All articles list

March 2008

May 14, Carrollton interfaith Luncheon
Town hall meeting on 4-22-08
National Day of Prayer
Carrollton Early Elections
Register to Vote by the 9th
Meet Mayor this Sunday.
Interfaith Luncheon

April 2008

Keep Carrollton Beautiful
Great American Clean up
Public input on Grants
Honoring Cesar Chavez
Mayor Becky Miller honored
Becky Miller for Mayor
Carrollton Interfaith group
Prayers in City Hall
Obama, the Shepherd
Obama Rally

May 2008

The Final Journey of Najma Ghouse
Farewell to Becky Miller

June 2008

Volunteer opportunities
Teen Advisory Receives Scholarships

July 2008

Gas Hills of Carrollton
Carrollton Immigration issues

December

Christmas - Kwanza - Zartosht Diso - Muharram

Christmas - Kwanza - Zartosht Diso - Muharram - Yalda

DECEMBER FESTIVALS -2008
Christmas - Kwanza - Zartosht Diso - Muharram - Yalda
Summary of other Festivals of December in the link at the bottom of this page
"If your festival is missing, please share it with me and my world of friends"

Let's learn a little bit about our friends, neighbors and co-workers, and how they commemorate or celebrate their lives. Friendship is an amazing thing, it takes time to know, but when you do, a lot of myths about others disappear - and you find an amazing peace within you for knowing some one from some group, whom you thought otherwise..oh well, you got it. I have compiled, borrowed and added a few notes to learn and share about the following festivals and commemorations. It is not perfect but selected for a lay person to grasp it. For example the write up about Zartosht no-deso is very elementary to Zoroastrians but meaningful to others.

Please join us to reflect upon the Holocaust and Genocides. Let's make room in our hearts for the precious feelings for human helplessness. Kindly mark your calendars for 7:00 - 9:15 PM on Saturday, January 24th, 2009. Details at: www.HolocaustandGenocides.com or try .org

Click here to read the details of the festivals listed above:

http://www.foundationforpluralism.com/Articles/December-Festivals-Christmas-Kwanza-ZortoshtDiso-Muharram-Z.asp

Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker and a Writer on Pluralism, interfaith, terrorism, peace, interfaith, Islam, Multiculturism and India. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing interfaith, political and civic issues. His comments, news analysis and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net. Mike is a Dallasite for nearly three decades and Carrollton is his home town. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com

Gas Hills of Carrollton

http://carrolltondiary.blogspot.com/2008/07/gas-hills-of-carrollton.html

The following Dallas news story gives a lot of hope, particularly to the North Carrollton residents living around the Indian Creek community. I am glad to see this happening, and hope a similar step will be taken by the DFW Landfill. Conservation is good!

Mike Ghouse

Editorial: Gas from garbage
09:04 AM CDT on Friday, July 18, 2008
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-mccomas_18edi.ART.State.Edition1.4ddbf67.html

Despite the persuasive power of Tommy Lee Jones, Dallas won't be pumping a bonanza of natural gas from belowground. The city doesn't have the luck to be sitting atop major Barnett Shale gas formed over billions of years.

But eat your heart out, Tommy Lee. What Dallas does have is the technology and ingenuity to create its own natural gas in a matter of a few months. It's an exciting, forward-thinking venture that will make the most out of a decidedly unexciting thing: household trash.
Put that in your well and light it, cowboy.

The McCommas Bluff Landfill near Interstates 45 and 20 is Dallas' man-made gas field. The first biotechnology cell – a massive, 30-acre, pipe-laced, liquid-infused, microbial-rich burial mound of refuse – is now taking shape there. By fall, its decomposing waste will begin creating enough methane to enter pipelines. The cell could eventually produce as much gas as a couple of respectable Barnett wells – enough to serve the needs of 9,000 homes (based on typical use of 5,000 cubic feet a month).

Think of it as extreme recycling.

Trash-to-energy projects have cropped up around the country, perhaps 100 so far, with a concentration on the East Coast. It would figure that Dallas' biotech operation may be the biggest one yet once fully developed, with seven working cells.

(The project is in keeping with the visitor bureau's "Live Large" slogan, but somehow we doubt tour buses will be making loops around Dallas' cutting-edge trash heaps.)

Any backyard composter with delusions of selling gas to the neighbors should first consider the scale. Figure the average household tosses out 7.2 pounds of refuse a day. At that rate, it would take 91,324 years to create a trash heap just one-tenth the size of the first McCommas cell.
A more rational person might start smaller and think personal use. And these people are out there. (Google up methane and do-it-yourself.) But to join them, be prepared to irritate the neighbors. A good backyard methane pit uses a lot of pig and chicken manure.

WRITE YOUR COMMENTS BY CLICKING THE WORD COMMENTS BELOW
YOU CAN ALSO FORWARD THE ARTICLE BY CLICKING ENVELOPE SYMBOL

Carrollton Immigration issues

http://carrolltondiary.blogspot.com/2008/07/carrollton-immigration-issues.html

The following letter was published in Dallas Morning News -http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/letters/stories/DN-letters_0725edi.North.Edition1.12605da.html

As a Carrolltonian, I ask the Mayor and the City Council to stop wasting their time on matters that are not going to make one bit of a difference to any Citizen of Carrollton. Not a penny's worth of benefit will accrue to any.

English is the language we conduct our court and general business. To make it official is redundant. People will continue to speak German, Chinese, Hindi, Urdu, Spanish, French, Japanese or British in their homes. Perhaps our first Lady Bush speaks Spanish with her family, stop her!

I hope Mayor Branson did not say this "that if a resolution kept one illegal immigrant out of Carrollton, "it would be worth it." Let the Mayor earn the political support by doing good things and not pandering to those prejudiced ones, those few handful, less than 1/10th of 1% (110) of our population of 110,000 people who would like to get rid of any one who does not look like them, talk like them.

It is time the Carrolltonians ask the City Council to focus on doing things that benefit the City or the public in general.

Feel free to write your comments below;

Mike Ghouse
http://www.carrolltondiary.com/
http://carrolltondiary.blogspot.com/

Carrollton City Council to appoint panel on illegal immigration
12:59 AM CDT on Saturday, July 19, 2008

By BRANDON FORMBY /
The Dallas Morning News

bformby@dallasnews.com

The Carrollton City Council is expected to appoint a residents' task force to develop possible approaches to illegal immigration.

The idea for such a group came late Friday during a council retreat after council members failed to reach a consensus on proposed illegal immigration resolutions.

Mayor Ron Branson and council member Terry Simons had proposed a resolution affirming English as the city's official language, arguing that it would deter illegal immigrants.
But council members Tim Hayden and Herb Weidinger disagreed.

Mr. Hayden said such a resolution would do little more than generate headlines.
"I'm trying to follow the logic, but I'm getting lost," he said.

Mr. Branson said that if a resolution kept one illegal immigrant out of Carrollton, "it would be worth it."

He has said that one of his top priorities as mayor will be to work to rid the city of illegal immigrants, some of whom he said moved to Carrollton after neighboring Farmers Branch made them unwelcome with its efforts to prevent them from renting property.

Carrollton already participates in the Criminal Alien Program, which has jailers contacting Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers when they think a detainee is in the U.S. illegally. And in April, the city was accepted into a federal program that trains local police to act as immigration officers.

Mr. Branson resigned from the City Council in 2006 for health reasons but unseated the incumbent mayor in May.

Farmers Branch made English the city's official language in 2006. The Oak Point City Council adopted a resolution supporting the use of English as the official language of documents in this small Denton County town last summer.

Council member John Mahalik said he did not want Carrollton to be lumped together with cities such as Farmers Branch that have drawn widespread attention for their approaches to illegal immigration. But he also said he would support a resolution making English Carrollton's official language.

Council member Pat Malone raised the question of whether a resolution would have any significant impact. She also wondered whether it would send a message to residents that the council cares about the problem of illegal immigration.

The council also failed to reach a consensus on a proposed resolution supporting Farmers Branch's approach to illegal immigration, which has included ordinances that have been blocked by or tied up in court.

Council member Matthew Marchant did not voice support or opposition on the resolutions. Council member Larry Williams was not at the retreat Friday.

The council is likely to vote on the structure and membership of the task force in September.

Click the comment item below and write your comments,
You can forward to your friends by clicking the envelope Icon below,
No Anonymous messages will be posted.

Volunteer opportunities

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP SHEET

We go through day-to-day without realizing how much we owe to many nameless faceless people, collectively called volunteers. They help and touch our lives unbeknownst to us and without a charge. We can never repay them individually, but we can honor them by extending their services by volunteering ourselves. The gift of time is more personal than the gift of money. To begin with please commit two hours a week to serve others, especially the people we don't know. It will enrich our lives with a personal satisfaction deeper than pleasures of material things.

The purity of service and the un-adulterated joy becomes a reality when we serve humanity for the sake of humanity, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity or culture that erect artificial barriers amongst us. Selfless volunteering makes us worthy of God given blessings of joy and peace.

If you wish to volunteer for the following organizations, please check the box.

[ ] Senior Adult Services For 30 years Senior Adult Services has assisted seniors and their caregivers with information, meals, transportation, home repairs and medical equipment—practical solutions to many of the common challenges of aging. Last year 395 volunteers gave 16,752 hours to help seniors live better. Volunteers may choose a regular schedule or do specials projects, but either way they both enrich the lives of seniors and enjoy experiences that are challenging and fulfilling. Gayle at 972-242-4464 or go to www.senioradultservices.org for more information.

[ ] www.metrocrestsocialservices.org. You are invited to volunteer in Metrocrest Social Services' Thanksgiving food distribution program on Sunday, Nov. 23. Volunteers 16 years old and older are needed either 1-2:30 p.m. or 2:30-4 p.m.; to sign up, please contact Dana Wilson at 972-446-2100, ext.19 or dwilson@metrocrestsocialservices.org. Other volunteer opportunities are available on Metrocrest's website. This is to honor Najma for her volunteerism.

[ ] Dallas Peace Center The mission of the Dallas Peace Center is based on a vision of reconciliation: to promote education, dialogue and action for peace and justice. Those interested in volunteering may contact Daniel at office@dallaspeacecenter.org or call 214-823-7793.

[ ] Keep Carrollton Beautiful is a catalyst and community liaison making Carrollton a cleaner and more beautiful place. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, dedicated to empower Carrollton to enhance our community environment.
Since 2004, we have held 48 public events utilizing 5,150 volunteers. Our programs funnel energy and money into community improvement in partnership with Carrollton’s public, private and civic groups. Our leadership is a volunteer Board who work in all aspects of the community.

[ ] Jobs with Justice is a coalition of union, church, civil rights, student, and community activists. We meet at 7 PM each 2nd Wednesday in the basement of Oak Cliff Methodist Church, 547 E. Jefferson in Dallas. Our web page is www.labordallas.org, where one can find recent and upcoming activities.

[ ] Al-Shifa Medical Clinic/Domestic Violence Program: The clinic provides free medical services to uninsured residents of Dallas-Ft Worth. It is located on 7600 Glenview Dr, Richland Hills, TX 76180. The clinic is open on weekends between 9 am to 12:30 pm. We provide services irrespective of color, creed, religion, or ethnicity. The clinic needs volunteers during the weekdays to set up appointments, and on Sunday, to assist in office work. We also need help in our domestic violence program assisting the Program Director on various tasks. Talaun Thompson, - MCC for Human Services at 817-589-9165

[ ] Foundation for Pluralism Our mission is to encourage individuals to develop an open mind and an open heart toward their follow beings. If we can learn to accept and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of the 7 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. We believe that knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance and appreciation of a different point of view. Through workshops, seminars and conferences we hope to create a culture of acceptance of others. Mike Ghouse – Mike@FoundationforPluralism.com


YOUR NAME : ____________________EMAIL: _________________
PHONE (H) : _____________________CELL : __________________
ADDRESS: ______________________
CITY : _____________ZIP: ____________

Thank you.

Teen Advisory Receives Scholarships

Immediate Release:
June 6, 2008

Contact: Sharon Goddard, Founder and Executive Director
972.466.2121, sharonsdivinenature@yahoo.com

Teen Advisory Board Receives Scholarships Carrollton – Keep Carrollton Beautiful’s Teen Advisory Board graduating members received college scholarships for their volunteer efforts. They are the leaders of Keep Carrollton Beautiful’s community service volunteers at the high schools.

“Without our Teen Advisory Board members, we would not have nearly as much high school participation,” said Sharon Goddard, Keep Carrollton Beautiful’s executive director. “Even with all their other activities, they are some of our best volunteers.”

Each member keeps up with all Keep Carrollton Beautiful’s events and volunteer opportunities; meets with all the service organizations in their schools to let them know about the next event; and encourages participation especially in the “high school only” opportunities such as Texas Recycles Day. In exchange, the Teen Advisory Board members receive support in their interaction with service organizations; an inside look at the workings of a vibrant non-profit; interaction with other Carrollton high schools; lots of community service opportunities; and a college scholarship upon graduation.

Alexander Selby from Turner started volunteering in 2005 during a video project with his media academy and has been active ever since. Alexander has been Keep Carrollton Beautiful’s technical knowledge support and artistic eye on a number of projects - including their Squirrel Brigade video, website pictures, videos of events, a marketing DVD about their programs, and even his Academy of Media Arts & Technology senior project was about Keep Carrollton Beautiful.

Mohammed Dhanjy from Hebron has been a great organizer at his school. All during his senior year, he has shown great perseverance and willingness to make sure we had volunteers from his school for every event. Mehdi has brought assertive, steadfast and thoughtful energy along with his people and communication skills to everything he has done for Keep Carrollton Beautiful.

Each of these young men received scholarships for college during their Senior Walk. They have shown civic pride and community spirit while volunteering for Keep Carrollton Beautiful and have also gotten others involved. Community service as a Teen Advisory Board member is good training for who they will be in the world as adults. Alexander has already been involved in the Technology Honor Society, the Academy of Media Arts & Technology, and the Philharmonic Orchestra and honored as a National Society of High School Scholars. Mehdi has been involved in the Student Council, the Key Club, the National Honor Society and the Hebron Parent/Teacher/Student Assoc.

Keep Carrollton Beautiful has a Teen Advisory Board representative in all Carrollton public high schools and plans to include all the Carrollton private schools this year. Many high schools require community service and Keep Carrollton Beautiful has lots of projects and programs where they can volunteer. Keep Carrollton Beautiful also does “pet peeve” projects to clean up the community where they can design their own projects.

If you are a sophomore or junior at Smith or any private high school in Carrollton and would like to be a Teen Advisory Board representative, please go to your counselor’s office or call 972.466.2121. Keep Carrollton Beautiful has plenty of community service opportunities.

***END***


Thanks for all you do for Carrollton,
Sharon Goddard
Founder and Executive Director
Keep Carrollton Beautiful,
a Gold Star Keep Texas Beautiful Affiliate
972.466.2121 phone and fax
1014 Noble Avenue, Carrollton, Texas 75006
www.keepcarrolltonbeautiful.org
Thanks for being part of Carrollton's Community Connection.

The Final Journey of Najma Ghouse

The Final Journey of Najma Ghouse
http://mikeghouseforamerica.blogspot.com/2008/05/profile-of-najma-ghouse.html

Farewell to Becky Miller

The following Farewell speech was made by Mayor Becky Miller on her last day in the office on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.

I was not able to attend the event, as I am sitting by my wife, who could embark on the eternal journey towards the lord any time now.

Becky is a compassionate and caring individual who has served her office of the Mayor very well. I was hoping she would be re-elected, as she ran a clean campaign as promised to Darla and myself. I was hoping the average Carrolltonian had made it to the booth, but we have to accept the verdict of those who did make it to the polls. This is our system and we honor it.

Congratulations to Ron Branson, I hope he will continue to carry the prosperity goals for Carrollton and embrace Carrollton's tradition of diversity that Becky Miller has established. Farewell to Becky Miller, she was one of the best Mayors we have had and her contributions to our City' economic prosperity and diversity are appreciated and remembered for years to come.

Mike Ghouse
# # #

I feel honored and extremely fulfilled to have been able to kick off my career as a civil servant in my roles as City Council Member and the Mayor of the great city of Carrollton. I owe my priceless and thoroughly rewarding opportunity to my friends, supporters and professional colleagues who worked tirelessly on my campaigns, in the office and most importantly out in the community – where everything happens. I am thankful that I know each of you.

As I officially exit this important post, I am truly proud to be able to stand here before all of you knowing my team ran a clean and honorable campaign – solely focusing on the issues that are key for our citizens and my proven record of excellence. The role of Mayor is nonstop service – requiring stamina, time, integrity and patience. And my service to each of you and this city has been recognized at the regional, state and national levels.

During my tenure as mayor, I have been able to bring people together from different ethnic, social and religious backgrounds – celebrating our cultural differences, yet working together for a common cause – helping to ensure that Carrollton reflects this country – a melting pot full of opportunities for growth.

As long as we continue our city’s long-standing tradition of welcoming diversity and treating people with the humanity and sensitivity that makes Carrollton a cultural leader – our city will continue to reflect the diversity and progress for which our state and country are known. It’s basic, people don’t stay where they don’t feel welcome. I love the way it feels to be in Carrollton and it’s my hope that the legacy that my team has celebrated and maintained – which embraces cultural diversity and progress – isn’t snuffed out – because it could indeed destroy a spirit that many (even before me) helped build.

I look forward to seeing a Council with committees, boards and commissions that reflect a spectrum of diversity.

I especially thank all of the employees of the City of Carrollton who continue to work tirelessly for our city. I hope each of you knows how much I have enjoyed working with you over the past 10 years. I would especially like to thank Vicki Gomez for taking such good care of me – you were a consistently welcoming spirit who treated all who reached out to the Mayor’s office with the dignity and professionalism they deserved. I also appreciate and sincerely thank Leonard Martin for being such a visionary. It was a real pleasure working with him. He has done so many wonderful things for the City. I trust the Council won’t lose the great resources we have built over these years.

I also want to recognize our first responders. Our police and firefighter are the best in the state and they protect this city with tireless dedication. I would like to thank the Police and Firefighters Association for their endorsements, and for believing in me. Chief James and Chief Murphy are two of the finest, most professional chiefs that I have ever known. We continue to win awards on the state and national level for the different initiatives that we have implemented. We are one of the safest cities in the state and nation, and one of the best cities to live in the United States -- a fact that was never in debate.


I wish the council members all the best. I have been truly blessed to have served with them, and know they will continue to work toward the vision we have worked together to set forth for the City. I will continue to stay involved in the community. Through my faith, I know that God has a new plan for me. While my assignment as Mayor is now complete, I look forward to the new plan He is laying out for my family and me.

Lastly, I would like to thank my family for all of their love and support. Thank you for generously sharing me with the city and supporting my passion as Mayor. I will now have more time to spend with my family, which is happening already! I was able to succeed as Mayor and give my all to my city because my loving husband Jerry was by my side every step of the way. I truly love and appreciate him and would not be who I am without him.

God knew just who I needed to fulfill Part 1 of my destiny. And I’m blessed that Jerry and I will explore my new journey together as well. He is my rock.

Thank you all again, and I love all of you and I’ll see you around one of the safest cities in North Texas and a city that is nationally recognized as the 19th best place to live in the United States.

Thank you so much and I’ll see you around town!

May 14, Carrollton interfaith Luncheon

Interfaith Luncheon.
Public is invited - Must RSVP

Carrollton Interfaith Group Luncheon
Monthly Meeting on Wednesday, May 14, 2008

We are a group of about 25 Members from different faith backgrounds and meet once a month for about 9 times a year. Each month a place of worship sponsors the event and those interested are invited for fellowship on lunch.

Metrocrest Ministers Fellowship Meeting

Day: Wednesday, May 14, 11:30 – 1:00 p.m.

Host: Carrollton Masjid,
Islamic Association of Carrollton
1901 Kelly Blvd, Carrollton, TX, USA 75007
Intersection of Kelly Blvd and Country Club
Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916

RSVP : mss@metrocrestsocialservices.org
Bunny Summerlin,
Executive Director
(972) 446-2100 ext. 16 / (972) 446-2102 FAX

Town hall meeting on 4-22-08

Town Hall Meeting with Senator Shapiro & Representative Anchia

State SENATOR FLORENCE SHAPIRO & State Representative Rafael Anchia

WILL HOST A TOWN HALL MEETING

Tuesday, April 22, 2008
7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Carrollton City Hall
1945 E. Jackson Road
Carrollton, Texas 75006

Among Topics to be Discussed:
· Education Issues
· Transportation Issues
· Safe Neighborhoods Package 81st Session
· Legislative Agenda for 81st Session
· Constituent Concerns

For additional information, please call the office of Texas State Senator Florence Shapiro at (972) 403-3404 or Texas State Representative Rafael Anchia at 214-943-6081.

National Day of Prayer

Greetings!

On Thursday, May 1st, the National Day of Prayer will be celebrated by a wonderful gathering of leaders in the areas of government, education, churches and businesses from the cities of Carrollton, Addison and Farmers Branch. The METROCREST MAYORS’ PRAYER BREAKFAST, hosted by the mayors of all three cities and facilitated by the pastors and staffs of key area churches, will be a time to honor God and pray for our nation and our community. The keynote speaker for this year’s event is radio host and powerful ministry speaker, June Hunt.

We want to be sure that key business and church leaders are aware of this event and given the opportunity to participate. I have attached the .pdf version of the event flyer and encourage you to prayerfully consider being a part of this. You may purchase individual general seating or secure an entire table as either a Patron or Sponsor. You may want to get an entire table and bring your staff, your customers or your prospects. Business Leaders, why not host a table as a gift to your pastor and other church leaders? Patron and Sponsor levels will be featured in the event program and will have preferred seating. If you live or do business in this community, this is a wonderful way to be part of the united prayer for this area and to secure great visibility for your organization.

As you will see in the flyer, checks should be made payable to the METROCREST MAYORS’ PRAYER BREAKFAST and mailed to COVENANT CHURCH. For more information you may email prayerbreakfast@covenantchurch.org or call 469-568-4011.

Many of you receiving this email are part of organizations and civic groups through which you may have contacts with many more local business leaders. Please feel free to forward this information on to these groups. We are hopeful many other churches and leader groups will join us in making this event a great success.

Thank you!

Bobby G Fletcher Director - Covenant Community Outreach Communications Director - Churches in Covenant
972-512-4449 Fax: 972-512-4746 bobbyf@covenantchurch.org www.covenantchurch.org

I pray that you would be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing you have in Christ. Philemon 1:6, NIV

Carrollton Early Elections

Early Election info has been a point of discussion lately, so here is a link to the city's web site with all of that information

http://www.cityofcarrollton.com/government/City%20Secretary/election/election.asp

Register to Vote by the 9th

Meet & Greet Becky Miller this Sunday was a successful event.

Mayor Becky Miller has a genuine interest in being the mayor of every Carrolltonian, as such she makes a point to meet members from every community, she has the enthusiasm and interest to reach out and include every one from Carrollton. Her inclusive attitude has brought her respect and admiration in the community.

Thanks to every one who came to express their support for her. Some of the pictures from the event representing a few communties are located at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/FoundationforPluralism/MayorBeckyMillerSEvent

VOTER REGISTRATION

If you know some one who has moved recently and not registered to vote yet, please have her or him register by the 9th to be eligible to vote on May 10th.

Please call Hamed Hussain at (214) 244- 1359, he can register for you on the 9th at a designated place in the evening, perhaps the library on Keller Springs or my house on 1636 Coyote Ridge...

http://carrolltondiary.blogspot.com/

Meet Mayor this Sunday.

http://carrolltondiary.blogspot.com/2008/04/meet-mayor-miller-this-sunday.html

We are pleased to invite you to meet and greet Mayor Becky Miller of the City of Carrollton, this Sunday at an informal gathering.

Day: Sunday, April 6th, 2008
Time: 4:00 to 5:00 PM
Place: Barbeque Tonite Restaurant’s next door Banquet Hall.
Address: 2540 Old Denton road, suite 173 – Carrollton, Tx 75006
Intersection: S. E. Corner of Trinity Mills (Bush Frwy)/Old Denton. (Across Wendy’s Restaurant: Behind Chevron Gas station.)
Courtesy: Barbeque Tonite Restaurant (972) 877-9133

In the last few years I have grown to understand and respect her leadership in taking Carrollton forward. She has what it takes to pull different resource and people together to make our City the place to live and do business.

At this juncture of City’s growth, DART Rail will be open on commute as scheduled, thanks to her leadership. H-Mart has just opened and a lot of retail and restaurant development is in the offing, her resources will come handy to put a nice touch to the growth of Carrollton.

Please register to vote before April 10th, and as soon as the early voting dates are announced, I urge you to support her. May 10th is the day for final voting.

If you wish to volunteer, and want to learn more about her,
please look up her website http://www.votebecky.com/

Please RSVP to her campaign Team Members:

Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916
Akbar Poonja (214) 674-2065
Or send an email to: Confirmattendance@gmail.com

Interfaith Luncheon

.

Carrollton Interfaith Group Luncheon
Monthly Meeting on Wednesday, April 9

We are a group of about 25 Members from different faith backgrounds and meet once a month for about 9 times a year. Each month a place of worship sponsors the event and those interested are invited for fellowship on lunch.

Metrocrest Ministers Fellowship Meeting

Day: Wednesday, April 9, 11:30 – 1:00 p.m.

Host: Tim Clowers at Grace Church USA
4020 Nazarene Drive
Carrollton, TX 75010
(972) 245-0446

RSVP : mss@metrocrestsocialservices.org
Bunny Summerlin,
Executive Director
(972) 446-2100 ext. 16 / (972) 446-2102 FAX

Iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii

MAY MEETING

Date: Wednesday, May 14th
Time: 11:30 to 1:00 PM
Host: Carrollton Masjid,
Islamic Association of Carrollton
1901 Kelly Blvd, Carrollton, TX, USA 75007
Intersection of Kelly Blvd and Country Club
Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916

Keep Carrollton Beautiful

Immediate Release:
March 31, 2008

Contact:
Sharon Goddard, Founder and Executive Director
972.466.2121, sharonsdivinenature@yahoo.com

Media Photography Opportunity: Sat, April 19th, 12:00 – 1:00, City Hall parking lot

Photos – 1. Last year, Boy Scout Troop 114 did a great job.
2. Girl Scout Troop 1348 has helped every year.

Texas Trash-Off Countdown in Carrollton

Dallas/Carrollton –

Dallas County welcomed many special visitors to the Commissioners’ Court this month, and they all had one common purpose: to Keep Dallas County Clean & Beautiful. Welcoming the delegation, Commissioner Ken Mayfield noted, “By focusing on beautification, litter prevention, and waste minimization, we will continue to encourage the public, Keep Texas Beautiful affiliates, and other grassroots organizations to continue their important work.”

Ruthe Jackson, Grand Prairie Mayor Pro Tem, has led the “beautiful” delegation for 33 years of continuous recognition. March 1st through May 31st is a time to think about beautification. Keep America Beautiful sponsors the “Great American Clean-Up” and Keep Texas Beautiful has the “Don’t Mess With Texas Trash Off”, Earth Day and Arbor Day tree plantings.

Last year during the Great American Cleanup, 1069 Keep Carrollton Beautiful volunteers spent 4,840 hours collecting 16,850 pounds of litter and debris from green belts, streets, parks, rivers and shorelines in Carrollton. They are planning their fifth annual participation now.
“We all have a civic responsibility to participate in the education of our children, neighbors and the general public to nip climate change in the bud. Each act of community service shows each individual can make a difference in their own community,” said Sharon Goddard, Keep Carrollton Beautiful.

Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup is the nation's largest community improvement program. In 2007, the hardworking volunteers donated more than 7.7 million hours to clean, beautify and improve more than 17,000 communities during more than 30,000 events in all 50 states and beyond. Last year’s program netted 200 million pounds of litter and debris; planted 4.6 million trees, flowers and bulbs; cleaned 178,000 miles or roads, streets and highways; and diverted more than 70.6 million plastic (PET) bottles and more than 2.2 million scrap tires from the waste stream.

Trash-Off is a partnership between the Texas Department of Transportation and Keep Texas Beautiful. It was created to encourage Texans to refrain from littering and clean up roadsides. The 22nd annual Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off is the state’s largest one-day cleanup event. City-by-city across the state, the Texas Department of Transportation hopes Texans hear the call to action to volunteer for the annual Don’t Mess With Texas Trash-Off.

Locally, Keep Carrollton Beautiful is holding it’s Great American Cleanup/Don’t Mess With Texas Trash-Off on Saturday, April 19th. Go to www.KeepCarrolltonBeautiful.org to register your family, your group, your troop or your business. All Adopt-A-Spots will be cleaning; most of the schools; neighborhood groups, too. Get your group together and cleanup Carrollton with them!
***END***

Thanks for all you do for Carrollton,
Sharon Goddard
Founder and Executive Director
Keep Carrollton Beautiful,
a Gold Star Keep Texas Beautiful Affiliate
972.466.2121 phone and fax
1014 Noble Avenue, Carrollton, Texas 75006
www.keepcarrolltonbeautiful.org
Thanks for being part of Carrollton's Community Connection.

Great American Clean up

Great American Cleanup 2008
Keep Carrollton Beautiful

GREAT AMERICAN CLEANUP 2008 Saturday, April 19th from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, City Hall parking lot, 1945 E. Jackson Road, Carrollton, Texas 75006

Keep America Beautiful's Great American Cleanup, the nation's largest community improvement program, takes place annually from March 1 through May 31, involving an estimated 2.8 million volunteers and attendees. The hardworking volunteers donated more than 7.7 million hours in 2007 to clean, beautify and improve more than 17,000 communities during more than 30,000 events in all 50 states and beyond.

Nationally, last year’s Great American Cleanup netted 200 million pounds of litter and debris; planted 4.6 million trees, flowers and bulbs; cleaned 178,000 miles or roads, streets and highways; and diverted more than 70.6 million plastic (PET) bottles and more than 2.2 million scrap tires from the waste stream. Last year, 1069 Keep Carrollton Beautiful volunteers spent 4,840 hours collecting 16,850 pounds of litter and debris from green belts, streets, parks, rivers and shorelines in Carrollton. We are planning to add a great deal to that total this year.
Keep Carrollton Beautiful educates citizens about their responsibility in litter prevention; ways to reduce, reuse, recycle and rebuy; and properly manage waste materials. Keep Carrollton Beautiful also forms strategic partnerships with businesses, organizations and individuals to beautify and improve our community.
Join us!

Plan for a morning of community service on Saturday, April 19th
Register your group HEREand get registration and volunteer release forms
Fax or email registration before April 4th

Fill out volunteer release form for each participant and bring the day of the event

Come to the back parking lot of City Hall - 1945 E. Jackson, 75006 - at 9:00 am

Get your trash bags, gloves, t-shirts and assigned area map or tell us where you want to clean
Clean your assigned area and bring your trash back to City Hall to be counted –
unless it is too large to move (get specific location for City to pick up)
Give us your trash, get freebies from our sponsors, play an environmental game, have lunch and celebrate ! If you want to order a Great American Cleanup patch, bring $2.00 per patch Look for final wrap up in Dallas Morning News’ Carrollton Neighbor, Carrollton Leader and on our website
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Great American Cleanup 2007 Wrap-up

Keep Carrollton Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup was a smashing success – counting only the reported events, Adopt-A-Spot, HOA and school cleanups – they collected almost 16,000 pounds of trash and debris and recycled 4,100 pounds of newspaper and drink containers! During the Great American Cleanup, 1013 volunteers spent 4669 hours cleaning Carrollton – volunteers really make a difference!

More than 500 participants at Kent Elementary’s Earth Day celebration stated the roll. Their PTA and Keep Carrollton Beautiful won State Farm Good Neighbor Service-Learning Award grant to fund planting 600 flowers and a tree. Keep Carrollton Beautiful gave their contest winners t-shirts and prizes for their efforts.


The Great American Cleanup event netted 4000 pounds of litter and debris collected by 250 volunteers. The volunteers all received praise, t-shirts and lunch. A good morning spent working in the community for a great cause!

Adopt-A-Spot, Home Owners’ Associations and other schools held cleanups as well. Kent Elementary even had a Multi-Cultural Night to learn about different cultures, geography and environmental issues affecting other countries.

Intuit Inc. and Exponent HR brought Keep Carrollton Beautiful’s Great American Cleanup to a dramatic close by collecting 1600 gushy pounds of trash out of the Elm Fork of the Trinity River and surrounding McInnish Park. Intuit’s “We Care and Give Back” team have been partnering with Keep Carrollton Beautiful to clean the river for four years now. “These guys are so enthusiastic, we love helping them. And they spent 238 hours helping Carrollton. We really appreciate them,” said Sharon Goddard, founder of Keep Carrollton Beautiful.

Public input on Grants

City Seeks Public Input on Federal Grant Funding

On October 1, 2008, the City of Carrollton will receive approximately $799,275 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). According to Federal law, these funds must be utilized for the principal benefit of persons of low- and moderate-income in Carrollton. In addition, the city will utilize $59,764 of CDBG program income received in Program Year 2007.

In an effort to solicit increased community participation and involvement in identifying community development needs, the Neighborhood Advisory Commission (NAC) will conduct a public hearing to receive citizen input.The Neighborhood Advisory Commission (NAC) cordially invites your comments, concerns and/or ideas on the potential use of these funds.

Last year’s accomplishments include: reconstruction of streets and sidewalks in the Carrollton Highlands neighborhood, successful completion of eight People Helping People minor home repair projects and a total of 1,130 code enforcement actions in the CDBG target area. The city expended 100 percent of its CDBG funds for activities that principally benefit low and moderate income persons. Activities eligible for funding under the CDBG regulations include: the enhancement or rehabilitation of community facilities; reconstruction of streets and sidewalks; replacement of water mains and sewer lines; improvements to public parks; housing rehabilitation; first-time homebuyers’ assistance; etc.

If you are unable to attend, you may submit written comments, concerns and/or ideas to the following address:
Neighborhood Advisory Commission,
c/o Mr. Scott Hudson,
City of Carrollton,
Environmental Services,
1945 E Jackson Road,
Carrollton, Texas 75006,
PHONE: (972) 466-4299, Fax: (972) 466-3175,
Email: community.development@cityofcarrollton.com

Honoring Cesar Chavez

Honoring Cesar Chavez
Dinner ProgramMonday,

March 315:30 to 7:00 PM

Cuquita's Restaurant

Farmers Branch

I am pleased to invite you to a dinner event, If you can make it, please let me know. It is $35/person. Funds will go to Dallas Peace Center.

The Dallas Peace Center will be honoring Cesar Chavez, this Monday, March 31 at Cuquita's Restaurant in Farmers Branch.

Dinner will be from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. followed by a short program. State Representatives Rafael Anchia and Roberto Alonzo are scheduled to attend. Rebeca Aguilar, former Fox News reporter is scheduled to speak as well.

Mariachi Los Reyes de Dallas will be performing from 6:00 to 7:00 during the dinner hour.Please contact the Dallas Peace Center directly to purchase your tickets. You may call them at 214-823-7793 or link onto their website.Don't miss out on this wonderful evening that will surely be fun for all.The message is ready to be sent with the following file or link attachments:

Shortcut to: http://dallaspeacecenter.org/Chavez

Mike Ghouse, DirectorDallas Peace Center.

Mayor Becky Miller honored

Congratulations to our Mayor Becky Miller, the newly elected President of Association of Mayors. This puts us prominently on the state map.

Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Carrollton Mayor Becky Miller elected president of state association
BY PEGASUS NEWS WIRE

Carrollton Mayor Becky Miller

CARROLLTON — Carrollton Mayor Becky Miller was recently elected President of the Association of Mayors, Councilmembers and Commissioners (AMCC) in Texas. The group is an affiliate of the Texas Municipal League, and serves to keep elected officials up-to-date on emerging municipal issues. Mayor Miller served as AMCC Vice-President for the past year, and is also the current President of the Metroplex Mayor’s Association.

Mayor Miller, in recognition of her commitment to continuing education as an elected public servant, was also recently a recipient of the AMCC/Texas Municipal League Award of Excellence. The honor is presented to officials who have received a Texas Municipal League Institute (TMLI) continuing education certificate for five consecutive years. Only five Texas elected officials currently hold this designation.

The TMLI program is designed to enhance the leadership and problem-solving capabilities of Texas’ elected officials. Participants are offered educational sessions regarding legal issues, budgeting, governance, personnel, open meetings and more.

The City of Carrollton was also honored with the Award of Leadership for Miller’s involvement in the continuing education program.

Source: City of Carrollton

Becky Miller for Mayor

Becky Miller for Mayor

Mike Ghouse, March 07, 2008

I am pleased to announce that Mayor Becky Miller is running for the 2nd term as a Mayor. In the last few years I have grown to understand and respect her leadership in taking Carrollton forward. She has what it takes to pull different resource and people together to make it happen.

At this juncture of City’s growth, DART coming to town, H-Mart taking off and a lot of retail and restaurant development in the offing, her resources will come handy to put a nice touch to the growth of Carrollton.

Please register to vote before April 10th, as soon as the early voting dates are announced, I urge you to support her. May 10th is the day for final voting.

If you wish to volunteer, please look up her website http://www.votebecky.com/

Carrollton Interfaith group

Carrollton Interfaith group

Monthly Meeting on Wednesday, March 12

We are a group of about 25 Members from different faith backgrounds and meet once a month for about 9 times a year. Each month a place of worship sponsors the event and those interested are invited for fellowship on lunch.

Metrocrest Ministers Fellowship Meeting

Wednesday, March 12, 11:45 – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Farmers Branch Church of Christ, 3035 Valley View Lane (at Webb Chapel) in Farmers Branch
Host: Eddy Ketchersid, Farmers Branch Church of Christ, 3035 Valley View Lane.
Lunch will be provided

PLEASE RSVP BY RETURN EMAIL to: mss@metrocrestsocialservices.org

REMAINDING MEETINGS FOR THIS YEAR:
Wednesday, April 9, 2008, hosted by Tim Clowers, Grace Church, USA, 4020 Nazarene Drive between Hebron and Hwy 121 Bypass

Wednesday, May, 2008, to be confirmed,

Bunny Summerlin,
Executive Director
(972) 446-2100 ext. 16 / (972) 446-2102 FAX

Prayers in City Hall

ALL INCLUSIVE PLURALISM PRAYERS

City of Carrollton, March 4, 2008

.

Hon. Becky Miller, Mayor of City of Carrollton introduced Mike Ghouse to do deliver the invocation at the Carrollton City council - 7:00 PM, Tuesday, March 4, 2008.

Good evening;

Greetings, I am pleased to share the various, but not all the Carrolltonian greetings in alphabetical order, I will pause after each one, and you are welcome to repeat after me.

Bahai Greetings; Allah Abho

Buddhist: Buddha Namo

Christian: Peace be upon you

Hindu : Namaste

Muslim : Salaam

Jainism: Jai Jinendra

Judaism : Shalom

Sikhism: Satsri Akaal

Zoroastrianism: Hamazor Hamo Asho bed

And a big Hi for All others;

I am Mike Ghouse, with the Foundation for Pluralism and our mission is to open our hearts and minds towards our fellow beings, we believe, if we can learn to accept and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge.

AND NOW, THE PRAYERS:

Dear God, Please accept our prayers in every name we call upon you, we love to call you Father God, Ahura Mazda, Allah, Jehovah, Brahma, Vishnu, Wahe Guru, Mahavir, Buddha, Jesus Christ and every name that we are not aware.

Dear God, help us keep the purity of our hearts, and help us achieve humility.

Dear God, help us learn to overcome our prejudices, anger, and our jealousies

Dear God, help us overcome our ignorance about others.

Dear God, help us honor other ways of worshipping you.

Dear God, help us recognize that arrogance is the root cause of all evil and keep us away from it.

Dear God, help us live a life of following your guidance.

Dear God, help us believe in the supremacy of you and the oneness of humankind.

Dear God, thank you for allowing us to reach this season, for sustaining us, and for bringing together this evening for this event.

Dear God, bless our men and women who are protecting our freedom for us.

Dear God, help us in upholding Justice and liberty for every American.

Dear God, bless our Mayor, this august council and the staff for serving our City.

Dear God, to night, our Fire Department men and women are being honored for their exemplary service to our City, please bless them with your grace.

Dear God, in your name we begin tonight’s meeting and seek your blessings and guidance to do the right and Just thing.

Amen

Write your comments to: MikeGhouse@Gmail.com
In the subject line please write :: Pluralism Prayers in Carrollton

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker, Writer and a Moderator. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing Pluralism, politics, Islam, Religion, Terrorism, India and civic issues. His comments, news analysis, opinions and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com or (214) 325-1916

© MIKE GHOUSE 2001- 2008

Obama, the Shepherd

OBAMA, THE SHEPHERD
Mike Ghouse, February 27, 2008
Obama Party in Carrollton, Sunday, March 2 - details below
.

This is the first time in our nation's history that some one is speaking the needs, wants and voices of a majority of the people. He is neither a right winger extremist, nor a leftist but a moderate right down the middle embracing and bringing every American together to participate and contribute towards the success, safety and security of America.

An overwhelming majority of us are moderates, people who want to get along with everyone and focus on living the American dream; education, employment, family, children, car, home and a secure retirement. Thank God for Obama, he mirrors the aspirations of millions of Americans and is our new shepherd on the political spectrum. He will lead us to a safe, secure, strong, and respectable and a healthy America.

Obama is for a strong America, where our economic and military strength is leveraged to persuade nations to follow the policy of live and let live and imbibe the democratic principles of honoring the voices and acknowledging the validity of every member of the society. It is in our interest to have peace around us, it is in our interest to create a just world, when others are at peace, and we reap the dividends as well. It is economical to pursue peace than bully around and frighten others. When others are frightened, our peace and safety is on the line as well.

Barak believes in talking with enemy, rather than frustrating the enemy to a point where we have to guard our selves every moment of the day and watch out for the destruction of our own peace, safety and security. Mother Teresa had once said "If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies."

A healthy America is not a social medicine, as my fellow Republicans are brainwashed to believe. Our investment in the health of our people ensures that we have a reliable and productive work force, the healthier we are, the lesser the loss of time on job, more income produces more revenue. Where as an unhealthy America makes us lose on productivity and the costs that go with it. A healthy America is a productive America and it is in our national interest to preserve and strengthen it, this is the other side of coin of a strong America. It is not a charity; it is the best investment a nation can make in her people. The money we blew in Iraq could have done so much better for us at home.

Not all, but the core of the Republican Party is focused on manufacturing fear, building empires and relentlessly making enemies. We don’t need their nightmares. Neither of one of us in the world would live in peace with those attitudes. Their approach to Iraq has given birth to Al-Qaeda that was not there before and our presence in Iraq will produce more of them. It is time to respectfully give them their land and come back home with dignity and respect for the Iraqi’s to manage their own affairs. We are worse off today than we were in 2002. The few extremists in Republican Party frighten the public and then create false security, it is time for the majority of Republicans to speak up or lose in the elections. Barak has the inclination to remove the causes for such fears and his administration will restore our respect in the community of nations. That would be the best thing that can happen. It will make us morally strong again.

The Chinese philosopher Fo-Sho-Hing-Tsan-King meant to pass the following wisdom to our War mongers, “Conquer your foe by force, you increase his enmity; conquer by love, and you will reap no after-sorrow.” Until the hard core Republicans come down from their high horses and believe in humility, compassion, peace and respect for humanity, the Americans will keep them frustrated. The frighteners cannot be saviors.

A strong, safe, prosperous and healthy America should be our goal and Barak is the one who will deliver it.

Please register your attendance at: http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=43583

Two part event: 1) Learn and share about Obama and 2) Make phone calls from your cell.


Sunday, March 2, 2008 - 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Banquet hall next door to Barbeque Tonite Restaurant
2540 Old Denton road, suite 173 - Old Denton at Trinity Mills (Bush Frwy)/ (972) 877-9133

Mike Ghouse
A Republican for Obama
(214) 325-1916

Write your comments to: CommentstoMike@Gmail.com
In the subject line please write :: Obama the Shepherd.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mike Ghouse is a Speaker, Thinker, Writer and a Moderator. He is a frequent guest on talk radio and local television network discussing Pluralism, politics, Islam, Religion, Terrorism, India and civic issues. His comments, news analysis, opinions and columns can be found on the Websites and Blogs listed at his personal website www.MikeGhouse.net. He can be reached at MikeGhouse@gmail.com or (214) 325-1916

Obama Rally

Obama - Rally in Carrollton

Register to attend "Yes we can Obama Rally" on Sunday, March 2
between 4 PM and 6:30 PM

http://pol.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=43583

Sunday, March 2, 2008
4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Barbeque tonite Restaurant
2540 Old Denton road, suite 173
Old Denton at Trinity Mills (Bush Frwy)
http://www.mikeghouse.net/

For the first time in our history, we have a candidate who is representing you, me and every American; he is an all inclusive candidate.

“as the son of an immigrant, his experience can affirm that the American dream is still intact for everyone, regardless of where one's parents were born. His dedication to his family, strong work ethic, opposition to the war in Iraq and deep faith are all qualities that are important to Latino voters." Indeed, he represents the hopes of every American; born, naturalized, white, Black, brown or yellow, Atheist, Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Muslim, Native Indian, Sikh, Shinto, Wicca, Zoroastrian and every American. Obama has become a powerful symbol of pluralism and inclusiveness.

Join us between 4 and 6 PM on Sunday, March 2 at Barbeque tonite, in Carrollton at the SE Corner of Old Denton and Trinity Mills (Bush Frwy or I-90). Be a part of the change to put American on the path of peace, progress and co-existence.

Mike Ghouse (214) 325-1916
http://www.mikeghouse.net/