Pick us up at Long John Silver, Drug Emporium & Los Arcos Mex Rest | COMMUNITY | 3
DECEMBER 2017
Volume 8, Issue 8
Office Park West 209 S. Danville, Suite B-103 Abilene, Texas 79605 (325) 701-9505 www.HispanicLifeMedia.com [currently under construction]
PUBLISHER David A. Hernandez EDITOR HispanicLife Magazine editorial@hispaniclifemedia.com ADVISING EDITOR AND ACCEPTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS Amy Hernández info@hispaniclifemedia.com (325) 701-9505 Office
ADVERTISING SALES David Hernandez (325) 518-7091 sales@hispaniclifemedia.com
GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT Debbie Heep info@hispaniclifemedia.com
About Us
We are dedicated to serving the Abilene and the Big Country by providing up-to-date information and resources that promote healthy families and homes. We also promote our clients businesses by increasing their customer bases and enhancing their public images within the Hispanic community. HispanicLife Magazine is published on a monthly basis and is owned & operated locally. Advertising rates are available upon request. While we use great care in creating our display ads, mistakes can happen. HispanicLife and the publisher are not liable for any damages arising from any typographical or mechanical errors beyond the cost of the ad. HispanicLife does not necessarily endorse any of the advertisers, products or services listed in this publication. 2017 HispanicLIfe Media
All rights reserved. No reproduction of any portion of this issue is allowed without permission from the publisher. www.facebook.com/HispanicLifeMagazine
Exciting times we are living in you might say. The fact of the matter is, that we are living in uncertain times. Wars, rumors of wars, famines, death, and the list goes on and on. But good news! We have a friend who will never leave us or forsake us. Someone who is continually on our side; fighting for us. No matter where you are at in life, be assure of this, God is for you and not against you. He has awesome and great plans for you and your family. Surrender your life and time to Him. As we are in the midst of the Holiday Season, make it a point to enjoy your family, friends and the food of course! Take time to call your grandparents, mom and dad or your tia (aunt). Take a trip to Ft. Worth to see the lights, go by the State School too for a great display of lights as well, or just hang out at home with Chrismtas Carols and the hot chocolote! Whatever it is or however you do it, just make the choice to enjoy it and celebate life with friends and family. Don’t wait for tomorrow to make the memories you can make today, because tomorrow is not promised. We pray you have a great Christmas along with your family and friends. And we declare God’s peace over your life and the lives of your families along with prosperity in every area of your life for the new year! Have a great month and as always….First God, then Family and finally Friends….
¡FelizNavidad! David & Amy Hernández & the girls & all the staff here at HispanicLife
Front Cover Credits: Photography
Chapa Images Styled at:
Living Chic Antiques Dalia Ramos
4 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country
Mayor Williams’ Former Campaign Manager Running for City Council By Jamie Burch | KTXS
The woman who ran Anthony Williams’ campaign for mayor is now running for a seat next to him on the Abilene City Council.
She grew up in Abilene and returned to the Key City after graduation to be the VP of Operations/Marketing for Lytle Land & Cattle and Sharon’s Barbecue and Catering. Both restaurants are owned by her grandmother, Sharon Riley.
Alex Russell, 26, announced in a blog post that she is running for Abilene City Council Place 2. That seat is currently held by Councilman Bruce Kreitler.
She left the restaurant biz last November to help start up a PR business.
“The average age of our current seven Abilene Council members, 61. Our government is a representative democracy,” Russell wrote on her blog. “Our government is meant to be representative of our population, and when it is not, it cannot work to serve we the people as it is intended.” Russell is a 2014 graduate of Texas Tech University.
In December, Williams hired her to run his mayoral campaign. Williams went on to defeat Richard Kennedy and then Robert Briley in a runoff. Russell is planning an official campaign kick-off in January. That is when candidates can officially file. The election will be held in May. KTXS reached out to Kreitler, who was first elected in 2015, to find out if he plans to run for re-election. We have not yet heard back.
Upcoming Holiday Events ABILENE COMMUNITY BAND CHRISTMAS CONCERT Tuesday, December 12, 2017 | 7:30 p.m. Paramount Theatre - 352 Cypress St. Free-Donations appreciated
PET NIGHT WITH SANTA
Friday, December 15, 2017 | 6-9 p.m. Mall of Abilene. Bring your furry friends for an exclusive holiday photo session with Santa. Photo prices vary and are available through Cherry Hill Photo.
HOLIDAY MOVIE NIGHT
Thursday, December 21, 2017 | 7-9 p.m. Premiere Cinema 10 at the Mall of Abilene Enjoy a complimentary holiday movie courtesy of Premiere Cinema 10 and Mall of Abilene. Movie tickets will be given out on a first come, first serve basis at Premiere Cinema 10 the night of the event. Tickets available while supplies last.
KEY PROPERTY
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COMMUNITY
LOCAL PEOPLE AND EVENTS
COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT
A ‘hole’ Lot Is Happening On Abilene Doughnut Scene By Greg Jaklewicz | Abilene Reporter-News
When Dunkin’ Donuts opens in 2018, Abilene will have a enough doughnut shops to fill a box. A dozen even. On Friday, Mustang Donuts opened at a former Dairy Queen location on East Highway 80, next to Towne Crier Steakhouse. And across town, while the exterior still looks as if Taco Bell just moved out, the inside of the former fast-food restaurant on South 14th Street has been gutted in preparation of a $400,000 remodel to open a combination Dunkin’ Donuts/Baskin-Robbins. Mustangs Donuts brings the total of standalone doughnut shops to 11. The other businesses are AM Donuts (4 locations) BK Donuts (2), Jack and Jill (2), Donut Time and Abilene Donuts. Mustang started in Sweetwater — hence the “Mustang” name. It’s owned by Trey and Nicole Pay. She’s at the Abilene shop, working with another employee. Trey Pay is an engineer working in Dallas, she said. Nicole Pay has been making doughnuts for seven years. She said the plain glazed doughnut probably is the shop’s signature pastry. The shop is open seven days a week until noon.
For years, Abilene has anticipated the return of Dunkin’ Donuts, which these days is often paired at new locations with Baskin-Robbins, a co-branding that began in March 2014. Dunkin’ coffee and pints of Baskin-Robbins ice cream have been available at some local supermarkets. Abilene also had BaskinRobbins shops back in the day. The rumor that Dunkin’ was coming back has circulated around town for several years but it looks as if wishes finally will come true. A permit was taken out in mid-October at the former Taco Bell by J&K Project Management Construction. The interior has been cleared, with more work to do. A late winter or spring completion date has been targeted.
6 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
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Meals on Wheels Plus joins Meals on Wheels America and Subaru in Sharing the Love this Holiday Season Mockingbird Movies: “Christmas with the Kranks”
December 11 at 6:30PM. Mockingbird Branch Library Movie Summary: With their daughter away, the Kranks decide to skip Christmas altogether until she decides to come home, causing an uproar when they have to celebrate the holiday at the last minute.
Family Flix: “Gremlins”
December 16 at 3:00PM. Main Library Movie Summary: A boy inadvertently breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town.
Saturday Matinee: “Ernest Saves Christmas”
December 23 at 10:30AM. South Branch Library Movie Summary: An obnoxious and bumbling but well-meaning man attempts to help Santa Claus find a successor. Failure wouild mean that there would be no Christmas.
Weekend Walk-In Flix: “Dunkirk”
December 31 at 3:00PM. South Branch Library Movie Summary: Allied soldiers from Belgium, the British Empire, and France are surrounded by the German Army, and evacuated during a fierce battle in World War II.
Holiday Meals for The Homebound
Meals on Wheels Plus has again this year set up our “Holiday Meals” table at the Mall of Abilene. We are accepting donations to purchase food to prepare a delicious holiday meal for our clients. Please remember each $5.00 donated pays for one holiday meal. Our table is located between Zales and the Shoe Dept. (across from Santa’s Village) in the Mall of Abilene. Daily through 24 December, (Times Vary) This is a great opportunity to let the public know about our fundraising efforts this holiday season, speak with the volunteers that are manning our table, and hopefully increase much needed donations.
Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc.
Subaru’s tenth annual Share the Love Event ® will help deliver nutritious meals and compassion to Abilene area seniors and other adults with disabilities By Rob Chastain | Development Director, Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc.
Meals on Wheels Plus is proud to announce that it will be participating in the tenth annual Subaru Share the Love Event as a member of Meals on Wheels America – one of four national Share the Love charitable partners supported through the promotion. From November 16, 2017 to January 2, 2018, Subaru of America will donate $250 for every new Subaru vehicle sold or leased to the customer’s choice of participating charity. Participating Meals on Wheels America members, like Meals on Wheels Plus will receive a share of the donation raised by Subaru in their state. “For the past ten years, Subaru of America has partnered alongside the Meals on Wheels network to deliver nutrition, companionship and comfort to our nation’s most vulnerable seniors,” said Ellie Hollander, President and CEO, Meals on Wheels America. “Since 2008, Subaru’s Share the Love Event has helped deliver more than 1.7 million meals to seniors served by Meals on Wheels. Funds raised through this year’s event will come at a critical time for the Meals on Wheels network, allowing our boots on the ground to deliver even more of these critically needed services.” This year marks the automaker’s 50th Anniversary in the U.S. and, for the second year in a row, there will be no cap on the total donation from Subaru
of America to its Share the Love charitable partners. At the culmination of this year, Subaru hopes to exceed a grand total of $115 million donated since the creation of Share the Love to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the event. By purchasing or leasing a new Subaru during the Event and selecting Meals on Wheels America as your charity of choice, you can help deliver nutritious meals and other important services to senior’s right here in Abilene and surrounding communities. For more information, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org/sharethelove. About Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc. The mission of Meals on Wheels Plus is to enhance the quality of life for seniors and other eligible adults by providing nutritionally balanced meals and supportive services.” Over 1200 meals are delivered each weekday to seniors and other adults with disabilities by approximately 700 trained volunteers. Meals on Wheels Plus serves people who live in Abilene, Ballinger, Eula, Hamby, Hawley, Hodges, Potosi, and Winters, Texas. About Meals on Wheels America Meals on Wheels America is the oldest and largest national organization supporting the more than 5,000 community-based programs across the country that are dedicated to addressing senior isolation and hunger. This network exists in virtually every community in America and, along with more than two million staff and volunteers, delivers the nutritious meals,
friendly visits and safety checks that enable America’s seniors to live nourished lives with independence and dignity. By providing funding, leadership, education, research and advocacy support, Meals on Wheels America empowers its local member programs to strengthen their communities, one senior at a time. For more information, visit www.mealsonwheelsamerica.org. About Subaru of America, Inc. Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Subaru Corporation of Japan. Headquartered at a zero-landfill office in Cherry Hill, N.J., the company markets and distributes Subaru vehicles, parts and accessories through a network of more than 620 retailers across the United States. All Subaru products are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants and Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a backyard wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. SOA is guided by the Subaru Love Promise, which is the company’s vision to show love and respect to everyone, and to support its communities and customers nationwide. Over the past 20 years, SOA has donated more than $120 million to causes the Subaru family cares about, and its employees have logged more than 40,000 volunteer hours. As a company, Subaru believes it is important to do its part in making a positive impact in the world because it is the right thing to do. For additional information visit media.subaru.com.
Pick us up at Law Enforcement Office & Cisco College | COMMUNITY | 7
Lake Kirby Survey:
Your Opinion Needed on Improvements to Lake By Ronald W Erdrich | Abilene Reporter-News
The city of Abilene sent out an email survey about Lake Kirby last week. In the short online form, users are asked to pick from a list of options what improvements they’d like to see at the lake.
Hondo Henderson. Firefighter Henderson joined the Abilene Fire Department in December of 1999. He is certifed as an EMT-Paramedic, Master Firefighter, Fire Instructor I, and Hazardous Materials Technician. He is currently assigned to Engine 6, A shift. Congratulations to Firefighter Henderson.
SPOTLIGHT
Firefighter Clinton Roberts joined the Abilene Fire Department in April of 2015. He is certified as a Firefighter Basic and Licensed Paramedic. He currently is assigned to Station 1 on B shift.
A great blue heron stands in the brush along Lake Kirby Saturday. The bird is the largest, most widespread heron in North America according to Texas Parks & Wildlife. (Photo: Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News)
The lake is a nice place for making nature pictures, catching a fish, or just driving around. Answering the survey inspired a short trip to the lake Saturday afternoon. Earlier this year, Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas provided $200,000 to create a natural play and education facility at the lake. Survey results will be used to help develop a master plan for the lake.
If you would like to put in your two cents worth, you can take the survey at abilenetx.gov/parksandrec before Dec. 18.
Firefighter Colton Black
joined the Abilene Fire Department in April of 2015. He is certified as a Firefighter Basic and EMTParamedic. He currently is assigned to Station 7 on A shift.
Meals on Wheels Volunteers of the Month
DECEMBER 2017
JOE & KAREN SHARP
Joe and Karen have been volunteering with Meals on Wheels for 13 years. They have one son, Stephen. Karen taught school for 30 years and is now retired. Joe opened a dental office in Abilene and practiced for 44 years before retiring. They have been busy in the community over the years, participating in Junior League, sponsor for Women’s Social club at ACU, in their church and Meals on Wheels. Other than delivering meals, they enjoy spending their free time playing bridge, art, golf, yard work and traveling in the USA. When asked why they volunteer delivering Meals on Wheels, they said “We enjoy helping those in need. The clients bless us more than we bless them.” Thank you for being such longterm, dedicated volunteers!
8 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
Abilene’s First Female Physician Turns 105 By Loretta Fulton | Abilene Reporter-News
Photo: Greg Jaklewicz/Reporter-News)
Anyone hoping to learn the secrets of a long New Orleans. and productive life may have left Virginia Connally’s 105th birthday party Monday a little Her first office was located in the Mims Builddisappointed. ing downtown, where she specialized in diseases of the eye, ear, nose, and throat. She retired Connally, Abilene’s first female physician, list- in 1982. ed three things that stand out to her about her life, including blessings from her heavenly fa- Among highlights of her medical career were ther and blessings from her family and friends. serving as the first female chief of staff at HenThe third was a surprise. drick Medical Center and the now-closed St. Ann Hospital, serving medical missions to Ven“I have no idea how I’ve ezuela, receiving the 2004 Piolived so long!” she said, neer in Medicine award at the ending any hope that she 100th anniversary celebration might share some secret of the Taylor-Jones-Haskell knowledge of the fountain County Medical Society, now of youth. the Big Country County Medical Society, and receiving the Connally was born Ada VirDistinguished Service Award ginia Hawkins on Dec. 4, in 2012 from the Texas Medi1912, in Temple. On Moncal Association. day, she celebrated with her daughter, Genna Davis An equally important part of of Waco, local friends and Connally’s life has been, and representatives of Hardincontinues to be, missions. In Simmons University, where 1981, Connally and her late Connally earned a bachhusband, Ed Connally, eselor’s degree in chemistry tablished the Connally Endowed and education in 1933. Professorship of Missions at Hardin-Simmons. Connally, a member of First A birthday surprise for Connally was receiving Baptist Church since her student days at Hardinanother in a long list of honors from her alma Simmons, provided the lead gift to establish the mater. The latest is the Jesse C. Fletcher Award Connally Missions Center at Hardin-Simmons, for Distinguished Service in Missions. Robert which was dedicated in 2000. Ellis, interim dean of the Logsdon School of Theology at Hardin-Simmons, presented Con- Part of the citation read by Ellis cited the Great nally with a citation, written by former HSU Commission, Jesus’ directive to his disciples to President Lanny Hall. “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Before reading from the citation, Ellis shared a Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” according to the few memories of his own. He recalled that his King James Version of the Gospel of Matthew, now-grown daughters were impacted by Con- chapter 28, verse 19. nally as an example of what one woman can do to make a difference. When it came time to “Only our Lord and Dr. Connally know when make decisions, they would ask, “What would young Virginia Hawkins first heard or read the Saint Virginia do?” words of Jesus,” Ellis said. But whenever and wherever she heard the Great Commission, she His daughters weren’t the only ones, he said, to took it to heart, Ellis said, becoming a “doer of have been touched by Connally’s life story and the word, not a hearer only.” her wit and wisdom. Connally assured her daughter and friends that “I hope you know,” Ellis said to Connally, she already has Dec. 4, 2018, marked on her cal“you have influenced young ladies for genera- endar to celebrate her 106th birthday with them. tions in many ways.” One of the party planners, Debbie Blake, had Connally returned to Abilene in 1940 after guests lift their water glasses for a closing toast. earning a medical degree from Louisiana State “May your 105th year be as productive, happy, University School of Medicine and serving an and full of love as your first 104 years,” she internship and residency at Charity Hospital in toasted. “And we hope you have many more.”
Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country
Jay Stephens: Abilene’s Very Own Johnny Cash
Pick us up at Alfonso Hernandez Bakery, Mr. Jiffy & Daniela’s Tex-Mex Rest | COMMUNITY | 9
Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s isn’t easy. Reaching us is.
A bout of Bell’s Palsy, a few years back, changed everything. By Brandi Brightwater | The Abilene Post
When Jay Stephens sings, it’s impossible for anyone who has ever heard Johnny Cash sing to not do a double take. His voice is astonishingly reminiscent of the country legend in the same way that LeAnn Rimes was reminiscent of Patsy Cline in “Blue.” However, he hasn’t always had that sound. A bout of Bell’s Palsy, a few years back, changed everything. “Before the Bell’s Palsy happened I didn’t have much, if any accent at all, besides using the usual Texas slang. (I) Sounded like someone from up north.“ Said Stephens. “It (was) an interesting change. The first time the vocal change really dawned on me was when my wife and I went out for karaoke after I had gotten better. (I) sang Johnny Cash’s “Big River” and everyone loved it. (I) slowly began to realize that the Palsy had added an eerily similar sound and accent that Mr. Cash had. I wonder if he didn’t have the same condition at one point since his voice is so unique.” Stephens has amassed quite a following of fans. He started with karaoke and has progressed rapidly since. He competed last season on Abilene Idol and won second place. He played at the county fair and several other events since. “His voice is amazing. His Johnny Cash tribute is spot on and he makes you feel like you’re actually watching Johnny Cash. I’ve been lucky enough to see him a few times and I’ve always been mesmerized by his beautiful voice.” Says Cherie ClickGooden. “I’ve been singing for about five years now, started out doing karaoke and stuck to Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darin tunes. I enjoyed that style of music. I know most of their songs by heart.” Said Stephens. “My wife bought me a beat-up 1950s True Tone acoustic guitar from a thrift shop in town shortly before we got married, I had played piano and viola years before then but took the guitar more
seriously at that time.” He wasn’t initially drawn to country music but has found that he prefers classic artists such as Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristopherson. “I like taking other songs and genres of music and covering them as well if they work with the sound.” Added Stephens. The covers he has been working If you care for someone with Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss or dementia, you are not alone. We’re here day or night — whenever you need us — offering reliable information and support. Free 24/7 Helpline: 800.272.3900 Alzheimer’s and Dementia Caregiver Center: alz.org/care
with aren’t what you would typically think of when it comes to the Cash-esque sound Stephens is known for. Some covers have been “Rhiannon” by Fleetwood Mac and “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” by U2. Stephens has an active presence at Abilene events. It is rare a weekend goes by that he isn’t on stage. Watch for him to perform some songs he has written himself. Get out there and enjoy his music.
This article originally appeared on The Abilene Post website
www.the abilenepost.com
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Hendrick Medical Center to Open Newly Expanded NICU By Maria Aguilera | KTXS
Hendrick Medical Center expanded their The Jones couple toured the new facility. The neonatal intensive care unit and it will open new NICU has four rooms, 25 beds, and is this week. These units are for sick and pre- 12,000 square feet. mature babies. Neonatologist Dr. Richard Deulofeut, the One family who lives in Sweetwater had to NICU medical director at Hendrick said they stay at the old NICU a few months ago. The wanted to make the new unit just right for Jones family had twin girls just three months families. ago and they were born six weeks early, so they had to stay at the old NICU for 22 days. “You have a family centered situation where babies of course come for critical care and then after they move forward to the rooms, where moms will be able to spend more and more time with the babies as the babies recover,” Deulofeut said. Deulofeut said the newly expanded NICU has enough room to keep more Jonathan of Abilene and Shayla Jones of babies for a longer time. Sweetwater, parents of Madelyn and Mabery said although it was a difficult time for them Mrs. Jones said they had to spend time away as first-time parents they were treated phe- from home in Dallas and Colorado when the nomenally at the NICU. twins were born. She said she is glad that she could deliver in Abilene. “They’re like a family,” Mr. Jones said. “To be able to trust their lives and put them in “They really are,” Mrs. Jones said, “they are the hands of other people, I felt very blessed and the new unit itself is very family cen- to be able to come home,” Mrs. Jones said. tered, not that the old one wasn’t. I mean one of the first things they told us when we were Doctors at Hendrick said that now some admitted was don’t ever feel like you can’t moms will be able to stay up to three months come back here to be with your child.” at the new facility.
Pick us up at Taqueria Riojas & Texas Workforce Center | COMMUNITY | 11
Los Palominos Win Big At Latin Grammys By Marc Martinez | Freddie Records
November 16, 2017 was an unforgettable evening for Freddie Records Recording Artist Los Palominos. The 18th Annual Latin Grammy Music Awards, took place at the T-Mobile Arena, live from Las Vegas, NV. Some of the most recognized artists’ in the Latin Music Industry were on hand to witness this Prestigious Awards Show. Nominated Artists’ that attended the Latin Grammys, were Los Palominos, Los Huracanes Del Norte, Los Invasores De Nuevo León, and many more were in attendance. Los Palominos were nominated in the category for “Mejor Album De Música Norteña, and won their respective category and this prestigious award. Freddie Records would like to congratulate Los Palominos on their big win at the 18th Annual Latin Grammy Awards. The Corpus Christi, Tx based record label, would also like to thank all of their colleagues in the music industry, for their continued support. We are forever grateful and appreciative.
City of Abilene Receives $18.37 Million for Smart Water Meters By Lindsey Ragas | KTXS TV
Smart water meters are one step closer to coming to Abilene. The Texas Water Development Board agreed to loan the city $18.37 million for the meter replacement program. “These meters allow us to go back and actually look and verify you know exactly when water was used,” said Director of Water Utilities Rodney Taylor. “We will have an hour by hour record.” Last year, hundreds of residents complained about high water bills and said the city workers were not checking their meters. Smart water meters will eliminate city workers who check the meters monthly. Taylor said the 43,000 smart meters they plan to get will prevent that from happening again. However, this project is not finalized because it must
be approved by Abilene City Council. Taylor said council could decide as early as February. “It will take a final decision from the council on whether we actually accept these funds and move forward with the project,” Rodney said. If the council accepts the loan, there will be a cost passed on to residents, but the amount has not been determined. The city could start installing smart meters as early as March or April of 2018.
Abilene Officer Patrols With A Passion To Keep Streets Safe
12 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country
By Brooke Crum | Abilene Reporter-News
Garcia logs the traffic stop onto his phone, and we take off again.
1347 – The second speeder of the afternoon isn’t as lucky.
When Abilene police officer Michael Garcia is on duty, you better be following traffic laws.
Garcia clocks him driving at a speed of 46 mph in a 35-mph zone in the 2600 block of South 27th Street. Again, we spin around in the middle of the road, tires squealing and sirens blaring, and the pickup pulls off to the side of the road.
The officer has a keen eye and a passion for keeping Abilene’s streets safe, and he isn’t afraid to flip on his lights and siren and spin a U-turn to pull over a speeding vehicle. The next time you see those red and blue flashing lights, it could be him.
The man tells Garcia the reason he was speeding was because he was in a hurry to pick up his dog from the animal shelter before it closed. Garcia prints him off a citation, and we’re back on the road.
A TYPICAL SHIFT
Garcia begins his shift Nov. 18 at 8 a.m. or 0800 hours, as the police say.
1400 – Over the police radio, a dis-
The first thing he does after donning his traffic patrol uniform, which has a highlighter yellow shirt for better visibility, and arriving at the Abilene-Taylor County Law Enforcement Center at 450 Pecan St. is check his email. Next, he checks to see if there are any abandoned vehicles that require handling. Garcia spends his shifts enforcing the Texas Transportation Code, the statutes and laws that regulate operating a motor vehicle on public roadways. It is almost 3,000 pages thick.
patcher asks Garcia (“Tom-15”) to check on a hit-and-run collision at an apartment complex. Because the property on which the collision reportedly occurred is private, Garcia says there’s not much he can do other than file a report that shows damage to the car. Abilene Police Department traffic officer Michael Garcia uses the computer in his patrol vehicle to research the driving record of a motorist he pulled over Nov. 18. (Photo: Ronald W. Erdrich/Reporter-News)
NOV. 18 As the SUV heats up, Garcia uses a tuning fork says. 1300 – I arrive at the law enforcement cen- to test his radar, which appears to be accurate. ter, ready to participate in a ride-along with an He puts the Tahoe in drive, and we cruise out Abilene Police Department traffic officer. of the parking lot. I ask him what a typical Saturday afternoon is like. I meet Garcia outside, where the wind is blowing fiercely and the sun is shining wanly “It’s Abilene,” he says. “People are calm for through thin clouds and trees that are discard- the most part.” ing their leaves. We shake hands and go inside the police station so I can sign a form that says Garcia, an Abilene native, has been with the I agree to the terms of the ride-along. The most Abilene Police Department for eight years. He important rule likely is to listen and obey the spent the first seven years working the patrol officer with whom you are riding. I fully in- midnight shift. When a spot opened up last tend to do so. year in the traffic division, he applied for the job and got it. 1322 – Garcia and I climb into his blackand-white Chevy Tahoe. The traffic division does not patrol particular portions of the city but focuses on problem There’s not much space for me in the front areas, such as school zones in the mornings seat with a portable laptop computer console and afternoons and streets on which people almost in my lap, plus a police radio, radar, a are known to speed. Garcia even knows which machine that prints citations and other police traffic lights people are likely to run. gear. But I prefer the view from the front seat much more than from the back. Plastic seats We take a left on Butternut Street until we get are not comfortable. to South 14th, where Garcia takes a right. I ask him about the most common infractions he “Let’s ride around and see what we get into,” sees daily. Right away, he says speeding and Garcia says as he cranks the engine. people failing to yield the right-of-way.
Next, Garcia turns left on Barrow Street, his radar lighting up with vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit. He continues onto Barrow until we reach South 27th Street, where he turns left before taking a right onto Buffalo Gap Road.
When we arrive at the apartments on Texas Avenue, Garcia examines the vehicle that was reportedly hit and fills out a report he gives to the woman.
1423 – Garcia spots a driver who fails to
come to a complete stop at the stop sign at Catclaw Drive and South Clack Street.
Garcia gets out of the SUV and talks to the driver, who admits to yielding instead of stopping. He issues her a citation and logs the traf1336 – Garcia stops his first speeder of the fic stop. afternoon. At night, things tend to get a little dicey on the He makes a fast U-turn after flicking his lights roads, Garcia says. That’s when drunk drivers and siren on. The Tahoe roars ahead toward the typically are out on the streets, and they can be speeding vehicle which pulls over in a parking the most dangerous thing people face in a day. lot. “It’s like driving around a 1-ton missile,” GarThe vehicle was continuously driving 48 mph cia says of driving while under the influence. in a 40-mph zone, Garcia says after returning with the driver’s license. He runs the informa- I ask if the recent extended alcohol sales hours tion through his computer terminal and returns have impacted the number of drunk drivers the license to the driver, whom he lets off with being pulled over, but Garcia says it would difficult to say if the 2 a.m. alcohol sales afa warning. fected midnight patrols. He says the extra Garcia says that unless the vehicle is causing hours could just delay the inevitable. an “immediate hazard,” he does not usually issue a citation for a driver traveling less than 1447 – We’re back on Southwest Drive 10 mph over the speed limit. But it is up to the when Garcia sees a driver going 54 in a 35mph zone. He immediately turns on his lights officer’s discretion. and siren and makes what I want to call his “That’s when most collisions happen,” he
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signature move – a U-turn so fast it’ll make you slide into the door. Garcia reaches almost 60 mph to catch up to the speeder. He checks his Tahoe camera to ensure he’s pulled over the vehicle that was speeding, which he has, and runs the man’s driver’s license. He issues the man a citation and logs the traffic stop.
1504 – Garcia receives a call from dispatch
about a wreck in the 1600 block of Judge Ely Boulevard. The initial report is that a woman on her bicycle was hit by a car, but that turns out to be incorrect. With lights and siren on, we drive to the other side of town, taking Loop 322. Vehicles move to the right to get out of Garcia’s way as he speeds up to 80 mph. When we arrive on scene, MetroCare and the Abilene Fire Department are there, attending to the woman. Garcia gets out of the Tahoe to talk with the other officers on scene, the paramedics, firefighters and witnesses. Garcia says the woman was riding her bike down the hike and bike trail on Judge Ely Boulevard toward Mister Car Wash, picking up speed as she rode down the hill. A white SUV pulled up to the car wash exit, blocking the sidewalk, and the woman hit the SUV, causing her to suffer lacerations to her face.
The ambulance takes the woman to the hospital. Her daughter, who was riding a bike with her, is left to wait for a ride, so Garcia allows her to sit in the back of his Tahoe. The whole time the girl waits for her ride she clutches one of her mother’s shoes that was left behind.
1630 – We respond to a domestic distur-
bance call in the 1100 block of Victoria Street because the woman who called in the disturbance was driving back to the scene. Garcia gets out and finds the caller, who had just arrived back at the scene. When he returns to the SUV, he says the calling party hit her sister on the head with a coffee pot because her sister allegedly attacked her. The sister is taken to the hospital in an ambulance, while the other woman is handcuffed as we drive away.
1704 – We’re traveling down South 14th
Street toward Ross Avenue when Garcia sees a driver run the red light at Ross and South 14th – a stop light that is notorious for being run, he says. Garcia exits his vehicle, talks to the woman and runs her driver’s license. He issues another citation, and we are on our way. I ask Garcia how he spots these infractions so quickly and easily. I did not notice the woman run the red light. He says it’s become second
nature now to look for traffic violations because he trained himself to constantly be alert as a rookie. “My kids have become very well aware of traffic laws, and they’re all under 11,” he says, laughing. I ask how Garcia knows the city so well, where to turn and what shortcuts to take. He says that comes from years of moving from beat to beat. As we return to the police station, Garcia issues one last speeding citation – a driver going 47 in a 35 – and I ask why he believes what he does is important. Garcia is quiet a moment. I let him think as the car idles. “It’s important to educate the public on the transportation code and make sure they follow the code,” he says. After all, that’s how he helps people stay safe every day while they do a mundane yet incredibly dangerous task – operating a motor vehicle.
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Trinidad (Trina) Guerrero Arellano, 77, of Abilene, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 in Abilene, Texas. Trina was born on May 15, 1940 in Stamford, Texas to Theodore and Felicitas Guerrero. She was a long time resident of Stamford, Texas and moved to Abilene, Texas to be with her seven daughters. Most know her from her years of managing the Family Planning Center and Pizza Hut, and later working and retiring from Mesa Springs Retirement Center. She enjoyed spending time with her family especially during birthdays and the holiday season always cooking for an army. She enjoyed dancing, reading and listening to music, and football was her favorite sport. She was active in supporting community events like Relay for Life and Sarah’s Food Pantry. She will be remembered by her family and friends for her compassionate heart and devotion to helping others. Trina is survived by her daughters, Cindy Rivera
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a Moment in our arms... a Lifetime in our hearts... (Paul), Sandra Minnick (Jeff), Elida Arellano, Carrie Arellano, Connie Gilbreath (Jeff) and Lisa Tatum (John Austin); her sisters, Fonsa Alvarado of Abilene, Texas, Maria Gomez of Weatherford, Texas, Toni Gomez, Connie Gonzales and Bessie Rangel, all of Stamford, Texas; her brothers, Theodore Guerrero of Wichita Falls, Texas and Amador Guerrero of Abilene, Texas; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly; and nieces and nephews. Ms. Arellano is preceded in death by her husband, Reverend Rudy Arellano, daughter, Pastor Sarah Arellano Fields; brothers Paul Guerrero, Epitacio Guerrero and Eulogio Guerrero. Those wishing to honor Trina’s life are asked to make a memorial gift to Hendrick Hospice, 1651 Pine Street, Abilene, Texas 79601 or the American Cancer Society, 3402 N. 1st Street, Abilene, Texas 79603. We send a heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ralph Heaven, Dr. David Randell, Hendrick Hospice Staff and MD Anderson in Houston, Texas for taking such great care of our mother. Our beloved grandmother, Josephine Zendejas Ramirez, 88, passed away peacefully Monday, November 6, 2017 at her grandson’s home Chris Ramirez and wife, Jennifer. Along with their youngest son, and grandma’s boy, Aiden. She was surrounded by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren when her loving Father called her home. Josephine was born on July 6, 1929
to Maria and Prisciliano Zendejas in Coleman, Texas. She was the youngest of six siblings; brothers, Nino, Ramon, and Philip; and two sisters, Susie and Luisa. While a teenager, she met and married the love of her life, Daniel Ramirez. Their family included six children, Linda Zapata and husband, Charles, Daniel Ramirez Jr. and wife, Linda, Victor Ramirez and wife, Ruth, George Ramirez and wife, Teresita, Chris Ramirez, and Priscilla “Prissy” Fowler; and one grandson she raised as a son, Joseph Ramirez. Josephine Ramirez was a feisty woman. Whether it be scolding her husband “Daniel!” for picking on the grandkids or interrupting her novelas, or giving her great-grandkids rides on her scooter, she was a woman with a passion for life. She loved gardening and would not let her wheelchair confine her. One could always find her in her yard tending the roses in honor of the Blessed Mother Mary. Her devotion to her faith is the only thing that surpassed her devotion to her family. She loved her family in good times and in bad, through sickness and in health. Josephine and Daniel lived in a little house on Pueblo street for over 35 years. In it, they welcomed 17 grandkids and many great grandchildren and even great-great grandchildren. After Daniel died, Josephine became the grandma figure to the neighborhood with kids and friends calling her “Grandma.” Josephine will be missed by all of her family including nieces, nephews and many cousins. She is preceded in death by her youngest daughter, Prissy; her daughter-in-law, (wife to Chris) Debbie; and her loving husband, Daniel.
Delward Clark Petty, retired M/SGT, 75, of Abilene, passed away with loving family at his side Monday, November 27, 2017 at a local Hospice Facility. Clark was born on September 13, 1942 to Calvin and Lucy Petty in Troy, Alabama. On October 5, 1963, he married Vivian Carnell in Lubbock, Texas. They were married for 54 years and had two daughters. He served in the United States Air Force for 20 years. After retiring, he then served 22 years as a civil servant at Dyess AFB. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Sharron Williams; and grandson, Ethan Crockett. Clark is survived by his wife, Vivian; his daughters, Kathy Hopper of Abilene, Kim Crockett and husband, Philip, of Abilene; grandsons, Jarrod Crockett and wife, Kayla, of Abilene, Matthew Hopper of Houston, and Seth Crockett of Abilene; great grandchildren Lily and Benjamin Crockett; and a niece, Rhonda Williams of Alabama.
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Fournier said each year, CommUnityCare serves around 2,500 patients covered through CHIP and he worries about what the inaction on Capitol Hill will mean for them.
CHIP’s benefits include doctor visits, dental care, hearing tests, eye care and much more. The program helps families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but aren’t able to afford private health coverage.
“Their ability to go ahead and access hospital services and other services and have insurance to cover their needs will be compromised,” he said.
Liz Hong has two children covered under CHIP. “I was fortunate to find a job that has a lot of flexibility, but it doesn’t have as much income as I would if I was teaching, so CHIP has helped us to be able to still have health insurance,” Hong said.
Carrie Wiliams, a spokesperson for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, said if additional funds don’t come through, the agency will need to notify clients later this month. Kohler worries about parents who are scheduling appointments in advance, saying, “We know that Congress will eventually act, but the question is whether there will be disruption for kids and families who will be cut off from health care.”
Hong said, “It’s absolutely important that they get it together and get this passed because so “It’s nerve-wracking,” Hong said of how Con- many people are relying on it and the people it’s gress hasn’t acted on CHIP. “We don’t know what going to hurt the most are the children.”
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“There’s no time left for an, ‘It’ll work out approach,’” Adriana Kohler with Texans Care for Children said. “We need to pass this health care funding now.”
Hong’s 6-year-old son deals with anxiety disorder and CHIP helps with evaluations, psychiatrist visits and prescriptions, Hong said. Her 4-year-old daughter, also covered by CHIP, is able obtain her nebulizer and inhalers because of the program. Hong is monitoring what happens with CHIP funding closely.
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we will do and I’ve heard if we try to get on A federal health insurance program covering near- the Marketplace, it’ll bump us back out, so then ly 400,000 Texas children is still in limbo as the that adds another layer of something we’ll have state remains hopeful it can get additional funding to try and navigate.” to extend coverage for an additional month. Dr. Jaeson Fournier, CEO of CommUnityCare Congress failed to renew the Children’s Health Health Centers in Austin, said he hopes lawInsurance Program, known as CHIP, at the end makers will appropriate money for both CHIP of September. Texas has existing funds keeping and the Community Health Center Fund. When CHIP running, but it’s slated to run out by the end Congress extended funding for CHIP in 2015, it of January. The state is waiting to see if the federal did the same for the Community Health Center government will provide extra funds to extend it Fund through Sept. 30. “It’s linked directly to our ability to serve patients,” Fournier said. through February.
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EDUCATION
LOCAL SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY NEWS
Long’s Love of Learning with Technology By Cary Owens | Chief Technology Officer, AISD
You never know what you might encounter when walking into one of Long Early Learning Center’s classrooms, but you will always find learning with multiple modalities. You might even find a dolphin doing back flips, a lion roaring, an alligator turning colors, or a seal shaking its head “no,”…all through the world of Augmented Reality (AR). Given a task, the hands-on approach to learning at Long allows students to explore outcomes, make conclusions and share their results with others, at ages 3 and 4 years old. In Mrs. Miller’s class, Noa says he programs Busy Bees to “push the buttons and it goes where I want it to go.” He then shares his programming knowledge with other students in the class. Isaac and friends enjoy adventures on the iPad while learning letter sounds and cause/effect relationships. Across the room, Lauren and Adrian are debriefing with each other why a magnet won’t stick to a plastic seat of the chair, but it will stick to the metal legs, while Aiden tells Isaac that only balloons with helium will float because his breath weighs more than helium.
mean anything to a preschooler, but the technology immerses them in learning. There is nothing like creating and reading basic sentences and having an animal immediately respond to the sentence made. You might see a seal shaking its head “no” because the sentence says, “The seal can fly” or turning green when the sentence says, “The seal is green.”
When using AR in her classroom, Mrs. Muñoz says, “While the kids are experiencing intense emotions as the animals come alive, there are multiples layers of learning going on. The level of engagement is unparalleled. They are thinking critically about why the frog cannot fly. They are contrasting the animal in the video to the one in animation. Some children are already making connections about letters and words, the symbols of our language. The effects are long lasting as well. Kids are having conversations about the animals on the playground and at the art center. I am excited to show them how they can create similar animations using our iPads. That is what is so empowering about technology—it erases the limitations of age. We at Long are very grateful for the abundance Thanks to the 2013 bond and multiple grants, of technology tools given to us.” each classroom has a Promethean panel on an adjustable wall mount and multiple technology At Long, the Promethean panels are way more devices to use for learning. Think you have a than glorified projection boards. Jayma Savage good memory? Try challenging a preschooler loves to see students write their names on the on a memory activity facilitated through the digital panel using multiple colors. She says Promethean panel. You might find you need this activity “is fun and developmentally apto start working on some memory activities propriate for this age to write on a large vertiyourself! cal plane which is one of the early stages of motor growth needed for developing the skill The words “Augmented Reality” may not to write.” Kristal Stevens’ classroom uses the
panels to interact with nature’s “giants” and she says, “It was nice being able to allow my students to interact with things that they may have never seen before.” Jeremy Bartley says, “I like the Promethean panel in my classroom as it allows for my students to engage with technology on an academic level.” Kaci St. John and Julie Wilson sum up how technology is used at Long. “Technology and children can be tricky,” says Ms. St. John. “Students have more access than ever to technology, and it’s not always a positive thing. But the technology our teachers get to use with children challenges them to learn new things in new ways and shows them how to utilize fun technology for education. The Promethean panels and iPads are so useful in engaging children’s imaginations and interest as they learn and grow.” “We are engaging learners at Long differently than we ever have before with the new Promethean panels in every classroom,” added Ms. Wilson. “We have noticed students are more willing to participate in large group settings and take risks that they were not comfortable with in the past. The smiles on kids’ faces light up the room when they have had the opportunity to work on the panel. With the increase of iPads in the classroom, teachers have been able to meet the individual needs of learners. We are continually learning new ways to seamlessly increase our digital literacy here at Long!”
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A+ DIFFERENCE MEET
LACRETIA CHURCHMAN
DEPARTMENT/CAMPUS: Jackson Elementary School
TITLE: 4th Grade Math Teacher YEARS WITH AISD: 25 years WHERE ARE YOU FROM? WHAT SCHOOL DID YOU ATTEND? Baird, Texas, and Texas Tech University TELLS US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY: My husband,of 27 years, Travis, is a teacher at Cooper High School. I have two children. My daughter, Marissa, is a 2nd grade teacher at Memphis, TX, and she will be getting married this month to Eric Monroe. My son, Cory, is an aspiring pro golfer and recently married Maddie Howard in June of this year. TELL US SOMETHING INTERESTING ABOUT YOURSELF: I was a state champion golfer at Baird High School in 1986. I also played golf at Texas Tech University. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE PART OF YOUR JOB? I love working with the children and seeing their excitement when they get the concept. Fourth graders are so loving!
with the students and teachers. Our students are fortunate to have her as their math teacher in 4th grade. She also is our UIL Number Sense coach and serves on our Leader in Me Lighthouse team. What a wonderful role model she WHAT THE BOSS SAYS ABOUT HER: is!” – Debra Hollingsworth, Jackson Elemen“Mrs. Churchman is a positive person, both tary principal.
Meals on Wheels Volunteers of the Month NOVEMBER 2017
Glyn & Betty Hammons
Glyn and Betty have been volunteering with Meals on Wheels for several years. Betty started delivering meals in Abilene, even before Meals on Wheels Plus was established, and Glyn was on the initial Board of Directors. The Hammons have three children and two grandsons. Both are retired, Glyn from a US Government job and Betty from her job as a self employed artist. They are both very involved in church activities at Aldersgate United Methodist Church and have served on several committees. Glyn is also active with the Kiwanas Club of Abilene. The two of them deliver meals as substitute drivers, when needed, on about a dozen routes. They have become familiar with many clients and witnessed how important MOW is to them. Many of the clients express their appreciation each time they deliver and this makes them feel good about helping out.
Pick us up at First Financial Bank inside both WalMart’s | EDUCATION | 19
Childhood Experience Leads ACU Grad To Create Mentoring Program For Boys By Loreta Fulton | ACU Today
When Zach Garza (’04) asked the 65 boys he coached on a junior high football team how many lived in a home with no father, 45 raised their hands.
ship course in Nashville called The Caleb Company and there he found two more sets of ACU fingerprints – those of founder Don Finto (’50) and Steve Allen (’88), director of training. Both are ACU graduates.
He wasn’t too surprised. Zach, too, had grown up with no father. He had gotten lucky when several older men intervened in his life, steering him away from the dead end he was headed toward. The question on his mind was who would teach these 45 boys, and others just like them, how to be a man.
“What Bob started in 2004,” Zach said, “Don and Steve really finished in 2009.” Allen recalled meeting Zach for the first time in the summer of 2009. He had come to Nashville with several friends and all were transformed by their summer experience, Allen said.
“We want to be the answer to that question,” Zach said. The “we” Zach refers to is the staff, volunteers, and supporters of Forerunner Mentoring, a nonprofit that Zach and Jonathan Hafemann founded in Lake Highlands in 2011. Zach’s success story – from a boy left fatherless without positive male role models in his life, to a man with a vision and heart for helping boys just like himself – has the fingerprints of Abilene Christian University all over it. Zach, who grew up in Richardson, earned a degree in education from ACU in 2005. He taught health and coached football for eight years at Lake Highlands Junior High School. But long before Zach walked the stage in Moody Coliseum, ACU already was influencing his life.
tion, usually the wrong things. He was hurt. He was angry. He intentionally cut himself off from his father, who was by that time His involvement with the university began divorced from his mother. when Zach was in high school, but his story “I had put my trust in someone,” he said, “and began when he was in junior high school and I had got hurt.” his father left him and his mother to fend for But several other “someones” he could trust themselves. were just ahead for Zach. He heard about the His mother worked hard to provide for the two leadership camps held at ACU each summer of them, but that left little time for a close rela- through the Church of Christ he attended in high school. tionship with Zach. “My mom had a hard time,” he said. “I felt like There he met Bob Strader (’76), who was in charge of the camps. He was the first “someI was on my own.” one” Zach had been looking for, someone he could trust without fear of being hurt. From anger to peace Left to himself, Zach was headed in the wrong direction. He was doing anything to get atten- “Whenever I went to these camps,” Zach said, “I felt welcomed, loved, cared for.”
“They really had a phenomenal summer,” Allen said. Part of the focus of Caleb Company is “identification and destiny,” which includes writing a vision statement during the summer course that states purpose and vision. Zach recalled writing that he wanted to forgive his father and restore a relationship with him. The Zach began to cry. His own “father” result was amazing. He learned how to forgive experience hadn’t been that good. He and today has a “pretty good” relationship with hadn’t dealt with the hurt and anger in- his father that he still is working on. side. He felt embarrassed and left. But “When I forgave him,” Zach said, “the Lord Bob found him. got rid of all this anger and unforgiveness I had “He just affirmed me and encouraged in my heart.” me,” Zach said. Today, Zach can be cited as a success story by He also told Zach that he had to deal people who intervened in his life, many with with the hurt and anger inside or it ties to ACU. Besides running his ministry, would kill him. Zach’s life didn’t Zach is married to Sara (Potter ’09) Garza and change that minute, but God was working on is the father of two children, ages 2 and 1. him through Bob Strader. Allen, director of the training program that The next two sets of ACU fingerprints on Zach went through in Nashville, saw the poZach’s life were those of Max Lucado (’77) tential leadership abilities in Zach. Because of and Dan Niederhofer (’83). Bob helped Zach his height and athletic build, Zach is a magnet get a job at Lucado’s Oak Hills Church in San for young boys who hope to grow up to look like him, Allen said, but once they get to know Antonio after Zach graduated from ACU. him, they see his heart and want to emulate that quality. A longing only God could fulfill He spent two years working there with Niederhofer, the youth minister. It was during those Those attributes – natural attraction, leadership two years, Zach said, that the Lord really got abilities and a heart for the Lord – make the his attention. He had found a safe place and grown up Zach the person that the little boy began to realize that the Lord was what was Zach missed out on in his early life. Today, missing in his life – and that the Lord was the through his ministry, Zach is putting that person into the lives of other young boys who also only one who could fulfill his longing. are missing out. After two years at Oak Hills, Zach took a teaching job at Lake Highlands Junior High. “He’s an amazing man,” Allen said. “He’s a In the summer of 2009, he attended a disciple- leader.” Zach even became a camp counselor. When Zach enrolled as a student at ACU, Bob invited him to a Bible study called “Father Heart of God.”
Holland Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary
Pick us up at Monterrey Mexican Restaurant, H.E.B. & CISCO College | EDUCATION | 21
By Abilene Independent School District
In 2005, Abilene ISD administrators Dr. Cathy Ashby and Dr. Virginia Mosier had a vision to create a health occupations high school for students in AISD. This vision became a reality thanks to many generous donors, most notably Dr. Scotty Holland, an Abilene High and Hardin-Simmons University alumnus whose large contribution helped create a state-of-the-art health science facility. Holland Medical High School officially opened for the 2007-08 school year and eventually made its home in the brand new Holland Health Science Building on the HSU campus. Now, 10 years later, almost 2,000 students have walked the halls and benefitted from the specialized
•Josh Combs utilizes his Masters of Health Administration as a Medical Laboratory Scientist forTransfusion and Tissue Services at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. •Briana Money is in her third year of residency at the North Colorado Family Medical Center in Greeley, Colorado. Her medical rotations have taken her to Houston, Thailand, and Alaska. •Marie Dufitumukiza, MD, came to Abilene as a refugee student. Dr. Dufitumukiza is a pediatric physician for the Division of Neonatology at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. •Dulce Mancine earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and currently serves as a registered nurse for Cook Children’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Fort Worth.
The late Dr. Scotty Holland stands with his wife, Jacque, in front of the Holland Health Science Building during its dedication in 2008.
educational mission of AISD’s first magnet high school. Today, Holland offers courses in Health Science Certified Nursing Assistant, Certified Medical Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, Registered Dental Assistant, Anatomy and Physiology, Microbiology, Advanced Placement Language and Composition and American Literature. Students at Holland have the opportunity to earn numerous healthcare related certifications and work closely with Abilene healthcare professionals through clinical rotations and internships. The Holland experience has provided many students with a springboard to further their healthcare education beyond high school. From there, many have already become registered nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, physicians and more. While there are too many successful former students to mention them all by name, here are a few “spotlight” graduates from Holland Medical High School:
•Alfred Bayaton earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Masters in Biomedical Science. He is currently a Graduate School Human Gross Anatomy Teaching Assistant at Mississippi College and is an aspiring medical student. •Michelle Grove is a respiratory therapist at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo. •Jordan Sanders studied at Texas Tech University’s School of Nursing to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is a registered nurse in Cardiology for Hendrick Medical Center. •Jacob Hamilton lives in Beaumont and is an Environmental Investigator for the Texas Commission on Environmental Control. •Alyssa Nieto earned her Doctorate of Physical Therapy at Hardin-Simmons University and is employed at the Health South Rehabilitation Hospital in Fort Worth. A 10-year anniversary celebration is in the planning stages for the 2018 spring semester. The future is bright for Holland Medical High School, which continues its pledge to serve others by “preparing healthcare professionals today for the medical workplace tomorrow.”
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ATEMS Robotics Team Headed To Best Of Texas Competition By Phil Ashby | Director for Communications, AISD
Members of the Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math & Science (ATEMS) Robotics Team are making their final preparations for the 2017 BEST of Texas and UIL State Robotics Championship.
SPOTLIGHT:
Nineteen ATEMS students will compete for state honors Dec. 7 – 8 at the University of Texas at Dallas and the Dr Pepper Arena in Frisco. These students qualified for the state competition by earning several awards on Oct. 21 at the Big Country BEST Robotics contest in Sweetwater.
By Abilene Independent School District
The BEST Robotics competition is about much more than building a robot. Students work for six weeks to create a company with marketing, engineering, programming and branding concepts before conducting a “Shark Tank” style marketing presentation. Students are also required to build an exhibit booth to market their brand and product to the general public.
It’s Team Time at Bonham Elementary It’s Team Time at Bonham Elementary School. With the additional minutes added to the school day, Bonham created 30 minutes at the end of each day designated as Team Time.
ing the room. First grade classes learn different math games and teach it to students from other first grade classes during Team Time. This allows for the students to teach and practice the skills that they learned in class.
Special classes and all other programs are concluded by this time, therefore additional staff are readily available to assist classroom teachers. Two days a week are focused on math, two days a week are focused on ELAR, and one day a week is for enrichment. Additional staff members are assigned to grade levels in order to create small groups based on the level of instruction that is needed for each student. This allows our above grade level students to receive additional accelerated activities, our on level students to receive additional practice and our below grade level students to receive remediation. The groups change as the students grow. Teachers have designed games, research projects and other creative ways to reach all students. One teacher has created an escape room game. Students are given math questions specific to their level, and as they solve the problems, they are one step closer to escap-
Finally, students must build a robot made from PVC pipe, aluminum sheets, plywood, motors, and other required material. Once the robot is built, the programming division must program the robot from scratch.
The enrichment groups change every 6-8 weeks and occur each Friday. For the first session we had enrichment groups ranging from Fancy Fingers, where teachers taught finger nail hygiene, to Engineering, where students were given a problem and solved it by building something with Legos. Students also had the opportunity to be in enrichment groups that focused on music, art and fitness. All students participate in Team Time each day. We are so excited about the positive experiences that are coming from our Team Time!
ATEMS students earned the following awards at the Big Country BEST contest to qualify for the Best of Texas competition: • MVP - Angel Porter • Website - 1st Place • Engineering Notebook - 3rd Place • Spirit and Sportsmanship - 1st Place • Marketing Presentation - 1st place • Exhibit and Interview Booth - 1st Place • The BEST Award - 2nd Place
At the state competition on Dec. 7-8, students will demonstrate their marketing and exhibit skills on the campus of UT-Dallas. The robotic competition will be at Dr Pepper Arena.
24 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country
Madison Art Students Design Coloring Book
Abilene Veteran Receives High School Diploma More Than 50 Years Later By Will Jensen | KTXS
As one veteran found out Tuesday at John- show her this diploma,” Terry said. ston Elementary School, it’s never too late to One of Terry’s daughters was there, who’s also achieve your dream. an Abilene High grad. Sgt. Robert Terry was in the audience during a Veterans Day assembly at the school. At 17, “[He’s] more supportive and giving than anyTerry quit school to join the Air Force. He one I know,” said Kathy Ingraham. “So it was served three years at Dyess Air Force Base and such a gift for him to get something back today. one year in Vietnam. That meant so much to him.”
Madison Middle School Pre-AP Art students have created a coloring book just in time for the holidays. Priced at $5 each, the book features 52 original illustrations by Madison PreAP artists, who were tasked with creating self-portraits that included at least 10 zentangle style patterns. The coloring books are available during lunches at the Madison campus and at the People Party Craft Fair in downtown Abilene on Saturday, Dec. 9, from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Cash only will be accepted, with all proceeds benefitting the Madison Art Department. For more information, contact Lisa Goetz at Madison at 692-5661, ext. 2067.
“It was under the conditions from my mother After waiting for 54 years, where will he disthat I would get my high school diploma,” play his diploma? “I haven’t got a place yet,” Terry said. Terry said. “I’ll probably sleep with it for a few weeks and then will find a proper place for it. It Terry did get his GED and was given a cer- means everything in the world. Maybe I can set tificate, but he always wanted that diploma. At an example for my grandchildren and my great 72, he finally got it from Abilene High School grandchildren.” Tuesday. Terry said that’s another reason he wanted that “To come out of this room today and to see the diploma so badly -- to show his grandchildren recognition that they gave to me was just one and great grandchildren the importance of a of the greatest days of my life,” Terry said. good education. Several members of Terry’s family were there for the occasion. “I know my mom’s looking down so I can
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Unique Course Teaches Students How To Give Well
Pick us up at China Star, Abilene Public Library & Martinez Barber Shop | EDUCATION | 25
By Robin Saylor | ACU Today
An Abilene nonprofit organization was awarded $25,000 from a national group thanks to two students from ACU’s Strategic Philanthropy course who brought skills they learned to the 2017 Philanthropy Lab Ambassadors Conference in Dallas.
Rees agreed. “It was an interesting opportunity, because here we are as Christians and we had the opportunity to actually let people know this is what the Christian religion entails – to explain what a medical care mission does.”
Anna Casey, a marketing major from Willow Park, Texas, and Rees Heizelman, a management major from Abilene, joined 34 students from 17 universities across the nation to present grant proposals at the conference.
“Anna and Rees did an amazing job advocating for the Presbyterian Medical Care Mission,” said Jim Orr, J.D., vice president for advancement, who teaches Strategic Philanthropy at
The Ambassadors Conference was open to students who participated in a course affiliated with The Philanthropy Lab during the 201617 school year. Each university partner was allowed to send two student ambassadors. Anna and Rees were both in the Fall 2016 course at ACU. Abilene Christian was the smallest university represented at the conference, said Rees. Other schools included Harvard, Columbia, Northwestern, Stanford, Texas A&M, University of Texas, Rice and Vanderbilt.
“First, the class learns about the role which philanthropy plays in our world and the Lord’s designs for the stewardship of resources,” he said. “Then the students are given a set amount of money to give away in the Abilene community.” Working with the Community Foundation of Abilene, the students receive grant applications from area non-profits, conduct site visits to learn more about the work of the nonprofits, and then make decisions about which grants to fund. The students then plan and conduct a giving ceremony to make the awards and celebrate the impact upon the community and the people that are served. “Finally, each student is asked to reflect upon these experiences and to create his or her own giving or philanthropic plan for their life and how they want to impact the world through giving,” Orr said.
Last year’s recipients were: The ambassadors – each with The Texas State Techniunique viewpoints, experical College Foundation, ences and educational back$11,000 Members of the Fall 2016 Strategic Philanthropy course presented checks totaling $50,000 to seven grounds – presented their The Texas Ramp Project, local nonprofits. Two of the students went on to a national conference where they obtained an additional proposals attempting to per$7,750 $25,000 for Abilene’s Presbyterian Medical Care Mission. PHOTO BY PAUL WHITE suade fellow attendees that JTC X-Change, $850 their nonprofit deserved part Friends For Life, $5,000 of the $150,000 in available funds. ACU. “They showed the tremendous depth of Harmony Family Services, $5,000 their understanding of the impact philanthropy REACH For a Difference, $7,900 Abilene’s Presbyterian Medical Care Mission, can have upon the lives of others and God’s deUnited Methodist Service Center and Food which provides access to affordable medical and sign for giving in this world.” Pantry, $12,500. [READ MORE] dental care to low-income and uninsured adults, This fall, the class has 20 students who are in was one of only six nonprofits selected to receive Strategic Philanthropy was first offered as an the process of evaluating nonprofits to be prea $25,000 grant. Honors colloquium in 2015, a one-hour course sented funds in December. designed by Dr. Jim Litton, director of the The ACU duo had to answer a lot of questions Griggs Center for Entrepreneurship and Phi“We hope this course expands the horizons of about whether the organization imposed faith on lanthropy and inspired by former COBA dean our students into the landscape of giving to see their recipients, Anna said. Dr. Jack Griggs and an alumnus who offered an the impact they can have in this world,” Orr anonymous donation for students to distribute said. “One of our class donors has said he hopes “We had to overcome the fact that it had Presbyto local charities. In year two, ACU partnered students will begin to think as much terian in the name and was faith-based,” she said. with The Philanthropy Lab and expanded the about how they will give their money “In the end, it seemed really cool because a lot of offering into a three-hour, full-semester course. away as they do about how people in the group did not have the same faith Now in its third year, Strategic Philanthropy inthey will make it.” background, but we got to talk about it openly. volves both theory and practice, said Orr. And the bigger picture was about the good the organization was doing.”
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26 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
Communities in Schools of the Big Country Finds New Leader By Abilene Reporter-News
Communities In Schools of the Big Country has found its next leader. Paul Wallace, a teacher at Madison Middle School, was named executive director of the educational organization Monday afternoon. “I was attracted to join CIS because of the intersection of the organization’s mission and what I consider to be my calling in life, which is to help grow and nurture young people into successful adults,” Wallace said in a news release. “I’ve spent the majority of my adult life serving young people as youth minister in the local church setting, as a volunteer leader, and as a public-school classroom teacher.
“The faces and stories that come from those experiences drive my passion to lead, nurture and empower the young people of our community, especially those who face difficult situations that are outside of their control. I look forward to helping lead CIS of the Big Country in a couple of key areas.” Wallace takes over for Terry Johnson, who left CIS in August after three years to lead the Portland, Oregon-based Open School. In addition to his work at Madison, Wallace also has served with DMS Property Tax Service and led both the middle and high school youth ministry programs at Southern Hills Church of Christ.
Craig’s Schaeffer Named Coach of the Year By Abilene Independent School District
Craig Middle School coach Jimmy Schaeffer has been chosen as the Junior High Coach of the Year for the state by the Texas Tennis Coaches Association. Schaeffer, in his third year as tennis coach for the Colts, received the award on Dec. 1 during a Texas Tennis Coaches Association awards banquet at Horseshoe Bay. Abilene High School tennis coaches Stacy Bryan and Daniel Olivares nominated Schaeffer for the award. Sharon Wartes, formerly the coach at Mann Middle School, received the award in 2016. The Craig coach is in his 13th of coaching and teaching. Prior to joining Abilene ISD, Schaeffer served as a teacher and coach at Hawley and Loraine.
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SPOTLIGHT:
Lee Lions Lead The Way
By Abilene Independent School District
The students of Lee Elementary demonstrate their leadership skills through school-wide leadership roles. For the 2017-18 school year, students had the opportunity to apply for 12 different leadership roles including Junior Lighthouse Team, Poster Committee, Safety Patrol, Set-up Crew, Box Tops Team, Birthday Patrol, Green Team, Lost and Found, LRC Helpers, Workroom Helpers, Spirit Squad and Dream Team. As staff members facilitate all student leadership roles, each of these teams the drive thru lane. Students complete mornassists with tasks around the school and con- ing and afternoon duties. Morning patrols arrive to school no later than 7:15. Their duties tribute to the leadership environment at Lee. include raising the flags onto the flagpole, The Safety Patrol consists of 18 fifth graders monitoring crosswalks for pedestrians, stopthat help ensure students’ safety as they arrive ping cars in the drive thru lane to allow cars and leave the campus each day. After an appli- to drop off student and opening car doors for cation process, selected students receive train- those students. ing from the Dyess Honor Guard on proper flag procedures for raising, lowering and folding Afternoon duties include retrieving the flags from the pole, monitoring crosswalks for pedestrians, stopping cars in the drive thru lane the flags. to allow parents to pick up students, and opening car doors for those students. Every six weeks, Patrols also train on procedures to ensure safe- new patrols are selected to be captain or lieutenant to lead the efforts of the safety patrol and for ty as they monitor crosswalks and assist with additional leadership building opportunities.
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Dodge Jones Foundation Receives Lamar Award for Contribution to Higher Education By Gary Ellison | Associate Director Communications, McMurry University
The Dodge Jones Foundation has been named the 2018 recipient of the prestigious Mirabeau B. Lamar Medal – given annually to individuals, foundations and organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to higher education in Texas.
communities,” said Dr. Harper. “It is richly deserving of this prestigious statewide award.”
The Lamar Award is a joint venture between Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT), the Texas Association of Community Colleges (TACC) and the Council of Public University Presidents and Chancellors (CPUPC) to honor the contributions to higher education in Texas by an individual or organization chosen by the Lamar Award committee. This year’s award luncheon will be at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, January 24, at the Hotel Ella in Austin, Texas. Joe Canon, Executive Vice President and Executive Director of the Dodge Jones Foundation, will accept the award.
“The extraordinary generosity of the Dodge Jones Foundation has significantly influenced the landscape of ACU, providing advances in both our academic programs and improvements in our innovative facilities. We are so thankful to the Foundation for making historic changes impacting our students, faculty and staff,” said President Dr. Phil Schubert of Abilene Christian University.
Dodge Jones also has supported Abilene Christian University with gifts ranging from state of the art science labs to a performing arts center.
Hardin Simmons University has received grants for an endowed chair in learning and literacy, renovation of the facility for its Health Science Academy (a high school health science magnet), and the creation of a multi-sensory “Since its establishment by Ruth Legett training center. Jones in 1954, the Dodge Jones Foundation has been an extraordinary influence on west Foundation grants to Cisco College include a Texas non-profits. As a champion of higher new wing for its health science program and education, the Foundation has awarded grants funds to improve the school’s information and that have had a transformational impact on technology system. both private and public colleges and universities,” said McMurry University President Dr. “We are extremely grateful for the generosity Sandra S. Harper in the nomination letter. of the Dodge Jones Foundation. The foundation’s contributions have made it possible for Dodge Jones has been supporting McMurry hundreds of students to develop critical skills, University since its inception, most recently get hands on experience and ultimately reach providing a multi-million-dollar challenge their dreams,” said Dr. Thad Anglin, President gift to endow its school of business. Other ex- of Cisco College. “This recognition is very amples include funding to upgrade its alumni well-deserved.” and donor database, renovation of the auditorium in the University’s oldest building, and Dodge Jones has made possible the expana challenge grant to increase alumni giving to sion of Texas Tech University Health Science the annual fund. Center into Abilene building schools for nursing, pharmacy, and public health to address the “Abilene and the surrounding areas are in- increasing concern of access to healthcare and credibly fortunate to have the Dodge Jones health education in west Texas. Foundation investing in and impacting our
McMurry University now offers online degrees in business, nursing and criminal justice (pending SACSCOC approval January 2018) that fit your life and goals. The online degree programs are transferfriendly, convenient and affordable. McMurry University is your community to flourish academically, personally and professionally.
For more information contact your online enrollment counselor Caroline Park at 325-793-4710 or park.caroline@mcm.edu and begin your path to success.
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FAITH&FAMILY
SPIRITUAL AND FAMILY ADVICE
Serving as a Family By Grace Fox | Focus on the Family
A few nights ago, I read my three kids a bedtime story about a missionary who spent 30 years of his life serving in Nepal. I realized it wasn’t much of a lull-them-to-sleep story, though, as I fielded excited questions and enthusiastic interest. How will God use my children to build His kingdom? I wondered. Will they serve Him overseas, immersed in a foreign culture? Will they remain in North America, shining as lights in a secular workplace? Whatever their futures hold, how can I help mold them into world changers? As I pondered the latter question, one thought came swift and clear: Teach them to think beyond themselves and their own needs. World changers, like the storyteller, follow Christ’s example through service. They practice kindness and are willing to sacrifice convenience and • We delivered meals and drove one pregcomfort for another’s sake. nant woman’s children to school when she was ordered to bed rest. Serving right where we were • When an acquaintance’s husband deserted I soon discovered that countless service op- her, we invited her family for dinners and taportunities surrounded our family, albeit on a ble games. simple scale: • We purchased fabric and sewed a dress for a girl whose single mom couldn’t afford • When missionary families on furlough to buy her one. stayed with us, our kids shared their bedrooms with the children. Bringing it to the Father • We provided transportation to Sunday Serving others helped our kids see beyond school and midweek kids’ club for children themselves. Still, we could do something who wanted to attend but whose parents more: pray for our children’s spiritual well becouldn’t take them. ing. • We invited friends to invade our lakefront home, on scorching summer days. Frankly, sometimes I felt like a parrot with a limited vocabulary: “Lord, please bless my
kids.” My sentiments seemed so generic. Things improved when we began praying God’s Word. Specific Scriptures addressed our concerns. Because we wanted our children to exemplify Christ, Philippians 2:3-8 became a favorite prayer guide: “God, teach our children to humbly consider others better than themselves. May they look not only to their own interests, but also to the interests of others.” We also asked the Lord to bless our kids, not necessarily with wealth or fame or an easy life, but that through them, His way would be known on Earth and His salvation among all nations (Psalm 67:1-2).
Seeing that it sank in
God honored our efforts and answered our prayers. More than a decade after that unforgettable bedtime story, our eldest boarded a ministry ship to participate in God’s work around the world. As I write this, the ship sits in hurricanedevastated Grenada, its crew building shelters for the homeless. The second, a Bible college sophomore, hopes to teach English overseas after graduation. The third, now 18, spent three weeks teaching Bible clubs in Mexico last summer. She plans to return in July. Raising world changers begins at home. From there, only God knows — and that’s exciting!
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Questions to Ask When Your Spouse Wants You to Change By Mark Merrill | Helping Families Love Well
In any healthy marriage, there’s a lot of truth to the notion that we want and need to be accepted by our spouse, warts and all, just as we are. After all, every lasting marriage seems to find a way to survive some annoying personality traits that never seem to change. But sometimes we can use “you should just accept and love me as I am” as a cop-out. We confuse our personality with our behavior, assuming that our habits are just a part of who we are rather than something that could be changed or ended. Does your spouse want to change something about you? What should you do when your spouse clearly wishes…or expects…that you change something? Here are some things to think about and ask yourself: Is this desired change about a part of my personality or a behavior that may be influenced by my personality? I’m not a psychologist, but I think of personality as who we are and behavior as what we do. And, of course, behavior is influenced by personality.
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I have a somewhat dominant and sometimes aggressive personality. Susan has pointed out to me, on many occasions, that I need to be a more patient and passive driver. Is that asking me to change my personality or to alter my behavior? I could tell her that I can’t change and that is just how I drive, but that would be a cop-out. Although my impatience may be influenced by how I’m wired, I can certainly do something about my driving habits… and I am working on it! We should be careful to not assume that a desired change in behavior is an attack on our personality.
Sure, our personality may determine whether a change in our behavior is easy or difficult, but we should avoid confusing the two. How important is this desired change to my spouse? If your spouse has a laundry list of things they wish you did differently, ask them to rank each one on a scale of 1 to 10. Notice which ones are an 8 or 9 or 10 to them and then focus just on those things. By the way, a list filled with nothing but 10’s from your spouse is simply not grounded in reality. Try to get to the bottom of which desired changes are most important to your spouse and why. What am I communicating if I am, or am not, willing to change for my spouse? When we are unwilling to even try to change a behavior or habit for our spouse, we may be communicating to them that we really don’t care or value what they want or think. But a willingness to change can communicate lots of good things such as we are trying to understand what’s important to our spouse, we are trying to better our relationship, and that we love our spouse. How might my willingness to change affect my spouse? Leo Tolstoy once said “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.” When we show a willingness to change something about our behavior, we model something important to our family and the people around us. Change is possible. A change can be good. Change can start with me. And perhaps our willingness to change can inspire our spouses to be willing to change some things that are important to us.
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What to Do When You Don’t Feel God By Steven Furtick | Waking Faith
“Then the LORD said to Joshua, ‘See, I have delivered Jericho into your hands, along with its king and its fighting men. March around the city once with all the armed men. Do this for six days. Have seven priests carry trumpets of rams’ horns in front of the ark. On the seventh day, march around the city seven times, with the priests blowing the trumpets. When you hear them sound a long blast on the trumpets, have the whole army give a loud shout; then the wall of the city will collapse and the army will go up, everyone straight in.’” (Joshua 6:2-5) Born in Egypt as a slave and then chosen as the assistant and successor to Moses, Joshua would’ve had a front row seat to all the miracles God performed during the Exodus. The Red Sea parting, manna falling from Heaven, water pouring from a rock — Joshua had seen his fair share of God doing the seemingly impossible. But just as time can prove God’s faithfulness, it can also put your faith to the test. Joshua had witnessed Moses’ obedience over and over again, but as he faced the impenetrable walls of Jericho, this time the obedience was up to him. Joshua was instructed by God to lead his people around the city for seven days. This meant he had to lay his head down six nights in a row with the realization that the walls he had been walking around still stood tall and strong. There aren’t many details recorded of what went through Joshua’s mind during those seven days, but what is recorded is his steadfast obedience. Surely he fought doubt, but with each day that passed, Joshua continued to lead his people around a wall that showed no evidence of falling. Like Joshua, you have a choice to make when you don’t feel God. Will you keep walking even though it doesn’t seem to be working? Will you continue to believe God is moving even when the wall isn’t? Your faith might be getting put to the test right now, but don’t focus on what hasn’t happened — focus on what has happened. If you’ve seen God do it before, He can do it again. Obedience is your responsibility; the outcome is God’s.
Pick us up at Wal-Mart, Enterprise Bldg. & Armando’s Mexican Restaurant | FAITH & FAMILY | 31
This is Your God By Kristie Carpenter | Blended Mom Moments
I am going to lay some cold hard facts on you today - blending a family is probably one of the toughest adventures you will go on in this life. The statistics for success in staying married in this blended family are dismal. Many spouses and children need professional counseling due to abandonment issues, distrust, not having a sense of belonging, and a lack of security. Ex-spouses and extended family can wreak havoc upon your fragile family. Sounds like there is no hope. Let me share some other hopeless situations with you - found right in the Bible. In the book of Daniel, we read about Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. These men were exiled from Jerusalem to Babylon. They refused to bow down to a 90-foot statue of King Nebuchadnezzar. The king was furious so he sentenced the three to the fiery furnace. The three men were willing to die rather than bow down to any other king but the Lord their God.
sin and death, and we can now come before the Father for the forgiveness of our sins and have the hope of eternal life with Him in heaven. Jesus saw God’s plan to the finish. This is YOUR God! The same God who protected Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in a furnace; the same God who protected a prostitute and her family from death; the same God who swayed the Sanhedrin; the same God who sent His Son Jesus to be the sacrifice for our sins so that we might come to Him … Yes! … this is your God. If He can provide a way when there seems to be no way…then He can provide a way for you as well. Being in a blended family is tough - but not impossible. You just need to know who has you who is your God. Each Bible story is your example that God can take any situation and make it glorify Him.
The story continues with King Nebuchadnezzar having the men thrown in the furnace. As he watched for them to be consumed by the flames, he was astounded that he saw not only the three men walking about unharmed - but a fourth man as well. King Nebuchadnezzar’s heart was changed that day. He saw God in that furnace.
Your marriage and family have the same opportunity. So refuse to bow down to the images and idols this world wants you to fall to; refuse to stop telling yourself and others about Jesus and what He can do; stop fearing the worst, but be bold to hang tightly to God and then grab the rest of your family and hold on.
In the book of Joshua, we read about a woman - a prostitute - named Rahab. She makes a very brave decision to hide two spies on her rooftop, protecting them from the king of Jericho. She also acknowledges the Lord as the God of heaven and earth. From this simple faith, she and her family were saved and is part of the lineage of Christ. She saw God’s protection.
These stories are all about what God can do. This is your God! Now that’s what I call hope!
In the book of Acts, we read about Peter and the apostles being on trial for teaching about Jesus. The Sanhedrin were wanting to kill these men. But, God had other plans and the men were set free and continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah. Peter and the apostles saw God make a way. In the book of Matthew, we read of Jesus the Messiah leading and teaching, serving and healing, obeying and honoring the Lord God His Father. He comes to a place where He knows His ministry, physically, on this earth is almost over. He is also aware of the pain and the abuse to come, if He chooses. Jesus chose obedience to God rather than conform to this world - and that led to His crucifixion on the cross. That day, Jesus triumphed over
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).
The Very Best Christmas Money Can’t Buy
two, so the number they do remember before they grow up and move away is quite small. Since the older kids leave before the younger kids, you may only have a dozen Christmases with everyone together as children.
One Christmas, about 20 years ago, our oldest daughter wanted a doll that was absurdly expensive. It cost over $100, and we lived on a ministry budget. This wasn’t a passing infatuation, however. Allison had been talking about that doll for months, even occasionally sleeping with the catalog’s foldout. The other kids were young enough that we thought we could scrimp a bit on their presents without them realizing it and pull off this surprise gift for Ally.
If, for any reason, Grandma’s house is not a happy place, think twice about sacrificing your children’s Christmas memories in an attempt to satisfy a spiritually unhealthy parent or accommodate other troublesome family members. The whole notion of a man “leaving” his mother and father and “hold fast” to his wife (Genesis 2:24) is a biblical warrant to make your immediate family your primary commitment.
32 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
By Gary Thomas | Focus on the Family
Spending some, or even many, of them with the extended family can be a wonderful time of memory making, especially if the extended family provides a healthy and worshipful Christmas experience. Driving to Grandma’s house can sometimes be the easiest route to happy childhood Christmas memories.
There’s no Bible verse telling you to place your kids in a toxic environment or around a toxic relative just because it’s Christmas. You can honor your parents without dishonoring your children. You can spend time with the extended family on other weekends; you can call them on the phone or celebrate an extra Christmas a week before or after the actual holiday. You can even spend the occasional Christmas with everyone else, but you certainly don’t have to compromise all of your kids’ Christmases.
I’ll never forget that day. As soon as Ally picked up the wrapped box, I stopped what I was doing to witness her response. Ally didn’t disappoint. She squealed when she opened the box and saw her favorite American Girl doll staring back at her. She was so happy that every dollar we spent felt like a penny. She dressed Samantha daily, had tea parties for her, talked to her and slept next to her. Fast-forward 20 years. I asked my daughter about her favorite Christmas memory. She said, “Drinking hot chocolate in the car while driving around looking at Christmas lights.”
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Buy Memories, Not Things
A Cornell University study found that shared experiences produce greater happiness than Seriously? buying or receiving products. In the immediate It wasn’t getting Samantha, who cost us over aftermath of either receiving a gift or sharing $100 dollars when I was working in ministry time together, happiness levels were about the and stretching every dollar past its breaking same, but as time went on, satisfaction with the object decreased while memories of the point? experience increased happiness. Looking for Christmas lights after Christmas Eve service became an accidental ritual, an These researchers found that this was true afterthought one year that worked so well we even if the experience was initially frustratkept doing it. We had moved to a new place, ing, scary, stressful or unpleasant (like being and the local newspaper provided the address held hostage in a line around a trailer park). As of a “site to see.” When we arrived and got time passes, that holiday failure can become in line, we couldn’t believe our eyes. Not to a memory that produces much laughter, joy sound uncharitable, but it ended up being a and shared happiness. This means that if you trailer park. Every decoration you’d find at want an especially happy family Christmas, an after-Christmas clearance sale covered the focus on buying a memory instead of a bunch small, grassy patches in front of each home. of toys. It wasn’t exactly what we were looking for. There was a long line and narrow lanes, how- Sadly, my wife and I didn’t realize this until ever, so we were trapped, forced to circum- our kids were in high school. We realized our navigate a gaudy trailer park to celebrate the time together as a family was getting shorter, so we cashed in our frequent-flier miles and birth of our Lord. hotel points for an out-of-town vacation. It was one of the best investments we ever made. We laugh about it still. Even if we hadn’t had the miles or points, Allison remembering an experience over a de- however, I would have made it a sacrificial sired toy may just sound like an anecdote, but budget item. Splurging (as long as you’re not there’s scientific evidence that suggests her accumulating debt) to get away as a family is one of the best uses of money there is. Why? memories could have been predicted.
On vacation getaways, you stay connected to your kids. You get to know them all over again and realize how much they’re developing. The rapid intellectual and social growth of kids in their teen years can be surprising if you don’t spend significant, and occasionally, concentrated amounts of time talking to them and watching them interact with others.
Look Ahead
Put yourself in my shoes. When your oldest child is 30, and you ask him or her, “What’s your most treasured Christmas memory?” what do you want to hear? Once you’ve answered that question, focus on buying that.
I like the fact that Allison remembers being together and driving around in the family car In essence, you’re “buying” memories. Our over receiving a doll whose clothes cost more kids were never into acquiring tacky souve- than many of mine did. nirs, so once we landed, it was all about family time and experiences. We literally put an If I could go back and speak to myself as a ocean between our kids and their friends, so young father, I’d tell myself to spend twice there was no possibility of an exciting party or as much time creating Christmas memories, overnight to tempt them away or make them traditions and rituals, and not worry so much mentally absent for the evening. We wanted about the toys. time together. If that required putting 1,000 miles between them and their friends and I love giving gifts, and I wanted to delight and excite my kids on Christmas morning. But if school activities, so be it. your budget forces you to choose only one — toys or experiences — go with the memories Dramatic Memories Getting away as a family, however, raises the every time. If it means you can free up the sticky issue of extended families, particularly money to “buy” a weekend or special holiday those who want you to join in their festivities. memory with the kids, then make the choice Writing as a rather recent empty nester, I’m all to drive your car a few extra years or get the in favor of giving Grandpa and Grandma their “leather touch” chair instead of the all-leather due time. But at least consider this: Your kids recliner. have relatively few Christmases with only you. Over the course of their lives, they may enjoy Things break. Memories grow. For Christmas 80 or more Christmases, but only a handful as memories you’ll treasure, invest in gifts that young children. They won’t remember the first grow.
Pick us up at Kentucky Fried Chicken, First Financial Banks & SBDC | FAITH & FAMILY | 33
The Teen Years Are Coming By Dr. James Dobson | Family Talk
Question: My children are still young, right. That’s why parents can’t afford to get and they are doing fine now, but I worry a lot about the adolescent years that lie ahead. I’ve seen other parents go through some pretty terrible things when their teenagers began to rebel. How can I help my sons avoid that turmoil ten years from now?
Answer: The apprehension that you describe
is well founded, and many parents feel something similar today. The most important suggestion I can make is for you to redouble your efforts to build good relationships with your kids while they are young. That is the key to surviving the adolescent years. If they emerge from childhood with doubts about whether you really love and care for them, anything is possible during the turbulent teens. Boundaries, restrictions, and threats will be no match for adolescent anger, frustration, and resentment. As author Josh McDowell said, “Rules without relationship lead to rebellion.” He is
preoccupied with business and other pursuits that interfere with the task of raising children. Kids are young for such a brief period. During that window of opportunity, they must be given priority. Once you’ve done what you can to lay the proper foundation, I urge you to approach your parenting duties with confidence. Anxiety about the future is risky in itself. It can make parents tentative and insecure in dealing with their youngsters. They don’t dare cross them or deny their wishes for fear of being hated in the teen years. Teenagers pick up those vibes intuitively, which often generates disrespect in return. Don’t make that mistake. God has placed you in a position of authority over your young children. Lead them with confidence--and then stay on your knees for help from above.
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34 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
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8 Mistakes to Avoid When Talking with Your Teens
. Advertise Today! Call (325) 518-7091
By Mark Merrill | Helping Families Love Well
Communication is fairly easy with young kids. You have the power and authority to pretty much run the show. Sure, you try to be patient, to hear younger kids out, but when it’s time to direct traffic, get things done or lay down the law, it’s not that complicated. Then, they become teens and things change. When you’re trying to relate and talk to teens and young adults- to understand them- it’s easy to make some common mistakes that can make your job as a parent harder and make matters worse. But being aware of those mistakes can prove helpful. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when you talk to teens or young adults.
cool off, too. That shows respect for them, that you’re willing to abide by the same ground rules as you expect of them.
5. Talking more than listening.
Parents often want to jump to lecture, but often our teens just need to be heard, to know they are understood which communicates they are valued and cared for. If they don’t feel heard, they can often start drifting emotionally which creates additional troubles. Our teens just need to be heard, to know they’re understood which says they’re valued and cared for.
6. Reacting to what they say more than what they mean. Being a better
listener will help but sometimes they will lash out. Try to look past the emotions and just deal with the facts, even asking for their help in a calm manner. An emotional reaction leads to overreaction and that’s never good.
7. Make light of their troubles or worries. It can be easy to think “their trou-
1. Assuming the worst. This can be hard, bles are not a big deal…I wish all I had to especially when they’ve broken your trust or seem to be rebelling. But just like you don’t like it when others assume the worst of you, it needs to be avoided with your teen.
2. Assuming the best. This can also be a
bad choice. If you think your teen never makes bad choices, looks at the wrong things, listens to bad music, etc. you may be in for a rude wake-up call.
3. Interrupting: It’s rude and painful. When a teen interrupts a parent, it’s seen
usually as disrespectful. But if a parent is allowed to interrupt a teen, it will build resentment. Make a family rule that no one should be interrupted, and everyone has permission to point out an interruption (respectfully), in all directions.
4. Arguing when emotions are hot.
A cooling off period is sometimes needed for both of you. Nothing good comes of anger or, worse, rage. If things are hot, give each other space. Again, give your teens permission to call you out on getting hot and needing to
worry about was that!” But dismissing their concerns sends them the message that you really don’t care. Strive for compassion, a key to communicating with teens. It can be hard, but try to remember how big your worries looked to you at their age. The comedian Brian Regan once commiserated with frustrated parents when a distraught child lets go of a balloon and acts like it’s the end of the world. But then he wryly observes that parents should imagine it was their wallet that floated away. “We’ll get you another one!” won’t soothe you when you want to say “But I want THAT one!”
8. Be quick to fix. Most dads I know want
to fix the problem immediately. Sometimes our teens can work the problem out for themselves but just need a sounding board to think it through out loud. Other times, teens just want to know you love them no matter what… first and foremost. There may come a time to offer solutions but be slow to jump to them. Don’t assume. You may even need to ask “Do you want to hear some ideas or solutions now or maybe later?”
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Proper Priorities By Jimmy Evans | Marriage Today
All of us have 24 hours in a day. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a man or a woman, whether you’re rich or poor. We all have the same amount of time. Your life is defined by how you choose to spend that time— between work, church, family, hobbies, and everything else. Time evaporates quickly, and that’s why we have to make choices. It’s easy to say what our priorities are, but the most accurate way to determine our priorities isn’t based on our words, but on how we live. When God created marriage, he gave a foundational rule for relationships between a husband and wife: “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:24). You have a one hundred percent chance of success in marriage if you follow God’s plan. He created a foundation to ensure every marriage could succeed, and it’s not complicated. It’s all about priorities. When the Bible says we leave our father and mother, it’s really saying that we reprioritize our lives. The moment you get married, you “cleave” to your spouse. Your spouse comes first. That’s the law of priority. It’s reflected in natural jealousy. In our culture, we often view jealousy as a negative thing, but there is a legitimate jealousy that God puts inside us related to marriage. The Bible says God is jealous when we allow something in our lives to take His place. In marriage, spouses have the same type of jealousy.
In marriage, a husband or wife will naturally become jealous when something begins to replace them in their spouse’s life. That’s why the satisfaction level of marriage often drops when children enter the picture. At this point, a woman typically turns her attention to the kids while the husband turns his attention to his career. The priority of the marriage is lost. The husband and wife stop focusing attention on each other. For a successful marriage, a husband and wife must find a way to avoid this trap by maintaining the right priorities. The only way to do this is by sacrifice. Sometimes we have to give up certain interests— golf, shopping, longer days at work—for the good of our marriage. Why? Because time is the essential commodity of relationships. For a healthy marriage, we have to take time away from self-focused pursuits and devote it to our spouse. Once you’ve established priorities, you must protect them. Work is a good thing. Children are good. Church is good. But the things that destroy marriage aren’t often bad things, but good things done out of priority. This includes working too much or focusing too much on the kids—to the detriment of your marriage. How will your kids succeed if your marriage doesn’t show them how? Marriage only works when it is in first place. That’s a challenge, but the law of priority is one God set at the very beginning. If your spouse has complained about the time you spend at work, or with your friends, or playing golf, or on Facebook, then you may be violating God’s law of priority. If so, you need to make changes. You need to sacrifice and rearrange your priorities. That’s the only way marriage works.
Pick us up at Taqueria La Ranchera, Abilene Funeral Home & Abilene ISD | FAITH & FAMILY | 35
36 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
Today’s Marriage Prayer
Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country
Give Us Strength To Be Selfless Dear Heavenly Father, We live in world where it’s more important to be happy than it is to be holy. We live in a self-centered society where couples give up on each other when their expectations aren’t fulfilled. We live in a time when people walk out of their marriage hoping to satisfy their craving for attention from the opposite sex. Looking to Your Word, we’re gently reminded that we don’t belong to this world. We’re peculiar people; chosen to show forth Your praises. You have called us out of darkness into Your marvelous light. We want to walk in that light, Lord. We want to be Christ-like servants who give more than we’re given. Open our hearts to give of ourselves with-
2018
out expectation, and to serve without keeping score. May we be generous with our time and our gifts, as You have freely bestowed gifts on us. Give us the strength to be selfless. Remind us to press on when our marriage is tough. Grant us the patience to cling to each other when our expectations have failed, and help us to conquer every temptation that draws us away. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light; – 1 Peter 2:9, KJV ___________________________________ But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. – 1 Peter 2:9, NIV
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Improved Emergency Department Ready to Care The Emergency Department at Abilene Regional Medical Center has a whole new look, but it’s excellent care is still the same. By Sandy Lowe | HispanicLife Magazine
Big changes are happening in the Abilene Regional Medical Center Emergency Department. The ED has added 8,000 square feet, a new waiting room and an upgrade of the Main Entrance in Phase I of construction. The renovation of 12,000 existing square feet, including improvements to existing ED rooms, will happen during Phase II, which will be complete in May 2018. But all of the hammering, sawing and dust have not changed the commitment of the hospital’s staff to providing excellent care. In fact, the update of the Emergency Department is designed just to meet that goal. Vishia Wilson, with eighteen years of experience in healthcare, currently serves as interim director of the Emergency Department. She mentions the addition of eight treatment rooms, bringing the total to twenty-two. “We’re excited about more rooms,” she says. “And the rooms are larger. New equipment includes upgraded monitors in each room. We have two triage rooms now instead of one.” The upgrade is intended to provide improved patient care and satisfaction, improved pa-
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tient flow through the department and the ability to treat more patients more efficiently. Those improvements translate into moving patients with critical needs even faster to exactly the care they need, whether it is the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, the Intensive Care Unit or the recently accredited Stroke Center. “We are pleased to have expanded Emergency facilities, which will allow us to care for more of our friends and neighbors whenever the need arises,” says ARMC CEO Mike Murphy. We still pledge that our E.D. patients at ARMC will be initially seen by a medical professional within 30 minutes of arrival-or less. We know how it feels to be waiting for care for a loved one, and it is our commitment to reduce that time in our Emergency Department.”
an Emergency Medical Technician staffing an ambulance. She knows what quick reactions and experience can do.
Melinda Dean, Trauma Coordinator, has worked in healthcare since 1999, starting as
Continued on page 39
“When I worked in an ambulance,” she says, “we could bring a patient quickly, but the doctor had to see the results of an EKG before starting
38 | HEALTH | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
All the Things You Need to Start - and Stop - Doing in 2018
Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country
By Dominique Astorino | Pop Sugar
The fatal flaw with New Year’s resolutions — and most goal-setting, for that matter — is that we typically bite off more than we can chew. We’re not setting realistic goals. As such, we end up disappointed and, often, with a forgotten resolution by the time February rolls around. Ahead are 14 realistic goals that anyone can accomplish in a calendar year — things that are not only doable but also enjoyable and will eventually become so second-nature, you’ll forget they were resolutions. The best part? Each contributes to a happier life and a healthier body and brain.
Take More You Time -We’re guessing
you maybe gave a little too much to others this past year and not enough to yourself. Perhaps you were stretched too thin or overextended yourself. That’s OK! It was a time for learning and growing. In the new year, it’s OK to say “no” sometimes and take a little more time for yourself. Whether it’s for getting organized, doing a solo workout, or just binge-watching your favorite show, allow yourself some personal space in 2018.
Stop Doing That 1 Workout You Hate - This is your year, this is your time. You
don’t have to run to lose weight, you don’t have to do indoor cycling to be healthy (or cool). If you truly hate running, then why are you doing it? If the answer is “because I have to,” you’re dead wrong. The same goes for all other activities. Use the new year to find something else that you do love that will have the same kind of healthy effects on your body and brain.
Unplug a Little More Each Day
You don’t have to break up with technology (that’s ridiculous), but this year, do small things to unplug and reconnect with yourself, your loved ones, and your environment. Maybe give yourself a few more minutes in the morning before you check email, or don’t charge your phone next to your bed. You could even do a tech-free Sunday each week to truly let go. The world is your iPhone-free oyster.
Learn One New Healthy Recipe You LOVE - We’re fairly certain you can accom-
plish this in a calendar year — after all, you only have to find one. This may take a little trial and error (particularly if you’re new to the kitchen arena), but once you find something you love, you can incorporate it into your weekly menu
— and thus, daily eating habits — for years to come.
Add One Low-Impact Workout to Your Routine - We’re fans of running,
HIIT, and plyo, but for the love of all things holy, give your knees a break this year. They may not have let you in on their secret yet, but your knees love those activities a lot less than you do. Before you become irate: we’re not suggesting you stop doing these workouts — simply that you supplement your high-impact routine with some low-impact strengthening exercises.
Make More Time For Breakfast
You’ve probably heard this your whole life, but breakfast is important. Whether you’ve got weight-loss goals or you’re trying to add more protein to your diet, there are so many options for making breakfast easy and stress-free (hello, make-ahead meals).
Throw Your Scale in a Dumpster
And then burn it. Honestly, if you haven’t set your scale on fire yet, are you really living? While it might be a helpful tool now and then for weight loss, there are so many ways to measure your success without that infernal tool. The number on the scale means nothing, and in fact, if you are also partaking in the weightlifting New Year’s resolution, that number might go up thanks to compact, heavy muscle.
Start Weightlifting - We’re particularly
excited about this New Year’s resolution, because we know firsthand how much weightlifting can change your life — and your body! You’ll boost your metabolism, feel so strong and empowered, and create lean, powerful muscle that will impact your everyday movements and life (walking up flights of stairs will feel completely different!). It may seem intimidating at first, but just start small and work your way up until you build strength.
Choose Gratitude Each Day - One way
to inject more joy into your year? Start each day with a gratitude reflection. What are you grateful for? What makes you happy? Focus on the good to improve your mood, and your physical health will follow suit.
Ditch Your Restrictive Diet - Break up with obsessive calorie counting, food sham-
ing, and all the things that make healthy eating miserable. It’s time to mix it up and find what works for YOU. No diet or diet tip can ever be truly universal because everyone’s body is different — so if you’ve been following something because it worked for someone else (and it’s not working for you), this is your chance to reassess.
End the Negative Self-Talk - We feel quite strongly about this one: you need to stop beating yourself up this year. Do your best in 2018 to give yourself grace, kindness, and patience. Start giving yourself more compliments, and make this year about no negative self-talk — ever. The more you berate and degrade yourself, the harder your year will be; you’ll also have a much harder time reaching your healthy goals.
Start Foam Rolling - With all the new
workouts on the horizon for 2018, you’ll need lots and lots of TLC for your muscles. Whether you’re a runner or not, everyone who works out needs to foam roll. Learn the art of myofascial release and self-massage this year. Your recovery is just as important as your workout — remember that.
Create a Bedtime Routine - This year,
we want you to get more sleep! One of the ways you can ensure that happens more often is by creating a nightly ritual that’ll help ease your anxious feelings and soothe you into a sound slumber. Maybe aromatherapy speaks to you — whatever it is, it’ll help you snooze, which in turn will positively impact your health and mood all year long.
Pick us up at China Star, Abilene Public Library & Martinez Barber Shop | HEALTH | 39
Continued on page 37
treatment for a heart attack. Now the EMTs strong team you have.” can transmit an EKG to the doctor on the way. Our cath lab team usually meets the ambu- Another important upgrade is a dedicated lance when it arrives.” security office in the ED with monitors that provide a round-the-clock view of the parking The new renovated Emergency Department lot and waiting room. Patients coming from has already been “christened” by the birth of dangerous situations such as domestic abuse a new baby, a rare experience for a group that can feel safe entering the facility. Upgraded deals so often with injuries and life threaten- security also benefits staff who work day and ing conditions. night. “The Labor and Delivery nurses came down,” Vishia says. “The doctor [Nicole Bullock] came down. When different departments work together so quickly, it’s very impressive.” Melinda is grateful for the improvements in the ED, and she sees firsthand how those updates benefit patients everyday. But the care can’t happen without the more than thirty ED staff members.
The Emergency Department’s devotion to excellence shows through patients who come back to say thank you. Melinda mentions one gentleman who had a stroke. He recovered fully and came back to express gratitude to the nurses and doctors who cared for him.
There is no predicting when the Emergency Department will be busiest. It could be day or night, weekday or weekend, although Melinda says there does seem to be more need before and after holidays. But what you can count on “What makes me feel most satisfied and everyday of every year is a technologically proud is the job we do as a team,” she says. up-to-date facility with an experienced, caring “When we have critical patients it’s all hands staff whenever you need them. on deck. Things run as smooth as silk. When all the dust has settled you realize what a
40 | HEALTH | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
Know the Difference Between a Cold and the Flu By UW Health
Not every infectious disease, such as a cold or the flu, can be treated by your health care provider. By knowing the various symptoms and home treatment solutions, you can avoid unnecessary visits to the doctor. In the same respect, you’ll also be able to identify conditions that need medical attention.
•Fever, headache and throat pain (young children may complain of stomach pain rather than throat pain) •Swollen glands in the neck •Bright red tonsils that may have white spots on them • Some people develop a rash Home Treatment •Do not attempt home treatment if you suspect you Influenza | Symptoms or someone you love may have strep throat. Contact A sudden onset of any of the following: your physician immediately. •Fever lasting 3-4 days about 102-104° •Complete all prescribed medications in full •General aches and pains are extremely com- When to See a Physician mon and often severe •If your child has symptoms of strep throat, especial•Fatigue and weakness can last up to 2-3 weeks, ly if someone in your family or in your child’s school periodically resulting in extreme exhaustion has recently had a strep infection •Cough, sore throat, chills, runny nose and head- •When you or your child develop any of the sympache are not uncommon toms associated with strep throat (see above) Home Treatment •Plug in a cool mist vaporizer or take a hot, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) | steamy shower Symptoms: •Drink plenty of fluids. Dehydration drives your •Stuffy or runny nose •High fever (can be low-grade fever higher. over age 3) •Severe cough and/or wheezing* •Short•Go to bed earlier than usual. This reduces stress ness of breath or very fast rate of breathing* •Bluish and helps fight the infection. color of the lips or fingernails* •Lethargy, irritabilWhen to See a Physician ity or listlessness* •Lack of appetite/poor feeding •If you are over the age of 65 or have a history of •Apnea* •Sore throat (typical from age 3 – adult) respiratory problems or chronic diseases, such •Headache *typical for infants younger than age 3 as heart disease or diabetes Home Treatment •If you develop shortness of breath, painful •Drink plenty of fluids breathing, earaches, pain around your eyes or •Use a cool mist vaporizer cheekbones or bad sore throat •Use saline nose drops •If you seem to get better, then get worse again •Use non-aspirin fever medicine •Wash hands frequently/avoid touching face/eyes Colds | Symptoms: •Avoid public areas during RSV outbreaks •Runny nose, red eyes, sneezing, sore throat, si- When to See a Physician nus congestion, dry cough, wet cough without •If your child has moderate difficulty breathing wheezing or rapid breathing, low grade tempera- indicated by breathing 40-60 times per minute ture, headache, general body aches •Tires quickly during feeding/loss of appetite •Gradual onset •Uses muscles in the stomach, neck or chest when •A cold usually lasts about 1-2 weeks breathing or if wheezing occurs •One symptom usually precedes the others, •Has an unusual color. Skin becomes slightly gray or while coughing and sore throat may persist after lacelike purple and pale while tongue, gums and lips others have disappeared remain pink Home Treatment •Excessive tiredness and lack of appetite •Drink plenty of liquids. Warm fluids will help •If child is less than 3 months old and fever greater relieve congestion than 100.4° •Use disposable tissues - reduces spread of virus •Petroleum jelly helps a sore nose •Use nasal decongestant sprays for only three days or less. Longer use may actually increase irritation. When to See a Physician •If signs of pneumonia, bronchitis or other upper respiratory complications develop: Increased coughing, difficulty breathing, high fever, ear pain, facial pain or chest pain •If symptoms persist beyond the typical duration of a cold (one or two weeks)
Strep Throat Symptoms:
BUSINESS&CAREER Taking It To The ‘Next Level’ By Caitlin Richards | HispanicLife Magazine
Little Joe Movers and Storage has been in Abilene for 54 years, but has recently taken the business to the next level. The full-service moving agency can do everything from packing and moving an entire house or a single china cabinet, to moving only a couch.
second chance in life. This is still something delivered with the highest standard of quality. Little Joe Movers’ team has certified moving conthat continues today. sultants through the Texas Department of Motor “The business was kind of his ministry,” Syl- Vehicles, which is their regulating agency. As via said. “He ministered to a lot of the guys members of the Southwest Movers Association, who worked for him. A lot of the times the Little Joe Movers also stays at the forefront of the guys he hired needed a second chance, and he industry with best practices and products for movThe women of the Leal family have come to- would always give anybody a chance.” ing. gether to rebrand and reorganize the business their husband, father, and grandfather, Joe Leal, Joe would help his employees get back on “We have really taken Little Joe Movers to the started in 1963. Joe started the business after re- their feet no matter their circumstance. To- next level” Sylvia said. “I hope that image is clear. tiring from the Army, where he worked on the day, Little Joe Movconstruction of Atlas missile silos in the area. ers has worked with a couple of nonprofits, Joe learned to drive a truck and haul while in like Christian Service the Army. It then translated into his very own Center, 180 House, business. Something else that also carried over and Love and Care from Joe’s Army days was his nickname ‘Little Ministries, to help conJoe.’ It stuck and also became the name of the tinue that part of Joe’s business. legacy. Joe passed away six years ago but his legacy lives on through the work his wife, daughters and granddaughters are doing. His oldest daughter Sylvia Leal is leading the way. “This last year we have totally remodeled our offices and re-vamped the business to bring it back to life again,” Sylvia said. “I am very hands on with making sure we are doing a good job with what we are doing.”
Just like Joe did, the customer continues to come first at Little Joe Movers. The services Little Joe Movers offers are flexible in order to meet the needs of each customer’s move. However, one of their most
Nearly everything at Little Joe Movers has gotten a facelift. They have a new website, phone system, trucks, logo and way of doing things. However, Little Joe Movers’ foundation of hard work remains. “My dad was always a hard worker,” Sylvia said. “We were all girls growing up so we never worked in the business but saw it from a distance. But now we are on the business side of it and very hands on.” Besides Little Joe Movers’ deep Abilene roots, something else that makes the business unique is being notable services is their packing service. completely owned by women. There are men who are members of the moving team and crew, “Our packing team is something I don’t think but the Leal ladies are the ones calling the shots. people realize that we do,” Sylvia said. “We have an awesome team of women who will go “We are a local family-owned business,” Syl- in and do all of the packing. We have had a lot via said. “We have a great team of movers, and of compliments on our packers.” want a chance to earn your business.” Something Joe started doing when he first start- No matter what service a customer needs from ed the business was hiring people who needed a Little Joe Movers they can be sure it will be
We want to earn everyone’s business again and hope they will give us a call.”
Visit littlejoemoversinc.com to learn more about their services or give them a call at 325-673-4498.
CALL US TO ADVERTISE (325) 701-9505 209 S. Danville, Suite B-103 Email: info@hispaniclifemedia.com
42 | BUSINESS | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
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5 Christmas Extras You Don’t Need By DaveRamsey.com
It feels like every Christmas season, businesses are competing for your hard-earned cash in new ways. The festive marketing is everywhere. And each Christmas ad is going to try to get you to buy things you don’t need with extra money you might not have. If you’re getting out of debt or building up your savings, the phrase “extra money” probably isn’t even in your vocabulary right now. But stores will still do everything they can to get you to toss a couple of extra items into your cart this season. Steer clear of these Christmas extras they say you can’t live without! Extended Warranties You’ll hear the pitch for the extended warranty as soon as you reach the register. So, we want you to practice saying this: “No.” It’s a complete sentence. Now wasn’t that easy? You should decline the extended warranty simply because it’s not a good deal. Warranties at electronic stores are ridiculous because these stores work on such slim margins. They can make up to a 200% profit from selling you an extended warranty, according to research by Pennsylvania State University.(1) That’s why you’ll hear a pitch about a $1 warranty on your $2 pack of chewing gum.
newspaper, brown bags or butcher paper and wrap your gifts with it. You can dress them up with some festive twine and ribbon, or let the kids decorate them with stamps and markers to give to the grandparents. It’s affordable and adorable! And if you really want to try something unconventional this year, how about chip bag wrapping paper? We’re serious. All you have to do is turn an (empty) bag of chips inside out, wash it and then use the shiny, silver foil to wrap your gifts! Christmas Cards for Everyone We know you want to send out the annual Christmas card with a festive photo of the family and your holiday-ready pet, but do you really need to? If you do, go the inexpensive route—skip the professional photographer and set up your tripod and self-timer. Or ask a family friend with a good eye (or on point photography skills) to snap some Christmas photos for you. When it comes time to print the Christmas cards, look for companies offering coupon codes. Some will even give you a certain number of cards for free—all you have to pay is the shipping cost.
Store Credit Card Discounts Say it again: “No!”You’re getting really good at this.
You can cut costs even more if you only send those Christmas cards to 5–10 of your closest friends and family. It’s okay to be a little selective here. You don’t really need to send a card to the pizza delivery guy, your leader’s cousin, and your 9th grade Sunday School teacher.
Everyone from big-box retail stores to Uncle Bob’s Toothpick Shack seems to have their own store credit card these days. They’ll be more than happy to offer you 10–20% off this $7 purchase of Santa Claus socks if you’ll just open a credit card account. And watch out for those “store cards”—a lot of them are credit cards in disguise!
Overnight Shipping You don’t need overnight shipping because you’re planning ahead, right? Don’t wait until December 22 to order your Christmas presents. If you order a few weeks earlier, you might even be able to get free shipping and have it arrive in plenty of time for Christmas.
Just think, you could still be paying off this year’s Christmas next December! Talk about Christmas memories that last. Bah humbug to that!
Santa’s on a tight schedule, and he doesn’t have time to sit around and wait for your last-minute order! Plan ahead (like right now!) so you don’t have to worry about those extra overnight shipping rates.
Gift Wrapping Service If it’s complimentary at the store, go for it. But you really don’t need to pay for someone to wrap all your gifts. This isn’t the North Pole. You’ll save a ton of money just buying a roll of wrapping paper and a bag of bows from the local dollar store. It’s all going to get ripped up on Christmas morning anyway. You could also get crafty and creative! Grab some
Make the Most of Your Money This Season We’re not trying to burst your holiday shopping bubble. Just remember: Christmas is a time to take joy in spending time with others and blessing them—not spending money just because every Christmas commercial told you to. Don’t get so caught up in the rush that you miss out on the spirit of the season.
Pick us up at Abilene ISD, La Familia Mex Rest & Lytle Land & Cattle | BUSINESS | 43
Grand Opening Bosses Pizza Wings & Burgers of Abilene 10-30-17
Grand Opening West Texas Autism Center 10-24-17
Grand Opening for MenuRunners Abilene 10-30-17
44 | BUSINESS | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry
Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country
Marcus Lemonis:
Starting a Business Starts with Basic Math
The star of CNBC’s “The Profit” knows a lot about business and entrepreneurship. Worth an estimated $3 billion, he’s the CEO and chairman of Camping World. By Kristen Castillo | MediaPlanet
On the TV show and in real life, Lemonis advises individuals on how to succeed in business. Over 40,000 applications come into the show asking Lemonis for help.
saving money and I’m a big believer in having reserves for rainy days. Savings is rainyday-for-the-future and investing is money that you can afford to risk. You can’t afford to risk savings in my opinion.
Savings can help you if you need cash for an His number one rule is be- emergency like a job loss. In the case of saving financially literate. ing and investing, I’m looking for you to save money to provide for your future, provide for “I don’t expect everyone a rainy day and I don’t ever think that money to be a math genius,” he should be used for investing. says. “But I expect them to understand basic prin- MP: What’s the number one rule for inciples of addition and subtraction.” vesting? • ML: If you’re going to invest, you have to get comfortable with the idea that you Mediaplanet: What’s the biggest obstacle could lose it. People should invest in assets to financial literacy? like property or equipment, instead of ideas, which can be risky. Marcus Lemonis: Putting your pride aside is probably the biggest key. I reccomend get- For people who want to buy real estate as an ting financial advice from someone you trust, investment, I suggest buying commercial real as well as from online resources, community estate with solid tenants, which means you college classes and the public library. The can collect rent on a steady basis. time that you take to study and learn those things will give you a significant leg up on the MP: You recommend not doing business competition. with family and friends. Why? • ML: Investments don’t always go well but ThanksMP: What impact is your show having on giving always comes. kids? • ML: We have a lot of young people watching our show. It’s exciting to know kids I believe understanding numbers is a roadmap want to grow up to be in business. I think to success. For business owners, not knowthey’re realizing you can’t be in business if ing the basics will hurt their ability to make you don’t have basic financial literacy. projections and grow the business. Without financial know-how, they find themselves out MP: What’s the difference between saving of cash and out of business before they even and investing? • ML: I’m a big believer in realize it.
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7 Year-End Tax Tips for Small Business By Alyssa Gregory | The Balance
The end of the calendar year means a lot of things for small businesses. It’s time to start thinking about what you want to achieve next year and work on your formal goal setting process. You are probably in the midst of holiday shopping for your employees, vendors, clients and colleagues. And, of course, it’s time to start closing out your books for this calendar year. In fact, right now is the time to check-in with your accountant to see if there is anything you should be doing to make sure your business ends the year fiscally healthy. A few small changes can make a big difference in your total income and tax liability for the year. To get you started, here are a few important year-end tax preparation steps you can take in order to close out the year financially and take advantage of additional deductions:
1. Review Your Reports - How was your
year financially? This info is vital for your goal setting process and to ensure your books are upto-date and accurate. Have your bookkeeper or accountant run all of the reports that are relevant for your business and schedule a time to walk through them together if you need more explanation on the numbers and specific breakdowns.
2. Defer Income - Any income received by
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December 31 counts as income for the current year. Shifting income to after January 1 delays it from being counted as income until the following year, and this can save you a significant amount of money, depending where you income levels are each year.
make sure you check with your accountant to see if this makes sense for your small business.
5. Start or Contribute to a Retirement Plan - Make pay-
ments to your retirement plan or set one up before December 31 to reduce your income for this year. Now is the time to max out your contributions. If you haven’t yet set up a retirement account, talk to a financial advisor to determine which plan is best for your business.
6. Contribute to Charity - Not only is making a charitable
contribution from your small business a great thing to do during the holiday season, but it can also be a good idea for your business finances. And you don’t have to donate money. You can So ask your accountant if it makes sense to defer also donate items such as clothing, toys and other December payments until January to cut your goods, and claim a deduction for the fair market value. Just be sure to get proper documentation and tax bill. a receipt for your records. 3. Make Purchases - Now is the time to spend money on items your business needs so 7. Start Preparing for Next Year Now you can maximize deductions. Does your equip- - Remember the slight panic that set in when you ment need to be upgraded? Can you stock up on started thinking about closing out your books, digoffice supplies? Are there vendor payments you ging for the data your accountant or bookkeeper asked for and through about your business finances can make in advance? as a whole? Make a list of purchases you can make now to Get a jump on next year now by outlining a system get the most out of your deductions. you can use to make the process even smoother next 4. Run an Inventory Check - If there has year. Getting organized now will make next year a been a drop in market value of your inventory, breeze! you may be able to claim additional deductions. This depends on your accounting methods, so
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4 Small Business Marketing Tips for a Successful Holiday Season By Kalin Kassabov | Huffington Post
For many businesses, the holiday season is the most profitable time of year. This is nothing new. However, many aspects of holiday marketing have changed quite dramatically in recent years. If you’re using outdated tactics, it will be difficult to keep up with the competition. Let’s look at some of the most significant changes in holiday marketing that you need to know about if you want to make the most out of the season in 2017.
Get an Early Start - It seems as though the holiday season starts earlier every year. The days when it all started on Black Friday are long gone. In fact, the signs of the season begin by November now. If you count Halloween, you could even say that holiday marketing starts by Labor Day! The point is, you really need to prepare for the season by the end of summer at the latest. If you sell physical items, stock up on popular products. Make sure you’re wellstaffed for the season. If necessary, advertise for holiday help.
is a good excuse to offer coupons, specials and other enticements.
Incorporate Mobile Marketing
As mobile devices become ever more present in our daily functions, you can’t overlook ways to use mobile marketing as part of your holiday marketing strategy. As my own company is involved with helping businesses reach their customers using SMS or text message marketing, I’m always looking for ways to get the most out of mobile marketing. • Target your messages. Rather than sending out generic messages about your products, target messages based on your customers’
Target Separate Events of the Season - While we talk about “the holi-
day season” as if it’s one long stretch, it’s actually divided into many parts. Halloween is now a huge event that you can tie into your marketing, even if it’s just to hold a spooky sale with scary discounts. Other specific holiday and seasonal events you can use in your marketing include: •End of the fall •Start of winter •Kwanzaa •Hanukkah •Christmas •The New Year • Holiday break for students (from young kids all the way up to college students) Depending on your customer base, you can emphasize these or other points in the holiday season. If many of your customers are families with kids, for example, think not only of holiday presents, but activities during the holiday break. Even for adults without children, the week between Christmas and New Years
particular interests and preferences. To do this, you need to incorporate segmenting into your mobile strategy before the holidays. This is a strategy that yields benefits throughout the year, but it can be especially profitable during the holiday season. • Send push notifications, coupons and promotions at strategic times. You can also take advantage of geolocation abilities by notifying people of special deals when they’re in close proximity to your business. This is a good way to get people to make spur-of-themoment purchases. •Create mobile-friendly gift guides. Make sure it’s easy for mobile customers to see all of your holiday offerings. If you sell physical products, curate collections by category. If
you provide services, you can offer various gift certificates that appeal to different types of customers.
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New Shop in Abilene is Tie-Dye For
By Ronald W Erdrich | Abilene Reporter-News
•Attract new customers. The holiday season isn’t only a strategic time to reach out to existing customers; it can also be lucrative for attracting new ones. Offer people a holiday coupon for signing up for your text alerts or downloading your app.
Look Ahead to the New Year
While the holiday season officially ends on New Year’s Day, savvy businesses can connect their holiday marketing with customers’ needs during the postholiday season. For one thing, consumers have come to expect extra savings at the beginning of the year. While many businesses simply sell off unsold stock at deep discounts, if you plan ahead, you can offer more strategic deals and target the bargain-hunting consumers seeking post-holiday sales. Depending on the type of business you have, you may be able to profit from various aspects of the postholiday period. Think of kids returning to school, people anxious to make good on New Year’s resolutions (fitness, healthy meals, self-improvement), winter sports and other ways to address your customers’ post-holiday, mid-winter needs. This can help you continue your holiday season momentum and avoid an extreme drop-off in sales that businesses fear at the start of a new year. These are some ways to make the most out of the holiday season. However, it’s equally important to leverage your marketing strategy to encompass the entire, ever-longer holiday season as well as the period immediately following the holidays.
Why tie-dye? “Why not?” replied Corrie Wolfe. “I like the way it affects other people. You walk up and people smile, it just puts them in a good mood.” Wolfe is the owner of Howlin’ Dyes. In 2015 she turned her lifelong hobby into a business, making custom tie-dye clothing. But it’s only been since September that she’s had a store to sell them in. Wolfe has set up shop in a small building at Play Faire Park. You can find her and her dog, Watsonm on Facebook, too. “I was lugging all this around in trunks, so it’s very nice having a home base now,” she said, laughing.
Texas Large and Small ‘Employer of the Year’ Both in Big Country By Jamie Burch | KTXS
A pair of Big Country businesses have won top “We are honored to be recognized as Texas Workhonors from the Texas Workforce Commis- force Solutions Small Employer of the Year,” sion. said Arrow Ford Dealer Principal Seaton Higginbotham. “Serving Abilene and this great state of Arrow Ford in Abilene was named Small Em- Texas is what it’s all about.” ployer of the Year and Brownwood Regional Medical Center was named Large Employer of BRMC has been providing health care to the the Year. Brown County area since 1969. Arrow Ford opened in 1964. It currently em- BRMC employs approximately 500 health care ploys approximately 125 people, including 13 professionals. veterans. “Preparing our future healthcare workforce is cru“Arrow Ford supports a diversified workforce cial work and I commend BRMC for their innothat includes veterans and soon-to-be separat- vative and valuable work,” said TWC Chairman ing active duty military personnel,” said TWC- Andres Alcantar. Commissioner Representing Employers Ruth R. Hughs. “I commend Arrow Ford for hiring “We’re all about helping our employees advance our nation’s heroes, and congratulate them on and improving their satisfaction with our compareceiving this award recognizing their leader- ny,” said BRMC CEO Chip Camp. “To maintain ship as a Texas employer who excels in their and offer high-level quality service, we need to contributions to the community.” always focus on our employees.”
Abilene Dixie Little League
The 2018 Spring season is fast approaching and soon we will be hosting signups at the various locations around Abilene . Please find below the times and locations to register your son or daughter to play at Dixie Little League. • January 23rd - Austin Elementary 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m. • January 25th - Bonham Elementary - 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. • January 27th United Grocery on South 14th - 9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. • January 30th - Reagan Elementary - 6:00 p.m.8:00 p.m. • February 3rd - AYSA Sports Expo held at the Abilene Civic Center 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
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