News Briefs

Published Thursday, March 20, 2008

By Staff

Celebrating Easter

LIBRARY EGG HUNT - The annual Decatur Public Library Easter egg hunt for preschoolers is at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 19. For more information, call the library at (940) 627-5512.

RHOME ASSEMBLY OF GOD - The Rhome Assembly of God presents the first Easter March 21-23 at 7 p.m. The event will include live actors, original music and 200 free seats.

EASTER IN BRIDGEPORT - The Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce hosts the Easter Eggstravaganza from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, March 22, in Bridgeport. The event will feature pictures with the Easter Bunny at the Stage, sidewalk chalk drawing, an Easter bonnet contest, a sidewalk parade and an Easter Egg Hunt in Harwood Park sponsored by the Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department.

CHURCH EGG HUNT - New Vision Ministries will hold an Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, at 3988 N U.S. 81/287.

CHURCH EGG HUNT II - Oak Grove United Methodist Church in Decatur will hold an Easter Egg Hunt at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the church, located at 1295 Greenwood Road. Children of all ages are welcome. Refreshments and prizes will be available for all children, and kids can have their photo taken with the Easter Bunny.

EASTER PLAYDAY - The Lone Star Riders Easter Playday is Saturday, March 22. The playday will feature an Easter egg hunt for kids. Sign-up is at 1 p.m. and the ride is at 2 p.m. at the Bob Ruffin Arena in Boyd. For more information call Michelle at (817) 220-8408 or visit the Web site http://lonestarriders.tripod.com This playday is the first of four in the 2008 Playday Buckle Series.

EGG HUNT AND COOKOUT - Victory Family Church will hold an Easter Day Celebration and egg hunt Sunday, March 23. Services will be at 9:30 and 11 a.m. A candy and prize hunt for kids and an adult egg hunt for gift cards and cash prizes will be at 4 p.m. A free hot dog cookout is at 5 p.m. For information call (940) 627-5820. The church is located at 400 W. U.S. 380 in Decatur.

SUNRISE SERVICE - Rhome United Methodist Church will hold an Easter sunrise service at 6:30 a.m. Sunday, March 23. The church is located at 200 First St. in Rhome.

NEWARK FIRE - A lit candle caused extensive damage to a family's upstairs bedroom in Newark Monday morning but didn't cause any other damage, authorities said. The fire started after one of the residents of the home in the 100 block of FM 718 lit a candle in a bedroom and left to eat breakfast. Firefighters from Boyd, Rhome and Newark responded to the scene and put the fire out in less than 10 minutes before the fire could spread to the rest of the home.

This week's events...

SPRING BREAK CAMP - Bridgeport Parks and Recreation is offering a Spring Break Camp for students in kindergarten through fifth grade 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. through Friday, March 21. The camp features games, arts and crafts and snacks. Each child needs to bring a sack lunch with them each day. Drinks will be provided. Camp fee is $75. The camp will go on two field trips, Frank Buck Zoo and Lunar Mini Golf. For more information, call (940) 683-3480.

LIBRARY EVENTS - The Decatur Public Library is offering activities for 12-18 year-olds this week during spring break. Programs are 2-5 p.m. Wednesday's (March 19) activity is a free movie and popcorn and Friday's activity is Guitar Hero. For more information call the library at (940) 627-5512.

HUNTER ED CLASS - A 10-hour Texas Hunter Education Course will be held 5-10 p.m. March 19-20 at the Wise County Justice Center in Decatur. Attendance at both sessions is required for certification. Minors should have a parent or guardian attend sign-in at 4:30 p.m. on March 19. Cost is $15 per student. Minimum age is 12 for certification. Upon completion, the certification lasts a lifetime and allows hunters to purchase licenses in other states. To pre-register call Bill Russell at (817) 291-2376.

CCA JOB FAIR - The CCA Job Fair is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 19, at the Decatur Workforce Center. A local state facility is looking for correctional officers, a bookkeeper and a classification officer. Be prepared to complete an application and an interview. For more information call (940) 627-3919, ext. 22.

DEMOCRAT MEETING - The Wise County Active Democrats will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 20, at the Decatur Pizza Hut with the same agenda that is posted on the Web site at http://www.wisedems.org

HOLIDAY SCHEDULE - Wise County Public Works and all of the county dumpsites will be closed Friday, March 21, for the Good Friday holiday. The dumpsites will be open regular hours of 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

BAKE SALE - First State Bank of Bridgeport is holding a bake sale from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, March 21, to benefit the American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

WORKING MAN'S TRUCK SHOW - A benefit truck show is set for Saturday, March 22, at James Wood Motors in Decatur. Called a "working man's truck show," the event will benefit accident victim Jackie Murphree. The event will feature a performance by the Brandon Davis band, an auction, a dunking booth and a bounce house for kids. Show time is from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with truck judging at 3 p.m. For more information call Chris Fletcher at (817) 929-9161, Clint Mercer at (940) 626-9550 or Asa Johnson Jr. at (940) 393-8847.

PARADISE AUCTION AND BINGO - The Paradise project show cake auction and cow patty bingo is scheduled for Saturday, March 22, at Paradise Elementary. The show is open to anyone attending Paradise schools. Cooking projects can be viewed at 10:30 a.m. Animal projects can be viewed at 12:30 p.m.

CONCERT - Wise County resident and recording artist Les Davidson and his band, One Drink Away, will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at Rockin' E Bar and Grill in Decatur. Cover charge is $5. Call (940) 626-5154 for information. Davidson is a 1994 graduate of Chico High School and has released three country albums.

Next week's events...

CIRCUS - The Rhome Volunteer Fire Support Brigade will present the Kelly Miller Circus Monday, March 24, next to the fire deparment, located at 261 School Road. Show times are 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Advance tickets are available at the community center in Rhome on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1-3 p.m. and at Rhome City Hall. Advance tickets are $5 for children under 12 and $9 for adults. Tickets on the day of the circus will be $6 for children and $12 for adults. For information call Kay Spivey at (817) 696-6742.

ALIEN DEBUNKED? - The Wise County Historical Society will discuss the "Aurora Encounter" of 1897 at 3 p.m. Thursday, March 27, at the Wise County Heritage Museum in Decatur. For more information call (940) 627-5586.

BARNETT SHALE EXPO - The second annual Barnett Shale Expo is 8 a.m.-4 p.m. March 29 at the Fort Worth Convention Center, 1201 Houston St. The free event will feature industry speakers, more than 120 exhibitors and technology demonstations. Topics to be addressed include negotiating mineral right leases, water use and conservation efforts, career opportunities, royalties and their impact on income taxes and negotiating leases as a neighborhood. The Expo is hosted by the Barnett Shale area chambers including Bridgeport and Decatur. For more information, visit http://www.barnettshaleexpo.com

RAFFLE - The Decatur Youth Fair Buyers Association is giving away a Browning over and under shotgun, a True Test livestock scale and 100 square bales of coastal hay to raise money to purchase sale projects at the Wise County Youth Fair. Tickets, at $10, are available at 2K Pawn & Gun, Sam's Hairquarters and James Wood Motors. Winners will be announced at the Youth Fair sale Saturday, March 29.

REPUBLICANS PLAN PARTY - Former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams will be the special guest at the Rhinestone Roundup sponsored by the Wise County Republican Party and Wise Republican Women on Saturday, March 29 at the Decatur Civic Center. A silent auction is at 5:30 p.m. followed by a VIP reception at 6:30 p.m. and a dinner and live auction at 7:30 p.m. The event will honor United States veterans. For more information and tickets call (940) 575-4754.

BOYD YELLOWJACKETS - Ex-Boyd Yellowjackets are having a reunion from 4 to 10 p.m. Saturday, March 29, at the community center in Boyd. Participants are asked to bring a covered dish and a dessert. Drinks will be furnished. Call Naomi Sipes at (940) 433-3135 or Mable Thompson at 433-5123.

Upcoming events...

GOLF TOURNAMENT - Seven Hills United Methodist Church will hold a benefit golf tournament Saturday, April 5, at The Golf Club at Eagle Mountain Lake. Tee time is at 1 p.m. and lunch is at 11:30 a.m. It will feature a scramble format. Cost is $75 per person (lunch included). Call (817) 638-2211 or e-mail jfdean001@embarqmail.com.

LAKE BRIDGEPORT CLEAN-UP - The 10th annual Lake Bridgeport cleanup has been scheduled from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 12. Following the cleaup the Tarrant Regional Water District will host a party for volunteers at its lake office at 1710 FM 1658 near the dam. Party time is from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. with live entertainment, free lunch, prizes and giveaways. To register call (940) 683-4016 or http://www.trwd.com In order to assure workers get a free T-shirt, the registration deadline is Friday, April 4. Clean-up materials will be available at the lake office on Friday, April 11 and the day of the event beginning at 1:30 a.m.

WILD HOG COOKOFF - The Wise County Sheriff's Posse will host a Wild Hog Cookoff and Tailgate Party at the Posse Grounds from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, April 12. The cookoff is sanctioned by the International Bar-B-Que Cookers Association and will also feature live music by Cody Robbins and Family Tradition and King Cone and the Tailgate Philharmonic, rides, games, vendors and a silent auction. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for children 6-12 and free for children under 6. Admission includes a barbecue plate and drink. The Sheriff's Posse needs volunteers to trap hogs, and they are seeking cooking teams, vendors and sponsors for the event as well as volunteers for the day of the event. For more information, call Ben McCall at (940) 399-3013 or visit http://www.8fdtexas.com/wildhog

HOOPS TOURNAMENT - The Wise Hoops fundraiser 3 on 3 basketball tournament hosted by Decatur Junior Womans Club is April 19 at the Multi-purpose Building. For information, visit http://www.decaturjuniorwomansclub.com

HEALTH FAIR - A health fair for people of all ages will be sponsored by the Wise County Health Forum and Wise County United Way from 10 a.m to 2 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at the Decatur Civic Center. Booth space is $25 and deadline for reservations is April 15. To reserve a booth, call Amy Hodges at (940) 389-0470 or email ahodges@integracarehh.com. The health fair is part of a nationwide emphasis on the uninsured and underinsured. "This is for those age zero to geriatrics," said Hodges. "We hope to attract a large number of vendors."

5K RUN - The Second Annual Decatur 5K run-jog-walk is at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 10. The start and finish line is on North State Street at the Wise County Veterans Park. The fee to enter is $15, and you can register by mail, on-line at www.active.com or at the front desk of Fit-N-Wise. Trophies will be given to the top three male and female finishers and awards will be given to the top three finishers in five age groups. The run is hosted by the Wise County Veterans Group and Fit-N-Wise. For more information, call Mike Bowers at (940) 391-9057 or e-mail mike.bowers@wiseregional.com.

CHURCH ANNIVERSARY - Oak Grove United Methodist Church will celebrate its 130th anniversary from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, May 18. The event will include reenacting life in the late 19th Century. The church is located at 1295 Greenwood Road in Decatur. The church will have an ice cream social from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, May 17.

RELAY FOR LIFE - Cancer survivors will be honored at the May 30-31 Wise County Relay for Life at the Decatur track on FM 51 S. Caregivers will also be honored at a reception at the Relay. In addition, the Decatur Church of Christ will honor survivors with a dinner at 6 p.m. at the church May 6. To RSVP for the dinner by April 30, call Earlene Niblett at (940) 627-3557 or tdduck@netcommander.com. Give T-shirt size. Survivor and caregiver registration for the Relay is also through Niblett. Deadline is April 25. Relay for Live benefits the Wise County Unit of the American Cancer Society.

In other news...

A TAX REMINDER - The Wise County Appraisal District office is temporarily located in the Decatur City Hall Community Room at 201 East Walnut. The AD offices are being cleaned following a flood of wastewater last weekend. The offices may be in the temporary location for up to a month.

BEWARE OF SCAM - The Wise County Sheriff's Office reports several citizens have received calls from someone claiming to be from the Texas Fire Association who was soliciting donations from a private number. Residents should never release any personal information over the phone. Another possible scam involves calls from someone requesting area businesses to support the area school district by purchasing sponsorship on a tote bag. The local school had not requested the company solicit for advertising sponsorship.

GOOD-BYE TO A FRIEND - "Zoe," the Carson Elementary School therapy dog, died recently. Zoe spent six years at the school. In memory of Zoe, a fund at the Decatur Veterinary Clinic has been set up to help pets receive medication/procedures that the owners cannot afford.

NEW PARKING RULES - Bridgeport will soon implement new off-street parking regulations for residential areas. The new rules are intended to eliminate parking in front or side yards except when on a defined driveway perpendicular with the road. The driveway can be defined by gravel, paved or unpaved tire runners, unpaved tire running paths, concrete or asphalt, pavestone, brick or similar materials. If the vehicle is not parked on a defined driveway perpendicular to the road, it must be parked on a surface paved with the materials listed above. For more information, call (940) 683-3411.

AL-ANON - The local Al-Anon chapter meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays and at 10 a.m. Fridays at 602 North U.S. 81/287 in Decatur. For more information call (940) 627-3800.

GIVE A PHONE - Wise Hope Shelter is seeking old cell phones which can be given to victims of domestic violence for use as 911 phones. Drop off phones at Wise Hope Center at 303 S. State St. in Decatur. Call (940) 626-4855 for more information.

ABATE - Motorcyclists interested in participating in a Wise County ABATE (American Brotherhood Aimed Toward Education) chapter should contact Scott Gates at (940) 389-0200. For more information on ABATE, visit http://www.texasabate.com

CLINICAL TRIAL - Skin cancer specialists at the Mary Crowley Cancer Research Center in Dallas are recruiting patients into a large Phase 3 study to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of an investigational product for advanced melanoma. To learn about qualifications for the study, visit http://www.melanomatrial.com

HAZARD MITIGATION - Decatur's Hazard Mitigation Action Plan team has posted an emergency preparedness survey on the city's Web site at www.decaturtx.org. Decatur citizens are encouraged to log on to the site and take a short seven question survey to help identify and rank the hazard concerns throughout the city. The survey is one of the first steps in a coordinated effort to help the city identify and prepare for the possibility of a disaster in order to qualify for disaster relief funds. Events qualifying for disaster status include tornadoes, hail, high winds, lightning, winter storms, summer heat, drought, wildland fires and flooding.