Prior to the concert, the choir will host a Dinner/Fundraiser for the Forney High School Choir Booster Club. The dinner/fundraising event is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Forney High School Cafeteria. Tickets are $15 per person, and kids under 5 eat free.

Forney High School Choir Annual Christmas Concert
Thursday, Dec. 10
7 p.m.
Performing Arts Center – Forney High School
Free and Open to the Public

Pre Concert Dinner/Fundraiser
Thursday, Dec. 10
5:30 p.m.
Forney High School Cafeteria
Tickets – $15 per person (Children under 5 free)

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For more information visit www.warezabouts.com or call 972-564-GAME.

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The Smith Family Christmas in October will benefit Laurren Smith, a courageous young Forney girl that has been battling cancer for two years. Despite disappointing news from the doctors, Laurren is continuing to fight, now utilizing alternative treatments to keep the cancer from continuing to spread. Her upbeat attitude and amazing strength has inspired us here at 20PM, and several members began to discuss what we can do to help.

Just a few short weeks later, plans are underway for a spectacular “Christmas is October” for Laurren and her entire family. Not only will the event be a very special memory for the family, but it will raise money for the expensive medical treatments Laurren is currently undergoing that are not covered by insurance.

The Smith Family Christmas in October will be held on Oct. 25th from 5-8pm at the Forney Community Park.

To find out more about the event, and how you can help, please visit the 20PM Forum Discussion by clicking here, or go to http://twentypeacefulminutes.com/forums/christmas-in-october-for-laurren-smith.

There are many ways that everyone can help:
-Attend the event: Every dollar raised will go to Laurren’s Medical Fund. There will be food, fun and lots of great memories.
-Volunteer to help with the event: We need help with set-up, clean-up, concessions, cooking, games for the kids, and more.
-Help advertise: Download our flyers to distribute around your neighborhood, office, etc. Add a link about the event to your website, put up a poster at your business, and email your friends.
-Businesses: We need you! Pitch in for a great cause and show your compassion for your community. If you’d like to become a sponsor, please contact josh@twentypeacefulminutes.com. We could also use anything you can donate like copies of flyers, food, paper products, Christmas deco, etc.
-Donate your expertise: Love to cook, bake, craft, decorate for Christmas, or sing Christmas carols? We need you!
-Can’t make it to the event? Your donation would be greatly appreciated. For a list of supplies still needed, the Smith Family Christmas Wish List, or to send a cash donation, please visit the 20PM Discussion Board.

Thanks for your help making the Smith Family Christmas in October a special event for an extra special little girl!

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Nearly every fan of the late French cooking icon Julia Child will probably be able to identify with the character of Julie in the recent release Julie & Julia, which is now playing at Forney’s Starplex and other theaters in and near the Dallas Metroplex.

The film, based on two true stories, traces the eerily parallel paths of the late cooking expert (played by Meryl Streep) and Julie Powell (Amy Adams), a present-day New York career woman.

Julie Powell can’t ever seem to get anything completed outside of her job as a telephone receptionist for a big insurance company. Off the job, she has a passion for cooking, but it seems to be taking her nowhere until she decides to accept a challenge: to cook every one of the 500-odd recipes in Julia Child’s definitive book on French cooking in no more than 365 days. From that launching point, the movie alternately fast-reverses and fast-forwards to reveal the similarities between Julie Powell and her idol, Julia Child—two women separated by time and locale but united by a love of good food and cooking and who, the viewer learns, face parallel problems, challenges and obstacles. Over the course of the film, both Julia and Julie learn that courage and perseverance have a handy way of paying off.

Julie & Julia is probably not a great film, but as the shadows over the summer movie season grow shorter, it could be a “must see” for Julia Child fans, Julie Child wannabes and anyone else who’s looking for a feel-good movie before fall, the beginning of a new school year, and all related activities begin to kick in.

Meryl Streep skillfully recreates the late Julia Child’s signature flamboyance as she brings her character to life with the comedy that viewers would expect. Ms. Adams likewise brings Julie to the screen with a nice mix of cute pathos and young-housewife resilience that wins the audience over. Stanley Tucci, as the almost stoic Paul Child, delivers a solid supporting performance, as does Messina in the parallel role of Julie Powell’s laid-back husband. The reasonably good casting helps the story to go down like—well, like butter.

Nora Ephron wrote the screenplay adaptation for Julie & Julia and directed the film.

The movie is rated PG-13 for strong language and some sensuality.

See the ad for Forney’s Starplex on page 4 for the show times of this and other current Starplex movie features.

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The initial drug testing will be conducted at each secondary level school in the district: Forney High School, North Forney High School, Brown Middle School and Warren Middle School. The first day of testing is set for Monday, Aug. 3 and the last day that testing will be conducted prior to the start of school is Thursday, Aug. 13. Students should attend the scheduled testing date in relationship to the activity they plan to participate in during the school year. Students that plan to participate in more than one activity will only need to complete one initial testing.

For more information about the scheduled drug testing dates, contact Peggy Phillips, Forney ISD Health Service Coordinator at peggy.phillips@forneyisd.net or by phone at 972-564-4055.

Click below for a PDF of the drug test dates and locations:
FISDdrugtestdates

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Summer is in full swing, and barbeques are a perfect way to relax, spend time with family and friends, and celebrate the July 4th holiday. To help you better prepare for this popular activity, nutrition experts at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center offer advice on how to barbeque the healthy way.

M. D. Anderson dietitian, Vicki Piper, R.D., L.D., encourages cookout fans to grill plenty of fruits and vegetables, and less meat. Diets high in plant foods can lower your chances of developing several cancers, including breast and colon cancers.

“You can still have a barbeque without letting your health go up in flames,” Piper said. “Aim for a meal made up of two-thirds vegetables, fruits, whole grains or beans, and one-third animal protein.”
Grill plant-based foods

Eating mostly plant-based foods provides a range of nutrients that protects the body from cancer. And it is a great way to manage weight, which is important because there is evidence that excessive body fat increases cancer risks.

“Try a new vegetable every week, one that you have not tried in many years,” Piper said. “My family favorites are grilled onions, zucchini, asparagus and pineapple.”

Use a light brushing of canola or olive oil on vegetables and fruits to help prevent sticking to the grill.
Sprinkle vegetables with pepper, a small amount of salt and vinegar to bring out their taste. Using non-stick grates, foil packets or a grilling basket lightly coated with oil also can be helpful when grilling plant-based foods. As a general rule, don’t peel vegetables before grilling. You’ll get more nutrients and enjoy a smokier flavor if they aren’t peeled.
Where’s the beef?

Diets high in red meat (beef, pork and lamb), and especially processed meats (such as hot dogs), have een reported to be a convincing cause of colorectal cancer, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. Fatty red meat is high in saturated fat, which is the most damaging type of fat.

“You do not need to give up red meat to be healthy, but the evidence suggests you would be wise to limit how much you eat,” Piper said. “Experiment with other healthier sources of protein, such as fish, chicken, beans, edamame or tofu. My red meat-loving husband has grown to enjoy more grilled salmon, marinated chicken and even hummus!”

Grill fish and skinless chicken breasts are much leaner than most red meat. If you are going to grill red meat, look for those with “loin” in the name, such as beef tenderloin, pork tenderloin and lamb loin chops. For beef, also look for round steaks and roasts, and choose ground beef labeled at least 95 percent lean. Finally, beef labeled “prime” is the top grade but also is the highest in fat. For the leanest red meat, look for a “select” grade at your supermarket.

Keep meat portions small by cutting them in chunks and removing excess fat. Combine them with vegetables and make kabobs. Serve any kind of meat as an accent to a meal rather than the main dish.

Where there’s smoke, there’s cancer risk

Grilling any type of meat, even chicken or fish, until it’s charred or burned can increase your chances of getting cancer, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research. Grilling vegetables and fruits does not create carcinogens (sources that cause cancer) so there is no cancer risk, which is just one more reason to add them to your shopping list.

If you do choose to barbeque meat, stay clear of burning it, and follow these tips:

Grill fish instead. Fish contains less fat than meat and poultry do, making it less likely to create carcinogens and cause flare-ups caused by dripping fat. Fish also requires less time on the grill, reducing its exposure to carcinogens.

Precook your foods. The higher the temperature at which food cooks and the longer it stays on the grill, the more carcinogens develop. Partially cooking meat or poultry indoors for two to five minutes draws out most of the potentially harmful chemicals without sacrificing moistness. Heat your meat up in the microwave or oven, and then finish it on the grill.

Lightly oil your grill. A little oil keeps charred material from sticking to the food. It also helps keep fish and chicken in one piece.

Lower the heat. On charcoal grills, increase the distance between the food and the hot coals by spreading the coals thin or by propping the grill rack on bricks. On gas grills, just lower the settings.

Stick to charcoal and hardwood. Barbecue briquettes and hardwood products, such as hickory and maple burn at lower temperatures than softwood (pine) chips.

Clean your grill. Scrub your grill thoroughly after every use to avoid a buildup of carcinogens that can be transferred to your food the next time you grill.

Spread aluminum foil on the grill. This will reduce flare-ups. Just make sure to make small holes in the foil to allow fat to drain.

Flip meat frequently. This reduces the amount of carcinogens that arise.

Marinate your food. Marinating not only makes grilled foods taste better, but makes them safer because marinades draw out chemical precursors of carcinogens.

For additional information, visit www.mdanderson.org/focused

This story and any accompanying photo(s) were originally published in the Forney Messenger and are Copyright © 2009, Forney Messenger, Inc. and have been used by permission. The Forney Messenger is the publisher of Kaufman County’s oldest newspaper and may be found online at www.ForneyMessengerInc.com

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If I were asked to describe the recent release Public Enemies, I’d probably say that it’s a guy flick with a strong element for the ladies thrown in.

The film, set in 1933, chronicles the efforts of the early FBI under J. Edgar Hoover to put down the notorious Dillinger gang of bank robbers, which included Baby Face Nelson and Alvin Karpis—and Dillinger’s near-miraculous penchant for staying just ahead of the law. On a secondary level, the film details Dillinger’s romantic relationship with his girlfriend, Billie Frenchette, played by Marion Cotillard.

Dillinger, played by Johnny Depp, is handsome and charming and wouldn’t pass in a crowd for a notorious gangster. But he and his gang have criss-crossed the country, invading banks and shooting it out with rivals and law enforcement with machine guns, often in broad daylight, as was the style in 1930s gangland. But when J. Edgar Hoover (Billy Crudup) finds he must prove that he’s capable of turning the fledgling FBI into a top crime-fighting force, the gloves come off, and Dillinger becomes the FBI’s first Public Enemy Number One. Hoover assigns Agent Melvin Purvis (Christian Bale) to take down the Dillinger gang, with a special emphasis on getting Dillinger “dead or dead”. But Dillinger manages to outwit and outgun Purvis until Purvis brings in a couple of newly-recruited agents who were once Western lawmen and then manages to bring about several key betrayals among Dillinger’s peers in crime, including Chicago crime boss Frank Nitti.

Public Enemies is a bit unusual in that alongside the expected shoot-em-up violence that is staple in almost any gangster drama, a detailed, oddly tender sub-plot tells the love story of Dillinger and Billie Frenchette, who Dillinger took for a girlfriend after knowing her only a day or so. According to the film, Billie “stood by her man”, even to the point of braving borderline torture at the hands of an overzealous FBI agent seeking Dillinger’s whereabouts.

The acting is crisp and to the point and does a reasonably good job of capturing the atmosphere of the crime/law enforcement world of the 1930s. But it’s not for a viewer who isn’t prepared for violence.

Public Enemies is rated R for violence, brief nudity and adult situations. It’s now playing at Forney’s Starplex theater. See their ad on page 4 for the show times of this and other current features.

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OK, everybody—get out your hankies. My Sister’s Keeper is a Mrs. and Mr. weeper.

The story, based on a novel by Jodi Picoult, pits 11-year-old Anna Fitzgerald (Abigail Breslin) against her mom, Sara (Cameron Diaz) in a fight for legal medical emancipation. You see, Anna is a test-tube baby, conceived as much for love as for the stem cells and other body parts that can keep her leukemic older sister, Kate (Sofia Vassilieva), alive.

Like any good mom, Sara is fiercely protective when it comes to Kate’s survival. But she’s protective seemingly to a fault. As a result, Anna has had to endure nearly as many hospitalizations and painful procedures as her sister. Although Anna and Kate share an intense bond arising from their unusual medical relationship, Anna’s desire to stop the harvesting of her body parts drives her to Campbell Alexander, an attorney who, after some hesitation, agrees to take Anna as a client “pro bono”. Now Anna and her attorney must face Sara in court. They’ll face a worthy opponent. Sara is an attorney herself.

My Sister’s Keeper raises important, but disturbing, ethical questions that weren’t asked even 20 years ago. Is it moral to conceive a child for its body parts? What limits may the law put on a minor’s control over his or her own body? Does the preservation of a human life trump the quality of another life?

The film is not for the faint-hearted. It’s punctuated with some very realistic depictions of human illness and suffering and their attendant emotions, and two scenes suggest human elimination, although as discreetly as possible. But it’s the emotional factor that’s the most likely to take its toll on the viewer.

Jason Patric as Brian Fitzgerald and Evan Ellingson as Anna’s and Kate’s rebellious brother, Jesse Fitzgerald, provide strong supporting roles, as do Alec Baldwin in the part of attorney Campbell Alexander and Thomas Dekker as Kate’s fellow cancer patient-turned-boyfriend, Taylor Ambrose.

My Sister’s Keeper is unabashedly a women’s novel. On the surface, the film’s a women’s film, too—but it provides solid meat for any thoughtful moviegoer, and the surprise ending won’t be easy to forget. A word of warning for anyone taking kids: The film is rated PG for mature thematic content, some disturbing images, sensuality, language and brief teen drinking.

My Sister’s Keeper is now playing at Forney’ Starplex cinema. See their ad on page 4 for the show times of this and other current features.

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SummerFestivalFlyer

Details of the event:
Date: 7/18/09
Time: 9am to 2pm
Location: In front of the Co-op office at 401 N. Adelaide St. (Terrell)

For more information feel free to contact the co-op at 972-524-0007.

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