TRACTOR SUPPLY COMPANY SUPPORTS 4-H THROUGH PAPER CLOVER CAMPAIGN
Contributed by: Coleman Co. Extension Office
3/27/2010
Today, 4-H and all Tractor Supply Company stores kicked off the TSC Paper Clover Campaign, a national in-store fundraising effort to benefit your local, state, and national 4-H programming.

The National 4-H Council along with the Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation is pleased to announce the upcoming Tractor Supply Company Paper Clovers campaign. Beginning Friday, March 26th - Sunday, April 18th, 4-H clovers will be sold in TSC stores in all 44 states for $1 or more by Tractor Supply Company store clerks and prominently displayed in-store.

Spread the word! Sixty percent of the funds raised by the paper clovers sold will go directly to the county 4-H program in which it was raised.

If you have questions, or would like more information please contact Jana Barrett at the Texas 4-H Foundation office at 979-845-1213 or jcbarrett@ag.tamu.edu.

City Council Proclaims April Sexual Assault Awareness Month
3/27/2010
At last Thursday’s City Council Meeting, Council determined that April should be Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Click here to read the proclamation.

MAN CHARGED IN ATTEMPTED MURDER-FOR-HIRE OF BROWN COUNTY, TEXAS, JUDGE
US Attorney (NDTX) Press Release
3/26/2010
LUBBOCK, Texas — U.S. Attorney James T. Jacks, of the Northern District of Texas, announced that Jeffrey Dwayne Harrison, 49, who is currently incarcerated on drug charges in the Brown County Jail, in Brownwood, Texas, has been charged in a federal criminal complaint with use of interstate commerce facilities in the murder-for-hire of Judge Stephen Ellis, 35th Judicial District Court Judge of Brown County, Texas. Harrison was arrested on the federal complaint, which was unsealed yesterday, earlier this week. Brownwood is approximately 67 miles southeast of Abilene, Texas.

According to the affidavit filed with the complaint, on March 2, 2010, law enforcement received information that Harrison had inquired about hiring an individual to murder Judge Ellis. A confidential informant (CI) introduced Harrison to a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives special agent, working in an undercover capacity, who was portrayed to Harrison as an Aryan prison gang member who could handle this “contract.” Harrison first contacted the undercover agent by phone and stated:

“[W]hat’s up, this is Jeff Harrison. [the CI] advised that you should be able to help me out with a little bit of this legal problem that I got. I don’t want to say too much, I was just letting you know the court, it’s 35thJudicial, Steve Ellis is my judge, he said you’d get some paperwork rolling for me, so I’m going to shoot you some money so that we can get that rolling right.”

The undercover agent told Harrison that it would cost $10,000 to do this job due to the high risk involved, and Harrison agreed to pay it. On more than one occasion, Harrison told the undercover agent that he could get the $10,000, once saying “things were really going to get good” when he bonded out of jail.

Harrison later stated:
“[T]his place needs to be douched out, it’s corrupt.”*

The undercover agent replied:

“[T]his is a business deal to me but I’m going to enjoy that [killing a Judge], because what goes around comes around.”*

Harrison then laughed and stated:

“[P]ayback is a b!@#$.”*

In another conversation, the undercover agent asked Harrison if he had any preference as to how the execution took place. Harrison advised that he did not care as long as the job got done. Harrison advised that he would hear about it and read about it in the “funny papers.” The undercover agent then asked:

*“[Y]ou’re going to be happy with the job as long as this dude ends up with a toe tag, right?”*

Harrison advised that this was correct. Harrison advised that he wanted everything to “go smooth” and advised that he also had “other jobs” for the undercover agent. Harrison further advised that he had been “impressed” with the way the undercover agent had handled the matter.

The undercover agent advised that he did not know exactly when this job would be completed but advised that it would be “pretty quick.” The undercover agent advised that he would do the job as long as Harrison gave his word that “*[I]t’s all going to be made right;*” and Harrison stated, “*[A]ll I’ve got is my word.”*

A federal complaint is a written statement of the essential facts of the offenses charged, and must be made under oath before a magistrate judge. A defendant is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven
guilty. The government has 30 days to present the matter to a federal grand jury for indictment.

U.S. Attorney Jacks praised the investigative efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the West Central Texas Interlocal Crime Task Force, the Texas Rangers, and the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Haag, of the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Lubbock, Texas, is in charge of the prosecution.

District 4-H Photography Contest Begins
3/26/2010
For those of you who are interested in entering your photos in the District 4-H Photography Contest, your photos will be due to the County Extension Office on Wednesday, March 31st. These will be judged that day to see which photos will advance to the district contest. For the County Contest you only need to turn in a 4 x 6 photo. There is no cost to enter the county contest.

District Photography Contest Information
Age Divisions:
Junior / Intermediate (Age 8 and in the 3rd grade to age 13)
(No Seniors at the District Contest)

Entries:
You must register for this contest on 4-H Connect. (We will give you instructions on how to enter the contest in the 4-H Connect system.) Registration on 4-H Connect will be open from March 23, 2010 to April 9, 2010.

We can only send three (3) photos per division per class. An individual 4-H member may enter only one photo per division per class.

Photos must have been taken by 4-H members between January 1, 2009 and the time of entry. Photos can only be submitted one time in one division and class. DO NOT enter the same photo in color and in black and white.

Cost: $5.00 for first photo, $1.00 for each additional photo. Payment is made utilizing the 4-H Connect on-line registration system.

Size & Mounting of Photos
If your photo advances to district contest, it will need to be an 8 x 10 and mounted on thin foam board using double stick tape or dry mounting. Poster board is NOT acceptable. Glue or rubber cement is NOT acceptable for mounting.

CLASSES:
1. Color - Photos taken with either emulsion film or digital cameras
2. Black & White - Photos taken with any camera, however, they must be in grey-scale only (this class does NOT include antiquing, sepia-tone, and/or hand-tinting)
3. All Media - (only on Special/Creative Effects division)
This includes color emulsion/digital and black & white emulsion/digital

DIVISIONS:
1. People - People (babies, children, adults, and senior citizens) alone or in a group, active or inactive. Such photos may be photojournalistic, or an interpretative portrait where the person rather than the environment is emphasized.

2. Animals - Animal life, including domestic, wild, insects, and underwater creatures. The animal(s) should be the focus of the photo and not human subjects or nature/scenic. No harm or injury should be inflicted on the animal in order to acquire the photo.

3. Still Life - Photography where objects are pre-arranged to set up by the photographer (composition does not occur naturally).

4. Landscape - Scenes of natural landscapes, seascapes, skyscapes (sunsets, clouds, etc.), buildings that are a part of a landscape, or underwater scenes.

5. Plant / Flora - Any photo that focuses on the plant or flower structure and not on a scene or landscape.

6. Architectural Elements - Photos that emphasizes geometric details such as lines, patterns, textures of inanimate objects.

7. Special / Creative Effects -Any photo that has been enhanced to bring out dramatic or artistic qualities. These enhancements can occur using the camera or developing process. Antiquing, hand-tinting, color and black & white combination photos and sepia-tone photos would be entered in this division. Photos entered in this category must have been taken by the 4-H member - so stock photos can be used.

8. THEME : The Four Seasons of Texas - The 2009-2010 theme will be The Four Seasons of Texas. 4-H members are allowed to submit photographs focusing on the four (fall, winter, spring, summer) seasons of the year in Texas. Photography can include shots of the landscape, people flowers, etc. depicting one of the four seasons. Photographs CANNOT
be dually entered into another division as well as this one.

If you have any questions contact the Extension Office at 325-625-4519, or come by the 2nd floor of the County Courthouse.

Local Business Owners and Managers Take Advantage of Chamber Lecture Series
3/26/2010
The Coleman County Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture hosted its first installment of a quarterly lecture series tailored for local entrepreneurs, small business owners, and managers on Monday, March 22nd.

Greg Martin, Chamber of Commerce Director and local business owner, led the first lecture series called "7 Steps for Small Business Marketing Success" which covered marketing and public relations. Martin's presentation was informal but extremely informative. The presentation lasted roughly an hour and a half and covered topics ranging from marketing to referrals to business positioning.

Liz Jones, owner of Grammers in downtown Coleman and Chamber member said, "I think the quarterly lecture series was a positive step forward for small businesses in Coleman. I look forward to attending in the near future." The lecture series attracted 30 eager business owners and managers from Coleman County. The Lecture Series, which is free to Chamber Members, is one of the many reasons to join the Coleman Chamber of Commerce.

Mary Griffis, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, said, "I believe the quarterly workshops hosted for small businesses in Coleman will not only help our local merchants but will also contribute directly to economic development and tourism in the future."

Following Martin's presentation, attendees were asked to fill out a survey form about their experience with the workshop and what they would like to see in the future. Possible future presentations might include anything from small business finance to social networking and internet sales. If you have any suggestions for future workshops or would like to inquire about membership options, please email the Chamber of Commerce at chamber@colemantexas.org or call 325-625-2163. Furthermore, read the newspaper or visit colemannews.com for future updates on the small business lecture series.

PANTHER CREEK DISTRICT UIL RESULTS
3/26/2010
Calculator Applications
Benton Warren – 2nd
Jammie Pruitt – 10th
Lachelle Rutledge – 20th

Computer Applications
Dalton Faries – 1st
Jared Romine – 3rd

Feature Writing
Julie Reed – 3rd
Jared Romine – 6th

Headline Writing
Julie Reed – 6th

Literary Criticism – 2nd place team
Cassie Philpot – 3rd
Katie Straach – 7th
Chelsea Lewis – 9th
DeAnna Hudson – 11th

Mathematics
Matt Turney – 3rd
Benton Warren – 5th
CoJo Bowman – 11th
Lachelle Rutledge – 11th

Number Sense – 1st place team
Courtney Moore – 2nd
CoJo Bowman – 3rd
Jared Romine – 13th
Austin Lewis – 20th

Ready Writing
Jorie Nanny – 2nd

Science
CoJo Bowman – 30th

Social Studies
Julie Reed – 9th
CoJo Bowman – 16th
Jessica Laws – 19th

Spelling
Jessica Jamison – 3rd
Ivan Olivares – 20th
Ethan Morris – 32nd

PC REGIONAL QUALIFIERS

REGIONAL QUALIFIERS
CoJo Bowman
Dalton Faries
Jessica Jamison
Austin Lewis
Courtney Moore
Jorie Nanny
Cassie Philpot
Julie Reed
Jared Romine
Matt Turney
Benton Warren

COUNCIL HEARS 2009 CODE ENFORCEMENT REPORT
3/26/2010
By Jo Ann Eddleman
Coleman City Council met in regular session Thursday afternoon and heard the annual report from Doug Burks, the city’s code enforcement official. Burks gave a PowerPoint presentation that highlighted the various duties he is involved with in the performance of his job. Burks is responsible for the identification and handling of cases of noncompliance with the city’s Nuisance ordinance and the Health and Sanitation ordinance. These ordinances govern the appearance and overall cleanliness of the town. Burks also assists with animal cruelty issues.

The meeting adjourned with no comments from Council or the City Manager.  

CITY OF SANTA ANNA SETS CITY-WIDE CLEANUP DATE
3/26/2010
The City of Santa Anna will hold a city-wide cleanup on Saturday, April 17. A large roll-off dumpster will be located at the corner of Wallis Avenue and N. 7th Street. The site will be open from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

You MUST provide a City of Santa Anna water bill before being allowed to dump. Trash generated outside the city limits of Santa Anna will not be accepted. Volunteers and city employees will be on-site to supervise and assist.

You may dump brush, limbs, batteries, appliances (refrigerators and air conditioners must have a sticker or tag showing that the Freon has been removed), furniture, sacks of trash, small amounts of construction trash, broken-down cardboard boxes, tires (with sidewalls cut out). Items not accepted – gasoline, liquid paint, ammunition, medical waste, pesticides, chemicals from photo labs, oil/oil filters, etc

There will be a chipper on-site for brush and limbs. Batteries, appliances, car parts and other metal will be set aside for recycling.

If you have questions, please call City Hall at 348-3403.
 

Burn Ban Back On
3/26/2010
Today, Coleman County Judge Jimmie Hobbs announced that the burn ban was re-instated due to an elevated risk of wildfire weather conditions. Visit the weather page for details.

Students of the Month

CJHS Announces Students of the Month
3/26/2010
Members of the Coleman Junior High School chapter of the National Junior Honor Society recently voted on students of the month for February.

Students of the month are:

Heaven Bedell - 6th grade girl
Sean Dority – 6th grade boy
Kaci Williams – 7th grade girl
Raj Bhakta – 7th grade boy
Danielle Dawson – 8th grade girl
Tyler Henderson - 8th grade boy
(A picture is included)

To be a student of the month, a student must be nominated by his or her teachers. To be nominated, students must be hard workers, act respectfully to teachers and peers in the classroom and in the hallway, and exhibit good behavior when involved in extra-curricular activities. Members of the National Junior Honor Society vote on nominees from each grade level. The male and female students from each grade who receive the most votes are the students of the month.

Coleman State Representative named as chair of special districts committee
3/26/2010
AUSTIN – Rep. Harvey Hilderbran (Kerrville) has been named chairman of a special committee charged with improving accountability and transparency in water-related and other special purpose districts.

Texas House of Representatives Speaker Joe Straus (San Antonio) appointed Hilderbran to lead the House Select Committee on Special Purpose Districts in February. As chairman, Hilderbran will also direct a study into the effect that multiple and overlapping special purpose districts have on taxpayers.

“Chairmanship of this committee allows me to ensure that our special districts are serving Texans efficiency and fairly,” Hilderbran said. “My previous legislative efforts with water and other special districts give me a strong understanding of their organization, including what they need to operate effectively and what they need to cut in order to protect taxpayers from gratuitous taxes.”

While the committee will focus on water-related districts, it will also review those related to hospitals, crime control, emergency services, health services, waste water, and more.

“I am pleased to appoint Rep. Hilderbran as chair of the Select Committee on Special Purpose Districts,” Straus said. “With over 20 years in the Texas House, Harvey has worked hard to eliminate inefficiencies at all levels of government. I am confident that his extensive knowledge of water issues will help this committee meet its important charges.”

Rep. Jose Menendez (San Antonio) will serve as vice-chair of the committee, which also includes representatives Carol Alvarado (Houston), Valinda Bolton (Austin), Harold Dutton (Houston), Charlie Geren (Fort Worth), Mike Hamilton (Mauriceville), Bryan Hughes (Mineola), Delwin Jones (Lubbock), Tracy King (Batesville), Jodie Laubenberg (Parker), Armando "Mando" Martinez (Weslaco), Allan Ritter (Nederland), Patrick Rose (Dripping Springs) and Larry Taylor (Friendswood).

Coleman FCCLA helping to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network
3/25/2010
Coleman FCCLA is helping to raise funds for Children’s Miracle Network.  Children’s Miracle Network is a non-profit organization that raises funds for more than 170 children’s hospitals.  Donations help save and improve the lives of 17 million children each year.  Children’s Miracle Network is the national community service project for Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. 

Coleman FCCLA will be participating in the FCCLA Dance for the Children Event at the State FCCLA Leadership Meeting.  The dance will take place Friday, April 9 after the general session.  The state goal is $6,500 and Coleman FCCLA goal is $500.   

How can you help?  Make a donation by giving it to a local FCCLA member or go on line to www.helpmakemiracles.org/event/texasfccla and make a donation to the Coleman FCCLA team (Bonnie Brown, captain).  Coleman FCCLA is currently in second place but we would like to surpass our goal.   

Coleman FCCLA members include Marcos Aaron, April Ballard, Kayla Barnett, Anthony Beltran, Latisha Berniard, Shi Brudney. Country Burke, Cheyenne Casey, Sarah Casselberry, Clint Coleman, Manuel Cruz, Ruth Cruz, Vicki Cruz, Ranee Cupps, Jessica Dean, Kassidy Dean, Haylee Diaz, Megan Dority, John Fung, Tony Garcia, Cynthia Garza, Mary Garza, Bryauna Guerrero, Mikey Hardin, Aretha Holloway, Sarah Jackson, Jorge Jimenez, Raelie Johnson, Zach Johnson, Savannah Longley, Laura Martinez, Shelbi Newton, Angel Padilla, Kelsey Puckett, Destiny Rader, Leanna Roberts, Gabby Roberts, Nathan Rogers, Tiara Rosalez, Nikki Rush, Kyle Russell, Morgan Schumann, Shelby Scott, Candace Smith, Ana Solis, Sydni Stevenson, Tulissia Sturges, Shaina Thompson, Tori Valdez, Lorena Vasquez, Summer Watson, and Matthew Wickson.

Contact one of the above members or call the school at 625-2156 if you have any questions or want to make a donation.

FIRE WEATHER WATCH ISSUED FOR AREA
3/25/2010
FISHER-NOLAN-STERLING-COKE-RUNNELS-IRION-TOM GREEN-CROCKETT- SCHLEICHER-SUTTON-HASKELL-THROCKMORTON-JONES-SHACKELFORD-TAYLOR-CALLAHAN-COLEMAN

143 PM CDT THU MAR 25 2010

...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN SAN ANGELO HAS ISSUED A FIRE WEATHER WATCH...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING.

WEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH...WITH HIGHER GUSTS...WILL DEVELOP ACROSS WEST CENTRAL TEXAS SATURDAY AFTERNOON. THESE WINDS WILL ALSO BRING A DRIER AIR MASS...DROPPING RELATIVE HUMIDITY VALUES INTO THE 10 TO 20 PERCENT RANGE ACROSS THE BIG COUNTRY...CONCHO VALLEY...AND THE NORTHERN EDWARDS PLATEAU. THIS COMBINATION OF DRY CONDITIONS AND STRONG WINDS MAY CREATE CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.

Holy Week Services for Coleman First United Methodist Church
3/25/2010
Holy Week services for Coleman First United Methodist Church are as follows:
Palm Sunday Morning, March 28 - 11:00 a.m.
Maundy Thursday, April 1 - 6:00 p.m.
Good Friday, April 2 - 6:00 p.m.
Easter Sunday Morning, April 4 - 11:00 a.m.

Mini musical "Hallelujah! Praise the Lamb" by chancel choir as part of service; Easter Egg Hunt immediately after the morning service Services will be led by Pastor Mike Kerzee. Truitt Mitchell is in charge of music. Robert Lowe sound technician will also show a DVD during the mini musical April 4. You are invited to come worship with us.

Coleman Third Grader Earns 5th Place at San Antonio Stock Show
3/25/2010
Kensi Bledsoe, a third grader from Coleman, placed 5th in the San Antonio Stock Show. The 5th place made premium sale. Also pictured is Kensi's brother Casey. 

Coleman Fourth Grader Earns 7th Place at Houston Stock Show
3/25/2010
Shelbi Stephenson place 7th with her finewool lamb at Houston. She is in the 4th grade at Coleman Elementary.

KEEP COLEMAN BEAUTIFUL'S EXTREME MAKEOVER CONTEST
3/25/2010
by Liz Huges
Keep Coleman Beautiful would like to announce a contest that will be held in the months of May and June 2010. All residential and commercial properties within the city limits of Coleman, Texas are eligible to enter the contest that we are naming “KEEP COLEMAN BEAUTIFUL’S EXTREME MAKEOVER CONTEST”.

The contest is being held to encourage the continued excitement and participation of our citizens in the ongoing beautification and clean up of our city. The contest may be entered beginning May 1, 2010 and will end June 30, 2010. The first, second and third place winners will be announced in July after all of the entrants’ projects have been judged by the Keep Coleman Beautiful members. The winners will receive a gift certificate, issued by the Coleman Chamber of Commerce, that may be redeemed at any local participating Coleman business. First place winner will receive a $100.00 gift certificate, second place a $75.00 gift certificate and a $50.00 gift certificate will be given for third place in the contest.

Got your attention? Great! This is all you have to do . . . put on your “thinking caps”, go outside, look around and something will probably “hit you” that would be a great project for the contest! You need to take a photo (or two, if you wish) and write a brief description of what you will be doing as a participant in the contest. Give us your name, address, address where the work will be completed (if different from your home address), and a phone number where you can be easily reached. Send the photos and information to: Keep Coleman Beautiful’s Extreme Makeover Contest, c/o Coleman Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 796, Coleman, Texas 76834, or you may deliver it in person to the Chamber of Commerce. Entries will not be accepted before May 1, 2010, but you may enter anytime after May 1st. Just remember that the contest ends June 30, 2010, so don’t wait too long and miss out on a lot of fun and the chance to be a winner!

Now, just to help you out a bit, we will give you some suggestions on what you might do for your project. These, of course, are just suggestions and your own original idea would probably be even better! Here goes -

1) Paint the exterior parts of your home that are in need of fresh paint.
2) Trim the trees and shape up shrubs and bushes in your yard.
3) If you own a vacant lot within the city limits, clean it up.
4) How about a new sidewalk or repairs to your front porch.
5) Completely redo or create a new flowerbed.
6) Repair or replace fencing on your property
7) Replace badly worn shingles on your roof.
8) Tear down a vacant, unliveable house that you might own.
9) Repair or update your curbside mailbox.
10) Have signs at your business painted or replaced.
11) Have parking areas at your business painted and paint new stripes on the parking spaces.
12) Remove grass and weeds from parking areas and around the entrances to your businesses.
13) Clean windows and put up shades at buildings that are used for storage so that people passing by may not see inside.
14) Purchase a storage shed for your property so that you can clean out the carport or backyard and put items that you use out of sight.

During this contest period, Keep Coleman Beautiful will also have a project underway in the community. This project will not be part of the contest, however, we hope that it will be an encouragement to you Keep Coleman Beautiful will be giving the “Overall Rest” Building at the city cemetery a much needed facelift. If you would like to help with this project you may call the Chamber of Commerce at 625-2163 for additional information.

Get your entries in beginning May 1st and Good Luck to all!

Emmanuel Baptist Church Youth raising funds for Mission Trip
3/25/2010
Emmanuel Baptist Church Youth are raising money for a Mission Trip to L.A. Our youth will be selling tickets for a chicken lunch on April 3rd for $6.00 a plate in our fellowship hall between the hours of 12:00 noon and 2:00pm at1000 Clow st. (that's on the corner of 12th St. and Clow) The meal will include chicken, rice, beans, cake and tea for dine in and a can coke for take out. If you would like to buy a ticket but are unable to pick it up then our youth leaders and youth will be happy to deliver it to you. For more information or donations please feel free to call Patty Watson @ 325.636.3892

ABILENE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES APPROACHING
3/25/2010
Zach Moore Memorial Scholarship for Coleman High School or Panther Creek ISD
Community Foundation of Abilene is now accepting applications for the Zach Moore Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is available to one graduating high school senior from Panther Creek ISD and one senior from Coleman High School in need of financial assistance to attend a college, university or accredited vocational/technical institution. Student’s scholastic achievement and potential will be considered in awarding this scholarship. The one year award to one student from each school is $500 ($250 per semester) which can be used for tuition, books, and fees.

Interested students may obtain a scholarship application from high school counselors or from the Foundation’s website www.cfabilene.org. If you have any questions, contact Nita Slaton, Scholarship Director, at the Community Foundation of Abilene, 676-3883, e-mail: nslaton@abilene.com. The application deadline is April 9, 2010.

James Hopper Memorial Scholarship for Panther Creek ISD
Community Foundation of Abilene is now accepting applications for the James Hopper Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship is available to a graduating high school senior from Panther Creek ISD in need of financial assistance to attend a college, university or accredited vocational/ technical institution. The student must have been enrolled at PCISD for at least two years. A student’s scholastic achievement and potential will be considered in awarding this scholarship. The one year award is $2,000 ($1,000 per semester) which may be used for tuition, books, and fees.

Interested students may obtain a scholarship application from high school counselors or from the Foundation’s website www.cfabilene.org. If you have any questions, contact Nita Slaton, Scholarship Director, at the Community Foundation of Abilene, 676-3883, e-mail: nslaton@abilene.com. The application deadline is April 9, 2010.

Contact:
Nancy Roberts
Marketing/Communications Director
nroberts@abilene.com
(325) 676-3883

NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING OF THE COLEMAN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES
3/25/2010
DATE: Monday, March 29, 2010
TIME: 7:00 P.M.
PLACE: Coleman High School
Room #124 (Vocational Ed Classroom)
201 West 15th Street
Coleman, Texas

THE BOARD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE THE ORDER OF AGENDA ITEMS.
AGENDA:
1. Invocation
2. Call to Order
3. Reading of the Minutes
4. Public Forum
5. Campus Report – Culinary Class

THE BOARD RESERVES THE RIGHT TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION AS AUTHORIZED BY THE TEXAS OPEN MEETINGS ACT, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.001 et seq., AND FOR THE REASONS STATED IN THE CODE.

ACTION ITEMS:
1. Personnel – Consider Recommendations to Hire Personnel
2. Personnel – Consider Accepting Resignations from Personnel
3. Consider Approving 2010-2011 School Calendar
4. Cast Ballots for ESC XV Board of Directors Election
5. Consider Accepting CISD Technology Plan for 2010-2013
6. Consider Approving Update of Coleman High School Graduation Requirements, Weighted Grade Point Policy
7. Amend the Budget

BOARD REPORT:
1. School Finance
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
1. TASB/Region 14 ESC Spring Workshop
2. 2010 Summer Leadership Institute/TASB Convention

INFORMATION ITEMS:
1. Basketball Playoffs Report
2. Online Legislative Update Training
3. Check Payments
4. Financial Statement

ADJOURN:
Royce A. Young, Superintendent
Coleman Independent School District

Gov. Perry Encourages Texans to Honor Military Men and Women at Traveling Vietnam War Memorial in Taylor
3/25/2010
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today encouraged Texans to honor military men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country’s freedom by visiting the “Wall That Heals,” a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., that travels to communities throughout the U.S., during its stop in Taylor. The memorial will be open for viewing from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 25, through Sunday, March 28, at the corner of Main Street and Mallard Lane.

“Throughout our nation’s history, the men and women of our armed forces have given their lives to ensure our nation’s freedom, and I encourage Texans to take advantage of this opportunity to honor those who have given their lives to create the country we know today,” Gov. Perry said. “It’s not every day that we see a historic monument travel to Texas and have the chance to participate in a ceremony of this magnitude.”

A ceremony honoring fallen solders whose names are inscribed on the wall will be held at 7 p.m. on Saturday, March 27. The ceremony will include a candlelight vigil, participation by the Texas Association of Vietnam Veterans and a flyover by the Commemorative Air Force.

“Many Americans will not have an opportunity to visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and this event provides the chance to experience some of what that landmark conveys,” Sen. Steve Ogden said. “I hope that everyone who can will pay tribute to those who served us all.”

There are more than 200,000 Texas veterans of the Vietnam War, and more than 3,400 Texans’ names are listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. For more information about the Wall that Heals, please visit http://www.vvmf.org/twth

CENTRAL TEXAS FARM CREDIT MAKES ANOTHER PATRONAGE DISTRIBUTION
3/24/2010
The board of directors of the Central Texas Farm Credit, ACA, which serves a 20 county area in Central and West Texas, has announced that it has approved another cash patronage distribution to eligible association borrowers for fiscal year 2009. This marks the seventeenth consecutive year the association has returned excess capital to its borrowers. Including this year’s patronage, Central Texas Farm Credit, ACA has distributed over $37.5 Million in excess capital to its borrowers over the past 17 years. This capital has been distributed either through patronage distributions, dividends, stock reductions, or stock equalizations. Patronage distributions alone have accounted for approximately $27 Million of the total amount of capital returned to association borrowers.

This year’s $2.5 Million patronage was distributed to borrowers on March 19th and amounts to over three-quarters percent reduction in the rate of interest borrowers paid on their loans during 2009.

In making the announcement, board chairman Cody B. Richmond stated that the board of directors and management were delighted to once again reduce the cost of borrowing to the association’s stockholders and emphasized that this is only one of the many benefits of obtaining agricultural and rural area credit from the Central Texas Farm Credit, ACA. He noted that the association’s financial strength allows the board and management to maintain an efficient and profitable operation and to continue the policy of returning excess earnings back to our shareholders.

Association CEO James R. Isenhower also noted that despite the adverse economic times many financial institutions experienced in 2009, Central Texas Farm Credit, ACA remains financially strong and is able to once again make a patronage distribution when numerous other Farm Credit institutions are unable to do so.

The Central Texas Farm Credit, ACA, with over $400 Million in loan assets, provides financing for agricultural, rural housing and certain agri-business purposes in Central and West Texas. Association headquarters are located in Coleman, with branch offices in Brownwood, Brady, Haskell and San Angelo. Board members include Cody Richmond, Chris West, Jerry Don Klose, Philip Hinds, Mike Finlay, Mickey Dillard, Larry Damron, Brent Heinze, Wayland Shurley, Robby Halfmann, and Glenn Miller. The board and management remain committed to maintaining the financial integrity of the association while offering competitive loan products that meet the financial needs of all eligible borrowers.

|Cinnamon Carter Junior Chamber Citizen of the Year for 2010

Former Coleman Teacher Named Junior Chamber Citizen of the Year in Ballinger
3/24/2010
The Ballinger Citizen of the Year and Business of the Year were both announced Thursday night February 25th at the Ballinger Chamber of Commerce, Shining Stars of 2010 Banquet. Former Coleman teacher, Cinnamon Carter, was named Junior Chamber Citizen of the Year for 2010. She teaches sixth grade Reading and 6,7, and 8th grade Physical Education at Ballinger Junior High School.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH RECEIVES HOSPITALITY AWARD
3/24/2010
The First United Methodist Church in Coleman has been recognized by United Methodist Communications (UMCom) as an official “Welcoming Congregation” for the third year.

“Welcoming Congregations” are a select group of United Methodist congregations nationwide that meets criteria including embracing newcomers and providing opportunities in discipleship. The recognition program is part of a larger effort launched in late 2000 by UMCom, the denomination’s communications agency, to use modern technology and the common language of television to spread the Good News of Christ to a world in need.

For the past 8 years, “Open hearts, Open minds, Open doors” has been the theme of the denomination supported with a series of national cable TV advertising, supplemented by regional and local church participation. The overall aim of the effort was to invite people, to enter into connection with the Christian community as they seek meaning and purpose in their lives. The new campaign, Rethink Church, seeks to capitalize on the previous campaign, targeting 18-34 year olds and inviting churches to think of the motto as a verb, not just an adjective as in: Together we can…Open hearts, Open minds and Open doors.

If you are looking for a church home in Coleman, the First United Methodist Church invites you to join us Sunday mornings at 11:00 am. The church is located at 500 West Liveoak Street. For more information, you can visit our website at www.firstunitedmethodistcoleman.com or on Find-A-Church.org.

Notice on Burn Ban
3/24/2010
A gentleman called the news office earlier and requested an update on the burn ban. The news office spoke with County Clerk Stacy Mendoza and she notified us that the burn ban is still off.

When the burn ban is re-instated the Chronicle and Colemannews.com will notify the public. Thank you for your call.

Little League workday this Saturday
3/24/2010
Little League workday this Saturday at the baseball fields. All coaches and assistants are encouraged to attend. Industrious baseball fans, parents, and players are invited to come lend a hand! The more help we have, the more we can do.

Correction:
Kiwanis To Host Candidate Forum, Bring Outdoor Theatre to Coleman
3/24/2010
The Coleman Kiwanis met Tuesday, March 23rd at Hidalgo's Restaurant to discuss several upcoming events.

The Kiwanis will host a Coleman County candidates forum on Tuesday, April 13th at 5:30 p.m. at The Senior Citizens Center. The candidate forum is a chance for citizens to hear from candidates running for county offices such as county judge and commissioners, city council candidates, and Coleman I.S.D. School Board of Trustees. The event costs $5 and features a Mexican Chicken meal. Proceeds go toward the Senior Citizens Center and Kiwanis Youth projects. Please put this event on your calendars and come out to participate in the discussion. Early voting begins April 26th-May 4th and voting day is May 8th.

The Kiwanis are currently working on a project to bring a traveling outdoor movie theatre to Coleman. The theatre operates similarly to an old fashion drive-in movie theatre and will be held at the Coleman Rodeo grounds. Tickets are extremely affordable and include a double feature. Please look for future Kiwanis updates for more details.

COLEMAN 4-H ORDERING T-SHIRTS
3/24/2010
The Coleman 4-H Club is in the process of ordering club t-shirts for any club member that is interested. The shirts will green and have Coleman 4-H club logo on them. They will be for Coleman 4-H club members to wear at any 4-H function to enable members to recognize our group. The shirts will be ordered in the next few days and will be available for pick up at the next club meeting on April 6th, 2010. If interested, please call the Extension office at 625-4519 to order your t-shirt. Youth size S,M,L or Adult size S,M,L,XL. Deadline to order is March 29th and the cost is $9.00.

COMMISSIONERS CONSIDER INDIGENT BURIAL ALLOTMENT, PROCLAIM COUNTY GOVERNMENT MONTH
by Christine Flynn
3/24/2010
The Coleman County Commissioners’ Court held their regular meeting on Monday, March 23rd. Judge Jimmy Hobbs called the meeting to order at 9:00AM. Before the first matter on the agenda, County Clerk Stacey Mendoza recited the minutes from the last meeting and they were approved.

The meeting began with discussion about the indigent burial program in Coleman County. Patrick Bennett from the Walker Funeral Home was present to state the predicament that the local funeral homes have endured. For the past 52 years there has been $500 allotted per burial of individuals that cannot afford or does not have family members to claim them. Bennett declared that this amount is not enough to cover all the expenses of a burial, which has left funeral homes to out of pocket the remainder. He says there is an average of 8 indigent burials a year and costs can go as high as $1,800. Bennett asked the Court if they could reconsider the allotted amount. He also suggested options that could help the situation including designating an area in the city cemetery for this type of burial and also encouraging cremations. Both of which could cut down the cost. The Court responded that they would reconsider the amount at their next budget period beginning in August. Until then, Bennett plans to ask the City Council for their help as well.

The Court also proclaimed the month of April County Government Month. County Government Month is celebrated to raise public awareness and better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the County offices. Counties are encouraged to plan activities stimulating the wellbeing of the public and to welcome the public to the office. The theme this year is “Healthy Counties.”

Not only was April declared County Government Month, but the Commissioners also proclaimed the week of April 5th to the 11th as National Public Health Week in Coleman County. Similar to the County Government theme, this week also emphasizes “A Healthier America One Community at a Time.” Since 1995, the public health community has observed this week by educating the public with pertinent health information. Immunizations, preventative measures for influenza, and nutritional facts are some examples examined during National Public Health Week.

The Court continued the meeting by considering the approval of the local health authority representative, Dr. Darren Atwood. Dr. Atwood has served as the local authority the last 2 years and would like to reinstate his position. The responsibilities of a local health authority include responding to emergency situations involving the health of Coleman County and partnering with local officials as needed. The commissioners approved Dr. Atwood to serve as the local health authority.

Lastly, the Commissioners requested the road and bridge budget to be amended to allow part-time payroll item. In case of emergency or unforeseen circumstances a full-time employee may be out for some time and must be replaced with temporary help. Therefore, the Commissioners will need to revise the budget to compensate. The budget was amended to accommodate this situation.

The meeting adjourned with the paying of bills. For this time period, each precinct reported well under their budget in expenses. Next meeting will be held April 13th.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Rural Broadband Projects to Bring Economic Opportunity to Communities in Eight States
3/24/2010
WASHINGTON, March 23, 2010 - Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the selection of broadband infrastructure projects to give rural residents in 8 states access to improved economic and educational opportunities. Funding for the projects is being provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"The broadband projects announced today will give rural Americans access to the tools they need to attract new businesses, educational opportunities and jobs," Vilsack said. "The Obama Administration understands that bringing broadband to rural America provides a gateway for businesses and key anchor institutions - such as libraries, schools, public buildings and community centers to provide services to thousands of Americans. These projects will create jobs building these networks, and the completed systems will provide a platform for rural economic growth for years to come."

In all, $150 million will be invested in 12 projects through funding made available by Congress in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. An additional $68.2 million in private investment will be provided in matching funds, bringing the total funds invested to $218.2 million. To date, $1.05 billion has been provided to construct 67 broadband projects in 30 states and one territory.

For example, in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona, the Tohono O'odham Utility Authority (TOUA) has been selected to receive a $3.6 million loan and a $3.6 million grant to design, engineer and construct a digital network to replace dial-up service. This project will provide services throughout the Tohono O'odham Reservation using Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) and fixed wireless broadband.

Also, in the rural towns of Madison and Lamont, Kan., Madison Telephone, LLC (MTC) was selected to receive a $3.5 million loan and a $3.5 million grant to design, engineer and construct an FTTP network. This project will improve the existing copper-based network that currently limits average customer service speeds. MTC will upgrade this network to FTTP facilities and technologies, thereby eliminating this last mile limitation.

Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the terms of the loan, grant or loan/grant agreement. A complete list of recent Recovery Act broadband award recipients by state is below:

Alaska
* Copper Valley Wireless, Inc.: The Cordova, Alaska, Microwave Project; $1,747,796 loan and $1,747,795 grant. The funding will extend middle-mile connectivity from Naked Island to Cordova.

Arizona
* Tohono O'odham Utility Authority: The Fiber Route - Middle Mile Project; $3,565,900 loan and $3,565,900 grant. The funding will enable high-speed DSL services throughout the reservation with Fiber-to-the-Premises and fixed wireless broadband in certain areas.

Illinois
* Norlight Telecommunications, Inc.: The Rural High-Speed Ethernet Network - Southern Illinois Project; $14,230,375 loan, $8,538,224 grant and $5,692,151 of private investment. The funding will provide more than 1,600 miles of middle-mile fiber-optic network throughout 24 southern counties to deliver high-speed Ethernet connectivity.

Kansas
* South Central Telephone Association, Inc.: The Lake City & Sun City Rural Fiber-to-the-House (FTTH) Project; $871,200 grant, and $3,550,800 of private investment. The funding will provide FTTH broadband service to all unserved establishments in the telephone exchanges of Lake and Sun City.
* Madison Telephone, LLC: The Madison-Lamont Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) Project; $3,519,750 loan, $3,519,750 grant and $763,634 of private investment. The funding will provide FTTP last-mile broadband service to exchange areas, including the Kansas telephone exchanges of Madison and Lamont.
* J.B.N. Telephone Company, Inc.: The West Cluster Plus Barnes Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) Project; $5,489,250 loan, $5,489,250 grant, and $3,697,619 of private investment. The funding will provide FTTP broadband service throughout seven western exchanges (West Cluster) and the Barnes exchange (Barnes).

Minnesota
* Northeast Service Cooperative: The Northeast Minnesota Middle Mile Project; $21,749,110 loan and $21,749,110 grant. The funding will provide middle-mile, dark fiber, wavelength services to private-sector providers in rural areas of northeast Minnesota.
* Minnesota Valley Television Improvement Corporation: The Minnesota Wireless Expansion Project; $562,776 loan and $562,776 grant, and $281,388 of private investment. The funding will provide a two-way broadband internet network to unserved and underserved areas of west central and south central Minnesota, providing 34 additional wireless (WiMAX) access points.

North Dakota
* Dakota Central Telecom 1 (DCT1): The Dakota Central Telecom l Project; $2,252,250 grant, and $2,499,597 of private investment. The funding will provide Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) broadband services to households, businesses and key community organizations in portions of the Streeter and Gackle exchanges that are currently unserved.

Oklahoma
* Pioneer Long Distance, Inc.: The Western Oklahoma Wireless (WOW) Project; $1,819,349 loan and $1,783,322 grant. The funding will provide wireless broadband service to unserved and underserved rural areas in western Oklahoma.
* Panhandle Telephone Cooperative, Inc.: The Western Oklahoma Broadband Infrastructure Development Project; $3,366,188 loan, $10,098,562 grant, and $23,297,597 of private investment. The funding will provide a broadband infrastructure to rural areas within the western Oklahoma panhandle area.

Texas
* Wes-Tex Telephone Cooperative, Inc.: The Western Texas Broadband Infrastructure Development Project; $16,891,875 loan, $16,891,875 grant and $28,417,425 of private investment. The funding will provide a broadband infrastructure to increase Internet availability and access speeds in rural areas of western Texas.

President Obama signed The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 into law on Feb. 17, 2009. It is designed to jumpstart the nation's economy, create or save millions of jobs, and put a down payment on addressing long-neglected challenges so our country can thrive in the 21st century. The Act includes measures to modernize our nation's infrastructure, enhance energy independence, expand educational opportunities, preserve and improve affordable health care, provide tax relief, and protect those in greatest need.
More information about USDA's Recovery Act efforts is available at www.usda.gov/recovery. More information about the Federal government's efforts on the Recovery Act is available atwww.recovery.gov.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church Fish Fry This Sunday
3/24/2010
We are having a fish fry on Sunday March 28 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in the parish hall behind the church. It will begin at 12:00pm and go until we run out of fish. Prices are $6 for a large plate and $3 for a small plate. You can dine in the hall or pick up a to go tray. This is open to the public and all profits are invested back into our church.

JOIN OUR SPORTS SCOREBOARD FANBOX
3/23/2010
ColemanNews.com will now feature a widget on the Sports Page that will provide Coleman County citizens with breaking sports news and score updates. The Coleman County Sports Scoreboard will function similarly to the Coleman Chronicle & DV fanbox posted on the front page of ColemanNews.com. Approved individuals and interested coaches may access the fanbox from their personal computers and even their cellular phones. This new capability will provide county residents and loyal readers with breaking sports news and score updates.

As we advance in using this tool, we ask that you join the fangroup by visiting the Sports page. We will be putting together a county-wide team of interested individuals to update this fanpage as much as possible.  Stay tuned for more updates and sports news!

Tune Up for Property of the Month
3/23/2010
By Liz Hughes
   YES!  It is almost time for the 2010 Property of the Month Program to begin.  Keep Coleman Beautiful would like to remind you that twenty-eight of Coleman’s beautiful properties will receive this designation during this year and hopefully yours will be one of them!  Those who are selected each month will have a nice sign placed in their yard for the month, photographs placed in the newspaper and will receive a $25.00 credit on their City of Coleman utility bill for that month!

   We all have those irritating, ugly green things popping up in our lawns that we lovingly call weeds!  It is time to apply some Weed and Feed fertilizer to our lawns to put the weeds out of their misery and fatten up the grass!  Be sure you are applying the correct product for your type grass.  Also, it is time to clean up our yard maintenance equipment like mowers, edgers, hedgers, blowers and weedeaters.  Check your equipment for proper fluid levels, clean filters, replace spark plugs, sharpen blades and check them for any possible safety issues.  Then, let’s all get outside, be thankful that we have that yard to care for, and do the spring yard cleaning that everyone will notice!

   If you notice a residential property that is especially clean, mowed and neatly edged, please nominate them for the Property of the Month designation by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 625-2163 or Liz Hughes at 625-2975 (evenings are best).  You may also nominate your own property by calling or just send an email to chamber@colemantexas.org.  Citizens who select the properties each month are volunteers and anyone that would like to serve on a committee is certainly welcome to do so!  Call or email to volunteer!

2010-2011 COLEMAN HIGH CHEERLEADERS ANNOUNCED
3/23/2010
Coleman High School announced its Varsity and Junior Varsity cheerleaders for the 2010-2011 school year. The following ladies will represent Coleman next year:

Varsity: l to r: Tiara Rosalez, Autum White, Dylan Buzzard-Captain, Katelynn McKinnon, Laiken Barnett, Sarah Wickson, Shi Brudney-Co-Captain, Ashton West and Sarah Jackson-Mascot.

JV: l to r: Shaila Lewis, Kirstie Jamison, Tiana Thomas, Aspen McConathy, and Shay Carter. Not pictured is Vallari Escobar.

CENSUS INFORMATION STATIONS IN COLEMAN AND SANTA ANNA
3/23/2010
"Have questions or concerns about your Census Bureau questionnaire?  Get all your questions answered!  There is an actual live person in town to answer all your questions, and to help you fill out your forms.  If you can't speak English, no problem, we can assist.  We have other forms in other languages.  2 locations to serve your needs.  The following is a list of where I'll be stationed and what times I'll be there:

Coleman Public Library:  Tuesdays and Thursdays - 12pm-6pm; Saturdays - 9am - 12pm
Santa Anna City Hall Building:  Mondays and Wednesdays - 10:15am-12:30pm, 1:30pm-4:30pm; and Fridays - 1:30pm-4:30pm.

A census representative will be there starting Monday, March 22 through Friday April 16."

COUNCIL TO CONSIDER 4TH OF JULY AT CITY PARK, ADOPTION OF COMMUNITY EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
3/23/2010
CITY OF COLEMAN CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY, MARCH 25, 2010
5:00 P.M. Coleman City Hall 200 W. Liveoak, Coleman, Texas

 PRESENT:
 ABSENT:
 INVOCATION:
 PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
 WELCOME OF VISITORS AND GUEST:
 APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

1.      Council will consider approval of the minutes from the regular meeting held March 4, 2010 and the official record from the meeting held on March 18, 2010 Council may take any action deemed necessary.

RECOGNITION OF STAFF: (NONE)
HEARING OF VISITORS CONCERNING MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA:
PUBLIC HEARING (S): (NONE)
RECEIPT OF BIDS: (NONE)
CONSENT AGENDA:

 OLD BUSINESS:
1.        Council will consider a request from the Rotary Club for the use of the City Park on Friday, July 2, 2010 for a day of events and activities, culminating in an evening fireworks display. Council may take any action deemed necessary.

 NEW BUSINESS:
1.      Council will consider approval of a request from NCRS for the use of the City Park on Thursday, May 20, 2010 for their annual training seminar and fish fry. Council may take any action deemed necessary.
2.      Council will consider adopting a Coleman Emergency Action Plan. Council may take any action deemed necessary.
3.      Council will consider authorizing the Mayor to sign a Resolution amending the authorized representatives for the TexPool Participation Services. Council May take any action deemed necessary.
4.      Council will receive the annual report from the Code Enforcement Official. Council may take any action deemed necessary. 

 CITY MANAGER’S REPORT:
 MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS:
 CLOSE ANY PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ADJOURN:

GAS PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE, LOWER THAN NATIONAL AVG.
3/23/2010
Texas, TX, March 22- Average retail gasoline prices in Texas moved just 2.0 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.66/g today. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.82/g, according to gasoline price website TexasGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Texas during the past week, prices today are 80.9 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 17.4 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 15.4 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 87.5 cents per gallon higher than this day a year ago.

About TexasGasPrices.com

GasBuddy.com operates over 200 live gasoline price-tracking websites, including TexasGasPrices.com. GasBuddy.com was named one of Time magazine's 50 best websites and to PC World's 100 most useful websites of 2008.

BBQ Fundraiser for Gabby Roberts
3/23/2010
We will be having a BBQ plate fundraiser on Saturday, March 27th from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm at Shoppin Baskit. As many of you know Gabby has worked really hard to raise money for her upcoming trip with People to People Student Ambassador in June. She will be able to go to Scotland, England, Wales, North Ireland and Ireland for a 19-day trip. Please come out and help support Gabby. Thank-you and See you Saturday.

COMMUNITY FACILITY ENERGY EFFICIENCY PROJECTS
Developing renewable energy sources for eligible community facilities projects
3/23/2010
Innovative Thinking
Are you an eligible Community Facility looking for a way to become “greener” and more cost effective in your use of energy? We have a deal for you……..
The purchase of and installation of a renewable energy system for use by a community is an eligible purpose for Community Facilities funding. Some restrictions do apply so please refer to Administrative Notice (AN) 4467, dated July 22, 2009 for more information at http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/regs/an/an4467.pdf.

Consider the Community Facilities Program
• Offers direct and guaranteed loans and grants designed to finance the development of over 80 different types of essential community facilities serving rural areas.
• Facilities include, but are not limited to, hospitals, elderly care facilities, child care centers, fire and rescue stations, vocational and medical rehabilitation centers, schools, public transportation infrastructure, and projects that support local and regional food systems.
• Eligible applicants include rural communities and non-profit organizations.
• Loans are made at below-market, fixed interest rates.
• Grants are limited to projects with high financial need that serve low income communities.
• Eligible expenses include land acquisition, construction of facilities, necessary fees, and equipment.
• Community must be under 20,000 in population.
• Grants range from 15%-75% and require matching funds.
Renewable Energy Systems for use by a community facility is an eligible purpose for funding when:
• The facility is an essential community facility, such as a facility used for education or health care.
• The renewable energy system will help defray the cost of facility operation over the life of the system.
• The borrower can demonstrate the system will improve their ability to provide underlying essential community service, such as providing backup facilities or extending fuel supplies of backup facilities.
• The borrower does not have, and will not have, any contract to sell power generated by the energy system; however receiving credit for excess production is permitted.
• The borrower does not plan or anticipate generating more energy than it will use in a consecutive 12 month period.
• The renewable energy system must be a commercially proven and available technology.

Contact Information:
Contact your local RD office for more information and to see if your community is eligible for grant assistance. Please visit http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/tx and view the statewide directory to find an office near you.

Concho Valley Native Plant Society Meeting Next Tuesday
3/23/2010
The program for the upcoming meeting of the Concho Valley Native Plant Society will be presented by Scott McWilliams, P.G. Mr. McWilliams is a Hydrogeologist and and is currently Technical Services Coordinator for the Upper Colorado River Authority. He will give an update on the North Concho Project that was started in 2003, and the restoration projects of the OC Fisher and Twin Buttes reservoirs in removing invasive brushy species of mesquite, saltcedar and willow baccharis. These projects were created to help restore water capture, flow and storage to San Angelo reservoirs.

The meeting will held at seven pm on Tuesday, March 30, at the Massie Myers Garden Center. The center is located at 815 South Abe, on the northeast corner of Abe and Washington in San Angelo. All interested parties are welcome. For more information please call (325) 657-0908.

Coleman Public Library Announces $1.00/Bag Book Sale
3/22/2010
Librarian Sue Dossey announces the $1.00 per bag Book Sale will take place from Wednesday, March 24th through Saturday, March 27th during regular Library hours.

All the books you can get in a bag furnished by the Library will cost only $1.00.

Lydia Class Needs Military Addresses
3/22/2010
The Lydia Class of the First Baptist Church sent care boxes to military last December. The class has been gathering things for more boxes to be sent. BUT, When they went to check addresses on computer, some way they had been deleted, and to top this off, the hard copy had been thrown away.. Well, to make a long story short, they are sitting with various things to be sent and no addresses to send to !!! WHAT THEY NEED IS ADDRESSES !!! So if you have, or know any military person that would like to receive a care box, please let them know. Personnel overseas will be shipped first..Please call the church office at 325-625-3559,email them to firstbap@web-access.net , or call Carolyn Law 325-624-5509.

Trickham Hosting Fund Raiser To Renovate Community Center
3/22/2010
--Contributed--
The Trickham community is having an indoors garage sale at the Trickham Community Center on Saturday, March 27th from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to donate items can bring them to the community center in Trickham on Friday, March 26th from noon to 6 p.m. All proceeds will go to the renovation of the community center.
Trickham tee shirts will be available for sale. Also ball caps. Each of these are $15 each, except for 2x and larger, then they are $17. Some sizes and colors are not available but can be ordered.

Breakfast (8:39-10 a.m.) and lunch (11:30-1 p.m.) food will be available for purchase. There will be soft drinks, water, coffee and tea available all day.

We will have raffle tickets for a quilt. The tickets will be $2 for one and $10 for six. The drawing for the quilt will be held on Sunday, April 11th. You need not be present to win. Another chance to buy these tickets will be Saturday, April 10th at the 1st Annual Trickham Quilt Show at the community center. More details available soon.

For more information, call Cindy at 325-348-3251.

Coleman Co. Telephone Coop., Inc. Directory Cover Photo Contest
3/22/2010
   Coleman County Telephone is beginning the search for the September 2010 Directory Photo Cover.
    In order to be eligible:
* Photos must be taken with a 35MM or digital camera
* Photos must be taken in Coleman County
* Photos must be clear with no fading
* Photos must be reproduction suitable
* Limit of three photographs per participant
* Include the location of the photograph, photographer name  and 
include a return address with a contact telephone number.
* Photos must be received by April 2, 2010
    The photograph that is chosen will be credited to the photographer in the 2010 directory.
    A cash prize of $50 will be awarded to the winner.  The photographer will be required to sign a photo release form for publication.  The photograph will be sent to Hanson Directory Service, Inc. for cover publication.  Hanson Services will return the photograph after publication of the directory. All other entries will be returned by May 31.
    Mail or bring the photographs to the office of:
   Coleman County Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
   215 North Second St
   PO Box 608
   Santa Anna, Texas   76878
    The Cooperative will not be responsible for loss of photos in transit, either being delivered to or mailed from the office.  Please make sure that photos are secure and protected.

Community Choir Easter Cantata, Sunday Evening, April 4 at FBC
. . . next rehearsal is Wednesday (March 24), 7:15 p.m.
3/22/2010
Coleman Community Choir, under the direction of Truitt Mitchell will sing the cantata “I Know My Redeemer Lives” by Sue Smith and Russell Mauldin on Easter Sunday Evening, April 4, at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of Coleman First Baptist Church. Narration will be by Mike Kerzee. Accom-panying this will be a DVD video featuring the Easter story. Jody Payne is in charge of all the electronics. Host Pastor is John Stanislaw.
Forty-two have signed up to sing. The next rehearsal is March 24 at 7:15 p.m. at First Baptist Church.

FUMC Chancel Choir to Present “Hallelujah!
Praise the Lamb” Sunday Morning, April 4th Truitt Mitchell announces the First United Methodist Chancel Choir will present “Hallelujah! Praise the Lamb” Sunday morning, April 4, during the special Easter morning worship service. This is a mini-musical depicting the Easter Story. The Easter service begins at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of First United Methodist Church located at 500 W. Live Oak in Coleman.

COLEMAN COUNTY FARM BUREAU SCHOLARSHIP
3/22/2010
The vision of Texas Farm Bureau and Coleman County Farm Bureau is to benefit all Texans through promotion of a prosperous agriculture for a viable long-term domestic source of food, fiber and fuel; creating a mission of being, “The Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Texas Farm Bureau invests large amounts of money in youth leadership activities. Coleman County Farm Bureau supports this effort by
offering a local Scholarship.

Applicants must be the son or daughter of a current Coleman County Farm Bureau member and a confirmed senior in high school. The applicant must attach a typed 300 word essay on an agricultural topic of your choice; however, applicants are not required to be entering agricultural field of studies. Application deadline is May 3, 2010. Please contact the office at 325-625-2361 or pickup an application at 114 S Concho.

COLEMAN SENIOR PLACES IN HOUSTON STOCK SHOW
3/22/2010
Gary Heath, a Coleman High senior, represented Coleman 4-H in the Market Barrow sale at the 2010 Houston Livestock Show with a 9th place Light Weight Cross Barrow. Luther Dunlap, Coleman County Extension Agent and Gary's father, William Heath, join Gary in his show picture.

CAT CONTROL PROGRAM UNDERWAY IN COLEMAN
3/22/2010
Contributed
Cats, cats, cats! Everyone knows there are too many free-roaming cats in our area. Most of them probably should not be called feral because it seems many are fairly tame. They just haven’t been handled much. Many have just been dumped to make it on their own.

Again, we want to express our appreciation for the people in Coleman and Coleman County that are so supportive of our Humane Society efforts. It is our primary mission to reduce the homeless animal population in our area through our discounted spay/neuter program for owned cats and dogs and, now, through a TNR program. Our foster network allows us to rescue a few (too few) adoptable dogs as well, and we place around 100 dogs (and a few cats) each year. However, the adoption program is self-supporting with the fee that families pay for the new member of their family that has been fully vetted by the Humane Society. THANK YOU!   

SANTA ANNA CEMETERY WORKDAY SCHEDULED
3/22/2010
Saturday March 27, 2010
Santa Anna Cemetery
8:30 A.M. till ????

We ask you bring any of the following yard tools if you have them, if not come anyway. Shovels, Rakes, Weed Eaters, Loppers, Machetes Chain Saws, Hand Saws and any other lawn equipment you might have EXCEPT Mowers. There is no electricity available at the cemetery, so tools must be gas powered or battery powered.

Coleman County's United States Congressman Mike Conaway explains the events leading up to the passing of the healthcare bill on his video blog www.conawayblog.com

TEXAS OFFICIALS ISSUE STATEMENTS ON HEATH CARE BILL
3/22/2010
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry issued the following statement on the passage of the federal health care bill:

"Unfortunately, the health care vote had more to do with expanding socialism on American soil than it does fixing our health care finance and delivery systems. The Obama health care bill undermines patient choice, personal responsibility, medical innovation and fiscal responsibility in America.

"As passed by the U.S. House, the bill will cost Texas taxpayers billions more, and drive our nation much deeper into debt. Congress's backroom deals and parliamentary maneuvers undermined the public trust and increased cynicism in our political process.

"Texas leaders will continue to do everything in our power to fight this federal excess and find ways to protect our families, taxpayers and medical providers from this gross federal overreach."

REMINDER: Little League Coaches Meeting TODAY
3/22/2010
There is a Little League Baseball coaches meeting on Monday, March 22 @ 8:00 pm in the waiting room at the Coleman Medical Associates office. We need each coach to have their team data sheet in order to get uniforms on order. We will also be making final plans for the start of the season as well as discussing the workday scheduled for Saturday, March 27. All coaches or an assistant need to attend this meeting. For any additional info, contact: Michael Taylor 325-636-3922 or 325-625-1217.

PROMOTIONAL OPPORTUNITY FOR COLEMAN COUNTY BUSINESSES
3/22/2010
The Big Country Tax Asses-sor-Collectors Association of Texas will be hosting the annual conference this year, June 5 through 10, in Abilene Texas. All the counties in the Big Country Chapter are looking for items from their counties to place in the goody bags. Any business, city chamber, or organization that would like to donate items such as flyers, pencils, pens, note pads, rulers, calendars, key rings or any other item that represents their business, city, organization, or Coleman County please call 325-625-2153 or bring items by the Tax Assessor-Collectors office (Jamie Trammell) in the courthouse. This is a great way to get your information out, as all 254 counties will have a representative at this conference.

BILLIE MERCER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE
3/20/2010
By Jo Ann Eddleman
Applications for the $500 Billie Mercer Memorial Scholarship are now available at CISD. The scholarship is sponsored by the C. H. Hale Prostate Cancer Foundation.

Mercer was a teacher in Coleman and Mozelle schools, but was perhaps most well known for her correspondent work with Big Country media, especially the Coleman Chronicle & Democrat-Voice, after her retirement from teaching in 1992.

Billie was a familiar figure at newsworthy events in Coleman for over a decade until her sudden passing at age 85 in September of last year. She showed boundless energy in her zeal to cover civic, nonprofit and family events till the day of her death. She kept Coleman in the news in Coleman and Abilene on a regular basis.

Barbara Brown, the director of the C. H. Hale Foundation and a long-time friend of Mercer, has organized and promoted the scholarship fund.

“This scholarship is to keep Billie’s memory alive to honor all that she did to represent our community,” Brown said. “Billie may be gone, but she is not forgotten.”

Brown has designed the scholarship to empower deserving youth who plan to pursue a higher education in the field of education or journalism.

The deadline for applying for the scholarship is May 1. If anyone has questions about the application or would like to contribute to the scholarship fund, please contact Barbara Brown at 325-625-3455.
 

ORDER OF ELECTION FOR CITY OF COLEMAN
3/19/2010
An election is hereby ordered to be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010 for the purpose of electing the following:
Councilmember, Place 1 (North Ward)
Councilmember, Place 4 (South Ward)

PROPOSITION
Voting for or against the adoption of a one-half (1/2) of one percent sales and Use tax within the City of Coleman for economic development pursuant to Chapter 505 of the Texas Local Government Code and the repeal of the additional tax for property tax reduction previously adopted pursuant to Section 321.101 (b) of the Texas Tax Code.

LOCATION OF POLLING PLACE
Coleman City Hall Council Chambers
200 W. Live Oak St.
Coleman, Texas
Early voting by personal appearance will be conducted each weekday at City Hall, 200 W. Live Oak St., between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., beginning on Monday, April 26, 2010 and ending Tuesday, May 4, 2010. Early voting on Monday, May 3 and Tuesday, May 4 will be conducted from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Applications for ballot by mail shall be mailed to:

Karen Langley, City Secretary
P.O. Box 592
Coleman, Texas 76834

Applications for ballots by mail must be received no later than the close of business on Friday, April 30, 2010.

Issued this the 4th day of March, 2010.

Signed:
Nick Poldrack, Mayor
Harold R. Skelton, Councilperson
Terry Langley, Councilperson
Tracy Rankin, Councilperson

MARCH 22ND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING AGENDA
3/19/2010
Click here for commissioners agenda in PDF format

It Simply Wears Out
3/19/2010
By Liz Hughes
Signs of Spring are popping up, and out, all around us! A few flowers are starting to bloom and some of the beautiful flowering trees around our city are even beginning to lose the flowers and the leaves are popping out! How exciting is that? We will all be out in our yards very soon planting seasonal flowers and sprucing the lawn up for the year. Then by the very hot months of August and September everything that we worked so hard over looks like it is simply worn out!

The “things” in life simply wear out and that is a fact! We paint the house and shutters and fifteen years go by before we notice how bad the house is beginning to look. We drive the car for five years, have a flat tire and cannot believe the rubber is almost transparent. The hot water heater develops a leak and floods the house, but we didn’t realize that we haven’t replaced it in...How many years? Our clothes wear out, our shoes wear out, the appliances wear out, and we wear out!

There is something else that wears out that we might not notice. Old Glory wears out too! Many of us want to be patriotic and display the flag of the United States of America proudly on a flag pole in our front yards. That is wonderful, however, we do so and then we forget that our flag needs love and care! The flag (and we should include our state flag) should be treated with the utmost care and respect. You may find many websites on the internet about the flag of the United States of America. You can read about its history, how to fold it, how to fly it, when to fly it, and ways to care for it.

One of the things that helps to beautify our city is seeing our state and national flags flying all around the city. However, when our flags have been left out in the wind, rain, snow, and heat for months, it has taken its beating and needs to be replaced. One of the care instructions for our flag, that we really need to pay attention to, is that we should never fly our flag in a dirty, torn or damaged condition! We need to remember that many men and women have given their lives that we might have the privilege, the right, and the blessing to be able to fly Old Glory! So, take care of your flag by taking it to the dry cleaners on a regular basis (most dry cleaners will not charge you to clean your flag) and when it does get damaged or torn, dispose of it by burning.

Some guidelines:
The U.S. flag should always be treated with the utmost care and respect. Remember, the flag represents a living country and, as such, is considered a living thing.

1. Always display the flag with the blue union field up - never display the flag upside down, except as a distress signal.

2. Always hold the flag carefully - never let it touch anything beneath it: the ground, the floor, water or merchandise.

3. Always keep the flag aloft and free - never carry it flat or horizontally.

4. Always keep the flag clean and safe - never let it become torn, soiled or damaged.

5. Always dispose of a worn flag properly, preferably by burning it.

6. Always treat the flag with respect. Never embroider it on household items or pieces of clothing. Never use it as part of a costume or athletic uniform. However, it is proper to attach a flag patch to the uniform of military personnel, fire fighters, police officers and members of other patriotic organizations - provided the patch is properly affixed. (Note: “Properly affixed” is best understood by referring to the flag code.)

CHAMBER LECTURE SERIES ON FOR MONDAY, SIGN UP NOW
Small Business Lecture Series Announced
3/19/2010
COLEMAN, TX — The Coleman County Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture announced the first installment of a quarterly lecture series aimed squarely at local entrepreneurs and small business owners and managers. The purpose of the lecture series is to conduct a number of presentations throughout the year that focus specifically on the issues faced by local businesses, and to provide content-rich information and strategies to help local businesses grow and succeed.

“Communicating to our member businesses that we are serious about being looked to as a trusted and innovative partner in their success is a point of emphasis this year,” remarked Sandra Barr, Chamber President. “While we applaud and are grateful for our members that support us out of a loyalty and affinity for our community, we understand the need to continually improve our services and benefits in an effort to make membership a good business decision as well as a responsible community decision.”

The initial session, entitled “7 Steps for Small Business Marketing Success”, is about much more than the name implies. It’s a presentation designed especially for small businesses and has been tailored specifically to fit the environment and circumstances faced by business leaders in Coleman and the surrounding area. In this two-hour session, participants will be asked to look at marketing, communications, referrals, and even the positioning of their business in ways they may never have considered before. Participants will also gain a new perspective on how their business is defined, and how an examination of that definition might have far-reaching implications.

Advance registration is available at the Chamber office or by calling (325) 625-2163. The Lecture Series is free to Chamber Members who pre-register, or $5 at the door. Attendance is also available to non-members of the Chamber. For pre-registered non-members, the fee is $20 per person. Non-members registering at the door will be charged $25. One of the more obvious goals for this pricing structure is to encourage non-members to consider joining the Chamber of Commerce. Attending only two of these sessions per year will completely offset the annual membership dues of an individual.

The format for the session is that of an informal classroom and attendees will be provided reference materials, beverages, and snacks. After a few minutes of socializing, the session will get underway and should take around an hour and forty-five minutes. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session and should end around 7:30pm.
 

Drastic Weather Changes Are Coming:
3/19/2010
Contributed by KRBC Meteorologist Chris Whited

Not so cold out there with lows in the middle/upper 40s and the lower 50s this morning. A nice day is ahead but clouds will be on the increase as we head into the afternoon. It will also be quite breezy into the day. Highs will climb into the lower 70s across the area.

Strong cold front still on track to arrive overnight and into Saturday morning across the area. Good chance for a line of showers and thunderstorms along the front after midnight. Cold air will filter in behind the front and any lingering/wrap around moisture will change over to a rain/snow mix but no major weather related issues are expected. Temperatures will be much colder on Saturday with highs only in the middle/upper 30s across the Big Country and low 40s across the Northern Heartland and the Concho Valley. Saturday is also the first day of spring but it will not feel much like spring. In case your wondering the Vernal Equinox will occur at 12:32 P.M. CDT on Saturday. Temperatures will be in the upper 20s and lower 30s on Sunday morning so expect a light freeze across the region. Temperatures warm back into the middle 50s on Sunday.

Next Week: A few clouds in the early part of the week with temperatures heading back into the 70s and lows back into the 40s. Shower and thunderstorm chances return by the middle of the week.

Drought Information: For the latest drought information for the state of Texas please visit the U.S Drought Monitor website by clicking here. The data is updated by the government every Thursday morning around 7:30 AM local time.

Join us for the latest news and weather updates in the mornings for Abilene & the Big Country on KRBC's Abilene Today at 6:00 A.M. and on Abilene Midday at 11:30 A.M. Our news and weather coverage continues in the afternoon at 5:00 and tonight 6:00 and 10:00 P.M. on KRBC.

* KRBC on Twitter: You can follow us on twitter anytime for quick weather updates, especially during severe weather and winter weather events affecting the Big Country by visiting the KRBC Weather Twitter. News updates from KRBC and our website BigCountryHomepage.Com are available via twitter also by visiting the Big Country Homepage Twitter.

Enjoy your weekend...

City Council fails to reach quorum, calls special meeting
3/19/2010
A quorum was not present Thursday afternoon for the City Council meeting. Councilmen Harold Skelton and Terry Langley were absent, leaving only Councilwoman Tracy Rankin and Mayor Nick Poldrack available to conduct the city’s business. The City Charter requires a quorum of three. A special meeting can be called if necessary.

Glen Cove Baptist Revival
3/19/2010
Glen Cove Baptist Church will be having Revival services on March 19-21. On March 19&20 the services will begin at 7:00pm. On Sunday March 21st there will be a service beginning at 11:00am followed by a fellowship meal. The speaker will be Matt McGowen and the music will be led by Don Harmes. All are invited to come and join us!

Nix the 66 – Tobacco Deaths in TX Every Day!
3/18/2010
Submitted by Holly McFarland, M.A.

Coleman County Farm Bureau Scholarship
3/18/2010
The vision of Texas Farm Bureau and Coleman County Farm Bureau is to benefit all Texans through promotion of a prosperous agriculture for a viable long-term domestic source of food, fiber and fuel; creating a mission of being, “The Voice of Texas Agriculture.” Texas Farm Bureau invests large amounts of money in youth leadership activities. Coleman County Farm Bureau supports this effort by offering a local Scholarship.

Applicants must be the son or daughter of a current Coleman County Farm Bureau member and a confirmed senior in high school. The applicant must attach a typed 300 word essay on an agricultural topic of your choice; however, applicants are not required to be entering agricultural field of studies. Application deadline is May 3, 2010. Please contact the office at 325-625-2361 or pickup an application at 114 S Concho.

Kaye Franklin Cancer Group To Meet Next Tuesday
3/18/2010
   The Kaye Franklin Cancer group will meet next Tuesday, March 23rd   at 5:30 p.m. at the Chamber of Commerce meeting room. Linda Neill of the American Cancer Society will be the speaker.

MASON HONORED FOR 50 & 65 YEARS OF SERVICE
3/18/2010
Paul Smith, Pastor of Community Baptist Church and long-time Freemason, received both a 50 and 65 year service award from his local Masonic Lodge. Mr. Smith is pictured above with 2010 District Deputy Grand Master Micky Sargent who awarded Mr. Smith with two plaques and a honorary lapel pin. Also pictured above are Mr. Smith's wife, Anita, who had the honor of pinning Mr. Smith's lapel. Freemasons in attendance included Glen Hollingsworth, Van Row, Don Baber, Micky Sargent, Philip Roberts, Sam Kemp, Joe Harris, and Jim Mitchell.

Rural Texas Takes Center Stage at Economic Roundtable Meetings
3/18/2010
As part of an ongoing effort to enhance economic growth in rural Texas, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples announced today that the Texas Department of Agriculture is hosting a series of roundtable meetings designed to bring TDA staff and rural business leaders together to exchange ideas and share success stories. The latest series of meetings targets cities in west Texas.

"Rural Texas offers a wealth of resources, talent and opportunities for economic growth," Commissioner Staples said. "Growing successful businesses in rural Texas ultimately benefits the entire Lone Star State. By partnering together, we will be able to identify areas of need and opportunity, and continue to showcase rural Texas as a land of vast economic potential."

The City of Coleman, Chamber of Commerce, and Coleman Economic Development Corporation along with the United States Department of Agriculture and Texas Department of Agriculture will host a Rural Development workshop on March 31st, 2010. 

Anyone interested in attending the workshop may contact the Chamber of Commerce office by the March 26th deadline so that we can have a number of those attending. The workshop costs $20 for each individual attending and participating in the workshop. 

The program will host an array of special guests and seminars focused on rural development in Texas. Board members from neighboring Economic Development Councils will speak on panels concerning both economic development and rural tourism. 

The workshop costs $20 and features a networking luncheon. The Thursday event will be held at the Tillman Room in the Coleman Public Library. Community leaders, business owners, nonprofit participants, educators and interested citizens are encouraged to attend the workshop.
8:30 – 9:00 Registration
9:00 – 9:15 Welcome - City of Coleman
9:15 – 9:45 West Central Texas Council of Governments - Cindy Manak

9:45 – 10:00 USDA Rural Development- Patricia Butler

10:00 – 10:15 BREAK 

10:15 – 10:45 Texas Department of Agriculture
Mendy Shugart – GO TEXAN program
Chandra Eggemeyer – Texas Capital Fund, Rural Economic Development

10:45 – 11:45 Panel Presentation – Rural Economic Development in Action
* Connie Seldon, City of Tye 
* Rob Lindsey, City of Goldthwaite
* Jacci Stewart, City of Comanche

11:45 – 12:30 Networking Lunch

12:30 – 1:30 Panel Presentation – Tourism and Rural Community Development
* Kathy Keane – City of Eden 
* Remelle Farrar – Knox County 
* Trent McKnight – City of Throckmorton 

1:30 - 2:00 Texas Parks & Wildlife - Shelly Plante

2:00 – 2:15 BREAK

2:15 – 3:00 When Hollywood Comes to Town
Carol Pirie, Texas Film Commission 

3:00 – 3:30 “How to DRIVE Traffic to Your Community” and “Marketing
Your Community to Retirees”
Presented by Mary Lewis and Janet Ridgway of Texas Tee Golf 
Tours and Where to RetireinTexas.com
Who: County Judges, Mayors, Economic Developers, Chambers of Commerce, City Services, Community Developers, Convention and Visitor Bureaus, Community Volunteers, Interested citizens……

When: Thursday, March 31st, 2010 - 9:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Where: The Tillman Community Room @ The Coleman Public Library, 406 Commercial Avenue, Coleman, TX 76834

Cost: $20.00 includes lunch and registration
Please RSVP by Friday, March 26th to the Coleman Chamber of Commerce & Agriculture @ Phone #325-625-2163 or e-mail: chamber@colemantexas.org.
 

Promotional Opportunity Available with Development Workshop
The Coleman County Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture & Tourist Bureau along with the City of Coleman, Coleman EDC, Inc. and the Texas Department of Agriculture USDA – Rural Development will be sponsoring a workshop Wednesday, March 31, 2010 at the Tillman Community Room at the Coleman Public Library. Any business that would like to donate 60 – 100 promotional items such as pencils, pens, note pads, etc. to put in the welcome packages, please contact the Coleman County Chamber of Commerce at (325) 625-2163 or please bring to the Chamber Office at 218 Commercial Ave.

Chamber Requesting Nominations for 2010 Community Special Awards
3/18/2010
Nominations for 2010 Citizen of the Year, Rural Citizen of the Year, New Horizon Award, and Teacher of the Year Award are being accepted now at the Coleman Chamber of Commerce Office. The New Horizon Award is for any person between the age of 20 – 45, residing in Coleman or Coleman County. Nominations for Teacher of the Year are for any teacher teaching in Coleman County Schools. Winner of the four awards will be announced at the Annual Coleman County Chamber of Commerce Banquet on Friday, April 23, 2010.

Nominations should be mailed or turned in at the Coleman Chamber of Commerce by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 1st which is the deadline to submit names for consideration by the election committee.

Notation should be made on the outside of the sealed envelopes stating which award the nominated person is being named to receive. Unopened envelopes will be given to the selection committee for their decisions.

Mailing address of the Coleman Chamber of Commerce Office is P.O. Box 796, Coleman, Texas 76834 or please come by the Chamber Office for a nomination form.

More information concerning the banquet on April 23rd will be announced at a later date.

MAIL BALLOT NOTICE
3/18/2010
This is a reminder that Tuesday, March 9, 2010 was the first day for the City Secretary to accept applications for voting by mail ballots. April 30, 2010 is the last day for the City Secretary to receive applications by mail for a ballot to be voted by mail, by 12:00 noon or close of business, which ever is later.

Contact the City Secretary at 325-625-4116 to request an application for voting by mail.

SKATEBOARD AND BICYCLE ORDINANCE REMINDER
3/18/2010
With summertime coming up we would like to remind the citizens of this new law for the city in regards to bicycles and skateboards are not allowed in the downtown area.

ORDINANCE NO. 1108

AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 384 WHICH WOULD MAKE IT ILLEGAL TO RIDE ANY BICYCLE, SKATE BOARD , ROLLER SKATES, ROLLER BLADES AND OTHER SIMILAR DEVICES ON THE SIDEWALKS IN THE BUSINESS DISTRICT OF CITY OF COLEMAN.

ARTICLE 12.06
SKATEBOARDS, BICYCLES AND SIMILAR DEVICES

Sec. 12.06.001 Skateboards, bicycles and similar devices prohibited within defined districts.

(a) No person shall use or operate skateboards, roller skates, rollerblades, or similar devices within designated and described under section (c), unless specifically permitted by Council.
(b) Persons operating bicycles within the city limits of the City of Coleman must adhere to the requirements set forth in the Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 551. No person shall use or operate a bicycle, moped, tricycle or similar device on sidewalks within the districts described in section (c), unless specifically permitted for such purposes by Council.
(c) The activities set forth in sections (a) and (b) are prohibited on certain identified streets, avenues and roadways and their adjacent sidewalks and intersections as follows:
Concho Street from Cottonwood Street to Cedar Street
Liveoak Street from Neches Street to BNSF right-of-way
Pecan Street from Neches Street to BNSF right-of-way
College Ave. from Neches Street to BNSF right-of-way
Elm Street from Frio Street to San Saba Street
East Street from Cottonwood Street to Liveoak Street
West Street from Cottonwood Street to Liveoak Street
Neches Street from Liveoak Street to College Avenue
Frio Street from Liveoak Street to College Avenue
Pecos Street from Cottonwood Street to Walnut Street
Commercial Avenue from Liveoak Street to Cedar Street
Colorado Street from Highway 84 to Cedar Street
San Saba Street from BNSF to Walnut Street
Llano Street from BNSF to Walnut Street
Cottonwood Street from Pecos Street to East Street
Commercial Avenue from Liveoak Street to Walnut Street

(d) Exceptions
(1) Wheelchairs and such devices to assist handicapped or physically impaired persons are excluded from the provisions of this section.
(2) Registered participants in an approved parade, festival, celebration or similar event are excluded from the provisions of this section to the extent of their approved participation.

Sec. 12.06.002 Penalty

Any person found guilty of violating any section of this article shall be fined in accordance with the general provision set forth in section 1.01.009 of this code.

PASSED AND APPROVED ON FIRST READING THIS 5TH Day of November, 2009.

PASSED AND APPROVED ON THE SECOND AND FINAL READING THIS
19TH DAY OF November, 2009.

Senate’s Leading Gun Rights Duo Reloads for Supreme Court Case
Hutchison, Tester Wrote Congressional Brief in Support of Stronger Gun Rights
3/18/2010
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Saying gun rights rise above party differences, U.S. Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and Jon Tester are again teaming up to urge the U.S. Supreme Court to strengthen gun rights for law-abiding Americans.

The Court today began hearing arguments in the case McDonald v. City of Chicago. The case will determine whether state and local governments have the right to restrict gun ownership.

Tester, D-Mont., and Hutchison, R-Texas, are leading the charge in Congress, urging the Supreme Court to side in favor of stronger gun rights.

Last October, they wrote and delivered a 59-page friend-of-the-court brief to the Court with signatures from 309 senators and representatives from both parties—more members of Congress than any friend-of-the-court brief in U.S. history.

“We’ve seen a lot of success this last year in making our gun rights in this country stronger,” said Tester, who serves as vice chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus. “And it’s a result of us working together. This isn’t about partisan politics. It’s about making sure law-abiding folks have the same rights under our Constitution, no matter where they live.”

“Even after the Supreme Court’s decision in the Heller v. District of Columbia case, we’ve seen cities and states continue to enact restrictions and regulations that infringe on the rights of Americans to own a firearm, and to justify these actions by arguing the Second Amendment does not apply to the states,” Hutchison said. “I’m confident that after hearing the arguments in McDonald v. City of Chicago, the Supreme Court will make clear once and for all that an individual’s right to keep and bear arms does not depend upon where he or she lives in America.”

Tester and Hutchison also led the effort in Congress to support gun rights in the landmark Supreme Court case Heller v. District of Columbia. That case overturned Washington, D.C.’s longstanding ban on firearms.

Factsheet: 2010 State of the Birds in Texas
3/18/2010
Texas has recorded 636 total bird species, more than any state except California. Of these, 10 are on state and federal endangered species lists, and another 20 are listed as threatened. In the Texas Wildlife Action Plan, 39 birds are high priority species of greatest conservation need, birds that are already or could become threatened or endangered and need our help.

All these birds at risk represent habitats at risk. Protecting and restoring native habitat and controlling invasive species that disrupt native habitat are thus critical strategies.

For example, a key focus in Texas is restoring native grasslands. This benefits popular game birds like bobwhite quail and rare birds like the lesser prairie chicken. Prairie habitat sustains both, and threats to that habitat are causing both to decline.

Texas is a private land state, where 95 percent of the habitat is privately owned. Most habitat protection and restoration is done in collaboration with private landowners.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Joint Ventures, US Fish and Wildlife Service Partners Program and several non-governmental organizations work with private landowners across the landscape to manage and restore grassland, wetland, estuary and coastal habitats that benefit birds of concern.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and its partners promote bird conservation under the Texas Wildlife Action Plan and funds public and private land restoration and protection projects with the State Wildlife Grants, Landowner Incentive Program, Farm Bill programs, Upland Game Bird Stamp sales revenue, and Horned Lizard License Plate funds.

Climate change is an emerging threat that affects birds and the habitats on which they depend by changing temperatures and rainfall which affects growing seasons, insect availability, migration patterns and timing, invasive species growth and range, and pests and diseases. Climate change can intensify existing threats.

More than 70 species of South Texas birds such as least grebe, great kiskadee, green jay and buff-bellied hummingbird have expanded their ranges north and east. Some scientists believe this is due to climate change although expansions are also due to habitat change from fire suppression, native vegetation losses, and invasive brush encroachment. Pests and diseases are increasing in range because warmer winters reduce die-off, and parasite development rates and infectivity increase with temperature. Woody shrubs invading prairie grasslands are favored by increases in concentrations of CO2, changes in soil moisture cycles, fire suppression, and soil disturbances.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department is revising the Texas Wildlife Action Plan this year with our conservation partners to include a new chapter to identify next steps in climate change adaptation strategies. TPWD plans to continue emphasis on private land stewardship, undertake or expand research and monitoring to understand climate change impacts, and explore partnerships and strategies to mitigate impacts.

Protecting and restoring native habitat and controlling invasive species are fundamental conservation actions that will also help mitigate climate change impacts, as native bird species are better able to withstand multiple pressures if they have healthy native habitat.

Annual Central Texas Pecan Short Course to be Held in Goldthwaite on March 30, 2010 4 CEU's Offered
3/17/2010
NEWS RELEASE - Contributed by: Luther Dunlap, CEA-Ag/NR
The annual Central Texas Pecan Short course will be conducted by the Texas AgriLife Extension Office in Mills County from 9:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on March 30. The program will be held at the Mills County Civic Center located at 1103 Cline in Goldthwaite.

This program will educate producers on the best management practices available. There will also be equipment set up to allow producers to see what is available.

Topics and speakers will include:

* Pecan Market Update, Dewayne McCasland, Owner SNT/Pecans.com, Goldthwaite
* Disease and Control Options, Dr. Larry Stein, AgriLife Extension Horticulturist, Uvalde
* Pecan IPM Strategies, Bill Ree, AgriLife Extension Entomologist, College Station
* Nut Phenology and Nutrition, Monte Nesbitt, AgriLife Extension Pecan Specialist, College Station
* Pecan Tree Care in the Home Landscape, Wade Hibler, AgriLife Extension Agent, Burnet County
* Laws and Regulations, Benji Parham, Texas Department of Agriculture
* Water Management, Dr. Larry Stein, AgriLife Extension Horticulturist, Uvalde

A total of 4 Continuing Education Units (CEU*s) will be offered for participants. These will include 2 General, 1 Laws & Regulations, and 1 IPM.

Individual pre-registration by March 26 is $5 and $10 after that. The fee covers educational materials and lunch.

For more information or to pre-register, call the AgriLife Extension Office in Mills County at 325-648-2650.

CCMC BOARD CANCELS ELECTION
3/17/2010
On March 9, 2010, the Coleman County Medical Center Board of Directors met in a call meeting with only one item on the agenda – to cancel their election.

Incumbents Mark Griffis, Jackie Smith, and Linda Laws were the only people who chose to file for the three places open on the CCMC Board by the 5 PM deadline on March 8, 2010, so board members voted unanimously to cancel the election.

The election was to be in conjunction with the City and School elections on May 8, 2010, and the three CCMC board members will be sworn in after that date.

JR and Winnie Lane Scholarship Applications Now Available
3/17/2010
The family of JR and Winnie Lane announce that applications for the 2010-2011 scholarship of $1000 are now being accepted. Applicants must have completed at least one year of college and must have a stated degree plan.

Applications can be obtained at rblane744@yahoo.com and must be submitted by April 19, 2010.

Lake Coleman VFD Chili Lunch Fundraiser Saturday
3/17/2010
The Lake Coleman Volunteer Fire Dept. invites everyone to their Chili Lunch Fund Raiser this Saturday (March 20th) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Chili and all the fixings will be available for a $6.00 donation per person. Proceeds from the benefit will be used for the upkeep of the fire department’s equipment.

Coleman Police Department Stern in the Spring
Cases include theft, contributing to minors, arson
by Kim Horne
3/17/2010

Probation Violator Apprehended After Stealing from Elderly
On Wednesday, March 8th, 2010, a 78-year-old woman reported her wallet stolen. The lady had advised the Coleman Police Department that her wallet had been returned by a male subject who reported that the wallet was taken by Brittany Warrenfeltz. Also, on March 8th, a 73-year-old Coleman man reported stolen checks from his residence. Two of these checks were cashed at a local business. The person cashing the checks was identified as Brittany Warrenfeltz thanks to surveillance cameras. Upon further investigations, Coleman Police Department determined that the 78-year-old lady's credit cards and checks were used illegally without her permission. Detective Sergeant Phil Chambers and Officer Tia Beasley obtained arrest warrants on March 11th for forgery and credit card abuse. On March 11th at 5:57 p.m., Officers Tia Beasley, Gary Berry, Jason Ritter, and Detective Sergeant Phil Chambers located Brittany Warrenfeltz and, after a short foot chase, apprehended and arrested her on both counts.

Warrenfeltz was recently released from Shock Probation for the aggravated assault that occurred on September 20th of 2008 for the stabbing of Amber Culwell. The District Attorney's office will be preparing a judgment adjudicating guilt to be presented before Judge Weeks to determine sentencing.

Contributing to minors leads to alcohol poisoning
On March 12th, 2010, at approximately 10:32 a.m. Sergeant Don Carmack of the Coleman Police Department received a call saying that there was a party in progress where minors were present. They arrived at a Southside residence, investigated, and one under age female was transported by EMS to Coleman County Medical Center for acute alcohol poisoning. The home was owned by 45 year old male, Rodney Eschenbacher. Ten citations were issued to minors for possession and consumption. Eschenbacker was arrested for furnishing the alcohol to the minors.

Vandalism lands one young man with arson charges
On February 20th, 2010, at 4:00 a.m., the Coleman Police Department was notified by a caller that a City of Coleman owned pickup truck had been deliberately set on fire. Detective Sergeant Phil Chambers along with the Texas Rangers launched an investigation, investigative procedure, and evidence alleging that the pickup fire had been set by Jeffrey Prescott Rivera Jr., 19-years-old of Santa Anna. An arrest warrant was obtained on March 2nd, alleging arson of a vehicle. Rivera was located on Saturday, March 13th, and was arrested by Detective Sergeant Phil Chambers, Officers Gary Berry, Doug Butler, and Sam Alderman. Rivera posted bond March 15th. During this investigation Detective Sergeant Phil Chambers obtained a buccal swab to get DNA evidence in order to conduct an investigation concerning blood found on the scene of the crime. The buccal swab and the blood were sent to the TX Dept. Safety Crime Lab for testing.

Coleman County has a new Cowboy Church!
3/17/2010
Coleman County has a new Cowboy Church! We are meeting at the Coleman County Auction Barn, out on the Abilene hwy by Pizza Hut. Church starts at 5:00pm on Sunday evenings.

Come and join us for lot of fellowship and worship and the Joy and Love of Jesus Christ!!!!
Looking forward to seeing you there and we love the chance to spread God's Word to all that are ready for a change in their life!!

God Bless you, yours in Christ,
Pastor Joseph Buse

Many Thanks to 2010 Coleman County Stock Show Donors:
3/17/2010
Coleman County Extension Education Association
Nathan Wise
Johnson Feed Barn
Mr. & Mrs. Rob Cheaney
Sherman & Tammy Smith
Producers Livestock Auction
L & S Cattle
Bob Turner
Liveoak Real Estate
Scott & Myrtie Beaver
Henry & Margie Dodson
Coleman Vet Clinic
Chris & Cindy Jamison
Sammy Pate
Steve Autry Don & Vicki Allen
Coleman County State Bank
Henderson Funeral Home
Santa Anna National Bank
Davis Farm & Ranch Supply
Jo Ann Allen
F & L Feed Store
Dona Triplitt
Collier Watson, CPA
Nancy & Chuck Baker
Don Wilkinson
Kirby Vanover T
ravis Goree
Nelda Copley
Dale Herring
Sidney Burdick
Jack & Carole Horne
Mr. & Mrs. Burgess Bill Hightower
Stewardson Family
Max Horne
Johnson Implement Co.
Coleman Co. Special Utility District
Williams Tire Store
Coleman County Electric Cooperative
Sandy & Barbara Neal
Janie Brown Hemphill
Coleman Grain
Harold & Caroline Skelton
Andy D. Young
Kent Finley
Virginia Jamison
Central Texas Farm Credit
Steve & Sarah Beal
David & Betty Watson
Mr. & Mrs. Charlie Avants
Circle C Cattlewomen
Countywide Insurance
Liveoak Land & Real Estate
Barbara Young
Hall’s Processing
Jerry Allen
Charlie Avants
Tommy Sloan
Central Texas Farm Credit
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Merryman
Wayne Webb
Randall & Peggy Brown
Jim McAnally
Heath & Danielle Hemphill
Cecil Day
Roy Young
Walker Funeral Home
Michael Smith
Earle Smith’s Jewelry
First Coleman National Bank
Taylor-Hetzell Real Estate
Raye King Management
Coleman Livestock Auction
Lynn Owens
Jimmie Jamison
James & Jo Barr

Jansen Merrill participated in the 2010 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. He is pictured with his third place Middle Weight Maine-Anjou steer. Jansen is the son of John and Sherri Merrill of Coleman.

COMMISSIONER STAPLES SALUTES FARMERS, RANCHERS DURING NATIONAL AGRICULTURE WEEK
Ag industry brings more than $100 billion to Texas economy
3/16/2010
AUSTIN — As the agriculture industry takes center stage during National Agriculture Week, March 14-20, Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples asks Texans to join him in honoring the state’s hardworking farmers and ranchers for making Texas a powerhouse of productivity.

“Our producers are responsible for the most abundant, most affordable and safest food supply in the world,” Commissioner Staples said. “The Texas agriculture industry employs one in seven working Texans and brings more than $100 billion a year to the economy of our great state. I ask all Texans to take time, especially on March 20 - National Agriculture Day - to celebrate and thank our farmers and ranchers by buying Texas-grown and raised products, and choosing those with the GO TEXAN brand.”

American farmers are more productive and efficient than ever before. According to the Texas Farm Bureau, each producer today feeds 155 people in the U.S. and abroad. In Texas, about 1.8 million people work in agriculture-related jobs, ranging from journalism and advertising to commodity trading.

“Many of us take our readily accessible and safe food supply for granted, which is a testament to the high standards and strong work ethic of those who work in our agriculture industry,” Commissioner Staples said. “National Ag Week is an occasion to recognize those who contribute so much to the health, well-being and prosperity of this country.”

For a list of local farmers markets, Texas products and information about the GO TEXAN Program, visit the Texas Department of Agriculture Web site at www.TexasAgriculture.gov.

Coleman Country Club 2010 Tournament Schedule
3/16/2010
March 27 & 28 *Spring Fling 3 Person Tournament*
Meal and practice round included... $300 / Team

April 10 & 11 Guys and Dolls Scramble
Meal and practice round included... $150 / Team

May 8& 9 Two Person Low Ball
Pre-flighted -Back to Par- Handicaps Req.
Meal and practice round included... $200 / Team

June 4, 5, & 6 Flynn Coleman Invitational

June 19 Coleman Rodeo Tournament

July 10 & 11 *Four Person Scramble*
Meal and practice round included... $400 / Team

July 31 & Aug 1 *Three Person Scramble*
Meal and practice round included... $300 / Team

August 28 One Person 27 Hole Scramble
10 a.m. Tee-time... $75 Person

Sept. 11 & 12 Club Championship

The first PAID entries will be used to fill the limited number of spots. For more information you may contact Eric Fritsch at 325-214-4044 or log on to our website at colemancountryclub.com. Clubhouse 325-625-2922 * Sponsored Tournaments *

Thursday And Sunday Scrambles
Sunday scrambles will be held the third Sunday each month beginning March 21 through October 17. Sign up by contacting the Pro Shop at 325-625 2922. Entry’s due by 1 pm and tee off is shortly thereafter. Entry fee is $20.

Thursday scrambles will be held every Thursday afternoon beginning March 18 through October 21. Sign up by contacting Pro Shop at 325-625 2922. Entry’s due by 5:30 pm and tee off is shortly thereafter. Entry fee is $10.

Cart rentals are limited for all Tournaments and Scrambles. Those interested can contact the pro shop and should contact us early for tournament availability.

CITY OF SANTA ANNA WILL CANCEL GENERAL CITY ELECTION
3/16/2010
The deadlines to file an application for a place on the ballot and to declare a write-in candidacy have passed. Three   s, Shannon Enriquez (incumbent), Richard Horner (incumbent), and Tim Humpert have filed applications for the three council member positions. At its next council meeting on Monday, April 12, 2010, the City Council of the City of Santa Anna will cancel the May 8, 2010 election and declare the unopposed candidates as elected to office. The three will be sworn in at the May 10 council meeting and assume their duties on Friday, May 14 (6th day after cancelled election.)

COLEMAN FIRE DEPARTMENT TAKIN' IT TO THE STREETS
3/16/2010
The Coleman Fire Department will be out on the street corner again to fill the boot! CFD Firefighters will be fundraising on Walnut and Commercial this Saturday morning, March 20th, for a “Fill the Boot” fundraiser.

Members are hoping to raise enough funds to complete the outfitting of their new truck. The department is currently building a new brush truck for use on area wildland fires and in and around the city on various calls. While the truck is almost complete, with a new pump and tank unit to be delivered by the end of the month, many pieces are still needed to complete the truck. Emergency lighting and sirens, a heavy duty front grill guard, and some tools are still to be purchased.

As your out and about this Saturday, please drop off a donation to the Coleman Fire Department. Members should hit the corner of Commercial and Walnut about 9:00 AM and be there until after lunch. If you miss the Fill the Boot, donations can be dropped off at the Coleman Fire Station any time.

2010 Census Forms Arrive in 120 Million Mailboxes Across Nation
Responding By Mail Can Save Taxpayers Hundreds of Millions
3/16/2010
Asking just 10 questions and taking about 10 minutes to complete, 2010 Census forms began arriving in 120 million mailboxes across the nation today ― just the 23rd time the country has undertaken the constitutionally mandated population count that dates back to 1790.

The only civic event that includes every person in the country, the Census is the basis for America’s representative democracy, ensuring that Congress is fairly reapportioned every 10 years between the states. Census counts are also used to redraw state and local legislative boundaries so that political representation is fairly distributed across their changing populations.

“When you receive your 2010 Census, please fill it out and mail it back,” Census Bureau Director Robert M. Groves said. “It’s one of the shortest forms in our lifetime with just 10 questions very much like the questions James Madison and Thomas Jefferson helped craft on the very first Census.”

As America has grown and become more complex and more diverse, it has become more challenging over the decades to get a complete count of the population. The 2010 Census faces special challenges during the current economic downturn, including the housing crisis which has resulted in higher rates of vacant housing that must be visited to ensure a complete count.

The Census Bureau today estimated that if every household completed and mailed back their census form, taxpayers could reduce the cost of taking the census by $1.5 billion. The Census Bureau saves about $85 million in operational costs for every percentage point increase in the nation’s participation rate by mail.

“Here is something every family can do to help their government save money, and get an accurate Census at the same time. Mailing back your census form when it arrives will contribute to saving hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars,” Groves added. “It’s a lot less expensive to get responses back by mail than it is to send census takers to knock on doors of households that failed to respond.”

“It costs the government just 42 cents for a postage paid envelope when a household mails back the form,” said Groves. “It costs $57 to send a census taker door-to-door to follow up with each household that fails to respond.”

Advance letters alerting households to the arrival of the 2010 Census form last week, as well as reminder postcards sent later this month, are all part of a mailing strategy that has been proven to increase participation in the census by mail — a cost savings that could exceed more than $500 million.

Even with these changes to make the census the shortest and easiest in a lifetime, the Census Bureau still projects that it will have to send census takers to an estimated 48 million households that do not respond by mail. Following up door-to-door to count households from May to July will require hiring about 650,000 census workers.
Participating in the census is required by law for everyone living in the United States, and the public is encouraged to promptly mail back their 2010 Census forms once they are delivered this week between March 15-17. About 12 million addresses, mostly in rural areas as well as Gulf Coast areas affected by Hurricane Katrina, began receiving hand-delivered forms March 1.

Census data also help determine how more than $400 billion in federal funds are distributed to tribal, state and local governments every year ―including funding for schools, roads, health care and other critical programs.

As a way of encouraging response, the Census Bureau will be publishing mail participation rates showing the percent of the population that have mailed back their 2010 Census forms on a daily basis on 2010census.gov. This map-based feature and widget application allows communities to track how well they are responding by mail and if they’re doing better than neighboring cities, counties or states. The first participation rates for the 2010 Census will appear March 22. Rates from the 2000 Census are already on the new site and serve as a benchmark. We hope communities will challenge themselves to exceed their 2000 performance for this census.

Federal Government Must Take Action To Prevent Spillover Violence from Mexico
Requests Predator Drones and National Guard Troops along Border
Press Release Office of the Governor
3/16/2010
AUSTIN – In light of increasing bloodshed in northern Mexico, including the deaths of individuals with U.S. consulate ties, Gov. Perry today called on the federal government to take immediate action to prevent spillover violence on U.S. soil.

“Over the weekend, more innocent people fell victim to the increasingly ruthless Mexican drug cartels, including the murder of a pregnant American woman and her American husband in Juarez,” Gov. Perry said. “How many Americans will have to die before our federal government takes serious action along the Texas-Mexico border? For years, they have failed in their vital duty to secure the border, resulting in escalating violence along the Texas-Mexico border. The federal government must immediately take steps to increase resources along the border to protect American lives.

“As we express sympathy for the lives lost, we are also dismayed by the brutal and cowardly tactics of the drug cartels, and we will continue supporting President Calderon’s efforts to defeat them by committing our own resources here in Texas to amplify border security efforts.”

As a result of the increase in violence, the Texas Department of Public Safety has urged all Texas students to avoid traveling to border cities in Mexico during spring break, and extra troopers will be on patrol as a precaution.

Last week, Gov. Perry sent a letter to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano requesting that the federal government utilize Unmanned Aircraft Systems, also known as predator drones, for missions over the Texas-Mexico border. This would provide an additional surveillance element, supplying valuable information to local, state and federal law enforcement along the border. Currently the three predator drones assigned to the southwest border are based in and operating exclusively in Arizona.

Since January 2008, a reported 4,700 homicides have been committed across the border from El Paso in Ciudad Juarez, making it one of the most violent cities in the world.

Since January 2009, Gov. Perry has repeatedly urged the federal government, through letters to President Barack Obama, Secretary Janet Napolitano and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, to approve his request for 1,000 Title 32 National Guardsmen to support civilian law enforcement efforts to enhance border security in Texas. While Washington continues to review this request, more Americans are at risk of falling victim to the increasing violence.

A porous border places Texas and the nation at risk from international terrorists, organized crime cartels and transnational gangs. Until the federal government fulfills its responsibility of securing our border, Texas will continue filling in the gaps by putting more boots on the ground, providing increased law enforcement resources and leveraging technology along the border.

In the absence of adequate federal resources to secure the state’s southern border, Gov. Perry launched the state’s recent border security enhancement using highly-skilled Ranger Reconnaissance (Ranger Recon) Teams to address the ever evolving threat along the Texas-Mexico border. Additionally, under the governor’s leadership, and thanks to action taken by the Legislature, the state has dedicated more than $110 million to border security efforts in each of the last two legislative sessions.

To view Gov. Perry’s recent letter to Sec. Napolitano, please visit http://governor.state.tx.us/files/press-office/O-NapolitanoJanet20100312.pdf

Council To Consider 4th of July Celebration, Adopt Coleman Emergency Action Plan
3/15/2010
AGENDA
CITY OF COLEMAN
CITY COUNCIL
THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2010
5:00 P.M.
Coleman City Hall
200 W. Liveoak
Coleman, Texas

PRESENT:
ABSENT:
INVOCATION:
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
WELCOME OF VISTORS AND GUEST:

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
1. Council will consider approval of the minutes from the regular meeting held March 4, 2010. Council may take any action deemed necessary.

RECOGNITION OF STAFF: (NONE)
HEARING OF VISITORS CONCERNING MATTERS NOT ON AGENDA:
PUBLIC HEARING (S): (NONE)
RECEIPT OF BIDS: (NONE)
CONSENT AGENDA:

OLD BUSINESS:
1. Council will consider a request from the Rotary Club for the use of the City Park, on Friday, July 2, 2010, for a day of events and activities, culminating in an evening fireworks display. Council may take any action deemed necessary.

NEW BUSINESS:
1. Council will consider approval of a request from NCRS for the use of the City Park, on Thursday, May 20, 2010, for their annual training seminar and fish fry. Council may take any action deemed necessary.
2. Council will consider adopting a Coleman Emergency Action Plan. Council may take any action deemed necessary.
3. Council will consider authorizing the Mayor to sign a Resolution amending the authorized representatives for the TexPool Participation Services. Council May take any action deemed necessary.
4. Council will receive the annual report from the Code Enforcement Official. Council may take any action deemed necessary.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT:
MAYOR AND COUNCIL COMMENTS:
CLOSE ANY PUBLIC HEARINGS AND ADJOURN:

Scholarships Available for Children of Military Heroes
3/15/2010
(Dulles, VA) – Those who defend our freedom know all too well the costs and sacrifices associated with serving in the United States Armed Forces. Many service members leave behind families who must continue their lives with a heavy heart. Other service members sustain wounds and injuries that prevent them from leading a normal life. To show gratitude on behalf of the American people, Freedom Alliance is proud to offer aid to the children of these heroes in the form of college scholarships.

If you or someone you know is the son or daughter of a service member who has sacrificed life or limb, then the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund is available to help alleviate the costs of college. Over $3 million has been awarded to hundreds of Freedom Alliance Scholarship recipients since 2002.

“Families of killed or permanently disabled service members face hardships that most Americans can not imagine,” Freedom Alliance President Tom Kilgannon said. “To honor the men and women of our Armed Forces by providing scholarships to their children is a privilege. Paying for a college education is one hardship that these students should not have to endure.”

An eligible applicant must be the dependent son or daughter of a U.S. soldier, sailor, airman, Marine or Guardsman who has been killed or permanently disabled (100% VA disability rating) in an operational mission or training accident, or who is currently classified as a Prisoner of War (POW) or Missing in Action (MIA). They must also be a high school senior or registered as a full time undergraduate student and under the age of 26.

To learn more about the Freedom Alliance Scholarship Fund and/or to apply please visit http://www.fascholarship.com/ or call 800-475-6620. The application deadline is July 31, 2010.

Gospel Singing Sat. Night at The Feed Store
3/15/2010
There will be a Gospel Singing at The Feed Store in Santa Anna this coming Saturday night (March 20th) at 6 p.m. Burgers from the grill will be served in the Courtyard at 7 p.m. Singing begins with a variety of local talent.

Panther Creek HS cheerleaders for the 2010-11 school year
3/15/2010
Submitted by Jeanene Jones Pricer
Panther Creek High School recently elected cheerleaders for the 2010-2011 school year. The ladies are pictured above from left to right: Julie Reed, DeAnna Hudson, Scarlett Pyburn, Stephannie Bledsoe, Kirsten Moore and Jessica Laws.  Also, not pictured is Hailea Smith, mascot.

Order of Eastern Star Delivers Veggie & Goodie Trays to Some Co. Schools
3/15/2010
On March 9th , the Order of the Eastern Star delivered trays of vegetables and other goodies to the lounges of the Coleman, Novice, Panther Creek Schools and the Administration office in Coleman.

This is an ongoing project of the Eastern Star to show how very much we appreciate all the teachers and the other staff. Our children are the leaders of tomorrow and the future leaders of our communities and our country. Without the love and care of our teachers, our future might not be so bright.

Once again, thank you for all you do and have a great Spring Break!!

NEW PROGRAM ANNOUNCED BY HUMANE SOCIETY
3/15/2010
-contributed-
The Humane Society will begin a new program in April to provide pet food for the shut-ins and disabled who are being served by Meals on Wheels and Loaves and Fishes. We understand from Tina and Leda that many of those they deliver meals to each week have pets.

The Humane Society will do what we can to regularly provide dry dog and cat food for these homes each month. We are contacting stores in the area for donations of any damaged sacks of pet food, plus we are contacting the large distributors of pet food for any help they may be able to give us. If you or your organization or club would like to participate, you can drop off your donations of dog and cat food to the Thrift Store. We will also use the monetary donations we get in our “Dog House” at the thrift store toward the purchase of pet food for this program.

If you choose to participate in this program, please donate dry food for cats or kibbles for small dogs. If we find there are large dogs that need to be taken into consideration, the Humane Society will take care of it. Canned food and treats will be accepted, but we prefer large sacks of dry food that we can divide up into smaller deliveries.

The Humane Society is pleased to be able to start this new program. Our primary mission is to provide discounted spay/neuter vouchers for families in our area that cannot always afford the vet costs involved in the sterilization of their pets, but we are always looking for ways to supplement this primary mission. We think this is a perfect way to continue to assist those who want to provide good care for their precious furry friends who give so much unconditional love and comfort, especially in these stressful economic times.

Your donations to and your shopping at our Humane Society Thrift Store make it possible for the Humane Society to continue to fund these programs that help our furry friends. Thank you so very much for your continuing support.

TEXAS GAS PRICES STILL ON THE RISE
3/15/2010
Texas, TX, March 15- Average retail gasoline prices in Texas have risen 2.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $2.63/g today. This compares with the national average that has increased 3.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.78/g, according to gasoline price website TexasGasPrices.com.

Including the change in gas prices in Texas during the past week, prices today are 86.2 cents per gallon higher than the same day one year ago and are 20.1 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 16.7 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 88.2 cents per gallon higher than this day a year ago.

"We're starting off March like a lion with little hope of it going out like a lamb", said Patrick DeHaan, GasBuddy.com Senior Petroleum Analyst. "While conventional wisdom tells us demand will increase as we move towards warmer weather, it appears that gasoline price increases have easily outpaced any potential increases in demand thus far. On that note, I expect most of the country to flirt with prices near or over $3/gallon come Memorial Day, with the exception of California, where prices will average near $3.35/gallon", he adds. DeHaan goes on to say that the only bright spot for motorists this year is that plenty of spare refining capacity and lower gasoline demand than years prior will keep gasoline prices from rising to record highs.

About TexasGasPrices.com

GasBuddy.com operates over 200 live gasoline price-tracking websites, including TexasGasPrices.com. GasBuddy.com was named one of Time magazine's 50 best websites and to PC World's 100 most useful websites of 2008.

Meanderings by Ann
VEERING OFF THE COW PATH
By Jo Ann Eddleman
Coleman City Council Ordinance 1118. Does that mean anything to you? Perhaps not. But the implications of the approval of this ordinance on February 18 could be far reaching for Coleman, a turning point for our town that says we are ready to take responsibility for our future. No longer are we, the citizens of Coleman, going to plod down the same old cow path. We are going to take steps to do something different for Coleman, and do it NOW.

Ordinance 1118 places an option on the May 8 city ballot for a 4B community development corporation in Coleman. A grassroots organization called ColemanNOW, of which I am a founding and proud member, formed earlier this year to get the Type 4B initiative on the ballot. I personally appreciate so much that Council, with the urging of interested citizens, has approved a ballot that will give us the opportunity to grab our bootstraps, lift up our petticoats and get on with making Coleman all that it can be—starting NOW.

The importance of this movement for a 4B EDC cannot be over-emphasized. While a small town cannot discount the impact of manufacturing jobs on the local economy, we must be realistic and recognize that the possibilities for manufacturing jobs are limited in today’s world. We cannot ignore the fact that today’s business climate, especially in rural areas, is leaning more and more toward a service-based, small-business economy. A 4B EDC will enable Coleman to tap into this service-based and mom-and-pop small business environment.

Among other things (many other things, actually), a Type 4B corporation can address small town issues that can help us improve our town with projects that have an inspirational as well as functional impact. One example would be upgrading our curb appeal. How many times have I heard, “Look what Santa Anna has done with their main street!” Well, Santa Anna businesses didn’t just wake up one morning and collectively say, “Oh, I think I’ll improve the façade of my business with some stone work and more attractive signage.” No, the Santa Anna 4B EDC made this happen by offering financial incentives to businesses that were willing to step up and be counted as a business that wanted to improve Santa Anna’s main street “look.” In addition, they provided help for a restaurant to open its doors in downtown Santa Anna. They are working on restoring their old depot as a downtown focal point. And so on.

Santa Anna is just one example and it happens to be close by. But there are 443 other cities of all sizes across Texas that have chosen to vote for a Type 4B economic development corporation. These nonprofit, citizen-run corporations help their towns undertake quality of life and community development projects that can serve as the underpinning for growth of all kind while making their towns just a nicer place to live in general.

Throwing out sample projects can be a little dicey since it might get too many hopes up in too many different directions as to what a 4B EDC can do in Coleman. But, let’s get crazy and think of a few ideas that might not break the bank but would raise our spirits while accomplishing a few doable projects for Coleman. (Nothing will happen over night, but we must visualize!)

How about a skate park for the kids? A shooting/skeet range? Improvements at the City Park—a fancy waterslide or something similar? A walking trail at Memory Lake with a couple of fishing piers and regular pond stocking thrown in for good measure? Upgrades at Lake Coleman? An RV park? A downtown facelift, making even the unoccupied buildings look “lived in”? Incentives for small businesses to locate downtown instead of the cheapest place they can find on the outskirts? Contacting small-business franchises about the possibility of having a presence in Coleman? (Think hunting and fishing possibilities.) Capitalizing on our amazing arts community? The biggie—making Coleman a certified retirement community with an active marketing campaign targeted toward baby-boomer retirees? This is such an attainable goal with a ripple effect that would benefit so many, but we have to show we care about our town, plus have the amenities the well-heeled retiree is looking for.

We can do it, people! We have the potential! All small towns have problems, but sitting back moaning and groaning about it while the town deteriorates isn’t the answer. A proactive approach is absolutely critical. It would be fine if a private initiative was on board to see to it that some of this happens, but that hasn’t materialized. We have to take it upon ourselves to get it done. Getting it done means we have to have some income that we generate for ourselves, and that is called a tax.

The beautiful part about the tax that comes with voting for the 4B EDC is that it does not increase the tax we are already paying. The half-cent sales tax the 4B community development corporation needs is the same half-cent tax that you are already paying every time you make a taxable purchase in Coleman. Yes, it does mean that you will have to be willing to reallocate the half-cent property tax relief sales tax and use it instead for 4B community development. But, we ask you to look at the big picture. That one-half of one percent can make a huge difference for Coleman, Texas—our hometown—instead of a small difference for the property owners in the city. In fact, the property owners stand to gain the most from a revitalized Coleman.

You can access a great deal of information about 4B on www.ColemanNOW.info. But, if you have a question that you would like specifically addressed in a Meanderings, please let me know. I’ll get right on it!

The bottom line is: Vote FOR the 4B economic development corporation on May 8, and urge your neighbors to do the same!

Fiesta Art Show and other “Stuff”
3/15/2010
            It’s been said “if you want something done, ask a busy person”. The busiest right now are members of the Fine Arts League of Coleman Co., Inc.

OVER 50 BUSINESSES TEAM UP FOR "MARCH MADNESS"
3/15/2010
The Coleman Business People Association will launch its first annual "March Madness" from March 15th-March 26th to encourage shopping in Coleman. March Madness revolves around promoting shopping with local businesses and any purchase of $25 or more automatically enters participants for a chance at three great prizes.

The contest is simple: For every $25.00 shoppers spend at a participating business, shoppers will receive one entry in our "March Madness" contest, $50.00 gets two entries, $75.00 three entries and $100.00 nets four entries and the cap on tickets for one purchase, even if it is over $100.00. March Madness shoppers are eligible every time they shop in Coleman from March 15 -26 and spend at least $25.00.

On March 26 the Coleman Business People's Association will pick up all the entries from participating businesses and plan on drawing each prize on the Courthouse lawn on Saturday, March 27 with the celebration starting at 7:00 p.m. with music and food. People do not need to be present at the drawing to win. The contest will be short, sweet, and to the point.

The prizes are as follows:
Top prize: 52" big screen television
2nd prize: $250.00 Coleman bucks
3rd prize: $100.00 Coleman bucks

The following businesses are participating: Alley Cuts, Bargain House Furniture, Big O's, Block One Flea Market, Buddy's Kwik Stop, Captured Memories, Casey Watson Massage, Christian Book Store, Chronicle & DV, Chuy's Burritos, Coleman Automotive & Trucks, Coleman County Chamber of Commerce, Coleman County Medical Center, Coleman Pawn, Coleman Vet Clinic, Coleman Video, Cooper Supply, Crochet by Fina, Davis Farm & Rch, Earle Smith's Jewelry, Edward Jones, Eric Fritsch Elec., Fuzzy's Barber Shop, Grammer's, Grazin' Patch, Gypsy Dreamz, Higginbotham Brothers, Humane Society, JF Woodworking, Johnson Implement, Kay's Garden, KSTA, Lambert Towing, Lupe Lugo's , Merle Norman, Nora Sheffield, Owl Drug, Petal Patch, Sara's Neighborhood, Saveway Liquor, Shapes, Shoppin' Baskit, Tanya's Outback Shoppe, The Pink Flamingo Studio, The Way Station, Tiffany's Restaurant, Triple T Liquor, Tyson's, Vintage Salon, The Robey House and Wise X-Press.

If you would like to be a part of March Madness please let us know ASAP. Contact Coleman Business representatives at stevens@web-access.net, darlawise@yahoo.com, or you can mail us at Coleman Chamber of Commerce, 218 Commercial, Coleman, Texas. You can call the Chamber at 625-2163 or Darla Wise at 625-5100,. We will deliver your Madness packet and pick up your payment Monday.

Coleman is a great town with a great future when we all work together! We hope we can count on your support to help make this an annual event. Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of the first March Madness!

Coleman County Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Small Business Lecture Series Announced
3/13/2010
The Coleman County Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture announced the first installment of a quarterly lecture series aimed squarely at local entrepreneurs and small business owners and managers. The purpose of the lecture series is to conduct a number of presentations throughout the year that focus specifically on the issues faced by local businesses, and to provide content-rich information and strategies to help local businesses grow and succeed.

“Communicating to our member businesses that we are serious about being looked to as a trusted and innovative partner in their success is a point of emphasis this year,” remarked Sandra Barr, Chamber President. “While we applaud and are grateful for our members that support us out of a loyalty and affinity for our community, we understand the need to continually improve our services and benefits in an effort to make membership a good business decision as well as a responsible community decision.”

The initial session, entitled “Small Business Marketing Success”, is about much more than the name implies. It’s a presentation designed especially for small businesses and has been tailored specifically to fit the environment and circumstances faced by business leaders in Coleman and the surrounding area. In this two-hour session, participants will be asked to look at marketing, communications, referrals, and even the positioning of their business in ways they may never have considered before. Participants will also gain a new perspective on how their business is defined, and how an examination of that definition might have far-reaching implications.

Advance registration is available at the Chamber office or by calling (325) 625-2163. The Lecture Series is free to Chamber Members who pre-register, or $5 at the door. Attendance is also available to non-members of the Chamber. For pre-registered non-members, the fee is $20 per person. Non-members registering at the door will be charged $25. One of the more obvious goals for this pricing structure is to encourage non-members to consider joining the Chamber of Commerce. Attending only two of these sessions per year will completely offset the annual membership dues of an individual.

The format for the session is that of an informal classroom and attendees will be provided reference materials, beverages, and snacks. After a few minutes of socializing, the session will get underway and should take around an hour and forty-five minutes. The presentation will be followed by a question and answer session and should end around 7:30pm.

The event will be held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, March 22nd at the new 1st Baptist Church Family Life Center in the Hospitality Room. We anticipate wrapping things up at around 7:30 p.m. Registration is free for Chamber Members if you register in advance, and $5 at the door. For those who are not Chamber Members, advance registration is $20 per person and $25 at the door. To pre-register, please contact the Chamber by calling Mary Griffis or Amy Hinds at (325) 625-2163.

For more information, press only: Mary Griffis or Amy Hinds (325-625-2163), (chamber@colemantexas.org)

For more information on the Coleman County Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture:http://www.colemantexas.org

Coleman County Choir Will NOT Meet Next Week
3/12/2010
Contributed
Coleman County Choir will not meet next week due to spring break. Next rehearsal will be Wednesday, March 24th at 7:15 p.m. in the sanctuary of First Baptist Church.

The choir will sing the cantata “I Know My Redeemer Lives” by Sue Smith and Russell Mauldin on Easter Sunday, April 4th, in the sanctuary of Coleman First Baptist Church at 7:00 p.m.

Director is Truitt Mitchell. Narrator is Mike Kerzee. Sound technician is Jody Payne. Host pastor is John Stanislaw.
It’s not too late to sing in the cantata. Just come to the rehearsal next week.

Contact Truitt at phone 325-784-9063 or 325-280-8466 or e-mail truitt@pgrb.com for further information.

Notice of Drawing For Place on Ballot
Coleman Independent School District
3/12/2010
Notice is herby given of a drawing to determine the order in which the names of candidates are to be printed on the ballot for the school trustee election to be held on Saturday, May 8, 2010 in the City of Coleman. The drawing will be held at 9:00 a.m. on March 16, 2010 at 300 W. Pecan St., Coleman, Texas.

Curves Supports Communities Nationwide With Annual Food Drive
3/12/2010
Coleman, Texas, (Grassroots Newswire) 3/01/2010 -- During the month of March, Curves of Coleman will participate in the Annual Curves International Food Drive to benefit local food banks. Collectively, over the past five years, nearly 50 million pounds of food has been distributed to local communities all over the world through this effort..

"The Annual Food Drive is always exciting," said Linda Hyde, the owner of the Coleman club. "We have a chance to help so many people at a time when the food banks are lowest. During these uncertain times, this food is needed more than ever. It’s a win-win situation for everyone, and we’re very proud to be a part of it. We start with an empty grocery basket in the center of our workout circuit as a reminder for everyone to participate. We’ve steadily increased the amount of food that we’ve collected locally over the years: 492 lbs in 2006, 824 lbs in 2007, and 921 lbs in 2008, and 1556 lbs in 2009. Our goal this year is to reach, or better yet, exceed 2000 lbs. Our bounty will be delivered to Loaves and Fishes during the first week of April.”

Linda also added that this worthwhile effort is not limited to Curves members. We encourage, and welcome, everyone in the community to participate by dropping off non-perishable food items at Curves during business hours any Monday through Friday throughout the month of March. The location address is 211 W. Pecan, and business hours are 7:30AM to 12:30PM and 3:30PM to 7PM. For more information, please call Linda at 325-625-4968.

Coleman County Electric Cooperative Offering Scholarships to Local Youth
3/11/2010
Scholarship applications are available to 2010 high school graduates who will be attending a college, technical school or university as a freshman.

Other qualifications are; you must be a child of a member, a grandchild of a member or child of a legal guardian who is a member of Coleman County Electric Cooperative. You must reside with the active member and within the Coleman County Electric Cooperative service area.

Eligible applicants will be placed in a drawing to be held in July at the cooperative’s annual meeting. There will be nine separate drawings for the $500 scholarships. For an application, visit our web site at www.colemanelectric.org or contact Tony Williams at Coleman County Electric Cooperative at (325) 625-2128 or tony@colemanelectric.org.

Coleman County Retired Teachers to Hear Douglas Langley, CEO of CCMC, at Thursday Meeting
3/11/2010
Contributed
Coleman County Retired Teachers will meet this Thursday, March 18th at Hidalgo’s Restaurant at 11:30. All members and other interested people are invited to hear Douglas Langley, CEO of Coleman Hospital, give an update on the hospital.

March is the time of year retired teachers pay their yearly dues. We need to increase our membership in Coleman as there are many retired teachers that do not belong. Teacher Retirement Association officers are our voice in Austin, and Austin looks at total membership.  If you are not a member and retired, you’re hindering our voice, so please, please consider joining. Contact Carole Burroughs at 325-625-5253 for information.

There will be a door prize with receipts going to scholarship fund. Please come ready to participate in this.

County Democratic Convention Saturday the 20th at Hidalgos
3/11/2010
The Coleman County Democratic Party will conduct its County Convention on Saturday, March 20th, at 3:00 pm, in the meeting room of Hidalgo’s Mexican Restaurant. Twenty-seven voting delegates will be chosen by Precinct to conduct the business of the County Convention.

The Convention will address four actions: recognize and celebrate those Democrats running for election in November, select delegates to attend the State Convention representing Coleman County, offer up resolutions to be submitted to the State Convention, and address the selection of Precinct Chairs.

Participating in the County Convention helps in determining the direction of the Coleman County Democratic Party, as well as the Texas Democratic Party. The Texas State Convention will be held in June in Austin, where committed Democrats from all across Texas will come together to set the course of the Party, elect delegates to the National Convention, and formally nominate statewide Democratic candidates.

Anyone who voted in the March 2nd Democratic Primary is welcome to attend the County Convention. Come and enjoy the festivities and the hospitality of Hidalgo’s Restaurant!

"USDA Rural Development Announces Funding Available to Community Facility Projects under the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" Initiative
3/11/2010
TEMPLE, TEXAS, March 10, 2010 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' initiative late last year, which promotes local and regional food systems by stimulating community economic development and providing access to affordable fresh food locally.

USDA Rural Development has $40 million available under the Community Facility Program in Texas in the form of guaranteed loans, low interest loans and grants for community projects, including those included in this initiative.

"It is vital that people begin to understand fully where their food comes from and how it gets to their dinner tables," commented Paco Valentin, USDA Rural Development Texas State Director. "The 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' Initiative creates new economic opportunities by better connecting consumers with local producers and we are excited to have the opportunity to assist in this process."

The USDA Rural Development Community Facilities Program offers direct and guaranteed loans, as well as grants, to finance the development of essential community facilities serving rural areas under 20,000 in population, including those that support and promote local foods. Food banks, food storage, distribution centers, school kitchens and cafeterias, Farm-to-School programs, community gardens, farmers markets, community kitchens and facilities that provide nutrition education and training programs are all examples of facilities that would be included in the initiative. Funding is available to local government and public bodies, community-based non-profit organizations and Indian Tribes and may be used to fund the purchase of real estate, buildings and building expansions, equipment and vehicles. Grants range from 15% to 75% and require matching funds.

If you would like to engage your community in conversations on farming and food, while linking to producers and customers, the 'Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food' website features social media tools to assist you. Visit www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer for further information.

USDA Rural Development's mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents. Rural Development fosters growth in homeownership, finances business development, and supports creation of critical community and technology infrastructure. Further information on rural programs is available at a Texas Area or Sub-Area USDA Rural Development office or by visiting http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/tx.

Little League Baseball Try-outs
3/11/2010
Baseball tryouts for all 7,8,&9 year olds, and any 10,11,&12 year old that was not on a Major League team last year, will be Thursday March 11 at 6:00 and on Saturday March 13 at 10:00 am. You will only need to attend one of these try-outs. The draft will follow on Saturday morning. It is mandatory that each player attends one of these try-outs. Coaches, don't forget the coaches meeting on Monday, March 8, 6:00, at Screen Art Graphics. If you have any questions, call Michael Taylor @ 325-636-3922 or 625-1217.

Commissioner Staples Seeks Comments on Nutrition Programs Designed to Fight Hunger, Obesity.
3/11/2010
LUBBOCK - Agriculture Commissioner Todd Staples today announced the Texas Department of Agriculture is seeking public feedback through a series of information gathering sessions regarding the agency's food and nutrition programs, such as the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs, Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Commodity Programs. A public session will be held March 12 at 10 a.m. at Region 17 Education Service Center.
In late 2007, Texas consolidated the administration of the federal nutrition programs under one state agency (TDA) to provide stakeholders - taxpayers, program participants and program contractors - more program consistency and confidence. The information gathering session is one of many planned across the state to provide stakeholders the opportunity to make comments, provide suggestions or address concerns about these programs.

"With Texas ranking as one of our nation's leaders in food insecurity among children and families, we need to ensure each of these programs is working efficiently; serving the needs of families; and that we are being good stewards of taxpayer dollars," Commissioner Staples said. "While solving our state's hunger problem also requires promotion of job training and skills development which lead to self-sufficiency, these food programs help provide a temporary solution for families without basic resources, and we want to make certain they do so effectively."

In addition to playing a critical role in addressing hunger, TDA's food and nutrition programs also are designed to help combat obesity - a problem that costs Texas businesses billions each year in the form of lower productivity, absenteeism and increased health care costs. In response to this crisis, Commissioner Staples launched the "Texans Bring It!" campaign. The initiative is built around the question, "What do you bring?" to encourage young Texans to bring something healthy into their lives, such as education, exercise, more fruits and vegetables, and overall healthier eating habits. The campaign was inspired by Commissioner Staples' 3E's of Healthy Living - Education, Exercise and Eating Right - designed to help youth stay healthy and curb Texas' growing obesity problem.

Each public information gathering session will be moderated and recorded. In an effort to manage time, TDA is pre-registering those who wish to speak at the sessions. Speakers are asked to also provide written comments. To pre-register, or for more information about the sessions, call (877) TEX-MEAL.

Promotional opportunity for Coleman County and Businesses in Coleman County
3/10/2010
Huge promotional opportunity for Coleman County and Businesses in Coleman County.  The Big Country Tax Assessor-Collectors Association of Texas will be hosting the annual conference this year, June 5 through 10 in Abilene Texas.  All the counties in the Big Country Chapter are looking for items from their counties to place in the goody bags.  Any business, city chamber, or organization that would like to donate items such as flyers, pencils, pens, note pads, rulers, calendars, key rings or any other item that represents their business, city, organization, or Coleman County please call 325-625-2153 or bring items by the Tax Assessor-Collectors office (Jamie Trammell) in the courthouse.  This is a great way to get your information out, as all 254 counties will have a representative at this conference. 

FCCLA Regional Officers Announced
3/10/2010
Coleman High School Family, Career and Community Leaders of America members Latisha Berniard and Cheyenne Casey were elected to serve as region officers for the 20010-2011 school year. The Region II Leadership Meeting in was held in Granbury on February 4-6, 2010. The youth-developed theme “Beyond the Limits” was carried out through tracks and general sessions.

Kelsey Puckett, Region II Vice President of Achievement, carried out her duties for the meeting and presided over the second general session.

Election of officers was held and the officer candidates had to give a minute speech on “Beyond the Limits”, answer a fact question, and a thought question. After the election the new officers were interviewed by a nominating committee. Latisha was elected as Region II VP of Achievement and Cheyenne was elected as Region II VP of Peer Involvement.

They will attend officer training in June at Navasota and the National FCCLA Leadership Meeting in Chicago.

FCCLA is a dynamic youth organization that has the family as its central focus. FCCLA is considered the “best kept secret”. The leadership skills gained from FCCLA can and will be beneficial for many years to come. All activities focus on family, career, and community leadership. FCCLA members will utilize knowledge gained through leadership experiences to develop a solid foundation for the future.

Coleman 4-H Shooting Sports Club Competes in Manor
3/10/2010
The Coleman 4-H Shooting Sports Club was well represented this past weekend in Manor, Texas. The March Madness Match kicks off the 4- H season at the Austin Rifle Club. Coleman had 7 kids that made the trip and everyone brought home an award.

Remember making an apron in Home Economics?
3/10/2010
by Pam Morris
The History of 'APRONS'
I don't think our kids know what an apron is. The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath, because she only had a few, it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.

It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears. From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.

When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids. And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.

Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove. Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron. From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.

After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls. In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees. When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.

When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the men folks knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner. It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.

REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool...

Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw. They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.

I never caught anything from an apron but love!

Cheese Enchilada Dinner on Friday, March 12th
3/10/2010
Once again the Women of Sacred Heart will be hosting a Cheese Enchilada Dinner on Friday, March 12th. The dinner will be open to the community.

We will now have Beef Enchiladas since we had a lot of request for them. Please pre-order for Beef. We ill be taking orders until 3 P.M. Friday! "To Go Trays" will be $20

Dine-In will start at 5:00p.m. til 8:30p.m.
Dine-In Plate consist of 3 cheese enchiladas, rice, beans, salad, dessert and drink.

Carry-Out Plates will consist of 3 Cheese enchiladas, rice, beans and salad.
Carry-Out Trays will have 1 dozen Cheese or Beef enchiladas, rice and beans.

Carry-Out can be purchased and picked up starting at 5:00 p.m.

Adults $6
Children $3
To Go Trays $15 for Cheese with $20 for Beef

We ask if you are planning on purchasing "To Go" Trays to call in by Friday at 3 p.m. to place your order. Mandy 726-9268 or Gracie 214-4117.

Explore the Outdoors with "Women in the Wild" Workshop
3/10/2010
ROCKPORT — Women interested in the outdoors are invited to attend the second annual Women in the Wild workshop, a weekend-long event being held by the Rockport chapter of the Texas Outdoors Woman Network (TOWN) on May 1-2. The event is designed to help familiarize women with the various outdoor activities in the Coastal Bend and encourage them to participate in a fun and safe outdoor environment.

The event will be held at The Lodge in Rockport. The entry fee includes participation in four of the scheduled activities, a t-shirt, a Saltwater Fisheries Enhancement Association membership and meals for the weekend.

Courses offered include beginner and intermediate shotgun shooting, BB guns, archery and self defense. There will also be a fly fishing seminar with Chuck Naiser and a fishing seminar with Jay Watkins. Women will have a chance to learn boat equipment and operation, kayaking, outdoor photography, habitat/species identification, first aid and Dutch oven cooking.

"The intent is to help these women become familiar with new activities without pressure to master any one thing," said Texas Game Warden Brandi Reeder.

TOWN is an offshoot of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Becoming an Outdoors Woman (BOW) program. Its goal is to provide outdoors-oriented women a chance to meet and develop friendships with other women who have similar interests. Chapters across Texas regularly hold various activities that allow women to participate in the outdoors in a stress-free and supporting environment.

Women interested in the program need to register before April 15. Entry costs $125 before March 15 and $150 after that. Registration is limited to the first 75 women above the age of 21. Registration forms are available at the Parks and Wildlife Law Enforcement Offices in Corpus Christi, Rockport, and Victoria and online at http://www.townrockport.org/. For more information visit the TOWN Rockport Web site or contact Brandi Reeder at brandi.reeder@tpwd.state.tx.us or (361) 790-2611 (361) 790-2611.

4th Annual Canines, Cats & Cabernet
Bigger and Barkier Than Ever
3/9/2010
Brownwood--Get ready for the fundraiser event of the year for the Corinne T. Smith Animal Center (CTSAC). On Thursday, March18, the CTSAC will be hosting its annual Canines, Cats, and Cabernet event at the Depot Civic and Cultural Center. This year the event will be a bit different. Local folks including the 4-H Center, Casey Rowlett, James Cleveland, Prima Pasta, Steves’ Market &Deli, The Turtle Gelateria, and Twisted Sisters will provide a wide variety of food! Paired with all this fine food is a delightful awry of wines local, domestic, and imported. This year we will also be serving a few fine beers for those who tastes prefer beer to wine.

In addition to sampling foods, wines, and beer there will be a silent auction and a live auction with many beautiful and fun items to bid on, such as trips, furnishings, jewelry, spa packages just to name a few.

The CTSAC works tirelessly to serve the greater Brown County and surrounding counties with a wide variety of animal related issues. Not only do we take in strays and abandoned animals, we have a strong adoption philosophy which includes our transferring programs which moves dogs and cats to rescue and no kill facilities, animal cruelty investigation, a voucher program to help spay and neuter animals and a safe and healthy environment for abandoned animals to stay until they can transition in to forever homes. We are not just the “dog pound” anymore. We are the Animal Center striving to protect and serve the forgotten, abandoned, or abused animals of our community! With over 5,000 animals coming through our doors each year, it takes a lot of resources to ensure proper treatment for each critter like food, water, beds, medicine, TLC and of course constant cleaning. Our dedicated staff works hard to ensure the best care possible.

Please support our efforts by attending our event. Every cent raised will go directly to CTSAC. Tickets are $45 and are available at AgMart, Corinne T. Smith Animal Center (646-0617), Small Animal Medical Center, or emailing leonaberry04@msn.com. For that price, you get an evening of socializing with your community, sampling fine food, tasting delicious wines and beers and the satisfaction of knowing you are helping our center be the best it can be. We need your participation to make this event a success, so please order your tickets early and join us for an evening of fun. As the gentle Mahatma Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated". We hope to see you there! We guarantee a fun evening.

Novice Student Wins Golf Tournament
3/9/2010 * Jarred Briley, a Junior at Novice High School, recently won the Rising Star Golf Tournament.  He shot an 86 and won by 12 strokes.  This is Jarred's first time to win a tournament! 

Concerned Citizens Address County Commissioners About Oncor Power Line Proposal
by Christine Flynn
3/9/2010
The Commissioners’ Court met Monday morning at 9:00AM to discuss the progress of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality approving Coleman County as an agent to authorize on-site sewage facilities and also listen to concerned citizens in the county concerning the Oncor power line that is proposed to come through Coleman County. The meeting began with the reading from last meeting’s summary.

After the approved minutes, Charles McDonald of the TCEQ presented the status of the approval for authorizing Coleman County as an agent for the on-site sewage facility and the obstacles he discovered. As there is much documentation needed to apply as an acting agent for an all-inclusive act, McDonald was asked by the state office and TCEQ to submit for pre-approval. The all inclusive policy will require all new and alteration to any sewage facility be evaluated by an official and permits will apply.

McDonald asked the state office if the all inclusive restriction could be added later in order to first authorize the County as an acting agent. The office agreed and the certified documentations must be resubmitted this week.
Since the County has not received their official approval all public parties that are preparing for installation or repair to their sewage facilities must continue to request permits and evaluation from the Abilene office. The entire process may take 30 days.

Concerned citizens of the County visited the Court to voice their apprehension of the Oncor power line proposal that will run through the center of the County. This proposal from Oncor is part of the competitive renewable energy zone movement from the Public Utility Commission of Texas will add approximately 15,000 megawatts into West Texas. Ward Lane, Loy Storm, and Jet Taylor were present to update the Court on the hearings that took place last week in Austin. The hearings were conducted so that a judge could hear the details of the proposal and any objections so that a comprehensive decision can be made on how to proceed.

Lane began by presenting the Court the route that Oncor wants to designate as the zone. The line distinctly follows the current pipeline infrastructure that is already in place. According to the parties present and their research, the route proposed will cause devastating effects. First, the route does not consider the land owner’s property and the depreciation that will occur. The compensation for the landowners will only be the appraised rate. Taylor commented that this project could potentially demolish his hunting grounds and only make it useable for grazing.

Secondly, due to the existing infrastructure and the adjacent route the concern lies in the electromagnetic energy that could cause blown lines. Thirdly, boundaries such as highways and railroads should be respected.

The citizens offered an alternate route which they call route 2. The route does not follow the existing pipe line and goes from south to west. The route will cost $10 million more, but according to them it will consider more factors. Lane, Storm, and Taylor asked the Court to approve to write a resolution that takes into consideration the problems that lie in the proposed route. They emphasized they only want their concerns to be heard and that the Court does not need to agree with the specific alternate route. The Court approved to write a resolution to the judge in Austin. A decision should be made the judge March 22nd and by April 26 the PUCT will confirm a proposal.

The meeting concluded with payment of bills and transferring of funds. The Court will hold at their next meeting on Monday, March 22nd at 9:00AM.

Paul Friske, Demo for March 18th Meeting
3/9/2010
by Marian Johnson
“There are painters who transform the sun into a yellow spot, but there are others who, thanks to their art and intelligence, transform a yellow spot into the sun.” Pablo Picasso Paul Friske is one of the latter. The artist lives and paints in Abilene. The Coleman 2009 Fiesta Juried Art Show brought him another of many awards, Patron’s Award of $500. He will present a demonstration for the Fine Arts League members and guests at 6 pm, March 18, at the First Coleman National Bank Club room (3rd floor).

League Business will include discussion of the preparation for the July Membership Show, Bill & Sue Shields Chair. The 20th Fiesta Fine Art Show (4th Juried show) is cranking up for the October 1-2, 2010 Fiesta de la Paloma. Bring your ideas and aspirations to the meeting – get involved with the projects now.

The League has 39 members currently working toward the goal of bringing art and art education to the Community of Coleman and Coleman County. Come, be a part of this organization (you don’t have to paint to be an artist supporter!).

Refreshments will be served.

Marian Johnson, Publicity
Sherrell Hazlewood, President
www.fineartsleaguecolemantx.com

Projects of the Fine Arts League are partially funded by the Texas Commission on the Arts, Coleman County Foundation, Friends of the Coleman County Foundation, and Occupancy Tax funds, and many generous DONORS.

CYA Softball Tryouts Will Be Thursday, March 11th
3/9/2010
The Coleman Youth Association will hold Softball Tryouts on Thursday, March 11th at the softball field on the north side of Coleman on Ripley St. - 8 & under will take place at 5:30 p.m. and 10 & under will take place at 6:00 p.m. This is NOT a travel league. For more information, contact Carrie Holloway at 636-3268.

Coleman County Telephone Coop., Inc. Directory Cover Photo Contest
3/9/2010
Coleman County Telephone is beginning the search for the September 2010 Directory Photo Cover.

In order to be eligible:

* Photos must be taken with a 35MM or digital camera
* Photos must be taken in Coleman County
* Photos must be clear with no fading
* Photos must be reproduction suitable
* Limit of three photographs per participant
* Include the location of the photograph, photographer name
and include a return address with a contact telephone
number.
* Photos must be received by April 2, 2010

The photograph that is chosen will be credited to the photographer in the 2010 directory.

A cash prize of $50. will be awarded to the winner. The photographer will be required to sign a photo release form for publication. The photograph will be sent to Hanson Directory Service, Inc. for cover publication. Hanson Services will return the photograph after publication of the directory.

All other entries will be returned by May 31.

Mail or bring the photographs to the office of:
Coleman County Telephone Cooperative, Inc.
215 North Second St
PO Box 608
Santa Anna, Texas 76878

The Cooperative will not be responsible for loss of photos in transit, either being delivered to or mailed from the office. Please make sure that photos are secure and protected.

TWO LOCAL WOMEN CHARGED WITH 1ST DEGREE FELONY ARSON
by Kim Horne
3/8/2010
On Wednesday March 3rd, 2010 at 3:26 p.m. dispatch received a 911 call reporting a house fire at 316 West 11th Street. The house was occupied by Lee and Darleen Meador. The Coleman Fire Department quickly extinguished the fire. Upon putting out the fire, Coleman Fire Marshall Gary Payne advised the Coleman Police Department that the origin of the fire was of a suspicious nature. An investigation was initiated and ensued.

Officials from the Coleman Police, Coleman Fire Department, Texas Rangers, and the State Fire Marshall's Office began an investigation which culminated with two arrests on Thursday, March 4th at 5:14 p.m. of Edith Darleen Meador, 38 years old of Coleman, and Andrea Maldonado, 17 years old of Santa Anna.

About a year ago on February 3rd, 2009, the Meador's home on Walnut Street burned down (pictured below).

The Coleman Police Department would like to thank the Coleman Fire Department, Texas Rangers, and State Fire Marshall Office for their collaboration in the investigation.

Second Candidate Files for Place 6 on School Board
3/8/2010
Mike Barker has filed his candidacy for Place 6 on the May 8, 2010 Coleman ISD Board of Trustees Election.  Place 6 is currently held by Dr. R.M. Edington.

Glen Cove VFD Regular Meeting This Saturday
3/8/2010
The Glen Cove VFD will be holding a regular meeting on Saturday March 13th at 6:00pm at Glen Cove Baptist Churchl. There will be a meal and then the meeting.

Burkett Volunteer Fire Department
Invites you to a BBQ Dinner
3/4/2010
Great food a BBQ dinner featuring brisket, sausage, & chicken with all the trimmings (take out available)

A fun evening with your family and friends. The opportunity to see the firefighting equipment, meet our volunteers

Door prizes donated by local merchants tickets now available for purchase with any BVFD member. 1 for $1.00/6 for $5.00. You don't have to be present to win.

Split the boot!!! Tickets available now from any BVFD member ~ $1.00 each. Money goes to the boot drawing during the dinner and one lucky winner wins HALF of what is collected!!!!

Auction with a yummy variety of delectable baked goods.

Where: Burkett Christian Community Center
When: April 3, 2010
Time: 5-8 PM

Cost: $7.00 adult
$5.00 child (12 and under)

NAP Deadline for Sorghum Forage Crops March 15th
3/4/2010
Curtis L. Garrett, County Executive Director for USDA’s Farm Service Agency in Coleman County reminds agricultural producers of the need for insurance coverage for crops in order to be eligible for the agency’s Disaster Assistance Programs (SURE). Application closing date for coverage in Coleman County for sorghum forage crops such as, sudan, red top cane, hygeri, for grazing or hay is March 15, 2010.

NAP is a federally funded program that provides coverage to producers for non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory or prevented planting occurs due to natural disasters. Crops eligible for NAP coverage are those for which crop insurance is not available, and that have a history of being planted in the county.

Producers must apply for coverage before a disaster strikes," said Garrett "Like regular crop insurance, once an application period closes, the opportunity to obtain coverage is gone." NAP applications for coverage must be filed using Form CCC-471 and service fees must be paid by the sales closing date.

Please contact the Coleman County FSA office at 325-625-4197 extension 2 for further program information.

Coleman Bands Present Dinner Concert
3/4/2010
The Coleman Band Boosters would like to invite you to their annual Dinner Concert this coming Monday, March 8th from 5:30pm-8pm in the elementary cafeteria.

The money profited from this fundraiser will provide funds for the High School Band to travel to Branson to perform as the opening act for the Haygood Family Show. It will also give the Junior High Bands the opportunity to attend the HPU Band Festival in May as well as travel to Schlitterbahn as a reward for their hard work this year.

The menu for the night is “Mexican Stacks” complete with all the trimmings. Prices for the event are $5 for adults, $3 for children/school aged students, and $1 for band students who are performing. Below is the schedule for performances:

5:30pm—Serving Begins
6:00pm—Beginning Band Performance
6:30pm—Advanced Band Performance
7:00pm—High School Band Performance

Bring all your friends and come out to help support YOUR Coleman Big Blue Band!!!

Coleman Band Member Goes to UIL
On Saturday, February 6^th, Coleman High School Band Member Autum White traveled to Howard Payne University to participate in the U.I.L. Solo & Ensemble Competition.  Autum played a flute solo and was given a Division I for her performance.