BULLETIN BOARD

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DON'T MISS:

El Campo Museum Birthday Party

Everyone is invited to a 30th birthday party for the El Campo Museum, located inside the El Campo Civic Center, today from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Hot dogs, punch and cake will be served. Rainbow the Clown will help celebrate. For information call the museum at 543- 6885.

TODAY, APRIL 12

'Clifford the Big Red Dog' at Library Clifford the Big Red Dog will make a special appearance at the El Campo Branch Library today from 10-11:30 a.m. The library is located at 200 W. Church. Parents are welcome to bring cameras. For information call 543-2362.

Fibromyalgia Support Group Meeting The Wharton Fibromyalgia Support Group meets today at the main branch of the Wharton Public Library from 10:30 a.m. until noon in the Harrison Conference Room. All those with or interested in fibromyalgia are welcome. Call Kristine Keeney at 979-532-1996 days.

'Buy One Get One Free' Book Fair The El Campo Branch Library hosts a Scholastic buy one, get one free Book Fair today through Saturday, April 19 during regular library hours. A wide collection of new books, posters, computer games and school supplies are available. Free items must be of equal or lesser value than those bought. For information call 543-2362.

SUNDAY, APRIL 13

El Campo/Hillje SPJST Meeting El Campo Hillje SPJST Lodge 40 holds its monthly meeting in Hillje at the Lodge Hall Sunday, April 13 at 2 p.m. Lodge will furnish meal after the meeting. Members are asked to bring desserts.

MONDAY, APRIL 14

Saddle Club Monthly Meeting The Saddle Club hosts its monthly meeting Monday, April 14 at 5:15 p.m. at the Ozarka building in El Campo.

Wharton Book Review Club Meeting The Wharton Book Review Club meets Monday, April 14 at 10 a.m. in the Wharton County Historical Museum, 3615 Richmond Road, Wharton. Dr. Paul Spellman will tell of his research and discuss his latest book, The Lost Treasure of Buffalo Gap, a historical fiction book for children to be published later this year. Tickets are $5 at the door. For information call Sally Soderquist at 979-532- 4936, Sammy Lou Franks at 979-532-4615 or Dorothy Hensley at 543-5837.

Derby Doll Booster Club Meeting The Derby Doll Booster Club meets Monday, April 14 at 5:30 p.m. at J-Brew's. All Derby Doll parents are invited to attend.

TUESDAY, APRIL 15

American Legion/Auxiliary Meeting American Legion Craig-Harriss Post 251 and its Ladies Auxiliary will hold their regular monthly meeting Tuesday, April 15 at the hall beginning with a social at 6:30 p.m. and a meal will be served at 7:15 p.m. Ladies Auxiliary members are asked to bring desserts.

Harassment, Discrimination Laws Discussed Tuesday, April 15 Joe Bontke, Outreach Director for the Houston EEOC District Office will discuss 'Harassment, Discrimination and Retaliation Laws', including handouts and question/answer sessions. Anyone involved in Human Resources or Operations Management should attend. Session is free but seating is limited. Call 543-6750 to reserve your place.

Carefree Seniors Travel Club Meeting The Carefree Seniors Travel Club will meet on Tuesday, April 15 at 9:30 a.m. at the Victoria Senior Citizens Center, located at the corner of Murray and Navarro. Refreshments and visiting at 9:30, meeting at 10 a.m. Following the business meeting, we will have a video program on the different shows in Branson, Mo. The club is open to anyone who enjoys traveling, regardless of age. Dues are $12 per individual or $20 per couple. Contact Fannie Griffith at 361-798-5713 for more information.

COMING EVENTS

IMUD Yard of The Month Contest The Isaacson Municipal Utility District will award its first "IMUD Yard of the Month" honor Wednesday, April 16. The contest will be conducted monthly and is open to all IMUD members. Renters are welcome to participate as well as property owners. The winner will receive a $20 credit toward the next water bill and results will be published in the El Campo Leader-News and on the IMUD Web site. Members of the board of directors are donating $20 award each month. This credit will not be taken from IMUD funds.

Pre-K & K Registration For Louise ISD Wednesday, April 16 from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., parents can register their children for pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten for the 2008-2009 school year at Louise ISD. Bring child's Social Security card, certified birth certificate and immunization record. All vaccinations must be complete. Proof of income is required for pre-K registration. Students turning 5 on or before Sept. 1 are eligible for the kindergarten program; those who turn 4 on or before Sept. 1 and meet state criteria are eligible for pre-K. For information call 979-648-2262.

Enchilada Dinner April 17 New Life Assembly of God will sell enchilada dinners Thursday, April 17 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Plates are $7. Free delivery to the El Campo area for orders of five plates or more. Call 543-3959 for orders.

Bingo For Seniors Wharton County Junior College Senior Citizen program will have Bingo for seniors at the WCJC El Campo Senior Center, 1303 Delta St. from 12:30 -2 p.m. on Thursday, April 17. Anyone 60 or older is invited to attend. If interested in meals, stop by office and sign up.

Bishop Jones Sr. Returning To ECC Bishop Fred A. Jones Sr. will return to the El Campo Civic Center along with Jones Family Singers, Cominik Dixon, Elder Anthony Wade, Elder Eddie Batties and Elder Lerome Dixon. Performance will be Friday, April 18 at 7:30 p.m. For more information call Sis. Sharon Gary at 979- 257-5351.

Derby Doll Mini Clinic April 19 A Derby Doll Mini Clinic is Saturday, April 19 from 9 a.m.- noon at the El Campo High School Derby Doll Gym. Ages are 4 years old through 8th grade. The cost is $25 per child; $15 for each additional child per family. Registration papers are being sent home or are available at the ECHS principal's office. Mail application with payment or register the day of the clinic. The dancers will perform at the Derby Doll Spring Show on April 24. For questions call Dobie Rod at 543-8018.

Brisket/Sausage Plates Benefit Cardenas A fundraiser for Joe Cardenas is Saturday, April 19 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Louise Fire Station. Brisket/sausage plates are $6. Call 979-332-0031 for tickets or to give a donation.

Lifeguard Training Classes Lifeguard Training sponsored by the American Red Cross will be held in Bay City at the high school pool, 2624 16th Street, on Saturday, April 19 from 12-6 p.m., Sunday, April 20 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. and April 26 and 27 from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Course fee is $175 and includes all materials. Contact 979-245-3056 for more information or to register. Note: El Campo Aquatic Center guards are trained at no cost by the city.

St. Philip Mexican Dinner Plates St. Philip Catholic Daughters will have Mexican Dinner plates on Sunday, April 20 at St. Philip Parish Hall. Serving starts at 11 a.m. on Depot St. Plates to go only for $6 a plate. No advance sales.

Project Graduation Meeting Project Graduation meeting on Monday, April 21 at Myatt Elementary Cafeteria at 6 p.m. All committees and activities for Project Graduation will be finalized. Parents and students are encouraged to attend.

Ricebird Band Booster Club Meeting The Ricebird Band Boosters will meet on Monday, April 21 at 6 p.m. at the High School Band Hall. All band parents are urged to attend. For more information call Leticia Mulford at 543-5334.

Obsessive Compulsion Disorder Support Anyone interested in forming a support group for OCD, please call Sandy at 979-648-2113.

Tests For Acceleration/Credit The El Campo Independent School District offers exams for acceleration, credit by examination, in all grades for students with no prior instruction at that level or in a particular subject. To achieve acceleration, students in kindergarten through grade 5 must: (1) score 90 percent on criterion-referenced tests for language arts, mathematics, science and social studies, (2) be recommended by the campus principal and (3) have written parental approval for the acceleration. Students in grade 6 through 12 must score 90 percent on a criterion-referenced test for the applicable course. Register with your principal by April 21. Exams are May 6, 7 and 8.

Veterans Service Officer Hours The office of Wharton County Veterans Service Officer Harvey H. Stelzel Jr. is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays through April 30. Office hours are 7:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m. The office is located at 1017 N. Alabama Road in Wharton. Phone 532-1311.

Spay/Neuter Assistance Available The Matagorda County SPCA has a program covering Wharton, Jackson, Matagorda and the southern part of Colorado County to help people who can't afford to spay/neuter their dogs/cats. Please call the SPCA at 979-323-8787 for information or for an application, or to help with the effort.

GED/ESL Education Classes GED and ESL classes are being held at El Campo Adult Learning Center, 802 Depot, Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or El Campo Housing Authority, 403-A Ricebird Lane Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m.-noon. ESL night classes are at St. Robert's Catholic Church, 512 Tegner, Monday and Thursday 6:30-8:30 p.m. For information call 979-532-6301 or 1-800-561- 9252, ext. 6301. New student orientation dates for GED day classes are Monday, April 21 and May 5.

CPR For PRR Classes CPR for the Professional Rescuer Recertification classes will be Tuesday, April 22 from 5-9 p.m. The cost of each course is $40, an additional cost of $10 for the pocket mask and/or additional cost of $15 for the book. For more information contact the American Red Cross office at 979-245-3056.

Mature Driving Course The Mature Driving Course is scheduled for Saturday, April 26 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. One day only at the In- Service room at El Campo Memorial Hospital, 303 Sandy Corner Rd. This class does not dismiss traffic tickets. No test required. $10 per person for registration fee. Call ahead to sign up. For information and registration contact Donna Mikeska, ECMH Managed Care/Marketing Coordinator at 979-543-6251 Ext. 261 or 979-578-5261 (direct). Leave a message, name and number.

'I Love America' Benefits Heritage Center First Baptist Church will host I Love America, A Patriotic Tribute by the Freedom Four to benefit the El Campo Heritage Center on Saturday, April 26 at 7:30 p.m. Donations will be accepted at the door. Will include residential humor anecdotes by Joe Tom Davis. The Freedom Four includes Daniel Berglund, Cecil Davis, Jim Lane and Joe Tom Davis. Pianist is Carolyn Goelzer.

Child's Development, Get Help Early When it comes to your child's development, getting help early is best! Region III Education Service Center Early Childhood Intervention Program, ECI, Provides support and services to families with children, birth to three, with developmental delays and disabilities. For questions or concerns about your child's development call Region III ESC ECI at 1-888-909-3512. ECI screenings and evaluations are at no cost to families.

USDA Rural Development Loans Offered USDA Rural Development is accepting business and industry guaranteed loan applications through banks or other authorized commercial lenders to create and maintain employment in rural communities. Loans can be used for such things as expanding a business with a new building or adding property, buying machinery or equipment, etc. Interest rates for loans may be fixed or variable and are negotiated between the lender and borrower. For more information, contact the area USDA Rural Development Office at (361) 782-7151, Extension 4.