Amarillo area business news and developments for April 9, 2023

Amarillo Globe-News
·8 min read

Surgeon Researcher expanding to Amarillo

Surgeon Researcher, a research company that provides patients with research from medical experts on the skill level of surgeons, has launched in Amarillo. What sets Surgeon Researcher apart from other surgeon review websites is that the company speaks with medical professionals who have observed surgeries performed by the surgeons being reviewed, according to a news release. This gives patients a more accurate and reliable assessment of a surgeon's capabilities than websites that compile anonymous ratings and accept advertising money from surgeons.

Finding the right surgeon can be a difficult and stressful process for patients and their families. Surgeon Researcher aims to direct patients to the top surgeons in the area by speaking to local medical professionals. Customers are given a proprietary evaluation report to help them make informed decisions about their healthcare.

"We're excited to launch in Texas, and provide patients with an expert, independent, unbiased resource to help them find the right surgeon," said Dan Raymond, founder of Surgeon Researcher. "Studies, and our experience, show that patients who are operated on by the most skilled surgeons have lower rates of revision surgery, complications, infection, pain, and opioid use. The most skilled surgeons achieve the best surgical outcomes - providing their patients with quicker recoveries and improved quality of life. Our business model is built on providing patients with expert and unbiased information, free from any financial incentives or conflicts of interest.”

Surgeon Researcher provides patients with research on a variety of surgical specialties, including orthopedic surgery, spine surgery, neurosurgery, vascular surgery, plastic surgery, and more. The company's research service is available to patients for a fee and includes insights from medical professionals who have observed surgeries performed by the surgeon being reviewed.

To learn more about Surgeon Researcher, please visit www.surgeonresearcher.com

Statewide fundraiser at Bubba's 33 locations benefits Texas Municipal Police Association

On Monday, April 10, Bubba’s 33 locations across Texas, including 2813 W. Interstate 40 in Amarillo, will host simultaneous fundraisers to benefit the Texas Municipal Police Association.

For every guest who mentions the fundraiser, restaurants will donate 10 percent of total sales to the organization. Proceeds support families of officers killed or injured in the line of duty.

Bubba’s 33 serves up a variety of menu options featuring handcrafted pizza, bold burgers, and ice-cold beer. The first Bubba’s 33 opened in Fayetteville, North Carolina in 2013 and has grown to 36 locations in 14 states. Bubba’s 33 staff is dedicated providing the best service in town and having fun. In 2021, Bubba’s 33 was named the Best Burger in Charlotte, NC. For more information, visit www.bubbas33.com.

Call 811 before landscaping: Safe Digging Month is reminder that Xcel Energy provides free locates on buried lines

Xcel Energy is advising customers who are eager to start their spring planting or landscaping to always call 811 to have underground utility lines marked free of charge before starting any digging projects.

April is National Safe Digging Month, which serves as a reminder that digging without locating utility lines causes injuries, loss of life, and property damage every year. In 2022, Xcel Energy had seven incidents in Texas and one in New Mexico when customers did not call 811 and then caused damage to buried electric lines.

“Businesses and homeowners digging without locates presents one of the industry’s greatest risks to customer and public safety,” said Brad Baldridge, Xcel Energy senior director of Customer and Community Relations. “Whether someone is installing a bush in their backyard or doing a larger home or public project, always call 811 for a free locate. If someone is contracting with a third party to do any work that requires soil movement, ensure that they call for a locate. Only you can prevent the next pipeline or electrical line contact.”

In Texas, homeowners and contractors should call 811 or submit an online request to Texas 811. In New Mexico, online requests should go to NM 811. In both states, customers should make the request at least two days before starting a project. Every digging project requires a call, regardless of whether the project is big or small. Even projects such as installing a mailbox post, building a deck, or planting a tree require a call to 811.

811 will notify the right utility companies of the caller’s intent to dig. At no charge, professional locators will mark the locations of underground lines with flags, spray paint, or both. Depth of utility lines can change over time because of storms and soil condition.

Customers should contact a private locator company to find lines not owned by a utility. Examples of these include lines installed by a homeowner to heat a pool, light a garage or install a gas grill.

Safe digging tips

  • Always call 811 before you dig. It’s the law

  • Depth can be deceptive. Depth of utility lines can change over time with erosion, storms, floods, soil condition, heaving in winter from frost, and changes to landscaping.

  • What you don’t know can hurt you. Even if you’ve lived in your home for 30 years, things can and do change in your yard.

  • Does it smell like rotten eggs? If you damage a natural gas line and notice a sulfur or rotten egg-like smell, move quickly away from the area. Once safely away, call 911 first, then your gas utility company to investigate and repair.

  • Hand digging. Before you can work near an underground utility line, you must first hand-dig to expose the line and verify its location and depth.

DQ restaurants in Texas offer 85-cent Blizzard treats April 10-23 via app

DQ restaurants in Texas are celebrating the 1985 introduction of Blizzard® Treats with an 85-cent Blizzard Treat offer. Available exclusively via the DQ Texas mobile appfrom April 10 - 23, fans can enjoy a small Blizzard Treat at participating restaurants for less than a dollar.

The new Summer Blizzard Treat Menu is also available at participating DQ locations for a limited time featuring five new and returning Blizzard Treat flavors including the NEW Peanut Butter Puppy Chow; NEW Oreo Brookie; Cotton Candy; S’mores; and Choco-Dipped Strawberry. Fans can keep up with all the new innovative ways to quench their cravings with “The Best Treats & Eats in Texas” in the DQ Texas mobile app.

The mobile app has lots of benefits including users earning rewards – spend $5 and collect a “Red Spoon” (five Red Spoons are worth $5) – and receive alerts about exclusive app deals redeemable at participating DQ restaurants in Texas. Users also can order online through the mobile app for greater convenience, where available. New users will receive a free mini Blizzard Treat just for signing up.

To redeem rewards, when you arrive at your neighborhood DQ restaurant, just click “Redeem” and present the 7-digit code to the cashier. Users will also learn about special offerings and monthly deals which is great for planning around busy schedules.

Dairy Queen Operators' Council is a nonprofit organization made up of DQ franchisees operating in Texas. The DQ restaurants in Texas are franchised by American Dairy Queen Corporation and the DQ franchise system includes approximately 7,000 franchised locations in the United States, Canada, and more than 20 other countries, including the nearly 600 DQ restaurants in Texas. For more information about the Texas Dairy Queen Operators’ Council, visit dqtexas.com or follow us on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.

The Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame announces 2023 Class of Inductees; ceremony slated for April 29

The Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame has announced the 2023 class of inductees with the induction ceremony slated for Saturday, April 29, in the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District. This year’s inductees include:

  • Johnny Boren Award Inductee: Wayne Whitehead – Wills Point, Texas

  • Directors’ Choice Award Inductee: Spicer Gripp Youth Foundation - Hereford, Texas

  • Western Heritage Award Inductee: Andrew Torrez – Lake Worth, Texas

  • Star of Texas Award Inductee: Jody Nix – Big Spring, Texas

Men Contestant Inductees

  • Mickey Gee – Wichita Falls, Texas – 2-time World Champion Steer Wrestler.

  • Kory Koontz - Sudan, Texas - 24-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, NFR Average Winner.

  • Martin Lucero - Stephenville, Texas – 16-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

  • Steve Purcella- Hereford, Texas - 14-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, World Champion.

  • Tod Slone - Cuero, Texas - 7-time qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Women Contestant Inductees

  • Mindy Lin Morris - Seymour, Texas – 1992 National Intercollegiate Barrel Racing Champion, NFR Qualifier.

  • Donna Hill Shiller - Thorndale, Texas - 2-time barrel racing qualifier to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo.

Rodeo Personnel Inductees: C.K. Reid - Grandview, Texas - Stock Contractor.

Gold Card Inductees

  • Jim Davis - Ovalo, Texas - 2-time World Champion Steer Roper.

  • “Cactus” Jack Stephenson - Pleasanton, Texas -Wrangler National Finals Team Roping qualifier.

Empty Saddles

  • Brenda Crowder - Stephenville, Texas – 2-time PRCA Secretary of the Year.

  • Marty Richter – Fort Worth, Texas – PRCA bareback rider and longtime Fort Worth Stock Show & Windy Ryon Memorial Roping committeeman and volunteer.

Rodeo Animals - Timed Event Inductee: Prime Time – 1994 AQHA/PRCA Calf Roping Horse of the year.

Events & Organizations: 2003 Vernon College Men’s & Women’s Rodeo Teams - 2003 National Intercollegiate Champions

The 2023 inductions will take place Saturday, April 29, at the River Ranch Event Center in the Historic Fort Worth Stockyards. Doors open at 10 a.m., lunch is served at 11 a.m. and inductions start at 12:15 p.m. There is also a golf tournament scheduled for Thursday, April 27, at Canyon West Golf Course in Weatherford. A welcome reception is planned for Friday, April 28, at 2 p.m. at the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame which is located in Cowtown Coliseum. Event tickets and additional information can be obtained by visiting the Texas Rodeo Cowboy Hall of Fame website at www.TexasRodeoCowboy.com or emailing info@TexasRodeoCowboy.com.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area business news and developments for April 9, 2023