Arboretum for a Dollar

$$Arboretum for a Dollar$$
August 1 – 29, weekdays
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Parking fee: $5 per car
8525 Garland Road
http://www.dallasarboretum.org/Visit/reduced%20admision.htm
In an effort to address the concerns of prices at family venues, the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden is reducing all of its admission prices on weekdays in August to one dollar per person, with admission returning to its normal pricing structure in September.

Message from Ron Carpenter

The time of the next VIP training class has been scheduled. It will be a 1 day class on Saturday, September 20, 2008, from 10 am till 4 pm. It will be held at City Hall, 1500 Marilla. Applications and waivers of liability can be downloaded at the below web site. They are due to me no later than 1 week before the class. E-mail me if you have any questions. I just finished day 2 of a 3 day class and have 32 in the class. That is the largest 3 day class I have ever had.

Ron Carpenter
#3311
Northeast DivisionPatrol Bureau
www.northeastcrimewatch.org <http://www.northeastcrimewatch.org/>

Criminal Jurisprudence Committee to Meet in Dallas

The Texas House of Representatives Criminal Jurisprudence Committee will hold public hearings on Wednesday and Thursday, August 13-14, at Eastfield College in Mesquite. State Representative Allen Vaught, District 107, is the vice-chairperson of the committee.
On Wednesday, the committee will hear testimony regarding problems with the deferred adjudication process in Texas and Texas law allowing dual trials for capital murder defendants.

On Thursday, testimony will be heard on the need to add salvia divinorum to the list of controlled substances and amendments or reorganization to the criminal trespass statute in the Penal Code.

Hearings will start at 10 a.m. on both days in Room S100 (S Building), 3737 Motley Drive, Mesquite, TX. Directions and maps can be found at http://www.efc.dcccd.edu/. For more information, please contact the District Office of State Rep. Allen Vaught at 214-370-8305.

Calloway's Dawn 'til Dusk Sale

Calloway’s is reminding you to mark your calendar for the biggest shopping day of the summer! Our 2nd Annual “Dawn ‘til Dusk” Sale will be Saturday, August 30th from 7:01 am until 7:54 pm. Everything is on sale! Save 30% off or more on fresh shipments of bedding plants and shrubs, soil amendments and fertilizers, ceramic plants and houseplants, and the list goes on and on!

Come early for the best pick of the finest garden products in Texas ! See you then!

From the desk of Rep. Allen Vaught

Consumer Web sites

While you’re surfing the Web during the hottest days of the summer, check out these consumer friendly sites. They may be helpful when making decisions that affect you, your family, and your pocketbook.

Protection for Texas Consumers
In our nation’s current financial situation, there are fraudulent businesses that will attempt to take advantage of consumers. If you’ve ever been taken advantage of by such a company or been a victim of identity theft, you know how frustrating it can be.

It is important to report these abuses. The state can investigate them and prevent fraudulent businesses from exploiting your fellow Texans. The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection page is a great resource that explains the consumer complaint process that you may pursue if you feel that you have been wronged.

Take advantage of this site not only to file a complaint, but also to educate yourself about the types of scams that are out there. The Web site includes consumer alerts that can save you a lot of headaches. So visit www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/index.shtml for more information.

Control Healthcare Costs
Sponsored by the Texas Hospital Association, www.Txpricepoint.org provides helpful information you need about area hospitals, the services they provide, and the cost of these services. This user-friendly site allows you to compare the cost of common procedures between hospitals all over the state so that you and your family can make informed decisions about your health care needs. The site also has links to other health care Web sites that can better help you navigate the health care system and explore your options.

Investigate Your Insurance
Another great site to check out is www.opic.state.tx.us from the Office of Public Insurance Counsel. This site provides information on various types of insurance including home, health, and automotive. Visit it to compare types of coverage and costs from various providers.

The site also features consumer updates on changes in the law that will affect your insurance or insurance companies that are being penalized. So before you purchase a new insurance policy, check out this site to learn about types of coverage you need and policy costs.

These Web sites are an introduction to the information available to assist Texas consumers in making smart budget decisions. For assistance with specific consumer issues other state services, please contact my office at 214-370-8305.