Page 642 | Texas Forest Country Living

Beef Quality Assurance Training To Be Held This Week

Cary Sims

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June 22, 2016

Beef Quality Assurance Training To Be Held This Week

I’ve got to admit that I am prejudiced. My family raised me with a strong bias towards steak, grilled medium rare, as the top meat choice. From my upbringing, I have come to appreciate and expect steak as a consistent quality product. My partiality stays due my history of a flavorful product and quality beef production.

Area cattlemen have the unique opportunity to participate in a seminar that will enhance beef quality, maintain consumer confidence and strengthen their bottom line thru a training known as Beef Quality Assurance.

Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a program to ensure that beef and dairy cattle are maintained in a manner which will result in a safe and wholesome beef product for the consumer. Specifically, BQA is designed to enhance carcass quality by preventing residues, contamination and carcass defects. The BQA Certification Program is based on recommended national guidelines and scientific research. This will enable beef producers to enhance their product and maximize marketability.

In Texas the sponsors include the Texas Beef Council, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the Texas & Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, Boehringer Ingelheim, and the Beef Checkoff Fund.

Concern over food wholesomeness and safety is an important consumer issue. The recent failings of Chipotle underscored the fact that just a slick marketing plan is not enough. It is of utmost importance that the public knows beef is a safe product.

Fundamentally, BQA is a good business practice that can identify potential problem areas thus avoiding product defects. All sectors of the beef industry – seedstock, cow-calf and dairy producers, stocker operators, backgrounders and cattle feeders – must take responsibility for the production of a safe food product through proper animal care, handling, and management practices.

The level of consumer confidence in beef significantly affects their eating habits and impacts the future of our industry. Consumer confidence is essential if we are to “steak” our claim in the meat case.

Beyond safety, the economic importance of BQA can be seen when analyzing the top eight quality challenges within the beef industry. These quality challenges include injection site blemishes, rib brands, excessive external fat, excessive seam fat, dark cutters, inconsistent size of meat cuts, and non-uniform cattle.

All meat industries face similar concerns. By following BQA guidelines and management practice, local beef producers can increase the value of their product in the eyes of consumers, while enhancing their stewardship of natural and financial resources.

The training will be held at the Angelina County Extension Office this Thursday, June 23 starting at 5:00 pm. It is only open to cattle producers. Those attending will receive a complimentary beef supper. There is no cost to attend but the you must RSVP to 1-800-242-7820.

Texas Forestry Museum Seeking Nominations For Hall Of Fame

Grace Baldwin

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June 22, 2016

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Texas Forestry Museum Seeking Nominations For Hall Of Fame

The Texas Forestry Museum is seeking nominations for the 2016 Texas Forestry Hall of Fame. To be eligible for consideration, individuals must have been/be a member of the Texas forestry community, and have made substantial and lasting contributions to forestry and forest conservation in the state through an outstanding act or extended dedicated service. Hall of Fame inductees are honored at the Texas Forestry Museum’s Hall of Fame Reception in October.

Guidelines and nomination forms are available at the museum or online at treetexas.com/exhibits//halloffame.forms. Nominations should include a statement describing the nominee’s accomplishments and a brief biography, along with documentation. Nominations will be accepted through July 16, 2016 and should be mailed to: Texas Forestry Museum, 1905 Atkinson Drive, Lufkin, TX 75901, or info@treetexas.com.

The Texas Forestry Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday, except major holidays. For more information on the Texas Forestry Museum, please call 936-632-9535 or visit www.treetexas.com.

Volunteers Needed For Power Of Pink Video

Grace Baldwin

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June 22, 2016

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Volunteers Needed For Power Of Pink Video

Each year, CHI St. Luke’s Health – Memorial creates a special video for the Power of Pink! luncheon as a message of hope and a call for women to take control of their health. Featuring interviews with breast cancer survivors to fun dance videos, every year is a surprise. Memorial invites all breast cancer patients, survivors and their biggest fans to join us on the big screen and share their stories.

This year, it’s the guys who will take center stage.

“This year we wanted to feature a different aspect of the breast cancer journey,” said Lindsey Mott, Marketing Communications Specialist at CHI St. Luke’s Health – Memorial and Power of Pink! Coordinator. “We want to hear from the men who stood by their wives, girlfriends, mothers, daughters, granddaughters and sisters through this journey. We want to hear their story because it’s an important one to tell.”

Those who are interested in participating in this year’s video can contact Lindsey Mott in the Marketing Department at CHI St. Luke’s Health – Memorial at 936-639-7613 or lmott@memorialhealth.org. Participants will be interviewed in their home or favorite location.

Angelina College Put On Probation For Accreditation Reaffirmation

Gary Stallard

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June 22, 2016

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Angelina College Put On Probation For Accreditation Reaffirmation

Angelina College remains fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Board of Trustees of SACSCOC chose not to reaffirm the College’s accreditation during the normal reaffirmation process, and placed the College on probation for one year in order to address concerns documented during the association’s most recent review in November. The SACSCOC Board of Trustees will reconsider the College’s application for reaffirmation in June 2017.

When Angelina College was writing its reaffirmation self-study, administrators used boilerplate language from another institution’s reaffirmation document as a guideline. However, those administrators mistakenly left information from the other college’s document, including that institution’s name and some of its academic parameters, in Angelina College’s report. The document was signed by college officials stating it was the college’s original work. The decision by the SACSCOC Board of Trustees to place AC on probation is intended to ensure the college’s processes and procedures will prevent this type of mistake from being repeated. The college will also respond to concerns with its assessment of learning outcomes and its documentation of continuous improvement in its academic programs.

Angelina College president Dr. Michael J. Simon stated, “Integrity is one of the most critical aspects of the accreditation process. Although the college has not received official correspondence from the SACSCOC Board of Trustees, it is my understanding that a SACSCOC special committee has been authorized to review the institution to ensure this type of error does not happen again.”

Dr. Simon continued, “The College takes this matter very seriously and is committed to resolving these concerns so that our reaffirmation will be approved at the end of the probationary period.”

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges is the regional body for accreditation of degree-granting higher education institutions in the Southern states. Accreditation by SACSCOC signifies that the institution (1) has a mission appropriate to higher education, (2) has resources, programs, and services sufficient to accomplish and sustain that mission, and (3) maintains clearly specified educational objectives that are consistent with its mission and appropriate to the degrees it offers, and that indicate whether it is successful in achieving its stated objectives.

For more information, contact Dr. Michael J. Simon at 936-633-5201

CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Making Shorter Wait Times Happen for Patients

Grace Baldwin

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June 22, 2016

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CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial Making Shorter Wait Times Happen for Patients

From the minute a patient steps through the doors of CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial, it’s our job to make sure each and every one has a pleasant experience. The hospital can be a scary place – one full of unknowns and a hurry-up-and-wait mentality that can add to the uncertainty and anxiety felt by some.

In order to ease the minds of patients preparing to have surgery, the Admission and Day Surgery Pre-Admission departments are working together to reduce wait times and make life a little easier for everyone.

“By streamlining a few of our processes and enhancing our communication, we have tremendously sped up the patient’s wait time from hours to minutes,” said Hebah Jabbour, Patient Access Supervisor for Outpatient Admissions. “It’s been great from our standpoint, and we know our patients are really pleased.”

In some cases, the team has reduced wait times by 85 percent.

When a patient is scheduled for surgery, the pre-admission team prepares consent forms and instructions specific to each type of procedure, as well as the patient’s medical history, X-rays, laboratory results and the physician’s orders. This takes time. However, if all that paperwork can all be prepared prior to the patient’s arrival, it’s more convenient for everyone involved.

“We like to meet with our patients face-to-face before their procedure, go over any questions or concerns they have, and fill out all the necessary paperwork; so when it’s time for their surgery, there’s nothing more they need to worry about,” said Melony Wilkerson, RN, BSN, Nurse Manager for Ambulatory Services.

The majority of patients who come through the Admission process don’t know they can schedule a pre-admission appointment. Many have been sitting at their doctor’s office, come straight to the hospital and are tired of waiting. Jabbour and Wilkerson said a lot of that down time could be eliminated by making an appointment.

“That way their accounts have been established and the necessary paperwork is ready,” Wilkerson said.

Oftentimes, surgery is unexpected, urgent and there’s no time to schedule an appointment.

“We understand that, of course. That’s the nature of emergent health care,” Wilkerson said. “We’re going to have walk-in patients. But for those who know they’re having surgery ahead of time, make the appointment and save yourself some real time.”

Patients are taking notice of the shorter wait times, and that’s what the entire Admissions team hoped to accomplish.

“We just want to make the overall experience better for the patient,” Jabbour said. “Everyone values their time, and we want our patients to know that we value their time, as well. It takes teamwork, but ultimately that’s what we’re here for – the patient. We want them to have the best experience possible while they are with us.”

Local Students Receive Angelina Arts Alliance Scholarship

Grace Baldwin

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June 22, 2016

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Local Students Receive Angelina Arts Alliance Scholarship

Typically, the Angelina Arts Alliance awards one scholarship annually to a local high school senior planning to pursue studies in the performing arts field, but for the first time two scholarships to local high school seniors and one scholarship to an Angelina College student have been awarded. Another first, Angelina College has partnered with the Arts Alliance to double the scholarship if the recipients attend Angelina College for their next semester of studies. The 2016 recipients of the Angelina Arts Alliance Scholarships are Hayden Havard and Hannah Young from Lufkin High School, and Eric Mendoza from Angelina College.

Hayden Havard, Lufkin High School senior received a $1000.00 scholarship and plans to attend Angelina College in the fall. Hayden is a musician and plays drums, guitar, and piano, whose long term plan is to study Music Composition. Laura Hoelewyn, music teacher at LHS said “Hayden is one of the most naturally gifted music students I have ever worked with.”

Hannah Young, also a senior at Lufkin High School, has been involved with Theatre Arts and acting for twelve years. She will apply her $500 scholarship to the fall semester at McLennan Community College in Waco pursuing a degree in theatre. If Hannah’s plan to make it as a professional actress falls through she said “I would like to become a teacher so that I can cultivate a love of the arts in young students – keeping the arts alive for the next generation.”

Eric Mendoza, an Angelina College student majoring in Sound Recording Technology (SRT) received a $1000 scholarship. Even though Eric did not play an instrument in high school and had never studied theory, remarkably, he became a member of the Angelina College Concert Band playing the alto saxophone. Through hard work and persistence, and while holding down a job to put himself through school, he will be graduating soon with an Associate of Applied Science degree in SRT. Larry Greer, Angelina College Music Instructor said “We are very proud of Eric’s efforts at Angelina College and we are proud to offer him the first Angelina Arts Alliance AC scholarship.

The Arts Alliance scholarship program was named in honor of Jane D. Ainsworth, a founding member of the Angelina Arts Alliance, who was instrumental in bringing the professional performing arts to Lufkin.

For more information about the scholarship program please call Ginger Trotter at 936.633.3220.

Tainted Frozen Vegetables Prompt Latest Ingredient-Driven Foodborne Illness Outbreak

Misty Boggs

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June 21, 2016

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Tainted Frozen Vegetables Prompt Latest Ingredient-Driven Foodborne Illness Outbreak

An ongoing incident of Listeria contamination linked to frozen vegetables is causing illnesses across state and national lines. At least 350 products use the vegetables, which are distributed to retailers in all 50 states and four Canadian provinces.

Ingredient-driven outbreaks make for complex investigations. When a single contaminated ingredient is included in hundreds or even thousands of products, the potential for illness increases exponentially. It becomes extremely challenging to identify the contaminated food. Other ingredient-driven outbreaks that have occurred in recent years include one linked to pine nuts that were used in pesto, salads, and baked goods, and another associated withsunflower seeds found in a variety of trail mixes.

In fact, an ingredient-driven outbreak powered enactment of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the first major overhaul of the U.S. food system in 70 years. In 2009, Salmonella-contaminated peanut butter and peanut products sickened more than 700 people and led to nine deaths. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 3,000 peanut products—including crackers, cookies, and granola bars produced by a variety of companies—may have been made with the contaminated ingredients produced by the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA). Illnesses spread throughout the country as investigators raced to identify the source of contamination. It took months to pinpoint the tainted products, and to then track down the number of items, retailers, and distributors involved. Meanwhile, people kept getting sick.

The PCA outbreak underscored the importance of a prevention-based approach to foodborne contamination, codified in FSMA. The law requires food manufacturers to take proactive steps to prevent food safety problems. Companies that supply food ingredients must adhere to adequate food safety practices. Manufacturers must develop safety plans for their processing facilities, which identify possible points of contamination and steps to mitigate them, and monitor the effectiveness of those efforts. When problems arise, food processors must work diligently to correct them.

The investigation into contaminated frozen vegetables is ongoing, with both manufacturers and regulators working to protect consumers from further illnesses. The new prevention-based requirements for food-processing facilities will begin to go into effect in September 2016.

What’s Happening In Your Community This Week?

Grace Baldwin

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June 15, 2016

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What’s Happening In Your Community This Week?

LUFKIN

Dog Days of Summer Gold Tournament

Friday, June 17th, 2016 12 – 7 p.m.

This golf tournament has been benefitting Winnie Berry Humane Society of Angelina County since 2004. Shotgun starts at 1:00 with a Scramble Format and the opportunity for some real game changers to take strokes off your game by purchasing for $20 each. Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served prior to the start and participants can enter the putting contest. Following the tournament, enjoy a Fajita Dinner while visiting with the other players. Entry fee includes your green fee, golf cart, range balls, hors d’oeuvres, Fajita dinner, and a 2016 Dog Days of Summer T-shirt.

All included for $125 per player or $500 per team. For more info, go to: this website.

Located:

Crown Colony Country Club and Crown Colony

Providence Baptist Church VBS Deep Sea Discovery

Monday through Friday, June 20-24, from 6 – 8:30 p.m.

Kids will dive into God’s Word to see and know God is with them. They will explore God’s presence in their lives and will serve God by serving others.

Free admission for children Pre-K through 6th grade.

Located:

Providence Baptist Church 4423 Ted Trout Lufkin, Tx 75905

20th Anniversary of Angelina County’s Habitat For Humanity

Wednesday, June 22nd 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.

The anniversary celebration will include an afternoon of food, fun, and giveaways to celebrate Habitat for Humanity and the mission to eliminate poverty housing in Angelina County. Food will be available for purchase from Old Souls Food Truck and raffle tickets will be sold to help fund the building of safe and affordable homes for local families in need.

Free admission. Food and raffle tickets will be available for purchase.

Located:

Gann Medford Real Estate 2808 S. John Redditt Dr. Lufkin TX 75904

NACOGDOCHES

SFA Freshman Orientation

Thursday, June 16, from

This orientation program is for new students of Stephen F. Austin State University.

Free admission. Contact Orientation Programs Baker Pattillo Student Center Room 2.402 Box 6074, SFA Station Nacogdoches, TX 75962 Phone: 936.468.6641 Fax: 936.468.6732 for more information.

Located:

SFA campus, Nacogdoches.

SFA Summer Movie Series

Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

The Student Activities Association at Stephen F. Austin State University hosts a Summer Movie Series on Tuesday nights and Wednesday afternoons. While the community is always welcome, the summer is designed for families and children! Join at the Baker Pattillo Student Center 2nd Floor Theater Tuesdays at 6 p.m. and Wednesdays at 2 p.m. for a show!

*Cash Only Concessions available : $1 items and $2 combo pack (drink, popcorn and a candy).
Tickets available: day of, 1 hour prior till showtime.

For sponsorships or registration, visit pdga.com

Located:

Baker Pattillo Student Center 2nd Floor Theater, SFA Vista Drive, Nacogdoches

Juneteenth Celebration 2016

Saturday, June 18th, 2016 10:00 a.m. Parade Line-up will begin at TJR Elementary 11:00 a.m. Parade through Downtown Nacogdoches 1:00 p.m. Juneteenth Festival

Coding isn’t just for computer geeks! Learn the basics of coding with fun and interactive projects. Create and test your own games. Ages 10 years and up. Please register by June 8.

Free admission but registration is required.

Located:

Festival Plaza Park Downtown Nacogdoches

Vocal Recital with Jamal Madden & Brenton Mattox featuring Pianist O

Sunday, June 19, 3 – 5 p.m.

Stephen F. Austin State University vocal students and Westminster Presbyterian Church Choir Members Jamal Madden & Brenton Mattox will present a recital to raise money to offset travel expenses for summer performance opportunities. Any donation amount would be greatly appreciated and if you can’t donate or attend, spreading he word and inviting others helps us greatly as well! They will be performing a variety of music from sacred works, spirituals, arias, and art songs! Olga Wong will accompany their performance.

Free admission, but donations are appreciated.

Located:

Westminster Presbyterian Church. 903 North Street, Nacogdoches

Incredible Insects

Tuesday, June 21, from 10 – 11 a.m.

What’s been bugging you?
Find out all you ever wanted to know about the world’s most prolific and successful creatures. This fascinating program will be presented by the one-and-only Dr. Bug of Stephen F. Austin State University.

All ages welcome. No registration necessary.

Located:

Judy B. McDonald Public Library 1112 North St, Nacogdoches

Boutique Shopping Extravaganza Girls Night In

Saturday, June 18, from 2 – 7 p.m.

It’s a Girl’s Night In boutique style! We have gathered some of the most awesome boutiques and gathered them all in one place to make shopping happen from the comfort of your laptop! Each boutique will have a main post describing their boutique and their policies. In the comments of each boutiques post they will list their inventory that is for sale with the price and sizes available! If you see something you like comment SOLD with the size you’d like and your email for invoicing purposes. You will receive a different invoice from each boutique you purchase from. There could also be raffles and giveaways within each boutique so make sure to read their main posts for all of their info! So kick back on your couch and get to shopping! You don’t want to miss out on this amazing event and these amazing deals!

The event is from 1pm-6pm EST so adjust according to your time zone!

Located:

Online. For more information, view the Facebook event HERE.

Vintage Market Days

Friday-Sunday, June 17-19, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

This is a gathering of vintage and antique booths including an upscale vintage-inspired indoor/outdoor market featuring art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, and more.

Tickets are $10 for Friday and $5 for Saturday and Sunday.

Located:

Nac Expo Center, 3805 NW Stallings Drive, Nacogdoches.

Waddup Summer Party

Saturday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m.

This is a show filled with local bands. Grant Howarth, Flood Over, All Nighter, Postcards from the Moon, and 40% Dolomite will be performing.

Admission is $7.

Located:

Maklemore’s, 2304 North Street, Nacogdoches, Tx 75965

If you would like to see your event published in this calendar, email info@texasforestcountryliving.com

Local Businesses Join Lufkin Chamber, New City Features Break Ground

General

Grace Baldwin

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June 15, 2016

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Local Businesses Join Lufkin Chamber, New City Features Break Ground

Several East Texas businesses joined the Lufkin Chamber, and Winston Park received an upgrade to facilitate disabled children.

CMS_IP_Technologies_RC — Rings True Events cuts a ribbon to celebrate joining the Lufkin Chamber.

Blackledge & Co. Studio cut their ribbon this May, opening the world to photography designed to provide “the bridge for self expression, confidence, and independence to be shared with the world for the generation that needs a visual voice.”

Blackledge is located at 5 Lakewood Ct. in Lufkin. It is owned and operated by Jennifer Blackledge. She was trained in the Air Force in combat photography.

Leadership Lufkin broke ground for a handicap swing at Winston Park this May. The swing will have safety belts and a larger sitting area to accommodate anyone with disabilities. New sidewalks are also being built for more access.

Leadership Lufkin raised the money for this addition. They have also raised money for a new enclosure for the Komodo dragon at Ellen Trout Zoo in the past.

Rings True Events/Park Hill Farm cut their ribbon this May, as well. They are located “deep in the heart of the Davy Crockett National Forest in Houston County.” On 100 acres, this event venue can be used for anything from weddings, corporate events, family reunions, Quinceanera celebrations, and more.

The mansion built into the farm was built in 1857 and reportedly designed by Abner Cook who also designed the Texas Governor’s mansion in Austin.

CMS IP Technologies also cut their ribbon this May. They are a technology company located on East Frank Avenue in Lufkin.

Casa_Morales_RC — Casa Morales celebrates joining the Chamber in Lufkin by cutting a ribbon.

Casa Morales joined the Chamber, and they celebrated by cutting a ribbon Thursday, May 19. Casa Morales is a Mexican restaurant located on First Street in Lufkin.

Dixon Safety LLC joined the Lufkin Chamber May 10. They offer fire extinguisher training and education using a state of the art simulated fire machine and CPR training.

Dixon Safety is located at 941 FM 706 in Lufkin.

DETCOG Board To Meet In Nacogdoches

Grace Baldwin

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June 14, 2016

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The Board of Directors of the Deep East Texas Council of Governments (DETCOG) will hold their regular monthly meeting Thursday, June 23, 2016 at the Nacogdoches County Courthouse Annex in Nacogdoches, Texas. A luncheon will be served at noon with the board meeting to follow.

Welcoming members and guests to Nacogdoches County will be Nacogdoches County Judge Mike Perry, Nacogdoches Mayor Roger Van Horn, Nacogdoches County Commissioners Jerry Don Williamson, Elton Milstead, Jim Elder and Jerry Stone along with Nacogdoches County Minority Representative, Anita Farr.

DETCOG President, Angelina County Judge, Wes Suiter, would like to extend an invitation to the meeting to all interested parties. Anyone needing information may contact the Deep East Texas Council of Governments Office in Jasper at (409) 384-5704.