Living The Crossroads Magazine

Living The Crossroads Magazine

September 2019 A publication of the big spring herald

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SERVING ALONGSIDE A VETERAN, TO SERVING VETERANS, HER JOB IS NEVER

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' there, and I know how hot and By the time you read this, longtime volunteer at Big Spring’s West Texas humid it is. So really, it all fell into place perfectly for me, as recipient VA Health Care Center Clara Lewis of the honor, because the National may have already received her Volunteer Service Chief is going to award from the National Disabled come here and present me with that American Veterans leadership. honor.”

Lewis, who has served at the VA The “honor” - the DAV’s prestisince 1975, was set to journey to the gious George H. Seal Memorial DAV’s National Convention August Trophy, was 3, but a named for a scheduling mixup “I just take life with a grain of salt,” ...“I World War caused her don’t get overwhelmed with stuff, un- II veteran to miss her less it’s something that a veteran’s got who served as the DAV’s flight. upset about. Then, I will help him get to Director of “I spent the bottom of his problem.”

Membership last Saturand Volun Volunday at the tary Services airport in and who was instrumental in develMidland trying to get out of there to oping DAV’s volunteer programs. go to Orlando. We were trying on The trophy is presented each American, and it was booked so far year to one DAV member and one ahead that we couldn’t get out of there before the thing was over with, Auxiliary member who have gone above and beyond in their service in Orlando,” Lewis said the week through the Department of Veterans after the convention.

Affairs Voluntary Service Program.

Lewis isn’t too upset about the This year’s recipients are John mixup, however.

Markiewicz of Jacksonville, Florida, “You know, it was really a Godand our very own Clara Lewis of Big send,” she said. “I was dreading going to Orlando. We were stationed Spring, Texas.

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“I got a letter from Dennis Nixon, the (DAV) national commander, telling me about it and congratulating me on it,” Lewis said. “When I got the letter, it told us exactly how we were going to do what, how we were going to dress, everything. When the previous director left here, she didn’t know about it, and she came to tell me bye, and so I showed her the letter. She was thrilled to death and asked me if she could have a copy of it. I went over there and they made a copy. She’s the lady who started the whole thing when she went to Congress and had this changed to the Clara Lewis Waiting Area, and then it grew from there.

Kalautie Jang’Dhari.”

Jang’Dhari, who was recently reassigned to head up a VA Medical Center in Miami, spearheaded the initiative to rename the outpatient waiting area at the VA the “Clara Lewis Outpatient Waiting Area” in July 2018.

“I don’t know that she didn’t go to Orlando...if she did, she didn’t find me,” Clara said.

Although Lewis has confirmation that the national DAV representative

will journey to Big Spring to present her the award, the exact date was still up in the air as of this writing.

“They said they would reach out to us when they were planning on coming, in hopes we would have time to plan an event to make that special for Miss Clara,” said Communications Specialist at the VA, Kelli Stolle.

But Clara isn’t too worried about it.

“I just take life with a grain of salt,” she said. “I don’t get overwhelmed with stuff, unless it’s something that a veteran’s gotten upset about. Then, I will help him get to the bottom of his problem.”

Clara says her work at the VA, which started in the early ‘70s, is all about the veterans she serves on a daily basis.

“I’ve been volunteering here for 46 years. In October, it’ll be 47. I don’t remember right now how many hours I’ve got. That doesn’t matter. I do it for the veteran,” she said. “That’s the only reason I volunteer. I’m here at the information desk, and if a veteran comes up and wants to know where his appointment is, he shows me the

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She had to rely on me. She didn’t have a paid secretary.

But that all worked out fine.

I really think that’s why I stayed here at the VA, was because of her training. Because she stayed til the end.”

Clara’s story with Big Spring has always been about medical care.

“At that time we were married and my husband had

gotten discharged, and he wrote and told me to find a place I wanted to live because he was getting out of the military. He was Air-Evac’ed out of ‘Nam,” she said. “I chose Big Spring because there were seven hospitals here, my sister was here, Webb Air Force Base was here. I can’t remember what else was here.

Now the only thing left is me and VA. Everything else is gone. We just came here in 1970. I started

letter and wants to know where to go with it, 99 percent of the time I can tell him where to go. Sometimes I even walk them to where they need to go if I think they’re just a little bit incapable of getting there on their own.”

Although she is stationed at the information desk these days, Ms. Clara has worked at a lot of volunteer jobs at the VA. “I started out in the Volunteer Office.

My chief at that time, Iva Jo Hanslik, was wonderful. She taught me the whole nine yards,” Lewis said. “At times, I was the only help she had.

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volunteering up here about three years after we got here. During war, patriotism is high and everyone is volunteering, and we just had all kinds of help. Then in peace time, the patriotism fades away. That’s why I volunteered in so many slots, anything from answering phones up in Volunteer Services, to going up and helping them out in Social Work, just all over the hospital I’ve worked.”

Each year, the DAV selects one Auxiliary member from across the country who has gone above and beyond in service to the Department of Veterans Affairs and recognizes this person with the prestigious George H. Seal Memorial Trophy.

“Like so many DAV Auxiliary members, Ms. Lewis developed a passion for working with veterans when her own husband was injured,” said DAV Auxiliary National Commander Ellen Timmerman. “It has turned into her life’s work, and she has touched the lives of countless veterans through her decades of compassionate service.”

How one area writer draws meaning from the game that defines Texas athletics

With another football season upon us, you can feel the collective sigh of relief as we as Texans finally get our social medicine. Sound a bit far fetched?

Possibly, but for many of us here in Texas, football is so much more than just another game. Football is our game, the game that embodies so many of the values we as Texans hold dear.

From toughness and courage to teamwork and selflessness, football is the vehicle that we use as Texans to measure and teach these valuable lessons to our young people and to remind ourselves of their importance and relevance in our own daily lives.

Midland author and former Midland Lee and UTEP football star Mark McDonald explores that very potent and important connection between the game of football and the greater society in his new book “Beyond the Big Shootout – 50 Years of Football's

Life Lessons,” a book that takes a close look at one of the major sporting events in American football history and the dramatic effect it had on our society as a whole.

Mark McDonald Sr. is a writer with a background very much like my own.

We both grew up in what we refer to as “football factories.” Mark, from the outskirts of Houston and myself from Childress, both played this game and learned its lessons since we were nine years old. Both strapping on our pee-wee helmets that barely fit and Living Magazine

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designers, proofers, photographers, web keepers and cartoonists, all while still being a prolific writer in his own right.

Mark's sixth, and newest book, “Beyond the Big Shootout – 50 Years of Football's Life Lessons” is an in depth look into the ties between our greater society and the game of football and it's players and coaches. The book focusses on the 1969 Southwest Conference championship game between the Texas Longhorns and the Arkansas Razorbacks and the political and social atmosphere of unrest in our nation at that time. The parallels finding out quickly that football, like life, has very few rewards without sacrifice and pain. Those lessons, and the pure meritocracy of a game put us both on a life path that would open doors for us that we only imagined as those little kids. Mark's family made the move to Midland when he was in high school in the late 60's, and his football history and talent came to a head in what used to be called the “Little Southwest Conference” which included our very own Big Spring Steers. During that time, Mark proved to be one of the best players in the area and in the state as he earned himself a scholarship to the University of Texas El Paso.

Mark started two years for the Miners as an offensive lineman and earned a degree in journalism while still learning the lessons that football continues to teach even as we move away from our playing days and into our spectator years.

After graduating from UTEP, Mark managed to “escape starvation” while working his way up the sports writers hierarchy at five different daily newspapers in El Paso, Abilene, Dal-

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las and San Antonio.

After years of covering local sports, Mark finally made the transition from a beat writer to editor and publisher for four bi-monthly magazines. With over 25 years of experience as a journalist, writer, editor and publisher under his belt, Mark now manages Dust Devil Publishing and helps facilitate their team of editors, graphic

between that time period and now are staggering. From racial tension, perpetual war and controversy with the President to debates about the rules and regulations surrounding the game of football itself, Mark's historiography of those events and the people involved gives us a window into the past that can inform us in the

now.

Why does a game played 50 years ago still matter now?

Well, that is not a simple or comfortable question to answer.

That game started what would be a massive change to the ideology and ethics of sports at the collegiate level that would trickle down into all levels of our beloved game, making it a better and more legitimate game in the process.

It was after the “Big Shootout” that the recruiting of black athletes in the South became common place, rules were changed to the game itself, crowd control became a major issue at sporting events, and it opened the door for the multi billion dollar television and advertisement deals that define collegiate football today. It was the game that pushed college football from regional fanaticism, to the nation love affair we see today.

Mark's book has it all, from the words of those who lived this epic journey to photos and clever original illustrations by award-winning artist, Bill DeOre.

In “Beyond the Big Shootout – 50 Years of Football's Life Lessons” Mark draws on his own, colorful and profound, football life to create a historical narrative over the past fifty years that is as unique as it is insightful and relevant. In a time that is more like 1969 than we may like to admit, it is nice to be reminded

that our common love of this game, our game, can bridge some of those gaps and heal some of those woulds as we come together in our shared joy of meritocratic competition.

So, when the lights come on and the fans fill the stadiums all across this great state every Friday, I beg you take the advice of a couple of “football factory” products from different eras and different places, and let this game unite you to your fellow Texans and fellow Americans in our common love and appreciation for this game, our game.

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Big Spring Convention & Visitors Bureau September Events

Sept. 14:

The Train Car Tracks Concert Series at the Train Car For more information call 432-755-9529

Sept. 14:

Big Spring Symphony Orchestra presents “The New World�: Municipal Auditorium. 7:30PM

Sept. 20-22: Howard County Fair: Howard County Fair Barns.

Contact: Derek Wash at 432-268-3117. www.HCFair.org Sept. 27:

Country on Main Street featuring: Cody Canada & the Departed and No Justice. For more information visit www.badeventstx.com

www.visitbigspring.com

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432-263-8235

chemicals that professional labs use now will insure that the prints will last for many years to come.

Even though digital storage technology is constantly changing, the print will be hanging from your wall for all to admire and enjoy. There are even studies that show when children see themselves in their family portrait hanging on the wall their sense of security and belonging increases dramatically.

I also enjoy capturing important events in my clients’ lives.

Special events such as anniversaries, engagements, birthdays, graduations … well you get the idea. Even though there are usually plenty of people with cell phones to take photos, a professional photographer knows how to capture those special moments that are properly exposed and composed. If it’s your par-

S

ummer is almost over and Fall is approaching, although in West Texas it’s hard to tell when one ends and the other begins. I enjoy the cooler temperatures and the changing colors of the leaves that occur this time of the year. Yes we do have Fall colors although you have to explore a little to find them. As we look forward to the cooler days lets reflect back to the summer.

I hope everyone had the chance to get out of town if only for a long weekend. When we travel it gives us a different perspective and lifts our spirits so that we come home ready to take on the world; well maybe Howard County.

One of the great things about my job as a portrait artist is preserving family history. I love it when I get a request to create a family portrait.

This is even more meaningful when the family members are coming from all over the country to be together and they ask me to save this one moment in time. The wall portraits that are created will be cherished for a lifetime and will be handed down for generations. The new papers and Living Magazine

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ents 60th anniversary or your mother’s 90th birthday, do you want to risk missing those special moments by relying on guests with cell phones?

What if you wanted to have a 30” x 40” portrait made of that once in a lifetime special moment and all you have is a cell phone image file that is too small to even print an 8x10?

This is why I do what I do and the reason I will do it as long as I am physically able.

I jokingly tell my friends and family that I have the plans to rig up a walker with a tripod and a light stand so that I can keep on doing what I love.

The truth is that I’m not really joking!

If you have any questions or comments my email address is bruce@ theredbarnstudios.com and my website is www.theredbarnstudios.com.

BIG SPRING STATE HOSPITAL Are you ready to be professionally challenged? Are you looking to be a part of a dynamic team of engaged and committed professionals?

Then the State Hospital System (SHS) may be just the place for you! Whether in a direct-care or support role, your contribution will make a difference in the life of a Texan.

ACTIVELY RECRUITING: • REGISTERED NURSES • LICENSED VOCATIONAL NURSES • PSYCHIATRIC NURSING ASSISTANTS PART TIME POSITIONS NOW AVAILABLE For more information on jobs and salaries:

CALL Paula at (432) 268-7464 or Submit a resume to jennifer.patton@hhsc.state.tx.us

for initial screening, application process will be initiated at a later time. or visit us at:

Big Spring State Hospital 1901 N. Hwy 87 Big Spring, TX 79720 12 Living Magazine

BZ Lewis is a native of Big Spring.

He graduated from Big Spring High School in 1986. We were classmates, and I remember him as one of the nice guys, and definitely one of the smart kids in our class.

“I was born and raised in Big Spring,” Lewis said. “I was born in the same room my mom was born in, so my roots in Big Spring go pretty deep.”

He continued, “I started playing piano around first grade and studied until around the fourth grade, when I gave up music for a few years. After my older brother Kevin started taking guitar lessons, he showed me a few chords. Later that day, I was able to play along with some music from a Van Halen album. I was absolutely hooked! I couldn’t put it down.”

“After high school, I attended a recording school in Waco. At that

time, it was the only place in Texas that had a commercial recording program. Most of it was fantastic, but I had the feeling there was simply no way to make a living doing music.

So, I changed schools and attended the University of Texas in Austin to become a mechanical engineer.”

Lewis said.

In the dream, Lewis said he saw himself, or an older version of himself, carrying empty manuscript pages. He took this to mean that he had a lot of music to write and a lot of pages to fill. He says he still thinks of this dream as he starts writing new music, and this dream is still his motivation today.

“When I first moved to Austin, I felt terrible about my decision to leave music, like I chose money over my passion. About halfway into the semester, I had a dream about my

career that would forever change my life,” he said.

A few weeks after this dream, Lewis found out there would be a guitar department starting the following semester, but the class was already full. When the semester began, Lewis paid an unannounced visit to the instructor, Adam Holzman. Lewis played him the music he had dreamt about, and Holzman found a spot for Lewis in the class even though it was full. He graduated four years later with his Bachelor of Arts in music.

While attending UT, he was recognized as one of the best guitarists in the state from Texas Beat Magazine.

That was in 1992.

By 1997, Lewis had started his own recording studio, Studio 132, in Oakland, California. He also had another company, now defunct, called PopTuna. He started that business with Living Magazine 13

given a violin solo at a concert. What a proud parent I was!”

Speaking of family, Lewis met his wife, Margaret, at a show about 20 years ago. He says the instant he saw her, he knew she was the one. Margaret needed a little more convincing, but they eventually got married in 2002. His oldest son, Max, was born the following year, and Aiden was born in 2005. Max is involved with local theater in the Oakland area, and Aiden is a violinist at Oakland School for the Arts.

Lewis has also written a book titled, How To Survive Owning a Recording Studio, and you can purchase it on Amazon. He says it was a way to continue teaching without having to commit to being a full-time teacher.

“One of the ‘hats’ I wear is being a guest lecturer at colleges and universities,” states Lewis. “I’m constantly asked by people who are starting out how to build a music career. Since I already had plenty of material built up via my talks, it was a natural segue to write a book on the topic. Plus, in this day and age of relevance, I

his partner, Monica Pasqual, and this is the partnership which resulted in a lot of their award-winning music.

“I haven’t worked with a ton of really famous recording artists, but I have worked with a gazillion Fortune 500 companies creating music for their ads, videos and music,” states Lewis.

“One of those was the theme music for the World Poker Tour.”

The list of credits is long. Because I hadn’t kept up with his career over the years, I was surprised at how many recognizable names there are on that credit list, including Symantec, Google and Nissan, just to name a few. You can find that list of credits on the website for his Studio 132 at http://www.studio132.com/bzlewis/.

When asked about his biggest accomplishment, apart from the awards, Lewis states it’s that he’s “hung in there” as long as he has.

“I’m happy that, thus far, I’ve been able to show my kids that it’s possible to make a living by following your passion. Also, when my youngest child was in third grade, he was

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needed something to talk about and promote.”

He continued, “My advise to new artists is there are so many ways to ‘make it’ on your own in the music business these days,” he said.

“Every conference I attend has a renewed interest in posting your branded content on social media to build a recognizable marque or way to collaborate online.”

Lewis states creating targeted ads on social media can be a great way to get in front of people. There are more awards to qualify for and is a good way to build trust with potential new clients, venues or music supervisors.

“As a composer, there are mindboggling amounts of cable and YouTube channels and shows that need new content. There are services out there to get your music in front of people. You need to know about copyright laws and how to get paid for royalties when your song airs or plays. There seems to be a lot more hope and possibilities than there were 20 years ago, but you have to treat it like a business and find what

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it sound really well!”

The luck Lewis has experienced isn’t just in his musical career, but extends to his family life.

sets you apart from everyone else.”

Lewis feels his first real “award” was being chosen for a series of nation-wide television commercials for Nissan. He says that provided the down payment for his first home.

His first major award was an Emmy in 2009 for a promo for a show on CBS called, Eye On the Bay. He has a total of five Emmys and two Tellys, among others.

“This award was pretty special because I knew I could really capitalize on winning an Emmy in that it would give potential clients confidence if they knew they could work with an award-winning producer. It also gave me the confidence that I could really do this music thing after all,” he said.

It’s also a huge source of inspiration for me to constantly create quality music. When I’m doing something that isn’t turning out as well as it should, I look at my Emmys and tell myself to go back and make it better.

If it’s coming from me, I better make

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“I feel incredibly lucky to have sustained a family doing what I love to do, so looking into the future I simply see me doing more of what I love,” concludes Lewis. “Maybe the composing projects get more notoriety; maybe more of my clients continue to win awards.

Mostly I want to make better and better music. I’ve already created a huge body of work with thousands of songs registered with BMI, but I want to make sure the collection of music I leave behind is really good stuff. I still have lots of pages to fill from that dream.”

At the beginning of WWII, Webb AFB was opened in 1942 to train bombardiers. It was known then as the Big Spring Army Air Forces Base. It was closed in 1945, after the “war to end all wars” was over and was turned over to the city of Big Spring for commercial use. With the start of the Korean War, the need for pilots increased dramatically. Now we were involved in another war and very few pilots. So, reactivate the old WWII bases throughout the United States, including the base at Big Spring, Texas. Big Spring population went from 22,000 in 1960 to a whopping 28,000 in the 1970 census, an increase of over 6,000 due in part to the expansion of Webb AFB. The Big Spring Air Force Base opened for business Oct. 1, 1951, was renamed Webb Air Force Base in 1952, in honor of Big Spring native James L. Webb, an outstanding WWII fighter pilot who was killed off the coast of Japan in a training accident.

Originally, there were 37 T-28A Trojan propeller driven air craft and 28 T-33 Shooting Star jet trainers assigned to the base. The first class was assembled April 1952, training first in the

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T-28A and then graduated to the T-33 jet fighter. Soon the base population increased the population of Big Spring by over 2,000.

The T-28 was phased out in 1956 and a fight/interceptor squadron was assigned to the base under the command of the Central Air Defense Force. The F-86D Sabre jet was assigned to this command and was then upgraded to the F-104 Starfighter. All this time there was still jet pilot training classes in progress. The trainers were upgraded to a T-37B and then to a T-38A. In 1967, the training also included officers from the Royal Jordanian Air Force in the F-104's. This lasted only until the end of 1967, due to the Jordanian war with Israel.

With the end of the Vietnam War, the base was once again selected for closure. The cost to the UASF and related cuts were the reason given for the closure. The Air Training Command was reassigned to Robbins AFB in September 1977.

The closing of Webb Air Force Base was a blow to the population and economic base of Big Spring and Howard Dr. Steve Ahmed County. The population of Big Spring Body Focus Medical Spa went from 28,000 in 1970 to 24,000 in 1700 W. FM 700 (432) 264-1900 1980, according to the Census Bureau.

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The old base is now used for private aircraft and the buildings are leased out to commercial businesses and a home for Hangar 25 Air Museum.

As a side note, there were over 9,000 pilots trained at Webb Air Base before closure. With the closure of the base, Big Spring not only lost the training school and instructors, but all support personnel were either transferred or lost their job.

The face of the closed base was changed dramatically. Then Highway 80 lost much of the businesses. The Ellis Homes built in the early 1940s had fallen into disrepair and demol-

to the public, due to neglect and health issues.

Some of the outstanding buildings, such as the Base Chapel and billeting for enlisted personnel are now gone. Also gone now is the noise of the jet planes going and coming.

Ruminants of the bases’ once great existence is now located in Hangar 25 Air Museum. One of the

ished in the early 60s and other businesses that depended on the base were closed, leaving that part of Big Spring an almost ghost town. As of this publication, there is still evidence of the closure.

The base itself still has a lot of the buildings, but they are rented out to commercial entities or city warehouses. The old control tower is still standing, but is closed

original hangers is now the museum and the great stained glass window of the chapel is on display. You can see an example of the practice bombs and the once highly controlled secret Norden bomb sight, pictures of past base commanders, and planes used at the base.

We are still preserving ruminants of the base at the hangar.

Come see part of the history of Big Spring, at the hangar.

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H

ere are some tips for signing your painting as there are no rules really.

The tradition for several centuries has been to sign your name in one of the lower corners in a dark color with a fine brush.

You should choose an area of the artwork where the signature will stand out against the background color.

Definitely you do not want your name to stand out or to detract from the painting itself, but you do want it to be easy to see and to read. As your career advances, who wouldn’t be proud to own one of your works and have your signature subtly express that pride of ownership?

One tip is to avoid signing in a style that is overly large; let the signature identify you, but not as much as the painting does, stylewise.

There are some artists who sign their names in whichever corner, upper or lower, they feel works best with each artwork. Some sign both the back and front as I do.

This is a wise practice, because your signature will be much easier to read on the blank backside of a canvas or other surface, and you can make your signature larger there.

How about dating each work? Most of the pros advise against that practice unless on a commission where the customer prefers you to do so. Collectors respond best to art that they feel is new. If a masterpiece you created three years ago is dated on the front, it may be repeatedly passed over in favor of newer works, although the older piece may be just as strong.

Galleries advise dating paintings in the artist’s own personal files, not on the paintings themselves. I do place the date and year on the backs, however, as I am in my own gallery. Also notated is the title, medium used, and my name. This is helpful to people who want to know who painted what they just inherited or acquired. So many times I’ve been asked to identify a style as only someone’s initials or last name or first name appear on the art.

If you are not certain about how to sign your work, go online and view art by any well known painter you admire. See how they signed theirs. But please do not sign your name in red paint. That is one tip Robert Burridge told us when I studied with him in Lubbock. He also advised not to list the various acronyms after our names, such as signature status with watercolor, oil, or pastel societies. He stated that the public does not know or care what AWS or NWS is, and that is so true.

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As we anticipate Fall in West Texas, we also begin a new season of youth sports – football, soccer, cheerleading, volleyball – all activities that teach important life lessons about teamwork, sportsmanship, confidence, time management, commitment and more.

But with these many benefits, youth sports also come with some risk of injury, including concussion.

Over the years, increased education and awareness within schools and the community, as well as more athletic trainers covering events, have led to significant growth in the number of treated concussions. It is estimated that 2 in 10 high school athletes will suffer a concussion this year. Of the patients treated at the Shannon Concussion Clinic last year, 68% of those in individuals were between the ages of 12 and 20.

The perception is the majority of these injuries occur during tackle football, but they have many causes. Last year, 30% were caused by non-sport accidents, followed by football (26%), motor vehicle accidents (8%), basketball (8%), soccer (5%), volleyball (2%), cheerleading (2%) and baseball (2%).

A concussion is caused by a blow to the head, neck, chest or other area on the body that jolts the brain. This fast movement can “shake” the brain or cause it to bounce

around or twist in the skull. This creates chemical changes in the brain and sometimes stretches and damages the brain cells.

The Shannon Concussion Clinic assists area schools with proper concussion care and treatment for student athletes.

The Concussion Clinic works with Shannon Sports Medicine and the Shannon Brain and Spine Institute to facilitate diagnoses and assist athletes in returning to their normal activities and the field.

There are several signs and symptoms that could indicate someone has a concussion, including: Headache Nausea Balance problems or dizziness Double or fuzzy vision Sensitivity to light or noise Feeling sluggish or “foggy” Change in sleep pattern Concentration or memory problems Additionally, coaches or parents may notice other signs in their athlete, such as appearing to be dazed or stunned, confusion, forgetting plays or events during the game, loss of consciousness, and answering questions slowly.

Treatment of a concussion involves eliminating certain activities that stress the brain and may vary for each individual. Treatment may include no texting, television or video games along with modifications in the classroom Living Magazine

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setting. It is up to parents to make sure these rules are enforced at home, as well. Individuals must be 100 percent recovered before being sent back to sports or the classroom to prevent long-term damage to the brain.

Shannon’s Concussion Clinic strives to use the latest technology available to help provide the highest level of care for area athletes. Last year, the clinic implemented, C3 Logix, a neurological assessment tool that provides the most comprehensive assessment available today. The platform is available to the entire concussion treatment team of physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and coaches to work collaboratively in assessing and treating each individual. Utilizing a tablet, the program can be used directly on the sidelines by a certified athletic trainer or physician.

C3 Logix assesses several factors including reaction time, memory, processing speed, motor function, vision and balance to provide a “big picture” of how the brain in functioning. A treatment plan is then individualized to your child. C3 Logix helps to establish objective data

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to determine each individual’s readiness to return to the classroom and field of play.

The C3 Logix system originated at Cleveland Clinic’s Concussion Center is now the standard for many NCAA Division 1 universities as well as the UFC and NFL. Shannon is currently the only Sports Medicine program in West Texas to offer this system to the athletes of our region.

The Clinic also implemented a new technology called Composite Balance Score (CBS) to aid in quicker treatment of concussion. Many concussion patients suffer from vestibular symptoms, or dizziness. They get headaches when they read or try to do rapid eye movements where they’re looking down at their desk and looking up at the board. The CBS system is a balance board that has a built in exercise program to help with vestibular rehab.

The CBS system includes three exercises that take about 15 minutes to complete. While the child stands on the board, it checks their balance and then leads them through interactive mazes using their movement and balance. It takes very detailed scientific measurements in the background to determine how the child is progressing with treatment.

Those needing more intense or formal therapy may be referred to the Shannon Neurotherapy Clinic for additional treatment.

Ninety percent of concussions resolve within a week.

If not, it is important they have time to properly heal.

The most important thing to understand about concussions is that kids may not always look as sick or injured as they really are. We work as a team with trainers and the coaches and the schools to guide their return to play and classroom in a very strategic way for the best outcome for each child.

For more information about the Shannon Concussion Clinic or to inquire about a concussion evaluation, contact 325.481.2036.

Summer has flown by and Fall is upon us.

School is back in session, Friday Night Lights is in full swing and the Holiday Season is right around the corner.

The past eight months have flown by and several stories have been told, but we are nowhere near telling them all. The history that is contained within our small community - from the buildings to the people - the stories abound.

While we know there are stories to be told, we need connections to tell us about those stories, relationships to share contact information, and the desire to want to know more about your neighbors, your community.

Life is built around the connections we find, the relationships we nourish and the network we build. Slowly, pieces of history are slipping away as buildings are torn down, renovations take place and community members slip away from us. Don’t miss an opportunity to hear someone’s story.

Take the time to visit with a stranger; you just might find a friend. Ask a relative to share their memories; you might find out something about yourself. Whatever the motivation, wherever the moment, extend the invitation to learn about another person.

We will continue to do our part to search out the stories, but don’t be afraid to let us know if you found one that should be shared.

Let us hear from you, email editor@bigspringherald.com or call 432-263-7331.

Having a Special Occasion or Event?

Experience the time of your life at The Courtyard.

Downtown Big Spring's Best Kept Secret. Enjoy a soothing water fall with your party guest.

The Courtyard & Party Room

Our Courtyard is perfect for the afternoon luncheon, wine tasting, or birthday party. The Courtyard + Party Room at 119 Main St. Comes with a kitchen area, his and her restrooms and about 2000 Square Feet of space in the Party Room.

The Hardware Store

The Hardware Store is perfect the yearly office Christmas party, New Years Eve bash, Graduation Party, or maybe just the family reunion. The Hardware Store at 117 Main St. comes with a full wet bar, his and her restrooms, and about 7000 Square Feet of space including the mezzanine.

Both The Courtyard & Party Room + The Hardware Store

Renting both The Courtyard & Party Room + The Hardware Store is excellent for weddings, large reunions, office parties, and so much more. Offering up over 9000 Square Feet of space, a wet bar, a full kitchen, outdoor sitting area, and 4 restrooms, you cant go wrong.

at: s U t Visi downtownbigspring.com Or Call For Information

432.263.6514

Living Magazine

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Martin County Hospital

• Rural Health Clinic • Surgical Services • EMS • Physical, Occupational & Speech Therapy • Low-Wait Emergency Room • Pain Management • BioTe • Wellness Center • Laboratory • X-Rays & CT Scans

Healthcare That Is Nationally Recognized & Locally Appreciated!

600 E. Interstate 20

Stanton, TX

(432) 607-3200

For A Listing Of Employment Opportunities, Visit Martinch.bamboohr.com/jobs/