About Potter County, TX

The Maverick Club, a 74 year old youth club for both boys and girls in Amarillo, Texas may close by the end of this year if they are unable to get more donations. Many people are facing hard times, or are just plain scared about the economy, so they have stopped giving.

The Maverick Club is one of the oldest boys and girls clubs in the state. It currently operates on a $600,000 yearly budget. The club provides after-school care, and offers technology, sports, and arts programs to over four-hundred children in four locations. Students also get help with homework. To many children, the club is a safe haven.

The board is trying to do everything in their power to seek alternatives that will keep the school open. But, the club has not met its monthly budget this year. The clubs funding comes from different places. One-third comes from United Way, while two-thirds comes from personal donations. The club charges $20 a years per child to parents who have the money. Most of the budget goes to paying employees. The state requires the club to keep a certain number of staff per so many kids. The club has now exhausted all of its savings and is now asking for personal donations.

Amarillo residents are known for their big hearts. So, if you live in Amarillo, please help keep this wonderful youth club open for the hundreds of children who need it so desperately. If, the club can keep its doors open through these tough times, it will be around for many years to come.

Two local Amarillo elementary schools, Bivins and Landergin, have been named 2008 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools by the US Department of Education. Both schools scored in the top 10% on their academic tests and are the only Region 16 schools to receive this honor. I just want to say Congratulations to the students at Bivins and Landergin Elementary for their fabulous academic success!

It is easy to update your home's look and create added value without breaking the bank:

1. A fresh coat of paint on the inside of your home will brighten any room. Use nice soothing neutral tones. Don't forget to paint the trim in a bright color (bright white is great) to make the wall colors "pop".

2. For approximately $250, you can get a home inspection that will include suggestions of things that need to be fixed. Getting these things fixed before you place your home on the market can save you money in the long run. Typically, buyers tend to negotiate $2 for every $1 in repairs needed.

3. Replace older appliances with newer, energy-efficient appliances. They not only work better, most Energy-Star appliances offer a rebate and you will save money in operating costs while you are waiting for your home to sell.

4. Update your kitchen and bathroom fixtures. This can mean everything from a new faucet to new drawer pulls and cabinet knobs. You can replace one faucet and 10 pulls and knobs for under $100. This gives the room a nice facelift and shows a pride in ownership.

By making these small, inexpensive changes, you will not only make a good impression to potential buyers, but you will also create added value when it is time to sell your home.

Through the partnership of Amarillo College and Faith City Ministries, local Amarillo women are able to go to college for free. The college is called Success University. The name is perfect for its cause. This free opportunity is for homeless moms. It will help them to get the education needed to support their family without government assistance.

Many women struggle to earn minimum wage while trying to provide for their children, living paycheck to paycheck, making it very hard to live without extra financial help. But, through the courses provided at the Success University, these Amarillo, Texas women will be able to find better paying jobs.

The women attending Success University will begin with college preparatory classes that will help them get up to speed with college curriculum. In the future, Faith City Ministries is hoping to have men attend classes there also, but they are currently waiting on additional funding for the program.

Amarillo, Texas also has several other colleges and universities in the area, both private and public, offering an array of classes for everyone.

The 85th annual Tri-State Fair & Rodeo will be held in Amarillo on September 12-20, 2008. This year, it is a country-lover's paradise. With musical acts like James Otto, Luke Bryan, Star de Azlan and Chris Young, your country-lovin' hearts are gonna sing! If music isn't enough to bring you here, come for the petting zoo, magical acts, carnival rides, rodeo and exhibits of all sorts, ranging from photography to arts and crafts to livestock. There is something for every member of the family. Visit the Tri-State Fair & Rodeo's schedule of events to see which events are happening on which days.

Before the fair even begins, there is a gala to benefit the Tri-State Exposition's scholarship program. You can watch country singer Blake Shelton perform live on September 4th and raise money for a good cause. There is also an Amarillo Star vocal competition right before Blake Shelton's performance. First place pays $1,000. For ticket information, please visit Panhandle Tickets.