infinitieplus magazine September Edition

VOL. 7 NO. 9

EAST TEXAS BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Police Chief Mike Bishop Protector of the Community

SEPTEMBER 2018

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Bundles Bundles Bundlesof of ofjoy. joy. joy.

It’s It’s It’swhat what whatwe we wedeliver. deliver. deliver.

From From From the the the day day day you you you find find find out out out totothe tothe the day day day you you you deliver, deliver, deliver, there’s there’s there’s nothing nothing nothing more more more important important important totoLongview toLongview Longview Regional Regional Regional Medical Medical Medical Center Center Center than than than your your your and and and your your your baby’s baby’s baby’s health health health and and and well-being. well-being. well-being.

This This This isiswhy iswhy why we we we provide provide provide extra extra extra amenities amenities amenities such such such asasprivate asprivate private rooms, rooms, rooms, spacious spacious spacious birthing birthing birthing suites, suites, suites, childbirth childbirth childbirth classes classes classes and and and breastfeeding breastfeeding breastfeeding support. support. support.

And And And if ifyou ifyou you and and and your your your newest newest newest addition addition addition need need need a alittle little a little extra extra extra help, help, help, we we we offer offer offer perinatal perinatal perinatal services services services that that that include include include maternal-fetal maternal-fetal maternal-fetal medicine medicine medicine specialists specialists specialists and and and a aLevel aLevel Level IIIIIINICU. IIINICU. NICU. For For For more more more information information information about about about our our our labor labor labor and and and delivery delivery delivery services, services, services, visit visit visit LongviewRegional.com/baby.

LongviewRegional.com/baby.

LongviewRegional.com/baby.

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2901 2901 2901 N.N.Fourth N. Fourth Fourth Street Street Street • •Longview, Longview, • Longview, TXTX75605 TX 75605 75605 • •903-242-3490 903-242-3490 • 903-242-3490 • •LongviewRegional.com LongviewRegional.com • LongviewRegional.com infinitieplus | www.infinitieplus.com | www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

table of contents

8 Police paladin protects people COVER STORY

Regulars

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Seven Steps to Leave a Job Gracefully

20 26 28

The Joining of Titans

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Taming the rage, cooling the heat CREDIT MONITORING: IS IT ENOUGH TO KEEP YOUR IDENTITY SAFE

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20 28

GRUBS UP BRAIN TEASERS

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Editor’s note

I

Publisher / Editor

Joycelyne Fadojutimi

Marketing / PR

Joycelyne Fadojutimi

Photography

Joycelyne Fadojutimi Keisha Roland

Graphic Designer Sho Labaco

Contributing Writers Mike Johnson Hugh Norton Elizabeth Stark

Submission Deadline

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

t is unbelievable, summer has come and gone as we know it even though the warm weather persists.

Since we are Texans, we hear how we can pull ourselves by the boot straps when the truth is, God is our helper. For this reason, Mike Johnson, an accomplished entrepreneur and writer reminds us to credit God for our blessings. See inspirational story on page 7.

On another note, Police Chief Mike Bishop: Protector of the Community is our cover story. He came to Longview by the way of New York. Yes, you read right, he is originally from the Big Apple! Read how he has devoted his life to one singular purpose – service. He served our great nation and for many years our community. Get to know Chief Bishop, the kind and gentle paladin who calls Longview home from page 8.

Sometimes, we are not pleased with our immediate boss and plan our exit or leave for a better opportunity in our career. How we make that job transition is very important. Please read, seven steps to leaving your job gracefully from page 18.

There are many interesting and informative stories in this issue-from identity theft to menopause and more. We encourage you to read ip magazine cover to cover.

For Advertising Contact

The school year 2018-2019 has kicked into full gear. The biggest and latest news in our town remains the upcoming bond election. No matter which side you are supporting, make sure you cast the vote in November.

517 Mobberly Avenue Longview, Texas 75602 www.infinitieplus.com www.facebook.com/ InfinitePlus magazine

Labor Day looms while Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are fast approaching. Soon, it will be 2019. The years continue to roll by. Thankfully, Longview is a giving community. When this life over, hopefully, we will get the opportunity to look back at the contributions we made to make lives better for others on this side of heaven.

Joycelyne Fadojutimi jfadr@infinitieplus.com

We look forward to the October edition. Thank you for the opportunity to serve.

Joycelyne Fadojutimi

VOLUME 7 | ISSUE 8

The entire contents of infinitieplus magazine are copyrighted 2018. Any reproduction or use in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. infinitieplus reserves the right to edit and make appropriate modifications. The opinions published by contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the views of infinitieplus or its advertisers.

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INS P IRATIONAL

Portals to God B y M i k e J o h n so n

I

t’s easy to credit the wrong thing for our blessings.

For example, when I arise early to enjoy the most productive time of my day, one of the first stops is the coffee machine. I have the luxurious Keurig push-button machine that makes one cup at a time. But I still have to fill it with water. When I turn the tap, I can always depend on the water gushing from the faucet. On the surface, it’s easy to credit the faucet as the source of that water since it is the equipment from which it flows. Yet, that would be false.

In my area, water is only available from a spring fed by snow melt from the Rocky Mountains in the Shoshone National Forest. A collection tank in our neighborhood distributes water through pipes, into my house, through a filter and out that faucet.

Water does not come from the faucet, it comes through the faucet.

That little distinction makes all the difference.

Similarly, the source of everything else in our lives comes through us, not from us.

Take our bodies for instance.

We inhabit them, but we didn’t create them. Life flows through us, but not from us.

Look at the atmosphere. We do nothing to create the air we breath, yet we breath it every moment www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

of our lives without giving it a thought. The air flows into us, we pull out the needed oxygen and exhale the rest. Air flows through us, but not from us.

What about thoughts? Where is a thought the instant before it pops into our mind? Thousands rush through our minds each day, yet they don›t originate there. Like the air, as thoughts flow through us, we pull out what we need and let the others dissipate back from whence they came. The thoughts we keep, turn into physical manifestations such as health, jobs, homes and spouses. Despite appearances, all of these things come through us, not from us.

At best, we are co-creators with the source - conduits through which raw materials flow in one side and the circumstances of our lives flow out the other. The better our connection to the source, the richer the raw materials we have to work with. By looking closely, one realizes that each of us is actually connected to the source. Each of us is a portal to God. By looking closely at a person, you recognize a piece of the source.

Those with exceptional talents are merely more connected to the source in that particular area of their lives. Sure, those talents were likely honed through study, practice and use. But through experience, confidence increases to such a point |

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that the person KNOWS they can call upon that talent anytime they wish. Because they realize the talent is coming through them, rather than from them, they understand they are tapping into something far bigger than themselves -something unlimited in scope - an understanding that grants awe, gratitude and peace of mind.

As a writer, this understanding frees me from the false conclusion that I must come up with ideas myself. I merely ask for them and they arrive. They flow through me, not from me. I›ve agreed to cocreate with the source, and in doing so, I gain all the blessings that arise from the partnership. On days when I›ve let my connection to the source become weaker, the idea-flow slows or stops all together. It›s at those times I remember the truth of the situation for all writers - and all people on earth.

God writes, the rest of us just type.

Mike Johnson is an accomplished entrepreneur and writer who has sold two million words. Semi-retired, Mike lives on a mountain near Yellowstone National Park.

Mike can be reached at mike@mikeleejohnson.com

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CO V ER STOR Y

Police paladin protects people B y J o y c el y n e F a d ojutimi

Longview Police Chief Mike Bishop’s parents were strict about grades and staying out of trouble. But, it was a home full of love as well. Bishop has been married 29 years, but not just to his lovely wife Amelia.

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t was 29 years ago the newlywed Bishop also made his second, vocational committment when he joined the Longview Police Department. It was a decision in keeping with his upbringing and an early detour into the military. Following achieving Eagle Scout status as a Boy Scout, Bishop graduated from high school and made a patriotic choice on where to head next. His parents were strict about grades and staying out of trouble. It was a home full of love as well.

“After graduation I knew I had to decide on a career path, but in 1983, the economy was not great and there were few jobs available where I grew up in upstate New York,” he says. “After some thought I decided to join the United States Air Force and enlisted as a security police officer. This was the hardest thing I had to do, leaving family and friends, but I knew this was the direction I needed to take.”

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CO V ER STOR Y

Amelia and husband Chief Bishop

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CO V ER STOR Y

Chief Mike Bishop

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CO V ER STOR Y

Bishop’s education commenced during his five-year military stint, and he compiled an impressive academic record: Community College of the Air Force where he earned an Associate Degree of Applied Science, Industrial Security in June 1988

Command Staff Leadership Series--Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas.

Developing Leaders for Texas Law Enforcement-Texas Police Chiefs' Association Foundation.

United States Secret Service--Dignitary Protective Seminar.

All Hazards Incident Management Team (Type 3)—Governor’s Division of Emergency Management.

Leading, Educating and Developing Program (LEAD)--Wheldon Cooper Center for Public Service--University of Virginia.

University of North Texas--Graduate Academic Certificate in Police Management.

University of Texas at Tyler to take his Bachelor of Science in Political Science in May 1999.

Institute for Law Enforcement Administration-42nd Management College.

LeTourneau University, where he pulled down a Master of Business Administration in May 2008.

Southwestern Law Enforcement Institute--71st School of Police Supervision.

His course selection reflects his fascination with politics and how political systems operate. After signing on with the Longview PD in 1989, he rose through the ranks and found it prudent to enroll at LeTourneau because of its Christian orientation and well-known, prestigious MBA program.

"Completing the MBA program has helped me tremendously as chief of police in running an organization," he says. "Organizations can be complex at times but having a greater understanding of how they operate has been very beneficial."

There can be no question that Bishop's thirst for learning is ongoing. His far-ranging academic portfolio establishes his intelligence and qualifications: Licensed Texas Law Enforcement Officer through the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, earning a Master Peace Officer Certification.

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Adjunct Instructor, Criminal Justice and Public Administration--Tyler Junior College.

After his discharge from the Air Force, he sought employment in civilian society, but and found the opportunity Longview Police Department. "At the time I was living in Bossier City, Louisiana, and heard that the Longview Police Force was hiring. I applied, and a short time later was hired," he says. "Having already spent five years in the Air Force as a security police officer, it only made sense that policing was a career I wanted to pursue."

Bishop clings to the traditional law enforcement officer's objective of enforcing laws enacted by the state legislature, and to provide basic police services to the community he serves. His prowess in this calling led to him scaling the ladder of success very rapidly.

He was so proficient at every stage of his career that becoming police chief may have been inevitable. The hard work required to rise through the ranks made him even better at his job.

"When you promote from one rank to the next, you continuously learn more and more about the organization and how it operates," he says. "With each

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CO V ER STOR Y

Chief Mike Bishop

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CO V ER STOR Y rank also comes increased responsibilities, so you need to be willing to accept that."

His daily routine sees him insuring his department provides Longview the best possible service to keep the city and its people safe and secure. As an administrator, he must make certain his personnel have the most meticulous training possible and the most up-todate equipment and resources in general for them to carry out their assigned duties with additional emphasis on their own safety. It is a job he loves.

"The things I enjoy most about my profession are twofold. First, the people I get to work with on a daily basis. We have great officers, and I enjoy watching them develop and mature," he says. "Second, is the people I have gotten to meet and work with over the years out in the community. We have great individuals who want to see Longview develop and prosper into a community that provides a great way of living."

Bishop's love for his adopted home shows through in his long list of local service organizations: Martin House Child Advocacy Center-board member--2017.

Rotary International--LongviewGreggton Chapter, 2015.

American Business Clubs (AMBUCS)-member since 2000, president from 2013 to 2014.

Greater Longview United Way. ARC of Gregg County--board member, 2007-2012.

Miracle League of East Texas--board of directors, 2012-present.

Boys and Girls Club of Gregg County-board of directors since 2016.

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CO V ER STOR Y

Amelia pins husband Chief Bishop

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CO V ER STOR Y The Longview Police Department reflects its Chief's dedication to community service. Apart from its community-oriented policing policy, the department hosts multiple outreach programs to educate citizens on how they can reduce their risk of becoming crime victims. Local officers also participate in reading to pupils in local elementary schools.

"I try to instill in our officers that it is important to be involved in community service as much as possible," he says. "When we all pitch in, it only makes our community a better place to live, work and play."

Bishop somehow, manages to accomplish all this and still be deeply involved in professional law enforcement organizations.

His memberships are a who-iswho of peace officer expertise: International Association of Chiefs of Police.

Texas Police Chiefs' Association.

East Texas Police Chiefs' Association, President, 2014.

East Texas Peace Officers' Association.

A

s assistant chief of police, he coordinated day-to-day operations for the field operations bureau and the operations support bureau. He also assisted in preparing the department for the initial certification and recertification of its best practices through the Texas Police Chiefs' Association Foundation Best Practices Program. He collected data for the department's racial profiling report, and also for criminal investigations associated with officers' use of force. He helped deliver high quality police programs and services to the community including community policing and the school resource officer program. He assisted in developing, implementing and administering department policies and procedures, establishing goals, objectives and priorities for enforcing departmental policies. He collaborated with various local, state and federal law enforcement agencies in various operations. He also filled in for the then-chief of police when he was absent, and faultlessly performed at numerous critical incidents.

Long before his elevation to police chief, Bishop drew attention to himself by being very, very good at various pursuits. His awards go on and on: Boy Scouts of America, Eagle Scout, 1982.

United States Air Force--Good Conduct Medal, 1986.

United States Air Force, Air Force Achievement Medal, 1987.

Longview Police Department--Officer of the Month, October 1991.

Longview Police Department--Civic Achievement Award, 1993.

Longview Police Department--Meritorious Conduct Award, 1998.

Longview Police Department--Marshall Sowders Award, 1999.

Supervisor of the Year, 2013.

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CO V ER STOR Y

Bishop's work as a patrolman, in internal affairs, Crisis Intervention Negotiation Unit Supervisor and beat sergeant were equally impressive.

His positions in these capacities were: Drug Abuse Resistance Education Instructor Police Area Representative-community policing Uniformed Crime Investigator Field Training Officer Investigative Services Division

According to Bishop, he loves serving Longview through various non-profit organizations and policing.

Chief Mike Bishop

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CO V ER STOR Y

the Longview Police Department Maintains a community oriented policing philosophy.

on ways to reduce chances of being victimized by criminal activity.

Have several outreach programs that aim to educate the community on the operations and available resources.

Longview PD officers engage in various volunteer work in the community.

Longview PD have an annual citizen’s police academy.

Have a teen police academy.

Longview PD have a business police academy for our business owners.

Have a woman’s safety course.

Neighborhood crime watch groups all in an effort to educate the community

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For example. Officers read to students in elementary schools across Longview.

Chief Bishop instills in officers the importance of community involvement.

Chief Bishop believes that: “When we all pitch in, it only makes our community a better place to live, work, and play.”

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Personal Business

Seven P Steps to Leave a Job Gracefully 1.

eople change jobs for a variety of reasons. Some do so because of better opportunities elsewhere, while others simply need a change. Regardless of what’s motivating a job change, leaving a place of employment can elicit various emotions, including some that may contribute to negative thoughts about a current employer. But it’s always best to leave a job gracefully, which can pay dividends down the road. The following are seven strategies people can employ as they leave their jobs to ensure those exits go as smoothly as possible.

Deciding to leave a job is seldom an easy decision.

However, it’s a more common decision than many people may know, as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates the average worker holds 10 different jobs before age 40.

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Watch out for social media. It’s best to keep resignation plans to yourself and off of social media. You never know who is reading your posts and bad-mouthing a soonto-be-former employer can lead to hurt feelings and poor references. Resist the urge to rant about what’s making you unhappy at work or brag about a new position to your social network.

2.

Play by the rules. Your employer may have a plan in place for how the company prefers resignations to be handled. The standard two- to three-week’s notice is a guideline.

Visit with human resources if you need more information, such as whether or not a resignation letter or other documentation is required.

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Personal Business

3.

Speak with your manager first. It’s respectful for your immediate manager or supervisor to learn of your departure first.

This gives him or her ample time to put a plan in place to fill your position. The more notice you can give, the more goodwill you’re building on your way out the door. Schedule a meeting for this purpose; do not make it an informal chat by the water cooler.

Resist the urge to quit via email or text. Resigning requires face-to-face communication. Present a concise letter of resignation as well. Don’t call out colleagues or air your grievances in the letter.

4.

5.

Announce your departure. Work collectively with your manager and other higher-ups to decide how to best handle the announcement to other employees.

Train your replacement and prepare final assignments. Volunteer to train or assist with getting your replacement set up. If you have any outstanding projects or documents, be sure to tie up any loose ends before leaving. Leave behind instructions or a guidebook if you think it will help your replacement perform their duties more effectively.

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6.

7.

Keep the momentum. It can be tempting to phone it in as you near departure day, but this is inadvisable. Do your job to the best of your ability up until you say your goodbyes.

Pack on your own time. Cause as little disruption as possible by packing belongings before or after office hours. Respect the working environment, recognizing that your coworkers still need to get their jobs done.

Quitting a job can be full of mixed emotions.

Just be sure to time it correctly and leave in as positive a way as possible to maintain a strong professional network.

SOCIAL MEDIA TEXT: Regardless of what’s motivating a job change, leaving a place of employment can elicit various emotions, including some that may contribute to negative thoughts about a current employer.

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CO M M UNIT Y CONNECTIONS

CASA, Mercy Manor:

The Joining of Titans Stephanie Fears, Josh Flanagan, Drs. Spencer and Andrew Hansen, Shelly Smith with Melissa and Tony Azzam

B y J o y c el y n e F a d ojutimi

East Texas Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) linked up with Mercy Manor in a clash (or joining) of titans. East Texas CASA Executive Director Shelley Smith laid out the objective of this collaboration.

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CO M M UNIT Y CONNECTIONS

Josh and Grayson Flanagan

“A

ll the children we work with deserve to have a hero in their lives, and our volunteers and programs provide that resource for them,” she said.

The CASA/Mercy Manor 5k and I mile run walk brought 156 athletes to Longview Mall where the race’s sponsors and vendors kept attendees happy and entertained while waiting for the run to start. This year’s event theme was, “Every child deserves a hero.” Smith, however, goes further. “Foster children deserve superheroes,” she said. With its

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fun, friendly and enjoyable action, the race generated funding for these two child-oriented East Texas organizations dedicated to rescuing children from difficult situations.

“We are so grateful to all of our sponsors, vendors and runners for making this event a huge success,” said Smith. “We love seeing all the costumes and how people really have fun being their favorite superhero.”

Smith also reported how Gamester’s Paradise buses, Hospitality ER ice cream truck and the Whataburger breakfast made the race special and delighted the kids. Mercy Manor Board www.infinitieplus.com

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CO M M UNIT Y CONNECTIONS Amy Winn, Bryndle Winn, Kenzie Thompson and Austyn Amaya

Shelly Smith, Grayson Flanagan and Stephanie Fears

Volunteer face painters Karli Anderson and Macaela Alexander

President Courtney Gill took time to express her gratitude for this partnership for children.

“It is a beautiful thing to see two non-profits joining forces to raise funds for children in our community,” she said.

Mercy Manor works with adolescents who have gone through the foster system. These girls are five times more likely to become pregnant out of wedlock. Because there are few Texas-based facilities dedicated to helping this group, this resource is even more vital.

Mercy Manor provides pregnant teenagers with a safe, loving and supportive environment, one that

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addresses spiritual, physical and mental needs. The girls can depend on the staff to show them the best plans for themselves and their unborn babies. This is all done with emphasis on looking to Christ for salvation and guidance.

Mercy Manor also provides teen mothers with adoption education, teaches how to develop parenting skills, complete their education, where to find counseling and healthcare services and provides spiritual teaching in a family setting. The young ladies are instructed on how life is full of difficult decisions, and that one of the hardest is how to deal with an

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unplanned pregnancy. Here, they learn the best plans for themselves and their unborn children.

Mercy Manor has recently been certified to teach a course called “Relationships Under Construction,” (RUC.) This is also offered to foster agencies, schools and youth groups at no charge.

The curriculum stresses abstinence.

The staff strives to educate young ladies on this part of growing up so well that it will be nice if Mercy Manor will eventually no longer be needed.

Executive Director Stephanie Fears learned first-hand the fear, confusion, chaos, guilt and shame www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

CO M M UNIT Y CONNECTIONS

Stephanie Fears, executive director, Mercy Manor Maternity Home.

East Texas CASA Executive Director Shelly Smith and Mercy Manor Maternity Home Executive Director Stephanie Fears

Menchies Fro-Yo, ArtsView’s Spiderman and Chick-Fil-A Cow

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Debra Myers

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CO M M UNIT Y CONNECTIONS

Stephanie Fears, Sasha Cantu, Jen Falkner, Stephanie Neal and Shelly Smith

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CO M M UNIT Y CONNECTIONS that clings to unwed mothers and fathers as well as whole families.

“I had a teen pregnancy at age 16. Abortion was encouraged and discussed by some ‘friends’ and even family members on both sides,” she said. “But for me and my parents, this was not an option we could consider. I praise God every day that my heart was burdened for that precious child to have life. We chose adoption.”

Fears reunited with her son when he was 20 and saw the blessing of abortion alternatives.

He lives a productive life, and she has developed close bonds with his adoptive family. Her son has been an endless blessing to this couple

wanting a child of their own to love, cherish and raise. This taught Fears that God has a purpose and plan for every life from the moment of conception. He can make something wonderful come from even the worst decisions.

The 5k run raised more than $7500 to fund Mercy Manor’s and CASA’s priceless ministrations to abused and neglected children.

The Mercy Manor annual banquet is scheduled for Sunday, 16 September.

For more information on these organizations, please visit w w w . m e r c y m a n o r. c o m ; https://easttexascasa.org.

IN IS STA SU NT E!

Texas Bank and Trust will donate $4.00

to your school for every new card issued!

www.texasbankandtrust.com MEMBER FDIC TBT IPM FAN 2018.indd 1

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BOD Y SOUL A N D S P IRIT

Cooling the heat B y J o y c el y n e F a d ojutimi

M

enopause is a normal, unavoidable part of the female aging process. It is not a disorder or an illness. More importantly, September is national menopause awareness month hence, this article. According to the National Institute of Health [NIH], many women look forward to this change because it means they will no longer be subject to painful periods, cramping and the specter of unwanted pregnancies.

NIH defines menopause as having set in when a woman has gone a full 12 months without a monthly period.

During the final years before this point, women will experience such changes in their monthly cycles as hot flashes and other symptoms characteristic of the menopausal transition, also called perimenopause. This generally commences between the ages of 45 and 55, and lasts about seven years, although it can take as long as 14. During this change, the bodily system’s production of estrogen and

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progesterone, hormones secreted by the ovaries, varies greatly. Bone density decreases, making women more prone to fractures. Also, the body uses energy differently, and fat cells change, often leading to weight gain. At this stage, women may undergo spotty menstrual cycles. While frequently called “menopause,” true menopause has not actually set in until a full year after the final menstrual period.

Women are encouraged to eat a healthy diet including plenty of calcium-rich foods to ward off osteoporosis, bone fractures and heart disease. Those wishing to avoid pregnancy should keep using birth control until a full year after their final monthly period.

Menopause may also be triggered by a hysterectomy or by surgical removal of the ovaries, which secret hormones. Women who have their ovaries or uterus removed will immediately experience menopause symptoms unless they are taking hormones.

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Apart from the onset of menopause, this is a traditionally challenging time in most women’s lives. Many are caring for aged parents or other relatives who are in need and helping their children as they transition into adult life. By this time, many ladies are also undergoing changes in their careers, taking on new responsibilities and challenges in their jobs. Of course, the extent of these developments varies from person to person.

Some will have no trouble with menopausal symptoms.

Board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist with CHRISTUS Good Shepherd NorthPark Medical Plaza; Dr. James Dozier provided needed information to women going through the www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

BOD Y SOUL A N D S P IRIT

studies on menopause were poorly transition. For this reason, the designed, resulting in healthcare clinic invited ladies to come and professionals being worried about learn more about the change, its negative coverage. He said these accompanying symptoms and risks are overstated and statistically treatment options. Menopause is insignificant, but this has not characterized by the following: stopped women from being hurt • Hot flashes by the resultant hysteria. He did • Night sweats report hip fracture risk increases • Mood swings by 55%, and that as many as • Insomnia 90,000 women have died from • Fatigue avoiding estrogen therapy. On the • Memory changes other hand, there is no excessive • Vaginal dryness/atrophy risk of cardiovascular disease or • Painful intercourse cancer mortality since the threat • Bladder spasms is similar to family histories Most of the ladies of breast cancer. Also, who attended Dozier’s localized estrogen/ recent seminar were vaginal preparations are undergoing several available for women of these symptoms whose families have a simultaneously, history of breast cancer. although there was one James Dozier, MD Furthermore, ladies woman in the audience taking the hormones have who had undergone none a better chance of surviving of these changes despite being of menopausal age. Dozier affirmed breast cancer if it does occur.

Hormone therapy benefits include: she was one of the few to have no • Relief of such menopause menopausal symptoms. And such symptoms as hot flashes, vaginal women do exist but are far and few dryness, mood swings, and in between. He also discussed the urogenital symptom relief. stigma associated with hormones such as breast cancer, heart disease, • Protection against osteoporosis.

• Decreasing the incidence of stroke and blood clotting as dementia, heart disease, diabetes additional risks for menopausal and colon cancer. women.

As is generally the case in the Dozier pointed out that the overall human experience, timing famed Women’s Health Initiative www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

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is crucial. Dozier told his listeners they should not wait too long to be evaluated by a specialist in menopausal diagnosis and treatment. Even older women can benefit from hormone therapy administered in proper dosages.

Treatments/therapeutic options include: •Pills • Patches • Injections There are additional, newer options: • SERM (Osphena) • Combination estrogen and SERM (Duavee) • SSRI (Brisdelle) • Gabapentin (Neurontin) Dozier also advised his audience to have annual physicals including mammograms, and to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regimen. He finished his lecture by informing the women in attendance that individualized treatment options are available, that the dangers of hormone therapy are small and insignificant.

Finally, he stressed getting an early start on menopause education and treatment from qualified professionals.

For further information and options please call CHRISTUS Good Shepherd NorthPark at (903) 315-5733.

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B u s i n e s s and F i n a n c e

CREDIT MONITORING:

IS IT ENOUGH TO KEEP YOUR IDENTITY SAFE B y Hug h Norto n

Identity theft can be a timeconsuming and costly hassle, but there are measures you can take to protect your personal information and avoid the headache.

O

ne tool that can help is credit monitoring.

But what exactly does credit monitoring do? And more importantly, is it enough to keep you safe?

What is credit monitoring?

There are three primary national consumer credit bureaus, and you may have a credit report with more than one. Although the reports are often similar, they’re not necessarily identical because some financial institutions only report data to one or two of the bureaus, and some don’t report data to any of them.

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At their simplest, credit monitoring services will look for potentially suspicious changes in your credit reports based on your prior activity and send you an alert if they detect an issue. These could include a new hard inquiry (when you apply for credit and a creditor checks your report) or a new account. Either could be an indication that someone is using your information to fraudulently open financial accounts.

They may also alert you to new public records, such as a bankruptcy, and to changes to the personal information section, such

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as a new name or address on your report.

Credit monitoring services can range in price and function. You can find the basic monitoring and alert services for free. However, they may only monitor one or two of your credit reports, so you could have to sign up for several to get full coverage.

Services that have a monthly or annual subscription fee may monitor your credit reports from all three bureaus. More robust identity monitoring services include additional features, such as fraud resolution assistance, www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

B u s i n e s s and F i n a n c e

reimbursements for lost funds or expenses related to identity theft and scanning the internet for your personal information. They may alert you if your info is used to open financial accounts that aren’t generally on the major three consumer credit reports, such as a bank account or payday loan.

An alert may be too late, but it can still be helpful. Credit monitoring services are reactive by nature. If you’re alerted that someone has tried to use (or successfully used) your personal information, then in a sense it’s too late – you’re already a victim of identity theft.

However, being able to react right away can help limit the damage because you can contact the companies to have the fraudulent accounts shut down.

Additionally, there are steps you can take to help minimize your risk of identity theft.

Ways to protect yourself before something happens. Unless you decide to live off the financial grid, you may not be able to completely protect yourself from large data breaches. But here are a few things you can do to help keep your personal information secure: Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet, and only carry www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine

other documents with sensitive information (such as a Medicare card) when you know you’ll need them.

Generally, don’t share your personal information if you receive an incoming call, even if the person claims to be from your bank or a government agency. Instead, tell the caller you will call them back and use the entity’s actual number (which can usually be found on a bill, statement of account or website) to do so.

Learn how to safely and properly dispose of computers, mobile phones and other electronics that may have your personal information on them.

Place fraud alerts or credit freezes on your reports to make it more difficult for someone else to open an account in your name.

Before throwing it out, shred or cut up material that has personal information, including old bank statements, credit cards and insurance forms.

Install antivirus software on your computer and keep it up to date.

Avoid logging into financial accounts while using public Wi-Fi networks, including those at cafes or airports.

Set and regularly update your |

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password for your phone and computer.

Use different, long passwords for your online accounts.

The Federal Trade Commission also has helpful articles and resources that you can explore to learn more about identity theft prevention and recovery.

Bottom line: At a minimum, having some form of free credit monitoring or making a practice of regularly checking your credit reports for suspicious changes could help you avoid major problems down the road. If you’re concerned about identity theft, taking steps to secure your personal information and paying for a service that includes resolution assistance and reimbursements could be a good idea.

Hugh Norton directs Visa’s financial education programs.

To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ PracticalMoney. This article is intended to provide general information and should not be considered health, legal, tax or financial advice. It’s always a good idea to consult a tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to your situation and about your individual financial situation.

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G RUBS U P

Grilled American Lamb Loins Chops with Spring Herb Salsa Verde R ecipe pro v ided by | E L I Z A B E T H S T A R K O F B R O O K L Y N S U P P E R

INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS For the Spring Herb Salsa Verde 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup minced parsley 1 green onion, minced 2 tablespoons minced mint leaves 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed, drained, and minced 1 clove garlic, minced Zest of 1 lemon 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper For the Lamb Loin Chops 4 bone-in American lamb loin chops Sea salt Fresh ground black pepper 2 lemons, halved

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To make salsa verde, pour olive oil into a small bowl, and whisk in remaining ingredients. Taste, and add sea salt or pepper as needed. Allow mixture to marinate at room temperature while you make the loin chops.

To make loin chops, prepare a hot grill. Lights coals and allow them to get hot enough that you can’t hold you hand four inches above them for more than a few seconds. Bank coals to one side of grill to create a zone of high heat and a zone of indirect heat. For a gas grill, turn to medium high 10 -15 minutes before you plan to grill.

Just before grilling, sprinkle chops on both sides with sea salt and pepper. Set chops over hottest part of grill and grill 2 minutes. Flip, and grill 2 minutes more. Move chops over indirect heat, and grill 2 – 4 minutes longer or until internal temperature reaches 135°F. Rest chops 5 minutes.

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BRAIN TEASERS

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

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

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

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

Answer________ 3. He was proclaimed “El Libertador.”

Answer________

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

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

Answer________ 9. His predecessor was Sun Yat-sen.

Answer________

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

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

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

Answer________

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

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

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

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

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