This week's community news includes Garden Walk, kids' classes

1st annual Behavioral Health Community Block Party 2023 set for Sept. 30

The public is invited to the 1st Annual Behavioral Health Community Block Party event Saturday, Sept. 30, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Amarillo VA Medical Center and Amarillo College West Campus.

This event is being presented by the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention, Amarillo VA Health Care System, Amarillo College, Northwest Texas Healthcare System Behavioral Health, and Andrea’s Project. The purpose of this event is to bring the community together and celebrate life in honor of Suicide Prevention Month and Mental Health Awareness.

Come enjoy a time of fun and celebration as a community! The day will kick off at 8 a.m. with a special Flag Raising Ceremony sponsored by Northwest Texas Healthcare System Behavioral Health at the Amarillo VA Medical Center followed by a Memorial Mile Walk/Run around the medical center and a car and motorcycle show.

The Amarillo College campus will have live music from Lindsey Lane and Touching Voodoo, food trucks, family fun, resource fair, pet parade, and more. There will be a special presentation by Dr. Traci Rogers on Human Trafficking at 10 a.m. at the Amarillo College Lecture Hall.

Visit https://www.va.gov/amarillo-health-care/events/60049/ for the event itinerary and for more information.If you or someone you know is in crisis, please call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat with a qualified professional at 988lifeline.org for 24/7 confidential crisis support or visit veteranscrisisline.net for Veteran specific support.

Discovery Center offers Labor Day Camp for young explorers to continue learning on day off

The Don Harrington Discovery Center is offering a Labor Day Camp from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for children ages 3 through 4th grade to enjoy a day of learning new science topics. Campers will learn on their level with a science based curriculum and qualified teachers. The Discovery Center encourages caregivers to sign their young explorers up to let them step away from the screens and explore all they have to offer with exhibits that encourage electrifying interactions that will have children thrilled to talk about what they’ve learned.

Labor Day Camp will include amazing demos, epic experiments, explorer-approved creations to take home and hands-on learning with qualified educators.

Spots are limited, and registration is now open at DHDC.org. Cost is $40 for members for K-4th grade, or $50 for nonmembers, or $20 for members / $25 for nonmembers for a half-day for Pre-K. Pre-care and after-care options are available for $10.

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

Potter GOP County Chairman Dan Rogers Declares Candidacy for Texas House, District 87

This week Chairman Daniel L. Rogers, Potter County GOP Chairman, announced his candidacy for the Texas House of Representatives District 87. Rogers aims to effect positive change and serve his fellow Texans on a broader platform, a news release said.

"I'm launching my campaign for House District 87," said Rogers. "My time as Potter County GOP Chairman showed me the impact we can have. After hearing calls urging me to consider the opportunity to run, I realized the need for solid Conservatives untied to special interests in the Texas House of Representatives. I’m committed to leading by example, growing the party, engaging voters, and advancing conservative ideas that benefit all."

Rogers said he plans to bring citizens' voices to Austin, solving issues from a citizen's standpoint rather than a special interest view. His grassroots campaign will empower voters through engagement, education, and advocacy. Rogers said he is a devoted family man and owns several businesses, from real estate and cattle to utilities. Rogers' announcement comes after he announced he would not seek re-election as Chairman of the Potter County Republican Party.

BSA Hospice continues to support area residents in multiple ways

BSA Hospice of the Southwest continues its mission to support those in our community struggling with the death of a loved one through a variety of ways, including in-person and online support groups, along with special community events.

“We understand that everyone goes through difficult times in their lives, and it can be hard to reach out for help,” said Alyssa Jenkins, LMSW, Bereavement Coordinator in a news release. “Our classes and community events are designed to provide a warm and welcoming environment where people can connect with others who are going through similar experiences and find comfort and understanding.”

BSA Hospice of the Southwest is currently offering its Life After Loss grief support group both in-person and online, providing a flexible and accessible way for anyone to receive the support they need. The online groups meet every Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m., and the in-person groups meet every Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at 5211 SW 9th for six consecutive weeks. These groups are free and open to the public, and registration is required.

In addition to the Life After Loss groups, BSA Hospice of the Southwest is hosting its annual Garden Walk this Sunday, Aug. 20, at the Amarillo Botanical Gardens. The Garden Walk is designed to provide attendees with a way to process their grief while enjoying the healing power of nature. The event is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. and is free and open to any adult grieving a loss. No registration is required.

All of the Life After Loss classes are free, but registration is required. Those interested are asked to call Alyssa Jenkins at 806-356-0026.

AMoA announces 2023 Fall Museum School

The Amarillo Museum of Art will be hosting Fall Museum School, which consists of 10 weeks of classes that encourage students to look, ask questions and consider a variety of methods and materials used in the making of art.

Led by trained museum educators, AMoA’s Museum School classes offer in-depth art experiences that teach kids how to look at, talk about, and create art. Young artists learn techniques in drawing, painting, clay and other media as they explore various artistic themes.

The sessions will be held at the museum, located at 2200 S. Van Buren St. Classes run Sept. 12 through Nov. 16, from 4 to 5:15 p.m. Cost is $112.50 for members, or $125 for nonmembers. Registration can be made online at amoa.org.

Sessions include (Tuesday) Multimedia Modern Masters (ages 6-9) and Clay (ages 8-11), (Wednesday) Art Adventure (ages 4-5) and Clay (ages 6-9) and (Thursday) Painting and Drawing (ages 8-11).

In Art Adventure, children will learn about color, shape, texture, and line through painting, drawing, collage andmixed media techniques. In Clay, the fun creative class introduces children to the endless possibilities of clay. Students will create their own unique ceramic pieces using innovative, yet simple techniques such as hand building, glazing, and surface texture decoration.

In the popular Drawing and Painting class, students will explore the elements of art such as color, pattern, line, shape, light and shadow, while learning a variety of drawing and painting techniques. For Multimedia Modern Masters, the class will explore key artists and movements in the history of Modern Art through creating mixed media works of art inspired by the modern masters.

Saturday Studios will be held for ages 6-11 and 12-15, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.; cost is $25 per child. Sessions include:

• 9/23 – Post-Minimalist Play Inspired by Richard Tuttle (ages 6-11) An introduction into the brilliant and playful art of Richard Tuttle. Discover how ordinary materials can be transformed into subtle beauty by making art works inspired by the prominent Post-Minimalist.

• 10/21 – Glam Pop Hand Painted Tote Bags (ages 6-11) Drawing inspiration from artists that have crossed over into the world of fashion, students will create colorful and vivid hand painted tote bags.

• 11/18 – Focus on Folk Art (ages 6-11) Find out which one of our favorite folk art artists we will discover and make inspired works from. Students will broaden their ideas of who can be an artist and have fun in the process.

• 12/9 – DIY / LO-FI Xerox Band Posters (ages 12-15) Want to start a band? Come up with a band name and learn how to make collaged Xerox posters to promote your band’s next show. A class for older kids to brainstorm unique marketing ideas and learn DIY graphic design techniques.

The Amarillo Museum of Art is located on the Washington Street campus of Amarillo College. Museum hours are Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m-5 p.m and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. For additional information, visit www.amoa.org, email amoa@actx.edu, or call (806) 371-5050 or (806) 371-5392 (weekends).

Texas A&M System Regents approve tuition freeze, capital plan, space institute

BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION — The regents of The Texas A&M University System approved Wednesday a freeze on tuition and fees for undergraduate Texas residents in the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 academic years, while also authorizing a $4.8 billion capital plan for the next five years.

The System is able to provide the support due to the unprecedented revenue surplus at the state level Texas, and the members of Texas Legislature offered additional funding as part of the State of Texas’ Higher Education Affordability initiative, a news release states.

“Providing an excellent and affordable education always has been a priority for us, and I am so pleased that our regents and state lawmakers could provide this tuition freeze to our students,” John Sharp, Chancellor of the Texas A&M University System, said. “I hope this move can give some reassurance and relief to Texas A&M’s students and their families.”

Also Thursday, the regents approved billions for construction for projects at every System entity. The $4.8 billion system capital plan includes $3.2 billion of previously approved projects that are either in design or construction. The plan also includes $1.6 billion in proposed future projects across the Systems 11 universities and eight state agencies. The projects include the creation of the Texas A&M Space Institute and the construction a Texas A&M facility next to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

The board’s action follows a $350 million investment from the Texas Legislature. Earlier this year, State Rep. Greg Bonnen, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, authored House Bill 3447 to create the Texas Space Commission, the Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund and the Texas Aerospace Research and Space Economy Consortium. The measure also allocates $200 million to Texas A&M for construction of the facility at the Johnson Space Center.

2023-2024 year for Texas 4-H begins Sept. 1; early enrollment started Aug. 15

The 2023-2024 Texas 4-H year officially kicks off Sept. 1, and early enrollment began Aug. 15; 4-H is a national youth development organization for youth ages 8 to 18 in grades 3-12. All youth can join Texas 4-H for $25 each and select one or more projects to participate in from categories ranging from agriculture and livestock, family and community health, leadership and citizenship to natural resources and STEM.

Many Texas counties will hold open houses and kickoff events welcoming prospective youth and family members interested in learning more about 4-H. More information about Texas 4-H can be found at https://texas4-h.tamu.edu and on AgriLife Extension county websites listed at https://agrilifeextension.tamu.edu/counties/.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Amarillo area Our Town briefs for Aug. 20, 2023