Marc Ray

Community Stories

Latino Reporter

Houston's 'Elote Man' still struggling after accident and pandemic shutdown

Emilio Vargas, known around Houston’s East End community as the “Elote Man,” earned his nickname step by step, year by year as he pushed his food cart through up and down winding neighborhood streets nearly every day for the past 30 years.

“Here a lot of people know me,” Vargas said in Spanish. “And when they don’t see me they miss me.”

The 81-year-old sells products such as elote, fruit and drinks year round to make a living. With no family, Vargas relies on his own income to cover
Houston Public Media

As Texas Schools Reopen, Kids With COVID-19 Are Filling Hospitals In Record Numbers

More than 200 kids are now in Texas hospitals. That’s higher than previous peaks during the pandemic.

The number of pediatric COVID-19 patients in Texas hospitals is higher now than at any point during the pandemic, according to state health data.

As of Thursday, hospitals across the state were reporting 235 pediatric patients confirmed with COVID-19, the Texas Department of State Health Services confirmed.

On Dec. 24, the previous peak, that number was 163. Before that, the peak was 153 on A
Houston Public Media

LyondellBasell Faces At Least 2 Lawsuits Over Deadly La Porte Plant Leak

Two LyondellBasell workers injured during a chemical leak near La Porte sued the company for negligence this week.

Bryant Hinojosa and Mike Lopez, who were inside of the facility when the leak released 100,000 pounds of acetic acid last week — resulting in the deaths of two contractors and the hospitalization of 30 others — claimed in separate lawsuits that they had to flee for their lives and suffered signifi

2022 Lunar New Year: The Year of the Tiger

February marks the start of a tradition dating back 3,500 years. It originated in China. Today, Lunar New Year, also known as Spring Festival, signifies the beginning of the calendar year, letting go of the past and bringing good fortune to times ahead. This year, the holiday begins on February 1 and concludes on February 15. The holiday starts once the first new moon of the lunar calendar appears and ends on the year's first full moon.

The start date of the holiday varies yearly depending on t
AARPTexas

Meet Reginald Adams from Houston

AARP Texas Black History Month Video Salute: Meet Reginald Adams. He is a public artist and community developer who has organized award-winning art projects in underserved communities across Houston. #BlackHistoryMonth
Adams enjoys international travel which has influenced different elements of his artistic approach. Over the past 20 years, Adams has collaborated with countless artists, volunteers, and investors to create and develop hundreds of designs locally and overseas.

January 25, 2014, was declared Reginald Charles Adams Day by the Mayor of Houston for Adams’ many contributions through his public service. Adams was the lead artist behind the Juneteenth Legacy Project Mural which showcases the nation's diversity and influential stories in African American history. The mural, which is located in Galveston, Texas, gained national recognition after President Biden declared Juneteenth a national holiday in 2021.

Adams is committed to displaying unique community-based public art to reflect the experiences and cultures of surrounding communities across Houston.
AARPTexas

Meet Dr. Cedillo-Ruiz

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, AARP Texas recognizes individuals who have impacted their communities. We are celebrating the annual observance by profiling three Latina women who have contributed their efforts in empowering and advancing Latinos/as.

Meet Dr. Cindy Cedillo-Ruiz. She is a board-certified family physician born and raised in Houston, Texas, and owns the membership-based clinic, “Prickly Pear Family Medicine.” The goal of the clinic is to provide greater physician access to underserved families.
AARPTexas

Meet Sandy Alcalȧ

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, AARP Texas recognizes individuals who have impacted their communities. We are celebrating the annual observance by profiling three Latina women who have contributed their efforts in empowering and advancing Latinos/as.

Meet Sandy Alcalá. She is currently the State Chair for the Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas and previously served as the founding executive director of Con Mi MADRE. She is passionate about empowering Latina women and helping them successfully navigate through their life and career.
AARPTexas

Meet Dr. Elba Garcia

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, AARP Texas recognizes individuals who have impacted their communities. We are celebrating the annual observance by profiling three Latina women who have contributed their efforts in empowering and advancing Latinos/as.


Meet Dr. Elba Garcia. She is the Dallas County Commissioner who comes from humble beginnings. She was born in Mexico City and later attended Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana for dentistry. Garcia moved to the United States, where she became passionate about community involvement. She is the first Latina immigrant elected to the Dallas City Council.

Virtual Series Set to Provide Valuable Tips on Home Safety

There are potential risks like danger zones and unsafe habits associated with housekeeping across the country. Homeowners can take steps to protect themselves and their families from harm by having a safe living environment.

AARP and Rebuilding Together Houston will be hosting a virtual series focused on how Texas homeowners can adjust their kitchen, living room, and bathroom to ensure their living conditions are safe and risk-free. The National Safety Council reports that 53.6% of all injury-i

AARP, Equal Justice Works, Lone Star Legal Aid Unite for Disaster Awareness Webinar

Kim Gagne-White, 57, felt emotionally overwhelmed as record-low temperatures swept the region and brought dangerous living conditions. Like millions across Texas, Gagne-White and her family were directly affected by Winter Storm Uri over the President’s Day weekend.

On the eve of the storm, the family dealt with a gas leak in their home which brought a sense of worry. Not long after, a power outage struck and left them without electricity. Without reliable space heaters and a lack of gas, the t

Houston Astros, AARP Texas Virtual Town Hall: COVID-19 Vaccines - Just the Facts

AARP Texas is partnering with the Houston Astros and Houston Methodist to keep the 50+ community informed about the COVID-19 vaccine and the facts behind it.

Members of the 50+ community are at a higher risk for severe illness and hospitalization from COVID-19. Communities of color have long struggled against health disparities and are disproportionally impacted by the pandemic.


Click here to register for the Tele Town Hall

“AARP Texas’ priority with the coronavirus vaccine is keeping you
Texas

How Fitness Can Boost Your Mental Health

Physical activity can transform someone into the best shape of their life and live a healthier lifestyle. Constant activity can also help individuals in other facets of their life and well-being.

Implementing exercise in a daily routine is a significant life investment as it can help improve an individual’s mental health. It can help lift your mood and fight negative feelings such as depression and anxiety. Exercising can distract you from outside factors that can cause stress or negativity. It
Texas

LGBTQ Caregivers, Resources

Organizations across Houston have made it their mission to empower LGBTQ individuals and their families through resources and community involvement.

The Montrose Center, a non-profit organization in Houston, is devoted to outreach efforts to creating positive contributions in the LGBTQ community.


“We do regularly provide services all year round and focus on the need of LGBTQ persons,” said Joseph Magallanes, Senior Service Program Coordinator at Montrose Center. “We have programs for older a