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Top Laundry Tips to Treat Common Summer Stains

By
Statepoint
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Summer living can make your family’s clothing vulnerable to stains, splatters and more, even if you are spending more time at home these days. But it’s possible to restore your family’s clothing to like-new condition every time laundry day rolls around with these tips and strategies:

• Act quickly: The faster you treat a garment, the more likely you will successfully remove stains and odors. While portable stain sticks are a great option when out and about, you can also rely on some running water and hand soap.

• Understand stains: “Science shows that there is no one single ingredient that cleans everything well, so understanding the anatomy of a stain is essential,” says to Elli Frasier, director of product development for CR Brands, a cleaning products manufacturer.

For example, enzymes are required to treat protein-based stains like grass, while granular-based stains such as mud require detergents. For this reason, that quick soccer game in the backyard could easily become the precursor to laundry day difficulties. Throw some al fresco dining into the mix and your favorite item of clothing may really be in trouble. Here are a few common summer clothing pitfalls and how to handle them:

• Tough workouts: When washing sweaty workout gear and other clothing, be sure laundry products contain odor-preventing ingredients. If your machine has a sports cycle, this may be a good setting to choose.

• Barbecues: Ketchup and other condiments take center stage at barbecues, but when they make contact with clothing, it’s important to target these stains correctly. The same is true of juice drinks, spaghetti sauce and wine. Pretreat such stains for 30 minutes or more with peroxide-containing products before washing.

• Grease: Whether changing the oil in your car or fixing a bicycle chain, maintenance tasks such as these can lend themselves to tough-to-treat grease stains. Agitate garments with a degreasing agent along with warm water before laundering.

• Choose a powerful weapon: The best way to ensure clothing comes out of the wash good-as-new is to select products containing a variety of stain-fighting ingredients, including enzymes, peroxides, whitening agents and detergents. For example, Biz Stain & Odor Eliminator, available in powder, liquid and boosters, can be used to both pretreat garments (by applying directly on the stain), as well as an additive (by pouring it into the wash along with your detergent). Proven to be 80 percent more effective at stain removal than detergent alone in independent third-party laboratory tests, it’s also safe to use on both colored garments and whites.

• Examine clothes post-wash: Before tossing garments in the dryer, ensure stains were actually removed during the wash cycle, as applying heat can set the stain.

• Read labels: When in doubt, check tags for proper care, particularly for delicates and special fabrics.

With a few tricks up your sleeve, you can enjoy all the mess summer has to offer care-free.

The Importance of Reading

By
Luis Ruperto
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Modern technology has given way to a new perspective of doing things. We don’t need a television to watch a movie or tv show we just use a phone. We don’t need a radio to listen to music, we just hit play on Spotify or Apple music and we have instant access to thousands of songs at the tap of a button. However, that same technology can take away from some of the richer and more fulfilling things in life no matter how shiny or innovative that technology may be.  

There seems to be something new coming out every day and we are sucked into that wormhole and want the latest technology, the latest iPhone or the latest video game console, so much so that we forget who we are and where we come from.  

Before the explosion of technology, we all learned to walk; though not with the help of a gadget but with our own two legs. Then followed talking, not through an app but simply by listening to our parents over and over again until eventually we formed words and eventually in similar fashion learned to read and write through repetition, practice and determination. All of these are skills that play a critical role in our growth and development from before we are born and onward for the rest of our lives. 

Babies can hear the voice of their mother during the last 10 weeks of pregnancy so, reading to them can jumpstart their understanding of language and speech patterns. As they continue to grow so does their understanding of the world around them, as infants, when you read to them you are encouraging their social skills. If you read with enthusiasm and use sounds or expressions throughout the story this triggers their emotional awareness. 

As toddlers, reading harnesses their ability to speak and it motivates them to ask questions about the world around them. Hearing you read the book focuses on their ability and understanding of how to pronounce words.  

As they move on to grade school, they transition to reading on their own and expanding their vocabulary as well as enhancing their empathy skills by reading about stories, places, and people different from themselves.  

During their teen years however, many have a fallout with reading and see it as a thing of the past or even boring and it’s here where they are sucked into the wormhole of technology and the latest trends. However, some of the fallout may not be due to technology but due to lack of interest in what they are reading. I remember when I was in middle school and  high school my reading and writing assignments weren’t the most thrilling by any means and in turn, I didn’t want to read at all. A teacher of mine when I was in 6th grade told me this once “Someone doesn’t just stop reading, they just haven’t found a book that they like.”  

Visiting your local library is a great place to start, there is bound to be a book for everybody but if the kiddos are more into the digital side of things their phones and tablets can turn into eBook readers without much effort. It may seem boring for them to read a book but if they just give it a chance there is no telling where a book can take them. Not to mention the benefits that reading can have on them like a better vocabulary and more likely to score higher on a reading exam.  

No matter how old your child is, an infant, toddler, teen or an adult it’s never too late to pick up a book and read. If you don’t like it, put it down and find something else, but trust me- when you find the right book, you won’t want to put it down.  

Thoughts during Coronavirus

By
Luis Ruperto
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Lately I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, a lot of wondering really; society is slowly starting to go back to a sense of normalcy, stores are slowly opening back up to some degree, states across the nation are loosening up their social distancing regulations- but what does that mean for the future? 

 Will things go back to the way things were when we didn’t care where we were and who we were with or are we going to adapt to some of the things we are currently doing as we practice social distancing guidelines. See, over the past few months since this whole ordeal began, I have noticed that I have been more conscience about several different things in my daily life. Things that I wouldn’t have given a second thought to before. 

I try not to go out unless I have to- like going to the grocery store or the bank- though every once in a while, I cave in and go to the park or the drive thru for an unhealthy but nonetheless delicious bite to eat. But before I leave the house, I make sure I have 5 things: my phone, wallet, keys, hand sanitizer and face mask. I recite this list pretty religiously since I tend to be forgetful and more often than not forget one or more things on my mental list.  

My girlfriend actually got me in the habit of reciting this list but at first it was just my phone, wallet and keys since those are the main three I needed if I was going out for anything. Then when the pandemic broke out, I added the other two items shortly after. While it wasn’t that big of an issue to remember to bring two more things, I would have never thought to remember to bring hand sanitizer. It was one of those things that you just conveniently had in your car or as an accessory to your key ring and if you didn’t have any, no worries it wasn’t gonna kill you.  

Now I beg to differ. 

You would only see face masks at the doctor’s office or the occasional reminder to wear one if you were having a cough, cold or flu. Now they are pretty commonplace everywhere you go. They are a little uncomfortable to wear at first, especially if you have glasses but then you just accept it and move on. Heck they have gotten so fancy and cute looking that they have turned into a fashion statement. Crazy world we live in today am I right? 

Nowadays I am definitely more aware of my surroundings; where I am, who’s around me and who I have come in contact with or what I came in contact with. Not to be creepy but you just don’t know anymore who could potentially have the coronavirus or who could be displaying symptoms and is out in public. 

It would be crazy to say that we aren’t all a little on edge or paranoid when we are out in public. When this whole thing started I would get a mild but unsettling anxiety attack and my brain would run around in circles thinking “what if he or she has it now I have it” of course once I got a grip this would subside and now I don’t get them anymore but I’m still on my toes.  

Let’s close our eyes for a second and think: If the coronavirus were gone what would society do? Would we continue to wear face masks and carry hand sanitizer like we carry our phone, or would we go back to our old ways and live life like it was before this pandemic started? 

In my opinion, I believe that facemasks and hand sanitizer have become the new norm, at least for a while as this situation blows over. Social distancing will continue to be a thing, but eventually it’ll go away and we can go out and do things like we did before. I do think that people will continue to be cautious about their surroundings and the people they are with. Personally, I know that I will be self-conscience about my surroundings not just for now but probably for the rest of my life.  

OTD in Texas, May 26th, 1975 — Historic clash leads to unionization of Texas farm workers

By
Aaron Ferguson
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On this day in 1975, a confrontation occurred between union organizers and El Texano Ranch, in Hidalgo, Reynosa, Mexico. The event led to a spontaneous strike during which a ranch supervisor fired upon the strikers and their supporters. The strike lasted throughout the melon harvest and spread to the Trans-Pecos and Panhandle. Many strikers were arrested. As the strike continued, a core of Valley farmworkers supported the foundation of the Texas Farm Workers Union as a local that would be accountable to them. The TFWU was established under the leadership of Antonio Ordendain in August 1975.

SFA students to celebrate with virtual commencement May 30

By
Aaron Ferguson
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As students across the nation adjust to the altered academic landscape, students at Stephen F. Austin State University are preparing to attend a virtual commencement May 30, which is designed to celebrate their achievements in spite of the challenges faced this semester due to the impact of COVID-19.

Through a series of videos, students will have access to the commencement address by SFA alumnus Michael Calbert, chairman of the board of Dollar General; and addresses by SFA President Dr. Scott Gordon; Dr. Steve Bullard, provost and vice president for academic affairs; and Craig Turnage, executive director of alumni relations, as well as a version of the school song created with video clips submitted by many of the graduating students.

Michael Calbert, a 1984 Stephen F. Austin State University alumnus and Dollar General chairman of the board, will deliver the commencement address as part of SFA virtual commencement 2020.

Calbert, a 1984 SFA accounting graduate and East Texas native, worked as an auditor at Arthur Andersen and later joined U.S.-based private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts and Co. before retiring in 2014. In addition to Dollar General, he also serves on other corporate boards.

SFA graduate Annemarie Price said she plans to celebrate the day with a personal touch. Price, a marketing major from Katy, will have two very special guests in attendance — her dogs Astro and Travis dressed for the occasion in suits and ties — as she accepts her diploma at home from her parents. While it’s not exactly the celebration she had planned with friends from around the state gathered at Johnson Coliseum to watch her walk the stage, it’s enough for now.

“When I found out graduations were being canceled, it was important for me to redirect my focus on what I could control, what was truly important and what I could look forward to during this crisis,” Price said. “The class of 2020 won’t get the typical walk across the stage right now, but we will each have a unique celebration, which we will not easily forget.”

Other students are planning on simple celebrations with immediate family.

“My plan for graduation is to dress in a cap and gown and walk across my house as if it were a stage,” said Rachel Ballback, health science major from The Woodlands, who was named Miss SFA in March. “Even though I imagined the day to be much different, I am grateful SFA is offering an alternative.”

Price offered congratulations to her fellow graduates for persevering through an unprecedented situation.

“You have adapted and overcome in unexpected and unpredictable circumstances,” she said. “You should be proud of what you have accomplished.”

Degrees to be awarded include 1,188 bachelor’s, 294 master’s and two doctoral degrees. More than 468 students will graduate with honors, including 155 cum laude, 152 magna cum laude and 152 summa cum laude. Seventy-nine will graduate with the university scholar designation.

The ceremony will be available to view beginning at 6 a.m. May 30 at sfasu.edu/commencement.

–Courtesy of Stephen F. Austin State University News and Media Center

HUDSON GRADUATE WINS $8,000 GEORGIA-PACIFIC SCHOLARSHIP

By
Joshua Blackwell
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Autumn Greene, a Hudson High School graduate, was recently selected as one of 50 students across the country to receive an $8,000 academic scholarship from the Georgia-Pacific Foundation. Georgia-Pacific’s Vice President and General Manager of Composite Panels, Pat Aldred (far left), joins Michaelyn and Mark Greene to congratulate their daughter Autumn on her academic success.

DIBOLL, TEXAS (MAY 26, 2020)…Autumn Greene, a graduating senior at Hudson ISD has
been selected as a recipient of a Georgia-Pacific Foundation Employees’ Children Scholarship.
She is the daughter of Mark and Michaelyn Greene. Mark is an Information Technology Lead at
Georgia-Pacific’s Diboll Regional Office.

Autumn and fellow students were forced to finish their high school careers through
virtual learning. They face the beginning of their college experience unsure if it will begin on
time. Despite that, Autumn has hopes of attending the University of Texas in the Fall and
majoring in Classical Studies.

Georgia-Pacific awards 50 scholarships each year to the children of employees across
the country. The scholarship awards $2,000 per year for up to four years of full-time college
undergraduate study or until baccalaureate degree requirements are completed, whichever
occurs first, for a total maximum award of $8,000.

“The COVID-19 shutdown has cost these young people a huge part of their educational
experience,” said Curley M. Dossman, Jr., president of the Georgia-Pacific Foundation. “It is vital
that we continue to support their academic success and remind them that their futures remain
bright.”

Since the scholarship program began in 1988, Georgia-Pacific has awarded nearly 1,600
scholarships totaling nearly $13 million. The program is administered by the National Merit
Scholarship Corporation and is open to children of all active, full-time, U.S.-based employees of
Georgia-Pacific. About 300 applications were received this year.

Education is a cornerstone of Georgia-Pacific’s community investment. Across the
country, the company supports a wide array of public school and community based educational
programs. Investment support includes programs that boost literacy, promote STEM and
STEAM interest and train educators to take their skills to the next level of teaching and learning.

SFA School of Art to assist with Boys and Girls Clubs’ summer programming

By
Aaron Ferguson
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Dr. Maggie Leysath, professor of art education at Stephen F. Austin State University, will provide art instruction for students participating in summer programs with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Deep East Texas.

Through virtual programming, Leysath will instruct not only Nacogdoches participants, but also students who participate in Boys and Girls Club summer programs in the Lufkin and Diboll clubs and in other communities served by the Boys and Girls Clubs of Deep East Texas.

BGC clubhouses will begin re-opening on June 1 under established city, county and state social-distancing guidelines for childcare and youth services, according to Steve Davidson, president and CEO for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Deep East Texas. Student participants will have the option of attending in-person clubhouse activities, or participating in virtual activities only.

Art lessons will be scheduled weekly throughout June, and SFA art education students, in cooperation with BGC staff, will plan and provide art instruction during scheduled class times.

“This collaboration is a continuation of the good working relationship the SFA School of Art and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Deep East Texas have developed over the past several months,” Davidson said. “Our after-school art lessons with art education students had to be canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic this spring semester. BGC administration and art education faculty stayed in communication as plans for reopening moved forward.”

The Zoom art lessons provide safe instructional support for BGC staff, and the lessons also offer opportunities for art education students to implement curriculum and instruction in their chosen field of art education, according to Leysath.

“This is a win-win situation,” Leysath said. “We are so happy to be involved with the BGC in this way and to strengthen our relationship with this vital community program.”

For more information about summer programs with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Deep East Texas, visit bgcdet.org. For more information about the School of Art, visit art.sfasu.edu.

TPW Commission Approves Changes to Saltwater Fishing Regulations for 2020-21

By
Aaron Ferguson
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Two happy young men catching fish in Alaska

On May 21, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission discussed several changes to state saltwater fishing regulations, including updates to the recreational and commercial flounder fishery regulations and paddle craft all-water guide license.

The following changes to the 2020-21 Statewide Recreational Fishing Proclamation, details of which will be incorporated into this year’s Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Outdoor Annual and the Texas Commercial Fishing regulations summary, have been adopted by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission and go into effect on Sept. 1, 2020:

  • Increasing the minimum size limit for flounder to 15”.
  • Clarifying language for commercial harvest reporting requirements.
  • Changing the course requirements to include a paddle craft leading course from the American Canoe Association or another TPWD approved course.

During their discussion, the Commission decided to postpone the proposed fall closure of the flounder fishery to 2021. The proposal to close all flounder fishing from Nov. 1 – Dec. 15 will take effect Sept. 1, 2021.

See a more complete listing of fishing regulation changes on the TPWD website.

An Update from Trent Ashby

By
Rep. Trent Ashby
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As our nation continues the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, our first responders and the work they’re doing to keep our communities safe has never been more apparent. And while stories of lifesaving treatments and prevention make most of the headlines, it’s important to remember that these brave men and women risk their lives everyday performing regular acts of service that are completely unrelated to COVID-19. With that in mind, Governor Abbott recently announced that nominations for the 2020 Star of Texas Awards, which honor peace officers, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders who were seriously injured or killed in the line of duty, are now open. If you know a hero in your community who has lost their life or been seriously injured keeping our communities safe, I want to encourage you to fill out a nomination form so that they can be honored for their bravery and sacrifice. Nomination forms can be accessed through the Governor’s Office website: https://gov.texas.gov/organization/cjd/star-of-texas

With that, here’s the latest information on our state’s fight against the coronavirus. . .

Coronavirus Update

Governor Abbott recently announced the second phase of our state’s plan to safely and strategically open Texas while minimizing the spread of COVID-19. Under Phase II, restaurants may increase their occupancy to 50% and additional services and activities that remained closed under Phase I — child care centers, summer camps, Little League Baseball, rodeo and equestrian arenas, and others — may reopen with restricted occupancy levels and minimum standard health protocols established by the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). I’m encouraged by this progress, as it shows that we, as Texans, are responsibly practicing social distancing and other best practices that will ultimately allow more of Texas to reopen. For more information about Phase II to Open Texas, please visit: https://gov.texas.gov/organization/opentexas

As part of a broader effort to reopen Texas, Texas Parks and Wildlife recently announced that it resumed limited overnight camping on May 18. This gradual reopening of overnight reservations will be limited to all Texas State Parks to varying degrees depending on individual park occupancy in order to align with safe business practices currently followed in Texas. For more information, please visit: www.texasstateparks.org

Our state leadership recently directed state agencies and institutions of higher education to each submit a plan identifying savings that will reduce their budgets by five percent for Fiscal Year 2020-2021. I applaud this prudent decision, as fiscally responsible action must be taken to maintain our balanced budget while ensuring the continuation of government services.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact our office if we can help you in any way. Our District office may be reached at (936) 634-2762, or you can call my Capitol office at (512) 463-0508.

TxDOT URGES DRIVERS TO PLAN SOBER RIDES AHEAD OF MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

By
Rhonda Oaks
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As COVID-19 orders are relaxed in many parts of the state and more Texans return to the roads, TxDOT’s “Plan While You Can” campaign is reminding drivers to make a sober ride part of their Memorial Day weekend plans.

“The long weekend should be an enjoyable start to summer, and we understand more and more people are beginning to venture out,” said TxDOT Executive Director James Bass. “But if you plan to drink alcohol, please know it is vital that you plan ahead for a sober ride. Without a doubt, planning for a sober ride home, will help prevent senseless tragedies and save lives.”

During last year’s Memorial Day weekend* in Texas, there were 360 DUI-alcohol related traffic crashes in Texas. Those crashes killed 16 people and seriously injured another 34.

Driving under the influence of alcohol not only risks death or serious injuries, but it can also be costly. Drivers can face up to $17,000 in fines and fees, jail time and loss of their driver’s license. Instead of getting behind the wheel, here are some alternative options:

  • Designate a sober driver.
  • Contact a cab or ride-share service.
  • Use public transit.
  • Spend the night.

“Plan While You Can” is a key component of #EndTheStreakTX, a broader social media and word-of-mouth effort that encourages drivers to make safer choices while behind the wheel, like wearing a seat belt, driving the speed limit and never driving after drinking or using other drugs. Nov. 7, 2000 was the last deathless day on Texas roadways. #EndTheStreakTX asks all Texans to commit to driving safely to help end the streak of daily deaths on Texas roadways.

For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or call (936)633-4395.

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