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Sad week for me.
It was earlier this week that I learned that Mrs. Novella Stearns passed away.
Mrs. Stearns was a customer of mine and Cindy's when we were in the service station business.
She was one of the nicest and hardest working ladies I ever knew. She would come in every week to town and get groceries, feed, and gas. She began taking care of the place near Trickham and feeding the cows after her husband G.K. passed away.
ColemanNews.com has a nice photo and complete obituary of Mrs. Stearns.
Gone but not forgotten - Mrs. Novella Stearns.
School Starts Soon!
OK kids, moms, and dads... ready or not her it comes!
The School calendar is starting to show a few days that you might want to make note of.
The first day of school is Monday August 21st.
The first Lady Mountaineer volleyball action is a scrimmage scheduled for Friday August 11th vs Deleon and Gustine at Deleon with the first game vs Albany in Albany on Tuesday the 15th.
The first Mountaineer football action will be two a day workouts starting Monday August the 7th with a scrimmage vs Gordon on Saturday the 19th and the first game on Friday September 1st vs Coolidge in Coolidge wherever that is...
So enjoy sleeping in a few more days and get your backpacks filled with school supplies.
Choosing the Correct Backpack for Your Child
Submitted by Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS
It's that time of year again*back-to-school time! Many parents and children prepare for that first day of school by doing some back-to-school shopping, which often involves buying new clothing, pens, pencils, paper, markers, etc. However, backpacks are one of the biggest necessities for both college-aged and younger students, and it's important to choose wisely.
There are so many backpacks to choose from, and choosing the right one for your child is not always easy. Backpacks come in all sizes, colors, fabrics, and shapes*all of which help kids express their own sense of style. As practical as backpacks are for those who use them, backpacks can cause strained muscles and joints and back pain when worn incorrectly.
The human spine is made up of 33 bones called vertebrae, and between the vertebrae are discs that act as shock absorbers. When something heavy*such as a backpack filled with books*is incorrectly placed on your child's shoulders, the force of that extra weight can pull your child backwards. To compensate, your child may bend forward at the hips or arch his or her back, which can cause your child's spine to compress unnaturally. Because of the heavy weight he or she is carrying, your child might begin to develop shoulder, neck, and back pain. What can we do about this?
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that before you purchase a backpack, look for the following five criteria:
* Choose a lightweight backpack that doesn't add a lot of weight to your child's load. For example, although leather backpacks look cool, they weigh more than traditional canvas backpacks.
* Choose a backpack with two wide, padded shoulder straps. Straps that are too narrow can dig into shoulders.
* Choose a backpack that has a padded back, which provides increased comfort and protects the wearer from being poked by sharp edges (such as pencils, rulers, notebooks, etc.) inside the backpack.
* Choose a backpack that has a waist belt, which helps distribute the weight more evenly across the body.
* Choose a backpack that has multiple compartments, which also helps distribute weight more evenly.
Although most backpacks come with two shoulder straps, this doesn't mean that your kids will use both straps! Many kids wear their backpacks over just one shoulder, which is the wrong thing to do. This makes the person lean to one side to offset the extra weight, and they might develop lower and upper back pain and strain their shoulders and neck. Wearing the backpack incorrectly can also lead to poor posture. So, make sure your children wear the backpack using both straps. It's also a good idea to tighten the straps enough for the backpack to fit close to the body, and it should sit 2 inches above the waist.
Girls and younger children may be especially at risk for backpack-related injuries because they're smaller and may carry loads that are heavier in proportion to their body weight. Doctors recommend that people*especially children*carry backpacks that are no more than 10*15 percent of their body weight. For example, if a child weighs 80 pounds, 15 percent of his or her body weight is 12 pounds. So, for an 80 pound child, the backpack and its contents should not weigh more than 12 pounds*but remember, lighter is always better.
Lifting and Positioning Backpacks
Children also need to know how to lift and position their backpack. Improper lifting can cause damage. Teach your children these four simple steps to safely lift their backpacks:
1. Face the backpack before you lift it.
2. Bend at the knees.
3. Using both hands, check the weight of the backpack.
4. Lift with your legs, not your back.
5. Carefully put one shoulder strap on at a time; never sling the backpack onto one shoulder.
Another Option
Another option to consider when purchasing backpacks is to look for a backpack on wheels. However, these types of backpacks may be less practical than traditional backpacks because they're difficult to pull up stairs. If you're thinking about purchasing a rolling backpack for your child, contact the child's school first to be sure that they are allowed. Many schools don't allow rolling backpacks because they pose a tripping hazard in the hallways.
By following these guidelines, your child will start off this school year with a healthy back!
For more information contact your local county Extension agent, Debbie Hailey, at 325-625-4519.
Prepared by Courtney J. Schoessow, M.P.H., Extension Program Specialist * Health, Texas Cooperative Extension, August 2005.
Educational programs of Texas Cooperative Extension are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
Strayhorn Predicts $49 Million in Tax Savings for Texas Families During Sales Tax Holiday
(Austin)--Texas Comptroller Carole Keeton Strayhorn today announced that Texas' annual opportunity to shop tax-free for clothes and shoes is coming up August 4-6. Strayhorn predicted Texas families will save $49 million in sales taxes during the eighth annual Sales Tax Holiday. The estimated savings include $38.5 million in state sales tax and $10.5 million in local sales taxes.
"I love the Sales Tax Holiday," Strayhorn said. "It's the one time hard-working Texans keep their money in their pockets for their families' priorities.
"This tax break is real and it is available to everyone," Strayhorn said. "Families save about $8 for every $100 they spend on school clothes for the kids and new outfits for mom and dad."
"I have repeatedly asked the Legislature to add backpacks and school supplies to the Sales Tax Holiday, along with kids' safety gear such as bicycle helmets and car safety seats, and also sewing supplies such as fabric, buttons and zippers for families that make their clothes," Strayhorn said.
"Regrettably, the Legislature has not acted upon my recommendations, and requests from parents across this state, to add backpacks and school supplies to the Sales Tax Holiday to help reduce the cost of getting the kids ready for back-to-school," Strayhorn said.
"And I want to extend the Sales Tax Holiday from three days to five days, so we don't have a three-day traffic jam," Strayhorn said. "I also support creating a second Sales Tax Holiday during December to help families stretch their holiday shopping budgets. And I want to ease the sticker shock of buying college textbooks by exempting them from sales tax year round."
During the Sales Tax Holiday, most clothing and footwear priced under $100 are tax-free. Examples of items that can be purchased tax-free August 4-6 include kids' clothes and school uniforms, adults' clothes and work uniforms, shoes--including tennis shoes, socks and underwear. Items that cannot be purchased tax-free include handbags and wallets, jewelry, accessories, and athletic shoes, uniforms and safety gear. Backpacks and school supplies are not exempt from sales tax.
Shoppers saved an estimated $47.4 million in state and local sales taxes during the 2005 Sales Tax Holiday. Since Strayhorn implemented the first Sales Tax Holiday in 1999, taxpayers have saved $287 million, including $226 million in state sales tax and $61 million in local sales taxes.
More information about the Sales Tax Holiday, including a list of tax-exempt items, can be found on the Comptroller's Web site at http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx98_490/tx98_490.html.
Texas Major League Baseball
Houston Astros Report
July 25, 2006
Cincinnati 2, Houston 0 at Minute Maid Park
Cincinnati Record: (53-47)
Houston Record: (47-53)
Winning pitcher - Aaron Harang (11-6)
Losing pitcher - Roger Clemens (2-4)
SV - Bill Bray (1)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | ||
| Cincinnati | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 | |
| Houston | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
Next Houston Game: July 26, 2006 07:05 PM CT vs. Cincinnati Reds
Texas Rangers Report
July 25, 2006
N.Y. Yankees 7, Texas 4 at Ameriquest Field in Arlington
N.Y. Yankees Record: (58-40)
Texas Record: (51-50)
Winning pitcher - Mike Mussina (12-3)
Losing pitcher - Adam Eaton (0-1)
SV - Mariano Rivera (24)
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | ||
| N.Y. Yankees | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 4 | 1 | |
| Texas | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 1 |
NYY HR - A. Guiel (6)
TEX HR - R. Barajas (9)
Next Texas Game: July 26, 2006 07:05 PM CT vs. New York Yankees
ATTORNEY GENERAL ABBOTT ASKS SOUTH PLAINS RESIDENTS FOR HELP IN FINDING CHILD SUPPORT EVADER
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| LUBBOCK – Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott today asked residents in Lubbock and surrounding counties to be on the lookout for Child Support Evader Curtis Dutton, who owes more than $45,000 for the care of his 16-year-old daughter from Denton. Dutton was last spotted in April at an abandoned trailer between Southland and Post where he once received mail. His route as a long-haul trucker may take him through the South Plains area. Born Sept. 7, 1962, Dutton is a Caucasian male with blonde hair and blue eyes. He is 6' 5" and weighs approximately 250 pounds. He has a tattoo on his right arm of a skull smoking a cigarette and wearing a cowboy hat and bandana. He has family in Lubbock and is known to frequent bars in the area.
“Curtis Dutton has turned his back on his daughter by refusing to pay child support. Please help me hold this Child Support Evader accountable by providing information that will lead to his arrest,” said Attorney General Abbott. “Parents who avoid their responsibilities to their children must be apprehended and punished.” Anyone with information about Dutton should call 1-866-EVADERS (382-3377) or e-mail evaders@oag.state.tx.us. Photos of all missing Evaders are available on the Attorney General’s website at www.oag.state.tx.us. Many Evader arrests are made following tips from the public. In September 1992, Dutton was ordered to pay $550 per month in child support. He did not follow the order. By April 1998, he owed more than $10,000. In June 2002, Dutton was placed on probation following a conviction for felony criminal nonsupport. He is now wanted for violating a condition of his probation to make regular child support payments. For a parent to be named a Most Wanted Child Support Evader, court-ordered delinquent support must be in excess of $5,000 and an arrest warrant must have been issued. The location of the parent must be unknown, and no child support payments made in the last six months. The parent must not be involved in bankruptcy proceedings or receiving welfare benefits. The parent with custody of the children must sign a confidentiality waiver before the Evader can be added to the list. A total of 68 Evaders have been arrested or located since Attorney General Abbott took office in December 2002. |
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Update on Ethan
I confirmed that Ethan has indeed taken a turn for the worse. He is still at Cooks and is now on the 6th Floor rehab facility. He has been there since early June and will be for a minimum of 6-8 more weeks.
He had started to walk again during therapy but has not been able to for the last week or so. Due to his young age, the recovery is brighter than if he were older. The hospital stay is getting longer and sometimes hope and kind words are all you have. Please continue to send cards and words of encouragement to Ethan and his family.
We had a very busy weekend with the roofing, Clay and Diana's wedding, and of course going to watch Patrick in the Six-Man All American game in Garden City but I heard from two different places that Ethan Mendoza has taken a turn for the worse. Although I have not confirmed it, either way I think that it requires me to ask for your continued and extra prayers for his recovery.
Please remember Ethan and his family at this time.
Santa Anna Elementary Student Receives Treatment for Encephalitis
Ethan Mendoza, age 8 and a student at Santa Anna Elementary is currently hospitalized at Cooks Children's Medical Center in Ft. Worth due to a diagnosis of Encephalitis. He has been there since early June and will likely remain there for several weeks due to physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Ethan is the son of Sandi Watson of Santa Anna. Send any well wishes to Ethan Mendoza, Room 2816, Cooks Children's Medical Center, 801 7th Avenue, Ft. Worth, Texas 76104. If he changes rooms, his mail will follow him.
Please remember Ethan and his family during his recovery.
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