EAST TEXAS REVIEW NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION FEB. EDITION

Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23

C O M M U N I T Y,

E D U C A T I O N ,

B U S I N E S S ,

P O L I T I C S

&

R E L I G I O N

Complimentary Copy

Vol. 29

East Texas Baptist University President Blair and Wife Michelle Blackburn Attend 2020 Habitat Fund Raiser See Below

February 1, 2020

Red Oak Missionary Baptist Church Slates Annual Laymen Workshop February 1

Angela Daughtry And Friend Vicki Adcock Attend 2020 Raising the Roof Habitat for Humanity Fund Raiser

RAISING THE ROOF See Below

See Below

NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION

N E W S

By J o y c e ly n e

education spotlight

Pine Tree ISD

Page 9 Page 9

Page 9

Oscar Ruiz

Ashly James

PTJS VEX ROBOTICS

Page 10

Dr. Blake Williams, Cathy Reed, Allison Beard, Flecia Woods, Becky Cooper and President Dan Droege

Don’t Let Predatory Tax Loans Take Your Refunds

By Charlene Crowell, NNPA Newswire Contributor For many consumers, the New Year brings an annual effort to file taxes early enough to help pay off big bills, replace major appliances or tuck away a few bucks for the proverbial ‘rainy day’.

With a continuing federal shutdown, this year there are

See PREDATORY on Page 5

Red Oak slates Laymen Workshop The “Annual Laymen Workshop” will be taking place at Red Oak Missionary Baptist Church where H.C. Rockmore Sr., is pastor.

Red Oak is located at 2717 The workshop is scheduled South Martin Luther King Jr, for Saturday, February 1, from Boulevard in Longview, Texas. 8:00am to 12:00 noon.

AFRICAN AMERICAN The Longview LIFE IN BOOKS

Page 11

also an estimated 800,000 federal workers who have not had a payday since December. For these consumers, an early tax refund could cover basic living needs like housing, food, child care and utilities.

Dual Credit,

Municipal Court is Continuing the Dream offering a warrant KC Foundation raises amnesty program from February 1, 2020 over $24,000 for scholarships through April 30 Contd. on Page 7

Contd. on Page 7

Fadojutimi

The twentieth yearly Raisin’ the Roof was an extravaganza to say the least. Executive Director LaJuan Hollis explain how and why this event came together so beautifully.

“Planning for the annual gala begins 9-12 months in advance. This year was especially important to us,” she said.

Contd. on Page 2

Fiscal Notes: The 2020 Census

– Why It’s Important (AUSTIN) — In the latest edition of Fiscal Notes, the Comptroller’s office looks at the impact of the census on the many federal programs that use its data to determine the distribution of federal dollars to states, local governments and citizens.

Contd. on Page 5

Human Trafficking

Contd. on Page 5

Texans received more than $15M

Consumers in Texas filed 244,795 complaints with FTC, top complaint category was Identity Theft Contd. on Page 3

2

COMMUNITY NEWS

February 1, 2020

February 1, 2020

Texans received more than $15M

RAISING Continued from Page 1

The twentieth yearly Raisin’ the Roof was an extravaganza to say the least.

Executive Director LaJuan Hollis explain how and why this event came together so beautifully. “Planning for the annual gala begins 9-12 months in advance. This year was especially important to us,” she said.

“It was the 20th Anniversary of this event and Raisin’ the Roof would retire in 2020, too. We wanted to celebrate all that the community has accomplished through the support of this event and to provide a sneak peek at our plans for 2021 and beyond.”

This year’s event showcased everything Longview has accomplished by supporting this gala. And, Hollis is clear on whom to thank for assuring success in raising $1,189, 900 to be invested in creating safe, comfortable homes.

“It was particularly meaningful to me have Jeanne Collins take the stage and announce the impact Raisin’ the Roof had in our community,” she said. “Jeanne has been a volunteer, board member and staunch advocate of the Habitat Mission since the early 1990s. She has participated in every Raisin’ the Roof gala.”

The homes this event finances look like custom structures in accordance with Raisin’ the Roof’s commitment to providing topquality homes in which families can grow and thrive. Whenever possible families are given three design choices. The families choose the flooring, fixtures, furnishings and paint colors. Despite catering to the inclinations of the families who will occupy the new houses, prices remain affordable.

This was made possible by the community of supporters.

“Our construction committee and E.D. have focused on building strong relationships with local partners to provide in-kind materials and donations of professional services and discounted buying options as part of their companies’ commitment to invest in the communities in which they operate,” said Hollis. “These partnerships make it possible for us to provide more choices to the family and build more efficiently while keeping the final product affordable.”

Such operative efficiency enables Hollis and her collaborators to keep building new homes at a rapid pace. They closed on a home last fall and started another one in Longview to be closed on in a few weeks.

This will be the final home of the Texas Street Project, and the new occupants are scheduled to move in late in February.

Raisin’ the Roof operatives are busily seeking out lots throughout Gregg County.

Construction on another new residence is slated to commence this summer. One more Longview family is ready to start building, and three others are completing their educational and sweat equity requirements.

Habitat held its first Harrison County ownership meetings last September. Five families in that county are already enrolled, and one of them is ready to start building.

Habitat is partnering with East Texas Baptist University for what is called a Blitz Build for a family named Brooks in Marshall. This project is set to start during spring break.

“A Blitz Build is an exciting event in which we attempt to complete a home in just seven days,” says Hollis. “East Texas Baptist students and faculty will work 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, and we hope to

3

COMMUNITY NEWS

Wally Rhymes

Sherill and Brian Nelson

Allen McReynolds and Bill Carroll

Haley and Joseph Louvier

Jason Holden and Katelyn Cooper

Raimund Gideon and Celeste Zimicki

New data released by the Federal Trade Commission shows that consumers across Texas received $15,700,472 in refund checks from the FTC in 2019.

In addition to refunds, the newly released data also shows that Texas residents filed 244,795 complaints with the FTC last year. The most common category of complaints received from Texas consumers was Identity Theft, followed by Imposter Scams, Debt Collection, Credit Reporting Issues, and Telephone and Mobile Services. Consumers in Texas reported losing $100,899,560 to scams and fraud.

Reports from around the country about consumer protection issues are a key resource for FTC investigations that stop illegal activities and, when possible, provide refunds to consumers.

A core part of the FTC’s mission is to return money to consumers who are harmed by illegal business practices. Over the last four years, consumers have cashed more than $1 billion in FTC refund checks.

The most common type of fraud reported to the FTC in 2019 nationwide was imposter

Flecia Woods, Cathy Reed and Allison Beard

Angela Daughtry

Renee McKinley, Dawn North, Allyson Ward Bailey and Heather Mitchell

Consumers in Texas filed 244,795 complaints with FTC, top complaint category was Identity Theft

Vicki Adcock

Harry Barth, Jan Preher, Lynne Sticher, and Allen McReynolds

took a broader approach to addressing dedicate the home the following Sunday.” the stubborn problem of how to provide Besides branching out from Gregg into other counties, Habitat is also working with affordable poverty housing.

“We committed to continue to build, but the Homeownership, Veteran Repair, Beat also to serve individuals that had no other the Heat, and Beat the Cold in Harrison options to improve their health and safety and Upshur counties. So far, there are no plans to open Contd. on Page 15 additional ReStores.

Still, Habitat stayed very busy in 2019, completing 64 projects in Gregg Visit us at www.easttexasreview.com County, 53 in Call us at: 903.236.0406 Harrison County, Publisher/Editor and 16 in Upshur Mission Joycelyne Fadojutimi County. All this Why We Exist represented a 74% Social Media Specialist To continuously improve increase over 2018 Odyssey Jones communication between the in families served. people of East Texas.

Contributing Writers This labor of love Vision Jim Hightower just keeps gaining Mechele Agbayani Mills What We Want To Be momentum.

Rusty Wright One of the best community In 2012, Habitat Teresa Hoffman newspapers in the Nation. served four Molly Sabatino Provider of positive and edifying families with home news about people, places, ownership, and Graphic Artist and businesses. then 2013 was a Sho Labaco year for planning and transformation.

The entire contents of the East Texas Review are Autumn 2014 saw copyrighted 2020. Any reproduction or use in whole or part the launching of without written permission is prohibited.

Habitat 100--a fiveThe Publisher welcomes input from the public. You may year plan to impact write or e-mail your comments. East Texas Review reserves as many families as the right to edit and make appropriate modifications. possible. Hollis and The opinions published by contributing writers do not her staff restructured necessarily reflect the views of East Texas Review or its operations and advertisers. Submission Deadline - Every Friday.

scams; government imposter scams, in particular, were the most frequently reported, and up more than 50 percent since 2018. Of all reports received, the top categories were identity theft, imposter scams, telephone and mobile services, online shopping, and credit bureaus.

Refunds to Consumers The FTC Act allows the FTC to seek refunds from companies whose actions harm consumers.

During 2019, more than 1.9 million consumers cashed FTC checks received as a result of law enforcement cases. When consumers don’t cash their refund checks, the FTC uses that money to send additional mailings to ensure the maximum amount of money is returned to consumers. Any remaining refund money is sent to the U.S. Treasury.

For the first time, data about the FTC’s refund program will be available online in an interactive dashboard, including state-by-state and case-by-case breakdowns of the amount refunded to consumers. The dashboard is available at ftc. gov/exploredata.

Contd. on Page 5

Vision Services Optometry & Optical

Wellness Pointe accepts most medical and dental insurance plans, CHIP, Medicaid, and Medicare. Affordable payment options are available for qualified patients.

Walk-ins and new patients are welcome at all locations!

Celebrating Black History Month ______________ ______________ d

www.texasbankandtrust.com

TBT IPM Black History 2019.indd 1

1/3/19 10:56 AM

4

OPINION

February 1, 2020

“Little Women,” the American Attitude towards Poverty We’ve advanced beyond Little Women’s 19th century gender roles.

Let’s get past its outdated moralizing about poverty, too.

By Jill Richardson

The new take on Luisa May Alcott’s classic 19th century novel, Little Women, in theaters, I decided to reread the book.

The novel communicates Alcott’s beliefs about proper morality and gender roles through stories of a family of four sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy March, touting the American virtues of hard work, frugality, self-reliance, and charity.

The March family once had wealth, but they no longer do. Their father is serving in the Civil War, so they try to make do with what they have, even going without Christmas gifts.

When any of the sisters are overtaken by vanity or greed for finer things than they can afford, they learn their lessons. Love and hard work are enough to sustain a family, the story goes, and more important for one’s happiness than money.

What intrigues me is the double standard Alcott — and Americans — have for charity. Helping others is portrayed as virtuous. Receiving help, on the other hand, is not.

That poses quite a dilemma: How can any of us practice charity while others practice refusing it?

Alcott’s answer seems to be that only the “truly” destitute may accept help. In the book, the March sisters often help a family even poorer than they are. While the March sisters can stretch what they have to make do, the other family is starving.

This is more or less how means-tested government programs work today. To qualify for the Supplement Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as food stamps, in 2019, a family of four could

earn no more than $33,475 — a pitiful sum — and could only have a small amount of assets in savings.

When others want to help the March sisters, Alcott does not always approve.

She’s comfortable with them receiving help from a wealthy aunt, but usually not from anyone outside the family.

After one of the sisters, Amy, marries well, her husband disguises his charity to his sister-in-law Jo, so she doesn’t recognize it as such.

Again, giving is noble, but receiving is not.

This ties into Max Weber’s The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, which describes a value system in which financial success is considered a mark of moral goodness. If one is rich, that shows they worked hard and practiced virtue. The flipside, by that logic, is the poor are lazy and morally suspect.

For the past four decades in American politics, that’s how our leaders have treated the poor, as well. We’ve altered social safety net programs like welfare to add often impossible, bureaucratically burdensome work requirements, or even drug testing. Recipients are suspected of wanting free handouts without having to work for them.

Studies of welfare recipients, like Jane

Collins and Victoria Mayer’s book Both Hands Tied, shows that the working poor are anything but lazy. They are hardworking people trapped in an impossible situation. When drug tested, welfare recipients use drugs at lower rates than the general population.

Pulling yourself up by your own bootstraps is impossible but rising out of poverty with a helping hand — or being prevented from falling into it with a safety net — isn’t. That should go for the Marches of the world as well as the “truly destitute.”

We’ve advanced beyond the 19th century gender roles portrayed in Little Women, so that women have career options beyond marriage. So let’s also get past the 19th century moralizing that ignores the structural factors that prevent class mobility for those who have done nothing wrong besides being born to poor parents.

If you’ve got more money than you can spend, you can spend your extra wealth on… guarding your extra wealth.

By Jim Hightower

I’m guessing that being rich is a comfortable feeling — no money worries, you’re set for life! But is it possible that being too rich can be too much, even discombobulating?

Imagine being Mark Zuckerberg, whose social media monopoly, Facebook, put another $27.3 billion in his pocket last

FISCAL NOTES continued from page 3

“For many Texans, the census form is a small chore, quickly forgotten, but the impact of the census can be immense,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said. “The census results determine who gets what share of about $1.5 trillion in annual federal spending. More than 300 federal spending programs depend on the census results and, according to one estimate, the 10 largest of these programs sent Texas about $44 billion in 2016.”

The recently released

Alternately, you can spend your extra wealth on… guarding your extra wealth.

Interestingly, more and more überrich individuals are comprehending the ultimate consequences of such extreme selfishness — so they’re responding with extreme consumerism.

Specifically, they’ve created a boom in the sale of maximum-security, James Bondish armored vehicles. Priced in the half-million-dollar range, these rolling fortresses can come with 700-horsepower engines, tailpipe-to-grille anti-blast protection, door handles that can electrocute intruders, roof-mounted gun turrets, and room for 10 fully-equipped bodyguards.

With names like “Marauder” and “Black Shark,” these armored beasts have become the preferred ride of gajillionaires – not to flaunt their fortunes, but to fend off the masses they’ve ripped off.

And across the country, advertising – particularly on urban radio – tempts listeners with easy ways to get a loan against anticipated tax refunds. But just like other predatory lending products, what is advertised is not quite what consumers receive.

Convenient tax-related loans almost always come with a price that takes a big bite out of consumers’ money.

The bigger the refund, the more attentive and helpful “tax preparers” will be in helping with e-filing, the electronic processing that typically results in refunds in two to three business days. Once the size of the refund is known, these preparers encourage unsuspecting consumers to take out a shortterm loan like a Refund Anticipation Loan (RAL). Depository institutions like banks sell a ‘service’ known as a Refund Anticipating Check (RAC) that is most appealing to consumers who lack a bank account.

Neither product is as helpful as they appear.

RALs are usually marketed as an ‘advance’ instead of a loan.

Instead of interest, many of these loans come with “fees” or a “finance charge.” Conversely, a Refund Anticipation Check or RAC is sold as a temporary bank account that exists exclusively to receive the IRS refund. Once the refund reaches the consumer’s bank account, either a prepaid card or a check is issued by the depository institution. And once again, fees taken out of the refund reduce the amount of monies that consumers actually receive.

The biggest target for both of these products are consumers with the largest refunds, especially those who are eligible for the Earned Income Tax Credits (EITCs), one of the few tax break programs available to low-to-moderate income consumers, and/or the Additional Child Tax Credit.

To be eligible for EITC, earned income and adjusted gross income can be as low as $15,270 for a single filer or head of household

5

STATE/NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING continued from page 1

December/January issue also takes a look at another census-related impact — its role in redistricting, the methods by which federal, state and local governments use census data to draw districts used to elect congressional and legislative representatives and members of the Texas State Board of Education. The census also is essential for reapportionment, which adds or subtracts seats in the U.S. House of Representatives to account for population changes.

PREDATORY continued from page 1

Rich and Clueless: Buy a $500,000 Armored Car year. Forget fundamental questions about whether he (or anyone) is worthy of such an excessive haul of the world’s wealth — how do you even spend it?

Mansions, yachts, jets, jewels, a Picasso painting, your personal island, and other trinkets would barely dent your multibillionous windfall. And since the Trumpeteers drastically slashed your taxes, far less of your extraordinarily good fortune is diverted to public need and America’s common good.

Thus, the bulk of your booty goes to making you even richer.

You buy out other corporations and advanced technologies, and you dump billions into Wall Street, artificially jacking up the price of stocks you own. Your wealth expands exponentially, inequality spreads, and the egalitarian ideals that hold our huge, diverse society together are stretched to the breaking point.

February 1, 2020

to as high as $54,884 for a married couple with three dependent children. This year, eligible EITC consumers could receive as much as $6,431 for families with three or more qualifying children to $519 for single filers.

Similarly, the Child Tax Credit is available to eligible filers with children under the age of 17. For each dependent child meeting the age requirement, filers receive a $2,000 credit that like EITC reduces the amount of taxes owed.

In 2017, 1.7 million RALs were sold, and another 20.5 million RACs valued at a half billion dollars were also sold, according to the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC).

“Tax-time is hard enough for most Americans, but they also face consumer protection challenges,” noted Chi Chi Wu, staff attorney at the National Consumer Law Center.

“They need to avoid incompetent and abusive preparers and decide whether to choose financial products of varying costs.”

So how much financial sense does it make to purchase an ‘advance’ or open a temporary bank account when the Internal Revenue Service can deposit the full refund into a checking account within two to three business days?

Just because a refund-advance product isn’t called a loan, or doesn’t have an interest rate, doesn’t mean it’s free, said Scott Astrada, the Center for Responsible Lending’s Director of Federal Advocacy.

“Carefully read the terms and conditions and ask plenty of questions”.

Everyone who works for a living should be entitled not only to a paycheck but 100 percent of their tax refunds.

Charlene Crowell is the Center for Responsible Lending’s Communications Deputy Director. She can be reached at Charlene.crowell@responsiblelending.org.

Texans who believe that an unlicensed massage business may be operating near them, or who are concerned that nail salon employees may be human trafficking victims, can now report those concerns directly to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation via email: reportHT@tdlr.texas.gov.

The agency’s new eightmember Anti-Trafficking Unit (ATU) is working with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, as well as non-governmental agencies, to investigate suspected illicit massage businesses and possible human trafficking at nail salons.

“Human Trafficking Awareness Month is the perfect time to introduce this initiative. Our Anti-Trafficking Unit is ramping up, and the team members are anxious to get to work and help eliminate human trafficking in Texas,” said TDLR Executive Director Brian E. Francis.

“We are grateful to the Texas Legislature for their confidence in our abilities and for funding new staff positions that concentrate solely on finding and helping potential victims.”

Because TDLR regulates massage therapists, massage establishments, cosmetologists and nail salons, the agency has a potential nexus with human trafficking. TDLR employees can be the first ally in contact with potential human trafficking victims, so all TDLR employees receive training on how to recognize and respond to human trafficking situations.

The new ATU will fold into the agency’s existing antitrafficking effort that includes: • Periodic, unannounced

inspections of massage establishments and cosmetology salons by TDLR Field Inspection employees.

• Aggressive prosecution of both licensed and unlicensed service providers by the TDLR Enforcement Division.

Since November 2018, the agency has referred 65 possible human trafficking and criminal cases involving illicit massage businesses to local law enforcement agencies in 32 cities.

TDLR also refers cases to the Texas Attorney General’s office.

Cities where TDLR has referred cases: •Arlington •Friendswood •Midland •Austin •Frisco •Nederland •Brownsville •Garland •Plainview •Cedar Park •Georgetown •Plano •Corpus Christi •Houston •Richardson •Cumby

•Humble •Round Rock •Dallas •Katy •San Angelo •Denton •Killeen •San Antonio •El Paso •Kingwood •Spring •Flower Mound •Lewisville •Weatherford •Fort Worth •Lubbock

“TDLR employees are proud to fight against human trafficking in Texas. Part of that fight is protecting consumers from unregulated activity, and making sure Texans have a safe workplace environment free of these heinous crimes,” Francis said.

To report suspected human trafficking to Federal law enforcement: 1-866-347-2423 To get help from the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text HELP or INFO to BeFree (233733)

TEXANS continued from page 3

Consumer Sentinel Network The FTC’s Consumer Sentinel Network is a database that receives reports directly from consumers, as well as from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and a number of private partners. The network received 3.2 million reports in 2019, including nearly 1.7 million fraud reports as well as identity theft and other reports.

Consumers reported losing more than $1.9 billion to fraud in 2019, with nearly $667 million lost to imposter scams alone. While scammers target consumers using every possible method of communication, phone calls were the most

common. A small percentage of consumers who reported they encountered a fraud over the phone said they actually lost money. When they did, the median individual loss was more than $1,000.

The FTC uses the reports it receives through the Sentinel network as the starting point for most of its law enforcement investigations, and the agency also shares these reports with more than 2,500 law enforcement users around the country. While the FTC does not respond to individual complaints, Sentinel reports are a vital part of the agency’s law enforcement mission.

Always Best? (Part 1 of 2) When You gospel SPOTLIGHT spotlight 6Need It The Most GOSPEL

By Carey Kinsolving

Psalm 23 speaks of the Lord leading his people in paths of righteousness. A “When you have a baby 1, August promises 2, 2020 2018 biblicalFebruary proverb sister, and sometimes you that the Lord will direct trick her, then God will not the paths of those who aclike that,” says Victoria, 8.

By Michael A. Guido, D.D. knowledge him in all their Baby sisters seem to ways (Proverbs 3:6). have radar for discovering We are all grateful for our “first responders.” They Doing good or evil begins they’ve been duped — at save lives, bind wounds, bring food, give clothing, prowith the decisions we make. least my baby sister did. vide shelter and restore power. They have become our Paths, the directions we Parents also possess this “rescuers.” And, indeed, they fulfill a critical role. travel in life, same radar, as Katelyn, 8, Discipline” is discipline is likewise are helpful instart with pathBut as Christians, when we face a time of trial or tragways in the brain. Whatevcan testify: “I was faking edy, we have One who has been waiting for us to call a word that is pregnant with meaning. training people to be er we fix our minds on will sick, and I got grounded for upon Him when we need help. He is always waiting for pregnant with There are a variety of autonomous, influence our selfbrain’s paththree weeks. I got in trouan opportunity to prove His power whenever we face a meaning.

We can practices which might restrained members ways and our life’s paths. ble with my dad, and that’s difficult situation.

The results of a 17-year use the expression be termed “disciplines,” of society, but many bad.”

One morning, about four o’clock, Peter was in seristudy in the journal Science Katelyn, your“being life will disciplined” be ous trouble. He and a few of his friends were in a small to such as fasting, praying, of us have forgotten reported that 5.7 percent of much more peaceful and boat far from shore when a fierce storm arose out of mean that one shows and obedience, which how to dowho these youths watched less fun if you do the right thing. nowhere. Fearing for their lives they became even self-restraint and has deepen our spiritual things, which isofwhy than one hour television Take a tip from Keeleigh, more frightened when they saw what they thought was a day committed regulated lives and help us having a spiritual aggres11: “If you do right all the his or her a ghost. They screamed in terror. And over the howling sive acts against others in time, you won’t life get in introusuch a way that develop the proper mentor or guide wind came a stern voice that said, “Stop being afraid.” subsequent years. That figble, you won’t get fussed It was Jesus assuring them that there was no reason there is at, order and that self-restraint in the is important.

Over ure jumped to 22.5 percent and you will have more fun. for them to fear for their lives because He was there to one’s life is productive. spiritual realm. Selfthe coming weeks, for those who watched one That means you will make save them when they needed Him the most.

Too much television time for children: Good or bad?

We can also talk of restraint is such an we examine towill three hours a aday and God happy and have a bet“If it is really you,” said Peter, “tell me to come to 28.8 percent for those who “being disciplined” to important character variety of spiritual few it’ll be grief/ To the law real life, the “fun” ended ter relationship with Him.” You – let me walk on the water!” “Certainly,” said Jesus, watched more than three when Bonnie Parker and a relief/ But it’s death for Doing the right thing “come on. You’ve nothing to fear!” He got out of the mean that one is being trait that without it disciplines, including hours a day.

Clyde Barrow drove into Bonnie and Clyde.” and having fun punished may sound by boat, felt the wind and the waves, lost His faith and beexternal life becomes chaotic. meditation, fasting, Think about this: You You don’t have to be a contradictory, but the Bible a hail of bullets fired by gan to sink. He shouted, “Save me, Lord,” and He did. forces or agents.

Parents People who cannot praying, and study, are what you think.

Parents calls this fun state “bless- lawmen waiting in ambush bank robber to know that It is never the eloquence or length of our prayer that who consider television a discipline their children restrain themselves find as well as simplicity, ed.”feeling Many people Mostbut everybody wants to counts, our simplicity and sincerity.

It is never a for- or emotional type think of fun along a tree-lined Louisiana the Bible says, “The wages benign babysitter should road. of sin addicted is death.” to We’ve all when they in anbreak attempt to help themselves service and mula but our faith. He will always come to our rescue be somebody’s “favorite.” love.

It ifis a comes love that demands, think again. Children are Shortly before herdrugs, death, earned those wages.

Many rules. Many movies depict we call on Him in a faith that believes in Him. them develop that selfincarcerated, and submission.

Reflect It seems only natural. We even forceslawless us, to live in having all Bonnie Parker gave a poem times, the second part of vulnerable to the strangpeople Prayer: Lord, we do indeed believe in Your power restraint or discipline without the material on areas of your own want to believe someone, agreement with to her mother, which proved that scripture is not quot- ers who invade your home the fun.the character and Your promises.that Increase our faith whenever we which is necessary for resources to sustain where you needDoing to television. somewhere, that there of the one weRemember profess tothe love. is through movie to be prophetic. Here’s how ed: “but the gift of God life doubt. In Jesus’thinks Name, Amen. right begins by thinking them to function well. their lives. be more disciplined. eternal life The in Christ Jesus the poem ends: “They don’town “Bonnie and Clyde”?

RobScripture forabout this week: Psalm 12:1 Help, LORD, is something us that If we say we love God, we are right. think they’re tough or desour Lord” (Romans 6:23). bing banks looked like so for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have In a spiritual context, religious disciplines –If Christopher Simon makes us special or unique or obligated to be steadfast and Memorize this truth: “For much fun in the movie. In perate./ They know the law Bonnie had known the secvanished from the human race. significant. A “distinctiveness” true to the teachings, laws, and always wins./ They’ve been ond half, she might have as he thinks in his heart, so BAKER LAND is he” (Proverbs 23:7). that makes us stand out from direction that come from God’s “Whoever avoided a lifeloves of crime.knowledge, shot at before/ But they do loves discipline Ask this question: If you CHARIOT LINEN “Doing what is right is not ignore/ That death is and above the “crowd.”

Word. When there are choices feed on a diet of television but whoever hates correction is stupid.” always best because once the wages of sin.

CORN MAGICIANS Bringing together a few and decisions to be made and the first time, you violence, what are you “Someday they’ll go you do it —Proverbs 12:1 NIV simple words, Solomon gives problems to be resolved, our DISCRETE PERISH down together/ And they’ll almost can’t stop doing it,” prone to do?

FINDING FAVOR WITH

GOD AND MAN

“

February 1, 2020

Warranty Amnesty Program Opens February 1 The Longview Municipal Court is offering a warrant amnesty program from February 1, 2020 through April 30, 2020.

The Court encourages anyone with an outstanding warrant through their court to take this opportunity to save some money and get a fresh start. Anyone who comes to the clerk’s office to take care of their outstanding warrants will be given safe harbor.

The Court will remove all warrant fees when a citizen comes in voluntarily and pays a minimum of one half the

lives are to be consistent with the Word of God. If not, we are not “in love” with Him. So, it is important that we “bind them to our hearts.”

Faithfulness and loveANSWERETH are to be DELIVER planted so deeply in our hearts DESPISETH that we practice themDESTROYETH without DWELL even thinking about them.

EXALTETH FINDETH GATHERETH GOETH INCREASETH LABOURETH LEAVETH LOVETH MAKETH PERCEIVE PRESERVE PURSUETH RECEIVE REFUSETH REJOICETH REWARDETH SEEMETH TRUST TURNETH UNDERSTAND WALKETH

Prayer: What a challenge it is, Lord, to be so deeply in love with You, that whatever we do proves our love for You and pleases You! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture Verse: Proverbs 3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

One of the most common questions of persons who are in the One of themidst mostofcommon questions whoHow are in the grief is some variationofofpersons “how long?” long will midst of grief ispain some variation ofbefore “howI long?” longlike willI did this last?

How long am able How to function this pain last?

How long before I am able to function like I did before? How long before I stop crying whenever someone before? How long before I stop crying whenever someone mentions the name? mentions the name?

We think sometimes thinkas ofagrief as a condition - an illness V. Stanmore Director We sometimes of grief condition - an illness that that V. Stanmore Director has to run a course. particularWith course.

With or a cold flu,can we take can take has to run a particular a cold flu,or we that in a we few will days recover. we will recover.

Webe will be back to normal.

Allsigns signs of of comfort that comfort in a few days We will back to normal.

All the be illness will be merely a memory. the illness will merely a memory.

Grief is not or an aillness or a disease.

It is a transition.We do not better.We We Grief is not an illness disease.

It is a transition.We do not getget better. reconstruct in of thethe faceloss. of theWe loss.

We learn to live with that loss.Grief Grief is is aa reconstruct our lives inour thelives face learn to live with that loss. difficult journey.

We may experience allof sorts of emotions - guilt, anger,sadness, sadness, difficult journey.

We may experience all sorts emotions - guilt, anger, loneliness to name may find it difficult to concentrate, distressedby by so so loneliness - to name a- few.

Wea few. mayWe find it difficult to concentrate, distressed many We memories.

We may hurt physically, less than best. may many memories. may hurt physically, feelingfeeling less than our our best.

It It may the we waysbehave. that we We behave.

Wefind mayourselves find ourselves avoiding othersororangry angry influence theinfluence ways that may avoiding others the normal of may life. We may struggle withfaith, our faith, trying sortout outall all at the normalatirritants ofirritants life. We struggle with our trying to to sort our whyto this had to happen. our questions ofquestions why thisofhad happen.

Stanmore Stanmore FUNERAL HOME FUNERAL HOME

501 E. Austin 501 E. Austin Marshall, Texas Marshall, Texas

903-938-4622 or 903-938-4622 or 903-938-2025 Fax: 903-938-2025

Fax:

1105 M.L.M.L. King 1105 KingBlvd.

Blvd.

Longview, Texas Longview, Texas

903-236-3755 903-236-3755oror 903-235-3759 903-235-3759

www.stanmorefuneralhome.com www.stanmorefuneralhome.com

bury them side by side./ To says Cecile, 10.

DREAMS

FAMINE FED FOOD GATHER GOD GOLD GOOD EARS HANGED INTERPRET KINE

PHARAOH PLENTY RIVER RULER SEVEN STALK STORE THIN EARS WIND WISE YEARS

Longview Full Gospel Holy Temple 6 E. Pittman St. Longview, TX 75602 | 903-758-9532 Sunday School 9:45a.m. Sunday Worship 11:00a.m.

Pastor Jerry Stanmore

306 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Longview, TX 75602 • 903-753-1774

Sunday School 9:00a.m.

Sunday Worship 10:30a.m.

2717 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd Longview, TX 75602 | 903-757-6440

Pastor H.C. Rockmore

Sunday School 9:45a.m.

Sunday Worship 11:00a.m.

2101 W. W. Marshall Marshall Ave., Ave., Longview Longview 2101 903-759-1401 | www.highridgelv.com 903-759-1401 | www.highridgelv.com

Pastor Tim Ingram

First Service: 9:00 am FirstService: Service:10:30 9:30 am am 2nd 2ndService: Service:12 11:00 am 3rd Noon

• @EastTexasReview E a s t Te x a swww.facebook.com/EastTexasReview Review • @ e t r _ n e w s p ap e r 2 5• •www.EastTexasReview.com w w w. E a s t Te x a s R e v i e w. com • @ E a s t Te x a s R e v i e w

total amount due and starts a payment plan for the balance owed. As an added incentive, anyone who pays in full will also save an additional 20 percent off the fine amount. The percentage savings is only on the fine, not the court costs. The more they owe, the more they save!

In addition, the Court is offering assistance to individuals who may not be able to pay half down or pay in full. They will work out an agreeable action plan for anyone who is willing to make the effort to come in and clear up their warrants.

Contact the Municipal Court at 903237-1186 for more information.

Dual Credit, Continuing the Dream

KC Foundation raises over $24,000 for scholarships

PHARAOH’S PROPHETIC DREAM

us a formula that will make us a favorite of both God and “man.” It does not include wealth, education, status, or our ancestors. But it does include two critical principles: love and faithfulness. He wrote: “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”

Faithfulness cannot be separated from love. For if we love someone, we naturally – even automatically, though sometimes with difficulty – demonstrate that love by being faithful to them.

This love is not a sentimental,

COMMUNITY NEWS

The Kilgore College Foundation raised more than $24,000 for dual credit scholarships Jan. 17 at the third annual “Continuing the Dream through Education” Martin Luther King, Jr. Dual Credit Scholarship Breakfast.

The breakfast, established at KC in 2018, raises funds for students without adequate resources to enroll in dual credit classes and provides financial assistance (for students who earned some college credit while in high school) to continue their education at KC. Three students spoke at the breakfast about the importance of dual credit and talked about how the courses have prepared them for their next educational step.

Student speakers included Laura Martinez, of Longview; Toni Gore, of Kilgore; and Emalea Boatman, of Kilgore.

Martinez began taking dual credit classes as a freshman at Longview High School. Last May, she graduated from both LHS (with a perfect 4.0 GPA) and KC with an Associate of Science.

“I am proud to say that I am the first generation in my family to have walked the stage for two graduations and attend college,” Martinez said. “Taking dualcredit courses in high school opened my eyes and helped me learn to be independent and take responsibility for my education.”

Martinez is also now a certified EMT and is majoring in Emergency Medical Services Professions.

Gore, a 16 year-old from Kilgore, graduated from KC with two associate degrees before graduating from high School at East Texas Charter School.

“My family lived in poverty for a very long time. It wasn’t until I was 11 years old that my mom started school here at KC,” Gore said. ”She pushed me to do my very best in school so that she and I could put an end to the vicious cycle of poverty that runs in our family.”

She and her mother struggled financially, but were helped by the KC Connection – a program offering a 40 percent tuition discount to dual credit students who earn at least 12 hours of dual credit and enroll at KC immediately after high school graduation.

Gore is enrolled this semester at a fouryear school as a junior and plans to obtain a master’s degree by the age of 21.

Boatman was home-schooled and graduated from Boatman Christian Academy with 12 hours of dual credit. She chose KC because of the proximity to her house and because both of her parents are KC graduates.

“Because of my 12 hours in dual credit, I was eligible for KC Connection and continued at the college full-time,” Boatman said. “The dual credit scholarship benefited me by allowing me to start college full-time with a greater confidence and knowledge of my abilities.”

Taking college-level courses in high school allows students to learn communication and time management with their instructors before entering college – where they would have to learn those same lessons at a much higher tuition cost.

“Economic forecasting informs us that in the very near future more than 60 percent of the jobs available will require at least some level of post-secondary education,”

said Dr. Brenda Kays, KC president. “To ensure a thriving East Texas economy, it is imperative that all students pursue education and training above and beyond a high school diploma.”

KC works with high school counselors and superintendents in its service area to identify students needing assistance to access dual credit courses, as well as current dual credit students who may not otherwise be able to continue their education.

For more information, or to provide a gift to scholarship funds at KC, contact Amber Kinsey, Scholarships and Alumni Relations Specialist, at 903-988-7523 or akinsey@kilgore.edu.

Diamond Sponsor: • Jenzabar Gold Level Sponsors: • Austin Bank of Gladewater & Kilgore • David & Annette Morgan • East Texas Council of Governments • Encore Multimedia • Judge Richard & Christina Anderson • Linda Craig • Longview Economic Development Corp.

• Republic Services • Rotary Club of Kilgore • VeraBank Silver Level Sponsors: • Aramark • Bill Rice, III • Bob Davis Sales • Brookshire’s Grocery Company • Conterra Networks • East Texas Professional Credit Union • East Texas Salt Water Disposal • Gladewater Economic Development Corp.

• Ken & Carolyn Raney • Kilgore Chamber of Commerce • Kilgore Economic Development Corp.

• Laird Insurance Agency • PDQ America • Texas Bank & Trust • Texas Presbyterian Foundation • Weldon Gray & Claudia Morgan-Gray • Wilson, Robertson & Cornelius, P.C.

7

February 1, 2020

February 1, 2020

School Spotlight Pine Tree High School Color in the pictures that need water to live.

PTISD high school student

Oscar Ruiz selected

How to conserve water in the yard.

Pine Tree High School Senior, Oscar Ruiz has been selected to the TMEA 5A All-State Band.

The final step in the audition process, the Area auditions, were held at Richardson Berkner High school, where Ruiz captured 1st chair, and was one of two trumpet players selected to the All-State Band. Prior to this, Ruiz advanced through the All-Region Orchestra and the All-Region Band, where he also took 1st chair.

Aaron Turner, Pine Tree ISD Head Band Director,

the City of Longview Water Department

Senior Debater Ashly James nabs 8th place

Water lawns and gardens in the morning on hot summer days, so the water isn’t evaporated quickly by the heat.

Use a broom to clean off sidewalks instead of hosing them down with water.

Use a bucket of water to wash cars and bikes. Use Short bursts of water from the hose to rinse them off.

Senior debater Ashly James recently competed at the Congressional Debate State Tournament in Austin. Ashly was one of the sixty students to qualify for the state tournament in the 5A division. The preliminary rounds of the tournament were held on the University of Texas at Austin campus.

Ashly represented Pine Tree ISD and the region well by qualifying to the Super Congress Ashly James

8

Congratulations, Oscar!

Oscar Ruiz

Make sure outside hoses and sprinkles don’t leak.

Sponsored by

said, “Oscar has worked with singular determination throughout this entire competition season. He is an exceptional musician and an amazing human being. I feel blessed to get to work with him every day.”

The students selected to the All-State Band will participate in a 3-day clinic February 13-15 in San Antonio and conclude with a concert on Saturday, February 16, at 12:30 PM.

Round. Only 18 of the 60 debaters qualify to this prestigious round that is held inside the Texas State Capitol. The debaters competed in a seven hour long congressional debate, divided into two sessions.

Ashly competed with the best and brightest young minds in the state. Ashly finished just outside of the medalist with an 8th place finish.

Congratulations Ashly!

9

February 1, 2020

February 1, 2020

PTHS Robotics Team advance in competition The competition The PTJH Robotics Teams recently competed in a VEX Robotics competition The event was sponsored by the Girl Scouts of America and hosted at the STEM Center of Excellence in Dallas, Texas.

There was a total of 25 teams competing from across the North Texas region.

Pine Tree JH finished with five teams advancing to the final round of the team challenge. The team of Jeronimo Galvan and Rachel Malloy qualified for the VEX STATE Competition in February.

Congratulations to the following teams: 2nd place Jeronimo Galvan Rachel Malloy

5th place Syed Hussain Sheldon Weinstein Pine Tree Junior High was also successful in the Skills Challenge Competition with two teams finishing in the top five.

3rd place Jeronimo Galvan Rachel Malloy 4th place Syed Hussain Sheldon Weinstein

3rd place (tie) Mackenzie Robinson Aidyn Brill 3rd place (tie) Trey Scroggins Aiden McClanahan Seth Moyer 4th place Anthony Ovalle Nathaniel Martinez Andy Canchola

10

11

...Valentine cards for our classmates!

We have been creating fun...

Newspaper Fun! www.readingclubfun.com

Annimills LLC © 2019 V11-5

Valentine’s Day!

We’ve taken out all of our colored pencils, markers and crayons to design our Valentine’s Day cards. We are using art supplies we have around the house to make cards and adding little items like buttons, lace or stickers to make them interesting. You can, too!

glue envelopes

1. paper trim lace with fancy designs 2. sweets 3. feeling 4. red + white 5. month 6. Roman god of love 7. rhyming words 8. Saint 9. pair of small parrots 10. when people care about each other 11. roses, daisies 12. symbol of love; pumps blood 13. paper messages 14. a gathering of friends 15. ruby-colored

40

scissors paper

39

34

32

29

It’s that fun time of year again, when we write notes and poems to friends. Here are mini bookmarks that you can finish filling in with the words that fit:

go share card schoolyard care know

Color them and cut them out for giving to others.

36

13

20

19

heart

Frie

nds

X

X

?

17

#4

Friend

I see that “ewe” are The new “kid” in the classroom, Sitting “owl” alone.

__ __ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __

?

16

“Bee”-ing new is ___________ – No friends “hare” in the ___________________, I “otter” say Hi! A Valentine _________ Starts the “possum”-bility That “whale” be good friends!

Use the code to fill in the blanks with the letters to see the secret Valentine message:

__ __ __ __ ?

15

15

#1

Today’s a day for Valentines, For cards and candy ________, A day for making silly rhymes For friends both old and ________.

__ __ __ __ __ !

__ __ __ __ __ __ __

14

pink

and arrow, start at #1 where the is and follow the other numbered hearts.

18

__

!

s

friend

To see what Cupid did with his bow

red

__ __ __ __ X

5

candy

Cupid

It’s hard to dribble basketballs While writing cards for friends.

It’s tough to score a three-point shot When one hand holds a pen.

The time is running off the clock– Just minutes left to ________.

How can I shoot a Valentine To everyone I ________?

Secret Valentine Message

flowers

Valentine

#3

A card held by a Teddy ________ And candy that I can ________ ; Today, friendship is in the air, A time to show how much I _______!

12

“

party

Candy Hearts

#2

Let’s bee”

12

22

Hi ! t h e re

lovebirds

lace

23

24

11

13

11

21

25

9

14

33

26

Valentines To Share too new

27

10

5

9

poetry

10

35 31

4

1

6

8

cards

37

28

3

love

7

38

E-Mail or Snail Mail, get that Valentine note off to grandparents or other family and friends!

hard bear

6

3

8

7

4

2

46

1

pencils

30

What Did Cupid Do? 45

Read the clues to 43 44 fill in the puzzle using the words inside the friendship 42 dot-to-dot: February 2 41

poems

glitter

12

Kids: color stuff in!

February 1, 2020

X

?

B__

C__

D__ __E

__J

__K

__L M __

__N

S__ ?

__T

U __ !

W X __ __

X

F __

G__ __H

__I

__O

Q __ R_ __P __

X

__ __ __

__ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __ __.

X

A __

X

?

V __

Y__ __ Z

Newspaper Fun! Created by Annimills LLC © 2019

February 1, 2020

13

...the lives of all of the U.S. Presidents.

In school we are studying ...

Newspaper Fun!

Annimills LLC © 2019 V11-6

Presidents Day

1 2 47

Helping you talk to your loved ones about heart disease

American Heart Association has given the following pointers below.

3 46

s

child

map

4 ren At one time, England ruled 13 colonies on the eastern part 5 44 at of North America. Each colony had its own government thro I and ran things its own way. To create unity and keep the 43 6 name I peace, the Continental Congress was formed, and a few men from first each colony went there to discuss things and find answers. They 7 L complained to England about many problems. But, when those 42 ia problems were not fixed, fighting began between the colonies and irgin V I R N England. Armed colonists were brought together by the Congress 41 siblin gs to form an army, the first military group serving all of the colonies.

40 Colonel George Washington was named commander-in-chief I M N T 8 of all the armed forces who would fight for freedom (1775). Washington also had a 39 king 37 small Navy to stop British ships that brought supplies to America. When the war 38 by hob 36 ended, so did the small, brave Navy. But, years later, as president of the new 35 H O T United States of America, Washington launched a permanent U.S. Navy.

9 34 a h t Wh Read the clues to fill in the crossword about George Washington: Mar 10 ite feet A 11 33 10. was a great ________ 1. was our country’s ________ president 32 r 13 e 31 during the American 25 2. was born on February 22, 1732 in 12 lead t s Revolution Westmoreland County, ________ e hon 11. defeated the ________ army at the Battle of Yorktown 30 Br 3. had no middle ________ 14 itish 4. had 9 _______, 4 were half-brothers and sisters 12. was the only President not 15 24 to live in the ________ House 5. was over 6 ________ tall, which was rare 13. would not allow anyone to refer to 6. his favorite ________ was fox hunting 18 Begin at the star 23 him as any kind of royalty or ________ 7. when young, worked as a surveyor – 29 above (number one) 17 a person who ________ out the borders of land 14. was well-known for being ________ 19 and follow the dots 28 15. was retired for less than 3 years when 8. was married to _________ Custis in 1759 22 to see a famous 16 he died of a ________ infection 9. had no ________ of his own, but helped silhouette!

26 21 20 raise his wife’s two children 27

Cu

ba

Remembering the ‘Forgotten President’

Franklin Pierce was the only U.S. president from the state of New Hampshire. He had a hard life. Sometimes he is called a “Forgotten President.” Read each clue below to learn about this president. Study the crossword puzzle frame to fill in the correct word.

14

ders bor

t

dea

er

I

R B R R R

B

th

E

B R B B R B B B B R B B R R R R R B B R B R B B R B B R R R B R B BR B R BR B R B R B B R R B R R B B R R R B B B B B B B B B R B B R B B B B B BB B B B B B B B B B B B B B Y Y B Y Y B YB B B Y B B Y B B B B B B Y Y B B B Y B Y B Y B B B Y B Y B Y B B Y B Y B B Y B B B BB B Y

B B B R R B R R B R R R B R R B R R B B R R R B B B R B B B B B B B B

B = Blue R = Red Y = Yellow

B

B

B

B

B B B B B B B B B B B B B

R

B

Explain that it’s possible to prevent heart disease.

Make it clear that taking these steps can improve heart health: • Quit smoking and stay away from secondhand smoke.

• Control your cholesterol and blood pressure.

• If you choose to drink alcohol, limit your drinking to no more than 1 drink a day for women and no more than 2 drinks a day for men.

• Eat healthy. Get plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fatfree or low-fat dairy products. Limit saturated and trans fats, added sugars, and sodium (salt).

• Get active. Aim for 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week.

• Stay at a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, losing just 10 pounds can lower your risk of heart disease.

Offer to help.

Ask how you can help: • “What changes are the hardest for you to make? What can I do to support you?”

• “How can we get healthy together?”

• “You don’t have to do this alone.

What can I do to help you?”

Try suggesting these ideas: • Go shopping together for hearthealthy foods. Then cook and enjoy a healthy meal.

• Get active together. A good way to start is to meet every day for a fast walk.

• If your loved one smokes, encourage him to get free help quitting by calling 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669).

• For more information visit americanheartassociation.org

RAISING continued from page 2

1. was ________ in 1804 in Hillsborough, New Hampshire.

A T E O S E 2. (his) ________ was a farmer and the governor of N.H. 3. was a great lawyer. When he was elected as a rn bo t r a in U.S. Senator, he was one of the ________ ever.

T N 4. served during the Mexican War, a war that happened Tex after a large area of what we know now as ________ nt as e d i S s and parts of several other states broke away e r p from Mexico and “joined” the U.S. electe d e s 5. was not expected to ________ in the primary race that hor would in turn allow him to run for the office of President.

6. was what is known as a “dark- ________” candidate.

10. tried to buy ________ from Spain.

7. was ________ the 14th President.

11. was not a popular ________ and he was not chosen 8. was in a ________ wreck; his 11-year-old son was killed. to run for a second term.

9. expanded the ________ of the United States by buying 12. left office and took care of his sick wife. He lived in what is now Southern Arizona and New Mexico. his house, in Concord, until his ________ in 1869.

Who Are We? In 1775 Congress adopted an army for the nation. Two other branches of the U.S. armed forces have roots this far back. One was founded “to serve on land, on sea and in the air.” The other started with just a few vessels and a handful of brave sailors. To find out, color this puzzle following the color key.

younges fath

win

President Franklin Pierce:

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

R

It can be hard to talk to a family member or friend about making healthy lifestyle changes. Use these tips to start a conversation about hearthealthy changes like quitting smoking or getting more physical activity.

Begin by saying that you care.

You can say: • “I want you to live a long and healthy life.”

• “I hope you’ll be around for a long time.”

• “I want to help you make healthy changes so you can keep enjoying the things you love to do.”

Share the facts.

Let your loved one know how serious heart disease can be: • “Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States.”

• “Heart disease causes more deaths in the United States than all types of cancer combined.”

Newspaper Fun! Created by Annimills LLC © 2019

Declaration of Independence

45

COMMUNITY NEWS

February is Heart Month:

Kids: color stuff in!

February 1, 2020

www.readingclubfun.com

February 1, 2020

within their existing homes,” says Hollis.

“Not all persons are capable of or have a desire to build or buy a home.”

By taking this direction, habitat was able to work with those whose health, age or economics have landed them in unhealthy living conditions. The senior population, especially, found this option a blessing. By addressing the need for health- and safety-related repairs, Habitat is branching out in a whole new, needed direction in the quest to alleviate poverty.

“We receive dozens of calls each year from individuals who have no way to heat and cool their homes,” says Hollis. “The Beat the Heat, and Beat the Cold programs provide window a/c units and/or heaters to improve health and comfort.”

By investing in a ReStore, Habitat was able to expand its inventory to provide donated and new products that are sufficiently affordable to enable anyone to build, repair and beautify homes. But wait, there is more. In 2019, the ReStore served more than 13,000 customers. Profits derived from these sales are reinvested in various community programs.

“Expanding our geographic service area to encompass three counties allowed us to not only serve more people, it provided those communities a way to give back, invest in their community and help their neighbors,” says Hollis.

She attributes the project’s success to visionary minds that devised more and better ways to serve those in need, leaders who supply knowledge, guidance and plans, and a community that embraced these plans and said, “let’s get to work.”

Hollis is also quick to credit her Lord and Savior for success.

“It required faith and the steadfast

East Texas Baptist University President Blair and wife Michelle Blackburn

Barry and Mitzi Barnes

commitment never to lose sight, to never drift from our mission to demonstrate the love of Christ through the creation of decent shelter accomplished by bringing people together to serve each other,” she says.

Annica Germon, Yulanda Perkins and Karen Nelson

For more information, please contact Habitat at 903 2360900 or director@ netxhabitat.org. The ReStore is located at 907 McCann Rd and opened from Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00am to 5:00pm.

15

16 Diabetes is a killer that afflicts multitudes, although many live for years and even decades with the disease.

The effects can be lethal, but generally there are symptoms that tip off those with type 2 diabetes that they have the affliction even though they can be mild to the point of going unnoticed. Common symptoms include: • Frequent urination, Chronic thirst, Feeling very hungry despite eating, Fatigue, Blurred vision • Cuts and bruises that are abnormally slow to heal, Noticeable weight loss even though the patient is actually eating more (Type 1).

Tingling/pain/numbness in hands and feet (Type 2) According to the American Diabetes Association, the medical community is committed to helping the millions of Americans who already have and are at risk of this illness. Education is a prime treatment. Informing the whole world about diabetes, its causes, effects and treatments is the purpose of the following questions and answers.

What does excess weight have to do with diabetes?

As is the case with many physical ailments being overweight is a major factor, but there are other aspects to consider. Person’s amount of physical activity, family histories, ethnicity and age must also be taken into account. Too many are under the misconception that weight is the sole cause of type 2 diabetes, but many type 2 sufferers are either only slightly overweight or not overweight at all. Still, dietary habits are significant.

Does eating sweets and sugars cause diabetes?

Any diet high in calories (including sugar) contributes to weight gain, which is certain to place one at risk for type 2 diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is determined mainly by genetics, lifestyle and other, unknown

COMMUNITY HEALTH and AIDS combined. Being diabetic nearly doubles the risk of heart attack. On the plus side diabetes is an illness that can be managed.

DIABETES PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT: FROM HELEN DANIELS, MD Two primary things determine the development of anything in life – GENETICS and ENVIRONMENT. While we can do nothing to change our genetic predisposition to diabetes, we HELEN DANIELS, MD can do our best to decrease our risk and/ or delay onset of disease by optimizing our ENVIRONMENT, that is, optimizing the bodies in which we live. LIFESTYLE CHOICES will dictate this and only we can determine this.

Here are some goals to aim for in the path to prevention.

LOSE excess body FAT, and in particular belly fat. Being overweight or obese are major

By Joycelyne Fadojutimi risk factors for diabetes. factors which precipitate the MAINTAIN CALORIE disease, but not by sugar intake. CONTROLS – with a high Do sugary beverages trigger proportion of lean meats , fish , diabetes? vegetables and fruits in smaller Research indicates that portions, while avoiding food drinking sugary beverages high in carbohydrate contents, is indeed a cause of type saturated fats and processed 2 diabetes. The American foods. At each meal or snack Diabetes Association there should be a combination recommends avoiding sugarof protein, healthy fat and fiber. sweetened drinks in order DRINK WATER. Replacement to head off type 2 diabetes. of high calorie sugarFurthermore, sugary drinks sweetened drinks which have also boost glucose (also known no nutritional value with water as blood sugar) levels by significantly reduces diabetes containing several hundred and obesity. calories per serving.

ENGAGE in regular A single 12-ounce can PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. of regular soda contains Current recommendations are approximately 150 calories and for 150 minutes of moderate 40 grams of carbohydrates--in exercise, such as walking, other words the same amount weekly. as in ten teaspoons full of sugar!

DE- STRESS. High levels Sugar-sweetened beverages of stress induce hormones include such drinks as: Regular that predispose to the soda, Fruit punch, Fruit drinks, development of diabetes.

Energy drinks, Sports drinks, Find time to relax daily.

Sweet tea and other sugary Get a good night’s SLEEP. drinks.

Chronic sleep deprivation and/ As a disease, how serious or poor sleep quality increases is diabetes? risk for diabetes.

Know the warning sings Every year diabetes kills ( increased thirst, urination , more people that breast cancer

Diabetes: What to look for and what to do

February 1, 2020

hunger, weight loss, itching) and see your doctor for an ANNUAL PHYSICAL EXAM which will also include screening labs for common diseases.

Diabetes Management Should diabetes develop, all hope is not lost.

Your doctor in conjunction with you, will develop an individualized patient centered approach to the treatment of your disease with an array of meds available, Your goal is to KNOW YOUR NUMBERS and to start and maintain the lifestyle changes previously outlined in order to get to those targets.

Here are some numbers to know.

Glucose Levels: While blood sugar levels are individualized, the ADA recommends the following target for most nonpregnant adults with diabetes Hb A1C <7% or an average glucose reading of 154 mg/dl Fasting blood sugars of 80-130 2-hour Post meal sugars of <180 BP goal of < 140/90 Cholesterol levels.

Improve your cholesterol profile. Bad cholesterol ( LDL ) targets no longer apply, however obtaining values of < 100 with improved good cholesterol ( HDL ) levels of > 40 are preferred.

The current standard of care recommends use of a lipid lowering agent or statin in all diabetics, regardless of how good the cholesterol profile is, due to a significantly increased risk of cardiovascular events in patients with diabetes.

The American diabetic association (ADA) recommends that you be SMART, that is, that you set Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Relevant Time-bound goals.

It’s your destiny that hangs in the balance and attaining well planned, timely, worthy goals leads to freedom.

And as always be forever in pursuit of YOUR ULTM8 IDL.