You may have read last week that foreclosures are surging in McLennan County. They are up 12 percent from last year.

I’ve heard from experts that homeowners often make the mistake of avoiding their lenders when they fall behind on their payments.

That’s a recipe for disaster.

NeighborWorks Waco will discuss that issue and others at its foreclosure prevention clinics from 6 to 7 p.m. every Thursday at 922 Franklin Ave. in downtown Waco.

“Get real answers,” says NeighborWorks in its promotional material. Its adds that its services are free and confidential.

Those attending need to take their most recent mortgage statements.

Family Dollar

Local discount store shoppers may have noticed some changes with the Family Dollar chain recently.

The store at 1200 Richland Drive, in the same shopping center as Hobby Lobby and Big Lots, has been closed for months. Then two weeks ago, the store at 201 N. Hewitt Dr. closed.

Josh Braverman, a spokesman for Family Dollar, said there are no plans to replace the Richland Drive location. Its sales were not up to par.

The Hewitt Drive location will be replaced, however, Braverman said. The chain decided to abandon its current location because the store needs more room to expand, he said.

The new store will be located at 709 N. Hewitt Drive, and Braverman said it likely will open after the first of the year.

China lures jobs

When you’re watching the upcoming Olympic games in Beijing, keep in mind that Texas lost 202,900 jobs to China between 2001 and 2007, according to a report prepared by the Economic Policy Institute.

Nationally, 2.3 million U.S. jobs were lost due to the China trade gap since Beijing’s entry into the World Trade Organization.

Job losses in Texas came from many sectors, including the computer and electronic products manufacturing industry, where more than 90,400 workers were displaced.

Bank honored

You may have read on my blog that the First National Bank of Central Texas has been recognized as a “Top 20” industry earnings performer by ICBA Independent Banker, a national trade magazine.

The Waco-based bank was honored for posting one of the 20 best year-end earnings performances in 2007 for banks with assets between $250 million and $500 million.

ICBA applied the standard industry performance measures of return on average assets and return on average equity.

After hours mixer

Saturn of Waco will sponsor Business After Hours from 5 to 9 p.m. Aug. 14.

The mixer for businesspeople and members of the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce will be at the dealership at 4824 W. Waco Drive.

Texas Roadhouse

I’m not what you would call a regular at Texas Roadhouse Steakhouse on Waco’s traffic circle, but my family eats there occasionally.

I was glad to hear the owners are spending about $300,000 to expand the restaurant, providing more eating and waiting space. That is one of the busiest eating places in town. I don’t believe we’ve ever stopped by there and immediately gotten a table.

The restaurant will not close during the renovation.

Simply Delicious

I’m hearing that Simply Delicious Bakery is doing very well since it opened nearly a year ago. It gets orders for 50 to 75 custom cakes each week and sells icing shots and cupcakes.

It is located at 200 S. Commerce Drive, near the shopping strip that includes PetSmart and Outback Steakhouse.

mcopeland@wacotrib.com

757-5736