neighborsgo.com: post your community news

Equine/GPS clinic cancelled as swine flu precaution

The Lone Star Horse Council has cancelled its May 16 GPS Clinic, Scavenger Hunt and Poker Ride indefinitely until the threat of Swine Flu is past. Since the Council wanted to provide this educational opportunity to young 4Hers, Girl and Boy Scouts as well as local horsemen, they decided to postpone the event in order to be on the safe side. They follow the lead of the Texas 4H organization and many schools which have temporarily cancelled all events which might lead to the spread of the virus.

Posted by Dawn Redig on Apr 30, 2009 11:52 AM

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What neighborsgo readers are saying

Not only are your story submissions and photos important at neighborsgo, but your input on how we're doing is always encouraged. I receive countless emails each week with comments from readers that let me know if we're on the right track. Below are excerpts from a few of the most recent comments I've received.

Feel free to email your feedback to me, editor Dawn Redig at dredig@neighborsgo. Also, comment on any story featured in our print edition or posted at neighborsgo.com by logging on to our Web site, registering as a first-time user (if you’re not already) and selecting “rate/comment” beneath each posted story.

What readers are saying

“Thank you and the staff for allowing the community to have a paper that allows input from us, the community. I have submitted articles about our new water polo team, the Rockwall Tridents. This is the first year Rockwall has fielded teams for this. You would not believe the smiles on their faces as they read about their games. The coverage and pictures have them excited, and they are looking forward to their games as they see that they are being shared with the community. Hats off to you guys. This is why I love living in Rockwall.” - Jim Hummingbird, Rockwall Tridents

“Thank you for highlighting Rochell Elementary in your April 3 issue. The entire school was so excited – especially our sixth graders. This being their last year here, having their great story on the cover was a wonderful gift. They have lunch during my conference period and walk past my room daily. On Friday I stood in the hall waving the neighborsgo section; they all cheered (causing the principal to come running to the hallway and saying “Oh, it’s Geli!”). We did truly celebrate the wonderful article. I just wanted to share our excitement.”- Geli Marquis, first grade teacher, Rochell Elementary

“Thanks for providing a forum for good news. I’ve had the pleasure to work with neighborsgo from the beginning and I’m very proud to be part of such a talented group. I get all kinds of positive feedback from the community all the time. North Texas LOVES neighborsgo! Kudos to all!” - David Alvey, Richardson resident

“Judy and I want to thank you for including the story about our efforts with the Lymphoma Research Foundation in today’s paper [April 17 issue]. I’ve learned that it helps to get the message out there and you have certainly helped us do that.” - Pat and Judy Riordan, Heath residents

Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.

Posted by Dawn Redig on Apr 30, 2009 10:27 AM

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Dr. Laura Live! In Praise of Mom

Experience Dr. Laura Live! In Praise of Mom, a live in-theater event showing in more than 450 movie theaters nationwide, featuring radio talk show host Dr. Laura Schlessinger. The local event, which will be simulcast from the Irvine Barclay Theatre on the University of California Irvine Campus, starts at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 5 at Cinemark 12 at The Harbor. Cinemark will present a taped encore on Wednesday, May 6.

Posted by Dawn Redig on Apr 28, 2009 2:37 PM

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Rockwall: on alert for swine flu, district has no reported cases

With the well-being of students being a top priority, the Rockwall ISD reports that the swine flu situation is being closely monitored.

"Currently, there are no reported cases in the district and a letter was sent home with all students today giving parents current information regarding the international and local situation as well as general health tips and what symptoms to look for in their students," writes Sheri Fowler, executive director of RISD communications.

The RISD Health Coordinator, Nancy Smith, has been working with city and county officials to coordinate local efforts regarding preparedness if the situation were to escalate in Rockwall County. In addition, Ms. Smith is working closely with campus nurses to make sure all campus personnel are on alert to recognize symptoms and to make sure precautionary measures are in place.

Posted by Dawn Redig on Apr 28, 2009 12:47 PM

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Fresh picks

“Fresh Picks” features top stories posted by contributors at neighborsgo.com for and about the Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity areas. Look for them in next week’s issue or find quick links to all of them right now, right here...

>> ROCKWALL/HEATH

Grandkids land 24-pound catfish http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/33920

Hawk golfers finish fourth in district play http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34376

Pullen Elementary celebrates 10 years http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34061

Seventh-grader ninth in international regatta http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34363

Hawks track team qualifies for regionals http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34385

‘One for the Books’ IS truly one for the books http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34216

Rockwall CountyTour of Gardens, May 16 http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34359

Retired teachers still working http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34367

RHS talent is ‘spotlighted’ at Lunch Basket http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34214

>> ROWLETT

Looking back: senior citizens 75 and up http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/33910

Double Dave’s promotes children’s bike rodeo http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34042

Rowlett police teach bicycle safety May 16 http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34038

Chamber names Staci Mauldin March Ambassador http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34263

Award-winning woodcarver to give demo http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34180

>>ROYSE CITY

Resident named to Richland College’s Wall of Honor http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34379

>>NEXT DOOR NEIGHBORS

Lakeview, Law Magnet students win big http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34072

Grief counselor to speak at Kaufman VNA luncheon http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34000

NFHS hosts Paul Salos ‘Sinatra’ of America’s Got Talent http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/33675

Free concert by Grammy award nominee http://www.neighborsgo.com/stories/34221

You, too, can post your news, photos, videos and blogs at neighborsgo.com. Then look for them in our neighborsgo print edition Fridays in home-delivered copies of The Dallas Morning News and our local Starbucks.

Posted by Dawn Redig on Apr 23, 2009 6:01 PM

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Join Jason Castro for a live webcast

Fans of Rockwall's favorite dreadhead can now join the Atlantic recording artist and his guitar for an intimate conversation with a few thousand friends. Visit JasonCastroMusic.com at 7pm Wednesday, April 29 for a live webcast, complete with a musical performance and Q&A session.

Twitter your questions to Jason at http://twitter.com/jasoncastro starting now, and he'll select a few to answer during the webcast -- or grill him live on Wednesday during the chat. (Gee, I wonder where Jason got his new Twitter account name from? Oh yeah, it was from neighborsgo.com! No more twitter.com/THEjasoncastro!)

As his fan site says that made this announcement, "Be there or be. . . a parallelogram."

Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.

Posted by Dawn Redig on Apr 23, 2009 6:40 AM

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Join Rockwall County mayors for National Day of Prayer

The mayors of Rockwall County invite the public to join them in recognizing the annual National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 7 with the third annual Rockwall County Mayors’ Prayer Breakfast.

Mayors Bill Cecil (Rockwall), John Harper (Rowlett), John Ratcliffe (Heath), Jim Mellody (Royse City), Michael Donegan (McLendon-Chisholm) and Bill Broderick (Fate) will host the non-denominational event at The Center at CityPlace, 108 W. Washington, adjacent to Rockwall City Hall.

Doors open at 7:30 for the 8 a.m. event that includes a free continental breakfast. The guest speaker will be Dwight Douglas Lewis of the Dallas Cowboys.

D.D. wore No. 50 for the Cowboys for 14 years from 1968 through 1981. He participated in 12 NFC Divisional Contests, one NFC Wild Card game, nine NFC Championships, five Super Bowl appearances and two World Championship victories. He still holds the Cowboys playoff record with 27 games, was voted the Most Popular Player by fans and awarded the Bart Star Meritorious Award. D.D. is married to Diane Walters and has three children. They attend the Fellowship Bible Church North in Plano.

People of all theological and philosophical faiths are welcome to participate in the Rockwall County Mayors Prayer Breakfast in accordance with their own beliefs, which is what Congress intended in establishing a National Day of Prayer. All who want to pray for our nation are encouraged to do so in any way, in any faith, as each individual feels is appropriate.

The first Continental Congress called for a National Day of Prayer in 1775 as did Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Congress established National Day of Prayer as an annual event by joint resolution signed by President Truman in 1952. The law was amended and signed by President Ronald Reagan to designate the first Thursday in May as the official date.

Each year the president signs a proclamation encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. Last year, all 50 state governors plus the governors of several U.S. territories signed similar proclamations. This is not a political event. It is intended to encourage people county-wide to join their neighbors in a call to pray for our nation as President Barack Obama and members of Congress will do that morning in Washington D.C.

Information provided by Rockwall Mayor Bill Cecil.

Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.

Posted by Dawn Redig on Apr 21, 2009 6:00 PM

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Grants put iPods to use in the classroom

Ann Knostman, RISD instructional technology teacher, is happy to report that the Rockwall Education Foundation Prize Patrol was quite generous to SharonShannonElementary School during its spring grant awards.

“Two grants were awarded which will considerably help the engagement of children in grades pre-kindergarten-first and fourth grade. Without the financial support of the Foundation, the students would not be able to participate in these innovative lessons that help them improve their reading and writing skills,” Knostman told neighborsgo.

One grant entitled, “My Life, My Story,” awarded to Rachael White, Tara Welch, Kristie Fergeson and Knostman will allow the school to purchase iPods for fourth-graders. The iPods will help enrich the editing process during writing lessons. “They will allow students to record original stories and open up a Story Café for the students of Shannon and people of the community,” Knostman said.

A second grant entitled, “iLearn when iListen,” awarded to Angela Stembridge, Darla Robinson and Knostman also involves iPods for the classroom. This grant will allow students to take their learning of the English language with them when they leave school for the day. The iPods will be taken home to help students with their reading skills.

“So next time you see a child riding their bicycle with and iPod they just might be doing their homework for ShannonElementary School!” Knostman said.

Information provided by Ann Knostman, instructional technology teacher at Shannon Elementary.

Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.

Posted by Dawn Redig on Apr 21, 2009 5:54 PM

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Shop with flair at Aspasians Arts Fair

Historic downtown Rockwall is about to bloom with a colorful palette of vendor booths and delectable food offerings, as the Apasians Arts Festival returns to the square from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25.Rain or shine, shoppers will undoubtedly begin the day early, ready to uncover all the unique treasures awaiting them at the bi-annual arts and crafts fair that has been a Rockwall tradition for more than 30 years.

Visitors will discover distinctive home décor, imaginative yard art, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, seasonal floral arrangements, wood crafts, clothing, fashion accessories and more. All of this will be topped off with a delightfully tempting selection of fair foods (like Kettle Korn!) and fun activities to entertain even the youngest fair-goers.

One of this spring’s vendors comes all the way from Louisiana, representing La-Te-Da Designs. La-Te-Da was created shortly after the birth of Stacey Smith Hess’ son in early 2006. According to Aspasians’ organizers, Stacey was a stay-at-home mom who decided to tap into her creative side. She launched a custom picture frame-making business where each frame is hand-distressed and finished with a variety of imaginative techniques. See her work at latedadesigns.com and come by the Aspasians Arts Festival to meet her and about 200 other area vendors.

The majority of the profits from the fair will help fund scholarships for Rockwall and Rockwall-HeathHigh School’s graduating seniors.

“We hope that this is a record year for scholarships paid out!” organizers told neighborsgo. The Aspasians also provide Thanksgiving baskets loaded with food for families who otherwise might not have a holiday feast, and they arrange for Santa to visit needy children at Christmastime. Aspasians are volunteers who also serve our community by supporting the Angel League, the Rainbow Room, our military men and women and various civic organizations.

For more info, visit aspasians.com or call 214-712-0212.

Dawn Redig is the neighborsgo section editor for Rockwall, Rowlett, Heath and RoyseCity. E-mail Dawn at dredig@neighborsgo.com. Got a story, photo or video to share? Post your news directly at neighborsgo.com. Got a story idea? Send it to Dawn directly. For more about how neighborsgo.com works with our neighborsgo print editions, please visit neighborsgo.com/help.

Posted by Dawn Redig on Apr 20, 2009 9:11 PM

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Jason Castro signs deal with Atlantic Records

Third runner up on last season's American Idol - Rockwall's very own Jason Castro - signed a record deal with Atlantic Records earlier this week. I'm told he's working on his debut album, which is set for release later this year. Jason joins the likes of the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin in signing with Atlantic.

In case you've been wondering what the dreadhead has been up to, he celebrated his 22nd birthday in March, while writing or co-writing some 30 songs - with more in the works - thanks to the help of Idol judge Kara DioGuardi and others. And maybe you caught a glimpse of him in the Idol audience a couple weeks back?

Posted by Dawn Redig on Apr 16, 2009 10:20 AM

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