Karina Ramírez

Back-to-school shopping has continued even after the school year started, with college students looking for ways to save at their campus bookstore.

The Follett Higher Education Group, which provides textbooks to the University of North Texas, Texas Woman’s University and other North Texas universities, is now offering book rentals.

“You rent it, read it, return it,” said Elio DiStaola, director of public relations for the Oak Brook, Ill.-based Follett.

Under the program, students will be able to save an average of half the retail textbook price, DiStaola said.

The rent-a-textbook program is under way at 400 schools nationwide. The books selected so far have been the most popular titles based on discussions with professors and bookstore managers.

“The website will give you an option to rent to buy or shop directly in the store,” DiStaola continued.

DiStaola said Follett has been renting at a small scale for about five years, but the company launched a larger-scale program because of the economy downturn.

“We are taking a lot of risk and driving the cost down by taking aim at accessibility,” DiStaola said. “More students will be prepared for success in the classroom.”

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According to the Denton Economic Development Partnership, new certificates of occupancy were granted in July for the following companies:

•  Ultra Care Ambulance, 531 Londonderry Lane, Suite 120

•  My Infinite Possibilities Inc., 531 Londonderry Lane, Suite 100

•  420 Tattoo, 420 S. Carroll Blvd., Suite 107

•  Mr. Gold, 1776 Teasley Lane, Suite 112

•  World Finance Corp., 711 Sunset St.

•  Franco’s Body Shop, 1105 Shady Oaks Drive

•  Crunchtime Information Systems, 301 Dallas Drive, Suite 128

•  Denton Massage, 903 N. Elm St.

•  Ebby Halliday Realtors, 3201 Teasley Lane, Suite 600

•  Lucky Dave’s Barber Shop, 316 E. Oak St., Suite 101

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Construction crews are scheduled to finish exterior renovations to DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks in Denton this week, according to a news release.

“The renovations are shaping up nicely,” Ali Kohandani, co-owner of the Denton franchise, said in an e-mail Monday. “The exterior work is going to make the building look brand-new, while the inside of the restaurant has a new, brighter paint job and several other additions.”

Kohandani said new menu options will be announced soon.

“We are making small changes to improve the restaurant, but DoubleDave’s continues to offer the same warm, family-friendly atmosphere,” he said.

DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks is located at 220 W. University Drive.

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The Lake Cities’ Independence Day Parade has been rescheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday. The event was originally to take place July 3, but was cancelled due to rain.

Bill Utter Ford will sponsor $1,000 in cash prizes, including a grand prize of $500 for the best entry overall, $200 for the runner-up and $100 for each division winner: float, vehicle and walking/marching/horse.

A sign-up form and parade lineup map is posted under the Special Events link at www. lakedallas.com. For more information, call 940-497-2226, ext. 132.

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Officials with the Corinth Economic Development Corp. held a ribbon-cutting Aug. 19 for Ashton Gardens, a 21,000-square-foot special events center in Corinth.

The events center features a chapel, two ballrooms and illuminated courtyards with fountains, according to its website.

Last year, Ashton Gardens was selected as one of the best wedding locations by The Knot, a wedding planning website and magazine publisher.

The facility is located at 2001 Ashton Gardens Lane, at the northwest corner of Interstate 35E and Post Oak Drive.

For more information, visit www.ashtongardens.com.

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Courtesy photo

Denton Regional Medical Center officials join U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, third from left, standing, at the hospital’s Safety Round-Up on Aug. 14.

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Denton Regional Medical Center celebrated its Safety Round-Up on Aug. 14. More than 200 people attended the event, including representatives from the hospital, the Denton Police Department, Careflite, the Denton Fire Department and U.S. Congressman Michael Burgess.

“It was definitely hot out at the Safety Round-Up, but we had a great turnout and a lot of fun,” said Russell Mariott, the hospital’s marketing manager.

Coming up

The Greater Dallas Chapter of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry, the remodeling industry’s only trade association, will have its fourth annual Remodeled Homes Tour on Oct. 23-24. The event will benefit the North Texas Food Bank.

The Remodeled Homes Tour showcases entire house renovations, as well as improvements to  specific rooms. 

Cost is $12 for adults and free for children ages 12 and younger. For more information, visit www.naridallas.org.

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The Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce will have an old-fashioned Speak-Easy Casino Night on from 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Pilot Point Opera House.

The event, which will have a 1920s theme, will include “gambling,” music, dancing, food, drinks, and silent and live auctions.

Tickets cost $25 per person or $40 per couple and include $10,000 in chips and two drink tickets. A cash bar also will be available. Sponsorships are available for $100 to support this fundraising event. Auction items and jackpot donations are also needed.

The Pilot Point Chamber of Commerce is a nonprofit group and has about 150 members.

For more information, call Karen Walterscheid at 940-686-5385.

University of North Texas student Madiha Kark contributed to this report.

KARINA RAMÍREZ can be reached at 940-566-6878. Her e-mail address is kramirez@dentonrc.com.