Hello Longview, Texas, and our Global Audience,
We hope you are doing well with your loved ones, friends, and neighbors. We are extremely excited to bring you this July edition of infinitieplus magazine.
For photography professionals and enthusiasts, please, check out the annual Texas Bank and Trust Photography Contest from page 4.
One of the foremost stories is State of the Economy with Ray Bostick, Gregg County Commissioner Precinct 2, Shawn Hara with the City of Longview, and several others.
The story is on page 15.
Are you ready for July the 4th celebration? This year is like no other. There will be a hotdog, barbecue, and ice cream eating contest. To get more ideas on how to win this contest see the story on Longview Fire Department and
Happy 4th
oycelyne
Publisher
Longview Police Department
Donut eating contest. There is a method to this madness- that is if you plan to win. The story is from page 2 of Women Today. So, go ahead and flip this magazine for that story. You will be glad you did. Oh! by the way, did I mention that talented artists, Ryan Matthew, and Marc Broussard are slated to perform free of charge for July 4 celebration. Read all about it from page 3. But wait. There is more.
Want some inspiration-then you are reading the right resource. Please read, the Hippocratic Oath by Glenn Miller on page 7 and be Godinspired for excellence. There are many interesting stories in this edition. Be sure to read them.
Thanks for your support. We look forward to serving you again in August by God’s grace. Remain blessed.
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Joycelyne Fadojutimi, PhDPhotography
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Contributing Writers
Glenn Miller
Mechele Agbayani Mills
Mary Hunt
Robert Goldman
Dr. Michael Guido
For advertising Email: joy@infinitieplusmag.com www.infinitieplusmag.com
OUR MISSION
To enrich the local-global community with the “just in time knowledge,” to assure future successes
OUR VISION
To become an information oracle of functional and constructive reports that serves the needs of businesses and communities.
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Enjoy a free concert on the live music stage featuring Marc Broussard at 8 p.m. and Ryan Matthew as the opening act at 6:30 p.m. Bring a chair and enjoy the free show from talented artists.
Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.
In addition, the event in 2023 will feature a cruise night and patriotic car show
plus entertainment and vendors inside the Maude Cobb Convention Complex. New this year will be a hot dog eating contest, barbecue eating contest, and ice cream eating contest. Registration for the contests will take place on the day of the event.
The concert and fireworks and parking are free. Food and beverage will be available for purchase from vendors during the event.
Ryan Matthew Dougherty got his start as a self-taught musician, by playing for churches and with local friends. Born in New Jersey but making his way to
Shreveport at a young age, he was always interested in music. His first instrument was the drums, but he quickly took to bass guitar. From there, he taught himself to play electric and acoustic guitar. Ryan has played with nationally touring artists of different genres. From rock bands to country artists, he has traveled the United States playing with people such as Neal McCoy, Contd. on Page 4
The American Tragedy, and The Gray Schuler Band. Through his career as a touring musician, he has played venues such as Madison Square Garden, The Hollywood Bowl, and Wrigley Field. Ryan now resides in Longview, TX and continues to pursue his passion by traveling to Nashville for writing sessions and playing acoustic and full band shows in surrounding areas. While his original music has a singer/ songwriter feel, he also, covers many artists and genres of music during his shows, Ryan Matthew performs at 6:30 p.m.
Marc Broussard is an artist with a unique gift of channeling the spirits of classic R&B, rock, and soul into contemporary terms. His father, Louisiana hall of fame guitarist of “The Boogie Kings” nurtured
Marc’s musical gifts at an early age, and the vibrant Lafayette, Louisiana music scene gave Marc the opportunity to practice his craft consistently from childhood through early adulthood. After releasing a successful independent EP at age 20, Marc signed a record deal with Island Records. Marc’s song
“Home” was successful at radio and catapulted him onto the national touring stage. Marc released multiple albums with major labels over the next 10 years but has recently returned to his independent roots having released multiple successful original and covers records. The covers records have largely benefited charities via his SOS Foundation (Save our Soul). Marc’s latest blues cover record, S.O.S. 4: Blues for Your Soul featuring Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, is out now. Marc Broussard performs at 8 p.m.
Women Today
Inspiration
Business and Finance
Puzzle
Grubs Up
Community Connections
at the recent Arabella Business Mixer.
This year’s state of the economy gathering was about Longview Chamber of Commerce inter-city visit to Billings Montana. Billings, with a population of 171, 000, is the largest city in Montana. Ray Bostick, Gregg county commission precinct 2; Lori Ivey, a local insurance agent; Dr. Rodney Ellis, director, UT Longview Center and Shawn Hara, City of Longview community relations person gave presentations on their group’s observation and take-away from Billings.
GOD’S WORD: “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’” – Luke 10: 8-9
By GLENN MILLERWhile most everyone today is aware of the Hippocratic Oath; an oath supposedly declared by doctors upon graduation from medical school, you may not be aware that most medical schools no longer incorporate this in the ceremony or if they do, use a modern version of the traditional oath that was penned in 1964 by Dr. Louis Lasagna, former Principal of the Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences and Academic Dean of the School of Medicine at Tufts University:
I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant: I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.
I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.
my help.
As I read this, I can’t help but to think that the concept idealized in the oath is much the same calling that each follower of Christ should prescribe to. Each day, you and I come in contact with others who are hurting from emotional, spiritual or physical pain and in need of healing or comfort. Like the trained medical physician, we, too, have been given the experiential knowledge of God’s healing touch and, having been given authority in His name, are obligated to be God’s instruments of healing and help.
The ministry of reassurance to those who are struggling with why tragedy happens.
From the day you find out to the day you deliver, there’s nothing more important to Longview Regional Medical Center than your and your baby’s health and well-being. This is why we provide extra amenities such as private rooms, spacious birthing suites, childbirth classes and breastfeeding support. And if you and your newest addition need a little extra help, we offer perinatal services that include maternal-fetal medicine specialists and a Level III NICU.
From the day you find out to the day you deliver, there’s nothing more important to Longview Regional Medical Center than your and your baby’s health and well-being. This is why we provide extra amenities such as private rooms, spacious birthing suites, childbirth classes and breastfeeding support. And if you and your newest addition need a little extra help, we offer perinatal services that include maternal-fetal medicine specialists and a Level III NICU.
From the day you find out to the day you deliver, there’s nothing more important to Longview Regional Medical Center than your and your baby’s health and well-being. This is why we provide extra amenities such as private rooms, spacious birthing suites, childbirth classes and breastfeeding support. And if you and your newest addition need a little extra help, we offer perinatal services that include maternal-fetal medicine specialists and a Level III NICU.
For more information about our labor and delivery services, visit LongviewRegional.com/baby.
For more information about our labor and delivery services, visit LongviewRegional.com/baby.
For more information about our labor and delivery services, visit LongviewRegional.com/baby.
I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures [that] are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism. I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.
I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.
I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems if I am to care adequately for the sick. I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.
I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sounds of mind and body as well as the infirm.
If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling, and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek
The ministry of being present to those afflicted with loneliness.
The ministry of sharing to those who are without.
The ministry of prayer to those who seek to call on His name.
The ministry of encouragement, to those who think they can’t go on.
These are all gifts of God for the people of God, made manifest by the people of God.
And that’s you and me, folks.
Bundles of joy. It’s what we deliver.
Mixer was a hit.
Despite Texas hellish summer, it did not disappoint. It was a full house as businesses arrived in a cool room to network and momentarily relax before heading home for the day. There was miscellaneous scrumptious cuisine from delish cookies, garnished fruit, and veggie trays to numerous steamy hors d'oeuvres.
In addition, attendees washed down their selections with assorted beverages including chilled beer, wine, or good old-
fashioned water. To sweeten the pot, Arabella gave away prizes donated by various businesses.
Do you want to be a CEO?
Before you answer, wait a minute. Think about the pressures. Think about the responsibilities. When Harry Truman was president, he had a sign on his desk that read, "The buck stops here." The buck also stops at the desk of a company's CEO, which is not all bad news.
Consider Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google. The bucks that stopped at his desk in 2022 totaled $228 million.
Of course, you don't make that kind of money without a lot of hard work. For CEO Pichai, that hard work included laying off 12,000 Google employees, all of whom surely sympathized with Mr. Pichai, who took "full responsibility" for problems in the business but fired them anyway.
And what about poor Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple? Cook, who is taking a 40% pay cut, is targeted to receive only $49 million in 2023, a pittance compared to the $99.4 million he took home in 2022. Ouch!
Expect to see a significant increase in mac-and-cheese dinners in the Cook household this year.
Despite the lavish compensation received by CEOs, not everyone is interested in the job, or so I learned from an article in the DealBook section of The New York Times. Written by Ravi Mattu, the headline asks the question, "Who Would Want to Be a CEO?"
Before you raise your hand, or stick out your hand, palm up, consider the comment of Stanford University professor Nicholas Bloom.
"It's frankly a horrible job," Bloom writes. " It consumes your life. It consumes your weekend. It's super stressful. Sure, there are enormous perks, but it's also all encompassing."
As encompassing as working the night shift at Taco Bell? I think not. But, at least, at Taco Bell, you do get the perk of all the enchiritos you can eat.
If you still want to become a CEO, the article lists a number of factors you must consider, to which I have added a soupcon of my own advice to give you an extra push up the org chart.
No. 1: "CEOs who speak out publicly should expect to be clobbered."
In a world rife with controversy, CEOs who openly
express their opinions are sure to face blowback. Still, there are some critical issues on which your conscience could demand you speak out.
For example, you will certainly
want to be forthright in your support of Ariana in her outrage over Tom's affair with Raquel on "Vanderpump Rules." (Unless you think Ariana has overreacted and should accept Tom's apology.)
I've yet to hear one CEO comment on this critical issue, which is an opportunity for you to stand up and speak out.
Yes, it will take courage, but that's what leaders do.
No. 2: "What is the right way to integrate artificial intelligence?"
Mattu writes, "The transformative potential of the rapidly advancing technology is forcing CEOs in every sector to balance the opportunity it presents with the disruption it will inevitably cause."
Or we think he wrote it. It could also have been written by ChatGPT, or my own personal AI program, ChumpGPT. When I queried the Chump chatbot about disrupting my job, it replied, "You really should relax. Artificial intelligence is a warm, fuzzy puppy, and there's no reason to be worried it will take your job."
It also told me it had booked a vacation for me at the luxurious Three Camel Lodge in Mongolia and not to worry about any work that was due, since it would be happy to handle it in my absence.
I see no reason to worry. You?
No. 3: "What does the fight to get employees back in the office reveal about the end of top-down management?"
Why are CEOs so cray cray about having their employees in the office?
Well, when you park your Lambo in the garage at night and open the door the next morning, you want it to be there. Why should it be any different with your employees?
The bottom line? If you're unhappy about being made to return to the office, cheer up. You could be forced to report to your CEOs garage.
Fortunately, none of these issues are a problem when you work at Taco Bell. You really can't work from home and not even the most advanced AI program can take your job. You may not make $228 million a year, or even a measly $49 million, but hey, who can put a price on all those free enchiritos?
Bob Goldman was an advertising executive at a Fortune 500 company. He offers a virtual shoulder to cry on at bob@bgplanning.com. To find out more about Bob Goldman and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www. creators.com.
Hamburgers are a staple at backyard barbecues. Though burgers are a relatively simple food, mastering the technique to grill burgers is no small feat, as there is more to great grilled burgers than simply firing up the grill and dropping down a patty.
Choose fresh ground beef that has a decent percentage of fat. The fat-to-lean meat ratio should be around 20 percent fat to 80 percent meat. Spend a little more to get freshly ground meat that has not been previously frozen.
Don’t overwork the burgers with a lot of handling. This will warm up the fat in the burger, which causes it to emulsify and could make the meat rubbery.
Reconsider adding a lot of herbs, spices or addins to the burgers, as such items can detract
from the flavor of the meat. Extra herbs and spices also may require extra mixing, which can lead overhandling.
Push a dimple into the top of the burger, which will help prevent the burger from expanding upward and out while cooking and rounding out in the process. The dimple will keep the top of the burger flat, which facilitates easy topping.
Make sure the grill is hot. Burgers do well with high heat and will cook relatively quickly.
Resist the urge to push down on the patty with your spatula. This will cause the juices to spill out and may result in a dry, tough burger.
Let burgers rest before serving. This lets the juices redistribute throughout and makes for a moist and tasty first bite.
By IP STAFF REPORT
This year’s state of the economy gathering was about the Chamber’s inter-city visit to Billings Montana. Billings, with a population of 171, 000, is the largest city in Montana. Ray Bostick, Gregg county commission precinct 2; Lori Ivey, a local insurance agent; Dr. Rodney Ellis, director, UT Longview Center and Shawn Hara, City of Longview community relations person gave presentations on their group’s observations and take-aways from Billings.
Bostick spoke of Billings business improvement district. According to Bostick, the cleanliness of the Billings business district was remarkable. “Longview has tree leaves and cigarette butts to deal with,” he said. One of his group’s take aways from Billings is the importance of murals. Murals decrease graffiti. In addition, every space in Billings has a purpose. For example, they turned their alleys into public spaces. Bostick was impressed with Billings. He reminded attendee that Gregg county economy depends on Longview.
Shawn Hara said this was his first inter-city trip. He discussed Billings Business Improvement
District, what Longview already have and how the City plus businesses can work together and continue to move the city forward.
Lori Ivey talked about unlocking Longview’s potential. She lavished praise on the Chamber for their behind the scenes work to make inter-city trips possible.
Dr, Rodney Ellis, director, UT Longview Center spoke about retaining talents that already exist in Longview. When young people leave Longview and never come back it contributes to talent drain. Ellis gave example of what Billings is doing to retain their young up and coming leaders. In addition, he expounded on the impact of education in Longview’s economy and future growth.
By ROBERT GOLDMAN
Icould be wrong, but I'm going to guess you've made a money blunder or two in your life. For many of us, it was a nonstop series of blunders that finally brought us to our financial knees.
Who wants you to eat healthier? Your mother. Your doctor. And your brain.
That's why, instead of that cheeseburger, you should eat a strawberry, or a walnut, or a fish.
Not your pet goldfish, of course. Think how guilty you'll feel frying up Li'l Flipper, whose workday consists of traveling endlessly in circles, never getting anywhere. Of course, you identify. That sounds like your workday, too.
But I digress. It happens all the time, since I can't focus at work, either. Then I read "Eating for Impact: 6 Ways to Eat for Focus," a recent posting on MyFitnessPal.com by Stephanie Nelson, RD.
Turns out the key to better focus is a very advanced, high-tech tool. It's called a fork. What you eat has always been a big part of business success. Ask anyone who has gone to lunch with clients who order doublethick steaks with extra fries, slathered in duck fat. You know your chance of success with these people is less than zero when the server delivers your garden salad with dressing on the side. Working from home also makes managing your diet more difficult. When you work in an office, you are limited by what is available at the company cafeteria. Resisting a soggy burrito or a moldy meatloaf is not a challenge, but having your refrigerator next to your desk opens you up to a number of workflow problems, like the cartons of Cherry Garcia that keep appearing on your desktop.
According to Nelson, eating the right foods will "protect your brain health by reducing inflammation and promoting
blood flow."
If your last meeting with your manager increased your inflammation 500% and slowed your blood flow to a trickle, here are five menu ideas for you to focus on, along with some highly unfocused digressions from youknow-who.
No. 1: Start with a wellbalanced meal.
You want carbs, protein, and fat. Nuts are great source of fat, as any squirrel can tell you. (Any of your squirrelly co-workers in marketing will tell you the same thing, but who wants to listen to them?)
No. 2: Take note of which foods trigger brain fog. Consider breakfast. Does coffee wake you up to all the work you've neglected to do? Coffee definitely has to go. On the other hand, a breakfast of spaghetti carbonara is guaranteed to erase any memory of the assignments you failed to
complete, allowing you to start your day stuffed, happy and stupid. Delicious!
No. 3: Protect your brain health early. As unfocused and forgetful as you are today, it's never too late to "eat lots of fruits and vegetables, especially brightly colored ones like berries, leafy greens and citrus fruit." To save time, all these ingredients can be whipped up into a tasty smoothie. For maximum benefit, add a jigger or three of corn liquor -- organic, of course. You won't be sharp as a tack, but you really won't care.
No. 4: Reduce inflammation with berries.
Berries provide flavonoids, which "slow cognitive decline with age by reducing inflammation."
You can eat the berries -- Flavonoid shortcake! Yum! -but for fast-acting brain health, apply the flavonoids directly to
your head. In meetings, bring a blueberry scone and slowly rub it into your hair. Guaranteed, there will be an instant increase in focus. Best of all, the focus will all be on you.
No. 5: Load up on leafy greens.
Green leafy vegetables like chard and kale improve brain health by providing vitamin K, which "reduces cell death by protecting your nerves, helping to decrease how quickly your brain ages." Since you still have the brain of a moody 14-year-old, it will not be necessary to eat chard or kale ever again as long as you live. Bet you feel better already.
If the thought of leaving all those juicy cheeseburgers behind is
too depressing, remember that you don't need to have a perfect diet; you only have to have a better diet than your co-workers. It's a great reason to be the person who brings doughnuts to work every morning. It will not only make you popular, but with your colleagues paralyzed from sugar-induced brain fog, whatever little work you do will surely stand out.
And don't worry about eating better than your managers. The typical managerial diet of truffles, lobster tails and caviar is the reason their decisions are always so wrongheaded and ridiculous. All you have to do is hope someone higher up on the org chart will focus long enough to notice.
In the meantime, please pass the flavonoids.
espite high prices and rising interest rates, this year’s housing market is competitive, and houses are selling quickly. If you’re in the market for a new home, be prepared, and remember you can make your offer more competitive by getting preapproved for financing before even bidding on a house. This lets sellers know that you are serious and provides reassurance that the sale will close without issues.
That means many prospective home buyers shop for a mortgage lender before finding the right home. To get the best deal, compare all the costs and understand how mortgages work. Fortunately, shopping around, comparing prices, and negotiating deals can save you thousands of dollars.
Whether you are buying a home, refinancing, or taking out a home equity loan, follow these tips to help make your search for a mortgage lender a success.
Know how much you can spend upfront.
Before you ask for information from a lender, it is a good idea to know how much you can spend on a loan and the maximum monthly payment you can afford. This information will be crucial to your negotiations, so review your budget beforehand.
Loan options include loan terms, interest rates, and the loan type. The loan term refers to the length of the loan, which may be 15 or 30 years. Shorter loans usually have higher monthly payments with lower interest rates. Interest rate types may be fixed or adjustable. Fixed-rate loans are lower risk but carry higher interest rates. Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) have lower interest rates, but the rates can change over time. Loan types may be conventional or part of a government program. Understanding the options will help you choose the best loan for your situation.
Understand the difference between a broker and a lender. According to ConsumerFinance. gov, a lender is a bank or other financial institution that loans money directly to you. A broker acts a middleman, comparing loan options on your behalf. The Federal Trade Commission adds, “Whether you are dealing with a lender, or a broker may not always be clear. Some financial institutions operate as both lenders and brokers. And most brokers’ advertisements do not use the word ‘broker.’ Therefore, be sure to ask whether a broker is involved.” You’ll want to know since brokers usually pay a service fee separate from the lender’s fees.
Get information from multiple lenders and brokers before making a decision. Get as much information from each lender as you can. Keep your options open since different lenders may offer different rates, advises the FTC. Ask about interest rates, loan types, annual percentage rates, points, down payments, mortgage insurance, and all other fees. This will help you get a clear view of the actual cost of the mortgage.
Understand whether you should pay points.
Your mortgage lender will likely give you the option of paying for discount points. Mortgage points are fees you pay a lender to reduce the
interest rate on a mortgage. Typically, one discount point equals 1% of the mortgage amount and will reduce your interest rate by .25%. Depending on how long you plan to keep your home and your mortgage, this extra cost may or may not make sense. This calculator will help you figure that out.
Working with a broker? Make sure they find you the best deal. If you prefer to hire a broker to shop for you, know that while brokers can access several lenders, they aren’t obligated to find the best deal for you unless they sign a contract to act as your agent.
Be prepared to negotiate the best deal.
Loan officers and brokers can keep some or all of the overages (the difference between the lowest available price and any higher price you agree to) of a loan as extra compensation. This means you can negotiate a price lower than what they initially offered. The best way to negotiate is to have the broker or lender give you a written list of all the costs and fees of the loan. Then, ask if they will reduce or waive completely one or more of the fees. You can also show them a competitor’s offer to see if they will give you a better deal.
Watch out for scams.
Shopping around for a mortgage lender will help you get a general idea of how much a loan costs, which will help you spot and avoid any offers that seem too good to be true. Be wary of unsolicited calls and emails offering you great rates on a mortgage or “no-cost” loans. Never give in to high-pressure sales tactics. ConsumerFinance.gov warns about a phishing scam where con artists attempt to divert your closing costs and down payment by suggesting that you wire the money into a fraudulent account right before your loan closes.
For more information
See BBB's Home HQ for information on buying, selling, building, and where to find help for improving the inside and outside of your home. Visit the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s mortgage page to learn more about how mortgages work. Learn about reverse mortgages by reading the BBB Tip: Understanding Reverse Mortgages.
When shopping for a lender, always look for businesses that follow BBB Accreditation Standards and BBB Standards for Trust. Search for a reputable mortgage lender near you. For more tips on how to be a savvy consumer, go to bbb.org. To report fraudulent activity or unscrupulous business practices, call BBB at 903-5815704 or report it via BBB ScamTracker.
What’s more American than a burger? This slider version will be an instant hit, and ready in just 13 minutes! The banana split kebabs are a healthy, kid-friendly spin on a classic.
he Byers Family Foundation gave a $500,000 gift to The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine. The gift will be used to name a professorship in family medicine, which will significantly aid in the recruitment of nationally recognized faculty.
Directions
• Remove some of the fluffy center from the buns so that they will sit well on top of burgers; set aside.
• Combine sirloin with Worcestershire and pepper, form into 12 (2-inch) flat patties.
• Preheat a lightly oiled grill pan over moderate heat until hot but not smoking. Cook burgers over moderate heat, turning, and evenly top with cheese, about 2 min utes per side for medium or until cheese is melted. (Use a meat thermometer to check that burgers have reached 160°.) Transfer the burgers to a plate, and grill the buns, cut sides down, 1-2 minutes or until toasted.
PH.D. LEVEL
11. The Ashes Answer
12. Ryder Cup Answer
13. Man Booker International Prize Answer
14. LEAF Award Answer
15. Robert Frost Medal Answer
• Sandwich burgers between buns with about 2 pickles per slider.
• 24 small dill pickle slices
changer for health care and the economy of East Texas and we are pleased to join with others who have helped to make this a reality.”
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Yield: Makes 6 servings (serving size: 2 sliders)
Ingredients
• 2 bananas, cut into 1” pieces
“I am grateful to the Byers Family Foundation for helping us continue to grow the School of Medicine so we can better address the health care needs of East Texas,” said UT Tyler President Kirk Calhoun, MD, FACP. This gift was given in honor of Lewie and Elaine Byers. Lewie served as the executive vice president for both Austin Bank and Texas National Bank in Rusk. He founded New Birmingham Resources, a producer of iron ore, iron ore aggregate and frac sand. His wife, Elaine, worked for the Texas Department of Human Services as services to the aging and disabled program manager.
• 12 large strawberries, rinsed, dried and halved
• 24 1” pieces pineapple
“We are excited to offer our support to the UT Tyler School of Medicine,” said Brent M Byers, president of the Byers Family Foundation. “We feel attracting dynamic professors to our region, especially in family medicine, is a priority. This school is a game-
Yield: 24 servings
The Byers Family Foundation was established in February 2023. The mission of the foundation is to support and promote philanthropic endeavors which provide community access to educational opportunities and health care and benefit human services, art, and culture in the East Texas region.
• 2 c. chocolate chips
• 1/2 c. peanuts, chopped
“This gift allows us to find and retain faculty who provide the highest quality of education to our medical students who can then go out and serve the community,” said Dr. Brigham
With a mission to improve educational and health care outcomes for East Texas and beyond, UT Tyler offers more than 90 undergraduate and graduate programs to 10,000 students. Through its alignment with UT Tyler Health Science Center and UT Health East Texas, UT Tyler has unified these entities to serve Texas with quality education, cutting-edge research, and excellent patient care.
Directions
• Make kebabs: Thread two pieces each banana, pineapple, and strawberry onto skewer. Repeat process to assemble 23 more skewers. Place all on parchment-lined baking sheet.
• In a microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until completely smooth.
Classified by Carnegie as a doctoral research institution and by U.S. News & World Report as a national university, UT Tyler has campuses in Tyler, Longview, Palestine, and Houston.
• Drizzle chocolate over fruit kebabs and top with chopped peanuts. Freeze until ready to serve.
Iasked my dear friend Mimi whether a lady can ever use the F-word. Mimi is a product of old guard propriety, which to me, makes her an impeccable source on these matters. Mimi's answer was short: "No."
But she wanted to elaborate. "Well," she added, "I've just started using the word s—." If you knew Mimi, you'd understand what an enormous accommodation that was to the 21st century.
The F-word is in the Oxford English Dictionary, fully spelled out and taking up nearly two
columns. The word's not new. The dictionary suspects it dates back to Middle English. It notes that "f—-" has been regarded as "a taboo-word for centuries" and "until recent times not often recorded in print but frequent in coarse speech." As you undoubtedly know, it refers to copulation.
I confess that I've blurted it out on rare occasions — and mainly for literary effect. I never use it in ordinary conversation and certainly not in published writing.
I asked my editor at Creators Syndicate about this and other
use "f—-" in my journalism, I long wanted free rein to use "damn."
True, Clark Gable's last line in "Gone with the Wind" was nearly cut because he said "damn" — as in "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." But that was 1939. Who gives a damn about damn these days?
The F-word is something else. It's still jarring to hear it thrown around the street by wellgroomed young people. And too often it detracts from meaningful conversation in movies and streaming series. The writers probably think of it as a way to make a character seem tough. Humphrey Bogart didn't need it.
The 1951 American classic "The Catcher in the Rye" raised more than a few eyebrows when its young protagonist used the F-word. The author J.D. Salinger's intention was to underscore the kid's phony bravado.
It was distracting for the rich Roy children in "Succession" to say "f—-" more often than they said "and" especially because the writers also blessed their conversations with clever thoughts. Perhaps that, too, was intended to show bravado.
"Will & Grace," the first network show to feature openly gay men, made history again when, in 1999, a character used an F-word, in this case referring to the anti-gay slur. Sponsors pulled out, and the episode vanished.
Interestingly, the Katy Independent School District in Texas canceled a visit by noted novelist Emma Straub over her use of the F-word on social media. Odd that Straub would do that, given she is a noted writer of children's picture books.
Many younger online political commentators throw around the F-word with abandon. The
obscenity often seems placed to make their insights sound more exciting than they are.
The "Star Wars" franchise was recently warming up to set off the F-bomb in its latest offering. The plan was to let it burst from the mouth of Maarva Andor without even a "pardon my Middle English" in front. Disney said nope. And so "F—- the empire" was rewritten as "Fight the empire."
How the Galactic Republic feels about this, we do not know. Maarva may be irked, but not me. Frankly, my dear, I don't give a fig.
Follow Froma Harrop on Twitter @FromaHarrop. She can be reached at fharrop@gmail. com. To find out more about Froma Harrop and read features by other Creators writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators webpage at www.creators.com.
rules governing words her writers may use, specifically the word "damn."
"Good question!" Alessandra Caruso wrote back. "AP does suggest avoiding profanity — including 'damn' — unless absolutely necessary, so my recommendation would be to use 'darn' or some other G-rated alternative." She added, however, "If you do wish to use 'damn,' I would send it through with an editor's note (as opposed to, let's say, the F-word, which I would send through as 'F—-'). Hope this answers your question."
It did. But while I would never
By ROBERT GOLDMAN
ho's your business hero? Is it the hardcharging, hard-working CEO who saves a company from bankruptcy?
Or the high-tech entrepreneur whose years spent slaving away in a cold garage creates an entirely new industry? Or the spunky intern who works around the clock to help their team avoid a company-wide cutback?
Not me.
My business heroes are people who work hard to not work at all. They get paid. They even get promotions, but when it comes to getting things done, they don't. In fact, they don't even try. They're so busy trying to look busy that they don't have time to get busy.
If you aspire to be my kind of business hero, Emily Stewart can help. Stewart is the author of a recent Vox article, "How Some People Get Away with
Like fintech employee Nate, who "works one hour a day at most." Nate would definitely qualify as a hero, except for the fact that he is not working because he is not being given any work to do.
"I don't have a problem with being asked to do work," Nate confesses. "It's just that I'm not really being asked."
Clearly, Nate's attitude is reprehensible. The truly heroic non-worker goofs off on principle. When given work to do, the right response is not relief, but resentment. "You can pay me, but you can't own me" is the proper attitude toward any manager rude enough to assign you work to do. "I'm going to take a long lunch, instead, and yeah, it's going on the expense account."
"Funployment" is a name for those fortunate enough to have a job, but no actual work. This happens frequently in poorly managed companies, which, if you're honest, has to describe
any company that would hire you.
Of course, if you're working from home, not working at home should be your jam. Your 65-inch Neo-QLED TV with Wrap-Around Sound is only a click away. And what desperate office worker would not rather spend their workdays bingeing on "Desperate Housewives," especially if they can get paid for it?
(Speaking of clicks, be careful if your company has installed insidious click-counter software. It's a pain to get up from the Barcalounger every 15 minutes and jiggle your mouse, but be honest: It beats working.)
To help you succeed at work by not working, here are a few "don'ts" that should reduce your daily allotment of "do's."
No. 1: Don't worry about your manager.
Haters gonna hate and managers gonna manage, but even the most hateful managers won't care if you're not working, just as long as
you don't get caught. Having direct reports who don't report is not a good look for a manager, but if you can stay below the radar, you won't get into trouble. In fact, your chances of getting fired are significantly reduced, since the less you do, the fewer blunders you'll make. Plus, your no-work manager will be happy to have a no-work pal to hang with during those endless, arduous hours doing nothing.
No. 2: Don't be afraid to go into the office.
It's a drag to be dragged from your cozy home office hidey-hole. Ease the pain by thinking of yourself as an intrepid explorer out to discover new places to hide
out during the workday (skip the supply closet. That's my spot.) You could also use your tech savvy to crash your computer, or put your nose to the grindstone and disconnect all power to the building. Sitting in the dark with a bunch of disgruntled co-workers who can't get their work done is not only relaxing, it's romantic.
No. 3: Don't assume anyone knows you work there. There's an endangered species in companies today: the middle manager. They're dropping like flies, these interstitial individuals who come between you and upper management. As result, the top brass may no longer know
you work there (which, of course, you don't.)
No. 4: Don't admit you aren't working.
You've achieved the ultimate in workplace success -- permanent paid vacation. Don't ruin it by not griping constantly. "I've got too much to do," is a classic complaint, as is "Looks like I'm going to have to pull another allnighter," and "These deadlines are killing me. I've got to get a new job."
You won't, of course. Applying for work takes a lot of work and could distract you from the one job that is absolutely essential for every workplace slacker: asking for a raise.
As the June 30 federal FAFSA deadline is here, many students are searching and applying for grants and scholarships to fund their college education. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average tuition of approximately $22,000 at 4-year institutions. This creates a challenge for prospective college students which is made more difficult by scammers looking to take advantage of students and parents searching for financial aid opportunities.
The Better Business Bureau receives numerous reports of scholarship scams every year. Multiple reports were submitted to BBB Scam Tracker in 2022, detailing consumer interactions with unethical businesses claiming to provide students with financial guidance.
For students struggling to pay tuition, a sudden offer of a grant or scholarship could look like a dream come true, or it could be bait for a scam. This con hooks victims with the promise of money, but upfront “fees” never actually materialize into those much-needed funds. In a recent
twist, these scammers claim to help with student loan forgiveness.
Better Business Bureau (BBB) recommends caution when dealing with companies which offer assistance in finding financial aid opportunities. Students and their families should be wary of websites, seminars, or other schemes that promise to find scholarships, grants, or financial aid packages for a fee.
Scammers typically claim to represent the government, a university, or a nonprofit organization. The details vary, but the con is the same. The scammer will pose as a financial aid representative using words like “National” and “Federal” to sound more official. They claim you have won a scholarship or a grant (without ever applying) and ask for payment of a one-time "processing fee." In another version, the scammer pressures you into applying for a “guaranteed” scholarship or grant, if you pay a fee to apply. Once the fee is paid, the money is never sent. When attempting to contact a representative, it is quickly discovered that the company has set so many conditions
that it is almost impossible to receive a refund.
In another variation, a check arrives for the scholarship with instructions included to send back payment for taxes or fees. The check turns out to be a fake, and you’re out whatever money was sent.
A consumer reported this version recently: “The business claims to have been around for 14 years, but the website has been up for two... The financial aid workshops are pitch meetings where they try to get you to pay $2,000 for help with college admissions, but it turns out that help is limited to exchanging text messages with an unknown person. The contract's fine print states that the person you are texting is not a professional and has no expertise in college admissions or financial aid.”
Due to the sensitive personal and financial information provided for scholarship and grant applications, it is important to be cautious when choosing one to apply for. Of the 2.47 million fulltime students enrolled in postsecondary institutions during the 2018-19 school year, 84% were awarded financial aid through student loans or federal, state,
local, or institutional grants. On average, students were awarded slightly over $5,000 from federal grants, such as FAFSA, and more than $11,000 from institutional grants. While the amount awarded varies depending on the institution (public versus private or two-year versus four-year), applying for grants and scholarships is a great way to help ease the financial burden of attending college.
Legitimate companies are helping students find aid with some results. However, students and parents can usually find the same awards and others on their own by searching online. Prospective college financial aid offices can also help, especially if it is a college the student is seriously considering attending. It
More information is available online at studentaid. gov for the different financial aid options. Even if you don’t think you qualify for financial aid, review the Federal Student Aid website options, as many colleges and universi-
ties use it for non-need-based awards.
To protect students and parents searching for financial aid opportunities from falling victim to scholarship scams, the Better Business Bureau recommends following these guidelines:
• Beware of unsolicited offers. Typically, winning a scholarship or grant that wasn't applied for is impossible. Ask how the organization got your name and contact information, and then verify it with the source outside of the email, phone number, or website they used to contact you.
• Take your time. Avoid being rushed or pushed into paying for help at a seminar. Use caution if a representative urges you to buy now to avoid losing an opportunity.
• Ask lots of questions. Be cautious if a company is reluctant to answer questions about the service or the process. If the company or seminar representative is evasive, walk away.
• Ask your guidance counselor or a college financial aid
office whether they have experience with the company.
• Be skeptical of glowing success stories touted on websites or at seminars. Ask instead for the names of families in your community who have used the service in the last year. Talk to them and find out about their experience with the firm.
• Ask about fees associated with a professional financial aid search and determine if the company provides refunds. Get the information in writing, but realize that dishonest companies may refuse to give refunds despite stated policies.
• Be aware that a check can bounce even after the bank allows cash withdrawal from the deposit. Check processing is a confusing business, as is the terminology. Even if a bank representative says that a check has “cleared,” it is not certain that it won’t be detected as a fake weeks later. One thing the account holder can be sure of is that they will be responsible for any funds drawn against the amount.
responders, so it just seemed like a natural fit."
She went into detail as to how her company conceived and executed this production, and the motives pursued and accomplished by the participants.
"Events like this take a village, and we have such a great team here at Julie Woods and Associates Real Estate that consistently come together to celebrate our community," she said. "The LPD and LFD were so enthusiastic and such great sports. They jumped on board immediately, and the rest is history."
Before the firemen and cops got started, Woods asked the audience who would win. The police were favored. It turned out to be a false prophecy. The officers did start out in the lead in the Donut Pong contest, but the firemen burned their opponents
in the Donut Toss competition and never looked back. Although police officers are famed for gorging on donuts, but the other team had a novel tactic.
The firefighters soaked their donuts in water, making them soggy, soft, and easy to gulp down and send the LFD to a lead it never relinquished. By the time the LPD caught on to what was happening it was too late-the contest was over, and the firefighters hefted the trophy in triumph.
Held against a backdrop of COVID-19 and other threats to the public, the Donut Lympics exhibit positive community engagement at its finest.
"It is not often that we go out and just have fun with our police and firefighters," Woods said. "They are always working hard for us, and we just feel like
together when there is an opportunity to celebrate our first responders, have silly games, visit with each other, laugh, act a little goofy and of course eat donuts."
It is a truly sweet way to show appreciation.
It turned out to be a flaming upset as the favored police officers came up short in their donut-eating contest with the men and women of the Longview Fire Department (LFD.) Captain Clint Steelman, however, had his own ideas going into the savory competition, and was confident of his firefighters' gastrointestinal ability.
"When you exercise you have energy to do anything, including eating because you need energy from the food to exercise," he said.
Firemen Joshua Mosley and Brad Conrado could not have agreed more.
"Absolutely we will win this competition," said Mosley.
"We are more ready for this competition," added Conrado, "Let the best team (us) win."
Longview Police Department (LPD) Officer
Chris Dotson chimed in with his own opinion.
"Not so fast. We came here to win," he said. "Fire fighters sit around and eat a lot. They practice year-round for this, but they won't win."
It was all the brainchild of Julie Woods and Associates Real Estate CEO Julie Woods. This donut eating, donut throwing and racing was called Donut Lympics 23, and eager crowds swarmed to The GREEN to watch this event designed to honor and assist the city's vital first responders. This celebration has grown from a simple handing out of donuts to making them the objects of a delightful game.
"We have been celebrating Donut Day at Julie Woods and Associates Real Estate Firm for five years, and it is always a blast," said Woods. "We are always looking for an excuse to honor and recognize our first
Fire Engine Cop Cruiser vs
Financial Aid Assistance: Proceed With Caution
Do More to Do Less at Work
Can a Lady Ever Use the F-Word?
