COALITION FORMED - A group of Wise County landowners whose property could be affected by the preferred route for an Oncor high voltage transmission line have formed a coalition to voice their concerns at upcoming Public Utility Commission hearings. These landowners are on sections "J" and "OO" of the proposed route and have formed Wise Transmission Group, LLC. For information or to join the coalition, contact President Lewis Stevens at lstevens@lstevenslaw.com or Secretary/Treasurer Jim Joling at jim@brayerhill.com or (940) 433-2729.
SPLASH DAY - Rhome Splash Day and Fish Fry was to be Saturday, July 31, at the Rhome Volunteer Fire Department. The event was to feature water slides and bounce houses for kids 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Cost is $7 all day. The fish fry was to be 6 to 9 p.m., $7 for adults and $5 for children under 12. Dee Romine was to perform at the dinner. Proceeds benefit the fire department. For information call (817) 696-6742.
CLASS REUNION - The Decatur High School Class of 1970 was to have its 40th reunion at noon Saturday, July 31, at Catfish O'Harlies. No reservations are needed. Class members are requested to bring any memorabilia they may want to share. Dress is casual, and spouses are invited. Members of the classes of 1969 and 1971 also are invited.
SWIM LATE - The Bridgeport City Pool was to be open until 11 p.m. Saturday, July 31, for Late Night Swim. For information, call the parks and recreation department at (940) 683-3480.
EAGLE BOOSTERS - The Decatur Eagles Booster Club is selling football program ads through Aug. 1. For information call Katherine Cox at (940) 389-6734.
This week's events ...
BOOSTER MEETING - Alvord Booster Club will meet at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 2, in the high school library. Anyone interested in supporting Bulldog athletics (both boys and girls) is invited. Decisions will be made regarding Bulldog Mania.
GIRL SCOUTS - Girl Scout sign-up is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 2 through 6 at McDonalds in Decatur. Volunteers will be signing up girls and leaders for the 2010-2011 membership year. Also anyone with a special talent you would like to share come by or call (940) 389-4924.
VACCINATIONS - The Texas Department of State Health Services will hold two clinics for back-to-school shots. The first is 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Aug. 2, at Bridgeport's First United Methodist Church, 608 17th St. and the second will be 9 a.m. to noon Monday, Aug. 16, at Decatur's First United Methodist Church, 411 S. Miller St. Bring your child's current shot records. Vaccines are $14 each with a maximum of $28 per family. Fees are based on a sliding scale.
AIRPORT WORK - Bridgeport Municipal Airport will be closed beginning Aug. 2 for the second phase of the surface rehab project funded by a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation. Phase two consists of numbering and re-marking the runway and completing the Precision Approach Position Indicator (PAPI). The airport will be closed for approximately four days. For more information, call (940) 683-3460.
CRITTERMAN'S BACK - Decatur Public Library's Summer Reading Club finale with Critterman is 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 3. For information call the library at (940) 627-5512 or visit the webpage at http://www.decaturpubliclibrary.com
PARADISE REGISTRATION - Paradise Elementary pre-kindergarten registration is 8:30 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4, for children 4 years old on or before Sept. 1 who qualify for the pre-k program. To be eligible, students must qualify for free or reduced lunch, come from a home where a language other than English is spoken, are homeless or have a parent in the military. Bring an official birth certificate, immunization records, proof of residency, parents' driver's license and Medicare number or income information. For more information, call the office at (940) 969-5046 or visit http://www.pisd.net
ENROLLMENT BEGINS - Early Head Start, a new Wise County federally funded community-based program for low-income families with infants and toddlers, is now enrolling for the child development program this fall. Call EHS Decatur at (940) 627-6418 for more information.
FIGHTING FUND - A fund benefiting the Grassburr Road Group, a group of homeowners fighting the Willow Creek-Hicks transmission line potentially going through southern Wise County, has been set up at First Financial Bank, 909 Stevens Street, in Bridgeport. Money will go to funds associated with seeking legal advice and travel expenses for the group's spokesperson, Shelby Withrow.
Next week's events ...
SCHOOL SUPPLY EVENT - The Decatur Church of Christ "Gear Up" back-to-school event is 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 8, at the church, Farm Road 51 and Preskitt Road. The event is for kindergartners through sixth graders and their families and it feature free haircuts, free backpacks and basic school supplies, free clothes, free hot dog suppers for the whole family and Bible activities. The MOVAX Mobile Immunization Clinic will offer shots for $14 each or $22 for two or more. Bring immunization records. For more information call (940) 627-1912.
PARADISE CHAMBER - The Paradise Chamber of Commerce general meeting is 6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 9, at Paradise City Hall. Guest speakers Sheriff David Walker and Captain Lane Akin will discuss neighborhood crime watches. Food and drinks will be sold.
SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE - Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center is holding a school supply drive for the children of their clients. They are asking for donations of school supplies, regulation size backpacks, and varying sizes of new children's shoes. Monetary donations and/or gift cards will also be accepted, and Wise Hope staff will use these to purchase needed supplies. Donations can be taken to Wise Hope Crisis Center at 407 S. Washburn St. in Decatur, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday until Aug. 11. For more information, call Brittany at (940) 626-4585.
BREASTFEEDING MONTH - Outreach Health Services invites mothers and mothers-to-be to celebrate breastfeeding month from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, at the office, 2306 S. FM 51 in Decatur. Food and drinks will be served. For information, call Savhanna Pannell at (940) 627-5796.
FALL-OUT AUDITIONS - Auditions for the Wise Country Fall-Out are 2 to 4 p.m. Aug. 14, 21 and 28. Twelve performers will be selected for the show at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13. This year's show will focus on the "Pure Country Gold" music of the 1950s through 1970s. Those auditioning should dress as they would for the show and have an instrumental CD or accompany themselves with an instrument. Call (940) 627-5586 to schedule an audition time.
Upcoming events ...
BE A MENTOR - Training day for volunteer StrengthBank Talk Group mentors at Bridgeport High School is Aug. 16. To sign up, contact: Lori Hancock, community liaison, at (940) 577-0169, or lorihancock10@gmail.com; Jamie Sturdivant or Aimee Burtnett at (940) 683-4064; or pick up information at the Chamber of Commerce or the high school; or online, www.talkgroups-mentors.org/bridgeportisd and role cursor over the BHS Bull on the page.
PESTICIDE TRAINING - A private applicator training and test is 8 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 18, at the County Extension office. Registration fee is $45. This class is for individuals who do not currently have a pesticide applicator license. The class is limited to the first 20 paid participants, so call the Extension office at (940) 627-3341 to sign up.
SOCK HOP - Daddy-O's Oldies Sock Hop is from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Women's Building at the Sheriff's Posse Grounds in Decatur, benefiting Meals on Wheels of Wise County. Daddy-O and Sally Lee, former KBOC disc jockeys, will be at the event. Tickets are $5 at the door, and children 12 and under are free. Classic cars and 50s dress are welcome. Call (940) 511-0003 for information.
RODEO ENROLLMENT - The Decatur High School Rodeo team has open enrollment for Decatur students in 9th-12th grade until Sept. 1. The meetings are held in the Rabbit Building at the Wise County Sheriff Posse Grounds in Decatur. Contact team coach Rick Wilson at decaturrodeoteam@hotmail.com or (817) 733-0930.
20-YEAR REUNION - The Boyd High School Class of 1990 will hold its 20th class reunion Sept. 10 and 11. Contact Diana Doss Benson for information at benson6599@yahoo.com or (615) 631-3310.
HIGH SCHOOL RODEO - The Decatur High School Rodeo Team is hosting a North Texas High School Rodeo at the Wise County Sheriff's Posse Grounds Sept. 24 through 26. Vendor spots are available for $50 for the entire weekend. Options are available for individual or team sponsorships with all proceeds benefiting the Decatur youth. Contact Rick Wilson at (817) 733-0930 or Decaturrodeoteam@hotmail.com.
In other news ...
MEETING - Christians Against Substance Abuse (CASA) meets 7 to 8 p.m. each Friday at the Church of Christ fellowship building, 302 S. McCracken, in Chico.
SEATS NEEDED - Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center needs new or gently used car seats and booster seats. Donations can be dropped off at 407 S. Washburn St. in Decatur. For information, call (940) 626-4585.
FOOD PANTRY OPEN - The Newark Area Food Pantry, 502B Main St., is now open every Tuesday from 9:30 a.m. to noon. The pantry serves 76078 and 76071 zip code areas. Bring proof of residence to sign up.
BENEFIT ACCOUNT - An account has been set up to benefit 18-month-old Alora Ferrier of Boyd at Wells Fargo Bank. Ferrier, daughter of Crystal Ferrier and Daniel Talley, was diagnosed with cancer of the retina and had the tumor and eye removed April 27. The account number is 5206002213 and will go toward associated expenses.
COLLECTING CANS - A container for aluminum cans has been placed at the dump site on Farm Road 51 South in Decatur. Donated cans will be sold with proceeds benefiting the Wise County Animal Shelter.
NEED RECIPES? - First Financial Bank in Boyd, Decatur and Bridgeport is selling cookbooks for $15. Proceeds benefit Relay for Life.
NEW WEBSITE - The city of Rhome has redesigned the city website. For current events, city information and local news, go to http://www.cityofrhome.com
COOKBOOKS - Taste of Texas Downtown cookbooks are for sale at the Decatur Visitors Center for $20 each. Proceeds benefit the Anise Reed fund of Texas Main Street.
NARCOTICS ANONYMOUS GROUP - God's Angels meets at 6 p.m. every Saturday at the Unchained Biker Church in Chico, 119 South Weatherford. Call Melinda at (940) 683-4416 or Dee at (940) 255-2778.
DONATE OLD COMPUTERS - Old personal and laptop computers may be dropped off at Health Source/Health Innovations, 1700 W. Business U.S. 380, in Decatur 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday or 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Computers will be cleaned, stripped and refurbished and donated to local schools, churches or children. For information, call (940) 627-7811.
WORK FOR SENIORS - Experience Works is offering job opportunities in Wise County. It is a national, nonprofit organization that provides paid, on-the-job training and employment services for low-income persons older than 55. For information, call (866) 397-9757, go to http://www.experienceworks.org or visit North Central Texas Work Force at 1810 FM 51 South in Decatur.
SUPPORT - Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon meetings are 6:30 p.m. each Monday at the Newark Community Center, 404 Hudson St.
ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION - The Alzheimer's Association hosts a support group at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month at Wise Regional Health System's west campus board room in Decatur. Call Kelly Walker at (940) 627-5921 for information.
DONATE A PHONE - Wise Hope Shelter and Crisis Center is accepting cell phones and batteries in any condition. The organization works with Shelter Alliance, which allows it to receive funding through cell phone donations. Bring donations to the center office in Decatur, 407 S. Washburn St. Call (940) 626-4585 for information.
MARRIAGE WORKSHOP - A free marriage workshop is 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. the second Saturday of every month at Weatherford College Wise County in Decatur. For information, visit http://www.theparentingcenter.org To register, call (877) 922-4733.
CPR TRAINING - Decatur Fire Department offers CPR training to people living within the Decatur city limits or in the Decatur fire district. Classes are monthly from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays. The cost is $5. For information or to register, call the administration office at (940) 627-3199 or come by the department at 201 S. Church St.
