The name sounds a bit ominous doesn’t it, but Black Friday is a good thing.  Well, we hope it is, and come to think of it I guess even Black Friday is in the eye of the beholder.

If you like waking up in the middle of the night to rush to stores to fight for the noted specials, if you enjoy bouncing from one major box store to the next in rapid succession, or if you get excited about choosing which line to stand in, then this day is just right for you. The specials will be out there.  Advertisers have been working and planning for weeks upon weeks to make sure you will have an abundance of options to lure you into their stores.  Bargains will be fabulous and your choices will be hard ones to make.

Black Friday has become a tradition in itself for so many families and friends.  Getting together for the sleep deprived early morning trek has made some pretty great memories for us.   And when you add on the toppings of a few great gifts that will be opened Christmas morning, then yes, it is all worth the half closed, scratchy eyed day.

In the days approaching, we are like little kids grabbing for the ads in the local paper to see who has what on sale and the time the item goes on special.  If you are new to the Black Friday early morning sprint don’t try this without some kind of master plan.  If you do, you will find yourself in a frenzy, running from place to place and just missing the perfect items for your Christmas list.  There is only one of you and you have to make the best of the time and develop a game plan for getting that special gift. Once the turkey is carved, eaten, and everyone is drifting off in their food induced comas, this is the time to peruse the ads and develop a plan of attack.

One more note, this day is not for the faint of heart. If you are daydreaming about  getting your significant other to accompany you so you can turn a double play…we wish you best of luck.  This plea has been whimpered in the past by many hopeful Christmas List Moms, with not much success.  He distantly mutters something about way too early, too much hassle and not worth the effort.  So you are more than likely on your own, as will be the sisters, moms and friends who are meeting you that morning ready to grab their own delightful bounty.  Be brave, be focused and plan for a nap when you drag back home that day.

Do you buy groceries, shoe shop, or go out to eat with your family? Of course you do, we all do! So why not make a conscious effort to spend your money here—in Denton. The City of Denton’s S.H.O.P. Denton Initiative is in place to encourage those who work and live in the Denton area to make a concentrated effort to shop here on purpose.

Why shop Denton?
By Shopping Here on Purpose (S.H.O.P.), we are saying YES to a strong, vibrant, local economy , which translates into a unique and interesting City. Isn’t that a place where we all want to live and work? This free program educates consumers and businesses. Its goal is to optimize the quality of life in Denton by increasing the available sales tax that supports essential City services.

Tell me more about sales tax
•    Sales tax is charged at the point of purchase for certain goods and services such as; clothing, household items, and dining out. Sales tax rates are set by the state, county, and City.
•    Taxable purchases contribute to the general fund for the City, which provides essential services such as police, fire, libraries, and parks—all of which enhance our quality of life.

What can I do?
•    Shopping options are abundant. Take a day and check Denton out; all the same services you find out-of-town are conveniently located here.
•    Time is money. The less driving you do, the more money you’ll save at the gas pump.
•    To learn more about what you can do, visit www.ShopDentonTexas.com.

Pharmacists are incredibly busy.  You remember what it is like to “run” into the pharmacies to “grab” your prescription?  There just isn’t any running to it anymore and the grabbing is a thing of the past. The norm now-a-days is easily a half hour to a full hour wait.

Pharmacists are multi-tasking; they may have half a dozen people waiting for their medications, people calling on the telephone with questions, and customers walking up to ask about over-the-counter medicines.

They do have some help, there are technicians who prepare the medicine labels (still another area of error potential) and bottles and work the cash register and that is needed help but actually those people too will need some additional direction or a little help, adding one more interruption into the mix.

With all the activity, it’s no wonder that a mistake could be made. It’s completely understandable, but a mistake could cause serious, sometimes really serious problems.

You need to consider, plan and make a habit of things you can do to add an additional layer of stay safe checks to your side of the process.

•    Take personal responsibility for your prescription. Know what the doctor ordered, what the dosage is and what effect you should notice.
•    When you are with your Doctor ask him/her to read the prescription to you and spell it out.  Write down the name of the medication, the strength and the dosage.
•    Each time you have the prescription filled or refilled, check to see if it’s the right medicine, the right strength and the right dosage instructions.
•    Look; does it look the same as before, are there any changes in the visual, and do you recognize the medication as before?
•    Ask; this is not a time to be timid.  If anything is different, ask about it.

If you have any questions, see the pharmacist before you leave the store.

Prescription medication is now a very common part of our lives, whether they are given for treatment of a long term medical condition or simply a course of antibiotics to treat an infection.

One in three prescriptions has some kind of error (according to research by Ken Lee, How Safe is Your Prescription) and about 3% of all hospital admissions are related to problems with medications. Pharmacy malpractice statistics show more deaths related to prescription errors annually than breast cancer, AIDS, or traffic fatalities and few people are even aware of the error (malpractice) statistics that exist on record.

So, how do these statistics affect you? Well first, they probably shock you. They should also make you aware that you could suffer injury because of a prescription error and that you need to play a significant role in your prescription safety.  Plan safe checks for your prescriptions and their refills; help yourself so you do not become one of the statistics.

As the summer winds down, children are reluctantly lining up their school studies and parents are lining up their fall schedules. PointBank, a local community bank, is lining up its 21st Annual Charity Golf Tournament benefiting the Denton County Libraries.

The bank has made the Denton County Library System its major philanthropic focus for over 20 years, and is committed to raising funds to maintain and grow library resources and services, and impact library-based literacy programs.

Raymond David, the bank’s CEO states, “We believe strongly that libraries serve a critical role in fostering a prosperous, successful and healthy future for the local communities.” As their major fundraising effort, POINTBank hosts an annual charity golf tournament benefiting literacy and the Denton County Libraries.

Donations from the event have contributed to building expansion and improvements, technology, books, job search tools for unemployed citizens, reading programs for children, and child education and development, just to name a few.

The event is Saturday, September 17, 2011 at The Cowboys Golf Club, a premier resort-style, NFL-themed golf course located in Grapevine. To be a part of helping our libraries and our community, or to take advantage of a great opportunity to play golf and network, contact Whitney Ortmeier at 972-434-3238 or wortmeier@pointbank.com.

Denton 4th of July Jubilee

Celebrate the fourth at Denton Civic Center and Quakertown Park with carnival games, live entertainment, a hot dog cookout, and more.  Prior to the Jubilee, the 12th Annual Liberty 5K Run and 1-Mile Walk begins at 7:30 am, and the Yankee Doodle Parade begins at 9 am. Live entertainment until noon. Lucky Horseshoe Tournament, children’s carnival and Great Gutter Race, arts and crafts show.  Civic Center Pool admission $1.00 from 12 noon until 6:00 pm. For more information, call 940-349-8733.

Kiwanis Fireworks Show & Independence Day Celebration

5:30 pm:    Gates Open – only west side stands are open
6:30 pm:    City Folk Band- Set #1
7:50 pm:    Kiwanis Welcome and Announcements
8:00 pm:    Color Guard, National Anthem
8:15 pm:    George Dunham and the Bird Dogs Band
9:45 pm:    (Approximate time) – Fireworks Show
10:15 pm:    Happy Trails

George Dunham from Sports Radio 1310 “The Ticket” (and the Mean Green Radio Network) is lead singer for the Bird Dogs.  Veteran Dallas/Fort Worth guitarist, Steve Porcari anchors both bands who will perform a blend of covers from the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, as well as original country/rock songs written by Dunham.  Denton Kiwanis, 940-390-7869.

Lake Cities Celebration

The Lake Cities of Corinth, Hickory Creek, Shady Shores and Lake Dallas unite for a one-of-a-kind, 4th of July blow-out Celebration!  City Park of Lake Dallas will be filled with Independence Day festivities including our hometown parade at 9 AM, contests for cash prizes, great food, and a vendor market along with live entertainment throughout the day.

Children will enjoy a free play area with water slides, bounce houses and games. Back by popular demand, the Lake Cities Idol returns with ten talented artists performing for cash prizes. Justin Cash performs at 4 PM followed by the evening’s headline entertainment, Eleven Hundred Springs at 7 PM with a spectacular fireworks show to follow at 9:15 PM.

Red, White & Lewisville Fireworks

The city’s annual fireworks show, will be held July 4th around Vista Ridge Mall. The show will start at approximately 9:30 pm.  The best viewing opportunities will be on the South side of Vista Ridge Mall and along the 121 Bypass.  For more information please call 972-219-3401.

11th Annual Freedomfest

July 4th, gate opens at 5:30 pm. Event benefits Peace of the Rock Ministries and local and international missions.  Cost is $5.00 per person, kids 3 and under are FREE.  Family Fun including: pedal boats, canoes, fishing (bring your gear), playgrounds, inflatables, mechanical bull, and Old McDonald’s Kiddie Train.

Food and drinks may be purchased at the Chicken Coop Cafe.  No alcohol or pets please.  Firework Show begins at 9:30 pm, bring your lawn chairs and blankets. First time at the ranch is family bluegrass gospel band John Grubb & the Full Quiver performing from 7:30-8:30 pm.

Located at Rancho De La Roca Retreat Ranch, 2459 W. Blackjack in Aubrey, 940.365.7625, www.peaceoftherock.org

Flower Mound Annual Independence Day Celebration

Come join the Town of Flower Mound in celebrating the annual Independence Day Fireworks Extravaganza, a free family event at Bakersfield Park, 1201 Duncan Lane.

Gates open at 7 pm with concessions and children’s activities including a bounce house, giant slide, obstacle course, and rock wall, and face painting.

The Walton Stout Band will play from 8:00 – 9:30 pm and the fireworks show is scheduled to begin at 9:25 pm. No glass, alcohol, or tobacco products may be brought to the park.

The free fireworks show and parking at Bakersfield Park are sponsored by the North Texas Tollway Authority. The rainout date for the event is Monday, July 5. Please call 972.874.7275 or visit www.flower-mound.com for more information.

Texas summers are hot and Denton Water Works Park is a great way to chill. The 17-acre water park opens the season with its four giant slides, a children’s play pool area, a tube river, volleyball court, outdoor amphitheater, party and picnic pavilions, concessions, and lots of green space!

You can choose your type of fun in the sun; splash, squirt and dribble around, slip’ n’ slide down a wild slide, ride the winding and ever moving river or lay back in a comfy lounge chair and soak up the rays. When that Texas heat begins to rise, we will undoubtedly be looking for ways to cool off. Luckily, Denton is home to one of the best water parks in the area.

Denton Duck Derby

The Denton Parks Foundation is hosting the Second Annual Denton Duck Derby on June 4th, at Denton Water Works Park. The Duck Derby will raise money to help support park enhancements and recreation programs of Denton and encourage participation in those programs through scholarships.

Duck Derbys all over the country have proven to be a great way to draw the community together for a fun event and to raise money for a good cause.  Businesses can participate as sponsors and underwriters of the Denton Duck Derby.  Individuals can adopt ducks for participation in two races, a kids race and an adults race. Individually numbered rubber ducks will be dumped into the continuous river at the Denton Water Works Park.  The first ducks to cross the finish line will win prizes for their lucky adopted owners.

Come have fun, watch the race and cheer the ducks to the finish line at the Denton Water Works Park.  We will have live entertainment, opening ceremonies and much more during the Duck Derby benefiting the Denton Parks Foundation.

Water Works Park is located next to Denton Natatorium and Skate Works Park at 2400 Long Rd. off FM 428 (Sherman Drive), near Loop 288. Discount season passes are available until May 22 at Denton Civic Center or Denton Natatorium.  For more information, contact 940-349-8810.