Karina Ramírez

The Denton Chamber of Commerce honored local community development and service stars during its annual Star Awards on Friday, June 12. Following an Academy Awards theme and format, the Star Awards honors local individuals, businesses and organizations for their accomplishments in 17 different community service categories.

“It was really exciting to see how the businesses and community leaders came forward to support the event,” said Priscilla Sanders, founder and project chairwoman of the Star Awards.

Close to 168 people attended the event.

“That was 100 more people than previous years,” Sanders said. “The sitting capacity was greater.”

The Star Awards were first held in 1997 at the Campus Theatre. Sanders developed by concept of the awards to honor community volunteers and companies that support Denton.

“New York has its Statue of Liberty, San Francisco has its Golden Bridge, but Denton has its people,” she said. “It’s what makes it a special place where people live and work.”

The previous events successfully raised nearly $200,000 and highlighted more than 100 community service categories from 1997 through 2000, said Chuck Carpenter, chamber president.

He said the Star Awards tickets and sponsorships have helped the chamber collect $86,000 to date.

“We don’t have a total on the silent auction items yet,” Carpenter said.

Proceeds from the event were earmarked to help the chamber carry out its four-phase long-range plan originally adopted in 1996. The plan included enclosing the lower floor of the chamber building and constructing the offsite parking lot north of the existing offices.

Congratulations to the following individuals and companies:

* Mandy McKinley of the University of North Texas Athletics: Rising Star — for exemplary community service carried out by any individual who has recently emerged.

* Lilia Bynum of United Way of Denton County: Outstanding Special Effects — for exceptional commitment to the management and mission of a nonprofit organization or agency.

* James Wood Autopark: Big Wheel Award — for exemplary community service by an auto dealer.

* Frenchy, Frenchy’s Lawn & Tree Service: Best Original Screenplay — for exceptional community service carried out by an individual, acting independently, with a unique personality and influential character.

* Chuck Fremaux of Fremaux’s Metropolitan Catering: Best Original Score — outstanding contribution by a local, independent entrepreneur for charitable and civic causes.

* T.W. King, Terrell W. King, James King and Jeff King of Ramey King Insurance: Legends Award — outstanding contribution by a local, multi-generational, family-owned business of its financial and human resources for charitable and civic causes.

Michele Barber

* Michele Barber of Northstar Bank: Outstanding Supporting Actress — community service by an individual female, mid-management or below of an organization, over and above the original expectations of the organization.

* Hank Dickenson of the UNT Athletics: Outstanding Supporting Actor — community service by an individual male, mid-management or below of an organization, over and above the original expectations of the organization.

* Phyllis Pittman of Cookies by Design: Outstanding Actress — outstanding community service by an individual female, who is the top local decision-maker of a private sector organization, over and above the original expectations of the organization.

* Stan Morton of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital: Outstanding Actor — outstanding community service by an individual male, who is the top local decision-maker of a private sector organization, over and above the original expectations of the organization.

* Gayle and Virgil Strange: Outstanding Co-Stars — outstanding community service by a combination of family members or business partnership.

* Rick Villarreal, UNT Athletic Director: Outstanding Cinematography — government or nonprofit organization executive with exemplary vision.

* Mark Burroughs, mayor of Denton: Outstanding Documentary — exemplary performance by an elected public official.

Mike Zampino

* Mike Zampino of El Guapo’s: Superior Development of Cast & Crew — shining example of teamwork, morale and commitment to customer service by a local retail food service.

Sheri de Wet

* Sheri de Wet of Cartridge World: Chamber Man Award — individual personifying the most positive, can-do spirit on behalf of the Denton Chamber of Commerce.

* Dr. Ray Braswell, Denton school district superintendent: Outstanding Director — exemplary performance by any public/government official in a management level position, in carrying out the acknowledged mission of the institution.

* Dale Kimble of DATCU Credit Union and Marty Rivers of First State Bank: Outstanding Producer — exemplary performance by an individual with a major private sector employer producing superior results.

* Bill Jackson, general manager of Peterbilt Motors Co. in Denton: Building a Better Denton — an achievement award for a company’s commitment to Denton and the community.

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Access 1st Capital Bank of Denton and Town Center Bank of Coppell recently announced the signing of an agreement and plan of merger to combine the two banks, according to a news release.

Under the terms of the agreement, Town Center Bank will merge with Access 1st Capital Bank following regulatory and shareholder approval of both groups.

Access 1st Capital Bank, established in October 2007, has more than $82 million in assets with headquarters in Denton and a loan production office in Dallas. Town Center Bank, established in 2004 with $51 million in total assets, is based in Coppell and has a branch at Unicorn Lake.

The merger will result in assets totaling $133 million and four locations in Denton and Dallas counties, according to the release.

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Construction began on Monday for the new Denton County Transportation Authority’s A-train passenger rail system that will connect Carrollton to Denton. The project includes a pedestrian/bike path, as well as improved drainage and sound walls, according to a news release.

After clearing the vegetation between Prairie and Robertson streets this week along the railroad right-of-way, crews will move down the corridor and close the pedestrian/bike trail from Robertson to Morse Street the week of June 27 for an undetermined length of time.

“Eventually, the trail will extend the entire 21-mile length of the commuter rail,” said Kimberly Durnam, public information manager of the North Texas Rail Group, a joint venture of Herzog Contracting Corp. and Archer Western Contractors.

The passenger rail is scheduled to open in December 2010.

Coming up

The Center for Spanish Media will have a media advertising sales workshop from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday at the University of North Texas Gateway Center.

The workshops will be taught by UNT professor Lee Salzberger.

Registration cost is $149.

For more information and to register, visit www.spanishmedia.unt.edu and click on the workshops link near the bottom of the left column.

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United Way of Denton County is getting ready for the 19th annual People Helping People golf tournament. The event will be held Monday, June 29, at the Denton Country Club.

Funds raised from the event will go directly to the community through United Way’s programs and its 26 partner agencies, according to Kim Birdwell, resource development director for United Way of Denton County. This year’s event is co-chaired by Paul Chandler of Meridian Bank and Denny Aldridge of James Wood Autopark. The tournament sponsors include Bill Utter Ford, James Wood Autopark, North Texas Nissan Classic of Denton, Jim McNatt Auto Group and Huffines Auto.

Registration and lunch will begin at 11 a.m.; a shotgun start will be at noon. There will a happy hour following the event that includes course activities and more than $2,500 in prizes.

Fees are $150 for individual players or $600 for a team of four. Hole sponsors with one player cost $325 and hole sponsor with four players cost $775. Entry and payment deadline is Monday. Checks may be payable to United Way of Denton County, 625 Dallas Drive, Suite 525, Denton, TX 76205.

For more information, e-mail kim@unitedwaydenton.org or call 940-566-5851, ext. 102.

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The Denton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Denton Black Chamber of Commerce will have a local agency workshop and exposition on July 9. Titled “People Helping People Help Themselves,” the event is designed to share information about the many services in the Denton community, including social services, businesses and organizations. The event will take place at the Quality Inn & Suites at 1500 Dallas Drive. A reception will start at 5 p.m. with a presentation following at 6 p.m.

“In these economic trying times, there is a need for our community to come together and reach out to those who have needs — many who are not used to being in this situation, whether it be food, housing, medical, jobs, clothing and Medicare, etc.,” Barbara Gailey, event coordinator of the workshop, said via e-mail.

Participating organizations include the American Red Cross, Barbara Gailey, Bookkeeper Girl, 2010 Census, city of Denton Community Development, Denton Community Food Center, Denton County VOAD, Denton County Housing, DCTA, Denton Information Network, Denton Police Department, Family Resource Center, Interfaith Ministries, Kiwanis, Our Daily Bread, Workforce Solutions and Visions Ministries.

To sign up as a participating agency or business, please call 940-390-4848 or 214-507-1677, or e-mail barbara@barbaragailey.com or cahensley@sbcglobal.net.

For those wishing to attend, online registration is available at www.alabasterweb.com.

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