Judy Maggio has been reporting in Austin for more than 25 years. She brings the perspective of a long-time Austinite with her pulse on the world of politics, health, crime, education and much more. Judy has covered national political conventions, Presidential inaugurations and interviewed high profile Texans such as Lady Bird Johnson, Ann Richards, Walter Cronkite and Willie Nelson.
Read Across America Day
03/02/12
Did you pick up a book today? This is Read Across America Day. It's an annual event to motivate everyone, especially children, to read. March 2 is the date, in honor of the birthday of the beloved children's author, Dr. Seuss.
Not everyone reads in the same way. That's what I was reminded of today when I helped record a book for a Record-A-Thon at the Learning Ally Austin studio. This is the place where audio textbooks are recorded for people with visual impairments and learning disabilities.
Mitchel Jannsen is a local high school student who has dyslexia along with a visual impairment. He says his reading assignments once took him many hours. But thanks to the audio versions of his school books, he can plow through his work much faster. Mitchel is now Valedictorian of his class.
I was one of dozens of Austin volunteers and thousands more across the U.S. to take part in the Record-A-Thon. Learning Ally is a national non- profit that helps a quarter of a million people pursue their passion for the printed word.
In Harmony with Nature
02/29/12
There's a new addition along the banks of Bull Creek. In a picturesque spot, overlooking a little waterfall is a brand new bench and plaque dedicated to the memory of Dr. Morris Beachy. He was a man passionate about two types of harmony. As a music educator and conductor, he loved the blend of beautiful voices in song. As an environmentalist, he relished the harmony of humans and nature.
Dr. Beachy and his family built one of the first homes in whats now considered the Lakewood subdivision along Bull Creek in Northwest Austin. In the early 1960s, when the Beachys built their home, it was one of only a handful in the entire valley. The pristine waters of Bull Creek beckoned Beachy and his wife and daughters to swim, picnic and hike during much of their leisure time.
Decades later, Beachy was among those leading the charge to discourage further development along Bull Creek. He was part of the Bull Creek Foundation helping with efforts to save the creek. He hated seeing his beloved Bull Creek polluted and littered with trash.
I first met Beachy when I joined one of the choirs he led at the University of Texas. Our paths crossed many times over the years. He later worked with me on a solo I performed as part of the Austin Symphony's Family Sing a Long. Then in the mid 1990s, he was one of the people I profiled as part of a series of reports on Bull Creek. He was a force of nature, in many different ways.
Local Eagle Scout, Brian Ellis heard about Dr. Beachy and his contributions and decided to make the bench and plaque his project. He led a team of volunteers from Troop 271 and Anderson High School, along with friends and family. Thanks to this young mans vision and diligence, in just a few months time, the bench project became a reality.
I was honored to be on hand for the bench dedication on Saturday. It's a peaceful spot, perfect for reflection. It's a great place to pause and remember how lucky we are to live in this community. Many Austinites, like Morris Beachy, care about preserving the natural beauty of this city we are blessed to call home.
Remembering Barbara Jordan
02/21/12
Barbara Jordan was one of a kind. Today would have been her 76th birthday. It makes me sad to think shes been gone since 1996.
I think we need her on the political scene now more than ever, in these days of partisan bickering and polarization on Capitol Hill. Barbara Jordan was a respected voice of reason that earned her the admiration of people on both sides of the political aisle.
Her VOICE was not only respected because of her inclusive message, but because of her voice itself. She didn't speak, she boomed. Her voice was eloquent and deep. (List to her in this radio documentary from KUT Austin.)
As a rookie reporter, I was sent to do an interview with Jordan. It was a request of the network. My bosses handed me a list of questions for her that came straight from ABC News. Well, I was shaking in my boots. Not only was I suppose to interview this woman who, in my mind, was larger than life, but I was doing an interview for the Network. At this time, she was already retired from Congress (she was the first African American elected to the U.S. House). She was already in her post as professor at the LBJ School of Public Affairs.
I entered her office along with my photographer and I think she could sense my nervousness. Heck, I was probably shaking.
I said, The first thing we need is a microphone check. In a voice that sounded like a combination of God and James Earl Jones she started counting, slowly, One, Two Three. I stopped her at three and said, "Okay. That s fine." Then, she grinned and said, "But I CAN count higher." Well, we both starting laughing and my tension melted away. She was gracious and kinda real gift to a very young and inexperienced reporter. I'll never forget it.
Years later, she was hospitalized after an accident in her swimming pool. Since she had other medical complications, there was concern she might not make it. I sent her a letter in the hospital, telling her what an inspiration she had been to me and countless other women. I relayed the interview story from my rookie days and I sent along positive thoughts and prayers. To my surprise, a few weeks later, after shed been released from the hospital, I received a letter from her thanking me for my note. What a class act! Sadly, that was one of the precious keepsakes that I lost in our house fire several years ago.
Barbara Jordan died of complications of pneumonia and leukemia in 1996. She was much too young -- only 59. A few of my friends had the good fortune to have her as a professor at the LBJ School. Decades after their graduation, they still quote her and talk about the valuable lessons about politics and life they learned from her.
The Texas Legislature has set aside this week as Barbara Jordan Freedom Week. It's a way to remind us all of the contributions the late Congresswoman made to our country and our state. An interactive display and timeline is set up at the State Capitol, so you can see the impact she made on so many people in so many ways. It's free and open to everyone.
Barbara Jordan often talked about shared American values.
"Let there be no illusions about the difficulty of forming this kind of a national community. It's tough, difficult, not easy. But a spirit of harmony will survive in America only if each of us remembers that we share a common destiny," Barbara Jordan.
Yes, we could use more Barbara Jordans in politics today.
Wounded Workout Warrior
02/09/12
Perhaps I am a real klutz or maybe I'm just accident prone or both! It seems every time I get dedicated to a workout routine, I suffer some sort of injury in a weird way. How have I hurt myself? Let me count the ways!
Several years ago, when I was really into tennis and playing on a doubles team, I charged the net, tripped over my long legs and fell chin first on the court. I busted open my chin and blood was gushing everywhere. The next thing I knew, I was in the Emergency Room and a doctor was sewing up my chin.
Then, I decided, I'd give up competitive sports to concentrate on running. That lasted a few months until I pulled a hamstring and my knees started hurting. That's okay, Ive never been much of a runner.
When I turned 50, I decided it was time to get a personal trainer. I mean, who wants to enter their fifties with flab?! Those weekly sessions lasted about 6 months until one day my trainer had me do leg presses with some super heavy weight (heavy for me, at least.) A few hours later, I couldn't walk because my knee locked up on me. A trip to the orthopedist and a MRI revealed a torn meniscus. That injury was the most painful in many ways. Not only did I require surgery, but it happened the day before I was supposed to travel to Scotland to visit my daughter at college, so I had to cancel my trip. I was a real sad sack for awhile. Plus I couldn't lift my mood by exercising because I was recovering from knee surgery.
At this point, a close friend said, Judy, you love yoga and swimming and walking, just stick to that and maybe you wont get hurt! Did I listen? No way! I had to try something else. A spin class was the ticket. I thought, how could I possibly get banged up on a stationary bike? Well, I managed to bruise my ribs by (don't laugh) falling off the bike. How in the world do you fall off a non-moving bike? I adjusted the handle bars and didn't screw them back into the bike correctly. The handle bar fell off the bike and so did I.
That leads to my most recent mishap. Last week, I was on the treadmill at the gym. The equipment is positioned directly below the televisions and I was watching a program while I exercised. So, my neck was tilted back for about an hour so my head could look up at the TV. I noticed my neck was sore when I left the gym, but didn't think a think about it. Two days later, it felt like a knife was poking into my upper spine and I was unable to turn my head without wincing. Once again, I managed to injure myself on a stationery exercise machine. What a talent, right? I couldn't even turn my head to look at my co-anchors! Viewers probably thought I was being rude. Nothing was broken or torn this time, just swollen muscles in a spasm.
My neck is now back to normal and I'm ready for my next workout challenge. Maybe Ill try rollerblading or cliff diving... what could possibly go wrong?
Integrated Austin Is Something To Be Proud Of
02/01/12
Central Texas is getting high marks for making progress in integrating our neighborhoods.
A new study of census results is out. It looked at thousands of neighborhoods across the country. The study, by two prominent economics professors, shows Austin is the least segregated of all the big cities in Texas and our metropolitan area is definitely more integrated than it was 10 years ago.
Its been more than 40 years since the government enacted fair housing legislation. According to this new research, residential segregation in American cities has been curtailed in a big way and they are more racially integrated than at any time in the past 100 years.
That doesnt mean racial diversity is a reality, everywhere. Many public schools are more segregated than they were when busing from one campus to another to achieve racial balance was commonplace. Its also not difficult to find a lily white neighborhood in most all cities in the U.S.
Integration can come at a cost. The gentrification of some traditionally black and Hispanic neighborhoods has made them more racially diverse, but actually forced out some long time residents who can no longer afford to pay their rapidly rising property taxes.
But it sounds like we are headed in the right direction. Today its not unusual to see people of many different backgrounds in the suburbs around Austinsomething you wouldnt have seen 25 years ago.
It's just one more reason I am proud to call this city home.
No Place For Hate
01/26/12
Bigotry and bullying are big problems in our schools. Children, all too often, come home with heartbreaking stories of name calling, discrimination and downright hateful behavior. Thats why so many schools are vowing to become No Place for Hate campuses.
I spent time at a No Place for Hate school today and I can tell you the message is really sinking in with the students. AISDs Summitt Elementary is one of dozens of campuses across the district that is pursuing the No Place for Hate designation from the Anti Defamation League. It means a school must weave a type of anti bias education into the fabric of the entire school.
One way Summitt approached this task was holding a school wide door decorating contest. Each classroom created colorful ways to deliver the No Place for Hate message and displayed it. As I judged each door today, I realized the children truly put their hearts and minds into the project. From Pre-K to Fifth grade, they were all winners!
Summitt is a school that educates children from many walks of life. The school counselor told me there are 16 different languages spoken there. Its also the campus that hosts students from across the district who speak Vietnamese. A glimpse into a Summitt classroom is a lesson in diversity, in of itself. Its obvious these children dont pay much attention to race or religion, color or culture they are simply classmates.
I hope that sense of inclusion and respect for one another stays with them for the rest of their lives. Wouldnt it be wonderful, if the youngest among us could finally teach the rest of the world to challenge bigotry and prejudice and instead promote peoples differences?
To view video of Judy's visit to Summitt Elementary, click here.
Nonagenarians Rock!
01/12/12
Never heard of a Nonagenarian? It's someone between 90-99 years old. I have a couple of new Nonagenerian role models who give me new hope that your 90's can be the best time in your life!
During the People's Choice Awards this week, Betty White was front and center. She was right there on the first row and was referenced by adoring celebrity fans throughout the broadcast. America's Golden Girl turns 90 next week on Jan 17. When her current show, "Hot in Cleveland" won "Favorite Cable TV Comedy" and her co-star Jane Leeves wished Betty a happy 90th birthday, the crowd went crazy...giving her a glorious standing ovation. White then joked, "I didn't do anything. 90 just happens to you."
90 may just happen to you, but some people seem to embrace it more fully than others and continue being active, engaged and loving life.
My father in law, Ferdy Rosenfeld, is my other Nonagenerian role model. He turned 90 late last year and we celebrated with, not 1, but 3 parties! He wowed the crowd at all of them. Ferdy volunteers as an AISD Mentor, helps out at the local blood bank and delivers a weekly Meals on Wheels route( all of his clients are older than he is). Did I mention he still drives and walks the track at the gym every day? Ferdy would also tell you, "90 just happens to you"
But, I'm not sure 90 really does just happen to people like Betty White and Ferdy Rosenfeld. I think 90 happens, in part, because they have continued to pursue their passions and they have spent a lifetime helping others. They have many younger friends, learn new things regularly and stay physically active. They also both have a great sense of humor and enjoy making other people laugh.
Is this the secret to longevity? Who knows? I suppose a great deal of it is genetics and taking care of yourself. but it's inspiring to see people turning 90 who have so much to live for each day. After all, research shows if you live to 90, you have a 1 in 8.85 odds of making it to the century mark!
