Denim and Diamonds IV set for Sept. 24 at Pinnacle Country Club
Special to The Monitor
SEVEN POINTS–The Library at Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points is announcing Denim and Diamonds IV, to be held Saturday, Sept. 24 at the Pinnacle Country Club.
The library depends heavily on this event to generate sufficient operating funds, and last year’s event generated approximately 50 percent of the annual operating budget.
Without such success, the library would be in dire financial condition.
We depend on area library patrons and friends to make the event a success, and we encourage your participation.
Sponsorships are currently being sold by the Board of Directors, as well as the Friends of the Library. These members have been kind enough to volunteer their time, and they are available at the library as well.
Jim Taylor is heading the sponsorship effort, and can be reached at (903) 340-4644.
Gloria Campos, evening news anchor on Channel 8 in Dallas, has again generously volunteered to serve as Mistress of Ceremonies at the Pinnacle Club.
A weekend homeowner on Cedar Creek Lake, Campos shares our ongoing interest in having a well-funded and successful library.
Participants will enjoy her personality and she is always available for conversation during the event.
Music and co-hosting duties will be provided by our own Dino Perelli, who is always entertaining and a great stimulator of activity during the event.
Dinner will be prepared by award-winning chef Chris Smith and his staff at the Pinnacle Club and will feature London broil, as participants remain dressed in Denim and Diamonds to continue the theme.
Live and silent auctions always feature something for everyone.
The live auction will offer gourmet dining in Dallas, as well as, local, fun trips with a regional to international range at a spectacular value, along with other offerings.
The silent auction will have about 75 items which also offer great value, thanks to the generosity of local merchants and other donors.
Individual ticket sales should be available beginning the last week in August.
Participants are encouraged to become a sponsor to reap additional benefits.
Sponsorships begin at $350 and depending on size of the donation, can include reserved seating, event publicity and recognition, such as bricks or tiles permanently placed at the library entrance.

Kemp senior citizens plan to reopen center
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor staff Writer
KEMP–Approximately 50 Kemp residents showed up for a fundraiser benefitting the reopening of the Center located off 8th Street in Kemp.
After the official closing and moving of the Southeast Kaufman County Senior Center in Kemp to Mabank, some seniors plan to open a center in the former location.
A 15-member board will govern the facility.

Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
Mayrene Cline gets set up to play dinner music for seniors attending the fundraiser Aug. 6.

The board elected Marjie Houston as its president.

Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
AT LEFT: Board president Marjie Houston greets a crowd of approximately 50 seniors gathering for a benefit to help reopen their senior center.

Saturday, Aug. 6, a fundraiser featuring a rummage sale and covered dish dinner was held.
Another is planned but the date has not yet been set.

Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
A delicious covered dish dinner is a part of a fundraiser Aug. 6, benefitting the Kemp Senior Center.

Making gas dollars go the extra mile
Special to The Monitor
CEDAR CREEK LAKE–Gasoline prices have risen well above $4 a gallon in most every state across the country. (Locally, gas still goes for less than that.)
According to a recent study, the average U.S. family with two drivers is now paying nearly $1,000 more annually for gas than they were just two years ago.
Although there are practical steps drivers can take to increase gas mileage, BBB warns consumers to be wary of gas-saving claims that empty the wallet – instead of saving fuel.
Many websites make unbelievable claims for various after-market automotive devices, such as fuel-line magnets, air bleed devices, retrofit gadgets and oil and gasoline additives that supposedly increase gas mileage for automobiles.
The Federal Trade Commission found many of these claims to be either false or overly exaggerated.
“Summer travelers should shop around. Many smartphones have apps specifically for finding the cheapest gas prices in the area,” president and CEO of BBB Mechele Agbayani Mills said.
“Also, keep in mind that gas stations closest to the highway are likely to be more expensive than those closer into town,” she added.
Before adding any fuel savings device to your vehicle, check with a mechanic.
Drivers may end up with a voided manufacturer warranty not to mention serious engine problems by adding after-market devices to the engine.
BBB offers the following tips on what drivers can do to save fuel consumption:
• Choose the right octane for your car. Check your owner’s manual to find out what octane your car requires. Keep in mind that the higher the octane, the higher the price.
• Keep your engine tuned. Studies have shown that a poorly tuned engine can increase fuel consumption by as much as 10 to 20 percent, depending on a car’s condition.
Follow the recommended maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. You will save fuel and your car will run better and last longer.
• Don’t let your engine run at idle any longer than necessary. An engine actually warms up faster while driving. With most gasoline engines, it is more efficient to turn off the engine than to idle for any period longer than 30 seconds.
• Set the cruise control. Set your cruise control on highway trips. This can help maintain a constant speed and, in most cases, reduce fuel consumption.
• Keep your tires properly inflated and aligned. Automobile manufacturers must place a label in the car stating the correct tire pressure. If the label lists a psi (pounds per square inch) range, use the higher number to maximize your fuel efficiency.
• Anticipate the driving condition. Driving smoothly and steadily makes the best use of your fuel. If you can, avoid sudden acceleration or braking.
• Change your oil and replace air filters regularly. Clean oil reduces wear caused by friction between moving parts and removes harmful substances from the engine.
Air filters keep impurities in the air from damaging internal engine components.
For more consumer tips you can trust, visit www.bbb.org. 
To report a fraud or scam, please call the BBB Hotline at (903) 581-8373.