La Feria News | August 4, 2021

WEEK OF August 4, 2021 THROUGH AUGUST 10, 2021

Los Leones

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Your Community Newspaper, Serving the Heart of the Rio Grande Valley VOLUME 98 NUMBER 31

A Sweet Move! to the new location on the other side of Main Street at 130 E Oleander. Remember that East Oleander is a one-way street. So you will have to come down East street to get pull up on Sweet Blessings without a traffic violation.

The location is just

east of the old movie theater and across the street from the school administration building on Oleander.

It is a two story building and should offer more space than the old location.

Martinez said there is still some more remodeling to be done

inside. Then he will need to completely move in, set up, and start baking.

He doesn't know exactly how long it will take before he can sell his sweet wares.

But the expectation is not more than a couple of weeks. Good Luck Jaime.

Jaime Martinez works on moving his business out of the Score Big: old location on West Oleander.

3 Tips to Score a Gold Medal in Financial Fitness Special to LFN Oleander. The shop

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NBA Legends without a Ring

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The Pet Ghost Part 5

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Automotive Repair

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Valley Hearing Centers

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City Calendar............pg. 3 Classified....................pg. 4 Sports..........................pg. 5 Activity Page.............pg. 6 Puzzles........................pg. 7

Sweet Blessings Cheesecake Shop is moving, but not far.

Jaime Martinez closed his popular cheesecake shop temporarily to make a move. He needed a couple of weeks to pack up, move and set up his shop and a different, larger location.

Until now Sweet Blessings has been located at 121 W

has been popular with residents around the RGV and Winter Texans. Along with standard cheesecakes and specialty made to order cheesecakes, Martinez typically offers chicken salad sandwiches and banana bread.

Occasionally there are other limited or seasonal treats.

Now you are going to have to get used

New location for Sweet Blessings Cheesecake Shop at 130 E Oleander Ave.

Back to School Vaccinations Local Health Officials Stress Importance of COVID Vaccinations for Children as School Set to Begin BROWNSVILLE & HARLINGEN – With a new, faster-spreading COVID variant now appearing in the Rio Grande Valley and COVID cases on the rise in all 50 states, local health officials are telling parents there is no time like the present to vaccinate their children as school districts gear up for in-person instruction in the fall.

In May 2021, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration authorized the use of the Pfizer version of the COVID-19 vaccine in children 12-yearsand-older after rigorous testing, said Dr. Christopher Romero, an internal medicine specialist at Valley Baptist Medical CenterHarlingen. With local

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school districts opening their doors to students for in-person instruction throughout the month of August, parents of eligible, unvaccinated children should schedule their child’s first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible to account for the 21-day waiting period between the first and second dose.

“Studies from the United Kingdom have shown that the Delta variant is 225 percent more transmissible than the original strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. A recent investigation into an outbreak of the Delta variant that occurred in Oklahoma demonstrated that the virus spread amongst household contacts at a much higher rate than previously

kids go back to the While local school classroom each year, we districts are going to see a rise in the number great lengths to prioritize of cases of respiratory health and safety infections, a pattern protocols as children most parents are all too prepare to head back familiar with. This year to school, Romero said that will be complicated parents can help ease the by the presence of burden on school districts COVID-19, and if the by considering COVID majority of students vaccination for their are unvaccinated, children. the opportunity for “I know our schools significant outbreaks is are taking extraordinary very real.” steps to help keep our ► CONTINUED ON PAGE 3: Covid Vaccination

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“Now that we know this highly contagious variant is in the Rio Grande Valley it will soon become the dominant strain circulating in our community.” Romero said that while local children returning to in-person instruction will help bring some sense of normalcy back into the lives of the area’s youth, vaccinating as many children as possible will go a long way to making in-person instruction as safe as possible for students and staff.

“It will be great to have our kids back in the classroom, from an education and socialization perspective this is a very positive development. This does come with risks however,” he said. “When

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Score Big 2 • August 4, 2021• LA FERIA NEWS

3 Tips to Score a Gold Medal in Financial Fitness

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) BrianAJackson / iStock via Getty Images Plus When it comes to one in 10 would award financial fitness, careful themselves a gold medal training and preparation across five categories may not get your face on of financial fitness: a cereal box, but it could managing debt, sticking score you a gold medal in to a budget, saving for savings. retirement, choosing Over the past year the benefits at work and being pandemic has changed financially prepared for an the game, with many emergency.

Americans looking to “Having the right shape up their savings. benefits in place to protect According to a March you today, while planning 2021 Consumer Sentiment for your tomorrow, has Study by Lincoln become more important Financial Group and than ever, and it all starts CivicScience, one in with having a complete four employed adults picture of your financial feel they are lagging wellness,” said Jamie Ohl, behind in saving for executive vice president, retirement, and fewer than president, Workplace

Solutions, head of Operations and Brand, Lincoln Financial Group.

“It’s a journey, much like fitness, and you can’t start without taking the first step toward the financial future you envision.”

Lincoln Financial offers three steps to shape up your savings and score the financial future you desire: 1: Have the right equipment: Get an accurate financial snapshot of where you are now. A good place to start is with financial wellness tools, which many employers offer their employees.

With these tools, you can create a personalized action plan and improve your financial well-being, whether that’s a plan to pay down debt or create an emergency savings fund. You can also take advantage of retirement income estimators to get a realistic view of your income sources in retirement. And for those struggling with competing financial priorities,

including debt, Lincoln’s debt calculator can help.

2: Set a goal: Just like athletes aspire to be at the top of their sport, you can set a specific goal to work toward while celebrating the small victories along the way. A good rule of thumb is to save at least 10% to 15% of your pay. If that feels out of reach, start where you can and try increasing contributions a little each year to see big changes in total savings over time.

In the years leading up to retirement, you have the option to make catch-up contributions if you are behind where you want your savings to be.

3: Meet with a financial “coach” to determine a game plan: Improving your financial fitness is a team sport. Your financial professional, employer, retirement plan provider — they’re all there to help. A financial professional can help you take a holistic view of your finances, from

accumulation to protection to distribution, helping ensure all considerations are taken into account and planned accordingly.

If your employer offers retirement consultants, schedule a meeting to help you understand the full picture of your savings and where to focus your efforts.

Just like it can be hard to find time for workouts, the same goes for exercising financial fitness, and your competing priorities can have an impact on savings.

The good news? There’s always time to formulate a financial game plan and score a spot on the savings podium. (StatePoint)

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In accordance with the Order of the Office of the Governor issued March 16, 2020, the City of La Feria will conduct the meeting and provide audio/telephonic availability for the public using live stream in order to advance the public health goal of limiting face-to-face meetings (also called “social distancing”) to slow the spread of the Coronavirus (also known as Covid-19). To view the meeting via internet live streaming, please visit https://www.cityoflaferia.com/boards-and-commissions/ city-commission/agendas-2020/ where you will find the agenda for the next meeting. The pdf for the agenda will include a link, meeting ID and passcode for the Zoom meeting. More information is available by calling 346248-7799.

Members of the public may sign up for public comment on an agenda item or for another item of public concern by submitting an email to amorales@cityoflaferia.com containing (1) the name of the individual wishing to comment; and (2) the item number or subject matter the individual wishes to comment on. Please submit requests for public comment no later than two hours before the meeting. Join the meeting at the time and login listed above and the Mayor will call on you when it is your turn to speak. A recording of the meeting will be made and will be available to the public in accordance with the Texas Open Meetings Act. If during the course of the meeting, any discussion of any item on the agenda is permitted to be held in executive or closed session, whether such item is already so identified on this Agenda or not, the City Commission will convene in such executive or closed session in accordance with Texas Government Code Section 551.001-551.146.

AUGUST 10, 2021 6:30 PM City Commission Meeting Online ZOOM Meeting

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CORRECTION POLICY Although the La Feria News Staff strives for excellence in all stories and advertising, spelling or typographical errors can occur. If you find any confirmed factual or other type of error, please call 956-233-9928 during business hours or leave a message.

WEEKLY COLUMNS printed in the La Feria News contain the opinions of the Authors. They may or may not be the opinion of the Newspaper.

Mucho gusto se vuelve pesar

“Too much fun and you might regret it.”

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HOW TO SUBSCRIBE: 1 year subscription delivered by U.S. Postal Service…$27.95 or can be purchased at several convenient locations throughout the cities of La Feria, Santa Rosa, Santa Maria & Blue Town for 50¢.

The La Feria News is mailed and delivered Monday, August 2, 2021 and published weekly by La Feria Publishing, LLC. Periodical Postage Rates paid at La Feria, TX., Post Office. Advertising deadline is noon Thursday at the office at 128 W. Oleander Ave., La Feria, TX 78559. (POSTMASTER send address changes to La Feria, P.O. Box 999, La Feria, TX 78559.)

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August 4, 2021 • LA FERIA NEWS • 3

Covid Vaccination kids safe, and I am grateful to live in the great state of Texas where we prioritize personal freedom and responsibility,” he said.

“However, as a father, as a physician, and as a scientist, I feel confident recommending that we should feel comfortable vaccinating our children that are eligible. This is the biggest step we can take to help keep our little ones safe, and prevent them from bringing this dreaded virus home to infect others.” Romero said that parents choosing to vaccinate their children can help reduce their child’s risk of experiencing rare but serious long-term health impacts associated with severe COVID complications.

“Fortunately most pediatric and adolescent cases of COVID-19 are mild, but severe cases and fatalities are possible and have occurred in Texas. One of the severe conditions that can develop from COVID-19 in young

patients is Multisystem Inflammatory syndrome in children, or MIS-C,” he said. “A recent multicenter study of patients with MIS-C published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that over 40 percent of the children with the condition had a reduction in heart function.

We still don't know the full effect or long term consequences of COVID-19 in children, but there is a growing body of evidence that long term effects of COVID can occur in children, even those who initially had mild cases.”

Dr. Beverly Zavaleta, a family medicine physician and physician adviser at Valley Baptist Medical CenterBrownsville, agreed, indicating that COVID vaccinated children can serve as barrier between COVID and others in their household, especially in homes that include individuals who may be at increased risk for serious complications associated with COVID

infection.

“It's especially important to vaccinate 12-to-18 year-olds because by vaccinating schoolaged children, you can prevent transmission of COVID to family members at home who can't get vaccinated, such as younger siblings,” she said. “In addition, high-risk older adults, such as people over 65 or someone undergoing cancer treatment, are at risk even when vaccinated, so if your household includes these folks, vaccinating your school-aged children provides them extra protection.”

In addition to COVID

vaccination, the use of masks in indoor locations where social distancing may be difficult is still an important tool to reduce the risk of COVID exposure for both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals. Although state lawmakers have prohibited school districts from instituting mandatory mask policies when children return to in-person instruction, Zavaleta encouraged parents to consider having children use masks while at school.

“Given that the Delta variant of COVID is so much more contagious, the simplest and safest

guidance is for everyone to continue wearing masks indoors, including in school.

Social distancing recommendations have changed to three feet between students, which is appropriate when all students are using masks,” she said. “Wearing a mask provides the best protection for all children and teachers.”

While vaccinations and the use of masks are known to help prevent the spread of COVID, Zavaleta said that it is important to encourage children to practice healthy hygiene habits

both at home and at school as protection from COVID and other illnesses.

“We should remind our kids about good infection-prevention practices in a routine way without causing alarm, and this was true even before COVID,” she said.

“We should encourage children to wash their hands before and after lunch, as well as after recess and using the restroom. I send my kids to school with individual bottles of sanitizer and packs of tissues, and remind them to sanitize frequently and avoid touching their faces.”

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First Baptist Church, La Feria The caller asked for the pastor. When I returned the call, the man had one question, “What is La Feria like?” He explained that he and his wife were in Kentucky and considering moving to La Feria.

“What is La Feria like, can we make a home here?”

I started to say that it was hot. But not all year. I started to say, compared to Ky. it is flat. But that is true for a great deal of Texas. In the end, I asked, “What are you looking for?”

Jesus said, “Seek, and you will find.” That means most of the time we will find what we are looking for. If we are looking for trouble it will be there. If we are looking for kindness and decency, we will find it.

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“We are looking for a good place with churches and friendly folks. A place where we can call home.” I said, “Yes, come, I think that is what you will find here.”

-Mark S. Ross DMin.

CHURCH SERVICE DIRECTORY 1st united Methodist Church Pastor Federico Perez, 797-1393 331 S. Main St., La Feria, Sunday School 10am, Traditional Worship Service 9am, Contemporary Service 11am, UM Youth 5pm International Worship Center Bishop Ronaldo Ortiz 956-797-1204 116 W. Seventh St., La Feria Services Sunday (English) 9:30am Domingo (Espanol) 11am, Miercoles 7pm Interdenominational Worship Extreme Youth Sat. 6 pm First Baptist Church of santa Rosa Pastor Harold Parker 956-636-1603 118 Jesus R. Cruz, Santa Rosa Sunday Services 9:30am Bible Study, 10:30am Morning Worship, 7pm Wednesday Evening Worship.

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Apostolic Faith tabernacle Pastor Ramon Zarate 357-6384 621 South Main, La Feria Sunday School 10am Sunday Worship 4pm, Wed. Evening 7:30pm.

All services are bilingual.

Iglesia Oracion en su Presencia Missionary Church,Inc. Pastors Frank & Janie Gonzalez 797-0044 4th Street, La Feria,TX Sunday 10am & 6pm, Monday 7 pm Prayer Service, Wednesday 7 pm, Friday 7 pm.

Church of Christ Minister Gene Head 536-9832 912 N. Parker Rd., La Feria, Wednesday 6:30 pm Bible Study, Sunday 9:30am Bible Study, 10:30am Service, 5pm Evening Service Los Domingos: 12:00 Medio Dia Los Jueves: 7:00 pm Estudio De Biblia Faith Church of Christian & Missionary Alliance Church Pastor Oscar Loredo 797-1739 125 W. First St., La Feria,Tx Bilingual Ministry Sunday 10am Sunday School, 11am Worship, Wednesday 7 pm Bible Study, Friday 7 pm Prayer.

santa Rosa united Methodist Church 408 Main Street (Hwy. 107/506) Santa Rosa, across from High School Sunday Coffee and Fellowship 9:30 AM Worship10 AM (Communion first Sunday) Wednesday Prayer Service 9:00 AM Pastor: Carole Lahti (956) 279-3407

Living Water Church and Ministry Pastor Henry and Rosie 2805 Memorial Suite B. La Feria Sunday Service 11am, 6pm Spanish Worship Service, 7pm Wednesday Service st. Francis Xavier Catholic Church Fr. Rodolfo Franco 797-2666, office: 502 S. Canal Casa de church: 500 South Canal St., La Feria, Esperanza Apostolic Saturday Mass 5:30pm, Church Sunday Mass 8am Spanish, 416 W. Spruce La Feria 10am English, 12pm Bilingual.

965-639-4301 Bilingual Services Sunday at 1:00pm Christ In Our Midst Daniel Martinez - Pastor Missionary Church Pastor: Rev. Daniel Carrizalez st. Mary’s Catholic 956-742-6311 Church 1 mile N. of FM 506, La Feria FR. Edouard Atangana, Sunday School - 9:45 a.m., 956-636-1211 Sunday Worship - 11:00 a.m., 101 San Antonio Ave., Santa Rosa Wednesday Service - 7:00 p.m., Monday Saturday Mass 5pm Bilingual, Prayer - 7:00 p.m.

Sunday Mass 8am Spanish, New Hope 10am English.

Presbyterian Church 208 West Central Ave, First Baptist Church of La Feria,TX, 956-277-0208 La Feria Services Sunday 4:30 pm 797-1214 Sunday School 3:15 pm Main St. & Magnolia, La Feria Communion on the Wednesday 6:30pm Youth Bible Study & 1st Sunday of every month Mission Friends, 9:45am Sunday School, 11am Morning Worship Service Cowboy Church 11235 Swift Ln. Santa Rosa, Tex. Service st. Albans at 11:00am Sunday Episcopal Church 6:30pm pm Monday Reverend Scott Brown 956-975-6144 956-428-2305, www.westernoutreach.org 1417 E. Austin, Harlingen,TX Holy Communion 8am, Sunday School st. Paul Lutheran Church 9:15, Holy Eucharist 10:30am.

Pastor Nathan Wendorf Sundays 8:00AM (Traditional) Hope in the Word Church HC first, third & fi fth Pastors Jose & Bertha Belmares 10:30AM (Contemporary) 797-3621, HC second, fourth & fi fth 28354 S. Bixby Rd., La Feria (956) 423-3924 Services Friday 6pm, Sunday 10am.

602 Morgan Blvd.

All services are Bilingual, English & Harlingen, TX 78550 Spanish. church@saintpaulharlingen.com templo getsemani Primera Iglesia Pastor Julio y Claudia Mendoza Bautista Phone (956) 589-5016 956-797-1740 11418 Fifth St. La Feria 519 N. Main, La Feria Servicios: Bilingual Services: Sunday 9:45am Tuesday & Thursday 7pm Sunday School, 10:45am Worship Friday Pray at 7pm Service, 5:00pm WMU, Sunday Bible Study at 10am & 6pm 6:00 pm Evening Worship Service, Immanuel Lutheran Iglesia Generacion Church & school En Conquista Rev. Ed Weber Pastor Samuel y Magda Cervantes, 956-565-1518 Office (M-F; 8-12 noon) Phone (956) 536-2215 956-565-3208 School (Grades: PK-5th 2803 W. Exp. 83 Suite A. La Feria 703 W. 3rd St., Mercedes, TX Sunday Service 10am Bible Study, 11am Sunday Worship Services 9am Worship Service, Sunday Bible Class 10:30 am 7pm Wednesday Family Service immanuelmercedes@gmail.com lutheranmercedes.com

MONDAYS _____________

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL 12135 1st & 3rd Mondays, 7:30pm St. Francis Xavier Parish Hall at the corner of West & Cypress (956) 797-266 LA FERIA SCHOOL BOARD 2nd Monday, 6:30pm Board Room Central Administration Office 505 N. Villarreal St. (956) 797-8300 LA FERIA BAND BOOSTERS 3rd Monday, 7:00pm La Feria HS Band Hall (956) 797-8300 SANTA ROSA SCHOOL BOARD 3rd Monday • 6:30pm Santa Rosa HS Library (956) 636-9800 MAINSTREAM/PLUS DANCE Mondays • 9:30am - noon Park Place Estates Ballroom • Harlingen

TUESDAYS _____________

CITY OF LA FERIA UTILITIES BOARD 2nd Tuesday, 5:15pm La Feria City Hall 115 E. Commercial Ave. (956) 797-2261 CITY OF LA FERIA CITY COMMISSION 2nd & 4th Tues, 6:30pm La Feria City Hall 115 E. Commercial Ave. (956) 797-2261 AMERICAN LEGION POST #439 1st Tuesday, 7:30pm American Legion Post 145 E. Commercial Ave. (956) 797-3701 CHIP-O-TEXAS WOODCARVERS Every Tues • 8:30am-noon Park Place Estates Friendship Hall • Harlingen (956) 399-6660 SOUTH TEXAS UNITED AUTO WORKERS RETIEES 2nd Tuesday • 10:30am Elk Lodge Club 1426 S. Commerce • Harlingen (956) 428-3555 BLUEGRASS JAM SESSIONS Every Tuesday, 1:30pm Kenwood RV Resort 1201 N. Main • La Feria (956) 797-1875

WEDNESDAYS _____________ DIALOGUE MEETINGS 1st & 3rd Wed, 12:30pm Sept. - May Valley Baptist Medical Center East Tower, 1st Floor, Abbot Meditation Room • Harlingen MAGIC VALLEY QUILTERS Every Wednesday • 10am 1st Christian Church 400 N. Readan • San Benito COUNTRY JAM Wednesdays • 2-4pm Musicians by invite only OPEN TO PUBLIC Park Place Estates Ballroom • Harlingen contact Charlie (308) 379-4589 LINE DANCING Weds • 9:00am - 11:30am • $3 Park Place Estates Ballroom • Harlingen

THURSDAYS _____________ SOROSIS LITERARY CLUB 2nd Thursday Contact Cindy Moore (956) 245-5742 SANTA ROSA CITY COUNCIL MEETING 3rd Thursday • 7:00pm Santa Rosa City Hall (956) 636-1113 MEN’S SUPPORT GROUP Every Thursday • 7-9pm Men’s Resource Center of South Texas 204 N. 1st St. • Harlingen (956) 425-6110

FRIDAYS _____________

LINE DANCING Sat • 1:00pm - 3:00pm • $3 Park Place Estates Ballroom • Harlingen

SATURDAYS _____________ ORDER OF EASTERN STAR HARLINGEN CHAPTER #641 3rd Saturday • 2:00pm Masonic Temple 702 E. Harrison • Harlingen (956) 423-5544

Have a weekly community event you would like us to include in our calendar?

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4 • August 4, 2021 • LA FERIA NEWS

Great Classifieds... List Yours Today by Calling 956-233-9928 or 956-797-9920.

REMEMBER: Deadline is Wednesday at NOON for ads to be published in the following week’s edition.

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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS The La Feria ISD is soliciting Proposals for a Wireless Network Solution.

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Deadline for Proposals is August 20, 2021 at 3:00 p.m.

Please go to the La Feria ISD school website (http://www.laferiaisd.org) under A-Z dropdown, Business Office, Purchasing, BID OPPORTUNITIES and look for LFISD – Bonfire – Online Bidding Link section to obtain detailed bid specifications/packets. While there, make sure to create a free Bonfire account by selecting Log in, New Vendor Registration. When asked for a Commodity Code you may ignore it. Specifications will be available on our district website (laferiaisd.org) on July 28, 2021.

We supply the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas with Secure Mobile Document Destruction.

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Ms. Veronica Torres, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Personnel Phone: (956)-797-8330 E-mail: TechDept@laferiaisd.org Bids will be recommended at the next board meeting. The district reserves the right to accept and/or reject any or all proposals.

Ms. Veronica Torres Assistant Superintendent of Instruction and Personnel

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LOG HOMES Log Homes – 4 Log Home kits selling for balance owed, free delivery. Model #101 Carolina, bal. $17,000; Model #203 Georgia, bal. $19,950; Model #305 Biloxi, bal. $14,500; Model #403 Augusta, bal. $16,500. View plans at www.loghomedream.com; 704-602-3035.

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August 4, 2021 • LA FERIA NEWS • 5

10 Greatest NBA Players without a Ring

Photo: Steve Nash playing for the Phoenix Suns in 2009. Credit: Chris Bucka

Wilkins. Wilkins epitomized the highflying, exciting style of play that started in the 1970 and dominated the NBA until the early 2000’s. He played 17 seasons in the NBA, mostly with the Atlanta Hawks. He earned the nickname “the Human Highlight Reel” with his electrifying dunks.

This paved the way for Michael Jordan to bring dunking, and the NBA to new heights. Wilkins ranks 14th in NBA career points and is a 9 time all-star.

9 Reggie Miller.

Miller played 18 NBA season and missed very few games. He also missed relatively very few shots. Today the 3pt shot is a must have for almost every NBA player. Thirty years ago the NBA was mostly post up your big man and see what happens.

Jordan made athletic slashing and isolation into 6 championships.

But Uncle Reg was showing that shooting was a way to dominate the game. Today Millers style can be seen as the blueprint of the future. Kids watching him play started honing those outside shooting skills to what we see

By Landon Jennings The 2021 NBA Finals featured two team leaders racing towards an elite legacy.

Chris Paul and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both no-doubt, first-ballot Hall of Famers. Paul is facing the tail end of his career and Giannis is still in his prime. But until this year’s finals, neither had won the NBA Championship.

Giannis changed that for his legacy this year, while Paul will be looking for his ring in the future.

Championships are where all conversations begin about the greatest player of all time. While it certainly isn’t the only metric, championships cause players to instantly leapfrog others on people’s all-time list.

So here is a look at the 10 All-Time greatest NBA players (in my opinion) to never win a ring. Since I say “never,” I am leaving out any active players.

So Paul, James Harden and Russel Westbrook are still on the hunt for their championships.

(All stats are taken from Basketball-Refernece. com) 10 Dominique

today. Even after the proliferation of the 3-pointer in the last 15 years, Reggie still ranks 4th all time in 3-pointers made and 21st in total points.

8 George Gervin.

The Iceman played 3 seasons in the ABA and 10 in the NBA. He was an All-Star 12 times.

All but one and half seasons he played for San Antonio. Gervin is a 5 time All-NBA first teamer. He lead the NBA in scoring for four season and in 1980 averaged 33.1 points per game. His career NBA scoring average of 26.2 points per game currently ranks 9th all time. His smooth play captivated audiences, and he popularized the finger-roll layup.

7 Patrick Ewing.

Ewing was a constant in the 80s and 90s for the New York Nicks. He player 17 NBA seasons at the center position.

He faced Kareem, Olajuwon, Shaq and David Robinson. And all of those guys won NBA Championships but not Big Pat. He only made All-NBA first team once (1990) but was named to the second team 6 times.

He made 11 All-Star Games and ranks 23rd

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Stockton played 19 NBA seasons all for the Utah Jazz. In 17 of those seasons he played every single game. His teams went to back to back finals only to be dispatched by the Jordan led Bulls. Stockton was a 10 time all-star and 16 all-NBA teams.

He will always be remembered for assists, steals, and perfection at the pick and roll. He is first all-time in career assists with over 3000 more than Jason Kidd at number 2. He is also first in career steals over Kidd by over 500.

3 Charles Barkley.

Barkley played 15 NBA seasons. He was a force posting up and grabbing rebounds from taller players. In 1993 he received the League MVP award and led the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals.

Jordan’s Bulls ended those championship hopes in an epic battle.

Sir Charles was an All NBA first team selection 5 times and an 11 time All-Star. He is 5th in career offensive rebounds and 27th in career points.

2 Elgin Baylor.

Baylor only played 12 NBA seasons plus 11 games. But during that short time, Rabbit was an undoubted superstar.

He originated the dynamic wing play that we all take for granted now. Baylor played

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when a lot of basketball was still being refined in the 60’s. His career scoring average of 27.4 ppg is 3rd all time and his rebounds per game is 10th all time. He was selected to the All-NBA first team 10 times and the All-Star game 11 times. Injuries brought his playing time to an end too soon for an all time great. 9 of those extra 11 games were with the 1972 LA Lakers. The Lakers won the Championship that season, but Baylor was not on the team at the end.

1 Karl Malone.

The other half of the legendary Jazz Pick and Roll. Malone played 19 NBA seasons. 10 of which he played all 82 games. He also played 193 playoff games. The Mailman never mailed it in, he delivered the ball to the hoop. As was mentioned with his long time teammate, John Stockton, Malone had back to back finals appearances only to be thwarted

by Michael Jordan.

Malone accumulated many accomplishments in his NBA career. 2 League MVP awards.

11 All-NBA first team selections. 14 All-Star game appearances. 2nd in career points. 7th in career rebounds. 11th in steals. 1st in free throws made and attempted. 6th in games played.

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all time in career points.

6 Steve Nash. Nash played 18 NBA seasons.

For nine straight seasons he ran the most efficient offense in the NBA even though he signed with a new team in the middle of that run. He led the NBA in assists 6 times and is 3rd on the career assist list.

Nash also won Back to Back league MVP awards, 3 all -NBA first team selections, and participated in 8 AllStar Games. Nash will always be remembered for running high octane offences and passing, but he was also an elite shooter. He is 2nd in career free throw percentage (.904) and 19th in career true shooting percentage (.605).

5 Allen Iverson.

Before Steph Curry, AI showed that a normal height player can dominate the NBA. The Answer played 14 NBA seasons and led the league in scoring 4 times. 5 times he averaged over 30 points per game. Iverson one the league MVP award in 2001 when he also made it to the NBA Finals against the Lakers. He was selected to the All-NBA first team 3 times and to the All-Star game 11 times.

He ranks 14 all time in career steals and 25 all time in career points.

4 John Stockton.

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6 • August 4, 2021 • LA FERIA NEWS

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August 4, 2021 • LA FERIA NEWS • 7

The Next Chapter Pet Ghost

By Nandy Ekle Part 5

“No.” He cleared his throat and tore his eyes away from me to the wall in front of us. “I mean, I did hear that, but I also heard a voice ask, ‘Why are you here?’”

Chill bumps sprang up all over my arms and spine. I was playing this game so well that I had begun to scare myself.

And all these other people here added fuel to my fire. “I didn’t hear any voice.”

“Ms. Mason, --“ “Dora,” I corrected.

“Dora, I’m trained to listen for the unhearable,” he stated a little smugly. Show off,

I named-called in my head.

Leslie nodded toward the exit, so I led them all back out into the hall.

We marched on to the next door. When I opened it, the shadows of Donna’s bed and dresser loomed before us. “My daughter’s room,” I announced. I didn’t say another word.

The gang entered and Barry stood in front of the dresser, Leslie went to the front of the closet. I heard no sounds and no one else gave any signs of hearing anything either.

We stood there for another moment waiting and watching.

“Okay. Last one,

across the hall—my room. I put my hand on the knob, which felt ice cold. I shivered as the door slowly panned open.

Barry stepped past me. He stood to the side of the closet and looked toward the bed.

“Dr. Simon, what do you feel?” Leslie asked.

Instead of answering her he held up his hand in a gesture of silence. We all waited another moment or two watching the doctor and listening. The air was very cold, even as close as I was to the lighting man’s bright light.

“There is something dark here,” Barry finally answered. I felt my eyes grow huge. Wasn’t I the only paranormal thing in this house? I was the one behind all the occurrences. But my daughter’s stories suddenly came back to me. What if there really was a ghost here and I was totally oblivious to it? I tried to think back through all the years we had been in this house.

“The presence in this room is more malevolent than what I felt in the rest of the

house.”

“Are you saying there’s . . .” I stopped, afraid to reveal much more.

“I’m simply saying that there is something dark in here.”

I giggled, more from nerves than amusement. I’ve slept in this room every night for the past twentysomething years.

Except for the time I spent in the hospital after my accident, I slept in here every single night. There was nothing scary about it.

In fact, it was the most comforting place in the house. However, it had never been this cold except for a week a few years ago when the heater died in the dead of winter.

Barry opened my closet and stuck his head into the dark space. “You’ve never felt or heard anything in here?” he asked.

“No. This room has always been very comfortable, but it’s never been this cold in here.”

He crawled on his hands and knees around the edge of the bed looking closely at the

carpet, and occasionally he raised the bed skirt and peered. I thought he looked silly as he slowly moved from one side of the bed to

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THEME: HAPPY HOUR ACROSS 1. Sail support 5. *Percentage of alcohol, acr.

8. Cheesy sandwich 12. Oil, in Italy 13. What refugees do 14. Noble one

15. *Moscow ____ 16. Wrinkly fruit 17. Cereal killer 18. *Non-alcoholic cocktail 20. Elementary particle 21. Old and feeble 22. American cuckoo 23. ____ tunnel 26. Create a misnomer 30. *Tap choice

the other on the floor.

He stopped at the head of the bed, stood up and faced the little bathroom. “It’s coming from there.”

31. Tooth cover 34. A wedge in golf, e.g.

35. Wesley Snipes' 1998 movie 37. Notable time 38. Fancy neckwear 39. Denim innovator 40. *Beer ____, or biergarten 42. Before, archaic 43. Particular marking

on a butterfly 45. Neuter in language, e.g.

47. Red Cross bed 48. Île de la Cité river 50. Lump of stuff 52. *18th Amendment, a.k.a. ____ Act 55. Assemblage of members 56. D'Artagnan's weapon 57. Freight horse cart 59. "It's Always ____ in Philadelphia" 60. Wooden pegs 61. *Margarita garnish 62. Lend a hand 63. *Not sweet 64. Sun rising direction DOWN 1. May honoree 2. Homecoming guest 3. Farmer's storage type 4. Steel on a work boot 5. Relating to aquarium scum 6. Misrepresent 7. Bride screen 8. *Often served dirty, pl.

9. Cogito ____ sum 10. Rumpelstiltskin's weaver 11. *Half whiskey, half absinthe cocktail 13. Pointless 14. Chili con carne legumes 19. Between 10 and Queen 22. Breathing matter 23. C in CNN 24. Stray cat's home 25. Plunder 26. *Fermented honey and water 27. Formed a curve 28. "Fahrenheit 9/11" documentary director 29. Go in 32. *Straight from the bottle 33. Make a blunder 36. *One appeal of happy hour 38. About or concerning, archaic 40. "____ Milk?"

41. Knights' breastplates 44. Dorothy's sleeping aid 46. Conifer attribute 48. Deep sleep 49. Lament for the dead 50. ____hub food takeout service 51. Solitary 52. Hawk or peddle 53. Toreador Song from "Carmen," e.g.

54. River obstructions 55. Geological Society of America 58. Thus far

AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR 8 • August 4, 2021 • LA FERIA NEWS

TSTC Fills State’s Need For Automotive Technicians

With the demand for automotive technicians high around Texas, TSTC continues to supply qualified employees through the Automotive Technology program.

(Photo: TSTC)

(WACO, Texas) - Interstates and highways are busier compared to a year ago, and that means maintenance on vehicles will increase.

Texas State Technical College helps automotive shops around the state fill the need for service technicians. According to onetonline.org,

60,440 technicians were employed in Texas in 2018.

The need is forecast to increase 8% by 2028 to more than 65,000 technicians.

“We are currently seeing a high demand for automotive technicians in the Valley,” said Miguel Zoleta, the Automotive Technology lead instructor at TSTC’s Harlingen campus.

“Previously, the dealerships would call and ask if we had any graduates interested in working with them.

Every dealership that calls now asks for two or more students because of the amount of openings they have.”

TSTC offers Automotive Technology at the Harlingen, Sweetwater and Waco campuses.

Graduates can find job opportunities in all regions of Texas.

Many students plan to stay close to home, whereas others hope to expand their knowledge while working. Tanner

Tankersley, a TSTC student in Sweetwater, hopes to become Automotive Service Excellence-certified.

According to the ASE website, more than 250,000 people have been certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence.

“If I am able to receive that certification, I will be able to one day open my own performance-based auto shop,” he said.

Students have taken what they have learned in class and applied it at home and work.

“Almost every day at work, someone comes in with a problem, and I can help them with the right solution,” said Noe Ramos, a TSTC student in Harlingen who works for AutoZone. “It is amazing that I am able to help my customers by telling them what is wrong with their vehicle.” Instructors have talked to students about the need for technicians and how

well the job can pay.

According to onetonline.org, the average annual salary for a technician in Texas is $45,520.

To help prepare students for a job, TSTC has fully-equipped automotive shops in which to train them.

“We are covering everything that is important to know when we are in the shop. That has been helpful for all of us,” said Joseph Fredericks, a TSTC student in Sweetwater.

“The hands-on approach is the best way to teach a program like this. Shop time is the best time for me.”

Zoleta said a trend has developed in the Valley region. It is a trend he hopes continues for many years. “We try to send students to each dealership, but we are facing obstacles where we are seeing there is more demand than students graduating,” he said. “We cannot graduate the students fast enough.”

TSTC has several options for students interested in Automotive Technology, including an Associate of Applied Science degree. Certificates of completion are available for Automotive Maintenance and Light Repair, and Automotive Technician.

For students who seek specialized training at the Waco campus, TSTC offers certificates of completion in Toyota T-TEN Specialization and Chrysler Specialization, and an advanced technical certificate as a TESLA Start Technician.

For someone looking to get into the workforce quicker, a Basic Automotive Occupational Skills Award may be completed in four months in Waco.

Registration for the fall semester is underway. Scholarships are available. For more information, visit tstc. edu.

Valley Hearing Centers

UT Health RGV Opens Hearing Centers in Edinburg and Harlingen

Dr. Sandy Magallan, Au.D., UTRGV clinical assistant professor of Communication Disorders, works with Eden Davila of Rio Grande City at the UT Health RGV Surgical Specialty in Edinburg. Eden has a cochlear implant and requires hearing services and consultations. (UTRGV Photos by Paul Chouy)

By Amanda L. Alaniz RIO GRANDE VALLEY, TEXAS – JULY 20, 2021 – UT Health RGV has opened its UT Health RGV Hearing Center in two clinical locations, one in Edinburg and another in Harlingen.

The purpose of the center is to provide all patients – from infants to senior citizens – with high-quality hearing care services, such

as diagnostic testing, hearing screenings, hearing aid and cochlear implant services. For patients who currently own a pair of hearing aids but do not receive adequate speech understanding benefits, the audiology team can offer evaluations for hearing implant technology.

Dr. Brian Perry, MD, FACS, professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, and

Dr. Sandy Magallan, Au.D., clinical assistant professor of Communication Disorders, are codirectors of the newly established hearing center.

Dr. Nausheen Jamal, MD, chair of the UTRGV School of Medicine’s Department of OtolaryngologyHead & Neck Surgery, said discussions about opening the center began more than a year ago.

“I was thrilled to finally be able to offer services that our patients have needed and have been asking for. And to see it go from just a concept to fruition is exciting,” she said.

The hearing center’s mission is to offer comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for ear and hearing conditions that affect the community, from children to adults, in the Rio Grande Valley.

Perry said they are working to provide definitive audiological services/diagnoses, fit hearing aids and cochlear implants, and ensure adequate speechlanguage services to improve language outcomes. They also are aiming to help identify and treat children who failed the newborn hearing screening.

“The rate of children who fail newborn hearing screening and are then lost to follow-up is much higher here than in other places,” he said.

“These children should be referred for definitive hearing testing and are

either not being referred, or are not returning for definitive testing and treatment.”

The center will work to remedy the hearing disparities and lack of resources in the Valley, such as audiologists and centers that can provide hearing aids for children and adults who are underinsured or uninsured, Perry said.

“These issues are a combination of economic challenges, language barriers and cultural biases that negatively affect care,” he said.

With the hearing center opening and UT Health RGV growing, Jamal, Magallan and Perry hope to make a significant impact in offering the care needed in South Texas.

“The university understands about the shortage of clinicians and the difficulty in accessing care in the Valley, and that’s a problem we’re working very hard to solve,” Jamal said. “Our goal is to know what the community needs and to

meet those needs.”

The center already is accepting appointments for hearing consultations and other needs.

Specialty ear care products also will be available, such as noise protection earplugs, musician’s earplugs, shooter’s earplugs, swimmer’s plugs and specialty molds for stethoscopes and law enforcement communication devices.

HEARING CENTER LOCATIONS UT Health RGV Surgical Specialty (Edinburg), 3804 S. Jackson Road, Ste. Edinburg, TX 78539 UT Health RGV Surgical Specialty (Harlingen), 615 Camelot Drive, Harlingen, TX 78550 To schedule a hearing consultation at the Edinburg or Harlingen location, visit UTHealthRGV.org or call us at (956) 296HEAR (4327). You may also email hear@utrgv. edu for an appointment.