66.4 F
Houston
Monday, May 5, 2025

Home Blog Page 679

Que Onda’s Weekend Picks for 6/28

Adversavvy
-
4
Que Onda’s Weekend Picks for 6/28

With summer in full swing, it’s time to take advantage of all of the fun activities Houston has to offer. With lots of places to cool down and escape the heat, Que Onda has selected fun activities for you, your family, and friends to do this weekend.

All Weekend

  • 30th Annual Texas Music Festival at the University of Houston | Daily – Attend one or several classical music events during the month-long Texas Music Festival. Now in its 30th year, the festival showcases some of Texas’ brightest young artists in a series of concerts and other celebrations. Tickets for the Orchestra Series concerts are $25; tickets for the Perspective Series concerts are $20; ticket packages for the full festival are also available. Showtimes vary.
  • Disney’s Aladdin at the Hobby Center | Daily – Rub the magic lamp and fulfill your wish to see the beloved Disney classic, Aladdin, come to life in a family-friendly, musical production at Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets start at $50, but limited discounted tickets are available starting at $35 for select shows or you may find cheaper or better seats using TicketNetwork’s resale site. Showtimes vary.
  • Comedian Nikki Glaser at Houston Improv | Thursday to Saturday – Crack up at a stand-up show by comic Nikki Glaser when she brings her comedy act to Houston Improv. Tickets range from $25 to $50. Use promocode NIKKI365 for 2-for-1 tickets for the Thursday show. Showtimes vary.
  • Houston Astros vs. Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park | Friday to Sunday – Get loud for the Astros when they take the field to play the Mariners in a home game at Minute Maid Park. Tickets start at $15, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale site. Times vary.

Friday, June 28th

  • Houston Museum of Natural Science: Discounted Exhibit Hall Admission – Score entrance to the Houston Museum of Natural Science Exhibit Hall at a discounted price when you purchase a special voucher, which will be available throughout all of 2019. Tickets are $25 for ages 12 and up; $16 for ages 3 to 11; $16 for ages $62 and up; discounted $11.10 tickets are available for most dates. 9am to 5pm.
  • HAAPIFEST 2019: Houston Asian American Pacific Islander Film Festival – The HAAPIFEST Closing and Community Arts Night happens at the Chinese Community Center. The festival features free screenings of more than 65 Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) films and is a celebration of AAPI art, film, and music in Houston. All day.
  • Gamertagg Nation at Toyota Center – Showcase your gaming skills while playing Madden 19, Call of Duty, or NBA 2K19 in a competitive tournament during Gamertagg Nation at Toyota Center. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top players. Tickets start at $65. 10am.
  • Train and Goo Goo Dolls in Concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion – Head to Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion for a live performance by Grammy winners Train and the Goo Goo Dolls. Tickets start at $29.50, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale site. 7pm.

Saturday, June 29th

  • Gulf Coast Volleyball Association Galveston Open on East Beach – Bump, set, and spike your way to the top at the Gulf Coast Volleyball Association’s Galveston Open, located on East Beach. Open to both members and nonmembers, the first 100 players to check in will receive a free T-shirt. $25 per person; $50 per team. Beachgoers are welcome to watch at no cost. 9am to 9pm.
  • Hands on Texas History Festival at The Bryan Museum – The Bryan Museum will celebrate Texas history with the best living history festival Galveston Island has ever seen. Hands on Texas History will feature live maritime, Celtic, and pioneer music, a chuckwagon, a comedic medicine show, a branding demonstration, a gunsmith, Buffalo Soldiers, games, costumed historical re-enactors, an authentic WWII 2 truck and jeeps, coastal animals, delicious barbecue, beer and wine, and more. Tickets are $5; $3 for ages 15 and under. 10am to 5pm.
  • The Woodlands Margarita Festival at Town Green Park – Cool off with one or several citrusy concoctions at the fourth annual Woodlands Margarita Festival. Offering more than 15 flavors of the summertime cocktail, the event features tequila tastings, live music, a market, and a vote for the top mixologist. General admission tickets are $23 in advance; $30 at the gate, but a limited number of discounted $13.50 tickets are available. 2pm to 8pm.
  • Gold Cup Quarterfinals at NRG Stadium – Cheer on your pick from the winners and runners-up of Groups A and B in the Concacaf Gold Cup when four leading soccer teams compete in the double-header quarterfinals at NRG Stadium. Tickets start at $30, but you may find better or cheaper tickets using the TicketNetwork online marketplace. One ticket is good for both matches. 6pm.
  • Houston Dash vs. Portland Thorns at BBVA Compass Stadium – Cheer on the Dash as they play the Thorns in a home game at BBVA Compass Stadium. Tickets start at $15. 7:30pm

Sunday, June 30th

  • Heights Morning Market at Onion Creek | No Cover – Grab a tasty brunch, listen to live music, and sip mimosas, then head out to shop a market of artisan goods, fresh produce, artwork and more at Heights Morning Market. 10am.
  • Namaste Sundays at The West End – A Public House | FREE – Kick off your Sunday with a free yoga session, followed by brunch and bubbly at Namaste Sundays, held at The West End – A Public House. 10am to 11am.
  • All Day Happy Hour at Conservatory | No Cover – Get your game on for free while enjoying Conservatory’s all-day happy hour, which features more than 60 types of draft beer, wine, and select whiskeys. 11am to 10pm.
  • NOLA Nights at Sugar Land Town Square | No Cover – Get your fill of authentic Nawlins music and cuisine when Sugar Land Town Square hosts NOLA Nights, featuring live music by The New Orleans Hustlers Brass Band with small plates and beer from Rouxpour on the plaza. 7:30pm to 9:30pm.
  • Anita Baker in concert at Smart Financial Centre – Don’t miss a live performance by the eight-time Grammy-winning songstress, Anita Baker, when her farewell concert series returns to Houston at Smart Financial Centre. Tickets start at $89, but you may find cheaper or better seats on TicketNetwork’s resale site. 8pm.

5 Sensory-Friendly 4th of July Tips for Kids with Autism

Adversavvy
-
7
5 Sensory-Friendly 4th of July Tips for Kids with Autism

With Independence Day around the corner, our country’s traditional outdoor celebrations are likely to be busy, noisy, and crowded with parades, loud and bright firework explosions, and perhaps overpowering with smells and smoke—all things that could constitute a neurotypical child’s recipe of super summer fun. For a neurodiverse child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), these ingredients can often cause intense and overwhelming meltdowns.

Many ASD families may feel the best solution is to stay home and celebrate in a more laid-back fashion, but even then, the unknown holiday activities in our neighborhoods could still prove troublesome.Plus, exposure to public events that are going to recur is an opportune time to help a child with autism learn necessary skills to not only adapt to ever-changing environments but potentially learn to love them – all while celebrating our nation’s birthday.

Sensory overload for a child with ASD is best treated with preparation. To prepare your child, here are five tips to help your family manage the sensory experience of our nation’s mid-summer holiday. These tips are adapted from techniques used in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy—evidence-based therapy in which behavior modifications are consistently applied and rewarded to make a meaningful change in overall behavior.

Tip One—Communicate to help forecast what could come

  • Help your child to understand and envision exactly what is going to be different that day. Explore and explain all the things that could take place. Rehearse parts of the events if you can. 
  • Start now by talking about what your child might expect and if possible get your child’s feedback ahead of time on what your child may feel crosses a threshold into becoming “too much” for them and what might constitute a need for a break.
  • Even if the event is at your house, talk about all the possible scenarios that could occur with the people who are coming, the food preparation and flavors, and the activities planned for the day. 

Tip Two—Prep with plans, emotional supports

  • It may be comforting for your child to know if you and he/she can use a code word, flashcard or favored technique when the child senses a situation is close to triggering a behavior. For example, in ABA terms, if the child or parent anticipates a common “antecedent” to a behavior, the child can use the code and seek a comforting reinforcement ahead of time.
  • If you are going to be around people who are unfamiliar with your child’s diagnosis, do some more rehearsal with your child about preparing for and responding to being accidentally bumped, excitedly hugged, or play-wrestled with.
  • If your child is into facts and history, they may appreciate knowing the real story why fireworks have become a tradition on this national holiday. So tell your child ahead of time what the historical context is and the reason for the celebration.

Tip Three—Bring physical reinforcements

  • Bringing along personal favorites universally goes a long way in all scenarios, not just during new activities. If your child has some favorite toys or snacks, bring them along. If they start feeling uncomfortable, these items can sometimes be enough to remind him or her of something familiar to feel calm enough to endure or even enjoy new or unfamiliar situations.
  • If you are visiting a barbecue or picnic, pack some of your child’s more familiar, favorite foods. Ask them in advance what they want to bring along so they feel empowered with a sense of control. If appropriate, rehearse with them to gently say “no, thank you” when people ask if they want to try some different food.
  • Depending on your child’s comfort level, consider packing sunglasses, hats, and/or a hoodie to help your child manage visual stimulation. If the climate is not expected to be too oppressive, even a compression tank top shirt or weighted vest can be part of the planned wardrobe. Or as much as possible, let your child pick their clothes for the day to add to the comfort to the occasion.
  • The sounds of the 4th are striking and intense. Your child can have a pack filled with accessible earplugs or buds to play familiar music, or even noise-canceling headphones to block some of the auditory stimuli.

Tip Four—Prepare for Sensory Overload

  • Fireworks mean big crowds. If your child doesn’t do well with crowds because of multiple sensory triggers, there may be a concern that he/she could run in an attempt to get away and/or end up getting lost by mistake. For many reasons, it might be better to set up your viewing spot a bit further back from the main attraction area. This is also useful if you think your child would like frequent breaks from the activities, will need to use the restroom, or for beating the crowds home.
  • Depending on where you live, fireworks may only be commonplace once a year around this holiday. While you likely cannot replicate a true display in person similar to the real event, there are numerous fourth of July fireworks video viewings, large and small, available on YouTube you with your child can watch at as high a volume and on as big a screen as your child will tolerate before the actual day’s event. Experiencing this, even on a screen will allow your child exposure to the sights and sounds in advance to get an idea of what to expect on the day of.

Tip Five: Anticipate, Participate, and Have Fun

  • For some children, it is helpful to have a “job” for the day. Being a helper or “in charge” of some element of the activity will make them feel more involved and more in control of their experience. For others, try and give them as much choice as possible in terms of seating, moving around, or isolating themselves (with as much supervision as possible). Work with other family members or friends to form a buddy system to keep the child with autism feeling safe. However, you also should be prepared to escape; let your child know that they can always let you know they are overwhelmed and need to get away from the people or the place.
  • Create some options for them to decompress. A small pop-up tent can sometimes serve as an escape pod if you are in an open space with lots of people. If you are visiting a place, sometimes a brief trip to the car can take tensions down a bit.
  • Develop a plan if a meltdown does occur. It can be more difficult to decide and implement comfort for your child on the spot and in a crowd. Discuss beforehand what strategies you will use and what each person in your party needs to do if you all need to leave.
  • Finally, your child has a meltdown, attend to them and don’t worry about the looks or concerns of others. If you prepare as best you can and remember this can be and should be a positive, fun occasion, you will get through potential challenges at this or any holiday festivities out of the ordinary.

From all of us at Centria Autism, have a safe and fun 4th of July!

Quick Facts 

● 1 in 59 children have autism 

● Centria Autism helps parents of children with autism navigate through the complex system of insurance, care and just knowing that they are not alone. 

● Centria operates in ten states, over 3,500 experienced and trained staff and services over 2,900 children.

About Centria Autism: 

Centria Autism, an operating division of Centria Healthcare, is a leading national provider of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism and their families. With its national headquarters in Michigan, and more than 3,500 clinical staff working in ten states, Centria’s Optimal Outcomes approach combines child-centered, evidence-based ABA with best practices to help children with ASD have the best developmental experience possible and acquire the skills to live independently and succeed in the world on their own terms.

For more information, please visit http://www.centriaautism.com .

DUMBO to Digital, 4K Ultra, Blu-ray and Movies Anywhere on June 25th!

Adversavvy
-
4
DUMBO to Digital, 4K Ultra, Blu-ray and Movies Anywhere on June 25th!

“Dumbo,” the grand live-action adventure from Disney and visionary director Tim Burton, which expanded on the beloved animated classic and sent spirits soaring, prepares for a landing on June 25. Disney invites fans to fall in love again with this heartfelt story, in which differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight, when it swoops into homes on Digital in HD and 4K Ultra HD™ and Movies Anywhere, and physically on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray™ and DVD — with never-before-seen bonus features, deleted scenes, Easter eggs and bloopers.

Stunning extras will transport viewers to the set of “Dumbo,” where cast members Danny DeVito (circus owner Max Medici), Michael Keaton (opportunistic businessman V.A. Vandevere), Colin Farrell (war-veteran-turned-elephant-keeper Holt Farrier), Eva Green (stunning aerialist Colette Marchant), Nico Parker (Farrier’s daughter, Milly) and Finley Hobbins (Farrier’s son, Joe) share their personal stories of courage and character. Features explore how Disney’s timeless animated story was brought to life with an incredibly expressive, lovable, fully computer-generated baby elephant; the longtime collaboration of Burton, production designer Rick Heinrichs and costume designer Colleen Atwood, which resulted in jaw-dropping sets and costumes; and the creation of the visually colossal Dreamland parade sequence. Also included are nine deleted scenes, hidden and not-so-hidden Easter eggs, bloopers and a special performance of “Baby Mine” by Arcade Fire.

In “Dumbo,” struggling circus owner Max Medici enlists former star Holt Farrier and his children to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive but sinister entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere, who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, spectacular, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland.

“Dumbo” will be released in several different formats, giving families the flexibility to watch it on a variety of devices. Viewers can watch the film in Digital 4K UHD, HD and SD, and bring home a physical copy of the film as the 4K Ultra HD Edition (4K UHD, Blu-ray and Digital Code), Multi-Screen Edition (Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Code) and a single DVD.

Que Onda Travels: Sucre, Bolivia

Adversavvy
-
3
Que Onda Travels: Sucre, Bolivia

Whitewashed buildings, charming church steeples and sleepy plazas — no, you’re not in Santorini. Sucre, Bolivia, is one of South America’s most beautiful hidden gems. Surrounded by majestic mountains and populated with a slew of colonial architecture, this peaceful city offers a welcome respite for travelers. While there are numerous attractions to entertain, you’ll be tempted to stay for its relaxed atmosphere — a rarity among South American cities.

WHEN TO GO

May — October

With heavy rains dominating the early part of the year, most travelers should visit Sucre in the dry season: May through October. While the dry season is also the high season, it’s worth braving the crowds so you won’t have to worry about weather interfering with your travel plans.

But this time of year does see some temperature drops at night, so remember to pack in layers.

DISCOVERIES

Sweet as Sugar

Sucre’s historic center is one of the most recognizable in South America, namely for its iconic whitewashed buildings. A designated UNESCO site, the city center is filled with beautiful plazas, peaceful gardens and a church every 100 yards. Find your way to the main square, Plaza 25 de Mayo, and explore from there. Climb the stairs to the top of nearby Convento de San Felipe Neri for a beautiful view before slipping over to Casa de la Libertad for a history lesson. In this building Bolivia’s Act of Independence was signed. There are also plenty of museums, from the Cathedral Museum to the ASUR Indigenous Art and Textiles Museum.

Think About It

Sucre makes the perfect stop between South American adventures, so take advantage of the laid-back atmosphere to do some quality contemplation. A key spot for this is the Cementerio General, where rows of stacked graves are marked with a message: “Hodie Mihi Cras Tibi: Today Me, Tomorrow You.” Beautiful and serene, this area may not be a typical tourist point but it’s worth a visit. If you’d rather stick to the beaten path, hike up to La Recoleta, a cobblestoned plaza overlooking the city. Grab a bite at the restaurant and watch the sun go down over the orange-roofed buildings.

Ready for Impact

Bolivia is home to some diverse landscape, from vegetation-covered mountains to barren salt plains. You can’t miss the Maragua Crater, a stunning rock formation outside Sucre. The colorful surrounding scenery epitomizes Bolivia’s diversity, and features some pretty cool historical features from cave paintings to dinosaur footprints. Whether you hike to the top or join a quad tour, experiencing this natural landscape is otherworldly.

Life Finds a Way

Want to walk in the footsteps of dinosaurs? You don’t need a fictional Jurassic Park to do so. Just visit Parque Cretácico, an archeological park with a huge collection of preserved dinosaur footprints (over 5,000) set into the Cal Orck’o cliff. The footprints might be real, but there are also some fake life-size dinosaur replicas nearby that are fun to tour.

Get up close and personal with these ancient creatures, without the danger.

WHAT TO EAT

Snacking in Sucre

Visiting Sucre’s central market should be on your list just for the sensory experience, but while you’re there try the classic Bolivian dishes to accompany the colorful fruit you picked up at the market. From mondongo (a dish with pork and peppers), to pique macho (beef and french fries) there are plenty of classic dishes to try. Outside the market, El Patio is a favorite for salteñas (baked empanadas) with plenty of filling options. International cuisine also makes its mark with Italian at Papavero and French at La Taverne. Finally, Sucre is the chocolate capital of Bolivia, so you can’t leave without trying the sweet treats at Para Ti.

STAY HERE

Sun Down in Sucre

Sucre is relatively small, and despite being on the tourist circuit, has yet to attract any large hotel chains. But there is an abundance of hostels and boutique hotels that await travelers.

The Villa Oropeza hostel and The Beehive Sucre are two favorites for budget hostels. For a step above, check in to El Hostal Su Merced, housed in an elegant colonial building with a rooftop terrace just steps away from the main square. For a more relaxing retreat, try Mi Pueblo Samary Boutique Hotel, which is located in an old colonial mansion and features private balconies and quiet courtyards tucked away.

¿Le Doy una Segunda Oportunidad?

Adversavvy
-
5
¿Le Doy una Segunda Oportunidad?

En mi show que transmito por Facebook Live los miércoles toque el tema de las segundas oportunidades y una de mis seguidoras contó que después de 9 meses de noviazgo terminó con su novio debido a los celos excesivos e infundados de su pareja y juró a toda su familia, amigos y a sí misma que jamás volvería con él. Sin embargo, cuando el hombre regresó arrepentido y le pidió una oportunidad para demostrar que podía cambiar, ella le creyó y regreso con él. Esta vez el romance duró 1 mes y volvieron a terminar por la misma razón; ¡celos! Pero ahora el hombre dice que hasta terapia de pareja quiere ir para resolver su problema porque él la ama y está dispuesto a hacer lo que sea para reconquistarla. Entonces, ahora ella me pregunta: ¿María será que la tercera es la vencida, debo de darle la última oportunidad?

Para mi ese dicho no tiene validez yo considero que “la segunda es la vencida”. Todo el mundo merece una primera oportunidad como hizo ella la primera vez. Pero cuando alguien no cumple o te decepciona en dos ocasiones o más, ten por seguro que su comportamiento se repetirá una y otra vez.

Me atrevo a decir que en algún momento te has preguntado si debes darle una segunda o tercera oportunidad a una ex pareja. Y seguramente accediste a volver, bien sea por conveniencia, por amor o por lástima. Pero lamentablemente, aunque deseaste con toda el alma que la relación funcionara, los mismos problemas volvieron a surgir. Y para colmo, la misma razón por la que se dejaron al principio, es la misma por la que finalmente se volvieron a dejar.

En el momento que te encuentres con el dilema: ¿le doy una segunda oportunidad?, pregúntate si la última vez acabaron por alguna de la siguientes cinco razones. Si una de ellas fue la causa del rompimiento, no pierdas tu tiempo en dar otra oportunidad.

  1. No eras una prioridad en suvida. Había algo más importante que tú.
  2. Celos excesivos e infundados
  3. Abuso físico, verbal o emocional 4. Tu pareja sufría de un vicio
  4. Te fue infiel

A todos los que han tratado de salvar una relación repetidamente, les digo: ¡No pierdas tu tiempo y energía, no va a funcionar!

María Marín motivadora internacional.

Visita el canal de Youtube:“El Empujoncito de Maria Marin” Siguela en Facebook mariamarin

Twitter @maria_marin

IG mariamarinmotivation

Visita: www.MariaMarin.com

LSC-University Park ofrece infinitas oportunidades

Adversavvy
-
4
LSC-University Park ofrece infinitas oportunidades

En Lone Star College-University Park (LSC-UP) tomamos muy en serio nuestro papel fundamental de colegio comunitario. Ofrecemos a nuestros estudiantes experiencias prácticas que les garantiza una ventaja en la vida, especialmente en el mundo profesional.

Nuestros estudiantes saben que la prioridad de los profesores y personal es la graduación y el éxito de cada estudiante. Luisa DeLeón, estudiante universitario de primera generación tenía pasión por la educación y el aprendizaje. Antes de inscribirse al colegio se sentía limitada por barreras financieras y la falta de recursos y consejos. LSC-UP le ofreció flexibilidad, conveniencia y una nueva comunidad.

“Realmente me gusta el ambiente; los profesores y el personal me ayudaron, me sentí bienvenida desde mi primer día,” dijo DeLeón. “Pude equilibrar la escuela y al mismo tiempo trabajar. Tome clases por la mañana y trabaje por las tardes, las opciones de clase en línea me ayudaron a crear un horario flexible.”

Con más de 13,000 estudiantes por semestre y más del 40% de la población hispana, LSC-UP es reconocida como una de las instituciones de educación superior con mayor crecimiento e importancia en el país. Bajo el presidente fundador, Dr. Shah Adalan, LSC-UP se dedica a brindar acceso abierto a una educación de calidad y económica que conduce al crecimiento personal y profesional.

“Los profesores y el dedicado equipo de personal se enfoca en nuestra diversa comunidad y población estudiantil,” dijo Dr. Ardalan. “El enfoque en la diversidad es vital para asegurar que todos los estudiantes tengan un camino para graduarse y puedan alcanzar sus metas académicas y profesionales.”

LSC-UP ofrece más de 70 programas académicos y certificados de la industria laboral diseñados para ser accesibles. Con horarios flexibles, opciones de ayuda financiera y planes de pago disponibles. Varios programas de estudio incluyen cursos de crédito y sin crédito, instrucción de careras en la industria laboral y clases de educación continua.

Por menos del costo de un celular iPhone, estudiantes pueden aprovechar e inscribirse a clases con un precio bajo de $330.

Muchos de nuestros estudiantes aprovechan los servicios de transferencia Aquellos reciben becas y tienen la aceptación en universidades de primer nivel en el estado y en el país como la Universidad de Houston, Universidad de Texas, Universidad de Rice etc.

Los programas Puente y el Instituto de Éxito para Estudiantes (Student Success Institute, SSI) son dos ejemplos de programas exitosos en campus que conectan a los estudiantes con mentores y recursos universitarios.

“La aptitud y el personal de LSCUP trabajan en colaboración con la administración para encontrar y a menudo, crear, las mejores soluciones para satisfacer las necesidades de nuestros estudiantes”, dijo Kathy CecilSánchez, vice presidenta de instrucción.

“Nuestra cultura esta centrada en los estudiantes. Trabajamos con cada estudiante, se asesora donde se encuentra académicamente, identificamos a donde quieren ir y los conectamos con los recursos que necesitan para alcanzar sus metas con éxito.”

A través del programa Inglés para Hablantes de Otras Lenguas (English for Speakers of Other Languages, ESOL) en LSC-UP, los estudiantes pueden aprender el idioma, participar en eventos culturales y educativos, y convertirse en parte de una comunidad mas grande. Las clases son diseñadas para el verdadero principiante con una capacidad limitada de lectura y escritura, hasta el estudiante avanzado, y enfatizan la preparación para el estudio universitario, mientras que simultáneamente enseñan a los estudiantes sobre la cultura estadounidense y el idioma inglés.

Las instalaciones en el colegio incluyen el Centro de Ciencia e Innovación, el Instituto de Energía y Fabricación y la Sala de Innovación. Nuestros profesores y personal les brindan a los estudiantes educación y capacitación integral en disciplinas que satisfacen las necesidades actuales y futuras de la industria laboral.

“La universidad tiene un tremendo equipo de aptitud que realmente busca que usted logre éxito”, dijo Jesús Patino, un graduado de LSC,” LSC-UP me ayudo a descubrir que quería llegar a ser – mis pasiones, mis metas, mis sueños – y me puso en un camino claro hacia mi futuro.”

Descubre LSC-UP por ti mismo. Las clases comienzan durante el año.

Para más información sobre LSCUP, visite LoneStar.edu/UP o llame al 281.290.2600.

Whataburger Founding Family Sells Majority Share of Texas Chain

Adversavvy
-
0
Whataburger Founding Family Sells Majority Share of Texas Chain

Whataburger, the beloved burger chain with a 69-year family legacy in Texas, has sold a controlling interest in the company to Chicago-based investment banking firm BDT Capital.

The Dobson family who founded the iconic company will remain minority stakeholders and the headquarters will stay in San Antonio.

“Together, BDT and the Whataburger team will begin exploring expansion plans — while staying true to the brand it has been over the past 69 years,” the company said in a statement Friday.

Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed. It’s expected to close later this summer. The motive is Whataburger’s desire to expand its brand and introduce its restaurants to new customers, the company said. BDT will provide the funding needed to grow Whataburger’s operations.

The chain will likely expand its presence in the Southwest and expand its perimeter, said Darren Tristano, founder of Foodservice Results, a food industry consulting firm. It has more than 800 locations in 10 states, the majority in Texas.

“There will be some growth toward the north, but I wouldn’t expect them to show up in New York City or Chicago,” Tristano said.

BDT is a merchant bank that invests in family-owned companies selling everything from branded fishing rods to tequila. In addition to Whataburger, it’s also invested in Krispy Kreme Doughnuts and Panera Bread.

Byron Trott, a former Goldman Sachs global investment banking executive, founded BDT in 2009 after spending decades advising some of America’s leading capitalists, including Warren Buffett and heirs of Walmart founder Sam Walton. His firm also served as financial adviser to Keurig in its January 2018 takeover of Plano’s Dr Pepper.

Whataburger’s revenue totaled $2.2 billion in 2016, the most recent year for which data on the privately-owned company is available, according to Technomic’s top-500 chain restaurant report.

” The Whataburger we all love is now poised for many more years of growth, while maintaining its culture, the family legacy and the high quality of its food and service,” said Patrick Tobin, a partner at law firm Jackson Walker’s San Antonio office. Jackson Walker served as Whataburger’s legal adviser. The first Whataburger opened in 1950 in Corpus Christi. Co-founder Harmon Dobson’s goal was to make a burger so delicious that consumers said “What a burger!” after taking a bite. In 2001, the Texas Legislature declared the company an official Texas Treasure.

In May, Whataburger confirmed it had hired Morgan Stanley to explore a possible sale. It’s the second Texas-born company to be sold this week. On Thursday, the family that built Schlitterbahn into a national brand sold two of its three Texas water parks to an Ohio theme park operator for $261 million.

Whataburger also announced several leadership changes at the company that refers to its 40,000 employees as “family members.”

President and CEO Preston Atkinson and board chairman Tom Dobson are stepping down to work with Las Aguilas, an investment company focused on philanthropy and real estate. Las Aguilas was established by the Dobson family in 2011. Dobson, his siblings Hugh and Lynne and Atkinson will remain on the company’s board of directors.

Ed Nelson will replace Atkinson as president. Nelson was previously chief financial officer and controller. The company will not name a new CEO, instead creating a chief operating officer position for Leonard Mazzoco, the former vice president of business operations.

The retention of senior leaders is good news for customers who don’t want to say goodbye to Whataburger’s signature Fancy Ketchup or any of its other fan favorites.

“It says they think the company is well-run,” said Amy Curtis, a mergers and acquisitions-focused partner at Dallas law firm Thompson & Knight.

“It’s a sign you’re not going to see wholesale changes.” The Whataburger brand enjoys a cult following in Texas.

It’s the go-to spot for high school athletes after a Friday night football game. High school football teams in Frisco even fight for domain over their local Whataburger, #1020 on El Dorado Parkway and North Dallas Parkway.

Staying true to the Whataburger brand is key to its future, said Tristano, the food industry consultant.” Brands that have done well in these scenarios are ones that don’t make a lot of changes,”

Tristano said. “They don’t update the stores right away or change the menu. If they stick with the tradition, with what got them there, they’ll be on a good path.”

Since 1950 Family-owned, forward-thinking, and all about taking care of its guests – Whataburger is built on a proud history.

You may love everything Whataburger, but do you know the story behind the legendary restaurant? If you call yourself a true fan, here are the things you should know about Whataburger’s history.

Small stand, big burger

In the golden age of driveins and American automobiles, a man named Harmon Dobson had a vision: a five-inch burger that would be so big that when people picked it up to take a bite, they couldn’t help but say “What a burger!” With no restaurant experience, Harmon opened the original Whataburger August 8, 1950, on Ayers Street in Corpus Christi, Texas.

The small building had a humble outside, and business was slow at first ($191 for the first three days), but Harmon was offering something no one else was (other burgers at the time were only four inches), and word got around. On the fourth day, Harmon, an avid diarist, penned these words: “Big day—$141.80— Christ—What a workhorse. 551 burgers.”

True Love and Tragedy

In 1955, Harmon married Grace Williamson and the pair began a love affair that grew stronger each year. Together, they raised a family and oversaw the expansion of the business. Harmon was a natural promoter and businessman, known for tossing promotional flyers from his plane, and he was always on the lookout for new markets. Then, in 1967, while traveling for business, his plane went down.

“Lady Grace,” as she was known, was at home with her three children when word came in that Dobson’s plane had crashed.

As the family rallied around Grace and the children, investors began knocking on the door. “We want to buy the business,” they told Grace. “You can’t run a business and raise a family.” Grace knew better. As calls came in with aggressive offers to buy, Grace held strong, maintaining that she would keep running the business, since it was her husband’s wish for it to stay in the family.

A-Frame fame

In 1961, as Whataburger grew to more than 17 locations, the first iconic orange-and-white striped A-Frame was opened in Odessa, Texas. The reason for the distinctive colored roofs? Harmon was a pilot and wanted them to be seen from the sky.

Leading with Grace

Under Grace’s leadership, the business continued to grow. The first drive thru was installed in 1971. At the end of 1980, Whataburger opened its 300th restaurant. By 1982, three locations began operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week much to the delight of hungry fans. Some now-classic menu items debuted in the ‘80s, like the Taquito, Breakfast on a Bun and Whatachick’n.

The Torch is Passed

Whataburger saw its first change of leadership since the 1960s when Tom Dobson, Harmon’s son, took over the company as president and CEO in 1993. In 1996, the company launched their inaugural Family Convention, which continues to take place on a biennial basis. is The highlight of the event is the finals of WhataGames, an intense six-month long competition where every single restaurant competes to show their knowledge of company history and commitment to company values.

Official Texas Treasure

The 77th Texas Legislature designated Whataburger an official Texas Treasure in 2001, the same year the beloved Honey BBQ Chicken Strip Sandwich debuted. In 2005, Whataburger’s “first lady” Grace Dobson passed away, and the Whataburger Family mourned the loss of Lady Grace. Her commitment to taking care of the Whataburger Family and her legacy of giving back to the community remain central to the company today.

Still Family Owned and Operated

Now in its sixth decade as a family-owned company, Whataburger continues to grow – just not too big. The chain has more than 800 restaurants across 10 states, employing more than 40,000 Family Members. But with each day and each order, the inspiration of Harmon and Grace Dobson centers the business. Siblings Tom, Lynne and Hugh Dobson remain committed to their parents’ legacy of serving guests with pride, care and love.

ABOUT WHATABURGER:

Whataburger has focused on its fresh, made-to-order burgers and friendly customer service since 1950 when Harmon Dobson opened the first Whataburger as a small roadside burger stand in Corpus Christi, Texas. Dobson gave his restaurant a name he hoped to hear customers say every time they took a bite of his made-to-order burgers: “What a burger!” Within the first week, people lined up around the block for his 25 cent, 100 percent beef burgers served on five-inch buns.

Today, the company is headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, with more than 820 locations in 10 states with sales of more than $2 billion annually. Visit www.whataburger.com for more information.

Trump anuncia operativo de ICE la próxima semana para deportar a millones de indocumentados

Adversavvy
-
0
Trump anuncia operativo de ICE la próxima semana para deportar a millones de indocumentados

En la noche de este lunes el presidente Donald Trump sorprendió a la comunidad inmigrante al anunciar un mega operativo de ICE, iniciando la próxima semana, para deportar a millones de inmigrantes indocumentados.

“La próxima semana, ICE comenzará el proceso de remover a los millones de extranjeros ilegales que ilícitamente han encontrado su camino hacia Estados Unidos. Serán eliminados tan pronto como entren”, escribió Trump en su cuenta de la red social Twitter.

“México, usando sus fuertes leyes de inmigración, está haciendo un muy buen trabajo al detener a las personas… mucho antes de que lleguen a nuestra frontera sur. Guatemala se está preparando para firmar un acuerdo de [tercer país seguro]. Los únicos que no harán nada son los demócratas en el Congreso. ¡Deben votar para deshacerse de las lagunas y arreglar el asilo! Si es así, ¡la crisis fronteriza terminará rápidamente!”, añadió el mandatario en otra publicación en Twitter.

Si bien México ha tomado acciones para enfrentar la inmigración ilegal en su frontera, tras las amanezas de impuestos de Trump, el Gobierno guatemalteco no ha confirmado que se prepare para acoger a los inmigrantes que llegan de Honduras y El Salvador en su camino a Estados Unidos, lo que pasaría si firmara un tratado de tercer país seguro.

Hasta el momento no está claro el alcance, ni los detalles de la mega operación que anunció el presidente en las redes sociales, sin embargo su amenaza manda una señal de alerta a toda la comunidad inmigrante en todo el país.

En sintonía con esta amenaza el presidente Trump ordenó este lunes cancelar nuevas partidas de ayuda económica a los países del Triángulo del Norte (El Salvador, Guatemala y Honduras ) hasta que muestren “medidas concretas” para reducir la inmigración ilegal.

Wisin Lanza “3G” Su Colaboración Con Jon Z Y Don Chezina

Adversavvy
-
4
Wisin Lanza “3G” Su Colaboración Con Jon Z Y Don Chezina

Tras semanas de anticipación en las redes sociales, el ícono de la música latina urbanaWisin lanza hoy su esperada nueva canción y video “3G“, una colaboración con Jon Z y Don Chezina que promete poner a multitudes a bailar. 

“3G” cuenta con el coro de “Tra, Tra, Tra”, una de las canciones latinas urbanas más exitosas de los 90s, de uno de los pioneros del Reggaetón, Don Chezina; y para esta nueva canción, Wisin invitó a uno de los nuevos exponentes del género a unirse a la colaboración, el joven artista de Trap/Rap Jon Z. Cada artista le pone su sello a “3G” creando una dinámica única que es evidente desde que arranca la canción con la poderosa e inconfundible voz de Wisin.

“Con ‘3G’ quise unir estas tres generaciones marcando el pasado, presente y futuro . . . Don Chezina, uno de los pioneros del movimiento, quien marcó una pauta y abrió las puertas para artista como yo y un joven rapero que esta triunfando y es parte del futuro de la música urbana. . . el resultado es una canción que es monumental, una bomba en cualquier tiempo“, expresó Wisin.

“3G” es el primer lanzamiento del próximo álbum como solista de Wisin, que saldrá al mercado este año. Fue producida por DJ Urba y Rome y escrita por el artista junto a Don Chezina y Jon Z. 

Wisin _3G_PR2

El director Mike Ho quien ha trabajado con Cardi B y Nicki Minaj entre otros, estuvo a cargo del video que destaca el carisma de cada estrella cantando en una moderna disco llena de mujeres bailando.

Actualmente Wisin se encuentra de gira por Estados Unidos junto a Yandel con el “Como Antes Tour” de Wisin yYandel que ha llenado muchos de los más importantes recintos en cada uno de las ciudades donde se han presentado. El tour estadounidense culmina este mes con shows en el AmericanAirlines Arena de Miami el 21 de junio y en el Amway Center de Orlando el 23 de junio.

Acerca de WISIN:

El ícono de la música latina urbana WISIN, cuyo nombre de pila es Juan Luis Morera Luna, es un cantante, compositor, productor y empresario reconocido por su éxito arrasador, primero como parte del dúo Wisin y Yandel y ahora en su carrera como solista. En los últimos 18 años se ha mantenido como uno de los artistas más sonados en la radio y en las pistas de baile, más nominados para premios prestigiosos, y entre los que más venden música y conciertos.

Como solista, en los últimos cinco años, ha logrado catorce #1s en la radio según el listado Latin Airplay de Billboard (25 en total, incluyendo sus #1 en el listado como parte de Wisin y Yandel). El álbum más reciente de Wisin Victory, debutó en el #1 en ventas según el listado Current Latin Albums de Nielsen SoundScan. Cerró el 2017 como el artista #1 en el listado de fin de año de Billboard / Latin Airplay-Artists por ser el cantante más sonado en la radio en EEUU y Puerto Rico.

El cantante y compositor también se ha destacado como productor y estrella de televisión. Además de producir su propia música y la de Wisin y Yandel, el artista produjo el primer álbum del grupo CNCO, trabajando con los jóvenes para crear una exitosa producción discográfica. Primera Cita debutó en el #1 y desde entonces ha tenido siete hits. Wisin también ha producido o co-producido para otras estrellas de la música como Jennifer López, Chayanne, Ozuna, Sebastián Yatra, Reik y Chyno Miranda, entre otros.

See How Nexus is a Champion for Immigrant Rights and Immigration Reform

Adversavvy
-
4
See How Nexus is a Champion for Immigrant Rights and Immigration Reform

If you need legal or immigration help call: (800) 915-9175 or visit www.librebynexus.com

An issue which has continued to dominate headlines, and a topic close to heart within the state of Texas, is immigration. Many of us know friends and family who have in the past immigrated to this country, but with policies like family separation and increasingly crowded detention centers, it’s hard to understand what the immigrant experience is like today, much less what to do if someone we know finds themselves in this unfortunate situation.

This month at the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) monthly breakfast, Houston’s top Hispanic Publishers sat down with event panelist and President of Nexus Services Inc., Mike Donovan. Founded in 2011, Nexus has helped reunite nearly 30,000 immigrant families that have been separated as a result of detention. As a champion of immigrant rights and immigration reform, Nexus sponsors one of the country’s leading pro-bono immigration legal services, Nexus Caridades Attorneys, working tirelessly to help immigration detainees and their families manage our complex immigration system.

Publisher: What is the reason Nexus is getting involved in Houston and in Texas?

Mike Donovan: Nexus has liberated nearly 10,000 individuals out of Houston detention facilities in the last 3 years. We were heavily engaged during the flooding that happened after Hurricane Harvey. A lot of people don’t know this, but immigrants who are on bond, who are on parole, can’t avail themselves of publicly funded assistance. If they do, their bonds can be violated. So, when there’s a disaster or something like Harvey, we go in and help evacuate people.

We help find shelters or establish shelters that aren’t publicly funded so that people can avail themselves to those emergency services without running the risk of being re-incarcerated. So, we’ve been very active in Texas.

Publisher: Tell me a little bit about what you guys can do to an individual or to a family. What kind of services can you provide them?

Mike Donovan: At the heart of Nexus Services is the access to bond money A bond is a concept that not a lot of people understand, and for good reason. because of the number companies that will host immigration bonds are so small that there’s a lot of price fixing that happens so, before Nexus, an immigrant would have to pay 100% of the bond, let’s say $20,000, they have to pay 20% premium, so $4,000 more. [Therefore] an immigrant would have to pay $24,000. And they’d have to pay a 20% premium every year their case was active. We didn’t think this made sense. Most immigrants don’t have this.

A system created through experience….

Mike Donovan had a taste of what people go through in the US justice system. When he was 18 years old and in his first year of college, he wrote a (bad) check and was arrested for a financial crime. He was given a $45,000 bond and could not pay for it, so he stayed in jail for 7 ½ months. He pled guilty to a felony to get out of jail and in a sense, that’s why Nexus does what they do. Founded on a strong belief that someone should not be required to give a large sum of money to have your case heard, Nexus recognizes most immigrants do not have the amount of money required for bail and will stand in place of that burden, priding themselves on being aggressive for clients, empowering and treating them like family.

In speaking to a group of Hispanic inmates, Donovan learned the horrors of the immigration bail process and how if one does not have 100% of the money, they cannot get out. It was then he decided his company would be committed to change that, and they have. Now, the world for immigrants and detention in the United States is completely different, thanks to Nexus. Today, every day over 30 people come out of jail through Nexus. Upon release, Nexus sets out to give their clients a different experience.

They are picked up by a Nexus employee and given the choice to pick where they would like to go out to eat. Choices are a luxury prison does not offer. Most clients of Nexus have had a very unwelcoming experience in the United States up to this point and Nexus seeks to change that.

Through Nexus, clients do not need to pay the total bond amount. On contract with Nexus, clients instead pay a fraction of the bond and can choose a monthly program fee at any point decide to pay the bond amount and end the program. The system, created by Nexus, is based on trust, accountability and respect to get individuals to a place of stability. When speaking about his model’s success rate, Donovan proudly boasts that the program has a 98% success rate, compared to the government’s success rate of 30%.

In addition to the paid program, Nexus also offers pro bono legal service.

This means that clients who have nothing can still get help. People coming over the border are being charged with unlawful entry. They are arrested, sent to federal prison and the children are removed. Our prisons are getting filled up with people who are only in search of a better life, causing not only a drastic human cost but also a real monetary cost to the public. According to Donovan, it costs $45,000 a year to house a single person in jail, a cost that is imposed on the public. Donovan talked about a lady in San Diego who had been caught at the border by immigration and arrested with her infant child. The government returned her a sick child and dropped both off at the Greyhound station in San Diego. She went to the window and said, “I need help”. The attendant gave her the Nexus phone number. Nexus exists for stories like this, with their number available in places of crisis.

That is just one example of many. Going far beyond bail securing services, Nexus services sees their job as standing up for a community of people that are dis-empowered, disconnected, and who are at a very core level represent everything that we love and hold dear about American values.

Mike Donovan: “We see ourselves as advocates. We want to change the world. We want to create a world where immigrants can be proud of being immigrants”.

Nexus also understands the need to protect client personal information and data from federal government entities that could potentially deport them or separate them again from their families.

When state attorney generals asked Nexus for personal information of the people they serve, Donovan refused. Nexus had to go to great lengths to protect their client information from ICE and the federal government to the point of suing two state attorney generals and are currently a year and millions of dollars into litigation.

Mike Donovan: “It’s we that have sued the attorney general, demanding protection for our clients, and the most amazing thing is, whether it’s New York, Virginia, the Consumer Financial Production Bureau, or the Western District of Virginia, we were successful in getting the power to redact sensitive client information. So, it was expensive, it was frustrating, God knows it’s been stressful, but we have been able to protect them.”

The vast majority of the people we serve never pay for any of the services. We provide and sponsor free legal services, we can help a person get a free immigration attorney, we can get a free criminal defense attorney, we can help a person get a free attorney to sue the jail that you were housed in, or the government that’s abusing you. What I would say to people is, don’t be afraid of asking for help and don’t assume that just because it’s bad, that you can’t get through it.

Through both personal and professional experience, Mike Donovan has seen it all. For nearly ten years, Donovan and the team at Nexus have put their money where their mouth is, fighting tirelessly to protect the rights of all humans. Pushing against the not just abusive conditions but the severe legal consequences, like federal incarceration, that greet families who now arrive to the U.S.

Unnecessary incarceration and predatory tactics against this immigrant community are among the main issues Nexus is hoping to repair. Donovan, along with his team at Nexus, has gone so far as to sue municipal, state and federal government to ensure clients’ personal records were not public, prioritizing the privacy and respect of his clients over his own reputation.

Using the saying Donovan quotes in this conversation, “sunlight is the best disinfectant.” Conditions will not improve without participating in the conversation or standing up with courage to take action and change things for the better. Through events like the LULAC monthly breakfast and companies like Nexus Services, Inc., we hope to, as Donovan states, “put sunlight on issues,” to foster productive conversations and ultimately affect positive change for those who need it most.

If you need help call: (800) 915-9175 or visit www.librebynexus.com

1...678679680...708Page 679 of 708

Houston’s premier Hispanic news network, dedicated to keeping you informed with the latest updates on local and national breaking news, community events, entertainment, chisme, and much more. We strive to be your trusted source for engaging and timely content that connects with our vibrant community and celebrates the culture and stories that matter most to you.

Contact us: contact@queondamagazine.com

© Copyright - Que Onda Magazine 2024