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Accessible 7-Mile Trail Proposed For Kirby Lake By Annabelle Tuggle | BigCountryHomePage
Kirby Lake could be getting a new trail that would be seven miles long. In a January 18 committee hearing, four different project proposals were discussed during public comments, and a Kirby Lake trail was by far the most popular discussion. The Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee searches for projects to be put on city bonds, and they wanted to hear opinions from the community on three possible projects: Two new recreation centers, a new fire station and a new seven-mile trail around Lake Kirby. Nearly 50 people showed up to this meeting, more than expected, and many spoke about the trail. This includes McMurry biology professor, Dr. Joel Brant, who said he often goes to Lake Kirby, and would like to see a change. “I think by having a more extensive trail system, you’re gonna get more people going out to Kirby and you’re gonna get more people learning, from my opinion, about the wildlife and plants that are out [there].”
With a new trail, Dr. Brant said he it could very “I firmly believe that the outdoors is for everywell encourage education, health and bring one, whether ability or ambulation,” Lingle admore people to Abilene. vocated. Susan Lingle was not able to make it to the meeting, but has spoken up about this issue to others, encouraging them to make a change. She told KTAB/KRBC she does this because there isn’t much more she can do living outside Abilene City limits.
Rosten Callarman, a member of the committee, told KTAB/KRBC these projects will be recommended to the Abilene City Council. From there, council will decide whether they want to move forward and put a new trail on an election ballot or not. Should council choose to move forward, Callarman said Abilene residents will Beginning as a way to clear her mind just ahead vote for the project. He said altogether, the four of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lingle took up hik- projects are estimated to cost $40 million. ing and running. When the pandemic shut down travel, she resorted to using the trails at Kirby “If the city decides to move forward with it, then Lake. As a therapist, who has worked with peo- they’ll decide which upcoming election they ple with disabilities, she realized it was not ac- will put it into,” says Callarman. cessible for everyone. If the city does move forward, Callarman said “It’s like a rough trail, or like a gravel road, ba- the committee is recommending to the city that sically,” Lingle explained. the two recreation centers go on the same ballot as the trail, and the new fire station being on its Lingle said she wants to encourage a new trail own ballot. that is accessible for those who need walkers or other adaptable equipment.
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International Tourist Attraction “Singing Ringing Tree” Arrives Private collector has donated sculpture to Abilene; 1 of only 3 in the world By Sidney Levesque | Marketing Director, Abilene Cultural Affairs Council
A wind-powered sound sculpture made up of nearly 27 tons of cascading pipes is arriving in its new, permanent home in downtown Abilene on July 26. “The Singing Ringing Tree” is expected to take three days to reassemble and is anticipated to become a tourist draw for the city. “It’s a masterpiece, and for Abilene, it’s going to draw a lot of visitors to the city,” said John King, owner of JK Welding in the Houston area. The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council contracted with JK Welding to dismantle the sculpture from its location on private property in Travis County and reassemble it in Abilene east of the Frontier Texas! museum in the grassy median where Treadaway Boulevard splits and flows into South 1st St. Visitors will be able to park at Frontier Texas! and walk down the sidewalk to Treadaway to hear it. King said you can hear it from 100-400 feet away and that wind speeds are a factor for it to make sound, something that should not be a problem in a windy city like Abilene. The sculpture will be positioned to just the right angle to maximize the wind blowing across the pipes to generate this music. The humming sound produced has been described as “melodious” and “choral,” covering a range of several octaves. The sculpture was originally designed by architects Mike Tonkin and Anna Liu as part of a project for the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network in England to create landmarks over the countryside. The sculpture was completed in 2006 and placed on a hill range overlooking the town of Burnley, whose population is about half the size of Abilene’s, and like Abilene, is considered windy. “The Singing Ringing Tree” there has become a tourist attraction and was named one of the Top 10 places for “sound art” in the world. In 2007, the sculpture
won the Royal Institute of British Architects’ Na- The tree’s leaves ring with music for those with tional Award for architectural excellence. love in their hearts. The connection between the sculpture and the fairy tale makes the art piece A second “Singing Ringing Tree” sculpture was a great fit for the Storybook Capital of Americreated and located in Saudi Arabia. ca®, said Lynn Barnett, executive director of the Abilene Cultural Affairs Council. JK Welding will be filming the dismantling and reassembling of the sculpture. Viewers can watch the process live or get updates starting July 25 on the welding company’s various social media platforms: -https://www.facebook.com/jkweldinghtx -https://www.instagram.com/ jkwelding/ -https://www.tiktok.com/@jkwelding -https://www.linkedin.com/ company/jk-welding-llc/ In addition, Northern Tool + Equipment, a JK Welding sponsor, will be sending a film crew to Abilene to film the sculpture’s journey for a future TV commercial. “The Singing Ringing Tree” is one of six sculptures worth nearly a half million dollars that a Texas art collector is donating to the City of Abilene. The other A third version was commissioned by a Texas five sculptures will be arriving in the next few art collector and completed in 2017. JK Weld- weeks. They are: ing was contracted to create the sculpture, which King says is 22 feet tall and has 22 levels of pipes 1)“Davidians” – Mosaic tile Porky Pig pop art that are 11-12 inches tall each utilizing 6-inch by Dianne Sonnenberg applied to granite carved pipe of various thicknesses. The pipe swirls by Stuart Simpson. around to form the shape of a wind-blown bent 2)“Rainbow Bear” – Abstract Texas limestone tree although some say it resembles a tornado. figure by artist Stuart Simpson. 3)“Critter” – Abstract Texas limestone animal by The sculpture is said to be inspired by a 1957 artist Stuart Simpson. East German children’s film later shown on BBC 4)“Dancing Pony (Red)” – Abstract cast alumitelevision that was inspired by a German fairy num horse sculpture by artist Kevin Box. tale about a spoiled princess who demands the 5)“Kinetic Spinner” – A 10-foot tall steel and Singing Ringing Tree from a would-be suitor. glass moving sculpture by artist Jim LaPaso.
6 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
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New Music from Selena Released to Inspire a Younger Generation By Tejano Nation
In an interview with ABC News, the family of Selena Quintanilla-Perez announced they’re releasing new music from the late singer to inspire a younger generation. It’s been 27 years since the tragic death of Selena and the legacy of the star continues to grow with each generation. A new song
and Q Productions CEO/President. The song was taken from the Q Productions vault and was originally recorded by Selena as a teenager. “It took me a little over a year, there was a lot of obstacles to overcome,” said A.B. Quintanilla about producing the song. “Everything was recorded on vinyl so we kind of had to fuse the old school ways with the new school ways.” As for the critics that say Selena’s family is taking advantage of her legacy, Suzette replied, “We don’t care about them. We think as artists and musicians who are in the public eye, you just have to turn that off. We’re still going to do what we want with our music, with our sister, with our band. I hope people understand that everything we do, we do it with love and care and with beauty.” Selena’s legacy continues for the next era of fans 27 years after her death.
from the bicultural icon was released this week, “Como Te Quiero Yo A Ti” (The Way I Love You), and was updated, engineered, and re-mastered for a new generation. It’s the lead single from the highly anticipated new album, Moonchild Mixes, produced by her brother A.B. Quintanilla. “It truly feels like she went into the studio again and recorded it and it’s pretty incredible,” said Suzette Quintanilla, Selena’s sister
“There’s a whole new generation that is discovering Selena or that has discovered her already,” said Suzette. “It’s breathing life back into older songs that have not been heard as much.” “Como Te Quiero Yo Ti” reached the Top 5 of the iTunes Top Latin Songs. The new album from Selena, Moonchild Mixes, is scheduled for release on August 26, 2022.
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How the Texas ‘Baby Moses’ Law Works The Safe Haven law in Texas allows parents to give their newborn up with no questions asked. By Fox West Texas
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade – the landmark abortion case – has Texans wondering what’s next. The state of Texas has a Safe Haven law called “Baby Moses.” If parents aren’t able to care for their child, it allows them to leave the baby with an employee at a designated safe space. The baby receives appropriate medical care and is placed with an emergency provider. But if you’re thinking of bringing your baby to a safe haven, here are a few things to keep in mind: • The baby cannot be any older than 60 days and has to be safe and unharmed. • You can take the baby to any hospital, fire station or EMS station. But you have to physically hand them over to an employee. •The only question you may be asked relates to your family medical history, to make sure the child receives the proper care. Babies taken to a fire station or EMS station may be taken to a hospital to receive medical care. No one leaving an unharmed infant at a safe haven location will be prosecuted for abandonment or neglect under Texas law. From 2018 to 2022 so far, 62 babies were surrendered using the Baby Moses law, with 21 of those in 2020, roughly a year into the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, visit Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), Baby Safe Haven or The Baby Moses Project, or call the Texas Baby Moses Hotline at 1-877-904-SAVE (1-877904-7283).
8 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
Register to Attend Free Legal Clinic
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By Abilene Public Library
Your Abilene Public Library is partnering with Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas to host a Free Legal Clinic on Thursday, August 11 from 4PM to 7PM at the Mockingbird Branch Library. This clinic is designed to assist low-income people and households in obtaining legal documents that are essential in our lives. Such would include the importance of having a legal will ahead of time to ensure your properties, assets, and wishes are carried out the way you want at the time of your passing. Although it’s one of the more important documents to possess, others that will be addressed include: Directives to Physicians: a living will to communicate your wishes for your medical treatments and end-of-life options when you may not be able to speak for yourself. Medical Powers of Attorney: a legal document to authorize a person to have the ability to make decisions for you when you are incapable of doing so. Out-Of-Hospital DNR Orders: a legal order to deny life-saving treatments when your heart or lungs cease to function. And more… Many of these forms are available to access through your library online using Texas Legal Forms located in our E-Resources page, but understanding the legal jargon may not come as easy to you as it may for others. Carolyn Davis will lead this workshop, again free of charge, as well as be able to discuss your options and what documents you might need. If you wish to participate, it’s strongly encouraged that you Register Online. An additional session will be hosted in September, but be sure to make this first session if you’re able.
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Fundraising underway for Family of Abilene Woman Pam Casey, Killed in Motorcycle Crash By Erica Garner | BigCountryHomePage
Fundraising efforts are now underway for the family of Abilene woman Pam Casey, who was killed in a motorcycle crash that also left her husband severely injured. More than $5,000 has already been raised for the Casey Family through fundraising site GiveSendGo, however, this is not enough to offset the long term adjustments, medical expenses, and funeral costs they are facing. “We are all aware for the financial burdens that come with unexpected events such as this. We are asking that the community Pam and Josh poured all of themselves into for over a decade would now come together to collectively provide an outpouring of spiritu-
al love, fellowship, and generosity,” the fundraiser reads. Pam and her husband Josh were traveling on a motorcycle on their way to visit their daughter in central Texas July 19 when the bike experienced a defect to the rear tire that caused it to overturn. First responders pronounced Pam dead at the scene and Josh sustained a broken shoulder and ankle. It is his dream to get additional seating and shade at Abilene’s Camp Barkley dog park in memory of Pam. Visiting the park was one of their favorite things to do as a family.
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‘Very Emotional’: Texas Cowboy BBQ Owners Talk About ‘Restaurant: Impossible’ Makeover By Laura Gutschke | Abilene Reporter-News
“Restaurant: Impossible” chef Robert Irvine’s George Jr., who was born Nov. 2 because of a turnaround of Texas Cowboy BBQ was about 10-pound weight limit during his recovery. more than revamping the menu and décor. All told, there were two surgeries and three There were a lot of tears too from owners rounds of chemotherapy during a six-month Taylor and George Mulaj during the episode period. “Anguish in Abilene” that aired nationwide Thursday on The Food Network. The couple on George is healthy today, with the couple’s secJan. 14, 2019, took over the building that has been home to other barbecue joints through the decades. “Restaurant: Impossible” tackles not only a mom-and-pop restaurant’s operations and design on a $10,000 budget but also the owners’ relationship dynamics.
“And so, it was for me, it was very emotional, as you saw,” George said. And, for good cause. George is a cancer survivor.
George defended his barbecue, until he did a blind taste test of his brisket against other local barbecue joints. He picked a competitor’s sample as the best. The couple’s initial skepticism of Irvine’s understanding of Texas barbecue was quickly deterred. “He’s wicked smart,” Taylor said. “A lot of
How ‘Restaurant: people were like ‘Robert doesn’t know barImpossible’ found becue,’ and to be honest, when he came in, Texas Cowboy BBQ George and I were like, ‘I don’t think he does.’
Taylor initially thought the inquiry was a scam, but a private message led to a phone call, which led to “Restaurant: Impossible” spending two days at Texas Cowboy BBQ in March to
“He said, ‘We’re not going to cry,’” Taylor interjected.
Food brings family together
And, despite Taylor’s nurse management experience, George resisted her efforts to help with the restaurant’s finances.
As the marriage strained, a casting agent connected to “Restaurant: Impossible” reached out to the couple via social media. The couple was not familiar with the show.
“I didn’t expect we’re going that deep into personal things,” George said a day after the show aired.
“They did a wonderful job of protecting our dignity and our family and showing our story and our vulnerability, because it was probably the most vulnerable we’ve ever been, even with each other,” Taylor said.
sometimes going two or three days without seeing his children. When the family grew to four, Taylor quit work. The couple’s stress mounted with financial pressures and George’s long hours away from home.
George Mulaj (left), the owner of Texas Cowboy BBQ, and Filippo Comparetto prepare lunch orders. Photo by Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News
ond son, Beckham, born 10 months ago.
At 17, George and his family immigrated to Barbecue venture Abilene from Albania. He worked up from In Pennsylvania, George had dishwasher to kitchen manager at Little Italy promised to not return to restaurant, owned by a relative. Abilene. Then he had a chance to buy the restaurant owned by George met Taylor at the restaurant, where she a brother-in-law and where his waitressed while attending nursing school at father worked for seven years. Abilene Christian University. Born in Abilene to a military household, she lived in several “His dad already knew how to parts of the country, with family now settled in do the meat,” Taylor said. The Turkey Bacon Ranch Baked Potato. Photo by Ronald W. Erdrich Reporter-News Pennsylvania. All told, there were two surgerA week after Taylor learned she was pregnant, ies and three rounds of chemoGeorge was diagnosed with an aggressive form therapy during a six-month period. film an episode. of testicular cancer. That was April 2018. A “I think it was right at perfect timing. It was like month later, the two married. George is healthy today, with the couple’s sec- God sent them our way,” George said. ond son, Beckham, born 10 months ago. The couple moved to Pennsylvania, where he At the start of the episode, Irvine is critical of underwent surgery to remove 35 lymph nodes. “Going into 2021, it was going well, and then the heavy smoke smell inside Texas Cowboy The procedure left a 10-inch abdominal scar. started dipping mid-2021,” George said. BBQ and on its meats. He labeled the interior For three months, George could not pick up He was working long hours seven days a week, boring.
And then he comes and starts talking to you about all the woods, like he knows a lot about everything.” George was smoking briskets with mesquite wood at about 250 to 300 degrees. Irvine convinced him to switch to cherry and oak, which cooks at about 200 degrees. George said he’s been happy with the results. He was overjoyed with the interior facelift too, intended to be cool, modern and fresh.
Custom-built floating banquette seating naturally directs customers from the entrance to the order counter. The barrel tables have been replaced with square tables and a long communal bar-height table. The show also supplied the restaurant with glasses, silverware and metal serving trays to replace the plasticware and to-go cups.
Genuine interest
Irvine talked with the couple for hours behind the scenes, George said. Long-distance conversations continued with Irvine and his staff after the taping. “They kind of have the mindset that we’ll be there for you as much as you want us to be involved for,” Taylor said. “Once they come and you get to know them and you understand that they were here to actually help you, you want to tell them everything,” George said. “Originally George didn’t want me to show them any picture when he was sick. And then they got here and they were like, ‘No Taylor,
Continued on page 11
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Continued from page 10 I want every single one of them.’ And it was, I think, an amazing thing. You felt like a weight got lifted off your shoulders,” Taylor said. She expected the show to be scripted, but “it was super real,” she said. “There are some things that were staged, but for the most part, Robert was like a really genuine person.”
Menu modifications
Since the taping, the restaurant has continued to use the scaled-backed, revamped menu. Irvine’s dishes are a modern take on barbecue, such as a pulled pork burrito dressed with sauces and a vegetarian entrée of smoked portabella mushrooms with mac and cheese. New sides include loaded potato salad with a mix of red and purple new potatoes. “You still get those barbecue flavors in something that’s a little more upscale,” Taylor said. Customers have embraced the new jalapeno popper brisket sandwich on a brioche bun and turkey bacon ranch stuffed potato, George said.
peach cobbler. They may rotate through with Another important change at the restaurant is other daily specials. closing one day a week. Hours are 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. and noon to The changes are helping. A follow-up at the end 5 p.m. Sundays. of the show said sales had increased 30%. That gives George more time with the family. “We still have our customers, they still come back. But we’re seeing some new faces,” “Going home to little, sweet boys and feeling George said. love, welcoming you and seeing them being happy to see you and things like that makes you Since the show aired, Taylor said received feed- feel good,” George said. back on the menu prices, such as $18 for the popular brisket jalapeno popper sandwich with Added Taylor, “Now we go on dates every a side of slaw. month. We have days off. We see friends. I feel like our life has changed, and we’re better with Irvine showed on the episode how to calculate our kids. When we’re happier, obviously our food costs of three new menu items and then kids are,” Taylor said. set their prices. The new dishes were priced at about three to four times more than the food If they had known what the show was like, costs. George and Taylor said they probably would not have participated. But, they are glad they That percentage seems high to some people, did. Taylor said, but they need to consider that the prices also have to cover staffing, utilities, “It was a lot of stress going through,” George building maintenance, wood and other opera- said. “it was a lot of pressure but it was defitional expenses. nitely worth it.” The menu is on a chalkboard, so prices can be adjusted quickly.
He also brought back previous top sellers, such as the barbecue-stuffed potatoes and traditional one-, two- or three-meat plates with two sides.
“When food prices go down, we’ll also go down, but right now we are exactly where everybody is,” Taylor said.
The couple is considering customers’ requests for returning some items, such as fried okra and
More time with family
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Thomas Matthew Belcher, 53, was born to Stiles Dwaine Belcher and Gladys “Sue” Diller Belcher in Albany, Texas, on March 21, 1969, the youngest of three children. He died at home on Diller Flat on July 24, 2022, after a long battle with what started as throat cancer. He grew up on the North Diller Ranch between Albany and Fort Griffin and never lived anywhere else except for a stint tending cattle for Matthews-Lambshead Ranches at Park Springs Ranch near Anton Chico, New Mexico. He was a fourth generation Shackelford County cattle raiser, farmer and a working cowboy. He worked for the Matthews-Lambshead Ranches for 30 years, as well as running his own herd on the Diller and Belcher Charolais Ranches. His side job was hunting guide. At the request of his Great Aunt Edna, he was named for her husband, Thomas Lindsay Blanton, III, a gentleman attorney and rancher who was instrumental in bringing Charolais cattle to this area. Tom graduated from Albany High School in 1987, where he was frequently suspended for having a rifle or beer cans in his pickup. Still, he loved the police dogs and the officers. He cared little for academics, but he liked agriculture and he loved people. His academic brag was the lowest score ever recorded in Albany on the To Kill a Mockingbird test in high school English -- a five (5). The teacher, Mrs. Vickie Wilson, even told of it with a grin. His junior year he was elected the first ever male president of the Future Homemakers of America in Albany. That year he was also president of the FFA, a class officer, FHA Beau, and Winter Favorite. He was usually quiet and deflected most questions. He hosted legendary pasture parties in the 1980s, and that never really stopped but evolved to be home parties or weekends with friends on the Brazos River. He and Leslie kept an open door -- the more, the merrier, and no need for ceremony, organization, or pretention. Barely bigger than a jockey, Tom loved to fish, hunt, cook, and ride horses, whether on the job, in a ranch rodeo, or performing in the Fandangle. He smoked, he drank, he rarely refused a dare. He had more broken bones than we can recall. He loved his domestic pets, including his dachshund Ace. He is survived by his wife of 23 years, Leslie Jean Clift Belcher; two daughters, Blakeney Belcher Lupton (Dallas) of Sagerton, TX, and Blanton Belcher of Albany, TX; three granddaughters, Hadley, Riley, and Haven Lupton; his mother Sue Balliew of Albany, TX; his brother, Mark Belcher (Melissa) of Weatherford, TX; his sister, Sunday Tidwell (Don) of Albany, TX; two nephews, Clayton Belcher and Collin Belcher; one niece, Allison Belcher; his step sister, Glenda Balliew Summers (Allen) of Liberty Hill, TX; step nieces, Kelli Mitchell, Kacey Stokes, and Kristi White; mother-in-law, Lana Blanton Clift of
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Albany, TX; sister-in-law, Amber Stultz (Jimmy); Amber’s children, Ian, Will, and Kloee; and a special cousin and neighbor, Harley Stunkard of Albany, TX. Tom was predeceased by his father, Stiles Belcher; his step father, Glen Balliew; father-in-law, Terry Clift; grandparents, John H. and Virginia Flinn Diller, and Walter R. and Minnie Prine Belcher.
Carmen Michelle Rodriguez, 30, 30 of Abilene, passed away in a car accident in Lamb County, near Littlefield on Wednesday, July 20, 2022. There will be a visitation on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Piersall Funeral Directors. Funeral service will be on Thursday, July 28 at 10:00 a.m. in the chapel of Piersall Funeral Directors, 733 Butternut Street, with burial to follow at the Abilene City Cemetery. Michelle was born in Clovis, New Mexico to Eddie Joe Casillas and Olga Martinez on May 22, 1992. She grew up in Clovis and moved to Abilene in 2012 to live with and help her mother. She had 3 children of her own and loved them with everything she had. She was full of life, had a smile that would brighten any room and was a beautiful person inside and out. Michelle was preceded in death by her father, Eddie Casillas, Sr; her brother Mario Tejeda, Jr., sisters Lisa Michelle Tejeda and Carmen Cassillas and daughter Roselin Isela Rodriguez. She is survived by her mother Olga Martinez; son Gabriel Zeek Rodriguez; daughter Everliegh Rose Corrales; brothers Eddie Joe Cassillas, Jr., Johnny Joe Martinez and Joe Michael Martinez and sister Amy Marie Tejeda-Warner. Payton Austin Womack, age 42, of Hawley, Texas passed away July 22, 2022, at Hendrick Hospice Care. Graveside service will be Monday July 25, 2022, at 2:00 pm at the Hawley Cemetery. Payton was born October 30, 1979, in Abilene the son of Lee Ann Snow and Douglas Womack. Payton had dialysis for the past 12 years after a brown recluse spider bite affected his kidneys. He was an amazing man in so many ways. Payton and Tamara Campbell have two children Adysson Love and Dylan Payton Womack. Payton was preceded in death by Grandfathers Billy Payton Snow and Edmund J. Womack. He is Survived by his children Adysson Love and Dylan Payton Womack, siblings Jason Womack and wife Holly, Andrea Tharp, Zack Tharp and wife Kimbra, Jennifer Winegeart and husband Bryan. Parents Doug Womack and wife Carole, Lee Ann Snow and husband Paul Carver. Grandparents Nell Snow and Jerry Faulks, Elizabeth Womack. Aunts and Uncles David and Lisa Snow, Eddie and Judy Womack, and Dale Vinson and may cousins and beloved Friends. The family of Payton wishes to extend our sincere thanks to Donna at Hendrick Hospice Care. Memorials may be given to Hendrick Hospice Care.
a Moment in our arms... a Lifetime
in our hearts...
‘She Was Like a Mother to Everyone’: Ovelia Campos Photo To Hang Within Cesar Chavez Rec Center
Pick us up at Dairy Queen, First Financial Bank & Zookini’s | COMMUNITY | 13
By Miriam Chamberlain | BigCountryHomePage
Members of the Abilene Parks and Recreation board made history this week, as they unanimously voted to place a picture and biography of well-known Abilenian, Ovelia Campos, at the Cesar Chavez Recreation Center.
Campos served on several Abilene Independent School District’s (AISD) and City of Abilene committees, including the Planning and Zoning committee and Abilene ISD bond committee, along with many others. She was employed with Abilene ISD for 48 years.
Many locals were left feeling blessed to see the board and the City of Abilene honor the life of Campos. It’s people like Veronica Diaz, who Campos helped every day for more than 40 years.
“We did a lot of things together with the Hispanic leadership council, outside of the Hispanic leadership council.” said Diaz. “We were family, basically, so not having her here has been hard.”
“We miss her, she was like a mother to everyone she met,” said Diaz. Campos was born in Abilene and graduated from Abilene High School Class of 1969. Throughout her time in the Key City, she was an advocate and leader among others. As a founding member of the Hispanic Leadership Council, Campos was also instrumental in the Sears Neighborhood Revitalization committee.
This is why people touched by her work and caring personality attended the board meeting, speaking on her behalf. The board approved the motion, making Campos the first to ever have a picture hanging in an Abilene Recreation Center that is not named after that person. “Everybody meant something to her, and she was very proud of her community,” Diaz added.
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LOCAL SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY NEWS
Summer Culinary Camps Find a New Home at The LIFT’s State-of-the-Art Kitchen By Abilene Independent School District
For more than 10 years, The Grace Museum has hosted summer culinary camps in Abilene, teaching the basics of cooking and instilling the love of food preparation in children from all over the Big Country. For the first several years of the camp, The Grace partnered with Texas State Technical College Culinary School. Next, Amanda Spell from Amanda Joy’s Catering taught the camp at Highland Church of Christ. When Spell decided to stop catering, The Grace went looking for a new partner and found one in its nextdoor neighbor, Cypress Street Station. Cypress Street owners Terry and Amanda O’Connor quickly agreed to partner with The Grace in putting together the summer camp. First, though, Kathryn Mitchell, Director of Education at The Grace, had to begin the search for a new kitchen. Enter The LIFT, the new home for Abilene ISD’s Culinary Arts program. “Several of us at The Grace had been to The LIFT and knew it would be ideal for our culinary classes,” Mitchell said. “The AISD was so easy to work with, and we were thrilled to have our first class there and look forward to the next two classes this summer.” Mitchell said The Grace will end up hosting three camps this summer with 20 children in each camp, and all three will be hosted by The LIFT. Terry O’Connor said the kitchen at The LIFT made for a great experience for each of the students in the first camp. “Working in the kitchen at the LIFT was fantastic,” said O’Connor, who attended the Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in Austin and has combined with his wife for more than 40 years of restaurant operations experience. “The facilities are top-notch and make the execution of our plan with the students much easier. Having all the tools readily available is a huge help. The whole facility is such a thing to behold. Exposing young people to the different career paths available to them in the future is crucial.”
their home kitchen,” O’Connor said. “But being able to use The LIFT facilities with a full complement of commercial appliances and all the various kitchen tools makes following the correct process and recipes that much easier. Much of the class is showing the students how to do a task or follow a process. The fun part for the students is when they can apply their knowledge using real commercial equipment in a real kitchen environment. “On the first day of the camp, most of the students came in and said, ‘Wow! Look at all of this cool stuff,’ “ O’Connor said. “As the week progressed, they got more comfortable working with their surroundings and started to ask more questions about how the equipment works and what some of the tools are used for in food prep.” Jay Ashby, Director of The LIFT and himself quite the culinary artist, said working with The Grace and Cypress Street personnel was a great experience for the newest facility in the AISD. “The Grace has been offering excellent culinary camps for kids in Abilene for years, and we were very happy to host this summer,” he said. “Terry and everyone with Cypress Street Students in the camps learn the basics of cookprovided a great experience and it’s always ing, from food prep to measuring ingredients, good for kids to see what The LIFT culinary space and from meal planning to meal preparation. has to offer.” O’Connor believes all of those skills are important in learning a love for food. Both Mitchell and O’Connor are hopeful this is more than a one-year arrangement between their two “I believe it’s important to introduce young peo- entities and The LIFT. ple to skilled trades,” O’Connor said. “We rely heavily on individuals with cooking skills to “All of the kids we’ve had so far have been excited operate the restaurant (Cypress Street). One of about being able to use The LIFT,” Mitchell said. these kids might just be the next Thomas Keller “They were blown away by the kitchen and loved (world-renowned American chef, restaurateur, working in there. The parents were excited to see and cookbook writer). Shifting a bit of focus to The LIFT and know more about it. I heard several learning a skilled trade is going to be wildly im- kids talking about going to ATEMS or taking classes portant, not only in the restaurant industry but in at The LIFT after seeing the facility. all industries requiring specific skills.” “We would love to continue working with The LIFT The kitchen at The LIFT is a state-of-the-art area and hosting culinary camp there,” she said. “It’s a with all of the tools necessary for teaching both beautiful facility with a wonderful staff. Everyone children and adults the finer points of cooking. has been kind and very eager to help. It’s a great way to show off The LIFT for future students and a won“Most of the students in our class already had a derful facility for them to work in.” bit of experience working with their parents in
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Abilene Laundry Luv Giving Away 100 Free Backpacks, School Supplies to Students By Sarah Burns | KTXS News
Laundry Luv in Abilene will be giving away 100 free backpacks and school supplies to families this year. The event will take place on August 5th at Laundry Luv on 3202 North 1st St, Suite A in Abilene, starting at 10:30am. The first 100 kids who arrive at the laundromat with an adult present will receive the supplies. Every Laundry Luv has a reading corner that offers kids a place to read while their parents do laundry. A total of 20 books is added to the corner each month. Visit Laundry Luv at https://www.laundryluv.com/ for more information.
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Pick us up at Dairy Queen, First Financial Bank & Zookini’s | EDUCATION | 17
TSTC Wind Energy Technology Student Helps Keep Lake Trammell Beautiful By Ben Barkley | Communications Specialist, TSTC Communications
Texas State Technical College Wind Energy Technology student Axel Torres likes to take a break from his studies by sitting on the banks of Lake Trammell in Nolan County.
mind. Working on computers was another option because he enjoyed the troubleshooting aspect. After taking some classes in computer systems, Torres decided to review other options. “I looked at the Bureau of Labor Statistics for high-demand jobs. I saw wind energy technicians would always be in demand,” he said. “I began researching schools and saw TSTC offered the associate degree.”
The peacefulness of the lake is calming for the Arlington, Texas, native. Because he does not have cellphone service there, he can be alone with his thoughts. “It is very beautiful at the lake,” said Torres, who is studying for an Associate of Applied Science degree. “I like nature, and going out to Lake Trammell takes me away from people while giving me time to relax.”
The job outlook for the wind energy industry is bright. According to onetonline.org, the need for wind turbine service technicians in Texas will increase 83% over the next decade. The average annual salary for a technician in Texas is $51,560, according to the website.
There was, however, one problem. “People continually dump their trash at the lake,” he said. “They were doing it at my little spot at the lake. I decided to make an effort to clean up as much as I could.”
TSTC’s Wind Energy Technology program offers an Associate of Applied Science degree and a certificate of completion at the Harlingen and Sweetwater campuses.
When he is not picking up trash, Torres has other priorities.
Registration for the fall semester is underway. For more information, visit tstc.edu
“I like to do my homework out at the lake. I do not have any distractions and will be able to complete assignments,” he said. When Torres told his story to Joni Coons, TSTC’s intramural events coordinator in Sweetwater, she wanted to help. “I gave Axel a couple of garbage bags so he could pick up the trash,” she said. “When I learned why he wanted the bags, it made me feel so good. He is doing something to help others and to make the environment better.” Torres said his time in Sweetwater has benefited his health. Growing up in Arlington, he was surrounded by a fast-paced life. “There is nothing comparable to what is
TSTC Wind Energy Technology student Axel Torres escapes his school workload by sitting on the banks of Lake Trammell. He also spends his time at the lake picking up trash that people have discarded there. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.)
here,” he said. “One of the best decisions I made was to study wind energy at TSTC.” It was not his first career option. Torres said he wanted to design games, but after some time thinking about that, he changed his
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18 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
AISD Superintendent Dr. David Young Named Region 14 Superintendent of the Year By Abilene Independent School District
Abilene ISD Superintendent Dr. David Young has been selected as the 2022 Superintendent of the Year for Region 14. Attendees at the AISD Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, June 6, received a surprise visit from Shane Fields, Executive Director of the Region 14 Education Service Center, who was on hand to announce Dr. Young’s selection. The announcement followed the Board’s official nomination of Dr. Young for this recognition in April. During his comments, Fields praised Dr. Young for his focus on student achievement, leading the successful 2018 bond campaign that created new and improved learning facilities throughout AISD, and his willingness to assist other Region 14 school districts with resources throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is a tremendous honor to have been selected for this recognition,” said Dr. Young. “I am thankful to serve the students and families of Abilene ISD alongside the best team of teachers and staff in Texas.”
Dr. Young will move forward to receive additional consideration for the state-level Superintendent of the Year award from the TASB State Selection Committee. He will also be honored at the statewide TASA/ TASB txEDCON Convention in September.
The TASB Superintendent of the Year program has honored outstanding administrators for achievement and excellence in public school administration since 1984. For more information about this prestigious program, visit https://www.tasb.org/services/communications-and-pr/recognition-programs/superintendent-of-the-year.aspx.
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Pick us up at Riojas, Monterrey Mexican Restaurant & Alfredo’s | EDUCATION | 19
Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) Qualified Schools To Provide Free Breakfast and Lunch to All Students By Sylvia Alaniz | Meal Benefits Coordinator , AISD
The Abilene Independent School District announced today a change to its policy for serving meals to children served under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for the 2022-2023 school year. Schools qualifying to operate the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) provide breakfast and lunch to all children at no charge and eliminate the collection of meal applications for free, reduced-price, and paid student meals. This new approach reduces burdens for both families and school administrators and helps ensure that students receive nutritious meals. For additional information please contact the following person:
Abilene Independent School District Attention: Sylvia Alaniz – Meal Benefits Coordinator Student Nutrition Department 241 Pine St., Abilene Texas, 79601 325-677-1444 ext. 8152 Sylvia.alaniz@abileneisd.org
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Red Raider PROUD
Earlier this year, a U.S. Air Force Reserves flight nurse presented the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Nursing with a Texas Tech flag that hung at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan and was signed by #TTUHSC alumni who served there. This month, Joseph Lozada, the nurse who originally hung the flag at the base, visited campus and was reunited with the flag. Lozada said the flag stands as a beacon of remembrance, and reflects the pride that veteran alumni have in their accomplishments.
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Pick us up at Monterrey Mexican Restaurant, H.E.B. & CISCO College | FAITH AND FAMILY | 21
Summer Internship Profile
JORGE DEL-RIO By Charis Ochu | Hardin-Simmons University
Name: Jorge Del-Rio Hometown: Groesbeck, Texas Major(s)/Minor:
Computer Science and Business/Cybersecurity
Internship:
This summer, Jorge is interning at DATROO Technologies located in Abilene, Texas. He has obtained hands-on experience with cable management, server administration, hard drive wiping, computer re-imaging, and more. Furthermore, he goes on-site to multiple clients with DATROO, helping to set up systems ranging from moving entire computer systems to replacing servers holding important company data. Part HSU played in getting you there: HSU has given me wonderful peers and mentors who push me to be successful and be a better cowboy every day.
Most impactful mentor at HSU: Dr. Terry Sergeant and
Mr. Wade Ashby have pushed me to become the greatest man and Christian I could possibly become. I could not have made it this far without the wisdom and inspiration I have received from these amazing men, so I am incredibly grateful for them.
What has your internship been like, and how is it preparing you for your future? My internship expe-
rience has been enlightening. DATROO Technologies prides themselves on making sure everyone who works there is professional at what they do by becoming certified in the major fields they may come across. Hence, I plan to get my Net+ and A+ certifications to add to the experiences I have gained at Hardin-Simmons and obtain a future career here at DATROO.
22 | FAITH AND FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
WIND ENERGY TECHNOLOGY
With the wind at your back, you can have a great career tstc.edu
FAITH&FAMILY
Pick us up at La Familia Mex Rest, Bogies & Abilene ISD | FAITH AND FAMILY | 23
SPIRITUAL AND FAMILY ADVICE
9 Characteristic Signs of an Overprotective Parent
Your child wants to try baseball this year but you know they’re really good at soccer. Or they want to be on the math team with their best friend, but you know their strengths lie in geography. They want to go to a different summer camp instead of the same camp they’ve gone to for the past four years. Sometimes we absentmindedly block our kids from branching out on their own. It’s all right if they’re not that great at baseball but really want to try. Let your child make some of their own decisions regarding their interests and pursuits.
By Apryl Duncan | VeryWellFamily
Of course, you want to protect your kids. We all do. But are you turning into an overprotective parent who actually may be hindering your child’s full potential? Watch out for the nine telltale signs that you’re an overprotective parent and find out what you can do to ease up on the reins.
Micromanaging Everything for Your Kids - Are you keeping your child close, a little too close? Ruling over every single aspect of their life isn’t good for them or you either. Micromanagement can stop your child in their tracks1 and prevent them from finding those interests they would like to pursue. Open the door to let them tell you what they would like to do, from taking up a new hobby to having a sleepover at a friend’s house.
Shielding Your Child From Failure
No one wants to fail. We sometimes question ourselves because our desire to be perfect leads us to think we’re failing as parents. That fear of failure means we sometimes go out of our way to make sure our children don’t fail either. Realistically, though, your child is going to fail. And that’s okay. Let them experience failure and watch them bounce back.
Not Teaching Responsibility
You make their bed. You clean their room. You put all of their clothes away. We all know it can be easier and quicker to just do it all yourself. However, teaching your child responsibility is an important lesson. Even the youngest children can pitch in to help out while learning early lessons in responsibility. Take the time to teach them how to clean their room, even if that means you help them and take pictures so they’ll remember exactly what it’s supposed to look like when it’s clean. Assign age-appropriate chores throughout the house to get everyone to do their fair share.
Consoling Your Child Too Much
It breaks your heart to see your child get upset, whether it’s over a boo-boo or another child who’s mean to them. We want to fix those hurt feelings and that usually means we overcompensate in the consolation department. It’s not that you want to spoil your child to make them feel better. It just happens when we overly console our children and don’t let them work through their emotions3 to self-soothe. That doesn’t mean you can’t be there for your child.
I don’t just see a customer. I see you. While other insurance companies just see a customer, I see a neighbor in my community. I’m here to get to know who you really are so I can help life go right. LET’S TALK TODAY.
Continually Checking Up on Them Kiss those boo-boos. Give them a warm hug as you talk about what that other child did to hurt them. Just don’t go overboard with a trip to the ice cream shop, a new game from the toy store, and a night at the movies with all-you-can-eat popcorn for dinner over one minor incident.
Your child’s teachers are on speed dial so you can frequently get an update on how they’re doing in class. They can’t go to a friend’s house down the street without you calling every hour on the hour. You’re always asking if they’re okay and if there’s anything you can do for them. As doting parents, we sometimes over-dote. We only want to make sure our kids are doing well, but that can lead to us smothering them and freaking out when they’re out of sight. Do talk to your child to see how they’re doing. Balance all of these check-ins so you’re not making yourself and everyone around you crazy with a continual need for reassurance.
Managing Your Child’s Friendships - But Nathan is Placing Your Child in a Bubble - If only
such a nice kid. Your child really should be best friends with them. How wonderful it would be if we could pick and choose our child’s friends! Then again, we wouldn’t want our parents picking and choosing our friends, would we? While it doesn’t hurt to break the ice for kids to introduce them to other children, that doesn’t mean we can force them into a friendship just because it would be oh-so-great if your best friend’s kids were besties with yours. There is a good reason to interfere when necessary, though. So-called friendships that are harmful, such as another child physically or mentally harming your child need to be addressed, without a doubt.
Constantly Reminding Them of Danger - Keeping your kids safe should always be a
top priority. Scaring them half to death with every little thing they do isn’t always the best policy, though. If you find you’re continually spouting “Don’t!” and “Stop!” at your child, “don’t” do that and try to “stop” yourself. All your child hears are the negatives coming from all directions . If they are playing in the street, obviously you’ll want to tell them to stop. If they’re headed up the five-rung ladder at the playground for the 100th time, you can take a break, watch carefully, and know they got this.
Controlling Their Activity Choices -
life was filled with sunshine and unicorns. Today’s children are playing shoot-’em-up video games we never would have dreamed possible to create. They’re faced with dangers we didn’t have to worry about and seeing images on TV that would have only been on paid cable channels after midnight when we were younger. You absolutely want to protect them as long as you can from anything harmful. As much as we would like to let our children grow up in a bubble away from the real world, though, it’s simply not possible. It’s better for you to teach them about some of the harsh realities of the modern world to make them more street-smart without them learning from friends or getting into a situation where they go along with the crowd because they have no idea what’s going on. That bubble can only protect them so long and you want to make sure you’re the one who teaches them about the world around them like only a loving parent can.
A Word From Verywell
Kids need room to grow and develop—and to make mistakes and learn from natural consequences. But it’s tough to let them explore and mess up sometimes. If you’re an overprotective parent, try to take a step back. Give your child a little more room. Guide them along the way but don’t protect them from everything.
Risha Sanders, Agent 3228 North 10th St Abilene, TX 79603 Bus: 325-673-4229 www.rishasanders.net
1706838
State Farm Bloomington, IL
24 | FAITH AND FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country
Keep Moving Forward By Joyce Meyer | Joyce Meyer Ministries
God has a good plan for your life, and He doesn’t want you to be tormented by fear or let it hold you back from your destiny. His will is for you to walk forward, confident in His love, trusting Him to take care of you all along the way. We also have an enemy, Satan, who will do everything he can to stop us from walking in God’s good plan. Anytime we are making progress and moving forward in God’s will for our lives, the devil will try to come against us with fear to drive us backward. This is one of the enemy’s greatest tactics—to bring fear and try to prevent us from making progress. He wants us to fear our circumstances and what other people will think. He wants us to focus on the “what ifs”: What if I fail? What if I make a fool of myself? What if I didn’t hear from God? What if others disapprove? What if my reputation suffers? And on and on!
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All of us will periodically come to these crossroads in our lives—places where we must move forward despite our fears. If we wait for the feelings of fear to subside, we will never step out. However, if we will trust God, step-by-step, we can learn to face our fears and enjoy new levels of freedom. It was a great revelation when I realized that although I couldn’t control the feeling of fear, I could keep it from controlling me. Honestly, I wouldn’t be doing what I am doing today if I hadn’t learned this lesson. During life’s moments when there are no answers—or when unexpected changes occur—I’ve learned to not live by my feelings. Instead, with God’s help, I do my best to face fear head-on...even when I’m “shaking in my boots.” When fear strikes, our first inclination is to run away and go back. But that’s when God is saying, “Don’t stop now! Keep moving forward!” The Israelites are a great example of people who had to face their fears. In the Old Testament, God brought them out of a terrible life of slavery to take them to the Promised Land. However, they were soon confronted with a different situation that was terrifying.
They ended up facing the Red Sea in front of them and Pharaoh’s army behind them. When the Israelites saw their dilemma, they actually thought it would be better to go back to their life of slavery instead of confronting the unknown. They preferred going back to their former life...even though it was miserable! Why? Because they were afraid. I absolutely love what the Lord spoke through Moses as the Israelites stood there, seemingly “stuck” between two obstacles. Moses said, ...Fear not; stand still (firm, confident, undismayed) and see the salvation of the Lord which He will work for you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today you shall never see again (Exodus 14:13 AMPC). Again, the word fear means “to run or to take flight.” So when we give in to fear, we always run away from something that we should be confronting. God wanted the Israelites to go forward into the unknown. He wanted them to be so fed up with bondage, they would be willing to trust Him and do what He told them to do—no matter what the situation looked like. Notice how the Lord said “stand still.” That’s interesting, because when the emotion of fear gets a hold of us—and our minds are thinking one crazy thing after another—we really just want to run away, don’t we? But the first thing we need to do is get still. We need to set our emotion aside, get out of our head, and check with our heart. We need to ask ourselves, What is God saying in this situation? Maybe you are in this position right now— you feel like you’re between a rock and a hard place. It’s like you’re between the Egyptian army and the Red Sea and all of your emotions are going haywire. If so, don’t run away! Run to God. Receive wisdom and direction from God and His Word, and then do what you believe He is telling you to do. Ask the Lord for courage. As you do—as you trust Him—you will see Him make a way for you to push past your fear and reach the promised land He has ready for you.
Pick us up at Reyes Law Firm, The Enterprise Building, Martinez Barbershop | FAITH AND FAMILY | 25
Living in Reality By Kristie Carpenter | Blended Mom Moments
Life is hard. Step mom life can be really hard. However, I think we need a reminder about life. I pretty much believed that at a certain age, I would arrive at a place in life where things would be simpler. I would be wiser. Challenges would be easier. Yes, I have gained maturity, wisdom, a “bigger picture mentality,” but the insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties still seem to be a part of daily life. Why? Haven’t I been a good wife, mom, and stepmom? I have been reading my Bible, praying, helping others, being patient and all the other things we women do to keep a home and marriage and motherhood intact. Second Corinthians 12:910 gives us a shot of reality. Paul says, “I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” I think I just answered my own question. Paul reminds us that when we think we are doing all we can – that everything relies on our abilities and strength – that is where we miss the mark. If I were to go through this life on my own, I would miss out on the power available to me through the cross of Christ. Christ endured the cross – was victorious over the cross – so that we could come to the Father. We come in brokenness, sin, disillusion, pride, and even ignorance. That same wooden cross was the bridge for us to accept the price Christ paid for us – our salvation, redemption, and eternal life. The weakness of man brought through to victory in Christ. Not only these amazing gifts, but to know that
in our everyday weaknesses, we have the power of Christ in us to let Him take our inabilities and fears and watch Him work through these parts of our lives. We are weak. We are human. We are selfish. We figure that if we are kind and nice, patient and forgiving, everyone will accept us, work with us, love us and fight for us. That would be great -- except we live on an earth that is fallen. Therefore, we need to open our eyes to reality. Living in reality means doing your best and knowing that others may not always do their best. Things will happen. Your stepkids will turn against you. Your husband will prioritize his bio kids over you. You may have friends desert you. Strangers will cheat you. But, in all these things, there is a God who loves you and will work through the insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties. When you have Christ, your weaknesses can be used. You are not left alone and with nothing. You just have not seen fully what God is doing through your life. Blessings in your Blending! (Editor’s note: Women’s author, speaker and mentor Kristie Carpenter, aka The Blended Family Mom, has been a blended family/step mom since 2004; her blended family currently includes four children and four grandchildren. Follow Kristie on Facebook (facebook.com/theblendedfamilymom), Twitter (@BlendedFamilyM), and Instagram (theblendedfamilymom). Her books - “The Blended Family Mom,” and “Blended Mom Moments,” are both available on her website at www.theblendedfamilymom.com)
26 | FAITH AND FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
3 Kinds of Baggage That Can Crush Your Marriage
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By Mark Merrill | Helping Families Love Well
I’ve attended a lot of weddings over the years. The bride and groom stand at the altar nervous about getting married, having no idea what the future holds. Unfortunately, I’ve seen a number of those couples divorce. I’m convinced one of the biggest things that can crush a marriage is a couple’s unwillingness to deal with baggage in marriage.
t-shirt. Maybe you married a spouse with medical bills. Point is, I’ve seen money be the baggage related to many divorces.
Often, while financial issues can be overcome in marriage, they also can crush the relationship with conflict over wants and needs. You can overcome financial baggage by learning how to handle money together. Take classes together that address spending, stewardship, investing, and goal-setting. Get on the same page with your finances. God can use financial problems to But every marriage strengthen the marriage and help you realize your has baggage. That’s need to work together. because each spouse comes into the mar- Depending on your financial issues, part of helpriage with a past that ing overcome the struggles will involve being impacts the relation- open and honest with your spouse about your ship. What’s yours? Here are 3 kinds of bag- debt. It may mean identifying who’s the spender gage that can crush your marriage. and who’s the saver—and letting the saver handle the budget. Communicate often about your 1. Childhood Baggage spending and saving goals. Our childhoods shape us in seen and unseen ways. Hopefully, you grew up in a happy home 3. Relationship Baggage with engaged parents. But we know this isn’t Whether dealing with past divorce or previous the case for many kids. Each year, Child Pro- dating relationships, emotional scars can be tough tective Services works with over 6.6 million to work through. Being cheated on, having cheatkids who had abuse in the home—including ed yourself, or having been mistreated in some physical, sexual, mental, and emotional. Ev- way in a previous marriage or past relationship ery 10 seconds, somebody reports child abuse. ultimately will affect your marriage and how you Childhood hurt can last a lifetime and many trust—or don’t trust—your spouse. bring that hurt into marriage. If your relationship baggage is affecting your With the pain of abuse, your childhood can marriage, address it. Make sure you’re listening shape how you give and receive love from well to your spouse. Do everything in your power your spouse. That pain can be baggage in mar- to stay connected and communicate openly about riage. There isn’t always a great way to talk past relationship struggles. Discuss each other’s about possible baggage from childhood. But feelings. It may be that you need to watch how dealing with childhood issues may be as sim- you talk to and about your spouse. We’ve said beple as telling your spouse that you believe him fore that love is an action more than an emotion. or her when he or she shares about childhood How are you treating your spouse? experiences. If trust is the big relationship issue, be sure you do Your role as the spouse is to learn to listen, be your part to be consistent, communicate, and be supportive, and keep lines of communication on time. Do the small things that tell your spouse open. Depending on the childhood experience, you can be trustworthy. Do what you say you will you’ll often need to give time, patience, and do. In a marriage, each spouse has a choice and care. Communication will be essential to your responsibility to move forward and give selflessly relationship. If you feel like you can’t handle to the other. certain issues without help, don’t delay in connecting with your church or a counselor. Find people who have your best interest at heart.
2. Financial Baggage
I’ve also seen financial baggage crush marriages. This can happen when we come to a marriage after a life of not handling finances well. Perhaps it’s because you were raised by parents who weren’t good stewards or you signed up for that first credit card in college for the
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Gaining the World and Losing Your Soul By Greg Laurie | Harvest Christian Fellowship
At one time or another, we all have used excuses. Now, there’s a difference between a reason and an excuse. A reason is legitimate; an excuse is not. One of the best definitions I’ve ever heard for the word “excuse” is this one: the skin of a reason stuffed with a lie. Excuses go back to the beginning of human history. It was Adam who offered the first excuse after he ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. God said, “Have you eaten from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat?” (Genesis 3:11 NLT).
tation. But when the king sent out messengers with the second invitation, “the guests he had invited ignored them and went their own way, one to his farm, another to his business” (Matthew 22:5 NLT). The original Greek implies they were careless and neglectful in response to the king’s invitation. They blew it off as though it meant absolutely nothing.
Shallow Excuses
So, what excuses did they offer for refusing the invitation? Luke’s Gospel fills in some gaps for us: “One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’ Another said,
Instead of admitting what he had done, Adam replied, “It was the woman you gave me who gave me the fruit, and I ate it” (verse 12 NLT). Then Eve offered the second excuse: “The serpent deceived me. That’s why I ate it” (verse 13 NLT). In other words, “The Devil made me do it. I’m not responsible.”
The Invitation of a Lifetime
It’s helpful for us to know a little about the culture of the time to understand what Jesus was saying. To be invited to a feast like this would have been a great privilege After all, the king was throwing it. No expense would have been spared, and everything would have been building to this great celebration.
‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’ Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come’” (Luke 14:18–20 NLT). These aren’t even good lies. They’re lame, shallow excuses, and they’re downright insulting. Yet these are some of the same excuses people offer as to why they cannot follow Jesus Christ.
If you were to receive such a special invitation, you would have been asked to RSVP. Now, if you couldn’t attend, you needed to let the host know, because it would have been a great expense to provide your meal, a garment for you to wear and so forth.
Let’s look at excuse number one: “I have just bought a field and must inspect it” (verse 18 NLT). To this person, possessions were more important than God. His real estate was more important to him than a relationship with God Almighty. It has been said that a man’s love for real estate is often an indication of his real state before God.
On the other hand, if you agreed to attend, nothing would keep you from honoring that obligation. Then a second invitation was sent out to inform you of the time it would take place. To reject the second invitation would be a supreme insult.
Jesus said, “And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?” (Mark 8:36 NLT). Some people dedicate their lives to the accumulation of possessions. They think that things will fill the void in their lives, and it can keep them from God.
In Jesus’s story, people accepted the first invi-
bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out” (Luke 14:19 NLT). This man would have used the oxen to plow a field, which is how he made a living. Now, we all must make a living, so there is nothing wrong with having a career. And there’s nothing wrong with being successful in your endeavors. In fact, we ought to try to be successful. I believe that as we honor the Lord, we will do well. It doesn’t surprise me when I hear of Christians who are at the top of the game in their professions. But don’t let your career keep you from Jesus Christ. If you don’t have time to go to church or spend time reading your Bible, then you need to change your schedule somehow. If you will put God first in all things, He will bless you in your career and in the work that you do. Here’s excuse number three: “I just got married, so I can’t come.” (Luke 14:20 NLT). This makes no sense at all. It seems to me that his wife would have loved to go to a royal banquet prepared by a king. But it wasn’t a reason; it was an excuse.
We all have used excuses, and we all have certainly heard them. Jesus told a story about a king who was throwing a wedding banquet for his son. But when the invitations went out to the guests, instead of joyfully responding to the incredible invitation, they began to offer excuses.
Don’t Let Your Career Keep You from This – The second excuse was this: “I have just
The first person in Jesus’s story was held back by possessions, the second was held back by a career, and the third was held back by human affection.
The Highest Calling
There are people today who won’t follow Jesus Christ because they’re afraid of how it will affect others. They’re afraid their boyfriend or girlfriend might break up with them, their friends won’t hang out with them anymore, or it might cause friction in some other relationship. Well, then, let it cause friction, because that friction could result in their coming to Christ. If you are allowing a relationship to keep you from Jesus Christ, that is probably not a relationship you should be involved in. Jesus said, “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26 NLT). There is nothing wrong with owning a house or having a career or spending time at home with your husband or wife. But if our affections and possessions are so important to us that they become excuses to turn down Jesus, then we need to make changes in our lives.
Preachers and Their Talk About Money By Chris DeLuna. Church of Grace, Robstown, TX
You may often hear preachers talk about money. In doing so they say that it’s because God’s word has much to say about money. That much is true. The problem is that many often frame the issue as one wherein God wants to financially prosper you by teaching you Biblical principles and what ends up happening is that God becomes a means to an end, namely the accumulation of wealth. In others words, you end up “using God” for something that you value more than him namely money. Let me offer you another perspective. The reason God’s word addresses the issue of money so often is because money, more than anything, is a way to measure where you stand spiritually. HOW YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY is a way to measure a person’s heart. Let me give you an example, have you ever heard a divorced woman express doubts that the father of her children loves his kids? How does she do that? She says, “He doesn’t PAY child support!” You see the principle at work there? The Biblical principle is that your money usually goes toward the people and the things you love, even one’s self. THAT is why the Bible talks so much about money. It’s not about God being your personal finance coach, but about calling you away from idolatry. Why do you think the rich man is condemned in Jesus’ parable? “God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God” (Luke 12:20-21). God doesn’t want your money, he wants your heart. Where is your heart? Your heart is where your money is. Look at your bank statement. That is what Jesus meant when he said, “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Luke 12:34).
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HEALTH&FITNESS Shedding Light on Psoriasis Awareness Month By Florida Dermatology & Skin Cancer Centers
Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that affects approximately eight million people in the United States. In honor of Psoriasis Awareness Month in August, we at Florida Dermatology and Skin Cancer Centers are taking some time to shed light on what causes psoriasis, treatment options, and tips for daily management. Keep reading to learn more.
Psoriasis: An Overview
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition without a known cure. However, the condition is treatable and manageable with a combination of physician-prescribed medications, lifestyle changes, and alternative therapies. Psoriasis occurs due to an immune system disorder that triggers inflammation and increased skin cell growth and turnover. The increased rate of growth causes thick, scaly patches to develop on the skin’s surface. Scientists aren’t entirely sure what causes an overreaction of the immune system, although most believe a combination of genetic and environmental factors play a role. Psoriasis usually begins in adulthood, affects men, women, and children of all ages, and sometimes runs in families. In many cases, psoriasis flare-ups come and go in cycles that could last weeks, months, or years. Environmental triggers like infections, skin injuries (cuts and scrapes), stress, weather and climate changes, or certain medications are usually the cause of a new flare-up. There are several different types of psoriasis, including: plaque psoriasis, nail psoriasis, guttate psoriasis, inverse psoriasis, pustular psoriasis, and erythrodermic psoriasis. Common signs and symptoms include red and inflamed
patches of skin with thick, silvery scales, skin plaques that itch, burn, crack, or bleed, and dry, pitted fingernails. Psoriasis frequently occurs on the palms, soles of feet, face, scalp, elbows, and knees. A flare-up can range in size from small areas with plaque development to major eruptions that cover large areas of skin. Finally, psoriasis is associated with multiple complications, including psoriatic arthritis and other chronic health conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, strokes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.
Seek sunlight. Exposure to sunlight can help improve psoriasis, but only a controlled amount. Work with your dermatologist to determine the safest and healthiest way to get sunlight daily.
Is Treatment Available?
Know your triggers. Know your triggers and avoid them to reduce the risk of flare-ups. You may find it useful to keep a journal documenting triggers and flare-ups to help you navigate common triggers.
Topical creams and ointments Biologic medications Immune-suppressing medications Light therapy
Talk to a professional. Many people with psoriasis develop mental health issues like low self-esteem, depression, and anxiety related to their condition. If your mental health is suffering due to psoriasis, seek counseling from a licensed therapist.
Multiple treatment options are available to help slow skin cell growth, remove plaques, reduce signs and symptoms, and ease discomfort. Common treatment methods include:
Tips for Managing Psoriasis and Controlling Flare-Ups
If you’re living with psoriasis, there are several things you can do at home to prevent flare-ups and manage symptoms. Bathe and moisturize daily. Bathe daily using lukewarm water and gentle, fragrance-free soaps and body washes. After bathing, apply a gentle moisturizer to keep your skin from dying out and itching.
Manage stress. Stress is a primary trigger for flare-ups. Build up healthy habits and routines that help you lower your daily stress levels. Overall, living a healthy lifestyle by eating a balanced diet, exercising, losing excess weight, quitting smoking and drinking alcohol, and reducing stress will help you manage your condition and improve your quality of life.
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The Importance of Winding Down By HealthAdvocate Blog
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Full Time benefits include 100% County-paid Employee Medical & Dental Insurance, Paid Life/Disability Insurance, Retirement & Vac/Sick Leave. Applications are available on the website at https://www.taylorcountytexas.org/Jobs.aspx or in the Taylor County Plaza, 400 Oak Street, Suite 120, Abilene, Texas.Office hours are 8-12 & 1-5. EOE
At the end of the day, do you feel frazzled, quick to anger, and/or anxious? If so, you’re not alone. With all of our day-to-day obligations, the pressures of home and work life, and other issues you and your loved ones may be facing, it is easy to get caught in a whirlwind of stress, frustration and anxiety. The culmination of these feelings can be detrimental to your physical and mental health if you don’t have an outlet(s) to release these feelings and calm down. These tips can help you wind down and regain a sense of balance at the end of your day.
release the tension while slowly exhaling to the count of four. Repeat as needed, or try this technique on other areas of your body in which you may hold stress.
from technology and screens by simply savoring a quiet moment with your eyes closed. Take it even further by creating tech-free zones in your house. Pick a drawer or other out-of-sight place to stash your devices, and enjoy the peace and quiet.
joying your outdoor space, or lie on your bed and practice deep breathing—there are countless options. Try dedicating 10 minutes at the end of your day to taking a break to see if you notice a difference in your mood.
Exercise. Take a walk around the neigh-
borhood, practice yoga in your living room, or dust off that gym membership card and go break a sweat. Exercise is a tried and true method of stress relief as it gets your heart pumping and releases feel-good hormones that can help give you a sense of well-being.
Just take a break. Sit on your couch and Take time to unplug. Spend time free look out the window, spend a few minutes en-
Practice mindfulness. Just taking even Lose yourself in something you five minutes to sit quietly and follow your love. Did you previously have a hobby that breath can help you feel less fragmented and
you just couldn’t get enough of? Well, what more connected and balanced. are you waiting for—get back to it! Hobbies are a great way to wind down and get some Find a bedtime routine. By doing the “me time.” same activities each night before bed, you can train your body to wind down in preparation Go outside. Breathe in the fresh air, listen for sleep, which is crucial for sleep quality to the sounds of the environment, and take a and quantity. Choose a relaxing activity such good look at the sights. It will help you feel as reading a book, listening to music, meditatmore connected and refreshed after a stressful ing, having a cup of decaffeinated herbal tea day. or glass of warm milk to help signal to your body that it’s time to sleep. Tense your tension. At the end of the day, do you feel a lot of tension in your body? Taking time each day to do simple activities If so, tense it to relax it! Select the area of that calm your body and mind is a powerful your body where you hold stress. Inhale and way to short-circuit stress, restore a sense of tense this area (for example, if it’s your fore- well-being and protect your health! Find achead, wrinkle your forehead and furrow your tivities that work for you and make them part brows) and inhale to the count of three. Next, of your routine—you’ll be glad you did!
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Is Your Diet Keeping You Up at Night? By HealthAdvocateBlog
We all know sleep is important and necessary, yet we don’t often think about how our habits while we’re awake influence our quality of sleep. Sufficient sleep is just as essential to your health and well-being as healthy eating and exercise. But many things can prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep, including your eating habits! These tips may help you determine if your diet is keeping you up at night and what you can do to fix it.
Caffeine is considered to be a stimulant, which is why it keeps you up. If you have trouble with caffeine before bed:
Avoid eating too close to bedtime. Eating too close to bedtime can cause disruptions in your sleep, especially if you have indigestion. If you wake up at night with your esophagus burning, you may want to try these ideas to sleep better:
Sugary foods
•Do not eat within 4 hours of bedtime •Avoid eating foods that trigger your indigestion before bed •Sleep propped up to keep the acid from creeping up your throat •Try drinking a glass of milk before bed At the same time, what you eat or drink before bedtime can affect your sleep, even if you don’t have indigestion.
Caffeine
For some people, caffeine before bed is no problem; for others, it can cause a restless night.
•Avoid caffeinated beverages like soda, coffee or tea •Reduce your consumption of foods with caffeine such as chocolate •Be aware that it takes 8 hours for your body to fully process 8 ounces of coffee from your body Similar to caffeine, in some people, consuming foods with sugar may help prevent them from sleeping. If you’re a dessert-after-dinner person: •Try eating fruit. The natural sugar of fruit can satisfy your sweet tooth due to its natural sugars that break down slower, allowing you to have a sweet treat without getting a jolt from added sugars, which tend to spike your glucose faster •Don’t make dessert an everyday occasion. •Desserts and treats are best enjoyed in moderation. It may be a good idea to save them for special occasions
Alcohol
Avoid alcohol. If you want to get the deep sleep required for restorative rest, it might be best to stick with non-alcoholic beverages.
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The Best Help to Offer Aging Parents By Health Advocate Blog
Like many adults, you may have a senior parent or parents facing health, financial, safety or other issues including prolonged isolation brought on by the pandemic. If so, you may wonder how to respectfully help them navigate aging for better well-being. Here are some tips to consider: • Share your concerns with close relatives. Bonding early and often over these issues can help ease the responsibility, especially when seniors reach an advanced age. • Don’t try to control the conversation. Gently bring up sensitive subjects, acknowledging their role in decision-making and asking for their ideas. To start the dialogue, you might say, “I noticed your fenders are dented, and I’m concerned that driving may be becoming difficult for you. What do you think about discussing some options to help make this easier and safer for you?” • Keep them engaged and independent. Physical, social and mental engagement helps improve brain function and can increase longevity! A growing number of seniors are now connected to the internet, so help them engage virtually. Set up social media accounts to involve them in their family and friends’ lives, locate online exercise classes for seniors, or arrange attendance at a virtual event or religious service. • Choose the right time to discuss their plans for their future. You might start by asking about where they keep their financial docu-
ments like insurance policies, wills, tax returns, investment, or banking records, in case they are ill. • Do some homework and offer information. Gather brochures about affordable or free meal services, transportation, and other community services. Check www.benefits-
checkup.org for assistance for people over 55 that helps pay for prescription drugs, healthcare, utilities, and other essential items or services. Provide pamphlets about additional Medicare, Medicaid or other government assistance. • Know when to seek professional help. Is your loved one showing symptoms of extreme forgetfulness, depression/apathy, weight loss, lack of interest in eating nutritious food, etc.? Are they struggling with loneliness? Ask your practitioner for a referral to an expert or call Health Advocate to help your parent get an appointment. This may include virtual counseling.
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BUSINESS&CAREER
TSTC to Provide OSHA Training in West Texas By Ben Barkley | Communications Specialist, Texas State Technical College
Texas State Technical College will provide Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training at each of its four West Texas campuses in August. Classes will be offered in two-day courses that will lead to OSHA 10 credentials. Each course is limited to 10 students, who must attend both days to receive credit. Training will be held in Breckenridge on August 10-11, followed by Sweetwater on August 17-18, Abilene on August 24-25 and Brownwood on August 31-September 1. Classes will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Misty Mayo, the Development Corporation of Abilene’s president and chief executive officer, said TSTC’s training will provide employers with a unique opportunity.
tal Compliance instructor, on the curriculum.
and scenarios, and discuss prevention to help identify these near misses, incidents or accidents “The course layout will be for general industry from happening. Students will gain knowledge on safety that teaches basic safety and health infor- how to properly look up and understand OSHA mation to entry-level workers in construction and standards and regulations.” general industry,” Brunett said. “Part of the course will explain what makes up a serious workplace Local businesses can benefit from the training, hazard, workers’ rights, employer responsibilities, according to Purcell. and how to file an OSHA complaint.” “Having employees trained reduces safety hazards from occurring,” she said. “Employees are more knowledgeable on precautions that need to be taken in the workplace and how to make things safer for everyone involved.” Purcell said businesses of any size may register employees for the classes. “Everyone in the workforce needs to know basic safety hazards associated with their job to assure their safety, not only for themselves, but others around them,” she said. “A safer work environment provides a better morale and productivity for workers in the workplace.”
“The Development Corporation of Abilene builds the TSTC will offer two-day OSHA 10 training classes for local businesses and industries at its West future of Abilene through Texas campuses throughout August. (Photo courtesy of TSTC.) implementation and support of programs that sustain Brunett said the OSHA 10 training and enhance skills and capabilities of regional Purcell said participants will learn several safety is the first of many planned workforce events in workforce within targeted industries,” she said. protocols, including walking and working sur- West Texas. “OSHA 10 training provided by TSTC meets in- faces, electrical safety, personal protective equipdustry standards as businesses look for ways to ment, hazard communication, ergonomics, fall “We are working on several opportunities for our further enhance education and training of their protection, confined space, fire safety, lockout business partners in West Texas,” she said. “We workforce that will increase productivity and and tag-out, and hazardous materials. She said the are excited to be able to bring these training sesreduce loss of time. The DCOA gladly partners OSHA mission also will be covered over the two sions to them.” with TSTC as we work together to support the days of the course. needs of our target industries.” To register for the OSHA 10 training or to ask “When you complete this program, you will have questions about the course, email workforcetrainCindy Brunett, executive director of Workforce a better understanding of hazards in the work- ing@tstc.edu. Training at TSTC, worked with Teresa Purcell, place and how to prevent them from happening,” TSTC’s Occupational Safety and Environmen- Purcell said. “We will look at real-time hazards For more information about TSTC, visit tstc.edu.
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3 Best Online Advertising Channels to Grow Your Small Business By Tom Mortimer | AllBusiness
After a strenuous year and a half, many small businesses have been eager to restart their businesses in the wake of the pandemic. In a recent poll, 58% of small business owners said they were looking to increase the frequency of their marketing message in Q2 of 2021, while nearly half said things were already better for them now compared to a year ago. What’s also interesting is that 70% of small business owners said they’re looking to add more types of media into their marketing mix, and 36% say they will add more types of media to their paid strategies to deal with the competition. Even though most small business owners know that digital ad campaigns are an important way to attract more customers, it can sometimes be difficult to know which are the best online advertisings channels to start with. In this article, we look at the three top paid media platforms you should be using and why they are an effective way to grow your small business.
1. Facebook Ads-There was once a time
when Facebook was sniffed at by a lot of marketers. If people were only on the platform to play games and chat with their friends, why would they be interested in a company’s washing machine ad? However, today Facebook is a very different beast, and has become an effective paid marketing channel for SMBs. No longer do users on Facebook solely “mess around” on the platform. They take part in vigorous debate, they browse the Marketplace, and they interact with their favorite (and least favorite) brands. Simply put, the purchasing intent of Facebook users is real. And so are the numbers: •Facebook has more than 2.8 billion active users worldwide. •18.3% of U.S. adults made a purchase through Facebook in the past year. •The average return on investment of Facebook advertising is between 400%-450%. •Advertising on Facebook is a no-brainer—the pricing model is one in which you pay every time someone clicks your ad. Compared to Google, clicks are relatively cheap, averaging at about $0.50 to $3.50, depending on your industry. Facebook also offers granular targeting options, allowing you to exclude and include a number of different types of audiences. Indeed, the audience targeting is arguably Facebook’s biggest strength, something no other marketing platform can match, not even Google. From targeting consumers who’ve made a prior purchase to targeting those who are interested in
something as niche as organic food, Facebook third-party websites and are specifically shown offers a small business many options. to users based on their browsing habits. These ads offer audience targeting options that are How to take it further similar to Facebook’s, but not quite as extenPaid social ads are the fourth most popular way sive. for consumers to find new products, offline or online. But that’s not just Facebook—it includes In terms of pricing, just like Facebook, you pay Snapchat, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, every time someone clicks your ad. Things are a and more. Facebook may be the “big daddy,” little more expensive on Google than Facebook, but it’s important to branch out into other areas with the average cost-per-click (CPC) between of social media. $1 to $6, depending on your industry. While this may sound like a lot, for every $1 spent on GooInstagram is a great place to start for B2C com- gle Ads, an average of $8 is made in revenue. panies, given that it’s incredibly easy to enable Instagram Ads directly within the Facebook 3. Amazon Advertising-It’s projected that platform, plus 40% of the U.S. population is on Amazon’s market share of the U.S. e-commerce Instagram. market will reach 50% this year, and 49% of U.S. internet users typically start their search on YouTube is another great option with 81% of Amazon when digitally searching for a product. U.S. adults reporting they’ve used it. With You- More than 50% of all Amazon sales come from Tube, you have access to a massive, engaged third-party sellers and, 225,000 small businessaudience, if you can get your video strategy es worldwide sold over $100,000 in sales in right. Amazon stores in 2019. The opportunities are enormous. B2B businesses should definitely take a look at LinkedIn. Twenty-eight percent of U.S. adults If you’re looking to advertise on Amazon, the say they use LinkedIn; it’s a thriving hub of en- company also uses a CPC system like Facebook gaged professionals, which has only increased and Google. On average, Amazon advertisers in activity lately. pay $0.81 for every click, which is cheaper than both Facebook and Google. Twitter is a great platform if you have content to share. Nearly a quarter of U.S. adults say they How to take it further use Twitter, and from an advertising perspec- It’s important to not put all your eggs in one bastive, Twitter Ads are really cheap, too. ket with Amazon. Though Amazon owns such a high market share, you should still have your If your audience is millennials and Gen Z, do own website as well as advertise elsewhere. not ignore Snapchat or TikTok; 25% and 21% About 80% of Amazon sellers sell on other of U.S. adults respectively are on these two plat- platforms. If you haven’t done so already, set up forms. Marketing messages may require some a website and a Facebook page, and advertise extra creativity, but the effort should be well on sites such as Etsy, eBay, Pinterest, etc.; turn worth it. yourself into a multidimensional marketer. Multichannel marketing is a must. 2. Google Ads-Google is another one of the best online advertising channels for any small Become a multidimensional marketer business. Google has more than 87% share of Now we’ve explored the best online advertising the worldwide search market and processes channels in the digital marketing world, let’s over 3.5 billion searches per day. Whereas Face- go over the value of multichannel marketing. book has the best targeting options in market- Each of the platforms we’ve discussed in this ing, Google has arguably the most remarkable article doesn’t have to be used in isolation. In marketing intent tool. The words and phrases fact, to get the most out of your marketing ensomeone types when searching on Google can deavors, you want to be popping up in as many tell you exactly what a person wants and when places as possible, so you’re hitting different they want it. audiences, building your brand, not relying on external companies, and, quite simply, getting For example, someone searching for “prices for more sales. boilers in Toronto” wants to see prices for boilers in Toronto—and that is what they will see This isn’t something you need to do right away. in the search engine results page (SERP). You Steadily build yourself up. There are so many won’t get that in any other form of advertising; great options out there to help you move forGoogle revolutionized the marketing game in ward. That’s the beauty of digital marketing— this respect. there are endless opportunities to help you grow. Google also offers display ads that appear on
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Team Member Spotlight:
Michael Gutierrez, Campus Business Operations Officer By Clara McKenney | Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center
With five campuses stretching across 108 counties in West Texas and beyond, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) is a diverse and complex institution, and our success is due in no small part to our exceptional team members. At TTUHSC, everyone plays a vital role. Being part of the TTUHSC team means being part of a supportive community where you can grow and thrive in a values-based culture that puts people first. As ambassadors of our mission and culture, our incredible team members go above and beyond every day in exemplifying our values: Beyond Service, Kindhearted, Integrity, One Team, and Visionary. We are excited to share their stories.
Meet Michael Gutierrez, Campus Business Operations Officer for the TTUHSC Campus in Abilene
How long have you worked at TTUHSC, and what is your role? I started working at TTUHSC in January 2017 as Associate Facilities Director. I was hired as Campus Business Operations Officer in September 2019, and my primary
duties are to ensure that the campus is running smoothly and that our students, team members, and guests are provided a comfortable and safe environment for working and learning.
Security to ensure we are all on the same page. Following the One Team value would be the Kindhearted value. Being nice helps build trust and makes working with others more enjoyable.
How did you come to work at TTUHSC? Can you tell us about your career journey to (or within) our institution? In my former life, I was a Commercial Real Estate Manager for 14 years, managing up to 21 million square feet of real estate in Houston. After growing weary of the traffic, crime, hurricanes and flooding, and not having family support to assist with our son, my wife and I decided to move back to Abilene in November 2016. I was hired by TTUHSC a couple of months later.
How would you describe the culture at TTUHSC? It is changing for the better! When I started in 2017, morale was rather low. Now, with our values and training, it seems that attitudes and mindsets are beginning to change. We still have more work to do, but we are heading in the right direction. What do you enjoy most about where you live, and what makes you proud to call West Texas home? I love Abilene because of the small-town feel. I grew up in Abilene, and after graduating from ACU, I swore I would never come back. But, now that I’ve lived in the big cities of Dallas and Houston, I appreciate the five-minute rush hour and no major crime waves or hurricanes to worry about. This is a great place to raise a child. I’m proud to call West Texas home because of the community involvement and support for our military and police.
What do you enjoy about your work, or what excites you most about your job? The most enjoyable part of my work is being able to interact and collaborate with multiple team members. We have very talented, skilled team members, and I really enjoy working with people who love their jobs. I also like that in my current position, I get to work in many different areas and have some flexibility to handle issues as they pop up – I’m not stuck in the same routine. What do you wish more people knew about your team or department, or our institution? Which of the values (One Team, Kindheart- I wish people knew more about how involved ed, Integrity, Visionary, and Beyond Service) our institution is in the community. We make is most integral to your job or team? Why? significant contributions to the community via The One Team value is probably the most inte- our students, faculty and staff. I also wish more gral because, in order for me to be successful, I people knew about the great research our team need to work with other teams to provide safety members are doing. Here in Abilene, we have and comfort to all those on campus. I work with nine different cancer research studies going on, IT, Facilities, Networking, Safety Services, and but not too many people know what we are up
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to. Who knows, one of our team members may come up with a new innovative treatment to cure cancer. What most excites you about the future at TTUHSC? I am excited about the future of TTUHSC because of the new Executive Leadership Team we have in place. It is refreshing to see things change for the better. With the implementation of various councils, I’m seeing more consistency among the campuses. Additionally, with collaboration being a top priority for the Leadership teams, departmental silos are being torn down. What would you tell people who are considering a position at TTUHSC? I would say: do it! We have great, friendly team members, as well as awesome benefits. Is there anything else you would like to share? I just want to say that I’m truly blessed to work for TTUHSC. I didn’t have a job when I left Houston, so it was a surprise to me that once I moved to Abilene, a position opened up at TTUHSC that I was qualified and hired for. It is a blessing to come to work and work with such talented team members. I’m also blessed to have great managers who are willing to provide support whenever needed. Having worked for private companies and now with TTUHSC, I can say that I feel I have a sense of purpose here versus working for the other companies that are driven by the pursuit of profits.