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HOUSTON HOME JOURNAL Approaching the idea of approachability The other day I was in an out-of town grocery store when I passed a guy in fresh vegetables, smiled, said “hello” and kept going. A few minutes later, he pushed his buggy (a strictly Southern term, you know) around the cor ner, wheeled up beside me and said “You have the most beautiful smile.” “Oh, you’re so sweet!” I said in that drawling Southern way of our women. “Thank you so much!” Without missing a beat, he said, “Can I take you to lunch?” Now, please don’t think for one minute that I’m going out with a guy I had seen first only three min utes before, who dares to ask me out in front of the canned green beans. Still, there is a point to this story. This kind of thing happens to me all the time so when women write me and say, “I’m attractive, outgoing and smart. Still, guys APPROACH From page 4A the terms are not explained. Richardson, and his minions, find it easy to argue the prom ise of no property taxes; how can opponents of the mea sure respond when there are no terms being set forth? How can anyone identify shortcomings of the plan when no description of how the pro posal will work exists? Should Georgia get rid of property taxes? How will Georgia fund its county, city and educational governments if they do? What will a high PAUL From page 4A been forced to hold my nose and pull the lever for a candidate that turns my stomach, only because the other choice is even worse. This year, I can vote for a candidate that can return America to the ideals that made her a great country to start with. This year I can smile, hold my head high, and vote for Ron Paul! For more information about Ron Paul, log on to RonPaul2ooß.com, or call 1- 703-248-9115. Brian Thomson, Warner Robins Let Us Mind Your BUSINESS. When it comes to your business accounts, you want to make sure you are getting the most for your money. Let Robins Federal mind your business. We offer a complete suite of business services with representatives dedicated to making sure you get the most for your money. jkSjaj jjj never ask me out. Why?” I always reply, “You have to have approach ability.” See, guys need to feel that they can come up to a woman, put themselves on the line and not be shot dead. Approachability is the ‘it’ factor of dating. Some women, without realizing it, rope themselves off with a sign that is invisible to them but visible to men that says, “Watch it, Buster!” My favorite story about this has to do with my dear friend, Virginia, who works for my New York pub lisher. We were in Dallas for an enormous book show. I was at my publisher’s booth, signing books while Virginia was off doing busi- growth county like ours do to facilitate additional teachers and services when our legis lators promise “equal shares” to high growth and low growth counties alike? Already the state is two and one-half years behind in funding the actual number of students being served by the Houston County Board of Education. The additional 2,000 stu dents are funded each year through local property taxes. It is imperative for the taxpayers to know how their children will be treated under this new law.. Unfortunately this is a “detail” that has not been described JH .^^^MiWMWWiM' \ Iff i ’jr^ Call, Click or Come In for details. Robins Federal • (478) 9233773, ext. 2240 (800)241.2405 Lutm* VISA* Card nor to vrcdit approval. Ronda Rich Columnist by our legislative leaders. The tax plan unabashedly removes the vehicle for fund ing all county, city and board authority budgets. Citizens of Georgia have received public services, roads, utilities and recreational services through the property system being attacked. It is irresponsible for the state legislators to promote a plan with no substance within a timely manner to allow com prehension of the changes that they are demanding. Pamela Green way, Houston County Board of Education EVANS From page 4A ■ The United Kingdom is getting serious about drivers of vehicles using hand held cell phones. A new law could send violators to jail for two years. The Brits are serious about reducing the num ber of accidents caused by drivers’ inattention to driving while talking or sending messages on their cell phones. Value Business Checking • No Minimum Balance • No Monthly Service Fee • Free Online Bill Pay • Free VISA® Check Card Business Loans • Competitive Rates • Local Decision Making • Quick Turnaround www robinsfcu.org OPINION ness elsewhere. A nice looking man walked up and introduced himself. During conversation, he explained he owns a restaurant so he invited me and any guests I wished to bring, to dinner that night. While we were talking, Virginia comes storming back into the booth, for she walks like a war rior on a constant mission. She’s hilarious. “This is Greg,” I said. “He owns a restaurant and has invited us for tonight.” Instantly, red rushed into her cheeks as she grabbed a director’s chair and slammed it down in front of her - for protection, I presume - and glowered. “What do you want?” she demanded in a fighting tone. She steadied herself into battle mode by spreading her feet a foot apart. She was ready to go to war. It was so extreme that I started 523 14 laughing and shrugged. “Don’t pay any attention to her,” I said to the stunned Greg. “She’s from Long Island.” The short version of the story - though the long one is beyond funny - is that I convinced the highly reluctant Virginia that we should accept his invitation. All the way over in the cab that night, Miss Cynic clutched her big pocket book to her chest, hunched over it and worried. “I’m telling you that he forgot us as soon as he left. We won’t even have a reservation when we get there. He’s playing us. And it’s probably a dump of a restaurant.” “If it is, we’ll leave,” I replied soothingly. A few minutes later, the cab pulled up to a stunningly beautiful, elegant restaurant. That was the first in a series of times that Virginia’s jaw would drop. The maitre d’ greeted us. “We HICKS From page 4A never been more resources directed to this cause than are currently being utilized in our country. The faith community also offers hope. There are many opportunities and a strong mandate to address fam ily breakdown. Fortunately, there is an increasing num ber of ministries being offered to help congrega tions and the community. One of the things Popenoe cites as a way to reverse the decline is “a significant expansion in influence and authority of today’s ortho dox, anti-individualist reli gions.” Churches and syna gogues have the local pres ence and moral authority to offer premarital counsel ing, to help married couples maintain a strong marriage relationship and to assist those in trouble. Businesses can also get in on this. Offering free or low cost relationship and mar riage education to employ ees and flexibility for family Nothing beats money in the bank... Except more money in the bank. Achieve Rapid Growth Results with Our NEW □ [jJ ikl in* FIRST MONEY MARKET ACCOUNT Perfect for anyone wanting to earn a higher interest rate than a regular savings account while still having access to your money 24 / 7. ($75,000 minimum) IPlanters First Your Banking Comes FIRST *AFY 4.85%* in effect as »f 9/V&7 tannuaJ percentage yield Intood on monthly compounding). Hate 4,75%. $75,000 minimum opening deposit required. Companion checking account required. Personal or bn sines*. account# oak; no public funds. Monthly mainlenanro tm at $lO if balance drops below $ I<KKJ. Hole of 2.25% (APY 2.27% ) for balances siooo*s74.s>oo Oft. Standard money market restrictions of *?x tranaa <iiom per rusiemeni. cycle wilt apply. Money cannot he transferred from i existing account* with Plan ter sPIRST. P <#if> fuay reduce earnings Additional restrictions may apply APY subject to change Teems and conditions of this offer may I change at any tune. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2007 ♦ needs are just a few of the ways companies can pro mote stronger marriages. After all, employees with healthier marriages are more productive and thus more profitable than those in unhappy marriages. And, of course, there’s you. What are you doing to promote healthy marriages? It’s likely that you can make an impact in your own sphere of influence. Become informed about the many benefits of marriage (bet ter health and well-being, more wealth, children who do better academically and emotionally, etc.) and talk about them when opportu nities present themselves (www.healthymarriageinfo. org is a useful source of information). Come along side couples who are consid ering marriage or are just entering married life and share your experience and insight with them. Even if you have experi enced divorce, that does not disqualify you from help ing someone. Often it is out of brokenness that we can speak more genuinely about Call or visit one of our offices for more information. 987-9600 www.plantersfirst.com Member T—r CFYi/* 1 1 rDIV len’Slr have a 7:30 reservation, please,” I said. He smiled. “You must be Ronda and Virginia.” Another jaw drop. And so it con tinued all night as Greg saw that we had the finest dinner and best service possible. It finaUy got to the point that when a bottle of very expensive champagne arrived, unannounced, that, with dropped jaw, she looked at me and shook her head. On the way back to the hotel, she said quietly, “Ronda? Could you teach me to do that Southern thing you do? It really works.” It’s caUed approachability. And, it works in Dallas or the canned green bean section at the grocery store. Ronda Rich is the best-selling of What Southern Women Know (That Every Woman Should) and The Town That Came A-Courtin’. these things. And most of all - culti vate your own marriage! Do whatever it takes to make sure you and your spouse have the skills to commu nicate, resolve conflict and share romance. If you are struggling - get help! Turning the tide of fam ily breakdown in America , is a colossal task, but vital. The future of family health, child well-being and com munity stability starts in each home. Husbands and wives have the power and the responsibility to take control of our marriages and make them thrive. We can read the data and forecast what may be, but when it all comes down to it, the future depends on us. Georgia Family Council is a non-profit organization that works to strengthen and defend the family in Georgia by equipping mar riage advocates, shaping laws, preparing the next generation and influencing culture. For more informa tion, go to www.georgia family.org, 770-242-0001, stephen@gafam.org. | <wlp |||||ipF JfgjggsHßk 1 5A 153357