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Representative Ashby’s Capitol Update

Rep. Trent Ashby

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April 29, 2016

Mother’s Day is right around the corner, and I want to take a moment to thank all of the mothers in our community. We all owe a debt of gratitude to our moms, for caring for us and helping us grow into who we are today. Let’s all take a moment to pause and either thank or remember them for their love and devotion on this special day. And with that, on to an update from your State Capitol…

Defending Religious Liberty

Recently, we have seen numerous stories and op-eds in the news, both at the state and national level, which have aimed their sights on religious liberty laws enacted by various states around the country. Our freedom of religion, which is enshrined in the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, is one of the bedrock principles which help define who we are as Americans. The freedom of religion is critical to our representative government, and without it, all of our other freedoms are undermined.

During the next legislative session, I fully expect we will see numerous bills filed on this issue, and I am confident that we will find a way to continue to uphold the religious liberty of all Texans. As an active member of my church, I believe it is important we endeavor to look for ways to protect our First Amendment rights so that these freedoms cannot be diluted by intrusive federal regulations now or in the future. Conversations are ongoing, and I look forward to working with my colleagues on this matter next session.

House Interim Charges: House Committee on Economic and Small Business Development

This week in our series on the House Interim Charges we will be taking a look at the House Committee on Economic and Small Business Development, which is responsible for overseeing all legislation aimed at helping Texas recruit and retain businesses and create jobs. The Committee will start by studying the impacts of declining oil and gas prices on various regions around the state, and will consider the impacts on local communities most dependent upon oil and gas activity. The Committee will then evaluate the strategies used by local governments to attract businesses to their communities and examine ways the state can leverage these practices and provide support.

The Committee will then study opportunities and financial incentives for expansion and growth of small businesses in Texas. They will examine if adequate resources and capital exist for small businesses, including an analysis of any regulatory or tax hurdles, and provide recommendations to alleviate these burdens. They will also evaluate Texas’ competitiveness with other states in recruiting and cultivating high-growth, high-tech industries, fostering economic development, and creating new jobs. As a part of this, the Committee will evaluate if the current incentive programs assist or hinder that state’s ability to compete with other states for economic growth and sustainability.

Reminders

The mobile office will hit the road for the month of May, starting on May 4th at the Leon CountyCourthouse in Centerville from 9:00 am until 11:00 am, and then in Madisonville at the Madison County Courthouse Annex from 1:30 pm until 3:30 pm. After that, on May 18th, we will be in Crockett at the Houston County Courthouse Annex from 9:00 am until 11:00 am, and then in Groveton at the Trinity County Courthouse from 1:30 pm until 3:30 pm. We will wrap up the mobile office for the month of May at the San Augustine County Courthouse from 9:00 am until 11:00 am on May 25th.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office if we can help you in any way. We look forward to the opportunity to hear your concerns and help you navigate state government. My district office may be reached at (936) 634-2762 or you can call my Capitol office at (512) 463-0508.

Roadrunners Top NTCC in Series Opener, Henshaw Homer Part of Big Sixth Inning

Sports

Gary Stallard

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April 29, 2016

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Roadrunners Top NTCC in Series Opener, Henshaw Homer Part of Big Sixth Inning

Mitch Henshaw’s two-run homer helped fuel a four-run sixth inning, and pitchers Bailey Holstein and Reid Garrett teamed up on the mound to lead the Angelina College Roadrunners to a 6-5 series-opening win over Northeast Texas Community College Thursday at Roadrunner Field in Lufkin.

The series will resume on Sunday.

AC trailed 5-2 heading into the sixth before Henshaw’s blast helped the four-run rally. Garrett kept the Eagles scoreless the rest of the way, and the Roadrunners (12-13 in conference play) remain in a two-way tie with Paris College for the fourth spot in the standings with five games to play in the regular season.

Sunday’s doubleheader will start at 2 p.m. at Roadrunner Field.

No. 12 Lady Roadrunners Advance with Tourney Win over Lamar State-PADavis Homers Twice to Tie Program Record

Sports

Gary Stallard

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April 29, 2016

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No. 12 Lady Roadrunners Advance with Tourney Win over Lamar State-PADavis Homers Twice to Tie Program Record

HOUSTON – The No. 12 Angelina College Lady Roadrunners needed big bats to quash some early-inning butterflies in Thursday’s first-round Region XIV

Angelina College’s Bryli Lee connects for a three-run homer against Lamar State College-Port Arthur during Thursday’s game in Houston. The No. 12 Lady Roadrunners advanced to the second round of the Region XIV Conference Tournament with a 9-1 win in six innings. (Photo by Gary Stallard)

Conference Tournament matchup against Lamar State College-Port Arthur.

Once the butterflies disappeared, the bats ruled the day.

Taylor Davis homered twice, with her second bomb tying the program’s individual season record for home runs. Bryli Lee added a three-run shot and the Lady ‘Runners handled the Lady Seahawks 9-1 in six innings Thursday at San Jacinto College in Houston.

AC also got a stellar pitching performance from Taylor Odom, who after allowing a single, unearned run in the first inning, settled in to shut down Lamar-PA the rest of the way.

Lady Roadrunner head coach Mark Mattson said his team’s youth showed early, but it didn’t take long for the AC ladies to regroup.

“With this group, I knew their first time taking the field in the tournament was going to deal with some jitters,” Mattson said. “We are deep with freshmen again who haven’t been here before. As far as they’re concerned, they’re going all the way, but sometimes that idea gets in the way of what we’ve got to do first.

“It was just a matter of trying to keep building them up throughout the game. This team thrives on positive feedback, so we just keep trying to pump them up. It takes one or two good hits, then the fire starts.”

While the offense waited for the big bang to arrive, the defense provide the highlights. Right fielder Miranda Wiggins and left fielder Jynelle Pangelinan each turned in diving catches to staunch Seahawk rallies. Those plays incited a reaction in the AC dugout, but not until Davis blasted a three-run shot in the third inning did the Lady Roadrunners begin picking up steam.

“We had the two layout catches, and those definitely got us going, but this team responds when someone gets a big hit,” Mattson said. “They thrive on the offense, and that’s just the personality of this team.”

Taylor would go deep again later to tie the program record with her 16th of the year. Later, Lee would rock a three-run shot just inside the foul pole in left field for an 8-1 AC lead. Pangelinan finished things off by driving in Shannon Stoker with the final run and ending the contest in six innings.

In the earlier games, Blinn edged Navarro 7-6 and San Jacinto upset the No. 1-ranked Tyler College Lady Apaches 6-2.

The Lady Roadrunners will play Friday at 5:30 p.m. against the winner of the Paris/Galveston game.

ORGANIZERS GEARING UP FOR LUFKIN’S ANNUAL CYCLING EVENT

Misty Boggs

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April 29, 2016

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ORGANIZERS GEARING UP FOR LUFKIN’S ANNUAL CYCLING EVENT

East Texas’ premier cycling event is celebrating a big birthday with a big party.

The Garland L. Parise Pineywoods Purgatory is marking its 25th anniversary with a ride-and-play weekend beginning at 8 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, at the George H. Henderson, Jr. Exposition Center in Lufkin. After the ride, the Expo Center will host a beer garden with live music and fajitas, and participants with tickets are invited to Lufkin’s Bistro at 7 p.m. in downtown Lufkin.

The popular autumn weekend event features four biking routes of 25, 52, 72 and 102 miles through some of the most scenic rural areas in East Texas, and proceeds benefit the Stubblefield Learning Center, a high-performance, non-traditional school for at-risk students.

“Cyclists can get serious about tracking progress,” said Burt Hairgrove, director of the George H. Henderson, Jr. Exposition Center. “A quarter of a century is big milestone for Pineywoods Purgatory, so we’re working hard to make this year especially memorable for everyone involved. We have plenty of volunteer and sponsorship opportunities, and we need the community to pitch in to make this the biggest, most well-organized Purgatory ever.”

The Exposition Center serves as the hub of Pineywoods Purgatory, with cyclist-friendly amenities including plentiful parking near the starting area, 50 full RV hookups, camping spaces, spacious restrooms and on-site showers. The weekend begins with registration from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at the Exposition Center, and participants will receive discount cards to a local restaurant for last-minute carbo-loading.

The race begins with a shotgun start at 8 a.m. Saturday, and cyclists can choose from a 25-mile route through gently rolling hills, a more challenging 52-mile route through lush forests, the popular 72-mile route that takes riders through three different counties, and a 102-mile route that lets experienced cyclists see some of the quaint hamlets of East Texas from a whole new perspective. SAG wagons are available to assist cyclists who encounter problems, and volunteers man rest stops along each route.

“Rest stops are important to riders, and they give local businesses a chance to show off a bit,” Hairgrove said. “We need businesses to sponsor and man the rest stops, and we make sure to keep things fun. We have contests for theme, hospitality and best overall, and the winners get trophies. It’s a great way to extend Lufkin hospitality to every aspect of the event.”

That hospitality is important to keep cyclists coming back to Pineywoods Purgatory every year, and also to entice them to visit Lufkin for other events, said Tara Watson-Watkins, executive director, Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“Cyclists come from all over Texas to ride in Pineywoods Purgatory,” Watson-Watkins said. “The cyclists come for a well-organized event, fun routes and beautiful scenery. Our job is to wow them with hospitality and leave them wanting to come back for more! That’s why we’ve paired this race with Lufkin’s Bistro. What better way to end an action-packed weekend than with a relaxing night of great food and drinks?”

Lufkin’s Bistro, a wine-, beer- and food-tasting event on the downtown streets, is celebrating its sixth year. The event sells out every year, so East Texans should keep an eye on visitlufkin.com to learn when tickets go on sale.

Pineywoods Purgatory registration is $40 until September 15. For riders outside of the Lufkin-Diboll-Nacogdoches area, early registration guarantees a ticket, if the rider wishes to purchase, to Lufkin’s Bistro for the reduced price of $30. Discounts for Lufkin’s Bistro are part of a Stay-and-Play package for our out-of-town guests. After September 15, registration is $45 and Lufkin’s Bistro tickets can be added for $30 a ticket until the event sells out if you are outside of the Lufkin-Diboll-Nacogdoches area.

Registration for Pineywoods Purgatory includes a T-shirt, a meal after the ride and other goodies. Groups of five or more registering together can call 936-637-3976 for a group discount. For registration details, visit pineywoodspurgatory.com or visitlufkin.com.

PROJECT TO BEGIN ON FM 1 IN SABINE COUNTY

Rhonda Oaks

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April 29, 2016

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PROJECT TO BEGIN ON FM 1 IN SABINE COUNTY

LUFKIN – Work is scheduled to begin in coming days on a $3.6 million construction project on FM 1 in Sabine County.
Pinto Construction Company will set barricades early next week that will mark the beginning of work from SH 184 to SS 1. The project is designed to widen the roadway from 22 to 24 feet of paved surface. The work will consist of new base material being added, a prime coat and a surface treatment. The widening and rehabilitation project is set to be completed in about 10 months, weather permitting.
The additional paved surface width will improve safety along FM 1. The Texas Transportation Commission approved the project and bids were received in 2015.
Motorists are urged to stay alert as they travel through the construction area. Be prepared to stop or be delayed as work continues throughout the project. Obey all traffic signs and watch for workers and equipment working near lanes of travel. Remember, traffic fines double when workers are present.
For more information, contact Rhonda.Oaks@txdot.gov or (936) 633-4395.

Classic Movie Night at the Public Library

Josh Robinson

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April 29, 2016

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Classic Movie Night at the Public Library

(Nacogdoches) The Judy B. McDonald Public Library invites the community to attend Classic Movie Night on Friday, May 13th at 6:30pm. Join fellow film buffs for a screening of a classic film, along with delicious snacks and good company. The theme will be the Golden Age of Hollywood, and period dress is encouraged, but not required.

“We’ve been having regular film screenings, and we love providing fun hors d’oeuvres,” says Crystal Hicks, assistant library director. “Only recently have we discovered how much people love to get decked out in costume and celebrate in style. Adults like to play dress-up occasionally, too!” Check with us for title and rating information. Admission is free, including snacks and drinks. Please call 559-2970 to reserve a seat or check out the event page on Facebook under Judy B. McDonald Public Library.

Barbecue 101 at the Public Library

Josh Robinson

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April 29, 2016

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(Nacogdoches) The Judy B. McDonald Public Library invites the community to attend Barbecue 101 on Saturday, April 30th at 2:30pm. Learn simple and flavorful techniques for rubs, marinades and sauces, as well as some unique methods for grilling fruits and vegetables. There will be a special presenter, Jimmy Don Snowden, a sculptor at Stephen F. Austin State University, who will be donating his time and smoker. The word is that his special recipe rub is killer. Of course, there will be samples to try! Admission is free, including samples. Please call 559-2970 to reserve a seat or check out the event page on Facebook under Judy B. McDonald Public Library.

Publisher & Canva Computer Class

Misty Boggs

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April 29, 2016

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NACOGDOCHES, TX – The Judy B. McDonald Public Library will hold a computer class on making flyers and invitations using Microsoft Publisher and the popular online site, Canva. The free class is Wednesday, May 11th from 5:30-7:30 pm. The public library also offers a variety of computer classes and tech help classes.Pease call 559-2970 for more information.

Working longer may lead to a longer life, new OSU research shows

Misty Boggs

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April 28, 2016

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Working longer may lead to a longer life, new OSU research shows

Working past age 65 could lead to longer life, while retiring early may be a risk factor for dying earlier, a new study from Oregon State University indicates.

The researchers found that healthy adults who retired one year past age 65 had an 11 percent lower risk of death from all causes, even when taking into account demographic, lifestyle and health issues. Adults who described themselves as unhealthy were also likely to live longer if they kept working, the findings showed, which indicates that factors beyond health may affect post-retirement mortality.

“It may not apply to everybody, but we think work brings people a lot of economic and social benefits that could impact the length of their lives,” said Chenkai Wu, the lead author of the study. He conducted the research as part of his master’s thesis at OSU, where he is now a doctoral student in the College of Public Health and Human Sciences.

The findings were published recently in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. Co-authors include Associate Professor Robert Stawski and Assistant Professor Michelle Odden of OSU and Gwenith Fisher of Colorado State University. The research was supported by a grant from the National Institute on Aging.

The research was the basis for Wu’s master’s thesis in human development and family science; he’s now pursuing a doctorate in epidemiology.

Wu took an interest in the effects of retirement on health in part because of China’s mandatory laws, which are often debated. Retirement age is also an issue for debate elsewhere around the world, including the United States, he said.

“Most research in this area has focused on the economic impacts of delaying retirement. I thought it might be good to look at the health impacts,” Wu said. “People in the U.S. have more flexibility about when they retire compared to other countries, so it made sense to look at data from the U.S.”

Wu examined data collected from 1992 through 2010 through the Healthy Retirement Study, a long-term study of U.S. adults led by the University of Michigan and funded by the National Institute on Aging. Of the more than 12,000 initial participants in the study, Wu narrowed his focus to 2,956 people who began the study in 1992 and had retired by the end of the study period in 2010.

Poor health is one reason people retire early and also can lead to earlier death, so researchers wanted to find a way to mitigate a potential bias in that regard.

To do so, they divided the group into unhealthy retirees, or those who indicated that health was a factor in their decision to retire – and healthy retirees, who indicated health was not a factor. About two-thirds of the group fell into the healthy category, while a third were in the unhealthy category.

During the study period, about 12 percent of the healthy and 25.6 percent of the unhealthy retirees died. Healthy retirees who worked a year longer had an 11 percent lower risk of mortality, while unhealthy retirees who worked a year longer had a 9 percent lower mortality risk. Working a year longer had a positive impact on the study participants’ mortality rate regardless of their health status.

“The healthy group is generally more advantaged in terms of education, wealth, health behaviors and lifestyle, but taking all of those issues into account, the pattern still remained,” said Stawski, senior author of the paper. “The findings seem to indicate that people who remain active and engaged gain a benefit from that.”

Additional research is needed to better understand the links between work and health, the researchers said. As people get older their physical health and cognitive function are likely to decline, which could affect both their ability to work and their longevity.

“This is just the tip of the iceberg,” Stawski said. “We see the relationship between work and longevity, but we don’t know everything about people’s lives, health and well-being after retirement that could be influencing their longevity.”

The TFCL Team Tries Tranquility Essential Oil

Misty Boggs

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April 28, 2016

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The TFCL Team Tries Tranquility Essential Oil

The heavy scent of sweet orange and flowers filled my office.

After a particularly stressful Monday, I picked up #PhytopiaUSA Tranquility essential oil and placed a few drops on my wrists and rubbed it in. With my feet propped in the window sill, the calm settled in, replacing the anxiety and pressure of deadlines, dropped calls, and deleted emails.

I love the smell of candles in my home, three different body washes are in my shower and my bathroom counter is full of body spray and scented lotions. However, I’ve never used essential oils to address health issues or mental/emotional stress. I was surprised at the strength of the scent in just a few drops. Some may find it overpowering, but for me, it was instantly calming and relaxing. The time to rub it in on my wrists gave me a few minutes to breathe and refocus. I was able to come back to my day with a renewed energy.

The oil uses Olive, Jojoba, Sunflower and Evening Primrose as carriers for Orange Sweet, Geranium, and Rose which creates an equally sweet and revitalizing bouquet. The oil is light and absorbs quickly without leaving a heavy residue. As a new user, I am leaving this bottle on my desk for repeat treatments of a mini stay-at-my-desk escape moments.

However, I can see using a few drops of this oil right before bed to settle a restless body and mind or as part of a home spa therapy session in body lotions, warmers and baths.

Texas Forest Country Living received this product free of charge for an unbiased review. You may purchase it HERE.