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May 2024
Nonprofit Builds Affordable Housing on Church Property SACRED SANCTUARY
As District Lay Leader for the United Methodist Church, I oversee more than 50 churches in the Austin area, and having to shut one down is always a difficult, somber task. When, after more than 60 years of serving the community, the old, storied Parker Lane United Methodist Church, just east of I-35, closed down, the fate of the property hung in the balance. This land was meant for a higher purpose, so we set out to fulfill its potential as a beacon for the community once more. We decided to lease all 8 acres to Foundation Communities, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing for thousands of families across Texas, so we could work together to better the lives of those in need. Our mission began in 2018, and I am excited to announce that it is nearing completion! The Noble Mission Several candidates wanted to fulfill this mission, but ultimately, we partnered with Foundation Communities because we shared the same vision for the property. First, the focus was on providing for local families. This meant that in addition to housing, we wanted to provide educational, nutritional, and medical services to the community. To that end, Foundation Communities began work on the Parker Lane Apartments complex, with the majority of its 135 units featuring 2–3 bedrooms: ideal for families. Two dozen of those units will be provided for families in Foundation Communities’ Children’s HOME Initiative who are in danger of becoming homeless.
“This land was meant for a higher purpose, so we set out to fulfill its potential as a beacon for the community once more.”
In addition, the complex is set to feature a number of amenities to help improve the lives of those who live there. There will be a learning center, which teaches classes for local children through after-school and summer school programs; and a healthy food pantry will provide quality, affordable meal options, which families can enjoy at home or out in the large open-air courtyard or community garden. Expanding our reach to others in need, Foundation Communities was kind enough to allow the United Methodist Church to maintain a space in the community where we will open Justice For Our Neighbors, a clinic aimed at providing legal services to immigrants. A Vision Realized Recently, I visited the property for the first time in a while. The dreams we had embarked upon at the start of this journey are being steadily realized, and the results are better than I could have imagined. This is not just affordable housing; it is quality housing in a convenient location that will allow the occupants to work and thrive. Moreover, the aforementioned amenities will be available to the wider community, not just those who live at the complex, ensuring that the locals can thrive together. The complex is set to open this summer, providing a proud, lasting legacy for the church that came before it. Our efforts are an example for future affordable housing projects, and I am excited our dreams may lead more people toward the loving homes and services they desperately need.
- Brooks Schuelke
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MARIE CURIE’S DEDICATION TO SCIENCE A Legacy of Resilience and Brilliance
couldn’t be real scientists. It was the first of many accomplishments to improve gender equality for the masses.
Marie Curie, born in 1867 in Warsaw, Poland, left an undeniable mark on the scientific world. She was the first woman to win a Nobel Prize and the only person to receive Nobel Prizes in two scientific fields. Her groundbreaking work in physics and chemistry reshaped our understanding of the universe at large and paved the way for future generations of women in science. Born Marya Sklodowska, she was the daughter of teachers and was curious from a young age. She worked as a governess for her sister as she pursued her doctoral career in Paris. She
Madame Curie, unfortunately, lost her collaborator and husband in a road accident in 1906. She took her late husband’s position as chair of the physics department at the Sorbonne and continued as a single mother of two daughters. Just five years later, in 1911, Curie secured her second Nobel Prize, this time in chemistry. She discovered radium and polonium, two elements that significantly
advanced our understanding of radioactivity, further cementing that women could succeed in science.
was determined to channel her curiosity into higher education, though women were not encouraged to attend school, especially in science. But in 1891, she followed her sister and moved to Paris to attend school in Sorbonne, where she met and married Pierre Curie, a fellow scientist who became a lifelong collaborator. In 1903, she won her first Nobel Prize alongside her husband and Henri Becquerel for their research on radioactivity. The recognition became historic, not just for Curie but for all women. This win challenged the prevailing belief that women
Her extensive exposure to radiation throughout her career took a heavy toll on Curie’s health. She passed away from leukemia in 1934 after helping allied efforts in the First World War. Her pioneering spirit, dedication to research, unyielding perseverance, and intellect continue to inspire countless scientists today, especially women in STEM. Madame Curie will always be remembered as a symbol of scientific excellence and the relentless pursuit of knowledge for the greater good.
Wannabe Bank Robber Calls Ahead, Orders Cash to Go Dialing for Dollars
the bank when the managers initiated a lockdown. The accomplice passed the teller a note and collected about $900, but police stopped him as he left the bank. The fleeing accomplice was undoubtedly disappointed when the bag exploded in
Any bank robber knows you have to hurry through a heist to escape. A crook in Connecticut tried a novel time-saving technique: calling ahead.
Taking a cue from the take-out food craze, the wannabe bank robber called a bank in Fairfield, Connecticut, and demanded that $100,000 in large bills be prepared for him with no dye packs in the bag. If the orders were not carried out, the caller told the employee, “there will be a bloodbath.” Fairfield cops, who thought they’d seen it all, were dumbfounded. “You can’t make this stuff up,” said a spokesman for the Fairfield Police Department. Robbers have tried many routes when attempting to rob a bank, including entering the drive-through lane and terrorizing tellers through the window. But, “I’ve never had somebody call ahead and say, ‘Get the money, we’re coming,’” said a detective in the Fairfield case. In taking advantage of the telephone warning, the police were already at the scene when the robbers arrived. “I would classify these individuals as ‘not too bright,’” the police spokesman said.
dye after throwing it on the ground. (Bank employees had disregarded the robbers’ phone order that no dye packs be tucked in with the cash. You just can’t get good service these days.) The accomplice and the robber who placed the call, who had been sitting in a car nearby, were both arrested at the scene without incident. The adult suspect, Albert Bailey, was on probation for a different bank hold-up several years earlier. Both were charged with first-degree robbery and threatening in the first degree.
The employee who answered the robber’s call immediately hung up and called 9-1-1. The thief’s accomplice, a minor, was already inside
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PARENTING WITH EMPATHY
TAKE A BREAK
The Gentle Parenting Philosophy
Parenthood is the greatest challenge many people will ever face, and raising children today is tougher than ever before in the technology-laden and constantly shifting state of the world. There are many parenting methods, and the latest viral one, gentle parenting, deserves a closer look. This parenting philosophy focuses on a strong parent-child relationship, offering a compassionate alternative to traditional physical disciplinary methods. Gentle parenting emphasizes building a deep, intentional understanding of a child’s needs and the emotions that stem from them. Rather than punishing a child for acting out, gentle parents encourage their children to voice their concerns so they can get to the root of challenging emotions. They view behavioral challenges as opportunities for connection and growth instead of corrections to be made. Active listening, open communication, and constructive problem-solving foster a positive environment where children feel valued and understood. This empathy doesn’t mean that children can mistreat parents, either. It’s still important to set boundaries. Instead of strict rules supported by physical punishment, gentle parenting invites parents to collaborate with their children on decision-making. Involving children in discussions about expectations and consequences will ensure they understand the reasoning behind your rules and what breaking them means. This can encourage children to feel empowered and respected in the discipline process.
Grilled Red Curry Beef Satay With Peanut Sauce
Inspired by StarTribune.com
Ingredients
At its core, the most important aspect of gentle parenting
• 1 1/2 lb flank steak • 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk • 2 tbsp lime juice • 1–3 tbsp Thai red curry paste • 1 tbsp fish sauce
For sauce: • 1 cup unsweetened coconut milk • 1–2 tbsp Thai red curry paste • 1 tbsp brown sugar • 1 tbsp fish sauce • 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter • 1 tbsp lime juice
is rejecting traditional punishments. Gentle parenting is about teaching children appropriate behaviors through positive reinforcement and
Directions 1. Freeze flank steak for 30 minutes. Cut crosswise, against the grain, into thin slices. 2. In a medium bowl, whisk together coconut milk, lime juice, curry paste, and fish sauce. Add steak and toss to coat. Cover and chill for 8 hours. 3. In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine coconut milk, curry paste, brown sugar, and fish sauce. Bring to a gentle boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add peanut butter and stir until well blended. Remove from heat and add lime juice. 4. Thread the marinated meat onto 12 long skewers. Grill until beef is medium rare, 1–2 minutes per side. 5. Transfer satay to a platter and serve with peanut sauce.
intentional understanding of emotions — inspiring good behavior by acting as a positive example rather than by fear of punishment.
By prioritizing empathy, open communication, and nonviolent discipline, you can raise children who are able to recognize, inspect, and voice their emotions in a peaceful manner. As parents embrace these principles, they contribute to the development of emotionally secure, confident, and well-adjusted children who will grow into great global citizens.
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3011 N. Lamar Blvd., Ste. 200 Austin, TX 78705
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
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Church Property Becomes Affordable Housing
Marie Curie: A Pioneer’s Spirit
Dumb Crimes: Wannabe Bank Robber Places Phone Order for Cash
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Grilled Red Curry Beef Satay With Peanut Sauce
The Art of Gentle Parenting
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Not Just a Crime of Passion
Promising Career Allegedly Upended by Secret Love The Twisted Tale of Lawyer Turned Triple Murderer
another client to plant a bag of “methamphetamine” (it was sugar) at the home of the victim, Tiffany Eichor, 43, who lived with her parents, Jack and Evelynn Chandler. The Chandlers found the bag and called the police; then, they installed security cameras. On Sept. 6, 2019, Harroz and Titus allegedly drove to the Chandler home near Oklahoma City. They allegedly cut the electricity and phone lines and broke in. The couple then went on a rampage, shooting each member of the family as they ran. Just days after the murders, Harroz’s brother turned over an AR-15 rifle to police, stating that the gun was “involved in a triple homicide.” The gun was traced to an Oklahoma man who said he’d sold the gun to Harroz and Titus, according to police.
A chilling story unfolded in Oklahoma City in 2021, filled with passion, betrayal, and murder. Keegan Harroz and her client- turned-lover, Barry Titus II, were arrested and charged in a triple homicide that shocked the country. Harroz was a renowned criminal defense attorney who had a compassionate touch with clients of all types. She graduated from Oklahoma City University School of Law
and worked as an assistant public defender before starting her own firm in 2014. There were signs of something darker swirling under the surface, though. In May 2014, she was charged with the domestic assault of her then-husband, allegedly kicking him twice in the face.
She began to represent Titus in 2018 on drug, firearms, and domestic assault and battery charges. She began dating Titus shortly after. In October 2018, Titus was arrested for domestic assault. Two months later, according to the criminal complaint, Harroz used
Titus and Harroz are still in jail; their trials are expected to occur sometime in 2024.
The larger community is still grappling with the aftermath of such a crime, many missing the family who was senselessly gunned down. The tragic murder of Tiffany Eichor and Jack and Evelynn Chandler is a reminder of the potential darkness that can lurk beneath seemingly ordinary lives.
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