Amarillo Our Town community news: Joseph's Project, Wonderland, more
Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle announces arrival of Joseph’s Project
A new program designed to help expectant and new families in the Texas panhandle officially arrived May 19. Joseph’s Project, a program of Catholic Charities of the Texas panhandle, offers free pregnancy tests, parenting education, adoption information and referrals, prenatal classes, mental health coaching, help and referral in aid applications for CHIP, SNAP, and Medicaid as well as material assistance such as diapers and formula.
Studies show that adequate prenatal care is important not only for the expectant mother but for the baby as well. Unfortunately, a lack of insurance prohibits many women from getting the prenatal and postpartum care they need. In Potter County alone, where the teen birth rate is among the highest in the state of Texas, 42% lack health insurance. Maternal and infant mortality rates are also higher for those without proper insurance, especially among teens.
Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle, 2004 N. Spring St., hosted a community baby shower and an open house, and monetary and material donations are being accepted. Joseph’s Project is for mothers and fathers in need with children up to 3 years of age.
For more on Catholic Charities of the Texas Panhandle, visit www.cctxp.org or their page on Facebook.
Wonderland hosting first responders nights in June
Wonderland Amusement Park is excited to once again honor area First Responders by hosting two First Responders Nights at the Park on Wednesday, June 7 and Thursday, June 8 from 7 to 10 p.m.
All first responders will receive a free WOW Ride Pass by presenting proper ID and a custom barcode at the gate. Their families will enjoy discounted WOW Passes by presenting a second custom barcode at the gate.
Wonderland hosts this yearly event to pay homage to police officers, firefighters, and emergency responders who serve the panhandle region on a daily basis by inviting them out for two fun-filled nights, according to a news release. All discount codes are sent directly to local first-responding agencies.
Agencies that would like to participate can do so by visiting WonderlandPark.com/FirstResponders and filling out the proper form. The public is encouraged to come out and visit with our local heroes and thank them for their selfless work to keep us safe.
The Discovery Center and Wildcat Bluff part of 'Museums for All' initiative
The Don Harrington Discovery Center and Wildcat Bluff Nature Center are both part of Museums for All, a signature access program of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), administered by the Association of Children’s Museums (ACM). This partnership is in place to encourage people of all socioeconomic backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits.
The program supports those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits visiting The Discovery Center by offering admission at $2 per person, up to four people, with the presentation of their valid EBT card. Museums for All is part of the Discovery Center’s broad commitment to seek, include, and welcome all audiences.
Museums for All helps expand access to museums and raises public awareness about how museums in the U.S. reach their entire communities. More than 700 institutions participate in the initiative, including art museums, children’s museums, science centers, botanical gardens, zoos, history museums, and more. Participating museums are located nationwide, representing all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
To see our hours of operation & explore all we have to offer, visit DHDC.org or follow us on Facebook at Don Harrington Discovery Center.
Bill Young, architect of Respiratory Care at AC, named Professor Emeritus
Bill Young, who helped establish the Respiratory Care Program at Amarillo College, where his teaching career spanned 36 years (1972-2008), has been named Professor Emeritus.
The AC Faculty Senate will sponsor a reception in his honor from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, June 2 in the 2nd Floor Gallery at the Amarillo Museum of Art on the Washington Street Campus.
“I was shocked when I found out I’d been named Professor Emeritus, and I am truly humbled,” Young said. “It was such a nice surprise, a much appreciated one. I spent 36 wonderful years at AC, and I always looked forward to going to work.”
During his impactful career, Young served on AC committees for Academic Affairs, Grants, Reaccreditation and more. Additionally, he visited numerous college campuses in many states to help establish standards for state licensure and registry credentials as a member of the national Joint Review Committee for Respiratory Education. All the while, Young worked a couple of weekly hospital shifts to remain abreast of the latest techniques and technologies, ensuring his ability to keep his students at the forefront of the latest respiratory know-how.
In 2004, Young and his wife Susan established a scholarship for second-year respiratory care students. Young retired in 2008 but has remained active, both in the College the community. Among other things, he spent 11 years as president of the AC Retirees group, and just recently he completed a six-year stint as mayor of Timbercreek Canyon.
WT faculty members earn development grants
CANYON — Nine West Texas A&M University faculty members earned more than $18,000 in grants through the University’s Office of Academic Affairs. The development grants will finance travel and professional development for the faculty members. More than $6,000 in additional funds were awarded this year.
“The purpose of the awards is to improve teaching and the educational experience for WT students,” said Dr. Bryan Vizzini, professor of history and director of WT’s Teaching Excellence Center. “We are looking for what these grants can ultimately help faculty bring back to the classroom, department, college and University.”
Faculty members earning grants include:
Bradley Behrmann, assistant professor of musical theatre, to attend the Edinburg Theatre Fringe Festival with WT theater and dance students;
Dr. Paul Clark, professor of history, for multi-engine flight training essential for his Fundamentals of Flight class;
Zeth Collom, instructor of communication disorders, for Estill Voice Training course;
Dr. Jeff Hatala, assistant professor of health sciences and program director at the RELLIS Campus, for certification from Myers Briggs’ Strong Interest Inventory;
Dr. Jeremy Lewis, associate professor of low brass, to record tuba repertoire from the University Interscholastic League’s prescribed music list;
Emmanuel Lopez, Permian Distinguished Artist and Harrington Lecturer in Cello, to participate as faculty cellist at the Interharmony Music Festival in Acqui Terme, Italy;
Darla Marcear, clinical coordinator and instructor of communication disorders, to attend the Apraxia Kids National Conference in Plano;
Dr. Maitreyee Mukherjee, assistant professor of biology, to attend the Tiny Earth partner symposium at the University of Wisconsin–Madison; and
Dr. Rebecca VanderLeest, assistant professor of geology, to attend a workshop and construct a course entitled Geology in Our National Parks.
Faculty members represent three of WT’s six Colleges: the Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, the Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities, and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences.
Dr. Amy Andersen, associate provost and professor of education, and Dr. Vinitha Subburaj, associate dean of the College of Engineering and associate professor of engineering, also won an academic administrative development grant to attend the Harvard Management Development Program, which provides discussions, interactive presentations and immersive experiences. Grants were awarded during an all-faculty meeting May 4, before WT’s May 13 spring commencement ceremonies.
WT New Student Orientation sessions begin
CANYON — West Texas A&M University is already actively preparing for a new herd of Buffaloes to arrive on campus. Following commencement ceremonies held May 13, New Student Orientation sessions began May 19 and 20 for incoming freshmen. Eight sessions will be held between May and August, including two sessions for Spanish speaking families.
“NSO is the one of the first hands-on experiences our freshmen will have on campus,” said Amanda Lawson, WT assistant director of new student and transfer orientation. “The students can have their questions answered while getting to know the campus and making new friends.”
Spanish family sessions will be held June 22-23 and June 29-30.
To attend, interested students must visit wtamu.edu/nso to complete a pre-orientation information module and select a date. Up to 150 students can be accommodated at each session. Sessions are a day-and-a-half long and can either include all six of WT’s Colleges or three of the colleges at a time to offer students more flexibility in scheduling.
Upcoming NSO sessions include:
June 1-2 for Paul Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Paul and Virginia Engler College of Business and College of Engineering;
June 8-9 for Terry B. Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, Sybil B. Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities and College of Nursing and Health Sciences;
June 22-23 for Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, College Engineering and College of Nursing and Health Sciences (Spanish family session available);
June 29-30 for Engler College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, Engler College of Business, Rogers College of Education; and Harrington College of Fine Arts (Spanish family session available);
July 20-21 for all Colleges; `
Aug. 1-2 for Engler College of Business, Rogers College of Education and Social Sciences, Harrington College of Fine Arts and Humanities and College of Nursing and Health Sciences; and
Aug. 14-15 for all Colleges.
Transfer registration days for students coming to WT from another institution of higher education will be held July 20 and Nov. 3. They are optional events transfer students can take part in following completion of online orientation sessions. Online orientation sessions also are available for high school students enrolled in dual-credit courses through WT’s Pre-University Programs, and for students who wish to enroll temporarily before returning to their home institution.
As Memorial Day fast approaches, NFPA offers grilling safety tips to help reduce fires and injuries
Often considered the unofficial kick-off to summer, Memorial Day weekend is synonymous with outdoor celebrations and cookouts. With the holiday just around the corner and the warmer months upon us, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is working to ensure that people understand where potential grilling risks exist and ways to minimize them.
“Because outdoor grilling involves the use of a fuel source to generate an open flame, it inherently presents potential fire risks that needs to be taken seriously,” said Lorraine Carli, vice president of Outreach and Advocacy at NFPA.
NFPA offers a wealth of tips, recommendations, and resources for grilling safely, including these key messages:
For propane grills, check the gas tank for leaks before use in the months ahead. (Watch NFPA’s video on how to check for leaks.)
Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
Place the grill well away from the home, deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.
Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grilling area.
If you use starter fluid when charcoal grilling, only use charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire. When you have or are finished grilling, let the coals cool completely before disposing in a metal container.
Never leave your grill unattended when in use.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area community news for May 21, 2023
