Baby Girl 2: My Dad is Dope combats teen domestic violence at the Sullivan Performing Arts Center November 3rd Saturday 4:30pm and 7:00pm. Courtesy of Vanessa Jackson-Fields.
Local play writer and director Vanessa Jackson-Fields brings teen domestic violence awareness through her new play, Baby Girl 2: My Dad is Dope. New young actors and returning cast members demonstrated lesser-known warning signs and dangers of an abusive relationship at the Sullivan Performing Arts Center, 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday.
Newcomer Kiauna Smith portrays smart, outgoing, family-oriented, high-school valedictorian, college-bound Jasmine (Baby Girl) escaping from her former violent boyfriend, Marcus (Kameron Randle) a year after a relationship ended.
“It’s written around a young teenage girl that didn’t know the signs of an unhealthy relationship or a potential abuser, because usually they start off really nice, well-cut people, and you have to know the signs that they can potentially be an abuser. This show points out all the signs, especially this day and time”, said Vanessa Jackson-Fields.
The 15-year Anniversary play began with the early stages of obsession, control, and stalking in teen dating violence via today’s communication media: texting, phone calls, and emailing. “They become obsessed with you. Show up at your door when they’re not wanted, even though you told them not to. They keep you away from your family and friends and want you to be with them all the time”, said Jackson-Fields.
Domestic violence advocate and play writer, Vanessa Jackson-Fields poses in the Perot Theater, where her first play took place in 2003. Photo Credit Tiffany Brown
According to One Love Foundation and Joyful Heart Foundation, isolation is considered a domestic abuse warning sign. The family foundation also mentioned belittling, intensity, manipulation, and jealousy, which Jackson-Fields mentioned in her play. “You might think it’s because ‘Oh they just jealous’, and think it’s cute, but it’s not. Being jealous can be very dangerous. It’s like they have ownership over you. They believe you belong to them,” said Jackson-Fields.
Jackson-Fields included real-life scenarios of physical abuse, potential sexual abuse, and a horrific tragedy. “Shoving, grabbing and getting very angry. The play kind of shows a lot of that. It gets very graphic”, said Jackson-Fields.
Domestic teen violence does not discriminate against social class, race, gender, age, or family background. It can occur among upper and middle-class teenagers. “I always remember April Love. She came from a nice middle-class family. She was so smart and had a bright future. She was killed September 2005 by her boyfriend on a college campus. It was days before they found her. You never would’ve thought, she would be killed in an abusive relationship”, said Jackson-Fields.
According to The Telegraph UK writer Amanda Prowse, abuse can happen in middle-class families. In fact, middle class abuse cases are rarely reported, as seen in the teen domestic violence play. “Abuse is sweeping the country and nobody really pays attention, until someone loses their life”, said Jackson-Fields.
Jackson-Fields cast newcomers Isaiah Germany, Jashaun Wedlong, returning cast members Pastor Lamarcus Franklin, Tammie Harvey, Dr. Mary Phillips, and Connie Thompson as a supportive family, however their favorite baby girl, Jasmine found herself in a violent relationship. “This play is showing when you’re in these relationships, it not only affects you, but everybody around you”, said Jackson-Fields.
The former abuse victim turned advocate encourages teen boys and girls to speak up before it’s too late. “I hope they learn okay I know he’s doing that, but I need to get away. Run! Get away from him or her! Go to your parents or somebody you know that will support you. Do not try to handle it alone or hold back, because you can’t. If they do it one time, that’s just a warning”, said Jackson-Fields.
If you are experiencing domestic violence or know someone that’s experiencing domestic violence please speak up or link to Texarkana Domestic Violence. Or call (903)-794-4000 or visit 424 Spruce St, Texarkana, TX 75501, 8-5.
Caleb Landall takes a family photo of his wife, Tiffany, and their children Jocelyn (4), Lylah (2), Tucker (3 1/2 months). Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Williams Memorial United Methodist held their annual pumpkin patch Saturday afternoon 10/27/18. Families enjoyed the pumpkin scenery with selfies and the warm weather with their children.
According to Russell Martin, Director of Student Ministries, the church has hosted the Texarkana event for years. “The pumpkin patch has been here as long as I’ve been here and I think the last calculation is about 15 or 16 years”, said Martin.
18-month-old, Lana Navarrette poses in a pumpkin setting during Williams Memorial United Methodist’s pumpkin patch. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
The annual event opened October 8th. Family festivities included fun games, and trick or treats for the kids. “We did have a a host last week for our Pumpkin Palooza event, which is games, carnival, trunk or treat, and those types of things. Every year we try to do a movie night, but it got rained out”, said Martin.
Justin Sherman takes a family pumpkin patch of his wife, Nicole Sherman and two-year-old daughter, Harper Sherman Saturday afternoon at Williams Memorial United Methodist Church. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Latrice Walker takes a photo of her 12-year-old, Iya Hanson during Williams Memorial United Methodist’s pumpkin patch. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Families brought their children for selfies during available hours. “Typical hours during the week are 11:30 am until dark, which is about 6:30 pm or so. Tomorrow will be 11:30 am until dark as well”, said Martin.
Williams Memorial United Methodist’s pumpkin patch was free and open to the public 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at 4000 Moores Ln Texarkana, Texas.
Amber Harris announces the Golden Ticket Bingo game alert throughout Healthcare’s Sportsplex hall during Wonka Fest Saturday afternoon.
The Sportsplex by Healthcare Express hosted their Wonka Fest Saturday morning October 27th. The local gym kicked off the pre-Halloween family event and fundraiser for Nash Elementary School with a costume contest 10 a.m. and hosted family fun events until closing time at 2. The contest competition included age categories 0-3 years old and 4-12 years old.
“This is our gym and community center, so this is our Halloween Wonka Fest we are doing today in partnership with Nash Elementary School as their fundraiser for their program”, said Healthcare Express’ Chief Marketing Officer, Angela Evans.
Suki Oneal straightens arranges the ultimate Wonka bar during Wonka Fest at Healthcare’s Sportsplex.
The local gym raised donations through a family classic theme, “Willy Wonka”. “We just decided that it would be cool to have kids excited about finding golden tickets, so we hid for the whole month of October. We hid golden tickets at random stores and different places all around town for the excitement to get them to come here for the fundraiser”, said Evans.
The golden tickets were not found in chocolate bars, but throughout various games. “They were just randomly around town when they find the tickets, but you can purchase golden tickets when they’re playing Bingo. It gives you a Bingo card to where you’re able for a give-a-way for a Ninetendo Switch and we’re giving away a cabin trip, designer bag purses, and some bikes”, said Evans.
7-year-old, Kailyn Hall plays toss a soda game during the Wonka Fest Saturday afternoon 10/27.
Besides the golden ticket bingo game, free games, a photo booth, a sweet shop, and concessions were included in the Wonka Fest. According to Evans, all donations will go towards Nash Elementary. “Our goal is to raise $3,000.00 toward the school and they can use it however they need to”, said Evans.
Looking to get a jump-start on Texarkana Christmas festivities? Well, look no further! One of the more fun and creative events downtown is the Window Wonderland Contest, a chance for merchants to showcase artistic talent with the best Christmas design for shoppers and strollers.
Contestants started installing displays as early as November 1st, so stop by with the kids downtown on your Christmas lights tour. Let the kids help you decide which windows give you that warm, cozy feeling.
Contestants’ window designs need not mimic the theme, “My Favorite Christmas Memory”, as long as they fall within event guidelines, such as filling the entire window space, not using fresh flowers or inflatables, maintaining professionalism, and so on.
2017 Window Display, compliments of Jennifer Keathly at TXK Today
You can find more contest rules here. Ten windows remain available to business owner participants. This year’s prizes are worth a shot, with Best In Snow (overall best piece) receiving $750, Window Wonderland (best window design) earning $250, Holiday Fame (the crowd favorite) winning a gift basket, and Deck the Door (best door design) receiving a variety of downtown gifts from locals. But the event is really less about the prizes or the glory than about bringing families together to celebrate a season near and dear to many.
2017 Window Wonderland Contesting Window, compliments of Texarkana Gazette staff
The chance to register began on November 1st of 2018 and will continue until November 15th, when all displays must be up, or until all no more window units remain available. Judges will be able to see a display between November 15 and December 2, and will announce the winners at this year’s Christmas Parade in downtown Texarkana on the 3rd. To register, submit this application to txkdna@yahoo.com or, visit Main Street Texarkana to register online. Don’t miss out!
Attendees receive a wrist-band moments before the 7 p.m. Pen 2 Paper strategist conference at the Texarkana Convention Center. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Business strategist Bridgette Moody strategized, organized, and maximized the visions of Texarkana conference attendees during her Pen 2 Paper celebration 7 p.m. Friday night November 2. Ambitious entrepreneurs, ministry leaders, and business vendors made connections, ate great food, enjoyed live music, and grabbed their pens and paper for Moody’s instructions at the Texarkana Convention Center.
Pen 2 Paper display graphic design during conference. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
“Tonight’s event is about vision celebration. It celebrates the vision people who had a vision and walked that path. Some people wrote books, began and completed new projects. We want to celebrate those who had the tenacity and hung in there. Not only that, celebrating those advocates the country who have gotten Pen 2 Paper”, said Moody.
Before hosting Pen 2 Paper over the country, Moody began with herself and others around her. “This conference started as a result of working with ministries and finding out that people really didn’t have a clear vision, understanding their purpose. As a result of my own experience in trying to figure out the next level of my life, I began writing those things out, because there’s more in our hearts than we can see on paper”, said Moody.
Attendees shop around business vendors moment before Pen 2 Paper strategy conference Friday night. Photo Credit Tiffany Brown
In order to have a clear vision, an individual must grab the necessary tools: pen and paper. “Learn to write. Jot before you journal”, said Moody. Your vision should also be clear and detailed oriented. “Know what your vision is. It’s hard to put steps together, if you don’t know what it is. Be clear. Do you know what it is? Are you just doing something that someone else is doing? Do you have a heart for it? Without a heart or a passion, 9 out of 10 ten times, you’re ready to quit if you’re not making money. When it’s your purpose, you persevere the ups and downs, but you will keep going if that’s what you’re called to do.”
According to Moody, you do not have to be a skilled professional writer. “Everybody is not a writer. Write every thought down. If you can write every thought down, it helps you put those things together. You get everything out on the table like putting a puzzle together. You put your edges, colors, and like images until you the full picture”, said Moody.
Although business owners and ministry leaders attended the event, an individual did not need those titles to have a successful, clear vision for themselves. “It’s not just for business owners or ministry leaders, but individuals to find themselves in their life and figure out where they’re supposed to be. It helps them to not just exist, but to live”, said Moody.
Business strategist, Bridgette Moody welcomes attendees during Pen 2 Paper conference. Photo Credit: Tiffany Brown
Before vision boards became a successful trend, celebrities such as Harvey, Oprah Winfrey, Jim Carrey, Will Smith, and Arnold Schwarzennegger accomplished their written goals using this one method. “You should always keep the vision before you. Once we put it on paper, it magnify the dream, goal, and vision”, said Moody.
“Keep in mind success is not a quick process. The vision is not something that you write it today and it happens tomorrow. It’s over a period of time. You have to establish goals in the process of moving toward the vision. The vision is an expected end. Once it happens, that’s the end result”, said Moody.
The average American public high school student starts school between seven-thirty and eight in the morning, which means the student wakes up around six to six-thirty. After a seven hour school day students have jobs, clubs, sports, homework, and other extracurricular activities to attend to. High school students are missing out on the sleep they need because of late nights and early mornings. Students who participate in extracurricular activities, obtain jobs, or are overloaded with homework have a higher risk of health problems due to the amount of sleep they are losing.
In order to produce higher academic success and a more healthy educational environment, high schools should start later in the morning to let students be more alert and prepared. The American Academy of Pediatrics has recommended that high schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later to allow students the opportunity to get the recommended amount of sleep on school nights, about 8.5-9.5 hours.
Photo credits to depositphotos.com
Getting enough sleep is essential for people of all ages, but especially for high school students. The majority of schools — about 82 percent, on average — started earlier than 8:30 a.m. High school students are busy with hours of school, jobs, sports, homework, clubs, and other extracurricular activities. If school starts at seven-thirty a.m., most students are out the door between seven and seven-ten to get to school on time in all the traffic.
I would try to leave for school before seven-ten and would still be late even though I lived less than ten minutes away. Having to leave around seven means students have to wake up anywhere from six to six-thirty depending on how long it takes them to get ready. Students have to wake up even earlier if they want to make and eat a nutritious breakfast. When school starts early students are likely to skip out on breakfast.
Some early risers wake up extra early and can take time to get ready and to make and eat a nutritious breakfast. Another solution to not getting a nutritious breakfast is preparing it the night before or grabbing something right before walking out the door and eating on the way to school. There are also school breakfast programs that provide breakfast for students in the morning.
Sending sleep-deprived students to school is not productive. For many people, days just don’t seem long enough. In order to cram everything into one 24-hour period, something has to give. Judging by many surveys of Americans, it’s sleep. If students could sleep in they would be more alert during school. Later high school start times means students have the freedom to get up at a decent time and not have to rush to get ready or eat breakfast.
With jobs, homework and extracurricular activities, high school students stay up late at night to try to get all their stuff done before they go to sleep. For example, a student with a job goes straight to work after school and works a five-hour shift, but still has to eat dinner and finish all their homework before falling asleep. Having a later start time for high school means that those students who stay up late get to catch up on their sleep.
On the other hand, not every student has a job or does sports outside of school. There are some students that strictly go to school and go straight home and have plenty of time for homework. Even though the recommended amount of sleep is anywhere from seven to eight hours, some students can function properly and pay attention with less than the recommended amount because it works for their body. When people wake up without the recommended amount of sleep or wake up too early are not fully awake. Sleepy students don’t learn or perform as well as their well-rested peers. Students who do not get enough sleep have a hard time paying attention and staying awake in class. Those students that might drift off with a quick nap on their desk are usually considered lazy, but their teachers and peers do not know how busy they are at home after school.
Photo credits to depositphotos.com
If schools started later and high school students had a chance to get the correct amount of sleep then there would be fewer students falling asleep in class. During adolescence, the body goes through many changes. These include a shift in sleep needs. When students are not falling asleep in classes they pay more attention and their grades can improve. For some students, their classes are too important to fall asleep in the middle of class and miss crucial information. Those students that are in dual credit (DC) and advanced placement (AP) classes cannot afford to miss any information if they want to get the college credit hours during high school.
Pushing back the start time of school means that the end time would also have to be pushed back. This could interfere with jobs or after school activities and give students less time in the afternoon and night to get all their stuff done before falling asleep. Some high schoolers also have the responsibility of picking up a younger sibling or family member from their middle school or elementary school. If schools push back the start time of high school there is a good chance that high school would start at the same exact time as the elementary school or middle school, causing problems for drop off and pick up times. Another outside influence is parent and student schedule conflicts. Having school start early makes it easier for parents to drop off their kids at school and make it to work on time. Even though school starting early makes it easier on the parent, the school bus system, public transportation, personal cars, and carpooling can help students get to school on their own without a parent’s help.
Starting school too early forces teens to lose a large chunk of what’s known as REM — or rapid eye movement — sleep. This type of sleep helps teens (and everyone else) control their moods. But that’s not the only problem. Too little sleep also has been linked with an increased risk of obesity, depression, drug use and other problems.
Students are not getting enough sleep due to high school starting too early. Too little sleep has become so common among teens that the CDC calls it an epidemic, a widespread public-health problem. Students overloaded with homework, sports, clubs and other extracurricular are missing out on sleep. There are many benefits from pushing back the start time of high school including, catching up on sleep, paying more attention in class and health benefits.
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. Members of the National Society of Leadership and Success sign in before famous Top Chef, Carla Hall’s “Leading With Love” live-stream in Eagle Hall 6 p.m. Tuesday night.
Bravo’s Top Chef, Carla Hall leads the National Society Leadership and Success (NSLS) organization with love through a live-stream leadership conference yesterday evening October 23 at 6 p.m. in Eagle Hall. Hall’s tough, tedious experiences taught the united NSLS members the importance of following their passions, learning from failures and resilience, and leading with values and integrity within Eagle Hall’s conference room 6pm Tuesday night, October 23rd.
“If you feel frustration about something that happens to you, that frustration is about the teacher coming to you to teach you that thing. When all of those things happened to me at The Chew, it wasn’t about them, it was about getting me frustrated enough, so I could move from that”, said Hall.
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. National Society of Leadership and Success’ Founding President Philip Deuroen takes notes during famous chef Carla Hall’s live-stream.
The students took notes regarding accountability and self-diagnosis. “All this blame and not taking responsibility, you can play that game, but you’re going to delay your gifts and delay your lessons. If you are frustrated, then that’s your lesson. If you’re indifferent about what’s happening with someone else, you can just look and support them, while they’re going through it, but it’s not your lesson, it’s their lesson”, said Hall.
Upon learning Hall’s method of leadership, attending member Matthew Edwards and staff member Phillip Barnes discussed their definition of a leader. “To be a leader, be willing to listen to other ideas and not force your own ideas, be cooperative. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone and challenge yourself, said Edwards. “Communication and empathy. It’s one of the coessential roles a leader should have. It shouldn’t be just working with different people of all shapes and sizes, you should understand where people are from. At one point, you will be always that’s under someone person and a leader. It takes a person that has round-about thinking pairing to understand everyone and working together to similar goal. Empathy is the goal”, said Barnes.
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. A Carla Hall poster lies on the National Society of Leadership and Success’s sign-in table.
The famous chef coincided her personal experiences with Barnes’ statement. “When I hired people at the restaurant, I wanted to teach young people work ethic, which is why I hired older people. I want this older woman to yank this kid up and be like look dude okay. Sometimes, it’s leading by example. Other people just don’t see it. You can not be a lesser than you. Nobody wants a lesser than you. Nobody wants an earnest, overly-righteous, pointing the finger, because what you don’t realize is by doing what you do other people are watching. They will flow with you or leave you”, said Hall.
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. Members of the National Society of Leadership and Success communicate briefly before Carla Hall’s live-stream leadership conference.
She also described the importance of teamwork during her hard-core, Top Chef competitive days. “When you’re in a competition, and it seems cut-throat and everybody’s trying to win, for me it was about doing me, and being true to myself and others, and helping others. If I am running away to get er done and I see somebody fall, I’m going to go back and get that person, because you don’t win by yourself. Top Chef was that thing, it was hard and it was a little bit of bullying. I learned you just have to say no.”
Photo Credit, Tiffany Brown. Founding NSLS chapter President Philip Deureon speaks positive messages toward the National Society of Leadership and Success.
Founding NSLS chapter President Philip Derouen and Phillip Barnes believe Hall’s advice will equip the organization to become future better leaders in their organizations. “She will give our members a live-stream about leadership, women’s foundation, and teach our members leadership and how they can use that in the real world”, said Founding President, Philip Derouen. “It will be another series of various speakers that exemplifies leadership and will intern inspire the ones in the room to grow and build upon those aforementioned leadership traits they carry”, said Phillip Barnes.
Besides being active, having boundaries, and achieving your goals, Deroeun states a necessity every leader should have. “For me your mindset effects everything, so if you have a positive mindset, you can accomplish anything that you want. That’s what I want to give all my members apart of this society.
During the live-streamed, Q/A session, Hall touched similar topics regarding the right attitude. “God goes before me making smooth, easy and clears my way. No person, place or thing or outside condition can affect me. I am powerful, worthy, free, creative, unique, confident, and so it is. I say that every morning”, said Hall.
With Bowie County (Texas) and Miller County (Arkansas) combined, Texarkana is home to over 65,000 residents. The City of Texarkana, Texas has placed eleven beautiful parks, recreation and running trails throughout local neighborhoods (Tamut, Pleasant Grove ISD, Texas ISD, Liberty Eylau ISD) of Texarkana with the mission to improve the quality and life of citizens.
(TAMUT & PGISD) Bringle Lake Park East, West and Wilderness are three different areas combined in one. Bringle Lake, known for being the most popular park and having the best running trails, is found right by the A&M Texarkana
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks (7602 Bringle Lake Road Texarkana, TX 75501)
Bringle lake Wilderness Area is 144 acres of nature area. No motorized vehicles are allowed in the wilderness area and the park is of day time use only. Bringle Lake Wilderness features ten foot wide bike and running trails that lead right into Bringle Lake East at approximately two miles.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks (7500 Bringle Park Rd)
Bringle lake East is an eight acre park that sits on the east side of Bringle Lake Wilderness. The park features bike and running trails, a playground for children, picnic areas, a floating fishing pier, grills and restrooms.
Surrounded by an abundance of trees and nature, the relaxing walking trails on Bringle Lake East are designed to bring you right into the boardwalk of Bringle Lake West.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks (7602 Bringle Lake Road Texarkana, TX 75501)
The west side of the Bringle Lake is an open seven acre park offering a boat ramp, fishing piers, trails, exercise equipment, volleyball sand courts, restrooms, playgrounds and a 1500 Sq. Feet pavilion looking over Bringle lake.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks (4303 North Park Road)
Does your dog need a breath of fresh air too? There is a local park for your pet. Kylee Sullivan Dog Park has a fenced in area for them to play with other dogs their size or feel free to roam on the dog trails. The dog park can be found on North Park Road, open seven days a week.
Right beside the Kylee Sullivan Dog Park you can find Spring Lake Park, located in a central area of Texarkana.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks(4303 N. Park Road Texarkana, TX 75501)
With 145 acres, this park features a spring fed lake, concert area, playground units, rotary splash pad, 18 hole disc golf course, picnic areas, 1.75 mile trail walking throughout the park , baseball and softball diamond, fishing, and restrooms. Spring Lake is the host of “Movies in the Park” during the Spring and Fall season offering new and classic releases.
Bell Park is in the heart of “New Town”. It is a four-acre neighborhood park offering a multi purpose baseball court, four sets of playground equipment, pavilion, restrooms and picnic tables. Bell Park is commonly used for community events and family gatherings. Around the corner from Bell Park , in the Highland Park area there is a 5 acre playground nestled in a beautiful tree line historic area. Ferguson Park is found just south of College Drive and Adjacent to the Collins Senior Center.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks (2612 New Boston Road Texarkana, TX 75501)
Located on New Boston Rd. Beverly Park is a 7 acre playground park with a heavily wooded area and that features playground equipment and picnic tables. Beverly Park is perfect for your lunch time activities.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks
Right off 7th Street, home to the recreation staff services is located at 3222 West 7th Street. The South West Community Center and Park is 20,000 sq ft building featuring a gymnasium, multi-purpose room, game room and kid’s library, meeting rooms, exercise room and kitchen. The Southwest center offers weekly recreational activities such as yoga and Zumba classes, youth and adult open gym activities, senior citizen’s bingo, and pool table and games.The Center also offers seasonal programs and sports event, health fairs, summer youth programs and much more. Meeting rooms can be reserved for individual, groups, or family functions. The park area of the Southwest Center offers four lighted tennis courts, playground equipment, and a multi-purpose open space area.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks(201 Oak St. Texarkana, TX 75501)
(LE ISD) Kidtopia is a playground designed for kids by kids! Located in Downtown Texarkana, the park is the perfect place to let kids express themselves. Kidtopia features a multi purpose playground, public restrooms and don’t forget your skates for Skatetopia.
Skateopia is the newest adjacent to Kidtopia in Downtown Texarkana. Built completely from custom concrete and designed by our local skateboarding community,the Skate Park is made for users of all skill levels to enjoy.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks(201 Oak St. Texarkana, TX 75501)
Featuring ledges, stair sets, down rails and an open bowl section, the park is great for all-wheel use. At Skatetopia, operational hours differ from Park curfew and both are open for day use only.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks(410 Findley St. Texarkana, TX 75501)
Located just off of highway 59, Findley park is a 5-acre, tree-lined neighbor hood park. Featuring a basketball court, playground and multi purpose recreational area.
Scott Joplin Park is a beautiful wooded area and a great place to cool off on a hot summer day.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks(1621 W. St. Texarkana, TX 75501)
This 7 acre park features various play equipment, public restrooms, a pedestrian walking bridge and a 1260 Sq. Feet pavilion perfect for picnics, family gatherings and community social events.
The park is located at 1621 West Street, just off of State Highway 59 in South Texarkana.
Image Courtesy of Texarkana, Texas Parks
Karrh Park is a 33-acre gem surrounded by wooded areas and a quiet neighborhood. Karrh Park features four softball fields and is the home to the Girls Softball Association where leagues and tournaments are in full swing from the month of March to October.The park provides a serene picnic area with a small pond for recreational fishing,(1656 Sq. Feet) pavilion, playground equipment and public restrooms. Located at 2102 South Ann Street (just off of State Highway 59 South)
Located at 3419 Leopard Drive in the Liberty-Eylau area of Texarkana, Grady T. Wallace Park features 5 softball fields, 12 soccer fields and is the home to the Texarkana United Soccer Association with children and adult leagues in the Spring and Fall. Wallace Park offers active recreational space covering over 70 acres.
Featuring playground units, a walking/jogging trail around the 5-acre lake, a basketball court, two pavilions (2400 Sq. Feet) for social gatherings and public restrooms.
Are those Hollywood horror films just not doing it for you? Do you need more of an adrenaline rush this Halloween season? Watch your local news station talk about influenza. That’ll get you what you need.
October has been particularly terrifying this year, and not because of a ghoul next door. Recent news updates featuring those stricken by the infections fatal blow have caused some concern about this year’s seasonal flu. The latest in these stories is North Carolina’s Mrs. Scarlett VanStory Levinson, a 29-year-old lawyer who died October 2nd due to what authorities are calling flu complications. According to ABC News, the young woman suffered a flu related heart attack that lead to her death. Articles such as this often cause uproar in communities, leading to an influx of precautionary measures. In response to this, many will turn to the flu shot without question. But just how helpful will the flu shot be in keeping you happy and healthy this year?
The CDC has assured us that all vaccines this season will protect against four different types of the influenza virus, and they recommend getting one before the virus spreads in your community. While flu season starts on the first of October, the State of Texas has reported low numbers for cases thus far and say that the majority of cases in 2017 did not occur until January. Arkansas has reported very similar findings.
Compliments of qimono on Pixabay
Statistics aside, what this really comes down to is your preference. The CDC can never be 100% sure of which virus will spread, how it will spread, or what effects it will have. They have laboratories who work to make educated guesses about what strains to protect against seasonally, but they aren’t promising anything specific.
The effectiveness of the shot also varies by season, and is affected by your age and health. Different vaccines are appropriate for different ages and each person is going to react differently. If you have poor health or a damaged immune system, getting the shot might be more meaningful to you. There is always a chance that the shot has absolutely no benefit at all. Getting the flu shot might have just as much benefit to you as not getting it, but it might have more. There’s no definitive way of knowing.
In terms of the dangers of the flu vaccine, there aren’t many. The CDC says that in no way can the flu vaccine cause the flu. Severe allergic reaction is possible if the receiver has an egg allergy, fever can occur, and there have been 1 or 2 cases per 1 million vaccinated people of Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a disorder “…in which a person’s own immune system damages their nerve cells.” Though it is unclear what the direct cause is, this disease is one that people generally recover from, though the thought is scary. Between 3,000 and 6,000 people get it yearly (with and without vaccination) in the United States and very few die from it. Adults 50 and older, and those ever diagnosed with theCampylobacter jejuni bacterium or other infections, are the most susceptible.
So, should you get the flu shot? It is entirely your call. Whatever you feel like is best for you, your family, and those around you is your answer. Do your own research, and make your own educated decision. At the end of the day, it is your body. Just don’t be upset if everyone at the office Christmas party blames you for their ailment! It’s human nature.
Thomas Jefferson’s largest and well-known plantation, Monticello Jefferson in Charlottesville, VA. He promoted freedom and equality for all in The Declaration of Independence, yet enslaved 600 African-Americans. Photo Credit of The African American Museum of Dallas.
As the author of The Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson promoted freedom and equality for all individuals. While describing slavery as an abominable crime, the third president owned over 600 slaves.
“That’s what’s most important about this exhibition. Thomas Jefferson enslaved throughout his eighty-three year life. That means he had more than one plantation. Monticello, which is the most famous and the largest, was not just the home to him and his white family, but to black families as well. In fact, there were more black people in Monticello than there were white people”, said Gayle Jessup White, Jefferson’s descendant, and Monticello Community Engagement Officer.
The African American Museum of Dallas presents The Slavery at Monticello: Paradox of Liberty September 22-December 31, 2018. Photo Credit: The African American Museum of Dallas
The African-American Museum of Dallas will be the first to host the updated exhibition regarding the forgotten slaves at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello plantation. As the heart of The Slavery at Jefferson’s Monticello: Paradox of Liberty exhibition, their lives will be displayed through additional items and highlights September 22-December 31, 2018.
“We focus on the enslaved people that are part of this exhibit. It’s opening in Dallas. It’s the first time the exhibition has toured since 2015. This is as far west as the exhibition has ever been”, said White.
The exhibit will include digital attributes, such as the Picture Mulberry Row recreation, Slavery at Monticello App, and many more.
“It features 300 artifacts and different articles representing not the life of Thomas Jefferson, but the lives of the people he enslaved”, said White.
Gayle Jessup White, a descendant of Jefferson and Hemings speaks about the importance of the updated exhibition. Photo Credit: The African American Museum of Dallas
White, along with The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and The Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello made sure the enslaved individuals and their contributions were no longer unheard. “It’s the enslaved people that saved that place. They did all the work and it was a 5,000 acre plantation, so figure how much work that it took. They built the building that is now a house museum, where some point of 50,000 people visit”, said White.
With proper respect, White desires the audience to remember the Monticello slaves, instead of forgetting them. “My hope is always that the audience hears the voices of the past, voices that were forgotten, voices that people thought were dismissed, because the enslaved were not considered important”, she said.
Historical figures, such as civil-rights activist William Monroe Trotter will be mentioned during the exhibition. “He was an American hero, but forgotten. He was a co-writer of W.E.B Dubois and a challenger of Booker T. Washington. He was the founder of the Niagra Movement and the newspaper, Boston Guardian. A forgotten American hero, but he was a member of Monticello’s family descendants. He’s probably the most prominent of Monticello’s descendants”, said White.
White remembers Trotter’s unstoppable activism for African-American freedom and equality. “He was most notable for challenging President Woodrow Wilson’s position on Jim Crow and the African-American mistreatment. William Monroe Trotter went to the White House twice challenging Woodrow Wilson. In addition to that, he led a campaign against a racist film called, “Birth of A Nation”, so that it would be shot in Boston where he lived”, she said.
Another forgotten historical figure and ancestor of White is Peter Hemings. “Peter was my great, great, great-grandfather. He was a cook for twelve years at Monticello, then he became a brewer at Monticello, described as very intelligent by Thomas Jefferson”.
According to White, Peter was a trained cook and brewer by a special individual. “He was a brewer at Monticello trained by his brother, James Hemings an exchanged deal made by Thomas Jefferson. One brother was to be free after he taught the other brother cooking. The other brother, my ancestor remained a slave for another twenty-five years. Imagine what it must have been like for the two of them. That’s the story of working together, so that one member of the family could be free”, said White.
The exhibition will include a special feature selection of a Monticello enslaved woman named, Sally Hemings. The newly featured selection is an additional piece seen outside Monticello. Photo Credit: The African American Museum of Dallas
The exhibition will feature a special section regarding a Monticello enslaved woman known as White’s three-times great-aunt, Sally Hemings. “Sally Hemings came on the scene publicly in 1803. This article written by James Callendar. It was a news piece that was printed in the Richmond newspaper. It had accused Jefferson of keeping a slave woman as a mistress and her name was Sally”, said White.
As the hidden affair became a public scandal, so was Sally. The Jefferson family denied the allegations, including the six children Sally bored him. “Jefferson never actually addressed it. Never came out and said no it’s not true. His daughter and grandchildren denied it. They said yes there was a slave woman named Sally and yes she had children from one of two Jefferson’s nephews, not Thomas Jefferson”, said White.
Sally’s remained a scandalous name, until her light was shed. “Throughout decades, Sally Hemings was seen as a scandal in the life of a great man. Many people did not accept that she was his concubine. However, there was evidence that she was”, said White.
With proper research, evidence, and previous testimonials from their son, Madison Hemings, Jefferson’s affair with Hemings was indeed true. “There’s circumstanstial evidence that documents that Thomas Jefferson kept his notes, farm book. Every time Sally gave birth it was nine months after he’d been to Monticello from Washington where he was President. It’s an indication, especially the testimonials that everything was true. In addition to that, ten people that Thomas Jefferson freed that were allowed to walk away from that plantation, four were children of Sally Hemings”, said White.
Despite a hidden affair, Sally Hemings is known as an influential historical figure throughout the Monticello exhibition. “At Monticello, what we wanted to make her totally dimensional. We didn’t want to paint this picture of a scandal and rob her from her humanity. We sought to give Sally back her humanity and help our audience realize that she was a daughter, a mother, a world traveler, and ultimately a liberator, because she liberated her children. It was her ability to negotiate with one of the country’s most influential men the freedom of her children. Out of 600 people he enslaved, ten were free. Four of them were her children”, said White.
White’s final words described her three-times great aunt’s intelligence and strengths during her enslavement. “She was different than most enslaved woman. Her children were free. She negotiated their freedom. That means that her children would’ve been freed in 1826 almost forty years before the Emancipation Proclamation”, said White.
With digital contributions, 300 works of art, and additional features, the exhibtion will feature a film of descendants of the Monticello slaves sharing ancestrial stories. “Our Getting Word is history project, which is a collection of world histories about the descendants of the enslaved”, said White.
All visitors are welcomed to view the following film along with additional features about the hidden American story. “This is an American story. This is a story for everyone to learn about. Yes, the focus is on the slaved people, black people, or American people, but it’s a subject that I hope in my heart everyone cares about. We are all one people. We are all Americans”, said White.
Thomas Jefferson’ Monticello Plantation’s Aerial West Front and South Wing. Photo Credit: The African American Museum of Dallas
As an unapologetically African-American woman, White gives credit to her ancestors and the Monticello slaves as the backbone of America. “They were not considered part of the American family. In fact, our African-American ancestors were essential to the American families. Without the enslaved people, America would not have become the industrial power house that it did, because it was built on the backs of the enslaved people of free labor. If people get anything, I would like it to be that message that black people built the country from the very beginning. We are part and I say we, because I am a proud African-American, we are part of the American fabric”, she said.
All ages are welcomed and tickets can be purchased, click here.
The exhibition will take place September 22-December 31, 2018 at the African American Museum of Dallas at Fair Park 3536 Grand Avenue Dallas, TX 75210.
For additional information regarding the exhibition’s time and holiday schedule, click here.
For more research and information about the Monticello slaves, click here.
To visit the Monticello plantation in Charlottesville, Virginia click here.
