Karina Ramírez

The area’s newest western store, MCG Western, has set up shop at 719 E. Sherman Drive in Denton, near the recently closed Piggly Wiggly.

“It stands for Mark, Cuqui and Gueros [a Spanish slang for Caucasian],” said Maria Simmons, 42, who was born in Durango, Mexico, and is one of the store’s owners. “It stands for my husband, me and our two sons.”

Maria and her husband, Mark, 45, sell a variety of western-themed items at the store.

DRC/Karina Ramírez

Western-themed items line the interior of MCG Western at 719 E. Sherman Drive in Denton.

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Some pieces, such as pottery, were purchased in Mexico and others come from local merchants who wish to expand their clientele.

The store opened three months ago under the name MCG Outlet, which will change to MCG Western once the required paperwork is filed.

“It used to be a Howdy Doody convenience store,” which has been closed since 1984, Mark said of the 2,100-square-foot location.

More information is available online at www.mcgwestern.com.

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The list of participating agencies for the July 9 community exposition of People Helping People Help Themselves is growing.

Forty-eight organizations are signed up to participate.

“In business you can’t be successful if you are not successful in your personal life,” said Cara Leising, one of the organizers of the event about how the exposition will empower neighbors to seek help and assist each other when needed.

Those wishing to attend or participate can make reservations online at www.alabasterweb.com.

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Experience Works provides low-income adults age 55 and older paid job training experience and free employment services to individuals willing to train an average of 18 hours per week.

For more information, call 940-365-3851 or e-mail adrkhrs2@yahoo.com.

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Dogwood Estates will have a free Sharp Chef Culinary Competition to support the Denton Community Food Center at 3 p.m. on Saturday at 2820 Wind River Lane.

The competition will feature the culinary skills of five chefs from Holiday Retirement communities within the southeastern United States, according to a news release.

The fast-paced competition will be judged by a panel of local officials and food experts. The winner will have the opportunity to participate in Holiday Retirement’s second biennial, companywide Sharp Chef Culinary Competition in September to determine Holiday Retirement’s 2009 Sharp Chef.

Attendees are encouraged to bring nonperishable food items to the event.

For more information, call 940-383-8600.

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Anne Starnes, executive director of Opening Doors Immigration Services Inc. in Denton, issued a statement saying interested individuals may now support the organization by participating in Kroger’s “Neighbor to Neighbor” program.

Through the program, Opening Doors will receive a percentage of the eligible purchases from customers enrolled and using their Kroger Plus Card. According to Kroger’s “Neighbor to Neighbor” program, the Denton Humane Society received $5,908 for participating in the program.

Kroger customers would need to re-link their cards in order to help Opening Doors receive funds and scan the organization’s barcode.

To request a copy of the barcode, e-mail contactus@odisdenton.org.

More information about the Neighbor to Neighbor program is available online at www.krogerneighbortoneighbor.com.

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Terry Everett

DATCU employee Terry Everett recently marked 25 years with the credit union.

Employees at DATCU’s Decatur branch, where Everett works as manager, threw her a surprise party with snacks. Everyone, customers included, was treated to other goodies throughout the day.

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Rita Sprabary, manager of Twice As Nice Resale, and Sherry Lee, store volunteer, recently attended the National Association of Resale & Thrift Shops’ annual conference in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The four-day conference gathered the industry’s resale professionals and included resale workshops, networking sessions and a resale trade show.

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The Denton Main Street Association and the city of Denton will have a public meeting to discuss the development of a local community market at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in the Conference Room at City Hall, 215 E. McKinney St.

For more information, call 940-349-7732.

Coming up

The Aubrey Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly luncheon at 11:30 a.m. July 15 at the Prairie House Restaurant, 1001 U.S. Highway 380 in Cross Roads.

Admission is $12 per person.

To make reservations, e-mail chamber@aubreycoc.org.

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Family Chiropractic Clinic will have a free event called Denton’s Summer Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 18.

For more information, call 940-566-0000 or e-mail kmdbodyworks@hotmail.com.

KARINA RAMÍREZ can be reached at 940-566-6878. Her e-mail address is kramirez@dentonrc.com.