel. Police said that the truck was later found abandoned in North Dallas.

"All three cases are most likely related and under investigation," said Sgt. Roger Griggs with the Denton County Sheriff's Office.

This is the third time in the past three weeks that Escalades parked in Lantana have been stripped of their pricey wheels. The other two thefts occurred on Nov. 13th in Magnolia and Nov. 16th in Laurel.

Anyone with information about the crimes should call Denton County Crime Stoppers at 800-388-TIPS (8477). Comment on this story

Walk this way

Work is nearing completion on the Stacee Lane bridge modifications in Lantana near Blanton Elementary and Harpool Middle School. The walkway on the west side of the bridge is being widened and a concrete barrier was constructed to better accommodate pedestrians and bicyclists. The project is being overseen by the Lantana Fresh Water Supply District.

"The same day the Gazette reached mailboxes, our phone started ringing – and over a month later, callers are still referring to that ad.
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Premier Academy of Bartonville

Towns promote local shopping

As the holiday shopping season kicks into high gear, area mayors are urging residents to keep their dollars circulating locally.

"By shopping locally, you have a direct impact on your community," said Flower Mound Mayor Jody Smith.

"Local sales tax helps to ensure our town remains a great place to live by funding needed municipal services," Smith added. "Additionally, by shopping in Flower Mound, you help make certain that our local economy remains strong and stable despite the national outlook."

Highland Village Mayor Dianne Costa also knows that money spent at home, stays at home.

"While it is tempting to order from the hundreds of catalogues that will bombard our mailboxes, remember the retailers that have invested in our community. Many of them are residents of Highland Village and our neighboring cities," said Costa.

During the past couple of years, Flower Mound and Highland Village have added many stores and restaurants that residents used to have to drive to Lewisville and Southlake to visit.

"We have pretty much anything you could want at the shopping centers that border our western side of town," said Costa.

To help aid in the effort of shopping local, Flower Mound’s economic development division has created a Shopping and Restaurant Guide, available online at www.flower-mound.com/econdev. Comment on this story

Club to go private
Lantana Golf Club officials have announced that the club will will convert to a fully private facility effective January 1, 2009.

"We are very excited about reaching private club status," said Stephen Phillips, General Manager of the Lantana Golf Club. "It is quite an honor to achieve this goal as it is something we've strived for since the club opened in 2002. Our current members are also thrilled about the opportunity."

Going forward, only golf club members and their guests will have exclusive use of the club. However, a limited number of Social Memberships that allow dining in the Lantana Grill will be available for an annual fee of $400 and $40 per month that goes towards a food credit, officials said.

Phillips' goal for the club is to reach 600 active golf members along with 200 available social memberships.

Since its opening, Lantana has hosted more than 50 tournaments a year of different sizes and skill levels, including the PGA Qualifying School every year since 2004.

The course, designed by architects Jay and Carter Morrish, opened for play in June 2002. At 7,147 yards long from the championship tee boxes, it was designed to challenge the expert player, though it's also playable for the average golfer, officials said.

Call the Lantana Golf Club at 940-728-4653 for more information. Comment on this story

Holidays can be crime time
It's can be the most wonderful time of the year for criminals, too.

The holiday shopping season is a peak time for property crimes, such as home burglaries, and authorities are reminding residents to follow crime prevention procedures around their home.

Basic deterrents to foil would-be criminals include keeping holiday presents away from windows, using outside lights, locking doors and windows, and keeping the garage door closed.

Police officials said small, often overlooked, details that should be taken care of while you are away from home can make a difference.

"People need to make arrangements to have someone pick up their daily newspapers," said Double Oak Police Chief Jason Jones. "If they build up in their front yards after a couple of days, the bad guys might realize that no one is home." Comment on this story

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Town responds to fair housing lawsuit
Flower Mound officials have responded to a lawsuit brought by a civil-rights organization claiming that the town discriminates against affordable housing.

The Inclusive Communities Project, a nonprofit corporation involved in public housing issues, recently filed suit against Flower Mound alleging that the town has a history of exclusionary zoning and other housing policies based on race, and that Flower Mound refuses to participate in low income housing loan and credit programs that help create affordable housing.

The suit further asserts that the town’s lack of multi-family housing is a violation of the federal Fair Housing Act.

"This lawsuit is an offshoot of the decades-old litigation against the Dallas Housing Authority (DHA) and the city of Dallas, by the same attorneys who represented the plaintiffs in the DHA litigation, to force suburban cities to take their 'fair share' of low income multi-family housing," said Town Manager Harlan Jefferson.

"The town has not been approached by any developer or property owner who wants to build low income multi-family housing in Flower Mound. We plan to vigorously defend against this lawsuit. The town does not discriminate and never has discriminated against anyone because of race in any of its policies and practices," said Jefferson.

Similar lawsuit have been filed by ICP against the city of McKinney in Collin County, and has other housing lawsuits pending against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and the owners of an apartment complex in Irving. Each of those lawsuits alleges discrimination in providing low-income housing.

"We believe the federal judge will correctly follow the law and show that ICP's lawsuit is without merit," said Town Attorney Terrence S. Welch. Comment on this story

Board names child development center
The Denton ISD Board of Trustees recently named the first child care center for district employees' children after Virginia Gallian, a former board member and retired teacher.

While on the school board, Gallian pushed for an after-school program for children of working parents that would have a stronger academic component, according to Denton ISD officials.

The school district piloted the Extended School Day program in 2002 at E. P. Rayzor Elementary in Lantana and then extended it to all of the district's 20 elementary schools. The program now has almost 900 students.

The $2 million Virginia Gallian Child Development Center was included in a $282 million bond package passed last year by voters. It will be located next to the Ann Windle School for Young Children on Audra Lane in Denton and is expected to open on Jan. 20, 2009. Comment on this story

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on service every time."

- Kelli Calabrese, Argyle Adventure Boot Camp

Town sued over lack of effort to develop affordable housing
A nonprofit corporation involved in public housing issues recently filed suit against Flower Mound alleging that the town did not follow federal funding regulations that called for the development of affordable multifamily housing projects.

The Inclusive Communities Project filed a similar lawsuit against the city of McKinney in Collin County, and has other housing lawsuits pending against the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, and the owners of an apartment complex in Irving. Each of those lawsuits alleges discrimination in providing low-income housing.

According to their website, the mission of the ICP is to promote low-income housing in communities that offer good schools, safe neighborhoods, and economic opportunities, with particular focus on communities that have little or no affordable housing.

"ICP will work to help overcome the effects of NIMBY ("not in my back yard") attitudes where they create barriers to such development. Where necessary, we will engage in aggressive adversarial advocacy in furtherance of the mission of the organization," the website states. Comment on this story

Shale slump temporary, experts say
Those with natural gas interests in the Barnett Shale should not be alarmed about the recent drop in commodity prices, according to industry officials at a conference co-sponsored by the Fort Worth Business Press and the TCU Neeley School of Business.

Despite the industry's current state, prices should bounce back and those with mineral rights will continue to benefit in the long run, Barnett Shale experts said.

"What we’re seeing is part of a natural cycle and this may even be a little bit more mild than what we’ve seen in the past in our industry. We’ve seen much worse than this," said Larry Brogdon, executive director of the TCU Energy Institute and a Barnett Shale veteran.

"It’s a supply and demand, and once you start bumping up against the demand with supply, the price drops. So it’s just kind of a natural cycle for us."

Natural gas prices have fallen more than 50 percent from a summer peak of more than $14 to current prices of about $6.50, but Barnett Shale Energy Education Council Director Ed Ireland, a panelist in the oil and gas breakout session, said the $6 to $6.50 range is more realistic, and is in line with late 2007 prices.

Click here to read more from the conference. Comment on this story

"Your Community, Your News"

More cougar sightings reported
Copper Canyon's elusive mountain lion has made another appearance.

The large cat was spotted on Nov. 17th crossing Estates Drive between Pilot Lane and Chinn Chapel Road, according to Mayor Sue Tejml.

This was the fourth mountain lion sighting in the last couple of months and the second one in less than a week.

The trap that was previously put in place at the northeast end of Pilot Lane will be re-activated in an attempt to catch and relocate the cougar, town officials said.

Apparently, mountain lions aren't the only wild cats roaming the area. There is an increasing frequency of bobcat sightings as well.

"Today my wife spotted one (bobcat), near our back air-conditioning unit. This is the third time that we've spotted one in our yard in less than a month," according to an e-mail from Copper Canyon resident Dave Svatik.

There are some key differences between mountain lions and bobcats.

Mountain lions average between 75 and 150 lbs, while bobcats average between 15 and 30 lbs. The tail of a mountain lion is very long, while bobcats are named for their short tails, which are usually only about 5 to 8 inches long.

Anyone who sees a mountain lion is asked to call Mayor Tejml at 940-241-2216 or Copper Canyon Town Hall at 940-241-2677. Comment on this story

Argyle Police Blotter
The following is a summary of incident reports recently made to the Argyle Police Department as compiled by the staff of The Cross Timbers Gazette:

Police were dispatched to the 7000 block of FM 1830 on a prowler report. A 15-year-old girl, who was home alone, said that she heard someone trying to get into the front door of her house. She also said that she saw something white out the window as she ran upstairs. Investigating officers found trash cans knocked over, hoof prints near the garage and the family’s white cow loose in the backyard, indicating that the cow had literally come home.

A caller said that two men wearing orange jump suits and driving an Enterprise rental truck were going through trash cans in the 700 block of Harpole Road. Police were unable to locate the men.

While on patrol, an officer observed an opened front door on a home in the 300 block of Collin St. The homeowner told the officer that everything was okay and she was just "airing out the house."

Click here to read more. Comment on this story

"The Cross Timbers Gazette has consistently generated business for me…better than other forms of advertising I have used locally."

- Mia Dunn, Owner, Mia's Canine Solutions, Copper Canyon, TX

Plowing through town

An antique tractor parade was held on Nov. 15th in Copper Canyon. The event was sponsored by the Denton County Antique Tractor, Farm Equipment and Primitive Club. Photo by Denise Remfert

Lantana officials to get new digs
The two Lantana Fresh Water Supply Districts will move to a larger, higher profile location next year.

District officials signed a three-year lease at their November 13th meeting to take over a larger space in Bartonville Town Center.

The new space will have a large conference room, where Fresh Water Districts #6 and #7 can hold monthly board meetings. Currently, meetings are held at the Lantana Golf Club. Mercer said that the conference room will be available to Lantana community groups and could be used as a polling place for municipal elections.

"The new location will be more easily accessible, give the district space to grow as Lantana grows, and provide the community with meeting space," said Max Miller, District 6 president.

Mercer said that the new office should be ready for occupancy by mid-February. Comment on this story

Trailhead dropped from park plans
Equestrians in Flower Mound will have to saddle up and head somewhere else for their trailhead.

The proposed equestrian trailhead on the west side of the planned Post Oak Park near Skillern Rd. and Wichita Trail was nixed by the Parks, Arts and Library Services Board at their November meeting.

Over 60 equestrians attended the public hearing in support of the trailhead, while residents and others opposed to the easement presented a petition, mostly citing safety concerns.

After taking the trailhead out of the park's plans, board members suggested that the trailhead may be a better option if located in the far western part of Flower Mound.

In November 2007, the Flower Mound Town Council unanimously approved over 25 miles of new equestrian trails, many of which would converge at Post Oak Park.

The original three Post Oak Park concepts presented by the town included the equestrian trailhead, according to resident Peggie Kimberlin.

"The concepts illustrated that the equestrian trailhead had virtually a zero impact, as the same parking slots would serve for school buses and senior vans," said Kimberlin.

The board's plans for Post Oak Park are expected to be recommended to the town council on Dec. 15. Comment on this story

"Your Community, Your News"

Sky stripes

A striped cloud formation was seen over southern Denton County on Nov. 14th accompanied by strong north winds ushering in a cold front. Photo by Susan Miller

Home defaults hit record
The filing deadline for the December foreclosure auction has passed, so we now know just how tough 2008 was for the local housing market.

Foreclosure postings filed this year on Denton County homes have topped 5,000 for the very first time, according to Foreclosure Listing Service, Inc.

This year, there were 5,455 foreclosure postings filed on single-family homes, condominiums, and townhomes in Denton County, which sets a new all time high record level for annual postings.

Compared to last year, when 4,254 postings were filed, residential foreclosure postings have accelerated 28 percent. Over the last eight years, postings of homes within the county have jumped 541 percent.

During twelve of the last fourteen months, foreclosure postings filed on Denton County homes have exceeded 400 per month. Comment on this story

Grant to help catch speeders

The CoServ Charitable Foundation recently presented a $5,658 check to the town of Copper Canyon to purchase laser speed detectors for their two Deputies. Photo by Bill Castleman

School explores alternate system for heating/cooling
Coram Deo Academy drills geothermal test well at its Flower Mound campus. Anyone who’s ever been in a cavern or cave, regardless of the season, knows that the temperature within that cavern is always constant, usually between 65 and 70 degrees, despite the temperature or humidity outside. It’s the natural principle of geothermal heat, where the combined heat from the sun and the coolness of the earth makes the temperature constant.

It’s that principle of nature that Coram Deo Academy is planning to use as an alternate way to heat and cool its planned expansion, according to Trent Clark, an architect with A Plus Design Group of Flower Mound. Recently, the Group drilled a geothermal test well to determine the conductivity of the soil, which will help in the design of the system at the Flower Mound campus.

"Different types of soil and rock each have varying amounts of conductivity," said Clark. "We’re collecting data to determine how to design the system and to determine how many wells are actually needed to efficiently heat and cool the new facilities in the planned expansion."

Clark estimates that between 40 to 60 well fields will be needed, which will be under parking areas, drives and ball fields.

Installing a geothermal heat pump system for the heating and cooling needs of the school’s new buildings is a way for Coram Deo to save on energy costs and significantly lighten its carbon footprint, school officials said.

The system forces water into the earth at a depth of about 300 feet and retrieves it through pipes arranged in a closed loop. While under ground, the water takes on the subterranean ambient temperature, somewhere around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Once looped back above ground, the water is circulated through an exchange process, cooling or heating air that’s blown over the pipes and into the buildings.

A geothermal system differs from a conventional furnace or boiler because of its ability to transfer heat and coolness versus the standard method of producing heat through burning fuels or air conditioning using refrigerant. As energy costs continue to rise and pollution concerns continue to dominate the news, geothermal systems may hold a solution to both of these concerns.

Should the system prove viable, the savings from heating and cooling costs may range anywhere from 20 to 40 percent, even more if energy costs continue to rise. The carbon emissions avoided by such a system can be substantial as well, with some estimates pegged at 50 to 70 percent as compared to today’s technology, according to industry sources. Comment on this story

Cruising to solve crimes
The Denton County Sheriff's Office has a new tool to promote their Crime Stoppers program. The Crime Stoppers vehicle was funded by convicted criminals' probationary fees, according to Sgt. Roger Griggs. The Denton County Crime Stoppers phone number is 800-388-TIPS (8477). Tipsters also have the option of anonymously giving tips online at www.dentoncountycrimestoppers.com

"My ads get major visibility and the readers are highly responsive. Not only are their rates a fantastic deal, but they over deliver
on service every time."

- Kelli Calabrese, Argyle Adventure Boot Camp

A bright idea

Workers from The Christmas Company adorn a tree near McMakin Road in Bartonville with nearly 30.000 LED lights all on one circuit. Photo by Denise Remfert

Accusations spur probe at electric co-op
A CoServ board director is calling for a review of election practices and governance reform at the local electric cooperative.

In an eight page document sent to The Cross Timbers Gazette, Mark Glover of Flower Mound accused CoServ of showing favoritism towards incumbents, rejecting votes for no reason, changing election rules midstream, and intimidating prospective director candidates.

"I believe CoServ’s CEO and Legal Council have misled the board and members on specific facts surrounding the most recent election, and possibly other elections," said Glover.

When contacted by The Cross Timbers Gazette about Glover’s allegations, the cooperative issued a response saying that CoServ "intends to research and process each of the issues raised by Mr. Glover, most of which have not been previously expressed."

The statement also said that "Mr. Glover’s document contains many misstatements and mischaracterizations of the facts," and that CoServ’s board "realizes that Mr. Glover has been disgruntled over the resolution of certain issues that have arisen recently related to his service as a director."

This past June, CoServ began investigating complaints from members that Janice Brady, who unsuccessfully ran against Board Chairman Jerry Cobb, used non-public member information in her election campaign. That investigation is ongoing.

Glover claims that Brady has been "severely intimidated and harassed" by CoServ management.

"The CoServ CEO, Board Chairman, and Legal Council have convinced the board that the Janice Brady investigation is justified because the member list in question could have been a security breach of CoServ computers or Janice Brady may have hacked into the CoServ computer systems and stolen sensitive data. Hard evidence and forensic investigation has disproved this myth," said Glover.

Headquartered in Corinth, CoServ serves more than 140,000 member-owners across six counties in North Texas, including Lantana and other areas of Denton County. Members elect the Board of Directors annually to set policy and oversee the management of the cooperative.

"CoServ must develop fair and open election policy, and this is a fundamental first step to assuring sound cooperative management and transparency at CoServ in the future", said Glover. Comment on this story

Local News From Your Neighborhood

Thieves take car's wheels and rims
A Lantana resident found his 2007 Cadillac Escalade sitting on blocks on the morning of Nov. 13th after someone stole its wheels and tires.

The SUV was parked in a driveway of a home in the 8500 block of Tyler Dr. in Magnolia.

The resident told the Denton County Sheriff's office that when he went outside to go to work, he discovered his SUV's front axle sitting on blocks and the rear axle supported by a car jack.

The tires and rims were valued at $2,000.

If anyone has information about this crime, call Denton County Crime Stoppers at 800-388-TIPS (8477). Comment on this story

Town passes ban on smoking
Smokers will soon have fewer places to take a drag in Flower Mound.

Town Council members recently voted to ban smoking in public places at their regular meeting.

The anti-smoking ordinance, to take effect Jan. 1, prohibits lighting up in restaurants, bars, businesses, parks and within 25 feet of an entrance to a public building.

Violators of the new ordinance could face a fine of up to $500. Comment on this story

"The Cross Timbers Gazette has consistently generated business for me…better than other forms of advertising I have used locally."

- Mia Dunn, Owner, Mia's Canine Solutions, Copper Canyon, TX

County bond proposals passed
Denton County voters recently approved $495 million in road improvements and new county buildings.

Proposition 1, which called for $310 million in transportation improvements, passed by a wide margin.

The second bond proposal - $185 million for new county buildings and technology upgrades - squeaked by with 52 percent approval.

"Denton County voters obviously agree that we need these roads and buildings to respond to current growth," said County Commissioner Andy Eads.

Some of the road projects included in the bond package include: US 377, FM 407, FM 1171, Chinn Chapel Road, Orchid Hill Lane, Gibbons Road, Country Club Road, Simmons Road and Waketon.

The majority of the $185 million buildings component of the bond package will provide funding for phase two and three of the Denton County Administrative Complex on Loop 288 in Denton. Construction of the first phase of the complex was recently approved by Commissioners.

The complex will house the health department, elections administration, agriculture extension office, Child Protective Services, adult probation and other administrative functions of the county.

The passage of the bonds is not expected to affect the county's tax rate, officials said.

"These bonds will have a negligible effect on the tax rate when you consider the county's growth rate," Eads said. Comment on this story

Driller files suit against town
XTO Energy has sued the town of Argyle in federal court, complaining that the town's road remediation ordinance is "unconstitutionally vague" and violates the company's rights to due process.

XTO filed suit Sept. 30 in federal district court in Sherman, alleging that the town ticketed truck drivers working for the company as they drove on Frenchtown Road to work at well sites in Bartonville.

Argyle Mayor Greg Landrum could not comment on the lawsuit, but told The Cross Timbers Gazette that "the Argyle Town Staff and Council is working hard on our road remediation ordinance to protect our citizens."

He continued, "The Town of Argyle has a significant investment in our roads and we have a very limited road maintenance budget. Extraordinarily heavy and frequent truck traffic destroys our country roads in a very short period of time. We will continue to do what we can, within the limits of the law, to protect our citizens investment in roads, intersections and other infrastructure." Read more here.
Comment on this story

Students celebrate Red Ribbon Week

Blanton Elementary students, Hannah Laneri, fifth-grader, and Hallie Huysmans, third-grader, enjoyed being welcomed by the school’s red carpet during Red Ribbon Week.

Stacee Goldstein, Blanton Elementary first-grader, plants red flowers to “plant the seeds to be drug-free” as part of the school’s Red Ribbon Week activities. Blanton Elementary in Lantana recently hosted a variety of activities during Red Ribbon Week, the national drug and violence prevention campaign. Among the school-wide activities, students wore crazy socks to "Sock it to Drugs," and sported their favorite team jerseys to "Team Up Against Drugs." Students also planted red flowers around the school as part of "Planting the Seed to be Drug-Free." Red Ribbon Week started in 1988 in memory of Enrique "Kiki" Camerena, a drug agent who was killed fighting the war against drugs in Mexico.

Activist says that drilling is not inevitable
A Dallas-based natural gas production company recently sent a letter to Northshore residents in Flower Mound that says they have enough acreage to begin drilling and they need to hear from residents ASAP to get on board or be left behind.

Becky Belcher, president of Flower Mound Citizens Against Urban Drilling, said that the letter from Cherokee Horn Production is a bit misleading.

Belcher explained that the proposed drilling at Northshore cannot take place without approvals for multiple variances to the town's oil and gas ordinance.

"That is not going to happen anytime soon, if ever. Ask Red Oak about their attempts to obtain variances to drill at the Riverwalk site - they've been denied twice and have now filed suit against the Town," Belcher blogged on her website.

Northshore will be much harder to obtain variances than Riverwalk, Belcher predicted, due to the hundreds of residents within 1,000 feet of the proposed drill sites.

"They (Flower Mound's Oil & Gas Board of Appeals) are protecting the citizens of the Town and in particular, those residents who live close to the proposed drill sites," said Belcher. Comment on this story

"Your Community, Your News"

School addresses IT shortage
In a partnership with area information technology professionals, Heritage Elementary School in Highland Village recently kicked off a pilot program designed to help teachers and students get excited about careers in the IT field.

The DFW chapter of the Society for Information Management is working with the Lewisville ISD to develop a new curriculum tailored to 3rd through 5th graders at no cost via a partnership with the district and Microsoft Corporation.

"Developing this curriculum allows some of the best minds in IT to participate in a project that prepares students for personal advancement while addressing the shortage of students choosing careers in Information Technology engineering", said Michael Rochelle, a Society for Information Management Facilitator and Microsoft Corp. employee.

The number of American students graduating with degrees in technical fields is declining, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The number of undergraduate engineering degrees awarded in the United States fell by 15 percent in the most recent 10 year period ending in 2005.

Heritage Principal Belinda Nikkel and her staff are excited about the groundbreaking pilot collaboration and see a broad application throughout LISD, Rochelle said. He added that plans are being made to expand the program to upper grades and more schools. Comment on this story

AG wants sex offenders offline
After reviewing a recent case involving a Dallas sex offender caught running an exotic dancer business on MySpace.com, Attorney General Greg Abbott called for new laws that would ban some registered sex offenders from the Internet.

Abbott said that at the very least, registered sex offenders' e-mail addresses, mobile phone numbers, social networking aliases and other electronic identification should be made public.

"With sexual predators increasingly using the Internet to prey upon children, Texas law needs to catch up with modern technology," said Abbott.

Abbott made his recommendations after a convicted sex offender was arrested for not registering with authorities for over two years and was caught operating a Dallas-based "modeling and exotic dancer" website. Comment on this story

Full of good cheer

Flower Mound Mayor Jody Smith (center) recently joined the Flower Mound High School spirit squads to cheer on the Jaguars. The FMHS Cheerleaders are participating in several fundraising projects to enable their competitive squad to attend a competition in California this January. The team works at Sonic once a month, has delivered yard signs to Flower Mound residences and is planning an event where Santa will help deliver presents to area homes. For more information, contact Lori Doran at 460-438-1597.

West FM to bag grocery store by '10

The long-anticipated grocery store project in western Flower Mound will begin taking shape next year.

An upscale Tom Thumb store, along with Walgreens, Chase Bank and other retailers and restaurants, are expected to open for business in the Cross Timbers Village Shopping Center on FM 1171 near Bridlewood by mid-2010, according to officials at Direct Development.

Tom Thumb, on the southwest corner of the intersection, will feature a "Lifestyle format" with a large selection of natural and organic foods, floral design center, a Starbucks and sushi and olive bars. The store will also have a gas station out front, heavily-screened with landscaping.

Walgreens and other retailers will sit across Bruton Orand from the grocery store, according to the site plans.

Groundbreaking for the $30 million shopping center is expected to occur by next June. Completion is anticipated for May 2010, which should coincide with the widening of FM 1171, officials said.

Although the current economic conditions are challenging, development officials are encouraged by the area’s strong demographics. The estimated average household income in the immediate area of the shopping center is $136,985. Comment on this story