Friday, December 18, 2015
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MISSION INVENTOR APPEARS ON ‘GOOD MORNING AMERICA’
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By Jim Brunson ennifer Solis Shipp is excited. The inventor from Mission flew to New York on Wednesday for an allexpense-paid trip to film a segment for ABC’s “Good Morning America” (GMA). She was selected to make an appearance with Joy Mangano, the inventor of the Miracle Mop™, queen of infomercials and the inspiration for the movie “Joy” that hits theaters on Christmas day. The call from GMA is just the latest in a long series of achievements that have propelled Jennifer and her co-inventor husband, Sam Shipp, along on their journey. They have worked long hours – for five years – to get their invention, The Knife Glider™, from concept to design to production and, finally, to market. The process started when Jennifer had a brainstorm after cutting herself with a knife in a kitchen accident. As the saying goes, “Necessity is the mother of invention.” In this case “fear” was the mother of the Shipps’ invention. Jennifer explains, “I was cooking in the kitchen one day, and I nicked myself with
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a knife. I really have a fear of putting my finger on the blade to remove food.” That’s when the light bulb came on for Jennifer. How many other people have experienced the same thing – cutting their hand while in the kitchen preparing a meal? Unlike most people who think they have a good idea for an invention, but never do anything about it, the Shipps started working on the concept for The Knife Glider™. Jennifer and Sam are very upbeat and happy about how far they’ve come – especially since The Knife Glider™ is finally in production and their new online store launched just over two weeks ago. But the path has not been easy; they have had challenges and setbacks along the way as their product has moved from concept to manufacturing. Now they are actually selling their product online at www.knifeglider.com – a professionally-built website, designed locally. Next step: marketing The Knife Glider™ and pulling in sales. So, GMA is an unexpected coup for the couple. Especially since the call came out of the blue. GMA contacted them, and they’re not sure how that happened—but
they’re grateful for the opportunity. The Journey Pursuing their Knife Glider™ dream has been a journey and learning experience for Jennifer and Sam. After coming up with the initial concept, it was propelled forward in 2010 when Sam learned about the Electronic Retailing Association (ERA) Show in Las Vegas. The show is designed to match up direct response marketers – such as infomercials and “as-seen-on-TV” products – with sellers and inventors. The show organizers reserve a limited number of booths for inventors to present their ideas. Sam learned about the show just two weeks before the event. He contacted them; they liked his concept and invited him to come to the show. Sam went straight to work. He didn’t even have a prototype at the time – just an idea in his head. Using a homemade rubber mold and Plexiglas™ material he purchased at Home Depot, he made their first prototype. “It was very clunky,” said Sam. “It’s amazing how far we’ve come from that small
Jennifer and Sam Shipp demonstrate their invention, The Knife Glider™, at their home Wednesday before flying to New York to film a segment with Good Morning America.
See INVENTOR 6
Palmview replaces municipal judges
By Lea Victoria Juarez ot only did the Palmview city commission remove three of their municipal judges from the bench at the Tuesday night meeting, but the commissioners discovered that they may have been acting in violation of the city charter. In a 3-2 vote, Ramon Segovia, J.J. Peña and Johnn Alaniz were removed from their municipal judge position. Councilwoman Graciela Flores and Councilman
Arnaldo Nacianceno were the dissenting votes. Two new municipal judges – Javier Ramirez and Noe Hernandez – were appointed and sworn in by Justice of the Peace Marcos Ochoa. Councilman Ricardo Villarreal said the men were removed from their positions because it comes too close to the lines of a conflict of interest. Segovia is the city manager and Peña and Alaniz are La Joya ISD school board members. Flores announced that
she felt the decision was not solely based on professional reasons. “I want it on the record that I am against it,” the councilwoman said. “I don’t know if we’ve had any complaints from the state, from our judges, from the police department. I want to know if this is a personal vendetta because I feel that that’s what it is.” Segovia said he found out about his removal last week. He said he was not approached beforehand, but
Diaz announces candidacy
two council members called him and told him to put the item on the meeting agenda. Segovia chose not to comment on his termination. Peña and Alaniz were not at the meeting and did not return phone calls from Progress Times before this article went to print. Mayor Pro Tem Joel Garcia Jr. made the motions to remove and appoint, but the charter states that only the mayor can appoint and the commission approves or dis-
See JUDGES 4
Veterans’ graves decorated for the holiday
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By Lea Victoria Juarez
rimson-adorned wreaths highlight the lush fields of the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery this time of year. Against each pearly headstone rests is the symbol of eternity and everlasting life. The RGV State Veterans Cemetery was one of more than 1,000 cemeteries nationwide and 25 U.S. cemeteries overseas that participated in the annual Wreaths Across America program, Dec. 12. A wreath is placed on every grave at the state and U.S. cemeteries on the second Saturday of December. The Wreaths Across America organization is an extension of the Arlington Wreath Project, a program that began in 1992, but didn’t reach na-
tional attention until 2005. More than 900,000 wreaths were placed this year. Ten sections, known as balsam bouquets, make up the veterans’ wreaths. Each section has it’s own meaning. 1. Their faith in God 2. Their love for each other 3. Their strength, work ethic and character 4. Their honesty and integrity 5. Their humility, selflessness and modesty 6. Their ambitions and aspirations 7. Their optimism for America 8. Their concern for the future 9. Their pride in their duties 10. Their hopes and their dreams that didn’t always come true, but left them with no regrets
More than 1,000 wreaths are laid on the graves of the fallen soldiers at the Rio Grande Valley State Veterans Cemetery. Photo by Lea Victoria Juarez
Evergreens symbolize longevity and endurance; the red bow that adorns each wreath symbolizes great sacrifice; the forest scent stands for purity and simplicity and the circular shape represents eternity.
Maribel Reyes and her nephew Benito Ibañez attended the ceremony for Reyes’s friend Rudolph Klement. The US Army veteran fought in the Korean War and was 79 when he died.
See VETERANS 6
Press release courtesy of candidate. aniel Diaz is a young, committed, and engaged community leader who has worked as a community organizer in neighborhoods across Hidalgo County fighting for better neighborhood infrastructure, and is now your candidate for Hidalgo County Commissioner Pct. 3. Diaz is running for County Commissioner because he believes that ordinary working class people deserve a seat at the table and a real voice in local government. He understands that the only way to regain the public’s trust in government is by actually working together with the public on issues that directly impact them every day. Although this being his first run at public office, Diaz is no stranger to public service. As a student at the University of Arkansas, Diaz got involved in helping out the local immigrant and low-income community. He served as a student leader, representing minority groups in campus as Vice-President of LULAC and Multicultural Ambassador, worked and served in local non-profits to help empower recently arrived immigrants, and helped organize minorities to vote in larger numbers. As passionate as he was about helping in Arkansas, he knew that his hometown was in more need and returned to the Rio Grande Valley in
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Daniel Diaz
2011 after finishing school seeking ways to use his community organizing skills to bring positive change in the area. His passion for social justice, equality, and civic engagement drove him to land a position as a Community Organizer with local non-profit La Union Del Pueblo Entero (LUPE), an organization founded by civil rights icons Cesar E. Chavez and Dolores Huerta. At LUPE he helped lead a variety of organizing projects to help improve quality of life in low-income neighborhoods and colonias. He helped organize residents and community leaders to negotiate $14 million in disaster recovery storm water drainage funds in 30 colonias, and advocated and negotiated the inclusion of low-income neighborhoods
See DIAZ 7
INSIDE
INDEX
Disney classics come to life
Millennial seeks to fight excessive taxation
Lady Coyotes out to enter playoffs
The “Three Classic Fairy Tales” production takes the stage at the State Farm Arena in Hidalgo for one day only.
Abel Prado announces candidacy for Hidalgo County Tax Assessor and Collector.
With the current 1011 record, the team has already surpassed the total of eight wins they had last season.
See story page 2A
See story page 10A
See story page 1B
Entertainment | pg. 2A
Lifestyle | pg. 3A
Opinion | pg. 4A
Sports | pg. 1B
Obituaries | pg. 13A
Classifieds | pg. 14A