Newly Elected Lamar CISD Board Trustee - states, "Too Tired"

As you know, the 2013 Lamar CISD Graduation Commencement ceremonies occurred after the Memorial Day weekend - started on Friday, May 31st and continued on Saturday, June 1st.

 

We now have four high school campuses, so LCISD scheduled graduation to start on Friday and continue on Saturday.   It calls for a very busy weekend...especially for LCISD's Superintendent, Administrators and Faculty from each campus, and of course our Board of Trustees.

Sadly, though at this year's graduation ceremonies - What happened with our Board of Trustees?  Friday night, there were seven board members.   However, by Saturday's ceremonies, they started off with four....dwindled down to only three during Lamar CHS and ended with four to complete Foster HS.

What happened to being committed to our children? What happened to representing our school district (as a whole)?

According to the newly elected Lamar CISD Board of Trustee for Single-Member District 1 -- Mrs. Kathryn Kaminski, first she said, "I'll drive myself on Saturday morning." Then by the next day it was, "Friday's ceremonies tired me out. It was too much."

Mr. Dar Hakimzadeh stated on Friday, "I'm not sure about Saturday, it's up in the air." Then sends a message stating, "He's not attending any graduation ceremonies on Saturday."

However, outgoing board members Michael Richard and Karen Mendoza attended all four graduation ceremonies as they were Board Officers for the 2012-2013 School Year.   Also, in attendance at all four graduation ceremonies was newly elected board member, Ms. Anna Gonzales.

Understandably, Mrs. Julie Thompson attended two graduation ceremonies (Friday night and Saturday morning).   Her eldest daughter graduated from George Ranch HS and she left to celebrate with her family and in-laws.

What we, the community, don't understand is -- How can you say that you want to serve our community, staff, and students; yet you fail to show up to graduation ceremonies?

 

What happened to your message of courtesy, commitment, and communication?  Answer: It went out the window.

When serving on the School Board, it entails more than just a seat at the table, meeting once or twice a month to discuss and approve district matters.  Serving your community, school employees and students is a priority as well.  Board Members, you must make some sacrifices as it does take time away from your family.  You must learn to use your time management wisely.

Yes, many people noticed who was not on stage presenting our graduates with their diplomas. It saddens me and others in our community that some of our current board members' hearts are NOT in the right place at all.

If one graduation ceremony tired you out, Mrs. Kaminski (aka Ms. K)....our question to you then is -- How are you going to handle the remainder of the year?  Next two years?  Next four years?

 

Our community, staff, and students deserve better LEADERSHIP.  I hope that all registered voters will take this into consideration the next time election comes around.

Rainbow Tiered Cake Recipe

Would you like to bake something that is not only fun, but easy?  Your family and/or friends will be impressed.

Ingredients:

• 2 boxes - Duncan Hines "Classic White Cake Mix
• Vegetable Oil **
• Water **
• 3 Eggs **
• 4 Containers - Duncan Hines White Frosting
• Food Coloring Set
• Rainbow Sprinkles

** Since you'll be using 2 box of cake mix, you'll need to double up on the measuring / quantity of the following ingredients (vegetable oil, water, eggs).


Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Pour both cake mixes in a large bowl.  Add the vegetable oil and water -- begin mixing.  Then you'll add 6 egg whites -- mix until cake is formed and smooth.

3.  Take the cake batter and separate into 5 small mixing bowls.  You'll then add 4-6 drops of food coloring into each mixing bowl.  Stir with a mixing spoon until the color develops and looks evenly mixed.  You may add more food coloring if you wish in order to the color that you want.

4.  Once all the small mixing bowls have been mixed with the colors, you'll need to evenly butter 5 separate cake pans.  Pour the colored batter into each cake pan.

5.  Place the cake pans into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.  You can check if cake is done by using a toothpick - place it in the center...if it comes out clean, your cake is done.  Then you can remove the cake pans from the oven.  Flip each cake pan onto a baking rack to allow them stand and cool.

6.  When they are cool, take a sharp knife and cut off the round tops of each layer to make sure the cake layers stack on each other without tipping over.  As each needs to be flat on top and bottom in order to stack them properly.

7.  Begin by icing the bottom layer.  Stack the next layer and repeat until all are stacked.  Once all the layers are stacked, then you can frost the sides of the cake.

8.  Add the rainbow sprinkles (or whatever kind of sprinkles you'd like) while the frosting is still wet.


Hope you enjoy your tasty Rainbow Tiered Cake.

Fresh Catnip and Lemon Grass - Helps Keep Mosquitos Away

What really works to help keep mosquitos away from your home?

1) Make sure that you do not have any standing water around.

2) Change your outside light from a white bulb to yellow bulb.

3) Plant fresh catnip (according to Bob Vila) in your garden or in a planting pot.

4) Plant Lemon Grass in your garden or in a planting pot.

I went to Home Depot and bought 2 packages of Catnip and some planting pots and plant soil...reasonable price (Garden area).  Let's wait and see if it acutually works.

Fresh Basil - Helps Keeps Flies Away

Fresh Basil.

According to Bob Vila - Growing Fresh Basil in your Kitchen will help keep flies away.

I went to Wal-Mart and bought a starters kit for growing Fresh Basil (garden area)...reasonable price.  Let's wait and see if it acutually works.

I will keep you posted on the outcome.

Small Cost Savings to Your Electric Bill (but it's worth it)

Would you like to save some money on your electricty bill? Go to your hardware store (I went to Home Depot) and purchase a pack of Electric Outlet and Switch Sealers (under $3/pk).

It fits behind the outlet face plate (or light switch) to help block drafts. The sealers are made of fire-retardant plastic for durability.

It's very simple to do yourself.

Having Problems with Acid Reflux (also known as "H Pylori Gastritis")

Have you ever a bad case of Acid Reflux...not just a one time thing....but months of problems, just about every day?

Well, I have.  I finally decided to go in to see my primary doctor and she referred me to a Gastroenterology (Stomach & Intestines) specialist.  After the first visit, I was told to take Prevacid (available over the counter), take it once at night.  Second, I was schedule for day surgery where the doctor conducts an Esophagoscopy Gastroscopy Duodenoscopy (also known as an EDG Test).  {{Try saying that three times}}

You may be wondering what is an EDG Test.  An EDG Test is an upper endoscopy.  The EDG Test allows the physician to see the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the duodenum.

The outcome could possibly be Helicobacter Pylori Gastritis -- which is the bacteria responsible for most ulcers and many cases of stomach inflammation (chronic).  The bacteria can weaken the productive coating of the stomach, allowing digestive juices to irritate the sensitive stomach lining.

Is the a cure?  Yes, there is a cure and must be careful to check periodically with your physician.

Medication that I am currently taking is called PrevPac -- which consists of:

• Prevacid 30 mg -- two black/pink capsules, each containing 30 mg of lansoprazole as enteric-coated granules.
• Biaxin Filmtab 500 mg -- two yellow, oval, film-coated tablets, each containing 500 mg of clarithromycin.
• Amoxicillin Capsules, USP -- four yellow opaque cap and body capsules, each containing amoxicillin trihydrate equivalent to 500 mg of amoxicillin.

This is taken once in the AM and once in the PM....for a period of 14-days, consecutively.

In addition, a very strict Acid Reflux Diet will help as well.

School Board Member NOT to Trust at Lamar CISD

Back in February 2013, Lamar CISD Board Member Dar Hakimzadeh wrote an article for the www.InstantNewsFortBend.com -- entitled "School Board Member Wants an End to 'Good Old Boy' Atmosphere".  Article Link:  http://www.instantnewsfortbend.com/2013/02/28/79274

He also informed people in various parts of the district that the first person to get rid of was me, Karen Mendoza.  Wow!!!  Shocker?  I should say not.  For the past two 2 years, numerous members on the Lamar CISD School Board made several attempts to communicate with Mr. Hakimzadeh....to discuss district matters.  He would tell us one thing....then go running back to Rodney Vannerson, the Whistle PAC, and constituents saying the exact opposite.  Basically, he is a LIAR....more like a snake.  The man cannot be trusted.  Not even with 'confidential' matters.

First of all, I do not appreciate being grouped in with this "Good Old Boy" statement....for 1) I am NOT old and 2) In case you haven't noticed, I am NOT a boy!!!

It is a known fact by many in the community that Dar Hakimzadeh did not run for Board Trustee to do good things for the children and employees of our beloved school district.  He ran because he has a "personal agenda" and that is to DESTROY the foundation of which we stand by at Lamar CISD.

This is his line:  Will you go to lunch with me?  Can I call you?

If you tell him, "No." for whatever reason....he will turn against you.

Here's the thing....In this great state of ours, public school districts must adhere to federal, state, and local mandates.  There is no if's, and's, or but's about it.

Coming to a meeting and being a BULLY and disrespectful to your fellow board members will not help mattes.  Turning around and spreading vicious LIES about your fellow board members, contributors / supporters of public education....sending out nasty emails to local businesses to sabotage a candidates efforts in raising campaign funds -- simply should NOT be tolerated by an "Elected Official".

If we tell our children NOT to BULLY other children...let's put a Stop To Bullying.....then why should we condone an Adult, an Elected Official to be a BULLY.  I say, "NO!!!"  We need to come together and let our voices and concerns be heard.