infinitieplus magazine by infinitieplus magazine

infinitieplus February 2022

VOL. 12 NO.2 LONGVIEW BUSINESS MAGAZINE

Police Chief Mike Bishop FIVE RESOLUTIONS FOR A FRAUD-FREE NEW YEAR

LONGVIEW HIGH SCHOOL FFA STUDENTS GARNER PLAUDITS

THE WINDS OF LIFE

FLIP THIS MAGAZINE

Education Editor's Note

Hello Longview and our global readers, We at infinitieplus magazine hope you are doing well, staying safe and meeting the challenges of these unprecedented times in this new year. Learning to keep on keeping on with life despite the COVID-19 is the way to go. Our cover story is about Longview’s top cop, Chief Mike Bishop putting up his badge in retirement. But he is not going to sit at home and wring his hands. Far from it. Bishop retired on the last day of the first month of 2022. He worked tirelessly and flawlessly in the Longview Police Department for thirty-two years, as chief the last six. After his stint in the United States Air Force, he joined Longview Police Department (LPD) in 1989 as a patrol officer . However, he has put in time and considerable, expert effort as a police area representative, detective, patrol sergeant, crisis intervention negotiator, in special operations and special services and in administration. He earned his promotion to chief in August 2015. His story is from page 6. There is more. “In this day and age, you can’t afford to make mistakes. Taking preventive measures before typing in your payment information or opening your wallet is well worth the time and effort to keep from becoming a victim,” said resident and CEO of BBB. Pandemic aside, the loss of money, personal information, and perseverance of scammers continue with online purchase scams as the riskiest of scams. BBB recommends adding a few precautionary steps to the New Year's resolution list, along with the weight loss and financial goals, to help make the upcoming days and months fraud-free. Check it out from page 16. But wait, there is more. Longview High School Future Farmers of America make their mark. This story is from page 18. We brought you brain teasers to keep your brain sharp and a delectable soup recipe to chill out the cold. Thank you for reading and we look forward to serving you in March by God’s grace.

Joycelyne Fadojutimi, Publisher

Education

Longview High School FFA students garner plaudits The Magazine for Living Life Beyond, Plus One… Publisher / Editor Joycelyne Fadojutimi, PhD Photography Keisha Standley Joycelyne Fadojutimi

LHS FFA: L-r: Zion Templeton, Luis Reyes, Maggie Mayes, Emily Morin, Alayah Alexander, Ryan Diggers (student teacher from Tarleton State University)

Graphic Designer Kuneho Designs Contributing Writers Dr. Michael Guido Sydney McBride Mechele Agbayani Mills Debi Johnston

OUR MISSION

To enrich the local-global community with the “just in time knowledge,” to assure future successes Contd. on Page 18

OUR VISION

To become an information oracle of functional and constructive reports that serves the needs of businesses and communities. 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. The entire contents of infinitieplus magazine is copyrighted 2022. Any reproduction or use in whole or part without written permission is prohibited. infinitieplus magazine reserves the right to edit and make appropriate modifications. The opinions published by contributing writers do not necessarily reflect the views of infinitieplus magazine or its advertisers. P. O. Box 12473 Longview, Texas 75602-2473 https://twitter.com/infinitieplus Phone: 903.918.7706

Celebrating Black History Month ______________ ______________ d

VOLUME 12 | ISSUE 2

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www.texasbankandtrust.com

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s t n e t n o C

Lily Kate Tubb

Cyler Frost

Features

Violet Trent

In Every Issue 3

Emileigh Willey

Spotlight

Education

16 Business and Finance 20 Inspiration 21 Puzzle

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 to the 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 to Longview 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 is why why we wewe provide provide provide extra extra extra amenities amenities amenities such such such asasprivate as private 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 ififyou you if you and and and your your your newest newest newest addition addition addition need need need aalittle little a little extra extra extra help, help, help, we wewe 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 aaLevel Level a Level IIIIIINICU. III NICU. 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.

22 Grubs Up

Dylan and Nikki Briscoe

6 Cover Story: Police chief completes service

23 Community Health and Wellness

Maggie Mayes and Alayah Alexander

About the Cover Police Chief Mike Bishop retired on the last day of the first month of 2022. He worked tirelessly and flawlessly in the Longview Police Department for thirty-two years, as chief the last six. After his stint in the United States Air Force, he joined Longview Police Department (LPD) in 1989 as a patrol officer . However, he has put in time and considerable, expert effort as a police area representative, detective, patrol sergeant, crisis intervention negotiator, in special operations and special services and in administration. He earned his promotion to chief in August 2015

2901 2901 2901 N.N.Fourth N. Fourth Fourth Street Street Street • •Longview, Longview, • Longview, TX TX75605 TX 75605 75605 • •903-242-3490 903-242-3490 • 903-242-3490 • •LongviewRegional.com LongviewRegional.com • LongviewRegional.com www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine | https://twitter.com/infinitieplus | infinitieplus | February 2022

Cover Story

Police chief completes service "I've always strived to apply Christian principles in making my decisions. Understanding our faith helps define who we are as a person, and I always try to lead by example through Christian principles." Police Chief Mike Bishop By JOYCELYNE FADOJUTIMI

ver the past six years I've known that I could rely on him to do the right thing and set the example of how to protect and serve," said Longview Mayor Dr. Andy Mack. "He will be missed, and I wish him well in his future endeavors." Although they came from the mayor, these words could have been spoken by anyone in Longview, especially those who have lived here during Police Chief Mike Bishop's tenure. He took this job knowing it would be a challenge, just like any other in law enforcement, but as chief he served in the public eye, responsible for his own performance as well as that of everybody under his authority. He did a wonderful job and was an inspiration for the police officers

who had only to follow his sterling example to be successful. Bishop retired on the last day of the first month of 2022. He worked tirelessly and flawlessly in the Longview Police Department for thirty-two years, as chief the last six. After his stint in the United States Air Force, he joined Longview Police Department (LPD) in 1989 as a patrol officer. However, he has put in time and considerable, expert effort as a police area representative, detective, patrol sergeant, crisis intervention negotiator, in special operations and special services and in administration. He earned his promotion to chief in August 2015. Bishop received his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Texas at Tyler in 1999 before enrolling in the

Institute of Law Enforcement Administration, graduating in 2001. But wait, there is more. He graduated from the Management Command College in 2006, then pulled down a master's in business administration from LeTourneau University in 2008. Chief Bishop was promoted to police chief just a few months after I had been elected to my first term as mayor," said Mack. "Public safety was a top priority for me then, just as it is today, and I can't thank Chief Bishop enough for the work he and his officers have done to keep our community safe. Over the past six years I've known that I could rely on him to do the right thing and set the example of how to protect and serve. He will be missed, and I wish him well in his future endeavors." Contd. on Page 8

Retired Police Chief Mike Bishop

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Cover Story The accolades being deservedly heaped on Bishop are not limited to the mayor, either. Recently retired City Manager Keith Bonds added his own glittering plaudits. "I greatly appreciate Chief Bishop's service to the Longview Police Department and the City of Longview as a whole," he said. "As a former police area representative himself Mike has always been a strong proponent of community policing, encouraging relationships between officers and community while also setting exacting standards of excellence and professionalism. I know Longview is a better place because of his efforts." As retirement crept up on him, Bishop shared high points of his law enforcement career. His words reveal a deeply committed man who was dedicated to the well-being and fair treatment of all people and communities. Still, he did not deny the challenging nature of his job. "Within communities there are a variety of unique needs from a law enforcement perspective. Utilizing available resources to address those needs was the most challenging," he says. "Some needs could be resolved quickly, while others often took longer than I would have liked. Citizens want a safe community, and crime rates are reflective of that. Monitoring crime trends on a weekly basis

Cover Story helped us to deploy the proper resources to deal with the related crime issues." Bishop freely admits to accepting guidance and assistance from a Higher Source when it came to working through the endless aspects of a police career. He has no doubt this is the main reason for his success in making Longview safer and happier. He realizes that everybody, regardless of their actions, deserves fair and dignified treatment. "I've always strived to apply Christian principles in making my decisions," he says. "Understanding our faith helps define who we are as a person, and I always try to lead by example through Christian principles." Our country has recently seen several high-profile cases involving excessive use of force by police. Resultant legal reforms have started circulating through the national, state, and local levels. As he retires, Bishop hopes his (and all) officers remember that policing is an ancient and noble profession, and that Longview as a community still supports them. He realizes that the changes affecting this vocation may be drastic, and that change is often hard, but their profession will come through it stronger and more competent than ever as training and preparations for policing evolve and improve.

“Police work is a calling. I knew early on that it was my calling to serve others. For me, my faith helped me and guided me to understand that we are in the people business. Police work at times can be very unpleasant. Understanding that we are all human, we can never lose sight of the fact that regardless of the crimes committed by humanity, we need to treat all with dignity, compassion, and fairness.”

Retired Police Chief Mike Bishop

Contd. on Page 11

Julie Woods, Fire Chief JP Steelman, Longview Mayor, Dr. Andy Mack and Police Chief Mike Bishop

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Cover Story

Retired Police Chief Mike Bishop "Continuous training and education have to be a part of your career that you have to focus on," he says. "I have been very blessed to have had the opportunity to lead the men and women of this department and see the extraordinary things they have done day in and day out." His thirty-two years with the Longview Police Department have

shown him how his job makes it possible for locals to safely, profitably live, work and play. He and wife Amelia look for this trend to continue. "I pray I am leaving our city better today than when I found it thirty-two years ago," he says. He is. After removing his badge for the last time, Bishop

began another career at Tyler Junior College as professor and coordinator of the public administration program in the department of legal and public service careers in the school of professional and technical programs. He has already polished his instructor's skills with eleven years as adjunct professor. Contd. on Page 12

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Cover Story

"Continuous training and education have to be a part of your career that you have to focus on," he says. "I have been very blessed to have had the opportunity to lead the men and women of this department and see the extraordinary things they have done day in and day out."

Retired Police Chief Mike Bishop Police Chief Mike Bishop and his officers

Contd. on Page 14

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Congratulations Congratulations to the the 2018 2018 Stars Stars Over Over Longview Longview Cover Story to Shalonda Adams The updates and innovations he introduced to the police Holyfield departmentLori are many and effective:Ball

Shalonda Adams

• •

Lori Holyfield Ball

Crista Black Introduction of body-worn cameras.

Crista Black

Sharon Bradley

Creation of the Police Collier Outreach Mary Service Team (POST) to proactively Davis respondCarmela to and assist the community’s homeless.

Mary Collier

•

Gerrie Forbis Carmela Davis

Consistent reduction of Carol Manley crime over the past few years. Dawn Martin

Gerrie Forbis

with the Smith and Gregg county law enforcement agencies including Smith County Sheriff's Office, Tyler PD, Gregg County Sheriff's Office, Longview Police Department, Texas Department of Public Safety, Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Recognized in 2016 and 2020 for Best Practices through the Texas Police Chief's • Pamela Established Mercer-McWilliams Civilian Teen Association. Police Academy and Business Police Academy. Mary Morris • Implemented modified police services during pandemic • Establishment of accredited conditions. Julie Woods police academy to train new recruits to serve up to • Design and space needs department standards. The assessment of new police academy presently trains department, resulting in the LPD cadets and cadets from construction of new neighboring agencies. police department building slated to open in late 2022. • Charter member of the East Texas Anti-Gang Unit, • Compiled and provided

computer-aided dispatch/ records management system assessment to develop options for updating the current system. •

Dawn Martin

Pamela Mercer-McWilliams Mary Morris

Celebrating 18 Years Julie Woods

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Celebrating 18 Years Speaker: Jackie Joyner-Kersey Doors Open at 11:30 a.m. Ceremony and Luncheon begin at noon Maude Cobb Activity Center 100 Grand Blvd. • Longview

Thursday, January 11, 2018

Hired and trained ninety-six new officers since August 2015.

•

Implemented Texas Department of Transportation-sponsored Data-Driven Approaches to Crime and Traffic Safety policing model.

•

Utilized professional commercials and social media platforms for recruiting.

•

Carol Manley

Community Health and Wellness

Bishop's will be hard shoes to fill, and nobody has been selected yet for the vacancy. In Longview, Texas such executive level appointments as police chief are nominated by the city manager and require approval of the city council. As of this writing, no timeline has yet been set for hiring a new police chief.

Speaker: Jackie Joyner-Kersey

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Doors Open at 11:30 a.m. Ceremony and Luncheon begin at noon Ticket Information Maude Cobb$30.00 Activity Center Individual Tickets • $240 for Table of 8 Tickets willGrand be available purchase beginning 100 Blvd.for • Longview

November 1, 2017. To purchase, call Longview Regional Complimentary valet parking will be at available. Medical Center’s Marketing Department 903-553-7400.

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Speaker: Jackie Joyner-Kersey

Olympian & Greatest Female Athlete Individual Tickets $30.00 • $240 for Table of 8 of the 20th Century Tickets will be available for purchase beginning | https://twitter.com/infinitieplus | infinitieplus | February 2022 141, 2017. www.facebook.com/InfinitiePlusmagazine November To purchase, call Longview Regional For additional information on this event visit LongviewRegional.com. Medical Center’s Marketing Department at 903-553-7400.

Congratulations to the 2018 Stars Over Longview

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Business and Finance

Five Resolutions for a Fraud-Free New Year “In this day and age, you can’t afford to make mistakes. Taking preventive measures before typing in your payment information or opening your wallet is well worth the time and effort to keep from becoming a victim.” By MECHELE AGBAYANI MILLS

theft. Never share financial information, birthdate, address, Social Security/ Social Insurance number or Medicare number with an unsolicited caller. I resolve to be social media smart. Make use of privacy settings on social media and only connect with people you actually know. Be careful about including personal information in your profile and never reveal address and other sensitive

andemic aside, the loss of money, personal information, and perseverance of scammers continue with online purchase scams as the riskiest of scams. BBB recommends adding a few precautionary steps to the New Year's resolution list, along with the weight loss and financial goals, to help make the upcoming days and months fraud-free.

information – even in a “fun” quiz. Scammers may use this information to make themselves pass as a friend or relative and earn your trust. Also, be careful when buying products you saw on social media. BBB Scam Tracker has received thousands of complaints about misleading Facebook and Instagram ads. Mechele Agbayani Mills is president and CEO of BBB Serving Central East Texas

I resolve to be cautious with email. Be wary of unsolicited emails from a person or a company. Remember, scammers can make emails look like they are from a legitimate business, government agency, or reputable organization (even BBB!). Never click on links or open attachments in unsolicited emails. I resolve to never send money to strangers. If you haven't met a person face-to-face, don't send them money. This is especially true if the person asks you to transfer funds using a pre-paid debit card or CashApp. Money sent to strangers

in this way is untraceable and once it is sent, there's no getting it back. Scammers will try to trick you into panicking – so before making a move, think the situation through. Don’t fall for it! I resolve to do research before

making online payments and purchases. When shopping online, or if asked to make a payment online, research the retailer before entering payment information. Ask: Is this a person or business I know and trust? Do they have a working

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customer service number? Where is the company physically located? Would I be making payments through a secure server (https://....com)? Have I checked to see if others have complained?

I resolve to use my best judgment when sharing my personal information. Sharing sensitive personal information with scammers opens the door to identity

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Education

Longview High School FFA students garner plaudits By

JOYCELYNE FADOJUTIMI

Reserve Champion because Longview HS has a farm where students keep their livestock. She plans to attend Prairie View A&M and then Tuskegee to become a veterinarian. Longview FFA provided the food for the evening and served the audience in tandem. According to Cyler Frost, the Ag teacher from Judson STEAM Academy, Longview FFA students faired very well at the Gregg County Youth Expo Livestock Auction. Considering this is a premium auction which means they are not buying the animals. Rather, they are buying into the experience and demanding work that students

The Tubb Family: Lilly Kate, Julia and Landry

ongview High School FFA students showed up in force at the Gregg County Youth Expo Auction. Longview ISD was well represented. Beside high schoolers, middle school student, Landry Tubbs and her mother Julia with younger sister, Lilly Kate were present. In addition, Violet Trent from Johnston McQueen who show pigs was in attendance plus

Cyler Frost

Ryan Driggers, a student teacher at Longview high school and a student at Tarleton State University. According to Driggers, Cyler Frost at Judson Academy informed him that Longview high school has a good FFA program. Diggers said he loves it at Longview high school. Dylan Briscoe, a Longview high school student talked about how he started showing animals. It was a neighbor and friend, Parker

Kate and Violet Trent

who introduced him to showing livestock. Dylan has learned many helpful things in the process. For example, he learned that demanding work pays off. He applies demanding work in FFA and in his studies. Nikki Briscoe, his mother accompanied her son. According to Ms. Briscoe, she lends a hand or two when needed. Another parent, Kate Trent accompanied her daughter

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Violet. She shows pigs. Several of the students who won grand champion proudly wore their buckles to this event. One theme that students harped on was how FFA skills of time management and demanding work, transferred into their studies and daily lives. Maggie Mayes showed lamb and won Grand Champion lamb. She plans to attend Texas A&M to study zoology. Furthermore, Alayah Alexander, a 12th grader explained that even though she does not live on a farm, she showed lamb and won

are exemplifying every day with their animals. He explained further, the sales from the auction go into the students accounts for either college or their next animal project or to help them complete this project financially. Longview FFA members brought $4,575 from the Gregg County Youth Expo Auction, which is amazing and going to help our students become more successful in the future. “I hope the sale continues to grow to help not only our Longview FFA students but also every student who participates in the Gregg County Youth Expo,” he intoned.

903.291.0020 1408 Lago Trail Longview heartis.com

Assisted Living and Memory Care Community

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Inspiration

Puzzle

The Winds of Life By GLENN MILLER

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.)

high winds coming in from the Southwest that were trying to blow me off the road. Things here in Dallas only got worse over the evening as I was awakened twice during the night with howling winds. The next morning, the winds had moved to the East and everything appeared to have calmed back down. From time to time, our lives experience turbulent situations that try to blow us off the road of joy and peace. When

these life winds come, we involuntarily batten down the hatches and put both hands back on the wheel as we try to live between the yellow lines of normality. At these times we often call upon God to help see us through. He hears our prayers and manifests Himself through His Holy Spirit, His Word, and others in a faith community to support and nurture us during these times. And before

we know it, we've made it through another life storm, safe and sound. Life's storms will come and go. There's no escaping them. But as believers in God's omnipotence and His love for us, we, in faith, call upon our Father to deliver us through these storms. And when we do, we are able to hear the same words today as Jesus spoke to the wind on the Sea of Galilee..."Peace, be still!"

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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.

OD'S WORD: "He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Peace! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm." - Mark 4:39 I was driving back to Dallas from Oklahoma City one afternoon when I noticed how hard it was to keep the car on the road. No, I hadn't been drinking or was falling asleep at the wheel, but was battling the

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________

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Grubs Up

Chase the chill away

with

hot soup

amburgers Few things beat a hot meal on a cold day. Stews and casseroles can fit the bill in such situations, but soup is a go-to solution when looking to warm up. This recipe for can be served as an appetizer or light meal. The crispy tortilla strips included in the recipe add extra texture to a delicious dish.

Tortilla Soup SERVES 4 • • • • • • • •

4 corn tortillas, freshly made or a few days old 1 tablespoon vegetable oil, plus extra for frying 1 small onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 14-ounce can plum tomatoes, drained 4 cups chicken stock Small bunch cilantro Salt and ground black pepper

Using a sharp knife, cut each tortilla into 4 or 5 strips, each measuring about 3Ú4 inches wide. Pour vegetable oil to a depth of 3Ú4 inch into a heavy frying pan. Heat until a small piece of tortilla, added to the oil, floats on the top and bubbles at the edges. Add a few tortilla strips to the hot oil and fry for a few minutes, until crisp and golden brown all over, turning them occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a double layer of paper towels. Cook the remaining tortilla strips in the same way.

Heat the 1 tablespoon vegetable oil in a large, heavy pan. Add the chopped onion and garlic and cook over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly with a wooden spatula, until the onion is soft and translucent. Do not let the garlic turn brown or it will give the soup a bitter taste. Chop the tomatoes using a large, sharp knife and add them to the onion mixture in the pan. Pour in the chicken stock and stir well. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and let simmer for about 10 minutes, until the liquid has reduced slightly. Chop the cilantro. Add to the soup, reserving a little to use as a garnish. Season to taste. Place a few of the crisp tortilla pieces in the bottom of four warmed soup bowls. Ladle the soup on top. Sprinkle each portion with the reserved chopped cilantro and serve.

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Community Health and Wellness

Four common preventable heart conditions

ardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death across the globe. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 17.9 million people die each year from cardiovascular diseases, which are a group of disorders of the heart and blood vessels. Education is a valuable asset in the fight against heart disease. Individuals who are aware of common heart illnesses can discuss them with their physicians and take measures to reduce their risk. 1. Angina: Heart & Stroke notes that angina is another word for chest pain. The discomfort associated with angina, which can feel like squeezing, suffocating, or burning, is caused by a temporary disruption in the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart. Though angina symptoms typically do not last long, they are considered warning signs for heart attack and

should be discussed with a physician immediately after they appear.

2. Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is characterized by the buildup of plaque on the interior wall of an artery. That buildup makes the walls of the artery thick and hard, thus restricting the flow of blood, and can potentially contribute to a blockage. The experts at Johns Hopkins Medicine note that risk factors for atherosclerosis include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity, and a poor diet that includes lots of saturated fats. Atherosclerosis can cause angina, though many individuals with the condition experience no symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage. Blockages in the leg may cause cramping when exercising or walking, while those in the arteries of the heart can cause heart attack. Blockages that develop in the brain can cause stroke.

Prevention notes that cardiomyopathy often goes undiagnosed, making it hard to determine just how common the condition is. But the CDC estimates that as many as one in 500 adults have cardiomyopathy. Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that makes it harder for the heart to pump oxygen-rich blood to the body at optimal capacity. Heart & Stroke notes that cardiomyopathy can lead to heart failure. Early stages of cardiomyopathy may not produce any symptoms, but as the disease gets worse individuals may experience fainting, irregular or rapid heartbeats, lightheadedness, and swelling of the hands and feet, among other things.

3. Cardiomyopathy: The Centers for Disease Control and

4. Coronary artery disease: Heart & Stroke notes

that coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common form of heart disease. CAD occurs when one or more of the coronary arteries narrows or becomes blocked. CAD causes damage or disease to major blood vessels that supply blood, oxygen and nutrients to the heart. Certain risk factors for CAD, such as age, are beyond individuals control. However, many risk factors are within a person’s control. Individuals can speak to their physicians about how to maintain a healthy blood pressure and a healthy weight, limit stress, and reduce their cholesterol, all of which can lower risk for CAD. Heart disease claims the lives of millions of people each year. Recognizing common heart conditions and how to prevent them can help individuals lower their risk for this deadly, yet often preventable disease.

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Navigating an

interfaith wedding

YOUR FLOORING, LIGHTING, APPLIANCE AND MORE STORE

www.stone-works.net (903) 663-3344 SWIMMING POOLS AND SPAS

elebrating family histories and traditions is a major component of weddings. During a wedding, two families come together and begin to merge their unique takes on life. When couples tying the knot come from the same cultural or religious backgrounds, fitting the pieces together may be relatively easy. However, when a wedding must incorporate two different religions each with its specific traditions and requirements a couple may not know where to start. These tips may help the process along.

Communication

It is important to open a dialogue with all involved parties at the onset to be able to craft a ceremony and subsequent celebration that aligns with the faiths of the couple and their families. This dialogue shares what everyone expects.

paying favor to one faith over another. Determine if religious officiants can oversee the ceremony outside of a place of worship and still have the marriage recognized by the tenets of that faith.

Discuss options

In instances when it may seem like there are too many obstacles to having faith-guided ceremonies for interfaith weddings, wedding planners may suggest some creative solutions, including working with a secular officiant

Certain houses of worship may be strict in regard to what they allow during interfaith ceremonies. Conservative congregations may even frown upon marrying outside of one’s religion. That may spark an entirely new conversation about converting so couples can be married in the eyes of the church, temple, or mosque.

Neutral ground

Interfaith couples may opt to have the ceremony at a neutral location; so they do not appear to be

Secular officiant

Give others tasks

Couples may be unfamiliar with each other’s religious traditions. Sharing faith-specific wedding planning tasks can help couples and their families become more familiar with these customs.

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Fun ways to utilize social media in your wedding

oung couples tying the knot today grew up with social media, so it’s no great surprise that so many want to utilize various platforms when planning their weddings. In fact, the Brides 2018 American Wedding Survey found that 87 percent of brides turned to the social media platform Pinterest for inspiration when planning their weddings. On the surface, modern wedding ceremonies and receptions may look similar to the nuptials of yesteryear. However, engaged couples have increasingly incorporated social media into their weddings, and the following are some fun and creative ways to embrace that trend.

Create a social media photo booth.

Guests may take more pictures at modern weddings than the photographers who were hired to document the happy couple’s big day from start to finish. Social media boards are digital screens that display social media walls. Live event social media boards collect and curate content from social media channels and display it on a single digital screen. Users, in

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this case a couple’s guests, simply use a predetermined hashtag when posting photos and the images are then displayed on digital screens in real time. This can be a fun way to engage guests during the reception.

Live stream the wedding. Live streams became very popular during the pandemic, when couples getting married had to pare down their guest lists in order to adhere to social distancing guidelines. But live streams can continue to be used after the pandemic, as there will always be guests who can’t make it to the wedding. Facebook Live was a go-to social media platform for live streaming weddings during the pandemic, and it can be utilized to involve loved ones in the festivities even if they can’t be there in person. Live streaming via social media may be especially useful for couples who want to enjoy destination weddings, which tend to be small affairs due to travel constraints.

Hashtag the wedding.

A couple-specific hashtag can serve as something akin to a wedding album, only it’s one everyone can easily access via the couple’s chosen social media platform. Encourage guests to hashtag photos from the wedding so everyone can have a good time looking back on the ceremony and reception once the day has come and gone.

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Plan with your party.

Social media can be as fun, inclusive and useful when planning the wedding as it can during the wedding itself. Brides and grooms can create their own private Pinterest boards and share them with the wedding party. Everyone can then use the private board to bounce ideas off each other. Couples can infuse a little fun into the Pinterest board by encouraging their

groomsmen and bridesmaids to post outrageous outfit ideas or submit sing-along song requests to be played during the reception. Social media is a big part of modern couples’ lives, so it makes sense for them to find fun ways to incorporate various platforms into their weddings.

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Giving weddings a modern touch

en and women who want to make this Valentine’s Day extra special can forgo store-bought chocolates in favor of homemade confections. The following recipe for Swiss Mountain Ice Cream is from Maxine Clark’s Chocolate: Deliciously Indulgent Recipes for Chocolate Lovers (Ryland, Peters & Small) is a great way to end a romantic holiday dinner. Makes about 2 quarts 2 cups whole milk 1 cup sweetened condensed milk 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa 14 ounces premium milk chocolate (over 32% cocoa solids), chopped 1 teaspoon pure vanilla essence 11/2 cups whipping or heavy cream, chilled 61/2 ounces white nougat, roughly chopped 1 ice cream maker (optional) 1 freezer-proof tray or container 1 mountain-shaped mold (optional) Put the milk, condensed milk, sugar, and cocoa in a pan, bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Stir in the chocolate and let melt, stirring occasionally. Let cool completely, then add the vanilla essence and refrigerate for about 1 hour.

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Stir the cream into the mixture, then churn-freeze in an ice cream maker in two batches. This will take 20 to 30 minutes. It will increase in volume as it thickens and freezes. Stop churning when thick and smooth, add the nougat, and churn to mix, then transfer to a chilled freezer-proof tray, cover, and freeze. If you don’t have an ice cream maker, put the mixture in a freezerproof tray or container and freeze until it is frozen around the edges. Mash well with a fork and return to the freezer. Continue mashing with a fork and freezing the mixture until thick and smooth, about 2 hours. Stir in the nougat. At this stage, you can pack it into a mold and return to the freezer. Drizzle with White Chocolate Sauce and serve. White Chocolate Sauce Makes about 21/2 cups 1 cup light or heavy cream 6 tablespoons milk 8 ounces white chocolate (over 25% cocoa butter), chopped Put the cream and milk in a small pan and bring to just below boiling point. Remove from the heat and let cool for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the white chocolate and stir until completely melted. Serve warm.

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o two weddings are the same. Some couples go to great lengths to personalize their weddings, while others make a few minor tweaks to traditional components to make ceremonies and receptions more reflective of their style and the sentiments they hope to convey. Embracing modern trends is one-way couples have looked to set their weddings apart from traditional ceremonies. There are no rules governing weddings, and that affords couples certain freedoms as they seek to incorporate a modern sensibility into the festivities. For example, couples can modernize certain components of their weddings while remaining loyal to more traditional elements, or they can fully embrace a modern aesthetic. That choice of how modern to make a wedding is up to the couple getting married, but the following are some ways to give weddings a modern touch. Leave a small carbon footprint. Eco-conscious couples can embrace an environmentalist ethos when planning their weddings by doing everything they can to eliminate waste and promote conservation. Send electronic invitations and save-the-date cards in lieu of paper alternatives and choose a reception venue that serves only locally sourced food and beverages. In lieu of wedding favors, which tend to be individually wrapped, donate in guests names to a local environmental group and share that information with loved ones. When picking a hotel for guests, find lodging that incorporates sustainability into its day-today operations. Retire certain traditions. Couples need not feel pressured to incorporate traditions that no longer reflect modern sensibilities. It’s up to couples to determine which traditions to retire, but customs

like the garter toss and bouquet toss may no longer resonate with modern couples or their guests. In addition, brides who want to be walked down the aisle by both of their parents, as opposed to just their father, should not hesitate to do so. Look for a modern venue. One of the most aweinspiring ways to give a wedding a modern touch is to choose a venue that reflects a modern aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows can create a clean, modern feel. Outdoor ceremonies also can create a modern ambiance. Adjust your attire. Black tuxedos and white wedding dresses are among the first things to come to mind when imagining traditional weddings. Couples can stay formal but embrace a more modern look by choosing more colorful tuxedo for grooms and groomsmen and picking a wedding gown with a flair of color. Brides also can allow bridesmaids to pick their own bridesmaid dresses to expand the modern look even further. There’s no shortage of ways for couples to give their weddings a modern touch.

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What to consider when shopping for engagement rings

ngagements precede wedding dresses, flower arrangements, limousines, and even a couple’s wedding vows. And no proposal is complete without a ring. Knowledge of rings and stones is essential for those who plan to propose in the near future. A recent survey from the wedding resource The Knot in which 12,000 brides and 1,200 grooms in the United States were asked about their rings, found that people spend an average, of $5,978 on engagement rings. Recognizing the potential cost of engagement rings can help ring shoppers prepare for their purchases. In addition to considering costs, couples can employ the following tips to shop with confidence.

Cut costs with style. Engagement rings can be costly, but many couples feel they are worthwhile investments. Know your settings. How the diamond is framed can affect how big it looks and even how much it sparkles. Gems framed with a bezel can give the illusion of a larger stone. Get the desired cut. A skilled jeweler knows how to properly cut a stone to bring out its best radiance. From round to princess to emerald to marquise cut, cut styles can affect how the stone looks as well as the price.

Know ring metals. Platinum and gold are some of the most popular ring setting metals. Platinum costs considerably more than gold or silver but is long-lasting. Investigate personal style. Men should pay attention to the jewelry their girlfriends wear so the engagement rings complement their style. Some women love modern jewelry, while others gravitate toward vintage pieces. Think about trading up. Some couples like to replace engagement rings with a more elaborate ring for a big anniversary. Some jewelers will accept the purchase of the engagement ring toward the price of a future ring.

Jewelry stores are in the business of developing relationships with their customers. When purchasing engagement rings, couples can discuss their desires in regard to a ring, as well as their budgets.

From precious stones to brilliant new creations, our exquisite jewelry collections are truly stunning. JEWELRY

BartlettFineJewelry.com The Village Shopping Center 2002 Judson Road, Suite 101 Longview, Texas 75605 (903) 758 . 4367

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