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TEXAS

Have you ever looked at a map of the world? Look at Texas with me just for a second. That picture, with the Panhandle and the Gulf Coast , and the Red River and the Rio Grande is as much a part of you as anything ever will be. As soon as anyone anywhere in the world looks at it they know what it is.  It's Texas.  Pick any kid off the street in Japan and draw him a picture of Texas in the dirt and he'll know what it is. What happens if I show you a picture of any other state? You might get it maybe after a second or two, but who else would? And even if you do, does it ever stir any feelings in you?  Full Story

 The Magic of Children’s Theater

By Kathryn E. Eriksen

Magic happened on stage at the Fine Arts Center inside Waxahachie High School!  Sixty boys and girls (from 5 years old to 16) played their roles to perfection and brought “Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs” to life – right here in Waxahachie.

Ellis County Children’s Theater (ECCT) sponsored the weeklong theater camp and the two performances on Saturday.  With the expert help provided by Calida Davis and Justin Deater from Missoula Children’s Theatre, the cast and crew from Waxahachie created a show that was enjoyed by all. Full Story

 The Robots Lead the Way Home

By Kathryn E. Eriksen

The new Disney/Pixar movie, “Wall-e” provides a glimpse into the future of mankind.  The planet is so toxic from accumulated waste and pollution that it has been abandoned.  Nothing grows there and certainly no human lives there.

Except Wall-e, a robot whose sole purpose is to clean up the planet.  But Wall-e is more than just a machine.  He has a highly developed sense of curiosity and wonder, but no one is around to share his discoveries.  Until one day, when a space ship almost lands on Wall-e and the most beautiful robot in the world begins scanning the landscape for clues.

The resulting love story and adventure are very entertaining and enlightening.  Joy and laughter are found in the oddest places, but the identification with those emotions triggers a similar reaction in the viewer.  The juxtaposition of nostalgic love songs and movie clips heightens the emotional content.  Here we are – 700 years in the future – and we still hum along with old show tunes. Full Story / Video Trailer

Celebrate Idependence Day -11th Annual Crape Myrtle Festival

The patriotic celebration will begin on Thursday, July 3 at 6 p.m. with a Tailgate Party in the parking lot of Lumpkins Stadium.  Jon Christopher Davis will take the stage at 7 p.m. for a concert presented by Chicago Title Insurance Company represented by Trinity Abstract & Title Co. 

Spectators are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and their barbecue grills to cook-out before or during the show.  The tailgate party will also feature a children’s area with a rock climbing wall and bounce house activities.

Following the concert will be the spectacular H-E-B fireworks display.  Tune into KBEC Classic Country 1390 for a live broadcast of the fireworks to music.  More information

On July 4, the celebration will continue at 10 a.m. with a hometown parade.   The parade will start at College Street and end in Getzendaner Park .  The Crape Myrtle Festival and Parade are FREE to the public. 

Other activities taking place for the weekend include: the Cowboy Church of Ellis County's First Annual Family Fun Day, the "1320 X - A Celebration of the American Muscle Car" at the Texas Motorplex and "Songwriters Saturday in the Park."  For details on all of these events, visit www.waxahachiechamber.com  |  Additional inforation

 Cars in the Park - Classic Car Show A Success! 

1st Annual Cars in the Park at Getzendaner Park

The First Annual Cars in the Park was held on Saturday, June 28,2008, in Getzendaner Park.  The Midlothian Classic Wheels Club says based on  the size of the turnout, this will be an annual event . Jointly sponsored by the Waxahachie Daily Light   and many other organizations and businesses, many prizes and awards were given to the numerous entrants. Full Story | Photos | Video

 A Granddaughter!

by Donna Seeds 

 I think I've forgotten my name...where am I?  In some kind of  twilight zone?

 We've had Audrey, the granddaughter, for ten days now.  I've forgotten  what it was like to take a shower by myself, a poop or a pee, a good night's sleep, or to touch my husband.  A meal, a visit to the grocery, a walk through the house, a seat at the computer, to watch a television program and actually hear the dialogue...except "Why this and WHY that?"

Full Story

 Neven Simpson to Receive Award 

 AUSTIN, Texas - Waxahachie area student, Neven Simpson, has been selected to receive the prestigious Texas Exes Award for Scholarship and Leadership. Simpson attended Waxahachie High School where she was captain of the volleyball team and president of the school's community service organization, Interact Club. Neven was also very involved in the Waxahachie community, volunteering for Habitat for Humanity, the Special Olympics and numerous other organizations. She will enter The University of Texas at Austin in August and plans to study communications. Full Story

  Food World

Here's something you don't see every day!  These scenes have been created entirely with food! A world total made up of food! Full Story

 2 DAY Auction At The Greenery

Friday, July 4th   Noon – 5:00 Saturday, July 5th  *  9:00 am – 5:00. The Greenery  3708 N. Hwy 77  Waxahachie  972-617-5459. Preview Wednesday & Thursday   July 2nd & 3rd - Parking at Pete’s Tire (next door to The Greenery)

Catered By Bill Kelley - Famous “Lone Star Barbeque & Catering” - Absolute Auction No Minimum Bid  More information

Recycle Day at Red Oak Elementary

First grade students at ROE had a special day to learn about recycling.  This included learning the 3 R’s recycle, reduce and reuse.  Students sorted items to be recycled by looking for the recycling numbers on the items. They learned how to reduce trash and reused milk cartons from lunch to make bird feeders. Students also learned about composting and how it helps the garden.  They used their banana peel from their snack to go in the compost pile. The 1st graders also made new paper from old used paper.  It was a very exciting and educational day. Photos 

Related Story: Red Oak High School breaks ground for new building.
 

 Amazing striped icebergs

An iceberg is a large piece of freshwater ice that has broken off from a snow-formed glacier or ice shelf and is floating in open water.

Icebergs are monitored worldwide by the U.S. National Ice Center (NIC), established in 1995, which produces analyses and forecasts of Arctic, Antarctic, Great Lakes and Chesapeake Bay ice conditions. More than 95% of the data used in its sea ice analyses are derived from the remote sensors on polar-orbiting satellites that survey these remote regions of the Earth. Full Story

Katrina Awesome and Terrifying

Whoever said, 'awesome and terrifying' is telling the truth!

These pictures were made by a man in  Magee ,  MS  where the eye of the storm passed thru - what an experience. Magee is 150 miles North of Waveland,  Mississippi, where the Hurricane made landfall.

The dance with Katrina, part of her beauty as she left destruction on her exit. They are remarkably dramatic. Full Story

  For the faithful readers of Waxahachie Journal, please indulge me.
For good or bad, I am a BB and I am about to turn....50.  So I felt compelled to write about my thoughts, feelings and experiences to sort through this life changing event.  And to hopefully hit on some insights that will help me (and you) transition into this new phase with joy, laughter and panache.

For those folks who are not Baby Boomers, your time will come. Hopefully, there are words of wisdom that you may find, to either set aside for the day when you need it most, or to share with your family and friends.  Either way, enjoy!

Part 3 in a series of "50 is Your Number"

The Game of Life

By Kathryn E. Eriksen

Turning 50 is a milestone of sorts – you survived the tumultuous teenage years, your career (or careers) has been established, and you either have a family or you enjoy an adult-oriented lifestyle.  But the middle point of life (which 50 represents to me) is a time to reflect and wonder about the Game of Life.   Full Story

  New Technologies

High Capacity Pocket-Size Travel Charger

Meet the next generation of solar chargers and our new top pick for portable power. Though its solar cells are rated at just 1W, the new Solio's high-capacity battery and onboard firmware provide a variable output as high as 8W — nearly double the needs of most gear. Three solar blades retract neatly to keep it pocket-size, and it holds a charge for up to a year. Includes Nokia, Samsung, Motorola, and Mini USB tips (many others available), cable, AC adapter with international plug set, 12V female adapter, and suction cup. Optional urban-hip case made of recycled inner tubes. More Information

Global Warming Action Kits

Give the Earth a gift this season! Lose up to 10,000s ibs of CO2 with our Global Warming Actions Kits.

What’s the fastest way to reduce your contributions to climate change? Our exclusive new Global Warming Action Kits! This year, instead of driving to the mall to buy more stuff, give your loved ones and the Earth a gift that really makes a difference: Prevent the production of 10,000 lbs of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions with our new Global Warming Action Kits. USA.  More information

 Could this be our future mode of Transportation!? I hope so!

The SkyCycle

The Super Sky Cycle is a cross between a gyroplane with folding rotor blades and a lightweight, three-wheeled motorcycle, Neal said. “The result is a vehicle that can both drive on the road, park in the family garage, and fly through the air,“ he said. “Now, instead of just reading about them, you can buy one. They’re real!”

“I’ve flown the Super Sky Cycle in front of thousands of people at air shows, and more have seen the television news coverage,” Neal said. “Almost unanimously people tell me this is an idea whose time has come.” Full Story

Check out the New Waxahachie Journal Green Store featuring environmentally friendly non-tox products for home and garden. Product information and  reviews.  Go to Store

New Section

Going Green in your Home. Check out all the new information about having a more environmentally friendly home. From your kitchen, bathroom, bed room and your whole house, things you can do to not only save money but to help our environment! more information

What's New in Pet Fashion!. . . .Doggles!

Doggles are the original protective eyewear for dogs, and the preferred choice among search and rescue, police, and military dogs. Comfortable and stylish, they're perfect for hunting and working dogs, post-eye surgery, light sensitivity, or car trips. Snug-fitting Doggles adjust to protect eyes from foreign objects, wind, and 100% of UV light. Two adjustable plush elastic head/chin straps and a wide flexible nose bridge make a snug fit. Shatterproof polycarbonate lenses never fog up. Sizes to fit most dogs - from the smallest to the largest - no matter what shape head. Available in XSmall, Small, Medium, Large, and XLarge.  Full Story

Want to know where the Best Places are to have Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner?

 COOL DOWN THOSE LAPTOPs

With todays fast processors and motherboards, heat can builds up inside your laptop.  Laptops by nature are small and thin and do not move air  efficiently through or over the components inside the case. And you could experience a thremal event in your laptop...A SHUT DOWN or Worse! Full Story

Galaxy Drive-In Theatre is Great Family Fun
By Kathryn E. Eriksen

Did you know that Ellis County boasts one of the only remaining drive-in movie theatres in the entire Metroplex? Did you know that it only costs $6.00 per adult and $4.00 per child to watch two first run movies under the stars? Where is this magical place? In Garrett, Texas, right off IH-45.  Full Story

An Amazing Catch!