The Dating Game

The story of a business that takes the game out of dating

The Arts of Denton

A guide to local culture for the new year

HeadRush the Salon Makeover Contest

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Hairdressers are such fortunate people.  Every work day we are greeted by clients that want to come
see us.  They choose to come spend their time in our chairs so we can make them look their best.
A great number of these clients become our friends.  We talk about school, life, children, marriage,
divorce, you name it we hear it.  We often laugh with our clients and have even cried with them.
What rewarding job we have!  A recent client visited our salon for the first time.  When she left she had
tears in her eyes and proclaimed she felt so beautiful, “like a new person inside and out.” We have the
ability to transform someone’s look as well as lift their spirit.  That feeling to a hairdresser is the ultimate
compliment.   It didn’t take long for that story to spread across the salon and remind each hairdresser
exactly why we come to work each day.  One idea lead to another as we talked about the feeling of
giving someone a transformation and a the seed of giving back was planted.  To keep the spirit of
giving alive, HeadRush the Salon will hold a contest for 10 hair makeovers.  Anyone can write
to our salon or private message us on facebook and nominate someone who is deserving of a
makover during the month of January.  Each of our stylists will choose one nominee and give
them a hair makeover on February 6, 2012 from 6 pm to 9 pm.  It will be a night dedicated solely
to giving back and lifting spirits.

Denton, we ask you to nominate someone deserving of a complimentary makeover.  Mail us or
facebook private message us a 200 word or less summary of why they deserve the makeover along
with a picture of the nominee. Please include your name, address and phone number and the same
information of the nominee.   This contest is open to anyone 18 or over and does not have to be a
client of our salon. The winning names will be posted on our facebook HeadRush the Salon on
February 1, 2012 and each winner will be contacted by their stylist that same day.  Thank you Denton,
for making our jobs so much fun and allowing us to keep giving even after the holiday season is over!

Denton is experiencing a wonderful art explosion that has become the textured fabric of the city. We have always been an artsy area, but the local art world has made it their mission to make the area an art lovers dream and to enrich the community…lucky for us they have done both. In a brotherhood like no other, the art folk of Denton support each other; whether music, drama, performance or galleries, typically where you find one group you find another along side, complementing the experience. There is such a wealth of wonderful art being made in Denton and the surrounding small towns and many of our art studios, retail shops and working studios proudly showcase these marvellous items. They are wonderful pieces that have been created by the hands of those that live right here in the area.

Oxide Gallery it is a gallery “where local art is exposed” offering fine art, pieces from local artists, and works from all genres. It is one of Denton best treasures.

A Creative Arts Studio serves the community with classes in oil and acrylic painting, stained glass, jewelry, mosaics, watercolor, drawing, writing workshops and on and on. Buy, learn or enjoy!

Wonderful museums like Courthouse-on-the-Square and Selby House recall the history of Denton. The opera at UNT is both amazing and world renown. Our celebrated One O’clock Lab band is internationally known.

Denton Arts and Jazz Festival is a weekend long event that is attended by not just locals but extended area art enthusiast. Studios such as Denton Ballet Academy teaches superior ballet, Festival Ballet’s The Nutcracker is a twenty three year production and a denton tradition. The Campus Theatre is a performing community theatre delivering high quality plays and musicals.

Materials: Hard & Soft, an annual competition and exhibition of contemporary crafts is now in its 25th year. It is recognized nationally and attracts hundreds of entries from every state in the union. (February 3 – March 30, 2012)

The Thin Line Film Festival, beginning February 15th, is an international documentary film festival held at the Campus Theatre on the Square. See the interesting and exciting films before anyone else in Texas, then meet and socialize with the filmmakers after the screenings.

These are just a few examples of the art of Denton, getting exposed to this enriching culture will open a new space in your heart and your mind.

Denton no longer has to depend on the arts from Dallas and Fort Worth museums, music scenes and galleries. We are setting the pace now and have come into our own with our acclaimed area. Known for its long, rich history of both music and art, Denton welcomes unique individuals and celebrates their contribution in enhancing the lives of the entire community. Get out and enjoy the galleries, performances and music of Denton…it will awaken your senses.

The story of a business that takes the game out of dating

Bubbling laughter, rosy faces, warm smiles. No, you are not at a theme park or a party, you are in a face-to-face interview with the wonderful people at Great Expectations Dallas (GE). The interview is the second step in the program’s simple process.

Great Expectations Dallas, a “personal matchmaking program,” for lack of better words, acts more as a life coach and best friend than what the name entails. Greeted by the blushing, friendly, outgoing character Stefanie Hogan, Dallas Center Director, you will immediately feel at ease, no nervousness and no awkward conversations. Stefanie and her team make you feel like you are having a conversation with an old friend. She remembers your name, your likes, dislikes and has one specific, helpful personality trait in particular: the ability to read people and match them with their soul mates.

Companionship – such a result is worth the meeting. Great Expectations is different than online dating sites. Having been in business for more than 35 years, Great Expectations knows what they are doing. They conduct thorough background checks and personal screenings, ensuring the utmost protection for their members. Their discreet team also guarantees personal involvement. “We hold your hand until you find someone; we are like a personal liaison for your dating life,” says member services manager Lindsey Barton. From guiding you in the right direction, marketing you the way you need to be marketed and giving you a chance to get in front of your desirable audience, it is evident that Great Expectations is dedicated to your happiness and personal improvement.

In fact, there is a good chance that your advisor will give you a few necessary truths to spur on this personal improvement. Do you know that pit-in-your-stomach, sick feeling you get when you look in the mirror after being with friends all day and find a big piece of spinach in your teeth? This will not happen with your new friends at Great Expectations – guaranteed. Much like scenes from the well-known movie Hitch, the representatives at Great Expectations will guide and support you, resulting in better first impressions. “People who think they are unmarketable and will never find love, find it through our program. It’s such a rewarding business,” Stefanie states, beaming.

Curious where Stefanie’s passion for matchmaking came from? In April of 1996, long before her career at Great Expectations, Stefanie’s family went through the tragic time of her father’s passing. Empathizing with the void in her mother’s heart, Stefanie purchased a membership to Great Expectations for her mom as a Mother’s Day gift in May of 1999. Although her mom was a bit skeptical, she used her membership for a couple of months and went on a few dates, meeting Scott within five months of joining the program. Scott and Marsha were married in November of 2001 and have been together for 10 years this month! “My mom’s success story is proof that anyone can find true love,” muses Stefanie. “She is a tough one – very picky – but we did it and she and Scott are incredibly happy together.”

There are plenty of other success stories. In fact, the current owner of Great Expectations Dallas, Mr. John Meriggi, met his wife through the Houston location and they recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. After his wonderful experience at the Houston location as a client, Mr. Meriggi felt compelled to purchase and run the Dallas office. Norine, Assistant Director, who’s been at Great Expectations for 20 years, met and married through Great Expectations as well. Members Hettie and Jerry describe their experience as “very personal; the ladies at Great Expectations were very encouraging and thoughtful. We got support every step of the way.” Member Monica was looking to “date someone with family values who was loving, successful, funny and independent,” which she found in her husband, Kent, within one month of joining the program. Another member, Roger, decided to join GE because he was “tired of the set-up and bar scenes.”

The process of joining this confidential, professional service is simple. First, take a quick look at the website, greatexpectationsdallas.com, or call the office at 214-390-5200, and answer a few pre-screening questions. On the phone you will have the opportunity to set up a face-to-face interview with an advisor where your identification will be checked, a background screening will be conducted and they will screen for emotional stability. Your representative will then review your membership options and give you access to the private website database that is for members only, where you can conduct searches to find potential dates. Complete the member profile and set a date for your professional photo shoot with Mary McAlister and her warm, friendly team, and voila, you are ready to meet and mingle. Your advisor will give you suggestion profiles, from which you will choose your top picks to go on dates. The process is based on mutual consent and you will always get to see the other person’s pictures and profiles before you date them so there is no awkward blind dating.

“The main basis of our program is to choose someone who is right for the member. If I’m doing my job correctly, you shouldn’t have to meet more than five people,” states Stefanie. “People are looking for the right person, not to date a hundred different people. They are allowed to search the website to pick whomever interests them. There is no limitation to the number of searches they get. And we are there for the entire process, there is no room for misrepresentation.”

Privacy and lack of misrepresentation are the most important differences between Great Expectations Dallas and other competitors. “Online dating services are a breeding ground for misrepresentation,” says Stefanie. According to a 2002 Wall Street Journal article, “more than 30% of visitors to the top three stand-alone personals sites are married.” Although other sites claim to reject profiles that are “inappropriate,” screeners “rely on the applicants to tell them. So, obviously, married people can get past the screeners.” The thorough interview process at Great Expectations ensures that each member is sincere and safe.

Great Expectations’ staff is dedicated, creating an environment in which they each know their members on a personal level. Most of the staff have worked at Great Expectations for more than 15 years. They dedicate their quality time thinking about the betterment of their members and especially enjoy brainstorming for the popular and fun future events. When you are a member, you get to enjoy summer musical events, speed dating events, happy hours, limo pub crawls, cruises, the annual Christmas gala, sporting events and much more. There is something for everyone.

Whether you are too busy to date, are tired of the bar scene, don’t feel comfortable placing your personal information online or can’t seem to find the type of person you are looking for, Great Expectations Dallas will meet you where you are. Whatever your reasoning may be to quit your current social habits, Great Expectations will be there to back you up and point you in the right direction. They guide you through the process of finding your “other half,” as well as introducing you to a new, exciting social circle.

In the words of success story couple Ruth and David, “Just give it a shot. What do you have to lose?”

Great Expectations Dallas
14180 Dallas Pkwy | Suite 100 | Dallas

214.390.5200

Great Expectations Ft Worth

1300 S. University Dr | Suite 502 | Ft Worth

817.332.8009
greatexpectationsdfw.com

The name sounds a bit ominous doesn’t it, but Black Friday is a good thing.  Well, we hope it is, and come to think of it I guess even Black Friday is in the eye of the beholder.

If you like waking up in the middle of the night to rush to stores to fight for the noted specials, if you enjoy bouncing from one major box store to the next in rapid succession, or if you get excited about choosing which line to stand in, then this day is just right for you. The specials will be out there.  Advertisers have been working and planning for weeks upon weeks to make sure you will have an abundance of options to lure you into their stores.  Bargains will be fabulous and your choices will be hard ones to make.

Black Friday has become a tradition in itself for so many families and friends.  Getting together for the sleep deprived early morning trek has made some pretty great memories for us.   And when you add on the toppings of a few great gifts that will be opened Christmas morning, then yes, it is all worth the half closed, scratchy eyed day.

In the days approaching, we are like little kids grabbing for the ads in the local paper to see who has what on sale and the time the item goes on special.  If you are new to the Black Friday early morning sprint don’t try this without some kind of master plan.  If you do, you will find yourself in a frenzy, running from place to place and just missing the perfect items for your Christmas list.  There is only one of you and you have to make the best of the time and develop a game plan for getting that special gift. Once the turkey is carved, eaten, and everyone is drifting off in their food induced comas, this is the time to peruse the ads and develop a plan of attack.

One more note, this day is not for the faint of heart. If you are daydreaming about  getting your significant other to accompany you so you can turn a double play…we wish you best of luck.  This plea has been whimpered in the past by many hopeful Christmas List Moms, with not much success.  He distantly mutters something about way too early, too much hassle and not worth the effort.  So you are more than likely on your own, as will be the sisters, moms and friends who are meeting you that morning ready to grab their own delightful bounty.  Be brave, be focused and plan for a nap when you drag back home that day.

Do you buy groceries, shoe shop, or go out to eat with your family? Of course you do, we all do! So why not make a conscious effort to spend your money here—in Denton. The City of Denton’s S.H.O.P. Denton Initiative is in place to encourage those who work and live in the Denton area to make a concentrated effort to shop here on purpose.

Why shop Denton?
By Shopping Here on Purpose (S.H.O.P.), we are saying YES to a strong, vibrant, local economy , which translates into a unique and interesting City. Isn’t that a place where we all want to live and work? This free program educates consumers and businesses. Its goal is to optimize the quality of life in Denton by increasing the available sales tax that supports essential City services.

Tell me more about sales tax
•    Sales tax is charged at the point of purchase for certain goods and services such as; clothing, household items, and dining out. Sales tax rates are set by the state, county, and City.
•    Taxable purchases contribute to the general fund for the City, which provides essential services such as police, fire, libraries, and parks—all of which enhance our quality of life.

What can I do?
•    Shopping options are abundant. Take a day and check Denton out; all the same services you find out-of-town are conveniently located here.
•    Time is money. The less driving you do, the more money you’ll save at the gas pump.
•    To learn more about what you can do, visit www.ShopDentonTexas.com.