World Premiere of Lone Star Trilogy Announcement of New Work of Texas Culture and Heritage

AMARILLO ~ Lone Star Ballet presents the world premiere of the Joseph H. and Arlene Pool presentation of Lone Star Trilogy, billed as an epic celebration of the lives of three extraordinary pioneer women.

Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts

Friday               April 15             8:00 P.M.          Premiere Performance

Saturday           April 16             3:00 P.M.          Matinee

Saturday           April 16             8:00 P.M.          Finale

Tickets are available from $15 - $50 through Panhandle Tickets at 378-3096 or PanhandleTickets.com.

Contact Lone Star Ballet for group rates.

·        Lone Star Ballet Season of Dance

Lone Star Trilogy is the final production of the 35^th anniversary season of Lone Star Ballet (LSB).  With this new work, Lone Star Trilogy, the company turns to the heritage, history and culture of its own surroundings.

Established in 1975, the not for profit arts organization seeks to fulfill its mission to “produce and promote the art of dance; and contribute to the education, culture and entertainment of the people of the Texas Panhandle.” 

·        Conceived by King Hill   

The story is conceived and copyrighted by King Hill, long time theatre director, performer, and historian.  Hill authored the concise summation of the story, stating it is “an epic celebration of the lives of three extraordinary pioneer women boldly staged with dance, unique sound, lights and noted narrators.” 

·        Original Choreography by Director of Dance Vicki McLean

Original choreography is created by Director of Dance Vicki McLean, who states, “The work is exciting and vibrant, and vividly portrays the lives of these brave women.”   Invigorated by the creative process and the creation of new work she explains, “The work is fresh and spirited.  Lone Star Trilogy is ideal for all ages, families, and individuals who share the vision and traditions of our heritage and those who would like to experience this heritage.”

Describing her choreography for this production, McLean says, “It is a culmination of styles of dance and ideas based on each woman’s story and the emotions that epitomize the human elements of love, sorrow, joy, and courage.”

·        Original Music by Dr. Benjamin Brooks

Original music is composed by Dr. Benjamin Brooks of The Sybil B. Harrington School of Fine Arts at West Texas A&M University.  The music is intended to invoke the spirit of the Texas Panhandle and includes broad themes of heroics, fright, strength, delicacy and rugged individualism.

·        Kwahadi Indian Dancers

A portion of the production includes strong collaboration with the Kwahadi Indian Dancers  based in Amarillo.  Authentic dances including The Sneak Up Dance and The Buckskin Dance are used to enhance the story, and are performed by members of the Kwahadi Dancers.  Tribe member Daniel Rigsby plays the double flute, an authentic Native American instrument, to music he composed himself.  

·        On Original Lone Star Ballet Production

Original sets and costumes are designed and produced by the LSB Production team.  Vido Rhodes, Production Manager, uses projections of high definition video as a back-drop to the action. Footage was taken of the West Texas plains and includes historic scenes from Boys Ranch at Old Tascosa.  Elaine Seaton, Costume Director, uses historical apparel to lend  authenticity to the period production.

·        Historical Characters – Pioneer Women of the Texas Panhandle

The story portrays the lives of Mary Ann (Molly) Goodnight, Cynthia Ann Parker, and dance hall girl and early Tascosa settler, “Frenchy” McCormick.  The performance is composed in three acts, dedicated to the unique story of each woman.

·        Cynthia Ann Parker.  

o   The young child of white pioneer settlers 

o   Kidnapped and raised by Comanche Indians 

o   Married to Chief Peta Nacona

o   Mother of Chief Quanah Parker

·        Mary Ann “Molly” Goodnight

o   Wife of Texas Panhandle Rancher, Charles Goodnight

o   Referred to as “The Mother of the Panhandle”

·        “Frenchy” McCormick

o   Notorious Saloon Owner

o   Dancer

o   Last living inhabitant of Old Tascosa

·        More from Vicki Mclean, Director of Dance at Lone Star Ballet:

“These three women were Trail Blazers.   These women, as I do know, loved this land, the people, the men to whom they dedicated their lives, and the adventure of the unknown.  I believe Cynthia Ann, Molly, and Frenchy represent the grace, strength, and beauty that personifies all the women of the Texas Panhandle, past and present.  I am honored to blaze this artistic trail to bring to life again these marvelous characters and the people they so dearly loved, or hated, and their relationship to this wonderful land they, (and we), call home.”  -  Vicki McLean, Director of Dance at Lone Star Ballet

Amarillo College Moore County Campus Director Honored by Dumas Business Women

When Renee Vincent moved to Dumas to become executive director of Amarillo College’s Moore County Campus, she found not only a fledgling branch campus to guide but an industrious community to serve.

That she met both happy tasks with equal enthusiasm has not gone unnoticed within the community, and certainly not by the professional women of Dumas.

For her exceptional leadership, extensive volunteerism, and dedicated support of working women throughout Moore County, Vincent has been named Community Woman of the Year by the Dumas chapter of Texas Business Women.

She received the honor at a Dumas Business Women dinner March 24 during Business Women’s Week in Texas, as proclaimed by Gov. Rick Perry.   Click to go to Amarillo College website for more of the story.

Spring Book Sale For Friends Of The Library

Spring Book Sale for Friends of the Library.

March 31st, April 1st and April 2nd

Dates: Thursday  9:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Friday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Saturday 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Location: Killgore Memorial Library

Great buys on books and proceeds go to buy items for the Library. 

Last Day To Register To Vote

See more at Votexas.org  

May 14, 2011 - Uniform Election Date

**First Day to File for Place on Ballot (for cities and schools ONLY) (filing deadline for other political subdivisions may vary)	Saturday, February 12, 2011 (first day to file does not move forward)
**Last Day to File for Place on Ballot, Local General Election	Monday, March 14, 2011 at 5:00 p.m.
Last Day to Order General Election	Monday, March 14, 2011 (deadline is extended to next business day)
First Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail	Tuesday, March 15, 2011 (does not apply to FPCA)
Last Day to Register to Vote	Thursday, April 14, 2011
First Day of Early Voting By Personal Appearance	Monday, May 2, 2011
Last Day to Apply for Ballot by Mail (Received, not Postmarked)	Friday, May 6, 2011 (May 7, 2011 is the seventh day, but deadline moves back topreceding business day, Friday)
Last Day of Early Voting By Personal Appearance	Tuesday, May 10, 2011

School Board Cancelled School Board Election

The annual school election for the Dumas ISD have been canceled after no challengers filed to oppose incumbent candidates.  The final filing deadline was March 14th for candidates seeking one of three available seats on the Dumas ISD Board of Trustees.

As a result, Joe Ballard, Kevin Weatherford and Brent Clark  will retain their seats and be sworn in on May 23, 2011.

By State Senator Robert F. Deuell and State Representative Four Price

In Texas and across the country, the number of sports-related concussions in young athletes is on the rise.  Nationwide, concussions are alarmingly commonplace, particularly among students participating in aggressive sports.  Pediatrics, a medical journal, reports that from 1997 to 2007, emergency room visits for concussions (brain injuries) sustained by middle school and high school athletes had increased by more than 200%.  High school football players alone sustain 100,000 diagnosed concussions every year.  And guaranteeing girls equal access to sports has also guaranteed them equal access to injuries like concussions.   The truth is, we simply don't know how many mild concussions get passed off as a little bump or are ignored by players who are anxious to get back in the game.  The amount of information available on the causes and treatment of concussions has grown rapidly in the last several years.  We know that when two skulls collide - or when the skull hits a stationary object, like the ground - the deceleration is sudden; however, the brain stays in motion for an instant, moving through the small intracranial space until it collides with the opposite side of the skull.  Studies say that the best-case scenario in a concussion is that brain tissue compresses into the skull - not once, but twice, as it rebounds - begins swelling, and the shearing force of the energy in the brain damages the cells, disrupting nerve signals.  The worst-case scenario is that blood vessels are ruptured and the brain starts to bleed, which can be fatal. Young people stand to suffer the most from neurological damage.  Their immature brains are still developing, which makes them more susceptible to brain damage and more likely to suffer repetitive injury.  The cell damage from a concussion temporarily interrupts brain activity at a minimum, and may harm long-term cognitive development.  Concussion symptoms may include dizziness, nausea, confusion, slurred speech and memory problems. In May 2010, the U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report on concussions in high school sports that said concussive injuries may be underreported because athletes don't want to be removed from games.  That's why we filed SB 835 and HB 2038, legislation that sets minimum standards for concussion management in Texas schools.  These bills require public schools participating in interscholastic athletics to develop a plan for concussion safety and management and provide support for student athletes who have suffered from a concussion as they return to school and play.  Under our bills, the governing body of each school would be required to designate a concussion oversight team consisting of licensed health professionals trained in the evaluation, treatment and management of concussions who will establish a return-to-play protocol.  It sets restrictions on participation in practice or competition for any student whom a coach, athletic trainer or physician believes might have sustained a concussion.  It also defines procedures for evaluating students based on peer-reviewed scientific evidence and provides a framework for returning them safely to play.  Moreover, the legislation proposes a system of continuing education and training for members of the concussion oversight team and a method for reducing the number of concussion injuries suffered in school athletics.  Thirty states have introduced legislation addressing youth sports-related concussions including five southern "sports-minded" states like Alabama, Florida and Tennessee.  It is time for Texas to take action.  Having worked with many stakeholders to draft comprehensive legislation, we are confident our bills represent a model for others to follow.   When an athlete injures their knee or shoulder, they seek the full extent of medical attention to ensure full recovery.  Concussions can be more damaging to young athletes in both the short and the long term, but are not currently or consistently treated that way.    SB 835 and HB 2038 are key to preventing serious brain injury, and keeping our students healthy and active. Our children's health is key to their futures and to Texas' future, and we must take every step reasonably possible to protect them.

State Senator Robert F. Deuell, a family physician from Greenville, represents Texas Senate District Two, which includes Delta, Hopkins, Hunt, Rockwall, Kaufman, Fannin, Rains and Van Zandt counties, and parts of Dallas and Smith counties.  Representative Four Price, an Amarillo attorney, represents Texas House District 87, which includes Carson, Moore, Potter and Sherman counties.

At Monday, Night's school board meeting there were some unhappy parents and girls softball players.  They had heard that their favorite coach, Coach Mize, contract was up for renewal and it was not going to be renewed.  These parents and grandparents showed up to express their support of Coach Mize and his family.  The school board President, Jordan Mills allowed a spokesperson to speak for the group since this was not an item on the agenda.  Deborah Skinner was the spokesperson and this is what she had to say:

This is a Petition to keep Coach Jason Mize as the Dumas Demonette's Head Softball Coach at Dumas High School.  Coach Mize's Contract was not renewed by the Dumas Independent School District. Coach Mize is also a Health teacher at Dumas High School and coached Freshmen Boys Football. Dumas is in desperate need for a Coach with Coach Mize's work ethic and rapport with the girls. If you would come to a game and watch Coach Mize with the girls you would see a completely different program and attitude than last year. Coach Mize demands respect and respects his players. Good grades are just as important to Coach Mize as a girl's softball abilities. Coach Mize is not only teaching these girls the basics of softball but he is preparing them to be hardworking, successful members of society. Coach Mize has been teaching the girls about skills such as self-discipline, mental toughness, teamwork, accountability, time management, respect for their elders and other critical areas that will help them in their future endeavors. As a parent I have had the opportunity to travel with the team to the Brownsboro Tournament and see firsthand the dedication he gives of himself to mentor these young women. A Coach can not be expected to come in and completely turn a program around in just one year. They need to be given the time and opportunity to build a good program. It will take time and effort on all sides to make the Dumas Softball program a program that will be recognized in the Panhandle and state-wide as a respected softball force. Coach Mize is using techniques used by successful Division I colleges to improve the Demonette Softball program. Also his wife, Jessica Mize, who is a teacher at the Dumas Intermediate School (5th Grade Reading) helps out at the practices and games as a pitching instructor. She played for Seton Hall as a Division I pitcher for the Pirates. The Mize family has come to Dumas to better our community and raise a family. I am asking that you sign your name below if you agree that Coach Mize should be given a second chance to do what he came here to do.  This is to build a super softball program in Dumas.

Deborah Skinner

Deborah did find out that contracts were being voted on at this school board meeting that night and it would be to late to circulate a petition.  Several others got to share about Coach Mize in the ten minutes allotted to them to share their concerns.  This group of parents were very respectful and eloquently spoke to the school board.