Month: February 2015

Sole-cial Butterflies Release Cookbook

IMG_0029_2Press release

IMG_2067The Sole-cial Butterflies have found another way to raise money for their annual Susan G. Komen Walk for the Cure outings: A cookbook!

The Cooking for a Cure cookbook sells for $15 with all proceeds going to breast cancer research. Cookbooks are being sold at Coles, Expressions, Ship Shop, The Needle Niche, Come and Take It, and Chasing Rabbits as of now. They are also available by emailing [email protected].

The Sole-­cial Butterflies team was formed in February 2011 on a whim by two sisters, Janna Livingston and Rae Wilson. Janna saw an advertisement on television for the Dallas Susan G. Komen 3-­‐Day 60 Mile Walk for the Cure in November 2011 and contacted Rae to see if she would be interested in participating. Continue reading “Sole-cial Butterflies Release Cookbook”

Cross Roads Bobcats Are Area Champions

catsThe Cross Roads Bobcats won their second consecutive playoff game in overtime, beating the Waco Meyer Ravens, 70-66, tonight.

With the win, the Bobcats moved to 20-11 on the season.

Next up for the Bobcats will be the Regional Quarterfinal against the winner of tomorrow night’s LaPoynor-Chilton game. Location TBD.

Texas Senate Wants Tax Cuts. What Do You Think?

State Sen. Robert Nichols
State Sen. Robert Nichols

HCN Reports

While the weather has been the big news locally, the Legislature has been in session in Austin. The big news this week are proposals that would cut $4.6 billion.

The following was part of State Sen. Robert Nichols’ weekly column:

Lt. Governor Dan Patrick and Senator Jane Nelson, Chair of Senate Finance Committee, held a press conference this week to announce three recently filed bills which would reduce the state’s property and business taxes by $4.6 billion. Senate Bill 1 will more than double the homestead exemption from $15,000 to approximately $33,500. This number will continue to increase as the price of the average home increases.

Senate Bill 7 would permanently reduce the rate of the business franchise tax by 15 percent, allowing businesses more opportunity to grow. The third bill, Senate Bill 8, would allow businesses with $4 million or less in annual revenues to be exempt from paying the franchise tax. This cut would provide relief to small and medium sized businesses across the state. I am a co-author on all of these bills and will work this session to ensure we are finding ways to provide tax relief for the people of Texas.

Not everybody agrees this is a great idea, however.

In a story by the Austin American-Statesman, Texans Care for Children CEO Eileen Garcia said:

“The Legislature shouldn’t take billions in revenue off the table while the state is shortchanging foster kids’ safety and cramming 25 or 30 pre-K students into some classrooms. Our Legislature’s responsibility is to make sure Texans’ needs are met before looking at giveaways.”

According to the Statesman article, the combined legislation would cut about $2.5 billion from education.

So what do you think about the tax cut plan? Is it the right thing to do?

The Color of Ideas Art Show

2014-11-11 23By Philokalia Jones/Special to HCN

“Agape House,” Michael and Catherine Lenz’ home at 801 E. Tyler Street in Athens, announces the opening of “The Color of Ideas Art Show,” Saturday, March 7 at 7 p.m. Featured artist for the event is abstract artist, Carolyn Ellis.

Ellis’ entire approach to making art is to use line, form and color to explore imaginative, interior realities, which, while unattached to the objective world we see around us, are rich and full with meaning for those who are ready for the journey. According to Ellis, “To get anything out of my artwork you have to be willing to create meaning and context for what you are looking at, to find your story, so to speak. For me, every color adds to the story: red for passion, blue for peace, yellow for energy, black for the darkness that shadows us all at some point in our lives.”

The Color of Ideas Art Opening coming to Agape House next Saturday will include live music, a reception, and, most of all, five rooms of Carolyn Ellis’ artwork. If you are interested in reflective abstract art, this is your show!