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Sunday, August 7, 2022 C2

MARY TORRES CAROL LEE

LUTSINGER

HARLINGEN
HAPPENINGS ABOUT THE STARS
Mark your calendar for the Get ready! The fully-dark to
“Rio Hondo Bridgefest” pre-dawn hours of Aug. 12
happening this coming and 13 are the absolute best
Saturday, Aug. 13, from 6 to times to go Perseid meteor
11 p.m. The Brody Rivers shower hunting, although the
Band and the Los Jilgueros moon will be full which
Del Norte will be playing at means only the brightest
the festival, and there will be meteors will be visible.
food booths, fireworks, Astronomers are predicting a
entertainment for the kids, rate of as many as one per
and more. The festival is minute between midnight
taking place beside the Arroyo and the early morning. The
Colorado Lift Bridge and the comet debris from Swift/
following is a bit of history Tuttle is good about outbursts
Courtesy photo of meteors and fireballs.
about that location.
According to the Texas The U.S. Postal Service Friday unveiled its newest forever stamps that feature marine life. Arrange a reclining lawn
Historical Commission chair so that you are able to

U.S. Postal Service unveils

(https://www.thc.texas.gov,) see the sky from Cassiopeia
the town of Rio Hondo in the NE to due E and just
(Spanish for Deep River) was wait to see what passes
established along the Arroyo overhead. I hope we are
Colorado in 1910. To promote pleasantly surprised at what
better transportation and occurs. The “falling stars” will
appear to come from the

new marine life stamps

commerce, early versions of a
reliable crossing of that constellation known as
waterway included a wooden Perseus, he of Medusa’s
bridge on pilings, a single- nemesis fame. They will
vehicle ferry, and a one-lane radiate out from a point in
steel bridge. When the plan to space near Cassiopeia, the W
dredge the Arroyo Colorado to shaped pattern in the NE at
create a port for Harlingen Staff Report fish, sea lions and more. Sanctuary System is managed by full dark. Invite a few friends
materialized, a temporary For 50 years, U.S. national the National Oceanic and or family members out to join
swing bridge was built. The U.S. Postal Service on marine sanctuaries and marine Atmospheric Administration. you and then you increase
In May 1953, the new Friday unveiled its newest forever national monuments have pro- Encompassing more than your counts of the number of
vertical-lift bridge spanning stamps—and they will please any- tected areas with special ecologi- 620,000 square miles, the sanctu- meteorites spotted, unless
over 380 feet in length and one who loves marine life. cal, cultural and historical signifi- ary system currently comprises 15 you decide to watch lightning
25 feet in width opened. The 16 new National Marine cance. national marine sanctuaries and bugs.
Designed by the New York Sanctuaries stamps showcase the The Marine Protection, two marine national monuments, Regular readers may
engineering firm Parsons, abundant wildlife and diverse Research and Sanctuaries Act, stretching from the North Atlantic remember that meteors are
Brinckerhoff, Hall & ecosystems that can be found which established a framework to the South Pacific, and from the particles of dust left by
MacDonald, the bridge throughout the National Marine designating national marine sanc- Florida Keys to the Pacific comets as they wend their
operated with two electric Sanctuary System, the postal ser- tuaries, was signed into law in on Northwest. way through the solar system,
pulley motors on each side of vice stated in a press release. Oct. 23, 1972, according to the The stamps can be purchased swing around the sun and
the span that lifted the central The stamps feature whales, postal service. at your local post office or at head back out into deep
span between two towers to tiger sharks,, angel fish, balloon Today, the National Marine https://www.usps.com. reaches of space. The earth
allow barges and ships to go passes through the debris
through while vehicle traffic and the air around it,
superheated, begins to glow,
waited. The bridge is not only
a practical economic lifeline
and a prime gateway to area
Reap the many health benefits of a good laugh and we think it is a star falling
out of the sky. These particles
attractions, but it is the only lift are mostly the size of a grain
Metro Creative Connection Boosts immune measured after participants laugh less often. Lower of sand, but the heated
bridge built between 1945
system watched a one-hour blood pressure reduces the atmosphere makes them
and 1960 in Texas that is still Most people have heard A 2016 study titled “The humorous video. NK cells risk for stroke and heart seem far larger. Look for a
in operation. the adage that “laughter is Laughter Prescription” and are lymphocytes with a attack. variety of colors and
In 2012, Norman Rozeff, the best medicine.” There published in the American unique ability to kill a broad brightness. It is best to be in a
Marker Chair for the Cameron are many indications that Journal of Lifestyle Medicine spectrum of cancerous and Helps heal the brain good dark place; the less light
County Historical Commission, laughter can be beneficial to found that the amount of virus-infected cells, according Laughing can help reverse pollution the more meteors
and Pete Castillo, a local the mind and body, and that laughter a person to the National Institutes of symptoms of grief or will be visible. It almost
historian for Rio Hondo, were the perks of laughter and experiences is related to the Health. depression by increasing the makes one wish for a power
instrumental in obtaining a humor are far-reaching. immune system’s ability to Laughing out loud pleasure-enhancing outage. Too bad local power
Recorded Texas Historic Various professionals have fight off infections, among improves immune system neurochemicals in the brain, sources are so darned
Landmark marker for the studied the clinical benefits other benefits. function and increases heart according to the Dr. Sears reliable.
structure under the “Undertold of laughter, including Dr. Lee The study references rate and oxygen levels. Wellness Institute. While you are watching the
Marker” program of the THC. Berk and Dr. Stanley Tan at additional research that A good laugh also may area around Cassiopeia you
Information on The Arroyo Loma Linda University in indicated spontaneous (not Lowers blood help people recovering from may notice one star appears
Colorado Lift Bridge Marker California. Here is what forced) laughter boosts the pressure chronic illnesses by helping brighter than it did another
No. 17748 can be found on these experts say in regard immune system by Individuals who laugh to alleviate fear and anxiety night.
the THC website. to the benefits of a few increasing natural killer (NK) often have lower blood that could otherwise
See HAPPENINGS ★ C5 good belly laughs. cell activity. Levels were pressure than those who preoccupy the mind. See ASTRONOMY ★ C5

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Valley Baptist School of Vocational Nursing continuing to change lives through education
Special to the Star Now through his work at the gained experience in skilled nursing its longtime connection to Valley employment of licensed practical and
school, Flores helps potential students and knowledge of the day to day of Baptist Health System are tangible licensed vocational nurses is expected
HARLINGEN – When deciding make similar decisions that will patient care and trauma experience evidence of the quality education that to increase by 12 percent by the year
which career path to take nearly 20 ultimately have a positive impact on throughout several departments of the its students receive. 2026, and the aging of the “baby
years ago, Amadeo Flores III had a their lives. hospital,” he said. “In June of 2010, I “The Valley Baptist Vocational boomer” population will lead to a
decision to make, and he chose to “Today there are more and more became an instructor at the school of Nursing Program has been in significant need in health care services,
follow in the footsteps of a loved one. nursing programs, but what sets our vocational nursing.” existence for a long period of time. especially in residential care facilities
Flores, who recently earned his school apart is the reputation,” he said. Prior to his official tenure with the Grandparents, parents, and and home health.
Masters of Science in nursing degree, “Our school has a healthy mix of school of vocational nursing, Azua said eventually many of their children For those interested in joining the
is a 2002 graduate of the Valley tradition, experience, youthful he shared his knowledge by teaching have all attended this program,” she school’s Class of 2023, pre-entrance
Baptist School of Vocational Nursing understanding that helps usher new CPR skills to the public. said. “Our nursing school is one of testing is ongoing through September,
and is the program’s lead instructor. generations of nurses into the field. “I knew that by promoting CPR only a few hospital-based nursing 2022. Baker said potential students
He said he looked to his mother’s
The team of instructors we have education, I could contribute to programs remaining in the state of should not delay and sign up for pre-
experience as a nurse and Valley
works well together and we all have a closing the missing link in increasing Texas, and we are truly blessed to entrance testing as soon as possible,
Baptist’s reputation in the community
thirst for knowledge and understand the chance of survival, after a be in this position. Our students adding that it is the first step to a
when making the decision that
ultimately shaped the future of his the importance of not just producing catastrophic event where someone’s have the ability to learn from a tried rewarding career.
career. licenses, but developing strong, heart has stopped,” he said. “I carry and true academic program with “The Valley Baptist Medical Center
“I have deep roots with Valley confident, intelligent nurses.” this same purpose in educating my hands-on clinical performance, and Vocational Nursing Program is a place
Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen,” The Valley Baptist School of students to make them the also have the opportunity to be for excellent beginnings,” she said.
Flores said. “My mother was a nurse Vocational Nursing was established in instrument of hope and exposed to the new and innovated “Our graduates are among the very
in the mother/baby unit, and has 1957, and to date the school boasts compassionate, caring nurses that programs being initiated at Valley best prepared health care
been with the hospital for more than more than 1,600 graduates. The can help the sick and injured increase Baptist. They learn from what we professionals, and we welcome the
30 years. I began here as a volunteer school features eight instructors and their chances at a fulfilling life. I take believe are the best of the best.” opportunity to be part of someone’s
when I was 15 years old, and started office manager Stephanie Hamby. pride knowing that I shared my While some graduates can have success.”
the licensed vocational nurse program Albert Azua, RN, the school’s head knowledge and experience to help trouble finding employment post- For more information on the Valley
when I was 18 and graduated when I of student retention and development, them close the missing link.” college depending on their field of Baptist School of Vocational Nursing
was 19. The reputation of the has spent nearly 30 years caring for Janis Baker, a registered nurse who study, students who graduate with and the ongoing testing schedule, visit
program and the caliber of nurses it his community. also holds a Bachelor of Science in degrees in nursing are unlikely to https://www.valleybaptist.net/for-
has produced were big deciding “I began my nursing career at the nursing, is the school’s director in experience that difficulty. According to medical-professionals/education-
factors in choosing what school to Valley Baptist Medical Center-Harlingen addition to one of its instructors. Baker statistics from the United States training/lvn-school-of-nursing or call
attend after high school graduation.” in 1976. During that time I have said the nursing school’s history and Bureau of Labor Statistics, the (956) 389-1721.