AYSA Website

The Anna Youth Sports Association has started a website, annasports.org, to help keep parents informed of upcoming sign-ups, schedules and scores.

Food Pantry Supplies Needed

Anna Food Pantry supplies are low and burdened to meet the needs of summer lunches. We need macaroni and cheese box dinners, sugar and flour, canned and packaged pasta, 1-pound boxes of crackers and pancake mixes. Drop off donations at the pantry from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, Anna UMC, 100 W. Second St.

AUMC Cookbooks for Sale

"Favorite Recipes of Anna United Methodist Church: A Collection of Recipes from Friends & Family" is on sale for $15 by Anna United Methodist Women. Includes a free cookie cookbook, "Capital Cookies", that has many unusual recipes. There are several tables in the main cookbook, such as ingredients substitutions, cooking and food terms, hints, etc. For sale between services (8:45 a.m., 11 a.m.) and Sunday School (9:45 a.m.) on Sundays at the church, 120 E. Second St., www.annatxumc.org, annaunitedmeth@sbcglobal.net. Or call Bea Gillespie, 972-924-4785.

Volunteer McKinney Center Opportunities

* Tourism Ambassador Training. Volunteers and employees who interact with visitors to our community can improve their customer service skills by attending the Certified Tourism Ambassador course offered in McKinney on August 15. Attendees will increase their knowledge of the region, learn answers to common visitors' questions, and understand the importance of helping visitors have an enjoyable experience. To learn more information about this nationally recognized program or to register for the course, click on www.ctanetwork.com.

* Engaging Older and Disabled Texans. The Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services (DADS) provides opportunities for individuals, families, groups and organizations to become involved in enhancing the quality of life for older Texans and people with disabilities. The Silver Lining program encourages volunteers to build a relationship with residents in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and people in state supported living centers. The Texercise program volunteers promote healthy lifestyle habits such as regular physical activity and good nutrition. For more specific volunteer opportunities and contact information, look for 'DADS Statewide. . ." on the VMC website or call 1-800-889-8595.

* Plano Book Sale. Volunteers are needed to help with the annual Friends Book Sale on July 15, 16, and 17. Various shifts are available to unload books, bag books for patrons, tally purchases, and box up books. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. For more information, click on "Plano Book Sale" under New Listings on the VMC website.

For information on these and other volunteer opportunities, contact Volunteer McKinney Center at 972-542-0679 or by e-mail at volunteermck@sbcglobal.net or Web Site www.volunteermckinney.org.

Medical Center of McKinney Support Groups

Medical Center of McKinney offers a variety of health-related support groups year round. A complete listing of dates and times is available at www.medicalcenterofmckinney.com. Medical Center of McKinney's support groups include:

Grief Support Group: H.U.G.S. (Helping Us Grow Stronger). Wednesdays at 7 pm, 6 week sessions, held quarterly next session begins Sept. 1, Medical Center of McKinney's Wysong Campus, 130 S. Central Expressway, Radiology Waiting Area. The support group, supported by Samaritan Care Hospice, is led by a professional Bereavement Coordinator and is for anyone experiencing loss or is working through the grief process. Please RSVP to Debra Brannon at 972-690-6632.

NEW! Laux of Love Bereavement Support Group - Wednesday, July 28th

7 p.m., Medical Center of McKinney, 4500 Medical Center Drive, Classroom 3 & 4. Support and guidance for those who have experienced a loss from conception to 1 year. RTS trained personnel are available to provide guidance and support in your time of loss. Parents and Grandparents welcome to attend, separate sessions available for siblings. Please call 972-547-8659 to RSVP or to obtain more information.

Over Eaters Anonymous. Every Sunday, 5 p.m., and every Wednesday, 7:30 p.m., Medical Center of McKinney's Wysong Campus, 130 S. Central Expressway. The program uses the 12 Steps and 12 Traditions of AA to stop compulsive eating. It is committed to addressing not only the obesity and weight loss aspects, but also the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of an individual.

VA Public Library Summer Schedule

June 7 to July 16

Bilingual Storytime- Tuesdays 3pm ages 6-9- don't have to speak Spanish to enjoy this storytime

Craft Day- Wednesdays 10:15am-11:30am ages 6-13 limited to 24 people

PreSchool Story Time- Weds 10:15am ages 2-kindergarten

Reading Program- read 25 books and receive a prize and a free circus ticket.

Family Night at the Library- 6:30-8 p.m. July 16 and Aug. 20. Families join us for an evening of great fun!

GACC Ribbon Cutting

The Greater Anna Chamber of Commerce will have a ribbon cutting at noon Thursday, July 15, for Braddock Chiropractic and Family Wellness in Van Alstyne.

Rainwater Harvesting Workshop

Do you want to keep your plants healthy and conserve precious water resources? A Rainwater Harvesting workshop aimed at water conservation will be offered to the public Thursday, July 15, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the second floor Assembly Room at the Grayson County Courthouse in Sherman.

The workshop will be taught by, Dotty Woodson, Ph.D., Program Specialist-Water Resources, Texas AgriLife Extension Service, Dallas Research & Extension Center. As part of the presentation Dr. Woodson will demonstrate the assembly of a 55-gallon rainwater collection barrel designed to capture water for gardens and household plants. At the end of the session, the demonstration rain barrel will be given away as a door prize to one lucky participant.

Participants should enter through the south doors of the courthouse. The workshop is free and no reservations are required. The workshop is sponsored by the Grayson County Master Gardeners and the Texas AgriLife Extension office. For more information on the class as well as for other home lawn and garden information, call the Grayson County Master Gardeners at 903-813-4204.

Anna Soccer Sign-Ups

All soccer sign-ups will be held at Advantage Storage (located on F.M. 455 between Oak Hollow and Taco Bell/KFC). Fall outdoor soccer sign-ups will be Saturday, July 17, and Saturday, July 24, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The fall season will begin the middle of September with practices starting in August. Outdoor soccer is for boys and girls ages 4 to 15 (Please bring a copy of your child's birth certificate). For further information, call 214-952-5816, email anna_soccer04@yahoo.com or check the AYSA website at www.annasports.org.

Guest Musicians

Melissa Church of God will host the talented bluegrass group, Hearts & Strings, this Sunday at 6 p.m. All are welcome and there is no cost. The Church of God is located on the northwest corner of Red River and Harrison streets in Melissa.

Operation Safe Place Presentation

The Anna Fire Department will host a presentation on Operation Safe Place at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 20, at the fire station.

Eldercare Friends Volunteer Training

The Visiting Nurse Association's Eldercare Friends program is looking for volunteers in Collin County to visit the homebound elderly and provide assistance with shopping, escorted transportation, errands and other activities.

Volunteer training will be from noon to 1 p.m. July 21 at the Visiting Nurse Association's headquarters, the Patrick and Beatrice Haggerty Center, located at 1440 W. Mockingbird Lane in Dallas. Volunteer training also can be scheduled by appointment. There is no cost to attend a volunteer training class, but registration is requested. Contact Nancy Jellinek, VNA Eldercare Friends manager, at 214-689-2209 or jellinekn@vnatexas.org.

Library Moving and Closeout Sale

July 22 and 23, 3-6 p.m.

July 24, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Sale will be held at the old library building, 1713 Cooper St. in Melissa.

Books for sale include collections, devotional, fiction, historical, reference, children and more.

Movies, audio books and miscellaneous items are also available.

Proceeds go to Friends of the Melissa Public Library. Come find a treasure and help support the Friends.

Melissa Blood Drive

The American Red Cross will sponsor a blood drive from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 27, in the First Baptist Church Melissa Fellowship Hall.

Ancient astronomers in Mediterranean countries came up with the phrase "dog days" for the hottest period of the summer. The dog days arrive around July 4 and are here to stay through Aug. 11.

The astronomers defined the dog days as extending from 20 days before to 20 days after the conjunction of Sirius (the Dog Star) and our sun. This conjunction happened to coincide with the worst days of summer, when folks were especially plagued by disease and discomfort.

The blood supply typically teeters at low levels during the summer months due to travel schedules and the closure of schools and colleges--the source of 20 percent of blood donations.

We want you to know the air conditioning is on at American Red Cross blood donation centers and blood drives throughout the region. So make plans to escape the heat by scheduling your blood donation appointment today!

How to Donate Blood:

Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (773-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment today. All blood types are needed to ensure the Red Cross maintains an adequate blood supply. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Donors must be in general good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old. New height and weight restrictions apply to donors younger than 19. Visit redcrossblood.org to learn more.

Creative Round-Up

Register now for the Home Town Ties Creative Round-Up. A full day of activities, including creative writing, poetry and memoir workshops, constructive emails and more. The day is just $30 (including lunch). There will also be a social hour and banquet at the end of the day for $20 more. Half of all proceeds will be used to start a library in Anna. So mark your calendar for July 31 and join us at the Collin County Adventure Camp. For registration and more details, visit www.HomeTownTies.com.

FUMC Howe Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School

FUMC of Howe

810 N. Denny St.

Howe, Tx. 75459

Aug. 1-5

6-8 p.m.

Egypt

Joseph's Journey from prison to palace

All ages 4 and up are welcome.

FUMC phone number 903-532-6718

Anna Program Seeks Mentors

The Anna Mentor Program provides support to Anna ISD students in sixth grade through high school. Each mentor is asked to meet with his or her student once a month and help the student in making healthy life decisions. The program was established in 2004 and continues today with more than 20 local adults that are assisting Anna students in completing their education and learning life skills that will assist them in being contributors to the community. The Mentor Program will have a professional training event Tuesday morning, Aug. 3. Anyone interested in being a mentor volunteer can learn more about the program by contacting Debbie Reutelhuber at Anna ISD, 972-924-1000, or Jim Rountree at 972-924-3202.

Anna Football Media Day

The Anna ISD Athletic Department will host a football media day for the 2010 season at 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 20.