So, if the Son sets you free, you are free through and through. — John 8:36 MSG
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 ,
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N E W S
Complimentary Copy
Vol. 29
NEWSPAPER IN EDUCATION
Elaine Reynolds Continues to Inspire Arts and Culture
Officer Maira Villela See Page 7
July 4, 2019
Officer Maira Villela
See Page 15
Daniell Kenney Dedicates Gospel Music Fest to Elaine Reynolds Elaine Reynolds
See Page 15
Daniell Kenney
CULTURAL DISTRICT TALKS
STEAM STEAM
school spotlight
BIRCH ELEMENTARY
Principal Conley with future president of America, Keagan McCord. Mr. Conley will be employed as the doorman letting people in to see President McCord.
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Ashlyn Dunn, Top reader at Birch ES with Principal Conley making a sign for Birch 1 slogan of the school.
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Mayor Andy Mack
Cynthia Hellen
Nona Snoddy
Rhonda Bullard Wray Wade
Nancy Murray
These districts can become focal points for generating businesses and attracting tourists.
The Cultural District designation will put a spotlight on the arts.
Whether it is dance, music theater or art, it all plays a vital part in life.
A designated Cultural Arts District will help harness the power of cultural resources.
It will develop Longview as a tourism destination and enhance property values.
Fireworks are illegal A citation for this can be fined up to $2000. As the fourth of July approaches, the Longview Fire Department reminds everyone that it is illegal to shoot fireworks inside the city limits of Longview. A citation for this can be fined up to $2000.
At Sea and Shore Page 13
Ready to Read
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Contd. on Page 2
Combatting human trafficking AG Paxton launches new citywide immersive training initiative Contd. on Page 3
Uncle Kracker to Headline July 4 Bank of America launches $5 billion Celebration See Fireworks on Page 3
Happy 4th of July, home loan assistance program · Grants that can be applied to Everyone non-recurring closing costs Page 12
The Cultural District designation will be very good for the District and our city as a whole.
· A national network of lending professionals · Easy-to-understand financial education tools · Strategic partnerships with real The new Bank of America estate professionals program includes: · A national network of · Down payment and knowledgeable affordable closing cost assistance housing nonprofit partners who · Innovative low-down provide in-depth homebuyer payment mortgages education and counseling.
Wellness Pointe: HIV testing, play it safe, play it smart, get tested
Contd. on Page 5
Country rocker Uncle Kracker will headline an outdoor freeto-the-public concert to be held just before the biggest fireworks show in East Texas. Local favorite Dagnabbit is also scheduled to perform. For more information call 903-237-1230
AG nabs award AUSTIN – The Conference of Western Attorneys General (CWAG) awarded the Texas Office of Attorney General its 2019 WAGGY for the Best Overall Website during its annual meeting this week in Santa Barbara, California.
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COMMUNITY NEWS CULTURAL ARTS DISTRICT DESIGNATION TALKS
July 4, 2019
July 4, 2019
Fireworks
Local urban renewal gaining momentum in Longview By
Joycelyne
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COMMUNITY NEWS
are illegal in Longview
Fadojutimi
A citation for this can be fined up to $2000.
Dr. Andy Mack Mayor of Longview
Cynthia Hellen Executive Director LETU Belcher Center
Nona Snoddy City Councilwoman District 2
The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) can designate cultural districts in cities across Texas. Cultural districts are special zones that harness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic development and community revitalization. These districts can become focal points for generating businesses, attracting tourists, stimulating cultural developments and fostering civic pride. For Longview, the effort to apply for a cultural district has been a catalyst for the various arts organizations to collaborate on current efforts and as well as do some, strategic planning together for mutual benefit of the arts organizations and the overall area. zones that harness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic development and community revitalization. These districts can become focal points for generating businesses, attracting tourists, stimulating cultural developments and fostering civic pride. For Longview, the effort to apply for a cultural district has been a catalyst for the various arts organizations to collaborate on current efforts and as well as do some, strategic planning together for mutual benefit of the arts organizations and the overall area.
The Cultural District designation will put a spotlight on the arts and other cultural aspects of living in Longview. We hope it encourages more people to create art in all its forms and encourage more people to participate in and enjoy local art and cultural opportunities. It is all about adding to the quality of life here.
As the liaison of the Cultural Activities Advisory Commission, I fully support the Cultural Arts District. This district will not only enhance the sustainability of the community, it is equally important for the city. I envision the District providing opportunity for economic and social growth. Whether it is dance, music theater or art, it all plays a vital part in connecting us to one another and to the world.
Rhonda Bullard CFRE- Non Profit Development Consultant Becoming a designated Cultural Arts District will help harness the power of cultural resources to stimulate economic growth and downtown revitalization.
Wray Wade City Councilman District 3 The Cultural District designation will be very good for the District and our city as a whole. It can open doors to ways of life that will help us to improve quality of life. Most important of all, Cultural Districts designation as we know it, is a catalyst for economic development which we need.
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he drive for local neighborhood revitalization is growing in speed and effect. The past decade has seen craft breweries strive to direct new residents into neighborhoods that were abandoned long ago. Some, such as former warehousing districts, can provide spacious areas both for brewing and for hosting patrons. Breweries serve as triggers for widespread urban renewal nationwide, and often signal additional private movement into blighted communities. Cultural and artistic resurgences are another barometer of areas with the right attractions for drawing in private investment. Throughout this country, cultural districts have long been a means to support economic development, sponsor artists while simultaneously resurrecting cultural and financial vitality into blighted neighborhoods. While such artistic proliferation can motivate flurries of development, establishing and maintaining secure and affordable areas for artists to work is vital to insure continued growth and revitalization. The organization Americans for the Arts reports that cultural/arts districts consist of “well-organized,
Executive Director and Curator Tiffany Jehorek angling Simon Waranch “Humans” Sculptures at Longview Museum if Fine Art from $100 to S42,000
-labeled areas of a city in which a high concentration of cultural facilities and programs serve as the main anchor of attraction.” Such regions of cultural consummation feature art galleries, dance clubs, theaters, art cinemas, music venues, and public squares suitable for hosting performances. All cultural districts are distinct and one-of-a-kind. They capture the essence of a city’s uniqueness through chronicling its land use, urban growth, and cultural development. There can be no typical example. Artistic neighborhoods are conceived and developed to utilize opportunities presented by historic features, convention spaces, parks and sundry natural features.
As the fourth of July approaches, the Longview Fire Department reminds everyone that it is illegal to shoot fireworks inside the city limits of Longview. A citation for this can be fined up to $2000. Also, in order to make sure everyone has a safe and fun Fourth of July, please be responsible with any outdoor cooking. With the hot temperatures and dry conditions, debris from a bar-b-cue pit could start a fire that can quickly grow
Nancy Murray Financial Advisor/ Chairwoman Arts!Longview Our Cultural District will encourage business and job development, attract artists and creative enterprises the community. In addition, it will develop Longview as a tourism destination, enhance property values and quality of life in Longview plus create a greater awareness of the arts.
Structural and civic characteristics bordering cultural districts, civic government and social forces all influence the artistic places’ characteristics by reflecting a city’s inclinations and perceptions. Factors to be considered include any perceived needs for urban revitalization, pre-existing investments, property values and already-featured cultural facilities. According to the Texas Commission on Arts the goals of cultural districts may include: Attracting artists and cultural enterprises to the community. Encouraging business and job development. Addressing specific needs of a community. Establishing tourism destinations. Preserving and reusing historic buildings. Enhancing property values. Fostering local cultural development. For more information, please, visit: http://www.arts.texas.gov/initiatives/cultural-districts/ Arts!Longview has completed its application for a Cultural District Designation and is awaiting the State’s decision in September. For more information, please visit https://www.artslongview.org/. Joycelyne can be reached at joycelyne@easttexasreview.com
out of control. A person may be held liable if their fire damages property that belongs to another. Citizens are encouraged to limit alcohol consumption as this could leadto dehydration. It is recommended that at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water should be consumed daily and that amount should be increased if exposure to the heat is increased. Stay safe and have a happy Fourth of July.
Combatting human trafficking AG Paxton launches new citywide immersive training initiative
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!
Attorney General Ken Paxton today announced the launch of new partnerships between his office and cities across the state to educate and mobilize Texans in the fight against human trafficking. The Citywide Immersive Training initiative kicked off in Beaumont last week and included human trafficking awareness training sessions for hospitality professionals, restaurant workers and others, taught by the Office of the Attorney General’s Human Trafficking and Transnational/Organized Crime (HTTOC) Section. The Citywide Immersive Training seeks to unite Texans in the fight against human trafficking by recognizing and remedying inconsistent language, training the public on red flags of trafficking and promoting information on victim resources. Over the course of three days, this unique training equips an entire city with a common knowledge base, language and set of tools in the fight against trafficking. Linking schools, law enforcement, medical providers, child protective services, attorneys, the hospitality industry and the general public, this initiative equips each participating city with the ability to identify and rescue victims, and ultimately seek justice on
their behalf. “The more Texans learn how to be the one who detects and reports human trafficking activities, the better the chance we have to end this despicable form of modern-day slavery once and for all,” Attorney General Paxton said. “I’m grateful to the city of Beaumont and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for their efforts to lead the way on our Citywide Immersive Training initiative, and I look forward to partnerships with other cities in the future.” Combating human trafficking is a top priority for Attorney General Paxton. In 2016, he launched his office’s human trafficking section. To date, the human trafficking section has conducted around 300 trainings on human trafficking for more than 20,000 Texans from all walks of life, and 23 cases have been resolved with pleas or trials. Last year, it assisted the U.S. Department of Justice with permanently shutting down Backpage, which was considered the largest online sex trafficking marketplace in the U.S. For more information, including how to recognize and report suspected human trafficking activity, visit https://www. texasattorneygeneral.gov/ human-trafficking.
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OPINION
July 4, 2019
State by state, the war on cannabis is ending Dozens of new state laws are expanding legal cannabis use — and expunging the records of users caught up in the system. By Paul Armentano Judging by its first six months, 2019 has been a banner year for marijuana policy reform. Most notably, lawmakers in Illinois legalized the commercial production and retail sale of cannabis to adults. The state is the 11th to legalize the use of marijuana by those over the age of 21, and it’s the first to pass such a measure with a statehouse vote (rather than a public initiative). “Illinois is going to have the most equity-centric law in the nation,” Governor J.B. Pritzker announced. “For the many individuals and families whose lives have been changed — indeed hurt — because the nation’s war on drugs discriminated against people of color, this day belongs to you.” Illinois is far from alone. Several other states have also approved measures in recent weeks to significantly reduce marijuana penalties. In New Mexico, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed legislation reducing first-time penalties for low-level possession from a criminal misdemeanor — punishable by up to 15 days in jail — to a “penalty assessment,” punishable by a $50 fine. Similar decriminalization legislation in Hawaii awaits Governor David
Ige’s signature. In North Dakota, lawmakers reduced penalties involving the possession of both cannabis and cannabis paraphernalia from a criminal misdemeanor to an infraction. In Colorado, they reduced felony marijuana penalties to misdemeanors. A growing number of states are also moving to vacate criminal convictions related to prior marijuana offenses. Lawmakers in Illinois, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, and Washington all enacted legislation this spring expediting the expungement process for those seeking to vacate their criminal records. “This is a small step, but one that moves us in the direction of correcting injustices that disproportionately affected communities of color,” Washington Governor Jay Inslee explained. “A successful pardon of a marijuana possession conviction can assist with barriers to housing, employment, and education.” Legislators are also taking steps to halt employment discrimination against those who consume marijuana off the job.
In Nevada, a new law prohibits certain employers from refusing to hire workers solely because they tested positive for cannabis on a preemployment drug screen. A similar law in New York City bars pre-employment drug testing for people seeking nonsafety sensitive positions. City officials similarly prohibited marijuana testing as a condition of probation. Officials are also expanding upon existing medical cannabis access programs, which now operate in the majority of U.S. states. In New Jersey, the Murphy administration enacted regulatory changes providing up to 108 additional cannabis manufacturers and providers to serve the state’s nearly 50,000 registered patients. Other states — such as Colorado, Connecticut, New Mexico, Nevada, North Dakota, and West Virginia — enacted new measures expanding the pool of patients eligible to receive medical cannabis therapy. In Georgia, lawmakers passed legislation to allow for the state-sponsored production and distribution of low-THC varieties of cannabis, while
Texas lawmakers moved to expand participation in a similar statewide program. Several states, such as Washington and Virginia, codified legislation permitting student patients to legally possess and consume medical cannabis products while on school grounds. In Alaska, regulators finalized rules in March making the state the first in the country to permit on-site cannabis consumption at licensed facilities. Colorado lawmakers passed similar legislation in May, and Massachusetts regulators have also advanced a pilot program licensing social use facilities. Colorado lawmakers also enacted legislation establishing rules for the home delivery of retail cannabis products. This unprecedented wave of legislative activity at the state level is yet further evidence that public consensus on cannabis legalization has undergone a seismic shift. Rather than being viewed as a political liability, lawmakers across the country are now embracing cannabis policy reform as a political opportunity — and finally taking steps to end the criminalization and stigmatization of those who use the plant responsibly.
Can society survive without empathy
In a deeply unequal America, many of our deepest pockets are keen to find out. By Sam Pizzigati As anyone who keeps a household budget can attest, the unexpected happens all the time. A refrigerator evaporator fan motor fails. Some part on your car you never realized existed breaks down. A loved one passes away and you have to — you want to — be at the funeral 1,000 miles away.and “Unexpected” expenses like these will, sooner or later, hit all of us. But not all of us, says new research out of the Federal Reserve, can afford them. In fact, nearly 40 percent of Americans “would have difficulty handling an emergency expense as small as $400,” the Fed says. A fifth of American adults, it adds, had major unexpected medical bills last year. An even larger share “skipped necessary medical care in 2018 because they were unable to afford the cost.” Meanwhile, 17 percent of American adults can’t afford to pay all their monthly bills, even if they don’t experience an unexpected expense.
What these stats like these mean in human terms? If you live in a place like Northern California’s Bay Area, you need only look around to see. San Francisco, recent research shows, now has more billionaires per capita than any other city in the world. By one reckoning, San Francisco also has the highest cost of living in the world, as all those billionaires — and the rest of the city’s ultra rich — bid up prices on local real estate. But the Bay Area squeeze goes beyond the confines of San Francisco. Nearby Oakland and Berkeley are facing enormous affordable housing shortages as well. The Bay Area as a whole now has more than 30,000 people experiencing homeless. Two-thirds of these people haven’t been able to find temporary sheltering services. They’ve been living and sleeping outdoors, many in lines of RVs parked along public rights-of-way like the waterfront in Berkeley. And that’s infuriated nearby
residents who paid big bucks for their residences. Berkeley city council member Kate Harrison has felt the fury first-hand — from constituents who wanted the RVs of homeless people banned from the waterfront. “I paid a million dollars for my place,” one constituent told her, “and they have a better view.” Local officials in Bay Area cities don’t know quite what to do. On one side, they have people without shelter who have real and unmet human needs. On the other, they have angry affluent constituents who want for little but have a big megaphone. The more people spend on housing, Berkeley councilperson Harrison has come to understand, the more “aggrieved” they feel. “Only the 1 percent here,” she adds, “feel economically secure.” In other words, inequality has local officials coming and going. The ranks of the homeless are growing because almost all the gains from America’s growing
Photo: Shutterstock
economy, as the Economic Policy Institute’s Elise Gould testified to Congress this past March, are “going to households at the top.” Empathy for the plight of the homeless, meanwhile, is withering away — particularly among society’s most fortunate, as the social distance between the top and the rest of society widens. The rich have climbed so far up the income ladder that they can’t see the humanity on the faces of people stuck on the lower rungs. One telling sign of our unequal times: In wealthy Bay Area neighborhoods, the Washington Post reports, GoFundMe campaigns have emerged “to finance lawsuits against affordable housing proposals.” Can a society survive without empathy? In a deeply unequal America, many of our deepest pockets are keen to find out.
July 4, 2019
STATE/NATIONAL
Bank of America launches $5 billion
home loan assistance program By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Correspondent @StacyBrownMedia
Bank of America officials have spent the past few months asking their customers and clients a simple question – what would you like to have the power to do? “For many, the goal is to own a home and saving up for a down payment is the biggest barrier for anyone to buy a home,” said Richard Winter, the vice president and Area Lending Manager for Bank of America’s Baltimore region. The banking giant has committed to removing that barrier with the announcement of a new $5 billion affordable homeownership initiative for low-to-moderate-income and multicultural homebuyers across the country. “Our commitment to affordable and responsible homeownership is greater than ever, with half of our loans going to lowto moderate-income or multicultural families and communities,” D. Steve Boland, head of consumer lending at Bank of America, said in a statement. “One of the ways we’re helping is through our suite of affordable homeownership solutions and professional resources, which aid them in overcoming barriers and put sustainable homeownership within reach,” Boland said. Over the next five years the bank has committed $5 billion to its Bank of America Neighborhood Solutions program which they said will help more than 20,000 individuals and families thrive through the power of homeownership. The Neighborhood Solutions program focuses on helping put people on the path to affordable homeownership and sustainable homeownership through a combination of specially-designed products, resources and expertise.
The bank is also offering a new Affordable Loan Solution mortgage – a competitive fixedrate loan for low- and moderate-income borrowers. Primarily targeting first-time buyers, the down payment on the Affordable Loan Solution mortgage would be as little as 3 percent, with no mortgage insurance required. “Through our new Down Payment Grant program, Bank of America will give – no repayment necessary – eligible homebuyers 3 percent of the home purchase price (up to $10,000) to be used for a down payment,” Winter said. The current black homeownership rate is now 30.5 percentage points lower than non-Hispanic whites (72.2 percent) and 22 percentage points lower than the national homeownership rate of 63.7 percent. It’s also 4.6 percentage points lower than the Hispanic homeownership rate. “Homeownership is one of the most powerful ways to shrink the wealth gap,” he said, noting that the median net worth of a homeowner is 44 times that of a renter, according to a 2017 Federal Reserve report. Today, more than half our loans go to LMI and multicultural clients, but we know we can do more,” Winter said. “We know that many people today can afford a monthly mortgage payment, but that securing the upfront costs of homeownership can be a significant challenge. Anyone who is thinking about buying a home should go to bankofamerica. com and make an appointment with one of our mortgage specialists at a nearby financial center and they can walk them through all the options that are available,” he said.
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Wellness Pointe continued from page 1
National HIV Testing Day was June 27. New Traditions, the program at Wellness Pointe a Federally Qualified Health Center spent the day at Walgreen testing willing participants who came into the store for one reason or the other. According to Peggy Gonzales, HIV prevention specialist with Wellness Pointe, “It is only a finger prick and people want to know. They want to tell other people how easy it was. But not only that, they want to have peace of mind knowing the truth about their health.” Texas Health and Human Services is encouraging people throughout the state to get tested for HIV, know their status, and connect with care and treatment services available to them as needed. “One in seven people who have HIV don’t know it. Early detection is imperative to helping people live longer,
healthier lives and is key to decreasing transmissions,” said Dr. Courtney N. Phillips, HHS executive commissioner. “As part of our mission to improve the health, safety and well-being of Texans, we are encouraging people to know their status and talk with a physician about their HIV risk.” More than 90,000 people in Texas are living with an HIV diagnosis. Through testing, services and public health interventions, Texas health officials are aiming to decrease the prevalence of disease in Texas and are calling for increased testing and early diagnosis. The CDC recommends that everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 get tested for HIV at least once as part of routine health care. The only way a person can know for sure whether he or she has HIV is to get tested.
Captain Wes Hensley honored Attorney General Ken Paxton today announced that Captain Wes Hensley from the Law Enforcement Division of his office received an award for valor during the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement’s annual Law Enforcement Achievement Awards Ceremony at the state Capitol. Captain Hensley serves as a commissioned officer in the Law Enforcement Division’s Fugitive Apprehension Unit. On the afternoon of December 11, 2018, Captain Hensley and several fellow law enforcement officers were attacked by an armed suspect while executing a felony arrest warrant at the home of a violent criminal in Houston. During the course of the engagement that followed, Captain Hensley exhibited exceptional courage while risking his own life to protect others, even after being critically wounded numerous times. During the course of the engagement, Captain Hensley twice made face to face contact with the assailant. The first time, Captain Hensley and the other officers were ambushed as they were searching the suspect’s apartment. When the officers entered the apartment’s bathroom, the assailant opened fire, hitting Captain Hensley multiple times. Believing Captain Hensley to be dead, the assailant left the room to pursue and fire on the other officers. Captain
Hensley followed the assailant and again took gunfire while attempting to convince the suspect to surrender. Suffering from multiple wounds to his body and unable to use his arms, Captain Hensley then crawled his way out of the apartment while continuing to take fire. During a subsequent standoff with police, the shooter took his own life. “There is no more important duty of the commissioned peace officers in my Law Enforcement Division than to protect Texans from harm, and Captain Hensley bravely put public safety before his own safety when he confronted pure evil,” Attorney General Paxton said. Captain Hensley has 15 years of service with the attorney general’s office, including work in the Child Exploitation Unit. Since last year, he’s undergone several reconstructive surgeries on his hands and arms and continues on the road to recovery.
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gospel spotlight
Heart Medicine By Dr. Michael Guido
One of my dear physicianfriends wrote a book entitled “The Body Reveals.” He began his medical career as a general surgeon then studied to become a cardiovascular surgeon. One day while we were talking, he said, “Larry, the most disturbing part of my practice is that I cannot get people to look at their lives – what they are doing to themselves. People think they can do anything they want and then go to a physician for a prescription or some surgery and all of their problems will be corrected. That’s not the way we work. There’s a connection between our bodies and our minds, and we are very complex beings, because of the way God made us.” There’s an intimate and complex connection between our heads, hearts, and bodies. God, our Creator, reminds us in His Word that our hearts contain emotions, values, goals, desires – the “sum total of who we are.” And, Solomon said it so well: “A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” Incidentally, this is the
only time the word medicine is used in the Old Testament. So, we must listen to God’s voice! Our “peace of mind” directly affects our ability to maintain a life of wellness. Conversely, a “troubled mind” makes it difficult, if not impossible, to be healthy. A “troubled mind” makes it difficult to regain our health once we lose it. Jesus said, “My peace I leave with you!” The most important lesson for us to learn from this verse is that “God is in control.” Whatever is, is a gift from Him to us, and He is somewhere “in” that gift. He is at work in our lives shaping us into His image. We must always remember that He will never leave us nor forsake us. Prayer: Lord, life is difficult. Sickness comes, doubts arise, and suffering hurts. Grant us strength, peace and hope. In Jesus’ Name, Amen. Scripture for today: Proverbs 17:22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
July 4, 2019
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Hometown: Longview, TX Prior job experience if any: None
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Name of Officer: Maira Villela Education: Pine Tree HS & East Texas Police Academy
How do you feel when you put on your uniform each day? Proud People don’t often understand how hard police officers work to keep citizens safe, what inspired, you to become a protector of the community and can you tell us if any daily risks you’ve seen or experienced. This community has given so much to me It was time to give back.
Instruments of Musick CORNETSA CYMBLAS DULCIMER FIR WOOD FLUTE HARP HORN INSTRUMENTS MUSICK ORGAN PIPE PSALTERY
What is a misconception you have seen that the public have about the Police? That we don’t care. They don’t understand we have a job to fulfill.
SACKBUT SHOUT SINGING SONG SOUND STRINGED TABRETS TIMBRELS TRUMPETS VIOL VOICE
As a Police officer, what do you want your legacy to be? Remembered as someone who loved to help others What was one of your toughest days on the job? When co-worker’s lives were lost and we have to continue working. (Ellen Goodan and Stedmon Coleman) How does your family feel about you being a police officer? They are proud of my accomplishments and fully support me. Police officers work long hours and the work is very stressful, how do you like to relax? Gym, cooking, and spending time with family If you could go back in time and tell your younger self one thing what would it be? Hang in there, God has a plan for your life.
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.
As a champion of the community and symbol of justice how can we as a community better support the police? Stop telling children that we will take them to jail if they keep acting bad…
Pastor Jerry Stanmore
One of the most common of persons who are One of the most questions common questions of persons whoin arethe in the midst of grief is some variation of “howoflong?” How How longlong willwill midst of grief is some variation “how long?” this pain last? before I am able to able function like Ilike didI did thisHow pain long last? How long before I am to function before? Howbefore? long before I stop crying someone How long before I stopwhenever crying whenever someone mentions thementions name? the name? We sometimes of grief condition - an illness that that V. Stanmore We think sometimes thinkas ofagrief as a condition - an illness V. StanmoreDirector Director has to run a particular a cold flu,or we has to run a course. particularWith course. With or a cold flu,can we take can take comfort that comfort in a few days We will back to normal. All that in a we few will days recover. we will recover. Webe will be back to normal. Allsigns signs of of the illness will merely a memory. the be illness will be merely a memory. Grief is not an illness disease. It is a transition.We do not getget better. Grief is not or an aillness or a disease. It is a transition.We do not better.We We reconstruct our lives inour thelives face learn to live with that loss. reconstruct in of thethe faceloss. of theWe loss. We learn to live with that loss.Grief Grief is is aa difficult journey. We may experience all sorts of emotions - guilt, anger, sadness, difficult journey. We may experience all sorts of emotions - guilt, anger, sadness, loneliness - to name a few. We may find it difficult to concentrate, distressed by so loneliness - to name few. We mayfeeling find it difficult to concentrate, by so many memories. We may hurtaphysically, less than our best. Itdistressed may many memories. We may hurt physically, feeling less than our best. It may influence the ways that we behave. We may find ourselves avoiding others or angry behave. We may find ourselves avoiding or angry at the normalinfluence irritantsthe ofways life.that Wewe may struggle with our faith, trying to others sort out all at of thewhy normal irritants life. We may struggle with our faith, trying to sort out all our questions this had toofhappen. our questions of why this had to happen.
Stanmore Stanmore FUNERAL HOME FUNERAL HOME
501 E. Austin Marshall, Texas 501 E. Austin 903-938-4622 Marshall,or Texas Fax:
1105 M.L. King Blvd. Longview, Texas 1105 M.L. King Blvd. 903-236-3755 or Longview, Texas
903-938-2025 903-235-3759 903-938-4622 or 903-236-3755 or www.stanmorefuneralhome.com Fax: 903-938-2025 903-235-3759 www.stanmorefuneralhome.com
Do police officers really like donuts? Yes, I like chocolate donuts :)
306 S. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. Longview, TX 75602 • 903-753-1774 Sunday School 9:00a.m. Sunday Worship 10:30a.m.
Do you think the Cowboys have a shot at the Super Bowl anytime soon and why? No…
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. Marshall Ave., Longview 903-759-1401 | www.highridgelv.com
Pastor Tim Ingram
First Service: 9:30 am 2nd Service: 11:00 am
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HOME FRONT
July 4, 2019
Maira Villela
This community has given so much to me It was time to give back.”
July 4, 2019
July 4, 2019
School Spotlight: Birch Elementary School Sponsored by the City of Longview Water Department
Birch principal sets high standards
“We are Birch first. We are family.” by Joycelyne Fadojutimi/ETR
Turn off lights when you leave the room or when you don’t need them!
Wood and fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas are our main source of energy. We need to conserve these sources of energy. We also use water and solar power. We need to produce energy without polluting the environment. Conserving energy also helps control pollution.
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Birch Elementary School Principal Derrick Conley is a great example for his calling, and visitors are quick to note this. As soon as they arrive, he greets them like family. He strives to make relationships a priority in all aspects of his direction of his school. He sees this as the best way to insure effective team cooperation in setting and accomplishing goals. He stresses progress over the impossible-toattain goal of perfection. He administers through relationships, hard work and resultant growth. His efforts have seen a drastic reduction in absenteeism, and in parents becoming involved in the school’s reading program, even accompanying their children to book fairs. Healthy interaction also helps by fostering warm relationships between students and teachers. This emphasis also made it easier to convince parents to become involved in the critically vital subject of reading. Librarian Vanessa Reneau, Teachers Kelly Fisher, Nicole Espinoza and Reading Coach Rachael Benton came up with creative, imaginative ways to inspire students to read. Fisher and Espinoza moved from teaching second grade to third grade. Benton has been in the Pine Tree Independent School District since 1985, and now serves as reading coach. She is so expert at what she does that her colleagues say she can “teach a rock to read.” Struggling students who enter her class soon read as fluently as her and love it. But that is not all. Birch Elementary hosts reading competitions. Winning classes only get to keep the trophy as long as they remain the
Vanessa Reneau, Kelly Fisher, Nicole Espinoza and Rachael Benton.
Addison McGee demonstrates how he will walk in with confidence to take the state test.
winning classes. If another class passes them, the trophy goes to the new champs. This means that all participating classes must keep improving. The emphasis on literacy does not end here, either. The school has a treasure chest. Young scholars who correctly answer Word of the Week are permitted to open the chest and select a prize. In addition, classes winning the most reading points are treated to a party. These incentives impress on students the rewards that come from hard work. The joys of reading quickly take root. Students are seen reading while waiting in lines and at most other opportunities both in school and at home. Conley sees this as progress and growth.
Student Airilyn Autry tells Principal Conley Word of the Day because she want to go to the treasure chest.
A whopping 80% to 90% of his pupils are voluntarily reading books, keeping the librarian very busy. Fisher says the lovely relationships, rewards and events are reasons students love Birch Elementary. Rewards/ celebrations resulting even from small accomplishments boost progress toward Conley’s signature objective--growth. Growth, in all amounts, builds confidence. Conley believes elementary students are still too young to appreciate the importance of reading as being essential for successful futures and leading them to see this is key. “If we build a relationship with staff and students, we can have them doing all kinds of positive things,” he said.
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Think About Fruit
Fruit is one of the healthy food groups. We define fruit as the sweet, fleshy part of a plant that has the seed or seeds of the plant. It may be sweet or sour and is usually edible in its raw state. Eating fruit helps keep our hearts healthy. A healthy heart pumps blood through the body effectively. Healthyon foods such as fruits also lower the risk of disease, This emphasis relationships has such as cancer and diabetes.
to 18 years-old young adults. I have fun on my job making sure things are fine. For example, I check to see if they are growing the way they should. I answer parents’ questions on nutrition, toilet training, and all other questions they may have about their children.
infected every grade at Birch Elementary, Directions: Here is a list of different leading to pupils cheering each fruits. otherDid onyou in know there were so many? Check the boxes of all the fruits you have eaten. Circle three their academic quests. fruits you would like to try. The school’s slogan is, “We are Birch first. We are family.” When Conley selects a Word of the Fruits Day, he has to make sure his students understand it. This leads to their learning n apples n figs n papayas a new word daily. Students are eager n apricots n grapefruit n passion fruit to tell him the Word of the Day. Recent n bananas n grapes n peaches words of the day were “denominator” and n blackberries n guava n pears “imagery.” Thanks to their principal Birch nareblueberries n honeydew n persimmon students among the few elementary Why did you choose Richard Joos, MD n breadfruit n huckleberries n pineapples age children to understand (much less use) this profession? I Pediatrician n cantaloupe n kiwi fruit n plums such advanced terms. Still, the emphasis is have been employed n kumquat n pomegranate not justn on cherimoya reading. and self-employed. This Place of cherriesin the cafeteria to nhonor lemons n quince A bellnis rung time, I wanted to work employment: I work nwho clementines n limes n raisins students have excelled in their with people with the at Wellness Point on studies.nThere is also the Story Book coconut n loquat n raspberries most needs. This is my Marshall Avenue. Paraden in which the faculty recognize cranberries n mangoes n strawberries way of giving back to children havemelon shown growth nwho Crenshaw ninnectarines n tangerines the community. Education: I reading. keeping nIndragon fruit with the emphasis n oranges n watermelon graduated from Wagner on relationships, parents are invited and What do you like College and attended participate the Book Challenge: inChoose one of Parade. the fruits you have an interest in trying. Do some research to find out best about your Medical School at State more about healthyand food. enthusiastic Add your information Conley isthis excited aboutto your “New Healthy Foods” page (page 82) in University of New York. chosen field? I get to your journal. how his direction has led to students being It is Birch 1 for 1st grader Kendall Anderson work with the people and Principal Conley. eager to come to school and get down to who need help the What do you do learning, working and growing because he most- parents who do everyday on your “It is an opportunity to show Texas schools are famous and his staff make them feel loved. © Teacher Created Resources 13 #3990 Healthy Habits for Healthy(or Kids not have muchwhat but want job? When I get to we to have “We infamous) for testing. For pupils at work, Birch I like “Our students love the teachers and tosaid seeConley. their children get learned,” a thehealthy. test. ForI me Elementary testing is just another day in upcelebrate Mr. Conley,” said librarian Reneau. grow up heads of what isgrowth before staff, a process, class. The work ethic they have learned “They cannot wait to tell him how they like is serving themand as awe going onand thatmy helps megrowth will close the gap with what we have love him, and he cannot wait to tell them means they do not have test anxiety.to know what pediatrician. I wouldput is going place--love, hard They even celebrate with a party onon, days how he loves them, too. We have great like to see respect, their little then Iinplan my day relationship, work, and then growth.” preceding tests. kids. All they needed was a little love.” ones grow up and be and course of action. I
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COMMUNITY NEWS
Elaine Reynolds continues to inspire arts, culture “What I like about the arts is that it brings people together from all walks of life, allowing them to express themselves unapologetically.” – Daniell Kenney, Founder, Listen-Up AMS by Joycelyne Fadojutimi
Josh Mathis, Daniell Kenney, Nickelodeon’s Kel Mitchell and Mayor Andy Mack
Daniell D. Kenney is a fluid technician at Pro Frac Services. He and wife of 13 years, Teressa Ann Turner-Kenney, adore their adopted three-year-old son Zameon. Their service to those around them is a blessing both ways as they and those they serve as foster parents reap the rewards of their selfless labors For Kenney, his precious Teressa is his driving force. “She provokes me to be successful by reminding me who God has called me to be,” he says. “She encourages me to maintain my integrity, always calling me her king, her pastor, her rock, etc.” Kenney dearly loves his lifelong home of Longview, where parents Larry and Angela Kenney brought him up and prepared him for the success he has become. Both parents worked for and retired from STEMCO but did much more than just work for a living. Larry still serves as associate pastor for Faith Tabernacle of God in Kilgore. He taught his son how to be a father not just to his own children, but to others who, without him, would have no fathers at all. Local children still love to be with the elder Kenney, listening to his Bible stories over dishes of ice cream. Angela keeps active, cooking for others and helping them in any ways she can while also organizing vacations, reunions, church programs and conferences. Her son has inherited these artistic abilities as he motivates others to loving service through singing, event planning and creation. For Daniell Kenney, rhythms are a direct path to worship. “Music has always been a part of my life. I would write songs and jingles [in order] to remember important information on tests,” he says. “What I like about the arts is that it brings people together from all walks of life, allowing them to express themselves unapologetically.” In his younger days, Daniell stayed active in church as an usher, choir member, song leader, drummer and choir director. He would annually organize a gospel music workshop in Kilgore, calling it Praise Fest. He would even fill in as a disc jockey for station KJTX, collaborating with Ray Williams, who taught him to promote shows
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Daniell Kenney
and connect with recording artists. The Year of Our Lord 1996 saw him graduate from Longview High School, after which he took a sabbatical from education and spent 13 years working in the vast East Texas oilfields. In 2009, his Teressa convinced him to pursue his dream of a college education. After he got started, it did not take long. In 2011, he earned his associates of arts in business from Kilgore Junior College, a Bachelor of Science in accounting from LeTourneau University in 2013, and, also from LeTourneau, a master’s degree in Business Administration in 2014. When he met Longview’s beloved Elaine Reynolds, his love for Longview, arts and culture moved to higher heights. “She was a great and caring person, willing to give any information and tools that I needed to be successful,” he says. “After a brief involvement with her, my life took a different turn for the better.” After losing an unborn baby to miscarriage, he and Teressa took in two foster children. This new obligation was so time-consuming he had to resign his executive director job and stop his education. Soon afterwards, with Reynolds encouragement, he came up with an idea for a local nonprofit modeled on the Dallas-based Black Academy of Arts and Letters (BAAL.) This would entail using the performing arts to inspire local young people to
I could only remember the conversation Elaine and I had. It caused me to change my perception of the place I have grown and lived in my entire life. That’s why I dedicated the All The Way Life Gospel Music Festival in her honor.” – Daniell Kenney, Founder, Listen -Up AMS
move forward Elaine Reynolds into careers in engineering, technology, mathematics and science. She encouraged him to launch this organization and to organize gospel music events like one she had been to while attending a convention. He was worried that he would need a name like Billy Graham, Joel Osteen or TD Jakes in order to convince businesses to sponsor such a gospel music-oriented event, but Reynolds had faith in him. After speaking with BAAL founder Curtis King, he got started. On November 17, 2017 Listen-Up AMS opened for business. The next day, after being the catalyst for this cultural-arts nonprofit, he went to city hall to tell Reynolds the good news. “There were many sad faces and I asked them what was going on.” It was then I learned Elaine Reynolds had passed away. My heart sank into my chest.” “I could only remember the conversation we had that caused me to change my perception of the place I have grown and lived in my entire life,” he says. “That’s why I dedicated the July 6, All The Way Life Gospel Music Festival in her honor.” Last year, Kenney worked with Joshua Mathis and Clive Ennis to produce the first show as Listen-Up Nickelodeon’s Kel Mitchell. They gave away more than 700 tickets to such local charities. Kenney, Mathis and Ennis were honored June 17, 2018 with their own Listen-Up Day at city council. Kenney’s ideal life, “is to be a servant to the people, helpingripthem to reach their goals.” t Rift Bold
Beloved Sc
Free Event!
JULY 6
3:00 PM - 9:00 PM CONCERT STARTS @ 5:00 PM Dedicated to the Memory of Elaine Reynolds
Canton Spirituals William Demps
Marquinn Middleton &The Miracles Chorale Redeemed
Davarius Crowder
Kellee Johnson
Darrion Thompson
Camille
Canton Spirituals | Redeemed | William Demps
Kellee Johnson
Jay-Jay Hill and New Sound
Marquinn Middleton
& the Miracle chorale
| Camille | Jay-Jay Hill & New sOund | Davarius Crowder | Darrion thompson
Enjoy!
HERITAGE PLAZA | DOWNTOWN LONGVIEW MUSIC, FAMILY & food *Bring your lawn chair and towel
PRODUCED BY
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
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
July 4, 2019
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.