Razzoo’s Helps Raise Money for Circle Ten Council
May 1, 2008
Several Dallas/Fort Worth restaurants raised $37,554 for the North Texas chapter (Circle Ten Council) of the nationwide “Learning for Life” program during two recent week-long fund drives. As a result, 1,390 local school children will be able to participate in the Learning for Life program.
Sponsored by Razzoo’s Cajun Cafes, this year’s annual drive raised $10,554 more than last year’s fund drive, enabling funding for an additional 390 children. An affiliate of Boy Scouts of America, Learning for Life provides schools with educational programs that go beyond academics to focus on character building, decision-making skills, and other life skills needed to handle the complexities of contemporary society.
Founded in 1991, privately held Razzoo’s Cajun Café (www.razzoos.com) owns and operates 11 Razzoo’s Cajun Café restaurants in Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Charlotte, North Carolina. Serving Gulf Coast/Cajun cuisine, Razzoo’s annual revenues exceed $32 million.
Razzoo’s will be opening its 12th restaurant this summer in southwest Dallas County in Cedar Hill, Texas.
Cedar Hill Library, Fire Hall Look For City Bond Construction Money
April 26, 2008
Steve Snyder / Today Newspapers via Pegasus News
Zula B. Wylie Library Director Pat Bonds didn’t want to call it a “competition.”
But the library and the Cedar Hill Fire Department may be competing for capital improvement dollars in the coming fiscal year.
At the first of several workshops April 15, the Cedar Hill City Council began the process of sorting out what capital improvement projects to fund and how.
Unfortunately, the city is about $260,000 short of addressing all of the requests it received, outside of using debt-based money.
The winners from current budget funds are fire station and public works office improvements. Pushed off into bond-based funding is a Cedar Hill Museum of History at the Zula B. Wylie Library, along with expansion of the library itself.
Read more
Marchant Warns Taxpayers to Beware of Scams During Filing Season
April 3, 2008
IRVING, TX – U.S. Congressman Kenny Marchant (TX-24) has advised residents of District 24 to beware of e-mail and telephone scams currently targeting individuals anticipating standard refunds or one-time rebates.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has issued a warning to consumers to be on the look-out for scams that use the IRS name and claim to provide advanced payments. Those who commit scams often do so electronically in order to cover their tracks before the victim becomes aware of the theft.
The most recent scams the IRS is warning taxpayers to be aware of are described below:
Rebate Phone Call
At least one scheme using the word “rebate” as part of the lure has been identified. In that scam, consumers receive a phone call from someone identifying himself as an IRS employee. The caller tells the targeted victim that he is eligible for a sizable rebate for filing his taxes early. The caller then states that he needs the target’s bank account information for the direct deposit of the rebate. If the target refuses, he is told that he cannot receive the rebate.
This phone call is a scam. No legislation has yet been enacted that would allow the IRS to provide advance payments to taxpayers or that determines the details of those payments. Moreover, the IRS does not force taxpayers to use direct deposit. Those who opt for direct deposit do so by completing the appropriate section of their tax return, with bank routing and account information, when they file; the IRS does not gather the information by telephone. Read more
The Cedar Hill High School Bands Take a Trip over Spring Break
March 24, 2008
During spring break, 118 Cedar Hill High School Band members and adults made an extraordinary trip to Orlando Florida to compete in the All Star Music Festival along with a few fun days at Disney & Universal theme Parks. “It had been two years since our band had competed in a band contest out of Texas”, explained Ken Peach, director of bands, “so we wanted a trip that was competitive in addition to having some fun for our kids. I think we hit a home run, it was a blast.”
Cedar Hill bands prepared four pieces performed by two different bands for the All Star Music Festivals in Orlando. “This music festival has been having band, choir and orchestra contests all over the United States”, said Mr. Peach, “so when we heard that they were running a contest in Orlando around the time of our Spring Break, we knew our kids and parents would love this trip.”
Our Bands competed against 15 other ensembles from around the United States. Most schools were from Florida, but there were other traveling groups from as far away as Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. The following are the results:
Symphonic Band, under the direction of Ms. Tabor, Mr. Wells & Mr. Ward:
Overall score of 89 out of a 100 point scale, which earned the band an Excellent Rating.
Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Mr. Peach, Mr. Wells & Mr. Ward:
Overall score of 95.33 out of a 100 point scale, which earned the band a Superior Rating.
In addition - The Wind Ensemble was given the Grand Champion Trophy for the entire contest!
This trophy is given to the ensemble with the highest score for the entire contest! This means that Cedar Hill High School Wind Ensemble had the highest score out of all the ensembles for the contest (bands, orchestras and jazz ensembles). This is a HUGH HONOR and we are especially proud of our kids for this achievement.
Dr. Robert Jorgensen, Director of Bands and Professor of Music at The University of Akron (UA) of Akron, Ohio, commented to the band during a short clinic that “It’s almost perfect, wow, what wonderful players along with very challenging music.” Dr. Jorgensen went on to say “What a super band program you have in Texas - wonderful musicians and ensemble performers!” Mr. Anthony Hose, Professor of Music at the Royal College of Music at Stetson University, commented of the Wind Ensemble’s critique sheets, “You have such strong players, fantastic! Blend and balance of sounds is very good, especially on the Camphouse piece. The music is very difficult and entertaining, nice work!”
Associate director of bands Rusty Wells stated, “Over the years, this is the best overall our bands have performed while on a band trip, it was fun to see the kids enjoy the music and have fun at Disney and Universal.” Ms. Tabor, associate director of bands also commented that, “It was fun to run around the parks with the students and parents having fun after a very busy and successful first semester back in Texas.”
The trip ran smoothly, largely in thanks to our great trip chaperones, led by head chaperone Rhonda Nall, Band Booster President Donnie Bone and John & Laurie DeCrotie from Group Travel Consultants. www.grouptravelconsultants.com. Click here for the Trip Itinerary
Special thanks goes to our chaperones - Stacie Baker, Charles & Merle Ballard, Gary & Jean Barnett, Donnie & Leslie Bone, Pete Hanson, Jill Holland, Nancy Mitchell, Denise Montequin, Robert Morrison, Rhonda & Robert Nall, David & Joanna Richardson, Larissa Roeder, David & Teresa Sammons and Tarsha Washington. Directors of the Longhorn Band are Ken Peach, Rusty Wells, Heather Tabor and Peter Ward.
Cedar Hill goes Uptown
March 24, 2008
Our good friend Loyd Brumfield over at NeighborsGo.com has a nice article about the grand opening of the Uptown Village at Cedar Hill:
“I always wondered what being a premier city meant,” he said. “It really starts with premier people, and what they were looking for was a premier project.”
Source: Cedar Hill Goes Uptown
Uptown Village at Cedar Hill Ribbon-Cutting
March 12, 2008
The big day is finally here! The day Uptown Village at Cedar Hill opens.
Here are a couple of links to stories on the web:
- Doors Open at Uptown Village, Neighbors-Go
- New Mall Means Economic Boost, More Options, MyFox Dallas
I also took a few pictures of the event. Enjoy.
Campaign Filings
March 11, 2008
The filing deadlines for the upcoming elections in May was yesterday at 5:00pm. Here’s the breakdown on the matchups:
City Council, Place 2: Daniel Hayden (incumbent) — no opponent.
City Council, Place 6: Clifford Shaw (incumbent) v. Wirt “Stoney” Jackson
School Board, Dan Hernandez (incumbent) — no opponent
School Board, Valerie Banks (incumbent) — no opponent
School Board, Michael Quildon v. James Charles. This is an open seat vacated by Randy Gaubert.
Public Input on Aquatics Center [Pictures]
March 7, 2008
Cedar Hill 2008 Region 6 POWERLIFTING Champions
March 3, 2008
The Cedar Hill Boys Powerlifting team won the Texas High School Powerlifting Region 6 Meet. It was an awesome day. Our lifters competed against the best in the Metroplex. Congratulations to these young men who won:
- Marquise McBride - 2nd
- Tyre Oliver- 1st
- Chad Williams - 2nd
- Anthony Caston - 3rd
- Brandon Akpunku - 1st
- Burnell Hall - 8th
- Roberto Reyes - 4th
These young men qualified for the state meet in March:
- Brandon Akpunku
- Marquise McBride
- Chad Williams
- Anthony Caston
- Tyre Oliver
These boys will be traveling to Abilene, TX March 29, to compete in the 2008 Texas High School State Powerlifting Meet.
Government Center Nominated for Building of America Award
March 2, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Dear Mr. Alan Sims:
We are pleased to announce that the Cedar Hill Government Center project has been nominated to win a Building of America Award and will be featured in the upcoming Real Estate & Construction Review- Texas Edition. The publication is highly utilized by State, County and City Economic Development groups to highlight the vitality of their respected communities. Each project featured will show how it is making a difference for its community. Construction Communications works closely with each region’s cities, counties, major associations and organizations, developers and project teams to ensure the top projects are covered in each regional Real Estate & Construction Review. Each project is portrayed in a very positive manner, with the case study covering what makes each innovative and unique. Every project is chosen for its editorial merit and benefit of the readers; there is no charge for projects being included, and no one can pay to have a project included. We will be happy to provide you with copies of the finished publication that will showcase your project. Because of the positive nature of every case study, many owners choose to use the publication as a tool for employee recruitment and retention or as a third-party credible collateral marketing piece.
In addition, each regional edition of the Real Estate & Construction Review can now be viewed online at our website. You can get there two ways. Just go to www.constructionreviews.com and click on the Regional Editions button or go to the regional editions directly at www.constructionreviews.com/regional_ed/index.html. Our online editions not only dramatically increase visibility, they also allow you to view any or all of a particular magazine with a simple touch of a button.
Lawrence Street Publications, the parent company of Construction Communications, has been in business since 1996 and publishes in more than 25 markets throughout the United States. We take pride in helping owners and tenants learn to build better facilities through positive experiential analysis.
Sincerely,
Amy Pagett
Editor-in-Chief
Block Party at the Recreation Center [Pictures]
March 1, 2008
Photo Tour of Government Center
February 25, 2008
Shared City-Schools Building In Cedar Hill Scheduled To Open In July
February 23, 2008
The new Government Center, which houses the School District Administration offices, the City Hall, and the Police Station, is set to open in July.
Already it is getting attention.
The Dallas Morning News has an article about this unique building and all the relevant specifications.
But officials say the facility in the 200 block of Uptown Boulevard is on track as Texas’ first government building with city and school district offices under one roof.
“From what we can research, this is the only building of its kind in the state where the city and school administrations are located in one building,” City Manager Alan Sims said. “This is not an easy project, but building this together is saving the taxpayers money and is going to benefit the community.”
This is the continuation of other partnerships between the City and the schools, such as shared parks and athletic fields.
New Creative Art School Opens
February 20, 2008
Visual Expressions, a Gamut Control affiliate store, has expanded their gallery facility to include a school. Originally opened in 2004, to showcase the artwork of Robin Ingle, this 3,000 sq. ft. gallery has expanded to include a 5,000 sq. ft. art school.
Bill Ingle original opened the gallery for his wife, Robin’s original works. This quickly blossomed in to a custom frame, repair and art advisor operation in addition to the gallery. “Everyone who came in asked questions about their work, framing and general ‘how-to’ about the art world” says Bill. “Having Robin, a professional artist, here to talk with the customers was very helpful. What other art gallery/store could boast that service?” The inevitable follow up questions from their customers was “Are you considering teaching art?”
Along comes Phase II, which has just been completed, the aforementioned expansion and school. The school is not just featuring classes in painting, it is a full blown creative arts center. There are classes in sculpture, pottery, theater, glass works, writing and of course drawing and painting. The school is also offering workshops with nationally know artists.
The next phase is to turn the original gallery in to an artist co-op to showcase emerging artists. Bill has opened the gallery walls to everyone for the reasonable prices of $3.00 per sq. ft. plus 18% commission for each work sold.
“Making space available at reasonable prices will help the emerging artists show their works and provide a moderately priced marketplace for local patrons to support the artists” notes Bill.
Source: New Creative Art School Opens In Cedar Hill
Black History Month [Pictures]
February 19, 2008
Welcome!
My name is Wade Emmert and I am a Council Member for the City of Cedar Hill. This web site is a way for me to share with you some of my thoughts about issues important to the City.
It is my sincerest goal to be a good steward of the citizens’ trust. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to serve you.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at Wade.Emmert@cedarhilltx.com or (214) 740-3164.