Archives for September 2008

“Golfers; Hitch Up Your Wagons” is the theme for the 17th Annual Western Lone Star Senior Ladies Golf Association Tournament that will be hosted by the Ladies Golf Association of the Clarendon Country Club.

The four-day tournament will begin September 14 and run through September 18 and is only for ladies 50 years of age and older.

Each year the tournament is held at a different golf course that has previously bid to host the tournament at their club. The LGA of the CCC bid on the tournament three years ago and began preparations immediately. They have all worked tirelessly and continually to insure the tournament would be a success.

“Our ladies golf association has been preparing since we were awarded the tournament,” golfer Maxine McLaughlin said. “We have received great support from the community, and our ladies have pitched in to make sure we have the greatest tournament possible.”

Seventy-two women will participate in the match-play tournament. There will be a Championship flight and eight other flights in the format.

“The golfers had to mail in their entry about three weeks ago,” McLaughlin said. “We had more than 72 ladies enter, but there is only room for a certain number of golfers to fill the nine flights. The remaining golfers were put on a waiting list, and if someone cannot compete, the next golfer in line will be able to enter the tournament and play.”

There are many great golfers from around the area, and they will start arriving in Clarendon on Sunday, September 13, to begin preparations for the week. Golfers will come from Alpine, Amarillo, Andrews, Big Spring, Borger, Canadian, Canyon, Childress, Clarendon, Dumas, Farwell, Graham, Hereford, Lubbock, Memphis, Muleshoe, Shamrock, Snyder, and Tulia.

Last year’s tournament was hosted by Hereford, and next year’s tournament will be in Andrews. The golfers will be allowed to play practice rounds on Sunday, and Monday will be a qualifying round to determine medallist for the regular tournament and the senior tournament, which is open to those 65 and over. Match play rounds will be played Tuesday and Wednesday, and the Championship round will be played Thursday when the champion will be crowned.

There will also be a nine-hole Broken Spoke tournament on Thursday for the non-winners of the week.

Local golfer Sherol Johnston will not only participate in the tournament, she is also part of the governing board for the WLSSLGA and servers as the vice-president. Next year Johnston will be the president of the association.

“This is a big tournament for the ladies,” Johnston said. “We have a lot of very good golfers coming to play from around the area, and there are 24 ladies golf organizations that will be represented at our tournament.”

According to Johnston, the requirements to play in the senior ladies association is that you are at least 50 years of age and you are active in the ladies golf association of your local club.

“This is the 17th year for the tournament,” Johnston said. “We have worked hard to bring great opportunities to our town and county. The ladies that come to play will stay in our motels, eat at our restaurants, and shop in our stores.

“The community has really stepped up, and we are looking for a great week.”

There will be nightly festivities at the CCC with things kicking off Sunday evening, September 14, with a Flag Raising Ceremony. The Pairings Party will be held Monday evening around the pool, and there will be an association meeting on Wednesday evening.

The Awards Banquet will be held Thursday after play at a buffet luncheon in the dining room. Some of the downtown merchants will remain open Tuesday night for late-night shopping for the out-of-town guests, but the public is invited to take advantage of the extended hours as well. 

Both McLaughlin and Johnston are excited for the tournament to begin.

“We feel like it will be a great tournament, and we are thankful for all of the support the community has offered to help us make this a fantastic week,” they said.

The first ever Saints’ Roost Buck’n Blow Out Rodeo drew a big crowd and was classified as a success last Saturday evening at the Clarendon Outdoor Entertainment Association’s Arena.

Organizer Jeff King said he wasn’t sure what to expect when he and others started planning Clarendon’s newest rodeo.

“I hoped we’d get 500 people to come out,” King said.

As it turned out, Saturday’s attendance was between 900 and 950.

“I am thoroughly tickled,” King said Monday. “We had 734 paid through the gate, and we sold 32 box seats which held up to six people each. For the first time, we did really great.”

The rodeo attracted six bareback riders, 14 saddle bronc riders, 31 bull riders, and ten double mugging teams.

McCloy Rodeo Co. provided stock for the event.

Officials results of each contest were not available at press time.

The event attracted rodeo fans from the local area and from outside the Tri-State area. The Clarendon Enterprise received phone calls from people interested in the event from Oklahoma and as far away as Kansas and Wyoming.

The rodeo also benefited from Clarendon College being in session, bringing in college students as both spectators and participants.

King said the Buck’n Blow Out board is already talking about plans for next year.

“We’ve got some ideas to make it better,” he said. “We want to increase the added money to $2,000 or $2,500. As long as COEA will let us use the arena, we’ll be back next year.”

The event started at 5 p.m. with a barbecue. Kids events began at 6 p.m., and the rodeo got underway at 7:00.  Casey Berry and the Live Texas Mosquitoes performed for the dance after the rodeo.

JD Steakout opened late for breakfast after the dance and had a full house, King reported.

Many Texans continue to enjoy outdoor activities into the late summer and early fall days,but Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) health officials warn that September and October often have the highest number of laboratory-confirmed rabies cases.

Lat year, 114 rabies cases were reported in September, 93 of those in bats. The only month with a higher total was March with 116 cases out of 969 cases for the year. In 2006, 120 rabies cases were reported in September and another 109 cases in October, most in bats.

While these numbers can be eye-opening, DSHS health officials say there are things that you can do to keep from being exposed to the rabies virus.

“The most important thing that people can do is to have their animals vaccinated against rabies and keep those vaccinations up to date,” said Dr. Tom Sidwa, DSHS veterinarian who heads the department’s Zoonosis Control Branch. “State law requires that you have your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian.”

DSHS also offers this advice:

Keep cats and ferrets indoors, and keep dogs indoors or in a fenced yard.

Spray or neuter pets to prevent unwanted animals that may not receive proper care.

Teach children not to play with any animal that they do not know, even if the animal seems friendly.

Avoid animals, both domestic and wild, that appear disoriented, fearless or aggressive. Nighttime animals such as bats, raccoons, and skunks that are active in the daytime may be sick.

Do not touch any wild animal that appears ill or dead. Call your local animal control or local health department for help.

Don’t attract wild animals to your yard. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors, and keep garbage in closed containers.

Stay away from wild animals, and never keep a wild animal as a pet.

Prevent bats from entering the home where they might come in contact with people or pets. You cannot, however, get rabies just from seeing a bat from a distance.

If you find a bat in a room with an unattended child, a sleeping person, or anyone who cannot reliably say what happened, leave the room, close the door, and call your local rabies control or local health department to capture the bat and have it tested for rabies. Do not touch the bat yourself.

Have domestic ferrets, wolf-dog hybrids, and livestock, especially those that are in frequent cintact with humans, vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies is a viral illness that affects the central nervous system. Once symptoms of rabies occur, it is almost always fatal. However, a series of post-exposure shots, if given in time, can prevent rabies from developing.

Humans and all warm-blooded animals can get rabies. You can be infected with the rabies virus through the bite of an infected animal. Though rare, you can also get rabies if the saliva of an infected animal gets directly into your nose, eyes, mouth, or a fresh wound.

Rabies is a medical urgency not an emergency, but decisions must not be delayed. If you or someone in your family is bitten, DSHS recommends that you:

Wash the wound immediately and thoroughly with soap and warm water. Apply an antiseptic if available.

Seek prompt medical care if an animal bites you, or you believe that you may have been exposed to rabies.

Your health care provider will determine if a series of rabies shots is needed. Report all animal bites to your local rabies control authority as soon as possible so the animal can be quarantined or tested if needed. Be able to describe the kind of animal, its size, and color as completely as possible if it has not already been captured.

High-risk animals for rabies in Texas are skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes. Rabbits, hares and small rodents such as squirrels, rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils and chipmunks are rarely found to be infected with rabies and have not been known to cause rabies in humans in the United States. Dogs, cats, horses, and cattle are the most frequently reported rabid domestic animals in Texas.

Many Texans continue to enjoy outdoor activities into the late summer and early fall days,but Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) health officials warn that September and October often have the highest number of laboratory-confirmed rabies cases.

Lat year, 114 rabies cases were reported in September, 93 of those in bats. The only month with a higher total was March with 116 cases out of 969 cases for the year. In 2006, 120 rabies cases were reported in September and another 109 cases in October, most in bats.

While these numbers can be eye-opening, DSHS health officials say there are things that you can do to keep from being exposed to the rabies virus.

“The most important thing that people can do is to have their animals vaccinated against rabies and keep those vaccinations up to date,” said Dr. Tom Sidwa, DSHS veterinarian who heads the department’s Zoonosis Control Branch. “State law requires that you have your dogs and cats vaccinated against rabies by a veterinarian.”

DSHS also offers this advice:

Keep cats and ferrets indoors, and keep dogs indoors or in a fenced yard.

Spray or neuter pets to prevent unwanted animals that may not receive proper care.

Teach children not to play with any animal that they do not know, even if the animal seems friendly.

Avoid animals, both domestic and wild, that appear disoriented, fearless or aggressive. Nighttime animals such as bats, raccoons, and skunks that are active in the daytime may be sick.

Do not touch any wild animal that appears ill or dead. Call your local animal control or local health department for help.

Don’t attract wild animals to your yard. Avoid leaving pet food outdoors, and keep garbage in closed containers.

Stay away from wild animals, and never keep a wild animal as a pet.

Prevent bats from entering the home where they might come in contact with people or pets. You cannot, however, get rabies just from seeing a bat from a distance.

If you find a bat in a room with an unattended child, a sleeping person, or anyone who cannot reliably say what happened, leave the room, close the door, and call your local rabies control or local health department to capture the bat and have it tested for rabies. Do not touch the bat yourself.

Have domestic ferrets, wolf-dog hybrids, and livestock, especially those that are in frequent cintact with humans, vaccinated against rabies.

Rabies is a viral illness that affects the central nervous system. Once symptoms of rabies occur, it is almost always fatal. However, a series of post-exposure shots, if given in time, can prevent rabies from developing.

Humans and all warm-blooded animals can get rabies. You can be infected with the rabies virus through the bite of an infected animal. Though rare, you can also get rabies if the saliva of an infected animal gets directly into your nose, eyes, mouth, or a fresh wound.

Rabies is a medical urgency not an emergency, but decisions must not be delayed. If you or someone in your family is bitten, DSHS recommends that you:

Wash the wound immediately and thoroughly with soap and warm water. Apply an antiseptic if available.

Seek prompt medical care if an animal bites you, or you believe that you may have been exposed to rabies.

Your health care provider will determine if a series of rabies shots is needed. Report all animal bites to your local rabies control authority as soon as possible so the animal can be quarantined or tested if needed. Be able to describe the kind of animal, its size, and color as completely as possible if it has not already been captured.

High-risk animals for rabies in Texas are skunks, bats, raccoons, foxes, and coyotes. Rabbits, hares and small rodents such as squirrels, rats, mice, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils and chipmunks are rarely found to be infected with rabies and have not been known to cause rabies in humans in the United States. Dogs, cats, horses, and cattle are the most frequently reported rabid domestic animals in Texas.

Clarendon CISD has announced its distribution dates for its 1-to-1 laptop initiative.

The dates are as follows: Saturday, September 6, 9-11 a.m. for Seniors and Juniors; Monday, September 8, 7-9 p.m. for Sophomores and Freshman; Tuesday, September 9, 7-9 p.m. for 8th and 7th graders, and Monday September 15, 7-9 p.m. for 6th and 5th graders.

All laptop distribution will take place in the Cafeteria. A parent must be in attendance to hear and understand all rules and policies; $40 maintenance fee must be paid; and all forms and agreements must be signed before the laptop will be issued to the student.

As a part of Clarendon CISD’s ongoing efforts to provide all the tools necessary to prepare our students for excelling in the 21st century, a 1-to-1 laptop initiative is being initiated. Students in grades 5-12 will be issued a laptop computer. Students in grades Pre-K-4 will have access to laptops via a mobile laptop cart. Teachers received their laptops in January inservice training, and students will receive their laptops in the fall semester of 2008.

In order to facilitate the imaging, repairs, and training on so many computers, a new technology building is in the process of construction just west of the Administration Building. This building will house all of our servers, the videoconference room, technology staff offices, a workroom, and two technology classrooms. In addition, a wireless network has been installed throughout the campuses to allow students and teachers to connect to our school network wirelessly while on campus.

Teacher training is a major component of this initiative. Teachers have already completed two separate two-day training sessions from Apple trainers.

For more information, please refer to the Clarendon CISD website at www.clarendon.k12.tx.us. This website will be used to help keep the community, parents, and students informed about this initiative.

The City of Clarendon will hold public hearings next week on the proposed 2008-2009 municipal budget and a new tax rate.

The Board of Aldermen will accept public comments on those topics at 7 p.m. next Tuesday.

The proposed tax rate is $0.65 per $100 valuation, which is an increase from the current rate of $0.500289.

The new rate would raise the taxes on a $50,000 by $74.86. The increase on an average home in the city would be $55.58.

Paula Lowrie, Chief Appraiser for the Donley Appraisal District, told aldermen last Tuesday that appraised values in the city had increased 6.29 percent this year to $54,065,311.

“Appraised values going up in a community is a good thing,” Lowrie said. “It’s a sign of a growing economy.”

Aldermen discussed the proposed $1.395 million budget last week as they continued to deal with the rising cost of expenses.

Interim City Administrator Phyllis Jeffers said the city is facing a 26 percent increase in fuel costs and a 17 percent increase in landfill fees.

The cost of water from the Greenbelt Municipal Water Authority is also going up.

The city is looking at rate increases in all departments, and the board briefly discussed the possibility of reducing the minimum usage on water customers from 5,000 to 3,000 gallons per month as a way to increase revenue.

“You have 895 residential water meters in the city, and 755 of them use only minimum,” Jeffers said.

But aldermen decided citizens would simply reduce their usage to the new minimum and the city would not see any new income.

Jeffers said the city’s proposed budget will produce about $61,000 in reserves, which, when added to the city’s improvement fund, would be enough to cover the city’s grant obligations next year and still leave reserves for future use.

“This budget year is a transition year as we deal with rising costs and the impact of the tax freeze (on seniors and the disabled),” Jeffers said.

In other city business, aldermen heard a request from Larry Gray for funding for a proposed new activity center. The board will discuss this again at the next meeting.

The board also heard from Chandra Holman, who complained about the burned out remains of a trailer house in her neighborhood. The property is scheduled to be included in a sheriff’s sale next month, and the city will wait to see the results of that before taking action.

Jeffers addressed the city’s voting machine, which is no longer needed since the city contracts with the county for this service. That item will be placed on the next agenda to be considered as surplus property and put up for sale.

Jeffers also distributed a refined job description for the position of city administrator. The city will begin advertising for that position immediately and leave it open until filled.