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Tips to Keep Clothes Looking Their Best in Winter

By
Statepoint
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Winter is dirty, and unfortunately, all that slush, salt and mud coincides with the use of the delicate and expensive part of your wardrobe, from wool and cashmere sweaters and scarves to swanky party wear.

But you can keep your clothes looking their best this winter, without breaking the bank at the dry cleaners, using the following tips:

• Use garment bags: Get a head start on looking your best by ensuring your clothes look good before you even put them on for the day. Store suits, dresses, sweaters and other delicate items in garment bags to keep them safe from dust, moths and other closet hazards at home and when traveling.

• Waterproof: On wet days, consider wearing waterproof shoe covers and tucking your pants into them to protect shoes, as well as the hems of your pants, from puddles and slush.

• At-home dry cleaning: Slash your dry cleaning expenditures by up to 90 percent and skip the hassle and harsh chemicals by opting for at-home dry cleaning using your own dryer. With the right product, it will be an effective way to safely and thoroughly clean your special care clothes at home.

For no fading, shrinking or stretching of your winter weather gear like scarves, hats, sweaters and more, consider using Dryel, a quick three step process which works in the convenience of your dryer in as little as 15 minutes. The heat of the dryer activates a cleaning solution to release a steam that removes body soils and odors from clothes, and a fabric protection bag maintains the optimal balance of cleaning agents and heat, allowing the steam to work thoroughly through the clothes, and then slowly vents the vapors out of the bag and dryer.

• Act fast: When clothes get soiled, it’s important to act fast, particularly when dealing with salt and slush- related stains, which can be difficult to treat. The sooner you deal with stains, the greater the likelihood you’ll be able to restore your clothing to mint condition.

• Landing area: Create a mud room. This can be just a few square feet of space by the entrance to your home and ideally located near the washer and dryer for quick transfer of clothes that need to be laundered. This is also the place to immediately remove boots and outerwear to avoid tracking mud into your home.

This winter, protect your wardrobe from seasonal elements. New tools and old tricks can help your favorite winter gear survive the season in great condition.

-Statepoint

Lady Roadrunners Facing McLennan at Home on Wednesday AC’s Ladies Looking to Extend Hot Strea

By
Gary Stallard
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Angelina College guard Arianna Garry (15) kicks off a fast break during a recent game. The Lady Roadrunners (8-0) host McLennan College at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Shands Gymnasium. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo)
Angelina College’s Mia Williams soars for a layup during a recent game. The Lady Roadrunners (8-0) host McLennan College at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Shands Gymnasium. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo

The Lady Roadrunners of Angelina College hit the floor running all the way back in October, throwing themselves into various scrimmages on the road in an effort to get a jump on the new season.

When the regular season tipped off on Nov. 1, AC’s ladies showed they were more than ready.

The Lady Roadrunners have begun their 2018-2019 campaign with eight straight wins, and all but one of those occurred by double-digit margins. AC is averaging nearly 82 points per game while only allowing 62 per contest.

However, the Lady ‘Runners have been on a break for the past 10 days – a hiatus head coach Byron Coleman said was much-needed.

“We’ve played a lot of games, including scrimmages, this past month,” Coleman said. “We needed some time off. We’ve gotten a little banged up, but we’re pretty much 95 percent healthy. We just needed a break to get our legs back underneath us so we’ll be fresh for this next stretch of games.”

On Wednesday, the Lady ‘Runners will host McLennan College in AC’s last non-conference game before Saturday’s league opener against Kilgore College. McLennan has opened the season with an 8-2 record and average nearly 77 points per game. Wednesday’s contest will serve as a final tune-up before the league opener on Saturday against Lady Ranger team Coleman called “one of the most athletic teams in our conference.”

Coleman said no matter what, his players just need to continue doing what they’ve been doing.

“We’re shooting the ball extremely well, and we’re in the top 15 (11th) in the nation in field-goal percentage,” Coleman said. “We’ve just got to continue putting the ball in the hole, and we’ll be fine.”

Wednesday’s game against McLennan will tip off at 5:30 p.m. at Shands Gymnasium. Fans can view the action via live stream by logging onto angelinaathletics.com.

The Roadrunner men will open Region XIV conference play Wednesday at Kilgore College. That game is set for a 7:30 p.m. start.

The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

 

Are You Taking Full Advantage of Your Workplace Benefits?

By
Statepoint
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Millennials are a generation with unique financial challenges. Seven in 10 possess student loan debt, according to the Institute for College Access and Success’ “12th Annual Report, Student Debt and the Class of 2016.” Combined with car loans, housing expenses and entry level salaries, it’s no surprise to learn that many young workers lack the savings necessary to cover unexpected medical costs.

To help strengthen their financial situation, experts say that this generation should take a closer look at their available workplace benefits to see if they have access to voluntary benefits, often also referred to as supplemental health insurance policies.

“Having health insurance is not always enough. Someone with a serious injury or illness can face large deductibles or significant out-of-pocket expenses even with health insurance. If your employer offers the opportunity to obtain supplemental health insurance policies, such as accidental injury, critical illness or hospital care coverage, take a few moments to become familiar with what these options provide. They can help you create and personalize your financial safety net,” says Jim Boyman, president and general manager of Cigna’s voluntary benefits business.

All Cigna products and services are provided exclusively by or through operating subsidiaries of Cigna Corporation, including Life Insurance Company of North America, Cigna Life Insurance Company of New York (New York, NY) and Connecticut General Life Insurance Company.

Sixty percent of millennials are worried they’re unprepared for medical costs, according to Cigna’s Voluntary Benefits Consumer Survey, yet many aren’t taking advantage of obtaining voluntary accidental injury, critical illness and hospital care benefits when they are offered in the workplace.

When asked how they would pay for expenses if a serious injury or illness struck, millennials were more likely than older employees to say they would borrow from friends and family, take out a bank loan or get a second job. However, these choices can often be accompanied by other drawbacks: borrowing money can sometimes impact personal relationships, and borrowing from the bank means paying interest on top of the original expense. Getting a second job may not be realistic depending upon the nature of the health condition and could also impact the ability to succeed at the primary job.

Voluntary benefits or supplemental health insurance policies can help with those unexpected medical expenses. It is important to take the time to learn what is available in the workplace.

Many employers offer educational tools and resources to help individuals understand how voluntary benefits work and how to tailor coverage to provide the most value for personal situations. Read the benefits materials and consider attending informational learning sessions that may be offered. An employer’s human resources department can also be a source for assistance. Or, use online tools to learn more.

Whether employer-funded or employee-paid, workplace benefits can help provide additional financial protection and help deliver greater peace of mind.

-Statepoint

Roadrunners Outshoot Western Texas to Win Coca Cola Thanksgiving Classic Norman Takes MVP Honors

By
Gary Stallard
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The Angelina College Roadrunners pose with the hardware earned following Saturday’s 100-73 win over Western Texas. AC took home the winners’ trophy in the two-day Lufkin Coca Cola Thanksgiving Classic at Shands Gymnasium. Kevin Norman (0) earned Most Valuable Player honors. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)
Angelina College guard Chris Simmons (22) fights his way around Western Texas defender Leland Kirkendoll (3) during Saturday’s game. The Roadrunners captured the Lufkin Coca Cola Thanksgiving Classic title after beating the Westerners 100-71 at Shands Gymnasium. (Gary Stallard/AC Athletics photo)

Angelina College’s Roadrunners weren’t going to outreach a Western Texas College front line averaging 6’10” across the lane.

So the ‘Runners simply shot over the Westerners.

AC connected on 17 three pointers – hitting 57 percent from behind the arc – and cruised to a 100-73 win to take home the trophy in Saturday’s final day of the Lufkin Coca Cola Thanksgiving Classic at Shands Gymnasium.

AC converted five treys in the game’s first five minutes to take a 17-15 lead, then used the long ball as part of an 18-5 run to take the lead for good in downing the bigger Westerners.

Kevin Norman earned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award after scoring 22 points in each of the two games played on Friday and Saturday. Norman hit three of the team’s threes on Saturday, and Deedy Gauno hit six from long distance on his way to a 24-point effort. Hunter Janacek hit four threes and Yosani Clay another three in the win. Guard Chris Simmons handed out 10 assists.

Western’s Sindou Diallo led his team with 14 points.

Saturday’s win also capped a four-game winning streak for the Roadrunners, who at 5-4 are above .500 for the first time this season.

AC will open conference play Wednesday at Kilgore College. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu

An Update From Trent Ashby…

By
Rep. Trent Ashby
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With Thanksgiving in the rearview mirror, the excitement of the Christmas season begins. Whether it’s attending one of our many Christmas parades across East Texas, witnessing the lighting of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Pumping Unit, or simply enjoying the sights and sounds of the season, there’s no shortage of activities to keep us busy. Amidst all of the hustle and bustle though, it’s my hope that each of us will do something to brighten someone else’s day. From helping at a local food pantry, visiting a shut-in, donating a coat to a local school, or placing an extra dollar or two in a Salvation Army Red Kettle, let us never forget it’s better to give than receive.

With that, here’s our final interim committee update from your State Capitol. . .

House Interim Charge: Natural Resources

This week we’ll be “diving” into the water committee of the Texas House — the House Committee on Natural Resources. This 11-member committee has jurisdiction over the conservation and development of water resources across our state. The committee also regulates all local water-related entities, such as groundwater conservation districts, and oversees several larger entities like the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Texas Water Development Board.

As a member of this committee for several sessions, I have been fortunate enough to play an active role in addressing the needs of a growing and thirsty state, while also ensuring the protection of our region’s most precious natural resource. This interim our committee has been hard at work finding solutions to the unique challenges facing our state as a result of Hurricane Harvey, increased rainfall across the state, and general water availability.

Our committee has held hearings in almost every corner of the state to hear from regional experts on how our state can best address their distinct challenges. For example, in Houston, we heard from members of the Harris County Flood Control District as we examined the role of local entities in developing flood mitigation infrastructure and operating dams during large scale rain events. In Del Rio, we heard testimony from water experts about the status of groundwater policy in Texas, and discussed how our state can promote innovative solutions like the development of brackish groundwater to help meet the needs of Texans living in regions with water scarcity. In Waco, we heard from representatives with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality about the importance of updating our water availability models so that we can accurately assess and anticipate future water concerns.

Though the committee had an ambitious interim agenda, I am very pleased with the progress the House Committee on Natural Resources made over the last several months. Through continued cooperation with state and local entities across the state, we can ensure that our state will continue to properly meet the needs of all Texans.

Reminders

With the holiday season upon us and many special events in all areas of House District 57, please be advised that the mobile office has suspended its regular Wednesday schedule until the start of 2019. For any questions you may have, or issues you need help resolving, please reach out to one of our offices. We will make every effort to facilitate meetings and respond to your needs. Our district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762, or you can call our Capitol office at (512) 463-0508.

Angelina College Visual Arts Student Exhibition Opening Nov. 27

By
Nancy Reynolds
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Angelina College’s visual arts students from Le’Anne Alexander’s Introduction to Drawing and Design courses will present their work in an exhibition running from Nov. 27 through Dec. 11 in the Angelina Center for the Arts gallery. An opening reception is planned for Nov. 27 from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. Admission is free.

“Artwork in exhibit will include a full semester of projects created in a variety of media from charcoal to collage,” Alexander said.

Students from Lufkin exhibiting works are Alexandra Cura, Ra’Nese Canada, Garreth FitzGerald, Dona Gibbs, Kylie Haggard, Julia Iguess, Tyler Law, Carlos Rodriguez and Daniel Salinas.

Students from Nacogdoches participating in the exhibition are Jenny Alvarez, Chaz Micheli and Brooke Goodman.

Students from Huntington exhibiting works are Jennifer Banks and Aron S. Gann.

Other students participating in the exhibition are Nylan Holifield of Onalaska, Elora Flowers of Hudson, Melanie Thompson of Livingston, and Jacob Vinton of Zavalla.

Alexander is in her sixth year teaching with AC and has recently been named gallery curator and full-time instructor with the college. She studied at the Art Students League of New York and received her Master of Fine Arts from Stephen F. Austin State University. Alexander is an award-winning painter, and previous editor at Charm East Texas magazine. “I am grateful for the chance to be part of Lufkin’s growing art community and supporters of the arts at AC,” she said.

For more information about Angelina College’s visual arts program, contact the Department of Visual and Performing Arts at (936) 633-5233, 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Is Buying a Home Right for You? What to Know Now

By
Statepoint
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0

Many millennials are buying their first homes in a marketplace that is more challenging than the one their parents encountered for their first purchase.

Interest rates are on the rise and home prices are, too. The good news is that there are still a lot of reasons that buying a home makes sense for many millennials.

If you are debating whether homeownership is right for you, consider the following:

• Do the math. Purchasing a home can be cheaper over the long-term than renting, even though there may be more upfront costs before closing on that new home. Consider the cost of rent, insurance and annual rent increases against your monthly loan payment, along with how long you plan to stay in the home.

• Know that a home is an asset that may appreciate in value. If market conditions are good, the longer you stay in the property and makes payments, the more equity you build. However, when you rent, monthly payments go to the landlord and there is no opportunity to build equity in the property.

• Don’t let the down payment be a deterrent. Lenders like Wells Fargo offer a conventional fixed-rate loan for first-time homebuyers that allow loan customers to get into a home with a little as 3 percent down. In fact, Wells Fargo’s yourFirst Mortgage just celebrated a milestone of 50,000 households served and $11 billion in loans. The program also provides a $750 closing credit for buyers who take advantage of a HUD-approved home buying education or counseling program. Options like these can make the down payment more manageable.

• Consider the intangible benefits of owning. Are you someone who likes to plant flowers or choose paint colors and floor coverings? Do you have kids and pets who need a backyard? Do you like to get to know your neighbors? Owning a house can offer these benefits and more.

“Deciding whether to buy a home is a big decision for many millennials,” says Perry Hilzendeger, head of Wells Fargo’s Home Lending Retail division. “Potential buyers should understand and consider all the financial options available when purchasing a home.”

-Statepoint

Roadrunners Cruise Past Uptempo Academy for Second Straight Win Clay, Janacek Score 17 Points Each

By
Gary Stallard
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Riley Dewitz (11) of Angelina College drives the lane during Monday’s game against Uptempo Academy. The Roadrunners won their second straight game by taking down UTA 104-51 at Shands Gymnasium. (Gary Stallard photo)
Angelina College’s Chris Simmons (22) hits a layup during Monday’s game against Uptempo Academy. The Roadrunners won their second straight game by taking down UTA 104-51 at Shands Gymnasium. (Gary Stallard photo)

Monday’s game against Uptempo Basketball Academy provided Angelina College head coach Nick Wade the opportunity to see what his role players can do.

Those guys came through in a big way, with the Roadrunners cruising to 104-51 win at Shands Gymnasium – the ‘Runners’ second straight win.

Yosani Clay and Hunter Janacek led AC with 17 points each, with each player knocking down five three pointers. Their long-range efforts were part of the Roadrunners’ 15 treys for the night.

Deedy Gauno added 13 points and Riley Dewitz 10, as every Roadrunner added points to the score sheet.

AC also finished with a substantial edge on the glass, beating UpTempo with a 64-29 edge in rebounding. The Roadrunners’ board work led to 35 second-chance points. Deon’ta Lagway led the team with eight rebounds. Chris Simmons added seven assists.

The Roadrunners (3-4) will play host to this weekend’s Lufkin Coca Cola Classic at Shands Gymnasium. Four teams will compete on Friday and Saturday, with the championship game set for 4 p.m. on Saturday.

The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

AC Basketball Teams Take Wins on Saturday Lady ‘Runners Stay Spotless, Roadrunners Snap Losing Streak

By
Gary Stallard
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Angelina College’s Natasha Mack (10) stretches over several Hill College defenders for a rebound during Saturday’s game. The Lady Roadrunners stayed spotless at 8-0 to open the season with a 73-56 win over the Rebels at Shands Gymnasium. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo)
Walter Prevost (24) of Angelina College bends the rim with a dunk during Saturday’s game with Arkansas Baptist College. The Roadrunners snapped a four-game losing streak with a convincing 82-70 win at Shands Gymnasium. (Gary Stallard/AC Press photo)

The Angelina College Lady Roadrunners extended their season-opening winning streak on Saturday while the Roadrunners started a new one.

The Lady ‘Runners moved to 8-0 on the season with a 73-56 win over Hill College to cap the weekend’s Angelina Classic at Shands Gymnasium. The Roadrunners followed with an 82-70 win over Arkansas Baptist College to snap a four-game losing streak – with three of those losses occurring on the road.

The Roadrunners are back in action Monday against UpTempo Academy. Game time at Shands Gymnasium is 7 p.m.

The Lady Roadrunners’ next game is at home on Wednesday, Nov. 28 against McLennan College.

Lady Roadrunners 73, Hill College 56

AC’s Lady Roadrunners aren’t just beating teams over their eight-game, season-opening win streak.

The Lady ‘Runners are just plain running away from people.

AC stayed unbeaten on the season with Saturday’s convincing 73-56 win over Hill College. The Lady Roadrunners’ average margin of victory over those eight games is 20.7 points.

Natasha Mack led AC’s Saturday attack with 26 points, 15 rebounds and four blocked shots. Mia Williams hit four three pointers to finish with 14 points, Teeonna Barkley scored 12 points and Taylor Jacob added 10 in the win.

Hill’s Jade Compton led the Rebels with 17 points. Jamesia Amand finished with 14 points.

The Lady Roadrunners rode another strong start to the win, running out to a 22-9 lead over the game’s first eight minutes.AC would finish the game with 11 three pointers made, with Britney Thompson nailing three of those and Jacob another two.

AC’s ladies get a break over the upcoming holiday and will play McLennan College at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at Shands Gymnasium.

Roadrunners 82, Arkansas Baptist 70

Just four days after dropping a four-point loss to Arkansas Baptist on the road, the Angelina College Roadrunners exacted a measure of revenge by holding off those same Buffaloes 82-70 Saturday at Shands Gymnasium.

The ‘Runners broke loose with an 8-0 run late in the second half after the Buffs had managed to stay within at least six points throughout most of the contest.

AC’s Kevin Norman scored 14 of his game-high 26 points in the first half. Deedy Gauno also hit for 14 first-half points – including a trio of three pointers – to finish with 20. Walter Prevost hammered his way inside for 13 hard-earned points; and Draylon Brown finished in double figures with 10 points.

The Roadrunners host UpTempo Academy at 7 p.m. on Monday.

The e-mail address for AC’s Sports Information Director is gstallard@angelina.edu.

Simple Tips to Make Outdoor Chores and Activities Easier

By
Statepoint
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0

Whether you’re doing chores in the yard or going on an outdoor adventure, activities that take place outside come with their own set of challenges, particularly in colder weather.

You can make all your outdoor activities safer and more effective this winter with these suggestions.

Keep Your Hands Warm

Your extremities are the first to suffer from the chill, so keep your hands warm at all times to prevent frostbite. Keep in mind that, these days, a good pair of gloves means touchscreen functionality so you won’t have to remove them every time you use your devices.

While there are a lot of stylish options on the market that work great for your day-to-day life, you’ll want to pick up an additional pair that’s designed specifically for sports performance and utility, so whether you’re pitching a tent or tinkering with the car, your hands will stay toasty.

Eliminate Spills

Gassing up the snow blower? Trail-bound and preparing the ATV? Using your chainsaw to cut wood for the fireplace? You can improve the experience of fueling your equipment with innovative storage tools. If you’re still using leaky metal cans to store gasoline, diesel or kerosene, consider upgrading to a fuel can system such as the new SmartControl system from Scepter.

Crafted with a unique push spout that provides a clean, fast and hassle-free pour, and constructed of durable and safe high-density polyethylene, it makes fueling easier, faster, cleaner and safer. What’s more, you’ll end up saving fuel — and money — as its design, which is available in 1-, 2-, and 5-gallon sizes, eliminates messy spills. And, its user-controlled flow makes it easier to direct the amount of fuel being dispensed.

Be Prepared

When you’re hitting the road for an outdoor adventure, be sure your car is stocked with an emergency kit. Should you get lost or encounter car troubles along the way, you’ll be prepared. Include such essentials as jumper cables, road maps (yes paper ones — should your GPS device lose power or you go offline), a blanket, warm clothes, first aid supplies, a flashlight, extra batteries, bottled water, and nutrition, such as granola bars. This will help keep you safe in unforeseen circumstances, and offer you peace of mind the rest of the time.

This winter, have the tools and information you need to do all your favorite outdoor activities safely and effectively.

-Statepoint

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