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February 14, 2007
Yahoo Inc., one of Deep Ellum's biggest employers, is relocating to Richardson's Telcom Corridor.
Read more here: Yahoo moving out of Deep Ellum
Posted by Angela Chambers 
at 10:03 PM (E-mail this entry)
-Submitted photo by Vanessa Devary
Founding pastor Mark Herbener, left, and his wife, Donna, join charger church members Jeff Buchwald, Rudy and Jo Buchwald, Deby Redle and Trey Buchwald in blowing out candles on the 50th anniversary cake.
Here's a story by Randy Konkel of Messiah Lutheran Church of Plano and Richardson that will find its way into a future print edition of Richardson Neighbors with photos of the celebration:
In January 1957, thirteen families gathered on Epiphany Sunday to formally organize Messiah Lutheran Church, already having convinced the Texas District Mission board to purchase a church site along Belt Line Road in Richardson across the street from the proposed new Richardson High School.
Fifty years later, the 1,800 member congregation has been recognized as one of the five fastest growing Lutheran churches within the Missouri Synod.
Almost 600 current and former members and guests gathered Saturday, Jan. 20, at the Plano Centre to commemorate a half-century of worship and service.
They were joined by special guests including the congregation’s first pastor, Mark Herbener, and his wife, Donna, as well as Rudy and Jo Buchwald and children, one of the charter member families and still active in the congregation.
All assembled after a dinner to blow out the candles on a 50th anniversary cake.
Besides the dinner and cake, the five decades of church history were celebrated with video clips and presentations highlighting the music, movies and news of the time, and the history of the congregation, many of whom dressed in clothing from their favorite era.
Entertainment was provided by a DJ and church member singers and musicians playing
period songs with sing-a-longs and dances from the past. A 1957 Chevrolet, poodle skirts and leather jackets were available for photographs. Members and guests will be able to purchase a CD with copies of the presentations and a video of the celebration.
Senior Pastor Victor Kollmann spoke about choosing "Jubilee" as the anniversary theme, referring to the Old Testament time of freedom for God's people. “Today, we are free to serve God and many people in our community in many different ways,” he said.
The featured speaker for the evening was Rich Bimler, past president of Wheat Ridge Ministries and a sought-after speaker in the Lutheran Church. His topic theme was from Psalm 126 "The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy." He stressed that "because of whom we have become through Christ's love and sacrifices for us, our lives should be a journey of continued celebrations."
Buchwald related the story how after building a small church and parsonage in 1957 and 1958, the church debt was greater than the combined worth of all the members. After continued growth and the construction of two more sanctuaries at the same location the church needed to expand its facilities dramatically.
In December of 2003, the congregation moved into its new campus located on 14 acres of land near the corner of West Plano Parkway and Custer Road in Plano.
The celebration continued Sunday morning at the church with worship services, a reception, more speakers and the viewing of a special Messiah history video.
Ellen Thorne is in charge of Celebration Ministries and was recognized as the primary coordinator of the night's activities.
Messiah Lutheran Church is located at 1801 West Plano Parkway and draws visitors and members from northern Dallas County and the Southern half of Collin County. Visit www.messiahlutheran.com or call the church at 972-398-7500.
Randy Konkel is public relations director for Messiah Lutheran Church.
Posted by Mark Macesich at 3:19 PM (E-mail this entry)
The 20-piece Texas Instruments Jazz Band will bring a little bit of New Orleans to Richardson 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18, for a Mardi Gras celebration with special guest, the N’Awlins Gumbo Kings, at the Charles W. Eisemann Center.
The bands will perform an array of New Orleans flavored or inspired music, writes correspondent Paul Westbrook, the Texas Instruments Jazz Band president.
-Photo submitted by Paul Westbrook
The TI band, formed in 1986, is directed by Kris Berg, director of jazz studies at Collin County Community College in Plano. Previous performances by the group include the 2000 Montreaux Jazz Festival in Montreaux, Switzerland.
Tickets are $12 and can be purchased by calling 972-744-4650 or by visiting www.eisemanncenter.com. For more information on the TI Jazz Band, visit www.enerjazz.com/jazz.
As they say in New Orleans, "Laissez les bons temps rouler." (Let the good times roll.)
Posted by Mark Macesich at 1:17 PM (E-mail this entry)
Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet Elementary will hold a school-wide, family-oriented masquerade ball from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, in the gym at the school, 8301 Towns St. in Lake Highlands.
Participants can dress up and wear eye masks. Food, drink, cake walks, dancing and souvenirs will be on hand. Students must be escorted by at least one parent or guardian who will stay at the dance.
Tickets can be pre-ordered at the school for a reduced price or at the door for $3. All proceeds benefit the sixth-grade NASA trip and the intermediate PE department.
For more information, call 469-593-3900.
Posted by Angela Chambers at 11:52 AM (E-mail this entry)
Paul Liptz, a renowned speaker, educator and social historian, will speak about "The Heavy Load of History: Jews in the 21st Century" from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday, Feb. 16, at Congregation Beth Torah, 720 W. Lookout Drive, Richardson. Cost for breakfast program is $10. For more information, contact Paige Merrett.
The engagement is part of a series of appearances in the Dallas area entitled “This Moment in Time – Conversations with Paul Liptz” through Saturday, Feb. 17.
Other stops include Aaron Family Jewish Community Center in North Dallas, Temple Emanu-El in the Park Cities and Congregation Anshai Torah in Plano
This Jewish education series is offered under the auspices of the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas and the Aaron Family Jewish Community Center.
Posted by Mark Macesich at 11:31 AM (E-mail this entry)
-Photo submitted by Kristi Barrus
Classical guitarist and Canadian Jérôme Ducharme, winner of the 23rd annual Guitar Foundation of America Guitar Competition, will perform at the University of Texas at Dallas at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 16, in Jonsson Performance Hall. Ducharme also will teach a master class at the university Thursday, Feb. 15.
The concert includes, among others, Pavan Number 1 by Luis Milán and Sonata-Fantasia by Francisco Moreno-Torroba.
Ducharme has performed with the Montreal Guitar Society and the Montreal Symphonic Orchestra.
Tickets are $15 for general admission and free at the door to UT Dallas students with valid identification. To purchase tickets using Visa, MasterCard or Discover, call 972-883-2552.
The master class, which will be held in Jonsson Performance Hall at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, is free. To participate, contact Enric Madriguera, UT Dallas’ director of guitar studies, at enric.madriguera@utdallas.edu.
For more information, visit http://ah.utdallas.edu/season0607/ducharme.htm.
Posted by Angela Chambers at 10:42 AM (E-mail this entry)
