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PageNORTH CHANNEL STAR2WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015COMMUNITY NEWS Highlands Jr School students tourchemical plant, learn about jobsStudents from Highlands Junior School spenta day at Chevron PhillipsChemical’s Baytown facility to learn about jobs inthe petrochemical industry. The students are partof the “Young DreamChangers” program focused on teaching youngmen positive behavior andcharacter traits throughmentoring and educationactivities.The visit to ChevronPhillips Chemical included an overview of the petrochemical industry andthe types of jobs that exist in a plant. Operatorsfrom the Baytown facilitymet with the students anddiscussed obstacles theyfaced as young men andhow they overcame themto be successful.Laramie Valverde, anoperator at Chevron Phillips Chemical in Baytown,said mentoring is a greatway to expose students toa career field they may nothave considered before.“When I was in middleschool I didn’t think tomyself that one day Iwould grow up to be aplant operator. I wasn’tsure what I wanted to doafter school and didn’t really have an adult in mylife to help guide me. I wasfortunate to have afriend’s father suggestplant work,” Valverdesaid.Valverde has been anoperator for 11 years andnow volunteers his timementoring students inmiddle school, high school,and at Lee College.“Once I started on thispath I haven’t lookedback. I have a great jobthat supports my familyCOMMUNITYCALENDARQuilt Guild meetingThe Crosby Quilt Guild meets the Second Monday ofevery month. Location is 5202 1st street behind the Brethren Church in Crosby in the gym. Social time is at 6:30PMand the meeting starts at 7:00PM. Everyone is welcometo visit us and enjoy our speaker and show and tell. Forinformation call/text Mary Jo Terrell at 832-259-3410.Crosby ISD Athletic programFundraiserThe CISD Athletic Program and Scholarship Fund areholding a fundraiser dinner on Sat. Aug. 15 at the CrosbyFair & Rodeo Fairgrounds. Serving BBQ, bounce house forkids, music, and fun outdoor activities and competitions.Proceeds benefit a scholarship and funds for the athleticprogram. 10 per plate and d onations accepted.Students participating in the Highlands Junior School summer program “Young DreamChangers” met operators working at Chevron Phillips Chemical’s plant in Baytown to learnabout career paths in the petrochemical industry.and allows me to have thelife I wanted,” Valverdesaid.Many of the careers atChevron Phillips Chemicalrequire a two-year degreein process technology, instrumentation technology,or electrical technology.GCCISD students enrolledin a dual-credit programcan earn their Associatedegree from Lee Collegewhile still in high school.Chevron Phillips Chemicalalso provides scholarshipsto dual-credit studentsfunding 100% of tuitionand book costs.“Not everyone is meantto go to a four-year university after high school. Andthat’s OK. There is a highdemand for workers in thechemical industry whohave a two-year degree,and if someone can earnthat while still in highschool that’s even better,”said Heather Betancourth,community relations representative for ChevronPhillips Chemical in Baytown.According to the tradeorganization AmericanFuel & PetrochemicalManufacturers (AFPM),the average salary for process operators is 62,234per year or 28.96 perhour. The average salaryfor a welder is 56,904 peryear or 27.36 per hour.Pipefitters, millwrights,scaffold builders, and instrumentation/electricaltechnicians are also inhigh demand. Due to expansion projects occurringat Chevron Phillips Chemical and the increase of retiring employees, thecompany expects to hiremore than 2,600 new employees in the next sixyears. The number of people needed to build the expansion projects isapproximately 10,000.“Our goal is to educatepeople that these jobs exist, they pay extremelywell, and we prefer to hirewithin the local community,” said Betancourth.Twenty kids from Highlands Junior School makeup the “Young DreamChangers” program andwere selected based on behavioral needs. This is thefirst year the program hasexisted and was providedby Communities in SchoolsBaytown. At each event,there is an underlying goalto teach the kids while stilltrying to make it enjoyable. Volunteers are also apart of the program andserve as role models to theboys.May Community CentereventsCraft Class: Thursday, August 6 at 10 a.m.Project: Pumpkin Topper for welcome post (made inprevious class) A 5 suggested donation defrays the cost ofsupplies for this craft class.Thursday, August 13 at 10 a.m. Project: Door WreathBelow is the supply list for this staff led class. You willbe required to purchase these supplies to bring to class.-Lime green 24” work wreath (color optional)-21” Cream/white two tone deco poly mesh-8” Striped sheer fabric (moss brown cream)-4” Natural jute mesh ribbon-1.5” Light blue denim ribbon-1.5” Orange paisley mod ribbon-Roll of wired orange jute roping-13” Wooden pumpkin, wooden initial or owl (your choice)Thursday, August 20 at 10 a.m. Project: Sunflower Mason Jar. A 5 suggested donation defrays the cost of supplies for this craft class.Thursday, August 27 at 10 a.m. Project: Scarecrow Decor. A 6 suggested donation defrays the cost of suppliesfor this craft class.Call or stop by the Center to sign up for these cute crafts!May Community Center is located at 2100 Wolf Road,Huffman 77336. For more information regarding classesor other Center programs please call (713) 274-2434.Crosby CCC programsKickboxing with Angelique: Mondays at 6 p.m.Exercise with experienced fitness instructor Angelique Pool to achieve a toned body.Crosby Community Center is located at 409 HareRoad, Crosby 77532. For more information regardingclasses or other Center programs, please call (281) 4620543.Turner Chevrolet’s Back 2 SchoolBackpack and School Supply DriveThe Dealership will match what the public gives.Please bring gently used or new backpacks andschool supplies(please no rolling backpacks)to 21001 Crosby Frwy. (Turner Chevrolet)between now and August 20.281-328-5869Several retail stores are selling prepackaged school supplies.Any school supply contribution helps.School supplies needed include:4 oz. Elmer’s Glue, 5 in. Fiskar’s blunt tip sissors, #2 Ticonderoga pencils, latex free, med.pink pearl eraser, 16 ct. Crayola Crayons, 24 ct. Crayola Crayons, 85 ct. Kleenex facialtissue, Blue Expo low odor chisel tip dry erase markers, yellow plastic 2 pocket folder w/brads, Green plastic 2 pocket folder w/brads, purple 2 pocket folder with brads, Small Elmer’sglue sticks, 12X18 Manila paper 50 ct., wide rule black marble composition book 100 pg.,Manila 1/3 cut letter size folders, plastic school box 8.5 x 5.75x2.5 plastic school box, 4Expo Black Dry Erase Markers,1 pair of headphones/earbuds, 1 package of manila construction paper, 1 package colored construction paperHome Health CareSkilled Nursing, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy,Speech Therapy, Medical Social Worker, Home Health Aide*Physical Therapy Position Available*MARIA S. SORIANO*Store ManagerMoney14405 FM 2100 Suite KCrosby, TX. 77532281-328-6736THE CHOICE IS YOURSShort Term LoansDue when you Get Your Next Pay CheckInstallment LoansLower Payments - Pay Over TimeAuto Tile LoansMore Cash - Keep Your Car50% OFF FIRST LOANCALL TODAY TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY FOR MEDICARE FUNDEDHOME HEALTH CAREPhysical Therapy Position AvailableLocally owned and Operated by Tabatha and Jonathan BradyNon-Discrimination PolicyNo client shall be, on the grounds of race, color, national origin, age, sex, disability or handicap,sexual orientation, marital status, religion or status with regard to public assistance or veteran status,excluded from admission to services through Omnix Health Care Services, Inc.CROSBY’S HOMETOWN HOME CARE

NORTH CHANNEL STARWEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015Page3COMMUNITY NEWSCOMMUNITYEVENTSSATURDAY NIGHTSThe BuckshotJamboreeEnjoy Classic Country musicevery Satutday night from 7 pm- 10 pm with The Buckshot Jamboree at 7414 Hartman nearOld Beaumont Highway. Moreinfo, call 281-458-0729 or 832444-5000.MONDAYSGalena ParkSenior DanceSenior Dance is every Monday at the Alvin D. Building,1302 Keene St., Galena Park.7 pm - 9 pm. No cover charge.Live band Country music. Callfor more information: 713-4557335.2nd & 4th THURSDAYSan JacintoPilot ClubSan Jacinto Pilot Clubmeets 2nd and 4th Thursdaysat noon at the Galena Park ISDAdministration Building.AUGUSTGalena ParkLibrary events-Thursday, August 6, 11 am ,Baby Time; 3 pm, Boom Puff Art.-Friday, August 7, 3 pm, movie.Please call the library at 713450-0982 for more details.The library is located at1500 Keene St. Galena Park, TX.77547.2nd THURSDAYNorth ShoreSenior DanceNorth Shore Seniors willhold a Hawaiian Dance Thursday, August 13 from 1 – 4 pmat Grayson/Baldree Bldg., Corpus Christ. Live band and refreshments only 5/pp for moreinformation call 713-455-3660.Student registration scheduledfor Channelview campusesRegistration for students in all grades inChannelview ISD havebeen scheduled at the individual school campuses.Elementary campuseswill register studentsthroughout the summerfrom 9-11 a.m. and 12:303:30 p.m., Monday throughFriday. Secondary campuses have scheduled registration 9-11 a.m. and 1-3p.m.Evening registrationwill be held at several campuses on the followingtimes and dates:Cobb Elementary – 5-7p.m., Aug. 4 and 5-7 p.m.,Aug. 13Crenshaw Elementary –5-7 p.m., Aug. 4Hamblen Elementary –4-6 p.m., Aug. 5Hamblen Elementary –4-6 p.m., Aug. 6McMullan Elementary– 5-7 p.m., Aug. 6 and 5-7p.m., Aug. 11Brown Elementary – 57 p.m., Aug. 6 and 5-7 p.m.,Aug. 11Crenshaw Elementary –5-7 p.m., Aug. 6Campbell LearningCenter – 5:30-7:30 p.m.,Aug. 6 and 5:30-7:30 p.m.,Aug. 11Alice Johnson JuniorHigh – 5-7 p.m., Aug. 11and 5-7 p.m., Aug. 13Kolarik Ninth GradeCenter (9th Grade) – 6-8p.m., Aug. 11Channelview HighSchool – 6-8 p.m., Aug. 11(10th Grade), Aug. 12(11th Grade) and Aug. 13(12th Grade)Schochler Elementary –5-7 p.m., Aug. 11 and Aug.13Aguirre Junior High –6-8 p.m., Aug. 12 (SixthGrade), Aug. 13 (SeventhGrade) and (EighthGrade), Aug. 14Parents will need tohave the following itemswhen registering theirchild for school:-Birth Certificate (original - no copies)-Social Security Card(original - no copies)-Immunization Record-Last Report Card orWithdrawal Paper-Two (2) Proofs of Residency - recent (within thelast 30 days) light bill, water bill, gas bill, lease/rentagreement or purchaseagreement – No Disconnect Notices-Two emergency contactnumbers other than yourhome or workFor more information,please call the schoolwhere you are enrollingyour child.Senator Sylvia Garcia: Statementon Planned Parenthood VideoHOUSTON – SenatorSylvia R. Garcia released the followingstatement today in response to video footagetaken at Planned Parent Gulf Coast:"Planned ParenthoodGulf Coast has been aprimary provider ofwomen's healthcare inmy district for manyyears. Women in District 6 have depended onPlanned Parenthood forcervical cancer screenings and a variety of oth-er necessary and imperative health resources. Iam hopeful that any investigation on the stateand federal level will focus strictly on the factsand not political gamesmanship.“The video releasedtoday is only a small, selectively-edited versionof a much longer video.Naturally, there is farmore to these videosthan what has been released today, and myhope is that investiga-tors and the media willseek the whole truth."“This facility hashelped numerous lowincome families with anarray of healthcare andreproductive services.Therefore, I am hopefulthat this investigationwill show that there wasno wrongdoing on theirpart and that no Houstonian will lose access tolifesaving cancer screenings and other importanthealthcareservices.”Rep. Hernandez commentson the 50th Anniversary ofthe Voting Rights ActAUSTIN, TX- Thursday,August 6, will mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Voting Rights Actby Texas-born PresidentLyndon Johnson.“The Voting Rights Actis one of the greatest pieces of civil rights legislationin our country’s history,”Hernandez said. “Since itssigning half a century ago,it has served as a bulwarkto defend the right to votein an increasingly diverseAmerica and Texas.”“The Governor and Attorney General have elected to turn away from thelegacy of the Voting RightsAct by continuing to defend the state’s unconstitutional voter ID law. Thisplaces them on the wrongside of history, and demonstrates their disrespect forthe numerous elderly andminority voters disenfranchised by this measure.”NEW LIBRARIAN,Continued from page 1speaking, and grammar.She just heard last weekfrom the interim ESL Coordinator at Tomball thather summer class will be ayear round class because ofits popularity.As Branch Librarian ofJacinto City Branch Library, Denton will be focusing on programming forchildren and story time activities with more of aneducational element to im-prove literacy. She wouldalso like to increase ESLand Literacy programmingalong with other adult other programs starting in thefall. The community willalso be seeing them outand about at local schoolsand community events aswell.Denton says she is excited to be working with theCommunity of JacintoCity!NORTH CHANNEL STAR5906 STAR LANE, HOUSTON, TX 77057(713) 977-2555 FAX (713) 977-1188email: northchannelstar@gmail.comwebsite: www.northchannelstar.comGilbert Hoffman . Editor & PublisherMei-Ing Hoffman . Associate PublisherLewis Spearman . Advertising DirectorJulieta Paita .Managing EditorLuis Hernandez . ProductionPedro Hernandez . Circulation/Mail DirectorPublished each Wednesday by GrafikPress Corp. Any erroneous statementwhich may appear will be corrected when brought to the attention of the publisher. Liability for errors is limited to the reprinting of the corrected version.Submissions are encouraged, in person, by mail, by Fax, or by email, to:northchannelstar@gmail.comMember Texas Community Newspaper AssociationMember North Channel Chamber of CommerceMember Texas Press Association

PageNORTH CHANNEL STAR4WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5, 2015OPINION PAGE Keeping your ACCESSTO AffordbaleFinancial ADVICEBy Dale E. Brown(NAPSI)—Whetheryou’re just starting yourworking life or nearingyour retirement, havingthe most dignifiedretirement possiblecould depend to a greatextent on whether aproposed regulationfrom the Department ofLabor (DOL) is enacted.That’s because, if theDOL rule is finalized,millions of smallinvestors may find itimpossible to work witha financial advisor whoeither can or has helpedthem save for retirement for years. Peoplewho work with afinancial advisor savemore money, get betterreturns on their investments, avoid costlymistakes and havegreater confidence intheir financial futures.Here’s what happened: Five years ago,the DOL proposed itsfirst version of the rule,which would havelimited choices for smallinvestors and effectivelypriced many averageAmericans out of thereach of professionaladvice, services andproducts that help growtheir IRAs. Fortunately,over 200 members ofCongress—Republicansand Democrats—weighed in and theDepartment withdrewits proposed rule.Then, in 2015, theDepartment proposed anew rule which, in itscurrent form, is unworkable for financialadvisors to implement.There are a number ofproblems with it,including costly andcomplex disclosures thatduplicate paperworkalready provided toinvestors. In addition,the proposal wouldexpose even the bestfinancial advisors whocare deeply for theirclients to class actionlawsuits. That riskcould make it verydifficult for advisors tokeep current clients orwork with new clientswho do not have largeamounts of money toinvest.The simple fact is, ifthis rule goes through,millions of Americansmay have to turn to theInternet, a “robotadvisor,” and not atrusted financialadvisor, for theirretirement informationat a time when mostpeople need more helpthan ever. A robotdoesn’t know yourretirement goals, yourfears or whether anemotional investmentdecision you may beabout to make couldjeopardize your retirement security. That’sLETTERTO THEEDITORComplaint onWater Servicethe sort of thing forwhich you need aprofessional financialadvisor who knows you.Dear Editor,Keeping Your ACCESS TO AffordableFinancial ADVICEThe DOL says itwants to protect retirement-account holdersfrom conflicts of interest, and the members ofthe Financial ServicesInstitute (FSI), independent financial advisors,agree with that goal 100percent. They are pillarsof their business community, and they knowthat their reputation istheir business and doingright for every client iswhat keeps theirbusiness growing.Working with afinancial advisor is oftencritical for a dignifiedretirement. People whowork with a financialadvisor save moremoney, get betterreturns on their investments, avoid costlymistakes and havegreater confidence intheir financial futures.In fact, savers whoworked with an advisorhad nearly 60 percentmore money after four tosix years, compared tothose who tried to investon their own.When it comes toproviding affordable,objective financialadvice to millions ofAmericans, you cannotoverstate the seriousness of this matter. Therule could very wellresult in many familieslosing access to retirement information,education and services.Those families needthe help. According tothe Center for AmericanProgress, 65 percent ofhouseholds are at risk ofnot meeting theirretirement savingstarget.It would be a goodidea for the Departmentof Labor to work withthe industry to makethis rule workable andtruly help millions ofAmericans trying tosave for their retirement—not put anotherroadblock in their way.Many people havevisitedwww.MySavingsMyChoice.orgto tell the Department ofLabor and electedofficials that workingwith a financial advisoris a right. It’s yoursavings and your choice.It only takes a minuteand it may prove to beone of the best investments of time you canmake towards theretirement you deserve. Mr. Brown isPresident & CEO of theFinancial ServicesInstitute (FSI), anassociation for independent financial advisors.New! Crosby Antique MallAntiques Collectiblesand Unique ItemsCrosby Street DanceOct. 17, Noon ‘til 10pmOpen Tuesday – Saturday10pm –5pm5600 S. Main inOld Town Crosby, TXPanel hears testimonyin wake of jail death AUSTIN — The TexasHouse Committee on CountyAffairs met on July 30 to heartestimony on Sandra Blandand jail standards.Bland, 28, was pulled overby a state trooper in Hempstead on July 10. Soon after,she was placed in the WallerCounty Jail and was founddead in her cell on July 13.Investigators ruled the deatha suicide. The story, coveredby local, state, national andworld news agencies, hasemerged in the context of other tragic outcomes involvingblack citizens and law enforcement.“How does someone getpulled over for not signalingand end up dead three dayslater? It just does not compute,” said Committee ChairGarnet Coleman, D-Houston,in opening the hearing. Coleman called for discussion onhow such an event might affect the Texas Department ofPublic Safety’s training of officers and how Texas countyjails might adjust their practices in the incarceration ofmentally ill inmates.Brandon Wood, director ofthe Texas Commission on JailStandards, said mentalhealth has become the commission’s top priority andthat state funding to add bedsfor inmates with mental issues is forthcoming. Wood testified that there have been140 in-custody suicides inTexas since 2009 and 22 in2014. He recommended enhancements to mental healthscreening processes, such asthe addition of personnel whoare qualified to assess mental health and deliver mentalhealth care.Texas Department of Public Safety Director StevenMcCraw said the FederalBureau of Investigation andthe Texas Rangers are investigating the arrest and deathof Bland and suggested thepublic release of the arrestvideo was an act of transparency on the agency’s behalf.Yannis Banks of the Texas NAACP testified, suggesting that transparency issuesinclude official documentsthat could be altered and video recordings that do not capture everything that happens.Several audience membersspoke about their personalexperiences related to racialprofiling by law enforcement.Greg Hansch, public policy director of National Association of Mental Illness ofTexas, called for Texas to better address racism in law enforcement. And, whileacknowledging increases inthe Texas Legislature’s attention to mental health issuesgenerally over the past couple of legislative sessions,Hansch said Texas still hasHIGHLANDSCROSBYSTATE CAPITALHIGHLIGHTSBy Ed Sterlinglong way to go in addressingneeded improvements in itsmental health system.Star CourierUSPS 244-500and theBarbers Hill Dayton PRESSThe Highlands Star Founded 1955The Crosby Courier Founded 1958Consolidated with the Star 1961SERVING HIGHLANDS, CROSBY, HUFFM

Jacinto City librarian NORTH CHANNEL CHAMBER LUNCHEON FRIDAY - AUGUST 7, 2015 at San Jacinto Town Center, 1025 Oats Rd. @ Challenger Seven Drive, Jacinto City, TX. 77029, 11:30 a.m. SPEAKER: State Rep. Ana Hernandez. RSVP to 713-450-3600. BUCKLES & BIRDIES CLASSIC GOLF TOURNAMENT Houston Metro Go Texan Committee Jacinto City/ Galena Park .