People, Places & Events

Businesses saved one store at a time
By Barbara Gartman
Monitor Staff Writer
CEDAR CREEK LAKE–A new “shop local” program, called “the 3-50 project™” may have more to offer than customers think.
• 3 = What three stores would you miss if they failed? Your purchases keep them in business.
• 50 = If only half the employed population spent $50 per month in locally owned businesses, it would generate in excess of $42.6 billion in revenue.
Project supporters urge consumers to support their local shops.
“It’s times like these when we all have to pull together and support our local businesses,” Sandra Ward of Bluebonnet Emporium said.
Information released by the project says that for every $100 spent in locally owned stores, $68 returns to the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.
Only $43 stays in the community if the same $100 was spent in a national chain, and nothing stays in the community when the money is spent on-line.
“Most small businesses are a convenience to customers. They know their clients, are usually friendlier and easier to work with,” Ward said. “They care more for their customers as individuals, not just as another number.”
The founder of the project, Cinda Baxter, describes the beginning of the project in March as sowing seeds for what has become a real example of what one person can do.
The project got a huge boost Monday with a mention on “Oprah.” Show host Oprah advised consumers to stop spending money on things that are non-necessities.
A CBS News show emphasized consumers drive 70 percent of the economy, and warned if consumers put their wallets away, the economy would have trouble making a U-turn.
“No one customer has to spend a lot, but if a lot spend a little, we will all survive,” Ward explained.
The project states it only takes one person to start a trend that could change your world.

Classes offered at The Library
at Cedar Creek Lake
Special to The Monitor
SEVEN POINTS–The Library at Cedar Creek Lake has a lot of new programs to offer for this fall semester!
We are excited to say that the summer program was a huge success, more than twice the amount of last years kids signed up for the reading and activity programs, and we appreciate everybody involved!
With the same energy and determination we are diving into the autumn programs.
Lots of new classes in the Community Room have been added for all ages, and the Community Room can be rented out for a variety of services and programs.
So if you have a need for a reception, bridal shower, wedding shower or business meeting, The Library at Cedar Creek Lake is the place to accommodate all your needs.
You can book a day or half day at a small rate. The Community Room comes with the use of a full kitchen, tables and chairs and other amenities.
We have an exciting schedule to offer for the next three months.
Watercolor art classes with famous local artist Ann Moye will start Thursday, Sept. 17, for the six-week course. Starting at 9 a.m. and continuing until noon every Thursday morning. Course cost is $90.
Beginner Computer Class, a two-hour session, will be offered on several Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. and on some Saturdays from 1-3 p.m.
Space is limited. There are five different dates to choose from. Check our schedule for all dates available.
Acting classes, sponsored by the Henderson County Performing Arts Center ,are offered Saturdays from 10 a.m. until noon, starting in October.
Yoga classes will be offered upon enough interest, at $5 a class, sign up at the front desk.
For all women interested in learning about improving their appearance and how to look your best, Phyllis Watson will teach a “Make Over Magic” class.
Her knowledge and experience on the topics of make up, skincare, wardrobe and etiquette is undisputable and we are very excited to be able fill that class up.
It is a two-hour workshop and will be offered on several Wednesdays and Fridays. Mothers and daughters are welcome to sign up together.
The successful intensive course on diabetes: “Eat Well, Live Well,” will return in November, and requires a five- night in two weeks commitment.
They will take place on Tuesday and Thursday nights.
The first time we offered this workshop last spring, it was very popular and a monthly Diabetes Support Group was started that meets every third Thursday of the month at the library.
Interested parties may join at any time.
A photography workshop offered by instructor Jamye Perelli is a five- week course, starting from 5-7 p.m. Monday Sept. 28.
Cost is $90.
A cooking and recipe class starts at 3 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, with instructor Zelda McGibboney. Talking about food in our huge kitchen will be great!
A schedule of all classes offered is available at the checkout counter at the library.
Please sign up in person or make a reservation on the phone.
Most classes are offered for a small fee per class.
Class fees need to be paid at the library before the specific class or workshop starts.
Some support is available through sponsorships, just ask at the counter about details.
The teen board is very active and has several movie nights and a Halloween party planned.
The Literary Club still meets on the second Tuesday of the month, and the growing GED classes are held from 9 a.m. to noon every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
A new GED class starts Monday, Sept. 14.
Bring the whole family to the library Saturday, Sept. 19, to learn how to plan for a disaster, during a workshop that starts at 10 a.m.
This is a fun learning experience for the whole family!
A seven-week “art gallery show” by members of the Cedar Creek Lake Art Society will open with a reception 5 p.m. ,Saturday, Oct. 17.
The annual Christmas Market is set for Saturday Dec. 5. Mark your calendars now!
For questions, call the library at (903) 432-4185.

Food Manager Certification
Course scheduled Sept. 30
Special to The Monitor
KAUFMAN–Statistics indicate that foodborne illness continues to be a health issue in the United States.
Each year, one in four Americans will become sick, one in 1,000 will become hospitalized, and 5,000 will die due to a foodborne illness.
If under the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) jurisdiction, each food establishment is required to have one certified food manager on-site.
Many food establishments have already received a letter from the Texas Department of State Health Services regarding this.
Under these new rules, each food establishment permitted by the DSHS must have one certified food manager. New food manager certificates will be valid for five years.
Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Kaufman County is offering a food manager certification training course for $110.
The course will be offered Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 30-Oct. 1, at the Texas AgriLife Extension Service office in Kaufman.
Cost includes training, materials and the State food manager certification examination.
This program is designed to not only prepare foodservice managers to pass the certification examination, it will provide valuable education regarding the safe handling of food.
Almost 50 cents of every dollar Americans spend on food is spent on meals prepared away from home. Therefore, careful attention to food safety will help keep customers safe and satisfied.
Foodborne illnesses are estimated to cost thousands of dollars in lost wages, insurance and medical bills. With these statistics, knowledge of how to prevent foodborne illness is essential.
The benefits of improved food safety include:
• increased customer satisfaction,
• improved relationships with health officials and
• prevention of bad publicity and lawsuits due to foodborne illness.
By attending the course, foodservice managers will learn about:
• identifying potentially hazardous foods and common errors in food handling,
• preventing contamination and cross-contamination of food,
• teaching and encouraging personal hygiene for employees,
• complying with government regulations,
• maintaining clean utensils, equipment and surroundings, and
• controlling pests.
Foodborne illnesses can be prevented by following simple food safety practices.
For more information about the Food Manager Certification Training course of Texas AgriLife Extension Service, called “Food Safety: It’s Our Business,” call Katie M. Phillips, CEA-FCS, at (972) 932-9069, or e-mail kmphillips@ag.tamu.edu.

Come Adopt Us At The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake
My name is Koal (aka Smarty Pants), and I’m a young orphan German Shepherd/Catahoula Leopard mix. I’m very proud to say that German Shepherds are the third smartest dog breed. I, however, beg to differ because I know I am smarter than any other dog in the world. I am very true to my breed. German Shepherds are extremely intelligent, courageous, and have a very strong protective instinct. I would be a great guard dog. I am also a loving family companion and am excellent with children. I am an all-around fun guy who loves to rough house with my pals at the Shelter, then snuggle up to humans who can’t help but reach out to scratch my head every time they walk by.
	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