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Christmas in the Park rolls into town
After a two year absence, Christmas in the Park returned to the grounds of Grace Park Church last weekend. Hundreds of people milled through the event enjoying free carriage rides, hot chocolate, worship services, bonfires, storytime and much more. Although the Saturday event was cancelled due to rain, Sunday’s rain date brought a healthy crowd to face the chill and enjoy the live entertainment provided by the Peasall Sisters and others.
Local businesses were set up throughout the park offering merchandise and food with a portion of all sales returning to the event’s mission goals.
Coordinators for the event were very pleased with this year’s turnout and are already making plans for next year’s event. “We are very happy with the way things turned out this year and next year will only be bigger and better,” said Brother Bob Cook, pastor of Grace Park Church.
Cross Plains FCE celebrates Christmas with Granny
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Submitted by Betty Thompson
Tuesday, December 11th was the regular meeting date of the Cross Plains Chapter of the state Family Community and Education Organization. This month found the group meeting with Betty Thompson at her home on Lone Oak Drive in White House. Following the basic rules and club program, the group took a break for more fun and fellowship which included a tour of the house which was decorated in the holiday motif. Yes, there were oohs and aahs but more to come as they drove up the street for lunch at Granny’s Place.
After leaving the restaurant and returning to the Thompson home, members played a hilarious game of “Dirty Santa”. You would not believe it, but these ladies can really get “dirty” and show no pity, which makes for a wonderful afternoon of fun.
As with many organizations, the last quarter of the year has been busy but enjoyable. The month of September has found the group busy planning and organizing the award-winning County Fair, such as shrinking the county organization’s flag. Can’t forget All Clubs Day, lots of work there!
November called our attention to pack our duds for the FCE State Convention held at the beautiful Marriott Hotel at Cool Springs Embassy Suites. Yes, we actually put a few notches of learning in our brain to remember to pass along.
The month of December’s program reminds us of our Angel Tree for Home Safe. I’ve often wished to follow some of these presents to their destinations. I do hope that gift would be left by Santa Claus. To see a child’s eyes believe in something magic, something that is bigger than all of us and yet we have a gift to hold, and it is real.
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Smith awarded $20,000 scholarship
Yana Smith of White House was recently awarded a $20,000 college scholarship while participating in a modeling and acting convention in Las Vegas.
There was no scholarship competition and the scholarship was created specifically for Yana by Ron Patterson, President and CEO of John Robert Powers. Mr. Patterson personally awarded the scholarship from his own funds to honor Yana for the courage she has shown during her journey from an orphan in Russia to an up-and-coming career as an actor and model.
Yana, who is one of four children adopted by Debbie and Kevin Smith of White House, has already been signed by the prestigious Brown Leader Management in Los Angeles and will be making the rounds in Hollywood for upcoming films and television.
The Smiths already had three boys of their own when they adopted Yana, her two brothers, and a three-year old girl from China.
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I choose Christmas
By Eddy Bolton
I am offended at the controversy surrounding the argument of different factions as to whether or not their civil rights have been violated by the celebration of Christmas, as opposed to the all inclusive phrase Happy Holiday's. Were you as offended as I am then we'd all be on our soap boxes proclaiming our disdain and displeasure that it has even become a subject for discussion. Should any other ethnic, racial or religious group wish to celebrate a holiday of their choice, in a fashion of dated tradition, then so be it. As I understand it, that is what the freedom and liberty, purchased by the blood and lives of our forefathers and fallen troops afforded us when they experienced the anguish associated with any warring opposition to freedom of speech, freedom of religion or any other freedom of expression you so desire. Their loss of limb, disfigurement, loss of life or any other physical and emotional tragedy stemming from those conflicts should not be in vain but they are when these traditions are threatened. Correct me if I am wrong but, if my memory serves me correctly and I am sure that it does, George Washington and his weary troops crossed the Delaware on Christmas Morning to engage those who opposed their freedom.
Some of my earliest memories of extreme pleasure as a child are woven around my cinema of remembrances of Christmas. That's right, that's what I said, Christmas, yes there was a holiday season but it was all centered around Christmas, "the reason for the season". The churches and public school drama's reflected in theatrical presentation the day we choose to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, my Redeemer, my Savior, my King as I choose to believe that he is and I am convicted accordingly.
As I see it we have started a downward spiraling of submission in allowing many of those afore mentioned groups to dictate our tradition as being an infringement on their rights when they have the freedom of choice as to whether or not they participate or abstain from this glorious celebration. Whether Christ was born on the 25th of December or the 7th of whatever is not the argument, it is simply the time of year I choose to celebrate. My celebration, my tradition, my choice, period. Mine and yours if you so desire but only if you choose to do so,,, it is not mandatory.
Bear with my articulation and analogy as I attempt...
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Protecting your identity
this Holiday Season
During the holidays a lot of us will go shopping. Sometimes that means trips to the mall and local retail stores, but for many that also means buying products off the Internet. So far tens of billions of dollars have been spent over the Internet during the months of November and December. But with all that money comes the financial identities of millions of Americans, many who leave themselves vulnerable to what has become a new Christmas tradition: identity theft.
This year I had the honor of chairing the House Committee on Consumer and Employee Affairs and in that committee we passed a bill known as the “Credit Security Act of 2007.” This bill allows citizens to request a security freeze on their consumer reports. The measure also bans consumer reporting agencies from releasing consumer reports or credit scores without express permission. In addition, the bill also prohibits agencies from charging fees to identify theft victims who request freezes and bars resellers of credit from ordering frozen reports.
But while this bill does take steps to help Tennesseans protect their credit identity, identity thieves still have plenty of tricks up their sleeve to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. To protect yourself this Christmas, as well as every day of the year, let me suggest a few steps you can take to make sure your identity stays safe.
Don't Trash It, Shred It: Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information so that dumpster diving thieves only find garbage in your trash cans.
Leave Your Social Security Card At Home: Don't carry it in your wallet or write your number on a check. Give it out only if absolutely necessary.
Limited Digital Exposure: Don't give out personal information on the phone or over the Internet unless you know who you are dealing with. Never click on links sent in unsolicited emails. Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your home computer and keep them up-to-date.
Change It Up: Your last name, your date of birth, or the last four of your Social Security number do NOT make good passwords. Mix it up with letters and numbers, and change your password every few months.
Lock It Up: Your personal information should be kept in a safe, lockbox, or a secure area of the house, especially if you have a roommate, guests staying over, or workers entering and exiting the house.
You can find additional information on the Federal Trade Commission's website at www.ftc.gov/bcp.
If you have questions or comments about identity theft, or if you have an issue you'd like to address, please don't hesitate to contact me. My telephone number is 741-1980, and email address is rep.michael.mcdonald@legislature.state.tn.us.
State Representative Mike McDonald (D-Portland) represents the 44th District in the State House of Representatives.
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The importance of CASA
Submitted by Ruth Lea B. Stokes,
Volunteer Advocate Coordinator
for CASA of Robertson County.
Recently, Cat Stevens, a Volunteer Advocate for Court Appointed Special Advocates of Robertson County was assigned the case of a child who had been abused and neglected by his parents. In the best interest of this child, he had been removed from his parents' care. He was lucky enough to have an extended family member that he could go and live with. However, many times a child in this situation has to live with a foster family. That is, if one is available. The Volunteer Advocate's first contact was with the Department of Children's services. There she obtained a copy of the case file. From that she could make out a plan of action for her investigation. She met with the child on several occasions where she could observe him at work and play. She interviewed the child's teachers, the principal, parents, grandparents, lawyers for the parents and a therapist who had begun to work with the child and his family. She read doctor's reports, hospital reports, and reports from therapists. From the Department of Children's services file she also found pertinent information about this child's family history. She detailed her investigative activities in a report that was given to the court and interested parties at a recent judicial review.
The Volunteer Advocate had several observations that highlighted what is wrong with our juvenile judicial system. When she contacted the DCS case manager she found that she had just been assigned this case and hadn't had time to look over it. To be completely fair, that system and their employees are already stretched too the max. She hadn't had time to even visit with the child. There were certain orders that were to be followed by the family that were not, and the CASA called attention to it. Lastly, everyone assumed that this child had been receiving services from a therapist. However, the CASA found out that just an initial intake had been completed, but no sessions had started. The therapist is a contract employee for the Department and has an ever increasing caseload.
It was because of the Volunteer Advocate's investigation that parties to this action gained information about the current educational and emotional status of the child. Without her report, the judge and the other parties to this legal action might have made a ruling that would have been contrary to the best interests of this child. The case is up for a judicial review in the next few months. The Volunteer Advocate's hope is that this will give the family time to learn some coping skills, parenting techniques and attend therapy for their personal issues.
It is CASA of Robertson County's mission that we train everyday individuals to advocate for the best interests of all children. Our Volunteer Advocates will be there to make sure that issues that might be ignored by the Department of Children's Services, therapists, attorneys and lastly the Judge do not go unseen. If that means that the child is reunified with his family or that another permanent placement is identified, our CASA Volunteer will be there to make sure that the voice of that child will be heard.