July 2018

$1.7 Million

Project to Begin at Ben Richey Boys Ranch By Olivia Diventi | KTXS

The Ben Richey Boys Ranch will begin a $1.7 million project this week. “We are building 10, two bedroom, one bath homes for our single moms to live in,” said Kerry Fortune, president of Ben Richey Boys Ranch & Family Program. Since 2009, the family program has provided single mothers with a place to live in addition to teaching them tools to succeed in life, like money management, parenting, and job skills. Currently, mothers and children live in shared homes. “There is like three to four moms living in a group environment,” Fortune said. “They share a kitchen, dining room, but they have their own bedroom and bathroom.” The Ben Richey Boys Ranch board wanted to improve the quality of life and success of these women now, as well as when they leave the program. Once they raised $1.7 million, they began planning and deciding on single homes. “This gives her a safe place to have her kids,” Fortune said. “Housing is the biggest expense in anybody’s budget and having a safe house in a safe neighborhood is very difficult to find if you are working as a single mom.” Single moms who are working or going to school will now be able to focus on building a better life. Construction will begin in September.

Pick us up at Long John Silver, Drug Emporium & Los Arcos Mex Rest | COMMUNITY | 3

JULY 2018

Volume 9, Issue 3

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

These summer months are zooming by quickly. Crazy to walk in some stores and see school supplies and fall decorations out already! Strange, you would think summer time is more of a relaxing time, but in so many families it is actually the opposite. Summer turns hectic with all the camps, vacations and vacation Bible schools, and the list goes on & on. You end up filling up your calendar even more during the summer than the actual school year. During all the busyness, don’t forget to say thank you, thank you to your spouse, your kids, the teller, the cashier, the waitress, the receptionist, the mechanic, the life guard and most importantly the good Lord up above. Sometimes we focus too much on all the “stuff” we have to get done and forget all the blessings surrounding us. Remember you have a good, good Father who only wants the best for you and your family, and HE is so ready to continue blessing you once you have your priorities in order. Don’t let the busyness get you distracted from all that you have to be grateful for.

1toStop ANYWHERE. ABILENE REGIONAL AIRPORT

iflyabi.com

Remember God first, then family and finally friends. 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. 2018 HispanicLIfe Media

All rights reserved. No reproduction of any portion of this issue is allowed without permission from the publisher. www.facebook.com/HispanicLifeMagazine

Happy Summer

David & Amy Hernández & the girls and all the staff here at HispanicLife

Abilene Regional Medical Center is helping you beat breast cancer with the region’s first 3D mammography. The clarity of images it produces can reduce stressful callbacks. Our 3D mammography allows physicians to examine breast tissue in great detail, in millimeter increments with fine details no longer hidden by dense breast tissue – resulting in improved accuracy and a better chance at early detection. To schedule your 3D screening mammogram, call 325-238-7335.

3D mammography • Clearer images Greater accuracy • Earlier detection

3D MAMMOGRAM TECHNOLOGY.

A NEW DIMENSION. AbileneRegional.com Not all insurance providers cover 3D mammograms. Appointments are on a first-come, first-served basis. An order from a physician or qualified healthcare provider is not required, but the patient must provide a physician/provider name when an appointment is made. If the patient does not have a physician/provider, a list will be provided for the patient’s selection. All mammogram reports will be sent to the physician/provider and follow-ups are the responsibility of the patient.

102282_ABIL_3Dmammo_4_5x4_5c.indd 1

7/6/18 2:59 PM

4 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Additional Splash Pads Coming to the Key City By Noel Rehm | BigCountryHomePage

Coming from the 2015 Abilene Bond Election, two new splash pads are scheduled to be open soon. According to developers, Red Bud Park’s splash pad will officially open July 20th. While, Arthur Sears Park’s splash pad officially opens one week later, on July 27th. John Culpepper, an Installation Specialist with Vortex Construction Company say’s “I’m glad we get to be back here in Abilene, we put in two splash pads before, and now we’re here to put tin wo more.” He goes on to mention that he just like’s to see people happy and that’s why it’s much easier to come to work each day. While, splash pad projects don’t typically take long to complete, Culpepper say’s it’s the elevation where the parks are located that have added an additional two weeks of work.

her thought’s on the addition of the two new splash pads. “This will open up the opportunity for more places to go, where everybody can spread out and not just be all bunched up at one splash pad.” The finishing touches are being complete at Red Bud Park, which include a couple of wires along with training those who will be working at the pads. While, the splash pad at Arthur Sears Park has a long way to go. Ground Samantha Waggoner, a local park visitor shares breaking has just begun at the park.

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

CALL US TO ADVERTISE (325) 701-9505

This will be another way to escape from the summer-time heat. Culpepper, say’s “it’s convenient to have the splash pads spread out throughout town, so you don’t have to drive twenty minutes to the nearest pad.” The splash pad at Red Bud Park will include a slide, more than 20 interactive spray features, shaded seating areas and a seat wall for parents.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 10 - 7:30PM SATURDAY, AUGUST 11 - 2PM & 7:30PM DOWNTOWN ABILENE

COMMUNITY

LOCAL PEOPLE AND EVENTS

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT Q&A: Alliance for Women & Children

After School Care Program By HispanicLife Magazine

1.How many children do you expect to serve in this coming school year’s after school program? Alliance After School Care serves children Pre-K through 5th grade on 15 elementary campuses in Abilene ISD, Clyde, and Buffalo ve approximately 550-600 children on a daily basis and more than 1,200 throughout the school year as some children will move or their needs will change and new children enroll up through the last month of school. We accept new enrollments all year long. 2. What are the locations that the after school program are available and how do parents sign their children up for the program? We are located at most Abilene elementary schools including Long Early Learning Center, Clyde Elementary and Intermediate Schools, and Buffalo Gap Elementary. Children can be enrolled by coming to our office at 1350 North 10th Street in Abilene and completing an enrollment form or doing so online at www.AllianceForWomenAndChildren.org. For enrollment to be complete, enrollment forms must be completed and a $25 enrollment fee per child (up to a maximum $50) must be submitted. This can be paid in the office or online. Our regular monthly rate is $188 per child, and if the fees are paid on time each month, there is an automatic $38 discount making the rate $150. We provide discounts for multiple children, school district employees, military, financial aid, scholarship, and we accept CCS which is a government subsidy for childcare through the Texas Workforce Center. We are the largest, most affordable, licensed after school program in the Big Country and our mission is that no child goes home alone. We work very diligently to ensure that a child can participate in the program no matter the family’s income. 3. What activities are offered in the program after school? Alliance After School Care is a structured program designed for the children

to have fun, be safe, learn and be nurtured in a positive environment. We offer homework assistance and are working alongside our schools to help encourage our children through the Accelerated Reader (AR) program to meet their literacy goals. We offer a healthy snack, outdoor play, structured gym play, and enhancement programs. Our program is the first Leader in Me after school program, and we are a Texas Rising Star certified program. During our enhancement time, we will bring in outside programs such as Abilene Martial Arts, the Public Library, sports programs, art programs, and much more. 4.What time do children have to be picked up? And is there child care offered when school is out for holidays or teacher work days? We are located on the child’s campus from the time school releases until 6:00pm every school day. We do offer camps at an additional rate for most breaks (Thanksgiving, Christmas, Spring Break). We typically send out a survey to our families to determine the need for a holiday camp for holidays such as Columbus Day or Presidents Day, and we make a determination based on need. 5. What are the age requirements for students to participate? Our program is licensed for PreK through 5th grade. The Pre-K children must be at least 4 years old and potty-trained to enroll in the program. 6. When can parents enroll their children? We are accepting enrollments now! And, we have some incentive programs for those families who enroll early. We will have some drawings for backpacks filled with school supplies and some other prizes that are in the works. So, the

earlier, the better! But, we do accept enrollments all year long. Jobs and situations change, and we are aware of that need. We have had enrollments as late as the last week of school, and we are happy to accept them. 7. What is the cost of the program? For enrollment to be complete, enrollment forms must be completed and a $25 enrollment fee per child (up to a maximum $50) must be submitted. This can be paid in the office or online. Our regular monthly rate is $188 per child, and if the fees are paid on time each month, there is an automatic $38 discount making the rate $150. We provide discounts for multiple children, school district employees, military, financial aid, scholarship, and we accept CCS which is a government subsidy for childcare through the Texas Workforce Center. We are the largest, most affordable, licensed after school program in the Big Country and our mission is that no child goes home alone. We work very diligently to ensure that a child can participate in the program no matter the family’s income.

So, please do call and ask us if you are concerned about your ability to pay. We want all children to be in a safe environment after school. We have scholarships available and want to help. This October is Alliance After School Care’s 30th birthday! We were founded in partnership with the Junior League of Abilene and Abilene ISD at Valley View Elementary on October 17, 1988. We are grateful to be celebrating 30 years of providing quality after school care in our community. We will be having birthday parties at all of our schools in October and hope to have a community birthday party as well. Watch for details!

e

www.facebook.com/hispaniclifemagazin

6 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

HispanicLife Media

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 518-7091

Abilene Teen First To Win Congressional Award in 13 Years By Maria Aguilera | KTXS

An Abilene teen will receive an award in Washington D.C. next week for her service to the community, among other noble achievements. It is called a Congressional Award and it is a program where young people must complete a certain set of requirements for at least two years. Elizabeth Walker, 18, has been volunteering at an Abilene soup kitchen ever since she was in the eighth grade.

Elizabeth’s mother Poppy Walker said that although the program had its requirements, Elizabeth was already doing community service, so they felt like the program was the right fit for her. “The goal wasn’t the award. It was ‘hey, you’re already doing these things, this seems like kind of a cool program and what a neat way to symbolize the accomplishment,’” Poppy said. The Walker family dealt with difficult times after Elizabeth’s dad was diagnosed with stage four throat cancer.

Elizabeth is the first person in the 19th congressional district to receive the award in 13 years.

“We’ve had some things that she could’ve quit this and justifiably so, but she stuck with it and this has been just such a great program for her,” Walker said. However, Poppy said that Elizabeth never gave up and that her hard work paid off.

Volunteering has been a part of Elizabeth’s life ever since she was a young girl. Elizabeth was home-schooled and graduated this year and on June 21, she will be in Washington D.C., where she will receive a gold medal as a part of the Congressional Award for her service in the Abilene community. Elizabeth Walker helps serve lunch at City Light

Elizabeth said that after receiving her gold medal, she will continue serving in her community.

“I’ve always been very Ministries in Abilene. blessed in my life. Our “I have a lot more underfamily, we’ve had a lot of blessings, so it just feels like an honor to get to come and give standing of other people because I get to work with all different kinds of people, so I would like to think that it’s my time to other people,” Elizabeth said. made me a better person,” Elizabeth said. Elizabeth signed up for the Congressional Award program in 2015 because she said that she has a passion Elizabeth and Poppy will be traveling to Washington for serving others. The requirements for the program D.C. on June 20 and Elizabeth will receive her gold include 400 hours of community service, 200 hours medal on June 21. of personal development and 200 hours of physical For more information on the Congressional Award, their fitness. website can be visited at this link: http://congressionalaElizabeth also had to complete a four- to five-day ex- ward.org/about/ ploration expedition, in which she went cave diving. ISE CALL US TO ADVERT (325) 701-9505 te B-103 209 S. Danville, Sui media.com Email: info@hispaniclife

Pick us up at Law Enforcement Office & Cisco College | COMMUNITY | 7

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

Big Country Master Naturalists Open 2018 Training Program Outdoor-minded Texans learn what makes Texas,Texas. By Maria Aguilera | KTXS

Do you like the outdoors, wildlife, citizen science, hiking or astronomy? Are you curious about the weather, the climate, horned lizards, rocks, bats or natural resources? Do you have a passion for habitat restoration, conservation, pollinators or native plants?

“This week we spotlight Captain Eddy Harris. Eddy joined the Abilene Fire Department in October of 1995. He is certified as a basic fire investigator, advanced structure firefighter, instructor II, fire officer II, basic wildland firefighter and EMT-Intermediate. After 22 years of service Captain Harris has decided to retire and we wish him the best. You will be missed brother.”

The Big Country Chapter of the Texas Master Naturalists is holding its annual recruiting drive and training program for anyone interested in learning about all things outdoors that make Texas, Texas. Master Naturalists are volunteers with a thirst for knowledge about all things outdoors in West Texas—animals, plants, weather, climate, astronomy, natural resources, and more. They work together to provide education, outreach and service to people of all ages in the Big Country’s 13 counties. This 12 session program lasts August 30 – November 15. Experts from universities, nature centers, and natural resource agencies will provide 40 hours of training about Texas eco-regions---the plants, animals, and environment of Texas and how they work together. Certified Master Naturalists receive 8 additional hours of advanced training each year in their areas of personal interest. As volunteers they are asked to work on approved projects of their choice to use their knowledge and skills. Cost: $125 per person or $200 per couple. Applications are available at Taylor County Extension Office or online at https://txmn.org/bc/ files/2018/05/MN-2018-Training-Application-.pdf The Texas Master Naturalists Program is sponsored by Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Most training is held at the Taylor County Extension office. There are some field trips in the area. Application deadline: August 1, 2018. For more more information visit txmn.org or https://www.facebook.com/BCTXMN/ or contact the Taylor County Extension Office at (325) 672-6048.

8 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

SET YOUR SIGHTS ON FAST, EASY ACCESS WITH NEW

EYEPRINT ID

TM

Eyeprint ID For Mobile Devices -

The Ultimate Selfie!

The eyes have it...when you want quick, easy and highly secure access to your account using ATFCU’s mobile apps. No more passwords to remember or juggling your phone to enter your thumbprint. Use the camera on your mobile device to scan your eyes and future logins will be simpler than a selfie. • Haven’t heard of this before? That’s because ATFCU is the first in the area to offer this state-of-the-art, biometric technology. • Eyes a little blurry this morning? Not a problem for Eyeprint ID. • Wear glasses? That's not a problem either. Eyeprint ID will recognize your eyes with or without glasses.

Can't you Just See Yourself Using This? Go to our website for more details or to set up your Eyeprint ID log-in. It will only take the blink of an eye... but don't blink! PMS 280 (Blue) - C=100 M=72 Y=0 K-18

PMS 341 (Green) - C=93 M=26 Y=77 K-12 PMS 186 (Red) - C=22 M=100 Y=67 K-8

FONT: Lithos Pro Bold & Lithos Pro Regular

325-677-2274 800-677-6770 abileneteachersfcu.org

ATFCU Eye-D Ad 4-16.indd 1

• 3849 Antilley Road • 2801 N. 6th Street • 2555 Buffalo Gap Road • 1181 E. N. 10th Street • 349 N. Mockingbird (drive-thru only)

4/29/16 3:35 PM

Pick us up at Alfonso Hernandez Bakery, Mr. Jiffy & Daniela’s Tex-Mex Rest | COMMUNITY | 9

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service to Offer Professional Food Manager Certification Training Course By Tammie Belyeu | Secretary, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Taylor Count

Statistics indicate that foodborne illness continues to be a health issue in the United States. Each year, 1 in 6 Americans will become sick, 128,000 will become hospitalized, and 3,000 will die due to a foodborne illness. Texas Food Establishment Rules state that each food establishment is required to have one certified food manager on site. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in Taylor, Jones and Haskell Counties, is offering a professional food manager certification training course. This two day program will be offered for $125.00 on August 20 and August 21 at the Taylor County Extension Office. Cost includes training, materials, and the Prometric food manager certification examination. The food manager’s certification will be valid for five years. Registration deadline is August 6, 2018. This program is designed to not only prepare foodservice managers to pass the certification examination; it will provide valuable education regarding the safe handling of food. Almost 50 cents of every dollar Americans spend on food is spent on meals prepared away from home. Therefore, careful attention to food safety will help keep customers safe and satisfied.

The 2018 Anson Tigers

Foodborne illnesses are estimated to cost thousands of dollars in lost wages, insurance, and medical bills. With these statistics, knowledge of how to prevent foodborne illness is essential. The benefits of improved food safety include: • Increased customer satisfaction • Improved relationships with health officials • Prevention of bad publicity and law suits due to foodborne illness By attending the course, foodservice managers will learn about: • identifying potentially hazardous foods and common errors in food handling • preventing contamination and cross-contamination of food • teaching and encouraging personal hygiene for employees • complying with government regulations • maintaining clean utensils, equipment and surroundings • controlling pests Foodborne illnesses can be prevented by following simple food safety practices. For more information about the Professional Food Manager Certification Training course of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service, called “Food Safety: It’s Our Business,” call the Taylor County Extension Office at 325-672-6048. You may also access a downloadable registration form at http://taylor.agrilife.org.

10 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

App Created To Remind Parents, Caretakers Not To Forget Children in Car

HispanicLife Media

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 701-9505

By BigCountryHomePage.com

determined friends or family members (set up by user upon registration) via e-mail and text message, alerting them to the possibility of a little one left behind.

According to KidsAndCars. org, as of July 3, 2018, 21 United States children have died as a result of being left in a hot car. NBC 5 reports over the past 10 years, 116 hot car child deaths have occurred in Texas. Well, as with everything these days, there’s an App for that. “The BackSeat” created by Gray Elephant Technologies, LLC, is an automatic alert system App designed to remind parents and caretakers of small children not to forget the little ones behind in hot car where they could be injured or worse. “The App only needs to be set up one time upon download with all necessary informa-

tion (User info, Auto info, Children info, “Alert team” members and Settings),” the App’s description says. Automatically after each car ride, “the BackSeat” App will alert the user reminding them to make sure all passengers are safe and accounted for. If for some reason the user is so distracted the increasingly louder alerting process to the users smart phone fails, ‘the BackSeat’ will automatically summons help from three pre-

“The BackSeat” will even inform the users “Alert Team” members as to the GPS location of where the users car stopped along with a description of the primary vehicle the user drives (as indicated by user upon registration). “The BackSeat” settings are also customizable to suit the needs of each caretakers’ schedules where they are most likely to have small children, as well as able to be used by daycare facilities that drive around small children.

September 7 and 8 DOWNTOWN ABILENE

Abilene Philharmonic Moving to New Location New Location Allows for Enhanced Educational Programs By Abilene Philharmonic

The Abilene Philharmonic Association has had dreams of moving into a new space and being able to offer more opportunities to engage the community for years, and it has finally come to fruition. This summer, we will be moving to the first floor of the Wooten Hotel! Our new location will be 1102 North 3rd St. Suite C., and our anticipated movein date will be the end of July, after a few renovations have been completed. One of the main reasons that we have been looking for more functional space, is for our newly developed Academy of Music to grow and flourish. In this new location will be able to house traditional forms of music education, as well as utilizing technology to offer video conferenced masterclasses, live streamed concerts, and a music creation lab. We are offering several programs within the Academy and are hopeful and excited for the impact this will have in our community. Our existing programs include the Instrument Petting Zoo, Discover Music Children’s Concert series, the Nelda Hodges Young Artist Competition, Masterclasses, Side-by-Side Performances, coaching sessions, free community performances and Ticket Reach. We are so thankful for the incredible anonymous gift of $180,000 during this past season that will give us the ability to establish the Academy of Music and increase our educational programs! In addition, in this new location we are able to easily participate in more community activities such as Artwalk and other downtown events. Our convenient location will lend it-

self to have easier accessibility for purchasing concert tickets, which we hope will help boost our overall concert attendance. “This is a very exciting move for the Philharmonic. We hope being on the first floor of the historic Wooten Hotel will create more awareness and make the Philharmonic more accessible for our patrons and students attending Academy of Music activities,” stated Kevin Smith, Executive Director, Abilene Philharmonic Association. We invite you to show your support for the Abilene Philharmonic by participating in one of our upcoming educational programs or attending one of our concerts. We look forward to an outstanding season with a wonderful line up so be sure to purchase your season subscriptions for the 2018-2019 which are now on sale. For more information on the Academy of Music or our 2018-19 Concert Season please visit our website at AbilenePhilharmonic.org or call 325677-6710.

Pick us up at Taqueria Riojas & Texas Workforce Center | COMMUNITY | 11

12 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Housing Authority’s Policy Change Seeks To End Homelessness By Loretta Fulton | 2-1-1 Texas A Call for Help

The homeless in Abilene are getting a hand house 50 homeless people and to test the Home up, thanks to a policy change made by the Again West Texas coordinated entry system Abilene Housing Authority. in order to more easily track the homeless and serve them. The housing goal was surpassed by On March 21, the housing authority adopted a 14 people, with a total of 64 housed. “homeless preference,” moving the homeless to the top of the Housing Choice Voucher Wait Those numbers also are good for taxpayers, as List, allowing them to be served more quickly. it costs considerably less to support a homeless That means that only peoneighbor with housing ple displaced by a FEMA than to care for him or her declared disaster, like Hurwith medical emergencies ricane Harvey that hit the and jail stays. It costs an Texas Gulf coast in 2017, estimated $30,000 a year will go before the hometo care for one chronically less in the waiting line. homeless person, Cooksey said, when all costs “AHA adopted the preferare included, from emerence to be a solution and gency medical treatment partner in ending hometo the judicial system. On lessness in Abilene,” said average housing a homeTim Pittman, Housing less neighbor saves taxChoice Voucher manager payers $20,000 per indifor the Abilene Housing vidual per year. Authority. But the main goal of getIn the past, the homeless ting the homeless into a were much farther down home is for the betterthe waiting list. Coming ment of that person. The before them were appli“homeless preference” cants/participants that had policy will expedite the to give up their vouchers process of caring for more for lack of funding, elderhomeless people more ly/disabled applicants, and quickly. The number of applicants exiting a nursHousing Choice Vouchers ing home that needed rent for Abilene remains very assistance to be able to live limited, but the Abilene on their own. Housing Authority adopted the preference in Now, only people disorder to be a solution and placed by natural disaster partner in ending homeof such magnitude that the lessness, Pittman, the Federal Emergency ManHousing Choice Voucher agement Agency certifies it manager, said. Communicome before the homeless. ty agencies provided data on the need for long-term The West Texas Homerental assistance to help less Network ended its house the homeless, Pit100-Day Challenge on tman said, and the housMay 4, with excellent results. The change in ing authority partnered with those community the housing voucher policy should improve agencies in order to ensure that referred neighthose numbers even more. The adoption of the bors would receive case management services “homeless preference” was exciting to those needed to utilize their vouchers and stay stably who work toward ending homelessness. housed. “This is extremely progressive for the state “It will give our community partners another and country,” said Mary Cooksey, director of tool and funding source to use in housing our 2-1-1 A Call for Help. homeless neighbors,” Pittman said. “Hopefully it will end homelessness in Abilene more The 100-Day Challenge had two goals, to quickly.”

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

New Hotel Planned for North Abilene

Pick us up at Drug Emporium, Monterrey Mex Rest & Lytle Land & Cattle | COMMUNITY | 13

By Jamie Burch | KTXS

A new hotel is planned for north Abilene. Ebco General Contractor filed a permit Wednesday to build a Home2 Suites by Hilton. It will be located on Scottish Road – near I-20 and Hwy 351 – between three Marriott properties – Residence Inn, Courtyard By Marriott and TownPlace Suites. Oddly enough, Ebco built the other three hotels and Home2 Suite is designed to compete with TownePlace Suites. The four-story, $6,000,000 hotel will feature 108 extended stay suites that include separate living and bedroom areas, a kitchen and working/media area. Properties are typically constructed in less than a year.

Local Lowe’s Recognized for Veteran Employment By Nathaniel Ellsworth | Abilene Reporter-News

The Texas Veterans Commission has named the Lowe’s store at 4134 Ridgemont Drive as Veteran Employer of the Year. The award, which was presented Tuesday, recognizes a private sector employer who has had an “extraordinary effect” on veterans in Texas, as well as on other employers, workers and their communities. Lowe’s was recognized as a medium-sized employer. Among the things the store was cited for in its nomination was hiring a disabled veteran and his service dog, helping remodel the Disabled American Veterans building, and participating in job fairs at Dyess.

14 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Courtesy of: HispanicLife Magazine

To place your loved ones obituary or to honor them with a special message, please contact our offices at: (325) 701-9505 Email: info@hispaniclifemedia.com

Adelaida Gonzalez, 82, passed away June 30, 2018. Mrs. Gonzalez was born December 16, 1935, in Acuna, Mexico to Santos and Santos Castro Serrano. Mrs. Gonzalez was preceded in death by both her parents, sister Santa Huerta, and son Santos Gonzalez. She leaves to mourn her memories her husband of 62 years Martin Fermin Gonzalez, Sons Santiago Gonzalez and wife Gloria, Reynaldo Gonzalez and wife Lupe, Jose Angel Gonzalez and wife Paula, Martin Gonzalez and wife Alice, Albert Gonzalez and wife Deanna, and Juan Carlos Gonzalez all of Abilene, Texas. Daughters Glenda and husband Cecilio Saldana, and Olga Alicia Alvarez of Abilene, Texas. Brothers Felix Serrano, Julian Serrano, Jose Luis Serrano, Augustine Serrano all of Abilene, Texas, Arturo Serrano and Hipolito Serrano of Acuna, Mexico, and Pedro Serrano of Bracketville,Texas. Sisters Alberta Adame, Pascuala Varretero, and Josefina Calamaco all of Acuna, Mexico. She has 30 Grandchildren and 44 Great grandchildren and a host of numerous other family members. Paul Montelongo, 51, of Abilene, Tx entered this world on March 1, 1967 and went to be with his lord on June 14, 2018. Paul fought the good fight he finished the race. He completed his journey here on this earth and now is in the presence of our Heavenly Father, Paul loved being with his family and friends, he enjoyed music, dominos, pool and football squares. Luck was always on his side. His great love was his son JP and his 3 grandchildren. He was preceeded in death by his parents Gilbert and Corina Montelongo, 2 brothers Gilbert Montelongo

HispanicLife Media

Jr, Ernesto Montelongo, and sister Margie Acosta He leaves behind a son, Justin Paul JP Romero , 3 grandchildren, 2 Brothers David Montelongo and Roy Montelongo , and a sister Dora Montelongo/Rocha . Many nieces and nephews. Arthur Cantu Jr., 37, passed away Monday, June 25, 2018. Mr. Cantu was born August 04, 1980, in Rotan, Texas to Arthur Cantu Sr. and Sylvia Carrillo. Survivors include: father, Arthur Sr. (Cecilia) Cantu of Stamford; mother, Silva Carrillo (Richard Torres); wife Lorie Cantu all of Abilene; daughter, Nerriah Cantu of Abilene; brother, Micheal Cantu of Austin; four sisters, Brenda Cantu, Tricia Carrillo, Brittany Cantu all of Abilene and April Nicole Cantu of Stamford. Mr. Cantu was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Frank (Lila) Cantu; maternal grandparents, Phillip (Lousia) Carrillo; uncle, James Carrillo and cousin Stephanie Carrillo. Johnny Martinez, 68, passed away July 04, 2018. Mr. Martinez was born October 23, 1949, in Abilene, Texas to Herculano and Carolina Martinez. Johnny Martinez was employed as a Butcher by Safeway Grocery Store. He enjoyed being outdoors with friends enjoying life and watching his favorite team The Dallas Cowboys. He also enjoyed a cold beer and playing his guitar. Mr. Martinez was preceded in death by both parents and a brother Ralph Martinez. He leaves behind to mourn his memory his sons Johnny G. Martinez and wife Teresa, of Odessa, Texas and U.S.Staff Sergeant Joseph Martinez and wife Mary of Wichita Falls, Texas. His daughters Linda Perez of San Antonio and Diana and her husband Carl Crisp of Hawley, Texas. A sister Mary M. Estrada of Abilene, Texas and brothers Cleto Martinez of Odessa and Raymond Martinez of Fort Worth, Texas. He has 7 Grandchildren and 8 Great-Grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and extended family members.

To place your loved ones obituary or to honor them with a special message, please contact our offices at: (325) 701-9505 Email: info@hispaniclifemedia.com

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 701-9505

Pick us up at Alfredo’s, Gloria’s Grill and Kentucky Fried Chicken | COMMUNITY | 15

Dyess Awarded Congressional Gold Medal 75 Years After His Death By Airman 1st Class Kylee Thomas | 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs, Dyess Air Force Base

Lt. Col. William Edwin was honored with the Con- George Washington was the first to receive this award gressional Gold Medal in honor of his service in the in 1776. Only 160 individuals, groups and organizaU.S. Army Air Corps during World War II at Dyess tions have received this prestigious award since then. Air Force Base, Texas, on May 11. The medal was awarded to Dyess in recognition of Dyess died in 1943 due to an aircraft mishap dur- his sacrifice and dedication to the Army Air Corps being a training flight in California. His youngest sis- tween the years of 1916 and 1943. He distinguished ter and only surviving immediate family member, himself by his heroism as an Army Air Corps aviaElizabeth “Nell” Denman, received the medal on his tor, Prisoner of War escapee from the Davao Penal behalf. Colony prison camp in the Philippines. The Congressional Gold Medal is an award bestowed by the U.S. Congress and is one of highest expressions of national appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions. Each medal honors a particular individual, institution or event. “The medal is awarded to those who have made significant achievement that profoundly touch American history and its culture,” said 1st Lt. McCall Sears, 7th Medical Support Squadron resource management flight commander and one of the coordinators of the ceremony.

“We are honored to present this prestigious award to Dyess’ family and be a part of honoring our base’s namesake,” said Sears. During the event, Denman and her family had the opportunity to witness the gratitude of Dyess Airmen for her older brother’s sacrifice. “It is days like these, that make me so proud to be a citizen of this great nation,” said Col. Brandon Parker, 7th Bomb Wing commander. “This day is 75 years in the making, but it doesn’t lessen the legacy or the meaning of why we are here.”

U.S. Air Force Col. Brandon Parker, 7th Bomb Wing commander, left, presents the Congressional Gold Medal to Elizabeth “Nell” Denman, with her son Judge William Edwin Denman, right, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, May 11, 2018. Denman received the medal on behalf of Lt. Col William Edwin Dyess, as his youngest sister and only surviving immediate family member. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Kylee Thomas)

16 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Meals on Wheels Plus in Abilene Partners with Cell Phone Repair to Raise Revenue, Fulfill Funding Needs By Tom Hawkins | Cell Phone Repair Abilene & Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc.

In an era of limited public funding and both federal and state budget restrictions, one local nonprofit, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for seniors and adults with one or more disabilities by providing nutritionally balanced meals and supportive services, has found an innovative way to raise its revenue and meet its mission.

The store will not only service electronic devices but buy damaged phones, repair them and make them available for purchase at a more affordable price. Also available are cell phone cases, ZAGG screens and other accessories. The store will offer complimentary repair estimates on every damaged device as well as walk-in and mail-in service.

Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc. opened a CPR Cell Phone Repair store in Abilene earlier this month in the Woodhaven Shopping Center. Surrounded by other businesses including Abuelo’s Mexican Restaurant, Vision Express, Brick Oven Pizza and Hobby Lobby, CPR Abilene is a great option for convenient tech needs in the area. The newest CPR store in the Texas area will specialize in fast and affordable tech repairs for a variety of electronics. From cell phones and tablets, to computers and laptops, game consoles and more, the CPR Abilene team is skilled in a variety of repair services.

About CPR Cell Phone Repair Founded in Orlando, Fla in 1996, CPR Cell Phone Repair is the fastest growing wireless technology franchise in North America and operates over 450 locations internationally. As a pioneer and leader in the electronics repair industry, CPR offers same-day repair and refurbishing services for cell phones, laptops, gaming systems, digital music players, tablets and other personal electronic devices. For three straight years, CPR was named in Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list.

Cell Phone Repair Abilene’s team of highly trained tech experts will provide local residents with solid expertise, trustworthy recommendations and top-notch repair services to extend the lives of their aging or broken digital devices as well as provide affordable options for purchase of certified, pre-owned items. Profits from Cell Phone Repair Abilene will then go towards financing the operational costs associated with Meals on Wheels Plus, Inc.

Woodhaven Shopping Center 4730 South 14th Street ◘ Abilene, TX

Stop by the store or view more information online:

Cell Phone Repair Abilene

(325)232-8237

repairs@cpr-abilene.com – email address https://www.cellphonerepair.com/abilene-tx/

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

Pick us up at Communities of Abilene FCU, SBDC & Lytle Land & Cattle | COMMUNITY | 17

Abilene Zoo Announces Three New Births

By Jennifer Pacheco | Marketing Coordinator, Abilene Zoo

Saturday & Sunday The Abilene Zoo is proud to announce the addition of three new animals recently born at the zoo. A Spiny Leaf Turtle, Blue Duiker, and Howler Monkey are the latest three additions to the zoo’s collection. All species are managed through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP). The main focus of this plan is to maintain genetic diversity in captive breeding populations and provide education awareness to prevent the extinction of the species. The Abilene Zoo is a proud participant in over 50 SSP.

july 28-29, 2018

of the duiker calf grew. The decision was made to remove the calf from the situation and vet staff began hand rearing. The duiker calf is now 3 months old and thriving. Zoo staff named him Kijani, meaning “green” in Swahili, because he was born early in the morning the day after St. Patrick’s Day. This calf is currently off exhibit but plans are to move him to the duiker exhibit at Giraffe Safari in the coming weeks.

The Spiny Leaf Turtle egg hatched on January “While other species of duiker have 14, 2018, approximatebeen handly 145 days after being reared, we are laid. “The zoo houses the first facilan adult breeding pair ity to hand-rear that were recommendblue duikers,” stated ed by the SSP for breedDr. Stephanie Carle, ing” states Tony Baez, Abilene Zoo VeteriAnimal Care Supervinarian, “We plan to sor, “We are one of just write the protocol five AZA institutions for blue duiker handthat have successfully rearing once Kijani is hatched this species. weaned.” The Spiny Leaf Turtles usually lay one or two Blue Duiker are the eggs once or twice a smallest of the duiSpiny Leaf Turtle year and is known for its ker species at about 14 very low fertility rate.” inches tall and weighThe young turtle is curing in around 8lbs. They are found rently on display in the throughout Central and Southern Afzoo’s Reptile House in rica and dwell in a variety of forested the nursery window. areas including rainforests. Males duikers have a pair of grooved horns Spiny leaf turtles are that about 5 cm in height. They are native to Asia. Baby typically brown with a blue tint with a and juvenile turtles are small skull and narrow nasal passage surrounded on the edge with scent glands resting on either of their shell with highside of the nose. ly pronounced spikes which gives them the On May 15, 2018, a Black Howler name spiny turtle. Monkey was born. The baby was These spikes become taken under the care of vet staff due less pronounced and to the mother howler monkey’s lack smooth with age. Since of milk production. Black Howler January the Abilene Monkeys are an endangered species Zoo has had a second and the SSP was contacted to provide egg hatch and a third assistance. Their recommendation Blue Duiker fertile egg in the incubawas to contact the Edinburgh Zoo in tor which will hopefully yield another baby in Scotland who wrote the most recent protocol a couple of months. for hand-rearing howler monkeys. Veterinary and animal staff stayed with the baby howler On March 18, 2018, a male Blue Duiker Ante- for 24 hours a day during his first week of life. lope calf was born. The Abilene Zoo veterinary The male baby howler is now bottle fed 8 times and animal staff performed a neonatal exam daily and will continue being hand-reared by and found that the newborn calf had not been staff for up to one year. The zoo staff also renursing from his mother. As they continued to ceived extensive assistance from the Refuge for monitor the situation concern for the welfare Wildlife in Costa Rica.

o l d s e t t l e r s ’ r e u n i o n g r o u n d s • b u f f a l o g a p, t x S at u r d ay • 1 1 m i l e / 2 7 m i l e / 1 0 0 k • 6 : 0 0 a m R e g i s t r at i o n 7 : 3 0 a m s ta r t • a d u lt s / $ 3 5 • c h i l d r e n u n d e r 1 5 / f r e e s u n d ay • 7 . 2 m i l e t i m e t r i a l • 7 : 3 0 A M r e g i s t r at i o n 8 : 3 0 A M s ta r t • s u n d ay o n ly / $ 2 5 • S at u r d ay & S u n d ay / $ 5 0

register online

bikereg.com/tour-de-gap e v e n t d ay r e g i s t r a t i o n : a d u lt s / $ 4 5 • c h i l d r e n u n d e r 1 5 / f r e e f o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n • t o u r d e g a p. c o m • 3 2 5 . 6 7 4 . 3 1 1 5 • m w i l c o x @ b b b s t x . o r g

onkey Howler M

“We were overwhelmed with the amazing conservation efforts happening to save the black howler monkey species,” said Denise Ibarra, General Curator, “The whole staff has been inspired to support these programs. We look forward to introducing our baby howler monkey to the community as an ambassador of his species.” “The baby howler monkey was born weighing 219 grams. His weight this morning put him at 276 grams” said Veterinary Technician Ana Davis, “We will attempt to introduce him back to his family group over the next several weeks.” Black Howler Monkeys live in Central and South America and make their home in the forest feeding leisurely at the top of the forest canopy on leaves, fruits, nuts, and flowers. Howler monkey are the loudest of all new world monkeys. They call to let others know where their territory is, alerting them to stay away. The call sound is like a loud whooping bark or roar. After one group of howlers call, another group answers. Howler monkey usually do this in the morning and at the end of the day. The Abilene Zoo continues to pride itself as a member of the AZA’s SSP program and the efforts made to breed animals matched through the high standards brought by the best zoos in the country. “We are thrilled with the new additions to our zoo family and want to include the community in this celebration,” said Jennifer Pacheco, Marketing Coordinator.

2636 Barrow St • Abilene, TX

(325) 232-8013

Mon - Sat. ◘ 10 to 6 / Closed Wednesdays Sunday ◘ 12 to 6 Abilene Jump Zone is a local, family owned business. Over 10,000 Sq ft of fun with 7 bouncy houses and large toddler area!

18 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

www.facebook.com/HispanicLifeMagazine

Walking Downtown & All Around By Ronald W. Erdrich | Abilene Reporter-News

Ol’ Gus McDusty, he’s a real piece of work. No, literally. Gus is a character created by Trevor Allen. He’s a cowboy poet persona invented for Allen’s latest endeavor, walking tours of downtown Abilene. “I took a cross-country bicycling trip to Oregon; I stopped in San Francisco,” he explained. “A gentleman was doing a walking tour, playing the ukulele, and I think that’s what planted the seed.” The character came about when Trevor was asked to perform a “love bomb,”or poetic telegram for the friend of friend. Blessed with a gift to spontaneously rhyme, taking it one step more and using those talents to show off the Key City seemed like a no-brainer. “I thought, ‘I love writing poetry, and I love downtown Abilene and local business,” he said. Good rhymes need source material, so he’s been brushing up on his Abilene history. The tours have been running for about a month and are scheduled through his Facebook page or and website, DowntownAbiWalk.com. Weather has been a factor. At the start in early spring, it made sense to hold tours in the afternoon. But then around mid-April spring went out for a burrito and never came back, and Allen had to switch gears. “You can’t compete with the heat, so I’m just doing morning tours twice a month right now,” he said. “Of course, private tours are available for friends and families who want to get together and do something fun.” Cost starts at $10 and goes down from there

depending on age, military status, and the like. The tour lasts about 90 minutes and even features a few treats along the way. The tours start at Minter Park and guests can either purchase a spot online or pay when they meet. “There is more to learn then I realized; it’s been a fun process,” Allen said, then warmed to his talents. “I don’t play the ukulele, but I can drop rhymes on the dimes. I’ll wish there was more when listening through the chimes, because I’m the type of guy that sits in the supine position, and listen to the divine, but never superstition.” Or thereabouts.

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 518-7091

EDUCATION

LOCAL SCHOOL AND UNIVERSITY NEWS

Giving Families a Head Start Head Start provides a “head start” to help families learn and succeed. By Sandy Lowe | HispanicLife Magazine

It’s a joy when our children start kindergarten with enthusiasm, learn what they need and carry that process all the way through to high school graduation. But not all children are ready for that bright future. Some need a boost to have a successful start, a successful education and a successful life. Head Start was created in 1964 as part of President Johnson’s War on Poverty. Angie Mendoza has been with the Region 14 Education Service Center Head Start program since its beginning in 1999. Today she leads Head Start and Early Head Start across fifteen school districts as Director for the Center for Young Learners. “We help change people’s lives,” she says, “through services that we provide and having committed staff who believe in the program and philosophy of Head Start, which is to help children and families.” While the program started to give economically disadvantaged children a “head start” to begin their education, any child, birth through age five, can apply at any time. As long as there is an opening, the child can start school. Requirements include meeting income guidelines and showing other need such as homelessness, living in foster care or a disability. Proof of income and birth, an immunization record and proof of residency are all required. When the child enters the Head Start program, classroom work focuses on preparing that child for kindergarten. That includes work on

language, literacy, math, science, technology help, but their Family Service Worker had built a skills and self-esteem. Then there’s parent en- strong relationship with them. They felt comfortgagement. able expressing their needs and the FSW worker called several local organizations for help. By the “Preparing a child for school is more than just end of the day, the family had new tires. learning your letters and numbers,” Angie says. “It’s about preparing the child and family for Head Start helps many parents find financial assiswhat comes after Head Start. We prepare them tance to go back to school or get their high school in whatever they need and educate them in equivalent GED certification. About one-third of life.” the Head Start staff across the fifteen counties are or have been Head Start parents. They see the valHead Start staff, which includes the teacher, ue of the program, are able to achieve their goals aide and Family Service worker, stay in the and want to use that success to help other families. contact with parents and visit the home. They Head Start also invites volunteers into the classshare information about education, nutrition, room to spend time with the children, read to them social and emotional development, exercise ex- or go along on field trips. Local first responders pectations and genvolunteer by bringeral normal developing their patrol cars, ment for the child’s ambulances and fire age level. trucks to teach the children about safety. Head Start staff often If you’d like to volundiscover the family teer, contact your local does not have the reHead Start in Albany, sources to meet daily Anson, Breckenridge, needs. Then they Colorado City, Hambecome advocates lin, Haskell, Merkel, and encouragers, reStamford, Sweetwaferring the family to ter or call Region 14 available services for ESC Head Start for help. more information about Head Start or Early Head Start, 325-675-8685. Region 14 ESC Head Start “We have helped families by assisting them to also collaborates with Region 15 ESC Head Start, obtain services or by just showing them some who is their delegate. They serve Brady, Ballcompassion, care and understanding,” Angie inger, Brownwood, Coleman and Winters. All of says. “We do not pay for services but show the Head Starts in these communities are with the them the resources and encourage them to go local school district. and get them.” But even if you can’t volunteer, you can know that Head Start staff helped one mother learn Eng- over 800 children in twenty-one school districts in lish, achieve citizenship, get her driver’s li- fifteen counties are learning, growing and preparcense and buy a car. Another family needed ing. Those children and their families are finding a tires for their car. They didn’t want to ask for path to success led by people who care.

20 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

Wylie 8th Grader to Play in All-American Softball Tournament By Evan Nemec | KTXS Most of us will get to travel somewhere this summer, but one Wylie eighth grader is jet-setting across the country to play softball. Reese Farrar just came back from Reno, Nevada for a softball tournament, and because of her superior play there she will soon be heading to Orlando, Florida for another tournament. But before that Farrar will play in the USA Softball All-American Games in Oklahoma City -- the most prestigious national scale in her age division. “I didn’t know what to expect because I knew about it, but I’m really happy now that I’ve watched a few videos about it and I felt really blessed,” said Farrar, who was invited to try-out for

the USA Softball AllAmerican Games, and is one of only 360 girls around the country to attend. Farrar credits her coaches at West Texas Fury and D-Bat in Abilene for helping hone her pitching skills. “I’ve always wanted to be like that Jennie Fitch that everyone knew about. She’s my idol, and I’ve always wanted to be that number one pitcher.” Farrar represents Region 5, which is comprised of Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico. The USA Softball All-American Games will run from Friday-Sunday at Hall of Fame Stadium, which is where the Women’s College World Series is played.

Pick us up at Monterrey Mexican Restaurant, H.E.B. & CISCO College | EDUCATION | 21

HSU Sports Camps Develop Skills, Character By Grace Mitchell | Staff Writer, Hardin-Simmons University

While HSU students are gone for the summer, campus is lively with new camps every week. HardinSimmons offer various sports camps that help children improve skills, make friendships, and develop character.

HSU Volleyball Camps work to develop students’ athletic abilities, character, and faith. They focus on five key words throughout camp: leadership, integrity, sacrifice, perseverance, and self-discipline.

Seven-year-old Maddie Dunn went to HSU Soccer Camp and wrote a letter to the University, expressing her gratitude.

“It is our goal to encourage each athlete to be positive leaders wherever they go in life,” said HSU Head Volleyball Coach Sabrina Bingham. “We have been given such amazing gifts and talents, and we can honor and praise God for all that He is through our words, our actions, our thoughts, our relationships and our play.”

“Dear HSU, My family loves you guys,” she wrote. “I love you too, you are a great sport, and I love how you teach me at soccer camp and stuff. You are so nice and cool, so kind to me and my amazing family, and I hope I see you at Threshold this summer. Love, Maddie Dunn.” Children like Maddie participate in sports camps including softball, volleyball, basketball, tennis, and football. The most memorable part of Soccer Camp is World Cup Night. The players show their teamwork, skill, and competition as they play as teams named after different countries. “We want every player who attends our camp to have fun and make lasting memories,” said HSU Head Women’s Soccer Coach Marcus Wood. “We want them to grow as soccer players in their skill level and their game intelligence. Most importantly we want them to grow as people. We want each person to grow their character skills including hard work, courage, confidence, resilience, motivation and humility.” At softball camp, 100 campers ages 4-12 learned the mechanics of hitting and defensive positions. One of the HSU Softball players also shared the gospel with campers. “The most enjoyable part was seeing my current players teach the younger kids about the game,” said HSU Head Softball Coach Chanin Naudin. “We now have lots of young players in the community who may want to play for HSU one day.”

HSU Basketball held a College Prep Camp in May for high school players aspiring to play at the next level. They will host youth and individual skills caps in July. “We are hoping that we can continue to provide a great camp experience for our community for years to come,” said HSU Head Basketball Coach Matthew Brackett. “We hope that the kids will enjoy playing the game of basketball and leave camp wanting to play more.” At HSU Tennis Camp, students ages ten and up learned the fundamentals of the game and improved their skills. “Camps are a time for our tennis kids to learn in a fun environment,” said HSU Head Tennis Coach Shane Williford. “We enjoy our work, we work harder and retain more of what we have learned.” HSU held four football camps in June for K-12 players to learn new techniques from HSU coaches and current student-athletes at HSU.

22 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

2018 AHS Graduates Win National Competition

www.facebook.com/HispanicLifeMagazine

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 518-7091

By Abilene Independent School District

Two recent Abilene High School graduates can add “national champions” to their portfolios. Quetzali Mota and Kaitlin Wood, members of the local chapter of Texas Association of Future Educators, captured first place in Children’s Literature K-3 at the 2018 Educators Rising National Conference held June 21-24 in Orlando. The AHS duo qualified to compete against the nation’s best by winning the statewide TAFE contest in February. At state, Mota and Wood finished ahead of the runner-up team from Laredo United, and the two Texas representatives finished 1-2 again in Florida. Third place went to a team from Cuyahoga Valley, Ohio.

Another 2018 graduate of AHS, Noah Watson, placed third in the nationa in Impromptu Speaking. Students from Virginia and Arizona finished in the top two ahead of Watson, who qualified for nationals in two events. Watson and AHS teammate Israel Yolou also competed in Impromptu Lesson Planning in Florida.

In the competition, students create an original Education and Training/Child Guidance teachbook of children’s literature with illustrations. er Shea Roberson is sponsor for the Abilene Mota and Wood submitted their original story High chapter of TAFE. in both English and Spanish.

McMurry University now offers online degrees in business, nursing and criminal justice that fit your life and goals. The online degree programs are transfer-friendly, 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.

online.mcm.edu

It’s time for a Kid’s Night Out! • Drop the kids at the zoo! Activities will include: Pizza, gam (ages 4+) off for an evening of fun es, time in the zoo and an animal encounter. (Pre-registration is required!) Members: $20 for the first child / $15 for eac h additional child Non-members: $23 for the first child / $18 for each additional chil d For registration visit abilenezoo.org or the zoo gift store. Questions? (325) 676-64

87 or zoo.education@abilenetx.gov

Local food trucks are rallying together to support local non profit organizations! Join them the first Tuesday of each month from 5:30pm – 8:00pm at the food park on S. 1st & Sycamore. Great food, live entertainment and all proceeds go to local charities!

Local Non-Profits Include:

August 7th – Paid Maternity Leave Fund September 4th – Young Audiences of Abilene October 2nd – Serenity Foundation November 6th – New Beginnings

McMurry University Named #1 in Texas for Graduate Job Rate

Pick us up at H.E.B., CISCO College & China Star | EDUCATION | 23

By Gary Ellison | Associate Director Communications, McMurry University

McMurry University has been listed as #1 in the State of Texas for highest percentage of graduates with jobs 10 years after graduation (92.91%) from the national research group Zippia. Zippia, the online organization that helps recent graduates find the best jobs for their skills, released a map and a ranking of the best college for employment in the United States based on the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) database. They rank McMurry University as the best higher education institution in Texas for placing its graduates in the workplace. The percentage was derived by researching public information from the National Student Loan Data System and IRS tax records. An important aspect of the study is that it is a snapshot of what McMurry graduates are accomplishing 10 years after graduation.

“This study confirms our belief that the value of a McMurry education may take a decade to become apparent. We are educating our students for lifelong learning,” said McMurry University President Dr. Sandra Harper. “We are always delighted when an external source confirms the value of a McMurry education and the widespread success of our graduates.” “As the unemployment rate continues to shrink to figures not seen for nearly half a century, it’s becoming more and more important for college graduates to prepare for a competitive workforce,” stated McLeod Brown, of Zippia. “This means picking the right major, having a great internship, and work experiences, but most of all, choosing the right college to attend in the first place. Given that a new crop of recent grads just entered the workforce … we figured we’d see what schools set their students up for the best success after graduation.”

Thursday, July 19 at 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM

24 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

New Industrial Maintenance Program at TSTC to Fill a Need for West Texas By Daniel Perry | TSTC Communications

Some of the most sizzling careers right now in Collins said TSTC’s Industrial Maintenance West Texas are in the industrial maintenance field, program will be helpful to fill employment and Texas State Technical College is poised to fill needs. the need. “The more education you can get, the better TSTC in Abilene will offer the new Associate of qualified you are,” he said. Applied Science degree in Industrial Maintenance – Mechanical Specialization at the Industrial Joe Tiner, chief engineer at Texas Healthcare Technology Center opening in August on Loop Linen in Abilene, said he needs maintenance 322 next to Abilene Regional Airport. Students technicians who can read blueprints and trouwill learn about electrical theory, industrial main- bleshoot electrical problems quickly and know tenance, blueprint reading, hydraulics, pneumatics how to fix machinery. and other topics in the heavily hands-on program. “Those are the guys that TSTC will produce Shea Hopkins, director of talent management at and give them a baseline of what they need to the Abilene Industrial Foundation, has toured the do once they are in the field,” he said. “That is ITC. how I learned.” “It was looking good,” she said. “I think it’s excit- The high-tech laundry company works with ing to have something like this in Abilene, and I hospitals in Abilene and throughout West Texas think the students will be excited about it.” to clean their 14 million pounds of laundry per year. Hopkins said one of the first questions prospective companies ask is if skilled labor can be found to “We work long shifts, five days a week, and fill available positions. are at only about 50 percent of our capacity,” Tiner said. “What I like about indus“We have been growing.” trial maintenance is it is the most comprehensive,” Companies beyond Abilene Hopkins said. “It gives are expressing interest in the the students a little bit of new program. everything. It is not as specific as some of the other West Texas Industrial Endegrees. It makes for well-rounded employees, gines Inc. in San Angelo specializes in engine and the companies can use them for a lot of differ- overhauls, field services, machine shop servicent jobs so they can use those skills.” es and other work for the oil and gas field. Graduates can use the associate degree to become millwrights, industrial motor control technicians, and electrical and electronics installers and repairers.

“The problem with filling jobs is San Angelo’s unemployment rate is less than 3 percent, so our opportunities to fill positions in the industrial field are very limited,” said C. Alan McClain, the company’s president and chief Electro-mechanical technicians and industrial executive officer and a TSTC in Sweetwater maintenance mechanics are considered in-demand alumnus. “Anything we can do to help get peooccupations in the region, according to Workforce ple in the skilled trades and get them an educaSolutions of West Central Texas. tion and place them in skilled trade jobs would be great.” Steve Collins, business and resource consultant at Workforce Solutions, said there are more than 800 TSTC in Abilene will also offer beginning this job openings now in the wind farm, oil and gas fall new certificate and associate degree proand manufacturing sectors in Callahan, Jones and grams in Electrical Power and Controls and Taylor counties for installation, repair and mainte- Welding Technology at the ITC. nance. The number can shift almost daily as hiring is done and jobs are open. For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

Get an Industrial-Strength

Pick us up at China Star, Abilene Public Library & Martinez Barber Shop | EDUCATION | 25

Get an Industrial-Strength Career Industrial Maintenance is among the new programs offered at TSTC’s new Industrial Technology Center in Abilene. Learn to keep machinery operating smoothly in industries like oil and gas, chemical and construction. You’ll get hands-on training for this in-demand technology. New programs and new opportunities are coming in Fall 2018. Learn more at: tstc.edu/abileneITC #TSTCSaveYourSeat

26 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

www.facebook.com/HispanicLifeMagazine

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 518-7091

AISD Announces New Director and Principal By Phil Ashby | Director for Communications, AISD

Dr. Ketta Garduno is the new Director of Career and Technical Education for Abilene ISD, and Jeff Howle will be her successor as principal of the Academy of Technology, Engineering, Math and Science.

“I am excited to work alongside our CTE teachers and our community business partners to provide outstanding educational Garduno, principal of ATEMS since 2015, takes and career opportuniover the CTE department following the departure ties for the students of of Ryder Appleton, who was named June 11 as the Abilene ISD,” she said. lone finalist for superintendent of Veribest ISD. Howle comes to “I am excited to have Dr. Garduno join the district ATEMS from Abilene support team as Director of Career and Techni- High School, where for Dr. Ketta Garduno cal Education,” Superintendent Dr. David Young the last two years he has said in making the announcement. “Ketta will do been the 9th Grade Academy Academic Specialist an outstanding job connecting with community and an assistant principal. business, workforce development and educational partners as well as supporting AISD students and “Jeff Howle is the perfect person to step in and lead faculty in the CTE department. This is an exciting the ATEMS campus,” said Young. “He is deeply time for Career and Technical Education in AISD.” committed to AISD and has served our district in several different capacities. Jeff is a great comGarduno has served as an instructor, counselor, municator and will do a wonderful job of immedidistrict administrator and principal since beginning ately building relationships with staff, students and her career as a classroom teacher at Abilene High parents. I am confident that this already successful School in 1988. She was an elementary counselor campus will to continue to grow to even greater in AISD at Bowie, Crockett and Reagan before be- heights under his leadership.” coming principal of Reagan Elementary in 2011. With Garduno at the helm, ATEMS graduated its After joining AISD in 2003 as a teacher and coach, largest class in its six-year history in 2018. Howle has been an assistant principal and instruc-

tional specialist at Clack Middle School and previously served as 9th Grade Academy Academic Specialist at Cooper High School. ““First, I would like to thank Dr. Young for allowing me the opportunity to further my career at ATEMS,” Howle said. “Although it is difficult to say goodbye to the faculty Jeff Howle at AHS, I know I am stepping onto a fantastic campus with a great staff and a history of academic success. My goal is to strengthen the foundations already in place while cultivating a culture where students are excited about school and truly feel they have a community that cares for them. I would also like to recognize all those who have had significant influence in guiding my administrative career. Cathy Ashby, Gaile Thompson, Ralph Thornhill, Gail Gregg, Rodney Brown, Robert Morrison and Michael Garcia have all brought tools to my box and supported my journey to the principalship. And to the teachers and staff members at each campus along my path, I say, ‘Thank you.’ I have always felt your support and genuinely hope you have felt supported by me.”

Pick us up at La Familia Mexican Restaurant & YMCA on State St. | EDUCATION | 27

Star Student Spotlight:

Violinist Feisi Fang of Abilene’s ATEMS has Global View By Timothy Chipp | Abilene Reporter-News

Music is Academy for Technology Engineering, Math and Science student Feisi “Faith” Fang’s joy in life. Eventually, she’s hoping to turn it into her college major and, maybe, a career. In the past five years, since she moved with her family to Abilene, her passion for music has only grown and flourished, she said. “It’s fun to be involved (in the Abilene community),” Fang said. “And music has been a big part of that through Revolution Strings and playing at my church (Highland Church of Christ).” Fang came to Abilene from Edmond, Oklahoma. Before that, her family lived in Huntington, West Virginia. And before that, Syracuse, New York, and Shanghai, China. That Chinese city is where Fang was born, with her family immigrating to the U.S. when she was 10 months old. MORE: Meet the 2018 Abilene Star Students MORE: Abilene speaker Alford encourages Star Students to pursue their passion Living throughout the country as she has done, she said it’s been eye-opening experiencing the many different cultures she has seen. She has traveled back to China in the years since her family took her to the U.S., but there was an odd feeling she couldn’t escape. It turns out, she was feeling like a fish out of water of sorts in a country in which she thought she’d feel a little more comfortable. “It was hard to be in the country but not connected with its people,” Fang said. “I can speak the language, but I can’t read it, so it was difficult to connect with the Chinese community.”

in front of her, though. Playing in Revolution Strings, the premier string musical group in the Abilene Independent School District, she has been able to visit Canada and participate in recording a music album. There’s also her participation this past year in the Texas Music Educator’s Association All-State Orchestra, another massive accomplishment. She was originally chosen as first alternate for the annual San Antonio conference — a role she said surprised her in a good way — but after a violinist dropped out, Fang was ready and willing to take the seat. The experience, she said, was amazing. She was able to absorb a lot, learn from world-class teachers and other violinists, hear great music and be part of a group in which she’d previously only dreamed of taking part. “I think the musical collaboration process ... helps me learn more,” she said. “I get to learn how to collaborate with others; how to play in big groups of people.”

She said it gives her a unique perspective.

Outside of music, Fang is involved in several aspects of life at ATEMS. She’s the incoming class president and leads through example in the classroom, maintaining a 104.0 weighted average, which takes into account the number of advanced placement and dual credit classes she has completed.

Music helps her cross all of the barriers fixed

“Faith is one of the most outstanding students

She isn’t completely comfortable in the United States, either, as she’s still an immigrant. So she’s neither one nor the other in terms of being Chinese or American.

Help is a Phone Call Away...

24/7 Victim Crisis Hotline

325.677.7895

I’ve had in my six years of teaching,” ATEMS math teacher Stephanie Angell said. “She consistently works hard in class and is able to complete challenging assignments with ease.” Angell also said Fang carries a constant positive attitude with a smile on her face, which has helped her earn respect from her classmates and teachers.

28 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

HSU Student Travels to Italy for May Term Travel Course By Grace Mitchell | Staff Writer, Hardin-Simmons University

When Senior Bryson Hill decided to join the Honors program trip to Italy, he knew he would learn about people who shaped history. What he didn’t know was how the trip would shape him. The HSU Honors program explored Rome, Assisi, Pisa, Florence, and Sienna during their ten-day trip to Italy. Hill, a Biblical Studies major, says his most memorable experience was seeing the San Damiano cross in the Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. “While we were sitting there in front of the cross, I took my tour guide headphones off to lift up a prayer,” said Hill. “It was a really meaningful experience to pray in front of the cross that spoke to a man who changed the church.” Hill had another memorable experience in Pisa. Everyone knows that you go to see the Leaning Tower, but what I didn’t know is that there is this beautiful cathedral right next to the tower,” he said. “We went on a Sunday, so I was able to walk in and experience mass in this incredible cathedral.”

Come in for a test save. Total average savings of

$827*

when you combine home and auto policies.

Call my office for a quote 24/7. Risha Sanders, Agent 3228 North 10th Abilene, TX 79603 Bus: 325-673-4229 risha.sanders.nv0v@statefarm.com

*Average annual household savings on *Average annual perper household savings basedbased on a 2016 a 2016survey national survey of new policyholders national of new policyholders who reported who savings by switching to State Farm. reported savings by switching to State Farm. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm State FarmCompany, Mutual Automobile Indemnity State Farm Fire Insurance and CasualtyCompany, Company, State Indemnity Company, Farm Fire StateFarm Farm General Insurance Company,State Bloomington, IL and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance P097187.1 06/09 Company, Bloomington, IL. P097187.1 06/09

Before the trip, the honors students read a book about Michelangelo for their May term class. “Reading the book gave me information that I wouldn’t have had,” said Hill. “I got to experience his life through the book and then see his work in person.” Hill says that the Honors program has helped him to grow in knowledge, faith, and relationships with others. “The Honors program has given me a place to experience travel like this, but it has also given me an open atmosphere to discuss tough issues,” he said. “It has given me friends and a community where we can grow together.” Hill encouraged all students to take advantage of HSU’s many study abroad opportunities. “If you’re given the opportunity to travel, I would highly recommend it,” he said. “It’s important to get out of your little corner of Texas and experience the world.”

-Pick us up at Central Finance, Mr. Gatti’s & La Popular Bakery | EDUCATION | 29

30 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

www.facebook.com/HispanicLifeMagazine

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 518-7091

CEDAR Program Seeks to Build Community in a Divided World Participants from ten countries will gather at HSU to live and learn together By Grace Mitchell | Staff Writer, Hardin-Simmons University

In the face of increased political and religious division, Communities Engaging with Difference and Religion (CEDAR) organizes experientially based educational programs all over the world, teaching people to live with difference in their community. Since 2003, CEDAR has facilitated over 40 programs in countries from China to Bulgaria to Uganda. From July 14-27, CEDAR will partner with Hardin-Simmons University for a joint program entitled Hospitality and the Stranger.

derstand. The goal of the program is to figure out how people can coexist with political and religious difference. It is not to teach someone your way of thinking, to change their mind, or even to find common ground. We may have no common ground, except our common humanity, but we have to learn to coexist with each other.”

Dr. Tom Copeland, Professor of Psychology and Counseling, says that the United States is experiencing more political division now than it has since the Civil Rights movement. “People won’t talk to each other,” he said. “They won’t sit down and talk about problems, so we are internationally going to do that here. Instead of judging each other, we are going to try to un-

CEDAR Network Organizer, Chad Moore, is an HSU grad and current PhD student at Boston University. The Abilene CEDAR committee is co-chaired by two HSU graduates: Jacob Snowden, minister at First Central Presbyterian and a graduate of HSU’s first Honors class; and Nathan Adams, missions minister at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church.

Fellows will share their stories and perspectives on the topic of sharing life with strangers. They will have opportunities to offer and During this program, a group of 28 scholars, receive hospitality as they volunteer with the religious leaders, NGO International Rescue Committee and Love and Care officials, and community Ministries. They will also activists called “fellows” will gather at the HSU experience daily lectures on the topics of racial and ethcampus. The fellows are from Uganda, the DRC, nic relations, the role of the Church, issues of social isoGeorgia, Bulgaria, Romalation, immigration, and law nia, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Zimbabwe, Tajikistan, enforcement challenges in the United States. and the United States. They will live and learn together through lectures, community service, Fellows will have opportunities to experience Texas culture, including eating barbecue and and recreational activities. Tex-Mex, going to a gun range, and country“The best kind of education is lived,” said Travis western dancing at Oplin. They will also meet Craver, HSU’s Chaplain and Director of Spiritual with various nonprofit organizations, univerFormation. “We are going to be learning through sities, businesses, and places of worship. The educational and life skill tools. Our job is to have group will spend two days in San Antonio the courage to use these tools to see the other as learning Texas history with a trip to the Alamo and San Jose Mission. a human and to respect the other.”

Pick us up at Wal-Mart, Enterprise Bldg. & Armando’s Mexican Restaurant | FAITH & FAMILY | 31

32 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

By Joshua Engard | BigCountryHomepage.com

Aaron Roan has been named the new head football coach and athletic coordinator of Cooper High School, succeeding Todd Moebes, who has resigned his position for personal reasons. Under Moebes, the Cougars posted a 54-35 record over seven seasons, making the playoffs each of those seven years. Moebes led the Cougars to an outright district title in 2014, and a co-district title in 2016. He was the first Cooper head coach to make playoffs every year of his tenure there. Roan has served as Cougars’ defensive coordinator for the past seven years and has been an assistant coach on the Cooper staff since 2006. Moebes coached at Cooper for 11 years, including the last seven as head football coach and athletic coordinator. “We are fortunate to have a person of the caliber of Aaron Roan here to step in and lead CHS athletics,” said Phil Blue, Abilene ISD’s Executive Director of Athletics. “Aaron is very familiar with all aspects of the football program and will do a tremendous job of continuing the strong tradition of excellence in Cougar Nation.” Roan, a 2004 graduate of McMurry University, has 14 years of coaching experience, including stops in Springtown and Stamford prior to joining the Cooper staff. He and his wife, Keathley, have two children, Hayes, 5, and Collins, 2.

FREE

Sponsored by Abilene ISD Student Nutrition Department.

Cooper High School Names New Head Football Coach

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

SUMMER MEALS

FOR KIDS

Kids 18 & Under Eat Free!

Our children need nutritious meals to learn, grow and thrive—even when school is out. With the Summer Feeding Program, children and teens age 18 and younger can continue to eat healthy throughout the summer at no cost, just by showing up at a participating meal site.

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED!

Kids 18 & Under Eat Free!

NO REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! YMCA-Redbud

3125 S 32nd St Dates: June 6-July 30 Breakfast: 8:00-9:00 a.m. Lunch: 11:30-12:30 p.m.

G.V. Daniels

2018 Summer Meal Sites

YMCA-State Street

Sears Park

2250 Ambler Ave. Dates: June 6-July 30 Breakfast: 8:00-9:00 a.m. Lunch: 11:30-12:30 p.m.

2601 S 7th St. Dates: June 6-July 30 Breakfast: 8:00-9:00 a.m. Lunch: 11:30-12:30 p.m.

Hardin Simmons University

541 N 8th St. Dates: June 6-July 30 Breakfast: 8:00-9:00 a.m. Lunch: 11:30-12:30 p.m.

2302 State St. Dates: June 6-July 30 Breakfast: 8:00-9:00 a.m. Lunch: 11:30-12:30 p.m.

Cobb Park

Martinez Boys & Girls Club

Redbud Playground

Nelson Park Splash Pad

Children’s Art & Literacy Festival

3125 S 32nd St Dates: July 2-July 30 Lunch: 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.

Clack Middle School

1610 Corsicana St. Dates: June 7-June 28 Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m. Lunch: 10:45-11:15 a.m. No meals served on Friday

Rose Park

3250 State St. Dates: June 6-July 30 Breakfast: 8:00-9:00 a.m. Lunch: 11:30-12:30 p.m.

2070 Zoo Ln. Dates: June 6-July 30 Lunch: 11:30-12:30

Johnston Elementary

3633 N 14th St. Dates: June 6-June 28 Breakfast: 7:30-8:30 a.m. Lunch: 11:00-12:00 p.m. No meals served on Friday

1301 Clinton St. Dates: June 11-July 30 Breakfast: 8:00-9:00 a.m. Lunch: 11:30-12:30 p.m.

2200 Hickory St. Dates: June 18-June 28 Lunch: 11:30-12:30 p.m. No meals served on Friday

Cooper High School

1101 N 1st St. Dates: July 7 Lunch: 11:30-1:00 p.m.

3639 Sayles Blvd. Dates: June 5-June 28 Breakfast: 7:00-7:30 a.m. Lunch: 10:45-11:45 a.m.

Bowie Elementary

Abilene High School

2034 Jeanette St. Dates: June 4-July 19 Breakfast: 7:00-8:30 a.m. Lunch: 11:00-12:30 p.m. No meals served on Friday

No meals served on Friday

2800 N 6th St. Dates: June 6-July 30 Breakfast: 8:00-9:00 a.m. Lunch: 11:30-12:30 p.m.

No meal service will be offered on July 4th in observance of Independence Day. This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

For more information, call Abilene ISD Student Nutrition Department at 325.677.1444 ext. 4717

FAITH&FAMILY

Let Freedom

By Ray Vinson, Ph.D.

Here we are in the month of July, the middle of the summer. The minds of most Americans are turned to thoughts of liberty. Ah, sweet liberty! Multitudes celebrate Independence Day with generations old traditions. Food, family, fireworks, fun, the day demands it! Yet, our liberty did not come without an enormous price!

SPIRITUAL AND FAMILY ADVICE

Ring!

Men and women over the decades have sacrificed life and limb so you and I can celebrate under the banner of the Red, White and Blue. We could easily be op- what we destroyed economically, geographi- Thank God for the United States of America pressed under a banner of tyranny, were it not cally, socially, psychologically and structur- and it’s many campaigns of freedom and resfor these great heroes of the present and past. ally. In one simple word, “RESTORATION”! toration. However, I am mostly thankful for King Jesus and His Kingdom who set the Thousands who say they are Christ’s follow- At the beginning of creation, when Adam fell, example of making captives free many years ers, on the 4th, also turned their attention to and by default handed over everything, includ- ago! May I invite you to get to know Him perthe thoughts of liberty beyond our nation. ing his rulership as a vice-regent over the plan- sonally. He IS freedom! Let Freedom Ring! This liberty is not a thought of freedom for et to the one who deceived Eve, God began simply our nation, it is the very foundation His campaign strategy to prepare an invasion Dr. Ray Vinson is the President and a Senior Fellow of of our faith! The dictionary defines liberty as of this planet. His mission, to defeat tyranny, The Institute for Biblical Leadership and Presiding Bish“the state of being free within a society from opression and the violation of humanity! God op of Dominion International Network of Ministries and oppressive restrictions imposed by authority invaded the planet a few thousand years ago, Churches. on ones’ way of life, behavior, or political incognito. He came in the form of a baby, views.” That within itself, is a dream come an innocent human, so He could grow and true. However, when we think of liberty or live among us, until the time of His offensive freedom as believers in Christ, the scriptures strike! Only one battle would ensue, that’s all in John 8:32&36 are the ringing of our spiritu- it would take! He would command the weapal liberty bell. Jesus said in verse 31, “If you ons of the destruction of tyranny, sin, and abide in my word, then you are truly disciples oppression. He would direct this armament of mine; and you shall know the truth and the against His own flesh. The Body of Christ on truth shall make you free.” Verse 36 reiterates, the battlefield of the cross. Once and for all, “If therefore the Son shall make you free, you with judgement satisfied, He would open the shall be free indeed.” concentration camp of the ages, for multitudes to be set free. Why is the concept of liberty and freedom so foundational to the truth of what we call Chris- From that ultimate victory, a campaign of retianity? This is where the concept of freedom building and restoration has been in progress. began. We as a nation, the (USA) historically, All resources have been provided by the conhave financed deployments of intel, soldiers, quering nation, the Kingdom of heaven! The equipment and firepower to engage and de- Holy Spirit is administrating this great restoraCALL US TO ADVE RT feat regimes of oppression and human abuse. tion campaign and multitudes continue to be (325) 701-9505 ISE Only to deploy later intel, experts, builders, rescued and liberated! equipment and resources to rebuild in liberty,

34 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

www.facebook.com/HispanicLifeMagazine

My Spouse Had An Affair... Now What? By Dave Willis | Marriage Today

My wife Ashley and I love encouraging married couples from all over the world through our ministry at MarriageToday and the XO Marriage Conferences. We love hearing stories of good news when a couple gets engaged or overcomes a hardship in their marriage, but we also hear many stories of heartbreak from couples facing tragedy like discovering evidence of an affair.

must have a “Secret-Free Guarantee” from both spouses for the marriage to heal. All marriages need complete transparency regardless of whether there’s been an affair.

4) Begin counseling right away with a professional Christian marriage counselor to help you navigate the path to rebuilding trust and intimacy. Another aspect of counseling could be to go to a retreat Just this morning, I opened my inbox and an- specifically for married couples in crisis. There other familiar message came through. It was are many offered throughout the country. from a husband who just found out his wife has been having an affair with his best friend. I can’t imagine how much this double-dose of betrayal must sting. Despite his obvious pain and heartbreak, he was asking about what he could do to try and save the marriage. I told him that I’d be praying for a miracle and then I shared the seven steps to recovery I believe every couple must follow to heal from the aftermath of infidelity. When your spouse has had an emotional or physical affair, the first things you must do to start the healing process are:

1) Choose to forgive. This does NOT mean you trust your spouse at this point. Forgiveness and trust are two different things. Forgiveness is simply saying, “Because I love you, I’m choosing to pursue restoration instead of revenge. I’m choosing to pursue healing instead of hatred.”

7) Decide in advance you’re not going to give up when it gets hard. There are going to be moments of great pain and emotion even after you thought you’d “gotten over it.” There will be lasting wounds from this kind of betrayal, but you must decide in advance not to keep holding this over your spouse’s head. You must also decide in advance not to quit. If you’re both committed to healing, you will get through this and God’s grace will prove to be sufficient for you both. The peace that Christ brings is more powerful than our worst sins. As an important addendum here, I need to remind you that if you’re doing everything in your power to forgive your spouse and save your marriage, but your spouse chooses to walk away, it’s not your fault. Do everything you can to promote healing and hope, and if he/she chooses to leave, let them go in peace. They may choose to end the marriage, but that’s is NOT the end of your story. God has a beautiful plan for you and He will carry you through this.

For those couples where both spouses are willing to move forward together, don’t quit! The road will be long and it will be difficult, but it will be worth the effort! The Lord will give you grace and strength for the jour5) Prioritize time together to rekindle ney and this deep scar can become a powerful 2) Insist on your spouse breaking off ALL the intimacy in your relationship. You part of your testimony someday. We are praycontact with the other person involved. need lots of time just to talk. You need to pray ing for you and cheering you on. If your spouse won’t break off all contact, together. You need to laugh and cry together. there’s no opportunity for trust or healing to If you’re on this journey toward healing, we hope 6) Spend plenty of time alone with your the articles, videos, events, and resources we have happen. spouse, BUT don’t try to do life alone. here at www.MarriageToday.com will continue to 3) Create a policy of total transparency You need a community of support around you in the marriage. This should include ac- which should include a healthy church home. encourage you and equip you with the tools you’ll countability software (like X3Watch or Cov- You need other trusted people praying for you, need to build a strong and thriving marriage. enant Eyes) on all phones and devices to block providing accountability and support. porn and to monitor contacts. Your marriage

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 518-7091

2018 Barrio del Sancudo Reunion July 14th•Reyes Flores Park at Bois D’Arc and N. 7th St.

It’s that time again, time to reminisce and reunite the generations.

Saturday, July 14, 2018 Reserve a place in the park. Festivities begin on Saturday morning July 14 at 11:00 a.m. with an opening prayer and salute to veterans! POTLUCK: Please bring your covered dish and desserts to share in our Feast of Friends and Family throughout the day! • Music and entertainment will be ongoing. • Activities for young and old, including water slide. • Remember to bring your pictures to share, as well as your camera to capture new memories. • BYOC: Bring Your Own Chair/Coolers Remember first come/first served to reserve a place in the park.

For more information, please contact: Melinda Carrillo-Stone: (325) 660-7587 Fito Ortiz: (325) 669-5846

8 Signs You Are Under Spiritual Attack

Pick us up at Taqueria La Ranchera, Abilene Funeral Home & Abilene ISD | FAITH & FAMILY | 35

CALL US TO ADVE RT (325) 701-9505 ISE

By Ryan Lestrange | Charisma

Many people are facing spiritual struggles as they attempt to advance in the things of God. One of the primary tricks of the enemy is to get a person deceived and not realizing the depth of what is taking place in their lives. Oftentimes people assume that the struggle they are facing is just a natural battle yet just beneath the surface there is something far more complex taking place. They are under a spiritual attack! What is a spiritual attack? A spiritual attack is a series of events coordinated by the demonic realm in order to abort promises, shipwreck faith, oppress a believer and stall out destiny. Paul reminds us: “lest Satan should take advantage of us. For we are not ignorant of his devices” (2 Cor. 2:11)

2. Extreme frustration. During a spiritual ages. In a long spiritual battle a person is often attack the enemy uses a variety of circumstances to oppress the mind and bring great frustration. A person who is under siege finds themselves on edge and anxious.

pulled back towards negative cycles that they broke free from. The enemy wants to enslave them once again in the same old bondages. If he can discourage them bad enough to give into sin that they were free from then he can loose 3. Confusion about purpose. During a shame and condemnation upon them causing spiritual attack there is often great confusion them to spiral down into deeper defeat. about spiritual direction. This is one of the chief goals of an attack, to get a believer out of des- 8. Questioning direction and call that tiny. That wrong move begins by bringing con- was once so clear. As the enemy attacks fusion. the life of a believer he begins to give them reasons to give up on the very thing that God 4. Lack of peace. The enemy bombards the called them to. This is one of his master tools. mind with various thoughts and ongoing temp- He releases confusion, shame, intimidation and tation in order to rob peace. The mind becomes a variety of vile schemes to create a cloud of irritated and exhausted. The enemy does all that uncertainty. Again, his ultimate goal is to get a he can to bring mental fatigue. believer off the pathway of destiny, A person who is under attack may find themselves deeply 5. Unusually sluggish and tired. A questioning the road that they are traveling. lack of energy and vitality are often the result Usually, they begin to reexamine decisions that of an extended attack. Certainly these issues were once crystal clear. Oftentimes a person in can occur with natural problems, lack of sleep the midst of an attack will question prophetic or health battles. In this case though, the root words, spiritual breakthroughs and significant cause is the effect of prolonged spiritual battles. experiences that they had. This is a step towards moving backwards in the Spirit.

The Bible tells us that the devil has various plots and schemes he uses against human beings. Many people wrongly assume that Satan is stupid, yet he has been studying the thoughts, actions and behavior of humanity since the beginning of time. He knows how to tempt 6. Strong urge to quit assignment. people. Every believer is born with unique purpose. As God created a purpose for each believer, He His minions are masters at pushing the right also gave unique gifts and grace to fulfill that buttons at the right time! We must not be igno- plan. When a person is living in the high calling, rant to the strategies of the enemy. We can not they will prosper in various areas: They will relive our lives with our spiritual eyes shut. We ceive financial blessing by excelling in the area must walk in the spirit and be aware of what is that God has called them to. They will feel satistaking place around us. fied and fulfilled living out their destiny. How can you identify a spiritual attack? Here Simply put, the enemy hates when a believer are eight symptoms of an attack: is boldly walking out their purpose and plan. He does all that he can to MOVE the Christian 1. Lack of spiritual passion. The enemy away from their destiny. During an attack he comes to steal your tenacity for the things of will overwhelm them with thoughts and desires God. Suddenly your prayer life seems stalled. to give up and abandon their post! This is one Your commitment is tested and you can’t seem of his greatest purposes behind spiritual attacks. to push though. You feel as though you are just going through the motions. 7. Drawn back towards old bond-

◘ 3 Keys to Freedom ◘

Once you recognize the attack begin to rise up in the faith and authority that Jesus has given you. Rebuke the attack and break it’s power over your life. Remember Jesus gave us power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases (Luke 9:1). Here are three keys to your freedom:

severance and petition for all the saints, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel” (Eph. 6:18-19).

3. Break it with resistance: “Submit

therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will

1. Break it with faith: “And without faith flee from you” (James 4:7).

it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a The enemy loves to remain hidden. He derewarder of those who seek Him” (Heb. 11:6). ceives and tries to fly under the radar but the Lord is shining His powerful light upon the at2. Break it with prayer: “With all prayer tacks! Spiritual eyes are being opened and freeand petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and dom is coming forth. Exercise your authority with this in view, be on the alert with all per- and break the attack today!

36 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

What Really Lies At The Root Of Our Culture’s Suicide Epidemic

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

By Matt Walsh | The Daily Wire

Anthony Bourdain killed himself June 8th. Fashion designer Kate Spade committed suicide a few days earlier. That’s two prominent suicides in the span of just a few days. And they are far from alone, sadly. Suicide is a veritable epidemic across the nation. Suicide rates are on the rise in almost every state. In some areas, they have risen by 30% or more. This is not normal. Something is happening. But what? And why?

person commits suicide. We set out immediately to almost defend the act, and to ensure that nobody says anything negative about it. We insist that suicide is nothing but the result of a “mental illness.” A depressed person dies of suicide in the same way that a person may die of breast cancer. We deliver tearful, admiring eulogies to the deceased celebrity and express our hope that they have “found peace.”

People will say that suicide is on the rise because we are not doing enough to fight the “mental health crisis,” but this can’t be the cause. We have never been more aware of, or more proactive against, mental health issues, yet the suicide rate only continues to climb. The rate was a fraction of what it is today back when nobody had ever even heard of “mental health.” The purely psychological explanations just don’t hold up. Clearly there is a deeper problem here.

And what good does any of this do? How are we helping a suicidal person by explicitly suggesting that suicide is a means to peace? How are we

I think that problem is emptiness. There is an emptiness at the core of our culture, and from this root the suicide epidemic grows. We have fled from God, from meaning, from purpose, and embraced a soft kind of nihilism; a nihilism that will not call itself nihilism. It uses other words and slogans to describe itself. “You only live once,” it says. “Live your truth.” People are told that there is only one life, one reality, and it has no meaning aside from what you assign to it. But what happens when you no longer see meaning? Well, our culture says, if you do not see it then it is not there. Those who seek happiness by following the wellworn paths will inevitably fall into this pit. If you do what everyone else is doing, and live how they live, and walk in their footsteps, you will end up in the same darkness. You will begin to feel that there is no hope and no point and no real beauty or joy to be found in life. And this is the state in which so many of us are living. A great, great many people in America are wallowing in this nihilistic despair and living hollow lives devoid of substance. They struggle and flail and reach out for help, but so often the hand that grabs hold of them will only drag them deeper into the pit. We have seen this process play out this week. It’s the same thing that happens every time a famous

down to its roots. We stop at the brain, at chemical reactions and psychological disorders, but we never pause to ask why all of our brains have apparently gone haywire in modern times. If this is all just a matter of mental disorders, why in the hell are these “mental disorders” so common now? I think it is because the disorder is not purely psychological. It goes beyond our brains and into our souls, into the emptiness. What everyone really craves deep in their bones is truth and meaning. Not meaning they arbitrarily assign, but meaning that is objective and inherent and beyond our ability to remove or change. But our culture tells us that nothing of the sort exists — there is only this physical world, and our egos, and whatever we decide to make of it all. And if we make nothing of it, and find nothing in it, then life is nothing and there is no reason to carry on living anymore. If someone is feeling this way, yes, it is good to give them the numbers to call, and to tell them that they are not alone and people care for them, and to encourage them to talk to someone. I echo all of those exhortations. But it’s not enough, in itself. People need more than that. They need more than therapy and phone numbers. They even need more than the knowledge that other people love them. They need meaning. They need hope. They need there to be a point to all of this, a reason.

helping him by telling him that he has no choice, that his depression may just up and kill him one day, totally against his will? What service do we provide by telling him that he has no power, no alternative, no free will? And then we are shocked when the next person does it. And the next. And the next. And each time we react the same way, saying the same things, and we think that we are helping as long as we also pass out the suicide prevention hotline. It is good to give out the suicide prevention hotline (1-800-273-8255). It is good to encourage people to get help, talk to someone, reach out. We get that part right. But we go dangerously off course with everything else. And the crisis only worsens because we refuse to trace it all the way

Well, praise God because there is a reason, there is a point, there is a meaning. God is our foundation, our truth, our purpose, and the substance of our lives. We are not mere accidents. We are not clumps of dust that grew randomly from the Earth and somehow developed consciousness and a moral code and the capacity for love. That doesn’t make sense, and we all know it doesn’t make sense, and we will literally kill ourselves trying to make sense of it. There is a transcendent, spiritual character to humanity, and we all innately recognize it. We find despair when we reject it and try to separate ourselves from it and from ourselves. Hope is found the other way, in the opposite direction. Hope is found when we embrace who we are, as children of God, and we keep our eyes and hearts focused on eternity, on home. God wants us there with Him. But not yet. There is still more to be done, more life to be lived, and we can live it in joy, knowing that there is a meaning and a point to all of this.

CALL US TO ADVERTISE (325) 701-9505 209 S. Danville, Suite B-103 Email: info@hispaniclifemedia.com

Don’t Lose Your Marbles

Pick us up at Alliance For Women & Children, Mary’s Paleteria & H.E.B. | FAITH & FAMILY | 37

By Kristie Carpenter | Blended Mom Moments

I periodically substitute teach. In the different classes I sub in, there is usually method of bribery - I mean incentive - for students to behave, show kindness or encourage them to work well together as a class.

IOU’s in my marble jar. I did not always look for the positive or encouraging thing to say or do. I don’t think I used many “sliding door” moments to build trust in our family. My door was usually locked. Sad, but true.

I have seen the marble jar method used a lot. The teacher has a large jar in her room and as the students do well and reach goals or act appropriately, the teacher puts marbles in the jar. When the jar is filled with marbles, the class enjoys whatever prize has been set for reaching the goal.

So now it’s your turn. These incentives, these opportunities are actually Biblically-based. First Thessalonians 5:11 tells us to encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing, or should be doing.

This builds community. The class, as a whole, wants to see the jar fill up with marbles. It means a celebration is coming. One of our country’s foremost couple’s researchers, Dr. John Gottman, also encourages incentives. One of his is called the “sliding door.” This implies that we have small moments every day in which to slide open a door to notice and engage with concern and care for the people in our lives. The flipside of that is keeping the imaginary door closed … in which we are shutting off opportunity for engaging with others. These small sliding door moments can slowly and steadily build up trust in our relationships, which again, helps build community. We have great visual examples of working toward the greater good in our relationships, whether in a classroom, marriage, or even as a stepmom. Maybe us stepmoms, (as well as bio moms), need to get a jar and some marbles - not to be incentive for our families - but for ourselves. What if each time you said something positive to your kids you put a marble in the jar? What if each time you yelled, lost your cool, said something ugly, you took a marble out of the jar? I know when my stepkids were still living with me, I would probably have had

Hebrews 10:24 tells us to be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works. This verse goes on to encourage us to attend worship meetings, but it works within the context of a family as well - get together often, slide the door open to build trust. Ephesians 4:29 is pretty straightforward - no foul language is to come from your mouth but only what is good for building up someone in need. And finally, Romans 14:19 says that we must pursue what promotes peace, and what builds up one another. In other words, slide open some doors and keep adding marbles to the jar! 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 In- CALL US TO ADVERT stagram (theblend(325) 701-9505 ISE edfamilymom). Her books - “The Blended Family Mom,” and “Blended Mom Moments,” are both available on her website at www.theblendedfamilymom.com).

38 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

The Danger Zone:

Friendships of the Opposite Sex By Mark Merrill | Helping Families Love Well

A few years ago, we hired someone to join the Family First team who was surprised by one my policies: I do not meet with, dine with, or travel with any female alone—even if that means, for example, going to the extra expense of using two cars to go somewhere. It’s not because my marriage is fragile, but because it’s strong and I want it to remain that way. I’m not immune from temptation so I want to stay completely away from it. It’s a precaution, kind of like when I put my seat belt on each time I get into a car, even though I don’t intend to drive recklessly. It just makes sense.

We don’t need to get paranoid about it all, and I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t have friends of the opposite sex. I certainly do. But you should be forewarned and forearmed in this area. So let me share three dos and three don’ts for avoiding this potential problem.

Don’t be alone with them. I am not say-

ing we can’t enjoy the company of someone of the opposite sex, it just should be around others. Meet in groups, whenever possible, or keep the office door open. Do whatever you can to avoid

Don’t touch them alone. There’s more

physical informality in society these days from a fist bump at work, to sideways hug at church or a high-five at the barbecue. But such gestures can be easily misinterpreted. A hug or a pat on the arm when you’re with your spouse and part of a group may be acceptable but should be offlimits if it is just you and her or him.

Do speak well of your spouse. When you have to

Some people may say that I am being unrealistic or puritanical, but I have seen and heard of too many marriages that have ended up in crisis and even divorce because a husband has gotten too close to another woman, or a wife has allowed another man to take the place in her heart that belongs only to her husband. It’s one of 7 Risk Factors for Having an Affair. At the extreme, these unwise relationships end up in full-blown unfaithfulness. This kind of thing usually doesn’t just happen all of a sudden. There are a series of missteps along the way, and the result is among the most devastating marriage crises to face. I’m not at all saying it is impossible to recover from such a breach of trust and commitment, but there will be a lot of heartache and hard work along the road to restoration.

ing,” that should be a big red flag. You should be able to repeat everything you say to them to your spouse when you get home.

or minimize the potential for temptation. In offering 10 Ways to Affair-Proof Your Marriage, I explained about my policy. It costs more, but I consider it to be money well spent.

Don’t tell them secrets. If there are unavoid-

able occasions when it is just the two of you, keep everything professional and public. If you find Unfaithfulness is on a continuum, like speed- yourself wanting to tell them things about your ing. There may be a difference between driv- personal life because they seem “so understanding at 60 mph and 45 mph in a 30 mph zone, but both are wrong and come with consequences. In the same way, it’s possible to be emotionally unfaithful in a way that will damage your marriage. You may keep back your body but give the other person your heart. This friendship danger zone is larger than it has ever been. Men and women work alongside each other in the workplace much more. Then there is the whole world of social media where you can connect with old high school friends on Facebook.

be together with that other person without your spouse, bring him or her along somehow. Make sure their photograph is prominently displayed on your desk. Talk about them to the other person—positively. Brag on them, and about how fortunate you are to have them as your spouse. Do tell your spouse. Bad things grow in the dark, so keep your interaction with that other person out in the light. Make a point of telling your spouse when you interact with that other person solo, even if it’s just greeting them when you meet unexpectedly in the store. Recount any conversation you may have had. It’s not about being under suspicion, it’s about having nothing to hide. On rare occasion, I’ve had to have a female drop me off at the airport or home as I didn’t have a car, but I’m always very careful to let Susan know when I need to do so.

Do pursue your spouse. The best way

to avoid a spark with someone else is to keep the home fires burning. That requires some effort on your part. My wife, Susan, shares some great thoughts on how to do this in this post. If the embers are cooling, here are some other ideas for how to fall back in love with your spouse.

Remember, all this is not about being a prude. It’s about making sure you are driving in your marital lane, inside the guardrails, not veering off into a danger zone.

CALL US TO ADVERTISE (325) 701-9505

10 Ways to Be a Role Model to Your Children By AllProDad.com

When I saw the movie Jaws for the first time, it made me afraid of being in ocean water. Well, I always was leery of it, but it definitely solidified my opinion. Even now, I never go in too far. Although the shark scenes were unnerving, they weren’t the ones that left the biggest impression on me. There is a wonderful moment between Sheriff Brody and his son at the dinner table.

5. Self-Control - Releasing our emotions, whatever they may be, is healthy and reduces stress. How we go about doing that in front of our children, however, has major consequences. As difficult as it can be, it is essential to practice self-control as much as possible in front of our children. Bite your tongue and control that temper. If need be, take it out in the gym or go for a long run.

As his wife clears plates off of the table, Brody sits staring off into the distance, clearly deep in thought. He doesn’t notice his young son watching his every move from a foot away. When he takes a drink, his son takes a drink. When he folds his hands, his son folds his hands. Finally, he sees his son mirroring him. He starts to playfully make movements and faces for his son to copy–ending with a kiss. The most powerful role models for children sit across from them at the dinner table. It’s you. Are you wondering how to be a role model to your kids? Here are 10 ways.

6. Right Relationships - We have many important relationships and not all of them are going to be pleasant. Maybe there are issues with your parents, stepparents, brothers, sisters, or ex-wife. Forgive and give grace. Seek to be right in your relationships over being right. Make it as hard as possible for anyone to say anything bad about you. Be an initiator and always take personal responsibility first.

1. Healthy Living - When we eat properly and exercise regularly, not only does it improve our own lives, but it sets the example for our children as well. Childhood obesity can lead to depression and disease. This is not to say a parent needs to go overboard, but every reputable expert will tell you that moderation is the key in diet as well as exercise. Keep yourself inside the healthy range for where you are in life. 2. Self-Improvement - Apply whatever cliché you choose here, but you certainly can teach old dogs new tricks. Self-improvement should always be on our minds. Try new experiences and broaden your horizons. This teaches our children to never stop growing. There’s always something new to learn in this life. Try to learn something new every day. 3. Serving/Volunteering - Make it a regular habit to get out in your community with your family and volunteer your time and talents. This is one of the best ways to build family unity, teamwork skills, and most of all, generous and serving hearts. Teach your kids to meet the needs of others. 4. Open Up Your Life - Do not hide who you are as a person to your children. Share your past experiences when it is appropriate: mistakes and victories. Show them that vulnerability is a virtue that comes from a position of strength. Take your children to work with you and let them see your daily life. Status doesn’t mean a thing, but your attitude and your demeanor mean the world.

7. Respect and Listening - If you want to teach your kids how to be confident, it starts with showing them respect for who they are and listening to their own unique thoughts. This is a tough aspect of leadership, but the best leaders listen carefully and talk far less. Open your mind and your ears to what your children are telling you. They will, in turn, learn to do the same later in life. 8. Positive Attitude - There is plenty of negativity to be found in society today. Do not add to the daily chorus your child experiences. Instead, display a positive and reassuring attitude and optimism. 9. Goal Setting - Setting goals is important to give us a benchmark of where we are going and the progress we are making. Implementing and achieving those goals are of equal importance. When our kids see us moving along exactly according to plan, it shows them the importance of organization and self-discipline in their daily life. Help them come up with their own set of goals and praise them when the goals are met. 10. Walk the Talk - The single most important aspect of being your children’s role model is to always say what you mean and mean what you say. Walk the talk. Back up your words with visible and concrete action and be a man of integrity and value. Actions speak volumes. “Well done is better than well said.” – Benjamin Franklin

www.facebook.com/hispaniclifemagazine

Pick us up at China Star, Abilene Public Library & Martinez Barber Shop | FAITH & FAMILY | 39

10 Hardships in Marriage and How to Overcome Them

40 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

By Mark Merrill | Helping Families Love Well

Every marriage faces hardship. It’s a given. This list covers most of the common troubles, but your situation is unique. The key point here is to face the difficulty – whatever kind of marriage trouble it is – together with your wife. Do you remember your marriage vows? ◘ “For better, for worse…” ◘ “In sickness and in health…” ◘ “For richer, for poorer…” These promises presuppose tough times. We went into our marriage with our eyes open, so there’s really no excuse for not bringing everything we have to the table when things – once in a while – get dicey. Here are 10 marital hardships and how to overcome them. 1. Financial Struggle - The stress associated with money problems can be overwhelming. But in the end, it’s only money. And money has no power over your commitment to your relationship. • Commit to a plan • Live simply • Never keep financial secrets from your wife 2. Challenging Children - Even the best behaved children in the world present challenges, and the number one casualty is always the relationship between mom and dad. So remember this: The marriage comes first. Not the kids, but the marriage. Nurture your relationship with your wife and you will be better equipped to deal with whatever the kids dish out. For single dads, it’s increasingly important to stay connected with your child’s mother as hard as that might be. 3. Immaturity - Great relationships are supposed to mature over time. If you still relate to one another the same way you did when you first married, then it’s past time for the marriage to grow up. Get involved in a couples group at your faith community. Love one another ‘out loud.’ Invest in the marriage as if your life depends on it—because it does. 4. Unfaithfulness - Marriages run into this hardship often. We may not sleep with other women, but we’re all guilty of being unfaithful when it comes to time, attention, priorities, the way we use our resources, and so much more. One way to deal with this is to recommit yourself to your wife. Woo her all over again. Make it clear where your priorities steer your time and attention. 5. Moving - It’s a fact. Most Americans change careers several times. That often means moving across the state or across the world. Mov-

ing is a huge stress. Regardless if it’s because of your job or if it’s hers, make the decision to be 100% supportive and flat out refuse to whine. Do what it takes to get invested in the new community quickly. Find a church. Get involved. Live forward. 6. Sickness - We forget how much we rely on one another until someone breaks down physically. If you’re the one still standing, do everything in your power to be a servant to your spouse. Sure it’s tough to do everything, but your attempt with an obvious willing spirit is going to make all the difference. 7. Depression - Everyone goes through the blues at times in their lives. Here again, it’s about having the heart of a servant, about going the extra mile, and about putting the needs of your wife ahead of your own. Look to God for your source of happiness. Be a conduit of that joy to your spouse. And seek medical attention if necessary. 8. Disinterest - Sometimes it happens the first year. Sometimes it takes a decade or so. Regardless of where we are on the time spectrum, disinterest or boredom can easily set in. Not feeling special about the relationship is a hardship for everyone, but it doesn’t have to be. Our job is to be intentional about the relationship. She didn’t fall for you in the first place without any effort on your part – so why stop now? When was the last time you took her out on a date? Have you told her lately how stunning she looks? What about a day off devoted to her? 9. Career -We have already talked about moving, but career issues can cause hardship without a change of location. Keep her in the loop. Ask her opinion about what you’re up to. Do everything in your power to protect family time and to promote a work culture that respects family values. 10. Empty Nest - We invest a lot in the kids. If we’re not careful, our relationship with our spouse gets neglected. Guard against that day by investing in your wife now. Rather than mourn the children after they leave, try celebrating the freedom you now have to invest more time and interest in your marriage. Again, it’s all about being intentional.

HEALTH&FITNESS

Seven Ways to Improve Your Memory Getting plenty of sleep, learning difficult new skills and staying socially active can all help to keep your memory sharp By The Guardian

Sleep on it - Sleeping well helps reinforce episodic memories – those associated with time and place. There is also substantial evidence that REM sleep plays a vital role in the consolidation of memories relating to learning motor skills, such as learning to play a musical instrument or ride a bike. Having a full night’s sleep soon after gaining a new skill helps consolidate the processes involved so they can later be performed “on autopilot”. Chill out - Stress affects memory in different ways depending on when the stressful event occurs. The rapid release of adrenaline as part of our “fight or flight” response can make us more attentive, but the slower release of cortisol disrupts memory-forming processes. A stressful event that occurs well before efforts to form memories can impair recall, whereas one shortly before or after the learning of new information can enhance it. And getting stressed out just before efforts to retrieve memories impairs our ability to do so. Yoga, meditation or other relaxation techniques may help. Continuing education - Older people are often told to adopt a “use it or lose it” approach to maintaining cognitive function. In fact, when it comes to memory, research suggests that only certain types of mental activities help. In a 2013 study, US researchers found participants aged 60-90 who spent 15 hours

a week for three months learning a complex skill, such as digital photography, saw significant improvements in episodic memory tests. This was not the case for those who did more familiar, less demanding, tasks such as crossStay social - Having an active social life dewords. lays memory loss as we age. US scientists Believe to remember - Positive thinking who asked people in their 50s and 60s to do appears to boost memory performance – re- memory tests every other year between 1998 searchers at Harvard University found they and 2004 found the decline in recall abilities could improve the performance of people of their most sociable subjects to be half that of aged 60 and above in memory tests by sub- the least well connected. Having good friends, liminally presenting them with positive age- volunteering for charities and other forms of related words such as “wise”, “sage” and social engagement also protect memory. “astute”. Priming others with words such as “Alzheimer’s”, “forgets” and “confused” un- Memory menu - Health claims made for many dermined their performance. Brain scans have “superfoods” need to be taken with a pinch of shown differences in activity levels in brain re- salt. What we eat does, however, affects coggions during memory encoding, according to nitive function. A 2016 research review found whether or not individuals believe they have Mediterranean-style diets to be linked to slower rates of cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease good recall abilities or not. and improved long-term working memory. So Take a break - Memories can be undermined stock up on plant-based foods, cut back on red if the brain doesn’t have enough downtime to meat and dairy – and use olive oil as your main consolidate them. More than a century ago, source of fat. German scientists showed that people performed almost twice as well in memory tests if they took breaks. More recently, neuroscientists have shown that some amnesia patients and healthy volunteers are more able to retain lists of words if the task is followed by periods www.facebook.com/hispaniclifemagazine of quiet time.

Come in for a test save. Total average savings of

$827*

when you combine home and auto policies.

Call my office for a quote 24/7. Risha Sanders, Agent 3228 North 10th Abilene, TX 79603 Bus: 325-673-4229 risha.sanders.nv0v@statefarm.com

*Average annual household savings on *Average annual perper household savings basedbased on a 2016 a 2016survey national survey of new policyholders national of new policyholders who reported who savings by switching to State Farm. reported savings by switching to State Farm. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company, State Farm State FarmCompany, Mutual Automobile Indemnity State Farm Fire Insurance and CasualtyCompany, Company, State Indemnity Company, Farm Fire StateFarm Farm General Insurance Company,State Bloomington, IL and Casualty Company, State Farm General Insurance P097187.1 06/09 Company, Bloomington, IL. P097187.1 06/09

42 | HEALTH | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

HispanicLife Media

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 701-9505

Whether it’s for a checkup or something more serious, you and your family want convenient accessible healthcare. Fortunately, the providers at Abilene Physicians Group are making it easier than ever for adults 18 and older to get primary care. Most insurance plans are accepted, including Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE.

ASK ABOUT

SAME-DAY APPOINTMENTS

AT OUR FOUR LOCATIONS.

Internal Medicine, Antilley Road

Family Medicine, Regional Plaza

325-221-0070

325-221-0287

1680 Antilley Road, Suite 200 Gibel Cedeno, M.D.

6300 Regional Plaza, Suite 875 Douglas Fullerton, M.D.

Internal Medicine, Regional Plaza

Family Medicine, Windmill Circle

325-221-0237

325-221-0311

6250 Regional Plaza, Suite 1060 Victor Hudman, M.D. Katherine Wilson, FNP-C

35 Windmill Circle

325-221-0704

David Randell, D.O. Sam Salvi, M.D. Belinda Dutton, PA-C

Members of the Medical Staff at Abilene Regional Medical Center.

Not Fighting Alone

Pick us up at Abilene ISD, La Familia Mex Rest & Lytle Land & Cattle | HEALTH | 43

Lucy Figueiras fights cancer everyday, but she’s finding beauty in the journey. By Sandy Lowe | HispanicLife Magazine

For about a month, Lucy Figueiras tried to ignore the lump she found under her arm. But it started to grow. She knew she had to deal with it, and she offered her trust to God. That faith has been sustaining her on a difficult journey.

way they can. But Rolando serves as her nearest support. “Whenever I say ‘I can’t do this’ he says ‘You can. You will. You can’t turn back.’”

“You don’t think it will happen to you,” she says. “But when I stepped out of that shower I Eventually Lucy learned that remember hearing God say, ‘My grace is suf- she could have chemotherapy ficient for you.’” right here in Abilene and the treatment has not been as reLucy’s husband Rolando serves as pastor at strictive as originally thought. True Light Global Ministries. She is a mem- She has been able to attend ber of the praise team, teaches women and church and spend time with children, interprets for Rolando at combined family. services of their Spanish and English speaking members and generally does whatever needs Lucy calls her chemotherapy doing. treatments “rounds” because she feels she is enThey collected mountains of gaged in a fight. research, consulting doctors She gives every for second, third and fourth round a title and opinions. Lucy hoped to avoid shares what she’s chemotherapy because it relearned each time duces the body’s ability to fight on her Facebook infection. She’d been told she would have to stay away from church, public gatherings and even her grandchildren. “I was disappointed and discouraged,” Lucy says. “I sat on the couch with all my family in the room and started crying. My daughter went to the kitchen, filled a bucket with water, brought towels, soap and lotions and washed my feet. Even though I didn’t get my miracle, I saw a miracle there.” Lucy’s daughter Samantha had been praying for a way to help her mother. All her children including sons Hiram, Angel and Asiel encourage her. Samantha texts her daily to say, “Hang in there, little lady.” While Lucy calls Samantha her “best, best friend” another close friend, Melinda, sends encouragement too. page. She keeps the notes in her Bible and hopes to use them to write a book. “She asked me to send her a picture of myself everyday,” Lucy says. “Everyday she reminds After sixteen chemo treatments Lucy will have me that I’m beautiful and texts ‘You got this.’” a four-week break. Then comes surgery and radiation. She’s been receiving the chemo at Lucy’s sister Irene Garcia, who is a school Shelton Cancer Center. principal in California, took her spring break to come and be with Lucy during treatment. “I’ve been so impressed with them,” she says. Her mom, Tammy Hernandez, cooks for the “The first time I walked in the door they had family and helps especially when Lucy is not all my information and knew my name. They feeling well physically. told me they don’t consider us patients but Her church family also supports her in every family.”

Lucy gives thanks for all the encouragement and help she receives. And then she shares it. She recently visited a young woman with colon cancer in a local Intensive Care Unit. “I told her everyday just to press a little bit harder than the day before,” she says. “Even if it’s just to take one step from one chair to the next. That’s what you have to do to get the life you want. ” She also advises others dealing with struggles to “give yourself permission to cry, rant, scream. At the end of all that, dust yourself off, dry your tears and press forward.” Almost everyday Lucy finds scripture to help her on her journey. Lately she has rested on Psalm 98:2 – “The Lord has announced his victory and has revealed his righteousness to every na-

tion.” (New Living Translation) She told her church family, “Before you made it to the doctor’s office, before you received those bills, before your child came home with drugs, before the problems in your marriage, God announced his victory because his victory is based on Christ Jesus.” While she may have lost her hair, Lucy says she feels good. She fights everyday with help from her God, her family and her friends. And trusts this fight is one she can win.

44 | HEALTH | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Tinnitus: What Causes a Constant Ringing in Your Ears and How is it Treated?

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

By Steven Hamlett, Au.D. | ENT Audiology Center

Tinnitus is the sensation of hearing a sound even though there is no external stimulus producing it. Crickets, popping, chirping, buzzing, water rushing, static and ringing … these are all descriptions that tinnitus patients use to describe the noises that they hear. This sensation can be caused by multiple factors, which can be evaluated by an audiologist. There’s also several treatments that will help eliminate or reduce the annoying sounds associated with tinnitus. Here’s a few of those causes and treatments.

Causes of tinnitus

as needed. The brain, in turn, reacts to the reduction in hearing by fabricating its own stimulation in the form of tinnitus. One of the most common forms of tinnitus is a high-pitched ringing, frequently associated with high-pitched noise-induced hearing loss.

Tinnitus treatment

Treatment options and outcomes for tinnitus can vary greatly from patient to patient due to tinnitus being a very subjective experience. Common treatment options for patients with tinnitus include hearing aids, sound therapy and tinnitus-masking stimuli. Due to the link between hearing loss and tinnitus, compensating for the hearing loss with the use of hearing aids will often provide tinnitus relief.

Tinnitus can be caused by many different things. Common causes include wax buildup, increased caffeine consumption, increased stress and damage to the auditory (hearing) system. Many times, it can In more severe cases of tinbe difficult to pinpoint the nitus where hearing aids exact cause of tinnitus as it alone do not provide admay be a combination of equate relief, we are able issues, and isolating one specific variable is near ant to add sound therapy or const a as ibed descr often — tus mely un- tinnitus maskers through the impossible. Whatever the Tinni ringing in the ears — can be extre cause of the tinnitus, the comfortable. The symptom is treatable by an hearing aids to provide additional stimulation to keep the important thing to know is audiologist. that constant tinnitus — especially if it was a brain busy and not focus on the tinnitus. Widex, sudden onset or localized to one side — is not one of the major hearing aid manufacturers, has normal and should be checked out by a health- a tinnitus protocol called Zen Therapy, which care professional. In more severe cases, tin- allows for a very personalized tinnitus managenitus can be caused by medication reactions, ment option. As part of the protocol, Widex created a tinnitus management smartphone app, viral infections or neurologic complications. which provides therapeutic sounds, relaxation When hearing loss is diagnosed and tinnitus exercises and sleep management exercises. is also reported there is likely a link between the two. The occurrence of tinnitus can be a If you or a loved one have noticed increased difficulties result of a lack of stimulation to the auditory in communication or suffer from tinnitus and are ready system. The brain is programmed to hear a talk about options for improving quality of life, call ENT specific range of sounds and when a hearing Audiology Center at (325) 437-3617 to set up your comloss develops, the brain is not being stimulated prehensive hearing evaluation. ENT Audiology Center,

Local Number, Local Solutions. (325) 793-8500

“Helping You Hear Better So You Can Live Life Better.”

HIGH SPEED INTERNET

How To Flush Nicotine Out Of Your Body Naturally By Drew Canole

Smoking a cigarette releases nicotine in your bloodstream which is pleasurable for the smoker, but for that nicotine to leave your body it takes 6-8 hours, which most of it is released when urinating. Regarding nicotine stored in your body, it takes 48-72 h and 20-30 days for the nicotine’s by-product cotinine to leave your body.

According to some studies if you eat more fruit and vegetables which are rich with vitamin C, which in turn accelerates your metabolism, removes nicotine from your bloodstream faster. Namely, a survey made by public health researchers from the University of Buffalo surveyed 1,000 smokers aged 25 or older throughout the country. Fourteen months later, the researchers checked the participants if they have abstained from tobacco during the previous month. The result was that the ones who ate the most vegetables and fruit were 3 times more inclined to stay off tobacco compared to those who consumed smaller amounts, for at least 30 days. Also they scored better on a nicotine-dependency test and smoked less frequently per day. The reasons for people who ate more vegetables and fruit to have easier time in quitting cigarettes are the following: they make

people feel sated, because smokers occasionally confuse hunger with cigarette craving; lowered nicotine dependence; fruit and vegetables could make the taste of tobacco repulsive, unlike alcohol, coffee or meat; healthier lifestyle has a better chance at making smokers give up their smoking.

Not sure you’re ready to quit? Change your health in remarkable ways in only 20 minutes, 1 day, 1 week, 1 year and beyond.

Food and Drinks vs. Nicotine 1. Water hydrates the body because the nicotine dehydrates it and helps in sweating out

the nicotine from your system.

2. Vegetables, such as egg-plants, beans, cucumbers and celery influence cigarette taste, decreasing nicotine dependence. However, don’t consume too much sweet vegetables since their sugar level is high and that could disturb the balance in the brain pleasure areas, in turn increasing the desire for smoking. 3. Nettle has a high concentration of iron, great for combating infection.

4. Kiwi purges nicotine from your body and restores vitamins A, C and E, which are reduced from smoking.

5. Pine needle tea has been used for mouth and throat disinfection for a long time, although it could also help with lung health.

6. Orange has high level of vitamin C which can replace its loss in your body, since smoking reduces it. It also reduces stress and fastens your metabolism, enabling faster nicotine removal. 7. Spinach has an abundance of vitamins and folic acid which is excellent for your body as well as making tobacco taste repulsive. 8. Broccoli has high amount of vitamin B5 and C, replenishing lost vitamin C and protects your lungs from toxin damage. 9. Carrot juice helps with nicotine removal by having high levels of vitamin A, B, C and K. Because nicotine damages your skin, carrot juice works wonders for your skin’s health. How Long Does Nicotine Stay In Your System? Nicotine can be found in the blood for 1-3 days after smoking. But nicotine may be in your body longer depending on how often you smoke, your age and overall health. Conclusion ◘ Nicotine can be flushed out of your system with the proper diet and lifestyle. If you are looking for high quality foods to replace your nicotine habit, try green and red juice. These are full of health-boosting superfoods and can also do wonders for your emotional well being. When you take care of your body, it takes care of you!

Pick us up at China Star, Abilene Public Library & Martinez Barber Shop | HEALTH | 45

46 | HEALTH | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

www.facebook.com/HispanicLifeMagazine

Hendrick Medical Center NICU is now a Level III neonatal facility By Will Jensen | KTXS

The neonatal intensive care unit, or NICU, at Hen- A Level III designation requires there to be a drick Medical Center in Abilene is now a Level III board-certified neonatologist available at all Neonatal Facility in Perinatal Care Region-D. times and 24-hour, in-house patient coverage provided by specialized personnel. Hendrick Hendrick Medical Center said that the designation Medical Center said that they have invested in comes after a rigorous visit to their hospital’s NICU advanced technology to ensure the best posback in January by the American Academy of Pedi- sible outcomes for very low birth weight and/ atrics’ NICU Verification Program. or premature infants.

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 518-7091

BUSINESS&CAREER

Keep Abilene Beautiful’s $290,000 Grant Award a Win For All By Brian Bethel | Abilene Reporter- News

A $290,000 grant award to Keep Abilene Beautiful was highlighted at Thursday’s meeting of the Abilene City Council, which should in time provide new landscaping along state highways, KAB was named one of 10 winners of the 2018 Governor’s Community Achievement Awards in March, recognized by Keep Texas Beautiful.

The award is only possible she said, through “each individual citizen taking care of their own yard, taking care of their own neighborhood,” and participating in various public events that help beautify the community as a whole.

It is the fourth time that the organization has won the award, having captured the honor in 1992, 1996 and 2000. The award can only be won every three years, said KAB board president-elect Brandon McAuliffe. Addressing the council Thursday, McAuliffe said earning the award took hard work from community members and “countless” local businesses and required Abilene to enter direct competition with similar-sized cities, such as Denton and Pearland. Friday morning, McAuliffe said saying the Communities competing for the award entered award was a feather in the community’s cap is in one of 10 population categories. an “understatement.” Judges chose winners based on their achieve“This is something for Abilene as a whole,” ments in seven environmental and community he said. “It really is reflective of the work that improvement areas: community leadership and everyone in the city does.” coordination, education, public awareness, litter prevention and cleanup, litter law and ilCurrent board president Sylvia Holcomb legal dumping enforcement, beautification agreed, saying Friday that the award “is truly and community improvement, and solid waste an achievement award for the whole commu- management. nity.” Prior wins for Abilene provided the landscap“All of the projects are not sponsored or done ing on the southwest corner of North Second by Keep Abilene Beautiful, but we try to co- and Treadaway Boulevard, along with the three ordinate all of the projects and help where we stone and buffalo entrances into Abilene. can,” she said. There are nine probable locations currently be-

ing examined for projects. The money must be spent on improvements to state right-of-way within the city limits. “The kind of projects that this brings to Abilene are long-lasting and make a big impact on our city,” Holcomb said. The proposed sites will be examined at future meeting of the organization, she said. The sites are scattered throughout Abilene on intersections touched by major highways including U.S 83, Business Interstate 20, State Highway 36, U.S. Highway 277, FM 89, and Business 83. “It’s about an 18-24 month project from here, by the time we choose a site, decide on what we’re doing, (and) TxDOT lets it for bids,” she said. In 2017, KAB brought back the vintage “Myrtle’s Coming, Get Your Bed Ready” campaign selling 850 crape myrtles and paired up with business and organizations to grow existing programs and to launch new ones like the Fall Arbor Day Tree Planting and Giveaway. TxDOT and KAB’s Adopt-A-Highway/Street/ Creek programs removed 25,940 pounds of litter with the help of just over 1,000 volunteers. And the city of Abilene opened the Citizens Convenience Station offering free disposal of bulky items year-round to residents. Keep Texas Beautiful and TxDOT first began working together in the late 1960s and share common goals of making Texas roadways more attractive and safe for motorists and encouraging tourism, according to a news release about the award. Abilene received the award June 12 in Georgetown during KTB’s 51st annual conference.

CALL US TO ADVERTISE (325) 701-9505 209 S. Danville, Suite B-103

Email: info@hispaniclifemedia.com

48 | BUSINESS | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

What If Your Emergency Fund Can’t Cover Your Emergency? By DaveRamsey.com

Emergencies can happen out of the blue. And if you don’t have a buffer of cash between you and the twists and turns of life, things can get tricky pretty quickly. That’s where Baby Step 1 comes in: Saving $1,000 in a starter emergency fund. It’s your financial safety net for when things go haywire. And it works like a dream if your emergency is less than $1,000—but what if it’s more? What if your car breaks down, your daughter needs her appendix taken out, or your air conditioner goes berserk in the middle of July?

2. Shop around. If your car is on the fritz, it pays to shop around. Ask friends for reliable mechanic recommendations, and then call about deals, coupons and specials. Be sure the mechanic you pick gives you a quote before you authorize any work. If their price is more than you can afford, ask for the bare-minimum fix that will get you back on the road safely until you can save for a bigger repair or a replacement car. If your vehicle is absolutely not drivable, consider carpooling or taking public transportation. 3. Make extra money—fast! Sometimes, you just need more cash. New HVAC units aren’t cheap, after all. If you need more money, sell everything you don’t use anymore. Get online and list your old bikes, iPads, DVDs, furniture, clothing, and third TV to get some quick cash. If you still need more cash and have a little time, consider making budget cuts. Say goodbye to cable, Netflix, your expensive cell phone plan, monthly shopping money, and the restaurant budget. Those temporary cuts will add up to some big savings.

What Is an Emergency? Okay, let’s be

clear about what qualifies as an emergency here. Your kitchen renovation is not an emergency. Neither is your summer vacation. Or a new TV. True emergencies are unexpected, urgent and necessary. The brakes in your car going out, cutting yourself while chopping veggies, or suddenly losing your job are actual emergencies. Be sure you have a bona fide emergency on your hands before you decide to dip into your emergency savings.

5 Steps to Take When an Emergency Is Bigger Than Your Emergency Fund: 1. Call and negotiate a payment plan. If your son broke his arm and you’re struggling to pay the hospital bill, call the good folks in billing. Ask about discounts and get on a payment plan for medical expenses that you can cash-flow over the next several months. Be persistent, patient and kind. And pay something up front to show you’re serious about repaying your debt! They’ll usually work with you.

And then there’s just plain work! Look for ways to earn cash by freelancing, delivering groceries, driving for Uber or Lyft, babysitting, dog sitting, house sitting, selling your iPhone photos, or picking up some overtime at work. There are plenty of ways to boost your income and your financial safety net if you’re willing to make some sacrifices. 4. Stop paying on your debt snowball. There could be a rare emergency instance where you need to stop your debt snowball altogether and focus on the here-and-now. We’re talking about really big stuff like losing a job or getting ready for a baby. Go back to making minimum payments on all your debts for a while and focus on covering your Four Walls: food, basic clothing, shelter and utilities, and transportation. When life gets back to normal, you can get back to paying off your debts with gazelle intensity. 5. Build up your emergency savings fund again. Once the dust settles and the storm has passed, replenish your emergency fund as soon as you can. If there’s one thing you can count on, it’s that there will be another emergency coming down the pike. And when that happens, you’ll be thankful you had your emergency fund there to make it a little easier.

www.facebook.com/HispanicLifeMagazine

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 518-7091

Pick us up at Abilene I.S.D., China Star, A & M Donuts | BUSINESS | 49

Abilene Hope Haven Announces New Executive Director By Joshua Engard BigCountryHomepage.com

Katherine Bisson has been announced as the new Executive Director of Abilene Hope Haven, according to an Abilene Hope Haven press release. Bisson has served with Hope Haven for the past year, most recently in a management position as Director of Housing Programs, according to the release. “On behalf of the Board of Directors of Abilene Hope Haven, I want to congratulate Katherine Bisson on her move to the role of Executive Director.” Board Chair Ben Grant said in the release. “Ms. Bisson’s passion for achieving our mission to inspire hope in our neighbors experiencing homelessness is strong and will be an amazing asset to our organization.” Bisson’s appointment comes after former executive director John Cooper stepped down from the position in March to pursue mission work in Croatia. “I am looking forward to being the Executive Director of Abilene Hope Haven, because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to continue to strive to make homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring in Abilene,” Bisson said in the release. “I am excited about facilitating growth and improving performance among our programs.

Monday, July 16, 2018 Relocation & 10 Year Anniversary Double Diamond Signs 11:00am-12:00pm 3005 S. 1st Street Thursday, July 26, 2018 Grand Opening - AimBank 2:00pm-3:00pm 3710 South Treadaway Friday, August 3, 2018 Grand Opening - Step Values LLC dba Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins 11:00am-12:00pm 2901 South 14th Street Tuesday, August 7, 2018 50th Anniversary - Abilene Regional Medical Center 10:00am-11:00am 6250 Hwy 83/84 Wednesday, August 8, 2018 Grand Opening - The Residence at Autumn Sage 4:00pm-5:00pm 5801 Autumn Sage Thursday, August 9, 2018 Grand Opening - Edible Arrangements 12:00pm-1:00pm 4102 Buffalo Gap Rd., Ste M Thursday, August 16, 2018 Business After Hours Sponsored by West Texas Rehabilitation Center 5:00pm-6:30pm 4601 Hartford Monthly evening social business networking event. Open to sponsor employees and guests, Chamber members and prospective members. Features a short sponsor presentation, food/ beverages, update on Chamber activities and door prizes.

50 | BUSINESS | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

The Dangers of Credit Card Rewards By DaveRamsey.com

5 Dangers of Credit Card Rewards

Credit card companies know exactly how to market to our wishes. They know we love our points, miles and rewards—aka the incentive trifecta. And we’re falling for their offers blindly. Before you sign up for a card just to get free airline miles, 1. The Allure of Cash Back, Points and Miles - According to a recent survey by NerdWallet, let’s go over the basics. 73% of cardholders consider rewards to be one of the most important factors when choosing How do credit card rewards work? The credit card rewards system goes a little some- a credit card.(1) At the same time, nearly onething like this: the more money you spend, the third of cardholders don’t really understand more credit card points you rack up. Once you hit how to earn rewards, and one-fifth don’t grasp a certain threshold, you can trade in those points the dollar value of the rewards earned. And for some kind of “reward”—usually cash back, what you don’t know or understand as a cardholder can hurt you: points or miles. How do credit card travel points work? You collect points or “miles” based on how far you fly and how much you spend on your credit card. Most travel rewards follow a straight one point equals one dollar guideline, but if you hit certain spending levels (by spending more on your credit card), you may be able to collect extra points. Over time, you build up points and can redeem them once you have enough.

introductory interest rate. You take the bait and sign up for the card. Then bam—your interest rate jumps 10% or more! No thanks. Think about this for a second: when you open up a credit card, you’re likely to pay thousands of dollars in interest over the years as you carry a balance. Even if you promise to pay it off every month, all it takes is one lost or missed payment for your interest rate to skyrocket, your credit score to drop, and your bill to get slapped with fees. With just one mistake, you’ve gotten into a big money mess. Low interest rates are too good to be true. Don’t fall for the old bait-and-switch routine! 4. Credit Card Reward Expiration Dates This is just another “gotcha” in the credit card world. Every card has its own set of expiration rules. Some points even expire after 18 months, which barely gives you enough time to even rack up a significant amount of rewards!

But airlines only release a certain number of seats on the plane to be purchased with travel miles. That means when you try to cash in your miles, your options may be more limited than that flashy flyer promised you. And don’t forget about blackout dates. If you want to use your points around a major holiday, think again.

• Cash Back - Cash back means actual money returned to your bank account, right? Not always. This sneaky incentive sometimes comes in the form of statement credits—not actual dollars. • Foreign Transaction Fees - Did you use Even if you are able to use your points to cash your points to take a trip abroad? Some cards in on a “free flight,” you’re still going to be pay- will tack on a fee for every transaction you ing taxes and fees on your ticket. Suddenly, that make overseas. “free” ticket doesn’t sound all that free anymore. • Miles vs. Points vs. Cash Back - Are miles and points the same thing? Do your points equal up to cash back? Or do you cash in points to get miles? It sounds simple enough until you read the fine print and see all the nuances and qualifications for each one. 2. Credit Card Annual Fees ◘ Did you know that 30% of credit card users are confused by the extra fees?(3) With good reason! If you don’t understand how they work, annual fees will eat your credit card benefits for lunch. Let’s say your card offers airline miles and has an $80 annual fee. If you spend $8,000 on the card every year and pay it off each month, you’ll have accumulated enough to get the free ticket in three years. Three years! And by that time, you’ll have spent $240 in annual fees alone. Why not skip the credit card and just buy a plane ticket with the money you’d save on fees? 3. Interest Rate Bait and Switch ◘ Some credit card companies love to entice you with a low

But time isn’t the only thing not on cardholder’s side. The fine print also outlines several ways your points could expire. Did you know you could lose all your rewards if you miss one payment? Policies vary from card to card, but cardholders could forfeit all or some of their points for missed payments, card inactivity, or changes to the structure of the rewards program. 5. Credit Card Low Caps = High Risk - Low caps are another way credit card companies hook you in. They may promise you cash back, but they set a limit on how much you can actually get. If they promise 1% cash back and have a $300 cap, you’ll have to spend $30,000 to get $300. That’s too much effort for too little reward! Manage Your Money Without Credit Card Rewards, Points and Hassles Credit card rewards are nothing but bad news—especially for people who don’t follow a budget and are tempted to overspend. If impulse buying and overspending come naturally to you, you might feel the pressure to spend more in order to secure those rewards, points and miles. Trust us though, $5,000 in debt later, you’ll be wishing you could swap some of those credit card “rewards” for an extra payment on your debt. Look, people who are concerned about points, rewards and cash-back offers are obviously people who want to be smart with their money. Kudos to you! But there’s a better way. If you focus on creating solid, long-term spending habits instead of calculating rewards, you could build a lasting financial future that doesn’t include credit cards—ever! All you have to do is muster up the courage and motivation to take the first step and do it.

Pick us up at Kentucky Fried Chicken, Wal-Mart, Lytle Land & Cattle | BUSINESS | 51

Warren Buffett’s 9 Essential Rules For Running a Business By Alex Crippen | CNBC

Warren Buffett is legendary as an investor, but he’s also an incredibly successful businessperson, too. In fact, the billionaire’s long-term investing perspective is at the core of the business advice that he’s provided over the years. Here are some of Buffett’s key business lessons from his annual letters to Berkshire Hathaway shareholders:

1. Keep calm in the face of volatility. Buffett

writes that earnings gyrations “don’t bother us in the least.” After all, “Charlie (Munger) and I would much rather earn a lumpy 15 percent over time than a smooth 12 percent.”

2. Keep good company. Berkshire has never split its Class A shares. As a result, one share is prohibitively expensive for many retail investors. That discouraged people from rapidly moving into and out of the stock, and that’s exactly the way Buffett likes it. He wants shareholders who share his long-term view.

All the way back in 1979, he wrote: “In large part, companies obtain the shareholder constituency that they seek and deserve. If they focus their thinking and communications on short-term results or shortterm stock market consequences, they will, in large part, attract shareholders who focus on the same factors.”

3. Keep your focus. In that same letter, Buffett

warns that even a great company can see its “value stagnate in the presence of hubris or of boredom that caused the attention of managers to wander.” The result: A “sidetracked” leadership that “neglects its wonderful base business while purchasing other businesses that are so-so or worse.”

lated to the daily activities of plan participants.”

6. Keep out of trouble. Buffett tries to “reverse

engineer” the future at Berkshire. “If we can’t tolerate a possible consequence, remote though it may be, we steer clear of planting its seeds.” (Buffett notes that his partner Munger often says, “All I want to know is where I’m going to die so I’ll never go there.”)

7. Keep your undervalued stock to yourself. Buffett is especially critical of a company using its stock to make a purchase when that stock isn’t being fully valued by the market. “Under such circumstances, a marvelous business purchased at a fair sales price becomes a terrible buy. For gold valued as gold

cannot be purchased intelligently through the utilization of gold — or even silver — valued as lead.”

8. Keep it small. In 2006, Buffett wrote that he’s

skeptical “about the ability of big entities of any type to function well.” In his opinion, “size seems to make many organizations slow-thinking, resistant to change and smug.”

In this area, Buffett argues that “inactivity strikes us as intelligent behavior.” In 1982, a year that saw a number of corporate deals, Buffett thought that in many of them, “managerial intellect wilted in competition with managerial adrenaline. The thrill of the chase blinded the pursuers to the consequences of the catch.”

That’s one reason Berkshire’s corporate headquarters still has only a handful of employees, with almost all the managing work left to its unit’s managers. “It is a real pleasure to work with managers who enjoy coming to work each morning and, once there, instinctively and unerringly think like owners.”

4. Keep costs low. In his 1996 letter, Buffett wrote

9. Keep your reputation. In Buffett’s mind,

5. Keep employee incentives simple. Buffett

After taking control of Salomon in the wake of a major 1991 scandal at the financial firm, he famously told a Congressional panel that he had a simple message for employees:

that being a “low-cost operator” is directly responsible for the success of Berkshire’s GEICO auto insurance subsidiary. “Low costs permit low prices, and low prices attract and retain good policyholders.” And when those customers recommend GEICO to their friends, the company gets an “enormous savings in acquisition expenses, and that makes our costs still lower.” doesn’t like what he calls “lottery ticket” arrangements, such as stock options, in which the ultimate value could range from “zero to huge” and is “totally out of the control of the person whose behavior we would like to affect.” Instead, goals should be “tailored to the economics” of the business, simple and measurable, and be “directly re-

perhaps the most important piece of advice for businesses, and for everyone else, is to maintain a sterling reputation for honesty by never doing something you wouldn’t want to see reported on the front page of your local newspaper.

As he put it in one of his most-often quoted sayings: “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.”

52 | BUSINESS | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Why Military Veterans Should Become Entrepreneurs By Mark L. Rockefeller, CEO, StreetShares

American-flag-on-brick-background. I’m one of the 2.5 million veterans who served in Iraq or Afghanistan. I’m also an entrepreneur. And I’m not alone. The men and women of today’s armed services are uniquely positioned to become successful entrepreneurs.

VETtoCEO, and VetsinTech provide valuable training. Incubators and accelerators like Bunker Labs provide a nurturing environment. Traditional, stalwart veterans groups, like the American Legion, deploy their substantial resources to support young veteran entrepreneurs. Congress has helped with the Veterans EntreTo my fellow veterans: preneurship Act of 2015. We veterans now have our own networks of angel investors and venYou have what it takes. By na- ture capitalists for sources of funding. These ture of your military service, you possess the resources exist because they believe in your skills that are required to run your own busi- ability to succeed as an entrepreneur. ness. As a Soldier, Sailor, Airman, or Marine, you learned the importance of communica- This isn’t a new concept. There is a rich history tion, focus, and drive to accomplish the mis- of military veterans finding success in business. sion at hand. You’ve encountered problems A Syracuse University study found that nearly that need to be solved on the fly and you’ve 49.7% of WWII veterans went on to own or run done so instinctively. Recall one of the earli- a business. Now it’s time for our generation to est reports from Operation Enduring Freedom: do the same. We have the opportunity to define U.S. special operations forces in Afghanistan our legacy through a collective act of “second coordinated precision airstrikes from laptops service” to our country. By starting and running on horseback—21st Century technology met successful businesses, we become a catalyst for old-fashioned creativity to get the job done. the real, sustained economic growth that our That’s called entrepreneurship. country desperately needs.

You are a leader. You’ve already In closing, realize that your potential as a leader

acted with more poise under pressure than in the business world is unbounded. I hope you most people do in a lifetime. You’ve shown accept the challenge of entrepreneurship head bravery in the most daunting on. I know you’ll win. _________________ situations one can face. These ABOUT MARK L. ROCKEexperiences will naturally yield FELLER - Mark is an entreprepositive results in a position of neur, recovering attorney, and leadership; people around you military veteran. He is the Cowill seek your guidance and diFounder & CEO of StreetShares. rection, knowing they can trust com. His mission is to fund the your judgment. Use this to connext great generation of Amerifidently build a team and lead can business owners. them to success.

You

have

support.

Programs like Techstar’s Patriot Bootcamp, The Institute for Veterans and Military Families’ Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities,

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

Pick us up at Dairy Queen, First Financial Bank & Central Finance | BUSINESS | 53

How to Become More Productive at Work By Health Advocate Blog

Frustrated by feeling distracted at work? Losing your focus, or constantly finding yourself stressed out by deadlines and projects? Read on for ten great tips that can help you improve your time management skills and improve your productivity in the office!

Before your workday

At the workplace, good time management begins the night before your workday. Believe it or not, there are quite a few things you can do before you even leave the office to improve the next day’s productivity. Try these tips: Make a to-do list. Being prepared works wonders for good time management. Before you leave work for the day, make a to-do list for the next work day. In addition to simply listing the tasks, you may also want to consider listing them in order of priority. Keep your workspace orderly. Straighten up your area in anticipation of the next day. Toss papers you no longer need, and file the ones you want to keep. Wipe down your desk. Check to see if your plants need to be wa-

tered, or if your tissues or desk-drawer stash of ways see it as you’re working. This can help healthy snacks need to be replenished. you stay aware of the time, which can help you prevent the day from getting away from you. Get a good night’s sleep. Experts recommend Even better, set deadlines for tasks to be done, that adults get between 7-8 hours of sleep and then follow through on completing them daily. Solid sleep can help you stay focused, by those times. keep a positive attitude, and be productive the next day. Use a calendar to stay organized. Nothing thwarts your productivity like having to dash During your workday off to a meeting you forgot you needed to atNow that you’re well-rested and know exact- tend. Plugging your meetings, deadlines, and ly what you need to accomplish, sit down at other commitments into a calendar is a great your well-organized desk and get ready to face way to help you stay organized. Be sure to set the workday. The following tips can help you reminders leading up to these events, too. plan, prioritize, stay on track, and reduce your stress level: Break large projects into chunks. Projects often have many moving parts. Trying Complete your hardest or least favorite task to get the entire thing done at once can feel first. Dreading a certain task can lead to pro- overwhelming. Break the project down into crastination. Instead, tackle that task first—not smaller tasks. You’ll likely feel a sense of aconly will it get the task out of the way early, complishment after finishing each task, which but it can help you feel productive and ready can help you stay motivated. to move on to tasks you enjoy more. Leave a little “buffer time” between tasks Watch the clock. If you’re the type of person or meetings. At work, it’s often wise to exwho tends to lose track of time when immersed pect the unexpected. Urgent projects crop up, in a project, keep a clock where you can al- deadlines get moved earlier, and impromptu

meetings happen. It’s good to leave a little time between your tasks to handle these types of things. No surprise meetings or deadlines? Instead, use the time to catch up on emails or phone calls. Focus on just one thing at a time. While multitasking sounds like it could save you time, it also has the potential to keep you distracted. If you give each task the time and energy it deserves, before you know it you’ll be able to cross it off and move on to the next one! Take breaks to decompress. Taking brief breaks can help you regain your focus so that you remain productive. Even something as simple as stretching at your desk can be a healthy way to ease tension. When possible, take a 5-minute brisk walk, chat with a coworker, or eat a healthy snack (a small handful of almonds or a piece of fresh fruit)—all of these can help you reduce stress and allow you to return to your desk feeling a little more refreshed. CALL US TO ADVERTISE (325) 701-9505

54 | BUSINESS | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

5 Quick & Easy Wins For Your Business By Jim Connolly

1: Offer something exclusive Think about offer- more effective, by incorporating or adaptiingwhat you

ing an elite or exclusive version of your services. There have just learned. will always be a market for exceptional service and goldstandard products. It’s an extremely profitable market, 4: Let people Pick Your Brain, commercially If you get people asking you for free advice and you place too. any commercial value on your time, consider offering a 2: Never underestimate the importance of the Pick My Brain service. It has 2 enormous benefits. human touch So much of what we do today can be automated, from Facebook updates and tweets, to auto- Those who were purely intent on grabbing a freebie from responder emails. Whilst there is a place for some auto- you will vanish. The second they know there’s a fee, they go and look for another victim. It can prove to be an mation, you can’t automate your way to success. extremely valuable service for those who really do value Business is all about people and your competitors are for- your advice (and for you too). Business is all about mugetting that. You can gain a huge advantage over them, if tually beneficial relationships – not greedy people taking you look for opportunities to interact with people. Keep advantage of your expertise for their own selfish reasons. it as human as possible. Never automate anything, unless it’s essential. The cost in lost business can be staggering. 5: Motivation alone is not the answer When your business is heading in the wrong direction, you 3: Study the gold dust around you If you find don’t need motivation to speed you up! You need guidyourself reading a marketing email or mail shot today, ance to get you on the right path. Working longer hours stop! You have some potential gold dust in front of you. in an under performing business, just means you will go Examine it and look for what it was that compelled you broke, faster. No matter how fast you row your boat in to open it. Then, think about what caused you to start the wrong direction, you will still get lost. reading it. I hope you found these ideas useful, my friend. More impor-

Finally, consider how you can make your own marketing tantly, I hope they inspire you to take action.

Ask Us About Our New Reward Credit Card Program MEMBER FDIC

YOU FIRST | FFIN.com | 325-627-7200 The creditor and issuer of these cards is Elan Financial Services, pursuant to separate licenses from Visa U.S.A. Inc. and American Express. American Express is a federally registered service mark of American Express.

Pick us up at Dairy Queen, First Financial Bank | BUSINESS | 56

9 Public Speaking Tips to Help You Prepare for Any Occasion By Rose Leadem | Business2Community

Whether you’re speaking at a conference or presenting to a group of co-workers, whatever the scenario might be, it’s important to have stellar communication and public speaking skills. Because how you present yourself to an audience — any audience — can say a lot about you and can also mold the way people view you. Of course, public speaking is no easy task. And some people go their entire lives trying to avoid it. If you want to be successful, it’s important to push all fears aside and develop your public speaking skills so you’re prepared for anything, big or small. To help get you started, here are 9 public speaking tips.

1. Don’t talk right away - Accord-

ing to Simon Sinek, a famous motivational speaker with one of the most-watch TED Talks, you should never start talking immediately — especially when you’re just walking onto a stage or scene. “A lot of people start talking right away, and it’s out of nerves. That communicates a little bit of insecurity and fear,” Sinek told Entrepreneur. Instead, walk up quietly, get comfortable, take a deep breath, count to three and begin.

2. Start with an attention-grabber -

When you start speaking, begin with something that will catch the crowd’s attention. According to Forbes, that could be anything from a personal story to an inspirational quote or a shocking statistic. Once you hook their attention, they’ll be excited and more interested in what you have to say for the rest of your speech.

3. Be organized - When you’re prepar-

ing what to say, organize your presentation or speech into three sections: grabber, middle and close. Your “middle” section should be the meat of your speech, where you get into the nitty gritty of the topic you’re speaking about.

4. Pause - According to Forbes, through-

out your speech, you should add in natural pauses at important moments. More specifically, “Include 3-8 second pauses at key moments — just before key statements or just after a story — this really brings the audience into the speech.”

5. Understand your nerves and how to treat them - It’s important to

understand yourself and the way you experience nervousness. Once you understand what nerves feel like to you, then it’s time to find a coping mechanism. In his interview with Entrepreneur, motivational speaker Simon Sinek reveals his own personal strategy where he tells himself: “You’re not nervous, you’re excited.” That way, he transforms something negative into something positive in order to achieve success.

6. Preparation is key - One of the most

important things you can do to ensure a successful speech is simple: prepare. Craft out an outline of the key points you’re going to say and practice it in the mirror as well as in front of friends and family. Ask for feedback so you can improve and bring your best performance when the time comes.

7. Have one primary message

When it comes to crafting your talk, don’t try to throw in tons of topics to cover. Instead, make your speech incredibly focused on a single message. By having a primary message — which you can tie in with various examples, research and personal stories — your audience will understand what they’re hearing and why they are hearing it. You want them to walk out of the room feeling inspired by your message.

8. Avoid filler words

- While you’re speaking, make sure to avoid “filler” words like “umm,” “like” and “well.” These words reveal a lack of confidence and insecurity. If you need a second to gather your thoughts during your speech, it’s better to breath and pause.

9. Smile - It’s as simple as that… Smiling is

contagious. Whether you’re stuck or closing up your speech, smile at your audience and they’ll typically return the favor.

ARROW

A D

ROW FORD AR

2018

RD FO

_

FO R

$23,954

$

2018 MUSTANG

254 /MO

$23,954 2018 EDGE

$

249

ARR OW

1964

RD FO

299/MO

Celeb ate

W O

$

R

W FORD AR O R R

$

299/MO

$29,954 2018 F-150

/MO

$18,883

2018 ESCAPE

$

179 /MO

$17,983

2018 ECOSPORT

*Photos may not represent actual vehicles and are for illustrative purposes only.

•2018 Ford Mustang • #980903 • MSRP $29,475 • Arrow Discount $3,021.00 • Ford Rebates: 2500 Consumer Cash • Sales Price $23,954 • Monthly Payment $299 • APR 1.75% • Term 39 Down Payment $54 down payment • TT&L DUP Upon Signing 39 MO. LEASE @ 1.75 MF • 2018 Ford Escape · #980944 · MSRP $24,845 · Arrow Discount $3,052 · Ford Rebates $3,000 Consumer Cash · Sale Price $18,883 · Monthly Payment $249 · APR 1.2% · Term 54 Months · Down Payment $54 • Monthly Payment $249 · 36 months lease @1.2MF · 2018 Ford EcoSport #980342 · MSRP $22,490 · Arrow Discount $2,507 · Consumer Cash $2,000 · Sale Price $17,983 · Monthly Payment $179 · APR .5% · Term 36 Months · Down Payment $54 • $179/Month ·36 month lease @ 0.5 MF · 2018 Ford Edge · #980821 · MSRP $30,505 · Arrow Discount $3,801 · Ford Rebates $2,250 Consumer Cash · 500 FMC · Sale Price $23,954· Monthly Payment $254 · APR 1.05% · Term 36 Months · Down Payment $54 • $254/Month · 36 month lease @1.05 MF · 2018 Ford F-150 · #980374 · MSRP $39,905 · Arrow Discount $4,651 · Ford Rebates $4,500 Consumer Cash · 750 FMC · Sale Price $29,954 · Monthly Payment $299 · APR 2.08% · Term 36 Months · Down Payment $54 • TT&L Due upon signing 36 month lease @ 2.08 MF

4001 S. 1ST STREET | ARROWFORD.COM | 325.692.9500 HispanicLifeNSP-7-1-18.indd 1

7/2/18 11:55 AM