NEWS
Merchants help with HOPE

shopping pass project

Jacksonville merchants are helping their less fortunate neighbors by participating in the Shop for HOPE project to be held on Saturday, Dec. 8. Bargins will be offered by participating merchants when a $5 shopping pass is presented on the shopping day. Passes can be purchased in advance at the HOPE Center, 595 S. Ragsdale, Jacksonville, with all proceeds benefitting the programs and services offered by that organization.

The $5 goes directly to HOPE, but ideally the merchants will see an increase in the number of customers in their stores and an increase in sales. Participating in this year's project are Gerry's, Love Nest, Elaine's, May Drug, Gigi's Gifts, Country Charm Candles, Replay, and the Linda Kay Shop. Business hours vary with each store.For more information, call HOPE, Inc. at( 903) 586-7781.

Master Gardner program

begins in January

The Cherokee County Master Gardener Association is forming a new class for January 2008. The Texas Master Gardener program is an educational activity offered by Texas Cooperative Extension of the Texas A&M University System. The program is designed to increase availability of horticultural information throughout the community. Interested parties should contact Joe Daniel at the Cherokee County Agricultural Extension Office, (903) 683-5416 for class details.

'Green tie' event will

benefit Relay for Life

A green tie affair to benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life will be held 6:30-9 p.m. Monday, Dec. 3 at the Castle on the Lake, U.S. Highway 79, Jacksonville. It has been calendared as the social event of the year.

The event will honor cancer survivors. It will featured valet parking, silent auction, music and hors d'oeuvres. There will be door prizes. Green frogs and ties will be distributed at the door.

Good Samaritan needs

food, hygiene items

The Good Samaritan Food Bank & Resale Shop needs personal hygiene items and canned goods to re-stock the shelves.

The Good Samaritan help needy families with food and offers clothes for only 25 cents per item. All donations are appreciated.

As the holiday season approaches the Good Samaritan will work to serve its clients with food and clothing. Canned goods and peanut butter are always in demand as well as soap, deodorant, tooth paste, toilet paper and other personal hygiene items.

The Good Samaritan is located at 203 W 2nd Street, and is open from 9-11:30 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

For additional information, volunteer opportunities or to donate items, call (903) 683-2376.

Computer classes

underway

The Community Training Night (CTN) at Jacksonville High School is sponsored by the Department of Career and Technology Education. CTN is held Tuesday nights from 5:30-7:30 p.m. throughout the school year in room 404 of the Career and Technology building on the school campus. There is a $5 registration fee for each course which may be paid the night of attendance.

To register for sessions visit: www. jisd.org/CATEcntreg.htm or call the office at (903) 586-1021.

The classes are being taught for the third year by Charles Silvertooth, a BCIS teacher with JISD. Mr. Silvertooth previously served as a computer software support technician and has spent 28 years in the corporate electronics field.

Remaining dates for the CTN this Fall include:; Dec. 4, Introduction to MS Excel; and Dec. 11, MS Excel Plus.

RSH resale shop is open

1st, 2nd Fridays

The Resale Shop operated by the Volunteer Council for the Rusk State Hospital, Inc. is open 10 a.m. -3 p.m., at 545 Castner St, in Rusk on the first and second Friday of each month.

All proceeds benefit the patients and programs at Rusk State Hospital

For additional information, please call (903) 683-7327.