The Zapata Times 1/9/2010

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Man was an artist Calif. native moved to Laredo before death

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

The man who died in a fiery crash earlier this week has been identified as a California artist, musician and photographer who recently moved to Laredo.

Damon Stanley, 46, died Monday after the minivan he was driving collided head-on with a tractor-trailer rig on U.S. 83, about three miles north of Zapata, during the noon hour.

“He was a very good man, friend,

brother and son,” read his obit, as published by the Visalia Times-Delta/Tulare Advance-Register in California. “Shawn was loved by many and will be missed by many.”

Stanley was the only occupant in the minivan. The truck driver, whose name has not been released, was taken to a Laredo hospital with non-lifethreatening injuries.

Justice of the Peace Juana Maria Gutierrez pronounced the man dead at 1:50 p.m. She ordered an autopsy and is awaiting results from Dr. Corinne Stern, Webb County medical

examiner, before ruling on Stanley’s death.

The results are expected to be ready sometime next week, Gutierrez said.

Jose Chavarria, a spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, said Thursday that a Zapata County Sheriff deputy was the first responder to the scene.

He reported the accident at about 12:45 p.m. Monday. The deputy’s camera unit on the vehicle recorded the

See CRASH PAGE 9A

RECREATION

THE FISH ARE BITING DESPITE THE WEATHER

Ballot is ready for primaries Judge to run for treasurer; Primary Election is March 2

By JULIE DAFFERN THE ZAPATA TIMES

Candidates have filed for a place on the ballot, the order has been drawn and the race is on for Zapatans who hope to soon claim a seat in county government.

As a final list was released last week, there was one familiar name on it.

County Judge Rosalva Guerra had previously said she is not seeking reelection for the judge’s office. She, however, has planned a run against County Treasurer Romeo Salinas.

Guerra could not announce her candidacy for the treasurer seat prior to the beginning of the year because she would have had to resign as county judge. The Texas Constitution states that if a county official announces candidacy for another position and there is more than a year left in the official’s term, that official automatically resigns from the current seat.

The Commissioners Court was shaken up earlier this year when then-

Commissioner Joseph Rathmell resigned from his seat and announced a run for the county judge position. Eddie Martinez was sworn in to the seat, and though Rathmell’s term wasn’t up until 2012, Martinez must run in the 2010 primaries to keep the seat.

Several officials are unopposed: State Rep. Ryan Guillen, 49th District Judge Joe Lopez, County Clerk Mary Jayne Villarreal-Bonoan, District Clerk Dora Martinez Ramos and Democratic Party Chairman Doroteo “Teo” Garza.

The last day to file for a place on the ballot was Monday and the order was drawn Friday. The Primary Election is March 2, and early voting is Feb. 1626.

The following is the final list of candidates in contested races in ballot order:

County Judge Jose Guevara

Luis

“Pepe”

See BALLOT PAGE 9A

Business tax break to get consideration Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Morning Times

Fishermen return after fishing at Falcon Lake for official weights at the FLW outdoors fishing tournament Thursday afternoon.

Anglers chase bass despite the weather

By STEPHANIE M. IBARRA THE ZAPATA TIMES

D

Tim Reneu, of Del Rio, shows his catch of the day with Falcon Lake in the background during the FLW Outdoors Fishing tournament in Zapata.

espite temperatures dipping below freezing at times and north winds blowing fiercely in the early part of the competition, more than 300 professional anglers are competing on Falcon Lake for the FLW Outdoors American Fishing Series and the National Guard FLW College Fishing event.

The series began Thursday and ends today. The one-day college fishing event, part of the country’s largest tournament fishing competition for college bass clubs, is today.

Hosted by the Zapata Chamber of Commerce, the fishing series kicked off Thursday at Falcon Lake with a few setbacks, all weather related. Heavy fog delayed anglers from leaving the banks for more than an hour. And after they were finally on the water, the weather overshadowed the heavy brush Falcon Lake is known for as a major obstacle.

Even with the blustery conditions, participants, volunteers and spectators alike appeared to be in high spirits as the fishermen competed.

By the end of the day Thursday, Michael Yoder from Texarkana, Ark., had placed first in the proangler division with five fish weighing a total of 38 pounds. Keith Combs of Del Rio, a professional angler with more than 20 years of experience, took home second place after he pulled in the maximum

See CONTEST PAGE 10A

Commissioners disagree on plan designed to attract firms to area

By JULIE DAFFERN LAREDO MORNING TIMES

An item on the Zapata Commissioners Court agenda calling for a resolution in support of creating a tax incentive program in the county has received mixed reviews from the court members.

The meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday at the Zapata County Courthouse, 200 E. Seventh Avenue.

County Judge Rosalva Guerra and Commissioner Gabriel Villarreal both expressed support for the proposed resolution.

“If it’s going to create jobs, I’m all for it,” Villarreal said.

Guerra said the county needs to look for other means of revenue as gas production has decreased over the past two years.

“I, personally, support a tax incentive for new businesses with certain stipulations,” Guerra stated in an e-mail. “The reason why I support a tax incentive is mainly to attract companies or new businesses. Once companies come into our county, they could provide jobs, they could stimu-

late our economy, and eventually add to our tax base valuation increasing our tax levy.”

But Commissioners Jose Emilio Vela and Eddie Martinez expressed hesitation in regards to a local tax program.

Vela pointed to a recent Associated Press article stating that government entities were rescinding tax abatement agreements with companies that had not employed an agreed upon number of employees.

“I’ve always said that the way to go is basically to provide the services that those businesses need,” Vela said.

“They’re not going to go any place where they don’t have the infrastructure — the water, the sewer and everything else.

“In tax abatements, you’re going to be losing part of your tax base,” he added. “And some of the people who have already settled are going to be saying what about me?”

Martinez echoed Vela’s concerns about local businesses that did not

See MEETING PAGE 9A

PAGE 2A

Zin brief CALENDAR

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010

AROUND TEXAS

TODAY IN HISTORY

SATURDAY, JAN. 9 Zapata Marine Corp League will have a plate sale from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. today on the corner of 22nd and Hidalgo. The stake or sausage plates are $6 and include two sides. Proceeds benefit the surrounding community, aiding projects and scholarships.

Siesta Shores will be hosting their monthly Home Owners Association Meeting at 4 p.m. Members and nonmembers are welcome to attend. For more information call 750-1266.

FLW Outdoors Stren Series T1 ends today. For more information contact the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at (956) 765-4871, (800) 292-LAKE, or customercare@zapatachamber.com FLW National Guard College Fishing, Texas Division, takes place today. For more information contact the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at (956) 765-4871, (800) 292-LAKE, or customercare@zapatachamber.com

WEDNESDAY, JAN. 13 From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. today, the Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center will be having a Cleft Palate Clinic for patients needing to consult with a specialist. If you are interested in consulting with Dr. Peter T. H. Wang, call Julie Rosales at (956) 722-2431.

The board of the South Texas Food Bank, which serves Zapata, is scheduled to meets at noon today at 1907 Freight St. The food bank is celebrating 20 years of service and conducting tours of the Lamar Bruni Vergara South Texas Food Bank facility (1907 Freight at Riverside Drive) this month, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

For information, call (956) 726-3120.

Learn the art of birding, America`s No. 1 sport, by joining the Monte Mucho Audubon Society. The Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center, located on the north side of the Laredo Community College Fort McIntosh Campus, will host a membership drive from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Membership is only $20 per person or $30 for a family. For more information, call 764-5701.

FRIDAY, JAN. 22 5 p.m. today is the deadline to register for the upcoming Boys and Girls Club shootout. The entry fee is $120 per shooter. There is a five man team limit.

For more information call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at (956) 765-4871.

SATURDAY, JAN. 23 Those looking to compete in the Boys and Girls Club cook-off need to register before 5 p.m. today. The registration fee will be $200 per team. For more information call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at (956) 7654871.

TUESDAY, JAN. 26 FLW Eastern Series fishing tournament begins today and continues through Saturday, Jan 30, at Falcon Lake. For more information call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at (956) 765-4871.

SATURDAY, JAN. 30 Boys and Girls Club will be hosting their Shootout and Cook-off today.

For more information call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at (956) 765-4871.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Pat Sullivan | AP

Texas Gov.Rick Perry speaks during a campaign stop Thursday, in Houston. Perry said federal spending is out of control and unless it’s reined in, it will ruin the country.

Perry decries fed deficit

By JUAN A. LOZANO ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON — Gov. Rick Perry, saying federal spending is out of control, on Thursday called for the passage of an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to require Congress to balance the federal budget.

“Washington’s business as usual will ruin our nation,” Perry said at a news conference held at a Houston business that makes polyethylene products.

Perry cited the Senate’s vote last month to raise the government debt ceiling to $12.4 trillion, as well as a bill to overhaul the nation’s health care system and cap-and-trade federal climate legislation, as examples of government spending that will be an unfair

financial burden to fiscally responsible states like Texas.

The governor said his push for the amendment is an effort to tell Washington that taxpayers will no longer “allow this rampant spending with no regard to how we are going to pay for it in the future.”

A balanced budget amendment has been debated in Congress over the years but has failed to pass.

Perry’s call for the amendment followed an appearance Wednesday in Lubbock where he also railed against Washington and big government. There, he issued proposals aimed at making it tougher for legislators to raise taxes and limiting the amount that state spending could grow.

Sales tax revenue sees double-digit drop

Killer whale ‘Takara’ gives birth at SeaWorld

Fort Hood chief says tighter security in place

AUSTIN — Texas sales tax revenue continued to decline in December, falling 11.6 percent from December 2009 levels.

Comptroller Susan Combs released the numbers Friday. She says the state collected $1.65 billion in sales tax revenue in December, continuing a declining trend dating to February. She says collections are down across most major sectors, including oil and natural gas, construction, manufacturing and retail.

SAN ANTONIO — There’s been an addition to the SeaWorld San Antonio family.

Park officials say an 18-year killer whale named Takara gave birth to an orca calf in Shamu Theater, the park’s research and breeding facility.

Takara delivered the 6-foot calf Thursday after about an hour’s labor. Its gender is still to be determined and it is still in the first few days of bonding with its mother and beginning to nurse.

FORT HOOD — Fort Hood’s commanding general says tighter security measures are in place in the wake of the deadly mass shooting two months ago.

Lt. Gen. Bob Cone says armed guards are posted at the mental hospital and other places, and there are more random searches at entry gates. He says a gun-registration policy is in force since the Nov. 5 shooting that left 13 dead and dozens injured.

-- Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE NATION Probe of Ariz. sheriff moving forward PHOENIX — The self-proclaimed “toughest sheriff in America” and his office are the subject of a federal investigation focused on allegations that they blatantly abused their power, including trying to intimidate county workers by showing up at their homes to ask about budget items.

Investigators are looking into Arpaio’s actions stemming from his anger over budget cuts.

SATURDAY, FEB. 20 Bass Champs Tournament Trail, South Texas Division, is scheduled for today at Falcon Lake. For more information call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at (956) 765-4871, or online at www.basschamps.com.

FRIDAY, FEB. 26 Winter Texan and Senior Appreciation Day. For more information call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at (956) 765-4871.

Ex researcher pleads guilty in records case LOS ANGELES — A former UCLA School of Medicine researcher has pleaded guilty to reading confidential private records of celebrities, high-profile patients and co-workers.

Huping Zhou pleaded guilty Friday in U.S. District Court to four counts of violating federal

TUESDAY, MARCH 2

The Zapata County Fair begins today. For more information call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at (956) 765-4871, or go online at www.zapatacountyfaironline.com To submit an item for the daily calendar, send the name of the event, the date, time, location and a contact phone number to editorial@lmtonline.com

privacy provisions.

Icy hazards persist through US, into South ATLANTA — The unyielding cold spell gripping much of the

nation was expected to hang on tight over the weekend, though some areas that saw snowfall during the week were expected to have drier weather.

In Atlanta a glaze of ice coated roads Friday after light snow overnight melted and froze.

-- Compiled from AP reports

WORLD BRIEFS

Primary elections are today. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, MARCH 11

Photo by Charles Bertram/The Lexington Herald-Leader | AP

A fallen tree became somewhat of an ice sculpture next to the Weisenberger Mills, as the water from the South Elkhorn Creek froze at the Woodford Co./Scott Co. line in southern Scott Co., Ky., on Friday.

UK police arrest 3 on Dubai flight from London LONDON — British police said three people were arrested Friday in a security incident aboard an Emirates passenger jet at London’s Heathrow Airport.

A police spokesman said the three — all believed to be male — were removed from the jet, which was preparing to fly to Dubai.

The spokesman, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line

with policy, said officers were searching the plane but had found no hazardous material.

Witnesses told television channel Sky News that several armed police officers boarded the plane bound and arrested the men.

Mexico cartel stitches rival’s face on soccer ball MEXICO CITY — The body of 36-year-old Hugo Hernandez was left on the streets of Los Mochis

in seven pieces as a chilling threat to members of the Juarez drug cartel. A note read: “Happy New Year, because this will be your last.”

To drive home the point, the assailants skinned Hernandez’s face and stitched it onto a soccer ball.

The gruesome find, confirmed Friday by Sinaloa state prosecutors, represents a new level of brutality in Mexico’s drug war, in which torture and beheadings are almost daily occurrences.

-- Compiled from AP reports

Today is Saturday, Jan. 9, the ninth day of 2010. There are 356 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On Jan. 9, 1960, on his 47th birthday, Vice President Richard Nixon became a candidate for the Republican presidential nomination.

On this date: In 1788, Connecticut became the fifth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.

In 1793, Frenchman Jean Pierre Blanchard, using a hotair balloon, flew between Philadelphia and Woodbury, N.J. In 1861, Mississippi seceded from the Union.

In 1913, Richard Milhous Nixon, the 37th president of the United States, was born in Yorba Linda, Calif.

In 1945, during World War II, American forces began landing at Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines.

In 1964, anti-U.S. rioting broke out in the Panama Canal Zone, resulting in the deaths of 21 Panamanians and several U.S. soldiers.

In 1968, the Surveyor 7 space probe made a soft landing on the moon, marking the end of the American series of unmanned explorations of the lunar surface.

In 1972, reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, speaking by telephone from the Bahamas to reporters in Hollywood, said a purported autobiography of him by Clifford Irving was a fake.

In 1995, in New York, the trial of Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman and 11 other defendants accused of conspiring to wage holy war against the United States began. (All the defendants were convicted of seditious conspiracy, except for two who reached plea agreements with the government.)

In 1997, a Comair commuter plane crashed 18 miles short of the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing all 29 people on board.

Ten years ago: The controversial “Sensation” art exhibit ended its three-month run at the Brooklyn Museum, which had gotten into a fight with New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani over what the mayor called the exhibit’s offensive anti-Catholic content.

Five years ago: Mahmoud Abbas, the No. 2 man in the Palestinian hierarchy during Yasser Arafat’s rule, was elected president of the Palestinian Authority by a landslide.

Today’s Birthdays: Author Judith Krantz is 82. Football Hall-of-Famer Bart Starr is 76.

Sportscaster Dick Enberg is 75.

Actress K. Callan is 74. Folk singer Joan Baez is 69. Rockabilly singer Roy Head is 69. Actress Susannah York is 69. Rock musician Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin) is 66. Singer David Johansen (aka Buster Poindexter) is 60. Singer Crystal Gayle is 59. Actor J.K. Simmons is 55.

Nobel Peace laureate and human rights activist Rigoberto Menchu is 51. Rock musician Eric Erlandson is 47. Actress Joely Richardson is 45. Rock musician Carl Bell (Fuel) is 43.

Rock singer Steve Harwell (Smash Mouth) is 43.

Thought for Today: “Living is a form of not being sure, not knowing what next or how. The moment you know how, you begin to die a little. The artist never entirely knows. We guess. We may be wrong, but we take leap after leap in the dark.” — Agnes de Mille, American dancer-choreographer (1905-1993).

CONTACT US Publisher, William B. Green........................728-2501 Business Manager, Dora Martinez ...... (956) 324-1226 Chief Accountant, Thelma Aguero .............. 728-2553 General Manager, Adriana Devally ...............728-2510 Retail Adv. Manager, Alice Arce .................. 728-2511 Classified Manager, Sandra Valderrama....... 728-2525 Adv. Billing Inquiries ................................. 728-2531 Circulation Director ................................. 728-2559 Creative/Production Director, Raul Cruz ...... 728-2528 MIS Director, Michael Castillo.................... 728-2505 Editor, Diana Fuentes ................................728-2581 City Editor, Julie Daffern .......................... 728-2565 Sports Editor, Dennis Silva II......................728-2579 Business Journal Editor, Joe Rutland .......... 728-2529 A&E Editor, Kirsten Crow .......................... 728-2543

SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted.

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The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010

Zlocal

PAGE 3A

Six charged with marijuana possession Five Laredoans, one other held on $50,000 bonds after deputies find 301 pounds of pot

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

Zapata County Sheriff deputies, assisted by U.S. CBP Border Patrol agents, seized more than 300 pounds of marijuana and arrested six men Dec. 31, near San Ygnacio.

Five Laredoans, ages ranging 17 to 24, and a man from Floresville were arrested.

All six are facing charges of possession of marijuana, a second-degree felony.

Osvaldo Guerrero, 17; Clemente Godina Jr., 18; Ricardo Saenz III, 18; Jose G. Mendoza, 24; and Fernando Y. Jasso, 24 and Floresville resident Jesus R. Loyosa Jr., 19, were booked, processed and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where they were held on $50,000 bonds.

GUERRERO GODINA JR. SAENZ III MENDOZA JASSO At about 7:15 p.m. Dec. 31, dep- hicle was stationary. The vehicle uties patrolling U.S. 83 noticed had four occupants. two suspicious vehicles facing Deputies also noticed a mininorth on the west side off the van that was unoccupied. Inside highway, about 4 miles north of the minivan, deputies noticed San Ygnacio four bundles of what was beSgt. Mario Elizondo said depu- lieved to be marijuana, Elizondo ties stopped a Suburban a few said. hundred feet from where the veAfter a search in the surround-

Police find cocaine; arrest man

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

Zapata County Sheriff ’s Task Force investigators seized about 33 grams of cocaine and some marijuana, on Wednesday.

Elioenai Ibarra-Mendoza, 32, was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance, a second-degree felony, and possession of marijuana, a state jail felony.

The man was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held on a combined bond of IBARRA-MENDOZA $35,000.

Sgt. Mario Elizondo said task force investigators searched a residence around 4 p.m. Wednesday in the 600 block of Medina Avenue, in Zapata.

Investigators arrested a 32year-old man, later identified as Ibarra-Mendoza.

Elizondo said further investigation revealed 33 grams of cocaine and a half of pound of marijuana inside the residence.

Mendoza was also in possession of narcotics, Elizondo said.

The approximate value of the drugs was $800.

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

University classes to begin Jan. 19 SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Spring Semester is nearing at Texas A&M International University, providing a new opportunity to invest in yourself this New Year. Classes begin Tuesday, Jan. 19.

Students can choose from

more than 70 undergraduate, graduate or doctoral degrees, each with an international perspective to prepare student graduates for the global economy. Financial aid is available and student internship and Study Abroad programs provide additional opportunities.

The new Student Success Center is nearing completion, part of a 25 million addition to the 300-acre campus.

Prospective students can also visit tamiu.edu/prospect for detailed information for new, transfer, graduate and international students.

ing brush, deputies and Border Patrol agents apprehended the two occupants of the minivan 3 miles north of the bailout location.

LOYOSA JR. The men were identified as Guerrero, Godina, Saenz, Mendoza, Jasso and Loyosa.

The drugs weighed about 301 pounds with a street value of $5,000.

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

Investigation into stabbings is underway

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

A domestic disturbance call led deputies to discover two stabbed men Monday.

Whether the men fought each other or other if people were involved is still under investigation.

Zapata County Sheriff deputies responded to a domestic disturbance call at 3:15 p.m. in the 300 block of Gonzalez Street.

Sgt. Mario Elizondo said deputies arrived at the residence and encountered a 29-year-old man who was stabbed in the abdomen.

The man’s name was not released.

According to Elizondo, Zapata County EMS aided the man. He was transported to Laredo Medical Center for treatment.

Elizondo said an 18-year-old man was also stabbed.

The sheriff department did not release the man’s name.

The man was treated at the scene and en route to Starr County Memorial Hospital.

The sheriff ’s department has an open investigation on the case.

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

THE BLOTTER ASSAULT Guadalupe Gonzalez Jr., 30, was arrested on charges of assault causes bodily injury family violence at 8 p.m. Dec. 31 in the 200 block of Santa Maria Avenue in San Ygnacio. The man was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held on a $300 fine.

Deputies responded to an assault causes bodily injury family violence call at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 3 in the 400 block of Diaz Avenue. According to reports, a known man assaulted an 18-year-old woman.

Deputies responded to an assault call at 12:30 p.m. Jan. 6 in the 100 block of First Street. According to reports, a minor argument led to a minor assault of a 20-year-old woman.

BURGLARY A 53-year-old man reported at 10:30 p.m. Dec. 30 in the 1700 block of Fresno Street a known perCarmen Ramirez - Rathmell, D.D.S.

“Let your smile be a sign of happiness & good health” 1520 Corpus Christi Street Telephone (956) 726-0160

son borrowed his truck and stole a cell phone and a vehicle charger from the residence’s cabin.

A 48-year-old man reported at 11 a.m. Tuesday that Rogelio’s Taqueria in the 800 block of Texas 16 was burglarized. Deputies say about $35 worth of merchandise was stolen.

A 47-year-old man reported at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday a Titan diesel generator was stolen in the 600 block of Carla Street.

DEADLY CONDUCT Eduardo Gonzalez, 32, was arrested at about 12:15 a.m. Jan. 1 in the 700 block of Elm Street. He was charged with deadly conduct

discharge of a firearm. The man was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held on a $25,000 bond.

Deputies responded to a shots fired call at 9 a.m. Jan. 1 in the 300 block of Gonzales Street in the Nickelson Addition. According to reports, an unknown person struck four victims and pointed a rifle at them threatening to kill them. Deputies say that during the

struggle, a shot went off, striking the residence. No arrests were made. The Zapata County Sheriff’s Office has an open investigation on the case.

tersection of 10th Street and Roma Avenue. The man was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held on a $3,000 bond.

DWI

THEFT

Anicacio Juarez-Hernandez, 26, was detained after a traffic stop and later arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated at about 10:45 p.m. Dec. 31 in the in-

A 36-year-old man reported at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 3 that unknown people stole several items from Gordo’s Auto Sales, intersection of Fourth Avenue and U.S. 83.

PAGE 4A

Zopinion

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM

COLUMN

OTHER VIEWS

Helping the pet set with tax breaks

By JOHN YOUNG COX NEWSPAPERS

I

f self-interest alone were to guide one’s politics, I’d be writing my congressman to support the HAPPY Act. As would my seven cats, my three dogs, my three rabbits.

Well, I’m not. And I’ve told the pets to put their quills in their ink wells, and slowly walk away.

The HAPPY Act would be a boon to pet owners.

So why oppose it? Because it would be one more ridiculous wrinkle in a culture of tax avoidance.

HAPPY — for Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years — would allow pet owners to deduct food, vet care and other pet-related expenses from their income taxes — up to $3,500 per year.

Cute and cuddly. And so stupid.

U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Mich., the bill’s author, said it would boost pet ownership and ease strains on animal shelters. That would be nice. Responsible pet ownership is costly.

The fact is, however, that people who let their animals roam and breed are not the types to parse the tax code, or even to itemize. Many pay no income tax.

More likely, this tax dodge would disproportionately benefit the French-poodle set, as tax policy so commonly does.

It would be one more way that people with tax attorneys would profit at the expense of those without, and those ways are more numerous than anyone wants to acknowledge.

Despite claims by Republicans that the wealthy shoulder more than their share of the tax burden, the truth is to the contrary. Yes, because a progressive income tax does what it is supposed to do, the richest 1 percent pay a lot, roughly 37 percent of all income taxes, while possessing 21 percent of all reported income.

But when one considers Social Security payroll taxes and other payroll taxes including motor

fuels, as Pulitzer Prize winner David Cay Johnston writes in his book on tax inequality, “Perfectly Legal,” “because of tax tricks fashioned by lawyers,” the top 1 percent is taxed more lightly than those of us in the middle class, and some of America’s wealthiest avoid taxes altogether, legally.

Instead of inventing more ways for us not to pay our taxes, whatever the income, lawmakers should be figuring out ways to pay for all the government we have purchased on our grandchildren’s credit.

Barely noticed as 2009 concluded was Congress’s passage of a bill lifting the national debt ceiling to $300 billion. Among Democrats in the Senate, Colorado’s Mark Udall was a noticeable holdout until the last minute.

His vote was crucial, because Republicans insisted on a super majority of 60 votes. The filibuster they threatened would have left the government without money to pay Social Security checks or pay interest on its debt.

No additional debt.

That sounds mighty principled on behalf of leaders of the minority party, except that when in power in the last decade, the same Republicans raised the debt ceiling repeatedly, sometimes with as few as 52 or 53 votes.

Udall bent to the wishes of the Democratic leadership when told that the majority party would hold two votes this month, one creating a commission to examine the debt, and one to offset new spending with program cuts.

Congress should also have a graduated war tax and an incremental energy tax in the mix, because program cuts alone will not get us out of the hole we’ve dug, and everyone knows it.

No, my animals and I will pay our share to do what must be done, pet ownershipwise and taxpayerwise. Fifi, meanwhile, should eat a lower grade of kibble in our grandchildren’s interest.

(Reach John Young at jyoungcolumn@gmail.com)

EDITORIAL

COLUMN

Deer really haul in the bucks

By SEN. EDDIE LUCIO JR. SENATE DISTRICT 27

W

hen speaking of economic engines for our state, we must include one booming industry with a total financial impact of more than $5 billion annually.

Deer breeding or ranching (called deer farming in some states), and more scientifically correct the cervid industry, is the fastest growing industry in rural America, according to sources, and involves breeding deer in controlled environments.

No. 1 in nation Currently Texas is the No. 1 deer ranching state, followed by Pennsylvania.

Today, there are more than 1,198 active deer breeders in this state, most of whom represent small landowners and family-run operations.

Not only is deer breeding becoming quite profitable, it is offering many struggling families a livelihood.

Tough living “Unfortunately, the day is waning in which a family can make a living from the land! World markets, the economy, …..and loss of

NEW YORK TIMES

Somewhere in the afterlife’s screening room, Will Hays, architect of Hollywood’s old Production Code, and the stern Catholic bishops of the Legion of Decency are probably sharing a chuckle, maybe over scotch and cigarettes.

Why? The recent fuss over “Avatar,” the film in which the latest in cinematic technology meets the oldest argument in the movies: whether vice on screen encourages vice in real life.

In “Avatar,” a character played by Sigourney Weaver smokes. Anti-tobacco advocates say on-screen smoking — even by a character we’re supposed to dislike — makes children pick up the habit.

Your initial response might be tempered by

knowing that the advocates have persuasive scientific studies to support their warnings.

Stanton A. Glantz, the director of the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California, San Francisco, points to several, showing strong evidence that on-screen smoking increases teenage cigarette use.

The World Health Organization wants governments to “severely restrict smoking imagery in all film media.” Glantz doesn’t go that far. He wants industry self-restraint and greater public awareness.

Does that strike you as nannyish and make you a little queasy? Us, too.

Probably the only rational response is to let the artists and scolds flourish together.

— white-tailed deer. Texas leads the nation in whitetail deer sales.

Experts such as Kroll, also known as Dr. Deer, have played a significant role in developing whitetail breeding to provide small landowners what he calls a “piece of the pie.”

That pie includes a $3 billion-a-year deer hunting industry, mostly from hunting revenues that once came only from large landholdings, leaving the small landowner out. Now small landholders can compete in an industry that was once reserved for the wealthy who owned thousands of acres. When one considers that the average hunting expenditure per hunter has increased by 11 percent over the past 10 years and that an average big game hunter spends $1,360 annually, deer ranching makes a lot of sense.

Lots of bucks The many financial components of the deer breeding industry range from an annual total of $115 million in deer purchased to $24 million for handling facilities. In between are sales of feeders and watering equipment, feed, semen storage and artificial insemination costs, veterinary services

and fencing.

In the American Frontier of long ago the skin of a male deer was worth a dollar, which is how the term “buck” for a $1 bill originated. As the frontier changed, so has rural Texas and what a $1 bill will buy, encouraging a new science and way of doing business through deer breeding.

Year-round industry I echo Dr. Deer’s insightful statement that “Texas has been a leader in deer management since the 1970s, and now enjoys a leadership role in deer breeding.”

As a state we should support all ongoing efforts to improve and expand deer breeding operations. While deer hunting season in Texas overall runs from around Nov. 7 to Jan. 17, with dates varying depending on location and lease extensions, deer breeding is a year-round industry that promises rich economic rewards for all Texans.

(Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., DBrownsville, represents Senatorial District 27, which covers Cameron, Willacy, Kenedy and Kleberg counties as well as the eastern part of Hidalgo County in deep South Texas.)

It’s time to kill off more bad rules NEW YORK TIMES

Let the actors make movies

profitability of ‘traditional’ agriculture have made it difficult for folks to hold onto their land,” explains James Kroll, Ph.D., Henry Rockwell Professor at the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, Stephen F. Austin State University.

Kroll also reports that “the unfortunate result is an escalating loss of the rural lifestyle enjoyed by many of us over the life of the Lone Star State. Land is being fragmented at an unprecedented rate and Texas, unfortunately is in the top 10 states in loss of rural, undeveloped lands.”

Once thought of only as a hobby, today in an effort to hold onto family farms and ranches, many people are turning to alternative enterprises such as deer ranching.

Groups such as the Texas Deer Association and the Deer Breeders Co-Op of Texas have been tremendous assets to the deer industry by assisting breeders’ marketing efforts and providing extensive education. In the past, breeding wildlife has involved only the exotic species (axis, fallow and red deer), since they enjoy a more favorable regulatory environment.

More recently, significant opportunities have developed with a native species

Between them, the Obama administration and the federal courts have reversed most previously made environmental regulations. But a few bad rules linger on the books, among them an inadequate health standard governing smog.

President Barack Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency is now proposing to get rid of this rule and replace it with a stronger standard. This would result in cleaner air

and better health.

Ozone is a photochemical reaction that occurs when sunlight mixes with nitrogen oxides and other pollutants from power plants, vehicles, refineries and industrial facilities. It poses a serious health threat, especially in children and people suffering from asthma and lung disease, and is responsible for respiratory-related emergency room visits, hospitalizations and premature deaths.

Apart from their health

advantages, the new rules reflect the administration’s effort to restore science to its rightful place in environmental rule-making. In 2008, the EPA’s independent board of scientific advisers recommended that the ozone standards be set at somewhere between 0.60 and 0.070 parts per million.

The new proposal, to be issued after a 60-day comment period, is expected to be somewhere in the range originally proposed by the scientific panel.

Some big polluters are

DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU

likely to resist since the new standards would require investments in stronger pollution controls.

Lisa Jackson, the EPA’s administrator, should stick to her guns. When Carol Browner, then the administrator, first tightened health standards for smog and other pollutants like soot in 1997, industry groups rose up as one. But technology almost always catches up. In the end, costs are a fraction of the original claims, and the air is a lot cleaner.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010

Zlifestyle

PAGE 5A

Canales graduates training SPECIAL THE TIMES

Armando Canales Jr. has graduated from the Army ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as “Operation Warrior Forge,” at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.

The 32 days of training provide the best possible professional training and

Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times

Patsy L. Espinoza, left, smiles as author Laura Contreras-Rowe signs a copy of “Aim High: Extraordinary Stories of Hispanic and Latina Women” at Gallery 201 in December.

Aiming high Author shoots to make Latina role models visible in new book

By KIRSTEN CROW THE ZAPATA TIMES

L

aura ContrerasRowe beat the odds — at least according to statistics.

Faced with financial hardship and bearing a great deal of responsibility from a young age, Contreras-Rowe found herself “through the looking glass,” embodying a story not unlike Horatio Alger as she reaped success as an adult. It wasn’t easy, she said. She had to work hard to gain her footing and climb in pursuit of her success. But once she found her inspiration, there was no deterrent.

Contreras-Rowe knows, though, that many young Hispanic girls struggle to find their own motivation.

“The (statistics) aren’t very good for Hispanic girls,” she said, citing figures that rank Hispanic women and girls as having the highest attempted suicide rate, pregnancy rate and high school dropout rate, all while being at increased risk for gang, alcohol and drug activity.

But instead of shaking her head and mourning the stats, Contreras-Rowe felt motivated to take action.

Troubled by a lack of adequate role models for girls outside the family, the firsttime author dove deep into research to find successful Hispanic women to feature in her coffeetable book, “Aim High: Extraordinary Stories of Hispanic and Latina Women,” in order to make those women “more visible.”

“I’m now a successful realtor and entrepreneur — and I wanted to make a difference,” she said. “A couple of people told me to write my story — about Laredo, about where I came from. (And I thought), ‘I bet

there’s more women like me out there.”

She did. Among the women featured in the story are Rebecca Gomez Diamond, a Fox Business Network anchor; Anna Escobedo Cabral, former U.S. treasurer; Laura Lopez Cano, an award-winning artist; celebrity chef Laura “Chef Lala” Diaz; Anjelah Johnson, comedian and actor; and Erica Ann Ortiz, drag racer.

There are women of more modest recognition, but formidable ambition: a basketball coach from inner-city L.A., a psychologist, a project manager for NASA, a U.S. Navy commander.

And among the many who grace the pages, five are from Laredo, including flamenco legend and dance teacher, Cristina Godines Greco — the first to agree to participate in the ambitious project — while the “legacy” page features the Ramirez women, including Minerva Ramirez, former principal of Zachary Elementary and owner of Carmin’s Flower Shop; Dr. Carmen Ramirez-Rathmell, dentist; and Minita Ramirez, Ph.D., dean of Texas A&M International University.

“Aim High” is intended to bear messages of faith, hope and love, ContrerasRowe said, and “inspire you to see beyond your current circumstances and see that you can triumph over any situation in your life.”

“I will never say that it is going to be easy,” she wrote in her forward. “But I will say that with tenacity and a positive attitude, you, too, can aim high and overcome.”

Growing up Born to Olga Ramirez Brunken and George Con-

treras, both originally of Laredo, Contreras-Rowe spent her early childhood in Dallas, where Hispanics remained a minority in the ’60s and ’70s, she said.

“My parents would not speak Spanish to us because we were discriminated against so badly,” Contreras-Rowe said. “I regret the decision they made, but I understand why they did it.”

Following the divorce of her parents, ContrerasRowe returned with her mother and sister to Laredo due to financial struggles. The hardships didn’t end upon arrival. The family was eviceted from four or five homes before finally finding a permanent residence in a trailer parked in her mother’s parents backyard.

Both Contreras-Rowe and her sister, Cordy, were fending for themselves at a young age.

ContrerasRowe’s mother was a fulltime nurse working long hours at Baylor Hospital, leaving the girls often unsupervised in the evenings, and making them responsible for getting to school in the mornings.

By the time ContrerasRowe was in middle school, she had already begun experimenting with cigarette smoking and drugs.

But two circumstances altered the path she had embarked on.

One inspiration was her cousin from New York, who visited Laredo in the summers and cast a light on other lifestyles, big cities and big dreams for Contreras-Rowe.

“I wanted to be like them one day — rock stars who came into town every summer,” she said.

At the same time, she, like many of the women in her book, found salvation

See AUTHOR PAGE 6A

evaluation for all cadets in the aspects of military life, administration and logistical support.

Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course.

Upon successful completion of the course, the ROTC program, and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned

as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard, or Reserve.

He is the son of Armando Canales of Gonzales St., and Dora M. Martinez, both of Zapata.

His wife, Claudia, is the daughter of Noe and Claudia M. Villarreal, also of Zapata.

Canales is a 2005 graduate of Zapata High School.

6A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010

LPO maestro to star on new stage

By STEPHANIE M. IBARRA THE ZAPATA TIMES

Photo by Daniel Maurer | AP

Jason Schaff, right, and Lee Loughnane of the band Chicago perform during the Jazz Open in Stuttgart, southern Germany, on Wednesday, July 16, 2008.

Chicago leads newest of LEC acts for 2010 SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Laredo Entertainment Center is taking its 2010 lineup head-on, announcing three big shows coming to the arena during a press conference on Tuesday. It’s official: The pioneer of Latin comics, Paul Rodriguez, as well as the powerhouse rockers Chicago and Foreigner, are headed this way.

Following a year that saw the return of primetime boxing and rock to the arena, as well as the advent of hip-hop concerts, it’s a fitting start.

But fans will want to act fast, because tickets for Foreigner and Rodriguez went on sale Friday.

“We are very proud of the number and variety of events we were able to host in 2009,” stated Roy Medina, general manager of the LEC, in a news release. “So if you liked 2009… watch out for 2010.”

Foreigner Known for more than a dozen hits released from the late ’70s through the ’90s, including “Cold as Ice,” “I Want to Know What Love Is,” “Urgent” and “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” Foreigner hits the stage at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Although likely best known for its hits in the ’70s and ’80s, the band has

never really stopped: The early 21st century saw the release of several archival collections courtesy of the Rhino label, including a pair of additional collections, “Jukebox Heroes: The Foreigner Anthology” and “Complete Greatest Hits,” as well as reissues of the group’s self-titled debut and , both of which included extra bonus tracks Tickets for $48, $38, $28 and $18, plus a facility fee, are available at the LEC box office and at Ticketmaster.

Paul Rodriguez Two days after the Foreigner show, on Friday, Feb. 12, comic Paul Rodriguez — referred to by Medina as “the original Latin king of comedy” — will bring his standup act to the arena at 8 p.m.

Rodriguez’s career has spanned more than two decades and includes starring roles and featured appearances in more than 30 films, as well as countless television series and specials.

Rodriguez is regarded as a trailblazer credited with inspiring any number of next-generation Latin comics, including George Lopez and Carlos Mencia. Some of those who have been inspired by Rodriguez will also join him on stage, including

Joey Medina, who will warm the crowd up with an opening act, along with special guest Raymond Orta.

Tickets for the show went on sale Friday. Like the recent Gabriel Iglesias stand-up show, all tickets, regardless of position, will be sold for $31.

Chicago Then, on April 8, Chicago makes its highly anticipated return to the LEC after more than five years, boasting hits such as “Does Anybody Really Know What Time it Is?” “You’re Not Alone” and “Caroline,” among many others.

In 2002, Chicago began leasing its early albums to Rhino Records for deluxe repackagings, often with bonus tracks. The success of “The Very Best of Chicago: Only the Beginning” demonstrated that the band’s music continues to appeal to fans. Feeding off the renewed interest, the band reappeared in 2006 with the new album, “Chicago XXX,” on Rhino.

Per AOL music, Chicago leads successful American rock bands, second only to the Beach Boys, according to Billboard chart statistics.

Tickets for the show go on sale for $70, $52, $42 and $32, on Friday, Jan. 22.

Brendan Townsend, known to many as the music director of the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, is making his acting debut in Laredo Theater Guild International’s rendition of “Doubt,” premiering Thursday, Jan. 14 at 8 p.m.

First introduced to the script nearly a year and a half ago, Townsend had little idea he would be invited to audition for the sole male lead of Father Flynn.

Townsend had considered acting for some time.

When he vocalized his interest, it provided Joe Arciniega, artistic director and co-founder of LTGI, with a casting opportunity.

“I gave him the script to read, we read him for the role and here we are,” Arciniega said. “Brendan’s experience working and speaking in front of live audiences serves him well in this. The rest of it comes down to imagination, sensitivity and hard work, and I believe that he already applies much of that.”

Townsend, born and raised in Ireland, explained that accepting the role of Father Flynn — who is written as an Irish priest and sometimes deemed a controversial character — was not an issue.

“Ireland right now has four bishops resigning in the last month and a half because of the report of sexual abuse in the church — that’s not what this play is about,” he said. “The play is not about whether a priest did or did not do something indecent with a child. It is about the idea of uncertainty, that certainty of belief. The manner in which (Flynn) defends himself and attacks other people fits very well with my own

in sports as she pursued golf and swimming, discovering a competitive nature within that she didn’t know she had. It endowed her focus and drive, while deterring her from some of the poorer choices available.

Seeking success After graduating from Nixon High School as a member of the Class of 1984, Contreras-Rowe first attended community college before her father invited her to take a job at a factory in Garland. Her employment there, though, didn’t last long — she nearly lost her hand in a conveyor-belt accident, resulting in 50 stitches and a return to Laredo.

Back in the Gateway City, though, something clicked: If she wanted out, she would need to get an education.

By 1986, Contreras-Rowe was enrolled in Oral Roberts University, located in Tulsa, Okla., where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in broadcast design and telecommunications in 1990. Shortly after, she moved to Virginia Beach, Va., where she still resides, to continue her education.

That was where she met her husband, Keith, who she wed in 1993, and had two children with: Joshua and Austin.

By 2000, Contreras-Rowe found herself interested in becoming a realtor to earn extra money for vacations.

She discovered that she had a real knack for the business, and her competitive nature made her a natural.

“I had lived in a trailer my whole childhood and now I was selling the Amer-

ican dream!” she wrote.

The book It all started with the statistics, she said.

Disturbed by the numbers that prominently featured Hispanic girls at high risk for destructive behavior, she decided to take action, first by founding the “Why Be Average?” organization, and then, at the prompting of friends and family, she began writing her own story. But as she told her tale, she wondered how many other women out there had similar stories.

“It spun into so many things,” she said.

Soon, the book took on a life of its own. ContrerasRowe cut back her hours as a realtor to focus on it, investing countless hours of research, interviews and traveling the country to meet her subjects in person.

“When I started the book, I didn’t tell (my subjects) what I was doing,” she confessed. “But these women trusted me. And that’s one of the coolest things, I think… there is this unique sisterhood, a bond.”

Unable to sell the book to a publisher, Contreras-Rowe decided to take matters into her own hands and self-published it. Before reaching the actual production process, though, she ensured the “look” of it, as well as the editing and writing, were of a professional caliber.

Each of the 33 stories is accompanied by a feature photo of its teller, while the story itself is told in firstperson, as written by Contreras-Rowe. Many detail difficult backgrounds, overcome by sheer will power.

Contreras-Rowe’s is the last told in the book.

The campaign Getting “Aim High” published was just one piece of the puzzle, Contreras-Rowe said. The arguably tougher challenge is getting it into the hands of the youth it targets.

She is currently searching for sponsors to help fund a campaign to donate 50,000 of the books to underprivileged schoolchildren.

In the process, she went on a book tour throughout Texas in December — including stops in Austin, San Antonio and Laredo — and was featured on the Fox Business Network. The interview is posted on Contrera-Rowe’s Web site, www.aimhighbook.com.

The book is scheduled to be available locally at the Texas A&M International University bookstore, and possibly as soon as Monday.

Now, Contreras-Rowe is pursuing several follow-up books to act as a series to the first, including one “Aim High: Extraordinary Stories Hispanic and Latino men,” as well as a faithbased work.

During an interview in December, the author winked when she said she’d been interviewing subjects that very weekend for the upcoming projects, but declined to specify who the possible subjects may be.

“I believe God has a purpose, and the purpose is to offer hope and inspiration to this generation of kids,” she said. “I’m excited.”

(Kirsten Crow may be reached at 728-2543 or by email at kirsten@lmtonline.com)

Brendan Townsend portrays Father Flynn in “Doubt.” sense of right and wrong, and that is what attracted me to the play.”

Townsend emphasized that “Doubt” audiences should expect to find their belief systems challenged, intrigued by the idea that not everything is ever as it seems.

“There are nine scenes.

They’re all in one act. The second act of the play takes place when people leave the theater,” he said.

“There will be conversations, (and) there is no way to be certain one way or the other.”

Throughout the play, Flynn is portrayed as a progressive priest trying to do good as he leads his 1960s community into then-unorthodox practices in the face of stagnant elements. These elements are those which Townsend found relatable.

“I can relate in some ways to (Flynn) because of the work that I do as a music director in this community,” he said.

“Whenever you try to do something new in a community that’s used to doing things in a certain way, you face a certain re-

‘Youth in Revolt’ lacks rebelliousness

By JAKE COYLE

AUTHOR Continued from Page 5A

Photo by Ricardo Segovia | The Zapata Times

sistance, you face a certain doubt about whether it’s the right or the wrong thing for the institution to do — in my case, the Laredo Philharmonic.”

Performing in the role of Father Flynn — who is as complex and captivating of a character as those who share the stage with him — has been a learning experience, Townsend said. In preparation for the production, he immersed himself in Catholicism and opened himself up to an otherwise role-reversal situation.

“I learned a lot about the Catholic church,” Townsend said. “I did some reading about the church in the 1960s… A large part of why I wanted to do a play was the art of learning. I’m an educator and it’s really easy to forget, as an educator, what it’s like to have to learn something, because we already supposedly know it.

It’s been a hell of an education.”

With a beautifully written, Pulitzer Prize-winning play, a talented cast and fully fleshed-out characters, audiences should expect to leave the show with a thought-provoking, individualized learning experience.

Directed by Vernon Carroll, “Doubt, A Parable” opens Thursday at 8 p.m. in the Texas A&M International University Center for Fine and Performing Arts’ Sam Johnson Experimental Theatre.

Subsequent performances will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15; 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 16; and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17.

Tickets are $15 for general admission, and $10 for seniors and students with a valid ID. For more information, call 319-8610.

(Stephanie Ibarra may be reached at sibarra@lmtonline.com)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

REVIEW

The ratios of “Youth in Revolt” are out of whack.

Steve Buscemi and Zach Galifianakis are barely utilized, yet we get two Michael Ceras.

Cera plays Nick Twisp, a precocious Oakland, Calif., teenager who describes himself as “a voracious reader of classic prose” and refers to his mother’s boyfriend (Galifianakis) as her “consort.” He cherishes Frank Sinatra but has none of his suavity. He’s a virgin, an issue, he says, that “can no longer be ignored.”

On a summer trip to a trailer park in the country with his mother (Jean Smart) and her boyfriend,

Nick falls for the beautiful Sheeni Saunders (Portia Doubleday), who has her own dreamy artistic crushes: Serge Gainsbourg, the French actor Jean Paul Belmondo.

Though Sheeni has a boyfriend (whom she describes as a writer of “futurist percussive poetry”) she entertains Nick as a summer fling. But to keep her as a girlfriend come fall — and hopefully rectify that virgin problem — she tells him that he must be “bad” and get himself kicked out of school.

Summoning such danger seems hopelessly impossible for Nick, who dresses in tight, slightly

too small clothes and constantly crosses his arms daintily, like he’s not quite sure what to do with them.

So he invents an alter ego, Francois Dillinger, a brash French playboy in shades, a pencil-thin mustache and an ascot. He makes Nick cause explosions and mayhem and make a more aggressive move for Sheeni.

Thus, with smart dialogue that calls attention to itself and a manifested devil-on-the-shoulder, “Youth in Revolt” is a bit like a combination of “Juno” and “Fight Club.” It’s a good enough premise, but it comes off disappointingly.

“Youth in Revolt” is playing at Cinemark Mall Del Norte and Hollywood Theaters.

SÁBADO 9 DE ENERO DE 2010

Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 9 DE ENERO LAREDO — El equipo de Softból Lady Longhorn de United High School realizará un campamento de softból el día hoy. El campamento es para alumnas del 4to al 8vo grado en el nuevo campo de UHS de 10 a.m. a 1 p.m. El costo es de 25 dólares. El campamento se enfocará en bateo, campo y lanzamiento.

Más información llamando a Javier Morin al 645-0931 ó Raymond Rodriguez al 333-9713.

LAREDO — El equipo femenil de Baloncesto de Texas A&M International University recibe hoy a University of Incarnate Word a las 2 p.m. en las canchas de la universidad. La entrada general es de 5 dólares; 3 dólares para estudiantes y gratis para cualquiera con identificación de TAMIU. Más información llamando al 326-2891.

LAREDO — El equipo varonil de Baloncesto de Texas A&M International University recibe hoy a University of Incarnate Word a las 4:30 p.m. en las canchas de la universidad. La entrada general es de 5 dólares; 3 dólares para estudiantes y gratis para cualquiera con identificación de TAMIU. Más información llamando al 326-2891.

ZAPATA - FLW National Guard College Fishing, Texas Division, takes place today. For more information contact the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at (956) 765-4871, (800) 292LAKE, or customercare@zapatachamber.com ZAPATA - La Serie de FLW Outdoors Stren T1 concluye hoy. Más información contactando a la Cámara de Comercio del Condado de Zapata al (956) 765-4871, (800) 292-LAKE, ó escribiendo a customercare@zapatachamber.com

Zfrontera

Autoridades listas ante frente frío POR MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

NUEVO LAREDO — Debido al frente ártico que se sienta en el norte de Tamaulipas, el Hospital General activó sus cuadros médicos para atender a pacientes con infecciones respiratorias agudas.

El Director del nosocomio Mario Arreola dijo que ya se ha registrado un incremento en las consultas.

En el Hospital General se atiende a personas de escasos recursos económicos afiliados al Seguro Popular.

Entre los padecimientos más comunes que se llegan a registrar destacan la faringitis, amigdalitis, gripas, asma bronquial, bron-

“

Se brindará alimentación, cobijas, atención medica y medicamentos”.

SECRETARIO DE SALUD EN TAMAULIPAS JUAN GUILLERMO MANSUR ARZOLA

quitis y neumonías.

A nivel estado, el Secretario de Salud Juan Guillermo Mansur Arzola difundió el jueves un comunicado donde se ordena a las instituciones tener disponibilidad para auxiliar a la población.

En Tamaulipas hay unos 1000 refugios temporales, administrador por Protección Civil.

“Estamos coordinados

con Protección Civil, Sistema DIF y Presidencias Municipales”, dijo Manzur.

“Se brindará alimentación, cobijas, atención medica y medicamentos”.

Mansur dijo que por semana han atendido hasta 25 mil pacientes en los 43 municipios de Tamaulipas.

A la Secretaría de Salud le preocupan especialmente los menos de cinco años de edad y las person-

TERMINA TEMPORADA

ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

MIGUEL ALEMÁN, México — El 28 de diciembre elementos del 1/ er. Regimiento de Caballería Motorizado de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional decomisaron 1,163 paquetes conteniendo siete toneladas 895 kilos 300 gramos de marihuana en inmediaciones de la ranchería “La Candelaria”.

También se decomisaron dos armas largas.

La droga y armas, que se encontraban en una fosa cubierta con gavilla para construcción y peda-

LUNES 18 DE ENERO LAREDO — Las oficinas de Texas A&M International University estarán cerradas debido al feriado del día de Martin Luther King.

Las oficinas reabrirán el martes 19 de enero, el cual es también el primer día de clases del semestre de primavra en la Universidad.

VIERNES 22 DE ENERO LAREDO — Hoy salen a la venta los boletos para el concierto de Chicago el jueves 8 de abril en el Laredo Entertainment Center.

El costo de los boletos varía de 70, 52, 42 y 32 dólares, más la cuota de instalaciones. Pueden adquirir sus boletos en la taquilla de LEC y en Ticketmaster.

Entre las medidas preventivas que se destacan incluye la suspensión de clases si el termómetro registra 5 grados o menos.

Resguardar a los menores de 5 años y mayores de 65, evitar exponerse a cambios bruscos de temperatura, abrigarse adecuadamente y usar ropa gruesa, evitar el hacinamiento, no quemar leña o carbón dentro de las habitaciones. “(También) aplicarse la vacuna contra la influenza estacional o pandémica”, dijo González “Así como completar el esquema básico de vacunación en menores de 5 años”.

(Localice a Miguel Timoshenkov llamando al 7282583 ó escriba a mramirez@lmtonline.com)

cería de madera, fueron puestas a disposición de las autoridades correspondientes.

El decomiso se hizo dentro del marco de la Campaña Permanente contra el Narcotráfico y la aplicación de la Ley Federal de Armas de Fuego y Explosivos.

La ranchería “La Candelaria” se ubica en este municipio.

“Este aseguramiento fue resultado de los reconocimientos terrestres realizados por las tropas”, indica un comunicado de prensa de la SEDENA.

SEDENA da reporte anual ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE LAREDO

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Ciudad Mier

El Presidente Municipal de Ciudad Mier José Iván Mancías Hinojosa muestra las puntas de un venado cola blanca que logró cazar en un rancho de la región. Concluyó la temporada de caza que cada año agrega adeptos en el Municipio. La caza del venado cola blanca es un atractivo turístico para la región, sostuvo Mancías.

JUEVES 14 DE ENERO LAREDO — Hoy se vencen todas las tutorías y cuotas para el semestre de Primavera 2010. Se tendrá una cuota tardía de 20 dólares para estudiantes que se inscriban ó paguen en esta fecha. Más información llamando al 326-2250.

LAREDO — El Center for the Fine and Performing Arts del College of Arts and Sciences de TAMIU presenta “Doubt” del Laredo Theater Guild International.

Las presentaciones son hoy, el viernes 15 y sábado 16 de enero a las 8 p.m. y el domingo 17 de enero a las 3 p.m. Más información en www.laredotheaterguild.com.

as adultas “ya que son los grupos más vulnerables”.

El jueves, el Director de Protección Civil de Nuevo Laredo Juan Ernesto Rivera Gómez dijo que esperaban atender entre 60 a 100 personas durante el fin de semana.

La Presidenta Estatal del Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia Adriana González de Hernández invitó a noticiar al 066 a las personas ó familias que pudieran necesitar ser trasladados a los refugios.

“Esta acción contempla a los paisanos que recorren nuestra entidad en estas fechas, a los que se les ofrecen las instalaciones del mismo modo”, dijo González.

Decomisan marihuana

LUNES 11 DE ENERO LAREDO — Hoy a las 10:30 a.m. será la recepción de apertura de la exposición del artista de Lubbock Robert Peterson titulada “Second Life” en la Biblioteca Yeray del Laredo Community College, Campus Fort McIntosh.

PÁGINA 7A

Celebran Día de Reyes POR YAJAIRA L. ZAMBRANO ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

CIUDAD MIER — El miércoles niños de esta ciudad fueron entretenidos con el espectáculo Tri-Payasos de Monterrey, con motivo del Día de los Reyes Magos.

Organizado por el Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF) Municipal, más de 400 niños asistieron al evento de dos horas.

“Estoy satisfecha y emocionada con la actuación de los payasos y por la emoción en la carita de los niños”, dijo la Presidenta del DIF, Isabel Cristina Treviño Ruiz.

Destacó la ayuda de las colaboradoras del DIF quienes inclusive cocinaron los tradicionales ta-

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Ciudad Mier

Un programa de payasitos entretuvo a los niños de Ciudad Mier el miércoles al celebrarse el Día de los Santos Reyes. males que fueron obsequiados a los niños.

Treviño igualmente visitó la Casa Hogar del Municipio donde repartió rega-

los a los menores que ahí se albergan.

(Yajaira L. Zambrano es la Directora de Comunicación Social en Mier)

Embellecen parque en Mante ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

CD. MANTE, México — Con una inversión del orden de los 5 millones de pesos este mes darán inicio la segunda etapa del proyecto de Embellecimiento del Parque Alameda Miguel Alemán.

La segunda fase del proyecto contempla acciones de reposición de malla perimetral en áreas dañadas, remodelación de plazoletas, segunda etapa de módulos familiares recreativos turísticos, rehabilitación de área de frontón, rehabilitación de mó-

dulos sanitarios de área de frontón, módulo de juegos infantiles, firme de concreto armado en andadores, alumbrado público en pista, energía eléctrica en baños y cafetería, reforestación general y subestación de energía eléctrica.

DISTRITO FEDERAL — Un total de 178 presuntos sicarios/jefes de plaza fueron aprehendidos en el 2009 por elementos de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional (SEDENA).

El Ejército y Fuerza Aérea Mexicanos dieron a conocer los resultados obtenidos durante el año 2009, a través de un comunicado de prensa.

En total se logró la detención de 8,392 individuos y se liberaron a 501 personas que se encontraban secuestradas.

El comunicado resalta las detenciones de: Vicente Zambada Niebla (a) “El Vicentillo”, hijo del narcotraficante “El Mayo Zambada”.

Raymundo Almanza Morales (a) “El Gori” ó “Ray”, quien está acusado de controlar el tráfico de drogas de Guatemala a México.

Octavio Almanza Morales (a) “El Gori 4”, presunto autor intelectual de la ejecución del General Brigadier D.E.M. Mauro Enrique Tello Quiñones.

Napoleón de Jesús Mendoza Aguirre (a) “El Napo”, autor de la ejecución del General Tello.

Sergio Garza Treviño ó Sergio Raúl Arteaga (a) “El Cococho”, encargado de la plaza de Reynosa y uno de los responsables del acopio de más 400 armas de fuego aseguradas en Tamaulipas, según el reporte.

Nelson Garza Lozano (a) “El Luchador”, jefe de la plaza de Ciudad Victoria.

Santiago Meza López (a) “El Pozolero”, quien, según el comunicado, manifestó haber deshecho en acido, por lo menos 300 cuerpos huma-

nos de grupos antagónicos, y se encontraba en el numero 20 de la lista de los más buscados por el F.B.I. “Los presuntos delincuentes detenidos en flagrancia delictiva, fueron puestos a disposición de las autoridades correspondientes”, señala el reporte.

Decomisos Durante el 2009 elementos de SEDENA aseguraron 718 toneladas 582 kilos de marihuana; 2 toneladas 557 kilos de cocaína; 71 kilos de heroína; 664 kilos de goma de opio; 6,920 vehículos terrestres; 110 aeronaves; 26 embarcaciones; 24,197 armas; 52 millones 352 mil 132 dólares americanos; 96 millones 403 mil 385 pesos.

Localizaron también 177 laboratorios. “Sobresale un complejo constituido con 22 instalaciones en una superficie de 240 hectáreas, ubicado en el municipio de Tamazula, Durango”, indica el comunicado.

SEDENA indicó que en las actividades perdieron la vida un jefe, seis oficiales, 35 de tropa.

Otras acciones Influenza A-H1N1 — Se transportaron vía aérea y terrestre el material y medicamentos de la Secretaría de Salud en varios estados del País.

Protección Civil — Dos apoyos en casos de desastre y aplicación del Plan DN-III-E, estableciendo 10 albergues, en donde se alojaron 3,260 personas y se evacuaron 2,633 personas de las zonas siniestradas.

Health

8A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010

Health screening important for ‘Golden Years’

By DR. GILBERTO GARZA-LOZANO SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

By age 70, many Americans have completed their working lives and moved into the golden years of retirement. After decades of hard work and planning, those in later life should enjoy peace of mind rather than worry about their health.

Maintaining a schedule of health screenings can contribute to a happy, healthy retirement.

Health screenings are as individual and unique as the person involved. Personal and family health history and other factors will influence the schedule of testing recommended by your physician. Whether caring for yourself or a loved one, it can be beneficial to understand the generally recommended

screenings for people in this age group.

Certain tests should be done regularly regardless of gender. People over the age of 70, just like their children in their 40s, should regularly have their blood pressure checked and should have a cholesterol, thyroid, dental, hearing and vision exam every year or two. The vision exam should include a check for glaucoma, a condition that can damage the optic nerve but has few noticeable symptoms. General blood screens can effectively detect many conditions, and your physician can determine how often a screen should be performed.

Tests done on a person’s stool and an internal procedure known as a colonoscopy can identify cer-

People over the age of 70, just like their children in their 40s, should regularly have their blood pressure checked. tain types of cancer, and anyone over the age of 45 should seriously consider being tested for type 2 diabetes. Physicians may also check for physical abilities such as walking and balancing to make sure a person can safely navigate everyday activities.

Some types of screening are gender specific. By this age, men should be having a prostate exam regularly. These exams take only a few minutes and are helpful in detecting a number of conditions. Women should con-

tinue to have clinical breast exams, mammograms and pap tests every year or two until otherwise directed by their physician. They should also have a bone density scan, as bone health is highly important for women in their 70s.

Along with these tests, people in later life should remain current on their vaccinations. It is important for this age group to get a flu shot every year.

Ninety percent of flu-related deaths are among people 65 and older. Pneumo-

nia is another serious condition, accounting for thousands of deaths annually among the elderly.

Experts estimate that 50 percent of pneumonia-related deaths could be prevented by proper vaccination. Most people need one pneumonia shot, generally around age 65 and sometimes earlier. A physician can determine whether a person needs to be vaccinated for Measles, Mumps and Rubella, Hepatitis B or other conditions.

Risk factors and previous conditions will influence the frequency of screening. For example, a male with chronic high blood pressure or a female with a family history of cancer might require more frequent tests for these conditions. On the other hand, people who been

consistently healthy in areas such as cholesterol or blood pressure might require less frequent testing in these areas. Individuals who have used tobacco on a regular basis should be tested for an abdominal aortic aneurysm as well as being checked for oral cancers.

The golden years should be relaxing and enjoyable.

While they will never be entirely free of health-related issues, appropriate and timely health exams can help ensure the highest quality of life possible.

Contact your physician to determine a schedule of health screenings that meets your individual needs. For more information, contact Laredo Medical Center at (956) 796-3223 or visit www.laredomedical.com.

Self defense at Women learn protection skills Karate school instructors to offer self-defense LMC’s Senior moves during a free seminar Jan. 21 Circle luncheon SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Don’t get caught alone in a parking lot or other location without knowing how to physically defend yourself. That’s the topic of this month’s Senior Circle Healthy Lifestyle luncheon, at noon Tuesday at Laredo Medical Center’s Community Center, Tower B. Hosting the seminar are Ovid Rodriguez, Vito Rodriguez and Rosie Vasquez, all of Bears Karate International.

The Healthy Lifestyle luncheon is free to Senior Circle members 50 or over, but reservations must be made.

Healthy Lifestyle is part of the Senior Circle Pro-

gram at LMC that represents a commitment to meet seniors’ needs by providing them with opportunities to continue to live the healthiest, most fulfilling lives possible.

The goal is to offer adults 50 or overan outlet where they can participate in activities and share common interests with others of the same age.

Membership benefits include a dedicated program advisor, a subscription to LMC’s bi-monthly chapter newsletter, free monthly activities, free exercise classes, free educational “lunch and learn” program, discounts at area shops, day and overnight travel opportunities and more.

Free prenatal classes for LMC’s Tiny Toes members SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Laredo Medical Center will host this month’s free Prenatal Classes on Tuesday, Jan. 19, and Thursday, Jan. 21.

Classes are offered to pregnant women who are enrolled in the hospital’s Tiny Toes Program. Being a member of Tiny Toes is free and easy. Upon completion of the Prenatal Classes or Birthing Tours that are available in both English and Spanish, expectant mothers will be offered membership into the Tiny Toes Maternity Club and eligible to receive exclusive amenities, including a complimentary infant car seat to protect your precious

cargo on his or her first ride home. Also included is a diaper bag filled with much needed essentials.

As a special treat, patients will also receive a complimentary dinner for two the night of baby’s arrival. With help from our friends at VR Photography & Design, Babies R Us, Chick-fil-A, Curves, DigiKids, LMC Gift Shop, My Personalized Baby Book and many others, our Tiny Toes members are privy to a variety of extraordinary offers once leaving for home.

For more information on Tiny Toes Maternity Club, please call (956) 796-4505 or visit our Web site at www.laredomedical.com.

Women can be seen as easy targets so must be ready to physically protect themselves and their families at all times.

That’s the topic of this month’s Healthy Woman luncheon. Hosting the one-hour free seminar at noon Thursday, Jan. 21, are Ovid Rodriguez, Vito Rodriguez and Rosie Vasquez, all of Bears Karate Internation-

al. The luncheon will be at Laredo Medical Center’s Tower B, Community Center, first floor.

Five years ago, LMC launched its Healthy Woman program in an effort to help women take care of their health. Women are primarily responsible for taking care of health matters in the home — whether it is for the children or spouse — but most times ignore their own health because they’re usually too busy caring for

everyone else. At LMC, women’s health is valued and a priority.

Women who join the Healthy Woman Program say they find comfort in numbers with enrollment having grown over the last five years to more than 1,000 members.

Healthy Woman offers monthly events featuring presenters who discuss health, financial and spiritual topics. Membership in the program is free for women between the ages of 21 and 54.

To join Healthy Woman or reserve space at the luncheon, call (956) 7963222 or visit our Web site at www.laredomedical.com.

JDRF announces research program focusing on beta cell survival SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

NEW YORK – The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, a leader in setting the agenda for diabetes research worldwide, said that it will begin working with The Johnson & Johnson Corporate Office of Science and Technology, and its affiliates, to speed the development of drug targets and pathways to promote the survival and function of insulinproducing cells in people who have diabetes.

The program will look to fund research at academic centers around the

world that could eventually lead to novel drug targets and industry collaborations for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes.

The joint program will solicit grant proposals from academia and medical research foundations for one- or two-year research projects.

The research will focus on agents and compounds that safely promote survival and function of beta cells – the cells within the pancreas that produce insulin, and that are lost in the immune attack that causes Type 1 diabetes.

Preserving or maintain-

ing beta cell mass and activity in people with Type 1 diabetes can reduce insulin requirements, make controlling the disease easier and more effective, and lower the risk of both short and long-term complications of the disease..

“This program will clearly help accelerate the translation of basic research into therapies useful in the treatment of diabetes,” said Alan J. Lewis, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of JDRF. “By creating this novel incubator program to support early stage research with a company known

for first-class research and significant experience in the commercialization of products, we believe we can increase the number of viable drug targets identified and fundamentally change the pace of diabetes research.”

Funding decisions will be led by a combined review committee consisting of representatives from the JDRF and The Johnson & Johnson Corporate Office of Science and Technology and its affiliates, with oversight from a Scientific Advisory Board and JDRF volunteers.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A

ARACELI RUIZ

CRASH Continued from Page 1A accident, since he just happened to be driving behind the minivan at the time of the accident.

DPS has not released the video to the public. ”Since it’s an ongoing investigation, we re not releasing it right now,” Chavarria said.

According to Chavarria, Stanley was heading southbound toward Zapata, while the tractor-trailer rig was headed northbound toward Laredo when the accident occurred.

DPS requested the assistance of the Laredo Police Department CRASH team to investigate the scene.

Chavarria said preliminary reports revealed that the minivan veered off colliding head on with the trailer in the truck driver’s lane. When the minivan struck the tractor, it hit a diesel tank, causing both vehicles to catch on fire.

A Zapata Fire Department crew extinguished the fire.

Though there had been talk that the man had died in the fire that destroyed the minivan, Gutierrez said that was not true.

“He was not burned to death,” Gutierrez said.

“Zapata County EMS pulled him out before the body got burned.”

She said one sure fact is

“

“He was not burned to death.

Zapata County EMS pulled him out before the body got burned.”

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE JUANA MARIA GUTIERREZ

that the person did not die of natural causes. Stanley did not have any medical complications that would have caused him to veer into the tractor trailer, she said.

Gutierrez said Stern told her the man did sustain blunt force trauma to the head.

“He sustained a lot of head injuries,” the judge said.

According to TxDOT news release, the accident caused officials to shut down U.S. 83 between three miles north of Zapata to the dividing line of Zapata and Webb counties for about four hours.

“The highway was closed for a good amount of time,” Chavarria said.

Aside from the vehicles, troopers reported that some guard rails were damaged. The fire did not spread into the brush.

“The fire was contained

on time,” Chavarria said.

Stanley was born and grew up in Tulare, Calif.

Family members and friends held graveside services Friday at Vandalia Cemetery in Porterville, Calif.

According to family members, Stanley had extensive artistic talent, and his words came out through his artwork and song.

Priscilla Donaldson, Stanley’s sister, recalls his brother as a “very shy man.”

That quietness, though, was compensated with his drawings and paintings.

Donaldson said Stanley was an enthusiastic artist who would draw about the family in every aspect of life.

Some of Stanley’s artwork was exhibited across the northern border in Canada and overseas in Paris, she said.

One specific artwork she recalled was about a man looking down while playing a piano. Donaldson said the painting represented a man having a moment of meditation in solitude.

“Every picture make you think about something,” Donaldson said. “There was a meaning behind every picture.”

Stanley had a love for photography — a trait acquired from his father, Damon Stanley.

Donaldson said her brother took thousands of pictures of trees, landscapes and skies.

“We’d like to see something of his artwork placed in memorial for people to appreciate the true artist that he was,” Donaldson said. “He was not average.

He was different.”

Stanley was also known as a “great musician” among family members.

Donaldson said his dad gave him his first acoustic guitar a long time ago.

“He played the guitar ever since he was little until the day he died. He played it every single night,” she said. “He was an excellent guitarist and a songwriter.”

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

MEETING Continued from Page 1A receive an incentive. He added that he was willing to listen, but not in favor of a resolution, especially since the court had not looked into the specifics of an incentive program.

“We have to be very, very careful about how we do it. I’m a little bit leery about it if we do it all,” Martinez said. “It would have to be very specific.”

Peggy Umphres Moffett, of the Zapata Economic Development Center, requested the resolution.

She said in order for the county to be eligible for state incentives, it would first need a local program.

Umphres said she’d like the court to schedule a workshop to discuss options.

“There’s a menu of incentives that the county could provide based on eligibility,” she said. “There are many state incentives that are available to help communities attract industry to expand the tax base and if a local community does not participate in a tax program at the local level, then you’re not going to be able to participate in programs at the state level.”

Umphres said there’s a misunderstanding about

tax abatement. She explained that the abatement is only a tax exemption from the ad valorem tax on all or part of the increased property value.

“You’re not exempting the value that you’re taxing already — it’s the increase to the improvements,” she said. “The value of it is that if you didn’t provide the abatement, you may not get that capital investment and you wouldn’t have the increase in value and the increase in tax base.”

Umphres agreed, however, that abatements “really should not be the first

thing that you look at.”

Other items on Monday’s agenda include: motion to reconsider the proposed offer to purchase the Community Action Council of South Texas medical clinic in Zapata in executive session motion to install speed humps at: 1714 Juarez, 15127 Laredo St. and 1202 Juarez motion to install security lights at: 3286 N. U.S. 83, 1357 Roma Lane, 5224 Grande Lane, 149 Riverdrive (Julie Daffern may be reached at 728-2565 or jdaffern@lmtonline.com)

BALLOT Continued from Page 1A Teresa Hein Joe Rathmell

Commissioner, Pct. 2 Gabriel “Lel” Villarreal Nico Gutierrez Sylvia R. Mendoza Manuel A. Uribe

Commissioner, Pct. 3 Eddie Martinez Karran Marlyne Westerman Alan M. Montes

Commissioner, Pct. 4 Baldomero “Baldo” Rivera Jr. Norberto Garza

County Treasurer Romeo Salinas Rosalva Guerra

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 1 San Juanita Sanchez Jacinto “Jachi” Reyes Anna Muñoz Guerra

“Amy” Olga Lopez Salinas Manuel J. Dominguez Jr.

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 3 Juan Antonio Guevara Fernando Muñoz

Justice of the Peace, Pct. 4 Rosa Elena Martinez Clemente Gutierrez Ricardo “Riche” Perez (Julie Daffern may be reached at 728-2565 or jdaffern@lmtonline.com)

Araceli Ruiz, 26, passed away Friday, Dec. 18, 2009, in Mexico. She grew up in San Ygnacio, Texas, and graduated in 2002 from Zapata High School. She went on to graduate in 2007 from The University of Texas in Austin, and had recently moved back to Austin.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandfather, Rodolfo Peralta and also by her paternal grandparents: Encarnacion and Aurelia Ruiz.

She is survived by her beloved parents: Joel and Ana Maria Ruiz; by her siblings: Ana (Jorge) Flores, Michelle (Ryan) Fort, Joel Ruiz II, and Marianne Ruiz; also by her maternal grandmother, Enriqueta Peralta; loving uncles and aunts: Diana Peralta, Rodolfo (Esther) Peralta, Rosie (Manuel) Garcia, Diana (John) Werts, Diamantina (Joseph) Jannone, Eden (Meryl) Ruiz, Loretta (Patrick) Santos, Geraldina (Jack) Zore, Francisco Ruiz, Samuel Ruiz; Also by cousins, and many

friends.

Visitation was held Friday, Jan. 8, 2010, at Rose Garden Funeral Home in Zapata, Texas, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and a rosary was recited at 7 p.m. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday Jan. 9, 2010, with a funeral liturgy at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Refuge Mission in San Ygnacio, Texas. Interment will follow immediately next to the Uribe Cemetery.

FRANCISCO CABALLERO Francisco Caballero passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2009.

Mr. Caballero is preceded in death by his brother, Fernando Morales.

Mr. Caballero is survived by his wife, Amanda B. Caballero; sons, Francisco Javier (Dava) Caballero, Cristobal (Marina) Caballero, Daniel G. (Molly) Caballero; daughters, Rebecca (Mark) Soria, Raquel (Manuel) Gonzalez, Adriana (Alfonso) Figueroa, Elizabeth (Noah) Caballero; fifteen grandchildren; parents, Felipe (Antonia) Morales; brothers, Ismael Morales, Felipe (Rosita) Morales, Braulio (Sylvia) Morales, Efrain (Leticia) Morales; sisters, Olga (Beto) Perez, Gloria (Corando) Thatcher, Adelaida Morales, Yolanda (Armando) De Los Santos, Amada Morales, Antonia (Hugo) Guzman, Maria Isabel (Javier) Lerma; and by numerous nephews, nieces and many friends.

Visitation hours were held on Friday, January 1, 2010 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home.

The funeral procession departed on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2010, at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rosegardenfuneralhome.com Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, Funeral Director, 2102 U.S. 83 Zapata, Texas.

10A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010

Cold captures nation Rookie teachers face test

By TERRENCE STUTZ

By KATE BRUMBACK

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ATLANTA — The unyielding cold spell gripping much of the nation was expected to hang on tight over the weekend, though some areas that saw snowfall during the week were expected to have drier weather.

In Atlanta, more accustomed to winter temperatures in the low 50s, a glaze of ice coated roads Friday after light snow overnight melted and froze.

And authorities said the continuing freeze called for renewed caution on the roadways.

Nearly 30 cars piled up in a pre-dawn crash near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

In Alabama, packed shelters brought out extra cots and opened doors for people fearful of the deadly cold.

“You have to be inside the way it is now. If you’re not, they’ll find you stiff,” said Elizabeth Austin, a homeless woman who sought warmth at an innercity Birmingham church.

Multiple deaths have been blamed on this week’s cold, including a 44-year-old man whose body was found face-down in the snow early Friday in Billings, Mont.

In Ohio, a winter storm warning was in effect until Saturday morning. That’s on top of the snow that had already coated Interstate 70,

Photo by Alvaro Barrientos | AP

A woman drags a sled with two children down an icy street as a cold wave sweeps this Basque city of Vitoria in Spain on Friday. where a tractor-trailer spun out of control Thursday, crossed the median and swerved into oncoming traffic, colliding with a small bus transporting adult disabled passengers, the Ohio Highway Patrol said.

Three passengers on the bus were killed, as was its driver. Six other passengers on the bus, which was carrying 11 people, were injured, as was the driver of the commercial truck, Sgt. Raymond Durant said.

Schools in at least 10 states were closed, as were many roads and government offices.

Travel was beginning to return to normal Friday at Chicago’s airports, after a storm that dumped about 8 inches of snow.

Snowfall was heaviest in Minnesota and parts of South Dakota, where some drifts were too big for snowplow drivers to clear.

Nowhere was it colder than in Bismarck, N.D., where wind chills hit 52 below zero Thursday and the temperature reached 14 below. Wind chills were still near 50 below in the Dakotas on Friday.

In Florida’s Panhandle, vapor was rising off the Gulf as warm water met the frigid air.

“It’s so cold that sparrows that have crawled under the plastic on our heated deck don’t want to leave,” said Scooter Montgomery, manager of Peg Leg Pete’s Oyster Bar on Pensacola Beach.

Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Morning Times

Despite the weather pro fisherman Keith Combs displays his heaviest catches of the day, totalilng 29.1 pounds of bass caught Thursday morning, during the FLW Outdoors fishing tournament.

CONTEST Continued from Page 1A of five fish, totaling 29 pounds.

“The wind was a big deal,” Combs said. “We topped 29 pounds real quick, but after that, we didn’t catch anything that helped us. After that, the wind was bad.”

Friday, the temperature at takeoff was 29 degrees with winds out of the north at about 15 mph. Today is expected to dawn even colder, but calmer. The high today should get into the low 50s under sunny skies.

Paco Mendoza, president and CEO of the Zapata Chamber of Commerce, noted that despite the weather conditions, the competitors still have come out with several good-sized catches.

“We’ve been bringing them for the past five years. It gets better every year,” said Mendoza, adding that he hopes for better weather in the upcoming tournament days.

Brett Carlson, editor of FLWOutdoors.com, shared his astonishment at the level of enthusiasm and success out on the water even in the early stages of the competition.

“I’m completely surprised with how bad the weather is and how good the fishing still is,” he said.

“There’s no doubt that Falcon is the best lake going right now. We go everywhere from California to New York to Florida. Falcon Lake is as good as it gets.”

At the FLWOutdoors Web site, Carlson noted that Yoder said he had his trolling motor and graph “ripped off his boat by violent waves … and lost four rods to the bottom of the lake” as he was returning to the weigh-in on that first day.

“All in all, he (Yoder) said the rollercoaster ride

was worth it,” Carlson wrote in his report for the Web site.

Tim Reneau, of Del Rio, ranked fifth in the Pro Division on Thursday, bringing in a limit weighing 27 pounds, 3 ounces. Carlson said Reneau came in second at FLWOutdoors’ first major tournament on Falcon Lake, held in 2008.

Today, the top 10 pro-anglers and top 10 co-anglers will compete on the last day of the series.

According to Carlson, the top 10 from each respective background is based on their ThursdayFriday accumulated weight. Winners will be determined based on the largest accumulated weight from all three days.

Anglers are expected to take off from the Zapata County Boat Ramp at 7:30 a.m.; the final weigh-in begins at 3:30 p.m. Takeoff for the college fishing event also is at 7:30 a.m., but the weigh-in is set for 2:30 p.m.

All events are free and open to the public.

Pros are fishing for a top award of $25,000 plus a 198VX Ranger with 200-hp outboard if Ranger Cup guidelines are met. Co-anglers will cast for a top award of $10,000. If the coangler meets the Ranger Cup guidelines, they will earn an additional $5,000, according to the FLWOutdoors Web site.

(To reach Stephanie Ibarra, e-mail sibarra@lmtonline.com)

AUSTIN — Several thousand first-year elementary school teachers in Texas will have to take exams as early as this spring, the U.S. Department of Education has ordered, rejecting an appeal from the state to waive the requirement.

In a letter to state Education Commissioner Robert Scott this week, the federal agency said firstyear teachers in elementary and some middle schools who didn’t pass a “generalist” exam mea-

suring knowledge in core subjects are not in compliance with federal standards and must be tested.

Texas has a week to come up with a testing plan.

However, federal officials did exempt teachers who specialize in music, art and similar courses from the generalist exam.

Debbie Ratcliffe, a spokeswoman for the Texas Education Agency, said there is no estimate yet on how many teachers will have to take the exam. Before the waiver for fine arts teachers was granted, state officials said as many as 30,000 new teach-

ers hired in the current school year might have to take the exam.

Texas schools typically hire about 45,000 new teachers each year.

“We’re pleased with the ruling because we didn’t think we would win on any front,” Ratcliffe said Friday. “We’re glad they recognized the special circumstances of fine arts teachers.”

Teachers hired before the current school year were already exempted from the testing requirement, which is meant to ensure that teachers are “highly qualifed.”

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors NFC WILD-CARD PLAYOFF – DALLAS COWBOYS VS. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

COWBOYS LOOKING FOR A THREE-PEAT AGAINST EAGLES

Stadium set for a playoff debut Prices high, demand higher for postseason

By DEX MCLUSKEY BLOOMBERG NEWS

Photo by Erich Schlegel | AP

DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys’ first postseason game in their new $1.1 billion stadium has no cheap seats for fans or cheap parking for cars.

The Cowboys, who host the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the National Football League playoffs today, are charging as much as $500 for seats along the sidelines at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, more than twice the regular-season price.

Tickets start at $35 for standing-room that doesn’t guarantee a view of the field.

Before they even get into the stadium with a 60-yard-long video screen, $13 Kobe beef burgers and $9 Shiner Bock beers, fans have to fork over as much as $75 to park to see owner Jerry Jones’s Cowboys in the playoffs.

Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones (28) smiles as he heads to the end zone for a touchdown in front of Philadelphia Eagles safety Sean Jones (26) and cornerback Asante Samuel (22) during the second half of the Cowboys’ win last Sunday in Arlington.

Dallas goes for first playoff win since ’96 in third meeting with rival this season

By JAIME ARON ASSOCIATED PRESS

A

RLINGTON — Now the Dallas Cowboys have to figure out how to do it again.

A week after shutting out Philadelphia to clinch the NFC East title and shaking some of their reputation for late-season lapses, the Cowboys (11-5) stay home for a rematch against their division rival tonight.

It will be the first playoff game in Jerry Jones’ new $1.2 billion showplace stadium and a chance to end the 13-year postseason winless drought that is the longest in team history.

Photo by Tony Gutierrez | AP

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo prepares to participate in a practice on Thursday in Arlington. Romo’s postseason memories aren’t pleasant, but he hopes to make some good ones tonight.

One that counts

Tight wire

Witten said. “All that other stuff is great ...

But I really believe that we know what’s at stake and this when we need to play big.”

Two out of three won’t be good enough for Dallas, which after beating Philadelphia (11-5) for the second time this season last Sunday got caps and T-shirts commemorating its division title.

“We’ve gotten a couple of those shirts and hats before,” Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb said. “If you don’t win this game, I don’t think too many people are going to remember who won the NFC East.”

“It’s a tight-wire he’s walking,” Bob Tuchman, executive vice president for corporate travel at New York-based Premiere Global Sports, said of Jones in a telephone interview. “I do think $500 for a playoff ticket on the sidelines in Dallas is what the market will bear.”

The face value of the most expensive seats is almost three times what the New England Patriots are asking for the highest- priced tickets at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Mass., for their first-round game against the Baltimore Ravens.

It’s more than double the Cowboys’ top price of $239 for a single- game ticket during the regular season.

Other seats in the stadium range from $99 to $239, and resellers on Craigslist are asking up to $665 each for a pair of the $500 tickets.

Last week’s impact

Wide range

The 24-0 loss last weekend kept Philadelphia, which had won six in a row, from clinching the No. 2 seed and a first-round

“We have a wide range,” Cowboys spokesman Rich Dalrymple said in a telephone interview. “A lot of the prices

See COWBOYS PAGE 2B

See STADIUM PAGE 2B

“This is when it all needs to come into place and unfold for us,” tight end Jason

Bengals get a rematch with dominating Jets

By JOE KAY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Bill Kostroun | AP

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan is sacked for an eight yard loss by New York Jets linebacker Calvin Pace during the third quarter of the Jets’ 37-0 win last Sunday at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

CINCINNATI — Linebacker Brandon Johnson was trimming some of his Cincinnati Bengals teammates’ hair after a frigid practice, getting them ready to look good for their next big moment. They couldn’t look any worse than they did in their last one.

Jets 37, Bengals 0.

The Jets dominated them in ev-

ery way at the Meadowlands last Sunday, earning a playoff berth while drubbing the AFC North champs, who had little on the line and played like it.

Even in their worst times, the Bengals (10-6) have never been beaten more soundly.

Closing the gap

of them gathered for a little grooming, joking and laughing, turning the locker room into a raucous barber shop.

They were confident the return of a few key players — and the much higher stakes — will close that 37-point gap in their wild-card rematch on Saturday at Paul Brown Stadium.

“Come Saturday, you’ll see an energetic, enthusiastic, rambunc-

Days later, they didn’t sound like a beaten-down team. A group

See BENGALS PAGE 2B

Missed opportunities cost Lady Hawks in loss

By CLARA SANDOVAL SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Zapata Lady Hawks continued their trek through the heart of the District 32-3A season as they faced the Raymondville Lady Kats on Tuesday

night.

The Lady Hawks suffered their second loss of the district season, falling to the Lady Kats, 43-38.

Zapata fell to 2-2 in district and 10-10 overall, dropping into fourth place in the 32-3A standings, while

Raymondville stayed in third place.

Hidalgo is currently leading the district with a 4-0 record, while La Feria is holding the second-place spot.

In a very aggressive game where the whistle

blew freely and the fouls piled up for both teams, the Lady Hawks were unable to take advantage from the free throw line.

Zapata was in the double bonus in the first quarter but was unable to convert the free throws in to points

on the board.

The Lady Hawks were 15-of-51 from the charity stripe.

“That was the difference of the game,” Zapata coach Clyde Guerra said. “If we just converted half of the free throws it would have

been a different game.”

The Lady Hawks were aggressive at the inception of the game, taking the ball to the basket and getting fouled, but they failed to convert from the free throw

See LADY HAWKS PAGE 2B

PAGE 2B

Zscores

TRANSACTIONS BASEBALL American League CLEVELAND INDIANS: Named Joe Kessler strength and conditioning coach.

KANSAS CITY ROYALS: Agreed to terms with OF Scott Podsednik on a one-year contract.

OAKLAND ATHLETICS: Designated 1B Tommy Everidge for assignment.

SEATTLE MARINERS: Agreed to terms with OF Franklin Gutierrez on a four-year contract extension.

National League

NEW YORK METS: Claimed LHP Jay Marshall off waivers from Oakland.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS: Assigned LHP Victor Garate outright to Syracuse (IL).

Can-Am League NEW JERSEY JACKALS: Signed LHP Guiseppe Granitto.

Northern League JOLIET JACKHAMMERS: Agreed to terms with INF-OF Brad Correll.

LAKE COUNTY FIELDERS: Traded C Brett Wallace to Winnipeg for LHP Aaron Odom.

WINNIPEG GOLDEYES: Agreed to terms with RHP Andrew Walker.

BASKETBALL NBA

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: Recalled F D.J. White from Tulsa (NBADL).

FOOTBALL NFL NFL: Fined New England DB James Sanders $7,500 for unnecessary roughness against Houston WR David Anderson, Arizona LB Chike Okeafor $7,500 for a facemask penalty on Green Bay QB Matt Flynn, and St. Louis DE Chris Long $7,500 for a head-butt of San Francisco OT Chris Patrick during games on Sunday.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Named Charlie Weis offensive coordinator.

MIAMI DOLPHINS: Signed RB Tristan Davis, G Ray Feinga, WR Ryan Grice-Mullen, WR Tau-

rus Johnson, DE Brian Johnston, TE John Nalbone, S Nate Ness and WR Julius Pruit.

NEW YORK JETS: Signed WR S.J. Green and DB Bo Smith to futures contracts.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS: Fired coach Jim Mora.

CFL WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS: Re-signed PK Alexis Serna.

HOCKEY NHL BOSTON BRUINS: Recalled C Trent Whitfield from Providence (AHL). Reassigned LW Matt Marquardt from Reading (ECHL) to Providence (AHL).

NASHVILLE PREDATORS: Recalled C Cal O’Reil-

ly from Milwaukee (AHL). Reassigned F Mike Santorelli to Milwaukee.

OTTAWA SENATORS: Recalled F Zack Smith and F Martin St. Pierre from Binghamton (AHL).

SAN JOSE SHARKS: Recalled F John McCarthy from Worcester (AHL) and D Jason Demers from Stockton (ECHL). Assigned F Jamie McGinn to Worcester.

AHL AHL: Suspended Houston RW Carson McMillan four games for attempt to injure an opponent.

COLLEGE BUFFALO: Named Greg Forest offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, William Inge defensive coordinator and linebackers coach,

Ernest Jones associate head coach and defensive backs coach, Mike Daniels running backs coach, Marty Spieler tight ends and special teams coach, Jerome Oliver defensive line coach and Adam Shorter offensive line coach.

FLORIDA: Named George Edwards defensive coordinator. Named Chuck Heater co-defensive coordinator in addition to his duties as safeties coach.

GEORGIA TECH: Announced WR Demaryius Thomas will enter the NFL draft. Fired defensive coordinator Dave Wommack.

SOUTH FLORIDA: Fired football coach Jim Leavitt.

UNC GREENSBORO: Named Justin Maullin men’s interim soccer coach and Scott Brittsan men’s assistant soccer coach.

passing season, said his 0-2 playoff record has “absolutely no bearing” on what’s happening now and described himself as a “completely different player.”

“I’d rather be on our side of it. I’d rather be the team that won two games and just won the last one and playing at home,” said Phillips, refusing to make things personal. “We’ve got a lot going for us, I believe.”

COWBOYS Continued from Page 1B bye. The Eagles instead are the No. 6 seed with no chance of a home playoff game.

Of course, Philadelphia made it to the NFC championship game as the No. 6 seed last year. And the Eagles have won their first game in seven consecutive postseason appearances since Andy Reid became coach and McNabb their quarterback in 1999.

They have 10 playoff victories in that span, Dallas none.

But the Cowboys are rolling, not stumbling, into the playoffs this time.

Winning December For the first time since the 1996 season, the last time they won a playoff game and a year after their last Super Bowl, the Cowboys have a winning record in games played after Dec. 1.

The three-game winning streak came after consecu-

tive losses to start December. But Dallas won 24-17 at high-scoring and undefeated New Orleans before the first consecutive shutouts in the team’s 50-season history.

“Obviously you gain confidence from the success we’ve had,” linebacker Keith Brooking said. “But that’s over. This is a new season for us and we’re looking at it that way. Obviously everything is at stake right now.”

Missed chances The Eagles certainly want a do-over after being held scoreless with a season-low 228 total yards Sunday. Philadelphia had scored a franchise-record 429 points and averaged 31 points during a six-game winning streak coming into last weekend.

“We definitely got embarrassed and we have to come back this week and make different arrangements,” said Eagles Pro Bowl receiv-

er DeSean Jackson, who made his feelings known in different Internet posts.

Jackson (63 catches for 1,167 yards and nine touchdowns) has only five catches for 76 yards with no scores in two games against Dallas, and Philadelphia has only one TD in 21 offensive drives. Rookie Jeremy Maclin, another big-play threat, has been held to six receptions for 91 yards.

McNabb overthrew Jackson on an early deep pass that could have tied Sunday’s game and later fumbled away a low snap inside the 20. Jackson and Maclin both dropped passes.

“There were some missed opportunities, a lot of miscues,” said McNabb, whose nine playoff victories are surpassed only by five Hall of Fame quarterbacks and Super Bowl champions Tom Brady and Brett Favre.

“Now we have another opportunity. We just have to clean things up and just go out and play football.”

Rematches galore Philadelphia-Dallas is one of three games this weekend that is a rematch from last week, but is the only one that is also the teams’ third meeting of the season.

There have been 78 other times when NFL teams met three times in a season, with only 18 teams winning each game, according to STATS LLC. The Cowboys were in a similar situation two years ago in their last playoff game, and lost at home as the No. 1 seed to the New York Giants after sweeping the regular-season games.

Eventual Super Bowl champion New York won after Tony Romo’s fourthdown pass was intercepted in the end zone, a year after Romo botched the hold of a chip-shot field goal late in a one-point playoff loss at Seattle.

Romo, who has thrown a career-low nine interceptions in a record-setting

Playoff losses Cowboys coach Wade Phillips is 0-4 in the playoffs, his only loss with Dallas coming two years ago and he was on the wrong side of the “Music City Miracle” kickoff return 10 years ago when Tennessee beat Buffalo. Only Jim Mora (125) has more regular season victories than Phillips’ 81 without winning a playoff game The likelihood of Jones picking up Phillips’ contract option for next season has been bolstered by the season-ending surge keyed by defense, for which he is his own coordinator. Beat Philadelphia for the third time in 10 weeks and there would almost certainly be no question about it.

Moving on Like playing in new Cowboys Stadium, the retractable roof stadium that hosts the Super Bowl next year.

More than 100,000 people were there last week, and that surely will be repeated for the playoffs.

“I think feeling good about being in a venue like that would make you play better,” Jones said.

Maybe even good enough to repeat what they did the last time they got a new home. The Cowboys won the first of their five Super Bowl championships at the end of the 1971 season, only weeks after moving into Texas Stadium.

STADIUM Continued from Page 1B throughout the stadium are as they were during the season.”

Dalrymple said there was “no danger” of the game not selling out.

More than 100,000 fans watched the third-seeded Cowboys beat the sixth-seeded Eagles 24-0 on Jan. 3 in Dallas to clinch the division title and a first-round home playoff game.

Dallas, which hasn’t won a postseason game since 1996, is listed as a four-point favorite over the Eagles by Las Vegas oddsmakers.

No match Two other opening-round playoff games also are rematches Photo by Matt Slocum | AP from the final regular-season weekend. None of them can In this May 27, 2009, file photo, fireworks are launched during a ribbon cutting ceremony outside of the new Cowboys Stadimatch the Cowboys’ ticket prices. um in Arlington. After months full of firsts for the Stadium, it will finally host something Jerry Jones really wants to see – a The highest for the other NFC playoff game. wild-card game, between the AriThe Patriots (10-6) are charging ford, New Jersey, on Jan. 3 to gain zona Cardinals (10-6) and the the stadium, tickets cost from $65 from $65 to $170 for their game a place in the postseason. The Green Bay Packers (11-5), is $60 to $130. less than the costliest seat in ArThe Packers won 33-7 at the against the Ravens (9-7), who are Bengals are favored by 3 points. lington, though a lot fewer seats Cardinals in the final week of the 3 1/2 point underdogs. The Cinare available at that price in Uni- season. Arizona is favored by one cinnati Bengals (10-6) have only two prices for their rematch versity of Phoenix Stadium than point. against the New York Jets (9-7) — at the Cowboys’ field.

Jones and the Cowboys also are $74 and $84, with the more expenAbout 10 rows of seats between sive seats priced just $2 higher generating revenue from those the 20-yard lines at the Cardinals’ who drive to his team’s new than for a regular- season game.

Glendale, Arizona, home cost Fans of American Football ConThe Jets beat the Bengals 37-0 home, known locally as the $440, with the remainder of tickets on the premium club level ference wild-card teams get much in the final regular-season game “Death Star” after the emblem on at Giants Stadium in East Ruther- the Cowboys’ helmets. costing $185-$295. Elsewhere in lower prices.

Parking costs

Lower prices

Leaving the car in one of 12,000 Cowboys Stadium parking spaces costs from $50 to $75, while a spot at the nearby Texas Rangers Ballpark is $20 to $60. Typical parking fees at the other playoff sites run from $10 in Arizona to $40 in New England.

The nearest “free” parking for a Dallas game is Lincoln Square Shopping Center, a 2.5-mile walk away. Even then, there’s a catch: You have to spend $40 at a retailer in the mall on game day and display the receipt in your windshield or your car will be towed.

“That’s just part of it,” said Henry Rodriguez, a 44- year-old owner of a Dallas construction company and second-year seasonticket holder, whose parking fee has tripled for games this season to the $75 maximum. “It’s a $1,000 weekend.”

Little better Once inside things get a little better.

Two hot dogs, two orders of fries and two Shiner Bocks add up to $37.

Water is $5 a bottle.

“The bottom line is, if you’re going to try to pencil it out,” said 38-year-old Shannon Rodden from Heath, who owns used-car dealerships, “you’re not going to be happy.”

BENGALS Continued from Page 1B tious Bengals team,” offensive lineman Bobbie Williams said. “I like our odds this time.”

Defying odds

Favorites to win it all, he meant.

First, the Jets have to pull off a rare back-to-back sweep of the same team.

Back-to-back sweep

Given what’s happened, the Jets (9-7) like theirs even more.

New York won five of its last six games to reach the playoffs for the sixth time in the last 12 years. The Jets finished the regular season with the league’s top-ranked running game and its best defense, but were installed as the biggest long shot among the playoff teams.

One reason: Mark Sanchez is a rookie quarterback.

The oddsmakers’ assessment doesn’t sit well with coach Rex Ryan.

“I wasn’t aware of that,” he said, “but to me, we should be favorites, so that’s fine.”

Since 1991, when the current playoff format was adopted, teams have ended the regular season and then faced each other in the wildcard round nine times. The Jets were involved in one of those, beating Oakland to end the 2001 regular season, then losing to the Raiders six days later. Four of those nine teams managed to sweep.

It’s a little unusual for everyone involved.

“I think this is good for us,” said Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, who shut out receiver Chad Ochocinco last weekend. “We just played these guys. We’re so famil-

iar with them. It’s a good thing to go back and play them again for a doubleheader. We’ll be ready.”

The Bengals gave up more than 100 yards rushing in three of their last four games without him.

Holding out

Renewing a rivalry

Bengals coach Marvin Lewis held running back Cedric Benson out last Sunday and told his coordinators not to give too much away because they could face the Jets again. Defensive tackle Domata Peko, defensive end Robert Geathers and safety Chris Crocker were given another week to heal from injuries.

The Jets ran for 257 yards against the depleted and uninspired defense, which had been one of the league’s best at stopping the run. Peko, one of Cincinnati’s best run stoppers, hasn’t played since surgery on Dec. 7 to clean out his right knee.

Peko will face Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold in one of the game’s pivotal matchups.

“We have been battling ever since college,” Peko said. “He played at Ohio State and I played at Michigan State, so he knows a little bit about me and I know a little bit about him. It will be a great battle. I’m looking forward to it.”

The teams use the same oldfashioned approach: run the ball, play tough defense and win close games. It’s a style built for cold weather, and they’ll have plenty of that on Saturday, with temperatures expected in the teens at kickoff.

What’s at stake The Jets will be trying to win a playoff game for the first time since the 2004 season and show they deserve consideration as a team capable of winning it all, as Ryan suggested.

“I think we started off on a national stage sending a message, but we won’t get that type of credit until we do it in the playoffs,” linebacker Bart Scott said.

For Cincinnati, a win would mean everything. The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since 1990, back when Paul Brown was still in the front office. They’ve been to the playoffs only one other time since then, that ’05 game.

Nineteen years, no playoff wins.

“We know what’s at stake,” receiver Andre Caldwell said. “We know what happened in the past.

We’re trying to get over that.”

LADY HAWKS Continued from Page 1B line.

“We did a great job of taking the ball to the basket and drawing the foul but we did not make our free throws,” Guerra said.

Zapata jumped out to a 13-8 lead in the first quarter.

The tide started to turn

in favor of the Lady Kats, and they took a six-point lead into halftime.

The Lady Hawks stormed back in the third quarter and retook the lead on a layup by Adriana Peña.

Peña led Zapata on offense with 15 points.

Sophomore Shelby Bigler

chipped in with 13 points.

Bigler has slowly emerged as an offensive machine for the Lady Hawks in the past couple of games.

“She is coming along and is doing a great job for us down in the post area,” Guerra said.

Zapata was in foul trouble throughout the game but managed to keep in the game by playing some great defense down the stretch.

The Lady Hawks got into trouble down the stretch when point guard Ashley Martinez fouled out with two minutes left in the

game.

“At one point, I think that all the starters were in foul trouble,” Guerra said. “The bench players did a great job in coming in and maintaining the level of intensity that we are accustomed to.”

Zapata fell behind and

could never recover to drop their second district game.

The sub-varsity teams are off to a great start in district.

The freshmen picked up their fourth win to stay perfect in district, while the junior varsity team is 3-1 this season.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 9, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3B

HINTS BY HELOISE A STATIC DOG Dear Heloise: During dry winter days in Texas, there’s a lot of STATIC BUILDUP, particularly in our dog’s fur. We have one of those lawns of native grass that dies back in the winter. Our dog, takes great delight in rolling around on it. She gets covered with millions of pieces of dried grass. I’ve tried brushing it off, but that only causes more static.

One day, I rubbed her down with a fabric-softener sheet.

Not only does it whisk away the bits of grass, but if I rub her down really well — rubbing against the grain of her fur — she can remain staticfree for several days. Another benefit is that she is perfumed.

As a side note, though, I use a sheet that isn’t too strongly scented. -- A Loyal Reader in the Hill Country, via e-mail

“

HELOISE

CAT PILL Dear Heloise: We had a terrible time giving our cat pills, and suffered many a scratched hand from her claws and teeth.

She could spit out anything, and refused anything crushed in food or tuna juice. My daughter found an item at the pet store in which you put a pill at the end of the tube and put it in the back of the cat’s mouth, press the plunger, and the pill goes down most of the time with no fuss at all. It is wonderful! The first time we tried it and it actually worked, we were shocked. -- Rae Ann, via e-mail

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Chargers looking to stay under the radar

By BERNIE WILSON ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN DIEGO — Shawne Merriman wasn’t taking the bait.

San Diego is awash with Super Bowl fever and Merriman’s Chargers are once again a popular pick to finally hoist the Lombardi Trophy four weeks from now in Miami.

“Is that what it is?” the outside linebacker said.

“Oh, now we’re Super Bowl favorites. I liked it better when we we’re under the radar.”

You’re not going to hear any Super Bowl chatter from the Chargers this year. They’ve learned their lessons from seasons past, when they talked openly about it and fell short.

They gagged away homefield advantage in a debacle against New England in January 2007, lost the AFC championship game in New England’s freezing cold a year later despite Philip Rivers’ game effort on a damaged knee, and were manhandled in Pittsburgh in last year’s divisional round.

“We’ve been there before. We’ve been the popular pick to win the Super Bowl before and haven’t,” Merriman said.

“Our whole mentality this year is completely different, in not looking too far ahead down the road. That’s been the big key this year altogether, is not looking too far down the road.”

The Chargers (13-3) will leave it to their fans and other fawning outsiders to plot the course to Miami and the route for a Super Bowl parade through downtown if the Bolts can secure the city’s first big championship since they won the 1963 AFL title.

Will their disco ditty, “San Diego Super Chargers,” finally ring true?

The Chargers are the NFL’s hottest team entering the playoffs, riding an 11-game winning streak that earned them their

Photo by Mike Groll | AP

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning walks to the field before a game against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, N.Y., last Sunday. Manning started the game but did not play much for the second straight week, and the Colts are welcoming their bye this weekend to escape questions about their recent decisions.

Photo by Wade Payne | AP

In this Dec. 25, 2009, file photo, San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson (21) scores a touchdown on a one-yard-run against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter of their game in Nashville, Tenn. fourth straight AFC West title and the conference’s No. 2 seed, behind Indianapolis. It’s tied for the fifthlongest winning streak to enter the playoffs since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

With that comes a bye week and the chance to rest starters such as Merriman and wide receiver Vincent Jackson, who’ve been playing hurt. They’ll also get a head start on gameplanning for their three potential opponents for their opener next Sunday:— New England, Cincinnati or the New York Jets.

This is perhaps the most conducive path ever for the Chargers, whose strength of schedule was ranked 17th. With Rivers methodically tearing apart defenses with his passes to big targets Jackson, Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd, they amassed their winning streak against everyone from the mediocre AFC West to a sweep of the NFC East. Their last loss was nearly three months ago, when a 2-3 start appeared to leave them doomed.

The boobirds-turnedbandwagoneers feel the Chargers’ path to Miami is

unimpeded. Their opponent in the divisional round will be a New England team without Wes Welker, a Cincinnati team that already lost to the Chargers or a New York Jets team with a rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback — although with the NFL’s top defense and the league’s best running game.

Should form hold and the Chargers face the Colts for a Super Bowl berth, fans already are pointing to San Diego’s recent dominance over Indy, including playoff victories against Peyton Manning’s team the last two seasons. The Chargers won at Indianapolis in the divisional round two years ago, then eliminated the Colts with an overtime victory in San Diego last January in the wild-card round.

Still, the Chargers refuse to bite.

“I think everyone knows what we want to accomplish,” said coach Norv Turner. “That’s been from the start, but I’m not going to get ahead of myself and I’m not going to let my guys get ahead of themselves.”

Colts get a breather Bye week provides break from playoff pressure and speculation after questionable end to regular season

By MICHAEL MAROT ASSOCIATED PRESS

INDIANAPOLIS — Dwight Freeney doesn’t need a calendar to tell him its playoff time.

He just walks into the Colts locker room and hears all those old questions about early playoff exits, the failures after first-round byes, and the only goal that is supposed to matter to the Colts — winning a Super Bowl.

It must be January, even if this year’s questions come with a new caveat.

Since Indianapolis tossed away its chance at perfection to focus on another Lombardi Trophy, the pressure has been mounting steadily from adamant fans and analysts who now contend anything less than a Super Bowl victory will be a total failure.

“On a scale of one to 10, we’ve put a 10 on this,” Freeney said, referring to winning it all.

Sure, the Super Bowl-or-bust attitude is an annual rallying cry in locker rooms around the league, including here, but it’s never been this cut and dry publicly in Indianapolis.

This season, Indy (14-2) has broken NFL records for consecutive regular-season wins (23), most wins in a decade (115) and extended its own record of consecutive 12-win seasons to seven. It still owns those shiny rings from the 2006 season, had six players make the Pro Bowl and Peyton Manning leading the show.

Yet most fans will tell you only there’s only way to make things right: Win. “The ultimate goal is to get to the Super Bowl and win,” defensive linemen Raheem Brock said. “Sixteen and oh sounds great, but I don’t really care what the record is because no one remembers that.

Unless, of course, you’re 16-0.”

What Indy has done, even it brings home another world championship, is provide critics with a lifetime supply of ammunition to question the pass on perfection.

Two weeks ago, with unbeaten Indianapolis holding a 15-10 lead and less than six quarters away from a perfect regular season, coach Jim Caldwell pulled his starters against the New York Jets. Indy lost 29-15, setting off a national controversy and creating a statewide furor unseen in these parts since the firing of Bob Knight or The Brawl in Auburn Hills.

Fans lashed out on radio talk shows and some criticized team president Bill Polian, architect of the Colts, on his own weekly show. Pro Bowl center Jeff Saturday, a fan favorite, said he understood the fans’ ire, and Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne joked that the Colts may have been the first 14-1 team to get booed at home.

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell weighed in, too, saying the league may consider adding incentives for teams to play their stars in late-season games.

Why did the Colts do it?

“Sixteen and oh was inconsequential to us,” Polian told his radio audience Dec. 28. “No. 1, it’s something that no football person thinks is realistic. No. 2, it’s been done before by the Miami Dolphins, who won the Super Bowl, and by the New England Patriots, who didn’t win the Super Bowl. Coach Caldwell and myself repeated over and over and over again that it was not something we felt was important, it was not something we owed anyone, including our fans. We felt that the best thing we could do to reward our fans was with the milestones and give ourselves the best chance in the playoffs.”

Translation: Polian was more concerned about health than trying for a perfect season.

Since then, fans have tempered their responses and everyone from team owner Jim Irsay to Manning to Polian has engaged in damage control. After Sunday’s 30-7 loss in a Buffalo snowstorm, a game Indy likely would have pulled its starters even if it was 15-0 and may have lost anyway, Manning said he hoped fans would “forgive” the Colts for what transpired against the Jets.

Vikings staying positive

By DAVE CAMPBELL ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Gerald Herbert | AP

In this Dec. 27, 2009, file photo, Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Connor Barth (10 kicks the gamewinning field goal in overtime of a game against the New Orleans Saints in New Orleans.

Saints not worried about stumbling into playoffs

By BRETT MARTEL ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW ORLEANS — It could go down as the greatest season in Saints history, or one of the most disappointing.

Nope, the Saints couldn’t quite stop that sense of impending doom so familiar to their fans from creeping into the backdrop of an otherwise magical 13-3 season.

At least as the top seed in the NFC, the Saints had a week to rest and reflect on why they’re stumbling into the playoffs on a threegame losing streak. And why they haven’t really looked like themselves since their 38-17 dismantling of the New England Patriots on Nov. 30.

New Orleans went 2-3 in its last five games and needed an improbable missed short field goal by then-Washington kicker Shaun Suisham to avoid going 1-4 during that

stretch. In their other victory at Atlanta, the Saints had trouble putting away a Falcons squad led by backup quarterback Chris Redman, who completed nearly 68 percent of his passes for 302 yards.

Two weeks later came the lowest point.

With their first chance to clinch the No. 1 playoff seed, the Saints instead earned the dubious distinction of becoming the first 13-win team to lose to a two-win team. They blew a 17-0 lead to Tampa Bay right in front of their own stunned fans in the Louisiana Superdome. If not for Chicago’s upset of Minnesota the next night, the Saints might not have finished atop the conference.

It all begs the question why should anyone expect the Saints to conjure their dominant early-season form when they return from their first-round bye?

“The good news is we’re

going to get ready to see here soon,” Saints coach Sean Payton said this week. “I like the locker room. I like the leadership we have, the commitment we have to doing things the right way.”

Payton said he believes his players remain confident, then showed his confidence in them by giving them most of this week off.

Saints players, with the exception of those who needed to stay for treatment of injuries, were free to leave town after Monday’s meetings and were not due back until Saturday.

Certainly, this season will hold a special place in Saints history regardless of how the playoffs turn out.

New Orleans had never won 13 games in a season.

Quarterback Drew Brees set an NFL record for completion percentage (.706) while New Orleans scored a franchise-record 510 points, which led the NFL.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Minnesota Vikings don’t want to stay in the Metrodome.

This January, though, it’s the perfect place for them and their old quarterback to play.

Their muffin-like home lacks the amenities and gleam of most stadiums around the league, leaving the Vikings well short of their competitors in revenue production. They’re aggressively lobbying state leaders to help come up with a way to pay for a new venue before their lease expires in two years.

Well, they would be wise not to badmouth the big bubble too much this month: The Vikings have been as comfortable there this season as ever.

Brett Favre has been essentially unstoppable, with 21 touchdown passes against only two interceptions in eight games under the roof. Minnesota won’t be forced outside until the Super Bowl because top-seeded New Orleans also plays in a dome.

“I’ve played in almost all the stadiums in the NFL, and I think ours is the loudest out of everybody else,” said defensive tackle Pat Williams, pointing to the proximity of the fans in the lower bowl to the field.

Baseball was often an awkward fit at this venue,

Photo by Hannah Foslien | AP

In this Nov. 22, 2009, file photo, Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre, right, speaking with Seattle Seahawks linebacker Leroy Hill following the Vikings’ win at the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Favre and the Vikings go into their bye this weekend confident, despite their slump to end the regular season. which once hosted a Super Bowl and is now officially known as Mall of America Field at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

Forgetting the lack of luxury seating, fancy food and concourse space, however, it’s been a huge advantage for the home team. The Vikings have even been accused a few times by frustrated foes of cranking up the volume to the max on sideline speakers and piping in extra noise to make the atmosphere especially raucous and challenging for opponents.

“Sometimes the fans

like basically get so loud we can’t hear the play call,” Williams said. “We’ll be yelling at the guys trying to get the play in, and we can’t hear each other think out there.”

The Vikings, who finished 12-4 and got the firstround bye that comes with the No. 2 seed, went 8-0 during the regular season for the third time in 28 years in the Metrodome.

That late-season fade that kept the Vikings from overtaking the Saints (13-3) played out in three embarrassing defeats, all on the road in nationally televised night games.