infinitieplus magazine

infinitieplus February 2023

VOL. 13 NO.2 LONGVIEW BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Pat George Mitchell

Receives Lifetime Achievement Award ANNUAL CHAMBER BANQUET DOLES OUT AWARDS

LOBO TALK PRESENTS GOOD AND BAD CREDIT

GOV. ABBOTT, UT SYSTEM BREAK GROUND ON UT TYLER MEDICAL EDUCATION BUILDING

TAXES: FILE EARLY TO PREVENT SCAMS

FLIP THIS MAGAZINE

Arts and Culture

Arts!Longview honors

Pat George Mitchell STORY BY JOYCELYNE FADOJUTIMI | WWW.INFINITIEPLUSMAG.COM

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he first-ever Arts!Longview Honors celebration featured both pre- and post-reception activities to trumpet the creative achievements of trail blazing artist Pat George Mitchell. Various

entertainers performed for the event before it concluded with Mitchell receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award medal for spending the half-century of 1972 to 2022 as founder/artistic director of the Longview Ballet Theater, with

its final production of Cinderella. Arts!Longview Executive Director Christine Cavazos spoke for all when she declared: "For more than fifty years Ms. Mitchell has shared her passion for dance and her love of the arts with our community.

Contd. on Page 6

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2901 2901 2901 N. N.Fourth N. Fourth Fourth Street Street Street • • Longview, Longview, • Longview, TX TX75605 TX 75605 75605 • • 903-242-3490 903-242-3490 • 903-242-3490 • • LongviewRegional.com LongviewRegional.com • LongviewRegional.com www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine | https://twitter.com/infinitieplus | infinitieplus | February 2023

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Editor's Note Hello Everyone, Wow, what a temperature whirlwind - warming up, cooling down, raining, and freezing. But do you know what, we thank God for the rain. You won’t catch me complaining about too much rain.

I used to live on a ranch hence, I know what it feels like when there is a drought. I will take the rain any day. No dry spell for me.

On a different note, Arts!Longview must be commended for their first Lifetime Achievement Award honoring Pat George Mitchell. Ms. Mitchell blazed the trail for Longview performing and bringing big name shows to our small east Texas town of Longview.

In addition, she left a legacy for others to emulate. Tena Vogel said it best, “I am thrilled that we are celebrating Pat. Her contribution to the Arts is enormous.”

Many Kudos to Christina Cavazos, Arts!Longview executive director, her magnificent and magnanimous board of directors, sponsors, performers, volunteers, and attendees. Everything came together so beautifully for the honors event. It was an amazing evening to say the least.

Table of Contents Moving on to the Chamber -the Longview Chamber of Commerce annual banquet was a blast. It feels good when AEP/ SWEPCO is awarded Large Business of the Year!

Anyone who knows Mark Robinson can attest that AEP/SWEPCO is worthy of that honor. But do you know what- Mark credits the AEP’s Linemen and Engineers who keep the lines, transformers etc. etc. running like a well oil machine.

Thanks, Mark, for all you and AEP/ SWEPCO do for Longview.

Congrats to our Friend Linda Head Voyles who won Reach Team Member of the Year. She has been a Longview Chamber ambassador for 40 years. Congrats to INDEVCO Plastics, who won Manufacturer of the Year. Finally, congratulations to Ken Hall, who nabbed the Chamber of Commerce Chairman Award 2022, for his enormous contributions in Longview.

Please, check the groundbreaking of a new medical school that will radically bring economic and health wellness to east Texas plus good and bad credit story with LOBO TALK. Thanks for reading. We look forward to serving you again in March.

Joycelyne Fadojutimi, Publisher

Proud member of:

The Magazine for Living Life Beyond, Plus One… Publisher / Editor Joycelyne Fadojutimi, PhD Photography Joycelyne Fadojutimi Graphic Designer Kuneho Designs Contributing Writers Glenn Miller Mechele Agbayani Mills Shea Vogel Dr. Michael Guido

For advertising Email: joy@infinitieplusmag.com www.infinitieplusmag.com OUR MISSION

To enrich the local-global community with the “just in time knowledge,” to assure future successes

OUR VISION

To become an information oracle of functional and constructive reports that serves the needs of businesses and communities.

Submission Deadline: The first of every month prior to month of issue. infinitieplus magazine is not responsible for any discrepancies or changes since the publishing of this issue. At the time of publication, to the best of our knowledge, all information was accurate though not guaranteed.

The entire contents of infinitieplus magazine is copyrighted 2022. Any reproduction or use in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. infinitieplus magazine reserves the right to edit and make appropriate modifications. The opinions published by contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the views of infinitieplus magazine or its advertisers.

P. O. Box 12473 Longview, Texas 75602-2473 www.infinitieplusmag.com Phone: 903.918.7706

VOLUME 13 | ISSUE 2

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Mandy Parker

Rodney Ellis, EdD.

In Every Issue 3

Arts and Culture

10 Business and Finance 15 Inspiration 16 Education 19 Puzzle 20 Grubs Up

Tabitha and Ryan Johnson

Spotlight Carlos E. Quezada, MD., FACOG attended the Longview Chamber of Commerce annual banquet to meet people and get more involved in the community.

Carlos E. Quezada, MD, FACOG

About the Cover "For more than fifty years Ms. Mitchell has shared her passion for dance and her love of the arts with our community. She has inspired and served as a mentor to thousands of students, teaching them not only about ballet, but also about life. She

[has] spent her life developing the talents of young dancers, nourishing our arts community and creating memorable ballets that our community will collectively treasure forever."

Christina Cavazos, Exec. Dir. Arts!Longview.

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Arts and Culture

Arts and Culture

Tena Vogel

L-r: Ana Rabicoff Lim who currently lives in Ft. Worth was one of the 3–4-year-olds in Ms. Mitchell’s first ballet class. Natalie Rabicoff and Christina Cavazos.

Shannon Bjork, Charles Arnold, and Becky Alldredge

CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY Pat George Mitchell and Toni Erskine

She has inspired and served as a mentor to thousands of students, teaching them not only about ballet, but also about life," she said. "She [has] spent her life developing the talents of young dancers, nourishing our arts community and creating memorable ballets that our community will collectively treasure forever."

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Michael and Christina Cavazos

The banquet was a whirlwind of creative presentations by ArtsView Children’s' Theater, Dance Studio Longview, East Texas Symphonic Band, Kilgore College Rangerettes, former Longview Ballet Theater dancers, soloist Miranda Dolive as she sang to the accompaniment of pianist David Berryhill, and Theater Longview. All this

followed moving pre-event selections by Berryhill and the Longview String Quartet.

"This may not be the first time that all of our performing arts partners are appearing on a stage together, but if it is not the first time, it's certainly the first [time] in many years.

Contd. on Page 8

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“ Never be limited by other people’s limited imaginations.”

- DR. MAE JEMISON American engineer, physician, and NASA astronaut

www.texasbankandtrust.com

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Arts and Culture

Arts and Culture

KIlgore Rangerettes perform at Arts!Longview Honors 2023 celebrating Pat George Mitchell Lifetime Achievement award

"We would not have a Cultural District today without our arts partners organizations and without visionary leaders like Pat George Mitchell, who first helped spark a love of the arts, history and culture in our community," said Cavazos.

Arts!Longview pursues an objective of sowing and developing a widespread love of arts, history, and culture so as to celebrate and creatively expand the artistic community.

For more information on Arts!Longview visit www.artslongview.org.

We have incredible performers in East Texas who gave of their time and talents to spend this evening with us, and we were able to feature our theater groups, our music groups, and our ballet together on the same stage," said Cavazos.

"That in itself made this one of the most special evenings in our Cultural District."

Established in 2019, Arts!Longview has always been part of the Cultural District.

Cavazos says this lofty designation was made possible only through the efforts of arts partner groups who have sown and nurtured a strong arts community.

The Dance Studio Longview performers. Arts and culture story

Pat George Mitchell

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Business and Finance

Annual Chamber Banquet Doles out Awards

T

he Longview Chamber of Commerce annual banquet was well attended.

Large business of the Year award went to AEP/ SWEPCO. Mark Robinson, the company’s external affairs manager credited the linemen and engineers who keep the lines, transformers etc. etc. running like a well oil machine. Robinson said, “It is neat to be congratulated for our work. The community

thinks we are doing a good job. It is really all about the dispatch, engineers, linemen who do the work.”

Manufacturer of the Year went to INDEVCO Plastics.

Linda Voyles won the Reach Team Member of the Year. She has been a Longview Chamber of Commerce ambassador for 40 years.

The Chamber of Commerce Chairman’s Award 2022 went to Ken Hall for his immense contributions.

Kristen Ishihara, MaryAnn Hagenbucher and Michelle Gamboa

Mark Robinson

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Business and Finance

Linda Thomas, Hon. Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt, and Claire English

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Dr. Shalonda Adams, Dr. Valerie Baxter, and Jaclyn Watson

Sheila McFadden and JP Tim Bryan

Donna and Tracy Vincent

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Educationand Finance Business

Education Business and Finance

Gov. Abbott, UT System Break Ground on UT Tyler Medical Education Building

Facility will house East Texas’ first School of Medicine, UT System’s 7th medical school

T

exas Governor Greg Abbott joined UT System leaders to break ground on UT Tyler’s new Medical Education Building, which will house the university’s new School of Medicine and the 7th medical school within the UT System. Gov. Abbott, UT System Chairman Kevin Eltife, UT System Chancellor James Milliken and UT Tyler President Kirk Calhoun joined hundreds of community members to mark the start of the $308 million project, expected to be completed in March 2025.

"As East Texas continues to grow, so does its need for more highly skilled and welltrained healthcare professionals," said Governor Abbott. "I am proud to be here today at UT Tyler Medical School's historic groundbreaking as we celebrate the achievements and progress Texas has made to expand healthcare access and educational opportunities across our state.

program expansion throughout the UT Health East Texas Health System. It will include classrooms, simulation labs, clinical and operating room training spaces, and multipurpose event and lecture spaces for the UT Tyler School of Medicine and graduate medical education programs.

“Today is another great day for East Texas as we see tangible steps forward in our longtime efforts to enhance health care access and quality in the region by training new professionals,” said Kevin P. Eltife, chairman of the UT Board of Regents. “This building will

launch UT’s first medical school in East Texas, which stands to serve and care for this community for generations to come.”

With a planned skybridge connection to the UT Health East Texas Hospital, the new medical school will enable hands-on learning of residents in the adjacent hospitals. It will provide outpatient and specialty clinical services with exam rooms, specimen collection and processing, and imaging facilities as well as blended programming and clinical spaces for patient care. Other medical disciplines

Courtesy photos: Danielle Joubert, UT Tyler Media

Creating this school was a priority in the 87th Legislative Session, and I thank members of the legislature, President Calhoun, and Chairman Eltife for their hard work to ensure this important legislation reached my desk. Together, we are fostering greater health outcomes for the people of East Texas and empowering the next generation of doctors, nurses, and medical

staff to serve all Texans."

The Medical Education Building, a planned five-story, nearly 248,000-square-foot facility, will be constructed on roughly five acres in the heart of Tyler’s medical district in Midtown. It will support interdisciplinary education for graduate medical students, resident training, and nursing as part of a medical education Courtesy photos: Danielle Joubert, UT Tyler Media

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and services will include women's imaging, women's health, diagnostics, orthopedics, sports medicine, pulmonary care, and a surgery center to support medical residents in the graduate medical education programs.

“It’s no secret that as Texas and especially East Texas continue to grow and thrive, we will need many more doctors and other health care professionals,” said James B. Milliken, chancellor of the UT System. “We’re grateful that our state and university leaders are taking the steps necessary to address this need. As a result of their commitment, the UT System and UT Tyler will deliver the outstanding education and patient care that all East Texans deserve.”

“This is an enormous milestone for UT Tyler and for all of East Texas,” said President Kirk A. Calhoun, MD, FACP. “We are excited to take the next step in creating a physical home for the School of Medicine, and on behalf of UT Tyler, I want to thank the UT System and the East Texas community for the continued support of our health care education advancements.”

Contd. on Page 14

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Inspiration

Educationand Finance Business

Angels Don't Sing, But Rocks Do! Courtesy photos: Danielle Joubert, UT Tyler Media

The UT Tyler School of Medicine will be the first in northeast Texas, offering aspiring doctors a chance to train and practice without leaving the region, a critical part of addressing the ongoing physician shortage and lack of health care access in the region.

Capital projects funded over the next decade, including the new Medical Education Building, will ensure the new medical school has the environment and tools required to draw and retain exceptional medical school faculty and students and enhance biomedical research and core

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residency programs.

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) granted the School of Medicine its preliminary accreditation, and the first class will enroll in July 2023 and learn at UT Tyler’s north campus until the Medical Education Building opens in 2025.

The UT Tyler School of Medicine has received unprecedented community support from the beginning.

Some of the financial support that makes construction of this facility possible includes: • $80 million from the East

• •

•

Texas Medical Center Foundation A $100 million bond over the next 10 years from the UT Board of Regents $10 million from the Robert M. Rogers Foundation to support mental and behavioral health education at the new medical school. $4 million from the R.W. Fair Foundation to fully fund the first class of UT Tyler medical students, followed by a $5 million gift for pathways programs and scholarships to cover tuition of the second class.

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By GLENN MILLER

t was one morning last week during my Men’s Promise Principles groups that my friend Les educated me in that nowhere in scripture do we hear of angels singing.

I thought that certainly to be a mistake because I’ve always pictured angels in their heavenly realms singing. Nonetheless, I researched it to prove him wrong but found it to be true.

Angels, as recorded in scripture, “say”, “declare”, “announce” but mostly “shout”! They don’t sing!

However, this was in context of another paradigm that Les shared; that the earth and all its creation was created to SING. In fact, science has determined that there

are sounds of singing (tones) produced in all creation.

Les went on to share that the Earth's natural heartbeat rhythm is the frequency of 7.83 Hz, also known as the “Schumann Resonance". A 7.83 Hz frequency is an alpha/theta brainwave frequency in the human brain.

Alpha/Theta brainwave frequency is relaxed, dreamy, sleepy state; that is also when cell regeneration and healing happens.

The psalmist understood this and had ears attuned to hear creation singing. Consider the following from Psalm 98: GOD’S WORD: Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music;

make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn - shout for joy before the Lord, the King. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy.

The next time you’re looking at a sunset or a sunrise, the next time you stand on the shore and watch the waves rolling in, the next time you look from a mountaintop and behold all creation below, stop and listen to creation singing the praises of its creator.

And we, who have been given voices to sing His praise, may do so in harmony with all His creation.

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Education

Education

LOBO TALK presents Good and Bad Credit STORY BY JOYCELYNE FADOJUTIMI | WWW.INFINITIEPLUSMAG.COM

T

he recent LOBO TALK featured Jill Alley, Eastman Credit Union regional director.

She spoke on an especially important financial topic – CREDIT. She started out by defining credit. According to Ms. Alley, credit is your credit history or how you use money.

She gave these examples: 1. How many credit cards do you have?

2. How many loans do you have?

3. Do you pay your bills on time?

Alley said, “How you handle your money and how you pay your bills, help lenders and others decide if they want to do business with you.” Hence, if you pay your bills timely, lenders are more apt to do business with you. Another financial plus of timely payments is the interest rate you get when borrowing money for any purchase.

Secondly, she explained to students who uses credit history.

They are as follows: 1. Lending institutions such as banks and credit unions.

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Avery Gonzalez

2. Some employers especially financial industries.

3. Landlords and insurance companies.

Furthermore, she delved into credit report.

According to Alley, credit report is a person’s credit history.

There are 3 credit bureaus that collect credit information. They are TransUnion, Equifax, and Experian.

Furthermore, she explained to students what a credit score is. It is a number between 300-850 based on one’s credit report. A larger number on the credit score rewards

Addison Martin

the person with borrowing power and lower interest rates. Conversely, a lower credit score penalizes a borrower. They will have to borrow with high interest rates because the person is deemed high risk.

Students participated asking various questions about borrowing and credit.

Sam Jackson, a 10th grader has a good knowledge about credit. His father Worth Jackson is a banker.

Sam says he learned from his father to pay bills on time.

Avery Gonzalez, another 10th grader is not in the dark about good

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Sam Jackson

Jill Alley and Francisco Rojas

credit. “Good credit is something you build up. You get a credit card; you use it wisely and pay your bills in a timely manner.”

Addison Martin was excited to attend the LOBO TALK. She has limited knowledge about credit and borrowing but she is willing to learn from the presentation.

In addition, Alley discussed rules for using credit.

She told the students to do the following : 1. Pay credit card balances in full to avoid paying any interest.

2. Be aware of early loan payoff penalties. Besides that, pay loans off quickly by paying more than the minimum payment.

3. Keep debt to income ratio (DTI) below 28%. Be aware that borrowing too much in one swoop is not a good idea.

4. Pay 20% down for large items such as homes or cars. it helps the borrower not to borrow the full amount of the purchase and pay it off with assurance and ease.

Alley concluded her presentation by reminding students that credit has a big effect on their lives since it is one of the determining factors for borrowing in the future.

LOBO TALK is patterned after the worldwide motivation and education program, TED TALKS: where various experts visit college campuses and theatres to educate their audience. Longview ISD community relations created LOBO TALK with a similar format. Once a month, they invite community experts to Longview High School to speak to at-risk and business students.

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Puzzle

Take this Super Quiz to a Ph.D. Score 1 point for each correct answer on the Freshman Level, 2 points on the Graduate Level and 3 points on the Ph.D. Level.

Subject: HISTORY (e.g., He led expeditions that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire. Answer: Hernan Cortes.)

FRESHMAN LEVEL 1. Which battleship was not raised after being sunk at Pearl Harbor?

Answer________ 2. Adolf Hitler was born a citizen of _____.

Answer________ 3. He was proclaimed “El Libertador.”

Answer________

PH.D. LEVEL 7. Name the first company to issue stock.

Answer________ 8. This captain sailed 4,000 miles in a small boat to reach safety on the island of Timor.

Answer________ 9. His predecessor was Sun Yat-sen.

Answer________

GRADUATE LEVEL 4. Who was the most famous prisoner held at Devil’s Island?

Answer________ 5. When first elected prime minister, whom did Winston Churchill replace?

Answer________ 6. What was the date “... which will live in infamy”?

Answer________

SCORING: 18 points - congratulations, doctor; 15 to 17 points - honors graduate; 10 to 14 points - you’re plenty smart, but no grind; 4 to 9 points - you really should hit the books harder; 1 point to 3 points - enroll in remedial courses immediately; 0 points - who reads the questions to you?

Super Quiz is a registered trademark of K. Fisher Enterprises Ltd. © 2017 Ken Fisher North America Syndicate Inc.

ANSWERS: 1. Arizona. 2. Austria. 3. Simon Bolivar. 4. Captain Alfred Dreyfus. 5. Neville Chamberlain.

6. Dec. 7, 1941. 7. Dutch East India Company. 8. Captain William Bligh. 9. Chiang Kai-shek.

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Congratulations toto the Congratulations the 2018 2018 Stars Stars Over Over Longview Longview Grubs Up

Community Connections

Shalonda Adams Adams Shalonda

Lori Holyfield Ball Lori Holyfield Ball Crista Black

Crista Black

Sharon Bradley

Sharon Bradley Mary Collier

Get personal with GE Café Kitchen Appliances Distinct by Design

Mary Collier Carmela Davis

M

Gerrie Forbis Carmela Davis en and women who want Manley Carol Gerrie to make thisForbis

Dawn Martin Carol Day extra Manley Valentine’s

special can forgo store-bought Pamela Mercer-McWilliams chocolates in favor of homemade confections. The following Maryrecipe Morris for Swiss Mountain Ice Cream is Woods from Maxine Clark’s Julie Chocolate: Deliciously Indulgent Recipes for Chocolate Lovers (Ryland, Peters Put the milk, condensed milk, & Small) is a great way to end a sugar, and cocoa in a pan, bring romantic holiday dinner. to a boil, then simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in Makes about 2 quarts the chocolate and let melt, stirring 2 cups whole milk occasionally. Let cool completely, 1 cup sweetened condensed then add the vanilla essence and milk refrigerate Doors sugar Open at 11:30 a.m. for about 1 hour. Stir 3/4 cup granulated the cream into the mixture, then Ceremony and Luncheon begin at noon 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa Maude Cobb Activitychurn-freeze Center in an ice cream maker in two batches. This will take 20 14 ounces 100 premium milk Grand Blvd. • Longview to 30 minutes. It will increase in chocolate (over 32% cocoa as it thickens and freezes.

Complimentary valet parking will be available. solids), chopped Doors Open at 11:30volume a.m.

1 teaspoon pure vanilla essence Stop churning when thick and Ceremony and Luncheon begin at add noon smooth, the nougat, and Ticket 11/2 cups whipping orInformation heavy churn mix,ofthen Maude Cobb$30.00 Activity Center Individual Tickets • $240 for to Table 8 transfer to a cream, chilled chilled freezer-proof Tickets will be available purchase beginning tray, cover, 61/2 ounces white nougat, 100 Grand Blvd.for • Longview and freeze. If Regional you don’t have an ice November 1, 2017. To purchase, call Longview roughly chopped cream maker, put the mixture in Complimentary valet parking will be at available.

Medical Center’s Marketing Department 903-553-7400.

1 ice cream maker (optional) a freezer-proof tray or container 1 freezer-proof tray or and freeze until it is frozen around container the edges. Mash well with a fork 1 mountain-shaped mold Individual Tickets $30.00 • $240and forreturn Tabletoofthe 8 freezer. Continue (optional)

Dawn Martin

Pamela Mercer-McWilliams Mary Morris

Celebrating 18 Years Julie Woods

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Celebrating 18 Years Speaker: Jackie Joyner-Kersey Thursday, January 11, 2018

Speaker: Jackie Joyner-Kersey

Ticket Information

mashing with a fork and freezing the mixture until thick and smooth, about 2 hours. Stir in the nougat. At this stage, you can pack it into a mold and return to the freezer. Drizzle with White Chocolate Sauce and serve.

White Chocolate Sauce Makes about 21/2 cups 1 cup light or heavy cream 6 tablespoons milk 8 ounces white chocolate (over 25% cocoa butter), chopped Put the cream and milk in a small pan and bring to just below boiling point. Remove from the heat and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes.

Add the Speaker: white chocolate and Jackie Joyner-Kersey stir until completely melted.

Olympian & Greatest Female Athlete Serve warm. of the 20th Century

Congratulations to the 2018 Stars Over Longview

Tickets will be available for purchase beginning November 1, 2017. To purchase, call Longview Regional For additional information on this event visit LongviewRegional.com. www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine | https://twitter.com/infinitieplus | infinitieplus | February 2023 Medical Marketing Department at 903-553-7400.

20 Center’s

We are known for Stone, but we do much more!

4523 Judson Rd. Longview, Texas 75605 903-663-3344 | www.stone-works.net 21 www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine | https://twitter.com/infinitieplus | infinitieplus | February 2023

Business and Finance

Business and Finance

Taxes: File Early to Prevent Scams or a certified E-file provider. Be sure to find out if the preparer is affiliated with a professional organization that provides or requires its members to pursue continuing education and holds them accountable to a code of ethics.

And, of course, review their BBB profile to review complaint information and customer reviews.

Consider accessibility.

Many tax preparation services only set up shop for the months leading up to the tax filing deadline. In case the IRS finds errors, or in case of an audit, you might need to be able to contact your tax preparer throughout the year, which may be difficult if you don’t use a permanent shop or office.

W

Don’t fall for the promise of big refunds.

ith the holidays behind us, BBB has a few resolutions that can help you fight scammers, prevent identity theft, and find trustworthy businesses and charities in 2023.

Tax season is here. The IRS will began accepting and processing returns on Monday, January 23, and this year’s deadline to file and pay owed taxes is Tuesday, April 18. Millions of dollars are lost to tax scammers every year, and BBB reminds consumers to be on the lookout for emails, text messages, and

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phone calls from those posing as IRS agents.

“Filing your taxes early not only increases your chances of getting your refund sooner,” Mechele Agbayani Mills, President and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas said. “It also lowers your chances of a scammer filing a fraudulent return and stealing your refund.”

BBB provides the following tips on safely filing your taxes this year:

Be wary of tax scams.

Identity thieves continue to create new ways of stealing personal information and using it

for their gain. Knowing how to spot a scam can keep you from having major delays with your return and likewise help you avoid the stress of learning you are a victim.

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Read tax preparation service contracts closely to ensure you understand issues such as how much it is going to cost for the service, how the cost will be affected if preparation is more complicated and time consuming than expected and whether the tax preparer will represent you in case of an audit. Make sure you get a copy of your return as well.

www.infinitieplusmag.com

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The best way to avoid tax identity theft is to file your taxes as early as possible, before a scammer has the chance to use your information.

Ideally, your tax preparer should either be a certified public accountant, a tax attorney, an enrolled agent

Read the contract carefully.

Download your electronic copy at

File early.

Use a credible tax preparer.

Be wary of any tax preparation service that promises larger refunds than the competition, and steer clear of tax preparers who base their fee on a percentage of the refund.

Request an estimate and discuss the price before making an agreement.

The cost of the service should be determined by the complexity of the return.

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You might be a victim of identity theft if: • If a written notice from the IRS arrives in the mail about a duplicate return, respond promptly.

• If an IRS notice arrives stating you received wages from somewhere you never worked or receive other notices that don’t actually apply to you, contact the IRS office immediately.

• If you receive a notice that “additional taxes are owed, the refund will be offset or a collection action is being taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return” (IRS).

Call the IRS fraud hotline at 1-800-829-0433 to report suspected fraud.

BBB is hosting a 2023 Tax Workshop for businesses on Wednesday, February 9. This year’s presenter is Gollob Morgan Peddy. For more information or to register, please go to bbb.org.

For more tips on how to be a savvy consumer, go to bbb.org. To report fraudulent activity or unscrupulous business practice, please report it via BBB ScamTracker.Please report fraudulent activity or unscrupulous business practices to BBB Scam Tracker. Remember, great businesses are out there. Always look for the BBB seal; it’s the Sign of a Better Business SM . Start with companies you can trust by going to bbb.org.

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Toned arms YOUR FLOORING, LIGHTING, APPLIANCE AND MORE STORE

www.stone-works.net (903) 663-3344 SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS

S

hopping for a wedding gown is a tradition that follows shortly after the engagement has taken place and the ceremony date is set.. Most brides-to-be hope to look their most radiant in this custom-tailored creation. With so much attention directed their way, brides might look for ways to tone their upper bodies in advance of the big day.

Arm- chest- and shoulder-toning exercises can be part of a strong fitness regimen.

Tame flabby areas with exercise. According to the University of Connecticut, the upper arms are a part of the female body where fat tends to be stored, along with the hips and thighs. Toning this area may take a

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combination of diet and exercise.

Begin with the biceps, which are the front muscles of the arms directly above the elbows.

Biceps are one of the stronger arm muscles, and bicep curls can help strengthen biceps further.

Strengthening and elongating shoulder muscles may take a combination of exercises that work not only the deltoids (muscles surrounding the shoulders), but the chest and back as well.

Brides who want to tone up can speak with a fitness instructor at a nearby gym to learn the various ways to firm their arms, chests and backs in advance of their wedding days.

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Dos and dont's of caring for wedding and engagement rings

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ewelry is a key component of weddings. The financial resource CreditDonkey notes that, in the United States, the average amount spent on an engagement ring is $5,500, while Canadians spend an average of $3,500. Jewelry costs can add up, especially when adding in the cost of wedding bands, which can cost as much as $1,000. The cost of jewelry only underscores the importance of learning how to care for it and preserve its value.

The best way to maintain jewelry depends on the makeup of the rings.

The online jewelry guide Jewelry Notes says gold rings without gemstones can be cleaned effectively with only soap and water. Simply prepare a solution of lukewarm water and mild dish soap in a small bowl.

Soak the rings for 20 to 30 minutes.

Use a soft brush or cloth to clean the jewelry of dirt. Rinse the residue under clean water. Rings with diamonds can be treated similarly with a mild soap-andwater solution.

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The Diamond Information Center also says to soak the diamond ring in equal parts cold water and ammonia for half an hour and let it air dry. Brand name jewelry cleaner also is another good option. This method only should be used with diamonds; ammonia can’t be used with other gemstones.

Maintaining jewelry also should include twice yearly visits to a jeweler who can check the prongs and make sure the setting is not loose; otherwise, the diamond can become dislodged, according to Martha Stewart Weddings.

Avoid touching diamonds and other gemstones as much as possible when putting rings on and taking them off. Precious stones often are magnets for dust, dirt and body oil, according to Taylor Lanore, diamond consultant and engagement ring designer for Lauren B. Fine Jewelry and Diamonds. Grab the ring by the band.

Use discretion when wearing rings while engaging in hands-on activities. Activities like cleaning dishes, moving furniture, gardening, or diving through waves at the beach warrant caution; otherwise, you risk damaging or making jewelry unnecessarily dirty. Store the

February 2023

ring in a safe location until you can safely wear it again.

One of the most important steps to safeguard wedding and engagement rings is to insure the jewelry. The description of the ring, its cut, carat weight, metal, and other information offered through a certified independent jewelry appraisal will be needed to insure the ring. Take a close-up photo of the jewelry as well.

Other items like laser inscription or a home security system can qualify jewelry owners for discounts on insurance. Consumers also can add a jewelry rider to a homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.

These are some ways to care for wedding jewelry. Always consult with a jeweler before attempting to clean items made of various materials.

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‘Plus One’ etiquette for wedding guests

M

aking a wedding guest list is seldom an easy task. Couples often find that many people are worthy of an invitation, which can make creating a guest list tricky for those

with budgets in mind.

According to data from the online wedding resource The Knot, the average wedding catering cost per guest is roughly $70. However, catering costs will vary depending on the reception venue, the number of guests, the foods chosen, and the region of the country where the wedding takes place.

When creating their guest lists, couples may wonder if they have to offer all guests the option of bringing a “plus one” to the occasion. As with other wedding day etiquette questions, the plus one concept is not set-in stone.

Any guest who is married

It’ typically standard to invite a couple to the wedding, even if you’ve never met the spouse.

This often comes up when inviting work friends, according to Vogue magazine. Even if you have never interacted with a coworker’s spouse, etiquette dictates that all married guests be allowed to bring their spouses along.

Any guest who is engaged or is in a serious long-term relationship It can be challenging to know the relationship status of everyone who will be invited to the wedding, but chances are you’ll have a good idea of those people closest to you. Include a plus one for guests who are engaged or in long-term relationships.

Consider guests who may not know others

Weddings often are times when childhood friends reconnect, or people who haven’t seen each other in a while come together. If there’s a good chance someone who is single and is invited to the wedding may not know anyone else there except the couple, extend a plus one as a courtesy.

Include the wedding party

All members of the wedding party should be offered the option of bringing a date to the wedding.

Apart from these guidelines, couples can establish any other rules, such as no plus ones for guests under a certain age or those who are not in serious relationships.

The Knot also says it is polite to find out who the plus one will be so that wedding reception seating cards include that person’s name instead of and guest. ully consider wh

Couples need to caref

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ded the option to ich guests will be exten

bring a ‘plus one’ to the

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wedding.

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The 4 Cs of Diamond

D

iamonds are the stone of choice for engagement rings and wedding jewelry. Diamonds are durable and remain a timeless way to complement every style. Anyone who is about to purchase a diamond is encouraged to do their research about selecting quality diamonds. At the heart of the diamond grading process are the 4 Cs of diamond quality. The Cs refer to carat weight, color grade, clarity grade, and cut grade. The Gemological Institute of America {GIA}helped to create the Diamond 4 Cs and the International Diamond Grading System. These benchmarks are used to classify all diamonds. The following is the GIAs explanation of each component of the system.

Carat: Diamond carat weight is the measurement of how much the diamond weighs and is equivalent to 200 milligrams per carat. Each carat is subdivided into 100 points. Therefore, a one-carat diamond is 1.00 or 100 points, while a twenty-five point diamond is .25 carats.

Naturally, larger diamonds can be rare and desirable.

Color: A white diamond is more valuable the less color it contains.

GIA uses a D-to-Z grading system to determine a diamond’s color value. D would be a colorless diamond and Z the most saturated with color.

Clarity: Diamonds are formed by carbon exposed to heat and pressure. Natural internal characteristics known as inclusions and external components called blemishes are the norm. The closer the gem comes to being perfectly pure without inclusions or blemishes, the greater the value.

Cut: To transmit light and sparkle, diamonds must be cut precisely and with great artistry. A diamond will be further graded based on symmetry and proportions, as well as how the stone returns light. Brightness, which is the internal and external white light reflected; fire, or the scattering of white light into rainbow colors; and scintillation, or the sparkle the diamond produces, are factored into how the cut is valued.

Tips for a successful

Engagement

A

marriage proposal is such a memorable moment in a couples lives together, those doing the proposing often go to great lengths to ensure things go smoothly.

While there is no proposal playbook, these guidelines can assist those ready to take the leap.

sider waiting to propose at a more relaxed time.

Add a personal touch. Taking a sweetheart back to a special place that recalls a significant moment can set the backdrop for a memorable proposal.

Enlist help from others. Ask friends and close family members to be your accomplices so that information can be gathered without generating suspicion. This can be especially helpful when finding the perfect ring.

Embrace the old fashioned. Show respect to future in-laws by speaking to them about intentions to propose and ask for their blessings. Get down on bended knee when asking for a sweetheart’s hand.

Keep it simple. The more complex a proposal, the more opportunities for things to go wrong. Simplicity, even if it means keeping the proposal to yourself until the question has been popped.

Consider timing. A person may be so excited to propose that he or she fails to consider how the other person in the relationship is feeling. Con-

Marriage proposals happen every day. With humor, confidence and a heart full of love, popping the question can be a success.

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‘Plus One’

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Dos and dont's

The 4 Cs

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