by Claire Hutson and Elizabeth Keomanikhoth
We are all aware of the physical changes a baby undergoes in its first few years of life. It’s easy to observe: from sitting up to crawling to walking and talking, babies develop a great deal. But what about the mental changes that go on underneath all of that? Those are a lot less easy to observe, especially to the untrained eye, but helping your baby’s brain grow is just as important as helping the rest of its body grow. So how do you do that?
Talking and Reading to Your Baby
A baby’s brain develops through their interactions with their parents and the environment around them. Simply talking to your baby is incredibly important for building the brain. But communication with your baby does not just mean spitting out words at them. It can also be shown through mimicking the faces and movements that they make, and putting an emotion title to the faces or attitudes they express. For example, if your child is laughing and smiling, you could say, “You seem to be very happy right now!” This simple acknowledgment places context to certain words and enables them to gain a better understanding of the world around them. Exploring what will happen when they fuss, blow bubbles, giggle, babble, and even throw food on the floor helps further their brain development. These experiments allow them to communicate with you and other caregivers, and are the building blocks for a properly wired brain. Research shows that talking to and interacting with your baby in the first 3 years of their life builds the ultimate foundation for what will be needed to support later reading and thinking skills.
You are your baby’s first teacher. Learning to read depends greatly on having and hearing a large vocabulary. Reading to your baby allows them to hear words that you may not normally say to them on a daily basis. It also puts pictures and a story to the words that you are saying. You are exposing them to new vocabulary and concepts such as numbers, letters, colors, and shapes. It will build memory, vocabulary, and listening skills. When your child hears more words, it increases the number and variety of words they will understand and use later on in life. Reading books will keep them entertained, especially if the book includes a song for you to sing, and will make talking to your baby much easier and more engaging.
What is the Nurse Family Partnership?
But I am only acutely aware of these things because of almost four years of training on the subject, and even so I would be quite nervous to actually put it into practice and raise of child of my own. Many moms do not know the importance of these building blocks, and for many, these simple interactions do not come naturally. So how do we help moms in our community turn this into the status quo of parenting? That is where Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) comes in. NFP is an evidence-based organization for first time expecting mothers. They provide education, empowerment, and access to resources in our community. They teach first time mothers the importance of things like talking to your baby. NFP provides ways for women to be the best mothers possible. To be eligible for this program you have to meet the basic requirements. This includes being a first-time mother (at any age), at or less than 28 weeks pregnant, and you must be a McLennan County resident. If you know of any first-time mothers in McLennan County, have any other questions, or would like to volunteer, please feel free to contact the office at 254.202.1130.
Elizabeth Keomanikhoth (Pictured left) will be a senior at Baylor University. She is majoring in Child and Family Studies, and following a pre-medical track in hopes of pursuing pediatrics.
Claire Hutson (Pictured right) will be graduating from Baylor this August with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health.
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 Ashley Bean Thornton
Is there anything in this world more hopeful and full of promise than brand new school supplies? The smell of a new box of colors. A brand new sharp pencil full of letters and words and pictures and numbers waiting to be set free. A bright, clean spiral notebook ready to be filled with ideas, and dreams, and problems, and scribbles about who “hearts” who “4-evah,” and drawings of houses and families and fast cars and rockets and dinosaurs. To all the grown-ups out there…if you have forgotten the joy and power of school supplies, you have forgotten a precious thing.
A few months ago, the Act Locally Waco book group decided to read and discuss the book “Other People’s Children: Cultural Conflict in the Classroom” by Lisa Delpit. We had heard through the grapevine that our (then new) WISD school superintendent, Dr. Marcus Nelson, had recommended it to principals in the district, so we put it on our list. On a whim, I decided to invite him to our book discussion, and lo and behold, he came! We had a thought-provoking conversation about heavy issues affecting our schools…and more to the point…our children. I will confess I left the discussion feeling overwhelmed with the complexity and magnitude of the challenges before us.
In the course of the conversation, Dr. Nelson mentioned a poem about a child and a pencil that he thought made an important point…
‘Cause I Ain’t got a Pencil
By Joshua T. Dickerson (reprinted with permission from the author)*
I woke myself up
Because we ain’t got an alarm clock
Dug in the dirty clothes basket,
Cause ain’t nobody washed my uniform
Brushed my hair and teeth in the dark,
Cause the lights ain’t on
Even got my baby sister ready,
Cause my mama wasn’t home.
Got us both to school on time,
To eat us a good breakfast.
Then when I got to class the teacher fussed
Cause I ain’t got a pencil.
This poem is a prism. When you look into it one way all you see is poverty. It can leave you feeling sad and overwhelmed. When you look at it another way you see a bright, capable kid solving problems and figuring out what it takes to keep on keeping on. She (or he) is exasperated with the rest of us because we can’t see that if we would just help her out a tiny bit with a pencil she could get on with the business of getting an education.
Ramona Curtis who works in the Department of External Affairs at Baylor starts each school year by joining the NAACP to welcome and cheer on the young scholars at J. H. Hines Elementary on the first day of school. For a few years now, she has noticed that even with the many, many wonderful school supply drives throughout our community there were still too many kids coming to school without supplies. Several conversations with the principal and outreach coordinator at Hines confirmed that school supplies are a big issue. Even when kids have enough in August, they often run out long before the school year is over. I’m sure teachers do fuss at kids who don’t have pencils – I know I did when I was a teacher! – but teachers also routinely dig into their own pockets to provide supplies for their kids. There never seems to be enough to make it to the end of the school year.
With all this in mind, this year Ms. Curtis is working through the Solid Gold Neighbor Initiative at Baylor along with numerous organizations throughout the community to organize a school supply “power” drive. The goal of this project is to make sure that the five Transformation Zone schools (Brook Avenue Elementary, J. H. Hines Elementary, Alta Vista Elementary, Indian Spring Middle School and G. W. Carver Middle School) who already have so much on their plates this year, do not have to worry about school supplies.
Ms. Curtis and her team visited with the principals at each of the five schools to make a list of the supplies needed for the whole school for the whole year. They got back numbers like 996 boxes of crayons, 2500 glue sticks, 12000 pencils, etc.
Now they are working through churches, sororities and fraternities, non-profits, local businesses and every other kind of organization they can think of to gather those supplies and deliver them directly to the schools to be divvied up among the teachers and distributed as needed with discretion and discernment throughout the school year.
The Solid Gold Neighbor program has made it easy for you to participate. You can donate money directly by clicking on www.baylor.edu/SGNschoolsupplies or by texting BUSGN to 41444. Follow the Solid Gold Neighbor Facebook page for updates about how to donate school supplies and what supplies are still needed. Or contact Ramona Curtis at [email protected] to see how your business or organization can join in!
Not all problems can be solved with a pencil. But sometimes a pencil – or a box of markers, or some paper, or a glue stick — makes a big difference. We have bright, capable kids in Waco ISD. Many of them face tough situations every day and yet resiliently get to school anyway and go about the work of learning the best they know how to do. We have some significant challenges in our schools, and it will not doubt take time to chip away at most of them, but one thing we can do right now is to make sure there’s a pencil available when a kid needs one. Let’s do that!
* You can follow Joshua T. Dickerson on his Facebook page, “Joshua T. Dickerson Speaks,” or on Twitter: @joshtdickerson
This Act Locally Waco blog post is by Ashley Bean Thornton, she has lived in Waco almost 20 years now. Far longer than she ever lived anywhere else. She likes to walk. If you see her out walking, honk and wave and say, “Hi!”
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 Meg Wallace
Deshaun is his name.
He was running in the grass alongside Highway 6 west of College Station. Alone. Looked to be about five years old.
I said, “That can’t be right,” and I pulled onto the shoulder with traffic whizzing by at 75 miles an hour. Robin and I got out of the car, and I slowly walked toward the running boy, holding my arms wide. He ran toward me, and I squatted down, put my hands on his shoulders, and asked his name.
“Deshaun,” he said.
“My name is Meg. This is Robin. Where’s your mama, Deshaun?”
He fidgeted, then pointed. “Car.”
“Was your mama in a car? Where were you before you were running?”
“Car.” He started to walk toward the highway. I moved to block him. He was pointing at my car.
“Do you want to get in the car?”
“Yes. Car.”
Of course. It was over 100 degrees. No telling how long he had been running.
We walked to the car, buckled him in, and gave him water. He was dressed in a spotless white T-shirt and shorts, his hair in two neat braids joined on the top of his head. He was wearing no shoes. We said we would see if we could find his mama. We drove to the next exit, a mile or two away, and pulled into the first gas station. We bought him a corn dog, then called 911. We could tell the dispatcher very little. Deshaun wasn’t able to help us understand. We suspected he was autistic.
After the police arrived (and Deshaun leaned into me and made anxious sounds when one of the police officers spoke to him), we found a quiet corner of the store. He pressed the lever on the Coke machine and was sprayed with sticky soda; tried to grab a couple of toy guns, which I moved out of reach; then carefully set down his corn dog and water and pulled a plastic dinosaur from the toy display. I noticed that the dinosaur was packaged with bubbles. Good choice, Deshaun. We blew bubbles while the police sorted things out. When I was distracted talking to the police, he solved the problem of a too-large bubble wand by pouring some bubble soap into a larger plastic cap so he could dip the wand in.
Not long after, his mother came around the corner with the police officers. She was overcome, beside herself with relief, but she gathered herself to explain to the officers that she had only fallen asleep for a moment, then woke up and he was gone. The police took her back around the corner to speak with her while we continued to play with bubbles, then another woman came, his mother’s roommate, and thanked us. She said that Deshaun is autistic.
His mother came back, thanked us, and gave each of us a long, emotional hug. Then she and her friend and Deshaun left with the police to go back to the house, where they could exchange information in case Deshaun goes on another adventure in the future.
Deshaun never looked at or greeted his mother. He expressed no recognition that she had returned.
I am thankful for police officers who understood. One of them was named Goodheart.
And I am overwhelmed by the vulnerability of little Deshaun and his mother.
Longtime freelance writer and editor Meg Wallace began her career shift by completing her Master’s in Social Work at Baylor in May, then launched the Amberley Collaborative to cultivate caring communities in Waco and beyond. Learn more about the Collaborative at https://www.facebook.com/AmberleyCollaborative/.
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 Jessica Maxwell
Did you know Waco Transit System provides more than just city bus service to the citizens of Waco and surrounding areas? Scroll through the list below to see all the services offered by your local transportation system – give transit a try!
Fixed Route (City Buses)
Waco Transit System has nine fixed bus routes, which service Waco and surrounding communities. Fare for a single, one-way ride is $1.50. A day pass can be purchased for $3.00 and is good for unlimited fixed route rides for the duration of the calendar day, during normal operating hours. All fixed route buses can be tracked at ridewaco.com or by downloading the free Ride Systems app. For a route map and additional fare info, visit wacotransitsystem.com.
- Weekday Service Hours: 5:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
- Saturday Service Hours: 6:15 a.m. to 8:15 p.m.
Contact: (254) 750-1613
Funding Sources: Federal 5307 Grant Funding, fares, charter fares, TxDOT State Urban Funding and local match revenue, including advertising and contract revenue
Silo District Trolley
The free Silo District Trolley is designed to make getting around Downtown Waco fast and convenient. The trolley’s route makes it easy to get to Waco’s most popular shopping, dining and art venues in the downtown area, including Magnolia Market. Track the trolley at silotrolley.com or download the free Ride Systems app. The trolley runs Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Funding Source: City of Waco
LaSalle-Circle Shuttle
The LaSalle-Circle Shuttle is a free shuttle that connects Downtown Waco to shops, museums, eateries (including Magnolia Table) and more along LaSalle Avenue. Track the shuttle at silotrolley.com or download the free Ride Systems app. The shuttle runs Monday through Saturday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Funding Source: City of Waco
Baylor University Shuttle (B.U.S.)
The Baylor University Shuttle (B.U.S.) is operated by Waco Transit System and serves as the fixed route transportation system for Baylor University. Students and visitors are encouraged to ride the B.U.S., which not only helps reduces vehicular traffic and parking congestion on campus, but also increases access to campus activities. B.U.S. service is available to riders at no charge. Track the B.U.S at bushuttle.com or download the free Ride Systems app. For a route map and operating schedule, visit baylor.edu.
Funding Source: Baylor University
Demand Response Service (DRS)
In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Waco Transit System provides door-to-door service for individuals who are physically or mentally unable to use the fixed route system. Specific qualifying criteria must be met. To learn more about the application process or to schedule a ride, call (254) 750-1620.
Funding Source: Partial Federal 5307 Funding, DRS fares, Federal 5310 Grants (for elderly & disabled trips) and Medicaid
McLennan County Rural Transit District
The McLennan County Rural Transit District aims to increase ridership throughout the county and improve access to jobs, education, healthcare and more. Destinations include anywhere in McLennan or adjacent counties, as long as one of your stops originates from or travels to a rural address. Trips can be arranged by calling Waco Transit System at least 24 hours in advance. Fare for one-way, in-county trips is $3.00, and fare for one-way, adjacent-county trips is $5.00. Fees also apply for guests. For more information or to book a trip, call (254) 750-1620.
Funding Source: Federal 5311 Grant, TxDOT State Rural Grant, Federal 5311 Mileage funds, Federal 5310 Grant (for elderly & Disabled), fares, local match including Medicaid, advertising, and scheduling revenues
Waco Regional Airport Shuttle
If you need transportation to and/or from the Waco Regional Airport, Waco Transit System can help. Trips are based upon availability and can be arranged by calling Waco Transit System at least 24 hours in advance at (254) 750-1620 or 877-875-RIDE (7433). Ride anywhere within McLennan County for only $3.00 each way and $5.00 each way for trips to adjacent counties. Fees also apply for guests.
- Weekday Service Hours: 5:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.
- Saturday Service Hours: 6: 15 a.m. to 8: 15 p.m. and 8: 30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Funding Source: Partial Federal 5307 Funding, fares and Federal 5310 Grants (for elderly & disabled trips)
Evening LINK
Evening LINK is a shared ride, door-to-door employment and training transportation service available to anyone who works or attends training and lives in the Greater Waco Area. Service is available from 8:30 p.m. to 11:45 p.m., Monday through Saturday. Ride anywhere within the Waco urbanized area for $3.00 each way. Fees also apply for guests. Call (254) 750-1620 for reservations. Please call at least 24 hours in advance to ensure availability.
Funding Source (through August 31, 2018): Rural Discretionary grant funds awarded from TxDOT through 2016 Coordinated Call for Projects, fares, local match in both in-kind and cash contributions from numerous organizations and businesses
Marlin LINK (Route #10)
Waco Transit System’s Route #10 services Robinson, Riesel, Marlin, Chilton and Golinda. The service connects riders to the Waco Transit System transfer station, as well as to Greyhound. For a route map and fare info, visit wacotransitsystem.com.
Weekday Service Hours: 5:50 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
No Saturday Service
Funding Source (through August 31, 2018): Rural Discretionary grant funds awarded from TxDOT through 2016 Coordinated Call for Projects, fares, local match in both in-kind and cash contributions from numerous organizations and businesses
Sanderson Farms LINK
Do you need transportation to and/or from Sanderson Farms for work? Waco Transit System offers a shuttle to and from the Waco Transit terminal and Sanderson Farms. Sanderson Farms employees can contact the Sanderson Farms Human Resources Department to learn more about signing up to receive a monthly bus pass for this route.
Weekday Service Hours: 7:15 a.m. to 5:10 p.m.
No Saturday Service
Funding Source (through August 31, 2018): Rural Discretionary grant funds awarded from TxDOT through 2016 Coordinated Call for Projects, fares, local match in both in-kind and cash contributions from numerous organizations and businesses
Safe Ride Home Program on New Year’s Eve
Waco Transit System’s “Safe Ride Home” program provides free shared ride shuttle service within the Waco urbanized area on New Year’s Eve, usually between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 3:00 a.m. Advance reservations are preferred. Same-day requests are based upon availability. Call (254) 750-1620 beginning December 1 to book your free trip and/or determine coverage area.
Funding Source: Waco Transit System and community sponsors
Travel Training
Because we recognize that riding a city bus for the first time (and navigating the routes/time points) can indeed be intimidating, Waco Transit System offers free travel training upon request. Call (254) 750-1900 for more information or to schedule an appointment. An informative “How to Ride the Bus” video series and list of FAQ is also located on the Waco Transit System website at wacotransitsystem.com.
GPS Bus Tracking (Ride Systems):
Track any Waco Transit System fixed route at ridewaco.com or by downloading the free Ride Systems app on your smartphone and selecting “Waco Transit” as your agency.
Funding Source: Federal 5307 Grant Funding, fares, charter fares, TxDOT State Urban Funding, and local match revenue including advertising, Medicaid, scheduling revenue and contract revenue
Jessica Maxwell is the Director of Marketing for Waco Transit System. She graduated from Northern Illinois University with a BA in Journalism and Communication Studies. Originally from Illinois, she moved to Texas with her husband in 2013, and they have been happily settled in Waco ever since. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling and experiencing all the great outdoors has to offer. You can reach Jessica at [email protected].
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 Bruce Huff
There was so much trash on our streets, something had to be done! On November 25, 2016, GROUP W BENCH LITTER PATROL was formed, and to date, volunteers have picked up almost 90,000 pounds from Waco streets, alleys, highways, lake and rivers. Our accomplishments include: 25 organized cleanups throughout Waco, 1056 Facebook members in 29 countries following what we do, being granted an Adopt-A-Highway section, helping initiate and get Texas House Bill 1884 on litter passed, and receiving awards from Global Revive and Keep Waco Beautiful. We have also been fortunate to partner with Waco River Safari and Waco Paddleboard Company, who provide transportation for our river clean-ups.
After speaking before Waco City Council numerous times and pleading for help with the litter problem, we wanted to extend our message. We decided to elect a board, cement our goals, and become a non-profit. In the meantime, we fast-tracked a partnership with the McLennan County Probation Department by taking their seminar and signing a contract of expectations. Two months into this program, we have signed off on 6 probation volunteers and are working with 14 more who have helped us pick up 9000 pounds of litter, tires, TV’s and garbage all over Waco and Mart.
On June 12, after board member Randy Truett presented our progress report to city council, Waco City Manager Wiley Stem asked if we would be interested in talking further. On June 22, Randy and I met with Mr. Stem, Anna Dunbar of Solid Waste, and Chuck Dowdell from Public Works. They gave us insights to what is happening now and what is planned for the very near future for river trash and debris cleanup with updated equipment, as well as how the new Big Belly solar-powered litter compactors were being used in the downtown area. Also discussed was a partnership with Keep Waco Beautiful and how our two organizations could benefit from each other. Randy and I left the meeting feeling like we won the lottery!
Next, on July 2, Randy met with Ashley Millard, Executive Director of Keep Waco Beautiful, to combine calendars and plan for our alliance. Randy will apply for a board position with KWB and attend their yearly business meeting.
Come and join our next effort! Waco River Safari V Brazos River Cleanup will be August 12th, 8:00 A.M.—11:00 A.M. at Waco Suspension Bridge. Fourteen very lucky people will ride up river on the boat! They will be the first 14 new members who join our Facebook page GROUP W BENCH LITTER PATROL after this article appears and write, “I want on!” Also a limited number of kayaks and canoes will be available for the first who reserve them.
Waco is on track to becoming America’s Cleanest City! We just have to create more awareness and get the community involved in not throwing out litter, using less plastic, and caring about the environment. Thanks especially Anna Dunbar for her professionalism, Mr. Stem for his commitment, and Chuck Dowdell for not giving up on GROUP W BENCH LITTER PATROL.`
Bruce Huff has Multiple Sclerosis, is semi-retired and now an activist in Waco, Texas
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 Jessica Emmett
You can do more with your Waco Library card than ever before! We have been hard at work, listening to you and making changes that fit your 2018 lifestyle. Whether you are trying to use more local resources, improve your life or just entertain yourself, we are here for you. You can visit the library to check out books, movies and more, use computers and free WiFi, and attend awesome programs. You might know all of that—but did you know how much you can do using our website? Here are 10 things you might not know!
1. Access your library account online!
Your phone buzzes. Is it the cute guy you met at the coffee shop? Nope. It’s us telling you your book is almost due! Using our website, you can access your account to check that due date, renew your book and breathe easier. You can also view your reading history, make “to read” lists and more! Never be surprised by fines again!
2. Reserve items (in so many ways!)
When you hear about something that sounds good to read, you can go to our website right away and see if we have it. You can use the website to request it and have it sent to the location of your choice. We’ll hang onto it for up to a week, so you can pick it up.
You can even have books sent to another library in McLennan County (Hewitt, Mart, McGregor, Moody, West). Just talk to the librarian at that library and you can pick up that hot release in your hometown.
If we don’t have the book, you can do an interlibrary loan, where we borrow the book from another library in the US. Just search our catalog using the Interlibrary Loan database and you can place a request for just about anything!
3. Ask us anything!
When you’re working on a project and need one more source, we can tell you where to find it! When your ebook was there and now it’s not, we can help you! When you want to know where to find old issues of the Trib, we’ll point you in that direction! Visit our website and you’ll see a link to Ask a Librarian. Click it and ask your question—any question—and we will do our best to answer it. You’ll get your answer via email, so you can continue your important work.
4. Get your hands on a Museum Pass!
Have you used our Museum Passes? We have passes for the Mayborn Museum, Dr. Pepper Museum, Texas Ranger Hall of Fame, Texas Sports Hall of Fame, Mammoth National Monument and the Cameron Park Zoo! They check out just like a library book, so all you need is your library card. They are so popular, though, that it pays to check if they’re available before you head to the library. Just click this link, or visit our website and search Museum Pass and you can check the availability from your phone, tablet or computer.
5. Read and listen to books and magazines on your phone!
Amazon addicts, listen up! Even though you only read eBooks, we’ve got your back! Search our catalog for the books you want and you can see if they’re available as eBooks, eAudiobooks (no changing CDs!) or both. Isn’t it great to get stuff for free?
We also have eMagazines. They’re just as beautiful and shiny as the print version, but you won’t have a stack of them to sort through every time you move! You can pick the issues you want and even “subscribe” by signing up for alerts when a new issue comes out. Catch up on your hobbies, news or even celebrity gossip (we won’t judge).
6. Learn the difference between a faux pas and foie gras!
There are so many reasons to learn a new language. Planning a trip, starting a new job, impressing your foreign-born in-laws—you never know when the skill might come in handy! We’ve got an online tool called Pronunciator that can help you learn 87 different languages. There are also ESL programs for 51 non-English languages. Access Pronunciator from our website on any Internet-able device. There’s even an app! You will sound so cultured, and we are glad to help.
7.Master the job market!
Sending out résumés and not getting a lot of bites? We have an amazing tool called Learning Express Library that can help you build a killer new résumé, plus hone your job-worthy skills, like business writing, math and time management. You can practice for tons of entrance and occupational exams—real estate, law enforcement, CDL—and even learn about workplace etiquette. This self-paced, free resource is here to help you be your best you and get your best job!
8. Discover a new passion!
Do you cook, bungee jump, play drums or collect coins? There are so many hobbies out there and keeping up with new information and trends can get expensive! We’ve got databases to help you stay on top of your current hobbies or find new ones. Databases, or eResources, aren’t just for school projects. They’re basically a big filing cabinet of information about any topic you want! If you love fixing cars, history, model airplanes or anything in between, you can learn more about it wherever you are.
9.Uncover your roots!
Are you looking for the hidden secrets of your family history? We’ve got a great Genealogy Center at the West Waco location, so definitely visit them for maximum research support. If you’re doing your research at home, we’ve got some tools to help you out, too! Resources like HeritageQuest, Fold3 and Newspapers.com can provide you with great family history info. Set aside some time and be prepared to journey down a research rabbit hole, but you’ll have a blast learning about your past.
10. Reserve a library space for your next meeting!
Are you planning a meeting for a non-profit organization? We’ve got space for that! Each of our four locations has a meeting room for large gatherings and a conference room for smaller meetings. Our Central and West Waco locations have large study rooms, too, that you can reserve for a really tiny meeting. You can use a projector, a whiteboard and make yourself comfortable! Visit our website and click the Book a Room link to get to the self-serve room booking module. You can see what dates are available at each location and request the room. You’ll get a response via email in a couple of days. We love to be the hosts of your awesome get-togethers!
BONUS! Put your card on your phone!
Keeping up with cards can be a challenge, but keeping up with the times is easy for us! We’ve got scanners that can scan a barcode on your phone and it works just like having your physical library card. So if you leave your card at home or you have everything saved on your pocket personal assistant, we can handle it!
So, what are you waiting for? If you don’t have a Waco Library card, now is the time to get one! They are very valuable and totally free. For more information about the Library, visit wacolibrary.org.
Jessica Emmett is the Community Services Supervisor for the Waco-McLennan County Library. She loves “preaching the gospel of the library” and has been doing marketing, promotion and outreach for the Waco Library for almost three years. Before joining the Library team, Jessica worked for a decade in public education, as an aide, teacher and librarian. She loves how her job lets her teach people of all ages about something she loves—the library!
Jessica enjoys lots of hobbies, including cooking, disc golf and running. She loves to read (of course) and usually has three or four books open at a time. When she’s not doing outreach, Jessica spends a lot of time in a very lonely office, so be sure to say “hi” if you see the Library table at your next Waco event!
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 Alfred Solano
Hello Waco! While I am certainly not new to Waco, I do feel like I am re-introducing myself. As the new President/CEO of the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (CTHCC), I do feel like I am looking at my hometown through a new lens. And, while I am a long-time member of the CTHCC, even serving as board chair for a few years, I am looking at the Chamber through a new lens as well. I am trying to get a focus on how Waco sees us…how YOU see us.
I am also learning as much as I can, as fast as I can, about this fine organization so that I can share that information with you. I want to convince you to get involved with the work we are doing, either as a member, a partner or a supporter. With that in mind, here are five things I have learned, that I think everyone in Waco should know about the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
- We are open to everyone. – The CTHCC was founded in 1975 and is a nonpartisan business membership organization open to the entire community. Our belief is that the Central Texas community will continue to benefit from the economic advancement of the Hispanic population the fastest growing market segment of Central Texas. Our membership roster includes individual supporters, some representing large National Businesses, with the majority of the members representing Small Businesses.
- We are a key source of information for the community. – The CTHCC hosts a Monthly Luncheon, Annual Banquet and many other events that are open to the Chamber members and non-members alike. At the luncheons local leaders from the public sector as well as local business women and men share their initiatives in a comfortable group setting. City, County, State, and Nationally elected officials are regularly represented at and actively participate in luncheon programs. The Annual Banquet regularly hosted at the Waco Convention Center brings together hundreds of people representing all areas of Central Texas and features local or nationally known public and private sector keynote speakers. ABC news correspondent John Quinones and Former San Antonio Mayor & HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros are examples of the caliber of speakers we have featured at our banquets.
- We are terrific partners. – The CTHCC partners with the Cities of Waco and Bellmead, LULAC (League of United Latin America Citizens), various local initiatives including City Center Waco, Start-Up Waco, and Prosper Waco. We are an active participant within the McLennan County Chamber Alliance (a ten Member Chamber alliance), numerous local foundations (Cooper, Waco, Rapoport and United Way), and TAMACC (Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce) to name a few partners. The purpose of these partnerships is to enhance the economic prosperity of the Greater Waco area by collaborating with as many resources as is necessary.
- We help Wacoans find good jobs. – The CTHCC regularly hosts job fairs at our activity hall on LaSalle or at the Bellmead Civic Center. We work to host these fairs in conjunction with Workforce Solutions of the Heart of Texas, and Workforce Management Partners Group. As a Chamber of Commerce our overarching goal is to improve economic development in Central Texas and the focus on quality employment opportunities is the cornerstone of our efforts. We will continue working with educators in Waco ISD, McLennan Community College, TSTC and Baylor, Tarleton and Texas Tech to play a role in the advancement of our local students, so that they may realize their potential.
- We have space to rent. – As a community organization, we know that finding the space for meetings and events is sometimes an issue in Waco. The CTHCC offices at 915 LaSalle and the 2,400 – square foot activity hall is available for rent 7 days a week. The hall is used for monthly luncheons, business meetings, job fairs, Birthday parties, our Back-to-School bash, and our neighborhood Christmas party for families and many other events.
As a new member of the Staff it is my hope that by sharing a snapshot of the past and present efforts of our Chamber we may encourage others to join our efforts. Our team, both staff and our tremendous volunteer network, are ready to assist where our talents may enhance the community. The future of the CTHCC is bright because we have a solid foundation of membership, community partners and friends due in large part to the efforts of past leadership. Twenty-two days on the job and I couldn’t be more excited for the work, and humbled by the support. See you around town!
Alfred Solano is the new President/CEO of the Cen-Tex Hispanic Chamber of Commerce as of as of June 1, 2018. Alfred was raised in Waco and enjoys spending time downtown with his wife Rachel. After 35 years in the copier industry, he is looking forward to working with local community partners from the CTHCC perspective.
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 Tami Nutall Jefferson
Thirteen. Nineteen. Thirty. Those are the number of public posts that the Facebook post search function yielded for “Waco’s Juneteenth parade” for the years of 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. As Luann Jennings touched on the basics of placemaking in the first segment of this series, we are seeing firsthand the impact that organized and grassroots placemaking is having on the Elm Avenue district. Image is a big part of that. We are witnessing placemaking in action – live and in living color.
As with everything in life, there will always be two sides to the practice of placemaking. Whether you are on the “gung ho – let’s go” side or the “SOoMYB” (stay out of my backyard) side, I commend the City of Waco for proactively making a public forum available to the friends and neighbors of East Waco to voice their concerns and opinions about these projects as they move forward. The first of one of these forums took place on May 8th at the Multi-Purpose Center in East Waco at the Elm Ave Streetscape Project Public Meeting. The well-attended meeting included many familiar faces of Waco leadership, and importantly, many friends and neighbors who care about preserving while developing the East Waco neighborhood. Led by Community Liaison Chris McGowan of CMC Strategic, plans and action items were set forth for the impending upgrade of the Elm Avenue Corridor.
The City of Waco detailed their sidewalk and street improvement plans for the portion of Elm Avenue that runs from Martin Luther King Blvd. to Garrison Street. This stretch of improvements will launch the City’s physical efforts to extend downtown life into East Waco and connect both sides of the City with each other – bringing to life the 40-year ImagineWaco Plan. The initial plan is to improve the street crossings, create and enlarge sidewalks, enhance pedestrian, biker, and community safety, add accessible ramps where required, and ultimately add more vehicle lanes and on-street parking.
Feedback was also solicited to help design the cosmetic improvements of the project. These types of improvements are often make or break factors in the end acceptance and use of public spaces by us – the general public. Think of those times when developers laid beautifully, smooth stone surfacing – that slicks over when it rains. Or when developers build new street-fronting businesses with no or small windows in eye-burning colors. Or when city transportation officials removed bus sheds and street lamps on busy streets where the majority of neighbors utilize bus services – such as at the corner of Elm Avenue and East Church Street. To prevent these types of unwelcome or underutilized designs, the design and engineering teams presented participants with inspiration boards featuring several options of colors, street surfacing, and landscaping styles that they could vote on using their red (‘NO”) and green (“YES”) stickers. The project architect, RBDR Architects, would then take this feedback into account when laying out their landscape and architectural design and making material selections.
This initial $3.1 million dollar project, jointly funded by local TIF investment ($700,000) and grants from the State of Texas ($2.4 Million), is slated to begin in the winter of 2019 and finished by the spring of 2021. Even with the completion of this, though, we are only at the very beginning stages of the work and the conversations. Expect several more public information meetings to occur along the way and many more chances to contribute your voice to the shaping of East Waco.
This project is a great start. It’s exciting to imagine that the 2021 Juneteenth Parade and festivities might possibly be the most vibrant and well-attended parade of its kind across Texas, showcasing to the world just how well good design and community-centric placemaking efforts can bring life to main street cities and bridge gaps across cultures and communities.
Tami Nutall Jefferson is an older, non-traditional student with a professional real estate background. Tami begins her first academic year at Texas A&M University pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning and Land Development while commuting between Waco and College Station. Her hope that every Wacoan – from all corners – can engage in and contribute to the growth and success of the city. You can connect with Tami at [email protected] or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/tami.nutall1.
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.
(Editor’s note: This post was originally published in Karat Magazine. To quote their website, “The Karat is a Waco-based online magazine celebrating local people & history. Each person has a story, and every story is gold.” To read more about the founders of Karat Magazine and their vision, click here. For this story and others like it, click here: Karat Magazine. – ALW)
By Evan Hebert
I have spent my whole life in Waco. The first 18 years I lived in Hewitt, avoiding downtown Waco like the plague. Then, on a whim and despite having no familial or emotional connections to the university, I decided I would apply to Baylor. As most people do, I immediately fell in love with the campus, the people, and the idea of feeling like I wasn’t in Waco.
Because Baylor is the most expensive school in the entire world (maybe a slight exaggeration), I was forced into a very unconventional freshman year. Originally, I planned to live at home with my mom to save money, but I ended up couchsurfing my entire first year of college. From crashing on an air mattress with a very cute dog named Oliver for two months, to becoming a “futon guy” for the spring semester, I was exposed to more life in those nine months than I had collectively experienced in the rest of my life.
Without a doubt, living off campus was tough. I made very few friends my freshman year at Baylor, but I got to truly experience my city for the first time. Rather than going to class or studying (sorry Mom), I spent my time running around a (then) vacant downtown, tugging on doors, and finding my way onto nearly every rooftop in the downtown area.
When I moved into the Waco High Lofts in February of 2013, I had only ever intentionally spent time in the downtown Waco area for the annual 4th of July fireworks show. Then, all of a sudden this vacant space was my new home. I spent my days trying to tread water in school and my nights falling in love with my city. Then, I spent the rest of my undergrad years sharing my favorite spots with any and everyone who would let me. I think the final count is around 300 students that I was able to introduce to my city via rooftops, abandoned buildings, and hole-in-the-wall spots. I was fortunate enough to work with 4 consecutive incoming classes of students, so I have had the honor of seeing the narrative about Waco change over the last 4 years.
Waco has historically been the butt of jokes (and with good reason most of the time), but there has been something special going on here for the last five years. I have had a distinct honor of growing and maturing (a little) alongside my hometown in the last half-decade. I have seen shops open (and close), a boom of civic pride hit the downtown area, and the least anticipated tourism explosion in the history of Waco. I have seen young people put their foot in the ground and commit to making this place better. I have seen my peers decide to move back home to see what the hype is about. I have seen the tension between “old Waco” and “new Waco” reach a boiling point. There has truly never been a more interesting or exciting time to call Waco home.
With the unprecedented growth Waco has seen recently have come some hard realities. You can no longer park 30 feet away from the front door of your favorite restaurant at any given time. You can no longer get literally anywhere in less than 10 minutes. You may have to wait 20 minutes to grab a seat at your breakfast spot. You may even have to honk your horn at a Magnolia mom or two coming at you the wrong way down 5th Street.
Growth is never easy. People don’t like change, and they especially don’t like change that they may not personally benefit from. Waco is a hot bed for change right now. My hometown, the place I fell in love with for its simple beauty, has transformed into the number two tourist destination in America. The abandoned buildings and rooftops that I used to sneak into and onto are now clothing stores, coffee shops, and downtown gyms. The secret places I used to enjoy as vantage points of my city are now Instagram hotspots. For a while, that change was a little too much, too fast for me. I felt like I had a secret that had gotten leaked. (I was also 19 and had a ton of maturing to do, which probably explains a lot.)
I graduated from Baylor about 18 months ago, and I have the best job in the world. I get to share my city with college students, connect them to cool things going on in town, and ultimately connect them to job opportunities with the hope of keeping them in Waco whenever they graduate. I get to spend time on each of the five college campuses in Waco, hear the stories of students trying to figure out their next step, and tangibly help them get closer to their goal. I am literally paid to brag about my city and help people fall in love with it. Life is crazy.
I love my city. I have grown up alongside my city. I have my city on my arm (literally). Waco is a special place. You will have a hard time finding a place that makes you feel the way this place does. Waco has a rough history and has had to reconcile with some of the horrible things that have happened here. Because of stories like that of Jessie Washington, Waco has scars. Because of the tornado of 1953, Waco has scars. Because of the racial disparity highlighted by the contrasting experiences of Wacoans on either side of the river, Waco has scars. Through all of this, Waco has persisted, and will continue to grow closer to being a place for all people, and I can’t wait play my part in that story.
Evan Hebert is a native Wacoan and graduate of Baylor University with a degree in Corporate Communication. He is passionate about the Downtown Waco area and helping people get connected to their city.
(Most Texans probably know the history of Juneteenth, but just in case there are a few folks out there who don’t know how this holiday started… On January 1, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery in the United States, but that message did not reach Texas until more than two years later…on June 19, 1865. That day became known as “Freedom Day” or “Emancipation Day” – but most people call it “Juneteenth.” It is an official state holiday in Texas. Waco celebrated Juneteenth last weekend (June 15, 16, 17) with numerous activities including the first ever Mr. and Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant. Ashley Royal chaired the pageant and played an important role in helping to organize and implement many of the other events. This is her reflection on the weekend. Thanks for writing, Ashley! – ALW)
By Ashley Royal
Juneteenth is a Holiday that is not talked about much. Many people have no clue what Juneteenth is. Generations that have come along after mine don’t know of the significance of the day, or what we are celebrating; they just know it’s time for the parade and celebration. That really bothered me. I found myself wanting to educate the youth more on the history of Juneteenth, and so I made it my mission.
I wanted the 2018 Juneteenth Weekend to be the biggest celebration Waco has ever seen. This desire birthed the vision of a three-day Juneteenth Celebration that would educate, uplift, empower and unify the community of Waco.
Friday night, June 15th was a monumental night for me. I had the privilege of chairing the Inaugural Mr. & Miss Juneteenth Scholarship Pageant hosted by FootPrintz Dance Company and sponsored by Creative Waco, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., The Waco Hippodrome, and Empowerment Driven by Knowledge Coalition (EDKC). We began work on this event three months ago, and at the pageant we celebrated six phenomenal McLennan County High School Students:
- Isaiah Montgomery, Junior from Robinson High School
- Naomi McCullough, Junior from University High School
- Darrell Sauls, Jr. 2018 Graduate of University High School
- Sha’Queveon Ward, 2018 Graduate of University High School
- Cameron Henry, Graduate of LaVega High School,
- and Rachel McCullough, Graduate of University High School.
These six amazing young men and women showed off their talents, knowledge of Waco African-American history, and their style as they modeled casual wear and formal wear. We even had a special guest, Dr. Linda Livingston from Baylor University, come and deliver a powerful message to the youth about the importance of higher education.
I was so proud Friday night! It was an honor to be among some of the finest people in Waco. And, it was such an honor and privilege to be able plant a seed into six young people and three months later see them bloom. The winners received $1,000.00 each, 1st runners up $650.00 each, and 2nd runners up $350.00 each! Everyone was a winner Friday night and it was an amazing site to see. Not only did they get scholarship money, but throughout the planning for the pageant they participated in training courses about topics such as Financial Aid, interviewing, and professional dress. I really wanted to give them tools they could use in the real world. I am proud to say that with the help of many community partners we were able to do just that. That was the biggest event of my life!
Saturday we unified! We started off with with the Amazing Cen-Tex African American Chamber of Commerce Juneteenth Parade marching down Historic Elm Avenue. It was probably one of the biggest Waco Juneteenth parades I have ever seen. The Juneteenth Parade is always a blast, and I think the fact that we gather and march as one in unity celebrating the broken chains speaks volumes.
We continued our celebration in Brazos Park East at the Juneteenth Family Fun Day Celebration sponsored by EDKC, 94.5 The Beat, Allen Samuels and a host of other local sponsors. We had the reading of the Proclamation, tons of live entertainment, the Mega Kids Zone, all sorts of vendors, food, clothes, jewelry… you name it we had it! The big headliner Dru Hill put on a remarkable concert which closed out our Saturday.
Sunday was the finale! The Father’s Day Gospel Blowout Sponsored by Creative Waco and EDKC. We lifted the name of the Lord in song and dance at the Second Missionary Baptist Church of Waco. In attendance we had the Waco Community Choir, the Silent Saints of SMBC, Kupira Marimba, the Levites and more… and that was just the warm up! Headliner Myron Butler took the stage and completely put Juneteenth weekend over the top! It was the perfect ending to a phenomenal weekend.
I have always been proud of my culture and how far we as a people have come, but this Juneteenth Weekend I was proud of Waco! I felt the support of the community this entire journey and it was such a great feeling. This Juneteenth weekend I not only celebrated freedom, but I got to walk in purpose, leave my footprint, and make change. I even got to kick off an annual event, the pageant, that will start every Juneteenth weekend in Waco moving forward. The 2018 Juneteenth weekend was a success in my eyes. We accomplished so much in those three days which I hope will set a path for us to continue moving forward in the future.
This weekend we displayed excellence and proof that because of them… we can.
Ashley Royal is the owner and director of FootPrintz Dance Company. She is a servant of the community of Waco. Ashley’s mission is to promote high self-esteem, build character and help develop leadership skills in young people through the art of dance and community service. Ashley serves on the Board of Directors for The Youth Connection of Waco, she is a volunteer at Mission Waco, teaching the Hip Hop Dance Class and is also volunteers as a Pee Wee cheer coach for the Waco United League. Ashley works full time for the Daniel Stark Law Firm as a Pre- Litigation case manager. Through the service in the community Ashley hopes to build relationships that will lead to a stronger and better developed East Waco.