TUESDAY JANUARY 25, 2022

• SHELTER BABIES! Our newest feature introduces you to some of the animals available at Temple Animal Shelter. This will be a weekly feature.

• BNSF to host virtual technology series for high school students.

• Specialist says winter weather fluctuations can make allergies worse

• News From Everywhere: Your connection to state, national and world news, plus sports and weather.

• What’s Happening? Biggest events calendar in Central Texas.

By JENNIFER WILSON, Our Town Temple

All girls love to be seen with their fathers, but as every daughter knows there is a fine line between being proud of your dad in public and being humiliated with embarrassment — especially when he starts to crack his “hilarious” jokes or show off his latest dance moves.

Well ladies, if you are 18 years of age or younger, the Temple Parks & Recreation is giving you the opportunity to not only spend time with your father (or the “dad” of your choosing), but to also make some wonderful memories during a very special evening.

The Father/Daughter Dance, presented by Extreme Cheer & Tumble is being held Friday, Feb. 4, and Saturday, Feb. 5, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening.

The event is taking place at the Mayborn Center in Temple, and because you will be accompanying your father for the entire affair, you can keep any potential awkward moments in check.

Tickets are on sale now and must be purchased in advance. The event is expected to sell out, so go to www.templeparks.com to get your tickets. Tickets will not be sold at the door, and each person will need a ticket to enter the event. Doors open at 5:45 p.m.

A ticket will get you admission to the dance, a special gift bag for the daughters, a photo-booth experience and an opportunity for a professional photo-op. Tickets are $12 per person.

There is another ticket option that includes all of the above and a carriage ride. This package cost $17 per person. The carriage ride will take place at the venue and must be purchased in advance. When you purchase your tickets online, you will select your specific ride time. There will be a limited number of ride spots available, and all riders must have a ticket.

There is no set attire for this event, so feel free to be as formal or as casual as you wish to be. Daughters, just be sure that your father’s outfit gets your approval before letting him be seen in public.

To help you with those extra-special touches, several Temple businesses are offering special packages: Woods Flowers and Precious Memories Florist & Gift Shop both are offering corsage and boutonniere specials. Also, Vida Salon is also offering Father/Daughter beauty packages. Call these businesses for details.

Kiara Nowlin, a spokesperson for the city of Temple, believes this dance “gives opportunities for fathers or grandfathers, uncles, and daughters to create special memories.”

“The Parks Department prides itself on providing this experience and considers it an honor to put it on for the community,” she said.

“The Father/Daughter Dance began 22 years ago in the Wilson Park Recreation Center gym,” Nowlin said. “It was a small event organized for fathers and their daughters to make memories together.”

“Over the years, the event has grown and is now hosted at the Mayborn Center,” she added. “The one-day event was selling out of the 1,000 tickets offered, so the Parks & Recreation decided to offer two dates. Since then, approximately 1,900 tickets are sold between both days of the event.”

For more information and a helpful FAQ section, be sure and visit www.templeparks.com.

I know that every daughter who attends this event will have an amazing time and will one day look back upon it fondly. Just be aware that if your father does happen to break the “rules” and indulge in some embarrassing behavior despite your best efforts — your memories will be even better. 

BNSF to host virtual technology series

By DAVID STONE, Our Town Temple

BNSF, a major Temple employer and a cornerstone of the city’s industrial community, will host its 23rd annual Technology Awareness Celebration on Feb. 9-11.

The program will be held virtually through a series of free events.

The Technology Awareness Celebration at BNSF aims to educate high school students about careers in the technology field, and encourages attendees to design and develop their own technological solutions to real-world challenges that are judged at the event.

 The theme is "Innovation Starts with You” and sessions will include interactive activities, engaging leaders in the technology field, a college fair and much more.

“BNSF began hosting the event in 2004, and attendance has grown every year,” said Jeanelle Davis, BNSF’s director of public affairs.

This year, the sessions will be 5-6 p.m. each day.

“This event is a virtual version of the campaign that aims to educate youths about careers in the technology field,” Davis said.

“It challenges attendees to design and develop their own technological solutions.”

Registration is required to participate in the celebration. For more information and to register, visit BNSF Tech Program.

Share

Specialist says severe weather changes can make allergies worse

By KAYLEE DUSANG, Special to Our Town Temple

Although allergies are normally associated with the spring and fall, it may feel like allergy season never left this winter.

From cold fronts to rainy days and back to warmer days, an allergy expert at Baylor College of Medicine explains that it is not uncommon for frequent weather changes to worsen people’s allergy symptoms.

BCM is based in Houston and will open a Temple campus in summer 2023.

“People who have allergies, sinusitis, asthma or any other airway inflammatory disease frequently complain that their symptoms get worse with changes in the weather, and it seems like it’s when various fronts come through and there is a big temperature change,” said Dr. David Corry, professor of medicine-immunology, allergy and rheumatology at BCM.

Tree and grass pollen are one of the most common triggers for those who suffer from seasonal allergies. When the weather brings a mix of several cold and warm fronts, Corry explains that it can carry pollen in the air from other parts of the country, such as pollen from Juniper Ashe trees in West Texas.

“When fronts come from the west to the east, they can bring a lot of pollen, particularly in the ‘cedar fever’ season, which is roughly during mid-January to February,” Corry said. “Those fronts can bring in that cedar pollen, which is extremely abundant and irritating.”

Another main cause of allergies is mold spores. When weather fronts bring in a series of thunderstorms, rain or other forms of precipitation, the wet environment can cause mold to bloom strongly and trigger allergy symptoms.

“The main thing that might be bothering people’s allergies is mold, which can be in the air at any time of year,” Corry said. “It gets worse with major rain or precipitation, especially if a big storm like a hurricane comes through. Cases of severe allergy or asthma can skyrocket.”

While research is still being done on the topic, Corry said that some studies suggest that changes in humidity levels might also trigger allergies. When a cold front comes in, the humidity can plummet after the initial rain and the nose can dry out, which can cause irritation and lead to allergic rhinitis symptoms.

With the rise of the omicron variant that appears to cause milder symptoms in those who are fully vaccinated and boosted, it might be difficult to determine whether you are experiencing COVID symptoms or allergies.

Allergies mainly cause itchy and watery eyes, runny nose, congestion and sneezing. Corry said the main differences between allergy and COVID symptoms are a fever, sore throat and itching, such as itchy eyes, nose and ears.  

“Viruses, including the omicron variant of COVID-19 and the common cold, can first appear like allergies, but there are certain symptoms that help distinguish the two,” Corry said. “You almost never get prominent itching with a virus, and COVID often produces fever, which you never see in allergies. A prominent sore throat also indicates a virus.”

Allergies also are unlikely to cause profound tiredness, fatigue and muscle and joint aches.

If you are still unsure if you are experiencing allergies or an illness, try taking over-the-counter antihistamines to see if it helps with symptoms.  

Corry recommends treating allergies by using over-the-counter nasal steroid sprays for up to two weeks and taking oral antihistamines like cetirizine, loratadine or fexofenadine.

If symptoms are not relieved, Corry recommends reaching out to a primary care provider or an allergist for further treatment or allergy testing.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

the LINKS: NEWS FROM EVERYWHERE! Texas News, US & World News, Sports, Weather CLICK THE BUTTON!

NEWS FROM EVERYWHERE

MORE SHELTER BABIES!

Amy Strunk, the city of Temple’s animal services supervisor, sent a couple additions to our new Shelter Babies feature. And, if the animals aren’t cute enough, these photos have a Valentine theme. Thanks, Amy!

Say hello to Kobe. He is about 1 year old and is dog friendly. Kobe likes to run and he barks when he play. He also loves to pose for the camera.

This longhaired beauty is Natalie and she is spayed. She is very sweet and loves to be petted, give kisses and rub her face against yours!

TIME IS TICKING ON SUBSCRIPTION SPECIAL

Starting this week, only paid subscribers will receive six issues every week. Others will receive free issues on Wednesdays only. Don’t miss a single issue, subscribe today for half price!

Get 50% off for 1 year