Free tax help
The Tri-County Library free tax lady is taking names and phone numbers (no long distance or cell numbers) and the best time for her to call to set up an appointment. She will call twice only. Some, not all forms are at the library, limit two please. Forms are received as the IRS sends them.
For information or to leave name for an appointment call (903) 887-9622.

Kemp book fair
The Kemp Intermediate School Scholastic Book Fair is set Thursday and Friday, Feb. 9–10. To preview books, visit bookfairs.scholastic.com/
homepage/kempintermediate.
For information, contact Debbie Floyd at debbie.floyd@kempisd.org  or call (903) 498-1367.

49er’s seniors club
The Cedar Creek Lake 49er’s Senior Citizens Club features dancing to the music of Chuck & the 49er’s from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday (tonight and each Thursday) The new cookbook is available. Club is located in Seven Points, off SH 334, two blocks south on Arnold Hills Road. For information, call (903) 432-3552.

Mabank art show
The Mabank District Art Show viewing is set from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday (today), in the MHS Commons area for grades 2 through 12.

VFW Valentine dinner
VFW Post 4376 and its Ladies Auxiliary are hosting a Valentine’s dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at the Post home. Dinner includes chicken spaghetti, salad, bread, followed by a silent auction and bake sale with gift baskets for your Valentine.

MHS choir fundraiser
The Mabank High School choir’s annual Valentine dinner show fundraiser, “That’s Amore,” is set for 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, in the MHS commons area. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are available from chior members and includes show, and dinner, Italian fare of penne pasta, Tuscan sauce, salad, dessert and drink. For information call (903) 880-1620, the fine arts department.

VZ Democrats meet
The Van Zandt County Democrats meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday (today- second Thursday) and at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25 (fourth Saturday), at Van Zandt Democratic Headquarters located at 510 S. Trades Day Blvd, Canton. For information, call (903) 567-8484.

VZ Senior Citizens Club
The Van Zandt Senior Citizens Club will host their monthly dance at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10, at the Henderson County Senior Center in Athens. Country Western music is provided by Joe Walenta and the Ranch Hands.

Putting on the Ritz
Sons of the American Legion Post 310, are hosting a dinner and dance, “Putting on the Ritz,” dinner from 7 to 9 p.m., followed by a dance, Saturday, Feb. 11, benefitting local charities. The menu features pork tenderloin, potatoes, green beans, salad and cheesecake. Tickets available at the Post, located at 111 Leeway, Gun Barrel City. For information, call (903) 887-3532.

Sweetheart dinner
The Whitton community Center is sponsoring a “Sweetheart Dinner” at 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the center located on the corner of FM 1651 and CR 2410.
The family event features games, crafts, menu of lasagna with trimmings and “sweet” door prizes. Funds earned benefit the building repairs.

Valentine’s fundraiser
Members of Friends of Tri-County Library are rapidly selling out of tickets for the fundraising dinner set for 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at First Methodist Church, Mabank.
Tickets are available at Tri-County Library.

Run for Roses race
The “Run for Roses” fourth annual barrel race starts with exhibition from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and open to start at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Malakoff Ag Arena, 15201 FM 3062, Malakoff. Following the barrel race at 5 p.m. is a chili dinner and auction at the Malakoff High School.
For information, e-mail malakoffagbooster@yahoo.com.

Pancake breakfast
Boy Scout Pack 333 holds a pancake breakfast fundraiser 8-11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, at the First United Methodist Church in Mabank. Door prizes included. For reduced price on advance tickets, call (214) 796-0491.

Styx Baptist pastor
Styx Baptist Church is celebrating Pastor Scot Bonner’s one year anniversary with an Italian pot luck lunch after services. All are welcome.

Bluegrass gospel music
The Prairie Wind Band of bluegrass gospel music will present the 11 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, program at Memorial Baptist Church located on CR 3094, one mile off FM 148 past the Peel Town curve. For information, call (903) 498-3310.

Senior Valentine’s dance
The Senior Center at the Ball Park in Mabank is hosting a spaghetti dinner and dance from 6:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at the center at 405 West Walnut, Mabank. Music by Joe Walenta and the Gang. Everyone is welcome.

CCL literary club
The Literary Club of Cedar Creek Lake meets at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 14, at The Library at Cedar Creek Lake, Seven Points. Rose-Mary Rumbley will present the program, “Texas Love Affairs.” For information, call (903) 778-4752.

Sarah Maples DAR
The Sarah Maples Chapter DAR annual George Washington Tea is set for 2 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 15, at The Library at Cedar Creek Lake. Gary Sisson will present, “Patrick Henry.” This is an invitation only tea.

American Legion dinner
The American Legion Post 310 is hosting a chalupa/tostado dinner from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17, at the post home on SH 198, Gun Barrel City. Proceeds benefit area children and youth activities.

Watercolor Society
The Star Harbor Watercolor Society is hosting an art show and sale from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19,, at Star Harbor City Hall, located on Cedar Creek Lake, Malakoff. Refreshments provided. For information, call (903) 489-0091.

Valentine’s dinner
The Order of the Eastern Star No. 1114 is hosting a Valentine’s Friendship Dinner from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the First United Methodist Church in Tool.
Donations appreciated for meal of beef tips, rice, green beans, carrots, rolls and dessert.

S–R dinner & auction
Scurry–Rosser FFA and 4–H Parents and Friends annual dinner at 5:30 to 7 p.m. and auction at 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, in the high school cafeteria. Menu is barbecue brisket and trimmings.

Confederate Rose meets
The Confederate Rose chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy meets at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the home of Johna Lamb. Women interested in investigating their family history in relation to the UDC are welcome.
For information, see the chapter website at www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~txcrudc/.

Rootseekers Society
The Rootseekers Genealogy Society is at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, at the Tri-county Library in downtown Mabank. Lana Napper will present, “Our First Congress.” Meetings are open to the public and to those interested in genealogy.

Styx gospel singing
The Styx Baptist Church is hosting its fourth Friday gospel singing, at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24. For information call (214) 616-4659.

K of C fish fry
The Knights of Columbus, Mary Queen of Heaven Council, Malakoff, is hosting an all-you-can-eat fish fry from 4:30 to 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24. Meal includes catfish, French fries, hushpuppies, coleslaw, drinks and home-baked goodies. Take SH 198 to Star Harbor Road (CR 3062) in Malakoff. Follow Catholic Church sign to CR 1703 (across from Malakoff High School).

Walk-in free tax help
The Tri-County Library is hosting a special walk-in free tax preparation on a first come basis. Bring your information from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 27, to 132 E. Market Street, Mabank. For information call the library at (903) 887-9622.

Free skating returns
The Cedar Creek Bible Church is hosting free Friday nights of skating, skits and snacks from 7 to 8:30 p.m. during February and the first three Friday nights of March. Skates, sodas, popcorn, hot chocolate and sno-cones are all free. The church is located one mile north of the traffic light in Seven Points on SH 274. For information, call (903) 432-2175.

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Candidates may file for local elections
Monitor Staff Reports
CEDAR CREEK LAKE–Candidate filing period for the May 12 Local Election opened Feb. 4 and continues through March 5 for school boards and city councils.
However, due to some changes in the federal and state election rules, which has forced some counties to not guarantee the availability of voting machines for the May elections on even-numbered years, some school districts have opted to move their elections to coincide with the November General Election.
Malakoff and Trinidad ISDs have moved their elections to even-numbered years in November and extended terms of office to four years, while Eustace ISD has opted to hold elections in May but only on odd-numbered years. Kemp and Mabank ISDs will continue to hold annual elections and rent equipment from a source other than the county.
The cities of Tool and Payne Springs have moved their elections to November, as has East Cedar Creek Fresh Water Supply District, which will hold elections in even-numbered years.
All the rest of the local political subdivisions have decided to retain the annual May election date.
Voters have until April 12 to register to vote in this election. However, the Voters Registrar, which usually sends out voters cards by now, hasn’t because redistricting maps affecting those running for state legislative and U.S. Congressional seats are still in doubt.
As of Tuesday, an April 17 date for a unified Primary was firming up, according to District 4 state Rep. Lance Goodin.
Monday, the Texas Attorney General reported new proposed interim maps have been approved by most groups opposing the first set of maps the legislature drew and the second set of maps drawn up by federal justices in San Antonio.
“Today’s maps should allow the court to finalize the interim redistricting maps in time to have elections in April,” AG Greg Abbott stated Monday.
Federal justices must finalize the agreement.
Local municipal seats for council and mayor up for re-election May 12 include:
Eustace – councilmen Robert Pickle, Marlin Chambers and Chuck Powers.
Gun Barrel City – mayor Dennis Wood, councilmen Dennis Baade, Place 4, and Melvyn Hayes, 2.
Kemp City – vacant seat, Place 3, Jesse Morton, Place 1, Leodis Buckley, Place, 5.
Mabank – council members Dennis Terry, Shannon Steakley and Tim Johnson (who isn’t running for re-election).
Seven Points – mayor, and two council seats once held by Hank Laywell (deceased) and Cheryl Jones (not running for re-election).
Also municipal utility districts directors:
West Cedar Creek MUD – C.D. Smith, Clifton Smith and David Lewis.
School board trustees up for re-election in May include:
Kemp ISD – Keith Foisey, Place 3, John Taylor, Place 4.
Mabank ISD – Gary Sapp, Place 7, Kenneth Odom, Place 6.
Those wishing to run for any of the seats open for election may sign up with the specific taxing entity until March 5.
Early voting in the May 12 election begins April 30 and continues through May 8. The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is May 4 with the county Voter Registrar’s Office.

TVCC reports declining figures
Spring enrollment down 5.5 percent
By Michael V. Hannigan
Monitor Staff Writer
ATHENS–Enrollment at Trinity Valley Community College this semester is down compared to last spring, according to figures released by the college.
Combined enrollment across all campuses is down 5.5 percent - or a little more than 500 students - from Spring 2011 with the total number of students dipping below 9,000.
“This is in general following the pattern statewide,” said TVCC President Glendon Forgey. “After experiencing tremendous growth in the past few years, community colleges around Texas are beginning to see enrollments level out or decline.”
Forgey said the improving economy is at least partly to blame.
“As the economy strengthens, less of the workforce will enroll in colleges,” he said.
Most of the decrease for TVCC was on the Palestine and Terrell campuses, which were down 21 percent and 10 percent respectively.
“At TVCC, the reduction is in part due to the economy and in part to a reduction in our dual credit students. In fact, our largest loss is in that area.... For example, the elimination of the Palestine Early College High School program contributed to the decrease in our enrollment. Also, some demographic changes in the school districts in our area, Forney in particular, resulted in fewer students being eligible for dual credit courses,” he said.
Forgey said he understands that budget constraints are a big reason for the declining dual credit students. “We know our high school partner districts are seeing the same reductions in budgets we are experiencing,” he said. “We already waive the tuition for those students, but understand schools around the state are tightening their belts.”
Queries to area high schools show that dual credit programs have not been reduced and that these programs are very popular with students seeking to save time of money or both on college degree programs.
Malakoff High School principal Daniel Barton said with previous approval, a student could conceivably earn an associate’s degree before high school graduation through a combination of online distance learning, high school class work and taking classes at TVCC in Athens.
Barton said that the dual credit program would be the last to take a budget hit, due to the current college readiness initiative statewide.
Eustace High School counselor Gwen Orr said that besides English, math, government, speech and calculus, the school offers a med-tech certificate program in conjunction with the community college, which is very popular.
Kemp High School is planning to add several more dual credit classes next year to its offering.
Mabank High School principal Brad Kosklin said not only does the school offer dual credits for biology, algebra, English U.S. History, governement and economics, it has also partnered with Navarro Junior College for articulated courses.
TVCC reported its own budget will take a hit because of the falling enrollment. The college will likely lose about $100,000 in revenue, Forgey said.
He added, however, that the college budgeted for a smaller increase in enrollment than in past years and said the college has cut operating expenses, which will help offset the loss of revenue.