Sometimes black-and-white photos in the newspaper do not do photos justice. I couldn't resist putting this beautiful hydrangea photo here because of its color.

I also really love the photos from the Grapeland Safari! Notice the food falling out of the little girl's cup while she is feeding it. So cute!

Housing discrimination does not always mean having a door slammed in your face or a bigoted remark directed your way. Unsuspecting renters or home buyers may be politely turned away from the housing of their choice, even though they are qualified. Housing discrimination is a nationwide problem and often is severely under reported.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that more than two million instances of housing discrimination occur each year, however, less than one percent are reported. Many individuals are unaware that they have been victims of housing discrimination as they do not fully understand which activities are illegal under the Fair Housing Act.

Palestine Resource Center for Independent Living (PRCIL) will be hosting a Fair Housing workshop on Wednesday, February 11, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. Naomi Hubert, Housing Coordinator with United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) will be addressing fair housing accessibility and home ownership laws and how they affect individuals with disabilities. She will also be discussing UPC’s First Time Home Buyer Program.
PRCIL is located at 421 Avenue A in Palestine.

For more information contact PRCIL at 903-729-7505.

If you are thinking about adopting a dog or cat in the future, you might want to stop by the BARC, The Humane Society adoption clinic from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17 at the new Petsense store (in the Palestine Plaza on Crockett Road).

Humane Society volunteers will have a selection of dogs and cats available for adoption. Though adoption clinics are currently held about once a month, since opening Petsense has allowed BARC to place a few of the cats available for adoption in the store.

Deadline is Monday (January 12) to order the January food packages offered by Angel Food Ministries.

The Angel Food Ministries provides monthly packages of food at a savings to everyone, regardless of income status.

The January regular box for $31 includes: ribeye steak (4x 6oz.), chicken leg quarters, beef patties, cheese-filled manicotti, pork rib strips, chicken breast fajita strips, ground turkey, broccoli, peas, oatmeal variety box, Borden’s shelf stable 2% milk, blueberry muffin mix, white corn tortillas, pinto beans, chicken-flavored rice vermicelli, one dozen eggs and dessert items.

Other boxes include the senior box for $28 which has 10 complete meals and a dessert.

Food orders may be placed from 9 a.m. to noon Monday through Friday with extended hours starting Jan. 8-12 from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Cash, Lone Star, Visa, MasterCard or debit cards are accepted. To place orders, call 903-731-9270.

The Basics of Life Storehouse is located at Lacy and Magnolia streets.

Deadline to place orders and pay for the January food box is Jan. 12.

Pickup date is from 7 to 10 a.m. Jan. 24 at First Baptist Church, 5700 N. Loop 256 (next door to the Palestine YMCA).