safoct25 by safmtx

What’s Inside . . .

Lane Trevino is six years old and attends school at Eldorado Elementary.

His parents are Albie and Tiffany Trevino. And his brother is Levi Trevino. His grandparens are George & Annie Arispe; Ruby & Troy Daniels; and Albert & Linda Trevino.

His favorite things are Jurassic World, WWE, race cars and Christmas.

We are proud to have Lane on our cover!!!

Fall Youth Gardening Class

The Fall Session of the Youth Gardening class will be from October 14 until November 4.

The gardening class will be held after school on Tuesdays from 4-5:30 p.m. Classes are held at The People/Plant Connection Garden at the Angelo West Branch Library, 3013 Vista del Arroyo, San Angelo.

Members of the Youth Gardening Class will be working in the garden, and talking about feeding the birds during the winter. They will be tasting fall & winter vegetables and they will be planting them in the raised beds. Using natural materials, the young gardeners will be creating crafts with the materials they gather for the compost bin.

There are two groups in the Youth Gardening Class. Sprouts, (ages 4-6) and Junior Master Gardeners, (2nd-5th grade). Teen Helpers, (6th grade & up), are welcome to help with the classes while they learn about gardening with the younger gardeners. Both groups will enjoy the “Kindness Minute” and paint a rock for the Kindness Rock Garden. All the gardeners will be learning about tasks in the garden and tasks at home they can perform.

The Youth Gardening Classes are sponsored by The People/Plant Connection, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to bring the joy of gardening to people of all ages and abilities. Their goal of the Youth Gardening Classes is to give children a connection to nature and the environment so they will make good decisions as they become adults.

This program is underwritten by the San Angelo Garden Club and the Rolling Hills Garden Club making it free to attend. It is open to everyone. Gardeners must be accompanied by an adult or sibling 18 or older. Parents must Pre-register by Friday, October 10 to reserve space. Limited spaces available. Call today or go to the website:www.peopleplantconnection.org

Lone Star Circle of Life to Visit San Angelo

The Lone Star Circle of Life Bike Tour (LSCOL), now in its 26th year, is a week-long, 500-mile cycling journey across Texas dedicated to raising awareness about the urgent need for blood, marrow, organ, tissue, and stem cell donations.

The 12-person cycling team, made up of riders from across the state, each has a deeply personal connection to donation. Every rider has either donated, received, or had a loved one whose life was touched by the gift of donation.

Each day of the tour, riders cycle in honor of a Texan whose life has been saved—or is still waiting to be saved—through donation. At every stop, the honored individual’s story will be shared by the rider who rode for them that day, bringing a personal and inspiring message of hope and generosity.

One of this year’s riders is San Angelo native Sara Pipkin-Love, now living in Corpus Christi. Sara received a heart transplant on June 30, 2010, from a 14-year-old donor who had spoken with his family about organ donation. She shares, “When I was waiting for my transplant, I just wanted to talk with someone my age who had been through the same things. Now, I want to be that person for someone else. I’m also a recipient of blood and platelets. It has taken many people’s life-saving donations to keep me alive.”

The bike tour will be in San Angelo on November 6 at 2:15 PM at Lake View High School, 900 E. 43rd St.

For more information or to read more rider stories, visit www.lscol.com

Help the Lone Star Circle of Life help others by joining our organization today! Your support will enable us to continue to make a difference for Texans needing transplants. Visit our website to make a donation!

Sunset Mall

Tom Green County Library Activities for October

(tell them you saw it in San Angelo Family Magazine)

Halloween Themed

Playdoh

Glow-in-the-dark

Bouncy Balls

Mini-flashlights

Glow-Stick Bracelets

Wikki Sticks - Glow

Spooky Temporary Tattoos

Mini Fidget Spinners

Halloween Stickers

Halloween Erasers

Box of Halloween Crayons

Glow-in-the-dark Slime

Pumpkin Decorating Stickers

Vampire Fangs

Mini Slinkies

Spider Rings

Glow Sticks

Silly Glasses

Bubble Wands

Halloween Pencils

Mini-notepads

Eyeball Bouncy Balls

Slap Bracelets

Halloween Finger Puppets

Pretzels, fruitsnacks, golfish

Mini Bottles of Water

Bubbles

Key Chains

Drink Packets

Best Non-Candy Halloween Treats for Kids

Freeze Pops

unpopped Popcorn

Bookmarks

Fun Bandaids

Mandarin oranges with faces

Rainsins

Spinning Tops

Kids Mustache

Silly Straws

Mini Yo-Yos

Headbands

Stampers

Chapstick

Sidewalk Chalk

Orange Beads

The ability to laugh at something is the best way to get anxiety off your chest (so to speak). So although the topic of breast cancer and mammograms is very serious, this humorous editorial on “How To Prepare for Your Mammogram” helps keep it light! Most guys won’t get this, but any woman who has ever experienced a mammogram will see the humor. Take it with you when you’re getting ready for your next appointment. Trust me, you’ll laugh so hard your robe will crinkle.

If you’re not sure if a woman you care about has had a mammogram lately, why not make a best friend date with her? Tell her that she looks fabulous in tissue paper, and that you actually read somewhere that getting your boobs smashed between two cold metal plates burns extra calories.

And tell her that you can’t imagine life without her.

HOW TO PREPARE FOR A MAMMOGRAM

Many women are afraid of their first mammogram, and even if they have had them before, there is fear. But there is no need to worry. By taking a few minutes each day for a week preceding the exam and doing the following practice exercises, you will be totally prepared for the test, and best of all, you can do these simple practice exercises right in your home.

Yes, I did have a mammogram today. Why do you ask?

EXERCISE 1: Open your refrigerator door, and insert one breast between the door and the main box. Have one of your strongest friends slam the door shut as hard as possible and lean on the door for good measure. Hold that position for five seconds. Repeat (just in case the first time wasn’t effective).

EXERCISE 2: Visit your garage at 3 a.m. when the temperature of the cement floor is just perfect. Take off all your clothes and lie comfortably on the floor sideways with one breast wedged under the rear tire of the car. Ask a friend to slowly back the car up until your breast is sufficiently flattened and chilled. Switch sides, and repeat for the other breast.

EXERCISE 3: Freeze two metal bookends overnight. Strip to the waist. Invite a stranger into the room. Have the stranger press the bookends against either side of one of your breasts and smash the bookends together as hard as he/she can. Set an appointment with the stranger to meet next year to do it again. You are now properly prepared!

Now that you are smiling a little...make your APPOINTMENT and check that off your list of things to do!!!

To our readers,

In all seriousness, having a mammogram really isn’t as bad as the cartoons and jokes depict. You will hear many excuses - or maybe you are the one making the excuses!! Here are a few:

1. I just don’t have time. I get one every year and really it doesn’t take long at all. I have seldom had to wait and the procedure itself is quick!

2. Its painful. I will be honest - it certainly isn’t comfortable, but I’ve never felt real pain. And I keep telling myself that the benefits WAY outweigh the few moments of ‘uncomfortable’. And this will not be as painful as advanced breast cancer!

3. I’m scared of what they will find. Well, the whole point IS to know!! Eight out of ten breast cancer lumps are not cancerous. But if you are diagnosed with breast cancer, early detection is very important. The survival rate for breast cancer diagnosed in a screening program is 98%.

4. No family members have ever had breast cancer so I don’t need to worry. NOT TRUE!! 75% of breast cancer happens in women with no family history. True, family history does increase risk but don’t be lulled into complacency because there is no cancer in your family.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!!!

Ages newborn to senior in high school.

Include: Child’s name/age, Parent’s name, Contact phone number or email, permission to print child’s photo/name, your favorite caption. Email family@wcc.net by October 15, 2025 to be considered for the November issue.

Or for an easier NEW way, go to our website to submit (safmtx.com). Its EASY!!!!

All smiles!

Ayden enjoying the ranch life!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Golf Snacks with Dad

He’s hooked on this hobby!

Josiah and his Pappa Lake days and fishing are his favorite thing to do

Entering her 3rd era!

Kylie, Reagan, and Keith

Nothing like some good old Texas football!

Ages newborn to senior in high school.

Or for an easier NEW way, go to our website to submit (safmtx.com). Its EASY!!!!

Playing in the backyard is so much fun!

Ready to roll!

Sisters make the sweetest memories.

We wear green on Fridays!

Mexican Native American Pride

brother hugs

smiley

Continued Warrior

Math in Mot Ballet San An

Fall Festival Ideas

Fall Festivals are a great way to spend family time together and cut loose and have some real fun! We still enjoy all the traditional activities, but here are some new ideas for a different twist:

Have a scarecrow making contest. Gather everything needed put in large garbage bags. According to ages have team see who can put a scarecrow together the fastest.

Try a candy scramble. All the candy is hidden in hay and kids have to dig for it! Special candies are good for prizes.

Guess how many eyeballs are in the jar. Or you could use glow-in-the-dark worms?

Pumpkin bowling- one pumpkin and some empty 64oz soft drink bottles is all you need. Set up the empty soft drink bottles like bowling pins and use the pumpkin as the bowling ball. Pumpkins are very tough and can withstand a lot of 'bowling' before bursting.

Wrap the mummy-all you need is a willing victim and a few rolls of toilet paper. One person stands still (that's the victim) while the kids take the toilet paper and wrap the person up mummy-style. Two victims and two teams, with a 5 minute time limit for the best mummy make this game fun for kids.

Take a block of Styrofoam. Put black marker dots on the bottom of some of the sticks of Dum Dum Pops or Tootsie Roll pops. The others stay unmarked. Participants choose a lollipop. If it has the black dot, they get a prize ticket, plus the lollipop. If they pick one that's unmarked, they just keep the lollipop. Everyone wins something.

Hire a caricature artist! The great thing about this idea is that it works for all ages.

Wacky hair painting for all ages (it is temporary and washes out).

Bucket toss: Line up 6 buckets/pails and have them toss a ping pong ball in them. If they get it in they get a new ball to toss to the next one and so forth! (add a prize if you want)

Football throws - 12-17 age group. Take a big wooden board, cut various size holes in it (1-3 feet wide). You get points for throwing a football through the holes (smaller hole, more points or bigger prize).

Tell them you saw it in San

Angelo State University’s Planetarium

Fall Planetarium Shows

The Angelo State University Planetarium will present 15 different full-dome public astronomy shows during its fall 2025 schedule in the Vincent Building at 2333 Vanderventer St.

The Planetarium shows will run weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. through Dec. 4, except for breaks in the schedule in October and November. All the shows are open to the public with admission prices of $3 for adults and $2 for children, active military and senior citizens. Angelo State students, faculty and staff are admitted free.

The season will also include the Planetarium's 40th Anniversary Celebration in November, with more details to come, and will wrap up with multiple showings of the holiday program, "Season of Light."

The fall Planetarium shows will run as follows:

• Wednesday, Oct. 1 - Flight of the Butterflies*

• Thursday, Oct. 2 - Saturn: Jewel of the Heavens

• Wednesday, Oct. 15 - The Story of Earth*

• Thursday, Oct. 16 - Solar Superstorms

• Wednesday, Oct. 29 - Great White Shark*

• Thursday, Oct. 30 - T. Rex*

• Wednesday, Nov. 5 - Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West

• Thursday, Nov. 6 - The Cowboy Astronomer

• Saturday, Nov. 15 - Planetarium 40th Anniversary Celebration

• Wednesday, Nov. 19 - Season of Light

• Thursday, Nov. 20 - Season of Light

• Wednesday, Dec. 3 - Season of Light

• Thursday, Dec. 4 - Season of Light

More details are available at angelo.edu/planetarium and on Facebook at facebook.com/AngeloStatePlanetarium.

*Purchase of these shows was funded through ASU's Hispanic Serving Institution-Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (HSI-STEM) grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

Angelo Family Magazine!

Tell them you saw it in San Angelo Family Magazine!!!

Seniors Still Believe: Help Make Christmas Magical for Homebound Neighbors

The holidays can be the loneliest time of year for a senior living alone. Imagine sitting quietly in your chair during December, no family nearby, no presents under a tree. Then comes a knock at the door. A volunteer steps in with a brightly wrapped gift. Inside are the pajamas you wished for, the ones you thought no one would remember. You hold them close and whisper, “Someone still cares.”

Since 2010, this program has brought hope, dignity, and joy to hundreds of homebound seniors across our service area of Tom Green, Concho and Irion Counties, and Miles, Texas. Every ornament taken from a tree represents a life touched and a heart reminded they are not forgotten.

How It Works

Each senior has the chance to write down a Christmas wish. They often ask for something simple like pajamas, slippers, a blanket, or toiletries. These wishes are written on special ornaments and placed on Christmas trees at designated drop-off locations across town. Community members can select an ornament, shop for the gift, and return it to any designated drop-off location listed on our website, or make a $30 donation and let Meals For The Elderly shop on their behalf.

In addition to their main gift, seniors also benefit from donated stocking stuffer items. We collect things like puzzle books, socks, lotion, and small treats, and place a few in each gift to add extra comfort and care.

Two Ways to Make a Difference

This program offers two pathways to spread cheer:

• Individual Adoption Program runs from November 1 to December 1. Ornaments can be picked up and gifts dropped off at designated locations across town. Visit one of the designated drop-off locations hosting a Seniors Still Believe tree (loca-

tions listed on our website and social media). Choose an ornament, shop for your senior’s gift, or donate $30 and let us shop for you.

• Community Partner Program runs from November 3 to December 3. Businesses, churches, and organizations can commit at a larger scale by guaranteeing they will provide gifts for the number of seniors they adopt. This commitment ensures that dozens of seniors will have their Christmas wishes fulfilled. Levels of cheer include:

• Santa’s Helper – 5 Seniors ($150)

• Jolly Giver – 10 Seniors ($300)

• Christmas Angel – 20 Seniors ($600)

• Custom Commitment – Choose the number of seniors you’d like to adopt.

Why It Matters

For many seniors, this may be their most meaningful gift of the year. While Meals For The Elderly also provides birthday gifts, Christmas holds a special place in their hearts.

What to Do Next

1. Commit today, we’re counting on your support.

2. Shop for gifts or donate and let us do the shopping.

3. Bring all monetary donations to Meals For The Elderly office, gifts can be dropped off at a designated drop-off location or our office by the deadline.

4. Celebrate knowing you made a senior’s Christmas wish come true.

Visit www.mealsfortheelderly.org to adopt today. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram for ornament locations, updates, and stories of the lives you’re touching. Be the reason a senior still believes in the magic of Christmas.

Popcorn lovers rejoice: October is National Popcorn Poppin’ Month, a seasonal celebration of one of America’s oldest and most beloved snack foods.

Here’s a great recipe with a twist!!!!

Pumpkin Spice Latte Popcorn

Spiked with pumpkin pie spice and espresso powder, this sophisticated, heavenly popcorn is halfsass, half-class.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Ingredients

2 tablespoons vanilla sugar

2 teaspoons espresso powder

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

8 cups popcorn

2 tablespoons melted coconut oil

Directions

In small bowl, whisk together vanilla sugar, espresso powder, pumpkin pie spice and salt until blended. Place popcorn in large bowl. Drizzle coconut oil over popcorn; toss until evenly coated. Sprinkle with vanilla sugar mixture until dusted evenly. Tip: Add white chocolate chips, white chocolate–covered pretzels or vanilla yogurt–covered raisins if desired.

Ranch Popcorn

What’s movie night at home without some popcorn to munch? Try a big tub of this buttery, showstopping blend. It’s easy, cheesy and finger-lickin’ good.

Yield

8 servings

Tell them you saw it in San Angelo Family Magazine!!!

Ingredients

3 quarts popped popcorn

1/3 cup butter, melted

1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 tablespoons ranch salad dressing mix

1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes

1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Directions

Place the popcorn in an ungreased 13x9-in. baking pan. Combine the remaining ingredients; pour over popcorn and toss to coat.

Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 10 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm.

MEETINGS AROUND SAN ANGELO

Email meeting information to family@wcc.net. Please include contact information. SAFM reserves the right to determine if the meeting will be included. PLEASE verify any meeting dates and times as changes could be made after our print date.

Adult Diabetes Support Group -2nd Thurs. 6:30pm. Trinity Lutheran Fellowship hall. Leslie Hines lesliehines@shannonhealth.org 323-657-8249

Aglow International, San Angelo Lighthouse - every 1st Thurs, 6:30pm, Ministerial Alliance, 1100 Martin Luther King Dr., pot luck supper, all are welcome. FMI 325-653-9975 Alcoholics Anonymous, 3711 Chadbourne, San Angelo, TX 76901. A phone number for all AA groups in San Angelo is (325) 939-8939. New website-Meetings listing: SanAngeloAA.org

Al-Anon - 1917 W. Avenue N, help for those whose lives have been affected by someone else’s drinking. FMI 800-259-1972 or info@sanangelo-al-anon.org or www.sanangelo-al-anon.org Alzheimer’s Assoc. Support Groups - 438 E. Houston Harte Expy or for full list & FMI 1-800-272-3900

American Legion Post 32 - 2nd Mon, 7p, 165 E 43rd Street. FMI Post Adjutant 325-653-1958..

American Legion Post 572 - 3rd Saturday, 9 am breakfast, 10 am meeting, Elks Lodge, 2121 S. Chadbourne, FMI 325-655-7648 (Carl Frentz) or amlegpost572@gmail.com

Breastfeeding Community Gathering, Every Thurs.(excluding holiday), 11:00am, FREE, Shannon Women’s & Children’s Hospital Family Room, FMI: Amanda John 325-481-6326 Brush N Brag Decorative Painters 3rd Sat., 9am, St. Marks Presbyterian Church, 2506 Johnson St (Fellowship Hall): FMI call Sherrill Dooley 325 340-0762 sherrill222@yahoo.com Civil Air Patrol – every Thur, 5575 Stewart Lane, 6:20p-8:30pm, age 12 & up with interest in aerospace education, cadet programs and emergency services. sanangelocap.org

Compassionate Friends Support Group - Thursdays, 6:30 pm, Harmony room at First United Methodist Church (corner of Twohig and Chadbourne). Park on the second floor of parking garage of Cactus Hotel. Come through double glass doors. Contact Peggy Mathias Peggym@wtcg.us

Concho Pearl Lions Club, 2nd & 4th Mondays, 6pm at the Lions Eyeglass Recycling Center at 27 W. Concho Ave, FMI lionpgonzalez@gmail.com or 325-227-1296

Concho Valley Archeological Society, Non Profit Organization, Meetings 4th Thursday each month except July & December, 7:00 pm, Classroom at the Fort Concho Living History Stables, 236 Henry O. Flipper St. San Angelo, FMI Larry Riemenschneider 325-653-8216

Concho Valley Cancer Companions Support Group - 2nd and 4th Saturdays, 10:30am, St. Luke UMC, 2781 W Ave. N., CVCancerCompanions@gmail.com or (325) 268-1773

Concho Valley CARES Coalition - 1st Wed., 12:00-1:00pm, SAISD Admin Building, 1621 University Ave, FMI Jennifer Flores, (325)224-3481 or Sarah Adame, (325)224-3481

Concho Valley Homeless Planning Coalition, every 2nd Wednesday from 10-11 a the Stephens Central Library. FMI 325-653-2411

Concho Valley Quilters Guild - Wed., 28 N Chadbourne, parking in the back, 9:30-2:30 pm. We hand-quilt for the public & members. Visitors/New members welcome! FMI 325-227-8713. Concho Valley Ostomy Support Group - 1st Friday of every month, 3:00p.m., Baptist Retirement Community, 903 North Main Street, Room 119. FMI Joan Countess at 325-647-0658.

Concho Valley Republican Women 4th Thursday luncheon (January-October), 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Open to the public. For FMI and RSVP go to www.CVRW.org

Concho Valley Retired Teachers and Associates (CVRTA) Second Tuesday of the month (Sep-May), 9:30 am, at First Christian Church, 29 S Chadbourne, San Angelo. Concho Valley Telephone Pioneer Club - 3rd Friday, Baptist Memorial at Main Street Cafe, noon, lunch 11:30. Different speaker each month. FMI Rhonda Nichols @ (325) 656-5301

Concho Valley Turning Point: (Faith-Based 12 Step) Tues 7pm, (Anger Mgmt.) Thurs 7pm, (Bible Study) Mon & Fri 7pm, (Transitional Housing for Men), meet @528 E. Highland Blvd. FMI: 325-658-1389, cvtpmail@gmail.com, www.cvtp.org. Hope, Believe & Achieve Here!

Concho Valley Women Veterans Association, 12th/each month, 5:30-7:00 pm, 119 North Chadbourne, Vietnam Veterans of America building. FMI commander@cvwomenveterans.com

Disability Connections Center - monthly peer support groups, computer classes, cooking classes and arts & crafts classes, FMI call 325-227-6624 or 325-227-6625, dcciltx.org/ Disabled American Veterans' Auxiliary - 1st Thurs, 5:30 p.m., 1909 Pulliam, FMI: Maria Torres, 653-9059 Down Syndrome Support Group - 2nd Thur, even numbered months, 6:00pm, Region 15, Open to individuals with Down Syndrome/families/friends. Child Care and light meal provided. FMI Karyn at 227-3716 or Kathy at 325-651-9593 East Angelo Lions Club, every Wednesday at 11:55 for lunch at Rio Concho, 401 Rio Concho Dr., San Angelo in the Library. Jerry Wilson, Sec 325-234-7662 Embroidery Guild of America 3rd Tues 7PM, St.Paul Presbyterian Church, 11 Park St., FMI Leslie Wisdom rhoridgetx@yahoo.com Fleet Reserve Assn (FRA) Branch 295 - 3rd Sat, 11a, Elks Lodge, 2121 S. Chadbourne, FMI 325-942-8036 (Terry Cook, Branch Secretary) Greater San Angelo Crafts Guild 2nd Saturday in July, the 3rd Saturday in September, and the 1st Saturday in December, Stephens Library, FMI 726-999-0359, gsacraftsguild@gmail.com Group Connections - free family gatherings and educational activities for parents and children. Monthly. FMI call (325)653-HOPE or visit https://cacgreaterwtx.org/ Hanging By A Thread Quilt Club - 2nd Mon, 6:30p, Suez Shriner's building (2915 W. Loop 306, San Angelo) FMI call Ellen @ 903-816-2971 or Sheryl @ 325-262-1492 Hope Gathering - 3rd Monday, Christian support group for widows. FMI contact Sharlene Miller at sanangelohopegathering@hopegathering.org and visit www.hopegathering.org

Le Coterie Society Club of San Angelo - 2nd Saturday each month, St Mark Presbyterian Church, 11am-12pm, FMI: Helen 325-262-8563 or Ronetta 325-653-7574 NAACP - 1st Sat, 2-3:30p, Ministerial Alliance Campus, 1100 MLK Blvd., FMI sanangelonaacp.org

Overeaters Anonymous (HOW) - call hotline for locations and times. 325-482-8899

Parents Helping Parents - 3rd Tues. WTRC Admin. bldg, 12-1:00pm. Light meal provided, RSVP. FMI Barby Nobles, 223-6473.Open to all children, families, friends with special needs. Parkinson’s Support Group, 4th Monday, 5:30, Glen Meadows Baptist Church Rm 104, 6002 Knickerbocker RD., FMI 325 949-0970 Rotary Club of San Angelo, every Friday except for holidays, noon to 1pm, River Terrace, 880 W Avenue D. New guests are free, members pay dues and lunch. FMI call (325) 656-2612 or email sarotary@aol.com.

San Angelo Amateur Radio Club (SAARC) - 2nd Thurs,, 7:00pm, the clubhouse, 5513 Stewart Lane, Mathis Field Airport. Open to any Amateur Radio operators FMI www.w5qx.org San Angelo Art Club-1st Mon, 7p, Kendall Gallery, 119 W 1st St, sanangeloartclub@gmail.com, facebook.com/sanangelo.artclub, or sanangeloartclub.org San Angelo Astronomy Assoc - Meetings are quarterly - contact for dates, 7p, ASU Planetarium. FMI 325-226-9172 or angeloastronomy.com/ San Angelo Chess Club Mondays, except holidays, 6–8 p.m., downtown library, 33 W. Beauregard. Club meets in library lobby. Equipment provided. Casual and USCF-rated games. 325853-2324. sanangelochess@gmail.com Free.

San Angelo Dream Center, Mons., 6-8pm, 1928 MLK Blvd. Christ Powered Recovery, 12 Step Faith based recovery group. Probation/Parole approved. FMI Jeff Matheny 325-234-9958. San Angelo Genealogical & Historical Society (SAGHS) 1st Tue, Sept -May, 7p, Trinity Lutheran, Fellowship Hall, 3536 Lutheran Way. Free & open to the public. Refreshments provided. FMI (325) 268-0973, info@saghs-tx.org, or facebook.com/pg/SAGHS/events

San Angelo Republican Women - 1st Mon, San Angelo VFW, 125 S. Browning, 6:00 p.m. Free/open to the public. "Boots on the Ground!" FMI: sanangelorepublicanwomen@gmail.com San Angelo TEA Party 2nd Tues., 507 N. Chadbourne St. annex building next to Transit/Bus Station, 6 to 7:30 p.m. contact 325-227-8982

San Angelo Toastmasters Thursdays, Zoom Meetings at 5:30-6:30, FMI Hilda Guffey, 325-450-7044, hilguff@yahoo.com San Angelo Writers' Club 2nd Tues, 6:30pm, TGC Stephens downtown library lobby, FMI Sanangelowritersclub@gmail.com

Space to Be Me (LGBTQIA Youth Support Group) - Wednesdays, 6:00pm, Open Arms Office, 113 North Harrison Street. FMI Contact Jennie Wagner @325-655-2000 or jwagner@openarmscv.ofg

SMART Recovery - free group support for people experiencing addictions. Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 pm at 133 W Concho Ave #110, San Angelo, TX 76903. FMI call (325)-944-2561. Texas Veterans for Veterans - Tuesdays, 7:15am-9:30am, 1905 Pulliam, designed to help local needy veterans and their families. FMI 325-656-9562 TOPS TX 0136 (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) - Weight Loss Group, Thurs, 7-8pm, Calvary Baptist Fellowship Center, 2401 Armstrong, San Angelo. FMI – 325-653-1045 or 325-656-8167. Veteran SMART Recovery - free support for people experiencing addictions. Weds, 6-7pm, Cactus Hotel (36 E Twohig Ave. #110, San Angelo). FMI Steven Keihl 325-944-2561. VFW POST 1815 - 10:00am, 3rd Sat., 125 S. Browning. FMI John Muckleroy, 655-6550

Vietnam Veterans of America -1st Thurs, 6:30p, 119 N. Chadbourne, FMI 949-3059

Women's Sexual Assault survivor group (Open Arms), Mondays, 5:30-6:30pm, 113 N. Harrison St. . All women survivors over the age of 18 are welcome. A spanish speaking group is available as well. FMI 325-655-2000

Women Veterans Society, every 3rd Thursday at 5:30 pm. 125 S. Browning St. For more information, email us at WomenVeteransSociety@gmail.com Young Professionals of San Angelo, 3rd Thurs, Visitor Center's Riverview Room, 12-1pm. FMI: facebook.com/YPSanAngelo or sanangelo.org/yp/

Tell them you saw it in San Angelo Family Magazine!!!

Fire Prevention

Fire Prevention Week Oct 8-14, 2023 By taking the time to do a fire safety inspection, and correcting any problems you discove family's risk of being harmed in a home fire. Take about 20 minutes to inspect your home. As you go from room to room, check of

Hunting for Home Hazards

___ Yes ___ No Does a grown-up always stay in the kitchen when food is cooking on the stove?

___ Yes ___ No Are cooking areas free of materials that could catch fire?

___ Yes ___ No Are pot handles turned towards the back of the stove?

___ Yes ___ No Is there a "kid-free" zone of three feet (one metre) around the stove when grown-ups are cooking?

___ Yes ___ No Are portable space heaters always turned off and when grown-ups leave the room or go to sleep?

___ Yes ___ No Has your family's heating equipment - chimneys, fireplaces, woodstoves, or furnaces been inspected professionaly this year?

___ Yes ___ No Are candles always blown out when grown-ups leave the room or go to bed?

___ Yes ___ No Are candles in candleholders that can't tip over easily and are big enough to catch dripping wax safely?

___ Yes ___ No Are matches and lighters kept in a locked cabinet, out of children's sight and reach?

___ Yes ___ No Are electrical cords in good condition, without cracks or frayed areas?

___ Yes ___ No Are flammable liquids like gasoline, kerosene, or propane stored in safe containers, out side the home in a properly ventilated shed or garage?

___ Yes ___ No If there are smokers in your home, do they douse all butts and ashes with water before throwing them away?

Sound the Alarm: Installing and Testing Smoke Alarms

___ Yes ___ No Does your home have a working smoke alarm on every floor, and inside or near every sleeping area?

___ Yes ___ No Are the batteries working in every smoke alarm? (Have a grown-up press the 'test' button to find out.)

___ Yes ___ No Do you have any smoke alarms that are more than 10 years old? If so, or if you can't remember, have a grown-up replace them.

___ Yes ___ No Does everyone in your home know the sound of the smoke alarm and know exactly what to do if it goes off?

Do the Drill: Practicing Home Fire Escape Plans

___ Yes ___ No Does your family have a home fire escape plan that includes two exits (usually a door and a window) out of each room?

___ Yes ___ No Are exits in your home kept free of toys, furniture, and clutter?

___ Yes ___ No If there are infants or other family members with limited mobility, has someone been assigned to assist them in the event of a fire?

___ Yes ___ No Does your family practice the escape plan twice a year? (Why not practice it tonight!)

___ Yes ___ No Has your family picked a safe place to meet outside after you exit the home?

___ Yes ___ No Does everyone in your family know the fire department’s emergency number to call once you’re safely outside?

___ Yes ___ No Is your home’s street number clearly visible from the street?

If you answered 'yes' to all of the checklist questions above, congratulations! You and your family are doing a great job of teaming up for fire safety. If you answered 'yes' to 20 or more questions, you're on your way. Make sure to correct any problems, and you'll be 'home safe' before you know it. If you answered 'yes' to 15 or more questions, you've got some work to do! Work together to correct the problems then take the test again.

If you answered 'yes' to fewer than 15 questions, it's definitely time to make some changes. Make sure your family takes the steps needed to turn every 'no' into a 'yes.' Remember: passing this test could save your life in the event of a home fire.

Do you wonder if your relationship may be abusive? If you answer 'yes' to more than a few, PLEASE reconsider your quality of life and/or safety. And if you have children, think about their safety. No matter what you tell children, they learn from what they see and hear.

Verbal, emotional and physical abuse do NOT have boundaries between your economic status, race, gender, age, education or employment. You may think if you just “try harder” things will get better. Or that your partner will just wake up one day and apologize for all they have done. Most times that is not the case.

Does your partner...

• ignore your feelings?

• disrespect you?

• ridicule or insult you then tell you it’s a joke, or that you have no sense of humor?

• ridicule your beliefs, religion, race, heritage or class?

• withhold approval, appreciation or affection?

• give you the silent treatment?

• walk away without answering you?

• criticize you, call you names, yell at you?

• humiliate you privately or in public?

• roll his or her eyes when you talk?

• give you a hard time about socializing with your friends or family?

• make you socialize (and keep up appearances) even when you don't feel well?

• make sure that what you really want is exactly what you won't get?

• tell you that you are too sensitive?

• hurt you especially when you are down?

• seem energized by fighting, while fighting exhausts you?

• have unpredictable mood swings, alternating from good to bad for no apparent reason?

• present a wonderful face to the world and is well liked by outsiders?

• "twist" your words, somehow turning what you said against you?

• try to control decisions, money, even the way you style your hair or wear your clothes?

• complain about how badly you treat him or her?

• threaten to leave, or threaten to throw you out?

• say things that makes you feel good, but do things that make you feel bad?

• ever left you stranded?

• ever threaten to hurt you or your family?

• ever hit or pushed you, even "accidentally"?

• seemed to stir up trouble just when you seem to be getting closer to each other?

• abuse something you love: a pet, a child, an object?

• compliment you enough to keep you happy, yet criticizes you enough to keep you insecure?

• promise to never do something hurtful again?

• harass you about imagined affairs?

• manipulate you with lies and contradictions?

• destroy furniture or anything in your home?

Don’t keep it quiet - tell someone!! Please read this carefully...and share with anyone you think might be experiencing hurt of any kind (including yourself).

COULD THIS BE YOU? (or someone you know)

• intentionally scare you with their driving?

• act immature and selfish, yet accuse you of those behaviors?

• question your every move and motive, somehow questioning your competence?

• interrupt you; hear but not really listen?

• make you feel like you can't win?

• use drugs and/or alcohol? Are things worse then?

• incite you to anger, which is "proof" that you are to blame?

• try to convince you he or she is "right," while you are "wrong?"

• frequently say things that are later denied or accuse you of misunderstanding?

• treat you like a sex object, or as though sex should be provided on demand regardless of how you feel?

• blame others for problems and mistakes

• makes everyone else responsible for his/her feelings. The abuser says, "You make me angry" instead of, "I am angry".

You may think that physical abuse is far worse than emotional abuse, since physical violence can send you to the hospital and leave you with scars. But, the scars of emotional abuse are very real, and they run deep. In fact, emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse—sometimes even more so.

The abuse can be very subtle - the control increasing gradually over time so that the partner gradually adapts to it.

The abuser and partner may function very well together in their respective roles; making a home, raising a family, and "getting ahead," so the abusive nature of the relationship is overlooked.

The abuser's behavior is alternately abusive and nonabusive, so that the partner is never sure whether or not the relationship is working.

The partner may be so absorbed in raising a family or developing a career that he/she ignores problems in the relationship.

While there are several forms of emotional abuse, most happens as an attempt to control another person. It has been described as being similar to brainwashing because it wears away one's self-confidence and sense of self.

If you feel your relationship may be verbally or emotionally abusive, talk to people you trust. Talk to clergy, call a friend and make a plan, call your local battered women's shelter, educate yourself, seek professional help. Do not allow verbal and emotional abuse to escalate to battery! If you know someone you suspect is being abused...DO SOMETHING!!

Verbal abuse takes many forms: from loud rants to quiet comments; from obvious put-downs to not-soobvious remarks that undermine the partner. What all the methods have in common is the need to control, to be superior, to avoid taking personal responsibility, and to mask or deny failures.

Do you recognize yourself in any of this text? Are you being verbally abused? Make no mistake: Although verbal abuse doesn’t leave visible scars, it does do damage. The victims’ self-esteem is eroded. Children who watch one parent being put down and diminished by the other, develop a skewed and sad view of how relationships are supposed to be. Many blame themselves for the situation. Boys who see their father abuse their mother may be more likely to become abusive adults. Girls who see their father abuse their mother may be more likely to tolerate abuse as adults. Do something to stop this today! Your quality of life and your children’s quality of life is worth you standing up to the abuse.

Whoever made up that rhyme about “sticks and stones will break my bones, but words will never hurt me” was just plain wrong! Words do hurt. They can break a person on the inside just as surely as bruises on the outside. People who are subjected to verbal abuse suffer. People who are subjected to it over time can get so used to it they lose their sense of themselves as people worth loving. If you see yourself or someone you know in any of these stories, know you are not alone. Talk to someone - get help! If you can’t find someone to help, call me. Carolyn Miller/Owner & publisher of San Angelo Family Magazine at 325-656-7438. Your situation could be critical if the following applies to you:

• You avoid certain topics out of fear of angering your partner?

• You express your opinions less and less freely.

• You are walking on eggshells, careful of when & how to say something.

• You long for that softer, more vulnerable part of your partner to emerge.

• You find yourself making excuses for your partner's behavior.

• You feel emotionally unsafe.

• You feel it’s somehow not OK to talk with others about your relationship.

• You hope things will change..especially through your love and understanding.

• You find yourself doubting your memory or sense of reality.

• You doubt your own judgment.

• You doubt your abilities.

• You feel vulnerable and insecure.