THIS WEEKEND’S EVENTS …

BASEBALL REGISTRATION – Registration to play special needs baseball for the fall season, which begins Sept. 15 at Renshaw Park in Decatur, will be on Saturdays, Aug. 18 and 25, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at Bridgeport and Decatur Public Libraries, Bowie Wal-Mart and Boyd Marketplace. (Bowie and Boyd locations will cancel if it is raining). You can also sign up to be a players’ buddy and volunteer in other ways. The registration form is also on the website at www.wcspecialneeds.com. Print it, complete it and mail it in.

FALL OUT AUDITIONS – Auditions for the Nov. 10 Wise Country Fallout are 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Wise County Heritage Museum in Decatur. They are open to those who sing, dance, play an instrument or have a special talent. If a CD is used, it must not be vocal, music only. To preregister, call the museum at (940) 627-5586 or Kim Saling at (940) 389-7338.

PET VACCINATIONS – Wise County Animal Services presents a Low Cost Vaccination Day 10 a.m.-noon Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Wise County Animal Control Building, 119 Private Road 4195 in Decatur. Vaccinations will be provided for dogs and cats. For more information, call (940) 566-5551.

MEXICAN RODEO BENEFIT – A Mexican rodeo, bull-riding and dance event benefiting Saul Arevalo, 28, of New Fairview is 6 p.m. to midnight Saturday, Aug. 18, at Lienzo El Coahuila, 1238 County Road 4280 in Flatwood. Entrance is $20. Arevalo was paralyzed in a fiery wreck in May.

SELECT SOFTBALL – Tryouts for 12U and 14U select softball teams are Saturday, Aug. 18, at the Decatur High School softball fields. Registration for the 12U team is 7:45 a.m., and tryouts start at 8. Registration for the 14U team is 10:45 a.m., and tryouts start at 11. Call Johnny Murrillo at (940) 577-4233.

BENEFIT TEAM ROPING – A benefit team roping for Cheyanne Dollins is Saturday, Aug. 18. Books open at 8 and close at 9. It’s $20 for three head, progressive after one (#12 slide). Buckles will be awarded to the average winner. The roping will be held at the Sheriff’s Posse Arena in Decatur. For information or to pre-enter, call JD Parr at (940) 210-3777. Dollins was killed by a train July 29 near Alvord.

SOCCER - BYA will hold soccer signups on 1-4 p.m. Sunday Aug. 19 and 26 at the Bridgeport Public Library.

NEXT WEEK’S EVENTS …

CO-OP BRISKETS – Wise Electric Co-op is selling briskets for Labor Day, with proceeds benefiting charity. Briskets are $40 and orders must be placed by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 24, by calling (940) 627-2167. Orders can be picked up 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30.

SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS – Two different Wise County Grief Support Groups, one for teens and one for adults, will start Monday, Aug. 20, and will continue to be held the first and third Monday of every month from 6-7:30 p.m. The teen group (for ages 13 and older) will meet at the Wise County Sheriff’s Department in the break room while the adult group will meet in the sheriff’s office administration conference room. Parental permission is required for the teen group, and a form can be obtained by calling Laura Tanner at (940) 626-2973 or Eva Czernaik at (940) 210-5452.

CHICO LIBRARY OPEN – The Chico Public Library will re-open 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 20, following recent renovations.

OFFICE CLOSED FOR TRAINING – The Wise County Election office will be closed for training Monday, Aug. 20, through Wednesday, Aug. 22, and will reopen at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 23.

SOCIETY MEETING – The Wise County Fossil, Rock and Mineral Society meeting is 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 21, at the Wesley Center building, 200 E. Main in Decatur. The program will be given by geologist Dr. Clair Ossian of Fort Worth. The topic will be “The Gemstones and Geology of Egypt.” For information, call Mary Hilliard at (940) 627-6581.

MARY’S GIFT DAY – Free mammogram screenings for eligible women and men is 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 22, at Wise Regional Health System’s Mary’s Gift Day. Screenings are by appointment only, and space is limited. Call (940) 626-1384.

RED CROSS MEETING – The American Red Cross monthly meeting is 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, at the EMS Building at 1101 W. Rose St. in Decatur.

BACK-TO-SCHOOL EVENT – Slidell Elementary will host a back-to-school event 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 23, for people of all ages. There will be free haircuts and health, nutrition and eye care information. For details, call Morgan at (940) 390-3552 or Slidell ISD at (940) 466-3118.

ALVORD ELEMENTARY MEETING – Alvord Elementary School Title 1 Parent Meeting and Meet The Teacher Night is 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday Aug. 23.

COLLEGE REGISTRATION – Registration for fall classes at Weatherford College Wise County continues next week. Registration times will be Monday 1 to 5 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact the college at (940) 627-2690 or wisecounty@wc.edu for more information. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 27.

CLAY SHOOT – CASA is holding a clay shoot fundraiser on Saturday, Aug., 25, at Fossil Pointe Sporting Grounds on Farm Road 51 north of Decatur. There will be door prizes and a raffle for a Winchester rifle. Sign-in begins at 8 a.m. For information, call Serene Smith at (940) 626-9955 or (940) 627-7535 or email sscasa@embarqmail.com.

UPCOMING EVENTS …

DANCE – Registration for Miss Twister Dance Co. is under way at Bridgeport City Hall. Classes will begin Sept. 5 and will be held every Wednesday at the Bridgeport Community Center. The cost is $45 per month, and discounts will be offered for siblings and if a semester is paid in full. Contact Bridgeport Parks and Recreation at (940) 683-3480 or Kylie Stegman (940) 389-5138.

HELP, ACTORS NEEDED – The Wise County Historical Society will host the melodrama spoof “The Shagwood Secret or Double Deal at the Dirty Dog Saloon” by Teddy Keller 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14, at the Heritage Museum in Decatur. Volunteers are needed to help backstage and to be in the show. Call Lou Ramos at (817) 638-2022.

STEAK CHALLENGE – The Chisholm Trail Steak Challenge is 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sept. 29. Sign up your team before Sept. 1 for $250. For information about entering a team, becoming a vendor or sponsor call (214) 683-1766 or check out chisholmtrailsteakchallenge.com.

PARADISE HAS TALENT – The Paradise Historical Society is looking for talented amateurs to compete in the first Paradise Has Talent Competition at the Main Street Festival Sept. 29. The contest is limited to 15 entries, and prizes of $150, $100 and $50 will be presented to the top three acts. Entry forms and guidelines can be found at paradisehistoricalsociety.com. The $10 entry fee must be received by Sept. 14. Call Karen Bohmfalk at (940) 969-2131.

NEW PLAINSMEN – The Wise County Historical Society presents The New Plainsmen gospel-singing group 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Wise County Heritage Museum in Decatur. Advanced tickets, $10, are available at the museum. Tickets at the door will be $12. Call (940) 627-5586.

ONGOING EVENTS …

APPLY FOR INDIGENT CARE – Applications for the Indigent Health Care Program are available at 1101 W. Rose Ave., P.O. Box 815, Decatur, TX 76234 or by calling (940) 627-4203, ext. 230. Eligible persons must meet standards set by the State Department of Health Care Services and certain requirements of residency, household composition, income and resources. Applicants must provide all verification and requested information.

HEAD START ENROLLMENT – Head Start and Early Head Start are enrolling for the Decatur and new Boyd locations. Head Start is a federal program for preschool children from low-income families. It serves pregnant mothers to children 5 years of age. Children are provided a free preschool education that includes individualized curriculum, nutritious meals, health and developmental screenings. For information, call (940) 627-4618 or (940) 626-4787.

AMO LEER – The Decatur Public Library invites preschool-aged children and their families to Amo Leer, a bilingual storytime, Mondays at 11 a.m. This program allows children to experience and enjoy stories and songs in both Spanish and English. Call (940) 393-0290.

HONOR A TEACHER – The Decatur ISD Education Foundation is providing parents and students the opportunity to honor outstanding teachers. When sending a contribution to the foundation, you may designate any teacher in the district to receive a card and Foundation Award pin. You may also wish to include a personal note along with the pin. Proceeds will go toward innovative classroom grants. Visit www.decaturisd.us for donation forms. Donations and forms may be mailed to DISD, 501 E. Collins, Decatur, TX 76234.

FIREFIGHTERS NEEDED – Cottondale Fire Department is looking for volunteer firefighters. No experience is required, and training is provided. Call Assistant Chief Rainer Mundy at (940) 389-5455 or visit CottondaleFireRescue.org.