IP Magazine September Issue by InfinitiePlus

VOL. 6. NO. 9

Superintendent

STEVEN SNELL

SEPTEMBER 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

EDITOR’S NOTE Publisher / Editor

Joycelyne Fadojutimi

He describes Spring Hill ISD as a “very special place.” He loves how the staff treat students like their own children, and each other like family. His faculty members share his passion for seeing to it that their students achieve more than just academic success. Becoming wellrounded adults is the goal.

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t is unbelievable, summer has come and gone as we know it even though the warm weather persists. And, the school year 2017-2018 has kicked into full gear. The biggest and latest news is the East Texas Montessori Prep Academy that just kicked off. Longview Independent School District opened the largest Montessori School in America giving every student opportunity for success. Congratulations to Longview ISD Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox and his team for successfully executing such an enormous project. Labor Day looms while Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are fast approaching. Soon, it will be 2018. The years continue to roll by. Thankfully, Longview is a giving community. When this life over, hopefully, we will get the opportunity to look back at the contributions we made to make lives better for others on this side of heaven. On another note, Spring Hill Superintendent, Steven Snell is our cover story. The man is a turn low performing school around expert. Please, read all about his accomplishments from page 7. The piece stop whining is a must-read. Check out this story on page 14. But that is not all. Adult diapers are outselling baby diapers-you better believe it. It is happening right now in Japan. Read why adult diapers are the in-thing on page 15. But wait, there is more. The Great Texas Balloon Race celebrated 40 years of hot air ballooning. Who would have predicted the future of GTBR? Read the story and see the celebration in pictures from page 16. Joel Johnson, a prolific writer recently penned another interesting book, The power of self-imaging. A synopsis of the book starts from page 20. There are many interesting and informative stories in this issue. We encourage you to read ip magazine cover to cover. We look forward to serving you again in October.Thanks for the opportunity to serve.

The entire contents of infinitieplus magazine are copyrighted 2017. Any reproduction or use in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. infinitieplus reserves the right to edit and make appropriate modifications. The opinions published by contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the views of infinitieplus or its advertisers. www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

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Marketing / PR

Joycelyne Fadojutimi

Photography

Joycelyne Fadojutimi Keisha Roland

Creative Director Juvelin Aripal

Contributing Writers James Woodard Mary Hunt Marilynn Preston Diane Dimond Tom Margenau Robert Goldman Marilyn Willison Malcolm Berko Elizabeth Stark

Distribution

Teddy Larose Rachel Larose

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.

For Advertising Contact

Joycelyne Fadojutimi jfadr@infinitieplus.com 517 Mobberly Avenue Longview, Texas 75602 www.infinitieplus.com www.facebook.com/ InfinitePlus magazine

VOLUME 6 | ISSUE 9 |

september 2017

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COVER STORY

By JOYCELYNE FADOJUTIMI

The Snell Family: Will, Superintendent Steven, Amy and Madison Snell

teven Snell came to the Spring Hill Independent School District with all the right credentials. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and Master of Education in educational leadership from Texas Tech. He is currently pursuing his doctoral degree at Texas A&M. However, his focus right now, as a new school year starts, is his position as superintendent of Spring Hill ISD. His passion for education is deep and telling. 6

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He was born and raised in Sharpstown in Houston. He and his brother were adopted as infants by Jim and Mary Snell, who taught him the self-confidence that has enabled him to achieve his many and lofty goals. His parents embraced him with Christian love and support. Moreover, they made wonderful role models. “I will consider myself a successful parent if I can provide half of the guidance to my children that my parents gave me,” he says. |

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Their caring guidance helped him realize his God-given direction. “Education was more a calling to me than a choice,” he says. “I believe that everyone is given a purpose in life, and once you find your true calling you will know.” His love of enriching young minds is unmistakable as he strives to insure the students of his school district get a fast start on the road to futures that will be blessings to them and the communities around

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

them. Snell uses his position, as a means of reaching and positively influencing the greatest possible number of children. He looks upon the position of superintendent as being essentially the chief executive officer of a school district—leading and motivating others; overseeing all operations and business activities so everyone and every endeavor is successful. This is the reason why, he seeks to achieve the greatest possible degree of efficiency for the district. The day-to-day decisions he makes on educational programs, spending, staff and facilities determine the degree to which students’ minds are enriched and prepared for future careers. The faculty members he oversees must be the best choices for their jobs in order meet district goals. There is no overestimating the towering importance of his job. Earlier in his career, Snell was careful to follow the best possible examples as he climbed the ladder of scholastic success. “I have been very lucky to stand on the shoulders of giants as I have progressed through my career,” he says. “They have provided me with excellent leadership and guidance to help make me an effective leader, and given me the chance to be successful. I started as a teacher in Amarillo, and was ‘raised’ by an excellent group of teachers.” Following his stint in Amarillo, Snell moved on to an assistant principal posting in Lake Jackson, Texas for four years before becoming principal of Brazoswood High School in 2006. His next stop was Hutto, Texas, where he spent four years as assistant superintendent. Then came Spring Hill, where he realized his dream of being a full superintendent of a school district. It has been a journey of ongoing success and learning that prepared him for his latest position. Snell has already been a great influence on a multitude of students who have benefitted from his competence, love and compassion, and there is the assurance many more will, too. It is all in a day’s work. However, he has no atypical day on the job. “There are no typical days. You meet with principals and other district leaders to check on district goals and current projects,” he says. “I visit campuses and interact with teachers and students, lead and attend meetings and various trainings.” According to Snell, many of the decisions he must make are hard ones, and he has to bear the burden of these choices. Still, whatever he decides on, generally 10

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Future world leaders: Will Snell, Talan Ferguson, Brennan Ferguson, Preslee Grubbs, Madison Chenoweth, Demi Ferguson and Addison Ferguson

works out well for everyone involved, and he shares in the successes. He bears witness to the old saying, “Do something you love for a living, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” There is little doubt Snell works hard, but he does love it. “Seeing students succeed and perform at the highest level is what I love most whether it is in the classroom, community or in sports and other extracurricular activities,” says Snell. “Along with that is graduating a new class each year with all the preparations, hopes and dreams that they plan to accomplish with their lives.” All the same, one of the very few aspects of his calling that he does not enjoy are the attacks

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on public schools by people who make the actual rules that hinder schools from maximizing student potential. He believes more local control would be better than having to deal with state constraints. Even then, his profession gives him great fulfillment. He describes Spring Hill ISD as a “very special place.” He loves how the staff treat students like their own children, and each other like family. His faculty members share www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

his passion for seeing to it that their students achieve more than just academic success. Becoming well-rounded adults is the goal. “To me public school should be as much about experiences as it is about academics, and memories over memorization,” he says. A major objective of Spring Hill ISD is that 100% of its graduates will apply for college admission while still in Springhill ISD. Even if they do not attend college, the application process insures that |

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seniors will have fewer excuses and barriers between them and higher education. He believes in college education hence, any collegelevel education is beneficial. Snell and his faculty work to prepare students for their futures, and; filling out college applications and financial aid forms is a major part of achieving this goal. As a forward-looking leader, he prepares and welcomes change. With continuous change, educators must keep up with

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COVER STORY

ongoing developments so they can remain a positive, useful aspect of their students’ education. “The world is at their fingertips, and our students can accomplish anything they set their hearts and minds to,” he says. “To prepare them for that future, our classrooms need to look more like today’s businesses, and less like a 19th century school house.” Snell greatly appreciates how Texas communities are so supportive of their school districts. This also makes him aware of how graduates have a debt to pay to the Texas towns and cities that made their academic success a reality, and this does not have to wait until after young scholars graduate. As a result, four hundred Spring Hill High School students participated in a city beautification

event, cleaning parks, streets, and assisting families and businesses in need of assistance. In addition to this, there are ongoing programs in which students donate their time, toil and talents to volunteer service. Equally important, Snell is a crusader for the teaching profession. He encourages his young people to consider his line of work to achieve the blessing of accomplishment and unselfish service to the community. “If you enjoy children and want to make a difference in their lives, then, by all means teach,” he says. “We need more great teachers and school leaders.” He recommends aspiring educators to work for and obtain a college degree in the field of teaching, then teach for at least

three years to become eligible for certification from the state. Those aspiring to serve in upper faculty positions should set a career goal, create a plan, make no excuses and forge ahead with resolution. Work hard and strive for excellence. Apart from medicine, there are few fields that require such a towering degree of competence. Snell’s own journey to his desired posting took 20 years and multiple relocations. The is no point in hoping for overnight success. Patience is another crucial quality. Snell, his wife of 22 years Amy, 17-year-old daughter Madison and 13-year-old son Will wasted no time in making themselves valued members of the local area. Snell sits on the local Junior Achievement board of directors and the board of the Boys and Girls Club. He

Dad cannot get a word in because kids are on social media.

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also works with Leadership Longview. Add all this to his work with Spring Hill ISD, Longview has a true blessing in this untiring, unselfish and caring community leader. “My family and I have found East Texas to be one of the most hospitable and family-friendly places [where] we have ever lived,” he says. “We are blessed to raise our children here and be part of this great school district and community.” His resume` reads like a who’s who of academic acclaim. Some of the highlights include: • In 2013, Achieved “Met Standard” with 6 distinctions after starting with 7 underperforming campuses; including 2 Academically Unacceptable campuses. • In 2014, continued “Met Standard” ratings and continued to increase performance on every campus. • 100% of all Spring Hill ISD Seniors applied to 4-year college in 15-16. • 100% of all Hutto ISD Seniors applied to 4-year college in 2012-2014. (66% completed FASFA) • Create Master facilities plan for Hutto ISD • Helped pass a Tax Ratification Election in Hutto ISD in 2013 • Initiated district-wide assessments improving performance in all 100% campuses • Turned around a failing high school campus from “Low Performing” to “Recognized” in one year • Implemented a $1.5M small learning communities grant • Part of leadership team for successful $143M bond election www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

• As LJIS Principal, achieved Exemplary 4yrs in a row with several Gold Performance Awards His community service is as follows: • Junior Achievement of East Texas, served on board of directors in 2017. Taught Junior Achievement at Pine Tree Jr. High. • Boys and Girls Club of the Big Pines, served on Longview board. • Leadership Longview, served in the class of 2017. • Grace Creek Methodist Church, active involvement and service. • Spring Hill Dixie Youth Baseball Association, coach and volunteer. • Spring Hill Education Foundation, serves as volunteer. • Miracle League of Longview, serves as volunteer. • Snell and his family are very active members of at Grace Crossing Methodist Church. • He is slated to graduate with a PHD from Texas A&M Commerce in May 2018.

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BUSINESS AND FINANCE

INSPIRATION

By MARY HUNT

s the mother of two young world-class whiners, the behavior modification techniques described in the booklet “Stop Whining!” appeared too simple to be taken seriously. In desperation, however, I decided to give the anti-whining program my best shot. Day One: Whenever one of the boys whined, I did exactly as prescribed. I got down to his level, looked him straight in the eye and said in a firm yet gentle manner: “Stop whining! I cannot listen to you when you whine because it gives me a headache.” Next, I imitated what he said and the way he said it, right down to his nasal, high-pitched, sing-song tone. Then, I restated in a grownup voice what he said using a better choice of words and required him to repeat it without whining, blaming or complaining. I did this no fewer than 397 times before bedtime on day one. Day Two: The second day was like the first, except after my demonstration of the correct way to communicate, I had to turn away and ignore the child until he restated his need or situation on his own without whining, blaming or complaining. Day Three: This day’s instructions were challenging, if not severe: If either boy whined, I was

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to ignore him completely as if he were invisible. From then on, they would only be rewarded with attention when they did not whine — or it was a matter of life and death. The program worked like magic. In just three days, our little boys became non-whiners, just as the book promised. It was not so, however, for their mother. I had my own style of whining. It was somewhat more socially acceptable, mainly because no one could hear it. I whined about my thoughts and attitudes: We don’t make enough money. I want everything everyone else has. I don’t want to wait — I want it right now! I work hard, and I deserve it! I whined my way into fancy new cars and things like a mink jacket. I wanted to be part of the jet set in which that kind of luxury was standard. I whined until I got what I wanted, and then whined about our miserable financial condition. Whine, whine, whine, whine, whine. Even on the road to financial recovery, I whined, blamed and complained: It’s too hard. I want to be a stay-at-home mom. It’s just not fair. I’m tired of waiting. I just can’t take this anymore. No one else has it this rough.

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One day, out of complete and utter frustration with myself and recalling those sessions with my kids from years before, I sat myself down, looked myself straight in the eye and said: “Stop whining! I cannot listen to you when you whine because it gives me a headache.” I went on to repeat some of my loathsome whining, and that nearly shocked me to death. Do I really sound like that? Treatment was clear: I had to kick into tough-love mode and completely ignore myself when I whined. I could not pay attention to myself when I whined, blamed or complained. The result was fairly astounding. In a short time, I, too, became a nonwhiner. So, tell me. Are you a whiner? Are you into blaming and complaining? If so, refuse to listen to that anymore. Do not reward yourself with sympathy and attention when you whine, blame and complain. And stop feeling sorry for yourself. You can either give in to your circumstances or rise above them. You can remain in your misery or climb out of it and look around. You can dig your pit of despair a little deeper, or you can make the commitment to do whatever it takes to turn your financial life around. The choice is yours. Mary invites questions, comments and tips at mary@ everydaycheapskate.com, or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

By MARILYN MURRAY WILLISON

ome population experts have referred to the increasing numbers of aging baby boomers as the “silver tsunami.” Longer life spans combined with an unusually large over-60 population segment could be seen as a major problem for both our economy and health care system. But this is not merely a problem here in the U.S. In fact, Japan appears to be feeling the effects of this trend even more starkly than we are. While 14.5 percent of the American population is over 65, that number in Japan is almost 27 percent. One of the reasons for this graying of Japan is that it has the world’s second-highest life expectancy, 84 years. (Just in case you’re curious, Monaco is No. 1 with 89.5 years, and the U.S. comes in at No. 42 with 79.8 years.) The country also has little immigration and a low birthrate. The number of births last year fell below the one million mark for the first time. Japan’s workforce is aging, and fewer employees are willing (or able) to quit working once they reach the country’s accepted retirement age of 60 — even though they qualify for a state pension at age 61. According to OECD (a rich-country think tank), men in Japan actually retire when they’re close to 70. Some experts have noted that certain segments of the employment landscape have turned into what are called “grey jobs.” For example, Tokyo www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

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Gas, the country’s largest supplier of residential natural gas, uses older workers to read meters or instruct homeowners about appliance usage. And according to government statistics, more than half of Japanese taxi drivers are over the age of 60. There’s even an employment agency, Koreisha, that provides temporary jobs exclusively to workers over the age of 60. And it’s not just hourly workers in Japan who are extending their work lives. Hiromi Yamamuro, a sales rep for Sato Holdings, is 67 and has no plans to retire in the foreseeable future. Mikio Sasaki is a senior adviser at Mitsubishi Corporation, and at age 79 he still goes to work each day. Masamoto Yashiro, the chairman and CEO of Shinsei Bank, is 87. And the editor-in-chief of the newspaper with the biggest circulation in the world, the Yomiuri Shimbum, is 90. Even some airlines in Japan have petitioned the government to extend the mandatory retirement age for its pilots from 65 to 70. While a shrinking labor force is seen by some as problematic, others are viewing it as a sign of profitable business opportunity. For example, adult diapers reportedly outsell baby diapers in Japan. In 2013, the market was said to be growing at nearly 10 percent per year and pulling in $1.5 billion. Since they sell for twice the amount of baby diapers — which means increased profitability — two major Japanese paper companies have begun expanding their manufacturing facilities to accommodate the expected growing market. |

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FOCUS ON COMMUNITY

FOCUS ON COMMUNITY Southwestern University with a fine arts degree. She now loves her job as teacher and coach back at Pine Tree High School. “Carmen, we are extremely blessed to have you as the artist of this fabulous piece of art,” said Droege. “You have handled this project with grace, passion and excellence.” More applause. Droege also credited GTBR heavy weights: • Dr. Bill Bussey • Brian Low • Adam Graves • Bobby and Jeannie Hammer • Hertz Rental • East Texas Forklift • James Grant • Robert McGoin • Phillip Ford. Droege then recognized Michelle Ford for supervising the VIP Sponsors Pilots’ Dinner. “A huge thank-you for my sweet friend Michelle Ford,” she said. “You took the lead for this project for your entire team, and I am extremely proud of you. Nothing I love more than working and giggling with this woman.” Next came the unveiling of the ART from the heART sculpture. The GTBR continues to be a sweet economic draw for Longview. Chairman Dan Droege reported that more than 15,000 attendees came for the event, and this does not count 12-andunder children who received free admission to the race. A survey indicates that almost 75% of those in attendance came from outside Longview. “That’s a lot of people coming to town to eat at our restaurants, fill up their cars with gas, buy

Kurt Harris and Gay Cotton

Elaine Reynolds, Jan Maynard, Tammy Skinner, Barbara Smith and Leslie Paull By JOYCELYNE FADOJUTIMI

he annual Great Texas Balloon Race’s (GTBR) 40th year was every bit the delightful event East Texans have come to expect and savor. Keep Longview Beautiful Executive Director Kim Droege made sure this year’s aerial extravaganza was what might be called a wonderful surprise even though everyone was expecting it. There was a lovely sculpture dedicated to ART from the heART program, commemorating the race’s first four decades. The heart project is run by people who, like the directors of the GTBR, are dedicated to making Longview an even better place to live, work and worship. 16

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In her typical unselfish way, Droege spoke out on behalf of the volunteers who always make the GTBR a great success. She called them a “powerful volunteer machine,” and then took her praises further. “This year you chose to go up and beyond again by providing sculpture for Longview,” she said. “I hope all of you are as proud of this piece of art. Thank you for all you do for this community.” After a thunderous round of applause, Droege recognized artist Carmen Gadt. A Longview native, Gadt is a 2010 graduate of Pine Tree High School, and grew up watching the GTBR from atop her daddy’s shoulders. She later graduated from

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snacks, shop at the mall and other retail stores and possibly stay overnight at our hotels,” said Droege. He mingled with people who attended this year’s race, and found attendees from Weatherford, Denison and even from Arkansas and Missouri. “The Great Texas Balloon Race has an exceptional reputation among the hot air balloon world,” he explained. “It shows with the attendance of so many people from out of town.”

Kim Droege, Artist Carmen Gadt and Michelle Ford in front of the Balloon Sculpture for ART from the heART program

Tammy and husband Jeff Gibbons Chairman Dan Droege and Rhonda Bullard

Kelly and husband Mayor Andy Mack

Pilot Kelli Cook, Pilot Bill Adler and Ramey Carroll

Debra and husband Pilot Bill Bussey

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Honorable Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt |

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Michelle Ford and Rhonda Bullard in front of the Balloon Sculpture for ART from the heART program www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

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FOCUS ON COMMUNITY

By JOYCELYNE FADOJUTIMI

ongview writer Joel D. Johnson’s new book, The Power of Self-Imaging, took him 32 years to finish. This $16.95 paperback is 180 pages and being released by G. Randall Publishing Company. It is available at Amazon.com, Kiddie EBooks and at Barron’s at 405 West Loop 281, Suite G in Longview. It deals with a process that recommends personal excursions into the realm of self-discovery, answering such questions as--Who am I?, What am I? and Why am I here? The focus is on helping the reader realize the conventional notion of ME is illusory, and that we are all more than what we see in mirrrors. Johnson describes his motives for producing this tome: It was during my own personal discovery that I experienced a turning point and was mentally released from the anger and guilt that had consumed me for most of my life. I finally grasped the realization that the emotions I felt and carried with me from childhood were self-imposed. He elucidates: The self-image I had nurtured all of my life was not who I am 20

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at all. It dawned on me that millions of other people like me are holding onto a false selfimage as well--a self-image that has been manufactured by their imagination and fueled by the false interpretations of their own poorly perceived events. Often, those inaccurate selfauthored stories cause people to feel as I felt--inadequate, angry, afraid, lonely, frustrated, fraudulent, sad and empty. Johnson does not exalt himself. He readily admits he is no physicist, Ph.D, neurologist, psychiatrist, psychologist, medical doctor, guru or cult leader. He derives the information in his book from years of scientific and biblical studies, human observation and mental programming. Its purpose is to share all its author has learned on his own voyage of self-discovery. Through this work, Johnson hopes to show his readers the path to personal growth and spiritual enlightenment. Another author, Frank S. Murphy, psychiatrist and writer of Power Without Pills, helps explain this objective. “There are hidden forces within the mind forged during the painful moments of our past,” he says. “These forces tend to constrain what we see as possible.

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Yet there ever exists the possibility of choice.” Accurate self-knowledge is a powerful advantage to anyone possessing it. To achieve this strength and the perks that accompany it, one needs a good owner’s manual. The Power of Self Imaging is a practical guide to rooting out one’s true identity shorn of all the counterfeit baggage most of us take on during the life trials we endure. It opens the door to power, freedom, self-expression and peace of mind. Johnson’s birth certificate records him being born in Flint, Texas, but he actually first saw light of day in Teaselville in 1936, born in his grandfather’s farmhouse. In 1945, his family moved to Tyler, where he attended school and studied retail before graduating from the old Tyker High School in 1955. His next stop was Dallas, where he took a position as manager of Smith Shoes on Grande Avenue. He again relocated, to Longview this time, and opened the first unit of J&J Footwear, managing the firm so expertly it expanded to fourteen locations in three states. However, in 2002, he switched careers, taking the post of primary counsellor for Kilgore College/ www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

SBA Small Business Development Center in Longview. His years in this position saw him earn promotion to the rank of Certified Senior Business Development Specialist. This is all a reflection of his devotion to his community. In addition, Johnson is a member of the Rotary Club; AMBUCS and Trinity. He has served on different positions and garnered some awards. He currently lives in Longview with his wife, Louise. They have four children and nine grandchildren. His voyage through his inner self led him to universal secrets he had not realized existed. Although Johnson realizes he is far from the first to delve into this realm, he doubts many earlier understand this separate dimension

co-existing with/within all of us. His quest is to pursue this odyssey farther and deeper than his predecessors until he lays bare all the universal secrets of the human mind, body and soul.

Johnson sees this life force in us as being one with the spirit of the universe, and is observing everything within the context of our lives--real and imagined. This force acts in cooperation with a powerful energy aligned with all that is or ever will be. He delayed writing The Power of Self Imaging because he was uncertain of his own qualifications to embark on such a written chronicle. Still, the project was part of his earthly mission, and his conviction that writing it was his destiny that compelled him to complete the project. However, he is not Johnson positive the book’s message will work for everyone who reads it. “I can only say it has worked for me,” he says. IN IS STA SU NT E!

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HUMOR

By ROBERT GOLDMAN

ing! Dong! Ding! Dong! Those are sounds you hear every working day. They’re the chimes of your own personal Big Ben, telling you it’s time to quit a job you hate. But how do you know when it’s time to quit a job you like? This is not so obvious; especially if the job you like comes with a paycheck you absolutely love. Like it or hate it, making the decision to quit a job is never easy. You’ve always believed that if a company were willing to employee you, and pay you, and ignore your shenanigans, that was a job you’d only quit when hell freezes over. And since global warming has made it far less likely for hell, or anyplace else, to freeze over, it’s probably become a job you plan to keep forever. But times are changing and it may not be the best course of action to wait for a undeniable sign from above saying it’s time to go — a sign like two uniformed goons appearing at your workstation to confiscate your laptop, shred your badge, throw your Hummels into a cardboard box and escort you and the “Little Goat Herder” to the sidewalk. To provide answers to these questions, I recommend Heather Yamada-Hosley’s recent post on lifehacker.com — “How to Know When It’s Time to Quit a Job You Like.” Yamada-Hosley suggests you “think about your long game.” To do this, there are four factors to consider, which are a lot of factors for someone whose limited brainpower is totally overloaded separating 22

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Lannisters from Tyrells in “Game of Thrones.” Let’s take them one at a time. Factor No. 1 is “Skill development.” Are you learning the skills you’ll need in the future? As companies deploy more advanced workflow tracking devices, will you still be able to take a morning and an afternoon nap, or will your failure to keep up with technology limit your naps to daily staff meetings? Understanding the long-term future for your company’s products and services is Factor No. 2. What if the downturn in 8-track cassette sales isn’t temporary? Will there always be a need for chimney sweeps, or will a flashy app disintermediate the entire chimney sweep industry? (Think it can’t happen? When is the last time you saw a help-wanted posting for lamplighter or rat catcher?) Factor No. 3 is “will the company, and your manager, invest in keeping you happy when it comes to your salary, including raises and bonuses?” You did get a cost of living increase in 2015. Unfortunately, it was based on the cost of living in Moldova. “Career Path” is Factor No. 4: “Do you, or your manager, see a clear path for you within the company? Maybe your manager’s job, or transitioning to another team?” Even if you do detect a career path you may not like the eventual destination. I refer, of course, to the shortcut from the lofty position you occupy

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today to the bench you occupy tomorrow at the unemployment office. Of course, you must also consider the positive factors of your current job. You already know the location of the bathroom and the break room, for example. That’s a real advantage in staying where you are, since it will take you months, if not years, in a new job to learn how to go from your desk to a snack machine and back again without GPS. Once you have determined it’s time to move on, the experts recommend that you “prepare to leave gracefully.” “Wrapping up things well before you leave will help you preserve the professional relationships you’ve built and boost your reputation.” Fortunately, for you, there’s nothing to preserve. The professional relationships you’ve built with the lunch bunch at The Kit Kat Klub will last forever, as will your reputation for coming in first, second and third in the annual speed-eating contest, Buffalo wings division.

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To these people you are an immortal. You are also advised not to brag about your “flashy new title or big salary,” which shouldn’t be difficult since you are probably getting neither. A final consideration is to “prepare for a counteroffer.” Prepare all you like, but the most likely result of the announcement that you are leaving is the sound of high-fives echoing up and down Mahogany Row. Your co-workers will be happy, though, because they’ll finally have the answer to a question that has plagued their own analyses of their own employment situations. If you can get another job, anyone can. Bob Goldman was an advertising executive at a Fortune 500 company, but he finally wised up and opened Bob Goldman Financial Planning in Sausalito, California. He now works out of Bellingham, Washington. He offers a virtual shoulder to cry on at bob@bgplanning.com.

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september 2017

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

When to Actually File for

Social Security

Retirement Benefits By TOM MARGENAU

or some reason, I have been getting an awful lot of questions lately from seniors who are fretting about exactly when to sign up for Social Security benefits. I’m not talking about people who are undecided about when to start their benefit checks — I have written countless columns discussing that. I’m talking about people who have decided when they want their retirement benefits to start but are concerned about when to initiate the process. Other times, they are needlessly worried that they will make a big mistake and lose untold amounts in government benefits. Here are some examples of those questions. Q: I will be 66 on Dec. 15, 2017. I want my Social Security checks to start at age 66. Some people have told me I need to file six months ahead of time. They said it takes that long for the government to do anything right. Others have told me I should wait until I am 66 before I file. What should I do? 24

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A: Don’t believe those government-bashers who would have you believe it takes half a year to process your Social Security claim. In fact, the last statistics I saw show that the Social Security Administration processes the average retirement claim in about 20 days. When I filed my own Social Security claim about five years ago, I did so on a Monday. By Friday of the same week, I

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had received a message from SSA that my claim was done. My wife’s claim took about 10 days. (By the way, we did all this online.) And my neighbor said he filed his claim in person at our local Social Security office. It was processed in less than two weeks. Even though SSA handles retirement claims rather expeditiously, they still advise filing two to three months ahead of time — just in case

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there is glitch. So, because you are turning 66 in December and want your benefits to start then, I suggest starting the process in October. You can file online at www.socialsecurity. gov. Or you can call SSA at 800-772-1213 and set up an appointment to file a claim by phone or in person at your local Social Security office. Q: I will be 66 on Aug. 25. That’s when I want my Social Security checks to start. Recently, I began the process of signing up for benefits online. But I was confused by a statement that was filled with a lot of legal language about the importance of using July 24 (the date I went online) as the “official date of my application.” I’m afraid that if I consent to using that date, they will send me a check for July. I don’t want benefits to start in July, which would involve taking a reduced retirement rate. I want my full 100 percent retirement benefits to start in August. Please help! A: The official date of your application is only important for possible legal reasons later. For example, it could be an issue in the very unlikely event that you later change your mind and decide you want benefits to start in July. So, don’t worry about that “official date of application” business. What you are much more concerned about is the month you want your benefits to begin. Somewhere on that online application it must ask something like this: “Please indicate the first month you www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

want your Social Security benefits to start.” And, if you answer that question with “August,” you will be fine. Q: I will be 66 on Aug. 10. I know my first Social Security check won’t be due until September. The online application I tried filling out asked me what month I want my benefits to start. I didn’t want to answer “August” because I want my full benefits to start in September. I don’t want to get a check in August, which would be a reduced payment for July. I want my first check to come in September. Yet it didn’t seem to give me that option. What can I do? A: Don’t worry about the month that your first check will be sent out. Worry only about the month you want to be the effective starting date of your benefits. You are correct that Social Security benefits are sent one month in arrears. In other words, the Social Security check that comes in September is the benefit payment for the month of August. But the application isn’t asking you which month you want your first check physically sent to you (or rather, sent to your bank account). It’s asking you which month you want your benefits to start. And for you, that would-be August. Q: I will be 66 on Aug. 29. I want my Social Security to begin at age 66. When I started the application process online, they asked when I want my |

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checks to begin. I didn’t want to say August, because I want nothing reduced. As I am not 66 until near the end of the month, I figure I should say I want my checks to start in September. A: Social Security checks are never prorated. So that’s good news for you. Even though you are 66 for only three days in August, you get a Social Security check for the whole month. So, you should indicate August as the first month you want to start your Social Security benefits. Q: I will be 70 in September. I am going to sign up for Social Security then. I want my full benefit, plus the 32 percent bonus I get for delaying my benefits. I’m afraid that if I apply now, they might send me greatly reduced benefits. Should I wait until after my 70th birthday to file? A: You should apply right now. Just make sure you indicate September as the month you want your check to start. And even if there was a glitch and you got benefits paid back to August, it’s no big deal. There is nothing that special about waiting until age 70 to start your benefits. Instead of getting 132 percent, you’d get about a 131.4 percent benefit rate if your checks started one month early. As I said: no big deal. If you have a Social Security question, Tom Margenau has the answer. Contact him at thomas. margenau@comcast.net.

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september 2017

BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Lost Insurance Policy By MALCOLM BERKO

Dear Mr. Berko: My sister and I had a love-hate relationship with our father for the last 10 years of his life. He died last year at age 69. After Mom’s death in 2006, we had good times and bad times together. He told my sister and me many times over those 10 years about a $500,000 life insurance policy that would be divided evenly between us. But it’s been a year, and we can’t find that policy. We’ve searched all over for it. Do you have any ideas or suggestions? We’re frantic. — NK, Buffalo, N.Y. Dear NK: Of course you are!

I assume that you’ve checked all his drawers, estate papers, files and safe-deposit boxes and even dug up the backyard. Seeing as that has turned up diddly squat, call your dad’s insurance agent — the person who sold him his auto, homeowners and health policies. If that turns out to be a goose egg, then ask his former employer. Oftentimes, employers will offer term life insurance policies at very attractive rates to their employees. If that fails, then you might check with your dad’s accountant and ask what interest expenses or interest income was included in your dad’s tax returns, as some life insurance policies have investment accounts. And if you think that your dad purchased a life insurance policy through Aetna, Prudential or the like, you can call claims offices. The people there will acknowledge whether they have a policy on your dad’s life. And they should tell you without requiring proof of a father-child relationship. If all that fails and you still have energy remaining, get thee in touch with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, which is a regulatory agency for the insurance industry. It’s risible and toothless, but several years ago, the NAIC created the Life Insurance Policy Locator Service. You can find it online. A “helpful person” there will poll its member list of nearly 500 insurance companies. Each company will search its records for any life insurance policies in 26

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your dad’s name. So, if good fortune smiles and a policy is found, that “helpful person” will notify you. However, that “helpful person” will need information from you supporting your affiliation with the deceased before any pertinent information can be released. Sometimes an insurance benefit is turned over to the state in which the policy was purchased. This possibility will require another search, and this one will be laborious. The National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators’ website has links to all state programs that allow you to do a free search online. There are 50 states, so let your fingers do the clicking on the keyboard. I’m reluctant to make the following suggestion, but after 41 years writing this column, I’ve heard nearly every bad-luck, sad-luck and no-luck story out there. I hope this isn’t one of them. Sometimes parents, in a desperate attempt to garner their conflicted children’s favor, will fly a false flag. Two years ago, an 80-year-old woman persuaded her 51-year-old daughter to give up her teaching job, move in with her and minister to her needs. She told her daughter that she owned a variable annuity worth $1.4 million. After the mother’s death, the daughter would receive that sum plus or minus the change in market value of the mutual fund subaccounts. The mother died last year at age 82. I discovered that the mother, at age 78, had invested only $10,000 in the annuity, which had grown to just $13,200. And last March, I reluctantly gave the daughter the straight skinny. I’ll never forget her reaction. My heart still hurts. This may be the case with your father. If your searches come up empty, don’t think badly of him. I’m sure, considering the death of your mom, that your dad wanted and needed your attention and devotion more than ever. Sadly, this may have been the only way he knew how to get it. Please address your financial questions to Malcolm Berko, P.O. Box 8303, Largo, FL 33775, or email him at mjberko@yahoo.com.

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Cross section of parents and their students

By JOYCELYNE FADOJUTIMI

he local branch of Texas Bank & Trust (TB&T) has released the names of 58 high school seniors from all over Longview who have been chosen to sit on the 20172018, 40th ANNIVERSARY Student Board of Directors. These promising young scholars recently attended an orientation reception www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

during which they met the TB&T bank staff. This get-acquainted session took place in downtown Longview in the main bank lobby. Parents and school administrators also attended. Since its 1977 inception, the TB&T Student Board of Directors has performed excellently in its mission to recognize promising local high school seniors and educate them in banking and |

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money management at this critical juncture in their lives. TB&T Executive Vice-President and Chief Marketing Officer Karen Partee went into detail on the aims and implications of this long-term program. “For the past four decades, Texas Bank & Trust has strived to be the leader in financial literacy and money management education,” she said. “Student

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BUSINESS AND FINANCE Board remains our first and most enduring program to that end, providing students with the essential building blocks to earning, spending, saving and investing money.” She went further in outlining the significance of 40 years of grooming promising young financial minds for this vital industry. “For the 40th anniversary we have decided to go even bigger with our financial education, and design a program that would be impactful for our students as they prepare for the road ahead. We are embarking on our most ambitious Student Board curriculum,” said Partee. “This year the students will be challenged to test both their money management and time management skills with a program entitled The Real L.I.F.E. Experience.” The bank’s marketing team has already devised an ingenious initiative called Living Institute for Financial Education TBT. This program, will guide students along the path of experiencing a lifelike simulation of their first year of college. This Real L.I.F.E. Experience kick offs September 7 at the first student meeting. Student directors will serve further as advisors to TB&T on the bank’s products and services to be used throughout the year. This program annually takes on high school seniors from Longview, Pine Tree, Spring Hill, Trinity School of Texas, and St. Mary’s Catholic High School for the nine-month seminar, basing the selection process on grade point average, extracurricular activities and community service. Along with their applications students are required to submit an essay and two letters of recommendation from faculty members and/or administrators. A personal interview is also required for applicants. Students accepted for the 2017-2018 Student Board Program were notified last May. Longview High School students taking part are: Kamri Alexander, Madeline Archer, Tatyana Bauer, Mathew Boles, Morgan Butler, Felisha Cowen, Isabella Cowart, Cole Earnest, Cassandra Garcia, Savannah Goram-Welch, Stephanie Gluck, Gabriella Hall, McAndrew Henderson, Caitlin Victoria Johnson, Madison Johnson, Chris Kessler, Sean King, William Langston, Rachel Lin, Olivia Lorenz, Justin Melendez, Ashley Mendenhall, Hannah Miller, Chloe Piler, Hayden Rice, Abigail Stahl, Carter Sorrels, Logan Kyle Spence, Sophia Steelman, Kindra Taylor, Ramon Williams and Suzanne Zeid. 28

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BUSINESS AND FINANCE

Kylee Allen TB&T Student Board of Directors with mother Amy Blalock

Ami Bah TB&T Student Board of Directors with mother Karimata Barry

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Participating Pine Tree students are: Angelina Devona, Anahi Hernandez, Callie Lightfoot. Sarah Moore, Megan Oswald, Elijah Pumphrey and Nallely Vazquez. Spring Hill seniors taking part are: Dennis J. Bowles III, Grace Gee, Hannah Gossage, Kayleigh Hamilton, Kenly McNabb, Maddie Malloy, Arrington Melton, Sarah Puckett, Madison Snell and Rachel Stacey. St. Mary’s Catholic High School seniors taking part are Kylee Allen and Sophie Kubicek. Trinity School of Texas is sending Aminata Bah, Emily Lauryn, Mathew Foster, Alexandria Hawkins, James Powers, Kelsey Rathbun and Paige Tomlinson. Kylee Allen’s mother is delighted and enthusiastic about

her daughter’s participation in the Student Board of Directors. She steered Kylee in this direction, and is seriously expectant of positive results. “I encouraged her to apply for a position on the Texas Student Advisory Board for a variety of reasons,” said Blalock. “First, financial literacy for our youth is extremely important. TB&T is working hard to make sure these young people understand not only the value of a dollar, but to avoid the traps that compound interest and easy credit card attainment forget to tell you [except] in the very fine print.” Blalock sees her daughter picking up crucial knowledge on saving, investing and personal finance as well as the personal and economic rewards of being

involved in the community. Kylee and her colleagues will interact and collectively enrich each other’s education on sundry monetary subjects. This learning process, teaches as it does both financial and civic expertise, will produce expert adults who will make Longview, a better and more profitable place for all its residents to live, work and worship. Kylee believes she will meet and make new friends while learning about financial management. She said, “I am excited about the program.” In the 40 years since its inception, the TB&T Student Board of Directors has trained more than 2100 regional high school seniors in banking and money management.

A cross section of parents and their students

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september 2017

GRUBS UP

BRAIN TEASERS

Recipe provided by | ELIZABETH STARK OF BROOKLYN SUPPER

INGREDIENTS

For the Lamb Loin Chops 4 bone-in American lamb loin chops Sea salt Fresh ground black pepper 2 lemons, halved

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.

For the Spring Herb Salsa Verde 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup minced parsley 1 green onion, minced 2 tablespoons minced mint leaves 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed, drained, and minced 1 clove garlic, minced Zest of 1 lemon 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS To make salsa verde, pour olive oil into a small bowl, and whisk in remaining ingredients. Taste, and add sea salt or pepper as needed. Allow mixture to marinate at room temperature while you make the loin chops. To make loin chops, prepare a hot grill. Lights coals and allow them to get hot enough that you can’t hold you hand four inches above them for more than a few seconds. Bank coals to one side of grill to create a zone of high heat and a zone of indirect heat. For a gas grill, turn to medium high 10 -15 minutes before you plan to grill. Just before grilling, sprinkle chops on both sides with sea salt and pepper. Set chops over hottest part of grill and grill 2 minutes. Flip, and grill 2 minutes more. Move chops over indirect heat, and grill 2 – 4 minutes longer or until internal temperature reaches 135°F. Rest chops 5 minutes.

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