Amarillo area Our Town briefs for the week of April 23, 2023
Gruver ISD recognized for commitment to workplace safety and cost control
Claims Administrative Services, Inc. (CAS) is proud to announce that Gruver ISD, one of more than 350 Texas school districts and colleges participating in the CAS workers’ compensation risk pool program, recently received a safety award reserved for members who achieve superior loss control results.
Gruver ISD was formally recognized by CAS at its annual client appreciation event, held during the 2023 TASA Midwinter Conference, on Jan. 29 in Austin.
The Billy E. Hibbs Safety Award was presented for success in implementing safety programs designed to minimize losses and control workers’ compensation costs. In recognition of its achievement, the district received a $500 Annie Ozella Jones Scholarship that it can award to a deserving student of its choosing. Congratulations to all employees of Gruver ISD for their dedication to workplace safety.
APD warns of more thefts coming during warmer weather
With the warmer weather, thieves will be out looking for things to steal. Help the Amarillo Police Department (APD) help you, and don't leave your cars unlocked or anything of value in your vehicles.
Make sure you secure your gates to your yard, a simple piece of wire is all it takes to prevent a thief or burglar from opening your gate and entering your yard.
Don't leave bicycles or other valuables in your yard overnight.
"Just a few simple things to remind everyone what we already know," APD said in a Facebook post.
Four WT Nursing, Health Science faculty members named to professorships
CANYON — Four faculty members in West Texas A&M University’s acclaimed College of Nursing and Health Sciences have been elevated to named professorships through the continuing ramifications of a historic gift.
As part of High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation’s $3 million gift to WT in 2021, the largest in the foundation’s history, four new professorships have been established and filled:
the Baptist Community Services Professorship in Health Sciences, held by Dr. Gene Farren;
the High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation Professorship in Nursing Leadership, held by Dr. Holly Jeffreys, also head of WT’s Department of Nursing;
the High Plains Christian Ministries Foundation Professorship in Psychiatric Mental Health, held by Shaina Neely; and
the Baptist Community Services Professorship in Rural Health, held by Laura Reyher.
“Supporting talented faculty members is vital to creating a robust academic environment that attracts the brightest students,” said Dr. Neil Terry, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “Endowed professorships enrich high-performing faculty by enabling them to obtain the necessary resources to promote research and teaching innovation in their field.”
This brings the total of endowed professorships in the College to 10, seven of which having been established since 2021. The College is “most grateful to the High Plains Christian Ministries and Baptist Community Services for their support,” said Dr. J. Dirk Nelson, dean.
Incoming WT freshman offered enhanced learning experience through new housing plan
CANYON — Incoming West Texas A&M University freshmen will be part of an innovative new housing program that will establish learning communities across campus.
Through the Meta Majors program, incoming freshmen will be clustered with students from the same general courses of study in an effort to promote social and academic networks that enhance the learning experience.
“It is exciting for our Office of Residential Living to provide these enhanced opportunities for students and help to cultivate an environment of intellectual growth and collegial community,” said Dr. Chris Thomas, vice president for student affairs.
Studies show that participation in learning communities can enhance academic performance, increase student gains, provide easier social transitions, and strengthen students’ connections to the institution, said Chance Haugen, assistant vice president of campus community and engagement.
Students can choose their residence hall from among four different price points and will be assigned a room within one of 10 major-based clusters: agricultural sciences; chemistry and physics / life, earth and environmental sciences; Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business; College of Engineering; political sciences / sociology / psychology; education; art / theatre / dance / music; communication and humanities; health sciences; and nursing.
An additional “exploring” cluster encompasses students who haven’t declared majors and students pursuing applied arts and sciences, general studies or interdisciplinary studies degrees.
Only incoming freshmen will be part of the Meta Majors program upon its launch. They will get to choose their room at their New Student Orientation. If freshmen find a roommate at their NSO or already have one picked out otherwise who would not be part of their cluster, Residential Living will work to place the students together within the Meta Majors community of either student.
Designated rooms have been set aside for returning students, who currently are applying for housing.
Spring Piano Recital Set by Amarillo students
An annual spring piano recital for piano students at Impact Expressions School of the Arts in Amarillo is set for May 21 at West Texas State University in Canyon. Instructor is Andreanna Hawbaker.
“It’s always such a pleasure for our students to perform in the excellent music facilities at WT,” noted Hawbaker. The recital featuring performances by 20 young musicians is scheduled at 2:30 p.m. in WT’s Fine Arts Complex Recital Hall. A reception will follow.
Impact Expressions School of the Arts, 6461 S. Western in Amarillo, provides a variety of dance classes, from ballet to hop hop, and beginning, intermediate and advanced piano instruction for students of all ages in a Christian environment. For more information, contact IE at 806-414-5358.
Randall King to kick off symphony's Centennial Season at Hodgetown
The Amarillo Symphony Orchestra is kicking off its Centennial Season at Hodgetown with a one-of-a-kind concert featuring country star Randall King. From 6 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 26, they will perform a mix of patriotic and Western favorites with local stars Eric Barry and the Opera Cowgirls, finishing the night with Randall King's biggest hits, and a fireworks finale.
Hereford native and up-and-coming country artist Randall King recently released his major label debut album, "Shot Glass," in March of this year. King was named a 2022 Country Artist to Watch by Pandora and Country Now and has more than 120 million global streams to date.
Amarillo Symphony Subscribers and Sod Poodle Season Pass Holders had pre-sale access to tickets starting April 19, with prices starting at $16. Tickets will be opened to the public on Monday, April 24.
On the field V.I.P. tables are available for purchase. For $750 a table seating eight people, get front-row seats and a prime steak dinner. Tables are limited; call the Amarillo Symphony office at 806-376-8782 to reserve yours today. Hospitality options for groups are available as well including Dugout Suites, Concourse Suites, Luxury Suites, and the Pepsi Party Deck. For more information on hospitality areas and tickets, please call 806-803-7762 or email groups@sodpoodles.com.
Don Harrington Discovery Center is a 2023 Blue Star Museum
The Discovery Center and Wildcat Bluff announced it will again join museums nationwide in the Blue Star Museums initiative as the exclusive museum to participate in Amarillo this year.
The Blue Star Museum initiative provides free admission to currently-serving U.S. military personnel and their families from Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 20, 2023 through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. DHDC has also pledged to extend free admission to veterans in addition to currently-serving personnel.
Blue Star Museums is a partnership between the National Endowment for the Arts and Blue Star Families, in collaboration with the Department of Defense and museums across America.
“Having grown up in a military family, I understand first hand how disrupted life can be for the families of those heroes serving the citizens of our country. Blue Star Museums offers a wonderful opportunity for families to experience things they might not otherwise have been able to afford. It offers valuable cultural experiences and helps build community among our local military families, and those passing through. These families sacrifice so much for our community, and participating in Blue Star Museums is just one way we can say thank to those who do so much for us,” said Wendy Taylor, Chief Executive Officer.
“Museums educate and inspire, cause us to wonder and imagine, dream and remember,” said Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson, chair of the National Endowment for the Arts. “By participating in the Blue Star Museums program, DHDC is offering military personnel and their families an opportunity to feel connected to the DHDC community and to explore the world through the power of arts, culture, and design, contributing to each person being able to live an artful life.”
The free admission program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military — Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, and Space Force, members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members. Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), DD Form 1173-1 ID card or the Next Generation Uniformed Services (Real) ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum. DHDC is also extending the offer to veterans and up to five family members, with the same identification requirements.
The Blue Star Museums discount is being offered at both Don Harrington Discovery Center and Wildcat Bluff Nature Center.
Follow #bluestarmuseums on Twitter @NEAarts and @BlueStarFamily. Follow The Discovery Center on Facebook and Instagram for more information on their community programs.
NWTHS hosts Better Breathers Club
The Northwest Texas Healthcare System facilitated the Better Breathers Club on April 19 in the Community Lecture Room at Northwest hospital located at 1501 S. Coulter. Guest speaker for the event, Lori Gouldy, RN, presented “Breathing and Your Mental Health.”
The Better Breathers Club is an initiative from the American Lung Association to provide education, support, and a sense of connection to others living with chronic lung disease. The general public is invited to attend at no cost. For more information you may contact Lisa Solomon at 806-351-5864.
TxDOT calls for safe driving in work zones
AUSTIN – Following a year in which fewer people were killed in work zone crashes in Texas, TxDOT is calling on all drivers to stay vigilant and help continue that downward trend. As National Work Zone Awareness Week kicked off, TxDOT’s “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign is reminding drivers to stay alert and exercise caution when going through road construction and maintenance areas.
Traffic fatalities in the state’s work zones were down 16% in 2022, decreasing for the first time since 2018. Despite that, 205 people lost their lives and another 788 were seriously injured in Texas work zones last year. The vast majority of those killed, 85%, were drivers or their passengers.
“Although it’s encouraging to see a reduction in the number of work zone crashes and fatalities last year, one life lost is too many,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “We’re calling on all Texas drivers to slow down and stay alert when traveling through work zones. Doing so could save a life, including your own.”
The “Be Safe. Drive Smart.” campaign offers five tips for safely navigating work zones:
Slow down. Follow the posted speed limit and proactively adjust your driving to match road conditions. Excessive speed is one of the leading causes of work zone crashes.
Pay attention. Avoid distractions, keep your mind on the road and put your phone away.
Watch out for road crews. Roadside workers want to get home safely, too. Always follow instructions and be mindful of construction area road signs.
Don’t tailgate. Give yourself room to stop in a hurry, should traffic stop suddenly. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of work zone crashes.
Allow extra time. Road construction can slow things down. Count on it, and plan for it.
TxDOT also reminds motorists of the state’s Move Over/Slow Down law that requires drivers to move over a lane or reduce their speed to 20 mph below the posted speed limit when approaching TxDOT, emergency, law enforcement, tow truck or utility vehicles stopped with flashing lights activated on the roadside.
In the Amarillo District in 2022, there were 715 traffic crashes in work zones, resulting in 6 fatalities and 20 serious injuries. In Amarillo in 2022, there were 391 traffic crashes in work zones, resulting in no fatalities and 7 serious injuries.
Roadway safety professionals were encouraged to wear orange on April 19 for National Go Orange Day to proudly show their support for work zone safety.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area Our Town briefs for the week of April 23, 2023
