Despite the rainy weather and early release day for Plano ISD’s spring break, 23 people came to our neighborsgo community meet-and-greet last Friday at the Starbucks on Preston Road at Old Shepard.

The best comment of the morning was from Scott Goebel, husband of regular contributor Diane Goebel, who said “You’re like Elvis, and we’re your biggest fans.”

That is more than kind flattery, but I certainly appreciate the compliment because it makes all the hard work and extra hours I put in each week to produce neighborsgo completely worth it.

Plano Fire Department, which celebrates its 115th anniversary Friday, dedicated the public art project, “Everyone Goes Home,” on March 10 at downtown Plano’s Fire Station One.

An art selection panel chose artist Jim Collins of Chattanooga, Tenn., from 78 submissions to create the outdoor artwork, made from steel and aluminum.

The piece includes four firefighters, seven Dalmatians and a fire tower. A weather vane flag adorns the top of the tower and is inscribed with the words “Everyone Goes Home,” a message that PFD Chief Hugo Esparza said is used in Plano fire stations.

Gaining respect from others is all about taking the time needed to build meaningful relationships, no matter if you’re an American building schools in Central Asia, serving in the Peace Corps or a neighborsgo editor.

This idea came to me last week after I was a fortunate guest to Austin College’s Leadership Award address at the Belo Mansion featuring award recipient Greg Mortenson, co-author of the best-seller, Three Cups of Tea.

Mortenson has built secular schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan that serve boys and girls, a concept virtually unheard of in this region until the Montana man decided to dedicate his life to this work in the mid-1990s. 

Jordan Francis, a junior at Prestonwood Christian Academy, is hosting a “Denim and DRI” barbeque fundraiser for Disability Resources Inc. Friday at ParkwayHills Baptist Church.

The DRI provides housing and vocational positions for people with disabilities in Abilene. About 100 people are on the waiting list to live there.