AL CERVANTES - DRHCC PARLIAMENTARIAN

Excitement and anticipation is growing as we look forward to the DHRCC Hispanic Heritage Fair and Claim to Fame Cook-off:  “A Multicultural Celebration” Title Sponsor – HEB.     September 27, 2014 is the date for this year’s fun and festivities which kick off at the Val Verde County Fairgrounds with a Loteria Family 5K Family Fun Run bright and early at 8 a.m. by Event Sponsor Walmart and co-hosted by the City of Del Rio to help raise funds for A Pet’s Wish.
To encourage family participation in a healthy and fun event, a child under 12 yrs may register free of charge on their parent’s registration.  Shortly after is the 11 a.m. Parade which assembles at Ogden and So. Main and travels north to the Fairgrounds.  Casa de La Cultura judges will be stationed at Star Park.
No entry fee however we encourage you, especially our business community, to decorate your float, entry, car in any of the various ethnic cultures that have come through Mexico, other Latin American countries, and even other States to make Texas and Del Rio their home.
1st, 2nd, 3rd, place trophies donated by the professionals at Real Estate Solutions will be awarded later onstage.  After the huge ABRASAZO opening ceremonies at the Fairgrounds, we will have entertainment all day featuring Texas State Champion Escaramusas, Lienzo Cuatro Palmas Charro Exhibition, local talent, food and vendor booths decorated in a cultural theme, a mini art gallery, Sergio DJ Diaz rocking the tunes, and later in the evening,  Grupo Zcandalo and don’t forget the Claim to Fame Cook-off where the locals will compete for bragging rights and cash/trophy prizes, in preparing the best Menudo, Beans, or Beef fajitas.
Plans are also being finalized for the Pizza Eating Contest sponsored by Mr. Gattis to also help raise funds for A Pets Wish.   Shop and save in Del Rio and thank the following business community for helping us to bring this event free of charge to you.  Visit our website for parade, food/vendor, and cook-off applications.
Our sponsors this year include:  Our Patron Title Sponsor:  HEB,   5K Loteria Event Sponsor- Walmart, Compadre Sponsors City of Del Rio, Silver Eagle Distributors, Texas Community Bank, Brown Auto Center.  Amigo:  Border Federal Credit Union, IBC, Del Rio Ford and our Charro (in-kind) sponsors:  Rio Grande College, KDLK/KLTO, Casa de la Cultura, Texas Farm Bureau, Sergio DJ Diaz, RR Waste Solutions, Consulado Mexicano, Val Verde Co. Commissioner’s Court, VV County Sheriff’s Office, KWMC, and Signs Now, Real Estate Professionals, Money Concepts and West Central Net. 

Excellent and timely information was presented by Gina McNeal at the DRHCC August Membership Meeting hosted by Border Federal Credit Union.
Gina’s powerpoint presentation showed how your credit score can affect the amount you pay for an auto or home loan.  She also explained how key factors that affect your credit score:  payment history and inquiries. For example, it was interesting and surprising to find out that when shopping around for an auto loan, the various dealerships are “required” to run their own credit report, so each one counts as an inquiry and can reduce your credit score.  Gina also explained the need for everyone to periodically check their credit score from the three major companies.  Everyone is entitled to one free credit report each year.  Gina suggested using the available form to request a credit report form every quarter, alternating between Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion.  Many attendees present were not aware that event of public record such as bankruptcies, foreclosures, or tan liens and late payments, may appear on their report.  FICO credit scores range from 300-850.  A good credit score ranges from 620 to 850 and are bound to attract favorable rates from financial agencies. Scores higher than 700 are classified as excellent and means you are more likely to be approved and pay a lower interest rate on new credit.  Good changes are coming  to FICO credit score calculations this fall.  
Fair Isaac Corp., the company behind FICO, says there are three significant changes to its metric, which it says is used in 90 percent of U.S. consumer lending decisions.

1. Debts that go to collections agencies and get repaid won’t count against a consumer’s FICO score.

2. Medical debts will have a smaller effect on the score. If your only major bad mark comes from unpaid medical debts, FICO says it    expects your credit score to go up by 25 points. (Scores range from 300 to 850.)

3. A technique to analyze people’s creditworthiness if they don’t have much of a credit history.

For a personal consultation, at no charge, please contact Gina McNeal located at the BFCU Gibbs Branch.  Note:  This is a free community service.  You do not have to be a member of BFCU to take advantage of financial counseling to consolidate/reduce debt or for questions on your personal credit score.

 Psychiatry. A word some of us may not be too comfortable with. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor, a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of various emotional and mental health disorders.   A psychiatrist is different from a psychologist who is not a medical doctor, but who also  treats mental  health issues primarily thru the provision of psychotherapy. A psychologist can also conduct various written tests that can clarify the diagnosis and help in the treatment process.
   Val Verde Regional Medical Center thru the means of telemedicine has now made available the services of a psychiatrist, Dr. Holly Dubois, to the Del Rio and surrounding communities. Telemedicine involves using a secure network to link patients with their physician who is in a different location. Through this process, Dr. Dubois is able to do psychiatric evaluations, as well as prescribe and manage psychotropic medications  to treat depression, anxiety and other mood disorders, as well as psychotic disorders and adjustment difficulties. 
   Dr. Dubois attended medical school at the University of Southern California and completed her residency in adult Psychiatry at Stanford University. Her interest and training is in the intersection of medical illnesses and psychiatric conditions.
   Dr. Dubois treats patients 18 and over. She is the only psychiatrist available in the area, including Eagle Pass and Uvalde. She accepts many types of insurance plans. To schedule an appointment you can call (830) 778-3629.