Home Blog Page 570

AC Softball’s Mitchell Earns Player of the Week Honors Lady ‘Runner Sophomore Leads Nation in Two Categories

By
Gary Stallard
-
0
A photo of Lynsey Mitchell. Photo provided: Lynsey Mitchell (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)

Angelina College softball player Lynsey Mitchell’s big day against Jarvis Christian College this past Friday didn’t just create a buzz among teammates. Her numbers also landed her Player of the Week honors from more than one organization.

Mitchell, a sophomore from Liberty Hill, finished Friday’s twin bill with five homers and 17 runs batted in. Her three-homer, 11 RBI effort in the first game set a school record in the latter category. For her efforts, Mitchell earned Player of the Week honors from both Region XIV and the National Junior College Athletic Association Fastpitch News.

From the Fastpitch News: “In just two games Mitchell posted some staggering numbers at the plate. In just five at-bats, she hit five home runs. That included three walks and 17 RBI for the two games. The sophomore nearly hit for a home run cycle in one game, hitting a grand slam, a three-run homer and a two-run shot in a single game, finishing with a new single-game RBI record of 11 runs batted in.”

Over the Lady Roadrunners’ first seven games, Mitchell leads the nation’s NJCAA Division I with seven homers and 24 RBI. She is hitting at a .545 clip with 12 hits in 22 at-bats and currently boasts a slugging percentage of a whopping 1.727. Mitchell is a Kinesiology major and the daughter of Angie Teeler and Joe Mitchell.

Photo provided: Lynsey Mitchell (AC Press photo/Gary Stallard)

The Deeper Meaning Behind Valentine’s Day

By
Grace Baldwin
-
0

Valentine’s Day is a day some think to be our culture’s way of commercializing love. A way to turn love from a deep, devoted commitment into an easily bought commodity won over by cheap candy and flowers and a night out. However, it is not commonly known that the origin of Valentine’s Day is based on the life, death, and sacrifice of a man centuries ago.

St. Valentine, a priest of the Catholic faith, lived during the reign of Emperor Claudius II or “Claudius the Cruel,” according to Father Chris Crowley at Whitefriar Street Church in Dublin, Ireland, and the Smithsonian Magazine.

Crowley and other sources like the History Channel said Claudius was finding it difficult to recruit young men for his army. Claudius blamed this on increased male attachment to females, and he banned new marriages and engagements until further notice. In response to this, Valentine continued to perform as many secret marriages as he could before he was found out.

When he was arrested, Valentine was sentenced to death by being beaten with sticks and then beheaded.

Beyond these facts, the truth is a bit muddled. Some sources, like the History Channel, claim that while Valentine was imprisoned, he fell in love with his jailer’s daughter, writing her a love note and signing it “From Your Valentine.” The date of Valentine’s death also remains slightly in question, but it was most likely around 269 or 270 AD.

Valentine was named a saint after his death, and Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14 to be St. Valentine’s Day, possibly in attempt to uproot the Feast of Lupercalia, a pagan festival of love.

However you look at it, Valentine’s Day is about more than a simple gesture of love or adoration. It is about sacrifice and devotion, love and honor, in the face of overwhelming and dangerous odds.

While making your Valentine’s Day plans, remember St. Valentine who was willing to give his life in pursuit of love and marriage, and ask yourself if you would be willing to do the same for those you profess to love.

Roadrunners Pound Blinn College for First Win

By
Gary Stallard
-
0

Hermann, Allen Team Up for Three-Hitter

Angelina College Head Coach Jeff Livin got the type of performance he’s been expecting all season from his Roadrunner baseball team, with the Roadrunners pounding Blinn College 11-1 in seven innings Tuesday at Roadrunner Field.

AC pitchers Garrett Hermann and Kyle Allen teamed up for a three hitter, ‘Runner batters spread the ball all over the field to the tune of 15 hits and the defense proved stout in leading the team to its first win of the season.

Hermann tossed four innings, allowing a single hit – a solo homer in the third from Blinn’s Koby Collins – while striking out six hitters. Allen came on in the fifth and pitched three scoreless innings in relief, fanning five Bucs while giving up a pair of singles.

The Roadrunner offense got a two-run homer from Jacob Finke, a 3-for-4, 3-RBI day from Christian Leonard and three more RBI from Tony Lima. Blake Lazarine, who collected two hits in three official trips to the plate, also drove in two runs.

Catcher Tucker Redden helped kill a pair of Buc rallies early, gunning down would-be base stealers in the second and third innings.

The Roadrunners will host three teams in a tournament on Saturday. The Roadrunners face Temple College at noon, Western Texas takes on Temple at 3 p.m. and the ‘Runners square off against Western Texas at 6 p.m. at Roadrunner Field.

Ashby Appointed to Key Committees for East Texas

By
Megan Whitworth
-
0

For the third consecutive session, State Representative Trent Ashby (R-Lufkin) has been selected to serve on both the House Committee on Appropriations and the House Natural Resources Committee. In addition, Ashby was appointed to the House Calendars Committee. “More than anything, I’m honored to have a seat at the table on three committees that are important to East Texas,” said Ashby about his assignments.

The Committee on Appropriations is known as one of the most powerful committees in the House, and is much sought after by legislators because of its impact on potential legislation. The committee is charged with vetting, debating and acting as a gatekeeper for all proposed funding measures and for building a balanced state budget.

“Serving on the Appropriations Committee in the past has been one of my greatest honors as a legislator. It gives me the opportunity to keep a watchful eye on our state’s spending and how we construct a responsible budget that meets the needs of our state. I look forward to taking part in this conversation during the 85th Legislative Session.”

The House Natural Resources Committee has purview over water issues in Texas. The committee is critical to all Texans, but especially those in East Texas who have great interest in protecting water and property rights back home. Said Ashby about his place on the Natural Resources Committee: “Water is critical to our region of Texas, and I look forward to advocating for strong water planning and infrastructure. I am determined to be a strong voice for our region when it comes to water rights.”

Representative Ashby is in his third term as a member of the Texas House of Representatives. Currently, Ashby is a member of the House Calendars Committee, as well as the House Committees on Appropriations and Natural Resources. Trent lives in Lufkin with his family and is the Angelina County Chairman of Citizens National Bank.

Beef Macaroni Soup Recipe

By
Ginger Bowie
-
0

What’s for dinner? It’s a question that I get asked every. single. day. How about you?

Today I’d love to share this easy Beef Macaroni Soup recipe with you. And the secret ingredient is French’s ketchup. Yep! French’s ketchup gives it that special flavor that your family will love.

Keep reading to get the yummy recipe!

Beef Macaroni Soup Recipe at GingerSnapCrafts.com #recipe #dinner

easy dinner recipe

For this recipe you will need:

1 pound ground beef
1 cup diced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup French’s Ketchup
2 32 ounce cartons of beef broth
2 28 ounce cans of chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
3 cups whole wheat dry elbow macaroni

beef macaroni soup ingredients

First, you will brown the ground beef along with the onion and garlic. Drain. Pour into a large slow cooker.

ingredients

Next, pour your French’s ketchup in along with all the other ingredients (except the dry macaroni) into the slow cooker. By the way, I love using French’s Ketchup in my kitchen (and not just with my French fries and burgers!) because French’s always uses real ingredients, like real sugar and high quality tomatoes, which makes it taste so yummy. It also has no GMOs, no high fructose corn syrup, no preservatives or any artificial flavors or colors. I can feel good about feeding French’s to my family. Plus, they really love the taste. Ketchup makes everything taste better!

french's ketchup
Stir until combined. Cook on low for 4-6 hours.

ingredients for soup

Then turn your slow cooker to high and pour in the dry macaroni. Cook for 30 minutes or until the noodles are tender.

macaroni for dinner

Serve with diced green onions and sour cream. Enjoy! (My kiddos also like to put grated cheese on top!)

dinner ideas

easy dinner recipe

Pour & Explore Takes You on a Tour of California Wines

By
Megan Whitworth
-
0

Brookshire Brothers and the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau are teaming up for round three with another evening of elegance and education at Pour & Explore: Destination California.

Pour & Explore begins at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, February 23, in a new location at the Pitser Garrison Convention Center in Lufkin with a guided tasting tour through the famous wine-producing regions of California. Featured wines will be paired with a delicious five-course dinner by Brookshire Brothers’ catering chef, Kate Rudasill. During the “tour” of the California wine regions, the renowned winemakers themselves will walk guests through the menu and the wines they have selected to accompany each course.

“The Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau is proud to continue to partner with Brookshire Brothers and Pour and Explore,” said Tara Watkins, Executive Director of the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau. “We hope to establish Lufkin as a haven for foodies and fine-wine aficionados, and Brookshire Brothers has always been such a great supporter of the LCVB. It’s wonderful to work with partners who not only understand that people will travel for an exceptional culinary experience, but also know how to provide that experience.”

Pour & Explore: Destination California will spotlight the country’s number one grape-producing state. Featured wines will include Korbel Sweet Rosé, KJ Pinot Gris, KJ Grand Reserve Pinot Noir, KJ Grand Reserve Chardonnay and Stonestreet Reserve Cabernet.

“It’s our pleasure to present a true family of wines during our third Pour and Explore adventure,” Sally Alvis, Marketing Director of Brookshire Brothers, said. “We’ll raise our glass to the late Jess Jackson, a visionary winemaker and founder of Kendall-Jackson Winery. He was one of the most successful independent winery owners in the world.  Known for his fearless approach to business, the former policeman, longshoreman and attorney selected grapes from the best vineyards in California back in the 1980s, turning them into the most popular Chardonnay in America. We all know his Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay that First Lady Nancy Reagan served at the White House. What we may not know is the breadth and depth of the fine wines K-J produces under the watchful eye of his wife and five children.  We are excited to introduce our guests to five of K-J’s finest,”

Pour & Explore: Destination California will begin with a cocktail hour. A specialty cheese board with assorted crackers and Hiland Dairy dips, including Southwest and Sour Cream Chive, will be available, and the Korbel Sweet Rosé will be served.

Following the cocktail hour, the five-course meal created by Chef Rudasill will begin with Mushroom Agnolotti with Browned Butter Sage and Pine Nuts, served family style and paired with the KJ Pinot Gris. The second course, Potato and Chanterelle Soup with Arugula Pesto and Shaved Parmesan will be served with Pesto and Parmesan Cheese Straws and will be paired with the KJ Grand Reserve Pinot Noir. The third course, a California Salad with Sesame Maple Orange Vinaigrette, features fresh greens, butter lettuce, endive, broccoli slaw, cilantro and green onion, along with seasoned cashews, steamed edamame and crispy wontons. It will be served family style and paired with the KJ Grand Reserve Chardonnay. The entrée will be Grilled Ribeyes with Cabernet Thyme Reduction, Butternut Squash Risotto, Steamed Haricot Verts with Herbed Butter and Parker House Dinner Rolls with Herbed Butter, paired with the Stonestreet Cabernet. Dessert will be individual Praline Mille Feuille with Praline Pastry Cream, Praline Paste, and Ferrero Roche, and will be paired with the Korbel Sweet Rosé.

Don’t miss this elegant night out! Seating is limited, and tickets are available through the Lufkin CVB, (936) 633-0359, for $65 a person or $550 for a reserved table of eight.

For more information on Pour & Explore and other upcoming wining and dining events “Like” us on Facebook at Visit Lufkin and check out our event calendar on visitlufkin.com.

A Chili Recipe from Clark Bartram

By
Megan Whitworth
-
0

When a man turns 30, his testosterone levels can decrease by 1-2 percent a year. By the time he reaches his 40s and 50s, his testosterone production can be down to half of what it once was, according to Clark Bartram, 53, Performance & Nutrition Industry Expert for Six Pack Abs, and Lead Advisor to the International Sports Sciences Association.

Clark Bartram cooks testosterone boosting, belly fat burning chili.

“Giving you half the testosterone production and double the belly fat – that’s not good,” he said.  “That’s why it’s so important for us older men to start boosting our natural testosterone immediately.”

Rather than get testosterone treatments or “legal steroids” (with frequent side effects) from a physician, Bartram said, “Let food be your medicine.”

The fats in red meat as well as salmon and tuna boost testosterone, he said. Other such foods are: almonds, garlic, eggs, cabbage, spinach, asparagus, avocados, bananas, watermelon, citrus fruit, grapes, and honey.

For Bartram’s Chili, adding white button mushrooms are a key ingredient to blocking estrogen, the female version of testosterone. Estrogen can cause a man to bloat, develop breast tissue and store more fat around the waist. Rising estrogen levels also cause your belly fat to start producing a testosterone killing chemical that creates even more estrogen.

At TestMaxMeals.com, Bartram offers more testosterone boosting food tips, three so-called “healthy” foods that can dramatically decrease testosterone levels, and three “cheat” foods that boost testosterone. He also explained how to quickly prepare and cook an entire week’s worth of your favorite testosterone boosting foods in less than an hour and at a low cost.

Clark Bartram’s Chili Recipe

Ingredients

2 lbs. ground beef (15 percent fat)
1 cup white button mushrooms
1/2 cup chopped onions
2 tbs. chili powder
jar organic tomato puree
1 can kidney beans
1 can black beans
1 can organic chopped tomatoes
pinch of salt
garlic to taste

Directions

Sauté ground beef until it is brown. Next, place meat into big pot and add all other ingredients. Finally, cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 30-45 minutes. Serve and enjoy.

An Update from Rep. James White

By
Rep. James White
-
0

This past week the Legislature convened for three days and received updates from the executive and judiciary branches of the Texas government.

On Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott took the House floor to unveil his emergency items for this session. The Governor highlighted four major issues for the State Legislature to prioritize.

There has been a call for major reform to child protective services and foster care. This interim the Legislature was made aware of many youth in the foster care system who have been neglected by Child Protective Services (CPS). Ultimately, this has led to the deaths and neglect of many of our most vulnerable. This is something that is completely unacceptable and must be handled as an emergency item. I do not plan to return to my district not having resolved this issue. The state saw the need to increase the funding of caseworkers in order to retain and expand access to the children in the foster care system. The funding was approved, but a permanent commonsense conservative fix must be found while we work on the budget for the next fiscal biennium.

The Senate has already been working to expedite foster care reform. The committee on Health & Human Services heard testimony on one proposal (Senate Bill “SB” 11) by Senator Charles Schwertner. The committee faced a long day of testimony that will ultimately shape the legislation proposed before it comes over to the House.

In addition, foster youth were invited to their State Capitol to share their testimony and their experiences within the system. They have the first-hand experience with a system that has been failing many of their peers and I thank and admire them for their perseverance. The bipartisan workgroup of House members appointed by Speaker Joe Straus also met and will be unveiling their proposals in the coming days. Governor Abbott put it best in his address, “if you do nothing else this session, cast a vote to save the life of a child.” I intend on doing just that and have filed House bills (HB) 928, 1204, 1478, and 1521 to facilitate agency communication and challenge our local CPS system to meet the tasks at hand.

Another emergency item for Governor Abbott is outlawing the practice of sanctuary cities in order to maintain safe communities in Texas. Unfortunately, many city and county officials, who have sworn to abide by our Constitution and protect and defend against enemies foreign and domestic, have declared that their communities are sanctuary cities or counties. When they make this unilateral decision, they refuse to detain and hand over people to federal authorities who have violated our immigration and criminal law. This is unacceptable and contributes to a culture of lawlessness. We are a nation of immigrants, but most important, we are a nation of laws. Strong anti-sanctuary city/county legislation will direct local officials to detain those that have broken our immigration laws and endangered the life and property of Texans.

In 1787, the state legislature created the federal government with few and defined powers. However, after decades of federal overreach and willful negligence by the state legislatures, we have an overbearing federal government. Our Constitution gives the legislatures a process to amend or change the Constitution and rein in the power of the federal government. In Article V of our Constitution the state legislatures have the power to propose and amend the Constitution. Because federal actions have adversely impacted the Texas economy and imposed policies that are inconsistent with local, Governor Abbott has identified the Article V convention as an emergency item. Last session, I worked on legislation that would have enabled the Texas Legislature to call for an Article V convention.

Our system of government requires a virtuous citizenry and more important depends upon its public servants to maintain high ethical standards. The governor has emphasized the need for ethics reform. Government can always improve on strengthening its rules on ethical conduct while increasing transparency. I plan to support commonsense legislation that will make it easier for the citizens of Texas to keep their elected officials accountable.

Last session, Chief Justice Hecht made a plea to the legislature in his State of the Judiciary address to reform how the state handles truant children. I was honored to join forces with Senator John Whitmire to pass the legislation that did just that. I may add that despite the apocalyptic claims by critics, the most recent data suggests that the decriminalization of truancy did not destroy public education. In this year’s address, Chief Justice Hecht praised these efforts, but called for reform to the mental health and fines, fees, and costs. All these issues are priorities on my legislative agenda and I look forward to unveiling my legislation to end debtor’s prisons. I have filed HB 50, HB 67, HB 76, HB 567, and HB 1125 addressing the cycle of debt created by fines and fees. I have also filed HB 562 and HB 637 in regards to meeting mental health needs in the juvenile and adult justice systems.

The Capitol of Texas belongs to you and visiting the Capitol during the biennial legislative session is a great experience. To assist in arranging your visit please call Saul Mendoza, my Chief of Staff, at (512) 463-0490. Or, you can email him at saul.mendoza@house.texas.gov.

Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful to Conduct Litter Index for Nacogdoches County

By
Megan Whitworth
-
0

Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful (KNB) kicks off the 2017 Nacogdoches County Litter Index on Feb. 14, 2017.

A litter index is a tool designed by Keep America Beautiful to visually assess the overall appearance of communities through indicators along roadways, such as litter and illegal dumping. The Nacogdoches County Litter Index is assessed by evaluating different areas in our community, including four long routes throughout the county and ten short routes within the city of Nacogdoches.

This year, KNB will partner with the East Texas Jeep Club to conduct the visual analysis using a scoring system ranging from 1 to 4, with “1” being the best to “4” being the worst. The 2016 Litter Index for Nacogdoches County rated 1.58.

“The four county routes take volunteers along main roads as well as smaller back roads. It seemed like a perfect volunteer opportunity for the Jeep Club members,” said Katie Blevins, KNB executive coordinator. 

According to the Keep America Beautiful website, litter is more than just a blight on our landscape. Litter is costly to clean up, impacts our quality of life and economic development, and eventually ends up in our waterways and oceans. The Keep America Beautiful Litter Index is a step-by-step method of assessing current litter conditions which is used in thousands of communities and by municipalities nationwide. The annual results are also used to develop a local plan to change attitudes and behaviors regarding litter and related issues.

Passionate citizens interested in enhancing the Nacogdoches community are asked to contact Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful at info@keepnacbeautiful.org.  For more information about the Litter Index please visit keepnacbeautiful.org/litterindex.

Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, volunteer organization that promotes beautification, waste reduction and litter prevention through individual responsibility across Nacogdoches County. Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful is a local affiliate of Keep Texas Beautiful and Keep America Beautiful. More information about Keep Nacogdoches Beautiful and the current programs can be found at keepnacbeautiful.org.

Texas Prepaid Tuition Program Enrollment Deadline Approaches

By
Megan Whitworth
-
0

Texas families can lock in the cost of undergraduate tuition at Texas public colleges and universities by enrolling their children in the tax-advantaged Texas Tuition Promise Fund prior to the close of the current enrollment period, which ends Feb. 28.

The Texas Tuition Promise Fund, the state’s prepaid college tuition program, allows participants to prepay undergraduate tuition and school-wide required fees for a four-year degree, two years of community college or just a few semesters at Texas public colleges and universities by purchasing tuition units.

“I’m encouraging Texas families and individuals to remember the upcoming deadline to prepay and lock in today’s rates for all or some future tuition at any two- or four-year Texas public college or university,” Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar said.

Enrollment in the program at 2016-17 prices closes the last day in February. This deadline extends to July 31 for children younger than 1. The next annual enrollment period begins Sept. 1, with new contract prices based on Texas public college costs for the 2017-18 academic year.

Complete plan information, current prices, enrollment forms and more are available online at TuitionPromise.org, or call 1-800-445-GRAD (4723), Option 5.

1...569570571...748Page 570 of 748