TDH Recommending Targeted Use Of Flu Vaccine

The Texas Department of Health (TDH) today recommended that physicians and other medical providers target their remaining supplies of the influenza vaccine to groups at the highest risk of severe complications from the flu.
The recommendation was prompted by nationwide concerns that an unprecedented demand for the vaccine this year could soon use up the remaining vaccine supply.
Texas Commissioner of Health Eduardo Sanchez said remaining vaccine supplies should be targeted for the elderly, children 6 months through 23 months of age, persons with chronic health conditions such as diabetes and asthma, and people with weakened immune systems.
"It could be that most of the people in the high risk groups who wanted a flu shot have already gotten a flu shot, but we just don’t know that. We’re taking this step as a precaution," Sanchez said.
He said that while this season’s vaccine originally was plentiful, it appears that compliance with public health get-a-flu-shot messages and earlier-than-usual high levels of flu prevalence have led to concern that the vaccine supply soon will be used up.
He encouraged people to take additional steps to reduce the risk of influenza. These include covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing and washing your hands frequently and thoroughly.
Sanchez emphasized that people with flu-like symptoms should stay home to avoid infecting colleagues or classmates and added that parents should try to keep babies and young children away from people who have flu-like illnesses.
He said people in the high-risk categories should contact a doctor if they experience flu-like symptoms.
Influenza is a viral respiratory illness marked by the sudden onset of fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. The illness is spread when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks, sending the highly contagious virus into the air.
Influenza is not a reportable illness in Texas, so exact flu case numbers are not known. Instead, TDH relies on a surveillance network of reporting sites around the state to track influenza levels and identify circulating strains of the virus.
Influenza activity in Texas last week was classified as "widespread", the seventh week in a row for the highest prevalence classification.

TDH Launches New Immunization Campaign

Eye M.D.S Say Put Safety At The Top Of Your Christmas List

SAN FRANCISCO - During the holiday season it’s especially hard to resist indulging a child’s overwhelming desire for his or her most wished for gift. But sometimes you have to for their safety.

Toys, including some seemingly innocuous ones, cause many eye injuries to children every year. Luckily, most of these heart-breaking accidents are preventable.

To mark December’s designation as Safe Toys and Celebrations Month, the American Academy of Ophthalmology (the Eye M.D.s Association), urges Americans to choose safe toys and gifts.

"When shopping for toys, check labels to make sure they are age-appropriate, avoid games or toys with sharp or protruding parts or projectiles, and consider carefully before giving darts, pellet guns or other firearms," said Academy spokesperson Monica L. Monica, MD.

Should you allow your older child to play with gas, air or spring-operated guns, toy bow and arrow sets, safety darts, toy guns with projectiles, blow guns and pea shooters, sling shots, sling-propelled and air-propelled toys, etc. please make sure they are used safely, away from younger children, and with constant adult supervision, said Dr. Monica.

Despite repeated warnings, Eye M.D.s continue to see devastating eye injuries sustained from such firearms.

When choosing toys:

- Check packaging for age recommendations. Give only age-appropriate toys. Keep in mind the child’s interests and skill level, avoiding toys that are too complex for very young children.

- Make sure all instructions are clear to you, and, more importantly, to the child.

- Broken toys may sometimes expose dangerous prongs and needle-sharp points. Pins and staples on dolls’ clothes, hair and accessories can easily puncture an unsuspecting child. Even stuffed animals or dolls may have barbed eyes or wired limbs that can cut or stab.

- Be on the look out for toys or games with sharp or protruding parts or projectiles. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission last year reported two incidents of children suffering detached retinas due to air­powered rockets.

- Look for quality in design and construction in all toys. Toys of brittle plastic or glass can be broken easily, exposing dangerous sharp, cutting edges. Wooden, metal and plastic toys sometimes have sharp edges, due to poor construction.

Protect your family not only from what’s under the tree, but also from the tree itself, as well as other holiday trimmings.

- As you free your tree from its binding, be careful of branches that could recoil into your eyes.

- Be careful of Christmas tree branches when decorating your tree. It’s easy to get poked in the eye. Eye M.D.s have also treated patients injured from rooting under the tree getting presents or plugging in lights.

- Wear gloves while decorating with spun glass, or "angel hair," to avoid irritating the eyes.

- Contact lens wearers should be particularly careful of glittery ornaments and other decorations. It’s easy to get a speck of glitter between your lens and your eye, causing a corneal abrasion.

Minor eye irritation can usually be treated with over-the-counter eyewash. However, should you experience an injury, such as an abrasion or a puncture, it’s best to have an Eye M.D. examine the eye as soon as possible. A paper cup held over the injured eye can help protect it until you can get to your Eye M.D. or emergency room.

Remember, providing a safe environment is the best holiday gift you can give.

Americans love their sports and other indoor and outdoor activities. These pastimes provide wonderful opportunities for healthy exercise and great memories for many. But for some, especially children, those memories can be ruined by preventable eye injuries:

- Approximately 42,000 sports-related eye injuries occur every year in the United States. - More than one-third of the victims are children.

- Sports are the number one cause of eye injuries in children under the age of sixteen.

- Injuries range from corneal abrasions and eyelid bruises to internal eye injuries, such as retinal detachments and internal bleeding.

- Many of these injuries lead to vision loss and permanent blindness.

- Many of these injuries could have been prevented by the use of proper eye protection.

Sports with the highest risk for eye injury - and for which eye protection is available - include: basketball, baseball, hockey, football, lacrosse, fencing, paintball, water polo, racquetball, soccer, downhill skiing. In baseball, most eye injuries result from the ball hitting the eye. Batters are the most common victims, though pitchers and outfielders can also be injured. In basketball, most eye injuries result from the eyes being poked by fingers and elbows.

Athletes participating in high-risk sports - especially young athletes - should wear appropriate sport-specific protective eyewear as recommended and properly fitted by an Eye M.D. or other eye care professional. Athletes today can choose from various types of lightweight and sturdy protective eyewear that look and fit better than in the past.

Eyewear properly fitted and worn does not hinder performance in any way, and can prevent 90 percent of sports eye injuries. Many professional athletes excel in their sports while wearing protective eyewear. In Canada, eye injuries decreased by 90 percent after certified full-face protectors attached to the headgear were made mandatory in organized amateur hockey.

Protective eyewear lenses should be made of polycarbonate, which is 20 times stronger than typical eyewear lenses. Polycarbonate can withstand impact from a ball or other projectile traveling at 90 miles per hour. Contact lenses offer no protection, and street wear glasses are inadequate to protect against any type of eye injury.

Because many children’s sports leagues, schools and teams don’t require children to wear eye protection, parents must insist that children wear eye protection every time they play and set a good example by wearing eye protection themselves whenever they play sports.

In addition, parents can get involved at the local level and help pass ordinances that require children under the age of 16 to wear batting helmets with protective face shields when playing baseball, as the City of Baltimore did recently. Also, parents can work to mandate the use of softer baseballs, which are available (and would cause fewer head injuries), but are generally not used. Similar requirements could be applied to other sports as well. The important thing is to take active, preventive steps to ensure that we all protect our most valuable sense - sight.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world’s largest association of eye physicians and surgeons­Eye M.D.s-with more than 27,000 members worldwide. For more information about eye health care, visit the Academy’s partner Web site, the Medem Network, at www.medem.com/eyemd. To find an Eye M.D. in your area, visit the Academy’s Web site at www.aao.org.

Patterson seeks art for Treasures of the Texas Coast 2004

Commissioner of the Texas General Land Office Jerry Patterson is calling on Texas students to participate in the 8th annual "Treasures of the Texas Coast" Children’s Art Contest. The deadline to submit artwork is Monday, February 2, 2004.

"The quality of art this contest draws each year -- from kindergartners to the big kids -- is amazing, it’s a joy to see it all," Patterson said. "Not only does this contest highlight the talents of Texas students, it helps us educate the public about the need to protect our coastal resources. We actually use art the kids send in for various General Land Office publications."

Begun in 1996 with the 10th anniversary of the Adopt-A-Beach Program, the annual competition encourages Texas schoolchildren to learn more about the many splendors found along the Texas coast and express what they’ve learned in their art.

Open to students in grades K-6 across Texas, the contest produces thousands of drawings every year. The 2003 contest drew more than 6,700 entries. Artwork by Rowlett Elementary School fourth-grader Ashley Kim won top honors with her depiction of a treasure chest overflowing with jewels on a seashell-strewn beach with a Texas flag.

Each contest entry must be postmarked by Monday, February 2, 2004, and submitted on an 8 ¹/2-inch by 11­inch sheet of white paper.

Any medium may be used, except for computer-generated artwork. Three-dimensional art is ineligible.

Artwork should be based on the theme, ‘Treasures of the Texas Coast" and should show why the Texas coast is special to the student. Only one entry per student is allowed, and all entries must have a completed parental release form taped to the back. Parental release forms may be printed from the GLO Web site located at www.texasadoptabeach org.

Students are encouraged to color copy their artwork prior to sending it in as all artwork submitted will be non­returnable and becomes property of the Texas General Land Office.

Two winners will be picked from each of the 24 regional councils of government in Texas. From these 48 winners, one grand prize winner will get two round-trip, coach-class tickets from Continental Airlines to any Continental destination in the United States, excluding Alaska and Hawaii. They’ll also get a class party at one of two Schlitterbahn Waterpark Resorts (in New Braunfels or South Padre Island).

Two winners from every region in the state will also be chosen. All 48 of the regional winners will receive a ticket to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, two all-day passes to Schlitterbahn, a journal made of recycled denim from Keep Texas Beautiful, a certificate of recognition from the commissioner and a calendar featuring the winning artwork.

The grand prize winner’s teacher will also receive two round-trip, coach-class tickets courtesy of Continental Airlines.

This year’s contest sponsors are Continental Airlines, Schlitterbahn Waterparks, the Texas State Aquarium and Keep Texas Beautiful.

For more information and contest guidelines on the "Treasures of the Texas Coast 2004" Children’s Art Contest, contact the General Land Office at 1-877-TXCOAST or visit our Web site at www.texasadoptabeach.org.

First Baptist Church in Bonham Mission Friends

First Baptist Church, Bonham, Texas, Mission Friends, consisting of children ages three to five years old have collected a "Wheelbarrow" full of food for the Bonham Community Ministries. This ministry helps emergency food needs to people in Fannin County. Wednesday, December 3, 2003, at 6:45 PM the group delivered the wheelbarrow full of food to the ministry. Vickie Hutchins, new president of Bonham Community Ministries said the items specifically collected by the young children which were peanut butter, jelly, hamburger and tuna helper, and vegetables were extremely needed this time of year. The children were happy to participate in a local mission project.

Ector Elementary Employee Of The Week

The faculty of Ector Elementary is proud to recognize Amy Brinlee as our Employee of the Week . Amy is a graduate of Bonham High School. She earned her teaching degree from Texas A & M Commerce. Amy has been working with our district for the past seven years. She served as a teacher’s aide for four years, and as a classroom teacher for the last three. Amy teaches both science and social studies for 4^th-6^th grades. Amy and her husband Brian are the proud parents to three-month old Abbey. According to Amy the best thing about her job is seeing the children learn each day, in addition to working with a good staff. Once again, we are proud to honor Amy Brinlee as the Employee of the Week.

TxDOT Warns of Hazard Of Highway Encroachments

PARIS, TX- Texans take pride in their highways and their clean, neat and uncluttered rights-of-way. The activities of many Texans in the "Don’t Mess With Texas" campaign and the "Adopt-a-Highway" Program are two great examples of this pride.

However, encroachments on highway right-of-way remain a problem. Private signs, vehicles, brick mailbox supports or other non-crashworthy supports, and buildings, for example, are not only unsightly; they are illegal and could pose a serious safety hazard to the traveling public and fellow Texans. Texas law prohibits encroachments on the highway right-of-way.

For these reasons, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is requesting that all Texans comply with state law and remove any encroachments from highway right-of way. TxDOT and local officials will be notifying adjacent property owners of any encroachment violations found. TxDOT is asking the public for help and cooperation in keeping highways safe, clean and clear of any encroachments.

Ector FCCLA Food Drive

The Ector FCCLA hold their annual food drive. This year they gave to 5 families. Thank you for you contributions.

Trenton I.S.D. Menu for January 2004

1st: Holiday

2nd^: Holiday

5"’: Staff Workday/Student Holiday

6^th: Breakfast - Biscuits/Sausage, Juice, Milk

Lunch -- Chicken Nuggets, Creamed Potatoes, Green Peas, Pears, Milk

7th:

Breakfast - Oatmeal, Toast, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Pizza, Corn, Salad, Fruit Cocktail, Milk

8^th: Breakfast - French Toast Sticks/Syrup, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Frito Chili Pie, Salad, Refried Beans, Cookies, Milk

9th: Breakfast- Yogurt or Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Hamburgers/Trimmings, French Fries, Frozen Fruit Bars, Milk

12^th: Breakfast - Cheese Toast, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Corn Dogs, Tator Tots, Ranch Style Beans, Applesauce, Milk

13^th: Breakfast - Biscuits/Sausage, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Steak Fingers, Gravy, Creamed Potatoes, Green Beans, Peaches, Milk

14th: Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Spaghetti/Meat Sauce, Salad, Green Beans, Pudding, Milk

15^th: Breakfast - Pancake on Stick/Syrup, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Taco Boats/Trimmings, Ranch Style Beans, Pears, Milk

16th: Breakfast - Oatmeal, Toast, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Hamburgers/Trimmings, French Fries, Frozen Fruit Bars, Milk

19th: Holiday

20th: Breakfast - Biscuits/Sausage, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Salisbury Steak, Creamed Potatoes, Green Beans, Cookies, Milk

21^st: Breakfast-Pancakes/Syrup, Bacon, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Ravioli, Salad, Mixed Vegetables, Pineapple, Milk

22nd:Breakfast - Cereal, Toast, Juice, Milk, Lunch- Burrito/Chili, Salad, Corn, Pudding, Milk

23rd: Breakfast - Yogurt or Cereal, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Hamburgers/Trimmings, French Fries, Frozen Fruit Bars, Milk

26th: Breakfast - Scrambled Eggs, Toast, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Deli Sandwiches/Trimmings, Potato Chips, Pork & Beans, Fruit, Milk

27^th: Breakfast - Biscuits/Sausage, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Chicken Nuggets, Macaroni & Cheese, Green Peas, Jello, Milk

28^th: Breakfast - Cheese Toast, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Chicken Spaghetti, Salad, Green Beans, Peaches, Milk

29th Breakfast - French Toast Sticks/Syrup, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Beef Enchilada/Chili or Cheese Sauce, Pinto Beans, Salad, Pudding, Milk

30^th: Breakfast - Oatmeal, Toast, Juice, Milk, Lunch - Hamburgers/Trimmings, French Fries, Frozen Fruit Bars, Milk

While the the medical community has ridden the technological wave of the future, pushing the envelope in research into new pharmaceuticals, treatments and life saving measures, Medicare has been stuck floundering in the 20th century.

After years of talk, Congress is poised to enact the most sweeping change for America’s seniors in nearly 40 years. Pharmaceuticals are one of the true miracles of modern medicine. Ailments that traditionally required an expensive in-patient hospital stay and invasive surgery can now be treated with medication. But most Medicare recipients wouldn’t know it. An estimated 9.9 million Medicare beneficiaries do not have prescription drug coverage. While the government pays for costly heart surgery, it currently will not pay for the preventative drugs that may have precluded the need for an operation in the first place.

The bill before Congress would give America’s seniors access to a prescription drug benefit for the first time. Beneficiaries would pay a $35 monthly premium and a $250 deductible, after which they pay 25 percent of drug costs between $250 and $2,250, and 100 percent between $2,250 and $3,600. Costs over that threshold would require an average co-pay of $2 for generic drugs and $5 for brand name drugs, or five percent of the total drug cost depending on the plan.

Until these reforms are in place, a prescription drug discount card offering savings of up to 25 percent will be available in 2004, providing some relief immediately.

This measure also offers additional and unprecedented assistance to those with low incomes or catastrophic drug costs. Medicare beneficiaries at the poverty level and below will pay no premiums or deductibles and will have nominal cost sharing responsibility, with co-pays of $1 for generic drugs and $3 for other pharmaceuticals. And those at 135 and 150 percent of the poverty level will have dramatically reduced premiums, deductibles and co-pays. These changes will mean more than 680.000 low-income Texans will pay no more than $5 per prescription.

In addition to the prescription drug benefit, there are a number of other elements that bring Medicare up to modern­day medical standards. In the end, the legislation is a good compromise and addresses the fundamental problems.

One significant element is choice. This plan gives seniors access to a broad array of healthcare options, similar to what most working Americans already enjoy. Seniors can stay in traditional Medicare or choose another benefit package. It also has provisions to encourage companies currently providing healthcare to their retirees to continue offering this important benefit. In addition, those in rural areas will have access to the same choices as those in more densely populated urban areas.

Another important component of the bill is an increase in reimbursement rates for physicians, many of whom have stopped taking on new patients who are part of the Medicare program. Hospitals that treat a large number of illegal immigrants will receive some reimbursement for their services - a provision important for Texas hospitals.

Another advantage that will apply to the general population, not just those within Medicare, is the creation of Health Savings Accounts, which will allow individuals and families to put money, tax-free into an investment type account dedicated to their medical costs. The money is not taxed when taken out for qualified medical expenses, giving Americans another tool to cover healthcare costs.

As with any compromise, some areas are not everything you support. I advocated larger teaching hospital reimbursement levels. In addition to training the physicians of tomorrow, these institutions treat underserved patients and provide comprehensive and unique services such as neonatal intensive care and burn units for the general population. Texas teaching hospitals will receive an additional $12.9 million over the next ten years, below the levels I wanted, but a welcome increase over the status quo.

Let me be clear: this bill is not perfect, but as AARP President James Parkel said, "Millions of Americans cannot wait for perfect. They need help now."

Finally, we are taking the first step to bring this vital program up-to-date. For the first time, we can provide a voluntary prescription drug benefit that offers additional assistance for those who need it most, and strengthen Medicare for future generations.

On December 17, 1903, a blustering Friday morn­ing in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright brothers achieved the world’s first powered flight. Although it lasted a mere 12 seconds and the plane traveled only 120 feet, its impact continues to reverberate one hundred years later. This month we celebrate the Centennial Anniversary of the flight, and the heroes who have shaped and led a century of aviation.

In these one hundred years, we have made extraordi­nary strides from that short-lived treacherous flight. At this very moment, NASA is preparing to test Albert Einstein’s theory of General Relativity by launching a gravity probe into space. More than 100,000 flights take off each day around the world, eliminating geographic boundaries and creating an increasingly global culture. Air travel enables me to work in Washington but live in Texas with my family and visit regularly with people throughout the state.

Aviation is a case study in the ingenuity of humankind. It has played a pivotal role in every aspect of our culture and economy, and progress we’ve made is astounding. Just 66 years after the Wright’s famed flight, aeronautics transcended earthly bounds and Neil Armstrong became the first man to set foot on the moon. On earth, our ability to rapidly and efficiently move goods and people has been key to our progress as a society. And perhaps one of the most amazing aspects is how little we dwell on it, or how much we take it for granted. What began as a perilous, incomprehensible undertaking is now safer than driving from El Paso to Nacogdoches.

Since my time as Vice Chairman of the National Trans­portation Safety Board, I’ve been fascinated by aviation and helped found the Frontiers of Flight Museum, a Texas treasure dedicated to the history of flight. This unique col­lection is housed at Love Field in Dallas and provides a wonderful retrospective of aviation and aerospace.

The history of aviation is a legacy of men and women whose hard work and determination enabled them to achieve their dreams. As Isaac Newton said, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." America has produced many of these giants on whose shoulders we now stand. The Wright Brothers; Bessie Coleman, the first African-American aviator in the world; Charles Lindbergh, who flew solo non-stop across the Atlantic; Amelia Earhart; ChuckYeager, who broke the sound barrier with two broken ribs; Walt Cunningham, John Glenn and many others. The breathtaking speed with which aviation has progressed in the last one hundred years has been in no small part due to the courage and determination of these people, and the inventiveness and dedication of the scientists and engineers who have designed their aircraft.

Flight has also been critical to our military success. Unmanned aerial vehicles, the latest innovation, have flown reconnaissance missions over enemy territory in Afghani stan and Iraq. They transmit images back to headquarters and can target the enemy without putting a single solder in harms way. Cargo planes transport troops, equipment and weapons to battlefields and peacekeeping missions around the world. And military fighter jets and helicopters are critical to our success.

As we move into the second century of air travel, we face new opportunities and new challenges. The at­tacks of 9/11 showed us the vulnerabilities of our nation’s aviation system in horrific detail. Improving the security of that system has been a top priority of Congress and a particular concern of mine. As a member of the Senate Aviation Subcommittee I have been keenly aware of the problems we face and continue to work toward true and lasting solutions to our security concerns. While we have enacted meaningful reform through the new Transportation Security Administration, our job is not yet done. I continue to advocate for air cargo security legislation, to close a dangerous loophole, and will fight for upgraded security measures to keep the public safe and keep this critical part of our economy strong.

The commemoration of one hundred years of avia­tion provides an important opportunity for Americans to look back on our nation’s history and look forward to her future. The innovation, perseverance and vision that have brought us to this important milestone will continue to fuel the imaginations and dreams of Americans and propel us into the next century.

Choice Moore Unit Selects New Lieutenant

The Choice Moore Unit is proud to announce that Clinton Swafford has been promoted to Lieutenant of Correctional Officers. Congratulations!

Clinton Swafford began his career with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice in November of 1993. He was assigned as a First Shift Sergeant before this important advancement in his career.

Lieutenant Swafford has lived in Bonham since May of 1995 when he moved here to help open up the Choice Moore Unit. He has never regretted coming north in that he truly enjoys working with the outstanding staff at the Unit and loves Bonham and its citizens. Lieutenant Swafford is a highly motivated individual and is dedicated to Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Clinton has been married to his wife, Melanie, for nine years and together they have a son, Colton, seven and a daughter, Brianna, who is two years old. Both Clinton and Melanie grew up in Rusk, Texas and resided there until their move to Bonham. Clinton has been enrolled in course work in the Criminal Justice field at Trinity Valley College. He plans on continuing his education and obtaining his degree in this major.

Lieutenant Swafford is an avid hunter and fisherman and he and his family greatly appreciate the outdoors and all it has to offer. This appreciation overflows to his work ethic as well. When Lieutenant Swafford is not working at the Choice Moore Unit he is with his family to whom he is truly devoted. Lieutenant Swafford has a personal goal of being a role model. Not only to his son and daughter, but to everyone with whom he comes into contact. He constantly strives to better himself and works hard to excel in all his endeavors. It is important to him that he maintains a constant level of professionalism and a positive attitude. He does this so that hopefully some of his morals and beliefs will help shape the mind sets and lives of those offenders with whom he works on a daily basis.

Clinton Swafford is very deserving of this promotion. He exemplifies the type of individual that gives the State, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and the Choice Moore Unit a good name. Again, congratulations, to Lieutenant Clinton Swafford on a promotion well deserved.

The Choice Moore Unit is proud to announce that Judith A. Hix has been selected as its Officer of the Month for December 2003. Congratulations Officer Hix!

Judith Hix has been employed with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for over five years as a security officer. Officer Hix is a First Shift security officer who also performs the important responsibilities of Shift Training Officer. She is also a member of the Units Staff Support Program.

Prior to joining TDCJ, Officer Hix taught Special Education classes for 4 years in Commerce. She is specially gifted as a teacher and instructor. Her responsibility as a Shift Training Officer is to motivate and train new officers. She is excellent in this capacity.

Judith Hix is married to Alan Hix, who is also an officer at the Choice Moore, and they have enjoyed five years of marriage. Together they have three children. Their children are honor students, who are athletically involved who attend school in Bonham.

Judith was raised in Bonham and graduated from BHS. She maintains many hobbies including: raising dogs, baking, cooking, horseback riding, camping, and 4-wheeling! She also collects antiques and loves shopping for them.

Judith is being honored due to her job performance and her ability to train and interact with employees and offenders alike. She is a true professional.

The Choice Moore Unit congratulates Officer Judith Hix as its Officer of the Month for December 2003 and thanks her for following her motto "teach officers the correct way so that it will best serve them in their career." Ms. Hix claims she is blessed. The Choice Moore Unit is also truly blessed by having her as such an important member of its staff. Thanks for a job well done!

Choice Moore Unit Welcomes New Assistant Warden Daniel Rios

The Choice Moore Unit is proud to announce that Daniel Rios has become the new Assistant Warden replacing Alfonso Castillo who moved to become the Assistant Warden of the McConnell Unit in Beeville.

Warden Daniel Rios has served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice for 20 years most recently at the Segovia Unit in Edinburg. His other assignments have included: the Ramsey II Unit, in Rosharon; the McConnell Unit, in Beeville; and Chase Field Boot Camp, also in Beeville.

Warden Rios is married to Chris, his lovely wife of 20 years. Chris Rios is a Department of Public Safety Trooper who has over nineteen years of service to the State. Warden Rios is extremely proud of her, her dedication and accomplishments.

Together, they have three wonderful children: Danielle, a 17 year old daughter who is attending school at the San Antonio’s School of Medical Science. She is the type of daughter all parents pray for. One who has received a full scholarship on her quest to become a Neonatologist (baby specialist doctor). Their second daughter Monica, 16, is the athlete of the family. She excels in all her high school sports such as soccer, basketball, cross-country, and track just to mention a few. She like her older sister is also an honor graduate. Daniel, their 10 year old son is special. Like his sister, Monica, he too is an athlete. He competes in the Special Olympics. Down’s syndrome is only a small hurdle in his life. He has won several medals in his competitions.

Highest praises of Warden Rios come from Unit Chaplain Jerry Newton when he says of Warden Rios "... a "gentle" man who through years of experience knows how to be "Firm but Fair" with both staff and offenders. His contagious attitude reflects his deep commitment to a sincere walk with his Lord. He in no way "pushes" his beliefs on others, but you know by being in his presence that he does his best to "abide under the shadow of the Almighty." His commitment to his family colors almost every conversation you have with him. It is a privilege to have a man of his character on our unit." One of his favorite verses is Psalms 91:2, "I will say of the Lord. He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust."

Warden Rios is excited about becoming involved in the local community. He wants to provide assistance and support to charitable organizations and other family oriented organizations. He counts as his most enjoyable experiences here in Fannin County, his time involved with the fine people and families of this area. He has become quite close to the staff, Warden Karl and his family. Warden Karl’s son Dylan calls Warden Rios his big brother.

The Choice Moore Unit Team has truly been enhanced by the addition of Warden Daniel Rios and looks forward to his leadership and presence, both on the Unit and in Fannin County. Welcome Aboard!

The Choice Moore Unit is proud to announce it’s Employee of the Month for December 2003. Ms. Ruthie Hanson, is assigned to the Unit’s Human Resource Department. Ms Hanson has worked at the unit since September 11,1995. She loves working in the Human Resources Department where she enjoys the interaction and assisting Choice Moore’s family of employees. She feels honored to be called "Mama Hanson" by employees who look to her for assistance and guidance.

Ms. Hanson has been married to Bobby Hanson for 30 years. She has two grown children Bobby Lee and Amy. Ms. Hanson is also blessed with 4 wonderful grandchildren of whom she is very proud!

Ruthie Hanson was born and raised in Frisco, Texas, where she attended and graduated from Frisco High School. She is currently working toward a college degree in Criminal Justice. Before coming to the Choice Moore Unit, Ms. Hanson worked as the church secretary at the First Baptist Church in Leonard, Texas. She also worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas for 5 years and for the Texas and New Mexico Power Company in the Accounting Department.

Ms. Hanson recently received a commendation for discovering a technical problem with the state computer software that keeps track of employees payroll time. Her diligent efforts brought about changes to the system that will aid in data entry throughout the state.

Ms. Hanson’s accomplishments in life include having been able to stay at home, and raise her children in a good Christian home and being happily married to a "wonderful man." She also has an acute adeptness for helping other people with their problems, being able to listen to other people, and gaining their trust.

Ms. Hanson’s perspective on life is, "that God will always provide our every need." The Choice Moore Unit also believes in Ruthie Hanson and her ability to provide our needs. This is Ms. Hanson’s fourth time to win this outstanding distinction.

Understanding Charges on Your Phone Bill

Recently, the Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUC) published "Customer Connection," which outlines some of the charges on your phone and electric bill. This article focuses on the portion that deals with telephone charges. Next week, I will feature the portion on electric bill charges.

Your phone bills can be filled with charges that may be complicated or confusing. The following charges, taxes and surcharges are the most commonly seen on Texas phone bills.

Basic Local Service - a basic monthly charge for the dial tone that enables you to make and receive calls, and allows you to be listed in the telephone book, and get a copy of the directory.

Extended Area Service - expands customers’ local calling area by allowing them to call additional contiguous exchanges for a flat fee, rather than incur long-distance charges assessed on a perminute basis. The size of the local calling area varies from company to company. Availability is determined by affected local telephone companies and communities, and approved by the PUC.

Optional Services - charges for "Miscellaneous" services such as call waiting, caller ID, voice mail, or three-way calling may appear on the phone bill under your local company’s services or on a separate page. Make sure you are being charged only for those services you have authorized.

Directory Assistance - know what each company charges for directory assistance before placing a call. If the directory assistance operator offers to complete the call for you, be aware that there may be an additional charge for the service.

Local Toll - local toll calls are made to places that are not close enough to be in your local calling area. (This service may be provided by your local phone company.)

Long Distance - like local toll, most consumers have a regular, or "presubscribed" long-distance carrier. When you dial " 1" plus the area code and the phone number, the access code for the presubscribed carrier is automatically entered and the call is billed at the rates that company charges.

Dial Around Service: You manually enter another company’s access code (such as 10­10-XXX) then "1" the area code, and the phone number. That company will then bill for the call based on its own rates and fees.

Pay-per-call service -Pay-per-call service - Charges for pay-per-call services provided through 900 and 800 numbers are set by the service providers, not the telephone companies. They will appear on a separate page in your phone bill.

Subscriber Line Charge - created and regulated by the FCC - allows local phone companies to recover a percentage of costs associated with interstate access to local phone networks. It may also appear as "FCC Charge for Network Access" or Federal Line Cost Charge."

Federal Excise Tax - a 3 percent tax mandated by the federal government levied on all telecommunications services. It was instituted in 1898 as a "temporary" tax to offset the cost of the Spanish American War. Applies to local charges, non-regulated charges and toll charges.

State and Local Sales Tax - state and local tax combined cannot exceed 8.25%. Applies to local charges, and non-regulated and toll charges.

Federal Universal Service Fund Surcharge - the USF is a fund that helps bring affordable basic phone service to all Americans, including schools, libraries and rural health care providers. Wireless, payphone and some long distance companies add this surcharge to cover their required support for the fund.

Texas Universal Service Fund Charge - is a fund that allows affordable service to high-cost rural customers, funds the Relay Texas and Specialized Telecommunications Assistance program for the hearing-disabled, and funds telecommunications services discounts to low income customers (Tel-Assistance and Lifeline).

Local Number Portability Charge - The FCC requires all local phone companies to make numbers portable from carrier to carrier so that customers can keep their phone numbers even if they switch local carriers. Companies are allowed the surcharge to recover investments in the necessary equipment upgrades.

911 - This charge funds free 911 calls from pay phones and helps pay for enhanced 911, (which allows a street address to be determined for callers through their phone line).

Municipal Franchise Fee -- Compensates the municipalities for the use of public rights-of-way.

Local Judge Attends Seminar

Judge Sue Dobbs-Hale was certified at the recent Twenty Hour Justice of the Peace Seminar held December 2 - 5, 2003 in Tyler, Texas. The seminar was sponsored by the Texas Justice Court Training Center, a division of Texas State University - San Marcos, with offices in Austin, Texas. The seminar is one of six held for elected Justices of the Peace so they can fulfill their Continuing Judicial Education Requirements as set forth in Article 27.005 of the Texas Government Code. The seminar addressed topics such as Judicial Ethics, Juvenile Law, Civil versus Small Claims, Traffic Laws, Parks and Wildlife Laws, Commercial Drivers License, Property Code Issues, J.P. Office Procedure for Inquests, Bond Setting and Forfeiture, Mock Trial, New Technology and Financial Management.

Trenton Residents Seek Commissioners Help

With Noise Problem

By Paul Berryhill

Producers Are Required To Sign Contracts Annually

December 10, 2003- Farm producers wanting to receive advance direct payments in December under the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) must sign their 2004 DCP contracts before the end of the year, according to Jimmy Charles, Executive Director of the Fannin County Farm Service Agency.
"The Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002 introduced the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program, which requires producers to sign a new contract every year. This is a change from the old Production Flexibility Contracts, which were good for seven years," said Charles

The Direct and Counter-cyclical Program offers eligible farmers and ranchers direct cash payments based on acres and yields established for each farm. Producers can elect to receive their direct payments as a lump sum in October or as two partial payments- an advance payment of up to 50 percent of the total and a final payment for the remainder.

When electing to receive two partial payments, Charles said, " The producer also selects the month in which to receive the advance payment- that’s where timing is critical. Producers who, for tax or other purposes, want to receive an advance payment this month, have to sign their 2004 DCP contracts in the next few weeks so the advance direct payments can be issued by December 31. Regardless of which month a producer selects for the advance direct payment, final payments are made in October, following the end of the fiscal year.

Producers wanting more income in 2003 are encouraged to call the Fannin County Farm Service Agency office to book an appointment.

For more information regarding DCP and other FSA programs, contact the Fannin County FSA office at 903-583-9513 or visit the USDA Web sites at http://www.usda.gov.

Bonham Snap Center

OVEN FRIED FISH, CREAM STYLE CORN, COLESLAW,

BUNS, BREAD PUDDING, MILK

CHICKEN FRIED STEAK, CREAM GRAVY, WHIPPED POTATOES,

GREEN BEANS,

WHOLE WHEAT BREAD, CHOCOLATE BREAD, MILK

TURKEY SALAD, POTATO SOUP, GOLDEN SALAD, BREAD, CRAN-APPLE CRUNCH, MILK

BBQ CHICKEN, PINTO BEANS, BROCCOLI & CAULIFLOWER, CORNBREAD,

SPICED PEARS, MILK

MEATLOAF/CREOLE SAUCE, PEA SALAD,

HOT SPICED BEETS, CORNBREAD

,JELLO w/OJ & PEACHES ,MILK

Sam Rayburn Second Six Weeks

Nikki Cantrell, Sarah Davis, George Friesen, John Friesen, Hayden Fulmer, Sarah Gowens, Tory Haywood, Robert Jennings, Aislynn Monks, Jordan Outlaw, Dylan Potts,Eva Rempel, Chantel Richardson, Hanna White

Jonathan Bridges, Kelsea Capehart, Mitchell Clement ,Kaitlyn Dennis, Tacy Drewek, Zakary Duke, Brittany Gee, Courtney Goodwin, Aidan Hartnett, Clark Hopkins, Kendele King, Soraja Pjetrovic, Patrick Richardson,

Daniel Schindler, Shelbi Titsworth, Kyle Wallace, Ali Wiechman

Lupe Gomez, Ruben Gonzales, Michael Hankey, Taylor Potts, Vronika Schindler, Cameron Upson, Zachary Waldrop

Colt Brinlee, Jennifer Butler, Cody Campbell, Trevor Eaves, Timothy Harrison, Jesse McCain, Dara Nelson, Jace Outlaw, Brent Smith, Andrew Waldrop, Derek Wilson, Josh Woolsey

Samantha Avila, Randall Cammack, Stephanie Carroll, Dustin Dyer, Mariah Fritz, Ashley Fulton, Brian Haywood, Frankie Mead, Kaleigh Titsworth,  Michael Trevett, Dakota Walker, Danae Walker

Kaycee Butler, Ashley Carnley, Gabriel Dominquez, Carly Dunkle, Joel Gibson, Keri Goodwin, Clayton Harrison, Kyrsten Hicks, Jordan Johnson, Chelsie Kavanaugh, Kandice Kissinger, Hunter Maxey, William Steale, Casey Templer, Brittney Williams,

Henry Allen, Sarah Bernie ,Chasen Capehart, Beth Davis, J.D. Drewek, Andrea Eaves, Chelsea Havens, Cyndi Hernandez, Laura Hernandez, Donaice Oakley, Haley Page, John Reynolds, Chris Sanders, Peter Wall, Sean Weichman

Jonathan Akins, Ashley Amlin, Ashley Arthur, Daniel Brawner, Ashley Butler, Jordan Floyd, Kassie Fuller, Christina Gomez, Clayton Kerr, Mollie Lasater, Mick Maidens, Lacie McGuire, Nicole Miears, Ross Naylor, Torrie Reynolds, Ernie Taylor, Kayla Wade, Chris Young

Logan Graham, Mendy Ivey, Quincy Kueckelhan, Jason Miears, Amy Pender, Jemal Petrovic, Maria Rempel, Steven Richardson, Daniel Trevett

11 th Grade

Salina Carmon, Matt Davis, Todd Foreman, Jennifer Kempadoo, Caroline Reynolds, Shonda Rushing

Natosha Benson, Lacey Gallagher, Jordan Gibson, Courtney Taylor, Donnie Thompson, David Weatherby

Julia Carpio, Kelvin Cockrill, Payton Crawley, Samantha Davenport, Machaella Dennis, Taylor Dollgener, Carson Gibbs, Ethan Gibbs, Sawyer Hilliard, Amanda Loepky, Heather Mason, Gerado Medina, Carly Park, Destiny Ray, Kerlein Rempel, Clay Rhudy, Rhett Self ,Adam Simpson, Garrett Simpson, Kala Simpson

Will Alexander, Brittany Davenport, Emily Duncan, Sarah Foreman, Jordan Fuller, Lendele King, Alaina Kissinger, Landon Liebel, Sarah Mead, Aaron Mussett, Sarah Naylor, Rani Nichols, Brittany Page, Torri Pannell, Kelsi Pralle, Ariane Taylor, Dalton Titsworth, Shelby Vandeventer, Brittany Weissert

Sydney Davis, Samantha Duncan, Lindsay Maxey, Jake Nichols, Niki Self, Alyssa Taylor

Justin Shannon, Keeton Simpson

Hannan Baugh, Scott Berni, Drew Davis, Kameron Dollgener, Maddison Foreman, Tyler Hamilton, Paige Vandeventer

Elizabeth Mills, Jennifer Neufeld

Lindsey Arthur, Jake Baker, Jacey Jones, Nolan Skidmore

Katrina Fritz, Jessika Hardy, Sarah Landis, Adam Littrell

Megan Butler

11th Grade Katie Skidmore, Kirsty Warburton

Lindsay Davis, Jordan Jones, Bertha Neufeld, Luke Templer, Jade Warburton

Carmen Flatt Has Graduated From Basic Training

Air Force Reserve Airman 1st Class Carmen M. Flatt has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force. She is the daughter of Kathleen and Ricky Gunter of Farm To Market Road 1897, Bells, Texas. Flatt is a 1995 graduate of Bells High School.

Ector High School Employee Of The Week

Congratulation to Paula McKoy Ectors High School Employee of the week. Paula has been employed with Ector for two years now as our Deaf Interpreter. Her hobbies include reading, camping,gardening,decorating,and crafts. She has two children Heather and Matt. The best thing about her job is , "Not only working with wonderful students and faculty but watching the students learn and succeed." Thanks Paula for help making Ector a success.

Kiwanis Club Presented a Check To Vicki Hutchins

Holly Shelley, President of the Bonham Kiwanis Club presented a check to Vicki Hutchins, Bonham Community Ministries to help the people of Fannin County. Please join us on Tuesday 12 noon at the First Christian Church and help make lives a little brighter in Fannin County this year.

County Wide Christmas Dinner

In 1999, the owners of The Kitchen Ladle, Ramon and Phyllis Gonzales, discovered and acted upon the need for a place people could go on Christmas Day and enjoy a meal. At the first Christmas Dinner, there were about 150 people that enjoyed a Christmas meal. Attendance has grown over the years; last year about 400 people attended. Holding the dinner together year after year are the 50-70 people that volunteer their time to cook, serve, deliver meals, and clean up, as well as many other little details. The Christmas Dinner would not be possible without the support of the volunteers.

This year the Gonzales’ have moved on, and with their blessing the Four Corners 4-H Club has stepped forward to coordinate the dinner. We are looking for individuals that would like to volunteer their time to help us with the many details that are vital to the success of this venture. Past volunteers and new faces are welcome. There is much cooking to be done, volunteers are needed to smoke turkeys and ham. Individuals are needed to set up the rooms and decorate. Also, on Christmas Day, people are needed to answer the phone and take delivery information. There are many other jobs such as signing guests in, serving the food, and working in the kitchen. Once the dinner is over, there is still clean-up work that needs to be done, even the day after Christmas. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Pam Henderson at (903) 583-2325, or Cherie’ Rivera at (903) 583-0446.

We would like to sincerely thank all the businesses, clubs, and organizations that have generously contributed to this year’s dinner. In addition, the Family Life Center and the Methodist Church are kindly donating the use of their kitchens and fellowship halls.

The Christmas Dinner will be held at the Family Life Center from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on December 25^th. The location of the Family Life Center is 200 W 8^th Street in Bonham. Anyone needing a meal delivered should contact one of the people listed above

through December 24^th. On Christmas Day only, please contact the Family Life Center at (903) 583-1918.

Master Gardner's Annual Fall Festival

Fannin County Master Gardner’s held their annual Fall Festival on November 20. Speakers were: Lori Reed, speaking on holiday food safety, Jacque Kyle- speaking on "What’s Bugging Us", and Nancy Seay gave a wreath making demonstration.

Door prizes were given through out the evening. A gardening basket valued at $ 200.00 was raffled off with proceeds going to the Master Gardner’s Scholarship Fund. All items in the basket were donated by Fannin County Master Gardner's and the following merchants: A Vintage Rose Antiques, Antiques and More, Antiques on the Square, Auto Zone, Brookshires, Bewleys, Bonham Antique Mall, Bonham Floral and Green House, Bonham Hardware-Feed and Lumber, Cindy Lea’s Fabric, Daniels Nursery, Herpeches Coast to Coast, Hommade Gourmet, Lane’s Florist, Mary’s Boutique, and Oscheln’s.

A great time was had by all with refreshments compliments of the Fannin County Master Gardner’s. A special thanks goes to all the local merchants, vendors, and attendees.

Commissioners Approve Fund Allocation To Expo

Center At FCPC Facility

by Paul Berryhill

Bonham GE Zenith Controls Conducts Blood

Drive; Angel Tree Project

By Paul Berryhill

Soapbox

by Paul Berryhill

Michael J. Rose Graduates From Training

Air Force Airman Michel J. Rose has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Rose is the son of Judy and Keith Rose of Leonard, Texas. He is a 2002 graduate of Leonard High School.

Garrett Martin Graduates From Basic Training

Air Force Airman Garrett L. Martin has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.

In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.

Martin is the son of Brenda Martin of San Antonio St., Wolfe City, Texas. He is a 2003 graduate of Wolfe City High School.

Richard A Munson Jr. Graduates From Basic Training

Army Pvt. Richard A. Munson Jr. has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.

During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.

Munson is the son of Karen Munson, and the grandson of Ronnie McDonald, both of S. Greenville St., Wolfe City, Texas. He is a 2003 graduate of Wolfe City High School.

Sam Rayburn Elementary U.I.L.

Sam Rayburn Elementary School won the UIL competition held November 14. SRISD hosted the event as they have many times in the past. The schools represented were Bland, Celeste, Melissa, Savoy, Trenton and Wolfe City. Wolfe City joined the competition this year. SRISD students improved their second place finish in 2002 to win this year.

Why is Education Important?

By Sue Hale

Justice of the Peace Precinct Two

1. 45 % of students who start kindergarten do not graduate from high school.

2. 60% of inmates in Texas prison were truants in school.

3. 87% of Texas inmates do not have a high school diploma.

4. 66% of male Juveniles arrested while truant tested positive for drug use.

5. Daily costs of housing an inmate is at least $50.00.

6. High school drop outs are 7.5 times more likely to receive welfare.

7. High school drop outs are 3.5 times more likely to become a criminal.

8. High school drop outs are 6.5 times more likely to become an unwed parent.

9. High school drop outs are significantly more likely to engage in alcohol or drug abuse, suicide attempts and violent behavior.

Below actual notes from parents to Texas schools:

Dear school, please excuse John being absent on Jan 28^th, 29^th, 30^th, 31s^t, 32n^d, and also 33r^d.

My son is under a doctor’s care and should not take P.E. today. Please execute him.

Please excuse Lisa for being absent. She was sick and I had her shot.

Irving was absent from school yesterday because he missed his bust.

Please excuse Tommy for being. It was his father’s fault.

Please excuse Jennifer for missing school yesterday. We forgot to get the Sunday paper off the porch and when we found it Monday, we thought it was Sunday.

New 12-Screen, All- Stadium Seated Cinemark Town Center Theatre To Open December 17th In Sherman

Plano, Texas - Just in time for the holiday movie season, Cinemark USA, Inc will open a 12-screen, all stadium-seated theatre in Sherman, Texas, at 3310 Town Center Street as part of the Sherman Town Center on Wednesday, December 17, 2003, Cinemark movie-goers will be entertained by "Lord of the Rings^- Return of the King," "Cheaper by the Dozen," and "Peter Pan" in the next few weeks while enjoying the amenities the Cinemark Town Center has to offer.
The new theatre features stadium seating, DTS or Dolby Digital sound to all auditoriums, online ticketing, and concession stands serving Coca-Cola products, freshly popped popcorn, and candy. The art-deco decor with muted red, gold, and bronze, is reminiscent of the golden age of Hollywood.

Stadium seating at Cinemark Town Center will allow patrons to enjoy unobstructed views from plush, high-backed seats featuring a 16-inch height difference between each row. Generous spacing between each aisle will give ample leg room and extra space to enter and exit the rows without disturbing other guests.

Online ticketing available at Cinemark.com will make it easy for patrons to purchase tickets in advance from the comfort of their home or office. Customers can bypass lines at the box office and go directly to a kiosk to the lobby, where they may print their tickets purchased online using a confirmation number given at the time of purchase. The kiosk also allows ticket purchases via a major credit card or Cinemark gift card.

"Cinemark has had a long commitment to the Sherman area with Movies 5 and Movies 7," said Alan Stock, President of Cinemark USA, Inc. "We are proud to open this new theatre and bring "The Best Seat in Town’’ to area residents, adding a unique movie going experience for everyone."

The theatre is part of Sherman Town Center, a development by NewQuest Properties, which is a 103 acre development with over 750,000 squrew feet of retail space in addition to the Cinemark Town Center, the development features a Home Depot, Target, Hobby Lobby and Belk department store.

Houston-based NewQuest Properties, has a growing portfolio of over 100 properties with nearly 75 retail centers, including The Sherman Town Center

Cinemark USA, Inc., based out. Plano, Texas, operates 285 theatres and 3,097 screens in 33 states and 12 foreign countries. Cinemark celebrates its 20^th anniversary in 2004, bringing "The Best Seat in Town" to over 100 million people annually.

Professional Rescuer CPR Classes Offered

Denison, Tx (December 10, 2003)- The Texoma Area Chapter of The American Red Cross will offer two classes for persons needing advanced certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), one in December and another in January.

The comprehensive course will provide participants with the skills and practice to perform one- or two-person CPR on adults, children and infants. It is the certification needed for health care professionals and lifeguards and students entering EMT, nursing or dental school. Also candidates will be trained to use other rescue equipment such as Bag Valve Masks (BVM’s) and pocket masks. An additional module may be purchased for AED training.

Classes will be from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, with a second option on Thursday, January 8, 2004. For enrollment information, call the Red Cross at 903-465-1330 or 940-665-4365. The Texoma Area Chapter provides services in Cooke, Fannin and Grayson counties.

Consider What Toys Teach When Buying Holiday Gifts

Toys are not only fun, they also help teach children about life.

"Parents should consider buying toys that encourage positive social behavior or spark a child’s imagination," said Dr. Diane Treadwell-Deering, a child psychiatrist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and director of child psychiatry at Texas Children’s Hospital.

Good choices include puzzles, musical instruments, board games, dolls, educational computer games, microscopes and arts and crafts supplies.

"These are toys that help children act out different roles in life, such as how to be a teacher, how to be a mommy or how to be a scientist," Treadwell-Deering said.

Despite a parent’s best efforts to pick an educational toy that teaches a positive message, don’t be discouraged if your child asks for a toy gun or sword, or creates an imaginary weapon out of odds and ends.

"Don’t overreact when children engage in aggressive play using toy guns, real or imaginary," Treadwell-Deering said. "It is normal for children to express anger or aggression. However it is up to adults to teach children how to channel their aggression in a constructive way."

Parents can use the opportunity when their child asks for a toy gun, or engages in playacting involving guns, to talk to their child about their values and ideas about guns. For example, parents can say that in real life guns are dangerous and that only certain grown-ups should use them under very special circumstances, such as policemen and soldiers and hunters.

"Of course, it is normal for children to want to pretend to be policemen and soldiers, just like they enjoy pretending to be doctors or teachers or mommies," Treadwell-Deering said. "I don’t encourage buying children toy guns, but I wouldn’t worry about a child having one or two of them, especially if gun play or violence is not the constant theme of the child’s play. Occasionally playing ‘cops and robbers,’ and ‘good guys and bad guys’ is OK."

Parents worried about encouraging violent play in their children should pay close attention to not only what their children are playing with, but also what they are watching. Television and violent video games help desensitize children to gun violence.

"Probably more important than the toys children are playing with are what are they watching on TV,"

Treadwell-Deering said. "Exposure to violence on television especially affects vulnerable children, who have already been exposed to violent situations in the home."

Julie’s Restaurant Grand Opening in Whitewright

The Whitewright Area Chamber of Commerce joined in the Grand Opening celebration of Julie’s Restaurant in downtown Whitewright. The ribbon was cut Friday, December 12th at 11 am.

The restaurant is owned by Julie Johnson and is managed by Brandy Turner. Their hours of operation are Tues. - Sat. for lunch from 11am-2 pm, and for dinner, Thurs, Fri. and Sat., 5 pm-9 pm.

In keeping with the former eatery Coffee and Pie Oh My, the cuisine is excellent. There is a daily lunch special and prime rib served during dinner. A lovely entertainment special is planned for Sat., December 27, 2003.

GE Zenith Controls Holds Blood Drive

By Paul Berryhill

Bonham’s GE Zenith Controls held a company-wide blood drive last week coordinated through the Texoma Regional Blood Center of Sherman.

Dana Parsons, team leader and coordinator of the event for GE Zenith Controls in Bonham said, "we’ve had wonderful participation from employees and we would have had more if it weren’t for so many of our people being on antibiotic medication because of sickness." Parsons said 18 donors gave one pint of blood.

"One pint of blood saves three lives," said Lori Bevill of Texoma Regional Blood Center. GE Zenith Controls’ donation of 18 pints, in essence will save 54 lives.

Parsons said the GE Elfuns were sponsoring blood drives all across the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex last Wednesday, "so we decided to participate and have ours the same day as well."

Elfun is a global organization of GE employees and retirees committed to improving their communities, their company and their lives through volunteerism.

Elfun members create opportunities and participate in volunteer activities that improve our communities. They promote educational opportunities, especially for people in underserved areas. Elfuns develop individual leadership skills through participation in the Elfun organization and its activities.

There are over 100 chapters of Elfuns. Recent projects that Elfun Chapters have successfully undertaken include: helping the disabled and disadvantaged, food and clothing drives, holiday toy collections, walkathons, Special Olympics, environmental cleanups, literacy programs, blood donor programs, Scouts, United Way, Red Cross, drug awareness, Habitat projects and many others.

GE Zenith Controls in Bonham is also participating in an Angel Tree Project. Parsons said all 50 Angels on the tree were picked up in one day by employees. The tree and all presents are impressively displayed in the break room and will be distributed to Fannin County children through the Fannin County Children’s Center this week.

Wal-Mart Manager John Delk, left presented a $1,500 check to Bonham Police Chief Mike Bankston who is the Fannin County Chairman of the Salvation Army. Delk and Bankston stand with Kristin Powell who is a Salvation Army volunteer bell-ringer outside Wal-Mart. The donation came through a Wal-Mart Community Grant. This year Wal-Mart, with their 230 employees in Bonham, has made over $25,000 in donations to organizations for community improvement and to help those in our area who are less fortunate. "This donation and those in the kettles, benefit the Fannin County needy," Bankston said. Kristy Agerlid at American Bank in Bonham is vice-chairman of the Fannin County Salvation Army.

Raffle Winner of Wal-Mart Gift Certificate

Holiday Safe Driving Campaign Targets Drunk Driving

Thousands of Officers to Participate in Statewide Crackdowns

AUSTIN - Santa has a warning for Texas motorists: He knows when you’ve been drinking. He knows where you’re, 08,

So do thousands of law officers trained to identify drivers who’ve reached the state’s legal limit for intoxication. And they’ll be patrolling Texas streets and highways in December in an effort to reduce alcohol-related traffic deaths and injuries.

TxDOT’s lively new campaign, which features several tongue-in-cheek holiday slogans based on Christmas carols, has a deadly serious message. If you drink this holiday season; and get behind the wheel, you’ll find more than coal in your stocking come Christmas Day. Expect penalties ranging from stiff fines and drivers license suspension to spending time in jail,

DWI prevention messages are appearing on TV, radio, billboards, gas pumps and decals and coasters in bars and restaurants statewide. The public education campaign is part of a concerted effort between December 19 and January 4 to change Texas’ standing as the national leader in alcohol-related traffic fatalities. Impaired drivers are to blame for more than 1,700 deaths and 25,000 injuries in Texas each year.

"If alcohol is involved in holiday celebrations, we’re reminding drivers to designate a driver who hasn’t been drinking, or take a cab," said Carlos Lopez, TxDOT’s traffic operations director. "It may be the season to be jolly, but we want Texas motorists to know if you drink and you drive, you go to jail."

Texas Department of Public Safety and more than 600 local law enforcement agencies will be out in force during the holidays to keep Texas roads and highways as safe as possible. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Texas Restaurant Association, Texas Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, Diamond Shamrock and Mothers Against Drink Driving also are participating in the campaign.

Clayton Homes Gives $4,575 Donation

Representatives of Clayton Homes in Bonham presented Bonham Fire Chief Mike Baker a check for $4,575 for the Fannin County Community Christmas Gift Drive. Pictured above (1-r) are Chief Baker, and Clayton Homes representatives Cathy Rhudy, Matt Portman and Terry Cunningham, along with community gift drive committee member Kenneth G. Karl, Senior Warden at the TDC Choice Moore Unit. Clayton Homes employees contribute all during the year to charitable organizations for use in Bonham and Fannin County to help improve the quality of life for underprivileged individuals and families.

A Bone Marrow Drive for Bonham Purple Warrior, Justin Owen is taking place on Saturday, December 20th from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Bonham High School Gym Foyer. The first 150 people are free. Each additional person will pay $30 to be tested. Please help this Bonham native in his fight against cancer.

Do not provide your credit card information to anyone who solicits you by phone, no matter how convincing or heart-wrenching the appeal is. Beware also of scams that use spam: an email solicitation may direct you to what appears to be a legitimate web site for a charity, when in fact it is a very good imitation. Do your own research to ensure that you are giving to a real charity.

Some companies promote causes by contributing a percentage of product sales to a specific charity. Be careful about buying a product just because some of your dollars are going to a charity. The product may be overpriced and/or the contribution may be very small. You can always just contact the charity independently to make a direct contribution.

NO LEGITIMATE BUSINESS WILL ASK FOR YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, BANK INFORMATION OR OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION VIA WEB SITE OR EMAIL. Make your generous gifts count: give with care. Have a safe and joyful holiday.