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Friday Night Lights - Big Time

Well those Abilene Wylie Bulldogs fell to Gilmer 28-21 last Friday. Connie Culpepper Massey's son, Cody Williams, is a Senior at Abilene Wylie this year and is a starting Defensive Tackle for those Bulldogs at 6'3" and 265 pounds. Congratulations on a great year to Cody and the Bulldogs.

Those Early Longhorns took on Farmersville at Waco ISD Stadium on Saturday and lost 30-20.

What game to watch this week?

Cindy and I haven't got to see Tyler Etheridge and those Richland Springs Coyotes yet. Tyler is a Senior this year and leads the still undefeated defending 6-Man Division I State Champion Richland Springs. Richland Springs, picked by 45, handled #7 Trinidad 70-22 in Hico last Friday . Ranked at #1, Richland Springs will face #2 Rule at San Angelo Stadium this Saturday at 7:30. Richland Springs defeated Rule last year in Abilene for the title and is a ten point favorite this year.

It will be another Six man Championship Double Header with Motley County taking on Woodson in Division II, also in San Angelo, starting at 3. It should be a good game to see with Motley County picked by 5 and Woodson scoring over 95 points a game in their last two games.

See you at a game... maybe? Again, don't take my word for times and locations! See the UIL's Playoff page for the playoff brackets for all divisions and past results.

Rainfall

I am not really sure it can be counted as rainfall but I poured out a half inch or so out of my rain gauges Thursday night when I took out the trash.

With the wet Spring and Summer we had the grasses in many pastures are very tall and now dead. The area fire departments have been busy fighting grass fires and we are still under a burn ban as far as I know so any moisture is certainly welcome.

Coleman County Stockshow

The Coleman County Stockshow will be held in a little over a month. 2008 is Coleman County’s 150th birthday with many events planned. This will be a time to remember our heritage. With this in mind, a display of stockshow memorabilia is being planned. If you have old pictures from Coleman County stockshows of the past, trophies, ribbons, banners or any other item related to old stockshows that might be of interest in the display, contact Sarah Beal at ssbeal@web-access.net or call 325-785-4291. We would like to show the different locations that the show has been held, the changing styles of show stock, and different generations of families that have participated.

Thanks for your help with this project.

4-H Donates to City Wide Toy Drive

Submitted by Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS

The Coleman 4-H Club sells poinsettias each year, to raise money for the City-Wide Toy Drive. On Thursday, December 6, twenty-seven 4-H members and numerous parents gathered at Alco to purchase toys for all age children throughout Coleman County who might not otherwise have a very merry Christmas. The joy of giving was apparent as the 4-Hers went up and down the aisles checking their lists twice, and selecting over $500 worth of appropriate toys and gifts.

Jan Heath, Coleman 4-H Club Manager, made the arrangements for the purchase and delivery of the poinsettias. The club wishes to thank Colette Tabor, who oversees the City-Wide Toy Drive project, for bringing the joy of giving to 4-H members and the joy of Christmas to children in our county. We appreciate all of you who purchased poinsettias and made this effort possible.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Santa will be making his annual rest stops at the Findleys on Friday December 21, Saturday December 22, and Sunday, December 23 from 6:00 -- 8:00.

That is the home of Ray and Jean Findley which can't be missed on North Pole (aka North Eighth) Street... just look for Santa's sleigh in the front yard!

4-H Reminders - December 10, 2007

By: David L. Dunlap, CEA-Ag/NR
Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS

Club Meetings in December

Panther Creek 4-H - Tuesday, Dec. 11th, 3:30 p.m., Panther Creek School - Home Ec. Class Room
** Main topic of discussion : Choosing a meeting day, time, and place for 4-H meetings. ** All Panther Creek 4-H members are encouraged to attend ! Santa Anna 4-H - Monday, December 17, 2007, 7:30 p.m., Ag Class Room, Santa Anna School
*** Christmas Party - 4-H members attending are asked to bring a gift for exchange - boys bring boy gift, girls bring girl gifts. Members are also asked to bring refreshments ( cookies, finger food, etc...).

Rabbit Showmanship Clinic

Tuesday, December 11th, 2007
Randall Brown will host a Rabbit Showmanship Clinic on Tuesday, December 11th, 2007 at his home, 417 West 8th in Coleman, at 4:30 p.m. Topics to be presented are proper feeding & nutrition, general care, and showmanship. This clinic is open to all 4-H and FFA exhibitors.

For those of you who are purchasing rabbits from Mr. Brown, please bring the following:
1. Cage to carry your rabbits home in.
2. Check or cash for payment.

Coleman 4-H Club Reminder - Poinsettia Money

If you have any monies that needs to be turned in, please do so ASAP. Bring your money to the County Extension Office (2nd floor, County Courthouse). Thanks for all your hard work !

Chapter Show Schedules

Novice - Saturday, January 12, 2008
SHOW STARTS at 10:00 a.m.
SHOW ORDER: Rabbits, Goats, Lambs, Steers, Pigs

Santa Anna - Saturday, January 12, 2008
Swine Weigh-In: Friday, January 11, by 7:00 p.m.
Pigs can be put in show barn anytime on Friday. All pigs should be in show barn by 5:30 p.m.
Lambs & Goats arrive at barn for weighing at 7:30 a.m., January 12th
Rabbit Show: Will start at 9:00 a.m. Rabbits should arrive at 8:15 - 8:30 a.m. ( NO LATER )
Goat Show - 9:30 a.m.
Lamb Show - Following Goat Show
Steer Show - Following Lamb Show
Swine Show - Following Steer Show
BBQ Lunch Break (12 Noon - 1 PM)
Approx. 1:15 p.m. - Complete Swine Show
BAKED GOODS must be in the Elementary Cafeteria by 8:30 a.m. on January 12th

Panther Creek - Friday, January 18, 2008
Swine Weigh-In: Thursday, Jan. 17th at the Panther Creek Bus Barn from 6 to 8 pm
Lambs & Goats Weigh-In: will be at 7:00 am to 8:30 am on Friday, Jan. 18, 2008
SHOW STARTS at 10:00 am : Goats, Lambs, Pigs
BBQ Lunch @ 11:45 am

Coleman - Saturday, January 19, 2008
Weigh-In for Goats, Lambs and Pigs will be Friday, January 12, from 4:30 to 6 pm
Steers Weigh-In: Friday, Jan. 18, 2008 from 4:30 - 6 pm at the Expo Center
SHOW STARTS: 7:30 am Saturday, January 19, 2008
SHOW ORDER: Swine, Lambs, Goats, Rabbits, Steers

STOCK SHOW REMINDERS

Listed below are County Stock Show Reminders. PLEASE READ THEM CAREFULLY ! If you have any questions about any of the rules of regulations for the County Show, contact the Superintendent of your show, your Ag Science teacher, or the County Extension Agent.

* NO PASS. NO SHOW. Each exhibitor must be academically eligible.
* Rabbits are to be brought to the grounds for judging on Sunday for the County Show, taken home after the show.
* You must be present for weigh-in and sifting your animals at the county stock show. See the show schedule for details. If you miss weigh-in, you will not show.
* 4-H members are required to sell their own animal at the county sale.
* ALL EXHIBITORS ARE TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO STAY AFTER THE SALE & HELP CLEAN UP - NO EXCEPTIONS !
* Once livestock are on the grounds at the County Stock Show, they cannot leave without permission of the superintendents.
* SWINE SHOW - Show weights are 150 to 270. In order to consign your pig to the floor, it must weigh 225 to 270 with a 5 pound variance on the TOP only.
* All lambs must be slick shorn by no later than December 31st, in order to show in the Coleman County Stock Show. Lambs & goats may be washed for the county show as long as it is done before arrival on the rodeo grounds.
* All 4-H members must have exhibitor signs on their pens at the County Show. These are available from the County Extension Office or you can find them out in the show barns during the event.
* STEERS - This will be a blow and show exhibition. No adhesives.
* MANDATORY - YOU MUST CLEAN OUT YOUR PEN(S) BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE STOCK SHOW GROUNDS AFTER THE STOCK SHOW IS OVER.

2008 County Stock Show Schedule

Friday, January 18, 2008
4:00 - 6:00 p.m. Steers weigh-in at Expo Center

Saturday, January 19, 2008
3:00 p.m. All livestock must be in place for the County Show Sift for swine, lambs, goats will begin.

Sunday, January 20, 2008
12:00 Noon Swine Show
1:00 p.m. Weigh-In for Rabbits
2:00 p.m. Rabbit Show Begins
Little Britches Goat Show - Following Rabbit Show (Approx. 3 PM)

Monday, January 21, 2008
8:00 a.m. Steer Show
11:00 a.m. Lamb Show (Or immediately following Steer Show)
Meat Goat Show Immediately following Lamb Show

Tuesday, January 22, 2008
12:00 Noon County Stock Show SALE at Expo Center

Little Britches Goat Show

Sunday, January 21, 2008
Each year the Little Britches Goat Show is a great success with many youth involved. This show will again be part of the county*s stock show events. ENTRY FEE IS $1.00. You can enter just prior to the show on Sunday, January 21, 2008. If you have a little brother, sister, cousin, grandson, granddaughter, who is not old enough to be a member of 4-H or FFA, and would like to get them started in the show ring - get them involved at the County Show in the Little Britches Goat Show.

There are 2 classes:
1) Under 5 years of age - This is a COSTUME Contest. Both the animal and the contestant can sport a costume.
2) Ages 5 to 8 years of age - Contestants will go through a showmanship class. Contestants in this class should wear stock show attire.

4-H Foundation Scholarship Information

The Texas 4-H Youth Development Foundation is pleased to offer senior high school 4-H members and current 4-H college students the opportunity to apply for an Opportunity Scholarship through the Texas 4-H Program. 4-H Scholarships are offered in four different areas: Baccalaureate Scholarships, Technical Certification Scholarships, Collegiate Scholarships, and Courageous Heart Scholarships. Each type of scholarship has its own requirements.

All applications, instructions, and an on-line training module are available through the Texas 4-H & Youth Development website at http://texas4-h.tamu.edu

Applications must be submitted to the District Office by February 15, 2008. REMEMBER to allow sufficient time for collecting the appropriate documents needed for this application and review time for county agents* approval.

For further questions or assistance, contact the County Extension Office at 325-625-4519 or come by the Extension Office (2nd floor, County Courthouse).

Consumer Decision Making Topics for 2008

For those of you who might be interested in participating in the Consumer Decision Making project, or being a project leader, topics for the 2008 District Contest are now posted on the FCS website : http://consumerdecisionmaking.tamu.edu . There are some new subjects that will challenge your critical thinking skills such as: Analog to Digital: The Switch is On (televisions - analog to digital), Compact Fluorescent Bulbs (CFLs) - comparing incandescent bulbs to fluorescent bulbs, Roth IRA*s for Working Kids - method of investment for working teenagers , Sun-Blocking Clothes, Buying a Used Car. Other topics that have been posted previously are: Emergency Radios, Gift Cards, Gold Jewelry, Pedometers, and an updated Printing Digital Photos.

If you are interested in the Consumer Decision Making project call the Extension Office at 625-4519 and let us know.

COUNTY STOCK SHOW ENTRIES are DUE

Attention 4-H exhibitors - Please turn in your CHAPTER / COUNTY stock show entries to the Extension Office by Friday, December 14th. This includes all livestock AND Food Fair entries. Cost for Entries: Swine, Lamb, Goat, and Rabbits (pen of 3) are $6.00, Steer entries are $7.50. Food Fair entries are $3.00 each (maximum of 3 entries per person). If you have any questions, please contact the County Extension Office at 625-4519 or come by, 2nd floor County Courthouse.

4th Annual FOOD FAIR

For all of you who like to bake, you have another opportunity. Why not try out your creativity ???!!!! Youth are invited to try their hands at baking their best bread, cake, cookies, etc.... and bring them to the 4th Annual Food Fair during the 2008 County Livestock Show. Listed below are a few details for this upcoming event.

Show Date: Projects Due Saturday, January 19, 2008 (at the County Livestock Show)

Eligibility: ALL 4-H, FFA, and FCCLA members

Age Divisions: Junior ( Ages 8 to 13 ), Senior (Ages 14 to 19) **SPECIAL AGE GROUP-Clover Kids:Kindergarten through 2nd grade

Classes: Decorated Cakes, Creative Cakes, Sponge Cakes, Butter cakes, Sweet rolls, Candies, Cookies, Bar & Square Cookies, Quick Breads, and Yeast Breads (plain)

ALL Food Fair entry forms must be submitted by Wednesday, December 12th. If you are interested in participating in the 4th Annual Youth Food Fair, come by the Extension office and pick up a detailed list of rules & regulations. Entry Forms are available !

Authors Visit Library

Submitted by Stephanie Dane

Dave and Pat Sargent, co-authors of tons of children's books came to the library and did a presentation for the 1st through 6th grades. At the end of the presentation, the kids had the opportunity to purchase books, bookmarks, and photos and get them autographed by the authors.

This was an incredible day for Garrett and I both because this is my son's favorites authors. Their books are responsible for getting Garrett interested in reading. Plus, it is also fun to meet someone "famous".

Mr. Sargent told stories of his pet skunk and had the kids rolling with laughter.

Mrs. Sargent told stories from her "Barney the Bear Killer Series" which are based on her and her best friend Barney, a coon dog, when she was a little girl.

It was amazing to me to see this large group of children hanging on every word this amazing couple had to say.

Canned Foods to the Rescue!

Submitted by Debbie Hailey, CEA-FCS

Texas Cooperative Extension, along with Loaves & Fishes and Coleman Housing Authority, will sponsor a Better Living for Texans class entitled "Canned Foods to the Rescue!" Join us at the Housing Authority High Rise Community Room in Coleman, on Thursday, December 13, at 1:00 p.m., to learn some new and different ideas for preparing quick meals.

According to research, the amount of time spent preparing meals at home continues to decline. Convenience is in high demand and, as a result, the number of meals we are eating out continues to rise. At the same time, however, people are becoming more interested in nutrition and the foods they eat. Is it possible to have convenience and nutrition in the kitchen? "Yes," says Jenna Anding,Ph.D., R.D., L.D., Associate Department Head for Extension and Program Leader, Department of Nutrition and Food Science. "With a little planning, a variety of meals, snacks, and desserts can be prepared with canned foods that most of us already have at home."

Researchers at the University of Illinois examined the nutritional composition of selected canned fruits, vegetables, legumes, poultry and fish. Their results demonstrated that those foods were nutritionally equal and sometimes superior to the nutritional value found in the fresh and frozen varieties. "Nutrition is just one reason to give canned foods a second look," says Anding. Other reasons include variety and quality. According to the Canned Food Alliance, there are more than 1500 different foods available in canned form. The high quality of canned foods, including legumes, fruits, and vegetables, makes them a perfect substitute when fresh produce is not available or is too expensive.

Convenience is also another reason to use canned foods. "For many canned foods, all you have to do is open, heat and eat. It really doesn’t get much easier than that," notes Anding. But Anding is also quick to add that food safety rules still apply when using canned foods. When shopping, buy canned foods that are not dented especially if the dent is on the seam. If a canned food is leaking or if the ends are bulged, don’t use it. Instead, return the unopened can to the place of purchase. After opening, refrigerate uneaten portions of canned foods immediately in a covered container. Remember, being thrifty should never come before food safety.

For more information about canned foods, contact Debbie Hailey, County Extension Agent at 325-625-4519.

Consumer Tips for Online and Catalog Shopping

By Greg Abbott
Attorney General of Texas

With the holiday season upon us, many generous Texans are buying gifts for friends and family. Amid all the hustle and bustle, it's easy to forget how to protect hard-earned dollars from theft and fraud. Taking just a few precautions when shopping online or by catalog can protect Texans from holiday scams.

Shoppers should cautiously approach online advertising, even promotions displayed on well-known sites. Web sites that sell advertising space do not generally endorse advertisers, the claims they make or the products they advertise. Crooks often set up sites that appear to sell products or collect money for charities when, in fact, all they do is collect credit card numbers, take the money and run.

Before providing credit card numbers or other sensitive information online, consumers should verify the Web site's security features. The location bar should include the letters "https://" instead of "http://" - the "S" typically indicates the site is secure. Online shoppers should also examine the status bar and look for an icon that resembles a lock. When clicked, the "lock" icon reveals details of the site's security features. If the icon appears in the Web page itself, or if a consumer clicks on the icon and finds it is merely a photo, it may be the sign of an insecure or fraudulent Web site.

If an offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Double-check the fine print. Always review the company's return policy, particularly when purchasing clothing or shoes.

Never rely on pictures alone. Often, several items are shown in an image, but only one or two are actually included in the purchase price. Also, size and quality may differ from what appears in written advertisements. To find out if a product meets expectations, consumers may want to see if the same product is sold locally so they can handle or test it in person.

As always, consumers should be cautious when providing credit card numbers and other personally identifying information. Online shoppers often prefer to use credit cards, which are convenient and often make it easier to dispute charges for products that are not delivered or were misrepresented. However, consumers should only give their credit card information to a company they trust, especially when shopping on the Internet. Many credit card companies offer specific protections to cardholders who shop online. Consumers should consult their credit card companies to learn more about the safeguards they provide.

Under federal law, merchandise ordered by computer, catalog or telephone must be received within the timeframe stated in the company's advertisement or telephone offer. If the merchant is unable to ship ordered products within the promised time period, it must notify consumers of the new delivery date. This gives buyers the opportunity to decide whether to accept the revised shipping date or cancel their order for a full refund.

Finally, consumers should never respond to unsolicited offers, whether by telephone, spam e-mails, or by mail. Even if the solicitor appears to represent a trusted company and pitches an interesting offer, consumers should hang up and call the company directly with a telephone number they find in the local directory. This practice ensures that consumers are talking to an actual company representative and not responding to a fraudulent offer.

To learn more about safe holiday shopping and common consumer scams, visit the Office of the Attorney General's Web site at:www.oag.state.tx.us.

POINTS TO REMEMBER

Online and Catalog Shopping

When shopping by telephone, mail catalog or over the Internet, consumers should take the following precautions:
. Verify that the server connection and Web site are secure.
. Know what the price includes before placing an order.
. Review the company's refund policy.
. Understand your cancellation rights.
. JUST HANG UP on unsolicited telephone offers.

For more information on common consumer scams and how to avoid them, access our consumer brochures online at: www.oag.state.tx.us.

Consumers who believe they have encountered an online or catalog scam should contact the Office of the Attorney General at (800) 252-8011, or file a complaint online at www.oag.state.tx.us.

Eating Out - Challenging At Best!

Whether you have diabetes or are just trying to maintain your weight, meal management is the same—whether for everyday meals or special occasion or holidays. The most important thing to remember is that you may have to put a little more effort into planning your schedule and meals than a person without diabetes does, but you can enjoy the season just as much. As a result, we may be eating less healthful foods nowadays. Foods eaten in restaurants and fast-food places are generally higher in fat, saturated fat and calories, and lower in fiber and calcium. It’s not too difficult to choose healthful items from restaurants. What you must be willing to do is to permanently give up high-fat choices in favor of more healthful foods. To help develop this fine art of healthier eating out, here are some basic rules of the road to success: Keep up with how often you eat out. Why? Because when eating away from home, you lose control over how much salt, butter, oil and mayonnaise you use. Many people eat out five or more times a week, which can lead to an excess of fat and calories if you do not learn to order healthfully. When health is a concern, such as for those of us who have diabetes, we need to establish a frequency of eating out that fits our lifestyles and our health needs. Select restaurants with care. Choose establishments that provide a flexible menu. Consider what is served, the variety of choices and the way the food is prepared. Fortunately, many restaurants and fast food establishments have recognized that Americans are more health conscious than they were a few years ago. For this reason, fresh salads, salad bars, baked potatoes, soups, milk and sugar-free sodas have been added to most restaurants’ standard menu. These welcome additions make it possible for you to order a meal that is low in calories, sodium and fat, and rich in fiber, vitamins and minerals.

How can your remain on your meal plan even when you eat away from home? Never starve before going to eat; avoid over-ordering; and if you know the menu, plan before arriving so you are not tempted by seeing all the less healthful choices on the menu. Some people even bring dishes that will be appropriate for their meal plan or carry food to supplement the menu. Make savvy menu choices. Ask the server for information about preparation methods, serving sizes and options for special requests. Order foods that will satisfy both your taste buds and your health needs. Avoid starving before you go so that you don’t over-order. Keep fat grams in check. When choosing a restaurant, carefully consider your choices, getting input from others eating with you. Beware of excess fat and calories that can be added to healthful vegetables. Learn where fat creeps into restaurant selections — from appetizers to desserts. We have already seen the excess in calories that fat provides. Be a good fat detective. Order food the way you want it. Restaurants that neither welcome nor honor your special requests should be replaced with more accommodating ones. Always be courteous when making special requests, and ask for help from the wait staff.

Use portion control. To keep your portion sizes in check, visualize what a proper serving is like. Remember the ordinary objects that can help us estimate how much food to eat — a tennis ball, cassette tape, computer mouse, hockey puck, etc. There are other restaurant strategies as well. Ask for a container to use to take home excess food. Or split an order with a friend. Look for menu words denoting small, such as lunch, petite, regular, single and kid. You can also order an appetizer to eat as the main course. Eating out in traditional or fast-food restaurants require special consideration. It is very easy to consume large amounts of calories from foods served at fast-food operations. The foods there are usually concentrated sources of carbohydrates and fats. However, you can eat at any restaurant if you choose foods that fit your meal pattern. Several guides are available to assist you with making wise selections at restaurants and fast food establishments. Two of these guides are: The CalorieKing Calorie, Fat & Carbohydrate Counter 2006 Edition http://www.calorieking.com/shop/11-The-CalorieKing-Calorie-Fat-Carbohydrate-Counter-2006-Edition.html.

For more information, call Debbie Hailey, County Extension Agent - Family 7 Consumer Sciences, at 325-625-4519.

Prepared for use only by County Extension Agents - Family and Consumer Sciences by Mary K. Bielamowicz, Ph.D., M.S., R.D., L.D., C.F.C.S., Regents Fellow, Professor and Extension Nutrition Specialist, Texas Cooperative Extension - Texas A&M University System, June, 2006.

Educational programs of Texas Cooperative Extension are open to all people, without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.

FIVE HOLIDAY SCAMS TEXANS SHOULD AVOID

By Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott

With Texans across the state preparing holiday meals and shopping for gifts, a few con artists are dusting off old scams and looking for new victims. Over the next few weeks, consumers should avoid five popular holiday scams: gift card scams; online shopping schemes; phony charities; credit repair scams; and spam e-mail and other unsolicited offers.

Gift card scams. Scam artists often take advantage of gift cards by writing down or memorizing the serial numbers on the face of the card while the cards are still displayed in the store. When an unsuspecting consumer purchases and activates the card, the scammer simply calls the card’s customer service number, verifies it is active, and uses the memorized serial number to make online purchases. Sadly, it’s often days or weeks before the legitimate buyer learns that the card balance was drained by a thief.

To avoid scammers who drain gift card balances, consumers should ask a store clerk to provide them with a gift card from behind a counter or one that has not otherwise been accessible to the general public. Some gift cards have additional security measures, such as scratch off codes, so consumers should always verify that no one has tampered with a card or its packaging.

Online shopping schemes. Consumers should never respond to bulk e-mails that offer merchandise, travel deals or solicit charitable contributions. Crooks often set up Web sites that look like they sell products or collect money for charities when, in fact, all they do is collect credit card numbers, take the money and run. Consumers should always verify a Web site’s security status before placing an order. Online shoppers also should consider using a credit card for online purchases. Paying by credit card often provides an extra layer of protection making it easier for consumers to dispute unauthorized charges or undelivered products.

Bogus charities. Charitable giving is commendable, but consumers should ask questions before donating to a telephone or door-to-door solicitor: Does the solicitor have identification? How will contributions be used? Texans also should independently check what they are told about the organization and make sure their gifts will count. To verify an organization’s legitimacy, donors can contact www.give.org. This Web site is maintained by the Council of Better Business Bureaus to promote wise charitable giving. Consumers also should confirm the tax-exempt status of any organization before they reach for their wallets.

Credit repair scams. Online or in the classifieds, credit repair offers often guarantee consumers loans despite their poor credit ratings; all consumers have to do is pay an upfront “processing fee.” These offers are invariably a form of advance fee fraud, so Texans should steer clear of them. Consumers who need extra money over the holidays should visit a local lender in person.

Unsolicited offers. The best way to guard against scams and swindles is simple: Never respond to unsolicited offers. Consumers should never respond to spam e-mails sent by strangers or unfamiliar companies.

Consumers should also be skeptical of unsolicited telephone offers. Even if the caller claims to represent a trusted company or pitches an interesting offer, Texans should hang up and call the well-known company directly using a number that appears in the local telephone directory. This simple precaution ensures that consumers are talking to an actual company representative.

Fraudulent offers also can arrive in the mail. As tempting as it sounds, consumers can rest assured they did NOT win the Spanish lottery, the Canadian lottery, or any other foreign lottery just in time for the holidays. Texans should be extremely wary of cashier’s checks sent by people they do not know and should never provide their personal financial information to unfamiliar solicitors.

Con artists tend to spend money just as fast as they steal it, so money lost in these or similar scams is difficult to recover. Prevention is a critical factor in stopping thieves in their tracks. By taking a few simple precautions, Texans can enjoy a safe and happy holiday season.

POINTS TO REMEMBER
Avoid Holiday Scams
• JUST HANG UP on unsolicited telephone offers.
• Avoid sweepstakes, lottery and other advance fee schemes.
• Approach a local lender if you need to secure a holiday loan – be wary of unsolicited credit repair offers.
• Ask questions before making a charitable contribution.
• Verify a Web site’s security before ordering merchandise online.
• Be a smart shopper when buying gift cards.

To verify a charitable organization’s legitimacy, visit www.give.org.

To learn more about safe holiday shopping and how to avoid common consumer scams, contact the Office of the Attorney General at (800) 252-8011 or visit www.oag.state.tx.us.

DECEMBER CEU OPPORTUNITY

Contributed by Luther Dunlap CEA-Ag/NR Coleman County

The annual fall CEU conference will be held December 13, at the Taylor County Extension Office in Abilene, beginning at 7:30 AM. The session will award 5 CEUs to holders of a Texas Department of Agriculture Applicator License. These include: 3 General, 1 Integrated Pest Management, 1 Laws & Regulations and 1 Drift Minimization. If preregistered by December 7, the cost will be $20.00. After this date and at the door, the cost will be $30.00. Refreshments and lunch are included in the registration.
7:30 AM Registration
8:15 AM What is IPM & What is Not IPM Dr. Edsel Bynum, Extension Agent, IPM
9:15 AM Texas Herbicide Laws Jan Hatler, Inspector TDA
10:15 AM BREAK
10:30 AM What is Drift Minimization & How to Prevent It Dr. Billy Warrick, Extension Agronomist
11:30 AM LUNCH
12:30 PM Minimizing Ag Chemical Exposure to Wildlife Dr. Dale Rollins, Extension Wildlife Specialist
1:30 PM Accurate Recommendations - Where Do I Find Them? Dr. Allan McGinty, Extension Range Specialist

To register, send a check, made payable to Program Council, to:
Taylor County Extension
1982 Lytle Way
Abilene, TX 79602

Please include name(s) and address(es) of those who will be attending. For additional information call the Taylor County Extension office at 325-672-6048.

Extension programs serve people of all ages regardless of socioeconomic level, race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin. Persons with disabilities who require auxiliary aid or accommodation are asked to contact the Taylor County Extension office one week in advance of the program.

COLEMAN CAREER CENTER
SCHEDULE OF CLASSES

All classes are located in the Coleman High School Technology Annex Building. Please contact the Coleman Career Center for further information to register for these classes.

Phone: 325-625-2658

**The Coleman Career Center will observe all Coleman ISD Holidays

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