On Saturday, Oct. 10, 2009; U.S. Citizens in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, are invited to cast a transparent, and constitutionally correct, paper ballot for up to three (3) citizen delegates to represent their state at the Continental Congress 2009.

For two weeks in November, delegates representing The People of the fifty states will join together in the tradition of the Founding Fathers and their Continental Congress of 1774. Continental Congress 2009 will convene as a national assembly of We The People and attest to the increasing abuses of our Governing Documents. Together, we will decide what peaceful, legal steps can be taken to bring about compliance with our Freedom documents. For voting information see: www.CC2009.us

There will be a Voting Center open Oct 10th,  from 10AM-4PM for walk up paper ballots in Collin County.........
VFW Post 4380
3420 Avenue K, Suite 122
Plano, TX 75074
In the Northeast corner of Parker and Ave. K
(next to Rent-A-Center)
 
For further questions on the Plano Voting Center, please contact Grady Hamlett, the Team Leader for the Plano Voting Center @ 214 681-9420
grady.hamlett2@verizon.net

Plano , TX – Postage will increase this Monday, and a First Class stamp will go from 42 to 44 cents. However, customers can continue to mail letters at today’s prices by purchasing the Forever Stamp before May 11.

“The Forever Stamps were developed to help consumers ease the transition during price changes,” said Jack Weatherford, Plano Postmaster. “Forever Stamps do not have a denomination and will be honored whenever they are used with no need for additional postage for a one-ounce letter mailing. On May 11, the price of a Forever Stamp will be 44 cents.” 

Rising operational costs make the price adjustments necessary; the increase tracks the 2008 rate of inflation. “The Postal Service is not immune to rising costs which are affecting homes and businesses across Plano today,” Weatherford explained. “Even with the increases, the Postal Service continues to offer some of the lowest postage prices in the world.”

For the average household, the First-Class Mail stamp price change will represent an additional $3 over the course of the year. When compared to annual increases in other household expenses, such as groceries, healthcare and utilities, the Postal Service continues to be an economical choice for shipping and mailing during tough economic times. For First-Class Mail, there will be no changes in the current additional ounce price, which remains at 17 cents.

Other price changes on May 11 include:
      • A postcard increases a penny to 28 cents.
      • The first ounce of a large envelope (flat) increases 5 cents to 88 cents.
      • The first ounce of a parcel increases 5 cents to $1.22.
      •  New First-Class Mail International postcard and letter (first ounce) prices are:
                             • Canada – 75 cents
                             • Mexico – 79 cents
                             • Other countries – 98 cents

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An independent federal agency, the U.S. Postal Service is the only delivery service that visits every address in the nation – 146 million homes and businesses. It has 37,000 retail locations and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to pay for operating expenses, not tax dollars. The Postal Service has annual revenues of $75 billion and delivers nearly half the world’s mail.
and other media resources, visit the USPS Newsroom at www.usps.com/news.

Classic Gardens & Landscape and the Murphy Messenger will once again host a Pumpkin Decorating and Costume Contest with tours through the Haunted Greenhouses. This year’s event will be on Saturday, October 27th, 10 a.m. until 12 noon at Classic Gardens on FM 544 in Murphy next to Hobert Pools.

Don Tafelski, Classic Gardens owner, has ordered a large quantity of pumpkins for this year’s event. You may buy your pumpkin in advance and save your receipt, or you may purchase your pumpkin the day of the decorating contest. Please bring your own carving and decorating supplies/materials with you on the 27th.  Tables will be set up by 10 a.m. when carvers and decorators may begin demonstrating their creativity.

Shelly Ferrell, Classic Gardens employee, is excited about the haunted greenhouses and is planning a few new surprises that visitors will find lurking among the plants and shrubs beginning at 11 a.m.! While the parade of costumes moves through the greenhouses, judges will be choosing winners by age group.

Sonic Drive-In and Albertson’s will once again be an important part of the fun and excitement. There will be prizes and free candy, too.
 
Plan to bring the family and join in the fun. The greenhouses are not super scary and of course the tours are done in daylight surroundings.

Mary Zumwalt is going to Las Vegas in November to represent the state of Texas at the Ms. Senior America Pageant!

Competing in Dallas on Saturday, August 11th, against 21 contestants from around the state, Mary walked away with the crown and honor of being named Ms. Senior Texas 2007.

Contestants were judged on their philosophy of life, talent, evening gown presentation and their interviews with the judges.

For the talent portion of the competition, Mary performed an original piano piece that she composed and arranged. Mary has been playing piano since the age of 3, both reading music and playing by ear, which she says is a truly God given gift. Mary uses her piano talents at Murphy Road Baptist Church, the Plano Senior Citizens Center and for her friends’ enjoyment. 

We wish Ms. Senior Texas 2007, Mary Zumwalt, the very best of luck when she represents Murphy and Texas in the National pageant. Mary is married to Jack Zumwalt and they are Murphy residents.

The website: www.geocaching.com will give you a detailed explanation of this fun/educational – family/individual - recreation/hobby, but I learned about it first hand from Murphy resident, David Hawkins.

When I asked David about his favorite pastime and sport, and yes, geocaching is considered a sport, he said, “If you like orienteering, a compass, being sneaky and scavenger hunts, you’ll like geocaching.” The website, mentioned above, defines geocaching as an entertaining adventure game for GPS (Global Positioning System) users.

The term geocaching is formed from “geo,” the part that refers to geography, and “caching” the part that pertains to a “cache” or storage, and also means a place to hide things. That part of the game I thought might be easier until I saw how a “cache” is often disguised and hidden. “If it was a bear it could bite you,” comes to mind.

Click on "Full Story" for more information on this family activity,