Artisan’s Second Saturday Art Jam starts Sept. 10
Special to The Monitor
EDOM/BEN WHEELER–The 279 Artisans Trail’s Second Saturday Art Jam Sept.10 will feature the works of artists, craft demonstrations, a Model A Ford Car Show, live music and more.
The event takes place along a 20-mile stretch of FM 279 in and around Ben Wheeler and Edom beginning at 10 a.m. with some activities going until 11 p.m.
In addition to local artists demonstrations, here are a few highlights of activities visitors will enjoy:
• Jeweler Andy Smith will bring a special trunk show of her artisan jewelry to Antiques and Texas Heritage during this Art Jam. While most of Andy’s jewelry is crafted in her workshop on the banks of Kickapoo Creek, this show will feature exquisite necklaces, neck pieces and bracelets created during her recent visit to Cortona, Italy, – the setting of the book and movie “Under The Tuscan Sun.”
Smith now calls East Texas home. She lived in Italy and traveled extensively there during the years she was a luggage and handbag designer for Ralph Lauren.
Her new designs, inspired by the centuries-old architecture, landscapes and ancient Etruscans of the historic Cortona region, features hand -forged metals, gems, crystals, and coins prized in Italian jewelry.
• In celebration of International Model A Ford Day, several car clubs will gather from Dallas, Fort Worth, Tyler, Winnsboro and Cedar Creek Lake from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in Ben Wheeler Park.
Ben Lowery and Texas Express Band will entertain while 40-50 Model A’s are on display in the park and along the Ben Wheeler and Edom streets.
• Edom Jam Stage presents Brandon Elliott from 9-10 a.m., with Kurbsyde Paradox debuting their new CD from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. and Loretta Callens performing from 2-5 p.m.
• Arbor Castle Birdhouses showcases guest artists Beverly Wallace and Gabrielle Martinez.
• Potters Brown offers a free 30-minute lesson on the potter’s wheel to experience creating a bowl. To sign up, please call (903) 852-6473.
• Featured at Blue Moon Gardens is Tyler artist Tana Doss. She will demonstrate colored pencil illustrations. Doss also creates Scherenschnitte, the centuries-old art of paper cutting. She first learned the craft from her grandmother and has gone on to create her own designs and patterns.
• Flying Fish Gallery features oil painter Margo Stamp demonstrating her unique portraits; CeCe Bode demonstrating hand-sculpted wearable art; and wood turner Mitch Gray.
• Evening music includes Grant Cook at The Forge and Shinebox at Moore’s Store.
Admission to the artisans’ fest is free. It’s from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.
For more information, call (903) 780-7336 or (903) 571-7631 and visit www.279ArtisansTrail.com  and www.facebook.com/279Artisans Trail.

Diabetes nutrition workshop scheduled
Special to The Monitor
MABANK–Are you an older person with diabetes or know of someone who is over the age of 60 with diabetes?
Are you frustrated over the lack of menu selections to prepare?
There is hope! The Texas AgriLife Extension Service and the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging have teamed to provide information and education for individuals/caregivers of diabetics, ages 60 years and older.
An event is planned for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 8 at the Mabank Senior Center at the Ball Park, located at 405 West Walnut in Mabank.
The program will focus on providing individuals with guidelines for good nutrition, how to utilize information provided on food labels for menu planning and a cooking demonstration.
Individual consultation will be provided after the presentation for those persons seeking additional information and resources.
In addition, each participant (one per family) will receive a copy of the American Diabetes Association book, “Month of Meals: Diabetic Meal Planner.”
The books contain valuable information covering 600 recipes and will be provided free of charge to eligible participants by the North Central Texas Area Agency on Aging.
Due to limited space, only 25 people will be able to attend this program.
Individuals/caregivers interested and/or seeking further information, must call (972) 932-9069 for reservations no later than Sept. 7.
For further information, contact County Extension Agent-Family and Consumer Sciences Katie Phillips at Texas AgriLife Extension Service, 2471 North State Highway 34 in Kaufman. Call (972) 932-9069, or e-mail kmphillips@ag.tamu.edu.

Fall dog training special
Special to The Monitor
GUN BARREL CITY–A five-week dog training program has been scheduled for Tuesday evenings at 7 p.m., beginning Sept. 13, at A P.E.T.S Palace, 329 Gun Barrel Lane South in Gun Barrel City.
The cost of this special fall session normally runs $125, but has been reduced to $95.
The program is open to beginning dogs and puppies from 3 months of age and up.
All dogs registered must show proof of current shots at the first class. (Puppies must have completed the first two of three shot series).
All dogs over 4 months of age must show proof of current Rabies vaccination, as well.
All dogs must be brought to class with a buckle type collar and either a cotton, nylon or leather, six-foot leash.
No choke chains or chain leashes will be used in class.
In addition, each dog should have a bowl or bucket for water and some soft, tasty treats such as cheese, bits of hot dog or boiled chicken, to aid in getting and keeping the dog’s attention.
All lessons are taught by utilizing gentle, positive, motivational training methods and are designed to build trust and mutual respect. Force will not be used!
An important element of each class is the teaching of tricks so we can all have some fun with our pups and dogs!
Lessons are designed to teach basic obedience including good leash manners, as well as teaching owners how to effectively manage behavior issues such as jumping, coming when called and executing basic commands such as sit/down/stay.
All instruction utilizes gentle, positive, motivational training techniques. And, all instruction is supported by handouts.
The classes are open to all family members, including well-behaved children of any age.
The training program is conducted by veteran dog trainer Joan Guertin of Common Sense Dog Training and Behavior Solutions.
She has been a trainer, breeder of dogs and competitor in the show ring, obedience and herding events for more than 54 years.
This class session will mark the final one conducted here in the lake area as Guertin is retiring in October and moving to Eureka Springs, Ark., to live with her daughter.
To register for this final class session, or to obtain additional information, drop by A P.E.T.S. Palace or call Guertin at (903) 887-3803 or (903) 340 7087.
Also, private sessions are always available for those who cannot make the class schedule. For those desiring a Saturday class, call Guertin. She will be conducting a class at The Cain Center in Athens, beginning Saturday, Sept. 10.
Remember, dogs know how to be dogs!
We have to learn how to be the pack leader, so they know how to behave to please us!

 

Come Adopt Us At The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake

We have many animals at the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake in Seven Points in dire need of a good home. Please call or stop by the Humane Society today and rescue one of these forgotten animals. The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is located on 10220 County Road 2403 in Seven Points. For more information, please call (903) 432-3422 after 11 a.m. We are closed on Wednesday and Sunday.

For further information visit our website at petfinder.com