Connect with us

Austin, TX

Black History Month observance spotlights contributions of Army leaders, musicians

Published

on

Black History Month observance spotlights contributions of Army leaders, musicians






Army Futures Command held an educational salute to Black History Month on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024, at its command headquarters in Austin, Texas. The event featured keynote remarks by Maj. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division. “Those of us wearing the uniform for our country learn early on that success depends on teamwork,” Admiral said. “It is that teamwork and camaraderie we share with our teammates that binds us together, regardless of where we come from or how we look.”
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Austin Thomas, Army Futures Command)

VIEW ORIGINAL

AUSTIN, Texas — The Army story cannot be told without recognizing the tremendous contributions of Black Americans to our country and our history.

“Black history is American history,” said Maj. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division.

Advertisement

Admiral traveled to Austin from Fort Cavazos, Texas, on Feb. 13 to speak to Army Futures Command (AFC) personnel about the legacy of African American service in the U.S. Army, including how Black leaders helped shape today’s military. His remarks were part of a Black History Month educational event and cultural celebration hosted by AFC to highlight the significance of the annual observance.

“Black History Month is important. It’s important to honor and recognize those African Americans who have contributed to the shaping and the defense of this great nation. It gives all of us the opportunity to learn the stories of those we may not have known much about before. It’s an opportunity to salute those who’ve stood up and served this country despite unequal treatment in the past. And lastly, it’s the opportunity to honor the quarter million Black Americans who proudly serve America today,” Admiral said.

Black History Month occurs each February and seeks to spotlight the achievements of Black Americans in the United States. This year’s theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” offers a unique opportunity to explore the many contributions of Black artists and Veterans.

AFC’s salute to Black History Month included musical renditions by the Huston-Tillotson University choir, which performed hits by pioneering Motown Records groups like the Temptations and the Supremes, and a cultural food tasting that involved samplings of local barbecue and other specialty eats.


Advertisement

Members of the Huston-Tillotson University choir perform at Army Futures Command headquarters during the command’s 2024 Black History Month observance in Austin, Texas, Feb. 13, 2024.




Members of the Huston-Tillotson University choir perform at Army Futures Command headquarters during the command’s 2024 Black History Month observance in Austin, Texas, Feb. 13, 2024.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army photo by Austin Thomas, Army Futures Command)

VIEW ORIGINAL

The observance also devoted time to remembering Soldiers like Lt. James R. Europe, a bandleader for the 369th Infantry Regiment and prominent ragtime and early jazz musician in the 1910s, and Staff Sgt. Leonora Hull Brown, who led the first all-Black female band in the Army during World War II, for their exemplary talents and service.

Presenters pointed out that Black Soldiers have answered the call to fight and win our nation’s wars since the Revolutionary War, and that 94 African Americans have received the Medal of Honor for their valor.

“When America needed servicemen and women with courage, determination and patriotism, when America needed Soldiers willing to defend our freedom, African Americans stood ready to serve with a desire to earn the same respect, honor and rights outlined in our Constitution and enjoyed by our compatriots,” Admiral said.

“We owe it to ourselves and those who will follow us to learn about those African Americans who made history, who served against odds, all too often in positions below their skill level, and whose service helped lay the foundation for the Army we have today.”

Advertisement

The Army is proud to highlight its longstanding commitment to being a diverse, equal and inclusive organization where all have an opportunity to be all they can be.

To learn more about how the Department of Defense is honoring Black History Month, visit: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Black-History-Month/



Source link

Advertisement

Austin, TX

Athletes Race at USA Triathlon Cross National Championships in Austin, Texas

Published

on

Athletes Race at USA Triathlon Cross National Championships in Austin, Texas


Austin, Texas | April 18 

1500m swim, 29k mountain bike, 10k run 

Advertisement

Complete Results 

Overall Male Andy Lee, 2:25:17 

Overall Female Jennifer Schmidt, 3:08:37 

M17-19 Michael Balbin, 3:07:57 

M20-24 Ryan Chaudoin 2:39:03 

Advertisement

M25-29 Adam Holomoucky, 2:46:30 

M30-34 Chase Krivo, 2:41:52 

M35-39 Andrzej Stadnik, 2:26:34 

F35-39 Kate Hector, 3:44:19 

M40-44 Kyle Grieser, 2:30:58 

Advertisement

F40-44 Jessica Thiel, 3:31:57 

M45-49 Trent Niemeyer, 2:36:28 

F45-49 Jennifer Schmidt, 3:08:37 

M50-54 Andy Lee, 2:25:17 

F50-54 Erin Trail, 4:03:32 

Advertisement

M55-59 Stephen Judice, 2:39:58 

F55-59 Jeanne Hoffman, 3:25:37 

M60-64 Mike Carter, 2:58:35 

F60-64 Janet Soule, 3:13:05 

M65-69 Cliff Millemann, 3:04:24 

Advertisement

F65-69 Maureen Sanderson, 5:01:15 

M70-74 Ken Gibson, 3:13:21 

M75-79 Alan Moore, 3:50:08 

5k run, 29k mountain bike, 10k run 

Advertisement

Complete Results 

Overall Male Jacob Hull, 2:19:49 

Overall Female Tiffany Schwartz, 2:55:45 

M30-34 Kyle Dow, 2:27:13 

M35-39 Jacob Hull, 2:19:49 

Advertisement

F35-39 Tiffany Schwartz, 2:55:45 

M40-44 Derek Armer-Derner, 2:51:48 

M50-54 Jay Moncel, 3:27:42 

F50-54 Heather Anderson, 4:38:10 

M55-59 CJ Stafford, 4:57:04 

Advertisement

F55-59 Yun Saksena, 4:09:05 

M60-64 Robb Reece, 3:24:41 

M65-69 Brent Peacock, 2:50:00 

M70-74 Mark Lindsey, 4:18:47 

750m swim, 12k mountain bike, 5k run 

Complete Results 

Overall Male Tavish Quinn, 1:16:29 

Overall Female Michelle Lingenfelser, 1:52:31 

M14- C. Lockett, 1:35:47 

Advertisement

M15-19 Tavish Quinn, 1:16:29 

M35-39 Michael Schleckser, 1:50:47 

M40-44 Justin Young, 1:45:18 

F40-44 Laura Marinaro, 1:59:40 

M45-49 Daniel Rossi, 1:24:42 

Advertisement

F45-49 Nicole Morgan, 1:54:49 

M50-54 Angel Martinez Ineriano, 1:31:35 

F50-54 Michelle Lingenfelser, 1:52:31 

M55-59 Stephen Schwarze, 1:25:14 

M60-64 Curtis Miller, 1:40:54 

Advertisement

F60-64 Nancy Hopf, 2:07:36 

M65-69 Mark Drangsholt, 1:46:218 

F65-69 Gunilla Gard, 2:10:15 

M70-74 Steve Cole, 1:36:54 

F70-74 Susan Griffin-Kaklikian, 1:57:23 

Advertisement

2.5k run, 12k mountain bike, 5k run 

Complete Results 

Overall Male Saxby Stradinger 1:09:25 

Overall Female Monica Doval, 1:38:49 

Advertisement

Overall Clydesdale Trevor Horton, 2:23:56 

Clydesdale 0-39 Trevor Horton, 2:23:56 

Clydesdale 40-59 Bramer Owens, 1:47:40 

M15-19 Callen Quinn, 1:34:58 

M30-34 Brian Scheel, 1:43:43 

Advertisement

M35-39 Saxby Stradinger 1:09:25 

M40-44 Bryce Fluker, 1:11:52 

F40-44 Morgan Aldridge, 1:39:23 

M45-49 Michael Szermer, 1:34:03 

F45-49 Monica Doval, 1:38:49 

Advertisement

F50-54 Anonymous, 2:04:11 

M55-59 Travis Wales, 1:19:48 

F55-59 Lupe Nelson, 2:08:03 

M60-64 Steve Smith, 1:14:18 

F60-64 Kim Wagner, 2:23:41 

Advertisement

M65-69 Joseph Swartz, 1:46:33 

F65-69 Christine Knight, 1:57:14 

M80-84 Bill Arnerich, 3:30:30 



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Austin, TX

Central Texas aquifers could see slight boost after week of rainfall

Published

on

Central Texas aquifers could see slight boost after week of rainfall


This week’s rainfall across Central Texas could help to bring a much-needed boost to the region’s aquifers, which have been operating at dangerously low levels.

The backstory:

Advertisement

On Tuesday, the Austin area saw over an inch of rain while Georgetown received close to six inches, as the San Gabriel River rose over six feet throughout the day.

But the heavy downpour was a welcome sight for Shay Hlavaty, the communications and outreach manager at the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer Conservation District. 

Created by the state of Texas in 1987, the District oversees segments of the Edwards and Trinity Aquifers, stretching from South Austin to southern San Marcos. 

Advertisement

In total, the portions of the aquifers they oversee provide water to around 100,000 people.

“Groundwater is a significant water source, you know. It’s kind of the unsung hero of Texas,” says Hlavaty.

Advertisement

But over the last few years, the region’s groundwater levels have been in decline.

“Since January 2022, we are missing over a year’s worth of rainfall. So, in the Austin area, we get about 32 to 34 inches a year. And so over that time, we have, you know, a 30-plus inch deficit,” says Hlavaty.

Since October, the District has been under a stage three exceptional drought. Those conditions are determined by two indicators: spring flow at Barton Springs and groundwater levels at the Lovelady Monitor Well. 

Advertisement

If either of these locations drops below a drought threshold, the District could declare a more intense drought stage.

By the numbers:

Advertisement

Some of the latest data shows that Barton Springs isn’t performing as it needs to support the ongoing growth of the region.

To put it into reference, the average since about 1978 at Barton springs is 60 CFS. That’s cubic feet per second. And one cubic foot is about the size of a beach ball, an average beach ball. So, 60 beach balls of water coming out every second from Barton Springs. Before this rainfall, we were closer to 12 CFS, so only 12 beach balls coming out every second, so that’s less than a quarter of average,” says Hlavaty.

That same data also shows that the Lovelady Well is 453.8 feet above mean sea level. That’s only 5 inches above the Stage 4 Emergency Response Threshold.

Advertisement

“This isn’t something that’s going to go away. Even if we busted this drought and get out of it, the next drought is going to be around the corner,” says Hlavaty.

Dig deeper:

Advertisement

But this week’s rain did provide a small boost, helping to prevent the district from potentially falling into a deeper stage of drought.

So, we’re still in that stage three exceptional level, and this rainfall will help us stay out of that stage four emergency,” Hlavaty told FOX 7. “It’ll help stabilize, if not increase groundwater levels and spring flow.”

The total rainfall for the Austin area in April so far is 4.14 inches, well above the typical total average for the month, which is 2.42 inches. But that sort of above precipitation must continue if there is to be any chance of drought levels decreasing.

Advertisement

“We really need to have above average rainfall for months, if not years, to bust this drought,” says Hlavaty.

What you can do:

Advertisement

As May approaches, which typically brings the most rainfall throughout the year, Hlavaty urges people to cut back on water use when they can, especially watering their lawns, which can consume large amounts of drinking water. 

And as Central Texas continues to see a boom in population, combined with hotter than average temperatures for February and March, conservation is as important as ever.

“It’s important to remember that a little bit of rain here, a little bit of rain there, isn’t going to best the drought. So, we all have to do our role to help conserve resources in the meantime,” says Hlavaty.

Advertisement

The Source: Information from interviews conducted by FOX 7 Austin’s Marco Bitonel

AustinEnvironmentWeather



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Austin, TX

Judge Albright, who oversaw patent litigation boom in Texas, to resign

Published

on

Judge Albright, who oversaw patent litigation boom in Texas, to resign


U.S. District Judge Alan Albright, who before relocating to Austin, Texas, last year helped transform a tiny courthouse in Waco into a hub for much of the patent litigation in the United States, ​plans to resign, a person familiar with the matter said.



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending