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Tips to Keep Kids Learning and Having Fun All Summer Long

By
Statepoint
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0

With the encouragement and support of parents, a love of learning can begin early and last a lifetime. To inspire kids to have fun while learning this summer, consider the following tips:

• Reward Curiosity: Children are naturally curious, and the way you respond to their questions, stories, and observations about the world around them is important. Be sure to reward their curiosity with your authentic attention.

• Build Reading Confidence: Literacy is the foundation of all learning, and you can help improve reading comprehension and fluency, while building spelling, vocabulary and writing skills, using tools that offer instant guidance and feedback. The interactive pages of the LeapReader Learn-to-Read 10-Book Bundle build reading and writing confidence by allowing kids to sound out letters and words, or follow along with the stories as they’re read out loud. Each book includes lively character voices that spark interest, as well as activities that introduce vowel sounds, sight words, word blending, spelling skills and more. The LeapReader also helps kids build writing skills with stroke-by-stroke guidance and instant feedback using mess-free, no-ink paper.

• Get Outdoors: Whether it’s a trip to the backyard or a vacation out of town, a change of scenery gives young minds an opportunity to absorb and process new information, while encouraging them to explore new sights and sounds. Be sure to mix things up whenever possible.

• Introduce Learning Toys: Games, puzzles and creative challenges are all interactive experiences that can enhance learning. Check out learning toys with these features built right in, such as the LeapStart Preschool Success interactive learning system from LeapFrog. It features touch-and-talk pages that help build math, reading, problem-solving skills and more. An expansive library of books, sold separately, cover a variety of preschool through first grade subjects, with more than 30 activities in every book. Many activities have two levels with over 50 key skills per grade level, so kids can play and learn at the right level and move up when they’re ready.

• Expand Horizons: Exploring new places can build knowledge, as well as the natural curiosity that helps inspire kids to keep learning. Using the Magic Adventures Globe, young explorers can travel the world and experience new places, languages, cultures, animals, geography, habitats and more through high-quality BBC videos. Featuring a 2.7-inch integrated video screen, animations and live-action videos fully immerse kids in the curriculum to provide a better understanding of the world through more than five hours of videos. Kids can also play three interactive games called Around the World, Quiz Show and Where in the World to explore the globe, challenge a friend and solve mysteries.

With interactive tools, toys and strategies, it’s always the right time of year to get your child excited to learn!

Junior League Back to School Bonanza

By
Kennadi Thompson
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Back to School Bonanza will be on Saturday, July 31st at The Pitser Garrison Convention Center. This free
event is for families of Angelina County students entering Pre-K through 12th grade and provides school
supplies, uniforms, shoes, and much more! This drive thru event will allow participants to remain in their
cars to adhere to safety measures. For pre-registered participants, the event will begin at 8 am. If you
register on the day of the event, you may begin arriving at 9:00 am. We encourage pre-registration
online at the Junior League of Lufkin website through July 17th. For more information, please visit
juniorleagueoflufkin.org or the Junior League of Lufkin Facebook page.
See you there!

Back to School Bonanza será el sábado 31 de julio en el Centro Civico de Lufkin. Este evento gratuito sera
para estudiantes del Condado de Angelina que ingresaran al Pre-K a 12o grado. Se dara útiles escolares,
uniformes, zapatos, y mucho más! Este evento permitirá a los participantes permanecer en sus coches
para seguir medidas de seguridad. Para los participantes pre-inscritios, el evento comenzará a las 8 am.
Si se inscribe el día del evento, puede comenzar a llegar a las 9:00 am. Animamos a que se preinscriba en
línea en el sitio web de Junior League of Lufkin hasta el 17 de julio. Para obtener más información, visita
juniorleagueoflufkin.org o la página de Facebook de la Junior League of Lufkin.

The Junior League of Lufkin is an organization of women committed to promoting volunteerism and to
improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose
is exclusively educational and charitable. The League’s vision is to enhance the lives of children and
women in the community through diverse projects and fundraising efforts.

Texas Roadhouse Brings 280 New Jobs to Lufkin

By
Kennadi Thompson
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Lufkin’s new Texas Roadhouse, at 4500 S. Medford Drive, opens Monday, July 26. Before the first guest walks in the door, the restaurant will roll out the red, white and blue carpet for several local organizations. Next week, as the restaurant trains new cooks, meat cutters and other kitchen members, guests at The Family Crisis Center of East Texas, The Salvation Army, Godtell Ministries and local first responders will be first to try the restaurant’s legendary steaks, fall-off-the-bone ribs and made-from-scratch sides.

Prior to opening, the restaurant will host invitation-only pre-opening events and raise money for Riley’s Cause and Family Legacy. The fundraisers are not open to the public, but media is welcome.

“Being a strong community partner is part of our mission,” says Managing Partner Ty Ngov. “Both of these organizations serve as a lifeline for families across this region. We’ll do whatever we can to support these amazing charities to provide basic needs and support to those who need help.”

Texas Roadhouse is always looking for legendary team members. Those interested in employment are encouraged to apply online at apply.texasroadhouse.com

The restaurant will be open for dinner only Monday through Thursday from 4:00 –10:00 p.m., Friday 4:00 – 11:00 p.m., and for lunch and dinner Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. and Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. The media is invited to attend a private ribbon-cutting ceremony, Friday, July 23 at 2:00 p.m.

Extend the Life of Your Used Car With These Tips

By
Statepoint
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0

In the market for a car? If you’re planning on purchasing a used vehicle, you’re in good company.

Nearly 70 percent of all car sales are used vehicles, likely due to the the rising costs of new cars and the increasing quality of their used counterparts.

While previously owned vehicles make the best financial sense in a lot of cases, experts encourage motorists to keep a few things in mind.

“For the safety of everyone sharing the road with you and to protect your purchase, it’s important to stay up-to-date on car maintenance,” says Doug Turner, director of service operations at Byrider, the nation’s largest used car and finance network of dealerships.

To help you extend the life of your used car, the automotive experts at Byrider are offering the following tips:

• Follow the maintenance recommendations of the manufacturer to keep it running as smoothly as possible. This includes filling your vehicle with the proper gas, and using the proper oil per the manufacturer’s recommendations.

• Prioritize preventive maintenance to avoid issues down the line. Pay special attention to noises or warning signs that could indicate your vehicle needs maintenance. Remember, warning lights on your dashboard are illuminated for a reason. Understand what they mean and address them as-needed.

• Keep the interior and exterior of your vehicle clean to prevent rust and other issues.

• Use only trusted repair services that hire Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)-certified technicians. This certification can make a big difference when it comes to quality repairs and maintenance.

• Complete as-needed or at a minimum, an annual inspection, on the vehicle. Keep in mind that different seasons of the year require different inspections and repairs.

• Use quality parts.

• When buying a vehicle, stick to retail dealers that put cars through a detailed inspection process to help ensure a given vehicle’s safety and reliability. At the same time, consider dealers with an attached service department to help streamline maintenance and repairs. “Your relationship with the dealership shouldn’t end once you drive the car off the lot,” adds Turner. In the case of Byrider, every car sold comes with a warranty or optional vehicle service agreement, as well as discounted parts, labor and service. To learn more, visit byrider.com.

A used vehicle can be a great investment. Extend the life of your car and stay safer on the roads by making smart purchasing decisions and taking a proactive approach to maintenance.

Grub worm control happens now in East Texas

By
Cary Sims
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Those ugly white, C-shaped grub worms that infect lawns and cause so much trouble in late summer and early fall are easiest to kill now, when you cannot see them. White grubs are the larval form of the June bug, Phyllophaga crinite, also known as June beetles or May beetles. Just as a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, grubs turn into those clumsy night-flying June bugs.

Grubs eat roots of lawns in addition to several other landscape plants. Grubs pupate and turn into the adult beetles in the late spring. After emerging in the spring, the adult beetles also feed on the leaves of plants as they go about their short-lived life.

Indications of a grub worms are lawns that lose vigor and turn brown. Homeowners will not find distinct zones of affected turfgrass as they will with some fungus problems. Severely damaged turf can be lifted by hand or rolled up from the ground like a carpet. Of course, you will want to do some digging and investigating to confirm they are they culprit.

Looking at their life cycle, adult beetles emerge from the soil in late spring or summer. They fly at night, usually after a significant rainfall or irrigation. Flight periods may last for several weeks, during which time mating and egg-laying occur. Female June bugs that do mate, dig 2 to 5 inches into the soil to lay eggs and each female can lay 30 to 40 eggs.

Within about two weeks the eggs hatch into small white grubs that feed on grass roots. The larvae (gub-worms) continue to grow throughout the year and eventually pupate (intermediate stage between the larva and the adult) and emerge again as another June bug next year in late spring, completing the insect’s development cycle.

Most damage from white grubs occurs during mid-summer to early-fall when the larger larvae are actively feeding. But it is this time of year when you really don’t have much of a problem from the grubs or the beetles that you can break their cycle and reduce numbers safely.

But right now, the eggs have hatched but the larvae are young and easier to kill. The time is now to apply an insecticide.

Some Texas lawns never suffer white grub damage, while others are damaged year after year. If your lawn consistently dies out in patches during late summer and if you can verify that white grubs are the culprits, you may benefit from a preventative treatment.

Several non-chemical treatments are available for controlling white grubs. Beneficial nematodes within the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis are tiny worms that attack white grubs and other soil inhabiting insects. These microscopic worms can be purchased in stores or through garden supply

catalogs. Commercial nematode products are usually designed to be mixed with water and applied to lawns using a hose-end or hand-held sprayer.

One microbial pesticide, Bacillus popilliae, or milky spore disease, often is recommended for white grub (Japanese beetle) control in other regions of the U.S. However, it has not been shown to be effective against Texas turf-infesting white grubs.

The insecticides imidacloprid and halofenozide are used most today for white grub control. Imidacloprid is most effective against small and medium-sized grubs but may kill some grubs larger than 1⁄2 inch long. Imidacloprid trade names include Merit®, Bayer Advanced Lawn™ Season Long Grub Control and Scott’s® Grub-Ex®. The lethal effects of the insect growth regulator halofenozide are limited to early white grub life stages.

So, what about the bug-zapper lights? During flights, large numbers of adult beetles, primarily males, may be attracted to lighted windows or other lights at night. Females, being less active fliers, usually are less common around lighted areas than are males. So while you may kill a good many June bugs with a bug-zapper light, their flight tendencies renders many home “bug-light zappers” infective from controlling future infestations.

For this reason, turning off outdoor lights during adult flight periods may not substantially reduce subsequent white grub damage. In fact, heavy white grub infestations often can be found in areas with little or no outdoor lighting.

If you’ve never had a real problem with grub worms, then count yourself blessed and don’t worry about taking action. However, if you have a lawn prone to damages from grubs, consider taking action with one of the remedies listed above.

Pandemic Increased Screen Time, Decreased Physical Activity in Children

By
Newswise
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0

The stay-at-home orders during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to a decrease in children’s physical activity and an increase in screen time, finds two new studies from the Brown School at Washington University in St. Louis.

“The stay-at-home orders from March to May 2020 created massive shifts in work, school and family life,” said Amy Eyler, associate professor and an expert on physical activity and childhood obesity. “The majority of parents in these studies reported a perceived decrease in physical activity of their children during that time. This decrease, even if temporary, can negatively impact children’s health.”

Eyler is first author of the papers “Parent Perceptions of Changes in Child Physical Activity During COVID-19 Stay-At-Home Orders” published in Frontiers in Public Health and “Children’s Physical Activity and Screen Time during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Exploration of Parent Perceptions” published in the journal Health Behavior Policy Review. 

In the first study, Eyler and her co-authors surveyed parents of children aged 5-12. Data from 245 parents were analyzed. A majority (63.7%) of parents reported a decrease in children’s physical activity during the stay-at-home time. More parents indicated that social barriers such as the lack of access to playmates were a bigger issue than the lack of places to play.

In the second study, Eyler and her co-authors found that screen time increased as physical activity decreased.

“We don’t know the longer-term impact of these behavior changes,” Eyler said. “Will children resume pre-COVID activity levels? We need more research to help us to track this over time.”

Do I buy or not?

By
Newswise
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0

You have probably often said to yourself: “This time, I will only buy what I need!” But then you still ended up coming home with things that were not on your shopping list.

How can you prevent such impulse buying? A team from the Chair of Psychology II at Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) Würzburg in Bavaria, Germany, looked at this question. The answer is not that simple, says psychologist Dr Anand Krishna. It depends on what type of person you are: a pleasure-seeker or a person who focuses on security.

Anand Krishna and his JMU colleagues Sophia Ried and Marie Meixner have published their results in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.

Sometimes you buy out of curiosity, sometimes you want to indulge yourself

Sometimes you buy spontaneously, out of pure curiosity. For example, there’s a treat you’ve never tried before. Or you want to treat yourself to something. It could be a chocolate bar, a pretty decorative piece for the living room or a great pair of jeans.

Sometimes you’re really happy about the spontaneous purchase. Sometimes, you have a guilty conscience: Money is already tight! However, many people manage to suppress the impulse to reach for a chocolate bar. And they do so when they are in a situation in which they are particularly sensitive to risks.

Dr Krishna emphasises that it is not possible to say that certain customers are predisposed to impulse buying. However, the research results so far give a clue as to how people who want to protect themselves from such purchases should proceed.

How to protect yourself from impulse buying

According to the JMU psychologist, people of pleasure are spontaneous by nature. If they are feeling well and are geared to enjoyment, they will spontaneously reach for an article that promises to give them even more pleasure. At the same time, a relatively small impulse is enough for these people to stop themselves from making a spontaneous purchase: “This can be, for example, a small note in the wallet that says ‘Stop!’ or something similar,” says Krishna.

Then there are the security-oriented people. For them, a warning note in the wallet alone would not help. Security people need time. And in general: even impulse buying does not happen so quickly with them. “Does this really taste as good as it looks?” Such thoughts may go through their minds at the sight of a fine chocolate. They also need more time to say “No!” to the treat. It seems to help them more if they look more often at a note saying “No impulse buying today!” when walking through the shop.

Security people take a tad longer

The research results are interesting especially since one might actually think that security-oriented people are generally more likely to avoid impulse purchases. But this is not the case. If they are in a positive motivational state, they are just as tempted to treat themselves to something good as pleasure-seekers. The big difference is that no matter what they end up doing, it takes them a tad longer cognitively to act.

These findings arose from a laboratory study with around 250 participants. Two experiments were conducted.

The results are interesting for marketing, but also for consumer protection. “The latter because impulse buying can be a problematic and undesirable behaviour for many people,” says Anand Krishna. To help, it is important to know that there are two types of people, that different cognitive processes necessitate different methods to prevent impulse buying, and most importantly, that the current situation plays a big role.

Motivational state plays an important role

They have honestly earned the reward in the form of a new pair of jeans, the pleasure-seeker thinks – and buys spontaneously, following what is called in psychology a promotion focus. “Let’s say they had ice cream shortly before, so they’re attending to rewards and pleasure anyway, and use the chance to get even more pleasure,” explains the JMU researcher.

The situation is different if the pleasure-seeker has just come from a conversation at their bank. Despite their basic orientation towards pleasure, the risks of spending too much money are active in their mind. They suppress their impulse and walk past the great pair of jeans, even without much time for reflection.

Goods that certain customers might gladly buy on one day are therefore left behind on another. This is what the results from the Würzburg psychology department suggest. And this is independent of how they are presented. Because it seems to depend on the emotional state in which the customers enter the shop.

The question of what security-oriented customers do when they have to act under time pressure is still open. For example, if they don’t want to buy the chocolate bar because they stood on the scales in the morning and they showed two kilos too much. Maybe they still reach for the candy when they have to hurry to the checkout, because there is not enough time to reflect. But more experiments are needed to clarify this.

Tips to Ease the Stress of Relocating to a New Area

By
Statepoint
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0

Approximately 35 million Americans move every year. But unlike most times when homeowners largely change addresses within the same city or county, 2020 saw a sharp increase in relocations between 50 to 500 miles away.

“The pandemic has opened the eyes to many that they can effectively work remotely. Thus, homeowners are leaving pricy or cold-weather areas for warmer and more affordable regions, such as our community in Georgia where the cost of living and weather is more appealing,” says Raoul Rushin, real estate business developer and president of The Landings Company, a master-planned community located 10 miles outside downtown Savannah, Ga.

However, as exciting as it is to relocate to a dream area, heading to a new city is one of life’s most stressful events. Use these tips to ease your concerns.

Ready, Set… Research

The best way to overcome the stress of the unknown is with research. Learn more about areas you’re considering online. Find local publications with ratings of communities and suburbs. Gather data on average temperatures, extreme weather tendencies and proximity from key features, such as water, work or transportation. These factors will help you narrow in on a few top areas.

Next, social media can help you gain insights on the people. Join neighborhood or city Facebook groups. Post questions. This is also a great forum to gain recommendations for a realtor.

Finally, visit in-person to ensure you’re choosing the location right for you.

“Once you’ve narrowed your search, it’s important to experience the community,” says Rushin. “At The Landings, we offer Discovery Visits to allow potential homeowners to fully immerse themselves during a three- to four-day stay in one of the neighborhood homes.”

Healthcare Hassles

Relocating also means changing your healthcare and many times insurance providers. Ask your current doctors for recommendations in your new area. Research local hospitals or specialists. Depending on your healthcare needs, this could be a key consideration. Ensuring that your physical health is covered is key to reducing stress and maintaining good mental health.

Location, Location, Location

Think long-term. “Many homeowners choose to relocate based on a favorite vacation spot,” notes Rushin. “However, the remote, relaxing feel of your getaway may not be ideal for your forever home. Proximity and easy access to shopping, entertainment, schools and professional services should be key considerations.”

Lifestyle Luxuries

Once you’ve keyed in on the city, don’t just jump to house shopping. Instead find the right community that fits your lifestyle. Are you a golfer, biker, nature-enthusiast? Think about the things that bring you the most pleasure and look for neighborhoods or communities offering these activities.

Social Support

One of the most difficult parts of relocating is leaving your support system of friends and family. Research social clubs or other activities that you can get involved with to meet others with similar interests.

“At The Landings, more than 50 percent of our buyers are from out of state, so we help facilitate friendships through our New Neighbors group,” says Rushin. “The unique social group welcomes members to participate in a variety of activities and events for the first two years after their move to make new friends, as well as learn about the rich history of the area and the community.”

Relocation is stressful, but with research and preparation, the life change can be smooth and exciting.

FATALITIES CAUSED BY NO SEAT BELTS ON THE RISE

By
Rhonda Oaks
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Recently released statistics show the number of fatalities from people choosing not to wear a seat belt have risen in the Lufkin District, as well as statewide.

In the Lufkin District, there was a 38-percent increase in fatalities due to unbuckled motorists from 2019 to 2020. In 2019, there were 29 fatal crashes and 51 serious injuries associated with not wearing a seat belt. In 2020, there were 40 fatal crashes and 55 serious injuries associated with not wearing a seat belt. So far in 2021, statistics are trending upward.

Statewide, there was a 16-percent increase in fatalities associated with unbuckled motorists from 2019 to 2020. In 2019, there were 926 fatalities associated with not wearing a seat belt, compared to 2020, when fatalities increased to 1,073.

“Putting on a seat belt takes only a few seconds and it is the best defense we have should a crash occur,” said Rhonda Oaks, public information officer. “Buckling up reduces the risk of dying in a crash by up to 45-percent for front seat vehicle passengers and up to 60-percent for those riding in a pickup truck.”

With summer driving season in full swing, TxDOT is urging drivers to buckle up. Texas law requires everyone in a vehicle to be properly secured in the front or back seat or face fines and fees up to $200. Children younger than 8 years old must be restrained in a child safety seat or booster seat unless they are taller than 4 feet 9 inches. If a child isn’t secured, the driver faces fines of up to $250.

City of Lufkin puts County on Notice for EMS

By
Lee Allen Miller
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Photo: City of Lufkin Facebook Page

COUNTYWIDE EMS: Today the City of Lufkin notified Angelina County and its municipalities that it will recommend that the county assume responsibility for emergency medical services outside city limits beginning in January 2022.The City of Lufkin Fire Department currently services all EMS calls in Angelina County. It takes paramedics 30 minutes to reach Zavalla from the closest fire station in Lufkin. In a cardiac arrest, 30 minutes is six times the required response window of five minutes for resuscitation, according to Lufkin Fire Chief Jesse Moody.

“In my 27-year career, I’ve never seen a cardiac arrest successfully resuscitated in Zavalla or anywhere south of Huntington,” Moody said. “Those calls are survivable if Angelina County had an ambulance service with stations strategically placed throughout the county.”

It can take paramedics 45-50 minutes to reach the county’s outermost edges. Those longer response times and a financial deficit for EMS services are the primary reasons for the city’s recommendation, Lufkin City Manager Bruce Green said. “Growing deficits are a reality, but they are not our first concern,” Green said. “Our paramedics and emergency medical technicians provide excellent care once they arrive on a scene, but, due solely to the distance, it is not infrequent that one of our ambulances arrives on a scene where a patient should already have been at a hospital.”

If Angelina County opted to contract with a private ambulance service with locations throughout the county, it would benefit residents not only in cardiac arrests but also in trauma calls. On trauma calls, the standard of care is the “Golden Hour,” meaning a patient has one hour to get definitive medical care before suffering a severe outcome.

“In the case of a bad wreck in Zavalla, the ‘Golden Hour’ is taken up in response time alone. That means before we even figure in extricating and stabilizing someone for transport, their hour is up,” Moody said. “Whereas if the county had an ambulance and extrication team down there, the person is going to have a much better outcome.”

Another issue facing city officials is adequate coverage for the residents who live inside city limits. The National Fire Protection Association recommends that a city the size of Lufkin (roughly 40k citizens) have a 21-person staffing minimum.

Lufkin Fire Department currently operates with a minimum of 19 people to serve the city and the county – roughly 100,000 residents, Moody said. “The county has grown to such a size that with the manpower we have, we are not able to provide coverage for the county and the city at the same time without greatly increasing the number of personnel in the department,” Moody said.

When the fire department responds to the south end of the county for EMS, it can take two and a half hours before they are available for another call, Moody said. That extended “door-to-door” time frequently creates situations where there is not enough manpower to safely respond to structure fires inside city limits.

“For that two and a half hours, the engine at that fire station has no firefighters,” Moody said. “The people on the ambulance are the firefighters on the engine. We have no reserve force.”

Another viable option for the county would be to eventually establish an emergency services district as nearly 100 counties across the state have already done including Sabine, Houston, Rusk, Jasper, Tyler and Smith counties. The recommendation will be brought before Lufkin City Council on Aug. 3. Green said he wanted to give Angelina County and its municipalities advanced notice to allow them time to establish a plan.

“By providing advanced notice, the county will have plenty of time to arrange emergency medical services through a private company, or to establish an Emergency Services District to provide services throughout the county,” Green said.

The City will work with Angelina County to ensure a smooth transition.

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