Press Release —The new Backyard Ecology Hall at the Mayborn Museum will open on October 5 with a ribbon cutting at 9:15am and special grand opening activities from 10am to 1pm. Grand opening activities will include seed-planting in the Historic Village and various activities throughout the museum throughout the day.

The Backyard Ecology Hall is a new long-term exhibit area which will offer an immersive exploration of ecosystems in the Waco area, providing hands-on learning experiences for visitors. It is specially designed to reach fourth through sixth grade level visitors but also offers engaging content appropriate for learners of all ages. “The development of the Backyard Ecology Hall is a major addition to the Museum’s permanent exhibits and represents a significant investment from many individuals, families and supporters to bring this vision to life,” says Charles Walter, Mayborn Museum Director.  

The Hall includes four discovery rooms, each with its own theme that connects to the ecology found in our own backyards. The four discovery rooms include the Amazing Abilities space, the Forms with a Purpose space, the Brazos River Gallery and the Living Together room. Each of the rooms have interactive components, specimens from the Baylor research collection and live animals. 

Created specifically for the Mayborn Museum, the Backyard Ecology Hall will feature Monarch butterfly migration, “snake squeeze” and video microscope interactives as well as a Brazos River-themed water table, a honeycomb-shaped climbing structure and a Baylor Research Station focused on current projects. “The Mayborn Museum is committed to engaging our community and inspiring lifelong learning,” Walter said. “Our new Backyard Ecology Hall is educational, visually stunning and absolutely engaging. We are thrilled to unveil it to the public and to provide hands-on learning experiences for visitors.”  Entrance into the new Hall will be included in the price of museum admission.

General admission for adults is $9, $8 for seniors, $7 for children ages two to twelve. Baylor students and members are free. 

The museum’s hours are:  Monday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Thursday 10 am-8 pm,  Sunday 1 pm-5 pm.

The museum is open all year long except for Baylor University home football games and the following holidays: New Year’s Day, Good Friday through Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.  The museum is located at 1300 S. University Parks Drive, Waco, Texas 76706.  

By Kathy Carr

I confess.

I drink too much coffee. I eat too much popcorn, specifically dill pickle popcorn. I have full conversations with my dog. I am a Grey’s Anatomy super fan. Seriously.

There’s nothing exceptionally juicy there and you really didn’t learn anything life changing. Well, if you’ve never had dill pickle popcorn you are now destined to try it for no other reason than pure curiosity.

But for those of you who crave a little more dirt or something with a skeletons-in-the-closet effect, then maybe Confessions of an Entrepreneur (COE) is just for you. Admittedly, COE isn’t quite as salacious as Luke finding out the identity of his father or the whole “we were on a break” debate. However, there really is a lot of good stuff jam packed into these one-hour COE events.

Not familiar with COE? COE is a lunch-time speaker series (12:30 pm – 1:30 pm) on Baylor Campus, hosted in the Hankamer School of Business by the Baylor Entrepreneurship Department. The purpose of COE is two-fold: to promote local businesses and to show the audience that there is more than one path to successful entrepreneurship.

COE is now in its fifth semester, and we’ve had such an eclectic group of local business owners take the mic. We’ve heard confessions of hitting rock bottom, redirecting a family business and simply changing career paths. So many different journeys to entrepreneurship.

We’ve learned the specific details of operating a non-profit, running a coffee house, owning a juice bar and promoting Waco tourism. Have there been hurdles? Absolutely. Have there been doubts? You bet. Have there been sleepless nights? For sure. Do they all think Waco is the coolest place to have a business? Well, duh. We’ve learned so much from these entrepreneurs.

The fine points of each story have been diverse, to say the least. But there is one overwhelming characteristic of each entrepreneur that will grab you and have you on the edge of your seat… PASSION.

Derek “McDreamy” Shepherd was known to say “it’s a beautiful day to save lives” before his surgeries.

I can only imagine the COE speakers going to work each morning and saying things like it’s a beautiful day to blend the perfect smoothie or it’s a beautiful day to brew the best happy-in-a-cup or it’s a beautiful day to delight with did-you-know Waco facts.

The COE talks are both informational and entertaining wrapped together in a beautiful green and gold bow. Will the speaker confessions completely change the direction of your life? Probably not. But they will certainly leave you with a I-never-thought-of-that moment or two.

There are typically two COE events a semester. They are always free of charge and open to the public. The next COE will be Tuesday, October 1. Catherine Ballas and Angela Beeler of REFIT Revolution will take the mic and confess. This talk will not be boring. In case you missed it the first time, this talk will not be boring.

You can almost hear Catherine and Angela say something like it’s a beautiful day to share the love of fitness!

Stop by, grab a snack, pick your chair and enjoy the talk. It’s confession time.

Confessions of an Entrepreneur with Catherine Ballas and Angela Beeler of REFIT Revolution

• Tuesday, October 1
• 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
• Hankamer School of Business (1621 S. 3^rd Street)
• Foster Room 250
• Baylor.edu/Business/Entrepreneur/SpeakerSeries
• YouTube: Baylor Baugh Center
• Questions? Email [email protected]

Kathy Carr is a Program Manager in the Baylor John F. Baugh Center for Entrepreneurship & Free Enterprise. She enjoys sipping a good cup of coffee and exploring all of the lovelies that Waco has to offer.

By Anna Dunbar

I occasionally hear some folks express disappointment about recycling options in Waco. I find this surprising and I want to challenge that thought with some ideas about what each of us can do to reduce waste that goes to the landfill.

If you want to reduce your waste in and around Waco, here are some suggestions to try:

Curbside Recycling:  Waco residents can get 1 or 2 blue carts for curbside recycling and 1 or 2 green yard waste carts (effective October 1) for no extra fee. Please call (254) 299-2612 with questions or to request a blue or green cart on Monday through Friday from 8 AM until 5 PM.  Para informacion en Espanol: (254) 299-2612.  You can also go to waco-texas.com and complete a request form.  On the website you will find information about the recycling program including a calendar with “blue cart weeks” and “green cart weeks”.  You can also request a printed calendar be mailed to you. 

Drop-off Recycling: Anyone from anywhere can visit the Cobbs Convenience Center to recycle. You can bring the following items at no charge regardless of residency.   Please rinse items which have contained food or drink.                                        

• Plastics #1 and #2. Due to changes in the plastics market, lightweight plastics such as fresh strawberry containers and plastic cups, and are not being recycled by Sunbright Recycling. We cannot accept Styrofoam for recycling.
• Glass bottles and jars, clear, brown, blue and green.
• Metal, including steel or “tin” cans, aluminum cans, and aluminum pie plates.
• Paper, such as magazines, phone books, cardboard, junk mail, printer paper, envelopes with windows and stapled paper.
• Cooking oil (liquid only, please no solid grease)
• Household batteries and “curly bulbs”.

Drop-off recycling for Waco residents only: scrap tires (fee), appliances with Freon (fee), latex paint, used oil, antifreeze, oil filters and electronics can be taken to the Cobbs Recycling Center. Some items may have a fee. In addition, many electronics (except TV’s) can go to Goodwill. Best Buy accepts electronics for recycling from anyone; Best Buy will charge a fee for electronics with glass, such as TVs and monitors.

Organic waste: Become a part of the “blue bucket brigade” and divert your organic waste from the landfill! Mission Waco is asking for food waste for composting and is making buckets available for the process. One can obtain a blue bucket at the greenhouse, located on the corner of North 15th Street and Colcord Avenue, next to Jubilee Food Market. Instructions are available to help you with diversion of your organics for composting.

Landfill: If you are not a Waco resident, you can take appliances with Freon to the Waco landfill; there will be a $15 per appliance fee. You can also take clean brush for grinding and diversion from landfill disposal. You will pay a tipping fee according to weight.

Building Materials: The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Waco takes used and new building materials. All donations must be in excellent physical and working condition whether new or gently used. ReStore is located at 1224 Franklin Ave in Waco  and normal business hours are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9am-5pm and Saturday 9am-3pm. Please drive to the back of the store where you will find the donation receiving area. Please check beforehand to be sure your donation will be accepted https://wacohabitat.org/contact-us/

Batteries and bulbs: Batteries Plus Bulbs on Waco Drive offers recycling of all kinds of batteries and bulbs. There may be a fee for some services.

Latex paint: If the paint is completely dry, it can be put in your trash. If you’d like to dry it out quickly, try kitty litter, mulch or sawdust. You can also purchase a paint dry product on-line.

Household Hazardous Waste: The cities of Hewitt, Lacy Lakeview, Waco and Woodway have held joint hazardous waste days in the past. There will tentatively be a Household Hazardous Waste Day in the spring of 2020. In the meantime, keep your unwanted materials in a safe place, preferably in the original containers. Leaking containers can be put in a second, larger container, then surrounded by kitty litter. Keep all materials out of the reach of pets and children.

School supplies or teacher supplies: Keep Waco Beautiful has a wonderful teacher’s closet for teachers to “shop” for no charge. Keep Waco Beautiful accepts donations of usable items. Just call (254) 339-1077 or email [email protected]

Tools: there is a new opportunity at the Tool Shed, a thrift shop that benefits Friends for Life. It is located at 430 Lake Air Drive. The store accepts new, used or broken tools for resale at a greatly discounted price. The store can also arrange pick-up of donations if needed.

Still have questions? I am happy to assist you. Please contact me at [email protected] or (254) 299-2612. Thank YOU for keeping Waco clean and green!

Anna Dunbar is the Solid Waste Administrator for the City of Waco Solid Waste Services. She is responsible for informing Waco residents and businesses about recycling and waste reduction opportunities as well as solid waste services in Waco. Her husband is a Baylor professor and her daughter is a Baylor University alum who works at Horizon Environmental Services, Inc. Anna is an active member of Keep Waco Beautiful and The Central Texas Audubon Society.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.

By Joe Riley

For more than nineteen years now (twenty in July!), KWBU has brought National Public Radio to greater Waco. Prior to 2000, McLennan County had been the largest metropolitan market in the country without National Public Radio service. Since then, Waco has grown, and KWBU has grown with it, enhancing its schedule with the highest quality news, talk, entertainment and music from around the world. Also, with the help of volunteers, the station provides more locally produced programming than ever (including Act Locally Waco!). And KWBU now has the largest audience in its history. Every week, some 15,000 faithful listeners tune in to learn about our world and our community. That’s up 50% from just five years ago.

Some of the growth in audience is due to the relocation of the station’s transmitter in 2014, providing a clearer, more consistent signal to previously unreached parts of the county. Another factor has to do with politics and the news. During the last presidential election season, many new listeners came to KWBU to keep track of the rapidly changing political and cultural landscape. Trustworthy journalism is essential to a healthy democracy.

KWBU brings this service to Waco – every hour of the day, every day of the year – with a staff of six and a cash budget of about $750,000. Some might think the station is taxpayer funded; in fact, KWBU receives only about 15% of its annual budget as a Community Service Grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. All the rest of the funding is local. About half comes from Baylor University (the station is licensed to the Brazos Valley Public Broadcasting Foundation, a subsidiary of Baylor); another portion comes as program support from local businesses; the remainder is donated by individuals – financial support from listeners is the most important source of revenue for Waco Public Radio.

But here’s the odd thing: while listenership is higher than it’s ever been, the number of donors has actually declined. Some have moved away, some have passed away, others have seen changes in their financial situations. Now fewer than five out of one hundred listeners support the KWBU financially. And, as with all organizations, expenses continue to increase every year.

In calculating what this means for the station, here are a couple of important facts:

• First, the money KWBU receives from the CPB and from Baylor provides a consistent foundation of support, with the expectation that those who use the service will donate money on an annual basis to assure the on-going health and growth of the station. There is no expectation that funds from CPB and Baylor will increase.
• Second, station expenses go up, on average, about 3½% per year.

To keep up with increases in expenses, funding from individuals and local organizations must grow at an even higher rate – about 7½% per year. This will require a broader base of support – more individuals joining in with the 5% who already give.

Build the Base is a new initiative to strengthen KWBU/Waco Public Radio’s base of support by adding at least six new donors per month.  That doesn’t sound like a lot, but over time it will reverse the trend of declining membership. And it’s catching on – since the beginning of the fiscal year in June, more than thirty first time donors have signed up. Your support will help maintain the momentum toward a truly sustainable base of support.

So what can you do? Here are a few ideas:

• Pledge your support! Choose an amount that fits your budget and call (254) 710-1033, or pledge online here:  https://www.kwbu.org/become-member#stream/0 .
• The average first-time pledge is about $120, but there is no minimum – the amount is up to you.
• If you’re already a member, consider increasing your pledge, or making an additional gift.
• Are you a Baylor employee? Sign up for payroll deduction: https://www.kwbu.org/payroll-deduction-form#stream/0 .
• Donate your old car: http://kwbu.careasy.org/home .
• If you’re a businessperson, join our Program Sponsorship Team: https://www.kwbu.org/become-kwbu-program-sponsor#stream/0 .
• Talk about the station with your friends, and encourage them to become members!

KWBU is a vital part of the Waco community, providing compelling, trustworthy journalism and intelligent cultural programming and entertainment. Your support really does make a difference. Thank you!

Joe Riley has been President and CEO of the Brazos Valley Public Broadcasting Foundation/KWBU since 2009. Prior to coming to Waco, he worked many, many years in broadcasting in Maine, Tennessee, Alaska, and the Carolinas. He holds a BA (in English!) from Furman University. 

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.

By Hermann Pereira

The start of a new school year is an exciting time for students and educators alike. As educators we are focused on making this school year better than the last because we know our students are depending on us. The HOT P-20 council is equally focused and excited about making the 2019-2020 school year better than ever. There is a contagious feeling of collaboration and growth in our city and we are seeing this in our P-20 council as well.

The HOT P-20 works to bridge the gap and create partnerships between K-12, institutions of higher education (IHE), the business community and the community of Waco.  The council is a collective impact think tank that brings together representatives from the independent school districts (ISD), institutions of higher education (IHE), Region 12 Education Service Center, industry and government across six counties: Bosque, Hill, Falls, Limestone, Freestone and McLennan to work towards this goal.  Among the higher education representatives are McLennan Community College, Texas State Technical College, and Hill County with representation from both Tarleton State University, Texas Tech through MCC’s University Center.

The P-20 goals are to :

• Promote college and career readiness for all students in the network
• Build bridges and partnerships among school districts, higher education, government and industry
• Promote promising and best practices and models
• Provide educational and support resources to member institutions

We have seen lots of growth in our group and that is due to everyone’s collaborative spirit they bring to each and every meeting. I had a mentor once say that “there is power in showing up”. I am proud of the work we have accomplished and that is due to the community that “shows up” and rolls their sleeves up for the success of all students in our area.

You are invited to join our meetings that take place at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce.

October 1st 8:00 am

December 3rd 8:00 am

February 4th 8:00 am

April 7th 8:00 am

If you would like to be a part of our newsletter please email [email protected]

Hermann Pereira is the current chair of the HOT P 20 council and the Principal of Connally Career Tech P-Tech Early College High School. He is a Houstonian who roots for all Houston sports teams but has called Waco home for over a decade. He is married and has two children.

By Inez Russell

This month Friends for Life is celebrating 30 years of serving the elderly and people with disabilities.  We are having an Open House on September 24^th from 5 to 7 and we are saying thank you to other agencies, organizations and individuals who have helped us take care of people in need. 

In September of 1989, Friends for Life began in a tiny one-room office, with one unpaid employee, and a budget of nothing.  Now, by the grace of God, Friends for Life has grown and now resides in a wonderful 28,000 square foot facility at 5000 Lakewood Drive with offices in six other cities, eighty-five paid employees and a budget this year of three million dollars. 

In the beginning, Friends for Life visited elderly people who were alone in hospitals and nursing homes.  Those visiting programs have grown into Quality of Life Programs that include adopt a grandparent, telephone reassurance, Gifts for Grannies & Grandpas, too, and Friends for Thanksgiving.  We look for ways to let people know we care and that they have someone they can call if they need help.  When we were asked to visit people in their own homes, we learned that many needed more than a visit.

We found one lady living in the dark.  She moved from room to room as the light bulbs burned out in her house and when the last one burned out, she was living in the dark.  We started a light bulb changing program.  Another agency asked us to help an elderly man whose porch was so rickety they thought volunteers might fall through if they brought him meals.  We started a minor household repair program.  An elderly woman became wheelchair bound and was stuck in her house for five years because she did not have a ramp.  We started a ramp-building program.  These programs grew into Independent Living Programs where volunteers are recruited and trained to help the elderly and people with disabilities live in their own homes as long as possible.

Each time we discovered a need, we tried to find another agency that provided that service so we could connect them to the person who needed their help.  If we could not find another agency to provide the service, we figured out how to do it ourselves. 

When he was found unconscious, an elderly man needed someone to sign for him to have medical care and Friends for Life was appointed to serve as his legal guardian. 

Thirty years later, we are serving about 500 clients in 50 counties in Texas.  Friends for Life has the third largest guardianship program in the state behind Harris County and the State of Texas.  This program provides protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation, and insures these vulnerable people have food, clothing, medical care….someone to advocate for them and someone to care.  When possible, we work with our guardianship clients to help them build capacity and return to court to request that the judge restore his or her rights.

In 1995, Friends for Life began a Money Management Program when asked to take care of an elderly widow who was about to be evicted because she had not paid her rent in a year.   Most of the clients served through this program have been exploited.  We make sure their bills are paid and that their money goes to their care.

Friends for Life took over the adult day care program in 2000 that was scheduled to close.  Open 7:30am to 6pm, Monday through Friday, the Friends for Life Adult Day Care Center provides nursing care, activities, meals, transportation and more.  Taking 4 field trips a week and celebrating holidays most people do not know exist (National Jelly Bean Day, Macaroni Day, National Cheesecake Day – they are big on food holidays).  The clients are having a lot of fun….so much fun, in fact, that the facility is almost always at full capacity which is 120 people.

Two years ago, Friends for Life started a new program training adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities to learn skills that will help them be more independent.  Working one on one with them everyday for 2 hours made all the difference in the world.  The overarching goal of the program is to help people move out of the nursing home and four of our clients have moved out of their nursing homes and back into the community.  We are working with two more to do the same.  And, all seem to have benefited so much from this individual attention.

I interviewed a Life Skills Training professional once who was not sure she could figure out how to help these clients.  She prayed about it and the answer came to her.  ‘Start with love’.  In everything we do at Friends for Life, we try to start with love.

To learn more about Friends for Life, to volunteer or to make a donation to support this work, please visit our website at www.friendsforlife.org, call 254-772-7600 or come by our office at 5000 Lakewood Drive in Waco and we will give you a tour.

Inez Russell is the founder of Friends for Life and has served as its Executive Director for the last 30 years.  She is certified in guardianship on a state and national level and is President of the Board of Directors of the National Volunteer Caregiving Network.  Inez has lived in the Waco area most of her life.  She is married and has four children and eleven grandchildren. [email protected], 254-772-8100 ext. 106

Applications for Campustown Connect Fall 2019 are open until September 20. Click here to apply!

By Lexy Bishop, Research & Project Manager at the Greater Waco Chamber

The beginning of a new school year can bring all sorts of emotions for students. College juniors and seniors have some especially deep and looming questions: What am I doing after college? Where do I want to put down roots? What jobs do I apply to? We at the Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce understand those concerns and believe that the Waco community just might be the answer those concerns.

CampusTown Connect was birthed out of the CampusTown initiative, whose mission is to connect Waco area students in higher education to the opportunities available to them in the community. Through the six-week program, CampusTown Connect offers students the ability to explore the ins and outs of the Waco community and be introduced to the ways that they can take root in the city after graduation.

“CampusTown helped me understand the people and places that make up Waco’s identity and its culture,” Baylor senior Isaiah Scott said. “Understanding how the Waco community operates interconnectedly can give you a great appreciation for the city, especially as a college student.”

From the history of Waco to its budding entrepreneurial scene to learning the city government structure, students will dive into the community of Waco beyond their campus. The goal at the end is for students feel connected to their peers in other area colleges, connected to the community, and connected to the right people and job opportunities as they begin their career. “CampusTown Connect gave me access to really good connections in Waco,” second-year TSTC student Ashley Fullerton recounts. “It showed me different areas to give back to the community and confidence to get more involved on my own campus.”

Students who are interested in staying in Waco or even just exploring the option are encouraged to apply! The class is a two-hour a week commitment for six weeks beginning on October 1. For more information or to download an application, please visit wacochamber.com/Campustown-Connect.

Lexy Bishop is the Project and Research Manager for the Economic Development team at the Greater Waco Chamber. She considers herself a Waco Enthusiast and loves supporting local entrepreneurs. You can find her sipping on a Pinewood coffee or working on her new home in Dean Highlands.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email [email protected] for more information.