From the Office of U.S. Congressman Mike Ross
 Arkansas's Fourth Congressional District For Immediate Release
July 27, 2010
Contact: John Dickerman, 202.225.0669
Ross Announces 35 Town Hall Meetings Across District
Ark. Congressman Will Have Hosted Over 80 Town Hall Events by September

WASHINGTON - On a telephone town hall with constituents Monday night,
 U.S. Congressman Mike Ross, D-Prescott, announced he will spend the
 congressional district work period in August and September visiting
 each of the 29 counties that make up Arkansas's Fourth Congressional
 District, which he represents in the U.S. House of Representatives.
 As part of his expanded district-wide Listening Session Tour, Ross
 said he will host 35 town hall meetings across his expansive district
 covering most of southern and western Arkansas. So far this year,
 Ross has already hosted 34 town hall meetings and 12 telephone town
 halls. By September, the Arkansas Congressman will have hosted more
 than 80 town hall events in 2010 alone.

"There are many who come to Washington and forget what life is like
 for most Americans," said Ross. "Some forget how hard our farmers
 work day and night to provide our country with the food and fiber it
 needs to grow. Some forget about the small business owners who work
 around the clock to employ their neighbors in the community who
 desperately need jobs. Some forget about the teachers, doctors,
 nurses, police officers, firefighters and troops who work long hours
 to serve and protect our communities and country. Some politicians
 get so wrapped up in keeping their job that they forget to do their
 job. Well, my job is to listen and that has always been my pledge to
 my constituents - a pledge that I will continue throughout my time in Congress."
 
 A June 29, 2010, article in Roll Call, a Capitol Hill-based
 publication, named Ross one of the "most prolific town-hallers" in the
 U.S. House of Representatives, hosting more town halls than any other
 House Democrat and the second most in the entire House of
 Representatives. In January and February, Ross hosted 34 town hall
 meetings across the 29 counties that make up his district. For those
 who were unable to attend the town halls in person because of work,
 family or health, the Congressman also hosted 12 telephone town halls
 throughout the year, which often averaged more than 6,000 participants for each call.

"I still believe in town halls because they are American democracy at
its best. And, I am proud to be one of the few members of Congress
who still carry on this important tradition. As a common sense voice
for Arkansas, the only way I can effectively represent you is to
 listen and that's why I host these town hall meetings," said Ross.
"All too often, members of Congress get to Washington and forget who sent them there. That is why I never moved to Washington and why after the last vote each week I am on the very next flight back home to Arkansas to listen to those I represent." Ross will host at least one town hall meeting in every county he represents and all are open to the public. To receive news of upcoming town hall events, constituents can sign up to receive e-mail
alerts at http://ross.house.gov and by clicking on the E-News Signup icon or by calling Ross's Washington office at 1-800-223-2220.
 
 Below is a full schedule of all the stops on Ross's expanded Listening
 Session Tour.
 
 Monday, August 9, 2010
 
 Rison - 11:00 a.m.
 Rison Town Hall
 200 West Mockingbird Lane
 
 Hampton - 1:30 p.m.
 Calhoun County Courthouse
 309 West Main Street
 Camden - 3:30 p.m.
 City Hall Council Chambers
 206 Van Buren Street
 
 Tuesday, August 10, 2010
 
 Arkadelphia - 9:00 a.m.
 Arkadelphia City Hall
 700 Clay Street
 
 Malvern - 11:00 a.m.
 Chamber of Commerce
 213 West Third Street
 
 Sheridan - 1:00 p.m.
 Toler Chapel, Grant County Museum
 521 Shackleford Road
 
 Monticello - 4:00 p.m.
 UAM Forestry Building Conference Room
 110 University Court
 
 
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
 
 Dermott - 9:00 a.m.
 Dermott City Hall
 211 East Iowa Street
 
 Lake Village - 11:00 a.m.
 Lake Village Fire Station
 2017 Highway 6582
 
 Eudora - 1:00 p.m.
 City Hall, City Council Room
 239 South Main Street
 
 Thursday, August 12, 2010
 
 Warren - 3:30 p.m.
 Warren City Hall
 104 North Myrtle Street
 
 Tuesday, August 17, 2010
 
 Murfreesboro - 9:00 a.m.
 Murfreesboro City Hall
 204 West Main Street
 
 Glenwood - 11:00 a.m.
 City Hall Conference Room
 210 North Second Street
 Mt. Ida - 1:00 p.m.
 Montgomery County Courthouse
105 Hwy 270 E
 
 Thursday, August 19, 2010
 
 Fordyce - 9:00 a.m.
 Dallas County Courthouse
 206 West 3rd Street
 
 Star City - 11:15 a.m.
 Star City Civic Center
 201 Liberty Street
 
 McGehee - 1:45 p.m.
 Municipal Complex Council Room
 901 Holly Street
 
 Dumas - 3:45 p.m.
 Dumas City Hall
 9157 West Waterman Street
 
 Tuesday, August 23, 2010
 Paris - 9:00 a.m.
 City Hall Board Room
 100 North Express Street
 
 Booneville - 11:00 a.m.
 Booneville City Hall
 497 East Main Street
 
 Waldron - 1:15 p.m.
 Scott County Courthouse
 190 West 1st Street
 
 Mena - 3:30 p.m.
 Rich Mountain Community College Library 100 College Drive
 
 Tuesday, August 24, 2010
 
 Prescott - 10:00 a.m.
 Collum and Carney Community Room
 1440 West 1st Street North
 
 Hot Springs Town Hall -1:00 p.m.
 National Party Community College, Martin Eisele Auditorium
 101 College Drive
 Friday, August 27, 2010
 
 Magnolia - 9:00 a.m.
 Magnolia Town Hall
 103 Business Park Drive
 
 Lewisville - 11:00 a.m.
 Lafayette County Courthouse
 1 Courthouse Square

 Texarkana - 1:30 p.m.
 Four States Fairgrounds, Agriculture Learning Center 3700 East 50th
 Street
 
 Monday, August 30, 2010
 
 Hamburg - 11:00 a.m.
 City Hall Community Room
 305 East Adams Street
 
 Crossett -1:00 p.m.
 Town Hall Economic Development Office
 125 Main Street
 
 El Dorado - 3:30 p.m.
 South Arkansas College Library Auditorium 300 Summit Avenue
 
 Tuesday, August 31, 2010
 
 Ashdown - 9:00 a.m.
 Cossatot Community College Civic Center
 1411 North Constitution Avenue
 
 DeQueen - 11:15 a.m.
 Cossatot Community College Agriculture Building
 183 College Drive
 
 Nashville - 1:15 p.m.
 Cossatot Community College, Nashville Campus, Room 201
 1558 Highway 371 W.
 
 Hope - 3:30 p.m.
 UACCH Student Center, Purtle Meeting Room 2500 South Main Street
 
 Thursday, September 2, 2010
 
 Pine Bluff - 2:30 p.m.
 Reynolds Center Community Room, Meeting Rooms A & B
 211 West 3rd Avenue
More information on the Listening Session Tour can be found on Ross's webpage at http://ross.house.gov and by clicking on the Listening Session Tour icon.

Ewing Adventist Jr. Academy in Bonnerdale, AR is now enrolling grades K-10 for the 2010-2011 school year. For more information please call Amy at: 870-223-1792.

There will be a clean up day at the Pike County Fairgrounds on July 31st,Saturday, starting around 7:00 AM. The Fair Board would like to have anyone or a group (4-H, Riding Clubs, Motorcycle Clubs, Church, Extension Homemakers, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and etc.) to come out and help us get ready for the Fair & Rodeo which will be held September 21-25.Please bring hammers, weed eaters and some energy - we need everyone to help us out.Call 870-285-5601 or 398-4243 for more information.

There will be a clean up day at the Pike County Fairgrounds on July 31st,Saturday, starting around 7:00 AM. The Fair Board would like to have anyone or a group(4-H,Riding Clubs, Motorcycle Clubs, Church, Extension Homemakers, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and etc.) to come out and help us get ready for the Fair & Rodeo which will be held September 21-25.Please bring hammers, weed eaters and some energy - we need everyone to help us out. Call 870-285-5601 or 398-4243 for more information.

The Frontporch Stage proudly presents The Ouachita River Ramblers in concert July 31st at 6Pm with special guest Trent Montgomery. Bring your family, friends and neighbors, your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy really great country from Nashville Singer/songwriter Trent Montgomery and great bluegrass from our very own Ramblers. Our Backporch Kitchen and Possum Store will be open during the concert. Bryan Wann appreciation day is rescheduled for August 14th.

Outdoor Expo & Fall Festival

Vendor Registrations Being Accepted

The Nashville City Park is currently accepting sponsor and vendor registrations for the 2nd Annual Outdoor Expo & Fall Festival to be held on Saturday, September 18, 2010. Outdoor Expo & Fall Festival is a new event with vendors that specialize in hunting, fishing and the outdoors in Southwest Arkansas. Outdoor Expo will include the Nashville Pawn Archery Competition, kid’s casting contest, Daisy BB gun shoot, Ranger Boat Simulator, live music, and professional speakers. This event also includes a Fall Festival for the family to enjoy arts and crafts, entertainment, games, and hayrides. This is a good opportunity for non-profit groups to conduct an annual fundraiser!

Deadline for registration is Friday, August 27th.
Sponsorship and vendor forms are available at the Nashville City Park office at 1301 West Johnson St., Nashville, AR 71852 or call us at (870) 845-7405 for more information.

The following schedule will be used for students returning to Centerpoint for the 2011 school year to come and pick up their schedules. New students to the district for the 2011 school year will need to come on Friday, August 6, 2010 to register. They must bring birth certificate, immunization records, social security card and for grades 10-12 a current transcript form they school they are leaving. August 3^rd Sr. Schedules and Sr. Pictures. August 4^th Jr. Schedules 8:00-11:00. 10^th Grade Schedules 12:00-3:00. August 5^th- 8^th and 9^th Grade Schedules 8:00-11:00 7^th Grade Schedules 12:00-3:00, August 6^th NEW STUDENTS TO THE DISTRICT 8:00-12:00. August 16^th – 6^th and 9^th grade orientation 6:30 p.m. All parents are encouraged to attend.

The 6th Annual Matt Turner Memorial Golf Tournament will be held on Saturday, August 7, 2010 at the Glenwood Country Club. This tournament will be a 3 person team scramble starting at 8:30 a.m. The entry fee is $225 per team and includes green fees, cart, refreshments, lunch, t-shirt and a drawing for door prizes. The first 36 teams to enter will be eligible. Prizes are paid out in 3 flights. Prizes will also be awarded for closest to the pin and longest drive. Each Par 3 will have a hole-in-one prize. All proceeds go towards the Matt Turner Memorial Scholarship Fund. For more information contact Simon Mack at 870-223-1342, Katie Neal at 870-223-1759 or Gayle Castleberry at 870-845-4104.

First National Bank in Glenwood and Murfreesboro has started a scholarship for an area student called the "Freedom Fighters Scholarship" to be awarded to a graduate starting next school year. The scholarship will be for a student whose parents or grandparents served in the military. AS a fundraiser for the scholarship FNB employees are selling smoked pork loins for $20 and T shirts for $15. You can order the pork loins or T shirts at First National Bank in Glenwood or Murfreesboro.

Dance lessons and an exercise class will be held Tuesdays at the Glenwood Senior Center for those 60 and up. The lessons and exercise class starts at 1 PM. For information call 870-356-4212

Rabid Skunk in Murfreesboro

LITTLE ROCK – A skunk found within the city limits of Murfreesboro was confirmed rabid by the Arkansas Department of Health last week. A homeowner observed the skunk in the road during the daytime, behaving in an unusual manner. The homeowner called the local police, who in turn called Animal Control to properly capture and dispose of the skunk. There have been no reports of people or animals being exposed to this skunk so far, but it is impossible to know where the skunk may have been the day before or even several hours prior to its discovery. The Arkansas Department of Health wants to continue to remind citizens of the potential for rabies in skunks seen out during the day and without fear of people or dogs.

If you think you have become exposed to an animal with rabies wash your wound thoroughly with soap and water and seek medical attention immediately. Contact your physician and county health unit immediately and report the incident. The animal in question should be
captured, if possible, without damaging its head or risking further exposure.

All dogs and cats in Arkansas are required to be vaccinated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. This not only protects the animal, but also acts as a barrier between the wildlife exposures of rabies and people, as our pets are more likely to be exposed to a rabid skunk directly than we are. Children especially should be reminded not to touch wild animals and to stay away from stray pets.

If an apparently healthy domesticated dog or cat bites a person, it must be captured, confined and observed daily for 10 days following the bite. If the animal remains healthy during this period of time, it did not transmit rabies at the time of the bite. The brain tissue of all wild animals must be tested for rabies if human exposure has occurred.

What can you do to protect yourselves against rabies?

• Be sure your dogs, cats and ferrets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations

• Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals
• Keep family pets indoors at night
• Bat-proof your home or summer camp in the fall or winter (The majority of human rabies cases are caused by bat bites.)
• Encourage children to immediately tell an adult if any animal bites them
• Teach children to avoid wildlife, strays, and all other animals they do not know well

Report all animal bites or contact with wild animals to the Local Health Unit. Do not let any animal escape that has possibly exposed someone to rabies. Depending on the species, an animal can be observed or tested for rabies in order to avoid the need for rabies treatment.

Rabies is a virus that attacks the brain and spinal cord and is fatal. It is most often seen in animals such as skunks, bats, and foxes. Cats, dogs, ferrets and livestock can also develop rabies, especially if they are not vaccinated. In 2009, Arkansas had 47 rabies positive animals, including 36 skunks, nine bats, and two dogs. Four of these skunks were in Pike County, but neighboring counties of Howard, Hempstead and Clark had a total of 12 more rabid skunks. So far in 2010, the state has had nine skunks test positive for rabies as well as one dog. The rabid skunks have also primarily been in southwest Arkansas including three in Howard, two in Montgomery and one in Nevada Counties.

The rabies virus lives in the saliva (spit) and nervous tissues of infected animals and is spread when they bite or scratch. The virus also may be spread if saliva from an infected animal touches broken skin, open wounds or the lining of the mouth, eyes or nose.

The first sign of rabies in an animal is usually a change in behavior. Rabid animals may attack people or other animals for no reason, or they may lose their fear of people and seem unnaturally friendly. Staggering, convulsions, choking, frothing at the mouth and paralysis are often present. Skunks may be seen out in daylight, which is an unusual behavior for them, or they may get into a dog pen or under a house. Many animals have a marked change in voice pitch, such as a muted or off-key tone. An animal usually dies within one week of demonstrating signs of rabies. Not all rabid animals act in these ways, however, so you should avoid all wild animals----especially skunks, bats and stray cats and dogs.

For more information, call the your local county health unit and ask for the Environmental Health Specialist, or Susan Weinstein, DVM, State Public Health Veterinarian, at (501) 280-4136.

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