Sue Brown, CEO of Dobson Floors, stands next to a LEED plaque in their new Frisco store.

It’s official! Dobson’s Flooring America announced today that it is now the first retail store in Frisco, Texas to receive LEED certification. Dobson’s has been awarded LEED silver certification from the U.S. Green Building Council. Verified by the Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), LEED is the nation’s preeminent program for the design, construction and operation of eco-friendly buildings.

“The value Dobson’s adds to the Frisco community is our commitment to good energy and environmental principles,” said Suzanne Brown, CEO of Dobson’s. “Our recent LEED certification only underscores our continued dedication to the local environment. We hope future construction in our community will soon follow in energy conservation and environmental sustainability.”

Dobson’s Flooring America, who recently opened its Frisco storefront, achieved LEED certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies. In this day and age where everybody is concerned with global warming and living a “green lifestyle”, such a move by a new retail store is pretty impressive, especially given the state of our economy.

“Building operations are nearly 40 percent of the solution to the global climate change challenge,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the U.S. Green Building Council. “While climate change is a global problem, innovative companies like Dobson’s Flooring America are addressing it through local solutions.”

In addition to operating in an efficient manner, customers who walk into the new 9,000-square-foot store will also have options of purchasing eco-friendly products for their home projects. Dobson’s carries a full line of carpet, hardwood, laminate, ceramic, and vinyl flooring products. The company also offers a selection of stylish countertops.

LEED Certification of Dobson’s Flooring America was based on a number of green design and construction features that positively impact the project itself and the broader community. These features include: construction activity pollution prevention, storm water design, water use reduction, green Power use, construction waste management and low emitting material use.

Dobson’s Flooring America is the retail division for Dobson Floors, Inc. and part of the nation’s leading flooring retail group with more than 500 stores. Founded in 1973, the Dallas-based flooring company has locations in Garland and Farmers Branch, Texas as well as a registered Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified retail location in Frisco, Texas. For more information, please visit www.dobsonfloors.com.

National Respiratory Care Week is coming up, October 25-31, and hospitals and healthcare facilities across the nation will be ramping up their communications programs to urge their communities to take a closer look at their respiratory health.

National Respiratory Care Week is celebrated on an annual basis during the last full week of October to bring lung health issues to the attention of the public. There are many different kinds of diseases that affect the respiratory system. Lung disease is the number one cancer killer in the U.S. because we often overlook the symptoms and preventative measures. Many healthcare providers promote health awareness weeks, such as this one, because it is important to build awareness about diseases and conditions that adversely affect one of the critical organ systems in our body.

Respiratory complications can be caused by a number of known diseases including alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, mesothelioma, sleep apnea, and tuberculosis.

Health professionals agree that of all the precautions we can take to help prevent respiratory illnesses, not smoking tops them all. Statistics show that smoking-related healthcare issues continue to skyrocket each year, especially in women. Recent research shows that smoking-related deaths in women now exceed breast cancer and heart disease combined. Symptoms of a respiratory illness include shortness of breath, chest pains, persistent coughing, and difficulty breathing or sleeping, you could be suffering from a respiratory illness.

Referrals are always important, especially in today’s world.  With that said, if you know someone in the healthcare industry who can use assistance with their marketing communications program, please send them my way (214-528-5775).  SRJ Marketing Communications specializes in rural and community healthcare marketing.

As with any industry, continuous and consistent messaging are important to greatly increase the awareness of your brand in the marketplace. Public relations can go a long way, but when combined with an integrated communications program that leverages other tools in the communications toolbox, that’s where progress begins.

P.S. If you smoke, STOP! :o)

Amid much controversy, the OUT TAKES Dallas Lesbian and Gay Film Festival has announced that it will be screening Pornography on Saturday, October 10, at the Inwood Theater in Dallas.

“I admit it. After all these years, of suggesting otherwise, I am telling the world that OUT TAKES Dallas Lesbian and Gay Film Festival will, indeed, be screening Pornography for Season 11 on October 10,” revealed Managing Director Phillip Archer.

Pornography is the high‐tech thriller by first‐time filmmaker David Kittredge. As it sweeps the indie film circuit, awards and reviews are stacking up.

LA Weekly called the film, “(a) … crazily ambitious debut thriller… intelligent and well‐acted… marks Kittredge as filmmaker with a strong mind and a gift for drawing full‐bodied performances from his actors. That’s especially true of (Matthew) Montgomery… .”

Pornography is just one of the featured films in a three‐day festival running from October 8‐10 at the Inwood Theater in Dallas. The festival is bringing to Dallas some of the freshest, most thought‐provoking gay films being created today.

“This is our best festival yet,” raves Archer. “We have some of the most exciting work coming out of the industry this year. It is our privilege to not only bring these films to Dallas but also some of the filmmakers and artists. In conjunction with the screenings, we have planned several receptions, mixers, and Q&A sessions to give the audience a chance to get to know the people behind the films.”

Scheduled to appear at Season 11 “Wanna Watch?” are Cathy DeBuono, Jill Bennett, Cynthia Davies, Ann Hagemann, Thom Fitzgerald, Steven Jay Crabtree, and local filmmaker Robert Camina.

“The Dallas Film Commission congratulates OUT TAKES Dallas Lesbian and Gay Film Festival on its 11th year,” said Janis Burklund, director of the Dallas Film Commission. “We welcome the opportunity for the film industry to showcase its work to Dallas residents and visitors alike. Dallas is building a reputation both nationally and internationally as a destination for filmmakers as well as home to a growing base of local production. This film festival can and will showcase the city and our local talent.”

Season 11 of OUT TAKES Dallas begins on October 8 with a three-day-long film festival. The season will continue by screening a new film on the second Thursday of each month at The Magnolia Theater in Dallas. For more information on OUT TAKES Dallas and for a schedule of film screenings, please visit www.outtakesdallas.org.

Revelers participating in the Oak Lawn Halloween Street Party

On October 24, 2009, Cedar Springs Road comes to life as thousands of Halloween fanatics participate in the annual Oak Lawn Halloween Street Party. One of the top lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) events in Dallas, this year is expected to draw an eclectic crowd.

“The Oak Lawn Halloween Street Party continues to be one of the most exciting outdoor events in our city. Both residents and visitors alike look forward to this event each year,” said Phillip Jones, president and CEO of the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Festive by nature, the Street Party is a fantastic example of how Dallas’ LGBT community comes together.”

The Oak Lawn Halloween Street Party originally began as an unplanned outing by hundreds of costumed party-goers along the Cedar Springs strip. The outing gained popularity and eventually evolved into the annual event known today. Patrons, spectators and participants dress up and mingle along the strip, socializing and showing off their elaborately designed costumes.

The block-long center catwalk is the highlight of the event where an official costume show takes place. Patrons have the opportunity to strut their stuff and display their costumes as they walk down the strip. For party-goers who work up a hunger and thirst, booths line the sidewalk along the Cedar Springs strip selling a variety of food and drinks. Many of the LGBT bars in the area host costume contests of their own and feature drink specials.

The Oak Lawn Halloween Street Party begins at 8 p.m. in the 3900 block of Cedar Springs Road, between Oak Lawn Avenue and Throckmorton Street. The event wraps at 2 a.m. Traffic is cordoned off throughout the evening so that revelers can safely mingle without getting hit by a car. While the imagery will be appropriately fitting, the reality of it is just way too gruesome. Plus, get some blood on a queen’s angelically white outfit and all hell will break loose. haha

On a slightly more serious note, Dallas is truly an affordable destination that offers much to see and do for LGBT travelers. True story. We have some of the best gay bars and clubs in the nation and a great shopping scene. For information and resources for planning a trip to the “Big D”, please visit www.glbtdallas.com.