The Bay Area Observer Community News For The Galveston Bay Area
VOLUME 2, NO. 31
LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011
Seabrook Icon Making A Comeback
By The Bay We’re looking for classmates!! La Porte High School Class of 1971. A reunion is being planned for this fall. Please contact us on Facebook @ LPHS Class of 1971 Reunion or call Don Davison @ 409-944-1311
LPPD Announce Citizens Police Academy for August The La Porte Police Department will begin a new Citizens Police Academy (CPA) on August 9, 2011 with graduation scheduled for November 15, 2011. CPA participants attended classes at the La Porte Police Department every Tuesday night for 15 consecutive weeks from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Participation in the CPA is free and all materials are provided by the Police Department. Applicants must be at least eighteen years of age with a clear criminal history. An application is also required to be completed and a background check will be conducted prior to the first night of class. The department asks that all applicants live or work in the City of La Porte, although occasional exception(s) may be made. For questions concerning La Porte’s Citizens Police Academy, contact Officer Robyn Gallion at 281-842-3162 or log onto the department’s website at www.ci.la-porte.us/gov/police/support/default.asp.
Free Roller Derby Lessons For Kemah Residents South Side Roller Derby invites you, your family, and your friends to sign up for a Free Month of instructional roller derby training from experienced skaters including skating the track, taking falls, getting up, stopping, blocking, taking a rail, speed skating, and much moreGirls (7 to 17) – Mondays at 5:30. Women (18 and up) – Mondays at 8 pm. Men (18 and up) – Tuesdays 7 pm. To sign up email: info@southsiderollerderby.com or visit: rollerderbybootcamp.com/signup.htm. South Side Roller Derby - House of Derby, 3502 Palmer Hwy, Texas City, Texas 77590. (281)460-2240. www.rollerderbybootcamp.com. www.southsiderollerderby.com
AARP Chapter 1973 Meeting La Porte Community Church
August 8, 10:30 AM
AARP Chapter 1973 (La Porte) meets Monday, August 8, 10:30 AM, at La Porte Community Church, First and “A” Streets. A potluck luncheon follows the meeting. The August program features fun and games. It will be a lot of fun. Guests 50 + are welcome.
Senior Dance Malone Senior Center La Porte August 4, 7-10
Tookie’s Will Remain The Same Familiar Burger Joint That The Bay Area Has Loved For So Many Years With Some Improvements By Rebecca Collins editor@bayareaobserver.com
Fans of the “Squealer”, the “99”, and the “Bean Burger” can start watching for the front doors of a Seabrook icon to open very soon. The re-opening of the Bay Area’s most beloved burger joint, Tookie’s will happen sometime this month, although a definite date has not been determined. The restaurant has been closed since Hurricane Ike flooded the building in 2008 with no apparent plans to rebuild and re-open until one area businessman saw the potential in the property. Barry Terrell, owner of The Tomato Group and T-Bone Tom’s in Kemah, bought the property at 1202 Bayport Blvd. from original owner
and founder Jim Spears. Fans of the famous eatery will also be happy to know that all the recipes that made Tookie’s famous will be back as well. Terrell has even hired some of the former Tookie’s employees. While staying with the same colors and décor, Terrell has made some substantial improvements to the establishment. The outside of the building will remain green and yellow, but the inside has been completely remodeled with a new full bar and bigger restrooms. The new motto is “Groovy”, and he’s adding TVs, a high-end sound system and new furniture. There is also a new outdoor patio, and an outside bar in the making. “Live bands are a possibility”, said Tookie’s general manager Ali Velasco.
And for those who might be wondering what happened to the paraphernalia and decorations on the walls of the
Barry Terrell And Peter Kinser Along With Freinds And Family Get The Time Capsule Ready To Hide Within The Walls
NASA Astronaut Dan Burbank Set To Seabrook City Council Launch Aboard Russian Soyuz TMA-22 Approves Funding
For Historical Oral History Project
The Senior Dance is Thursday, August 4, 7:00-10:00 PM at Norman L. Malone Senior Center, 1322 So. Broadway, La Porte. Doors open at 6:15 PM. Admission is $7.00/ person. Door prizes and refreshments included. August band is Earl Epps.
By Rebecca Collins editor@bayareaobserver.com
Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department to Host Blood Drive The Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department will be hosting a blood drive . The drive will be held on Monday, August 29th, 2011 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM in association with the UTMB Blood Bank. All community members are invited and encouraged to participate in the blood drive, which will be held at the Seabrook Volunteer Fire Department, Station 1 located at 1850 E. Meyer Road. For more information, please contact SVFD at 281-474-3434.
Celebrating Shuttle:
An American Icon exhibit What will your family be doing Tuesday, Aug 23, 2011? Opening ceremony from 5pm to 7 pm. UHClear Lake and NASA Johnson Space Center will honor the 30-year legacy of the Space Shuttle Program with a display of NASA photographs featuring images from all 135 shuttle missions. Get launched with this limited time exhibit - relive the memories. On display Aug. 23 - Sept. 28, 2011. Contact: Office of Alumni and Community Relations Email: alumni@uhcl.edu Phone: 281-283-2021. Location Details UHCL, Bayou Building, Atrium II, 2700 Bay Area Blvd., Houston TX 77058 USA Continued on page 2
INDEX Community......................2 Local News.....................3 Obituaries.......................3 Education.......................4 Space News....................4 Classifieds....................11
Photo by Robert Swain
NASA Astronaut Dan Burbank With Anton Shkaplerov and Anatoly Ivanishin By Robert Swain rswain91@yahoo.com
NASA astronaut Dan Burbank, along with Russian cosmonauts Anton Shkaplerov and Anatoly Ivanishin will be leaving earth to spend six months on the International Space Station. Burbank, Shkaplerov, Ivanishin and three other crew members will be flying a Russian Soyuz TMA-22 spacecraft. This will be the first NASA mission since the end of the space shuttle program in mid July. Expedition 29/30 will begin on September 22 when the Soyuz lifts off, the crew will be docking at the International Space Station on September 24. The 29/30 expedition crew will meet Mike Fossum, Satoshi Furukawa and Sergei Volkov, who have been in space since June. All six of the space explorers will be sharing the ISS for about two months until the departure of Fossum, Furukawa and Volkov in November. As NASA’s mission shifts from transportation and assembly, due to the end of the space program, “all the major heavy lifting has been
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old Tookie’s, it will all be reinstalled in the new Tookie’s. One mainstay of the décor in the old Tookie’s was the por-
trait of the woman who for years stood watch behind the cash register. She too will be back watching over the merchandise area of the eatery. For those of you who wondered who she was for all these years, she is Evalyn Walsh McLean, who was the last private owner of the Hope Diamond. The new touches to the menu at Tookie’s will be the introduction of a grilled chicken salad, and grilled chicken and fish sandwiches, all made with fresh, not frozen products. Tookie’s also has its own time capsule. Local resident Peter Kinser came up with the idea to place a Time Capsule within a wall of Tookie’s before they were finished. Terrell agreed and along with other locals placed mementos into the time capsule to be opened many years from now. Plenty of Tookie’s merchandise will also be available for purchase. Marketing and training manager Amanda Rutledge has designed all of the new products that are sure to be popular with tourist and locals alike. Local merchants in the Old Seabrook area are excited about the return of Tookie’s. Mark Miller, owner of Free Ur Feet, which is just next door, believes that the reopening of Tookie’s is a positive thing for other merchants and the economy of Seabrook. “It’s the best thing that’s happened to this area in the last three years”, Miller said. So get ready burger fans. The moment you’ve been waiting for is almost here. Start looking for the doors of the new and improved Tookie’s to be open soon and be sure to check Tookie’s Facebook page for updates and announcements. It’s guaranteed to be “Groovy”.
done and the space station is essentially assembly complete,” said Burbank. The attention has now moved to the scientific and research aspects of the ISS. With about 120 experiments to conduct during their six months, Burbank and his colleagues will explore the status of the human heart in space. Other experiments are focused on mineral loss in the bones, all with the intention to explore different ways to keep humans healthy in the final frontier. “NASA research on the International Space Station is primarily centered on how to keep humans safe and productive for long periods of time in space,” said Burbank. “It’s basically to buy down the risk so we can safely leave low earth orbit and go to deep space, to the moon, to asteroids or to Mars.” Even though the space shuttles will no longer hoist our American men and women into the heavens, we have friends who share our hope for exploration. With the ISS complete and expedition 29/30 at hand, scientists and space explorers alike can now focus on what will hopefully drive the world for a better tomorrow.
On Tuesday, August 2 Seabrook City Council voted 4 -1 with Councilman Paul Dunphey opposed to fund $8,000 for the “Voices By The Bay” oral history project. Karen Tisdel, a local American History educator and resident is bringing Seabrook’s history to life in a documentary called “Voices By The Bay: The Oral History of Seabrook”. The film will document regional, local, and family history through interviews with long-time residents of the area. Their stories, and the story of their community will be illuminated by an extraordinary collection of personal family photos and documents. The project has strong community support and several citizens spoke during the council meeting in favor of funding the projects. Council heard an update from Councilman Don Holbrook on the status of the planned 50th Anniversary celebration for the City of Seabrook. Plans for the celebration are underway, and on October 22nd the city will celebrate the anniversary of its incorporation as a city with activities in Meador Park. Council approved by unanimous vote Resolution No. 2011-10, Designation of Authorized Representatives for CDBG Grants for Hurricane Ike Relief Assistance. Council voted unanimously to designate $7.500 from the FY 2011-2012 Hotel Tax Budget to sponsor the 2012 Texas Outlaw Challenge. The amount of the original request was $15,000. Council approved by unanimous vote the Consent Agenda, which included the approval of an agreement between Seabrook Economic Development Corporation and Bay Area Houston Economic partnership for 10/1/2011-9/30/2014 in the amount of $20,000 annually as approved by SEDC on July 14, 2011. This was a SEDC budgeted item. A special events permit and sign permit was approved for a 10K run/walk on September 17, 2011. A special events permit and sign permit contingent upon receipt of proof of insurance for the Power Boat P1 USA event from September 2 – 4, 2011 at Endeavor Marina. The second and final reading of the proposed Ordinance No. 2011-10”Requirements for the Construction of Boathouses” was passed under the Consent Agenda. Council members Davis and Morrell were absent.
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PAGE 2
THE BAY AREA OBSERVER
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011
COMMUNITY Seabrook’s 50th Join Cub Scouts Now!! Anniversary Celebration! Boys entering 1st through 5th grade SEABROOK was officially incorporated as a city on October 23, 1961. Mark your calendars for Saturday, October 22nd to join the community in celebrating Seabrook’s 50 years of history, growth, and strength in the face of adversity. The celebration begins at 9:00 a.m. with a magnificent parade. Bring your families and get there early to secure a good spot, or better yet, join in the parade! Forms and guidelines for those of you who wish to enter a float can be found at http://www. ci.seabrook.tx.us.
• TRAIN RIDES around beautiful Meador Park, including a stop at our newly opened Evelyn Meador Library • INFLATABLES such as a combo moonwalk and slide for kids • ROCK WALL CLIMBING to challenge your skill while safely harnessed and monitored by attendants • CLASSIC CARS, PUBLIC SAFETY DEMONSTRATIONS, GAMES • EDUCATIONAL EXHIBITS & HISTORY TENT • AN ARTISAN’S MARKET where artisans will demonstrate their craft and offer handmade items for sale. Parade Information: 1) The parade will go down the south side of El Mar (the eastbound lane). Spectators are more than welcome to set up for viewing the parade on the north side (west-bound lane), as the entire road will be blocked off. The parade will then proceed toward Meyer Road, turn right, and continue until the route ends just past 2nd Street. 2) For forms, guidelines and parade route for those who wish to enter a float visit http://www.ci.seabrook.tx.us.
We’re proud to be Seabrookians!
Aquastar To Offer Competitive Swim Team Practices At Deer Park High School AQUASTAR is a year-round competitive USA Swimming club swim team, with 300 registered swimmers from the Clear LakeLa Porte-Deer Park-Pasadena area. The team will begin offering its competitive swimming programs at the Deer Park High School South Campus pool starting August 22. The team will offer swim training beginning after school hours, anticipated to begin at 4:45 pm every weekday. Class durations will range from one to two hours, depending on the training group. AQUASTAR is open to swimmers aged 6-18 interested in improving stroke skills and swimming competitively. For complete information on the team, including registration procedures, visit the team website at www.swimaqua.org. Registrations are ongoing, in preparation for the August 22 start. As a promotion, those registering in August will have the rest of 2011, and all of 2012, covered by their registration fee. You may also email swimaquastar@sbcglobal.net for information.
Continued from page 1
2nd Annual La Porte Community Block Party and Basketball Shootout Jennie Riley Community Center 322 N. 4th St, La Porte August 13, 2011 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 22, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm Rex Meador Park, 2100 Meyer Road Seabrook
Then, from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m., we will continue the celebration at Rex Meador Park, 2100 Meyer Road in Seabrook. In addition to live music and plenty of delicious food, you’ll find:
By The Bay
2nd Annual Cub Scout Pack 389
Seabrook Learn To Fish Pine Gully Park Saturday, August 27th 4:30PM to 7:30PM
FREE!!!!
Fall Registration: 6:30PM at Seabrook Community House Wednesday, August 24th Wednesday, August 31st Wednesday, September 7th
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Benefit For Kristie Johnson Come join us: August 6, 2011, 12p.m. - 7p.m. Eagles Lodge 803 S. 8th Street, La Porte, Tx. 77571 Kristie is a loving mother to 2 young sons, and a devoted wife of 11 years to her husband Lance. The Johnson’s are local members of our community, and are in need after a terrible accident that has left Kristie hospitalized. Kristie is facing a long road of recovery after an automobile accident on June 3rd. She sustained several injuries and is looking at a 6 month stay in the hospital. Her insurance will not cover all of her medical expenses, making it difficult for her family to meet those needs without help from our community.
On Saturday, August 13, 2011, LCA will host the 2nd Annual Back-to-School Block Party and Basketball Shoot-Outfrom 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Jennie Riley Recreational Center. The block party will provide FREE food, fun, and games for all in attendance. LCA is a non-profit organization established to meet the needs of youth in the La Porte Community. LCA’s objective is to identify various needs of the La Porte youth, and administer events and activities to fulfill those needs. LCA is able to meet these needs by partnering with local community leaders, businesses, organizations, and churches. As parents and students prepare to return to school, the necessity of acquiring school supplies continues to be a challenge for some families. Thus, it is imperative that efforts go forth to supplement the costs. During this event we will distribute prepackaged school supplies for those in need at no cost. In an effort to keep this event free to all, we need your support! Event Location: Jennie Riley Community Center, 322 N. 4th St, La Porte TX 77571. 9AM -5PM. Contact Person: Marcus Humphrey. Phone: 281-241-7040.
City Of La Porte Sponsors Photography Contest Deadline October 14, 2011 at 5p.m. The City of La Porte Parks and Recreation Department is again sponsoring a Photography Contest that is open to any citizen of La Porte. There is no charge to enter the contest and the winning pictures will be featured in the City’s 2012 Municipal Calendar. This year’s calendar theme is “food,” and participants are encouraged to submit appealing and eye catching photos of their favorite dish along with a titled recipe. The contest is based on the food presentation and photographs, not the recipe. However, the recipe may be printed on the website and/or in the calendar, depending on space. Photographs should be technically well done. Photos entered should have good composition, excellent color and contrast, sharp focus, and a captivating background. They should also be submitted in landscape format and must not contain a time/date stamp, caption, etc. There have been several participants in the past and the City hopes for the same this year. Please keep in mind that with many participants and photos entered, only a small number can be exhibited in the calendar, but if you are a professional photographer, do it as a hobby, or a total amateur, and would like to enter, please do not hesitate. You never know, your photo may be chosen. All entries must be submitted to City of La Porte Parks and Recreation Department by 5:00 pm, October 14, 2011 to qualify for consideration. Please visit the City of La Porte Website at www.laportetx.gov to get a complete copy of the rules and entry form or you may pick up copies at the Parks and Recreation Department office at 1322 S. Broadway in La Porte. You may also call 281-470-7275 for additional information.
3rd Annual Kick Off By the Creek Clear Falls High School / Education Village 4380 Village Way, League City 11:00am - 1:00pm With summer half concluded, preparations for the League City Chamber of Commerce’s third annual Kick Off By the Creek are well underway. The pep rally event will once again return to Education Village, home of Clear Falls High School. Kick Off By the Creek serves as the League City Chamber’s tribute to the start of the Texas high school football season. The event is open to the public with tickets being $15.00, which include a meal. Sponsorships are available and currently being sought. Honoring both Clear Creek and Dickinson Independent School Districts, luncheon attendees, including chamber members, students and parents, will hear music from the schools’ marching bands, see spirit from their cheerleaders and enjoy inspirational pep talk speeches from each the coaches. At the end, one team will take home the coveted Kick Off By the Creek Spirit Award. “Celebrating two districts, six teams and a dream, the League City Chamber of Commerce created Kick Off By the Creek to provide the business community with the opportunity to show its support of the school districts, their students and their respective athletic groups. The community is encouraged to attend to cheer on their favorite school and team. A portion of the event proceeds is distributed to the football booster clubs.For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the League City Chamber of Commerce website at www.leaguecitychamber.com or call the Chamber office at 281-338-7339.
BAND monthly meeting Eric Berger, the “Houston Chronicle” science writer, will discuss hurricane season, climate change and the space program. Date & Time: Wed, Aug 10 - 7:00pm Location: Harris County Courthouse Bay Area Annex 16603 Buccaneer Houston, TX, 77062 United States
Clear Lake Tea Party To Host A “Job Interview” for the Elected Office of U.S. Senate of Texas Who: Clear Lake Tea Party (CLTP) in conjunction with Alliance of Constitutional Patriots (ACP) What: A job interview for the elected office of U.S. Senator of Texas. All declared candidates for this position have been invited to meet with possible constituents and be individually interviewed for the job of being our elected Senator. This will be a direct, personal interview. The following candidates are confirmed to attend: Ted Cruz, Tom Leppert, Andrew Castanuela, Glenn Addison, Elizabeth Ames Jones, Lela Mae Pittenger. A straw poll will follow the interview Media staging room will be available in conference room 2508 for interviews with all candidates from 5:15 - 6:30 pm and after the event
During the benefit we will be selling Bar-B-Q plates for $8. There will also be a live auction starting at 2pm and a silent auction will run from 12p-5p. We will have a 50/50 raffle, liquor basket raffle and a dessert wheel also. Come join us for a fun filled afternoon while helping out one of our fellow neighbors.
To make a donation or for more information please contact: Glenna Soltes 832-876-3425, Betty Fiala 281-236-1072, Amanda Conway 281-917-9001 Ann Minton 281-787-5419, Kristie Baez 832-414-0407
The Bay Area Observer Established in 2006 Serving the communities along Galveston Bay.
Editor & Publisher.....................................Rebecca Collins editor@bayareaobserver.com
Associate Editor.........................................Carolyn Collins carolyn@bayareaobserver.com
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Sales Representative...................................Charlotte Horn 281-507-8257 • charlottehorn53@yahoo.com
Opinions in this paper are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the newspaper. Any erroneous statement which may appear will be corrected if brought to the attention of the publisher. Liability for errors is limited to the reprinting of the corrected version. Submissions are encouraged by mail, by fax, or by email to editor@bayareaobserver.com.
P.O. Box 305 • Seabrook, Texas 77586 Phone: 281-907-3140 • Fax: 866-596-8973 Email: editor@bayareaobserver.com
When: Thursday, August 11, 2011 at 6:30 PM Where: University of Houston – Clear Lake Bayou Building - Use Parking Lot D 2700 Bay Area Blvd. Houston, TX 77058
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011
THE BAY AREA OBSERVER
PAGE 3
LOCAL NEWS OBITUARIES ROSENBALM
Police Blotters Lakeview Police Department Monthly Totals July 2011
Keith “ZZ” Alan Rosenbalm, Sr., 63, of La Porte, Texas passed away July 26th, 2011. Keith was born on August 18th, 1947 in Burnet, Texas to William and Joan Rosenbalm. Preceded in death by his Father and Brother, Eric. Survivors include his Mother TOTAL CALLS – 264 Joan, Son Keith Alan Rosenbalm, Jr., Sisters Angela Applebee and Husband Russell, Elaine Mire and Husband C.J., five GrandALARM CALLS.......................................................................15 children and numerous Nieces and Nephews. Visitation will beHUMANE CALLS ...................................................................11 gin at 6:00 P.M. on Friday July 29th, and services will be held AMBULANCE CALLS ...........................................................16 Saturday 10:00 A.M. July 30th at Paul U. Lee Funeral Home. ORDINANCE VIOLATION CALLS.......................................16 ASSIST OTHER AGENCY......................................................11 FIRE CALLS..............................................................................4 ASSIST CITIZEN ....................................................................14 ASSAULTS.................................................................................1 SUSPICIOUS PERSONS / VEH. CALLS...............................15 ROBBERY CALLS.....................................................................1 SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES CALLS..............................4 TRAFFIC ENFORCEMENT CALLS........................................9 PROPERTY THEFT CALLS......................................................5 TRAFFIC INCIDENT CALLS.................................................26 Nellie Lucille Welsh, 92, of La Porte, Texas passed away July FRAUD CALLS ........................................................................2 26th, 2011. Nellie was born on August 16th, 1918 in HuntsINVESTIGATION / FOLLOW-UP CALLS...............................6 ville, Texas to Andrew and Ida Johnson. Preceded in death by CRIMINAL MISCHIEF CALLS................................................3 her parents and son Harold Welsh and Grandson Richard Allen. DEATH INVESTIGATION CALLS...........................................1 Survivors include Noel Welsh and wife Debbie, Daughters Joyce NOISE DISTURBANCE CALLS..............................................5 Sease and Husband Joe, Peggy Kuykendall, and Diana Welsh. FOUND PROPERTY CALLS ...................................................3 Brother A.L. Johnson Grandchildren Ronnie Welsh, Brad Welsh, FIGHT / DISTURBANCE CALLS............................................2 Nancy Huff and Husband Gary, Joann Sease, Missy Gala and UNSECURED PROPERTY CALLS..........................................1 Husband Dave, Debbie Salois and Husband Scott Guidry, Jon FAMILY DISTURBANCE CALLS..........................................11 Guidry and Wife Rose,and Wendi Long also survive her as well WELFARE CONCERN CALLS .............................................12 as thirteen Great Grandchildren and numerous Nieces and NephDOMESTIC VIOLENCE CALLS..............................................1 ews. A service will be held at Paul U. Lee Funeral Home on July MISCELLANEOUS CALLS....................................................10 28th, 2011 at 1:00 P.M. EXTRA PATROL REQUESTS...................................................6 SETCIC / DPS WARRANTS SERVED...................................19 INFORMATION CALLS ........................................................14 ARRESTS – DEPT. CHARGES, WARRANTS, ETC.............10
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Seabrook Police Department CHASE Ann Chase, 89, of La Porte, Texas passed away on August 1st, 2011. Ann was born on January 1st, 1922 in Montford, Texas to Paul and Agnes Spray. She was a candy striper volunteer at Bayshore Hospital for years, an Election Judge for Harris County, and Intercessors Bible Study. Her Daugher, Loretta Nixon of Cypress, Texas, her Sister Virginia Overturf, her Granchildren Todd Lee Sullivan, Kelly Bogle, Kristi Brown, and Scott Nixon survive her. Eight Great Grandchildren also survive her. Her service will be at La Porte Community Church at 11:00 A.M. Thursday August 4th, 2011.
7/25/11 – 8/01/11 Assaults.......................................................................................2 Burglary...................................................................................... 4 CVE Citations..............................................................................1 Disturbances..............................................................................12 DWI/DUI .................................................................................. 2 Traffic Accidents..........................................................................6 Traffic Citations/Arrest..............................................................33 Welfare Concerns........................................................................2
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The Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT), system operator for the state’s bulk transmission grid, is asking consumers and businesses to reduce their electricity use during peak electricity hours from 3 to 7 p.m. today and the rest of the week. “The ERCOT region is continuing to experience record high temperatures throughout the state which is causing high electricity usage,” said Kent Saathoff, vice president of system planning and operations. “We expect to break our all-time peak electricity demand Tuesday and Thursday, depending on weather conditions.” The current peak demand record is 65,776 MW set Aug. 23, 2010. One megawatt of power is enough electricity to power about 200 homes in Texas during hot weather when air conditioners are running for long periods of time, compared to 500 homes under normal conditions. “At this time, we have sufficient generation to meet the demand this week, but it will be tight over the peak hours, particularly 4-5 p.m., which means that significant generation outages could make us short of operating reserves,” Saathoff said. If the daily operating reserves drop below the target thresholds, the grid operators will initiate emergency procedures, a series of progressive steps that authorize additional capacity from other grids and from dropping interruptible loads – large industrial customers under contract to be dropped in emergency situations. “We would appreciate consumers and businesses reducing their electricity use from 3-7 p.m. as much as they are able,” Saathoff said. Conservation Tips
Plastic Bottles Wash Up In Houston Ship Channel Check The Texas Bottle Bill Website for an update on getting a bottle bill in 2013. • Odds are your favorite bottlers do not support deposit bills. You can contact your favorite beverage company and encourage them to support deposits on their packaging. By example, Coke® or Pepsi® may be your main provider for soda, water and energy drinks. Let them know you WILL continue to buy their product, but you’d like to do it in a conscientious way and you expect their support. After all it’s NOT their liquid product that is a problem; it’s only the discarded packaging that is wasted. Let them know at:
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Consumers can help by shutting off unnecessary lights and electri- choose to reach out to so that you may express your concerns cal appliances between 3 and 7 p.m., and delaying laundry and other about their containers. activities requiring electricity-consuming appliances until later in the evening. Other conservation tips from the Public Utility Commis• Your state legislators are in their home district now. Take this sion’s “Powerful Advice” include: opportunity to call or visit their local office to ask where they • Turn off all unnecessary lights, appliances, and electronic equipment. stand on Deposit Legislation. (Then let us know what they said • When at home, close blinds and drapes that get direct sun, set air via TexasBottleBill.com!) Find your legislature at www.fyi.legis. conditioning thermostats to 78 degrees or higher, and use fans in oc- state.tx.us. cupied rooms to feel cooler. • When away from home, set air conditioning thermostats to 85 deMore information at www.texasbottlebill.com. grees and turn all fans off before you leave. Block the sun by closing blinds or drapes on windows that will get direct sun. • Do not use your dishwasher, laundry equipment, hair dryers, coffee makers, or other home appliances during the peak hours of 3 to 7 p.m. • Avoid opening refrigerators or freezers more than necessary. • Use microwaves for cooking instead of an electric range or oven. • Set your pool pump to run in the early morning or evening instead of the afternoon. Businesses should minimize the use of electric lighting and electricity-consuming equipment as much as possible. Large consumers of electricity should consider shutting down or reducing nonessential production processes.
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PAGE 4
THE BAY AREA OBSERVER
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011
EDUCATION Clear Creek ISD Launches CommUNITY Education Partner Program
Advertising On Wheels to On Line a Win-Win for Bay Area Businesses and Students In spite of school funding setbacks resulting from the 82nd Texas Legislative Session, the Clear Creek Independent School District remains committed to providing a world class education to all 38,500 students. Collaboration and innovation are leading the way with the launch of the District’s new CommUNITY Education Partner Program. The program is designed to bring in needed revenue to offset the substantial funding cuts and provide local businesses the ability to advertise in a select few of CCISD’s publicly accessible platforms. “We believe our community expects CCISD to be innovative when it comes to dealing with budget issues,” explained Superintendent Greg Smith, “Creating partnerships with area businesses is one way to generate revenue as we continue to look for other avenues to explore in our mission to provide the best education we can to every student in the District.” The Bay Area Texas community is linked together through Clear Creek ISD. With 43 campuses that span 13 cities and as the second largest employer in the Bay Area, the District looks to further unite this close knit community under the banner of CommUNITY Education Partners and sustained excellence in education. Local businesses, who meet content standards and guidelines set by the Board of Trustees, are invited to become CommUNITY Education Program Partners through advertising their products and services on school buses, Veterans Memorial District Stadium, and the District website, www.ccisd.net. These platforms offer a competitively high number of exposure impressions to the advertiser as well as the knowledge that as a CommUNITY Education Partner, advertisers are also funding the future.To learn more and reserve your space, visit www.ccisdadvertising.com or contact Eva deCardenas at 281.284.0020.
La Porte Education Foundation To Host Breakfast With The Stars The La Porte Education Foundation will host its annual “Breakfast with the Stars” on Thursday, Aug. 18, at 7 a.m. The event will be held at La Porte ISD’s Heritage Elementary School, which is located at 4301 East Blvd. The breakfast spotlights LPISD educators who were recipients of innovative project grants awarded by the Foundation during the 2010-2011 school year. The Foundation awarded nearly $70,000 in grants to deserving teachers in November 2010. Reserved tables are available at varying levels of sponsorship. Star Table sponsorships include the Solar Spectacular Table, $1,000; Universe Table, $750; Galaxy Table, $500; and Shooting Star Table, $300. Individual tickets are also available at $30 per person. Grant recipients include Bari Funda, Chuck Jobson, Michelle Napier, Margaret Newman and David Peters of La Porte High School; Kathleen Breaux of La Porte Junior High School; Lori Bennett, Christopher Cummings, Kimberly Hall, Sharon Kamas and Sharon Nutt of Lomax Junior High School; Julia Thibodeaux of Baker Sixth Grade Campus; Russel Evans, Elizabeth Kinnear, Amanda Parker, Steve Robson, Sandra Warren and Deon Williams of Bayshore Elementary; Debbie Alli, Amber Collins, Robert Green, Linda Hyde, Latisha Peltier, Anita Polvado, Laura Teepe, Angie Weldon and Kelly Yu of College Park Elementary; Brad Paschal and Kathleen Restrepo of DeWalt School; Genoveva Arrona, Laura Garcia, Kimberly Gueldner, Monica LeVrier and Becky Wingstrom of Heritage Elementary; Becky Joseph of La Porte Elementary; Jensy Antony, Dawn Beard, Brenda Crager, Denise Pool, Lori Siltman and Diane Weeden of Lomax Elementary School; Melissa Cooke, Beverly Reynolds, Allison Timm, Jane Troxell and Katherine Wortham of Jennie Reid Elementary; and Donnis Barrett, Sara Campise, Denise Harrison-Fitzmaurice, Trina Marshall, Terri May, Sara Plunk, Amber Weatherford and Shannon Wood of Rizzuto Elementary. The event will include a silent auction, and cash, checks and credit cards will be accepted. For more information on tickets or to reserve a table, contact the La Porte ISD Communications Department at 281-604-7019.
CCISD Releases Preliminary Registration Under Way Accountability Ratings At San Jacinto College
With more than 93% of all students passing the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) tests in all subjects and more than 98% of students completing high school, the Clear Creek Independent School District anticipates a Recognized rating by the Texas Education Agency. School district officials outlined student performance and predicted campus accountability ratings in a presentation to the CCISD Board of Trustees on Monday, July 25, 2011. The District’s rating went from Exemplary in 2010 to Recognized in 2011, largely because the State changed the way it calculates academic performance and does not permit what is known as Texas Projection Measure (TPM). “As always, we will utilize this data as a means for continuous improvement,” said Greg Smith, Superintendent of Schools. “CCISD is an exemplary place for students to learn and the results indicate we are closing the achievement gap that is all too often negatively highlighted at the state and national level.” For a school district or campus to be rated Exemplary, 90% or more of students in each student group must pass the TAKS test. The student groups designated by Texas are as follows: Economically Disadvantaged, Hispanic, African American and White. CCISD outperformed the state average in all these categories. Additionally, at least 25% of all students and 25% of Economically Disadvantaged must score commended in Reading/English Language Arts and Mathematics. 2010-2011 TAKS Highlights 89% of English Language Learners showed proficiency in the Reading TAKS test
San Jacinto College (SJC) Central student Belen Gonzalez, who lives in Pasadena and graduated from Rayburn High School, registers for classes with helpful guidance provided by Jeremy Jones, an educational planner for the College. Registration is under way at all three SJC campuses. Fall classes begin Aug. 29. To apply or register, visit www.sanjac.edu. Photo credit: Rob Vanya, San Jacinto College marketing department.
College of the Mainland Welcomes New Bookstore to Campus
87% of Economically Disadvantage students passed Mathematics 98% of all students completed high school in 2010 With the change in accountability measurement, 15 CCISD schools will be Exemplary; 22 schools will be recognized; and six schools will be rated Academically Acceptable. 2011 Preliminary Accountability Ratings * Texas Education Agency District/Campus
Rating
Clear Creek ISD.........................................................Recognized Clear Brook High School...........................................Recognized Clear Creek High School.............................................Acceptable Clear Falls High School..............................................Acceptable Clear Horizons High School........................................Exemplary Clear Lake High School.............................................Recognized Clear Springs HS........................................................Recognized Clear View Education Center......................................Acceptable Bayside Intermediate..................................................Recognized Brookside Intermediate..............................................Recognized Clear Creek Intermediate............................................Acceptable Clear Lake Intermediate.............................................Recognized Creekside Intermediate................................................Exemplary League City Intermediate...........................................Recognized Seabrook Intermediate................................................Recognized Space Center Intermediate..........................................Recognized Victory Lakes Intermediate..........................................Exemplary Westbrook Intermediate..............................................Recognized Armand Bayou Elementary........................................Recognized Bauerschlag Elementary..............................................Exemplary Bay Elementary ..........................................................Exemplary Brookwood Elementary...............................................Exemplary Clear Lake City Elementary ......................................Recognized Ed White Elementary...................................................Exemplary Falcon Pass Elementary...............................................Exemplary Ferguson Elementary...................................................Exemplary Gilmore Elementary.....................................................Exemplary Goforth Elementary....................................................Recognized Greene Elementary.....................................................Recognized Hall Elementary..........................................................Recognized Hyde Elementary.........................................................Exemplary Landolt Elementary....................................................Recognized League City Elementary.............................................Recognized McWhirter Elementary School....................................Acceptable Mossman Elementary School.....................................Recognized North Pointe Elementary..............................................Exemplary Parr Elementary..........................................................Recognized Robinson Elementary.................................................Recognized Ross Elementary.........................................................Recognized Stewart Elementary....................................................Recognized Ward Elementary.........................................................Exemplary Weber Elementary........................................................Exemplary Wedgewood Elementary..............................................Exemplary Whitcomb Elementary................................................Acceptable
Texas Book Company presented a check to the College of the Mainland Foundation for $25,000. The money will be used for the COM Ambassadors Scholarship Program. Pictured left to right are Monica O’Neal, director of COM Foundation; Mark Ruiz, Texas Book Company regional manager; Shannon Lowey, Texas Book Company store manager at COM; Tracy Turpin, Texas Book Company director of operations; COM President Dr. Michael Elam; Ralph Holm, chair of the COM Board of Trustees.
Texas Book Company (TBC) is the new bookstore company at College of the Mainland. Tracy Turpin, Texas Book Company director of operations, said that as part of this new contract, COM will see a refreshed campus store and an improved web presence to better connect students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni to the bookstore. “We are committed to delivering our world-class services through the COM bookstore,” Turpin said. “We look forward to working directly with the campus and community to ensure that the campus store is taking full advantage of our innovative and cost-saving programs. Texas Book Company is extremely proud to have College of the Mainland as our newest partner.” “I am very excited about Texas Book Company running the College’s bookstore. I have already seen firsthand that TBC is a company with integrity, and have done everything that they said they would do for COM, and more, up to this point. When we were reviewing the bookstore companies that submitted proposals for consideration, I came to the decision at the end of the process that TBC was the only company that I would forward to the president for board approval,” said Lisa Templer, vice president of College and Financial Services. Templer explained TBC was the only company that really understood community colleges and first generation students. TBC will offer new services as well, such as e-books, book rental, online book purchases, online book reservation, and a huge used book inventory. Texas Book Company, which is headquartered in Greenville, Texas, is the largest textbook wholesaler in the Southwest, working with thousands of college bookstores in all 50 states. The company’s College Bookstore Division has grown to be the leader in customer-focused campus bookstore management, and operates college bookstores in Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico.
Texas Book Company presented a check to the College of the Mainland for $250,000. Pictured left to right are Mark Ruiz, Texas Book Company regional manager; Shannon Lowey, Texas Book Company store manager at COM; Tracy Turpin, Texas Book Company director of operations; COM President Dr. Michael Elam; Ralph Holm, chair of the COM Board of Trustees.
Commanders Program Leads 40 Students in Community Service Communities In Schools-Bay Area and Volunteer Houston-Bay Area recently partnered to develop community service for 40 area high school students. The two week-long sessions instructed students on what it takes to be a volunteer. Guest speakers from local non-profits and businesses discussed volunteerism within their fields. In this year’s annual Commanders Program, students worked on service projects at Armand Bayou Nature Center, Hope Village, Bridge Over Troubled Waters and The Neighborhood Center in La Porte. At the end of the program, each students received a certificate for completing 20 volunteer hours. Communities In Schools-Bay Area is a dropout prevention program serving schools in Clear Creek and Dickinson ISDs. Volunteer Houston-Bay Area promotes volunteerism and connects citizens with volunteer opportunities.
Commanders Program students pose with Volunteer Houston-Bay Area’s director Jennifer Bourneman (left) and Communities In Schools-Bay Area’s Linda Deckert (third from left in back).
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011
THE BAY AREA OBSERVER
PAGE 5
SPACE NEWS Space Needle Announces Program to Send an Adventurous Soul Into Space Program celebrates the new age of private space travel on the Space Needle’s 50th Anniversary
Juno to Show Jupiter’s Magnetic Field in High-Def
NASA’s Juno spacecraft is shown in orbit above Jupiter’s colorful clouds in this artist’s rendering. The Juno spacecraft will arrive at Jupiter in 2016 to study the giant planet from an elliptical, polar orbit. The spacecraft will spend a year investigating the planet’s origins, interior structure, deep atmosphere and magnetosphere. Juno’s study of Jupiter will help us to understand the history of our own solar system and provide new insight into how planetary systems form and develop in our galaxy and beyond. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech
Buzz Aldrin, former astronaut, center, and Richard Garriott, first second-generation space traveler, right, talk about space exploration outside the Space Needle on Sunday, July 31, 2011, in Seattle as Ron Sevart, CEO of the Space Needle, left, listens in. Aldrin and Garriott were at the Space Needle to help promote a contest sponsored by the Needle to celebrate its 50th anniversary by sending a member of the general public Elizabeth Zubritsky into space. (AP Photo/Joe Nicholson)
Seattle’s iconic Space Needle announced today that is it will be sending someone from the general public into space in what it is calling Space Race 2012. This mission is in celebration of the Space Needle’s 50th Anniversary and it highlights the Needle’s heritage of its futuristic effort to herald innovation, technology and human achievement of the coming 50 years. “The Space Needle was built when our country was in a global space race. With space travel moving to the private sector, a new race has begun that focuses on the best of what the Space Needle has become a symbol of the aspirations of today’s world of technology and science. What better way than sending a person from our midst into space to mark our first 50 years and look into the exciting future that lies ahead,” said Ron Sevart, president of the Space Needle LLC. The Space Needle is partnering with Space Adventures, the only company that has provided human space missions to the global marketplace, on Space Race 2012. Space Adventures has arranged eight flights to the International Space Station for self-funded private individuals. Eric Anderson, Chairman of Space Adventures said, “Space Adventures is extremely excited to partner with the Space Needle on this campaign. It is our mission to open the space frontier to the private sector and there is no better way to energize the general public, especially our youth, about space then to offer a flight opportunity to the masses. Our country has a great history of manned spaceflight, but our future in space is boundless. I applaud the Needle for assembling such a great public initiative.” Former Astronaut Buzz Aldrin has thrown his support to begin this effort and was present at the announcement of the program. “This new space race is important to our country in much the same way as the one that I was a part of 50 years ago. In 1969 when I made the first lunar landing with Neil Armstrong and we walked on the moon, the achievement was incomprehensible but we’d done it. Today we’re embarking on a journey that will carry hundreds of thousands of people like you and me into space and that’s just as remarkable,” he said. Also present was Richard Garriott, the first second-generation American astronaut. His work as a global ambassador for space travel privatization is highly recognized, in addition to his being an explorer, adventurer and a pioneering game developer. “This is a very exciting project that will advance the efforts to privatize space travel in a way that touches and engages the general public very effectively,” he said. The program will focus on the next 18 months with sweepstakes, video entries and selection of the space traveler. The online activities are live and details can be found at www.spaceneedle.com and www.facebook.com/spaceneedle. The Space Needle is celebrating its 50th Anniversary in 2012. Built for the 1962 World’s Fair, the Space Needle has become the Number One attraction in the Pacific Northwest, with over one million visitors each year. Along with Sky City, the world’s first revolving restaurant, the Space Needle is now recognized as the global icon for the City of Seattle. Space Adventures, the company that organized the flights for the world’s first private space explorers, is headquartered in Vienna, Va. with an office in Moscow. It offers a variety of programs such as the availability today for spaceflight missions to the International Space Station and around the moon, Zero-Gravity flights, cosmonaut training, spaceflight qualification programs and reservations on future suborbital spacecraft. The company’s advisory board includes Apollo 11 moonwalker Buzz Aldrin, Shuttle astronauts Sam Durrance, Tom Jones, Byron Lichtenberg, Norm Thagard, Kathy Thornton, Pierre Thuot, Charles Walker, and Skylab/Shuttle astronaut Owen Garriott.
Officials Uncover Space Shuttle Columbia Debris In Lake Nacogdoches
Nacogdoches authorities have located what is suspected of being material from the space Shuttle Columbia in the northern end of Lake Nacogdoches. “The lower water level has exposed a larger than normal area on the northern side of the lake”, said NPD Sgt. Greg Sowell. “ A large round object became visible, and it is very possible that it is part of Columbia”. Authorities notified NASA last Friday, and they requested photos of the object. NASA has now confirmed that the object found was part of space shuttle Columbia, . which broke up over Texas in 2003 when its heat shield failed. The tank was part of the shuttle’s electrical power system which as the name suggests consists of the equipment and reactants that produce electrical power for distribution throughout the orbiter.
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center,
When it comes to magnetic fields, Jupiter is the ultimate muscle car. It’s endowed with the biggest, brawniest field of any planet in the solar system, powered by a monster engine under the hood. Figuring out how this mighty engine, or dynamo, works is one goal of NASA’s Juno mission, which is scheduled to begin its five-year, 400-million-mile voyage to Jupiter in August 2011. Juno will orbit the planet for about a year, investigating its origin and evolution with eight instruments to probe its internal structure and gravity field, measure water and ammonia in its atmosphere, map its powerful magnetic field and observe its intense auroras. The magnetic field studies will be the job of Juno’s twin magnetometers, designed and built at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. They will measure the field’s magnitude and direction with greater accuracy than any previous instrument, revealing it for the first time in high-def. “Valuable information about Jupiter’s magnetic field was gathered by the Pioneer 10 and 11 missions in the early 1970s and Voyagers 1 and 2 in the late ‘70s,” says NASA Goddard’s Jack Connerney, Juno’s deputy principal investigator and head of the magnetometer team. Connerney is collaborating with the mission’s principal investigator, Scott Bolton, at the Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio, Texas. “But previous spacecraft orbited among Jupiter’s moons; Juno, a polar orbiter, will be the first magnetic mapping mission to Jupiter.” “Mapping Jupiter’s magnetic field is one of the very few ways available to learn about Jupiter’s deep internal structure,” says Juno’s project scientist, Steven Levin of NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., which manages the Juno mission. That’s because Jupiter’s atmosphere is compressed so much by its powerful gravity field that it becomes impenetrable to most sensing techniques. “In addition,” Levin says, “Jupiter may be the best place in the solar system to study how planetary magnetic fields are generated.” Massive Jupiter has the most powerful magnetic field of any planet in the solar system. That is but one advantage. Jupiter is
a gas giant that offers a clear view to its dynamo. In contrast, Earth’s dynamo is partially hidden beneath a layer of magnetized crustal rock. And Earth’s dynamo is buried quite deep -- about halfway to the planet’s center -- whereas Jupiter’s dynamo region extends much closer to the surface of that planet. “The Juno spacecraft will pass repeatedly just above Jupiter’s surface, so we will get closer to the dynamo there than we could on any other planet in the solar system,” explains Connerney. “That’s a very exciting prospect because it will really enhance our ability to determine what’s going on.” For Earth, the dynamo is generated in the liquid iron of the outer core. For Jupiter, it’s generated in hydrogen, which makes up about 90 percent of the planet. Some of the hydrogen is in a special gas form -- a gas that can conduct electricity, because it’s under enough pressure to squeeze the electrons off the molecules. Closer to the core, the gas gets compressed even more, turning it into a liquid called metallic hydrogen. Whether the metallic hydrogen or the electrically conducting gas is the source of Jupiter’s magnetic field remains a question -- one that Juno is designed to answer. “With Juno, we hope to see the detailed structure of Jupiter’s magnetic field with a resolution far beyond that previously obtained,” says Jeremy Bloxham, a Juno co-investigator at Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass. “We also hope to be able to use the structure of the field to infer the internal structure of Jupiter, in particular to determine the radius of Jupiter’s inner core.” Up Close and Personal Juno’s oval-shaped, or elliptical, orbit will bring it closer to Jupiter than any other spacecraft and then take it farther than the moon Callisto and back again. Rather than flying around the equator, Juno will be the first spacecraft to orbit pole to pole, passing over the planet’s north and south poles during the close-in part of its orbit. That is when Juno gets a bird’s eye view of Jupiter’s intense auroras, along with measurements of the charged particles and currents associated with them. The spacecraft will make about 34 of these loops, ultimately covering the entire globe during the course of roughly an earth year. The spacecraft will come close enough to Jupiter to feel the full strength of its magnetic field -- about 10 to 12 Gauss compared to Earth’s field of about half a Gauss. Yet elsewhere in the orbit, Juno will measure a field that’s about 10 million times weaker. This video describes how magnetometers work. Like very sensitive compasses, these devices can measure both direction and strength of planetary magnetic fields. (Credit: NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center) Juno’s two magnetometers are identical, and both measure fields weak and strong. The instruments sit about 6-1/2
feet apart on the magnetometer boom, a composite structure fastened to the end of one of the three solar arrays. Two magnetometers are on board in case one should fail and in case the spacecraft starts to generate its own stray magnetic field, which would need to be corrected for in the measurements. Such a field would be small, but the magnetometers can detect differences so slight that the instrument closer to the spacecraft would sense a stronger field than the one farther out on the boom. Juno will measure the magnetic field about 60 times per second while the entire spacecraft spins twice each minute. The strength and direction of the field are measured relative to the spinning spacecraft, but scientists really want to know the field’s direction relative to Jupiter and the universe. This job requires the help of the star cameras. Each magnetometer’s sensor is equipped with two star cameras to determine the sensor’s exact orientation in space. The camera snaps an image of the night sky every four seconds. The star camera identifies all of the bright objects in its field of view and uses a clever algorithm to compare what it “sees” with a catalog of known stars. The sensor’s orientation in space is the one that best matches the stars in the catalog. “If we have even the tiniest little deviation when we determine the orientation, it will impact the measurement of the magnetic field,” says the leader of the star-camera team, John Jorgensen of the Danish Technical University, near Copenhagen. The exquisite accuracy of the magnetometers is due in part to this ability to pinpoint the orientation of the sensor in space, which is just as important as the design and painstaking calibration of the instruments. “Juno’s measurements may be accurate enough to detect slow time variations in Jupiter’s magnetic field,” Connerney says. “If Jupiter has these variations, measuring them will let us visualize for the first time how the planet’s dynamo works. And that will give us a new understanding of the dynamos of other planets, both here in our solar system and beyond.” NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif., manages the Juno mission for the principal investigator, Scott Bolton, of Southwest Research Institute in San Antonio. The Juno mission is part of the New Frontiers Program managed by NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The magnetometers were designed and built at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. Lockheed Martin Space Systems, Denver, built the spacecraft. Launch management for the mission is the responsibility of NASA’s Launch Services Program at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. JPL is a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. More information is online at http://www.nasa.gov/ juno and http://missionjuno. swri.edu/.
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THE BAY AREA OBSERVER
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011
NATIONAL NEWS Sgt. Elianna Montemayor of La Porte Offers Tips For Board Success
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - Going to a Soldier of the Month board can be a nerve-racking experience for a young soldier, but with adequate preparation and a little advice from someone who has been to one before, it can be much easier. Sgt. Elianna Montemayor, a native of La Porte, Texas, and training room non-commissioned officer, and Spc. Frank Warner, a wheeled vehicle mechanic from Tampa, Fla., both with Company B, 15th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, have their fair share of board experiences and a few tips on how to win. Both soldiers recently won Non-commissioned Officer or Soldier of the Month competitions and the brigade’s quarterly noncommissioned officer and soldier competitions, respectively. The boards are an assessment of a soldier’s knowledge of key military subjects, explained Warner. During the board, a group of senior non-commissioned officers tests soldiers. “They ask questions and you answer them to the best of your ability,” he continued. During the Soldier of the Month board, soldiers compete against fellow junior enlisted troops. Both Montemayor and Warner agree, the first thing a soldier should do before going to the board is intensive studying. “I spent countless hours studying before I went,” said Montemayor. Warner’s advice is to study alone and then have a friend help review the material. If possible, he said, have it be someone who has already gone to a board who can tell you about the experience. Warner even developed a special study system that worked well for him. He studied one subject repetitively, and then moved on to the next subjects. Finally, he would put all the subjects together and have a buddy ask questions about them. “That way you’re not overloading your head with every subject at once,” he said. Montemayor said soldiers typically just rely on study guides when they are preparing for the board. “Study guides don’t always go over everything,” she warned, and went on to explain that it is also a good idea to look into the regulations behind them. After thoroughly studying, Montemayor and Warner recommend holding mock Soldier of the Month boards. During the mock board, peers and supervisors quiz participants on everything learned, and throw in some questions about current events, chain of command, and anything else that might be asked about during the real board, said Warner. Such events are chances to assess everything learned before going to the real competition, he continued. Besides simple studying, Warner also said one of the most important elements to winning is being confident. “At first you might be a little nervous, maybe even a little shaky, but be confident in what you say,” he explained. When Warner lost his first Soldier of the Month competition, he said his nervousness was a contributing factor. If you lose at the board, study even harder and then go back and try again, he added. “Always be resilient and strive to be better. I was more confident the second time,” explained Warner, who won the second board he attended. For senior leaders running the board, there are often a few key things they look for in the soldiers competing. “I am looking for the total soldier package,” said Sgt. 1st Class Clem Strait, a Wichita Falls, Texas, native, who has served on multiple Soldier of the Month boards. “Before a soldier even walks into the board, I’m going to be looking at their physical fitness test scores, their weapons qualification card, their education level, and reading about what they’ve accomplished and what they are doing to help their fellow soldiers,” he continued. “Anyone can study,” he said. “You have to be able to implement what you’ve learned. The information should be part of you. Take it to heart.” Although not all soldiers will win every board, the preparation can be a reward in itself. “You learn a lot,” said Montemayor. Studying all the information needed for the board is going to help progress soldiers’ careers and help them develop as professionals, she continued. Preparing for and competing at a board helps a soldier excel, and it shows peers that those soldiers are not content to simply meet the minimum requirements, said Strait. Once you win, you’re not just a mechanic, or a clerk, or whatever your job is, you’re also a Soldier of the Month winner, he continued. “It’s a good feeling to win,” said Montemayor. “That’s when you know all your hard work, all the time you spent studying, has paid off.”
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On Historic Day In House, Giffords’ Vote The Most Memorable Of The 430
In this image from House Television, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., center, appears on the floor of the House of Representatives Monday, Aug. 1, 2011, in Washington. Giffords was on the floor for the first time since her shooting earlier this year, attending a vote on the debt standoff compromise. (AP Photo/House Television) By Donna Cassata Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The total number of votes on the historic debt-limit bill was 430. One vote was more memorable than any of the others. Seven months after she was shot in the head, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords returned to the House on Monday to cast her vote. Thunderous applause and emotional hugs from her Republican and Democratic colleagues greeted her. Giffords’ entrance, with just minutes remaining in the vote, surprised lawmakers and added even more drama to a highstakes day. The Arizona Democrat responded to the attention with a smile, and she mouthed “thank you” several times. “We were just hugging. Girl hugs,” said Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi. Other colleagues, surprised and joyful, made their way to greet her as she was enveloped in a cluster of Democratic lawmakers. Giffords used one hand to greet some, the other by her side. Her hair was dark and closely cropped, and she wore glasses. Her image was quite different from the one Americans saw seven months ago when she was sworn in for a third term by House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio. “It was one of the most thrilling moments for all of us to see this real heroine return to the House,” Pelosi said, “and to do so at such a dramatic time.” Giffords cast her vote for the bill, which passed 269-161. “She is a model for the attitude that we should all have because she is tenacious and she is relentless in her love for America. ... You were missed and we’re glad to have you back,” said Rep. Ted Poe, RTexas. Giffords exited the House chamber by the east door, leaning heavily on an aide as she walked with obvious difficulty. Her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, accompanied her. Police had cleared a path through a mob of reporters, and Giffords did not respond to questions and greetings. Near the doorway to the House, Vice President Joe Biden greeted Giffords and marveled at her return. “She’s remarkable. Will matters,” Biden said in an interview. “She’s the embodiment of a strong, strong, strong woman. Think about what that woman’s been through, and think about her determination.” On Jan. 8, Giffords was shot in the head in the parking lot of a Tucson grocery store while meeting with constituents. Six people were killed and 13 others, including Giffords, were wounded. The man charged in the shooting, Jared Lee Loughner, was sent to a federal prison facility in Springfield, Mo., after a federal judge concluded he was mentally incompetent to stand trial on 49 charges. As Biden hugged Giffords, Republican presidential candidate Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., joined them. “Sure, I like Michele Bachmann. We’re all standing there and Michele walks up to see Gabby, because she cares about her,” Biden said. In true congressional style, Giffords issued a news release after the vote - the only thing typical in an atypical day. “I have closely followed the debate over our debt ceiling and have been deeply disappointed at what’s going on in Washington,” Giffords said in the statement. “I strongly believe that crossing the aisle for the good of the American people is more important than party politics. I had to be here for this vote. I could not take the chance that my absence could crash our economy,” she said. Pelosi said Giffords had decided to come for the debt-ceiling vote, something the California congresswoman didn’t learn about until Monday morning. The House’s No. 2 Democrat, Steny Hoyer, learned about Giffords’ return just 30 minutes before she arrived. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DFla., a friend of Giffords, said she found out that the congresswoman would cast her vote from a 2 a.m. text message she received from Kelly. “It’s an incredibly important vote, pivotal for the country. And she felt it was really important that she be here to repre-
sent her district,” said Wasserman Schultz, who added that Giffords had been reviewing the legislation. “She still has rehabilitation to go through and a lot of recovery. So she’s not ready to come back full-time. But she wanted her district to have its voice here on probably the most important vote we’ll cast this Congress,” Wasserman Schultz said. Appearing Tuesday on CBS’ “Early Show,” Wasserman Schultz said Giffords “went right back to Houston” after the House vote and would be resuming therapy Wednesday. The vote marked the latest milestone in Giffords’ recovery. A month after the shooting, she asked for toast. She has made two trips to Florida to watch her astronaut husband in the shuttle launch. She also underwent surgery to repair of a piece of her skull that had been removed. Giffords has been undergoing outpatient therapy in Houston since her release from the hospital in June. She made a visit to Tucson for a Father’s Day celebration. Giffords’ political future remains uncertain. She has not filed for re-election next year though she has money for another bid, thanks to friends and colleagues who want to ensure she has the resources necessary. Documents filed with the Federal Election Commission last month show the Arizona Democrat had more than $787,000 in the bank at the end of June. In Tucson on Monday, Pam Simon, a Giffords staffer who also survived the shooting, said she and everyone in her office huddled around the TV to watch the congresswoman’s return to the floor. “We were hugging and some of us were
in tears and some people were shouting. It was very joyful,” Simon said. “We will be forever tied to that tragic event,” she added. “Seeing Gabby there is just a wonderful step for us all.” She said she thought Giffords looked excited yet relaxed. “Knowing Gabby, I know she is just so happy to be back among her colleagues,” she said. “Didn’t she look right at home?” Ron Barber, another Giffords staffer who survived the shooting, said he was in physical therapy for his gunshot wound to the thigh when Giffords voted but that he tuned in when he got back to his Tucson home. “I have to admit I wept,” he said. “All of us who were with her that day are encouraged by her progress.” He said Giffords’ decision about whether to run for office still was “down the road.” “People can draw their own conclusions about what they saw today,” he said. “But what I saw is that her cognition is 100 percent and that she was concerned about the country and the state of the economy.” Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., a friend of Giffords, said in a statement that she had “tears of joy seeing Gabby on the floor tonight where she belongs.” “Gabby is a fighter and I always knew this day would come. She continues to inspire the nation with her strength and courage,” Gillibrand said. Shortly after her appearance, a tweet appeared on Giffords’ Twitter account: “The Capitol looks beautiful and I am honored to be at work tonight.”
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4, 2011
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