288 Express April 2021

Alvin, Manvel & Neighboring Communities

Cover Story ... PAGE 2

What Do I Believe?

Where Do I Stand?

PAGE 3

Community News

• Alvin Police Officers Help In Community • Alvin Event Venue Helps After Storm • LyondellBasell Recognized

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School News

• Read Across America Day • Youth Art Month

APRIL 2021 Volume 4, Issue 4

A publication of the Alvin Advertiser

W H AT D O I B E L I E V E ?

WHE R E

DO

The cover of this magazine displays two billboards which have appeared in Manvel this year. The signage on the bottom right came first, sometime around January, and the other followed.

Both billboards have appropriate messages.

Each signage space was purchased by two different sources. The messages do not oppose each other, they could actually work together.

It is right that there should be an end to police brutality and it is right that we should ask God to bless the police.

It’s not easy to think of someone getting blessed when you believe that they deserve to be punished. Yes, punish them but what if they also have a positive change of heart because God is given a chance to get involved.

I’ve heard a saying from years ago, “one bad

A publication of

Alvin, Manvel & Neighboring Communities Writers & Photographers Stephen Collins Hazel• Michael PerezEdmonds

advertising@alvinsun.net Graphic Designers Linda Knight Donna Hopkins

Advertising Contact: Hazel Perez advertising@alvinsun.net 570 Dula St. • Alvin, TX 77511 281-331-4421 www.alvinsun.net

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I

S TA N D ?

apple spoils the bunch”. What if that wasn’t true? I believe that the largest majority of the bunch choose to not be spoiled by the one.

Now, what if the largest majority chooses to ask God to bless the one who is trying to spoil the bunch?

I believe that there should be an end to all brutality. So don’t be brutal to anyone and don’t let anyone get away with being brutal to you. I know it may not be that simple but if we are willing, it could be.

You may believe that the justice system doesn’t work the same towards everyone but God’s blessing can bring equal justice.

I believe in right over wrong and I stand for all people.

Donna

What’s Happening?

We are looking for local news or photos to publish in the 288 Express magazine.

Email to: Donna Hopkins officemanager@alvinsun.net

CO M M U N I TY N E W S

APOA helping in the community Members of the Alvin Police Officers Association built a wheelchair ramp for a lady in Rosharon. Pictured (left to right): Alvin City Council member Adam Arendell, Alvin Police Capt. Todd Arendell, Alvin Police Sgt. Keith Kingham and Alvin Police Sgt. Mike Farmer.

Photo/Cutline by Bill DeWitt

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CO M M U N I TY N EWS

Local event venue helps community after winter storm The Alvin event venue distributed much needed water, food and safety items to the community after the winter storm Uri disaster.

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Sunday, February 28th the venue opened their gates for all who were in need to receive one case of water and one bag filled with non-perishable food

items, hand sanitizer, masks and other donated goods.

Organizations like Chickfil-A donated food vouchers for the worthy cause, as did

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Whole Foods through World Youth Foundation with pastries, loafs of bread - which was a hard to secure item at the time.

One woman waiting in the line of cars shared that she had been to several stores looking for bread and was happy to get the donated items.

Other individuals and non-profit organizations contributed to the success of the distribution location like LAMIK (Love And Makeup In Kindness).

Winter storm Uri wreaked havoc on Texans where many lost power for days, ran out of food because their food spoiled due to the power outage and to make matter much worse, the temperature was extremely cold. Roads were closed due to unsafe driving conditions with iced roadways.

Morgan Falls owner, Kristina Cox stated that she spent several days contacting numerous companies to secure water but no one had water and stores who did were only allowing one case per purchase. Cox also reached out to local, state and national representatives for help in locating water distributors and water was so scarce that no one had access – even outside of Texas. One store disclosed that they had to close several warehouses because of the winter storm.

“I knew our Alvin-Manvel residents needed relief items here and I contacted every individual and organization until I got a greenlight to pick up the water. I wanted to provide a local resource for our community to get what they needed to get them back on their feet”, said Mrs. Cox.

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CO M M U N I TY N E W S

LyondellBasell recognized as one of ‘ World’s Most Admired Companies’ Fourth Consecutive Year

ALVIN, TEXAS, February 12, 2021 – The results are in and LyondellBasell, the operator of the Chocolate Bayou Plant, has been named to Fortune Magazine’s 2021 list of the ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ for the fourth straight year.

The list recognizes organizations like LyondellBasell which have a strong reputation across a variety of industry sectors.

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“We’re proud to be named to Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired List,” said Chocolate Bayou Plant Manager Lawrence Moreaux. “It’s an important distinction for our company that is made possible each year by our employees. We have some of the best and brightest employees who are committed to excellence and making a real difference at work and in their communities.”

LyondellBasell employees around the world

overcame a challenging 2020 to advance many important company initiatives, including: • produced and marketed two million metric tons of recycled and renewable-based polymers annually by 2030; • acquired already operating, world-scale assets through the formation of two 50:50 joint ventures in China and Louisiana with both accretive to earnings in the fourth quarter • expanded circular polymers joint venture capacity in mechanical recycling by 20 kilotons in Belgium • joined the United Nations (U.N.) Global Compact, the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative; • received the American Chemistry Council’s (ACC) highest distinction, the Responsible Care® Company of the Year Award; and • executed a clear and straightforward strategy to increase free cash flow, moderate our capital expenditures, and remain true to our strategy of capturing value and delivering resilient results at all points in the cycle.

According to Korn Ferry, who administers the survey for Fortune Magazine, the ‘World’s Most Admired Companies’ study surveys top executives and directors from eligible companies, along with financial analysts, to evaluate companies in the categories of: innovation, people management, use of corporate assets, social responsibility, quality of management, financial soundness, longterm investment value, quality of products / services and global competitiveness.

L O C A L B U S I N E S S D I R E C T O R Y

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SCHOOL

N E W S

R E A D A C R O S S 8 . . . APRIL 2021

The Alvin ISD campuses celebrated National Read Across America Day in March.

Students and staff dressed up, read amazing books, and participated in fun activities.

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SCHOOL

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AISD celebrates Youth Art Month Submitted by Rachel Moore, AISD

In celebration of Youth Art Month and in light of COVID’s impact on being able to gather together with campus communities for special fine arts evenings and experiences, it is with a great deal of pride that the district highlights the continued growth and experiences they are continuing to offer the face-toface and AVL students in Alvin ISD. Across the district and representing each campus, students have entered and excelled in annual contests such as The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Art Contest, Visual Arts Scholastic Event for secondary campuses, TEAM for elementary students and the Society for the Performing Arts contest.

In addition to contests, there are students at each high school campus, including RISE Academy, working towards completing Advanced Placement Drawing, 2D and 3D design art portfolios which will be submitted in May. Students have studied multiple art forms and tied historical and contemporary contexts to their own work at every grade level.

Above all else, during this challenging time the AVL and face-toface students continue to be challenged through dynamic lesson design, creative use of materials due to COVID limitations, and navigating brand new formats for safely creating and submitting artwork.

Students and art teachers continue to build lasting relationships and use visual arts voice as a critical and necessary outlet to express

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what is impacting their lives each day.

The continued support of the fine arts programs in Alvin ISD during Youth Art Month is appreciated.

G U E ST

COLUMN

Just Humor Me By Brenda Groves

The Perfect Gift For Your Child

A few years ago, my husband and I watched a really good movie titled “Courageous.”

That movie has such a good theme! For those of you who haven’t seen this film, it speaks mainly about (imperfect) men accepting responsibility as Godly leaders in their homes to teach their children Biblical principles by their words and examples.

I have often heard people say that they do not wish to influence their children one way or the other. They want their children to make up their own minds in what to believe.

And though it is true that we each have free will to choose what to believe, it is our responsibility, especially as Christian parents, to bring up our children with Biblical values.

In the early years, I recall drilling it into our son that he would attend college. Not a terrible thing but I regret not encouraging his own relationship with the Lord more during those early years. With that said, our son has a wonderful job and family and I know that is inspired by God. I believe in planting good seeds that will grow and remain later in life totally dependent on the Lord so they can stand independently - blessed to be a blessing.

So to mainly focus on the academics and being a success is not wise for our children.

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37 You know, when I met Jesus I called on

Him by faith but after I met Him (in the spirit) I KNEW there was no other way to God but through His Son Jesus.

This happened in 1996 when our son was eight years old and prior to that I had talked to him about God. Now, before 1996, I didn’t attend church but I would drop him off at Sunday school because I believed it was the right thing to do. My words and actions in our home reflected a worldly view, not a Biblical one.

Now, after I was born again, I immediately began sharing God’s word with him and teaching him about Jesus and how and why to trust in God. (God is so merciful! He will help us make up for “lost” time that we might have missed.)

A few years later, when I got filled with the Holy Spirit, a revelation of Jesus’ love through His word changed my life forever.

Our son witnessed the transformation first hand.

For example, addictions fell off of me and depression left! It was powerful! (And I didn’t enter a clinic or use meds, I went to the Word of God and He took care of the rest.)

You know, if we do not take a strong stand for Godly morals and values the philosophies of this world will shape the minds of our children.

There is a spiritual battle going on for all of our hearts, especially our children.

“The whole world is under the sway (influence) of the wicked one.” 1 John 5:19 Satan’s agenda is to “steal, kill and destroy” mankind, and the easiest way is to target the families, especially the children.

We understand that there are demonic influences trying to change the image of family as God designed.

By weakening the Godly influences in their lives within only a few generations a whole nation can be destroyed. The moral fabric which was designed to preserve and keep order will deteriorate from within. They will stop fearing (respecting) God. We want our families, friends and others

to be offered the opportunity to be reconciled back to God as we have been. We want them to know their Heavenly Father who loves them, created them and wants to have a relationship with them through Christ Jesus.

Though taking our children to a spirit-filled church grounded in the Bible is a good thing, just hearing the word of God one or two hours a week is not enough to counter all the lies and unbelief being poured into them the rest of the time.

Our children ARE being brainwashed to trust in themselves and their own abilities and disbelieve in God as our Creator and in His Son Jesus as THE way, THE truth, THE life and the ONLY way to the Father. John 14:6 In trying to free their minds, we are raising up generations who are so confused and in such bondage. They need a moral compass to guide them.

Here are some scriptures to consider ...

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ... You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deut. 6:4-7 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Eph. 6:1-4 Be courageous parents!

“Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6 Teaching our children that God wants them to receive His love and friendship is the best gift we can give them.

Contact Brenda Groves at: bkgroves1996@yahoo.com

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E D I TO R I A L N EWS

It’s time to pay attention to the water we cannot see

By Vanessa Puig-Williams

Texas’ rivers are iconic. But the groundwater that sustains them is invisible.

State law perfectly captures this dichotomy. Naturally flowing water in rivers and streams is owned by the state and held in trust for the public good. That’s because we can see what that water means to us: It provides for our cities, towns, farms, and ranches. We picnic next to it and we float in it with our friends and family. So the state has laws that try to prevent rivers from running dry.

The laws that apply to groundwater in Texas are different and don’t necessarily protect groundwater from drying up. If you own property, you own the groundwater beneath your land, and you have the right to pump as much water as you want in many areas of the state where groundwater is unregulated. Even where groundwater is managed by local groundwater conservation districts, the law allows over pumping to occur, causing groundwater to decline across the state.

This can also cause rivers to decline.

That’s because groundwater and surface water are intrinsically connected — nearly a third of the water in Texas’ rivers originates underground. Texas law, unfortunately, doesn’t fully recognize this connection.

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Now, the state’s population is booming, and its climate is ever more susceptible to drought, so underground aquifers are increasingly vulnerable to over pumping.

That’s a huge risk to farmers, ranchers, big cities, small towns and wildlife. It also threatens the rivers and streams that the state is trying to protect.

Beneath the Surface <https://www.edf. org/beneath-the-surface-texas> , a new Environmental Defense Fund report outlining five major groundwater management challenges in Texas, shows that in many places, overstressed aquifers are already affecting life above-ground.

The Devils River in West Texas is considered the state’s most unspoiled and wild river. A huge amount of public and private investment has gone into protecting it. But studies by the Texas Water Development Board show that significant pumping from the Edwards-Trinity Aquifer, which feeds the Devils River, can affect the river’s surface water flow.

Val Verde County, where the Devils River originates, lacks a groundwater conservation district — a local agency with some authority to limit groundwater pumping. As the Beneath the Surface report notes, local residents and landowners worry that unregulated groundwater pumping will affect their own property rights to groundwater, harm flow to the Devils River and the nearby San Felipe Springs, and even affect water in the Rio Grande that surface water right holders and endangered species all count on.

There’s more. Wimberley, a charming Hill Country town on the banks of Cypress Creek, is home to a beloved springfed swimming hole called Jacob’s Well —a vertical cave dropping straight down into the Middle Trinity Aquifer. The well provides about 20% of the Blanco River’s baseflow and 100% of the flow of

Cypress Creek.

In 2000, Jacob’s Well stopped flowing for the first time in recorded history. In 2008 and 2009, the well stopped flowing again, and then again in 2011 and 2013.

This month, overpumping and a lack of rain has reduced Jacob’s Well to a trickle.

The community is trying to save it.

Last year, after a lengthy, sciencedriven stakeholder engagement process, the Hays Trinity Groundwater Conservation District adopted rules to maintain spring flow from Jacob’s well and to protect rural water supply wells from going dry. The rules create a 39-square-mile management zone that cuts permitted pumping when spring flow drops below a certain level, an indication of declining groundwater levels in the area. It’s a step toward conjunctive management of groundwater and surface water.

It’s also the exception in Texas.

Texas needs a clearer view of how groundwater affects surface water. By letting science guide management decisions at the local and state level, Texas can protect groundwater as well as the communities and ecosystems — and rivers and streams — it supports.

In its interim report, the Texas House Committee on Natural Resources recommended creating an advisory board to develop recommendations for “improving the understanding and management of groundwater and surface interactions in Texas.”

This is a good first step that would spotlight options for creating a badly needed Texas-specific solution to water management — one that preserves the state’s economy, its natural resources, and Texans’ lives and livelihoods.

Puig-Williams is director of Environmental Defense Fund’s Texas Water Program.

Several reasons to shop farmers’ markets A farmers’ market is likely coming to a field or open parking lot near you — if there isn’t already one operating nearby. The United States Department of Agriculture says that, between the years of 2008 and 2013, the number of farmers’ markets doubled across the country.

Farmers’ markets will continue to thrive and expand as people increasingly realize the benefits of supporting local food providers. Buyers who are not yet familiar with farmer’s markets can examine the following seven reasons to break the ice.

1. Enjoy fresh, seasonal foods.

Foods at farmers’ markets tend to be limited to in-season offerings. Some nutritionists suggest eating seasonally available foods is better for your body, because humans ate seasonal produce for thousands of years before shipping and refrigeration changed how people received the majority of their foods. In addition, many people feel that fresh, seasonal foods taste better than the alternatives.

2. Discover new foods.

There’s always something new at a farmers’ market, and this can entice shoppers to expand their flavor palates. Explore interesting, locally grown items. Even children may fall in love with colorful fruits or vegetables and their refreshing tastes.

3. Embrace organic and non-GMO offerings.

Many farmers’ markets offer foods that are organically grown and are produced without GMOs. Farmers’ market retailers also tend to give firsthand accounts of where their foods come from and how they are grown or raised.

4. Indulge in nutritious foods.

The vivid colors and smells emanating from farmers’ markets indicate just how fresh and nutritious the offerings tend to be. Farmers who peddle their wares at farmers’ markets adhere to careful farming methods to ensure their foods are as nutritious as possible.

5. Learn secrets and recipes.

In addition to fresh produce, farmers’ markets may offer baked and other prepared goods. Additionally, local farm families supported by farmers’ markets generally offer supreme customer service to keep shoppers coming back week after week.

Potential substitutes for missing ingredients When cooking or baking at home, few things can prove as frustrating as preparing a dish only to realize you’re missing a key item from the ingredients list. Such realizations often force cooks to stop what they’re doing and make emergency trips to a nearby grocery store.

That can delay dinner time or make cooks feel rushed when they ultimately return from the store. But what if there was a way to substitute ingredients without risking flavor? Thankfully, there is.

According to AllRecipes.com, cooks can easily make their own

ingredient substitutions if they suddenly realize they’re missing an item listed in a recipe and don’t want to run to the store. But many substitutions won’t be direct, meaning 1 tablespoon of a particular ingredient will not always translate to 1 tablespoon of a substitute ingredient. The following substitution guide, courtesy of AllRecipes. com, can help cooks overcome the last-minute surprises regarding missing ingredients.

Ingredient: Allspice Amount: 1 tsp Substitute: 1⁄2 tsp cinnamon, 1⁄4 tsp ginger and 1⁄4 tsp cloves

Ingredient: Brown sugar Amount: I cup, packed Substitute: 1 cup white sugar plus 1⁄4 cup molasses and decrease the liquid in the recipe by 1⁄4 cup OR 1 cup white sugar OR 11⁄4 cup confectioners’ sugar

Substitute: 1 cup shortening OR 7⁄8 cup vegetable oil OR 7⁄8 cup lard

Ingredient: Butter (salted) Amount: 1 cup Substitute: I cup margarine OR 1 cup shortening plus 1⁄2 tsp salt OR 7⁄8 cup vegetable oil plus 1⁄2 tsp salt OR 7⁄8 cup lard plus 1⁄2 tsp salt

Ingredient: Corn syrup Amount: 1 cup Substitute: 11⁄4 cup white sugar plus 1⁄3 cup water OR 1 cup honey OR 1 cup light treacle syrup

Ingredient: Baking Powder Amount: 1 tsp Substitute: 1⁄4 tsp baking soda plus 1⁄2 tsp of cream tartar OR 1⁄4 tsp baking soda plus 1⁄2 cup buttermilk (decrease liquid in recipe by 1⁄2 cup) Ingredient: Bread crumbs Amount: 1 cup Substitute: 1 cup cracker crumbs OR 1 cup matzo meal OR 1 cup ground oats

Ingredient: Butter (unsalted) Amount: 1 cup

Ingredient: Cocoa Amount: 1⁄4 cup Substitute: 1 1-ounce square unsweetened chocolate

Ingredient: Egg Amount: 1 whole (3 tablespoons or 1.7 ounces)

Substitute: 21⁄2 tablespoons of powdered egg substitute plus 21⁄2 tablespoons water OR 1⁄4 cup liquid egg substitute OR 1⁄4 cup silken tofu pureed OR 3 tablespoons mayonnaise OR half a banana mashed with 1⁄2 teaspoon baking powder OR 1 tablespoon powdered flax seed soaked in 3 tablespoons water Ingredient: Garlic Amount: 1 clove Substitute: 1⁄8 teaspoon garlic powder OR 1⁄2 teaspoon granulated garlic OR 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic salt (reduce salt in recipe)

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The Postscript by Carrie Classon

Travel Fantasies

I know I am not the only one having travel fantasies.

My husband, Peter, and I were not planning to do a lot of traveling in the past year. That was our plan, and we certainly made good on it. We didn’t realize at the time that, “not a lot of traveling,” would mean a bi-weekly trip to the grocery store. Like a lot of folks, we’ve been tracking how many months we’re getting on a gallon of gas.

Now, however, traveling is sounding better all the time.

My parents are also making travel plans. Over the past year, they decided to sell the little cottage they have in Florida.

Instead, they have a list of places they’d like to take their RV. “There are too many other places we want to go!” My mother explained.

A year of sitting in their cabin has made them realize how many places there are to see and how little time there is to see them.

It’s true. A year of sitting and watching the months fly by makes a person realize how quickly the time passes.

Sometimes, without the normal milestones, I completely lose

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track of time. I’ve caught myself glancing out the window with a feeling of panic, looking at the trees to give me a clue what season it is. (I am embarrassed to admit this - but now I have.)

Peter’s oldest sister, Shelley, lost her husband to Alzheimer’s early in the pandemic. She’s now living with her son and daughterin-law, waiting for a return to something like normal before finding a place of her own. She missed the trip to Norway two years ago, where Peter and a bunch of his older cousins all went to the small town his grandfather emigrated from. We met the Norwegian relatives who still live there, and they were unbelievably welcoming.

It’s a sweet town, nestled in the mountains, sitting on a river, miles away from any major city.

“I think we should go back,” I told Peter. “And I think we should bring Shelley.” Peter

liked the idea.

So, the next day, we called up Shelley. She had just gotten home from a dental appointment and had a sore mouth.

“Shelley! You are coming with us to Norway in September 2022!”

I held my breath, but I didn’t have to wait long.

“OK!” she said.

And, yes, it is more than a year and a half away, but it still feels wonderful to have a plan to go somewhere other than the grocery store. Just thinking about seeing a new landscape fills me with excitement.

Later in the day, I went for the hike I take every afternoon.

It seems as if I’ve seen every tree along the way, noticed every rock, and as I walked, I thought how nice it would be to hike in completely unfamiliar surroundings.

But just as I was thinking this,

I stopped and looked at the tree directly in front of me, caught in the afternoon light. I don’t remember ever really looking at it before. It’s a beautiful tree, in a forest of beautiful trees, and I have walked by it thousands of times without giving it a second look.

“You are a beautiful tree,” I told it (just in case it was listening).

Norway will be wonderful, I am sure. And I am sincerely looking forward to more travel in the coming year. But as I stood before that one beautiful tree, I promised myself I would try to pay more attention to the place I am visiting now - right here, today.

Till next time, Carrie Carrie Classon’s memoir is called, “Blue Yarn.” Learn more at CarrieClasson.com

Who ordered Snow for Valentine’s Day?

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