Cheers and Jeers/Jan. 28

Cheers: To Callaway's Nursery, the city of Arlington and Republic Waste for going far out of their way to find my 1973 college ring that I accidentally threw into a giant Christmas tree recycling bin.

-- Jim Swan, Arlington

Cheers: To Tim and Karen Russell in North Richland Hills Home Town for housing, feeding and helping raise young hockey players. They take into their home two players each year from all over, and at their own cost. Plus they raise their own child. Better neighbors do not exist.

-- Jerry Sorenson, North Richland Hills

Cheers: To Joe Prescott, our postal carrier for many years of dedicated service and delivery. You will be missed greatly. Delivery will never be the same without you. Have a happy retirement and life. We will always remember you.

-- Robert F. Stripling, Fort Worth

Cheers: To Pastor Miles and Thompson Chapel United Methodist congregation, Sonia Trevino of EECU and Trinity Valley School students for the donations made to our Kirkpatrick Elementary families this holiday season. Your generous donations helped make a joyous holiday for many families. May God continue to bless you all.

-- Hilda Caballero, principal, Kirkpatrick Elementary, Fort Worth

Cheers: To the sponsors who made our students' hearts smile at Luella Merrett Elementary with their generosity. Thank you OmniAmerican Bank, Agape Baptist Church, Tarleton Fort Worth Campus and University Christian Church! Thank you for adopting them and making their holidays shine!

-- Melissa Bryan, principal, and Amparo Martinez, assistant principal, Luella Merrett Elementary, Fort Worth

Cheers: To the Hurst-Euless-Bedford school district for adding salad bars to the menu at some elementary schools. It is so important for children to eat fresh vegetables and start changing their tastes at an early age. I hope they expand the program. The parents should join their kids for lunch!

-- Gail Stephens, Graham

Cheers: To Danny Ray and his staff at Ray's Pharmacy in Kennedale. All of you worked together to get my prescription filled and delivered to my home. The world would be a better place if every business practiced customer service like you do.

-- Carolyn Ramsey-Miller, Kennedale

Jeers: To Brent Bookers, director of construction at the Laborers' International Union of North America, for his oxymoron in the Jan. 3 Star-Telegram story from The Associated Press about the Canada-to-Texas oil pipeline. He stated: "Too many hardworking Americans are out of work."

-- Don Woodard Sr., Fort Worth

Cheers: To Wells Fargo Bank, Subway and All Smiles Dental Centers for being part of the inaugural toy drive by Matlock Street businesses donating to Mission Arlington. These three businesses alone contributed 30 toys for children served by the mission. Thanks also to Swifty Printers for printing the flyers.

-- Debbie Sanders, Arlington

Cheers: To the man who helped my 66-year-old mother get to her Jan. 4 doctor's appointment. Her car would not start and she had begun walking when this gentleman stopped to give her a ride at Arbrook and Center streets in Arlington. Thank you for your kindness. You are an angel.

-- Karen Goldman, Arlington

Cheers: To PetSmart, its VP/Executive Director Susana Maddalena, Tammy Hawley of the Humane Society of North Texas and others for their time and efforts in helping get animals adopted. PetSmart charities and the city of Fort Worth in partnership will be an animal's second chance -- for a permanent home!

-- Darlene Taylor, Fort Worth

Jeers: To all the potholes on every street in Fort Worth. They are tearing up our vehicles.

-- Joretta Lanier, Azle

Jeers: To those people who use their horns instead of their brakes.

-- Anna Claunch, Fort Worth

Jeers: To the city of Cleburne for raising water rates, taxes and rental fees and cutting trash pickups to once a week while paying employees $16 a month longevity pay and all unused sick time at retirement.

-- Robert Cunningham, Cleburne

Jeers: To President Barack Obama and members of Congress who wish to cut our military budget to the bone. Start by cutting foreign aid along with your salaries, retirement and medical benefits. This seems to be an ignorant move while China, Iran and North Korea increase their military.

-- A.L. McCluney, Hurst

Cheers: To the person who found my wristwatch Dec. 23. I had been to H-E-B Supermarket that day and when I called, they told me someone had turned it in. Thank you, and may God bless you for your honesty.

-- Betty R. Longoria, Cleburne

Cheers: To those who paid for my breakfast at Mimi's Cafe on Jan. 1. So good to start the new year feeling as special as I did.

-- Crystal Epperson, Fort Worth

Jeers: To the person who took the Christmas flowers and small flag out of my husband's vase at Bluebonnet Cemetery. This was our first Christmas without him.

-- Kay Thomas, Hurst

Cheers: To the gentleman who paid for our dinners at Howell's Cafe in Springtown on New Year's Eve. It is so refreshing to see God's people at work. May God bless you and your family abundantly in 2012. What a wonderful way to end an already blessed year.

-- Bill and Carolyn White, Springtown

Jeers: To the Fort Worth tire company that put the wrong size tires on my car, causing a blowout five minutes after coming home from the freeway. It was so loud it scared me and woke the neighbors. The company didn't offer a refund, replacement or a simple, "We're sorry."

-- Regina Hill, Fort Worth

Cheers: To the Star-Telegram for publishing the article about sand mining operations in Wisconsin. Now please focus on the sand mining operations in Central Texas counties and the environmental destruction under way in our own back yard.

-- Pat Saunders, Denton

Jeers: To the U.S. Postal Service for its inability to deliver proper mail to ZIP code 76110. I have not received my Chase Visa bill for two months, which results in a $25 monthly late charge. I have complained many times to no avail. Get it together.

-- Sueann Beckner, Fort Worth

Jeers: To the city of Arlington for making the intersection of Norwood Lane and Westview Terrace dangerous by adding bike lanes. I have never seen a four-way yield and can't believe how many zigzags and traffic signs could be added to one street. I don't even see bikers use that lane.

-- Matthew Posey, Arlington

Jeers: To myself for not checking the reputation of a local company for a new air/heat system. It's been less than four years, and I'm now spending thousands to a reputable company to fix a botched installation. Beware consumer! Do your homework!

-- Kay Massengale, Fort Worth

Cheers: To Trey and Chad Hart of Kaden/Cheldan homes. They helped to correct a problem with our home, quickly and efficiently. They are people of integrity and represent a quality builder.

-- Craig Hundley, Burleson

Cheers: To Maaco Paint and Body on South Hulen Street in Fort Worth. Great paint job for my wife's car: done on time, at the quoted price and many extras, including a follow-up call.

-- Kelly Schofield, North Richland Hills

Cheers: To Huguley Fitness Center for helping out-of-towners who want to maintain our exercise programs while away from home! They are a well-equipped fitness facility and were willing to accommodate guest passes so that we could use the facility while visiting Texas. They really understand customer service.

-- Cheri Myers, Long Beach, Calif.

Cheers: To Eddie V's Prime Seafood Restaurant in Fort Worth. They made our 20th anniversary dinner truly a memorable experience. The food, service, ambiance and especially our server, Cari, were all top-notch. Thanks for a wonderful evening!

-- Brenda Lynas, Joshua

Cheers: To Sammie's Bar-B-Q. My grandma went to pick up my birthday lunch on New Year's Day and Sammie's was closed. Noticing her outside, the owner was extremely kind and put together an order for her anyway! Excellent customer service and delicious BBQ! Thanks for making my birthday special.

-- Emma Tomiak, Arlington

Cheers: To officers James Smith and Tyson Emery of the University of North Texas Health Science Center Police Department. They assisted me with a flat tire in the CVS parking lot at the corner of Montgomery Street and Camp Bowie Boulevard on the night of Dec. 11. Thanks!

-- Steve Lemming, Fort Worth

Cheers: To the lovely group (Betty, Arlene, Carol, Raul, etc.) at Plaza Medical Center. On Jan. 6 they helped me through a very difficult time during my mother's surgery. It is nice to know there are genuine, compassionate souls who recognize when someone needs their spirit lifted. God bless you all!

-- Sharon Duffy, Fort Worth

Cheers: To Travis Avenue Baptist Church for a wonderful New Year's Day worship service. What a great way to start the New Year.

-- Glenda Signs, Fort Worth

Cheers: To Dr. John Admot of Fort Worth for the excellent care he gave my husband when he removed the multiple cancer cells on his face and arm. There are no scars. The surgery healed well. Jo-Ann and his staff make you feel relaxed and welcome.

-- Margaret Browning, Keller

Jeers: To the man who had his football ring returned after 23 years and did not offer any compensation for its return. The guy went to the trouble of locating you, which probably wasn't easy. Evidently you weren't too proud to have it back. It could have cost you.

-- Johnny Moon, Arlington

Cheers: To Col. Willett Stallworth on his second retirement. He served our country in the Air Force for 30 years, then served our community at TCU as the associate vice chancellor of the physical plant for an additional 23 years. Happy retirement, our friend, we will miss you.

-- T. Ross Bailey, Fort Worth

Jeers: To the Texas Rangers ticket office for its handling of "Opening Day." This is tradition in our family. Last year we were allowed 30 tickets. This year, only 14! A terrible way to treat faithful fans. We're not on the bandwagon for the ride -- we're here for the long haul.

-- Cindy Rodriguez, Fort Worth

Cheers: To the good Samaritan who found my purse and turned it in Jan. 8 after I left it on the back of my chair at Starbucks on University Drive. You are my hero and a person of great integrity!

-- Kathy Wright, Fort Worth

Cheers: To the main switchboard operator at the Precinct 4 headquarters in Lake Worth. She went to extra trouble to connect me with the right department when there was a breakdown in the system. It was clear she has done this before.

-- Frances Wohler, Fort Worth

Jeers: To the Dallas Cowboys for outsourcing their merchandise to Cambodian sweatshops. Sales in excess of $90 million. Shame on "America's Team" for not supporting Americans. If they can't put a winner on the field, they could care more for jobless Americans and less about Jerry Jones' coffers.

-- Sandy DiLorenzo, Whitney

Cheers: To Southern Timber Sales on Mansfield Highway and owner Ted Carmack for living up to this senior's high expectations on my cedar fence purchase. You not only provide good workmanship and reasonable prices, but outstanding customer service. Your company gets my five stars-plus.

-- Margaret Fletcher, Fort Worth

Cheers: To the young couple at Wal-Mart on Highway 121 and Cheek Sparger Road late Jan. 15. You saved my place in line while I got my credit card from my car after you had already checked out. You also sent customers to the "under 10 lane" while you had 13 items!

-- Nanetta Jones, Grapevine

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