People, Places & Events

Passport requirement for travel outside U.S. begins Sept. 30
Monitor Staff Reports
CEDAR CREEK LAKE– The temporary accommodation allowing U.S. citizens to travel by air within the Western Hemisphere using an official proof of passport application receipt will end as scheduled at midnight Sunday, Sept. 30.
Travelers leaving before Oct. 1 with the said receipt will be readmitted with these same documents if returning to the United States after Sept. 30.
The initiative approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in June was put into place due to the record-breaking demand for passports (due to new rules to identify those crossing U.S. borders) and the backlog in processing the requests.
After Sept. 30, travelers to or from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda must present a passport or other approved document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality in order to enter or re-enter the United States.
The U.S. State Department announced it has restored the standard six- to eight-week processing time for routine passport applications, and no more than three weeks for expedited service.
To date, it has issued more than 16 million passports this fiscal year, which ends Sept. 30. Last year at this time, it had issued 12.1 million.
The U.S. State Department plans to expand passport facilities and continue hiring more passport specialists in order to increase production to meet rising passport demand.
By January, 2008, hundreds of new employees will be in place, the Department reported. Longer-term expansion plans include new passport facilities strategically located to enhance customer service around the country.
More information on travel documentation can be accessed at www.dhs.gov.  For information on obtaining a U.S. passport, go to www.travel.state.gov.
 

Kaufman County Hay Show set for end of October
Special to the Monitor
KAUFMAN– It’s fall and the time of year for the 2007 Kaufman County Hay Show.
Deadline for entry is noon, Saturday, Sept. 29.
Submit an entire square bale or a large garbage bag of hay from a round bale to Kaufman retailers, Cordell Farm & Ranch at 700 E. Mulberry or T-Bar-T Farm Supply, 2836 E. U.S. Highway 175.
In Terrell, take submissions to Poston Seed & Farm Supply at Porter Farms, 14892 FM 986 or El Dorado Chemical Co., 500 East Temple and in Kemp, Clemmo Feed & Tack, 109 N. Main.
The show is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 30, at Kaufman Fair Grounds, State Highway 34 South, Kaufman.
Events begin with registration and hay judging at 5 p.m.
The hay auction starts at 6 p.m. followed by a barbecue supper at 7 p.m. at a cost of $5 per person.
The program begins at 7:15 p.m., followed by hay judging awards at 8 :15 p.m.
Hay Division winners will be announced at 8:30 p.m.
There will be two C.E.U.s given during the program.
There is no fee for the hay analysis. The event is sponsored by the Kaufman Livestock-Forage Committee and the Texas Cooperative Extension Service.
For information, call James Poston at (972) 563-2158 or Ralph Davis, Extension Agent at (972) 563-0233.

Fall dog training classes to begin Oct. 1
Special to The Monitor
CANTON–With the fall and winter holiday season fast approaching, weather cooling a bit, now is an ideal time to enroll the family dog or puppy in a training class.
Dogs without good manners can be real pests. Puppy enthusiasm is often difficult to live with. It is never too early or too late to train. A dog with good manners is much more enjoyable to have around.
Joan Guertin of Common Sense Dog Training and Behavior Solutions will again offer her five-week course in three locations, Canton, Athens and Seven Points, beginning the week of Oct.1.
The Canton Class is set for Monday evenings, beginning on Oct. 1.
Athens class will begin Tuesday, Oct. 2, and Seven Points (Cedar Creek Lake area) is scheduled for Oct. 4.
Registration for each class will be from 5:45 p.m. on the first night with classes beginning at 6:15-7:30 p.m.
Contact Guertin at (903) 887-3803 or (903) 340-7087 for location of each class, pre-registration and instructions for bringing dogs to class.
Classes are designed to fit dogs of all ages including puppies as young as 10 weeks that have had at least the first two puppy shots. Proof of shots on all dogs is required, including a rabies vaccination on dogs more than four months of age.
Class includes instruction in basic obedience skills, tools to change unwanted behaviors and an understanding of canine motivation and how to become the leader of the pack.
Oh yes, and she also throws in a few tricks so owners can let their dogs show off!
In addition, the program is a family oriented class with well-behaved children encouraged to participate, particularly in the first class.
Cost of the program is $95 with a portion of the fees from each program going to supporters, Gun Barrel City’s Low Cost Spay Neuter organization, Friends of the Animals and Van Zandt County Humane Society.
Guertin utilizes gentle, positive, motivational training methods based on developing trust and mutual respect.
Her credits include a background as a school teacher, 50 years in pure bred dogs as a breeder, competitor in dog shows, obedience and herding events. She has been a professional trainer for 47 years.
Area schools and teachers are encouraged to contact her free for educational school presentations on becoming a responsible dog owners and dog safety.