HispanicLife Magazine - MAR 2016 Issue

CajunFest celebrates with new date and venue

By Christine Curtis-Carr Executive Director, Abilene Education Foundation

The Abilene Education Foundation’s Cajun Festival is on a NEW DAY and in a NEW VENUE. AEF has expanded its annual fundraising event to an all-day family fun event–Saturday, April 9th at the Taylor County Expo Center.

Cajun Festival will include an inflatable park for kids (unique rides), children’s activities like games and face painting, crawdad and shrimp meal, a 5K run/walk, live music, food trucks, shopping and a whole lot of fun.

Start the day off right with the Crawfish Crawl, a 5K run/walk at 8:30 am from Shotwell Stadium with the finish line on the 50 yard line. Doors for the Cajun Festival open at 10:30 am and close at 8:30 pm at the Taylor County Expo Center.

Crawfish Boil serving times will be from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm and 5:00 – until we sell out, so come early!

Our event is also the same day and location as the Big Country Home and Outdoor Expo with joint admission options for patrons. Admission to Cajun Festival is free for all children/students as well as ALL AISD EMPLOYEES. To learn more please visit www.abilenegoescajun. org. The Abilene Education Foundation is the non-profit that supports the Abilene ISD. 10375250

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

March 2016

Volume 6, Issue 11

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

As redundant as it may seem, it is always our desire that you would be encouraged and uplifted and see the brighter side of life. God has so many good things in store for you and your family. From time to time, we may try to do things our way or trust on our own wisdom or understanding, but it is imperative that we lean on Him and stand on His word to see us through those tough times. The best is yet to come!

We are delighted to bring you this March edition of HispanicLifeMagazine.

Our motto has always been, “Porque Somos Familia... Because We’re Family”, which is something that we truly want to adhere to.

We firmly believe that no matter where you come from, whether you’re Hispanic or not, rich or poor, short or tall, male or female,

ADVISING EDITOR AND ACCEPTOR OF PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS Amy Hernández info@hispaniclifemedia.com (325) 701-9505 Office

GRAPHIC DESIGN/LAYOUT Debbie Heep

SALES DEPARTMENT David Hernandez (325) 518-7091 sales@hispaniclifemedia.com

About Us

We are dedicated to serving the Abilene and the Big Country by providing up-to-date information and resources that promote healthy families and homes. We also promote our clients businesses by increasing their customer bases and enhancing their public images within the Hispanic community.

HispanicLife Magazine is published on a monthly basis and is owned & operated locally.

Advertising rates are available upon request.

While we use great care in creating our display ads, mistakes can happen. HispanicLife and the publisher are not liable for any damages arising from any typographical or mechanical errors beyond the cost of the ad. HispanicLife does not necessarily endorse any of the advertisers, products or services listed in this publication.

2016 HispanicLIfe Media All rights reserved. No reproduction of any portion of this issue is allowed without permission from the publisher. www.facebook.com/HispanicLifeMagazine

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we are all part of a bigger picture.

We love our clientle, our readers and we are sincerely grateful for everything!

Finally, as we always finish this column... First God, then Family and finally Friends... Primero Dios, luego Familia y finalmente Los Amigos! Que Dios los bendiga ricamente a ustedes y sus familiares. May God bless you and your families.

• Dale Morrison, pg 5 • Little Joe - Tejano Legend, pg 6 • Abilene Goes Cajun, pg 19 • Area Graduates Working Local, pg 22 • Jane Long Elementary, pg 26 • Rolando & Lucy Figueiras, pg 31 • Beat Statistics - Kristie Carpenter, pg 37 • Re-Engage - Beltway Park, pg 40 • Guns at Work - SBDC, pg 47 • Xtremely Loud Faces, pg 55 David & Amy Hernández & the girls & all the staff here at HispanicLife

4 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Festival will bring Mark Teague characters to life CALF 2016 registration is open!

By Abilene Cultural Affairs Council

Festival will bring MarkTeague characters to life. A green dinosaur. A pig in a suit and top hat. And a white dog named Ike who knows how to use a typewriter.

These are a few of the colorful characters of best-selling artist and author Mark Teague that will be brought to life for the 5th Annual Children’s Art & Literacy Festival this summer.

Meet Teague himself and see his artwork at the NCCIL. Experience three days of fun starting with a Storybook Parade, costume contest, artist’s talk and book signing Thursday, June 9. See the unveiling of a new addition to the Storybook Sculpture Project. All day Friday and Saturday, June 10-11, enjoy dramatic readings, Paramount movies, live animals, crafts, balloons, magic shows, train rides and more.

The CALF 2016 website is now live and registration is open! Early registration prices in effect until May 15. Festival passes get you into all activities except Write & Illustrate Your Own Storybook, which is an extra $5 fee with limited seating. The Digital Character Creation workshop is free but with limited seating for ages 9 and up.

Go to www.abilenecalf.com to register and see a complete list of activities!

5th Annual Children’s Art & Literacy Festival

JUNE 9-11 Early registration: $7 children, $12 adults Register before prices go up May 15!

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

Easter Eggs-treme Hunt Abilene State Park March 26, 2016 10-noon

Egg hunt for ages 0-12 years of age will be 10 AM-noon. Egg hunt will start at 10:30AM. After the egg hunt, kiddos can get their pictures with the Easter Bunny.

Park wide egg hunt for 13-110 years of age will include up to 15 eggs with great prizes inside hid around the park. These will be hard to find with no clues given!

Entrance will be $5 per person 13+.

12 and under as always will be free.

The park is located at 150 Park Rd. 32, Tuscola. For more information call 325-572-3204

Pick us up at First Financial Bank inside both WalMart’s | COMMUNITY | 5

From Surviving to Thriving Dale Morrison’s trials and troubles have only strengthened him to share his growing faith.

By Sandy Lowe | HispanicLife Magazine lunch hour, Dale’s doctor was meeting with a group of doctors, one of who was trying to help AIDS patients with an experimental treatment for PML. After three shots of the experimental drug, Dale began to regain control of his limbs.

Dale Morrison has survived cancer, a brain virus and, very recently, a stroke.

His granddaughter has also survived cancer. But instead of letting his challenges bring him down, Dale uses them to help others. His book, Hope and Help from a Cancer Survivor, was intended as a memoir for his children and grandchildren but has become a book of encouragement for everyone.

Dale is now in remission from cancer and using his experiences to minister to others. He has founded three churches: Gateway Baptist in Tuscola, Grace Baptist here in Abilene and Victory Baptist, also in Abilene. He is currently pastoring Victory Baptist and the group meets at MCM Elegante Suites Hotel on Ridgemont Drive. Dale says his whole goal is to reach people for Christ.

“God wanted to send my life in a different direction. In the Bible, right before something great happens to a character, God puts them through great affliction,” he says.

Dale grew up in Garland, Texas and played high school football. He came to Abilene to play football for McMurry University. In 1979 he married Nancy Stevens, an Abilene native and former Cooper High cheerleader.

In spite of these normal growing-up experiences, he started caring for others at an early age.

“I accepted Jesus as my personal savior when I was seven years old,” Dale says. “During my teenage life, I wasn’t like the other kids. I liked fighting but I fought for somebody else.

I wanted to be a shield. My friends were the nerdy kids who got their lunches stolen.”

Dale says he learned to care for others from his parents, who helped the handicapped and reached out to the needy.

Banking was Dale’s first career. From there he moved into the oil and gas business. After selling that business, his next career was dirt contracting.

Along with other church members, Dale meets with cancer patients, sharing a message of hope and helping them find resources for their needs. The church compiles information into a tote bag, which is given to each patient. Ministry information is available at www.

HopeandHelp.net.

On top of his ministry, Dale is also running for Taylor County Commissioner A biopsy after the trip revealed that Dale was suffering from Non- in Precinct Three.

Hodgkins Lymphoma. A PET scan showed involvement of 100% of his lymph nodes. In “It’s a big job,” he says. “I want to make a difference, to help people addition to chemotherapy and radianot just physically but tion, Dale began an eating plan with also spiritually.” a lean diet, no sugar and no preservatives. He credits nutrition for at least Based on his history of 5% of his recovery. overcoming no matter where he finds himself, Because of his compromised imthat’s just what Dale mune system, Dale developed a brain Morrison will continue disease called PML that his doctor to do. told him no one survives. That day,

In 2007 Dale noticed a small knot on his inner thigh. He was also losing weight and experiencing fatigue. But stopping for illness was not in his plans right then. He was scheduled Dale had eaten lunch with missionto make a two-week mission trip to India to ary friends Jacques and Marie Alexhelp in recovery from a devastating tsunami. andre from Haiti. Jacques had prayed for Dale’s healing. During that same

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

6 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

HispanicLife Media

Tejano Music Legend ‘Little Joe’:

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 518-7091

His Improbable, Amazing Journey

By Juan Castillo| NBC News

His story is the stuff of Hollywood scripts, the ones too good to be true. One of 13 children, born on a dirt floor garage in Temple, Texas, who becomes the man of the house when his father is sent to prison. A shy kid at 15, he picks up a guitar, realizes it beats picking cotton, and strikes a match on a trailblazing musical career spanning more than 50 years, which takes him around the world, produces a friendship with Cesar Chavez, wins him accolades and five Grammys and makes him, like Chavez, an iconic figure among his fellow Mexican Americans.

At 74, Hernandez is still known as King of the Brown Sound, a consummate performer and a musical innovator who blended an exuberant, stylized mix of traditional Mexican Norteño sounds with country, blues, roots and rock.

In a trailer for the documentary on the GoFundMe website, Hernandez says the Spanish songs his father and his family sang were his favorites as a kid, seared in his memory. “I didn’t want them to be forgotten. They were in my blood,” he says.

But Jose Maria Deleon Hernandez - you might know him simply as Little Joe -- pondered that story, his own, and declared he couldn’t imagine anyone would be interested in it.

Oh, that was just Joe being Joe, his friends say. Humble. A giver, not a seeker of the spotlight.

Now, his improbable story is coming to the big screen. Filming has begun on “Recuerdos: The Life and Music of Little Joe,” a documentary which producers hope to unveil in 2015. After some coaxing, they were able to sell the legendary Tejano performer on the project.

know I’m one of millions that came up the way thank Hernandez for defending him.

I did, working the fields and being a stoop laborer just like my dad.”

Though he didn’t serve in the military, his family, including his brothers and sisters, has Hernandez’s Mexican parents came to the 400-plus years of service, Hernandez says.

U.S. after fleeing the revolution in their home- Mexican Americans have a long history of land. It is a story shared by countless Mexican military service to country, but that’s a story American families, he says. He hopes the film that doesn’t get out there either, he laments, can offer hope to younger generations that suc- adding, “We are just not credited for so many cess is there for the taking. But education, he important contributions. I tend to believe that added, is the key to ending the chain of pov- it’s our fault for not documenting. We’re not erty. A 7th-grade dropout, it’s a luxury he good at that.” didn’t have.

With the onset of the Iraq War, Hernandez As its title states, “Recuerdos” will ex- opened his shows with what might seem like a plore Hernandez’s life on and off the strange choice for most performers, “America stage, such as his work with charitable, the Beautiful,” vowing to keep performing social and humanitarian causes, includ- the number till the war ended. When that day ing his long association with the United came he decided he couldn’t stop playing it.

Farm Workers and labor leader Cesar “Because I realized the veterans are still out Chavez, and his performances over the there,” he says. many years for U.S. military overseas.

Over the years, many of Hernandez’s band“He’s always been there when there’s mates have stepped out on their own, not a need, whether it’s on stage or march- only with the bandleader’s blessing but his ing,” Ulloa says. encouragement. According to Ulloa, a friend “You don’t have to talk to him very once told Joe he admired how the singer suplong to know he’s very much for the ported his bandmates. “But you’re the root,” underdog,” McGinnis says. “He cares the friend told Hernandez. not just about what happens to Hispanic people. He cares about people “Eventually the music always comes back to of any race.” the root,” Ulloa says.

One of the best side benefits of the music is the podium, says Hernandez, who earlier this fall joined Texas Sen. Leticia Van de Putte as she traveled around the state in her unsuccessful bid for the lieutenant governor’s job. “To be able to help to speak “Chicanisimo, where we come from, nuestra cultura, that has never really been focused on. Before it became known as Tejano music, “it on behalf of nuestra gente on issues that go unWe need to highlight who we are,” Hernandez was just Little Joe,” Western swing stalwart heard of. It’s the ability to help,” Hernandez Ray Benson says in the clip. says. said.

Hernandez admits he was reluctant when approached by producer Una McGinnis.

But he told NBC News Latino he signed off when he considered that his life story might inspire other Mexican Americans.

McGinnis and those associated with the project couldn’t be more tickled.“I don’t think there’s anybody from here to California and Walla Walla and Chicago and in between who when you ask, ‘Do you know Little Joe?’ The first words out of their mouth are, ‘I love Little Joe,’” McGinnis told NBC Latino.

“His is truly an American success story. It needed to be told,” said Dwayne Ulloa, a veteran music industry figure who is helping raise money for the project through an online funding site.

The Tejano label became an identifier for Hernandez and his band, originally known as The Latinaires, then La Familia. But the moniker transcended music. “It was an identity for all the poor people that I knew and grew up like me. The Chicanos,” Hernandez says.

He told NBC the documentary will be about him as much as it is about a people. Mexican Americans.

“We’re invisible,” he said. “When my family was picking cotton, I remember walking into stores and we were ignored. Unfortunately, I

A long-lasting friendship with Chavez began unexpectedly during a visit to San Jose, Calif., when Hernandez was interviewed on the radio about his upcoming gig that night. The deejay began asking about Chavez and whispers that he was a Communist. Irritated, Hernandez walked out, but not before saying that Mexican American farmworkers had a right to speak out. Later that night, Hernandez got a call backstage before his show. He figured it was the deejay, perhaps wanting to continue the discussion or make amends. The stranger’s voice on the other end of the line was Chavez’s.

He had heard the radio interview and called to

“Everybody else is fluff. It’s just a copy,” comedian Paul Rodriguez whimsically says in the “Recuerdos” trailer.

McGinnis, who books Hernandez’s shows and does his public relations, says he is among the Mexican American community’s most recognized people. “I liken him to their Elvis,” she says. In San Antonio recently, in the audience at a ZZ Top concert, fans swarmed Hernandez to snap pictures with him mid-show, prompting band frontman Billy Gibbons to crack, “I do believe I’m insulted.” Gibbons can be seen in the “Recuerdos” trailer singing Hernandez’s praises.

Though the long beard of his younger years is gone, replaced by a salt and pepper goatee, Hernandez is still trim and younger looking than his years. He still plays about 80 to 100 dates a year and vows to keep performing as long as the fans keep coming.

“I’m not worried about my future,” he says.

“I’m living it and making the best of it.”

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

Importancia de Saber Idiomas Extranjeros en la Comunidad

By Anavid Reyes | BigCountryHomePage.com

04 Ford Explorer ........................................... SALE! $3950 04 Ford Expedition ...................................... SALE! $4950 94 Chevy Suburban ..................................... SALE! $1950 07 PT Cruiser .................................................. SALE! $4950 02 Chevy E/Cab ............................................. SALE! $5950 03 Chevy Tahoe ............................................. SALE! $5950 04 Dodge Short/Wide .................................. SALE! $5995 05 Chrysler Town&Country ......................... SALE! $3950 06 Ford Mustang ........................................... SALE! $4950 01 Olds Alero ................................................ SALE! $2950 02 GMC Yukon ............................................... SALE! $5950 07 Mazda 6 ..................................................... SALE! $5950 04 Chevy Tahoe ............................................. SALE! $4950 03 Dodge Quad Cab ..................................... SALE! $5950 05 Ford Explorer ........................................... SALE! $3950 04 Ford S/Cab ............................................... SALE! $4950 02 GMC Yukon .............................................. SALE! $4950 03 Ford Mustang .......................................... SALE! $3950 03 Chevy Avalanche .................................... SALE! $5950 00 Toyota Corolla .......................................... SALE! $2950 05 Nissan Altima .......................................... SALE! $4950 05 Dodge Short wide ................................... SALE! $4950 04 Ford Explorer ........................................... SALE! $2950 06 Ford Escape .............................................. SALE! $4950 04 Dodge Neon . ........................................... SALE! $3950

En nuestra sociedad, los trabajos ahora requieren que los empleados por lo menos tengan el conocimiento básico de un idioma extranjero.

A nivel estatal, si vives en Tejas, usualmente saber el Español es muy beneficiante. La preparacion para este requisito usualmente empieza en las universidades donde miles de estudiantes reciben sus carreras.

Una profesora de Hardin-Simmons University, Rosario Hall nos dijo que vivimos de una comunidad global y necesitamos preparar a nuestros alumnos para que puedan conducirse de esta manera global sobre todo en el trabajo.

La comunidad hispana es más grande y más notable, y en Hardin Simmons todavía no se ve reflejado el interés de aprender español por parte de los alumnos que deberia existir por que vienen de una cultura aislada y limitada.

“Entonces parece ser que la gente de Abilene no se han dado cuenta o no se quieren dar

cuenta de la importancia en este caso el Español,” dijo Hall.

Cuando se trata de las carreras en las universidades algunas han eliminado ciertas clases de idiomas que ofrecen a los estudiantes. Actualmente Hardin Simmons ofrece dos tipos de carreras y en una los estudiantes no tienen que tomar lenguas extranjeras.

“Y eso afecta el departamento de lenguas extranjeras por qué número de estudiantes está reduciéndose,” dijo Hall.

Ella tambien nos conto que esta universidad estudia a los alumnos que se graduaron. Entre los que escogieron aprender un segundo idioma y los que no, la diferencia en sus salarios es de $10 a $12 mas por hablar un segundo idioma, de acuerdo a la universidad.

“Alguien me dijo que una persona que habla dos idiomas vale por dos, entonces nuestra comunidad Hispana es muy afortunada en ese sentido,” dijo Hall.

Steppin’ Out 2016 to raise Alzheimers awareness Plans are well under way for Steppin’ Out for Memories, Abilene’s favorite party to raise funds and awareness in the fight against Alzheimer’s. There’s always a crowd of folks comin’ by for great food, dancing to live music, and an auction of irresistable items.

This year’s event will be Saturday, March 19, 2016. It will be held at 6:30 pm at the Taylor County Expo Center Round Building.

With Route 66 as this year’s theme, Steppin’ Out 2016 is going to be extra special. We’ll be celebrating the tenth year of this successful event and will be honoring the Chicks of ‘66, the group of la-

dies who started it all. And if that isn’t enough reason to kick up your heels in support of a great cause, this year’s entertainment is West Texas country and western swing legend Jody Nix. TICKETS: Individual tickets: $75.

Buy a table and bring your friends and family to this unforgettable party! Call Karen Rampy at 325-672-2907.

8 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

Pics from the Ballet Foklorico del Big Country’s performance at Abilene Christian School’s ‘Feista de la Noche’ 2016 Auction Courtesy of | Ballet Folklorico del Big Country

Saturday @ 8:30am Shotwell Stadium April 9th, 2016 Finish on the 50 Yard Line

$10

Children 12 and under

$25 Individual

until 4/6/16 *Chip time by Abilene Runner’s Club

$30

Late and race day registration

after 4/6/16 * Not eligible for chip time

Register online at www.aaeeff.org and run in honor of a teacher!

Join us from 10:30 am – 8:00 pm for Cajun Festival at the Taylor County Expo Center for crawfish and shrimp boil meal, inflatable park, live music, children’s activities, shopping and more.

Online registration available @ http://www.aaeeff.org through 4/6/16

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

Pencil Pushers:

Adult Coloring Group at Library a Hit

By Brian Bethel | Abilene Reporter-News

A small square of paper becomes a riot of color and life as Raena Lujan applies her personal touch to a baroque illustration of a woman with a Mona Lisa smile and hair woven in patterns of sun-like rays and twisted knots.

“It’s very therapeutic for me,” said Lujan, 21, one of a couple dozen people gathered for the Abilene Public Library’s first Coloring Club meeting Thursday night.

That turnout was a pleasant surprise for Ann Mount, Information Services Librarian, who brought copies of images from her own coloring books - including titled inspired by J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” and George R.R. Martin’s “Game of Thrones” - for others to share.

“It’s fun to do, and it’s about getting likeminded individuals together who may not have met before,” Mount said of the newly formed club, which will meet every first Thursday at the downtown library. “It’s a way to connect to the community.”

Adult coloring books have become publishing phenomenon, Mount said, with more and more publishers offering books with images that range from abstract art to complex fantasy worlds.

“You’re not focused on electronics or checking your phone or your iPad,” Mount said.

“And it’s something that you can do with your kids, as well.” And coloring is a “gateway” to other art.

“Anyone can color, and then you get confident mixing colors or maybe using different styles, mixing crayons with markers and colored pencils, which leads to paint,” she said.

Filling in her chosen image with shades of blue, yellow, pink and green, Lujan said she always has enjoyed coloring and was happy to rediscover that childhood joy.

When she was young, she said, she had “millions” of coloring books from which to choose.

“I just stumbled upon this one day on the Internet, so I thought I’d try it out,” she said.

She bought her first adult coloring book a year ago. It turned out to be “one of the best in-

CCC’s Good Neighbor Breakfast is an annual spring fundraiser that began in 2010. On this morning, CCC hosts a free, one hour breakfast for residents from all over Abilene to learn about our work of community renewal and our desire to foster stronger neighborhoods.

The Good Neighbor Breakfast gives guests the opportunity to make donations or pledges to fund CCC’s general operations while connecting with neighbors in a casual breakfast setting. These funds are used to ensure that CCC provides quality programming, leadership, support, evaluation, and accountability in every aspect of our work.

vestments” she’s ever made, Lujan said.

“You have the stress of everyday life, and you just go back to simpler times when you were a child and there was no stress,” she said. Mount said she enjoys the “repetitive” nature of the activity.

“I can focus on other things,” she said.

“Usually I’ll be having a conversation with a friend and be coloring, and it doesn’t take any extra thought. But it keeps my hands busy, and that’s the important thing - my hands always have to be doing something.”

Everyone attending Thursday night’s color-fest had their own reasons for taking pencils, markers or crayons in hand.

Jodie Baugh saw the club’s first meeting as a try-before-you-buy opportunity. She’d thought about asking for coloring books for Christmas but refrained until she had a chance to see what it was like.

“Now, I wish I’d put that on my list,” Baugh said, nothing that she prefers sweeping mandalas and tessellated forms over the usual “Frozen” and “Cinderella” choices her grandchildren often pick.

“This is a nice change of pace,” she said.

Coloring a design saying “Trust Yourself,” Sylvia Ramirez said she came by her love of adult coloring books honestly.

Her sister-in-law, artist Cheryl Casey, has three books of her adult coloring designs out for sale, with designs including whimsical quilts, fairies and a Christmas theme.

Ramirez picked her image because of its message, she said. “I’m trying to talk to myself,” she said with a laugh.

Cooper High School special education teacher Terrye Johnson came to color for the first time, inspired by her students.

Many students, during their limited free time, pull out their own coloring materials and deeply enjoy it, she said.

“I do similar things with my kids at school, but I never did it,” she said. “The kids like it,

Connecting Caring Communities hosts annual Good Neighbor Breakfast

and so I thought: I can’t do it at work, so I’ll come do it here.”

Adam Singleton decided to show up when he heard the words “Game of Thrones.” “It sounded like it was something fun to do, and it was free - so why not?” Singleton said.

Like many, he acknowledged the “nostalgic” component of coloring. “As a kid, one of the fun things you got to do was color,” he said.

But Singleton said he liked the opportunity to try it out as an adult - and likely would become a regular. “I really think I might come back and try some other things, work up to more intricate things,” he said.

Coloring a panel depicting Cersei Lannister, a central character in “Game of Thrones,” Sherry Wiggs gave the conniving queen a flowing pink dress in an elaborate image filled with minuscule details and a huge, staring owl in the foreground. “I’m trying to not make her look so ugly,” she said.

Coloring has provided Wiggs a way to “calm down and get out of my head,” she said. Even though one is coloring a set image, there’s still plenty of creative freedom, she said.

“You can draw outside the lines and mean it,” she said. “The lines don’t mean anything.”

And it comes with the satisfaction of a job well done once the black-and-white images are filled. “I will be hanging this on the fridge,” Wiggs said. “Everybody’s going to have to look at it.”

2016 Good Neighbor Breakfast March 31st at 7:30 am First Central Presbyterian Church Downtown Abilene RSVP to 325-232-8241 or megan@ wecareabilene.org to reserve your seat today!

CCC launched its Good Neighbor Society at its first breakfast in 2010. The annual breakfast serves as an opportunity for guests to join the society by making a multi-year pledge.

10 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

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Family Flix: “The Lorax” • Mar. 12 at 10:45AM South Branch | 1401 S. Danville Dr. - A 12-year-old

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Teen Flix After Hours: “Man of Steel” • Mar. 18 at 5:45PM - South Branch | 1401 S. Danville Dr. - A young boy learns that he has extraordinary pow-

ers and is not of this Earth. As a young man, he journeys to discover where he came from and what he was sent here to do.

Rated PG-13.143 min.

Family Flix: “A Bug’s Life” • Mar. 19 at 3:00PM • Main Library | 202 Cedar St. - Every

year a bunch of grasshoppers come to the anthill and eat what the ants have gathered for them. One day in spring, when the offering’s preparation has just been finished, Flik accidentally drops the offered seeds into the river. The grasshoppers come and give the ants a second chance to collect food until fall.

Rated G. 95 min.

10374855

$

$

YMCA of Abilene and Big Brothers Big Sisters… a perfect match!

By Jamie Bearden | Big Brothers Big Sisters

Big Brothers Big Sisters operates under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. As the nation’s largest mentoring network, Big Brothers Big Sisters makes meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers (“Bigs”) and children (“Littles”), ages 6 through 18.

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

Sunday, March 27, 2016 Chef Carved:

• Prime Rib au Jus • Pit Ham w/Pineapple Sauce

cilities together. They can participate in group exercise activities, swim, play court sports and more… all at no charge! Furthermore, BBBS “Littles” can apply for team sports and camp scholarships.

The YMCA will also support the BBBS mission by informing their families of the benefits The YMCA is the nation’s leading nonprofit of mentoring through hosting BBBS interest committed to strengthening community. The meetings, presentations, and tables at YMCA organization is dedicated to events. building healthy, confident, connected and secure adults YMCA Executive Director Branand families. Their impact is di Underwood explains, “The felt every day when an indiYMCA of Abilene is always vidual makes a healthy choice, looking for new opportunities when a mentor inspires a child to serve our community through and when neighbors come toprograms and services that focus gether for the common good. on youth development, healthy The YMCA of Abilene unliving and social responsibility. derstands the value of providThere was so much excitement ing a safe environment where at the Y when the opportunity for adults, teens and children can a partnership with Big Brothers spend time together engaging and Big Sisters was brought up. in physical activity and buildIt makes a lot of sense to work ing mentoring relationships. together because we already have so much in common, and we have the unique ability Effective February 17, 2016, the YMCA of to enhance their already successful program Abilene is offering a one year membership at through our programs and services.” no charge to Bigs and Littles who use the fa-

Entree’s and Sides

• Sliced Turkey • Chicken Enchiladas • Cornbread Dressing • Buttered Corn • Peel & Eat Shrimp • Green Beans • Chicken Fried Steak • Homemade Mashed Potatoes • Fried Tilapia • Spanish Rice • Chicken Fajitas • Boracho Beans Assorted Garden Fresh Salads, Cakes & Desserts

Seating Times: 11:30am~1pm~2:30pm

Adults: $23.95 Seniors: $19.95 (55 & wiser) Children (6-12): $12.95 5 & under: FREE

Call for reservations today! 325-698-1234

Parties of 6 or more will incur an automatic 20% service charge.

4250 Ridgemont Dr.

Abilene, TX

www.mcmelegantesuites.com

12 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Workforce Solutions Sponsoring Youth Job Fair March 30th

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

By Steve Collins | Workforce Solutions of West Central Texas Board

In an effort to assist the youth of our community and local employers, Workforce Solutions, Abilene Chamber of Commerce, and Sonic have partnered again to provide “Hotdog! I Got A Job!” youth job fair. The event will be held at the Abilene Civic Center, 1100 N. 6th St. on Wednesday March 30,

2016 from 2-5.

Last year’s event featured forty-seven local employers representing opportunities for multiple occupations, such as healthcare, food service, merchandising, retail sales, banking, digital/broadcast media, landscaping/grounds maintenance and law enforcement. This year, we anticipate an even larger event, with around fifty-five employers.

This event, not only is an opportunity for our local young people, ages 16 to 21, to find summer employment as well as full-time employment, but to begin developing valuable job experiences. In some situations, individuals have been able to secure full –time employment, lasting beyond the summer. In recent years, employers have been successful in finding good quality applicants at the event. Youth participation usually exceeds 350. Another positive impact for employers is their ability to strengthen the applicant pool for future job opportunities.

flip-flops, and unnecessary jewelry.

Develop A Resume: Professional white bond paper, organized, plain fonts, such as Times Roman, easy to read with bullet points not paragraphs highlighting skills/responsibilities.

Check for spelling/grammar, be honest about your accomplishments. Don’t use graphics, colored paper or different print styles.

Application Techniques: Write legibly using a black ink pen. Complete all blanks, if not applicable put N/A. Check your spelling. FOLLOW DIRECTIONS. Interviewing: Because you have limited time, less than 1 minute, to make an impression and gain information about the company, prepare your questions before the interview.

Demonstrate self-confidence, use the employers name, shake hands, introduce yourself, tell the employer what position you are seeking, give examples of how you have used your skills. Do NOT speak negatively about former work experiences, supervisors, or coworkers.

Workforce Solutions is located at 500 Chestnut Street, Suite 1100, Abilene, Texas. Young people are encouraged to register online at www.workforcesystem.org/youthjobfair .

We have a few suggestions for those wanting There is no fee for employers or job seekers to participate in the event. For more informato participate in the youth job fair. tion about the Youth Job Fair or other valuable Dress For Success: Conservative, comfort- Workforce Center services, visit our website ably fitting, clean, neat clothes without stains, at www.workforcesystem.org or call (325) tears, and wrinkles, clean or polished dress 795-4200 or steve.collins@workforcesystem. shoes, clean/simply styled hair. Avoid shorts org.

MEDICARE

SAVINGS PROGRAM

The Medicare Savings Program (MSP) assists people with limited incomes and resources to pay some or all of Medicare’s premiums and may pay Medicare deductibles and coinsurance.

There are four MSPs. If you qualify for one, you automatically qualify for EXTRA HELP paying for the costs of Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage.

Contact the Area Agency on Aging at 325-793-8417 for more information.

All publications funded solely or in part by MIPPA funds, shall include express acknowledgement, “This publication has been created or produced by (insert DADS/AAA/ADRC name) with financial assistance, in whole or in part, through funds from the Administration for Community Living”. The SHIP (only for AAA use) and AAA/ADRC logo should also be included on the publication. Just to avoid assumptions, MIPPA funding can only be used to print materials that cover MIPPA topics: MSP, LIS, Medicare prevention & wellness, etc. All publications that use the SHIP logo should also be submitted to DADS Help Desk for approval before printing and distribution.

For promotional items, a reference to MIPPA and the funding purpose should be included on all items. Depending on the space available you should include MIPPA specific taglines or references such as “Medicare Savings Programs”, “Low-Income Subsidies”, etc. and when space is limited it should at least include “MIPPA Program.” All items should also include the AAA/ADRC logo or written name as well as the contact phone number for your agency. All promotional items should be submitted to the DADS Help Desk for review and approval before purchasing. Please contact us if you have any questions about these requirements.

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

14 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

TEACHER TRIBUTE Mrs. Thornton - Wylie High School Interview by Jeff Cramer | KTXS TV

HispanicLife Media

“If you’re having trouble with something, you can always go to her and she will always go out of her way to make sure you know how to do it,” said Cody Carrigan, who nominated Mrs. Thornton.

Thornton said it’s not always easy to keep a group of high school students focused on what the scienMrs. Angela Thornton at Wylie High School “I try to do that a lot,” said Thornton. “I relate tific symbol for nitrogen is. knows a thing or two about high school chem- a lot of stuff to food sometimes ... ratios and inistry.

“Technology is great, but they can find out anything at the click of a “When I started doing my obserbutton,” Thornton said. “Teaching vations at the high school level, I a thought process to go from point thought, I really liked high school A to point B and C, not just to point chemistry and it was fun,” said D is challenging.”

Thornton. “I think there’s a sense of accomplishment and a kind of pride Thornton said teaching her love when you see that light bulb mofor chemistry comes so naturally ment for the kids.” that she has not even realized she had made such a big difference in Mrs. Thornton has been transformCody’s life. ing her classroom into a science lab for six years, trying to help her stu“You just really don’t know who dents grasp and understand the peyou’re making an impact on,” said riodic table.

Thornton. ________________________ She can make a subject that can be pretty dry come to life. In one lesSCHOOL: Wylie High School son plan, she compares dating to TEACHER: Mrs. Thornton balancing equations, which she said STUDENT: Cody Carrigan can be easier for her students to understand. gredients and cooking and things that they can GRADE: 10th Grade apply to real life or at least visualize it better.” PRINCIPAL: Mr. Vaughn

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 701-9505

Pick us up at Primetime Family Entertainment, Sears Rec Center & Kentucky Fried Chicken | COMMUNITY | 15

Holland Medical Early College High School to Host Inaugural 5K Walk/Run April 2, 2016

Holland Medical Early College High School of Abilene Independent School District will be hosting the Inaugural Holland HOSA Children’s Miracle Network 5K Walk/Run on April 2, 2016 at 9:00 A.M. on the Hardin-Simmons University campus.

During this event, we will be honoring Hendrick Children’s Hospital, a Children’s Miracle Network hospital, for helping sick kids in the Big Country.

There will be a guest speaker, music and lots of fun - t-shirt and bag available to

those who register early! Sign up at active. com through March 18th. Pre-registration fee is $25 and late registration fee is $35.

Every dollar raised stays local and will be used to provide medical equipment, educational tools and therapeutic toys to our children. These children are not only patients, they are miracles.

For more information, contact Peter Estrada at 325.794.4120 x4349 or Lyndsey Williamson at 325.794.4120 x1573.

16 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

Dyess Air Force Base

Airfield Defenders

By Airman 1st Class Austin Mayfield | 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs, Dyess Air Force Base

The safety of aircraft is a crucial part of mission success; the flight line holds many dangers to aircraft, such as foreign object debris and wildlife. While it is everyone’s responsibility to address any hazards found on the airfield, airfield managers are its first-line defenders.

off and when they land as well as their destinations,” said Senior Airman Fidencilio Velasquez, 7th OSS airfield manager operation coordinator.

If they are not at their desks manning the phones, they are out conducting inspections to ensure nothing has happened that needs to be documented.

“If wing flying is up, we inspect the airfield every two hours and if wing flying is down we inspect the airfield every three hours,” Willis said. “We also have to check to see if there is any wildlife that has appeared and if there is, we have to chase them off.”

There are a few tools in place to get rid of the wildlife but ensure wildlife is not hurt in the process.

“We have passive and active tools in place for the wildlife,” Willis said. “Our passive is having the U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Fidencilio Velasquez, 7th Operations Support Squadron airfield manager operation coordinator, checks a grass between a half foot to just crack on the runway Jan. 12, 2016, at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas. over a foot long. The grass at this When a crack is formed in the pavement, the crack is filled with joint height makes it uncomfortable for sealant to prevent the pavement from cracking more and potentially the birds to stay there and is also damaging an aircraft’s tire. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class tall enough to where they are not Austin Mayfield/Released) able to see anything in the grass.

Our active tool is honking our horn Airfield managers go through rigorous two- to chase them off. We also have bangers and hour inspections to make sure there are no screamers, firework-like ammo shot from a rocks, bolts or other small objects, which they flare gun which scares them off.” call foreign object debris, on the flight line.

The attention to detail these Airmen show is a Wildlife isn’t the only obstacle airfield mangreat asset in preserving the airfield. agers face. Another challenge is the runway getting cracked.

“The FOD on the flight line poses a threat to the aircraft’s engine,” said Airman 1st Class “If we find a crack during our inspection, we Wyatt Willis, 7th Operations Support Squad- will pick-up all the FOD around it and take ron airfield manager operation coordinator. pictures of the damage and document where “Rocks or bolts can be sucked into the engine it was by using GPS coordinates,” Willis said. and cause serious damage to the aircraft. We “After obtaining the information, we’ll monimonitor everything happening on the flight tor it to ensure it doesn’t get worse, and if it line to ensure the safety of everyone out there.” does, we’ll have a construction team temporarily fix the crack.”

The start of the day for these Airmen begins with a morning inspection. This mandatory These Airmen defend the airfield against all inspection has to happen before any flight line threats which might prevent aircraft from activity can occur. After the morning inspec- completing their tasks. tion, the airfield managers go to their desks where they become the eyes and ears of the “We process flight plans for aircraft; we watch airfield, ensuring smooth operations for every- the overall safety of the flight line,” Willis one working on the flight line. said. “Without airfield management, the aircraft would have a greater risk of not being “We keep track of the times the aircraft take able to accomplish the mission.”

Steam-n-Wheels set for March 19

By City of Abilene Recreation Division

Get ready to ride in the 24th Annual Steam-n-Wheels Bike Race and Fun Ride on Saturday, March 19 at Nelson Park. The event starts at 10:00 am with a 48 miles race/tour, 32 mile Fun Ride and a 12 Mile Fun Ride.

The first 200 entries will receive a free long sleeve t-shirt. The non-refundable entry fees are $25 for an individual or $50 for a tandem team. Walk-in Registration March 14-18, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at Community Services, 633 Walnut Street. ($30 and $55 event day registration from 7:00-9:45 a.m. March 19th.)

Online registration: www. abilenetx.com (OR) www. bikereg.com.

Participants under 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult on the route. Helmets are required for all participants.

This event is hosted by the City of Abilene Recreation Division and Abilene Bicycling Club. For more information call 325676-6217 or 325-734-5301 or visit www. abilenetx.com/parkandrec.

• Full Service Medical & Surgical Facilities • State-of-the-Art Laser Surgery & Monitoring Equipment • Small Animal Hospital Facilities • Video Ear Scope • Geriatric Health Screening Available • Dental Care • Full In-House Lab For 1-Hour and 24-Hour Coggins Testing • K Laser Therapy (Laser Treatment) • Pain Management • Wound Healing • Rehabilitation

7550 Hwy. 83-84 South Monday-Friday 8-12:30, 2-6pm

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

18 | COMMUNITY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

www.facebook.com/HispanicLifeMagazine

TEACHER TRIBUTE Mrs. Schoonover - Martinez Elementary

The Mc MURRY eXPeRIeNCe

Interview by Jeff Cramer | KTXS TV

McMurry University’s tradition of academic excellence and student-centered community has produced graduates with global perspectives that are well rounded, knowledgeable and skilled.

There’s a first grade teacher at Martinez El- Schoonover is not her last name,” said Lauren ementary who is getting students excited to Schoonover, who was nominated by Lupita for ‘Teacher Tribute.’ learn.

“Ms. Schoonover’s not mean, she never yells Lupita said Miss Schoonver’s classroom is the at us, she’s cute and she takes care of us,” said highlight of her day and when Lupita is learning about who’s on the penny and nickel, it’s fun.” Lupita said the best part of Miss Schoonover’s class are “brain breaks,” where students get a five minute break to stretch their muscles.

“My goal as a teacher is I want to make a positive impact on the kids,” said Schoonover. “I want to make school a positive learning environment to where school is somewhere fun and they want to continue in school. There are too many kids these days that school is not fun for them.”

Ms. Schoonover has been teaching for three years, she began her career in Midland and then returned home to Abilene.

“I had a teacher that I latched on to,” said Schoonover. “She was my neighbor for a little bit and I would always go over there and I would take her dog out and bring her dog to come play, she was my third grade teacher; Ms. Flint Lupita Woo, a first-grader at Martinez El- at Austin.” ementary who is not shy when talking about ____________________________________ her favorite teacher-Miss Schoonover.

SCHOOL: Martinez Elementary “Since day one, she seemed kind of shy com- TEACHER: Mrs. Schoonover ing in and she just kind of latched onto me and STUDENT: Lupita Woo one day she came to school with a nametag GRADE: 1st Grade that said ‘Lupita Schoonover,” but of course PRINCIPAL: Mr. Garcia

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 518-7091

McMurry supports students on the individual level, providing resources for spiritual, intellectual and social growth. Small classes, hands-on learning and expert professors make for a one-of-a-kind experience.

At McMurry University over 90% of our students receive financial assistance. A McMurry education is well within YOUR reach.

Office of Admission

800-460-2392 | 325-793-4700 admissions@mcm.edu | mcm.edu

Our students gain the knowledge and skills to make their mark in the world through scholarship, leadership and service.

Pick us up at First Financial Bank inside both WalMart’s | EDUCATION | 19

Abilene Goes Cajun

By Caitlin Richards | HispanicLife Magazine

Abilene will go Cajun on a whole new level this year and the Abilene Education Foundation is behind it all. For nearly five years, AEF coordinated Cajun Fest held in conjunction with Abilene’s down- vendors. The heart of the festival is still the town ArtWalk. same though, with the crawfish meal and high school performances at the center of it all.

In the parking lot across from the Para- “Part of our mission within AEF and the Cajun mount Theatre, AEF Festival is to highlight the fine art talents from held Cajun Fest where both high schools in Abilene,” Darby said. they served over 1,000 “The performance stage will have different plates of crawfish, sets of music groups performing throughout while guests enjoyed the day from choirs and band, to the Revoluperformances from tion group and other talented acts.”

Abilene High School’s and Cooper High School’s performing arts groups.

AEF plans to serve over 3,500 lbs. of crawfish from none other than Louisiana. HEB has “We had gained traction and our event was sponsored the event in many ways but will growing,” Jason Darby, AEF vice president also be donating all of the shrimp. Don’t worry and Cajun Festival chair, said. “So for 2016, if crawfish isn’t your thing. Local food trucks we made the decision to move the Cajun Fest will be at the festival to fill up on too. to the fairgrounds and call it the Cajun Festival.”

“We are no strangers to the crawfish and shrimp boil part, but this will be the first year Taylor County Fairgrounds will host the first to do a full-fledged festival,” Darby said. “It is ever Cajun Festival in Abilene on April 9. The going to be fun and a good time for sure.” day will kick off with an inaugural 5K Crawfish Crawl at 8:30 a.m. in Shotwell Stadium. The cost to attend the event is $5 or you can The 5K will start inside the stadium and finish purchase the crawfish meal for $20, which also on the 50-yard line with the jumbotron high- includes admission. A family bundle deal is lighting the finish line. also available for $100. Visit www.abilenegoescajun.org for details and special discounts.

Cajun Festival is sure to be a good time for the All proceeds of the event go towards AEF who whole family with an inflatable park with over puts the money back into AISD’s classrooms 10 different inflatables, a children’s pavilion for both the educators and students. for the little ones and a shopping mall with 40

“The strength of the community is the strength of the school system,” Darby said. “So that’s why we raise these funds to be able to give back to the students and educators to help strengthen the community.”

The great thing about the Cajun Festival this year, Darby said, is that there is something for everybody. Runners, performing arts enthusiasts, and families and friends of all ages can all find something to do. What is even greater though is that it is all for a great cause.

“With everything Cajun Festival has to offer,” Darby said, “we are able to raise money to make a real difference in the lives of students and that affects everybody in the community.”

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

20 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

MAKING

A+ DIFFERENCE

MEET

Marilyn Buse Marilyn Buse, who has been teaching Spanish to our Kindergarten through 8th graders at St. John’s Episcopal School for five years.

Senora Buse, who is originally from Long Island, New York, came to D.C. to attend Georgetown University and never left (lucky for us)!

She received her B.S. in Spanish and French with a Linguistics minor at Georgetown. Senora Buse is not only a member of the St. John’s faculty, but she is also a alumni parent; her daughter Katie is a St. John’s graduate of the class of 2011 and is a freshman at American University.

Senora Buse lives in Rockville, where she likes to take Bachata lessons, explore area hiking trails, and eat out at all the great Ethnic restaurants around D.C. A fun fact about her is that her dad was a Captain for American Airlines, so their family got to fly 1st class to a lot of really cool places.

The 747 was her home away from home.

Her favorite Mexican food is from Villa

Maya, her favorite artist is Frida Kahlo, and her favorite pop singer is Enrique Iglesias. If she could travel anywhere in the world, it would be to Cuba’s dazzling, white, gold, and black, sugar-sand beaches.

Senor Buse’s greatest wish for her students is that they will travel to breath-taking, exotic destinations, where they can Speak Spanish all day long. She hopes that they soak up the art, food, and culture of the vibrant, Spanish-speaking people and enjoy making friendships that last a lifetime.

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

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

From touchdowns to timed starts:

Epps transition to the track

By Savanah Silva | The Optimist, Abilene Christian University

Whistles and yells echo from the field. Small orange cones mark every 10-15 yards. The sounds of shoes hitting the ground become a subtle background noise.

All of these noises and sights are no different for senior wide receiver Jonathan Epps. The only difference is instead of football pads, he’s now in track spikes and rather than big players in a secondary running after him, he now has slender, toned teammates running with him.

“I ran in high school and then stopped because it wasn’t offered at Tyler junior college,” Epps said, “Coach [Ken Collums] wouldn’t let me join last year because he didn’t want me to get hurt so this is my first year back in a while.”

“It was a little nerve racking,” said Epps, in regard to lining up next to some of the best in the collegiate world of track. “But once I got in the blocks and started warming up, I settled down a little bit.”

Epps has eased into the track and field world quite smoothly. It helps having a track background, but it also helps that he’s just naturally quick.

With his first meet under his belt and unsatisfied with his time, Epps is looking forward to competing in two weeks at the University of Houston. He’ll race in the 60m as well as the 200m.

In his final football season with ACU, Epps had 464 receiving yards and earned second team all-Southland Conference at punt return and 2015 return specialist.

“Combine training is the number one goal,” Epps said. “But that doesn’t mean I’m going to be selfish and run a slow time. I also want to help the team. They’re taking the time to help me.”

At 5-feet-9-inch, 170 lbs., the New Orleans native is a little stockier than most sprinters, but that doesn’t mean he’s counting himself out.

“I’m really competitive and I know I haven’t done track in a while but I always believe in myself,” Epps said, “I have to remind myself I’m not doing it to get personal records every time out, but to prepare myself for football.”

Being in the middle of training for any sport is hard. Add training to go into the professional realm of that sport and you have a fairly intense regime to stick to. Epps is in the middle of training for ACU’s pro day as well as the combine in Houston.

with a strong showing at Texas A&M this past weekend for the first meet of the indoor season. They competed against some of the top teams in the nation, with athletes claiming top-10 finishes in a variety of events.

Epps competed in the 60m, which can arguably be seen as one of the most competitive races during indoor season.

Despite spending so much time off from running, Epps rarely takes time off from practices.

“I work out up to four times a day,” Epps said.

“Football is fast paced but you get some rest periods. Track is just go-go-go.”

As random as it may look to the outside for a football player to cross over into the track The track and field program is coming off of world, for Epps, it just seems right. a conference title win thanks to the women’s cross country team back in the fall coupled

Epps is in the right spot when it comes to growth. The ACU track program has seen an increase in recruits as well as performances since the transition into Div. I three years ago. The once-powerhouse of track in Texas is back on path to reclaim it’s title.

As for Epps, he’s definitely preparing for what may come in the future. But he also hasn’t lost sight of what’s right in front of him.

“I’m living in the moment and enjoying myself,” Epps said. “To be blessed with the ability to run and be a two-sport athlete is great. Living in the moment is what I’ve learned to do.”

Tail Waggin’ Tutors at the Library

Cooper High Debate Duo Earn State Berth

By Abilene Independent School District

Cooper High School’s Hayden Nazier and Laura Ochoa are headed to Austin for the UIL Class 5A Cross-Examination Debate State Meet.

Nazier and Ochoa teamed up to finish second at the District 4-5A Meet to qualify to compete in the 106th annual state event, set for March 1819 at the University of Texas.

The top two teams in each district earn the right to advance. The Lubbock Cooper team of Alyssa Gregory and Cayla Rosenbaum won first place.

Laura Ochoa

The Cross-Examination meet marks the second time in 2016 that Ochoa, a senior, will repHayden Nazier resent CHS at a state debate competition. In January, she earned a Bronze Medal in Class 5A in UIL Congressional Debate. Nazier is a junior.

Seth Pietsek is the speech and debate coach for both Cooper and Abilene high schools.

During Spring Break, kids will have the chance to come and read to a certified therapy dog.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016 at 4 p.m.

(Main Library Storyroom)

We’ll have several dogs and their handlers on site to offer children a low stress environment to work on their verbal skills. Children will be able to pick out a book they are interested in and read to a furry friend who won’t notice any mistakes they may make. Free.

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

. Advertise Today! Call (325) 518-7091

Area Graduates Working Local

22 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

www.facebook.com/HispanicLifeMagazine

By Debra Gonzalez | Texas State Technical College

A community is only as strong as its workforce, and TSTC graduates know that. Keeping close to home, several Nursing, Health Information and Computer Networking graduates have settled into positions with Hendrick Health System in Abilene.

There are 86 TSTC graduates working for the system as a whole, which includes a women’s center, rehabilitation hospital, cancer center and numerous other services. Many of these graduates are nurses, but with Hendrick’s many areas of opportunity, there are also coders, transcriptionists, analysts, computer information and more.

“I think anytime somebody is from our community, there is a greater chance they’ll stay here,” said Susan Wade, a Vice President at Hendrick Health System.

“Typically when people come from the Metroplex, they tend to leave. It’s good for our patients and company to have tenured employees, but we do need a mix.”

Wade says TSTC graduates start with good foundations for their careers.

as we can to provide health care programs,” Wade said. “Lots of school choices are good because different programs work well with different people. TSTC offers good flexibility Julia Humphrey, Director of Career Services other graduates to find opportunities within the and it’s nice to have that.” at TSTC in West Texas, said Abilene’s strong healthcare community.”

Rita Johnston, the program chair for the Associate Degree Nursing at TSTC, said that some of the students enrolling were already working at Hendrick.

“We get a lot of good feedback about the caliber of employees,” Wade said. “I’ve worked with some of them and I’m impressed.”

“Some students have been in a LVN position and wanted to move up to an RN position, and you can’t do that without the degree,” Johnston said. “The degree helped them take on more leadership roles and they’ve done well.” ____________________________________

values and down-to-earth friendliness are very Hendrick serves as a partner in educating attractive to graduates, and that’s one of the Abilene’s workforce. Nursing students are rereasons they stay local. quired to complete an internship in their fifth semester and Hendrick Health System is a “We are fortunate that Abilene serves as the popular choice. medical hub for the Big Country area,” Humphrey said. “This allows allied health and “We’re happy to work with as many schools

TSTC will begin enrolling new students for the summer and fall semesters on April 4. For more information on the college, or to apply, visit www.tstc.edu.

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

Seven from AISD advance to state HOSA conference

By Abilene Independent School District

Abilene ISD will send seven students to the Health Occupations Student Association state conference after a strong showing at the Area V HOSA Conference held Feb. 5-6 at Holland Medical Early College High School and HardinSimmons University.

More than 1,000 students competed in health science events at the area conference, with the top three in 50 events advancing.

From left, Kari Brokovich, Tyler Boring, Kelsie Hays and Marcelo Ordonez.

Among the seven AISD qualifiers, three students won gold medals in area competition.

Holland’s Kari Brokovich, first in Medical Reading, and Marcelo Ordonez, Biomedical Laboratory Science, won their events, as did Abilene High sophomore Austin Stevenson in Medical Math.

Also advancing are Kelsie Hayes of Holland, second in Nursing Assisting; McKenna Wells of Holland, second in Sport Medicine;

Tyler Boring of Holland, third in Medical Assisting; and Kosi Ughanze of AHS, a Bronze Medal in the Barbara James Service Award category.

The Texas HOSA conference will be held April 14-16 in Galveston.

24 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry CALL US TO ADVERTISE (325) 701-9505 209 S. Danville, Suite B-103 Email: info@hispaniclifemedia.com

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

Abilene Christian science research building reaches milestone

By Timothy Chipp | Abilene Reporter News

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Approximately a third of the way through constructing the new Halbert-Walling Research Center at Abilene Christian University, a number of construction workers put pen to steel to recognize a milestone.

Some of the roughly 80 workers on site Tuesday put their personal brands on the final piece of structural steel before it was lifted from the ground by crane and set in place as part of the new building that’s scheduled to open in about a year. Groundbreaking was March 31.

When the research center is complete, crews will begin working on the interior of the former Foster Sciences Building, which is now called the Onstead Science Center, named after Robert R. and Kay Onstead. The center currently hosts labs, classrooms and offices,

The atrium and exterior of Onstead have already been dramatically changed as part of the university’s Vision in Action initiative, which is a $75 million campaign set to alter science education at the school and bring football back in the form of a new stadium. Bennett Gymnasium was also transformed into an engineering laboratory as part of the initiative.

Roberts said groundbreaking for the football field is being organized for later this month.

The topping out ceremony, recognizing the fact the building will go no higher and the end to structural work, gave the crew on site a chance to celebrate with Sharon’s Barbecue waiting for them after a busy morning.

“In our industry, this is a major milestone event,” Hoar Construction Senior Project Manager Grant Pallan said. “This represents one part of our project being completed and we can now move on to the start of the next part. We can’t go any higher, so we try to celebrate this as often as we can.”

Nellie Doneva/Reporter-News Construction workers sign a beam to be used in the new Halbert Walling Research Center building at Abilene Christian University Tuesday.

“It’s been one of those ones where it feels like we’ve been doing this for a long time,” Roberts said. “Hopefully soon it’ll come out of the ground. When it’s done, it’ll absolutely transform the campus aesthetically as well as for the community as a whole.

We’re really excited about it.”

Pallan said construction, especially on a building as technical as the new research center, can’t start full speed.

“We’re getting a little momentum,” Pallan said. “This thing is like a freight train. It can’t go full speed out of the blocks. We get a little momentum and hope the tracks stay straight.”

With this step accomplished, he said, the hope is that the project really gets rolling as exterior walls go up and equipment is set up inside. With the number of things needing to be built, especially for the laboratories, the steel itself that forms the shell is actually the easy part, he said.

Artificial turf was also installed at the baseball and softball fields in January, Roberts said, while construction also recently wrapped up at the soccer track stadium on campus.

so when the research center is complete, the space inside Onstead will be renovated to allow more classroom space, according to Kevin Roberts, the university’s vice president of planning and operations.

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

These Anson Middle School students qualified for the All District Band this year. They prepared and performed music with the students who qualified from all of the other schools this last Saturday at Wichita Falls High School. Front to back and left to right: Jonah Flores, Priscilla Rodriguez, Jessica Baez, Alexandria Mitchell, Jalea Ramos, Eddie Hernandez, Alix Garcia

Congrats to J.D. Davis for signing his letter of intent to play Football for Hardin Simmons University.

Congrats to Zai Zai Smith (Stamford High School) for signing his letter of intent to play Football for Hardin Simmons University.

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Jane Long Elementary to become new home to ISD’s Early Childhood program

26 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

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By Abilene Independent School District

Did you hear it? The sounds of celebration in the air on the morning of Jan. 12.

If you had listened closely, you would have heard the stomping of feet, clapping of hands, and shouts of joy coming from Early Childhood, because the AISD School Board voted to consolidate all of the Early Childhood sites onto one campus.

In the fall of 2017, Jane Long Elementary will become the new home to the ISD’s early childhood program with 850 three and four-year-olds and approximately 150 faculty and staff. It’s an exciting time for Abilene’s Early Childhood program, and we have much for which we are thankful.

First, and foremost, we are thankful for the members of the School Board, all of whom listened to the needs from all the schools in Abilene. The Board heard the issues that were presented, developed a plan, and then present-

It’s a big job to match the needs of our District’s tiniest students with building designs! The architecture firm, Tittle Luther Partnership and Parkerhill, Smith and Cooper, spent countless hours on the current early childhood cam-puses, listening to suggestions of staff members and taking their ideas into consideration. They, took those proposals and added them into the existing buildings and the designs of the new structures. ed the bond package to the citizens of Abilene. We are grateful for these gentlemen who are working to make the Jane Long campus ready Citizens of Abilene—some who have children for her newest family. in schools, and many who do not—voted to add upgrades to all of the campuses. This com- The excitement con-tinues to build as the conmunity has a fine history of “paying forward.” struction begins. The Early Childhood staff is Your willingness to invest in the educational eager to reap the numerous benefits that come system has been and continues to be deeply ap- with all being on the same piece of ground. We are looking forward to teaching together, learnpreciated. Thank you, Abilene.

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ing from one another, and, as a unit, continuing to meet the needs of our District’s youngest members.

Early Childhood would be remiss, however, if we did not recognize the staff and the families at Jane Long.

We have not lost sight of the deep connections within the staff, the sweetness of this neighborhood school and all of the memories that lie within her walls. Have no fear, she is not finished raising children. She will retain the memories of the elementary campus while gaining many new ones as Early Childhood enters her doors.

Thank you, Jane Long Friends, for sharing your campus with us. Thank you, School Board and citizens of Abilene for recognizing the needs of Early Childhood and for saying, “Yes!” - We wish each of you well.

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

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Medical Missions: Hearts lost to Haiti

By J’Lyn Emerson | ACU Missions, ACU Today

My first mission with LiveBeyond was in November 2013. I wasn’t expecting to fall in love with Haiti, and I certainly wasn’t expecting for it to turn my entire life upside down.

But God had bigger plans for me than I had for myself. Funny how He always seems to works like that.

I could go on and on about all “the feels” that I experienced during my first trip, but I’ll keep it short and simple. On my first day in Haiti, I knew that my life would never be the same.

God shifted my heart 180 degrees – and that shift was directed towards His people – knowing that my life was never meant to be about me, but instead, it must be about serving those who cannot care for themselves and spreading the Gospel to a people desperate for His truth, hope and love.

he didn’t even know how to hold it or what to es, you can forget their tattered clothing underdo with it. neath, and the tin and twig homes they return to after the program ends every day.

I can see kids joyfully sing about what Jesus has done (and is doing!) in their life instead of You can forget that each night, these kids fall being quiet bystanders during our church wor- asleep to the sound of Voodoo chants and ship services. drums. You can forget that it’s normal for girls to be raped and likely become a mother before I can see our Kè Pou Timoun staff passionately the age of 15. You can forget that these kids tell Bible stories and teach the kids about God’s would be worshipping Voodoo instead of Jesus faithfulness and goodness – when at first, they if it weren’t for LiveBeyond’s ministry.

This October was my ninth trip with LiveBeyond. Over the past two years, I’ve been incredibly blessed to witness and be a part of the transformation that’s taking place in Thomazeau. And to say that God is working in extraordinary ways is the understatement of the century.

I’ve witnessed our staffs’ hearts change from just doing their jobs to get paid to fulfilling God’s purpose for their lives through their jobs with LiveBeyond. I’ve seen babies born that I thought, “There’s no way she’s going to make it.” And a few months later I return, and the baby is healthy and growing because LiveBeyond provided medical care, medicine and formula for the child. I’ve listened to the Vanderpools’ conversations about their dreams and what’s next for LiveBeyond – and I’ve seen those dreams come to fruition time and time again.

One of those dreams was Kè Pou Timoun.

If you look at the camera roll on my iPhone, you’re going to find hundreds of pictures of kids in our Kè Pou Timoun program. You might find some older pictures and think, “Why would she not delete that by now?” But the truth is that I simply cannot delete these memories or precious faces from my mind or phone. Because from trip to trip, I can visibly see God working and watch the change in these children’s lives unfold.

I can see sparks of creativity behind Junior’s eyes when he picks up a crayon now. Before

ACU graduate J’Lyn Emerson poses with children in Haiti, where she works with LiveBeyond.

weren’t sure what to think about leading this But may we never forget their desperate cirnew program. cumstances, and that God gave us this life to care for and love others. He gave us this life This list could go on forever. But I want this to step in and intervene to give these children, post to be a reminder that there is still so much and all of His people, a future filled with hope more to do. that only comes through Jesus Christ. Our lives are meant to be lived with His love as an I’m guilty of looking at pictures of the kids action. when I return home and dwelling in my thoughts about how much I love them. Oh, Let’s live out love together, friends. how I love every single one of those sweet faces. Don’t get me wrong, that’s great, but I “By this all people will know that you are my can dwell in my love for a long time. But God disciples, if you have love for one another.” commands for our love to be an action. He (John 13:35) commands that we boldly love to move His Kingdom forward.

J’Lyn Emerson (’11) is marketing manager for LiveBeyond, a faith-based, humanitarian organization

“Our love should not be only words and talk. that brings medical and maternal health care, clean No, our love must be real. We must show our water, education, orphan care, community developlove by the things we do.” (1 John 3:18) ment and the gospel of Jesus Christ to the oppressed in Thomazeau, Haiti. The organization was founded

When the kids in Kè Pou Timoun are all in and is operated by ACU graduates Dr. David (’82) matching T-shirts with big smiles on their fac- and Laurie (Stallings ’81) Vanderpool.

28 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Two Principals Retiring at End of School Year

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By Alecea Rush | KTXS

district administrators will be formed to review candidates and make recommenTwo veteran Abilene ISD administrators are dations. stepping down as campus principals at the Brown’s tenure as principal at Clack end of the 2015-16 school year. began more than 10 years ago in 2005, Rodney Brown at Clack Middle School and and he also served an assistant principal Roy Sharp at Jackson Elementary School at the campus prior to that. His other adhave announced they will retire from their ministrative position during his 25-year career with AISD was as an assistant current positions. principal at Cooper High School from “We are deeply saddened to lose two men of 2003-2005. He taught and coached at the caliber of Rodney Brown and Roy Sharp, Lincoln Middle School, Clack and Cooand we want to offer our sincere appreciation per before becoming a principal. for their tremendous service to the children of AISD,” said Superintendent Dr. David “It has been a blessing to work in Abilene ISD, Young. “We wish only the best for them as and we are fortunate to live in a community with a strong, viable public school system,” they enter this new chapter in their lives.”

Brown said. “My educational philosophy has Dr. Young said work will begin immediately always been that every kid wants to be treated in search of replacements at the two cam- with respect and love, every child is a winner, puses. A selection committee made up of and as educators, it is our responsibility to teachers, campus staff members, parents and make that happen.”

teacher at Abilene High School in 1989.

“I plan to continue to work after retiring, but I will enjoy some time with my four grandchildren first,” Sharp said. “I have only spent a short time of my educational career in the elementary world, but it has been an extremely enjoyable experience and will leave me with many wonderful memories.”

Roy Sharp

Rodney Brown

Sharp has been in education for 30 years, including the last five years as principal at Jackson and one year as principal at Fannin Elementary. He previously worked 21 years at Woodson Center for Excellence as a teacher, truancy officer and assistant principal. His first teaching and coaching job was in Trent in 1985 before he joined AISD as a science

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Pick us up at Texas Cosmetology School, Mr. Gatti’s & La Popular Bakery | EDUCATION | 29

TSTC hoping to build new multi-million dollar campus in Abilene

By Alecea Rush | KTXS

Texas State Technical College is celebrating its 50th birthday this year, and the school is hoping to complete a multi-million dollar expansion in Abilene.

“There is still a lot of unmet needs in terms of technical jobs in the Big Country that are going unfilled,” Reeser said. “For that reason, we think an expanded TSTC is a good idea.”

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the “middle-skill” business sector has the largest gap of jobs to workers in Texas.

Councilman Steve Savage attended the presentation and believes the program would benefit Abilene and the State of Texas.

“All blue-collar trades are in high demand -- skill technicians to work on engines on the diesel trucks like freightliners and stuff like that,” Savage said.

TSTC currently has campuses in Breckenridge, Brownwood, Abilene and Sweetwater.

The four area campuses serve more than 1,600 students.

The Texas Legislature awarded TSTC a $12 million to back the project. Now the school is asking Abilene to pitch in $6 million over the next ten years along with 40 to 50 acres of land to build on.

Savage says his only concern would be a possible overlap of curriculum between TSTC and Cisco College.

“Competition is typically healthy -- it may drive down prices -- but I don’t want to see one campus close because the other dominates it or vice versa,” Savage said.

No decision about the $6 million was made Friday. Reeser said the school will continue the dialogue with city leaders.

The $12 million from the state will be available by May. If everything falls in place, the school hopes to break ground this summer.

30 | EDUCATION | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

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TEACHER TRIBUTE Ms. Finley - Lee Elementary School Interview by Jeff Cramer | KTXS TV

Mallory Finley is making a big impact on She said was very surprised when she found students at Lee Elementary in her first year out Sydney had nominated her for the Teacher teaching.

Tribute award.

“Whenever I don’t understand something, she “To think this is my first year and I’ve already explains it more and is more descriptive,” said impacted a student this much, it just solidified fifth grader Sydney Wright. what I’m doing as a profession,” said Finley.

“This is really what I want to do and I’m loving every minute of it.”

Finley said she has always known teaching is her passion.

“I push my students,” Finley said. “I challenge them, I set very high expectations for all my students and I expect them to get it. I want them to understand failure is a part of life and you’re going to learn from it.”

Sydney said Finley’s bubbly personality matched with her knowledge and wisdom makes Monday through Friday easy.

“She’s the best teacher that I’ve ever had at this school before,” said Wright.

“It’s students like Sydney that really make coming to school and doing what I’m doing worth it,” Finley said. ____________________________

SCHOOL: Lee Elementary

Wright nominated Finley to be recognized by TEACHER: Ms. Finley KTXS.

STUDENT: Sydney Wright

Finley has only been teaching for one year. GRADE: 5th Grade After substitute teaching for a bit near San PRINCIPAL: Mr. Blessing Antonio, she moved to Abilene for her first full-time teaching job out of college.

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Pick us up at Golden Chick, Enterprise Bldg. & Armando’s Mexican Restaurant | FAITH & FAMILY | 31

Never Give Up on Your Marriage Rolando and Lucy Figueiras know marriage is not easy, so they help couples however they can.

By Sandy Lowe | HispanicLife Magazine

Rolando and Lucy Figueiras can help couples whose marriages are in trouble because they’ve been there. By the time they had been married for three years and had two children, they were on the verge of divorce.

“We believe a strong marriage makes a strong family,” Rolando says. “A strong family makes a strong church and a strong church makes a strong community.”

“That’s when the Lord got a hold of him,” Lucy says of Rolando. “He looked at our two kids, then he turned to me and said, ‘We’re going to work this out.’”

They also have practical suggestions for couples that are trying to strengthen their marriages. One of them is a weekly date night.

Lucy grew up in Abilene and Rolando is from Mexico. They met when both were working at El Chico’s. Lucy had been asked by the general manager to update staff phone numbers.

Even though she spoke no Spanish and Rolando spoke no English, he was still able to ask her if she would call him. She did and they have been together ever since.

“We still have a date night every Friday,” says Lucy, “dinner and a movie.”

“We don’t always have the finances for a date,” Rolando says, “but you shouldn’t let that stop you from being creative.

Have a picnic in the living room. You shouldn’t have an excuse for not doing something to promote unity.”

They’ve been married twenty-five years.

They have been pastoring True Light Global Ministries for thirteen years and they speak regularly at conferences for couples.

Rolando and Lucy have four children and three grandchildren. The oldest, Hiram, is adopted and a student at Hardin-Simmons University. Angel is married to Vange and has one daughter. Samantha is married to Abel Laureles and they have two children. Son Asiel and Mariah are expecting their first baby in April. All are involved in True Light Global Ministries.

On January 29 and 30, 2016, True Light hosted its first couples’ conference. The featured speaker was Peter De Jesus from Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, part of John Hagee Ministries. About 100 couples attended. The theme of the event was Forever One. “It was open to anyone to come and hear the

Rolando and Lucy also pray together and share their scriptural insights. message of God’s love as a couple,” Rolando “Biblical principles and practicality work tosays. “The key message was that your relation- gether,” Rolando says. “Marriage is God’s proship with God will determine your relationship vision for companionship.” with others.”

One of Lucy’s favorite scriptures for couples The Figueiras believe the weekend was suc- is Galatians 6:9: “Let us not become weary in cessful because they know of couples that doing good, for at the proper time we will reap attended, not knowing whether their mar- a harvest if we do not give up.” (New Internariage would survive. Some of those couples tional Version) came away with new hope. A similar event is planned for next year and a youth conference “If I had given up [on our marriage], Roland will be held on March 11 and 12. says, “I would never have known our youngest son or our grandchildren. People see us behind Even though the couples’ conference is over the pulpit and they don’t realize we didn’t get for this year, Rolando and Lucy share their there on our own. It’s only because of God that marriage experience year-round. Marriage and we made it to this point in our lives.” the family are regular themes in their preaching.

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32 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

5 Things Married Couples Should Do Every Day

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

How To Invest In Your Marriage

By Debra K. Fileta | Relevant Magazine

“You’ve got to make time to invest in your your spouse. When it comes to communicating, it’s important to realize that there are levmarriage.” els of conversation. Facts are the most superIf you’re married, it’s likely you’ve heard that ficial level, followed by opinions and ideas, phrase at least once. But it often seems like followed by the deepest level of sharing our people are constantly telling young married feelings and emotions with one another. couples to “invest in their marriage” without explaining what on earth that actually means. The truth is, each level of conversation is important, and has to be deliberately worked into While it sounds like a noble idea, the concept conversation. If you want to do something of “investing in your marriage” can seem so far away for many couples, particularly during the first few years of marriage. As you’re trying to balance, work, family and a social life, it’s hard to figure out how to find the time or energy to “invest” in one more thing.

and I totally understand the struggle of trying to connect physically with your spouse while being pulled in a million different directions.

But the truth is, even during seasons of life when it’s hard to come by, physical touch is such an important part of investing in your marriage.

Take inventory of your marriage, and find times (or even schedule times if you have

They say that couples who “pray together stay together.” But I think it can also be said that couples who play together have the most fun!

1. Connect Spiritually

small that will have a big impact on your marriage, set aside 10-20 minutes a day sitting face to face with your spouse for the sole purpose of communicating. Don’t let this be the time to discuss conflict or problems, but just a time to catch up and keep up with one another.

Consider asking open-ended questions like: “What was the best part of your day today?”

Some of the most intimate times I spend with or “What’s something I can do to help you out my husband are the moments we sit, hand in this week?” The goal of this time is to enjoy hand, at the end of the day and just pray about each other and encourage one another. whatever is going on in our lives. It’s a simple act, yet it has a supernatural outcome.

3. Touch Often Before we had children, I remember observ2. Communicate Meaningfully ing a couple we were friends with who had Believe it or not, the average married couple children. Between feeding their kids at meal spends just minutes a day in active and mean- times and keeping them occupied during our ingful communication. It’s also a known fact fellowship time, I noticed they hardly ever that communication gets less and less with had any physical contact with each other. No hand-holding. No snuggling on the couch. No each year of marriage. arms around the shoulders.

Hearing that saddens me, because there is so much joy in being able to communicate with Fast forward a few years and a few kids later,

The couples I see in my practice who are highly satisfied in marriage are not the ones who have the least amount of disagreement, but the ones who have the most forgiveness.

5. “Get Away”

Here are a few bite-sized things to consider doing as ways to invest in your marriage:

Often, believing couples tend to take their spiritual connection for granted, forgetting that some of the most intimate moments in marriage are when we’re sharing our hearts, communicating what’s in our spirit and talking about our relationship with God.

The couples I see in my practice who are highly satisfied in marriage are not the ones who have the least amount of disagreement, but the ones who have the most forgiveness.

God has forgiven each one of us of so much, and those who live in that freedom are freed to forgive others. Invest in your marriage by taking the time to search your heart frequently, being honest with your spouse about the things you are longing to change and the areas where you need to ask for forgiveness.

As a counselor, I know that offering blanket statements like telling people to “invest in their marriage” can often discourage more than encourage. So, in a practical sense, what does it actually mean to invest in your marriage when life is crazy and beyond?

One of the most beautiful aspects of marriage comes with the opportunity to emotionally and spiritually connect with another human being.

And the gift of Christian marriage gives us an opportunity to connect, not only with one another, but with a holy and almighty God.

practice of letting down our pride in the act of confession opens the door for the opportunity to forgive, which is the sacred glue that holds marriages together.

to!) where you can be deliberate about holding hands, making love or even doing something as simple as touching your spouse’s back as you pass them in the kitchen. Physical touch conveys to your spouse that you notice them, desire them and I want to be near them. Talk about a great investment!

4. Confess and Forgive

As much as we talk about confession and forgiveness within the Church, we often fail to apply it in the context of our marriages. Because let’s be honest, it’s a hard task!

The idea of being vulnerable and sharing your weaknesses and shortcomings with another person can be a hard pill to swallow, which is precisely why God calls us to do it. The

Life can get busy, and the stress of it all can make us lose sight of the fact that God wants us to enjoy one another and the life He’s given us.

Invest in your marriage by setting aside the time to go out at least once a week (or stay in if you can’t afford a weekly sitter) and do something fun! Play a board game on the living room floor, go out for a fun dinner, take a hike, pack a picnic lunch, go on a scenic drive. The possibilities are endless, and what you’re doing matters less than who you’re doing it with.

Rekindle your love for one another by rekindling your friendship.

Investing in your marriage often means doing small things deliberately that will ultimately have a huge impact. Whether you’ve been married for five days or 50 years, it’s never too early or too late to start making a difference in your marriage.

Pick us up at Kentucky Fried Chicken, First Financial Banks & SBDC | FAITH & FAMILY | 33

Hope for Parents of Kids With Special Needs

By Michael Woods | ThrivingFamily.com

The voice on the other end of the line was a Night after night I would remind him, “Jesus whisper. “What’s up?” “Why are you whis- loves you, Jacob,” hoping for some type of repering?” I whispered back. sponse. Something. Anything.

In a guilty voice, the 35-year-old father ex- Then finally, one night it happened. Before plained that he was calling from a closet. He was hiding from his 5-year-old son, who was hunting for his favorite children’s DVD. His son with special needs had a tendency to play the same video segment over . . . and over . . . and over.

“Joey drives me crazy playing that song a thousand times a day!” he said.

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I reassured him that I’d felt the same at times. I remembered watching one of my son’s tantrums and wondering what it would be like to move to Australia. I could open my mouth to speak, he smiled, Why Australia? Because it was far, far away. looked at me and slowly said, “Jesus . . . loves . . . Jacob!”

Parenting a child with special needs is a mixture of the happiest moments of your life mixed I reflect on that treasured moment often. There with ones that make you want to run from the were so many times when I’d felt as if what I room screaming. If you’ve ever thought, How did as a father didn’t matter. But those three many times do I have to repeat myself? or words — “Jesus loves Jacob” — proved me When is he ever going to stop that? you’re not wrong. alone. But hear this, weary parent: What you do today does matter, even if it doesn’t seem Running off to Australia might feel like a good like it. idea sometimes, but let’s hold tight to God instead.

Let me share a moment I had one night as I tucked my son Jacob into bed. He’s on the “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in severe end of the autism spectrum and isn’t due season we will reap, if we do not give up” inclined to spontaneously comment about any- (Galatians 6:9). thing.

For months, as part of Jacob’s bedtime routine, I’d been telling him, “Jesus loves you, Jacob.”

He’d look away, seemingly more interested in the clock on the wall. It appeared that my words fell on deaf ears.

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34 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

7 Skills Dads Use at Work that They Should Use at Home

By AllProDad.com

How would you feel if someone called you a mom’s assistant? You know, a dad who doesn’t function like a dad, but functions more like mom’s assistant. We are not being a male chauvinist. We are being real! Many men display amazing talents, skills, and abilities in the workplace, but when they come home they don’t just leave work at work, they leave all those attributes as well.

2. Creativity.

This is me here. I always say this is my weak point when it is time to be creative at home.

Yet, I make my living from creating, with writing. I’m sure I’m not the only one.

3. Communication.

When you are successful at work, your communication is usually the foundation. Use these skills with your kids, your wife—to lead “Be a dad. Don’t be ‘Mom’s assistant.’ That’s conversation among them. depressing, just waiting for her to write you a list, walk around a store staring at it, call- 4. Operations. ing her from the cereal aisle to make sure you Maybe you are responsible for how your degot the right thing. Be a man. Make your own partment operates at work. Yet when you are list. Fathers have skills that they never use at home, you are perfectly content to let your home. You run a landscaping business and wife run the operations. Tag teaming this, or you can’t dress and feed a 4-year-old? Take it at least not leaving it up to her 100% of the on. Spend time with your kids and have your time, can be beneficial. own ideas about what they need. It won’t take away your manhood; it will give it to you. I 5. Finance. did that. I spent more time with my kids. And If this is your thing at work, use the skills at I found out that I’m a pretty bad father. I make home. Take the same care and concern for a lot of mistakes and I don’t know what I’m your family’s plan as you do for your comdoing. But my kids love me. Go figure.” – pany’s checkbook and financial plan.

Louis C.K. 6.Training.

The quote above doesn’t hold any punches Are you responsible for employee training? does it? If you felt offended or upset at the Use the same skills to help train your kids. quote in any way, then maybe you have been Train them in doing the dishes, mowing the functioning like a mom’s assistant instead of lawn, doing laundry, managing finances, and the great family leader you can be. We want anything else age-appropriate. you to assume that role wholeheartedly. Here are 7 skills you are using at work that you 7. Problem resolution. should use more at home.

I’m certain you are one of your company’s best problem solvers. When problems arise, 1. Organization. you jump into problem solving mode. You get Every professional role is going to require the necessary feedback and then move forsome form of organization to be successful. ward with suggestions followed by actions.

Many times dads rely on mom to organize Do the same at home. Make sure you listen things around the house. Your skills here first though! could be beneficial.

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Finding Easter in Bunnies and Baskets

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

By Kim Wier | Focus on the Family

If you have walked through store aisles lately, you’ve seen many reminders that Easter is coming. What isn’t so obvious is that, for Christians, Easter is truly the most significant day of the year.

love and forgiveness?

Before you hide the eggs or put them in baskets, encircle each one with a colored strip of paper (or place the strip inside plastic eggs) that tells one small part of the Easter story.

At the store we find: When the eggs have been found, the children • baskets and eggs as the symbols of Eas- must unscramble the story and put it in the ter, instead of a cross and an empty tomb • right order. a bunny that brings candy instead of a Savior who brings life • Is it any wonder that our Instead of decorating the eggs with dye, or in children are more excited about the coming addition to dying them, write one attribute of of the Easter Bunny than about the coming Jesus on each egg. You can do this by writing of God’s kingdom? We spend many days on on the egg with a crayon before you put it in egg-coloring and baskets but focus on Jesus the dye. If you are using plastic eggs, you can Christ’s death and resurrection for only one write with a permanent marker or paint pen. hour on Sunday morning.

Send kids on a hunt for the eggs that have JeMany parents, however, are looking for ways sus’ attributes written on them. Instead of just to make the true significance of Easter a re- discovering eggs, they will be discovering the ality to their children. Well, here’s the good wonderful things that make Jesus so special. news!

If the eggs are plastic, fill them with treats to remember how sweet the life of Jesus really is.

Bunnies, eggs, baskets and more can become Dye eggs in certain colors and use them to tell tools that parents use to bring a greater under- the story of salvation. standing of the message of Easter. With just a little creativity, all these symbols that often Teach them about Jesus by talking about what replace the real significance of Easter can be a real Easter Bunny is. the very things that make the holiday full and rich with spiritual meaning.

Use a rabbit picture, a stuffed bunny or even a real one (if you are adventurous) to teach some Tell the Story of Easter with Eggs of the characteristics of Jesus that we should Instead of merely coloring eggs this Easter, all try to have. By adding a Bible verse to each why not use the eggs to tell the story of God’s quality, you will create a true Easter Bunny.

Real Easter bunnies:

• are white as snow because Jesus takes all sin away (Isaiah 1:18b). • are gentle, kind-hearted and forgiving (Ephesians 4:32). • have big ears that are quick to listen (James 1:19).

• have big eyes to look carefully and choose what is good (1 Thessalonians 5:21). • have no voice for complaining or arguing (Philippians 2:13). • are quiet in prayer, but hop with thanksgiving and rejoicing (Philippians 4:4-6).

• have big feet to go tell others about Jesus so they can be like Easter bunnies, too (Matthew 28: 19-20). • eat what is healthy by filling up on God’s word every day (Psalm 119:11).

The Easter Story: Defining the Terms

We sometimes forget that our children don’t understand everything that is being said and done around them. Often we take for granted that they understand things we have not explained.

The Easter story, while beautiful, can be very confusing to children when we don’t take time to simplify the story in a way they can understand. An explanation of some big words can help. For young children, omitting the harder words all together may reduce confusion.

Explain to your kids what these terms mean:

were not teaching the truth about God Arrested — Guards took Jesus and would not let him go.

Sanhedrin or Court — Leaders all got together and decided that Jesus should be punished for telling the people that He was God’s Son. Righteous — Jesus told only the truth and did everything God wanted Him to do.

Condemned to death — Rulers announced that Jesus would have to die.

Crucified — They nailed His hands and feet onto a big wooden cross and left Him hanging on it until He died.

Tomb — a special place, like a small cave, where Jesus’ body was laid after He died Resurrection — Even though Jesus had been dead for three days, God made Him come back alive so His friends would know that Jesus really is God’s Son. Ascension — After Jesus came back to life and spent time with His friends, He was lifted up from the ground and floated above the clouds so He could finally go to be with God in heaven.

Second Coming — When He left to go back to heaven, the angels promised Jesus’ friends that He would be coming back one day to get all His friends.

Disciples — Jesus’ closest friends Pharisees and religious leaders — the people who

We would like to congratulate one of our newest graduates, Johnathan Palomino! God has done an amazing work in his life and we know God will continue to work in him. We would like to thank everyone for your continued prayers and support. Because of that support we are able to minister to men like Jayson and help them find a new life in Christ.

“My name is Johnathan Palomino. I am 25 years old. I am from Houston, Texas. I was always the type to rebel against my parents, my family and the law, God’s law. Smoking weed and drinking started the act of my rebellious living. I grew cold hearted because of the simple fact of not having a father set the example. I ended up in and out of incarceration from age 15 to 24. Hatred grew, pride grew, lust grew. I didn’t want to abide by the rules in my parents’ home so I was living in my car. That was my breaking point. At those moments that is when I would think about my childhood, witnessing my father beating my mother and always drinking. I didn’t want to follow in my father’s footsteps. I was gonna do something to go back to prison because I couldn’t find my identity and I wanted to go back to prison because that’s all I knew. I felt so lonely and didn’t know who to turn to. So lost in this world I began to pray. I got to the Dream Center by the grace of God. I found out about the Dream Center through my manager who has been a great mentor in my life. I’m now seeing what God has for me. His promises are true.

Being here has taught me discipline, accountability and leadership on a massive scale. I now have love, show love, and I can now be love. I thank the Dream Center for showing the true walk. All glory goes to the father because it’s not the men that make this program, it’s Jesus that makes this program. I just want the world to see Jesus in me. I speak life into my future, for God knew the plans and the future of my life and to serve him is an honor. Thank you Jesus for a new founded life.”

2802 Old Anson Rd. | Abilene, Texas | (325) 437-6577 | www.AbileneDreamCenter.com

36 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Top 10 Habits to Break as a Family

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

By AllProDad.com

If you have had multiple kids in diapers at the same time, you know that it’s survival mode time. A friend of mine was telling me that when his kids were that age, he and his wife would be so tired they would want to lay down to watch their favorite TV shows at the end of the day. The problem was that they liked different shows. So they agreed to watch in separate rooms. It wasn’t bad once in a while, but it formed a habit, even after their kids were older.

Eventually, their marriage reached a difficult place. Breaking habits like that was the beginning of restoration.

intentional living, becomes the rule of the day.

Choose carefully and wisely in terms of which commitments you make or allow your kids to make. You may find that your family gets greater joy out of doing fewer things with less pressure.

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6. Failing to eat together - Busy families often find that the family dinner table is the big loser when we get caught up in the rat race.

But it’s worth it to schedule 3-4 (or more) true family dinners each week where every member of the family is required to be around the table to spend time together and eat well. Statistics There are lots of not-so-great choices families show that families who do this have happier, make once in a while with no major conse- healthier kids and parents. quences. But when those choices become habits, you’ve got a problem. Such is the case with 7. Screen time overload - If you or your kids most of these 10 negative habits to kick. If you are spending more than an hour or so a day in see them making regular appearances in your front of a screen (TV, computer, video game, family’s life, act fast to correct them. Here are etc.), you’re probably spending too much.

Families who have major electronic addictions 10 family habits to break. have higher rates of obesity and other health 1. Fast food - The nutrition you get for the problems. Plus they’re missing out on countcalories, sodium, and fat grams you consume less other worthwhile things like reading, outis a bad deal. If you find yourself feeding your door play, games together, and great communifamily from a paper bag with grease stains ev- cation about things that truly matter. ery few days (or more), it’s time to cut back.

8. Skipping church - Make worship and fam2. Bickering - Some families, especially those ily church activities a priority. This will pay with teenagers, find themselves in tense, ar- greater dividends in the life of your family gumentative conversations over and over all than anything else you can do. It will estabday long. But it doesn’t have to be that way lish a good habit that will be important to their nor should it be. Make a conscious effort to own spiritual growth and health long after they curb the sarcastic or argumentative comments leave your care. you make as a parent, and demand that your children speak to one another with love and 9. Hiring help for all the tough chores - For busy suburban families, there’s a great temprespect, too. tation to simplify things by hiring help for all 3. Disorganization For a busy family, organi- major tasks: housecleaning, yard work, etc. But zation is a must. It starts with keeping a great if your kids never have to pitch in to get these calendar of everyone’s activities and should everyday jobs done, how will they ever know trickle down to kids keeping their own work how to do them well or appreciate what goes into them? Do your kids a favor by reserving and assignments in order. some key jobs for them that help them develop 4. Wasteful spending Making everyone aware a work ethic and sense of responsibility. This of how little expenses add up can turn the fam- can also be a great relief to your budget. ily budget around substantially. Help your kids break habits like buying bottled water or soda 10. Comparing when they’re out and about and bring a reus- Doing so can create a host of other problems. able water bottle instead. Eat at home more and For starters, you don’t know if the family you’re dine out less (see #1). Teach your kids to take comparing yourselves to share your values and care of expensive sports equipment and school priorities, practical limitations, or budget. For shoes so they don’t have to be replaced as of- those reasons, it makes more sense to set your own pace for life by intentionally choosing ten. It all adds up quickly. what’s best for you and your family and not 5. Overscheduling - An overscheduled fam- worrying too much about everyone else. ily is a stressed-out family where survival, not

Beat the Statistics!

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By Kristie Carpenter | Blended Mom Moments

West Texas Rehab therapists train in new technique

By Scott Jameson, West Texas Rehabilitation Center

A blended family mom... you are in a difficult position. Statistics do not provide a resounding ray of hope that your marriage will be around to celebrate your 20th anniversary.

From a compilation of articles I gathered from Google, I found condensed statistics of divorce in marriages as such: 41% divorce probability in your first marriage; 60% divorce probability in your second marriage and 73% in your third marriage. I’m telling you, this doesn’t look good for my husband, Dan - I’m his 4th wife!

are trying to build this marriage and family on Christ, and defeat the odds. I’d like to give you a road map so that you may travel a bit easier and have a clearer vision of the journey. I want to speak to you about priorities. Let me explain.

Our first priority is God. In Matthew 22: 3738, Jesus tells us, ‘”Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment.’ So we know that we are to build our lives around loving God - makes First of all, divorce is not something that God no difference whether we are married or single. wants for His children. That being said, we can lay claim to the beautiful verse in Psalm Once married, though, we now have additional 103:12 where it says that God has removed priorities. Ephesians 5:22 tells wives to submit our sins as far from us as the east is from the to your husbands. Ephesians 5:25 tells huswest. So He has taken those choices and situ- bands to love their wives - just as Christ loved ations of our lives and given us a new day - a the church - even to the point of giving up his new opportunity to walk in a way to glorify life for her.

Him. That’s where my heart is - to help you see this opportunity of a life time to glorify God. Now the children - an outcome of the union to come along side of couples that are having of man and woman - are the next priority. But a hard time seeing their way in a marriage that now, you’ve been through death or divorce and seems impossible. I want you to see that your have remarried. Here is where it gets fuzzy. feelings are real and valid and know that there When Dan and I got married, we were not each are many, many others that have gone through other’s priority. this before you. I want to help you to see a clearer path to victory in your marriage and We both have kids so you can imagine that blended family. when push came to shove, we were not standing on the same side of the fence. I was a bit Second of all, as we draw nearer to Christ, we more understanding in this area because I had realize that Jesus needs to be the foundation come from different circumstances in my past in our homes and in our marriages. Having a and wanted Dan to be my priority and knew husband and a wife who value a spiritual walk that this is how God set up marriage. with God also enhances those dismal divorce statistics. I can tell you honestly that Dan and I My first husband died - so my feeling towards have an awesome marriage because of Christ. marriage was til death do you part. But as Dan’s Oh, Dan is a great guy... and I’m not so bad 4th wife, he came from a place where he didn’t myself, but Christ is the foundation that makes know how long this marriage would last so his all the rough spots in our marriage - divorce children were his priority. Understandable. But proof. Our foundation of Christ has a 100 not the way God intended. percent success rate! It isn’t always easy for us humans to utilize the power that we have So, I encourage you to talk with your spouse through Christ. So when things get tough, I’ve about the importance of being each other’s just got to lean on the fact that God knows earthly priority. It is definitely not easy, but if exactly where I am and He will provide the you will talk about it and pray about it and earwisdom, love, guidance and encouragement nestly try to walk in it, you will find it easier needed to gain victory through the trial. to be understanding with each other. You will make conscience efforts to place each other as So now you’re in a blended family and you a priority. The children will see your priorities

and actually find security and comfort of knowing that your marriage isn’t based on them. It took Dan about 5-6 years before I knew I was his priority.

That’s a long time, but God gave me the understanding to realize where Dan had been before and that he needed my patience and understanding. This is probably a big area where blended family marriages fail.

When we are in the most sacred and binding relationships and then our partner chooses their children over us... that can crush our spirits and our marriages so quickly. So try to see the bigger picture. Try to picture where you spouse has come from in his life. Ask God to give you the understanding needed to hang in there until you can both walk in your marriage the way God intended - with Him. I love that old song I grew up singing in church... my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus name. On Christ the Solid Rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand...all other ground is sinking sand.

Build your life and marriage on the only foundation that is unshakable - whether it’s your first marriage or your fourth. It’s a new day and a new opportunity.

Blessings in Your Blending! ___________________________________ Editor’s note: Women’s author, speaker and mentor Kristie Carpenter, aka The Blended Family Mom, has been a blended family/ step mom since 2004; her blended family currently includes four children and four grandchildren. Follow Kristie on Facebook (facebook.com/theblendedfamilymom), Twitter (@BlendedFamilyM), and Instagram (theblendedfamilymom).

Her books - “The Blended Family Mom,” and “Blended Mom Moments,” are both available on her website at www.theblendedfamilymom.com).

This weekend at the Kim Hale Memorial Conference at West Texas Rehabilitation Center, therapists were trained in a patented technique to assist in soft tissue mobilization, called the Graston Technique.

The Graston Technique is an evidencebased form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that allows therapists to

address scar tissue and fascial restrictions.

The technique uses specially-designed stainless steel instruments and therapeutic exercise to detect and treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.

“West Texas Rehab is excited to have our therapists trained in this technique, offering another way to help our patients in our Abilene, San Angelo, and Ozona facilities,” said Steve Martin, President and CEO. West Texas Rehabilitation Center provides outpatient services to 500 patients a day, and has trained its therapists in numerous specialized treatment services to be able to offer exceptional care to every patient who walks through the door.

38 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

After Religious Prejudice there is Hope

By Mark Hamilton | Abilene Christian University

There are many ways to wake up.

but to end some of the violence by violence.

But the failure to measure that violence, to Last fall, I could dispense with an alarm temper it with justice, will beget more viobecause every dawn was welcomed by the lence. For the only thing stopping ISIL and call to prayer sounding from the mosque 2 al-Qaida in the end will be the conviction that blocks from my apartment in East Jerusalem. human beings do not live alone and that none There, I had the privilege of living for four of us can speak for God. We can only listen to months at a research center just outside the what God has said.

Old City’s walls. This neighborhood of Palestinian Muslims and Christians provided a Christians and Muslims must work together temporary home in a city of many nations and for a solution. The alternative is continuous three major religions living together, often in strife. surprising harmony.

As a Christian reflecting on what I can do and I often have thought about this time abroad value in my own life, I think that certain things while listening to the overheated political are indisputable: I have no reason to fear my rhetoric birthed and nurtured by our 24-hour Muslim friends for I know from experience news cycle with its bias toward unfiltered that we want many of the same things. We all negative emotion. Yes, there always have worship the One God, even though our unbeen self-appointed guardians of the people, derstandings of God differ in important ways. both journalists and politicians, who exploit Like all other human beings, Muslims are willful ignorance and runaway fear. The de- among those whom the person I believe to be scendants of Joseph McCarthy have the mi- the final prophet, Jesus of Nazareth, taught me crophone today, but history will catch up with to treat as I want to be treated. As a Christian, them.

I cannot allow the hatemongering politicians to use my faith to get elected. Enough already.

In the meantime, we also can learn from good experiences, as I did from having Christian, So, what lesson must we learn now at this Jewish and Muslim neighbors. The daily painful moment? Not just that a governcalls to prayer in Jerusalem, as well as the ment that can close mosques today can close church bells and the cheerful walk of families churches tomorrow. Nor that Americans in the to synagogue on Shabbat — all these steady information age have no excuse for being as realities seem to say, “Think about what mat- ignorant about the faith of 1.4 billion people as ters.” Life and death, love and trust, joy and many of us are. We should have learned these sorrow lie at the core of religious experience. things long ago from our own history.

It should be easy to respect people who pray to God on their hands and knees five times a Perhaps the key lesson of the moment is that, day, give alms to the poor and sacrifice time though there are many ways to wake up in the and money to make pilgrimage. This happens morning, we all wake up in the same world. every day from Istanbul to Jakarta, as well as We are all small, frail creatures groping toin our own country. ward understanding. Whatever our religion, many of us pray to God to make us better peoIn short, I have come to believe that the West ple because we realize we have not yet arrived does not have a Muslim problem. We have at wisdom. a truth-telling problem. We cannot face the truth of our own violence, our degradation of We had better learn to live together so that our the poor, our limited moral purity. children will not wake up in a world in which both the Cross and the Crescent symbolize huTo recognize these truths is not to ignore the mankind’s age-old lust to destroy itself. It is tragedy of terrorism or to imagine that pretty not too late, but we must hurry, and we must words will whisk it away. They will not. The speak out. governments of the world will have no choice

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40 | FAITH & FAMILY | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Couple re|engages with God

By Mike Hill | Beltway Park Church, Marriage and Family Ministry Pastor

re | engage offers hope to marriages by helping couples move toward oneness through stories of grace, teaching and small groups.

Would you rate your marriage as a 2 or a 10?

Maybe even a 0? You are not alone. Whether your marriage needs to be REIGNITED, or is in need of a complete RESURRECTION, re | engage is a safe place for couples to RECONNECT.Join us for praise and worship, a teaching or a testimony by a couple who has experienced victory in the midst of hard times, and small group time which follows the re | engage curriculum. You can begin re|engage at any time.

Jamey: I was 33 years old, a couple

the Twelve Steps, it led me to finding God of with my own father for so many, many years. my understanding and reintroducing me to God radiates through her father to me, and I having a relationship with the Lord. can just really, really see exactly how much God really does love me.

Jamey: I was working so hard to get the boys out of foster care. Being a single father, with Megan: We showed up at re/engage and ...

God’s help, I was able to be the first single whew! I can still remember the first night that father to get their we got there. I was upset because I was like, boys, or any chil- “Why are we not starting on this tonight? We dren, out of foster need to talk to somebody now.” care out of Dallas County and bring Jamey: It’s pretty neat how the Holy Spirit them to Taylor worked through the whole process of getting us into the group that we finished and completed with because those people are just the ones that were perfect for us. It was over 18 weeks or something like that. I lost count about four just because the first four, of course, I was counting.

BELTWAY PARK I was like, “It’s Week Three!”

of days away from signing a 599 to go to prison. Another addict had reached out and sought me while I was in jail and reached out to me. That’s when I really found out just really how much God really loved me. Been doing County. When I good every since. I’ve been continumet Meagan in the ing to make NA and AA meetings, rooms, it was like, and that’s where I really met Meagan. here is someone I was also in the process of getting custody of that really wants to love me for who I am. For my two oldest boys at the time. a long time, I didn’t know what that was like.

After four months, the boys were here, and we Megan: I grew up going to church, learning found out we were pregnant. I knew that her that way. I knew about the depth of his love for dad wasn’t very happy because we were not me until I made a choice to start looking else- married at the time. Soon after that, I went and where for my identity. My first marriage, I was talked with her dad and said, “Hey, I’m sure 21 years old. It was a very sick relationship. you already know that Meagan’s pregnant.”

I’m still healing from some of the wounds that I just told him, I said, “You know, I’d like to were caused during that seven-year relation- marry your daughter, man.” I’d never been ship. Through that process, I found myself married before, but I just knew that she was turning to drugs and alcohol. I found myself the one for me. He sent me on my first Men’s in a relationship with another woman. I knew Boot Camp, paid for me to go to it, and life that it was a lie. I knew deep in my heart that was transformed that day. Words can’t really God had more for me, but I was choosing to even express the relationship that I have with settle. Through the program of AA and NA, her dad. It’s one of those relationships I craved

Megan: Once we got to re/engage, I really

started to realize the bondage and daily affirmations. That’s just huge. The daily affirmations that I was making with the enemy.

Through some other couples opening up and sharing about some of their issues, I was able to say, “Oh, my gosh. I’m doing the same thing.”

Jamey: We just recently completed re/en-

gage, and now we’re being the hands and feet of Jesus because we’re now part of the newcomers’ welcome group in re/engage. We just left it all at the bottom of the cross and said, “Here God. Use us as you would like.” We’re just honored to just begin that. ____________________________________ re | engage meets Wednesdays at 6:00pm in the South Campus Worship Center at Beltway Park.

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Does My Child Need to see a Pediatric Dentist?

By Know Your Teeth

When will my child lose his/her baby most often occurs in the upper front teeth, but Does my child need to be taken to a teeth? • Children will begin losing their teeth also may affect other teeth. Parents may not pediatric dentist? • Pediatric dentists are at approximately age 4. They will usually lose realize that a baby’s teeth can decay soon af-

specially trained to handle problems particular to children, such as dental developmental difficulties and root canals on adult teeth that have not fully formed. However, most children are treated by general dentists. A general dentist often has a relationship with the entire family and therefore has a great deal of family history knowledge, which may apply to your child. If you’re having trouble deciding on the type of dentist to use for your child, ask your family dentist or your child’s pediatrician for suggestions.

When should I take my child to the dentist? • The ideal time is six months after

your child’s first tooth erupts. This is the perfect time for the dentist to carefully examine the development of your child’s mouth. Dental problems often start early, so the sooner the visit occurs, the better. Also, your dentist can provide or recommend special preventive care to safeguard against problems, such as baby bottle tooth decay, teething irritations, gum disease, and prolonged thumb-sucking.

How do I prepare my child and myself for the first visit? • Before the visit, ask the

dentist what procedures will be performed so there are no surprises. Plan a course of action to manage your child’s reaction to the visit.

Some children may be non-cooperative. Talk to your child about what to expect and build excitement as well as understanding about the upcoming visit. Bring your child’s medical records to help you complete the medical history forms before the appointment.

their front teeth first. Children will continue to ter they first appear. The decay may even enlose baby teeth until age 12 or 13 when all of ter the underlying bone structure, which can hurt development of the permanent teeth. This the permanent teeth finally erupt. problem is frequently referred to as baby bottle Why is it important to fix baby teeth tooth decay. This decay is caused by long-term that have decay? • It is very important to exposure of a child’s teeth to liquids containing maintain baby teeth because these teeth hold sugars. When a child consumes a sugary liquid, space for the future eruption of permanent acid attacks the teeth and gums and causes deteeth. If a baby tooth decays or is removed too cay. early, the space necessary for the permanent tooth is lost and can only be regained through How can children prevent damage to orthodontic treatment. Infected baby teeth also their teeth? • At school, children should rinse can cause permanent teeth to develop improp- their mouth with water after meals, leaving erly, resulting in permanent enamel defects their teeth free of sugar and acid. At home, encourage children to drink tap or fountain water. and weaker teeth.

Use a straw when drinking soda to keep sugar What can I do to protect my child’s away from teeth. If you purchase bottled water, oral health at home? • Clean your infant’s be sure that it is fluoridated. Remember, bottled gums with a clean, damp cloth. Ask your den- juices are not a good alternative due to the high tist if you may rub a tiny dab of toothpaste on sugar content. Regular dental check-ups, comthe gums. As soon as the first teeth come in, bined with brushing with fluoride toothpaste begin brushing them with a small, soft-bristled also will help protect children’s teeth. toothbrush and a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste. Help a young child brush at night, How can I help my child prevent tooth which is the most important time to brush, due decay? • Brushing teeth after meals, regular to lower salivary flow and higher susceptibil- flossing and fluoride treatments are the best ity to cavities and plaque. By approximately ways to prevent tooth decay. Children should age 5, your child can learn to brush his or her also be supervised as they brush. A good rule teeth with proper parental instruction. The best of thumb is when children can dress themselves way to teach a child how to brush is to lead by and tie their own shoes, then they are ready to good example. Allowing your child to watch brush unsupervised. Children should be superyou brush your teeth teaches the importance of vised in proper flossing techniques until the age of 10. If you have any concerns about your good oral hygiene. child’s dental health or want some tips on preCan tooth decay affect infants? • Yes! venting tooth decay, ask your dentist.

Tooth decay in infants and young children

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It Might Be Undiagnosed Adult ADHD

By Patti Neighmond | NPR

When Cathy Fields was in her late 50s, she He asked her about her childhood and how she noticed she was having trouble following con- did in school. Since ADHD begins in childversations with friends. hood, it’s important for mental health professionals to understand these childhood experi“I could sense something was wrong with me,” ences in order to make an accurate diagnosis she says. “I couldn’t focus. I could not follow.” of ADHD in adulthood. Online screening tests are available, too, so you can try it yourself.

Fields was worried she had suffered a stroke or was showing signs of early dementia. Instead Goodman decided that Fields most definitely she found out she had attention deficit hyper- had ADHD. activity disorder, or ADHD. She’s not alone. Goodman says he’s seeing Fields is now 66 years old and lives in Ponte more and more adults over the age of 50 newly Vedra Beach, Fla. She’s a former secretary diagnosed with ADHD. The disorder occurs as and mother of two grown children. Fields the brain is developing, and symptoms generwas diagnosed with ADHD about eight years ally appear around age 7. But symptoms can ago. Her doctor ruled out any physical prob- last a lifetime. For adults, the problem is not lems and suggested she see a psychiatrist. She disruptive behavior or keeping up in school. went to Dr. David Goodman at Johns Hopkins It’s an inability to focus, which can mean School of Medicine, who by chance special- inconsistency, being late to meetings or just izes in ADHD. having problems managing day-to-day tasks.

Adults with ADHD are more likely than othGoodman asked Fields a number of questions ers to lose a job or file for bankruptcy, Goodabout focus, attention and completing tasks. man says. They may overpay bills, or under-

pay them. They may pay bills late, or not at all.

For Cathy Fields, the more she thought about it, the more she realized distraction and the inability to focus was the story of her life. It was also the story of her mother’s life. Her mother “never got things done,” Fields says.

This is typical, according to Goodman; ADHD often runs in families. According to Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder, or CHADD, an advocacy group, the disorder can be inherited. If a parent has ADHD, the child has more than a 50 percent chance of also having it. If a twin has ADHD, the other twin has up to an 80 percent chance of having the disorder.

But because many of today’s older adults grew up during the 1950s and ‘60s when there wasn’t

much awareness of ADHD, many were never diagnosed. And increasingly, Goodman says, he’s seeing more and more patients who are concerned about dementia but who actually have ADHD — just like Cathy Fields.

Goodman also sees patients who are diagnosed after their child or grandchild gets a diagnosis. “That’s the genetic link,” says Goodman, “from Grandmom to Mom to daughter.”

Continued om page 43

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

“Can’t Focus?” Continued from page 42

About 60 percent of children with ADHD go on to become adults with ADHD, says Dr. Lenard Adler, a professor of psychiatry at the New York University School of Medicine.

As these older adults weren’t diagnosed, they learned to work around the problem, Adler says. They developed coping systems to deal with their inability to focus or pay attention.

Brown says. “It would have helped me for sure.”

Like children with the disorder, adults with ADHD are treated with medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of treatments.

ADHD medication works just as well for adults as it does for children, but there is a word of caution. Older adults often have other That was the case with 65-year-old Kathleen health problems, like high blood pressure and Brown, a retired nurse who lives in Mary- heart disease. So doctors need to be careful land. She was never diagnosed as a child, but when prescribing ADHD medications, which she “knew something was wrong,” she says. are typically stimulants like Adderall or Ritalin.

Brown didn’t learn to read until she was 12.

And, she says, she had to work a lot harder For older patients, an ADHD diagnosis can be in school than other kids did for the same a huge relief. If you’ve spent your whole life grades. When she went to nursing school, with a disorder for which people said you were Brown made sure she sat in the first row dur- lazy, stupid, incompetent, says Goodman, “It’s ing lectures so she wouldn’t miss anything or liberating to realize the impairments are the be distracted. And when it came to testing, result of a treatable disorder and not a characshe says, she literally set her desk up in the ter weakness or intellectual inadequacy.” back of the class, facing a corner.

So for older people with memory and focus When she finally got diagnosed and pre- problems, Goodman says, it’s important for scribed medication, Brown says, the change doctors to check for ADHD. While it could be was “stupendous.” She’s not scattered, and cognitive decline, there’s growing awareness can start projects and finish them. “I wish I that it could also simply be the symptoms of a had it when I went to school 25 years ago,” lifelong childhood disorder.

44 | HEALTH | 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

Zenaida “Sandy” Reyes, 71, passed away Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at a local hospital with her loving family at her side.

Mrs. Reyes was born March 05, 1944, in Zapata Co., Texas to the late Pioquinto and San Juana Herrera Rodriguez. In loving tribute to a loving and wonderful mother and aunt who enjoyed traveling, cooking and deep sea fishing. She will forever be remembered as a caring person of everyone that knew her and we will miss her presence and her love in our lives.

Survivors include her only daughter, Linda Coy and husband, Jeff, of Lubbock, Texas; a niece, who she raised as a daughter, Priscilla Sanchez of Abilene; three brothers, Pete Rodriguez of Roscoe, Texas, Hector Gonzalez and wife, Sylvia, of Hobbs, New Mexico and Arnulfo Gonzalez of Kalamazoo, Michigan; two

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

a Moment in our arms... a Lifetime in our hearts... sisters, Maria Luisa Galvan of Roscoe, Texas and Beatrice Gonzalez of Abilene; and many nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.

Mrs. Reyes was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Lupe Rodriguez; a sister, Celia Galvan; and a brother-in-law, Catarino Galvan.

Monica T. Ramirez, 41, passed away Monday, February 08, 2016 at a local hospital.

Mrs. Ramirez was born December 01, 1974, in Altus, Oklahoma to David and Estella Benivamondez Tamez. Monica was a loving and caring person who was a great cook and enjoyed spending time with family.

Survivors include her loving husband, Jose Juan Ramirez; a son, Evan Ramirez (Kassie); one daughter, Megan Ramirez; a grandson, Gabriel Ramirez, all of Abilene; her father, David Tamez of Palestine, Texas; her second parents, Freddie and Mary Campos “Mama Tia & Papa Tio” of Abilene; four brothers, Renee Tamez (RaeAnn), Frankie Campos, Randy Navarrete (Mitzi), and Roy Torres (Lisa), all of Abilene; four sisters, Hilda Corona of Altus, Oklahoma, Irene Montez (Jimmy), Nelda Montez (Jimmy Garza) and Margie Flores (Hector), all three from Abilene; three sister-in-laws, Hilda Escobedo, Carmen Garza (Chris) and Naiome Garza (Eddie); a brother-in-law, Jerry Garza; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins,

all of Abilene.

Mrs. Ramirez was preceded in death by her mother, Estella B. Tamez.

Felix R. Perez, 89, passed away Saturday, February 20, 2016.

Mr. Perez was born July 30, 1926, in San Fernando, Coahuila, Mexico to Toribio and Anita Rodrigues Perez. Felix married his wife Valentina Gonzales in 1958, moving to the U.S. in 1968 and earning his citizenship in August 19, 2000. He worked many different jobs, his last one was working for Bontke Brother’s Construction in Abilene. Felix will be remembered as being a wonderful father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Survivors include his six children, Robert Perez (Melva) of Abilene, Felix Perez, Jr. (Maryann) of Abilene, Alma Martinez of Abilene, Elva Perez of North Richland Hills, Angelica Gutierrez (Benito) of Haltom City and Sylvia Jaramillo (Roy) of San Angelo; 14 grandchildren; 11 great grandchildren; four brothers; five sisters; and numerous nephews, nieces and friends.

Mr. Perez was preceded in death by his wife Valentina Gonzales Perez; a son, Abelardo Perez; a sister, Olivia Salazar; and his parents.

Candelario “Candyman” Romero 49, of Abilene passed away Thursday, February 18, 2016 after a long battle with diabetes and Wegener’s disease.

Candyman was born June 12, 1966 in Abilene, Texas to Raymond and Alice Romero. He was a graduate of Abilene High School.

He worked in sales/finance and did commercial flooring for Callaway’s Carpet.

He was loved by many and loved all of his nieces and nephews, he gave them all funny nicknames. He always tried to attend their school and extracurricular activities.

Candyman was well known for his charismatic personality and sense of humor, he had a witty character that could light up any room with stories to last a lifetime. With an undisguised spoken mind, and his generous heart, Candyman will be missed dearly and never forgotten.

He was preceded in death by his parents Raymond and Alice Romero, paternal grandparents Candelario and Maria Romero, Maternal grandparents Jesse and Adela Barerra.

He is survived by his daughter, Whitney Alice Peacock. Three grandchildren. Three brothers, Raymond B. Romero, Robert Romero and Michael Romero. One sister, Maria Romero. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Pick us up at Abilene ISD, La Familia Mex Rest & Lytle Land & Cattle | HEALTH | 45

“Sufro Abuso Sexual”

By Luisa Trujillo M.Ed. | Case Manager/Certified Advocate, Regional Victim Crisis Center

Cuando hablamos de la violencia sexual en contra de personas latinas encontramos que es un tema que ha sido poco explorado. Los escasos estudios hoy en día disponibles sobre la violencia sexual contra personas latinas han mostrado que existe una necesidad constante de servicios culturalmente pertinentes para sobrevivientes dentro de esta población.

Recientemente leí un estudio que decía que las personas Latinas enfrentan más barreras que las no latinas al buscar servicios, especialmente si son inmigrantes (Ingram, 2007). También es menos probable que denuncien violaciones sexuales (Tjaden y Thoennes, 2000). Esto perjudica a las victimas aún más de lo que nos imaginamos; especialmente porque no se pone un alto a la violencia y ésta escala cada día. Además de las consecuencias psicológicas asociadas al abuso sexual; entre ellas está la ansiedad, la depresión, los trastornos de estrés postraumático, y el suicidio.

En el caso víctimas latinas, los obstáculos para acceder a ayuda pueden incluir el que no conozca los servicios disponibles relacionados con agresión sexual, o quizás sepan de ellos pero no cómo utilizarlos (Klevens, 2007; Medina y Vasquez, 2004). La renuencia a buscar ayuda también podría ser causada por miedo a acercarse a programas comunitarios para la violencia sexual, lo cual puede relacionarse con la falta de personal bilingüe y bicultural o la ausencia de valores culturales latinos incorporados en los mismos. Otros obstáculos para buscar ayuda pueden ser: temor a dificultades económicas en caso de separarse de la pareja; aislamiento; falta de apoyo familiar o comunitario; miedo a deportación y temor a los cuerpos policiacos (Klevens, 2007; Medina y Vasquez, 2004). Otras normas culturales incluyen la religión, espiritualidad, y la vergüenza.

Quiero recalcar que la violencia sexual afecta desproporcionadamente a personas más jóvenes y es cometida por una persona que la víctima conoce. La violencia sexual a niños/as de 12 años y menores por lo general es cometida por los hombres de la familia; en adolescentes de 13 a 17 años los perpetradores incluyen familiares, amigo y compañeros íntimos.

Yo quiero informar a la comunidad de Abilene que el Centro Regional de Ayuda para Víctimas del Delito (Regional Victim Crisis Center) provee ayuda y orientación. La asesoría consiste en información acerca de los procesos legales; referencias a agencias comunitarias que le puedan brindar servicios de acuerdo a sus necesidades, incluyendo programas de ayuda legal; orientación en cuanto a cómo obtener una orden de protección y quien puede representarle ante la corte. Se establecerá un plan de seguridad personal; se le brindará ayuda psicológica en español; y si el caso califica

para compensación a través del programa de compensación para víctimas del delito (CVC) se le ayudara a solicitarla.

Las personas que sufren en silencio de abuso sexual, no es porque así lo quieran, sino porque no han encontrado en su familia, en su escuela o en su comunidad a alguien en quien ellos puedan confiar su terrible realidad.

46 | HEALTH | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Abilene police officer returns to work after cancer diagnosis

By Titus Falodun | Abilene Reporter News

In between breaking down and adding slings to service issued-shotguns at the Warren Dodson Police Training Complex, Abilene Police Officer David Varner shared his road to recovery from colon cancer, revealing a smile every chance he could.

Varner will meet with the cancer specialists to determine the next phase of treatment for the colon cancer that had also spread to his liver.

A geneticist will do a profile to try to determine if his cancer is hereditary or caused by something else.

Varner, 53, is a 30-plus-year veteran of the force, has been away from his normal patrol But he said his cancer indicator numbers are duties for several months now and returned to down drastically. “I’ve gone from 295 in October or November to 9.5 now,” Varner said. work a couple weeks ago.

“I’m not complaining at all.”

Even when things felt grim, the husband and father of two daughters said he didn’t feel like he would pass away.

“To tell you the truth, I never thought about dying,” he said.

A large reason for Varner’s strength is the support he’s received via his Christian faith and growing support group.

“If God himself landed at my house and sat on my couch and said ‘David, what can I do for you besides take away the cancer?’ I couldn’t tell him anything,’” he said.

“Everybody from the newest guy to the oldest guy (on the force) has bent over backward to help me. You can’t drown when everybody is holding you above water. That’s what everybody is doing right now. If I wanted to feel sorry for “That’s the longest I’ve been off since I was myself, how could I? What would I feel sorry about?”

12 years old,” he told the Reporter-News.

Police officer David Varner works on a Remington 870 shotgun at the police training facility Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. Varner has recently returned to work, and is still undergoing cancer treatments. Photo by Nellie Doneva/Reporter-News

After getting clearance from his physician to return to work, Varner spends part of his days at the academy training grounds preparing less lethal shotguns (that shoot beanbags instead of bullets) for training purposes.

Just because Varner is back to work does not mean his battle with cancer is done. He is scheduled to meet with his team of cancer specialists at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Varner added people have secretly paid for meals, openly asked to come do yard work and much more.

“I’ve got all these people praying for me. People I don’t even know,” he said.

“My girls get a little aggravated but I think cancer’s probably the biggest blessing I’ve ever had in my life. I tell my family, ‘The people have always had halos and wings that I’ve been around, I’ve just never seen them till “I’m going back to Houston Sunday, with ap- now.’” pointments Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday,” he said.

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Business Owners and Guns at Work

By Becky Green | Administrative Manager | Texas Tech University Small Business Development Center

Once again, business owners are faced with a “what to do” situation. We have all heard the buzz about the new Texas law allowing licensed individuals to carry handguns in plain view in belt or shoulder holsters which took effect on January 1, 2016.

This is commonly referred to as the “Open Carry” law.

As part of the law, hospitals, schools, bars, and sporting events were deemed off-limits to guns.

However, business owners may want to consider whether or not to allow or restrict the concealed or open carrying of handguns based on their type of business and the perceived comfort level of their employees and customers.

There are three options: If as a business owner you have embraced this new practice and encourage patrons to “come on in” with their firearms, whether open or concealed, there is no posting requirement. Secondly, if you decide that you are ok with concealed carry, but not with open carry, you must post a notice

which prohibits open carry in or on your premises in accordance with Texas Penal Code Section 30.07. And third, if you do not want to allow either concealed or open carry in workplace, you will need to also post a notice for Texas Penal Code Section 30.06, Concealed Handgun Carry and Texas Penal Code Section 30.07, Open Carry.

Whether you personally are a supporter or opponent of handguns in private business, there are some serious considerations to be made. So far it hasn’t seemed to make a big difference in and around Abilene, but it’s like any other legislation, knowing the law and the requirements is always better and you will be able to make an informed decision.

Once the specific notices have been correctly posted at the facility, it is an offense for a licensed individual to openly carry or take a conThe Abilene SBDC is cealed handgun onto comavailable for assistance pany premises based on the to small businesses and notice. The signs must meet will be happy to help the size requirements of the you with a business legislation and be posted in both English and plan, marketing, or other workplace issues.

Spanish.

Call to make an appointment at 325.670.0300.

And, of course, there is another twist in the law (isn’t there always?) which refers to the property owner. Therefore, if you do not own the property for your business, you should consult with the property owner prior to making a final decision.

CALL US TO ADVERTISE (325) 701-9505

48 | BUSINESS | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

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How to Buy a Home the Smart Way in 2016

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By DaveRamsey.com

Buying a home is a big deal, and a bad purchase can haunt you for years. Just ask anyone who bought a home before the mortgage crisis.

One minute, everything’s coming up roses.

The next, it’s making a beeline for rock bottom. That’s a history no one wants to repeat.

It’s also just one reason Dave recommends waiting until you’re out of debt with a healthy emergency fund before buying a home. A market slump freaks you out a whole lot less when you’ve got money in the bank and no extra bills to pay.

bring home a paycheck? Consider buying a home you could afford on just one income.

That way it won’t strain your budget if one of you loses a job or wants to work as a stayat-home parent.

Bonus Points: Thirty-year mortgages are the norm, but you’ll save a ton of money over the life of loan with a 15-year term. Consider this: A $200,000 mortgage with a 4.5% fixed interest rate will cost you nearly $90,000 more if you stretch it across 30 years instead of 15.

Lesson 2: Just Say No to Risky Lesson 3: Look Beyond the Here Mortgage Options and Now Adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) were another factor that fueled the foreclosure crisis.

They reeled buyers in with low interest rates for the first few years. But when the initial period was over, interest rates—and monthly payments—shot up.

The good news is, we can learn a lot from the That left many folks holdpast. Here are four crash-proof lessons to help ing a tiger by the tail. Any you make a confident home purchase in 2016. plans they had to sell or refinance their home Lesson 1: Forget What the Bank before the fixed-rate period expired were Wants to Loan You In the years leading up to the crash, banks dashed by plumhanded out mortgages like candy. The ability meting home valto actually repay the loan didn’t really seem to ues. Stuck with mortgage matter. As a result, the number of foreclosure a filings skyrocketed by 225% between 2006 they could no longer afford to and 2008, according to RealtyTrac. pay, many hoFortunately, credit standards have tightened meowners deconsiderably since then. But that doesn’t faulted on their mean you can count on the bank to look out loans. for your best interest. You still may qualify There’s never for more than your budget can handle. a good reason That’s why it pays to crunch your own af- to take on that fordability numbers. Avoid biting off more kind of risk. than you can chew by keeping your mortgage Your mortgage payment to 25% or less of your monthly take- payment takes up the biggest chunk of real estate in your budget. It should be predicthome pay. able. Play it safe by sticking with a fixed-rate Bonus Points: Do you and your spouse both mortgage.

During the real estate boom of the early 2000s, it was easy to buy a home with plans for a quick turnaround.

But that short-term vision left lots of people stuck for the long haul when the recession hit.

Families outgrew small spaces and couldn’t move out of less-than-desirable school districts. Owners who planned on using home equity to finance major repairs could no longer afford to fix ’er up.

We’re not saying you should go for the gold right out of the home-buying gate. But it is important to consider future needs when buying a home today. For instance:

• Will your family still fit in this home in five or 10 years?

• Are you happy with the neighborhood and local schools?

• Can you cash flow any repairs or renova-

tions you want to tackle?

Bonus Points: Team up with a pro who’s been through market ups and downs and lived to tell it. An experienced real estate agent can help you ask the tough questions and guide you to homes with long-term resale value. They can also recommend a qualified home inspector so big-ticket repairs don’t catch your budget by surprise after you’ve signed on the dotted line.

Lesson 4: Don’t Skimp on Your Down Payment

Scraping cash together for a big down payment is no easy task. But it’s totally worth the effort!

Here’s why: Let’s say you buy a $200,000 home with 3%—or $6,000—down. Then the market takes a sharp turn, and your home value drops by $25,000. All of a sudden, you’re upside down on your mortgage, owing more than your home is worth. If you had put 20%—or $40,000—down instead, you’d have a healthy margin of home equity, even in the face of a downturn.

A low down payment may sound tempting, especially if high rent makes it tough to save.

But waiting until you have enough cash to put at least 10–20% down on a home will leave you in a much better equity position if the market changes.

Bonus Points: Use Dave’s favorite homebuying strategy and pay 100% cash for your home. It may take more time and patience to save up that kind of dough, but people like you do it every day. And just imagine the peace of mind you’ll have knowing any future mortgage crisis has nothing on you!

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

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USDA Announces $8.8 Million Available to Support Food and Agricultural Sciences Education at Hispanic-Serving Institutions

By United States Department of Agriculture

CALL FOR AN APPOINTMENT

(325) 280-1934

HASTINGS

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS SERVICES

209 SOUTH DANVILLE DR STE B-100 ABILENE, TEXAS 79605

hastingspbs.com

fined area of food and agricultural sciences and related disciplines.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of more than $8.8 million in competitive funding to support Hispanic-Serving Institutions’ (HSIs) agricultural science education programs. These grants will enhance the ability of these colleges and universities to support underserved students and develop a skilled American workforce.

able natural resources, and environment fields in the United States. Meanwhile, there is an average of 35,400 new U.S. graduates with a bachelor’s degree or higher in agriculture related fields, 22,500 short of the jobs available annually. The report projects almost half of the job opportunities will be in management and business. Another 27 percent will be in sci-

“The number of jobs available in fields pertaining to food, agriculture, natural resources and the environment are far outpacing the number of students graduating with expertise in those areas. At the same time, the agriculture industry, much like other sectors of our economy, is recognizing that a more diverse workforce will help its businesses thrive,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

“Hispanic-Serving Institutions can use this investment to increase enrollment in science fields of study, further developing students with the potential to solve society’s future agricultural challenges. These fields will only become more important as we continue to develop solutions to feed more than 9 billion people by 2050.”

Currently, more than 300 HSIs are dedicated to meeting the educational needs of the Hispanic community. These institutions are located in 17 states and Puerto Rico, serving more than two million students in areas with the largest growing Hispanic communities in the country. Previous projects include the Hispanic Public Healthy Nutrition (HPHN) initiative at the University of Illinois that promotes online access to undergraduate- and graduate-level courses to students and experimental learning through internships in an effort to create workplace diversity in the nutritional sciences and public health sector, with a goal of addressing childhood obesity prevention. Project PATH (Plant, Assimilate, Till, Harvest) at Pima Community College works with Hispanic students to increase their awareness of careers in agriculture and increase the number of Hispanic student obtaining post-secondary deence, technology, engineering, and mathemat- grees in agriculture-related fields and entering ics (STEM) areas. Jobs in food and biomateri- agriculture-related careers. als production will make up 15 percent, and 12 percent of the openings will be in education, Since 2009, NIFA has invested in and advanced innovative and transformative initiatives to communication, and governmental services. solve societal challenges and ensure the longThe HSI program follows the NIFA Priority term viability of agriculture. NIFA’s integrated Science Areas, which are considered national research, education, and extension programs, supporting the best and brightest scientists priorities: and extension personnel, have resulted userinspired, groundbreaking discoveries that are 1. Climate Variability and Change combating childhood obesity, improving and 2. Childhood Obesity and Prevention sustaining rural economic growth, addressing 3. Food Safety water availability issues, increasing food pro4. Food Security duction, finding new sources of energy, miti5. Sustainable Bioenergy gating climate variability, and ensuring food 6. Water for Agriculture safety. To learn more about NIFA’s impact on Priority will be given to projects that promote agricultural science, visit www.nifa.usda.gov/ and strengthen the ability of Hispanic-Serving impacts, sign up for email updates, or follow Institutions to carry out education, as deter- us on Twitter @usda_NIFA, #NIFAimpacts. mined by each institution, within a broadly de-

These grants are awarded through USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the HispanicServing Institution Education Grants Program.

The purpose of this program is to support innovative teaching or education applications with potential to impact Hispanic-Serving Institutions to build capacity and then to become models for other institutions that serve underrepresented students, at the regional or national level. While research and extension activities may be included in a funded HSI Education project, the primary focus must be to improve teaching, enrollment, and graduation rates within a degree-granting program. Since 2009, NIFA has awarded more than $58.5 million in funding to this program.

A May 2015 report released by NIFA and Purdue University showed that there is tremendous demand for recent college graduates with a degree in agricultural programs, with an estimated 57,900 high-skilled job openings annually in the food, agriculture, renew-

Applications for collaboration projects are due Feb. 9, standard applications are due Feb. 10, and strengthening project applications are due Feb. 12. Please see the request for applications for specific program requirements.

50 | BUSINESS | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

HispanicLife Media

Political Animals?

Small Business Development

Small Business Development Center

The Chamber is constantly working to ensure a pro-business environment in which you can operate your business.

By Douglas Peters | President and CEO, Abilene Chamber of Commerce

Among all of the well-planned, volunteer-driven programs delivered by your Chamber on behalf of our members, some may lose sight of the fact that at our very core, the Abilene Chamber of Commerce is a business advocacy organization, a role we’ve had for more than 100 years.

What exactly does that mean? It means that as an association of more than 1,700 mostly small businesses in the Big Country, your Chamber is constantly working to ensure a pro-business environment in which you CAN operate your business. Our work means that you can let the Chamber worry about public policy that can inhibit your company’s ability to function, add jobs, reinvest in itself and grow, leaving you free to spend that time working in and on your business.

However, that’s an often complicated task, and one that the Government Affairs Committee, our Board and staff take very seriously.

Just last week, the Chamber hosted a forum of all nine candidates for the Texas District 19 Congressional race. Thanks to our broadcast partners KTAB and BigCountryHomepage. com (where you can still see the 90 minute program) and our host McMurry University,

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SEMINARS • March 8, 2016

Required Business Record Keeping

our members and the community at-large believe it’s important that those seeking office should be better equipped to vote pro-business. understand what is important to our members and become immersed in the pro-business culJust what are the rules for the Chamber and ture that is your Chamber. candidates for elected office?

However, we impose limitations. We do not alFirst of all, your Chamber does not endorse low political statements at our events by those any candidate for any office for any reason. member candidates, nor do we allow political That’s a long-standing policy that ensures a advertising in any of our publications. strong working relationship with whomever is elected and the Chamber.

They may exhibit their campaign at an event, but only in a paid capacity as any member Instead, your Chamber is focuses on issues would, based on availability. that impact our region. Those issues have the ability to impact - positively or negatively - Candidates may address our members at funcyour business’ bottom line, the community’s tions, not in a candidate capacity, but rather to overall economic competitiveness, and the share expertise from their professional field ability of our members to recruit talent to the outside of their political aspirations. area based on quality of life (quality of place, actually) attributes.

You will likely see candidates at our events because the Chamber believes that each of our Those issues are studied first by the volunteer members deserves the same benefits as any members of our Government Affairs Com- other member. The Chamber does ensure that mittee, with their recommendation ultimately we treat each candidate, regardless of party afrejected or ratified by those you elect to the filiation or viewpoint, the same.

Chamber’s Board of Directors. It’s an exhaustive process of policy interpretation, long-term At the end of the day, it’s mission-critical that economic impact analysis, and ultimately how you’re informed and have the ability to share that issue affects you, our member. with your family and your associates the importance of voting, and that you take the time In short, we’re focused on ensuring that and encourage others to do the same.

Abilene, Texas, is the number one place on the planet to grow your business, raise your family We only ask that through it all, when you do and invest in your future. cast your vote, you do so in support of the candidate of your choice whom you believe best Please note: we do allow candidates to join the supports your and the Chamber’s pro-business Chamber and occasionally, a Chamber mem- interests. Vote Big Country Forward! ber might choose to seek elected office. We

Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm Where: 749 Gateways St. Ste. 301, Abilene, TX Call to reserve your seat 325.670.0300

• March 22, 2016

How To Start A Small Business

Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm Where: 749 Gateways St. Ste. 301, Abilene, TX Call to reserve your seat 325.670.0300 (Off Loop 322 / near Industrial Blvd.)

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Mosquito Abatement Workshop March 11th

By Tammie Belyeu | Texas AgriLife Extension

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service will conduct a Vector Abatement workshop.

Registration will begin at 8:30 am, and the program will last until 3pm. March 11 at the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension office of Taylor County located at 1982 Lytle Way, Abilene, TX.

of mosquito abatement. The workshop will educate personnel on mosquito identification, biology, ecology, diseases, trap usage, surveillance, and mosquito control. An overview and discussion of vector-borne diseases, and other biting insects in Texas will be covered as well.

Registration fee is $50.00 and will include The workshop is designed to train personnel lunch. Fee may be paid by check made payin cities and municipalities that are in the field able to: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension.

Mail Registration: Name, Address, Phone, & Email & fee to: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Office, Attn: Dr. Sonja Swiger, 1229 N US Hwy 281, Stephenville, TX 76401.

CEU’s: 1 general, 1 integrated pest management & 1 laws & regulations.

Registered Sanitarian CE’s and Animal Control CE’s will be offered as well.

Continuing education units will be offered for pesticide licensing through the Texas Department of Agriculture. A total of 5 Agriculture CEU’s : 2 general, 2 integrated pest management & 1 laws & regulations. 3 Structural

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED Contact Information: Dr. Sonja Swiger at slswiger@ag.tamu.edu or Heidi Nivens at Heidi.nivens@ag.tamu.edu or call 254-9684144 if you have any questions.

Pick us up at Golden Corral, MCM Elegante and Long John Silvers | BUSINESS | 51

8 Attributes of Very Successful Business Owners

By John Rampton | Contributor, Entrepreneur

Passion, motivation, persistence and a little bit of luck all play a part in separating the successful business owners from the ones who aren’t so fortunate. But, what makes some business owners super successful? They possess the following eight habits:

your enemies. Years ago British Airways went to extraordinary lengths to put us out of business. After the court case, I rang up Sir Colin Marshall, who ran BA, and said, “would you like to come out for lunch?” I think he wondered why on earth I was doing it. But we had a delightful lunch at my house in London and 1. They’re up before sunrise. Successful became friends and buried the hatchet.” business owners and leaders are known to arise early in order to catch that proverbial worm. 3. They welcome harmless distracBut, they don’t just wake-up early. They wake- tions. Business owners need some time to up long before the sun rises. The reason? It decompress, recharge and sometimes master gives them time to respond to emails, catch-up a repetitive task. Not only does this help them on the news or workout. Research has found work on practicing incremental development, it’s a good distraction that will free your mind. early risers are more productive and happier.

Instead of being stuck on a problem, partaking 2. They’re not afraid of competition. in a harmless distraction gets the creative juices Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin flowing. That’s why Bill Gates would spend his Group, has said, “If you want to be successful lunch breaks playing card games like Bridge. in business, you need to welcome your competition with open arms - just don’t let them 4. They know to compensate for their walk all over you. Strike the right balance be- weaknesses. According to Barry Conchie, tween respecting your rivals and focusing on co-author of Strengths Based Leadership; how you can beat them, and you’ll have a win- “The great leaders we’ve studied are not wellning formula.”That explains why Branson had rounded individuals. They have not become lunch with a rival. Branson told the Wall Street world-class leaders by being average or aboveJournal;“I’ve always believed in befriending average in different aspects of leadership.

They’ve become world-class in a relatively limited number of areas of leadership. They’ve recognized not only their strengths but their deficiencies, and they’ve successfully identified others who can help them compensate for those deficiencies.”

decisions. Business owners know how to

stay mentally and emotionally sharp throughout the day; they don’t waste their time making small, trivial and unimportant decisions. That’s why Zuckerberg has a wardrobe that essentially only contains gray t-shirts and hoodies. It’s also why Tim Ferriss eats the same breakfast 5. They’re generous. Have you ever no- everyday. ticed that the best business owners are very generous? This doesn’t always have to be with 8. They have a life outside of their money but can be with time, connections or business. John Jantsch, founder of Duct Tape even simply encouraging others. Learning to Marketing, has stated that this is a common give back is an important step that I’ve learned trait he’s noticed among his fellow business in my life that has helped me to connect with owners. According to John, “These days you some of the most amazing people on this plan- can run your entire business without actually et. It’s also helped my business more than I had interacting with other human beings, but huever imagined. man beings need to interact in order to live.

If you’re to grow, feel, learn and understand 6. They mostly say “no.’’ Business owners you’ve got to get out of the office. Go to a conhave to play nice with vendors and customers, ference, grab coffee with a customer, mingle but that doesn’t necessarily make them “yes with people who are weird (your definition.) men.” As Warren Buffett has famously said, It’s how you find strategic partners, new per“The difference between successful people and spectives and opportunities to learn and grow.” very successful people is that very successful people say, “no,” to almost everything.”

Here is to being the best business owners that we can be!

7. They don’t waste time with small

Roscoe preparing students for Ag job of the future

52 | BUSINESS | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

Connecting The Community of Abilene & The Big Country

By Big Country AG | Abilene Reporter-News • Photos by Gary Bomar

Kim Alexander, Superintendent of Roscoe Collegiate ISD, is passionate about a couple of things — quality education for his students and agricultural leaders and researchers for the future.

sion Agent for Nolan County.

At the conclusion of the research project, students are required to prepare a poster and orally present the findings of their specific research. The posters are placed on all campuses of the Roscoe school system for review by all students and facility

Anderson is known to think outside the box and create some remarkable things in the Roscoe schools.

While pursuing a doctoral degree, Alexander researched the needs of socioeconomically diverse students in the rural regions of Texas. With the cooperation of several universities, industry and individuals, the model of an early college was formulated. Students attending the Roscoe schools are given the opportunity for dual credit in pursuit of a collegiate degree. The program has been in place for seven years.

Completion rates for associate degrees have grown from one student in 2011 to 90 percent of the class of 2015 receiving associate degrees at time of high school graduation.

“One of the major factors that students do not advance to graduate school after the completion of a bachelor of science is the fear of research,” according to Alexander.

The Agricultural Research Center in Roscoe is well equipped with the latest equipment.

STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and math. Its purpose is to develop students who demonstrate high levels of aptitude in these fields, giving them the ability and mindset to pursue advance degrees thus making a positive contribution to their chosen field.

To enhance this, a new $3.5 million agriThe Agricultural Labs at the Agricultural Research Center. cultural research center has been opened, which houses Collegiate Edu-Vet, as well as an engineering center. Built through a bond pack- is preparing students from as early as the third grade. age that passed with a 3-to-1 margin, it shows the support of these innovative educational programs.

Working with the Nolan County AgriLife Extension Office and having resources from both the district and state The facility contains a state-of-the-art veterinary levels of Extension, a Roscoe-Collegiate Schoolwide 4-H clinic designed for both large animal and small ani- program is used to stimulate student interest. A major mal care. part of the 4-H program is the development of research projects. The specific topics are designed by a advisory “While the district cannot own and operate a vet committee consisting of AgriLife Extension specialists, clinic, we can enlist a practicing veterinarian in the instructors and people from the agricultural industry in the facility while teaching students through apprentice- region. ships,” Alexander said.

With the projection that by 2020 more than 60 per- “They include topics such has cotton insect control, wildcent of all employment opportunities will require a life enhancements, animal health and even feed requirecollege education, the educational model at Roscoe ments for poultry production,” said Zac Wilcox, Exten-

These students have been exposed to research methodology early in their educational process, giving them a strong background. These research projects follow the standard approved methods of research. Under the guidance of Roxanna Reyna-Islas, 4-H Program specialist assigned to the program, many of the projects are presented at 4-H district and state, expanding the experience of the students even more.

Anderson said there are nearly 60,000 highskilled agricultural job openings in the U.S. annually, yet there are only 35,000 ag graduates available to fill them. Those receiving advanced degrees in agricultural fields can expect to have ample career opportunities. These jobs will only become more important as we continue to develop solutions to feed more than 9 billion people worldwide by 2050, he said.

This small West-Texas School District is doing its part.

Pick us up at The Whitten Inn, China Star, Wholly Cow Burgers & H.E.B. | BUSINESS | 53

It is Time For A Break From Your Business

By Becky Green | Administrative Manager, Texas Tech University, SBDC

Most small business owners work very hard and very long hours. They dedicate much of their life to their business. According to a Discover Small Business Watch survey, about 31 percent of entrepreneurs work at least 10 hours a day and 15 percent work every day of the week.

Leadership Starts at Our Beginning

a day that is not typically a high volume sales day for you. Find someone to answer the phone or man the store for a day. Not a day where you are still answering the phone, texts, emails, or have your laptop or tablet close by, but a real day away from the business. You may have separation anxiety, but do not let yourself give in and go back or call in. Take time to do something fun and recharge. You will return to work full of ideas and be able to implement them to keep building your business. And, you might just want to do it more often and make it a routine.

Some of you may be saying, “That would be a short day for me.” Does your family complain that your business is with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week? The honest truth is that you are actually tired, but probably think you have to be available and work that hard to be successful. Have you been giving all your For those of you who just really cannot force energy and efforts to making your business a yourself to take a day off, try scheduling meetings during regular business hours and success? leave the evenings for family and friends.

Physicians tell us that working too hard can be Take a real lunch break and learn to say no physically and mentally destructive. With that when you are overextended. in mind, consider your day off as beneficial for your health and the health of the company. These little steps may lead to an actual day You know you deserve a day off, but how can off later on. Entrepreneurs can always find a way to make things happen and that’s why 28 you make it happen? million small businesses in America account Plan ahead. Look at your calendar and find for 54% of all U.S. sales.

Workforce Solutions offers grant opportunities for small to medium sized businesses The Workforce Solutions is offering a grant opportunity for businesses with less than 100 employees from the Workforce Investment Fund.

Join Taylor Electric Cooperative for their 77th Annual Meeting Thursday, April 28th, 9am - 1pm

Taylor Electric Headquarters 226 CR 287 Merkel, TX TAYLORELECTRIC.COM | 325.793.8500

The Workforce Investment Fund assists small and medium businesses by providing financial assistance for the following: • Creating new high-skill or high-wage jobs • Customized training • Developing new training programs • Retraining employees for new or emerging occupations

• Upgrading skills of current employees This fund provides financial assistance for customized training that is appropriate to the business. The emphasis for funding will be limited to projects that provide skill training that will result in career advancement for current workers in low wage positions.

Contact Robert Puls of the Workforce Solutions at 325.798.4200 or visit the website at www.workforcesystem.org

54 | BUSINESS | HispanicLife l Abilene/BigCountry

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From top design planning to quality installation and careful maintenance, the services of Shaw Landscaping LLC cannot be beat. They have many happy customers and the work is always guaranteed. “We strive to offer the best services at prices you can afford. Our professional landscapers are available to get your project started.”

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•

Tuesday, April 19th 6 to 8pm Abilene Civic Center TICKETS

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Transformational Works of Art Before Your Eyes

Pick us up at Dairy Queen, First Financial Bank & Daniela’s Tex Mex | BUSINESS | 55

By Caitlin Richards | HispanicLife Magazine

Faces and bodies are transformed into vibrant and whimsical works of art with Xtremely Loud Faces.

Owner O.G. Garcia never considered herself as an artist until she decided to offer face painting at her son’s 5th birthday party.

By Sandra J Hastings | Hastings Professional Business Services, Hastingspbs.com

The Internal Revenue Service has completed its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams with identity theft topping this year’s list along with phone scams and phishing schemes. Taxpayers need to guard against any ploys to steal their personal information, scam them out of money or talk them into engaging in questionable behavior with their taxes.

“As time progressed,” O.G. said, “I got better and accidentally fell into this whole world of professional face and body art.” It was here where O.G. learned about the importance of body specific products, sanitary procedures, and constant investment into her skill.

“We are working hard to protect taxpayers from identity theft and other scams this filing season,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Taxpayers have rights and should not be frightened into providing personal information or money to someone over the phone or in an email. We urge taxpayers to help protect themselves from scams — old and new.”

O.G. decided she needed a name for her business. She wanted to use the letters X Her son, Xavier, and L in the name to represent was born with her two children, Xavier and an illness that Logan. With help from her left O.G. and her family never knowing if his next birthday would be his last. Each year, O.G. said she made sure his birthday was memorable and full of excitement.

Perpetrators of illegal scams can face significant penalties and interest and criminal prosecution.

IRS Criminal Investigation works closely with the Department of Justice to shut down scams and prosecute the criminals behind them.

Here are the top three on the “Dirty Dozen” list.

1.Identity Theft: Taxpayers need to watch out

For his 5th birthday, O.G was in search of entertainment for the party but didn’t have much luck finding anything. At that time, their location didn’t have many options, and what was available, was expensive.

O.G. decided to take matters into her own hands by finding something she could do herself for entertainment. She decided to give face painting a try. oldest son, Xavier, they came up with Xtremely Loud Faces.

“I could not draw to save my life,” O.G. said.

“I went out and bought my first face painting “We thought extremely loud because my dekit, downloaded some information off the in- signs are not your typical face painting deternet and just went for it.” signs,” O.G. said. “They are all pretty vibrant, whimsical, extreme and inspired by many proO.G. admitted at first her butterflies and Spi- fessionals in the industry, I am able to create a derman faces looked absolutely horrible, but whirlwind of imagination”. her son and his friends did not seem to care.

After eight years of practicing and develop“His face and all of his friends’ faces just lit ing her skill, O.G. opened up her own studio up when they looked in the mirror,” O.G. said. at the Dyess Air Force Base’s Base Exchange.

“They didn’t care about the imperfections, Xtremely Loud Faces offers a variety of serthey were just so excited.” vices including, face painting for celebrations and prenatal belly art photo sessions.

Little did she know the one-time gig for her son’s party would end up turning into a legiti- All services are offered at her studio for base mate business. patrons or can be a “come to you service.” For

TOP THREE IN THE DIRTY DOZEN

more information about everything Xtremely Loud Faces offers, visit her website www. xtremelyloudfaces.wix.com/ogsfacepainting or Facebook page, Xtremely Loud Faces.

No matter the service, O.G. said her favorite part of the job is still the same- the reveal.

“When I hold up the mirror and they look at themselves for the first time,” O.G. said, “they see a beautiful transformation, when they were expecting to see something simple and cheesy, but all of a sudden they are surprised by all the color and the impact of the design.”

The same joy O.G. brought to her son eight years ago is the same joy she hopes to continue to bring to others with Xtremely Loud Faces.

Check her out and experience if for yourself.

for identity theft especially around tax time. The IRS continues to aggressively pursue the criminals that file fraudulent returns using someone else’s Social Security number. Though the agency is making progress on this front, taxpayers still need to be extremely careful and do everything they can to avoid being victimized.

2.Phone Scams: Phone calls from criminals impersonating IRS agents remain an ongoing threat to taxpayers. The IRS has seen a surge of these phone scams in recent years as scam artists threaten taxpayers with police arrest, deportation and license revocation, among other things.

3.Phishing: Taxpayers need to be on guard against fake emails or websites looking to steal personal information. The IRS will never send taxpayers an email about a bill or refund out of the blue. Don’t click on one claiming to be from the IRS.Be wary of strange emails and websites that may be nothing more than scams to steal personal information.

The IRS also renewed a consumer alert for e-mail schemes after seeing an approximate 400 percent surge in phishing and malware incidents so far this tax season For more information on the list of tax scams, visit IRS.gov.

Proudly serving Taylor, Jones, Callahan, Runnels, Nolan and Eastland counties.

Ge

t a g n i R e h T n I k c a B t

March 23 Abilene Civic Cente r

10:00 am to 4:30 pm Over 220 Exhibitors Business to Business Networking Celebrity wrestling matches Food Truck Action Zone Corporate star Award small Business of the Year Award

Business After hours Immediately Following