What Can We Do To Save Our Drinking Water? - Dr. Ben Magee will speak Thursday, July 20 at 7 PM at the Homer Fire Station, in the first of a series of water awareness programs being sponsored by the LSU AgCenter. The meeting is free and the public is encouraged to attend to learn more about the critical status of the Sparta Aquifer. For more info, call 927-3110.   Public Forum On Education To Be Held August 2 - A panel of parish and state officials have been invited to discuss the future of education in Claiborne Parish at a public forum to be held Wednesday, August 2 beginning at 6:30 PM at the Homer High School auditorium. Any citizen, parent, or teacher concerned about education in this parish should attend this meeting. The forum will address local educational concerns--from mandated high stakes testing to the future of the local vo-tech school. The forum is being sponsored by The Guardian-Journal and the Education Committee formed through the LSU AgCenter's CLED Seminar held last fall. For more information, call Susan Herring at 927-3541.   S. Claiborne Water System Will Not Charge State Fee - The South Claiborne Water System decided at their June board meeting not to assess the new fee being assessed in conjunction with the Louisiana Safe Drinking Water Program. President Donald Tucker and board members Fred Smith, Derrell Spurlock, Floyd Dean, and Lamar Pace voted to absorb the cost for now. Tucker said they may eventually be forced to raise rates, but they won't until it is necessary.   Morning Hunter Education Classes Begin August 9 - Hunter Education Classes will be held at the Homer Fire Station August 9, 10, and 12, from 8 AM-Noon. Pre-registration is required as classes are limited to 30 persons. Participants must be at least ten years old. Call Deputy Ken Bailey at the Sheriff's Office at 927-2011.   American Legion Post 161 Haynesville To Meet July 20 - The American Legion Post 161 will meet Thursday, July 20 at Carol's Cafe in Haynesville at 11:30 AM. The Post meets every third Thursday.   Claiborne Academy Work Days July 22, August 12 - The Claiborne Academy Booster Club will hold work days Sat. July 22 and August 12 beginning at 8 AM. All are encouraged to participate. Bring yard tools (weed eaters, rakes, etc.) paint supplies (brushes, rollers, etc.) cleaning supplies, drinks and snacks.   Cancer Support Group To Meet Thursday, July 20 - "The Group," a local cancer support group for men and women of all ages will meet the third Thursday of odd months beginning tonight, July 20, from 6:30-8:00 PM at Grace Bible Church, 113 Beech Street in Homer For more info, call John Markley at 927-6009, Gaye Brunson at 927-2024, or Julie Shirley at (318) 513-2062, or visit their website at www.nlcancersupport.ohgolly.com.   Lake Claiborne State Park, "Exotics: Friend Or Foe" - On Saturday, July 22 from 7-8 PM, the park naturalist at Lake Claiborne State Park will discuss the negative and positive effects of a wide variety of non-native plants and animals on the environment. For more information call 927-2976.   Football Physicals For Homer High And Jr. High - Homer High football physicals will be Monday, July 31 at 3 PM at the fieldhouse. All incoming freshmen must bring a copy of their birth certificate. Homer Jr. High athletes who plan to play football this fall need to be at Homer Jr. High on Thursday, July 27 at 2:30 PM for physicals.   Social Security Launches Work Website - For important information on Social Security, return-to-work programs and work incentives, and training programs for people with disabilities, go to www.ssa.gov/work or call 1-800-772-1213.   Ford Museum Is Seeking Church Artifacts, Histories - In preparation for the upcoming exhibit this fall, Folklife Traditions of Religion in Claiborne Parish, the Ford Museum is searching for church photographs (past and present), photographs depicting stained glass windows, church histories, and artifacts from the past. Call 927-9190.   *Free Cancer Screening And Free Transportation - The Feist-Weiller Cancer Center at LSU Medical Center is sponsoring a free community "Partners in Wellness" health screening program at several Shreveport locations Sat., July 22, from 7:30 AM-2 PM. It is open to anyone not receiving routine health screening for prostate, colorectal, breast, or cervical cancer, or cardiovascular disease. The exam includes blood pressure, weight, height, diabetic screening, and cholesterol. Free transportation provided by the CCC. For appointment or info, call 247-8900 or 247-6640.   Park Naturalist To Discuss "Scary Creatures" July 29 - Visitors and guests can make friends with snakes, insects, bats and other misunderstood creatures as the site naturalist at Lake Claiborne State Park guides a hike through the park on Saturday, July 22 from 7-8 PM, discussing the positive benefits these creatures provide. Call 1-888-677-2524 or 318-927-2976 locally.   Triad Of Claiborne Sets Date For Senior Expo - Triad's SALT Council will sponsor its 7th Annual Senior Expo Saturday, August 26, at the Haynesville Fair Barn. The program will include senior fitness, long term care preparation, AARP benefits, Medicare -Medicaid update, entertainment and door prizes. Free health check. Contact Alf Pike at 927-2011 or 927-3796.   Claiborne Parish Student Release Applications At CPSB - The Claiborne Parish School Board recently put into effect guidelines for parents/guardians requesting a release for their child from Claiborne Parish Schools. Approved releases would allow parents/guardians to seek educational services for their child in other parish school systems while still residing in Claiborne Parish. The School Board will grant out-of-district releases only in exceptional cases where a hardship (not inconvenience) is clearly demonstrated. Releases approved are for no longer than one school year. Students who were released for the 99-00 school session much re-apply for the 00-01 school session. Applications and copies of release guidelines are available at the School Board office at 415 East Main in Homer.				Sesquicentennial Meeting Will Be Monday, July 24 - The next meeting of Homer's Sesquicentennial Planning Committee will be Monday, July 24 at 5:15 PM at the Homer City Hall.   Country, Bluegrass, Gospel Music Every Friday In Homer - Every Friday night in downtown Homer, amateur musicians from all over the Ark-La-Tex meet at the Homer Fire Station to enjoy a little country, bluegrass, gospel, and fellowship. Anyone is welcome to join in, or just sit back and enjoy. For more information, call Ed Dettenheim at 927-5253 or Jerry Brown at 927-3792.   Deadline To Sign Up For "Taste Of Homer" Extended - Individuals, businesses, restaurants, or churches interested in preparing a favorite dish for the "Taste Of Homer" on Saturday, November 11 during Homer's Sesquicentennial Celebration should sign up immediately and submit their recipes. Persons need only prepare a dish as they would for a reunion or a covered dish supper. Their recipe will be published in the "Sesquicentennial Cookbook," along with historical information and pictures of Homer and the surrounding Homer. Books will be sold during the festival. For more information, call Cookbook Chairman Ivy Lewis at 927-6197 or mail your recipe to Rebecca McDaniel at 2606 Hwy 146, Homer, LA 71040.   Allen Nipper Is Looking For "Men With Beards" - In conjunction with Homer's Sesquicentennial, Beard Contest Chairman Allen Nipper is looking for entrants in a "Beard Growing Contest" beginning with a "Shave Off" on the Courthouse Square. Awards will be given to longest beard from scratch, longest beard, best looking beard on an elected official, and best looking beard in 1850 costume. For more info, call Nipper at 927-2578.   Items Being Collected For Sesquicentennial Time Capsule - Pam Suggs, Claiborne Parish Librarian, is seeking items that reflect the community in year 2000 for the time capsule to be buried as part of the Sesquicentennial Celebration on November 11. Any civic organization, school, church or individual interested in making a contribution or to obtain more information about what items can be submitted, call Suggs at the Claiborne Parish Public Library at 927-3845.   Mt. Olive Christian School To Hold 18th Annual Rodeo - Mt. Olive Christian School is gearing up for its 18th annual rodeo scheduled for July 28-29. The Simmon's Rodeo Contractors will furnish the stock. Clown Rudy Burns will be the nightly entertainment at 8 PM each night at Gantt's arena on Hwy. 518 east of Athens.   State Park Presents "Exploring The Night" On August 5 - Test your senses on a night hike through the park. Join the park naturalist on Saturday, August 5 from 8-9 PM for a hike to learn the sites, sounds, and smells of the night. Call 1-888-677-2524 or 927-2976.   Newspaper Still Being Collected At City Hall - Please continue to recycle your newspapers by dropping them off at Homer City Hall (old fire station).   Grief Support Group Meets 1st And 3rd Mondays - The Grief Support Group meets every 1st and 3rd Monday at 6 PM at the Homer Memorial Hospital Conference Room. The Group is open to anyone experiencing grief over a recent or past loss. For more info, call Toni Camp at 371-1140 or Kaye Spring at 927-2024.   Smoke Detectors For The Elderly Offered through TRIAD - TRIAD of Claiborne wants all seniors age 65 and above, to have a smoke detector. You may also qualify if you're disabled. Having a smoke detector can mean the difference of life or death. Smoke detectors are available without charge. If you don't have a smoke detector, call Alf Pike at 927-2011 or 927-3296.   D.A.R.T. In Homer Every Thursday From 9-12 AM - D.A.R.T. of Lincoln is committed to ending domestic violence by providing shelter, legal assistance and counseling. Representatives are in Homer every Thursday from 9 AM to 12 PM. For more info call (800) 281-7885 or the 24-Hour Crisis Line at (318) 251-2255.   Claiborne Parish Police Jury Offers $500 Reward - In order to alleviate littering and illegal dumping of trash on rural parish roads, the Claiborne Parish Police Jury is offering a $500 reward to anyone offering information which leads to the prosecution of someone dumping illegally or littering parish roads within Claiborne Parish. If you have information, please call the Police Jury office at 927-2222 or the Claiborne Parish Sheriff's Office at 927-2011.   Claiborne One Site Additions Under Construction! - The complete Community Service Directory originally produced by The Family First Coalition will be presented online. Information covered includes: Educational Programs & Resources, Hotlines, Health & Medical Resources, Social & Community Programs, Clubs & Organizations, Related Internet Resources and much more. Portions are now online with additions monthly.      The Internet Multi-Search page searches/opens up to six sites with one entry. A variety of links are planned: Search Engines, Meta-Search Engines, International News, Online Newspapers, News/Discussion Groups, Sports News, Software, General Entertainment, Acceptable Sites for Teens, Kids/Educational, Travel, Job Search, Financial/Stock Market News, Online Shopping, as well as Clip Art, HTML and Javascript Repositories. Many links are now online with more coming monthly!   Claiborne Parish School District Web Site is Now Under Construction - Developed and maintained by The Claiborne Parish School Board, the Claiborne Parish School District Web Site will provide information on our School District, Central Office Staff, Parish Schools, Parent/Teacher Resources, a parish-wide Educator Email Directory, Area Technology Developements, and an Employment Opportunity Listing with an online application for employment in the Claiborne Parish School System.
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