Published: January 30, 2009 10:04 pm      

Local Beat 1/31/09

Jan. 31

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Corsicana YMCA rear addition. This free tax assistance is generally for those with incomes below $42,000 and senior citizens needing help. For more information, call on-site VITA coordinator George Burrell at (903) 879-2091.



Hat Brand Rodeo to be held at the Navarro County Exposition Center will have bull rides, bareback, saddle bronc, tied downs, calf roping, break-away roping, barrel racing, open team roping, steer wrestling and chute dogging. Tickets are $6. Slacks will be at noon with the show starting at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call Lynn Bottoms at (903) 654-3914.



Feb. 2

Corsicana Art League will meet at 6 p.m. at the Senior Activity Center. The program will be a viewing of a demo of Ken Howard as he paints plein air on site in Venice, Italy. He will paint in oils views of the Grand Canal and the Salute. Howard studied at Hornsey and the Royal College of Art and has received many art awards, held numerous one-man exhibitions, and has paintings in public collections worldwide. Anyone interested is invited to attend.



Corsicana Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. to welcome the honorable district deputy, who will be making his official visit. A meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. All Masons are welcome.



City of Blooming Grove will hold its monthly city council meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Blooming Grove City Hall, 200 S. Fordyce St.



Piecemakers’ Quilt Guild will have its regular meeting at Westhill Church of Christ, Fellowship will start at 9:30 a.m. and the meeting will start at 10 a.m. Executive committee members need to come early for a 9:15 a.m. meeting before fellowship time. The program for the 10 a.m. meeting will be “Shopping by Common Threads Quilt Shop of Waxahachie.” Also, a representative of the Gun Barrel City Quilt Guild will be on hand to display and sell tickets on its 2009 donation quilt and provide information on their quilt show in April. The membership committee will distribute 2009 yearbook pages and new name tags for members. Members are reminded to bring a list of their unfinished projects to the meeting. For more information, contact Shirley Armon at shirleyarmonquilts@yahoo.com. Lunch will follow the program by Common Threads. Bring a lunch, order in pizza, or go out to eat. “Sit and Sew” will start after lunch about 1 p.m. for those who wish to stay and work on their own projects (or just talk and visit).



Feb. 3

Corsicana Chapter 118, Order of Eastern Star, will hold a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. at Corsicana Masonic Lodge. A potluck supper will be served at 6:30 p.m. All area OES members are invited. For more information, call Bonnie Mathison at (903) 874-0226.



Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Corsicana YMCA rear addition. This free tax assistance is generally for those with incomes below $42,000 and senior citizens needing help. For more information, call on-site VITA coordinator George Burrell at (903) 879-2091.



Oak Valley Crime Watch will have its monthly meeting at 6:30 p.m. The crime report will be given by the deputies. Bring a dish and come join in for food and fellowship.



Blooming Grove Historical Society will meet at 7 p.m. in Heritage Hall at Blooming Grove United Methodist Church. Dana Bell Stubbs will present a program on the family of Jesse F. McGraw. All interested people are invited to attend. For more information, call (903) 695-2724 or (903) 673-2635.



Feb. 4

Navarro College SBDC will sponsor a workshop on developing policies and procedures for small business from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. Cost of the workshop will be $25. For more information or to register, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 875-7667.



Eureka Crime Watch will hold its regular monthly meeting at 1:30 p.m. at Eureka United Methodist Church. Special guests will be Ken and Linda Williams with Kairos Prison Ministry. The public is urged to attend this informative meeting. Refreshments will be served.



Feb. 5

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Corsicana YMCA rear addition. This free tax assistance is generally for those with incomes below $42,000 and senior citizens needing help. For more information, call on-site VITA coordinator George Burrell at (903) 879-2091.



Blooming Grove Crime Watch will meet at 7 p.m. at the Blooming Grove Fire Station. The speaker will be Russell Hudson, Navarro County tax assessor-collector. Everyone is invited. Light refreshments will be served.



American Red Cross blood drive will be held from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Navarro Shriner’s Building, 323 N. Commerce St. Donors will receive two Sonic coupons. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good general health and have a photo ID. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (800) 448-3543 or visit bloodisneeded.org.



Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas will host a “Workforce Center Orientation” at 10 a.m. and a job search workshop on “Resume Preparation” at 10 a.m. at its office, 720 N. Beaton St. “WorkInTexas.com” training will be offered at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (903) 874-8276.



Feb. 6-7

Corsicana High School will present the musical “Grease” at 7:30 p.m. in the CHS Auditorium. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets are available at the CHS office or by calling (903) 874-8211.



Feb. 7

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site will be open from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Corsicana YMCA rear addition. This free tax assistance is generally for those with incomes below $42,000 and senior citizens needing help. For more information, call on-site VITA coordinator George Burrell at (903) 879-2091.



Richland Volunteer Fire Department will hold its annual chili supper starting at 5 p.m. at the fire station on Main Street in Richland. The supper will be free of charge; donations will be accepted. Anyone wishing to make donations may also do so by sending to: Richland VFD, P.O. Box 243, Richland, TX 76681.



Sons of American Legion will meet at 3 p.m. at the American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St. The Ladies Auxiliary will meet at 4 p.m. If you have not paid your 2009 dues, they are past due. To attend the meetings, membership must be current. For more information, call after 2 p.m. to (903) 874-3938.



The Relay for Life team of Mildred Baptist Church will be having a fund-raiser beginning at 5 p.m. located at the gym behind Mildred Baptist Church, 5502 S. U.S. Highway 287 (across from Mildred School). There will be a fish fry, gospel concert, auction, and silent auction. For more information or donations, call Dot Reynolds at (903) 874-7580 or Victoria Bailey at (214) 995-2319. Also, Carter BloodCare will be having a blood drive from 3 to 7 p.m. at the church’s fellowship hall, and the Relay for Life team will be credited with the units of blood given. Seventy-five percent of all blood transfusions go to cancer patients. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good general health and have a photo ID. For more information, visit www.carterbloodcare.org or call (800) 366-2834.



Barry Friends of Youth will have a meal and small auction fund-raiser from 5 to 7 p.m. at Barry United Methodist Church. Menu will be spaghetti, chicken spaghetti, salad, breadsticks, dessert and drink at $6 for adults and $3 for children. Take-out meals will be available. Donations will also be accepted with all proceeds going to support the youth of Barry at the Navarro County Youth Exposition in March.



Feb. 9

The Republican Party of Navarro County will hold its monthly meeting at 7 p.m. on the seventh floor of the Bank of America building, 100 N. Main St., Corsicana. All registered voters are welcome to attend. For more information, reference the Web site at www.navgop.com.



Woodmen of the World Lodge No. 5 will have a meeting and valentine potluck meal at 6 p.m. at Liberty Hall. All members, their families and guests are cordially invited.



Feb. 10

Corsicana Emergency Corps, 416 S. 12th St., will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting at 7:30 p.m. The general public is invited to attend. Monthly meeting are held at 7:30 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month. For more information, call (903) 872-5072.



Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1009 will meet at 7 p.m. at Sirloin Stockade, 2508 W. Seventh Ave., Corsicana. Membership is open to U.S. armed forces veterans who served on active duty (for other than training purposes) in the Republic of Vietnam between Feb. 28, 1961, and May 7, 1975, or in any duty location between Aug. 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975. The veteran must submit a copy of his/her DD Form 214 along with application and dues. Members and guests are invited to come early and eat and visit prior to the meeting.



Blooming Grove Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. to welcome the honorable district deputy, who will be making his official visit. A meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. All Masons are invited.



Eureka Masonic Lodge will be dark to join with the Blooming Grove Lodge to welcome the district deputy.



Ellis-Navarro Chapter 1191, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, will meet at 11:30 a.m. at Sirloin Stockade in Corsicana. The speaker will be John Jackson, retired district judge of Navarro County. All active and retired federal employees, their spouses and guests are invited to attend. For more information, call Bob Kral, (903) 874-3902; Ralph Nelson, (972) 617-8102; or G.W. Garrard, (972) 875-2264.



Corsicana Home Rebekah Lodge No. 128 will meet at 6 p.m. at 3330 W. Second Ave. Visiting members are welcome.



Feb. 12

Corsicana Lodge No. 63, I.O.O.F., will meet at 7 p.m. at 3330 W. Second Ave. Visiting members are welcome.



Navarro College SBDC will sponsor a free basic workshop on how to start a small business from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. For more information or to register, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 875-7667.



Dawson Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. to welcome the honorable district deputy. A meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. All Masons are invited to attend.



Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas will host a “Workforce Center Orientation” at 10 a.m. and a job search workshop on “Interview Tips” at 10 a.m. at its office, 720 N. Beaton St. “Basic PC Skills” training will be offered at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (903) 874-8276.



Feb. 14

The Legionnaires monthly meeting will be held at 1 p.m. at the American Legion Post 22, 632 N. Beaton St. If you have not paid your 2009 dues, they are past due. To attend the meetings, membership must be current. For more information, call after 2 p.m. to (903) 874-3938.



Feb. 17

VOICE will have its 20th anniversary party and Business After Hours from 5 to 7 p.m. at the VOICE office, 100 N. Main St., Bank of America Building, Suite 308. For more information, call (903) 872-0180 or view the Web site at www.voiceinc.org.



Kerens Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. to welcome the honorable district deputy. Refreshments will be served after lodge meeting. All Masons are welcome.



Feb. 17-26

VOICE will offer the Texas Youth Tobacco Awareness Program, a state-approved program for minors charged with attempted purchase, consumption, or possession of tobacco and is designed to the mandates of Texas law. VOICE staff is certified to facilitate this program. The class will be an eight-hour program divided into four two-hour sessions. This session will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Feb. 17, 19, 24 and 26. Participants are required to attend all sessions. Classes are $100 (cash only) for all sessions. All participants must pre-register. For more information, contact John Goodnight at (903) 872-0180 or jgoodnight@voiceinc.org.



Feb. 19

Navarro College SBDC will sponsor a combination workshop on how to get government contracts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. Cost of the workshop will be $25. For more information or to register, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 875-7667.



Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas will host a “Workforce Center Orientation” at 10 a.m. and a job search workshop on “Resume Preparation” at 10 a.m. at its office, 720 N. Beaton St. “WorkInTexas.com” training will be offered at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (903) 874-8276.



Feb. 20

Navarro College SBDC will sponsor a session discussing copyrights and patents from 10 a.m. to noon at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. Cost of the workshop will be $20. For more information or to register, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 875-7667.



Better Gardens Club will have a meeting open to the public at 9:30 a.m. at the City of Corsicana Collin Street Annex, located next to the Corsicana Public Library. The speaker will be Jim Booker of the Texas Freshwater Fishery, a professional biologist, ornithologist and native plant specialist. His program, “Fly Fish Texas,” will be followed by a discussion period. Expert in many fields, Booker will provide answers to your questions on nature-related topics. For more information, call Betty Breithaupt at (903) 874-3946.



Feb. 23

Barry Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. to welcome the honorable district deputy. A meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. All Masons are invited.



Feb. 24

Winkler Masonic Lodge will have a stated meeting at 7:30 p.m. to welcome the honorable district deputy. A meal will be served at 6:30 p.m. All Masons are invited.



Navarro County Republican Women will meet at noon on the seventh floor of the Bank of America building. The organization is open to all Republican women in Navarro County. Lunch will be $7 paid at the door. For lunch reservations or more information, contact Anne Curtis at (903) 874-0056 or e-mail to jraycurtis@netzero.net.



Corsicana Home Rebekah Lodge No. 128 will meet at 6 p.m. at 3330 W. Second Ave. Visiting members are welcome.



Feb. 26

Corsicana Lodge No. 63, I.O.O.F., will meet at 7 p.m. at 3330 W. Second Ave. Visiting members are welcome.



Navarro College SBDC will sponsor a session on creating a business plan from 10 a.m. to noon at the Corsicana/Navarro County Chamber of Commerce, 120 N. 12th St. Cost of the workshop will be $20. For more information or to register, call Ophelia Mendoza at (903) 875-7667.



Workforce Solutions for North Central Texas will host a “Workforce Center Orientation” at 10 a.m. and a job search workshop on “Interview Tips” at 10 a.m. at its office, 720 N. Beaton St. “Basic PC Skills” training will be offered at 5:30 p.m. For more information, call (903) 874-8276.



Feb. 28

The third annual Health Fair and Business Expo, sponsored by the Navarro County NAACP will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, 1114 E. Sixth Ave. The Ross Breast Cancer Mobile Mammogram will at the health fair from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. If you would like to set up a booth at the health fair and expo or if you would like to schedule an appointment for a mammogram, call Barbara Kelley after 4 p.m. at (903) 872-7973.



March 16-20

VOICE will have a free spring break day camp for kindergarten through fifth grade students at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Corsicana and for pre-kindergarten through fourth grade students at First United Methodist Church in Kerens. Students must be enrolled by March 11. For more information, call (903) 872-0180 or view the Web site at www.voiceinc.org.



March 17-26

VOICE will offer the Texas Youth Tobacco Awareness Program, a state-approved program for minors charged with attempted purchase, consumption, or possession of tobacco and is designed to the mandates of Texas law. VOICE staff is certified to facilitate this program. The class will be an eight-hour program divided into four two-hour sessions. This session will be from 4 to 6 p.m. March 17, 19, 24 and 26. Participants are required to attend all sessions. Classes are $100 (cash only) for all sessions. All participants must pre-register. For more information, contact John Goodnight at (903) 872-0180 or jgoodnight@voiceinc.org.



April 4

Corsicana Preservation Foundation will have its second annual fund-raiser Twilight Ball from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. at Halbert House. This year’s theme will be “April in Paris.” Cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and champagne will be served. There will be music for dancing. The event will again be catered by chef Sharon Van Meter of Milestone Culinary Institute of Dallas. Several projects have been completed and more are scheduled for the new year. Recommendations for further projects would be welcomed. Tickets are $100 per person, which are tax deductible. For tickets or more information, contact CPF ball chairman Mary Steely at (903) 875-0354.



April 21-30

VOICE will offer the Texas Youth Tobacco Awareness Program, a state-approved program for minors charged with attempted purchase, consumption, or possession of tobacco and is designed to the mandates of Texas law. VOICE staff is certified to facilitate this program. The class will be an eight-hour program divided into four two-hour sessions. This session will be from 4 to 6 p.m. April 21, 23, 28 and 30. Participants are required to attend all sessions. Classes are $100 (cash only) for all sessions. All participants must pre-register. For more information, contact John Goodnight at (903) 872-0180 or jgoodnight@voiceinc.org.



April 23

VOICE will have its fifth annual spring luncheon at noon at The Cook Center featuring former Dallas Mayor Laura Miller as the keynote speaker. For more information, call (903) 872-0180 or view the Web site at www.voiceinc.org.