The March 1, 2013, edition of the Weatherford Democrat.
Welcome message from author
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Transcript
www.weatherforddemocrat.comFriday, March 1, 201375 cents
As of today, many programs across the nation will begin to feel the impact of the government’s sequestration, an across-the-board set of budget cuts totaling $1.2 trillion from defense and non-defense spending over the next decade.
According to the Budget Control Act of 2011, sequestration will cut $85 billion from the federal budget in the remainder of the 2013 fiscal year, slashing about $1.1 trillion more over the next decade, that could result in massive job losses, funding cuts to the national public education sys-tem and more.
Several organizations within Parker County that are funded by the government could feel an impact as well, including services provided by the
After months of negotiations between Weatherford bus drivers and monitors and Durham School Services, employees from the Weatherford branch took matters into their own hands Tuesday night, with 95 percent of workers voting to authorize a strike.
With the approval, the Weatherford group, which voted to unionize itself last May, now
has the option to go on strike at any time.
“All we’re trying to do is address the inequities and to keep our good drivers. What we’ve asked for isn’t horrendous, they’re simple considerations,” driver Peggy Linden said. “We have no interest in destroying Durham or their reputation — that would be counterproductive.”
Contract negotiations between the two parties began in August, and a compromise looked prom-ising, with Durham and Weatherford agreeing on about 45 of the 50 contract articles pre-sented. But the discussions came to a stalemate when the topic of pay and days off were addressed, according to drivers.
“Anything to do with money, economics, guaranteed hours, that’s all been like pulling teeth,” Dan Linden said.
According to the Weatherford union’s last proposal, drivers had asked for a tiered pay scale, based on years of service, starting out at $11.25 an hour for drivers and $9.45 an hour for monitors. Drivers had also requested two paid holidays for the first year of service and two additional holi-days after two years of service, as well as one paid day off given for perfect attendance.
“The union demands of a 15 percent wage increase, plus addi-tional enhancements, continue to be completely unrealistic and
See DRIVERS, page 3
Goal met, United Way officials hope contributions will keep coming in
United Way of Parker County had a goal of $200,000 for its 2012-13 campaign. The goal was lowered from the previous year’s goal due to the economic cli-mate.
With a fiscal year-end of March 31, 2013, the goal was reached in January, leaving UWPC the opportunity to con-tinue to collect donations for two additional months.
“The campaign to date totals $243,600 and donations are still coming in,” stated Board President, Kim Cherryhomes.
All money raised in Parker County stays in Parker County.
Leadership donors such as The Walton Family Foundation, Devon Energy, Burlington Northern Freight, Enbridge, AT&T Foundation, Weatherford Regional Medical Center, Fluor, First Financial Bank, Nationwide, Bob Kingsley
See UWAY, page 2
Bus drivers open door to strike
a circle oF liGhtThis time-exposed photograph taken last weekend shows streaking vehicle headlights and taillights circling the historic Parker County Courthouse, with its tower lighted against the darkened sky and a nearly full and brightly shining moon overhead.
Art SheridAn/CoUrteSy
Hospital district bans smoking on all properties
CoUrteSy PhotoMembers of the Weatherford bus drivers and monitors unit count votes for a strike authorization during a meeting Tuesday night. The union approved strike autho-rization by 95 percent, meaning the Weatherford group now has the option to go on strike at any point.
The Parker County Hospital District board of directors voted Thursday afternoon to put in place a tobacco-free workplace policy.
With board member Nolan Queen voting against, the board approved the policy banning tobacco use on all dis-trict-operated property.
Though it had been discussed by various people in the past, the issue was placed on the board’s agenda at the request of Dr. Kris Wusterhausen, the medical director of Campbell Clinic, district CEO Randall Young told the board.
Wusterhausen communicated that the issue was affecting how the clinic operates and he believed the district should be setting a better example, Young said.
Use of any tobacco products by employees, patients, visitors and con-tractors on district property or in dis-trict vehicles is prohibited under the new policy.
According to the approved policy, the district will display signage in all facilities, grounds and vehicles and provide written policies to employees and others.
The new policy was expected to affect primarily clinic employees, as well a few LifeCare paramedics who smoke.
They will offer cessation treatments one time for current employees, according to Young.
The hospital, operated by Community Health Systems, already has a tobacco-free policy in place, board member David Barbrick con-firmed for the board.
It’s hard to police out in the parking lot but they don’t find people milling around the doors like they used to, Barbrick said.
Fewer employees at the hospital have been smoking since they’ve been required to walk to the curb to smoke, according to Young.
District HR Director Todd Clawson also told the board he expected the move would help save on health insur-ance costs.
HUDSON OAKS – Hudson Oaks police say two suspects who attempted to sneak a flat-screen television out of Walmart Saturday and fled officers in a vehicle were caught at gunpoint, with a third captured after jumping from the vehicle.
An off-duty Parker County Special Crimes Unit deputy was shop-ping when she noticed suspicious activity by a suspect and alerted the store’s loss prevention employee, according to Hudson Oaks police, who were called to the store around 4 p.m.
The loss prevention employee reportedly told police he was following two suspects who appeared to be preparing to shoplift a flat-panel LCD TV.
The man and woman, who appeared to be working together and
were later identified as 22-year-old Ross Wade Hogans and 22-year-old Misty Nicole Fonville, took the television into the lawn and garden sec-tion and exited the east fire escape door, accord-ing to the probable cause affidavit.
Police Cpl. Marshall Clark wrote that he then observed an SUV driving quickly toward a man running through the park-ing lot with a large TV box.
He watched Hogans and Fonville get into the vehicle with the televi-sion and stopped his police vehicle with his emergency lights activat-ed in front of the SUV and ordered the driver to stop, Clark wrote.
However, the driver, later identified as 33-year-old Norman Thomas Miller, reported-ly reversed in the vehicle and sped away through the crowded parking lot, pursued by the officer.
After traveling down the north Interstate 20
service road, the suspect vehicle continued driving on Cinema Drive, where the Hogans leaped from the vehicle and began running southbound through a field, ignoring the officer’s commands to stop, Clark wrote.
Miller then stopped the SUV and “the male driver exited the vehicle and began approaching me in an aggressive man-ner,” Clark wrote. “I deployed my patrol rifle and ordered the suspect to the ground at gun-point.”
As he held Miller and Fonville at gunpoint, Clark provided respond-ing officers with a description of Hogans.
Hogans was quickly apprehended, as well, according to police.
The television and other property believed to have been stolen were found in the SUV, along with a crack pipe and several hypodermic syringes.
Miller was charged with evading arrest or detention with a vehicle, class A misdemeanor engaging in organized criminal activity and theft of property, more than $500, less than $1,500.
Fonville was charged
with class A misdemean-or engaging in organized criminal activity and theft of property, more than $500, less than $1,500.
Hogans was charged with evading arrest or detention, class A misde-meanor engaging in orga-nized criminal activity and theft of property, more than $500, less than $1,500.
Hogans and Fonville have since been charged with burglary of a build-ing, a state jail felony, as well, according to jail records.
The two are accused in a break-in at Christy’s Smoke Shop on Dec. 30 after police received a tip via Crime Stoppers, court records state. Thirty car-tons of cigarettes were reported missing by the owner.
Hogans was also con-victed of class B misde-meanor theft of property last year regarding a shoplifting incident at a Weatherford shoe store on April 11.
Hogans and another suspect were caught and the stolen shoes recov-ered after one of the men reportedly pushed a store clerk to the ground and fled into a nearby wood-ed area.
DAILY RECORD2 • Friday, March 1, 2013 • Weatherford Democrat
ObituariesPublished obituaries are provided and paid for by funeral
homes and private parties. Any requested changes or addi-tions to a published obituary must be approved by the funeral home or private party that originally submitted the obituary. The Democrat expresses its sincere condolences to all persons affected by the loss of a loved one.
2
Online Obituaries and Condolences:www.galbreaithpickard.com
“Serving every family as if you are a part of our own.”
817-594-2747 • 800-593-2747Norma Plowman, James R. Plowman, Manager
White’s Funeral HomesRichard Woodman, Bob White, Jay Morrill, Bruce Duncan.
National CitiesCity Hi Lo Cond. City Hi Lo Cond.Atlanta 51 32 mst sunny Minneapolis 30 12 pt sunnyBoston 43 31 mixed New York 47 33 mst sunnyChicago 31 22 sn shower Phoenix 75 49 sunnyDallas 57 32 pt sunny San Francisco 70 52 pt sunnyDenver 43 30 mst sunny Seattle 58 47 rainHouston 63 39 pt sunny St. Louis 34 20 sn showerLos Angeles 82 55 sunny Washington, DC 50 31 mst sunnyMiami 69 53 cloudy
Moon Phases
FullFeb 25
LastMar 4
NewMar 11
FirstMar 19
UV IndexFri3/15
Moderate
Sat3/26
High
Sun3/36
High
Mon3/46
High
Tue3/56
High
The UV Index is measured on a 0 - 11 number scale,with a higher UV Index showing the need for greaterskin protection.
Weatherford DemocratA member of the Lone Star News Group
Web Site: www.weatherforddemocrat.com
Open Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.(817) 594-7447 or metro (817) 596-4885
Fax (817) 594-9734Classifi ed Direct (817) 598-0857
The Weatherford Democrat is published Tuesday through Friday evenings, and Sunday morning. Subscribers receive the paper dur-ing the week via same-day U.S. Mail, and by carrier delivery on Sunday morning.
Subscription rates are as follows: Home delivery — $8 per month; new subscriber rates — $24 for 3 months; $48 for 6 months and $96 for 1 year For newspapers mailed, there is a minimum sub-scription of 3 months at $47.85.
Entered at the Post Offi ce at Weatherford, Texas 76086, as mail matter of second class according to the Act of Congress. Periodi-cal postage paid at Weatherford, Texas. Second class publication number 670920.
Obituary information is accepted only from funeral homes and next of kin if proof of death can be verifi ed. There is a charge for publishing obituary information and photos. Consult your funeral director for more information. Obituaries may be faxed to (817) 594-9734, attention Newsroom, or e-mail: [email protected]. The deadline is 4 p.m. the previous day of publica-tion.
Adrian Newton EllisAdrian Newton Ellis, 94, died Feb. 25, 2013.A memorial service is 2 p.m. Sunday, March 10, at
Zion Hill Community Center.He was born Valentine’s Day,
1919, in a half dugout near Clayton, N.M. He was the last survivor of a family of seven children born to Cecil and Eva Foster Ellis. He served in the Navy during World War II. He was a machinist and a welder who owned Ellis Welding and Manufacturing Company in the 1960s. He served on the Peaster School Board in the early 1970s and on the Throckmorton County Hospital Board in the 1990s. He was an avid reader and armchair philosopher who also enjoyed tinker-ing with cars and machinery and selling and trading automobiles.
He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Modelle Trimble Ellis; sons, Cecil Ellis and wife, Barbara, and Mark Ellis and wife, Tacy; daughter, Adrianne Ellis Berry and husband, Eldon; five grandchildren; and two special pets.
In lieu of flowers, the family has chosen the Feeding God’s Lambs Backpack Ministries of Poolville United Methodist Church as their preferred charity.
Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Home
Ellis
Bonnie Fay LongBonnie Fay Long, 82, of Weatherford, died at home
on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013.Service is 1 p.m., Saturday, March
2, in the Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel with Bro. Forrest Bass offici-ating. Interment will be in Memory Gardens. Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Galbreaith Pickard in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Long was born July 5, 1930, in Weatherford to Herbert and Mary Lewis. Bonnie was a longtime resi-dent of Parker County and a member of North Main Church of God.
She leaves behind to cherish her memories sons, Don Long and wife, Ann, and Alvin Long and Reneé, all of Weatherford; five grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and numerous friends and family.
Bonnie is preceded in death by her husband, Noel Alvin Long.
Galbreaith Pickard Funeral Chapel
Long
Top 40 and Target have made it possible for UWPC to exceed its cam-paign goal.
In addition to the larg-er donors, giving through employee campaigns have been instrumental in the success of United Way and are very appre-ciated.
“No donation is too
small or too large,” stated Cherryhomes.
United Way of Parker County has had good contributions this year and appreciates the sup-port of the community showing the desire to advance the common good of Parker County with a focus on Education & Youth, Income &
Crisis, Health & Wellness and Seniors. “Eighteen agencies have received funding from the United Way of Parker County in those areas representing 27 separate programs,” stated Executive Director, Oleta Parker. Donations received through the United Way support pro-grams in targeted areas which promote self suffi-ciency, help children suc-ceed, strengthen families, and assist seniors and
persons with disabling circumstances or health problems, and assist with income stability and cri-sis.
To contribute to United Way of Parker County, send a check to United Way of Parker County, PO Box 1476, Weatherford, TX 76086.
If contributing by credit card go to the UWPC website www.unitedway-ofparkercounty.org or call 817-596-5986.
Continued from Page 1
UWay
March 1Women’s Business alli-ance luncheon• The next Women’s Busi-ness Alliance luncheon is 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 1 at the Wild Mushroom Steakhouse, 1917 Martin Drive, in Weatherford.• The topic is Emotional Intelligence, what it is and why it is important to you and your business. • The speaker is Kathy Taylor, president and CEO
of HerdWise.• Cost is $15 for WBA members; $20 for non-WBA members; $50 for annual membership dues.• RSVP by Thursday, Feb. 28. Call 817-441-7844 for more information.
Fred Werner Day • Fred Werner Day at First National Bank, 2-4 p.m.• Stop by and celebrate Fred’s 50 years of em-ployment at First National
Bank. Call 817-598-4900.
March 1-3First Monday Trade Days• First Monday Trade Days, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. • Corner of Santa Fe Drive and U.S. Highway 180.• For more information call 817-598-4124.
March 2Boutique Blowout & Fashion Show• Boutique Blowout & Fash-
ion Show, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Weatherford ISD Ninth Grade Center, 1007 S. Main Street.• Free admission and door prizes.• Fashion show at noon featuring local businesses and vendors.• Sponsored by Brittanty’s Boutique.• There will also be a fundraiser benefitting Zonta Club of Parker County. Call 817-597-4696.
Calendar
leave us disappointed with recent progress,” Durham spokesperson Carina Noble said. “Durham School Services submitted its best and final offer to representa-tives from the Transport Workers Union on Feb. 11.
“This offer included an average wage increase of 2.5 percent for our employees, which is greater than that received by district employees.”
Pay raise has been a controversial topic for both parties, with Weatherford drivers argu-ing that they are under-paid compared to other districts.
“Durham needs to come to the table with a decent wage proposal for these employees who are severely underpaid com-
pared to the state aver-age,” TWU negotiator Steve Roberts said. “The average pay for a bus driver is $15 per hour in Texas, and as high as $18-$20 an hour in cer-tain locations.
“Some of our Weatherford drivers are being paid $10 and change.”
Weatherford’s strike authorization vote comes on the heels of at least two other Durham branches that authorized a strike, including drivers in South Carolina and New York.
School bus employees from Poughkeepsie, N.Y. had voted to strike, but postponed the event after employees and Durham decided to continue nego-tiations on a new contract Feb. 12, according to the
Poughkeepsie Journal.“We were disappointed
to hear, unofficially, that employees voted to authorize a strike. While this does not mean that they will strike, it gives them the option to do so at any point moving for-ward,” Noble said of the Weatherford union. “It is frustrating to watch the union use the intimida-tion of a work stoppage, which would greatly dis-rupt transportation for students in Weatherford, to try and gain leverage in reaching a deal.”
Weatherford employ-ees feel that since a nego-tiation has not been reached and talks have ceased, they are running
out of options.“This is a show of sup-
port, like our vote to reject Durham’s final offer,” Lori Kitts said. “Our driv-ers are adamant that we don’t want to strike, but at the same time, we feel like our backs are against the wall.”
Moving forward, the Weatherford union says it will continue to try and educate the community until an agreement is reached, through public speaking engagements with the city and school district, as well as mailers and petitions.
“Everything we’re doing is to just try and get [Durham] back to the table,” Dan Linden said.
FROM THE FRONT Weatherford Democrat • Friday, March 1, 2013 • 3
RENO – The City of Reno is collecting dona-tions to help out a family of seven who lost their home and possessions in devastating fire last month.
The fire occurred the evening of Feb. 1 off Newsom Road in Reno. The double-wide mobile home was destroyed despite efforts from Reno VFD, ESD No. 1, Azle, Briar and Pelican Bay fire departments.
Parker County Fire Marshal Shawn Scott said the father was at work when the family started smelling the fire. The mother was able to get all five young children out of the house in time, according to Scott.
Though firefighters arrived quickly, the house was well-involved by the time they got there and was a total loss, Scott said.
Scott said he believed the fire was started in the area of a power strip in the 14-year-old’s bedroom.
The family is currently staying with relatives, according to the city.
Though the family had mortgage insurance, it did not cover the cost of replacing their home or possessions.
They are in need of clothing for the children, furniture, children’s toys, appliances and monetary donations.
The city has already received a few donations of toys and other items, city secretary Tiffany Ludwig said.
Reno has offered to store any furniture donated until they have a home to put it in and can collect larger items with a trailer.
Donations can be dropped by city hall during normal business hours or sent to city hall at 195 W. Reno Road, Azle, TX 76020. Checks should be made payable to the “City of Reno” and a receipt will be provided for all donations.
Donations are unlikely to be tax deductible because the city is not a registered non-profit, according to the city.
Those with questions can contact city hall at 817-221-2500.
Clothing sizes for the children: • Haley, a 14-year-old girl, wears an adult extra
small in juniors sizes and a five to six in shoes. • Ryan, a 12-year-old boy, wears a size 14 in
children’s clothes and size six in shoes. • Corbin, a 6-year-old boy, wears a size five in
toddler clothing and a shoe size 12. • Christian, a 5-year-old boy, wears a size four
in toddler clothing and a shoe size 11.• Cayden, a 1-year-old boy, wears 6-to-9-
SPRINGTOWN – In the third such arrest the past month in Parker County, a Springtown-area man is in jail on a child pornogra-phy charge.
Gordon Alen Gann, 51, remained in the Parker County Jail as of Wednesday on a charge of possession of child pornography with bond set at $20,000.
A neighbor who went to Gann’s house in the 3100 block of State Highway 199 East to check her email reportedly found a picture on Gann’s computer of an approxi-mately 8-year-old girl in lingerie
displaying her genitals, accord-ing to the proba-ble cause affida-vit.
She then looked through other files on Gann’s comput-er and reported finding numer-ous other pictures of young girls before calling the Parker County Sheriff’s Office around 6:30 p.m. Monday.
Gann gave deputies consent to enter his home and stated he had inappropriate pictures of 16-year-old girls on his computer but delet-
ed them, according to deputies. However, he declined to allow
investigators to search his comput-er and authorities obtained a search warrant.
A Parker County sheriff’s deputy wrote that he heard Gann make the statement to investigators that he did have digital photos of clothed, partially clothed and nude girls, ranging in age from 4 years old to 16 years old on his computer.
Gann was arrested and trans-ported to the Parker County Jail.
It was not clear whether Gann had access to the pictured children or obtained the pictures from somewhere else, according to Deputy Danie Huffman.
Child porn allegedly found on computer leads to Springtown-area man’s arrest
Gann
Continued from Page 1
Drivers
non-profit Texas Neighborhood Services.
One of the services TNS provides to the public is Head Start, a program that provides early child-hood services as well as family services to low-income children from birth to age 4.
“Right now, because our program runs the same calendar year as the schools, we’re only a cou-ple of months away from
being out for the summer,” TNS executive director Brad Manning said. “We don’t anticipate sequestra-tion having an immediate impact on Head Start through this school year, but we are evaluating and watching the information coming out of [Washington, D.C.] to determine how it could impact us during the next school year.”
Manning said that while
the impact is unknown, it would account for 80 per-cent of funding given by the government. The other 20 percent comes from local contributions and local support, he said.
“You always have con-tingency plans in place when you live in an era of federal funding,” Manning said.
Head Start, among other things, provides free child care, complete with breakfast and lunch, for children Monday through Friday. In addition, Head Start also offers health ser-
vices, including dental checks and child physicals.
“One of the objectives of Head Start is to elimi-nate barriers to a child’s growth and development,” Manning said. “Medical and dental are two of the big ones that we strive to reduce.”
More than 1,200 chil-dren are participating in Head Start through Texas Neighborhood Services programs in nine counties — Wise, Parker, Palo Pinto, Erath, Somervell, Hood, Johnson, Jack and Navarro.
Continued from Page 1Cuts
Free meals,no incentive
Dear Editor, Wake up America!
We all like a free meal.We know somebody
pays. It is a blessing to feed a friend or help some-one in need. The Food Stamp Program, adminis-tered by the U. S. Department of Agriculture, is proud to be distributing the greatest amount ever of free meals and food stamps this year. Over 46 million people will be receiving free meals or food stamps in 2013.
Meanwhile, the National Park Service, administered by the Department of Interior, asks us, “Please do not feed the animals.” Their reason for the policy is
that “the animals will grow dependent on handouts and will not learn how to take care of themselves.”
What incentive is there to break the cycle of poverty?
Beckie KnoxWeatherford
Readerappreciates support
Dear Editor,I want to thank you and
your readers for the over-whelming support and well wishes I have been receiv-ing since I was made Tenth Degree Grandmaster on Jan. 8.
I have been involved in developing the self aware-
ness, self respect and self protection of the children of Parker County for over 40 years and it has been my pleasure to do so.
I have worked with generations of families here and I cannot thank the community enough for all they’ve given me in return.
I would like to invite all of your readers to come to The Karate
University for a free class and to observe what we are teaching the future leaders of Parker County.
Again, thank you for coverage of my grandmas-ter ceremony and I hope to see you all soon.
Bob NutallTenth-degree grandmasterOwner, The KarateUniversity
The Democrat welcomes letters to the edi-tor on a variety of topics. We reserve the right to edit letters for style, grammar and taste. Letters should be concise and to the point. They must be signed and include the author’s address and phone number for veri-fication. We will accept only original letters – no form letters. Letters that do not conform to this policy will not be published. Submissions may be dropped-off at or mailed to the Democrat’s office, 512 Palo Pinto St., Weatherford, TX 76086, faxed to 817-594-
VIEWPOINTS4 • Friday, March 1, 2013 • Weatherford Democrat
4 VIEWPOINTS
‘You willrecognize them by their fruits’
By THE REV. LOU TISCIONE
The Christian faith is a step into the light, not a leap into the darkness. We who are Christians don’t possess a blind faith. We trust in what we have “learned, firmly believed and been convinced of.”2 Timothy 3:14
It is difficult to live life denying the truth. It is not reasonable to assume that people willingly ignore the truth. Likewise, it is unreasonable to think that people don’t consider the character of leaders to be unimportant. We all face the challenge of discerning a person’s genuine character when called upon to select leaders.
The means of discerning a person’s character is not beyond our ability. The Bible gives the means by which character can be known. Past actions help to predict future behavior. Of course, there are no guarantees. We are not omniscient as God is. Yet, we can make reasonable decisions concerning a person’s character.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave a uni-versal principle that will allow us to recognize a person’s character. Jesus’ principle concerns con-necting past actions called fruits to assessments of character. The entire sermon was a teaching that Jesus gave to His disciples. Matthew sets the con-text on a mountainside. Jesus saw the crowds that were following Him, and He went up on the moun-tain and then He sat down. Matthew 5:2, “And he opened his mouth and taught them (his disci-ples)…”
This sermon was given by Jesus not as another Law but to describe His ethic or practice. In other words, Jesus laid out the standard of life in His Kingdom. He lived out what He preached. The pur-pose of His Sermon is to drive those who have been born again to their knees. We who profess the name of Christ do so by the sovereign grace of God who has raised us from death to life. We read the sermon and realize that it presents an impossible life-style. We are compelled to rely upon the power of the Holy Spirit of God in order to live the Christian life. Jesus was the only one who actually lived in accordance with His sermon.
The verse concerning a person’s “fruits” is near the close of Jesus’ sermon. He said that there will be false prophets. He said that these false prophets will look and dress like sheep but will actually be wolves. These wolves will seek to devour the sheep. The sheep represent the people of God. The wolves are those who are opposed to God and seek to destroy God’s people.
The Bible is God’s word to His children. But, it is absolutely and uni-versally true for all men. What the Bible says, God says. What God has said is binding on all people whether or not they believe it. Jesus declared a universal truth concern-ing discerning another’s character and genuine-ness. He said it is recog-nizable no matter what the circumstance or con-text. The character of an individual is not found in
eloquence or erudition, real or imagined. It is not found in appearance or popularity. Character can be assessed by looking at past behavior. In order to recognize a man or woman of character it is neces-sary to study his or her past behavior. A man’s past actions are his “fruits” in accordance with Jesus’ words.
False people have “rotten fruit” produced by their past actions. Sometimes these false people actually say things that might be true. They may be lifted up by those who have ulterior motives. Jesus said look at what they have produced before deter-mining their genuineness.
We need leaders who are genuine. We need to look back on a man or woman’s life before we pledge our support. This principle of looking at a person’s fruits applies not only to our civil govern-ment but to all areas of life in which we must select leaders. This is so simple yet it seems absent from some of the most important decisions we make.
We can complain about those in leadership who display little or no character. We can try to outdo the experts who continue to put forth “made-up” leaders designed to attract the uninformed. Or, we can demand honesty from our leaders. Look for outlets that are willing to give accurate information about a prospective leader’s past. As Jesus instruct-ed His disciples, look to their fruits. “Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.”
uThe Rev. Lou Tiscione is pastor of Weatherford
Presbyterian Church.Opinions page disclaimer: The opinions expressed on this page are the opinions of the authors or creators and do not necessarily reflect those of the Weatherford Democrat, its employees or its parent company, Newspaper Holdings Inc. While we do not intend to offend anyone, we welcome diverse opinions within certain and reasonable standards and guidelines and we encourage our readers to respond to opinions with which they agree or disagree. It is our intent to foster open exchanges of ideas and philosophies.
Official cOntactsFEDEral
President Barack Obama1600 Pennsylvania Ave.Washington, D.C. 20500
Jesus said look at what they have produced before determining their genu-ineness.
weatherforddemocrat.com
By COKIE ROBERTS aNd STEVEN V. ROBERTS
President Obama keeps travel-ing the country to promote the highlights of his legislative agenda -- tighter controls on weapons, clearer pathways for illegal immi-grants, higher taxes on the wealthy. And Republicans keep getting more frustrated.
“This is not time for a road-show president,” fulminated Rep. Kevin McCarthy of California, the House Republican whip. Added Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, “I think he’s trying to scare the American people.”
They’re so upset because Obama’s strategy is so effective. When USA Today asked voters whom they would blame for the “sequester,” $85 billion in auto-matic budget cuts that are about to start biting, 49 percent said con-gressional Republicans and 31 percent said the president. The larger picture is even grimmer for the GOP. The Pew Research Center reports that only one in three Americans has a favorable view of the Republican Party, one of the lowest ratings in nearly two decades.
There’s nothing new about the president’s strategy. During the Clinton years, political scientist Charles O. Jones coined the phrase “campaigning to govern,” which described a president using campaign tactics to push legisla-tive goals. By traveling the coun-try, a president could generate public support for his agenda and apply heat to lawmakers back on Capitol Hill.
During the early 1980s, Ronald Reagan took a similar approach. Back then, the Washington power balance was a mirror image of what it is today: a popular Republican president facing a Democratic House. We were cov-ering Congress, and Democratic Speaker Tip O’Neill often told us that he could not stand up to Reagan’s persuasiveness and pop-
ularity. With the help of Southern Democratic defectors, Reagan enacted big chunks of his agenda, including sharp tax cuts.
As Reagan proved then, and as Obama is trying to emulate today, the power to shape public opinion is probably a president’s single biggest asset. Karl Rove, the Republican strategist, made that point in a Wall Street Journal arti-cle in which he urged party lead-ers to stand up to Obama. But, warned Rove, “It won’t be easy, given the president’s intrinsic advantages and bigger mega-phone.”
Obama made a similar argu-ment, and foreshadowed his cur-rent “road show,” in a telling inter-view last month with The New Republic. Asked what he had learned from history, the president replied: “I always read a lot of Lincoln, and I’m reminded of his adage that with public opinion, there’s nothing you can’t accom-plish; without it, you’re not going to get very far. And spending a lot of time in terms of being in a con-versation with the American people as opposed to just playing an insid-er game here in Washington is an example of the kinds of change in orientation that I think we’ve undergone, not just me personally, but the entire White House.”
The president’s “intrinsic advan-tages” were on display this week when he visited the shipbuilding center of Newport News, Va., to warn Americans that impending budget cuts are “a self-inflicted wound” that would impair military readiness and cost jobs. Last week,
he surrounded himself with steely-eyed first responders and delivered a similar message: You might not like Washington or bureaucrats or red tape, but government still does good things that keep you and your family safe. If those services are degraded, blame the Republicans.
Even a “bigger megaphone” does not guarantee a president’s success, however. After the 1982 election, when Republicans lost 26 House seats, Reagan was forced to compromise more often. Today, Obama faces a House dominated by conservative Republicans who come from safe districts and are largely immune from the kind of pressure the president is trying to stimulate.
Moreover, Obama is president; it’s his watch. If the fiscal standoff continues, if the budget cuts derail the economy, if the markets sputter, if unemployment rises and growth slows, then it’s his legacy that is jeopardized. Having the biggest megaphone in your hand also means having the biggest target on your back.
That’s why the president has to get serious about advancing entitle-ment reforms that could entice Republicans into a larger bargain on spending and tax policy. He talked in The New Republic about his willingness “to buck the more absolutist-wing elements in our party to get stuff done,” but all he’s done so far is make vague refer-ences to “modest” changes in Social Security and Medicare.
He has to do more than that. He has to lead. The president has proved that he’s really good at the campaigning part of “campaigning to govern.” Now that he’s won re-election, it’s time for the governing part.
community Weatherford Democrat • Friday, march 1, 2013 • 5
5
Chandor Gardens Bridal Event1-5 pm Sunday, March 17
Join us for an afternoon full of ideas for your perfect wedding
Vendors will be on hand and ready to help with your plans
Cake tasting & door priz-es given away throughout the day
Grand prize given at the end of the day
Free parking & admission
Rain Date: March 24th
711 West Lee Ave.Weatherford817-613-1700
Vendors Include:
Felts PhotographyFace TimePetal Pushers Flower ShopFire Oak GrillHarps of GoldAdelè RoseA Special Place Flowers & GiftsRebekah’s Custom BakerieWillow Lake GardensBumble Bee OccasionsGet Up & Go TravelParker PhotographyGrand Rental Station / Party PlusLeesha’s ClosetBe GlamorousBelk’s Department StoreColton Michael SalonWally’s Party FactoryDe Mi FilleAlfred AngeloAledo FloristThirty-One GiftsAny Event DJsAlbertson’s Bakery & FloralKevin TownsonFairfi eld Inn & SuitesIt Works Body WrapBrioche Bistro & BakeryRed Carpet LimousineThe Wedding ConnectionPearl Street Station
Have you ever made itall the way to the store &
forgotten your weekly sales circulars at home?Never Fear!
Is HereGo to
www.weatherforddemocrat.comon your smart phone,
Click
And breeze through all of thisweeks sales circulars
FIND THEGOLDEN TICKET
IN THIS WEEK’S PAPER
INSTANTLY WIN 2 TICKETS TO SEEMILLION DOLLAR QUARTET
Bring the Golden Ticket into The WeatherfordDemocrat offi ce & receive two passes for Million Dollar
Quartet at Bass Hall.For Subscribers Only
Only 4 Winners
The Weatherford Art Association recently announced its three Artists of the Month for February.
First place was awarded to Rebecca Glasgow for her oil painting titled, “Pots and Bowls.” Her painting will be on display at First Financial Bank on the Weatherford Square through March.
Second place was awarded to John Stout for his painting called, “Here’s Looking At You.” His painting will be on display at the Fort Worth Community Credit Union throughout March.
Third place was awarded to Linda
Whitehouse for her oil painting titled, “Desert Willow.” Her painting will hang at First National Bank on Palo Pinto Street until the end of March.
Guest demonstration artist was interna-tional acclaimed watercolorist Tina Bohlman. Bohlman donated her demonstration painting to a raffle for WAA, which was won by Carroll Richardson.
Bohlman will host a “Basics Watercolor Technique” three-day workshop at the Firehouse Gallery on March 8-10. Contact Stout at 817-597-9282 for registration and a materials list.
Rebecca Glasgow, left, was named Weatherford Art Association’s first place Artist of the Month for February. John Stout, right, was WAA’s second place Artist of the Month, while Linda Whitehouse, bot-tom right, was the third place Artist of the Month hon-oree.
Local art group names its artists of the month
Guest demonstration artist for the month was interna-tional acclaimed watercol-orist Tina Bohlman, left. Bohlman donated her dem-onstration painting to a raf-fle for WAA, which was won by Carroll Richardson, shown below with Bohlman.
Tina Bohlman will host a “Basics Watercolor Technique” three-day work-shop at the Firehouse Gallery on March 8-10. Contact John Stout at 817-597-9282 for registration and a materials list.
The Democrat now available digitallyhttp://weatherforddemocrat.newspaperdirect.com
needed for Horizontal UtilityDrilling Business. Written andOral Communication inSpanish and English a plus.Pre-Hire must pass variousBackground Checks, E-Verify,Drug, and Alcohol, BackStrength, Vision, etc. Benefitsinclude: Medical, Dental, andLife Insurance. Located inSE Fort Worth 817-572-4623
CARE PARTNERS & COOK
Maintenance Director
All Shifts
Apply in person
1818 Martin Dr.
Weatherford, TX. 76086
New Today
The Weatherford Democrat Friday, March 1, 2013 • 7
Inventory Manager • Assist in ordering product for all KEG 1 locations. • Assist in managing product transfers • Update sales & inventory in supplier ordering systems. • Manage out of stock, close dated inventory and on-hand inventory • Maintain open and clear communication • Experience with Microsoft Office, with strong focus in Excel
with Commercial Class ALicense. Written and OralCommunication in Spanishand English a plus. TankersEndorsement on license aplus. Pre-Hire must passvarious Background Checks,E-Verify, Drug, & Alcohol,Back Strength, Vision, etc.Benefits include: Medical,Dental, Life Ins. Vac Pay.SE Fort Worth 817-572-4623
Parker CountyInsurance Agency
Needs Licensed
Agent/CSRFax resume to:817-546-6817
Kitchen Cook!s needed withFryer, Grill and Building exp.
Maverick Travel CenterLocated at: I-20 Hwy 281 S
Santo TX.FAX RESUME OR JOB SUMMARY
EXPERIENCE TO:
1-877-472-8103
225 General Help Wanted
PROMPT?
RELIABLE?
CONSCIENTIOUS?
FULL TIME
GENERALPRODUCTION JOBS
BENEFITS & QUARTERLY
BONUSES!
DETAILED TRAINING
FOR ALL TEAM MEMBERS
SO EVERYONE TAKES PRIDE
IN THEIR WORK & SHARES
IN BONUSES WHEN QUALITY AND
VOLUME GOALS ACHIEVED
JAMAK FABRICATION, INC
1401 N. Bowie Drive
Weatherford, TX 76086EOE M/F/D/V
No phone calls please
OFFICE CLEANERS
PART TIME - Low Stress
HIRING EVENING POSITIONS
817-597-9557
235 Medical
A Great Place To Work
Nurse Aids 10p-6a
With A $400
Sign-On Bonus
Medication Aides
2p-10p With A $750
Sign-On BonusApply In Person
Come be a part of a great
team!1715 Martin Dr.
Weatherford, TX817-458-3100
Aspen Healthcare Services isexpanding to the Weatherfordarea. Therefore, we are hiring
RN ’s, LVN ’s, CNA’s, and
HHA ’s, PT’s, and OT’s in theWeatherford area immedi-ately.We are accepting resumes [email protected] and
through our website atAspencares.com
Job to fill? Hire here. Reach thebest and the brighest with anad in the Weatherford Demo-crat Classifieds in print and on-line. Call 817-598-0857 today.
Hay for sale. Coastal roundbales, fertilized & weeded,near Graford. $65.00 bale.
817-401-7384
400 Health & Beauty
AvonSho p Avon at hom e or inyour offic e with p ersonal d e-livery and guarante e d satis-fa ction. C onta ct SunnyBruc e at 817-729-8596 orsho p online atyouravon.c om/sunnybruc e(817) 729-8596
415 Horse & Tack
HORSE SHOEINGHot, Cold & Corrective
SHOEING, TRIMMING & PLATING,27 Years Experience
PROMPT & RELIABLE SERVICE
VET REFERENCES
AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.
817-690-0924
455 Misc. Merchandise
Burkett & Western Sly
Whole Pecans for Sale
(817)565-4994
G oing O ut O f B usiness S aleInsulation rig, incl. insulationblow er, a p prx. 150’ of hose ,1994 F ord p anel truc k;diesel g enerators, som eroofing and finish guns; as-phalt strip p er, 1-30’ e xten-sion la d d er, 1-he p a filtere dle a d va cuum. (817) 599-3352
TERESA & APRIL
CAN HELP WITH ALL
Classified Line Advertising
For: ~ CLEBURNE TIMES-REVIEW ~ BURLESON CROWLEY
CONNECTION ~ Johnson County News~ Weatherford Democrat~ Parker County Shopper~ Aledo Extra~ Mineral Wells Index~ Palo Pinto Shopper
Boarding/DaycareWeatherfords New Pet Hotel• Accepting large & sm. dogs• Indoor/outdoor rooms• Temperature controlled• Unique interior rooms• Lots of attention & playtimeLet your pet have a stay-cat-ion! Call for specials/ Pricing
By appt so your dog isn!tkept waiting.817-565-3525
500 Real Estate
PUBLISHER’S
NOTICE:
All real estate advertising inthis newspaper is subject tothe fair Housing Act whichmakes it illegal to advertise“any preference, limitationor discrimination based on
race, color, religion, or anintention, to make any suchpreference, limitation ordiscrimination.” Familialstatus includes childrenunder the age of 18 livingwith parents or legalcustodians, pregnant women
and people securing custodyof children under 18.This newspaper will notknowingly accept anyadvertising for real estatewhich is in violation of thelaw. Our readers are herebyinformed that all dwellings
advertised in this newspaperare available on an equalopportunity basis. Tocomplain of discriminationcall HUD toll-free at1-800-669-9777The toll-free telephonenumber for the hearing
i m p a i r e d i s1-800-927-9275
Looking for a Job? Subscribe tothe Weatherford Democrat for
your employmentinformation
505 Sales
I BUY HOUSES
ALL SIZES • ALL CONDITIONS
ALL PRICES
CLOSE QUICKLY! • ALL CASH!
817-992-2062
MAXIMUSPROPERTIESLLC@
HOTMAIL.COM
510 Homes
FOR SALE BY BUILDER
3/2/2, Weatherford,$138,000, Fenced.Builder will help with
closing cost andcredit problems.
Call Brad @ 817-996-5666
515 Manufactured Homes
28x52 - 3bd 2 ba 2002Crestridge MFG Home, All Ap-plicances, incl W/D, to bemoved from Santo Area.$30,000 Agent (940)859-1183
BEAT THIS!
NEW OAK CREEK 3+2Delivered & Set Up, Central
Air, 7 yr Warranty Only$34,900!!
817-380-4877- RBI #32912
UNBELIEVABLE
Oak Creek Porch ModelWAS- $142,000
IS- $104,500Save Over $37,000!!!
817-380-4520 -RBI #32912
540 Commercial/Business
Garner Cafe & Store2305 FM 113 North,
Weatherford, TX 76088:!Approx. 20 minutes west ofWeatherford in the Garnercommunity.! Turn key with fullinventory on 1.6 acres, 3,271sq. ft. store with concrete blockconstruction.!Commercialkitchen, cooler & equipment.!A 1991 doublwide mobilehome in the back.! Largegravel parking lot.!
Reduced to $399,000!!!Call McAllen Coalson,
817-991-8300 orwww.coalson.com/garner-
cafe-store
Thriving Business for sale 5Bay Garage plus Office.
Lg Metal StorageContainer for Rent inWeatherford. Call(817)596-0888
605 Rentals
Lots of Storage!
2/1/ Garage/ Fenced Yard904 Sylvia
$775/mo + $775/dep
Quiet Neighborhood!
2/1 at 403 Southland$650/mo + $650/dep
Call: 817-596-8102
3/1 Cute Farmhouse
Greenwood Area $900/Month, $400 Dep.
817-313-4423
610 Homes
1201 South Rusk 850/month,$850 per month, close toWeatherford College 1201South Rusk, (817) 480-8115,all appliances (includingwasher and dryer) included.Central heat & air. Two cargarage with garage dooropener. 1201 South Rusk,(817) 480-8115
4518 1/1, Tennessee Trail be-tween Weatherford and Gran-bury, off Tin Top Rd. $500/mo.Ronny (682)597-0480
In Quiet NeighborhoodBeautiful, Spacious
3/2/2 w/ 2 Living Areas,WBFP, Yard Maint Incl,
$1600/mon, Bills Pd105 Bluebonnet Dr.
(817)596-4097
Here today, gone tomorrow!When you let the WeatherfordDemocrat Classifieds do thework, you won!t get therunaround. Advertising in theClassifieds is easy, effectiveand will get you results. Call817-598-0857 today. In print,online, anytime.
Specializing in:All phases of dirt workLand Clearing • Roads
Tanks/LakesBackhoe ServiceFence Building
Custom Hay Bailing& Hay For Sale
Erika & Glenn’s
Construction
Dozier, Track Hoe Work,
Landscaping, Electric,
Roofing, Concrete,
Privacy Fence
All types of Remodeling.
870-878-1527 • 817-401-2986
Call Eric or Teresa Today!!817-598-0857 • 682-294-8000
868 General Services
Associated
Has You Covered
1101 Ft Worth Hwy
Weatherford, TX 76086
Insurance
Over 100 Companies
to Quote
Commercial, Home, Auto,
Life, Boat & Recreational
Vehicles
Real Estate
Residential,Farm/Ranch,
Commercial & Management
HVAC
Residential, Commercial,
Service & Reapair
Electrical Residential, Commercial,
Service & Repair
“ Whats best for you,
is best for us.”
Floyd Hendrick
817-613-0202 •940-659-8249
Bryan Swope
Music Entertainment
Available for:
Banquet and Dinners.
Singing with background
CD music.
Big Band • Popular Classics
817-597-6107
CARPORTS
PATIO COVERS
ALL STEEL CONSTRUCTION
OFF DUTY FIREFIGHTER
(817) 925-0922
Custom Seamless Gutters
Owned and Operated by
Off-Duty Firefighter
Keven Teague
817-437-4883
ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR
TECL #22551 40+Years
RESIDENTIAL/COMMERCIAL AZZ-IZZ ENTERPRIZES, LLC
817-613-1465 (Metro)
817-266-7239 (Cellular)
NO JOBS TOO SMALL
Job to fill? Hire here. Reach thebest and the brighest with anad in the Weatherford Demo-crat Classifieds in print and on-line. Call 817-598-0857 today.
868 General Services
FENCES, CARPORTS,LOAFING SHEDS,
ARENAS AND MORE
BEST JOB • BEST PRICE
(817) 597-1700
Painting, Carpentry, Sheet-
rock, Storage Buildings, PorchCovers, Decks. 36 years exp.
Call Bill Rosser Now for aFREE ESTIMATE
817-374-2566
866-374-3559
www.billrosserpainting.com* $100 off any job of $1000 or more
Home Improvement Special
*$100.00 Off
Hughes Construction
Repair, Remodel
All phases of construction!
(817) 341-3566
www.
hughesconstruction5.com
Mobile MassageYour home
Massage Therapist, Deep Tissue, Swedish, Injury
Work, Body Scrubs,Body Wraps, LCMT.
References Avail. 10am-9pm.Call for appt. Carol Lee
(817) 629-2941
Tiffany!sPet Grooming & Boarding
Live On-Site, AC, TV!s Individual Kennel Rooms,
Call for Reservation & Pricing.817-929-8696
www.tiffsgnb.com
Here today, gone tomorrow!When you let the WeatherfordDemocrat Classifieds do thework, you won!t get therunaround. Advertising in theClassifieds is easy, effectiveand will get you results. Call817-598-0857 today. In print,online, anytime.
868 General Services
Massage Therapy Swedish • Hot Stone •
Aromatherapy1-hr for $40/ Feb. Special
Bradley W. Casseday, LMT817-909-9626
3296 Ft. Worth Hwy.,Hudson Oaks, TX 76087http://bradleycasseday.massagetherapy.com
WE FEED CHAMPIONS!
Consistant •Fresh•High Quality
We offer the very best in show
feeds and supplements! Sold by your local dealer
Peacock Farm &Ranch
122 J. Water StreetWeatherford, TX 76086
(817) 594-5424
872 Handyperson
***** D & S HandymanServices30+Yrs Exp!
C arpentry, Painting, Plumb-ing, Electrical. C arports &
Looking for a Job? Subscribe tothe Weatherford Democrat for
your employmentinformation
876 Home Improvement
Kirby Construction Co. Residential & Commercial
New & Remodel. We do it all!
CARPENTRY • PAINTING ROOFING • CONCRETE WORK
DECKS • HOUSE LEVELING Just Call (817) 565-0170
880 House/Office Cleaning
CLEANING CREW IS NOW
OFFERING A SPRING SPECIAL
WHEN YOU MENTION THIS AD
FOR DETAILS CALL
817-244-6115
HAYS CLEAN UP
HOME • RENTAL • COMMERCIAL
CLEAN UP, TEAR DOWN,
HAUL OFF, ETC.
Lee 817-304-1092
Tim 817-304-3334
Tidy Cleaning Service
Affordable • Reliable
House Cleaning
Bonded & Insured
817-565-8121
We C le an H ouses!N e w C lient S p e cial 65.00 orF E B .25-28 55.00C all for d etails. (817) 205-1883
884 Landscape
FREE ESTIMATES
COMPETITIVE RATES
SOD LAYING
SEASONAL COLOR FERTILIZING
YARD CLEAN UP
TREE AND BRUSH REMOVAL
FAST FRIENDLY HONEST
817-597-0604Firewood For Sale
Residential CommercialNow accepting Credit Card
886 Lawn & Garden
TRACTOR MOWING(LOTS & PASTURES)
FREE ESTIMATES
& REASONABLE PRICES
817-565-3375
Complete Lawn CareFREE ESTIMATES &
REASONABLE PRICES 817-565-3375
Positive Yards lawn care ser-vice that gives 10% back to thecommunity! Affordable servicesinclude: mowing, trimming,edging, and weeding. Benefitsyouth athletic programs inWeatherford. More details atwww.positiveyards.com. (817)[email protected]
Thomas Lawncare
•Lawn Mowing
•Weeding Eating
•Edging
Reasonable Rates
Free Estimates817-896-0957
894 Painting
LET MY 38 YRS. EXPERIENCE
WORK FOR YOU.WE DO INTERIOR/EXTERIOR, OLD
WORLD TEXTURES, AND FAUX
FINISHES. (817) 821-6377 www.bobbymcwilliams.com
950 Tree Service
Tree Service , Leaf Clean Up,Yard Work, Good Prices FreeEstimates. Call 817-304-0231
Looking for a Job? Subscribe tothe Weatherford Democrat for
your employmentinformation
Place a 7 Line Ad in the BUSINESS SERVICE DIRECTORY to run a Month in the Weatherford Democrat, Parker County Shopperand Your Family Magazine FOR ONLY $133.33 Call Teresa or April at 817-598-0857
Call Eric or Teresa Today!!817-598-0857 • 682-294-8000
730 Autos
2001 Firebird Convertible60,700 miles, Good Clean Car,Carfax report Incl. Serious In-qu i res Only $8500817-999-3440
I BUYJUNK CARS
Running Or Not$ CASH MONEY PAID $
817-597-9451 • 817-341-7676
750 RV Sales/Service
2005 3/4 ton Chevy Long BedSilverado 6.6 V8 Diesel Truckw/ 110k miles, New Tires, 2New Batteries $19,500 obo940-463-5552, [email protected]
36 ft. 329 RL Montana Moun-tianeer 5th Wheel, 3 Slides,w/ new roof, awning, tires.$30,000 obo 940-463-5552,[email protected]
755 Sports Cars
1989 Mercedes Benz 560 SL
Hard & Soft Top
Low Mileage,
$17,900. (817) 598-1862
Business Service Special1 Month In
The Weatherford DemocratYour Life Magazine
Parker County ShopperFor Only *$133.33
(Based On 30 Word Minimum)
Call Eric or Teresa Today!!817-598-0857 • 682-294-8000
Give Your Old Stuff a New LifeIf it’s collecting dust,it could be collecting cash! Garage sale ad deadline is noon Wednesday for ads running in Thursdayand Friday papers.
To Place Your Garage Sale Ad
Please Call
817-598-085720 Words 1 or 2 Days
$17.00+ $7.00 for internet
20 Words 3 Days$19.00
+ $9.00 for internet
The Weatherford Democrat Friday, March 1, 2013 • 9
Dear Annie: I was just 18 years old when a routine doc-tor’s visit exposed off-the-chart high blood pressure and landed me in the emergency room. As a carefree teen in my first year of college, I felt healthy and assumed it couldn’t possibly be anything more than a little stress. Even the ER doctor took a look at me and said he was sure there couldn’t be anything wrong. Imagine the shock when the blood tests showed I had stage-four kidney disease. I was dangerously close to need-ing dialysis or a kidney trans-plant, but I had no clue that I’d been suffering from a silent killer. Kidney disease often goes undetected because symptoms may not appear until the kidneys are actually failing. One in three American adults is at risk due to high blood pressure or diabetes, two
of the leading causes. The good news is that early detec-tion and proper treatment can slow the progress. My battle with kidney disease has turned me into a fitness guru and an advocate for kidney patients. I now do something active every day. By following a careful diet and working closely with my doctors to manage my high blood pressure, I have been able to prevent further dam-age. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and positive attitude can affect your medical prog-nosis in the best possible way. I can attest to it. Will you please encourage your readers to get their kidneys checked? March is National Kidney Month and March 14th is World Kidney Day. The National Kidney Foundation is urging Americans to learn
about risk factors and get their kidneys checked with a simple urine and blood test. For more information on these tests and staying healthy, and for a schedule of free kidney health screenings across the country, please suggest that your read-ers visit the National Kidney Foundation at kidney.org. -- Leslie Field, Bradbury, Calif.
Dear Leslie Field: Thank you for reminding our readers how important it is to get regu-lar checkups to make sure their systems are running smoothly. More than 26 million Americans have kidney dis-ease, and most don’t know it. People often don’t consider their kidney health, yet it can make a tremendous difference in the quality of one’s life. We hope our readers will check the National Kidney Foundation website for more information.
DEAR DOCTOR K: I get tension headaches. Over-the-counter pain relievers help, but not completely. What else can I try?
DEAR READER: Tension headaches are the most com-mon type of headache. They cause a dull tightness or pres-sure in a band-like pattern across the forehead or in the back of the head. Sometimes the entire head hurts. (I’ve put an illustration of the typical tension headache pattern on my website, AskDoctorK.com.) Tension headaches tend to cause mild or moderate pain. They’re generally not intense enough to keep you from functioning or to awaken you at night. How do you dis-tinguish tension headaches from another common cause of headache, migraines? Migraines have several fea-tures not seen with tension headaches; they tend to begin on just one side of the head, often around the eye, even though they may later spread to the whole head. Migraines often are accompanied by nau-sea and sometimes vomiting. They typically cause a throb-bing or pounding pain. Migraines often are preceded
or accompanied by changes in vision. You may see black spots or flashing lights, or just have blurry vision for a while. Finally, people with migraines are often very sensitive to lights or noises, and want to rest in a quiet and dark place. Migraines don’t necessarily have all of these features, but they typically have at least one. Tension headaches are caused by tightness in the muscles of the scalp and the back of the neck. For many people, an over-the-counter (OTC) painkiller such as ibu-profen is enough to banish the headache. But for others, OTC painkillers and even stronger prescription pain relievers don’t provide complete relief. Painkillers can actually turn an occasional problem into a chronic one. That’s because both OTC and prescription pain relievers target only the symptom of tension headaches (pain); they don’t address the underlying cause (muscle tightness). Rely too much on pain relievers, and you may find that your tension head-aches gradually increase in fre-
quency. To make matters worse, frequent use of pain relievers may make other med-ications less effective at reliev-ing your headaches. That’s why targeting the root cause of tension headaches -- muscle tightness -- is a better strategy. A fast-acting but short-lived muscle relaxant such as cariso-prodol (Soma, Vanadom) or metaxalone (Skelaxin) can loosen head and neck muscles. These drugs slow the function-ing of your central nervous system, creating an overall calming effect. Muscle relax-ants don’t relieve pain any more effectively than OTC pain relievers, but they address the mechanism of the tension headache. So combining a muscle relaxant with a pain reliever can give good relief. Muscle relaxants work quickly, within 15 to 30 minutes. Their effects last only three to four hours, but that’s enough, since tension headaches rarely con-tinue for more than a few hours. If you decide to try a muscle relaxant, be aware that it may cause drowsiness and fatigue. But if your headaches are migraine headaches, they are much less likely to respond to muscle relaxant treatments.
ZITS
SOUP 2 NUTS
GRIZZWELLS
BIG NATE
BORN LOSER
HERMAN
FRANK & ERNEST
ALLY OOP
ARLO & JANIS
KIT ‘N’ CARLYLE
Ask Dr. K
Annie's MailboxMarch is National Kidney Month
Celebrity Cipher
Crossword Puzzle
Bridge
Muscle relaxant can help tension headache
Previous Puzzle's Answers
COMICS10 • Friday, March 1, 2013 • Weatherford Democrat
Care and Support • Extremely Confidential • Services are FreeTherapy for Adults and Children • Services are Not time limited.
Emergency Safe Shelter for you and your children • Help developing a safety planAdvocacy and help finding answers • You have the right to make your own choices
~ Donate by providing your professional services~ Provide Pro Bona Legal help
~ Donate paper products and other normal household items. If you use it at home,we need it for our shelter
~ Invite us to speak at your church, community organization or group~ Let people know we exist. Victims do not need to suffer alone. Refer to us.
~ Provide gift cards for clothing or gas~ Sponsor a fund raising activity
~ Be a sponsor, attend or help with the Garden Safari, our annual fundraiser in September~ Volunteer to be a receptionist and/or help with clerical activities
FREE ESTIMATESRESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
• Alarms • Digital Video Surveillance• Network Cabling • Gates
The Weatherford Democrat11 • Friday, March 1, 2013
The following businesses support the prevention of violence. Educate yourself.
When it hurts to go to
Although children should have fun at school and be happy to learn, play and grow, for some, victims of school violence, it hurts! And when looking at phenomenons like street gangs, taxing and, now, the new trend of Internet videos, there’s even more to fear for our youth.
If, like many youth, your teen seems to hide behind a wall of silence, look for the following behaviours: reduced motivation or concentration, loss of self-confidence, irritability, aggressivity, discomfort, failure at school, dropping out, isolation, depression, or any other behaviour that could cause you concern. Talk to your child. If communication is too difficult, even impossible, don’t hesitate to talk to his or her favourite teacher, or an uncle or aunt that may be
particularly close to your child. Don’t let him or her go to school without support when things are going badly!
Fighting violence at school begins at home. Parents that are watchful of behaviors and changes in the behavior
of their child will be able to respond quickly. Often difficult for parents to counter, violence is a heavy burden for a child to carry. By making children aware of the fact that they could be victims, by getting them to think about their own acts, by helping them be
aware of signs of violence at school, you will make youth that are able to express their viewpoint and capable of reacting to protect themselves and those around them.
SCHOOL
12 SPORTS
12 • Friday, March 1, 2013 • Weatherford Democrat SPORTSCoyotes split double header at Tyler JC
Staff RepoRt
Weatherford College baseball head coach Jeff Lightfoot trot-ted five Coyotes pitcher to the mound in the first match of a 2-game set played at Tyler Junior College on Wednesday. The changes were ultimately effective, as WC ended the Apaches’ sixth-inning rally to win the front of a double header, 7-5.
Outhitting Tyler 11-9, the Coyotes put a crooked number on the scoreboard in the top of the second, making Tyler pitcher Zach Aitken pay for a pair of free passes. After three consecu-tive singles netted two runs, Trooper Reynolds’ 2-out, bases-loaded double scored two more runs and chased Aitken from the mound. WC allowed an unearned run in the bottom frame, but starter Jacob Stone shut out the Apaches for the next four innings, and collected the win for WC.
Weatherford put together three more runs in the sixth, with RBIs from Connor Vandeveer (3 for 5 hitting) and Paxton Delagarza (2 for 4). They needed the insurance, as Tyler answered with four runs in the bottom half. WC reliever Dustin Emmons turned off the faucet, throwing 14 pitches, a dozen of those strikes, and collected the save.
In the 9-inning nightcap, Tyler’s Jacob French went the dis-tance on the mound, allowing a pair of runs in the second inning, but no more, as the Coyotes fell, 6-2.
Rebounding with three runs in the bottom of the second, TJC added another three in the sixth, with WC struggling at the plate against French. Erik Garcia had an RBI for the Coyotes.
The Coyotes return to Roger Williams Ballpark on Saturday for another 7/9-inning set with TJC, beginning at 1 p.m., and will be the final non-conference game before kicking off North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference (NTJCAC) play at Temple on Wednesday. The conference-game scheme for the season will be consecutive double headers with two games at home and two games away. NTJCAC games will be played on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
WC women win big, small over Vernon Staff RepoRt
The Lady Coyotes softball team collected a pair of W’s at Vernon College on Wednesday, showing off hitting in the open-ing win, 9-0, and defensive prowess in the second game of the non-conference double header to win, 1-0.
WC’s Kylee Studioso pitched a 1-hit shutout in the opener, while the Lady Coyotes bats produced nine hits, and as many runs. WC scored three runs in the first inning, and closed out the 5-inning match with a handful of runs in the fifth. Catcher Kortney Koroll put together a 4-hit performance, scoring twice in the match. Shortstop Katy Vandewater was 2-for-2 at the plate, crossing the plate three times. Studioso fanned seven Vernon batters while ceding just a single walk.
WC’s Luci Ponce scored on an error in the top of the fourth inning in the second game. The unearned run would be all the Lady Coyotes would require, as Bailee Wortham notched a complete-game shutout, spreading four hits among the Vernon batters, while striking out a handful. The Vernon pitcher was effective, as well, limiting WC batters to three hits.
With a stellar start to their season, the WC women improve to 18-1 (16 consecutive wins) and will host Howard College, the only team to blemish the WC record, on Friday. On Wednesday, Weatherford College will open NTJCAC play with a double header, hosting Cisco Junior College, at 1 p.m.
Girls state basketball tournament
Quick start fades for Aledo in state semifinalLadycats fall to Dallas Lincoln, 64-44
AUSTIN — The Aledo Ladycats took the floor in their first trip to “The Show” that is the UIL State Basketball Tournament, and looked like they were frequent residents of the tourney from the tip.
Senior Mallory Powell and sophomore Alyssa Dry scored the first seven points of the game, and harassed the Dallas Lincoln offense through the first five minutes of the game, rendering the Lady Tigers inef-fective.
Aledo’s energy level was evi-dent, as they came to leave it all on the floor, and Lincoln could not find its rhythm early on. But the tables turned in the second period and for the bal-ance of the game, as the Ladycats shooting, and energy, cooled off.
The Lady Tigers built a 17-point advantage after the break that Aledo could not make up, falling in its inaugural trip to the state spectacle, 64-44.
Unforced errors plagued both teams, particularly in the sec-ond quarter, as possessions were many, but non-productive. The crisp ball handling the Ladycats displayed in the open-ing minutes of the contest gave way to turnovers, eventually taking a toll on the shooting.
“We quite frankly had a lot of trouble getting the ball down the court in the second period, and
only scored three points,” said Aledo head coach Rusty Johnson. “ You have to give a lot of credit to Lincoln’s defense.
“But I’m very proud of how our girls played from the start, and kept fighting to the end.”
Aledo regained some of their energy in the final period, quickening the pace of the game, but had a hard time eras-ing the deficit, which hung around 15 points for much of the period. Lincoln, after set-tling into its double-digit lead, looked more like a team who had already been to the state tournament a dozen times prior.
Loose, and with time fading for Aledo, the Lady Tigers increased its lead down the stretch.
Powell, who sat for much of the third period with foul trou-ble, still managed 10 points on the night, but did not possess the deadly accuracy she had displayed in the regional tour-nament just a week before, earning the tourney’s MVP nod.. Megan Wood led Aledo scoring with 13 points.
Aledo finishes its season as the Class 4A, Region I Champs and state semifinalists, record-ing a 30-8 overall record.
GreG Webb/Democrat PhotoAledo guard Alyssa Dry knifes through Dallas Lincoln defenders in the opening quarter of a Class 4A state tournament semifinal Thursday, at the Frank Irwin Center, in Austin. The Ladycats jumped out to an early lead, but fell short in their first trip to the show, falling to the Lady Tigers, 64-44.