Today Cedar Hill (Duncanville, Tex.), Vol. 35, No. 37, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 7, 2000 Page: 4 of 22
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Thursday, December 7,2000
Richard Collins
Owner
Kathy Ramsey
Publisher
Kevin Balerrtine
Managing Editor
Greg Cashman
Advertising Director
Jon Whitcomb
Circulation Coordinator
Kirk Dickey
News Editor
Angel Jenkins
People Editor
Matt Dalrymple, Ryan Erwin,
Amy Smith
Staff Writers
Rebecca Stivers
Retail ad sales
Troy Peoples
Distribution Coordinator
Today Cedar Hill (USPS 095640. ISSN
0704-0428) is published every Thursday by
Today Newspapers located at 716-B N.
Main St., Duncanville. Texas, 75138-1029.
Second class postage paid at Duncanville,
Texas, 75138-1029.
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the Today Cedar Hill, P.O. Box 381029,
Duncanville, Texas 75138-1029.
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LETTER POUCY
Opinion Today is an open forum for all view-
points. Letters to the editor and guest
columns are encouraged. Deadline is 5 p.m.
Monday in person at 1701 N. Hampton in
DeSoto, by mail to P.O. Box 381029,
DuncanvHte, TX 75138 or by fax to 972-298-
6369. Letters must be signed, with a home
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ther information.
Some gifts
we’d like to see
Giving the gift of a hard time
r
1' .CJ&#
Well, the
first week of
post-
Thanksgiving
Christmas
shopping mad-
ness has come
and gone, and
the world
doesn’t seem
to have totally
STEVE foUen apart.
Before the
SWlPER start of holiday
Today Staff shopping’s
annual blitz, a
number of media stories were report-
ing that there were no “hot” toys so
far this year, no single “must have”
items to buy for kids.
Well, having an opinion or obser-
vation on just about everything in
this world, I had a couple to offer
about toy “hot lists.”
First, these lists all originate in the
public relations departments of
Mattel, Hasbro, Fisher-Price,
Nintendo., etc. They are all then
shopped around to television, radio,
newspaper and magazine outlets to
get each company’s toys mentioned
as “must buys” for capitalism-addict-
ed 4-year-olds. I suspect the same is
true about those stories claiming that
there were no hot toy items yet this
year. It allows PR bigwigs from the
major toymakers to get quoted talk-
ing about how toys X, Y and Z, con-
veniently mentioned by name and
described in detail, have sadly not yet
become hot items.
So, then, we have toys being ana-
lyzed — is there a Siskel and Ebert
for the toy industry? — and other-
wise getting plenty of back-door
marketing. And soon enough, voila!
— we have ourselves a list of hot
toys.
Second, what did our parents do,
or our grandparents with our parents,
without this mass media maelstrom?
First of all, in my case at least, I
didn’t get just toys, by any means. I
got plenty of practical clothing and
other more pragmatic gifts. So I and
my siblings survived Christmas with-
out the kind help of Mattel, et al.
Finally, it got me to thinking
about what might be hot Christmas
wish list items for some of our
nation’s rich and famous.
• Bill Clinton: What do you get
the man who has everything, includ-
ing a wife now in the Senate? The
words “no-fault divorce” come to
mind, but that would be too easy of
an answer. So we say: give this man
a job as a textbook editor at
McGraw-Hill. That way, he can
finally get written into the history
books with the legacy he so richly
believes he deserves.
• Hillary: How about a healthy
dose of patience? Just remember,
Madam New York, that you’re no
different from any other freshman
senator and you might go places in
the longer term. Step out of line and
you’ll be kneecapped by Senate
Republicans so fast it’ll make Bill’s
head spin.
• The Electoral College: How
about a Constitutionally-rewritten
one-way cruise out of this country?
Those 538 men and women deserve
a permanent vacation.
• The Texas Democratic Party:
How about Ron Kirk running for
governor in 2002?
• The Republican and Democratic
National Committees: Some of those
“lawyer’s lawyers” that Nixon
always was glad to have.
• Jerry Jones: We would say a
new draft-day guru or talent scout,
but Jerry would surely return him for
a refund the day after Christmas.
New stadium? Arlington’s already
trying to give him that one. Irving
officials in his pocket? Already got
that — definitely shown by a recent
television report on food safety con-
ditions at Texas Stadium.
We think maybe Jerry just needs
to step up to be NFL Commissioner
— that way he can worry about
“sock and jocks” for 32 teams, not
just one.
• The Dallas MavWrecks: A trip
to the playoffs, of course. Along with
a gag and muzzle for Mark Cuban,
who might soon make Jones seem
likeable.
• Troy Aikman: The brains of the
Scarecrow, so he can spell one word.
It’s called R-E-T-I-R-E-M-E-N-T.
Think about it, Troy.
• The St. Louis Cardinals: A
World Series victory. That’s on the
table for them from me every year.
One key to success
is to stay calm
By DARRYL FENTON
Special to Today
There are two things we can be
fairly sure of in the investment
world. The first is that prices will
sometimes go up. The second is that
prices will sometimes go down.
When the ups and downs become too
volatile, many investors may be
tempted to make snap decisions
based on short-term events. But the
secret to successful investing during
jittery markets is to stay calm.
Of course, that’s easier said than
done. However, you can do it.
Here are a few suggestions that
may make it easier: Concentrate on
long-term objectives — It’s impor-
tant to develop an investment strate-
gy, stick with it over time and keep
your long term objectives in sight.
You may want to adjust your portfo-
lio to reflect changing circumstances,
but don’t abandon proven principles
of investment success, such as diver-
sification and striking the proper bal-
ance between risk and reward.
Look for opportunities — During
choppy markets, many people turn to
“defensive” industries, such as con-
sumer staples and drugs. These sec-
tors are rarely out of favor for
extended periods of time, for the sim-
ple reason that people will always
need these products and services.
Other sectors, while struggling along
with a down market, may still be
poised to do well during the next
upturn.
Accept normal market adjust-
ments — Sometimes when the mar-
ket appears to be going through con-
vulsions, it’s actually “shaking out”
excesses of one kind or another in a
move toward equilibrium. Such may
have been the case this past spring,
when overpriced technology stocks
fell sharply, causing a drag on the
market. While these shakeouts can
seem unsettling at the time, they’re
often healthy for the market in the
long run.
Put your idle money to work—
It’s probably not a good idea to ever
get totally out of the market, no mat-
ter how turbulent things may get. By
being on the sidelines, even for a
See STAY CLAM, Page 5
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Being put ‘on hold’ hurts
By SUSAN STACY, LPC
Special to Today_
Question: “Mary” and I have
known each other for seven years
and have been dating for five. She
finally talked me into getting married
and we became engaged last year.
All of a sudden last week she says
she needs time! I have been trying to
understand what is going on and for
the last few days it’s all we talk
about. I have told her how much I
love her and that I am in this for the
long haul. She says I’m a great guy
and that she loves me. This is the
woman I want to spend the rest of
my life with. We have so much in
common and enjoy each other so
much this rejection has really caught
me off guard. I am hurt and angry.
I am afraid that if I back off too
much or for too long she will hook
up with someone else and make a big
mistake
She doesn’t want to tell any of our
family or friends so I have no one to
talk to about this. What can I do to
convince “Mary’ that she is the one
for me?
Name Withheld
Dallas, TX
Stacy: So she talked you into get-
ting married, I wonder if she felt put
“on hold?”
Without knowing the extent of
Mary’s confusion I’m not sure how
much time she wants or needs.This
may not be the right time to try and
convince “Mary” to see things your
way. Sending a romantic token,
flowers or a love note may be your
style. If so go for it, but remember
she asked for time, and too much
pressure from you will just add to her
confusion.
All of this just happened last week
so try and give her a little space. Do
not hound her for answers for at least
two weeks. I understand that right
now your worried that if you don’t
occupy her time she will meet some-
one else. If that happens it was going
to happen anyway and better now
than later. Of course you feel hurt, it
feels rotten to be put “on hold.”
Be patient and gentle with your-
self.
Question: Last week at my
daughter’s elementary school there
was a Thanksgiving pageant and art
show. My daughter had drawn a pic-
ture and wrote that if she was presi-
dent she would make it a law that no
one would cuss. I was very embar-
rassed.
I am worried that she’s heard my
husband and I fighting. We have
some awful fights. What can I do?
Name withheld
DeSoto,TX
Stacy: Kids say the damest
things. Yes, you’re probably right
that she’s heard the fighting.
Children hear more than we some-
times think so if you and your hus-
band are hateful to each other no
doubt she has picked up on it.
If you are yelling and cussing at
each other that’s real scary for a
young child. You don’t want her to
leam that it is okay to verbally abuse
each other and it’s not acceptable for
little kids to cuss, so you and hubby
need to stop cussing. Please talk to
your husband and ask him to agree to
not cuss when the kids are anywhere
around.
If you have trouble breaking this
habit try putting a rubber band
around your wrist and snapping it
every time you forget and say a bad
word.
Please consider marriage counsel-
ing, it could help you leam how to
fight better.
Good luck.
Question: I broke up with
“Jason” because he was causing me
too much trouble. He’s in alternative
school for drugs and is probably
going to jail when he gets out.
Anyway the problems is “Jason”s
dad. He is following me around and
spying on me. I don’t even hang out
with his stupid son anymore but the
guy won’t leave me alone.
What should I do?
Name Withheld
Dallas
Stacy: I am worried about you,
this is a serious situation. Please tell
your parents or someone responsible
you trust immediately. If he does not
stop bothering you, discuss calling
the police. Good for you for taking
care of yourself. Please write back
and let me know how you are doing.
Responses are written by Susan
Stacy, a licensed professional coun-
selor. Ms. Stacy is Director of
Mental Health Services for the
Lancaster Outreach Counseling
Center and has a private practice in
Dallas. If you have a problem and
need advice write to Susan Stacy at
LOC1120 Randlett, Lancaster, Tx
75146.
Reflections on ‘picking’ a jury
Any expe-
rienced trial
lawyer will
tell you that
the process
of jury selec-
tion is critical
to winning a
case. In a
case involv-
ing a botched
JOHN back surgery,
POLEWSKI *“htg
Special to Today the surgeon
wants is a
juror who thinks his mother’s recent
death is the result of malpractice,
while the last thing the plaintiff
wants is a juror who is convinced
that all doctors are gods because one
recently saved his wife’s life.
We all walk around with our own
prejudices and life experiences
which we inevitably bring to bear
whenever we are asked to solve a
problem-or to determine what “jus-
tice” is. An old man with a bad knee
is more likely to be sympathetic to a
plaintiffs claims of pain than is a
young man who has never had a dis-
ability. A 40 year old parent of a two
year old daughter is more likely to
understand the magnitude of the loss
of a child than is a 19 year old frater-
nity party boy.
When lawyers like me are repre-
senting clients in a trial, the first
thing we do is try to determine what
types of jurors we do and do not
want on our jury. Since the goal is
obviously to win, we are definitely
not looking for totally impartial
jurors-assuming that such a person
actually exists. I want jurors who
come in biased in favor of my client.
The other side wants jurors who
come in biased against my client.
Both lawyers are trying hard to fig-
ure out which of the potential jurors
on the panel from which the jury will
be selected will be the best for his
client’s case. Each lawyer is also
hoping that the other side will not
identify, and therefore “strike” poten-
tial jurors friendly to his side. As you
can imagine, we spend a lot of time
thinking about how to get the infor-
mation we need while not revealing
“good” jurors to the other side.
In most courts in Texas, lawyers
get a period of time to ask questions
of potential jurors to help them make
this determination. This is the only
time that the lawyers get to have a
conversation with the people who
will end up on their jury panel, and
the conversations can be enlighten-
ing, frustrating, or worthless-depend-,
ing on the skill of the lawyer, the
honesty of the potential jurors in
See JURY, Page 5
Holiday on Hill a special time for community involvement
The Christmas Tree Lighting will
be held this Thursday night in down-
town Cedar Hill.
Choirs will be there to entertain
and Santa will be taking wishes from
the youngsters. This year the ceremo-
ny will become “Holiday on the
Hill,” an even larger event, by the
addition of the Cedar Hill Main
Street and Historic Downtown
Association. This wonderful event
will have local merchants open for
shopping and activities and entertain-
ment for all.
“Snowplow Sam” mascot for the
Dr Pepper Star Center Leam how to
Skate program will direct the crowd
around town, he will be joined by the
Chick-fil-A Cow and the Police
Department’s “McGruff ’ dog. The
evening will begin at 6 p.m. at 1st
Class Studio’s hosting Trinity
Church Carolers directed by Carolyn
Banquet. Then A&A Real Estate will
host First United Methodist Church
Bell Choir directed by Jeaneen
Kessinger at 6:15 p.m., Phillips
Lumber Co. will host the Permenter
Middle School Show Choir directed
by Donna Brinlee at 6:30 p.m.
Across the street at Debbie’s
Therapeutic Massage you will see
Lakeview Community Church Music
directed by Phil Edwards at 6:45 and
Baby Delights will present a
“Christmas Cuties” style show at
6:30 p.m., directed by Phyllis
Stewart and Yesterday’s Cafe will
host the Cross Creek “Bluegrass
Band” directed by Hugh Childress at
6:45.
Following the Christmas Tree
Lighting at 7 p.m. will be Spotlight
Dance Studio’s own “Marcia’s
Aerobic Maniacs” directed by
Marcia Homberger around 7:50 p.m.
with Rose Stencil
The Country Day on the Hill
group will have its Ferrari GoKart
Drawing there and Hillcrest Baptist
Church Chorale will sing in front of
Spotlight Dance Studio around 8:15
p.m.
Merit Realtors will present Texas
Express Train Rides for a $ 1 fee or 1
can food donation which both will
benefit the Cedar Hill Food Pantry.
Dream Hill Cottage will offer
Decorate your own Cookies for chil-
dren and James Enterprises invites
you to its “Children’s Christmas
Light Bulb Decorating” party. Cedar
Hill Main Street Program will be giv-
ing away a special Christmas CD for
a $5 donation to further its programs,
and the Cedar Hill Historical Society
will be selling its History Books as
well as Tee Shirts. Tickets for the
Country Day on the Hill Ferrari
GoKart will be $10.
There will be an award presented
by the Cedar Hill Parks and Rec-
reation for "Outstanding Citizen
Achievement” and free photos of
.“Santa & Me” will be takat
Southwest Comer Gallery starting at
7:45 p.m..
Event directors Jimmie Ruth
White and Rusty Brewer invite
everyone to join in the wonderful
holiday evening.
Don’t forget about Christmas at
Colonial Hills. You are invited to
join in any or all of the music presen-
tations. Sunday Dec. 10th, the
Children’s Choir Christmas Musical
& Sound Foundation Christmas
Musical, Sunday, Dec. 17,6 p.m., “A
Light Still Shines”, Jubilation Choir
and Sunday Dec. 24,5 p.m.
Christmas Music Concert &
Candlelight service.
If you are looking for more to do
with your family through this holiday
season, Bethlehem Revisited 2000 is
being held in Waxahachie on Dec. 8-
1Q. 6-9 p.m. Imagine being able to
step back in time 2000 years ago, and
See ON THE HILL, Page 5
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Balentine, Kevin. Today Cedar Hill (Duncanville, Tex.), Vol. 35, No. 37, Ed. 1 Thursday, December 7, 2000, newspaper, December 7, 2000; Duncanville, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth623511/m1/4/: accessed July 18, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Zula B. Wylie Memorial Library.