Breathing in Houston Can be Dangerous

If you live in the Houston area, playing outside could be damaging to your health. Though exaggerated, the statement holds some truth as Houston’s overall air quality remains among the nation’s worst. When you’re outdoors in Houston, beware of inhaling some of the toxins and pollutants that you may be taking in.

Two of the most harmful air pollutants present in the Houston area are butadiene (1,3, butadiene) and benzene. Butadiene, which is produced from burning fuels, can cause nausea, skin irritation and fatigue. The exposure to butadiene can also cause leukemia; children are especially at risk for leukemia after exposure to the pollutant.
Be aware of that the emissions from vehicular combustion and industrial processes in the Houston area release benzene.

The hazardous pollutant can cause dizziness and irritation to the respiratory system, eyes, and skin. Long-term chronic exposure to benzene can also lead to blood disorders and cancer.
Ozone, also known as smog has also been an issue in Houston’s air quality. Produced by vehicles and industry businesses, it is known to cause respiratory problems, stunt lung development, and can aggravate existing conditions of the lungs. The city is working to improve the issue of ozone through the Clean Air Act and regulatory monitors that have preliminary design values which comply with the 8-hour, 84 ppb standard.

Though the city is working to improve the air quality, there is still room for improvement. There remains a lot of work to be done to clean Houston’s air. For more information on air quality, visit the site for the Center of Houston’s Future at www.centerforhoustonsfuture.org.

By Production Assistant: Angel Hadnott

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What I learned this week:

If I can’t understand what a person is going through. I try to walk in their shoes and quit pointing fingers.

What I am grateful for:

I live in a country where there is separation of church and state.~ Patricia Gras
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Latina Voices: Smart Talk and Living Smart with Patricia Gras are currently on hiatus due to our membership drive. We will be back Sept. 26!

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Disclosure: The views shared in this article do not reflect the view at HoustonPBS.

Race for the Cure, Dealing with Change and Health Care

What I learned this week:
No one can take away my peace of mind unless I let them.

What I am grateful for:
I work to live, so I get to go on a long vacation.

Here’s a sneak-peek into what’s on Living Smart and Latina Voices this week
Living Smart: Herb Agan on dealing with Change.Dr. Herb Agan, a family therapist and professor at the University of Houston, reveals the unseen opportunities in a crisis. Agan discusses ways to effectively deal with and explore the inherent possibilities of change. 3pm on Sunday and 10pm on Friday night


Latina Voices:
We interviewed the opposing sides of the debate over universal healthcare. Although we shot this before health reform was pased the information is still applicable. Health care reform will affect our lives, our pocketbooks and our health for years to come. My advise, focus on prevention. Sunday at 2:30pm Wednesday nights 11:30pm



This year I am a spokesperson for Race for the Cure. My Book club has formed a team and I would love it if you would join us. Last year I did the walk while undergoing radiation. This year, I am in much better shape and a much stronger person!


Please join my Book Club team! There should be a link below to sign up. Even if you aren't sure if you will walk, please join and we can work on raising money and participating in some way.


Click here to view the team page for Book Club Team
If the text above does not appear as a clickable link, you can visit the web address:
http://rfch.convio.net/site/TR?team_id=44480&pg=team&fr_id=1080&et=pRUiOdOAD4lLxvb5iguunA..&s_tafId=36811

Olympians, College smarts and the value of Silence

What I learned this week:
Sometimes we need time to really discern what is going on in our lives, therefore we should not make any decisions when we are upset, overwhelmed or depressed.




What I am grateful for: I am going on a long trip and I can do that because I have worked in the same station for 20 years and I work to live, instead of living to work.



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Here’s a sneak-peek into what’s on Living Smart and Latina Voices this week!
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Living Smart: Getting your Kid into the Right College by Beth Dennard EdD
Beth Dennard EdD, Educational Advisor
An educational consultant and a mother herself, Dr. Beth Dennard tries to match the right colleges with the right student. She also helps students prepare their applications for college admissions and scholarships. Dennard discusses what you need to know to select the right school based on student’s personality and needs. If you are a parent or grandparent with college age kids, you will get a lot of great tips from Dr. Dennard.

(Sun, 3:00 PM, date—Repeats following Friday at10 PM) **

Click here to see more of your favorite Living Smart shows!


Latina Voices: The Olympian Family : Lopez Brothers

This Sunday at 2:30pm we interviewed the Taekwando Olympic Champions, The Lopez Brothers. This was right after they won the bronze medal. These young role models were really open and shared their love of family and country. Their sister could not make it to the interview but I could really relate to how close they are to each other and their parents.

(Sun, 2:30 PM, date—repeats Wed, 11:30 PM)


This is a poem written by a young poet Alexander Winegardner. He is only 12 years old but has the soul of a wise man.
He wrote it in Spanish and this is his translation.

Silence

Silence makes people wonder
Why not get away from the city and thunder
And fly to the peaceful lakes of Argentina that are silent
Glowing like the silver coat of a wolf in the cold Patagonian night
Silence flies with the wind through the mountains
To the lake
Then sits down quietly
Coiled like a snake
It waits
For intrepid city dwellers
That ignore the silence that soon overcomes them and petrifies them with loneliness
Because for them hearing silence is as rare as seeing a white lion
And they become perplexed
Entering a world of silence may not be so bad
Better than being in a city driving you mad
But soon they recoil
From the deafening stillness
And fearful of being abandoned to themselves
They scurry back to the cities roar
Left alone under a dazzling vastness filled with stars
Villa la Angostura purrs, contented in its sleep.





El silencio


El silencio hace preguntarse a la gente
Porque no irse de la ciudad y del ruido
Y volar a los pacíficos lagos de la Argentina, que son silenciosos,
Resplandecientes como el pelo plateado de un lobo
En la fría noche de Patagonia.
El silencio vuela con el viento a través las montañas
Al lago
Después se sienta tranquilo
Enrollado como una serpiente
Espera
A intrépidos habitantes de la ciudad
Quienes ignoran el silencio que pronto llega
Y los petrifica de soledad,
Ya que para ellos escuchar el silencio es como ver un león blanco.
Y se tornan perplejos
Ingresar en un mundo de silencio puede no ser tan malo,
Mejor que estar en una ciudad que te vuelve loco.
Pero pronto se alejan
Del silencio ensordecedor.
Y miedosos de ser abandonados a sí mismos
Se arrastran nuevamente al estruendo de la ciudad.
Sola bajo un resplandeciente vacío lleno de estrellas
Villa La Angostura susurra, contenta en su sueño.

Moral Intelligence, Guns and Attack on Aid Workers

What I learned this week: When people criticize me or bring me down, I have to learn from it, change if necessary but keep an eye on the prize and never give up my dreams.

What I am grateful for: My master teachers who give me a hard time.

Here’s a sneak-peek into what’s on Living Smart and Latina Voices this week on Living Smart: Moral Intelligence with John Bradshaw.

Author, counselor, theologian and lecturer John Bradshaw discusses his newest book, Reclaiming Virtue, the definition of virtue and how to live life with moral intelligence. Referencing his own experiences as a former seminarian and recovered alcoholic, Bradshaw takes these theological and philosophical concepts and applies them to our everyday lives. Bradshaw draws on decades of psychological, social, and theological expertise he has used in numerous lectures and previous books. I found John Bradshaw to be highly entertaining and a great storyteller. I really enjoyed interviewing him.

Sun, 3:00 PM, date—Repeats following Friday at 10 pm)
This Friday night at 10 pm. August 13th. Enjoy the daring, bold and visionary Yvonne Butler PhD. Her work with sugar free schools is revolutionizing the way we look at education and health.

To watch past Living Smart shows go to www.youtube.com and type Living Smart with Patricia Gras

On Latina Voices at 2:30pm on sunday, repeats Wednesdays at 11:30pm)
Trailblazers grace the set of Latina Voices, as well as a hefty debate about gun control...and of course newsmakers talk.
You'll meet the former Texas A and M President before she resigned. We will also discuss the controversy over guns.

Sun, 2:30 PM, date—repeats Wed, 11:30 PM

Our town forum on the Environment, Energy and the Economy: Making it work, We would like to hear from you about your thoughts on air quality, climate change and the future of the energy industry. If you are interested on this topic, You can also watch our show on Fuel for thougth: High Gas Prices and how they got that way. This work, introduces us to the real reasons gas prices go up and down and what this may mean for us in the future. www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcMVtICqNRA

The town forum will be live on October 26th at 7pm.

A life of Purpose by Patricia Gras

A few years ago, I interviewed a young West Point graduate and Iraq war veteran Elizabeth Vallette about microfinance on Living Smart. Click to view
www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfPW4EQKr0U


This young woman had served in Iraq and travelled in many countries to find a way to combat poverty. She felt microfinance was an effective way to do so. She is now working for a Canadian non profit trying to help the ravaged nation of Afghanistan.

When I heard of the murder of 10 unarmed US medical workers, I felt sad. They were victims of a chaotic war, in a country that has for most of his history lived in conflict. The attack was described as 'the worst attack on humanitarian workers in 30 years."

People die every day in Afghanistan, many who have done nothing wrong. They are just victims of their fate. They were born there and have no where to go. These 10 aid workers on the other hand led a purpose driven life, but put themselves in harm's way by doing so. They chose to help the most needy in one of the most violent countries in this planet today. As a result, they paid the ultimate price.

All I can say to them and all the people around the world who risk their lives to make this world a better place. Your service is a legacy we can all honor. You made a very difficult choice, but if you ask Elizabeth or the many people I have met over the years who do this type of work if this will deter them, they usually say no. Their work and kindness is greater than their fear. They are Muslims, Christians, Jews, Bahai,Buddhists even Atheists. Let's not forget and honor them all and remind them their work is never in vain. I wish I had their courage.

Sugar Free Schools, The border, and the Media's role

What I learned this week:
When we are tired, we don't act, think, or discern things properly. It is essential for me to get at least 8 hours of sleep to perform well in life!


What I am grateful for: I do what I love and love what I do.

Here’s a sneak-peek into what’s on Living Smart and Latina Voices this week.
On Living Smart with Patricia Gras, we interview Yvonne Butler, the first principal in the country to establish a sugar free school. Her work has led to the better health, test scores and behavior of her students. Find out what it took her to revolutionize her school, district and ultimately her city, Sun, 3:00 PM, date—Repeats following Friday at 10 PM)

This Friday night August 6th Watch award winning writer Chitra Divakaruni PhD discuss some of the greatest poems of all time.

To see more of the Living Smart favorite shows go to You Tube and type Living Smart or our website www.houstonpbs.org



Latina Voices: Smart Talk
This show was recorded before the election of 2008. We guessed who might win the Vice Presidential spot. We also interviewed a local Olympic Medal Winner Raj Bhavsar who had failed to make the olympic team twice but never gave up and eventually brought home the bronze. We talked to him and his coaches about what it takes to become an olympic winner. It wasn't easy! We also interviewed Richard Huebner of the Houston Minority Business council about women entrepeneurs and why they fail or succeed when they start a business. Finally Stephen Klineberg PhD and Joan Neuhaus Schaan both from Rice University explain the immigration issues we face in our region and what we are to expect as a result of the border violence in Mexico.

Sun, 2:30 PM, date—repeats Wed, 11:30 PM)

For more on Latina Voices, go to www.latinavoices.com


The Media's role by Patricia Gras

Many were shocked to hear what happened in Bell, California when they found the salaries of City Manager Robert Rizzo, (800,000 dollars) Assistant City Manager Angela Spaccia and Police Chief Randy Adams were a combined $1.6 million a year in a city where the median household income is $40,000, according to the Southern California Association of Governments.

People are mad and they want everyone fired. Understandably, because this has been going on for a long time.

My question was why did we just find out about this? Why is it we always find out after it is too late? Wall street also blew up in our face in 2008 and we are just now slowly dragging ourselves out of an unprecedented recession.

The Los Angeles Times cracked this particular story. Why didn't they catch it sooner?It may be because there are less investigative journalists doing this kind of work.

That's because all across the United States in every newsroom, staff is shrinking. In 2009, 8000 journalists lost their jobs.

What happens when you get rid of investigative journalists? You have less information, less government being covered, from the community to the state to the region. We all pay the price when this happens. Why is that? the old economic model of journalism isn't working. The fact is news organization are trying to figure out what needs to be done to keep business afloat.

We may not live in a country like Mexico where violence for instance has a chilling effect on investigative media. Many journalists there have lost their lives trying to report the truth. In the USA our challenge is to figure out how to make a profit out of telling the truth.