Community news includes DHDC events, Dalhart, Borger updates, immunizations

Discovery Center brings Pantex Plant chemical engineer for Girls Who Science program

For their Girls Who Science program happening Monday, Aug. 7 at 4:45 p.m., the Don Harrington Discovery Center is bringing in Amanda Morgan, a chemical engineer and Senior Manager over the synthesis and formulation operations at the Pantex Plant.

Morgan has been recognized by the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce as a member of the 2022 Top 20 Under 40, and has received multiple Defense Program Awards of Excellence. "I strive every day to give my best and accomplish the job safely, securely, and with a high level of quality," Morgan said in a blog post published by Pantex. "I always tell everyone that works for me that product delivery on time doesn't count if we didn't present our best effort or compromised safety, security, and quality. It is always worth the extra check to make sure you are giving your best work to the next level."

The Girls Who Science program is free to young women ages 10-18 and is at 4:45 p.m. the first Monday of every month. Esteemed women professionals in the STEM industry are brought in for conversations, a presentation, and Q&A's with young women aspiring to go into STEM. After the presentation from the guest speaker, the Discovery Center will also provide an activity related to their field of study and a snack for participants during a break in the program.

Follow The Discovery Center on Facebook and Instagram for more information on their community programs. Information can be found on their website as well.

Discovery Center brings back Parents’ Night Out before school starts

From 5:30 to 9:30 pm on Aug. 11, DHDC’s Camp Discovery Staff is offering a chance for children ages 4-11 years old to learn something new at the Discovery Center while their parents enjoy a night out.

Caregivers are encouraged to register soon as spots are limited, and can do so at DHDC.org.

Parents’ Night Out evening camp will include:

• Wienerschnitzel (dinner) included for registered participants.

• Electrifying Demos

• Epic Experiments

• Exhibit Exploration

• Hands-on learning with qualified educators

Cost for members is $25 for first child and $20/per for additional children, and for non-members is $30 for first child and $25/per for additional children.

Follow The Discovery Center on Facebook, Instagram, and DHDC.org for more information ontheir community programs amd upcoming day camps.

Amarillo youth attend All American Games

Gov. Abbott announces Dalhart Music Friendly Texas Community Workshop

Gov. Greg Abbott announced the Texas Music Office (TMO) and the City of Dalhart will co-host a Music Friendly Texas Community workshop on Wednesday, Aug. 9.

The workshop takes place at 6 p.m. at Dalhart City Hall, located at 205 Rock Island Ave.

"Music is key to the Texas brand and to our local economies,” Abbott said in a news release. "I thank the Texas Music Office for helping communities large and small develop creative partnerships and grow new jobs. Working alongside local leaders like those in the City of Dalhart, we can ensure Texas communities have the tools needed to succeed."

TMO Community Relations and Outreach Specialist Chip Adams will be in attendance to explain the Music Friendly Texas Community designation and the benefits of becoming certified and answer any questions.

Participation in TMO’s Music Friendly Texas program, the first in the nation since introduced by TMO in 2016, provides Texas communities with a network for fostering music industry development and sends a clear message to industry professionals that certified communities are serious about attracting and developing music industry growth. The Dalhart workshop is the first step in the certification process. When completed, Dalhart will join 42 other Texas cities that have earned the Music Friendly Texas designation.

Musicians, venues, and the general public are welcome to attend in person or online. To join virtually, visit: https://bit.ly/TMO_Dalhart

Gov. Abbott announces Film Friendly Texas Designation for the city of Borger

On Aug. 1, Gov. Greg Abbott announced that the City of Borger, having completed the multi-step training and certification process, has been designated as a Film Friendly Texas Community by the Texas Film Commission.

“I congratulate the City of Borger on earning the Film Friendly Texas designation and joining more than 175 other Texas communities that have received this recognition,” said Governor Abbott. “Texas is brimming with promise, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside all of our communities to ensure they have the knowledge and tools needed to succeed. Through the Film Friendly Texas training and certification process, communities large and small are prepared to help match local businesses with production-related needs, creating jobs for Texas-based crew members and local residents, as well as spurring on-site spending at local businesses. I thank the Texas Film Commission for helping communities like Borger market their unique appeal and support local job creation through media production.”

“I’m happy to congratulate the City of Borger for their efforts in being added to the long list of Film Friendly Texas cities in Senate District 31,” said Senator Kevin Sparks. “The Film Friendly Texas designation for Borger guarantees the work will be done in a way that respects both the residents of the city and media professionals as they work together to continue making the Texas Panhandle a destination for filming across the globe.”

“By obtaining a Film Friendly Texas designation for our city, we’re inviting the magic of storytelling to dance with our landscape, our community, and our culture,” said Borger Mayor Karen Felker. “As we embrace the spirit of the Film Friendly Texas designation, we unlock the door to a plethora of sights and stories. Our city becomes a canvas for creativity, where imagination knows no bounds. We are beyond excited!”

The City of Borger joins more than 175 Film Friendly Texas Communities from across the state that receive ongoing training and guidance from the Texas Film Commission on media industry standards, best practices, and how to effectively accommodate on-location filming activity in their community.

To explore all that Film Friendly Texas Communities offer, visit: gov.texas.gov/film/page/fftx_overview . For cast, crew, and digital media job opportunities in Texas, visit: gov.texas.gov/film/hotline .

Women GED classes now enrolling at the Center for Advancement

The Lucille and Leo Caiafa Jr., Center for Advancement has partnered with Amarillo College to offer free GED classes for women at its facility, located at 2308 SW 7th St. in Amarillo TX.

Enrollment and pre-assessment testing begins Monday, Aug. 7 and continues through Thursday, Aug. 17. They will have instructors from Amarillo College teaching classes on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, 9-11:30 a.m., or Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Fall 1 Session begins Aug. 22.

All instruction, workbooks and testing are provided free. "We are excited to offer a safe and supportive environment for women to achieve their goal of obtaining their GED," a news release says. "Offering her a gateway to achieving a better life, the ability to earn more income, and move forward in furthering her education or learning a trade."

Contact Kim Lester at 806-358-7803 for more information or to make an appointment to enroll. For more information about Sharing Hope Ministry, visit their website at www.sharinghopeministry.org/center-for-advancement .

City health dept. encourages back-to-school immunizations

As the summer winds down, Amarillo Public Health is teaming up with local back-to school events to offer low-cost immunizations for children on Medicaid or without insurance.

Immunizations play a crucial role in protecting children, teachers and the community, ensuring a safe and successful return to classrooms for the upcoming academic year," a news release says. "Amarillo Public Health encourages parents and guardians to visit the nearest vaccination site to get their children the required school immunizations, as well as the recommended Covid vaccine."

Low-cost immunizations are also available at Amarillo Public Health, located at 850 Martin Road. Certain qualifications apply, and parents need to bring a current copy of each child’s immunization record.

Low-cost immunizations available at upcoming back-to-school events include:

• Noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6, at the Barrio Back to School Bash at El Alamo Park, 1621 S. Houston St.

• 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 11, at the Hamlet Back to School Night at Hamlet Elementary School, 705 Sycamore Ave.

• 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 12, at Hillside Shoes 4 School at Hillside Christian Church – Amarillo North Grand Campus, 3508 NE 24th Ave.

• 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 13, at Mary Lou Hazelrigg’s 6th Annual Braids and Fades at Bones Hooks Park, 1000 NW 20th

• 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 14, at Fannin Middle School, 4627 S. Rusk St.

Individuals who are insured can get immunizations at a doctor’s office before school starts.

The free Covid vaccine is available at Amarillo Public Health and Amarillo Public Health mobile clinics with no appointment needed. This vaccine restores protection that may have decreased over time.

Upcoming mobile vaccine clinics include:

• Noon to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6, at Ama-Con at the Amarillo Civic Center, 401 S. Buchanan St.

• 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 6, at the Amarillo Refugee Super Cup at Caprock High School, 3001 SE 34th Ave.

• 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 11, at the Legal Aid Information Event at the Central Church of Christ, 1401 S. Madison St.

• 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 24, at the Prenatal Expo, 1601 S. Cleveland St.

• 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 25, at Cultivating Connections at Northwest Texas Healthcare System Behavioral Health, 1501 Coulter St.

• Noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 26, at the Mount of Blessings Health Fair, 1600 N. Bivins St.

For any questions about back-to-school immunizations, contact Amarillo Public Health at 806-378-6300.

WT Alumni Association to host meet & greet for new Panhandle-area students, alums

CANYON — Incoming West Texas A&M University freshmen from the top of Texas can meet Buff alumni at an upcoming event in Pampa. The WT Alumni Association will host its Senior Sendoff from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 10 at The Coffee Shop, 220 N. Cuyler St. in Pampa.

Incoming WT students are invited from Pampa and Borger, as well as any other small Panhandle towns in the immediate area. Incoming freshmen will learn about Buff Branding, the welcome-to-campus weekend set for Aug. 17 to 19.

Classes begin Aug. 21.

To register, call 806-651-2311.

Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health to host Lunch & Learn on overcoming adversity

The Laura W. Bush Institute for Women’s Health at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (TTUHSC) will host, “Out of This World Adversity Brought Back to Earth with Faith and Logic.”

The event will feature a presentation from Evelyn Husband Thompson, author of “High Calling: The Courageous Life and Faith of Space Shuttle Columbia Commander Rick Husband.” In 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart before its scheduled return to Earth, killing all seven astronauts on board, including Husband.

The event takes place from noon to 1 p.m. Aug. 16 in the Amarillo National Bank Skyline Room, located at 410 S. Taylor St. Admission is free, but space is limited. Registration is required for attendance. To RSVP, email angela.knapp@ttuhsc.edu or call (806) 414-9941. Lunch and door prizes will be provided.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area Our Town briefs for Aug. 6, 2023