RAINFALL -- July was the wettest month so far this year, according to weather watcher Doyle Green in Decatur. For the month, the city received 4.14 inches, well above the average of 2.37 inches for July. For the year, the city has received 20.62 inches of rain, about three inches behind normal for the first seven months of the year. Decatur registered 10 days of triple digit temperatures for the month, including a high of 104 on July 27.
LEGAL AID - Legal Aid of Northwest Texas will provide a free legal aid clinic from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Decatur Public Library Thursday, Aug. 6. Service is provided for civil cases only on a first come, first serve basis.
EXERCISE CLASS - A new P90X exercise class, hosted by Shabon Kinsey, is 6 to 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday in the Rise Youth Building at The River Church in Decatur. The class is free. Bring a towel, water, exercise mat and stretch bands with handles. For more information, call Kinsey at (940) 389-1649.
ALZHEIMER'S SUPPORT - The Alzheimer's Association hosts an Alzheimer's support group at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Wise Regional Health System west campus board room. For more information, call Kelly Walker at (940) 627-5921, ext. 3923.
BENEFIT - A benefit yard sale for Shawn Ward and family is 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at Grace Baptist Church, 600 S. Trinity St. in Decatur. Donations are being accepted.
BRIDGEPORT REUNION - The Bridgeport class of 1979 will host its 30-year reunion 7 to 11 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the Bridgeport Golf and Country Club. Classes of 1976-1978 are also invited. Cost is $25 at the door. RSVP by e-mailing bridgeportclass79@yahoo.com or call (940) 389-5355.
MONEY FOR SCHOOL SUPPLIES - CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates of Wise County) is accepting monetary donations for back to school supplies and clothes for abused and neglected children being served through the agency. Approximately $3,000 is needed to provide for 30 children. Make donations payable to CASA "School Fund" and mail it to P.O. Box 650, Decatur, TX 76234. For more information, call Pat Reed, director, at (940) 627-7535.
Next week's events ...
SCHOOL SUPPLIES - The Decatur Church of Christ is giving out free backpacks and basic school supplies (grades kindergarten through sixth) as well as offering other free services including clothes, haircuts and food 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
REPUBLICAN MEETING - Wise Republican Women and Wise County Republican Party will meet jointly at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 10, at the courthouse, second floor. Guest speaker will be Michael Quin Sullivan, president of Empower Texas and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility.
COUNSELING - Free group counseling for adult victims of childhood/teen sexual abuse will be offered by Sue Newcomb, LPCI, at Wise Choices Pregnancy Resource Center, 604 N. Trinity, in Decatur. Call (940) 627-6924 to pre-register. Space is limited. Sessions will be 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Mondays, Aug. 10 through Sept. 28.
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE - Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center, a family violence/sexual assault victim's service organization, is holding a school supply drive for the children of their clients. The organization is asking for donations of school supplies, regulation size backpacks and varying sizes of new children's shoes. Donations can be taken to the Wise Hope Crisis Center, 407 S. Washburn St., in Decatur, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., until Tuesday, Aug. 11. For more information, call Brittany at (940) 626-4585.
GIRLS NIGHT OUT - The Thursday, Aug. 13, Decatur Girl's Night Out theme is "Elvis Live" from 5 to 8 p.m. Discounts and refreshments will be in participating stores.
CPR/FIRST AID CLASS - A CPR and basic first aid class from the American Heart Association is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at the Newark Community Center at 404 Hudson St. Cost is $20 per person. Call (940) 210-1049.
SKEET SHOOT - A skeet shoot benefiting Paradise FFA is at 8 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 15, at 631 County Road 3470 in Paradise. The event is open to all ages and is wolf-chase format. Entry fee includes a meal, and a concession stand will be at the event. For information, call Kay Moore at (817) 343-0484.
POOL HOURS - Beginning Saturday, Aug. 15, the Bridgeport Swimming Pool will be open 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays. The last day that the pool will be open for the 2009 summer is Sunday, Aug. 23. The last Tuesday Night Family Swim is Aug. 11.
CLEAN-UP DAY - The city of New Fairview will host a Citywide Clean-up Day Aug. 15. Residents will need to bring their driver's license or utility bill that shows a physical address within city limits. Items that will not be accepted include tires, batteries, hazardous materials, wet paint, oil refrigerants or anything containing refrigerants.
Upcoming events..
ANGEL FOOD - Angel Food Ministries orders through Crossroads Church in Decatur are due by 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 16. The basic box is $30. See http://www.crossroadsdecatur.com/angel-food-ministries for this month's menu and specials. To order, e-mail angelfood@crossroadsdecatur.com or call (940) 626-4527. Pick-up will be 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at Crossroads Church.
GED TEST - The GED Test will be administered by Bridgeport ISD Aug. 17-18. Call (940) 683-1830 ext. 1250 for information or go to the Web site www.bridgeportisd.net/comm/ged. Participants must pre-register before Aug. 13.
CHAMBER LUNCH - The Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce luncheon is 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 20, at the Bridgeport Lions' Hall. Cost is $10. RSVP to the Chamber Office no later than Wednesday, Aug. 19. To donate an item for the door raffle, call the Chamber Office at (940) 683-2076.
SWIM PARTY - Bridgeport Middle School students are invited to a Back to School Swim Party 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at the city's swimming pool. Tickets are $3 in advance and can be purchased at the Parks and Recreation Department or the swimming pool. Tickets the day of the event are $5. Space is limited. For more information, call (940) 683-3480.
MARINE REUNION - The Third Marine Division Association is holding its 55th annual reunion Aug. 24-30 in San Antonio. For more information, call Mike Sohn at (210) 654-3310 or e-mail him at jumient2@hotmail.com.
MOVIE NIGHT - Bridgeport Main Street and Parks and Recreation Department Bridgeport Box Office presents the movie "Little Giants" on Aug. 28 at Bull Memorial Stadium practice fields after the Bulls' football game. For more information, call (940) 683-3480 or http://www.cityofbridgeport.net/parks&rec
ESL CLASSES - Free ESL classes are offered at the Decatur First Baptist Church from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays during the school year beginning Wednesday, Sept. 9. Registration is from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 9 and classes are offered for beginning, intermediate and advanced levels. For more information, call the church office at (940) 627-3235.
CLASS OF 1999 - The Bridgeport High School Class of 1999 will have its 10-year reunion Sept. 11-12. If you have not been contacted, e-mail bridgeport1999@hotmail.com.
RAFFLE TICKETS - The Decatur Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association is selling raffle tickets for a Stoeger Condor 12-gauge over and under shotgun. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and can be purchased at the First Financial and North Texas Banks or from any DCPAAA member. Drawing will be Oct. 6. All proceeds go to the Decatur Police Department to help provide training equipment.
In other news ...
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - The North Central Texas Council of Governments' Area Agency on Aging Ombusdman Program needs volunteers to help elderly and disabled residents of nursing and assisted living facilities in Bridgeport and Decatur. No experience is required but volunteers must be at least 18 years old and must complete a free training course consisting of classroom study and training at local nursing homes. Hours are flexible and are determined by each volunteer. For more information, call Lisa Walker at (800) 272-3921 or send an e-mail to Pat Borgfeldt at ppborgfeldt@aol.com
FIGHT MOSQUITOS - Decatur mayor Joe Lambert is asking residents to take care of their property to limit breeding grounds for mosquitos. Tips include cutting weeds, getting rid of standing water, trimming brush and cleaning out any "junk" that might be stacked in your yard.
SUPPORT - Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon meetings are 6:30 p.m. each Monday at the Newark Community Center at 404 Hudson St.
HOUSING AUTHORITY - The Bridgeport Housing Authority is now accepting applications for one-bedroom apartments. Applications can be picked up at the office, 1508 Cobb, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
FOSTER OR ADOPT - CASA is taking applications for the Arrow Child and Family Ministries foster/adopt training in September at the Decatur Public Library. The classes will be each Tuesday and Thursday, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. To sign up, call Joy Woodruff at (940) 393-5231 or the CASA office at (940) 627-7535.
DONATE A PHONE - Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center is accepting cell phones and cell phone batteries in any condition. The organization works with a company, Shelter Alliance, which allows them to receive shelter funding through cell phone donations. Bring donations to the Wise Hope Crisis Center in Decatur at 407 S. Washburn St. For information, call (940) 626-4585.
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP - A free marriage workshop is 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month at the Weatherford College Education Center in Decatur. For more information, visit http://www.theparentingcenter.org To register, call (877) 922-4733.
CPR TRAINING - The Decatur Fire Department offers CPR training to people living in the Decatur city limits or in the Decatur Fire District. Classes are held monthly from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The cost is $5. For more information or to register, call the administration offices at (940) 627-3199 or come by the fire department at 201 S. Church St.
