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Driller: Future unsure City receives By ZACH LINDSEY THE ZAPATA TIMES
It appears few industries are immune to the nation’s economic crisis, as ConocoPhillips announced earlier this month the company would lay off 4 percent of its workforce, which will amount to about 1,300 jobs around the world. “It’s a very unusual year,” said Randy Black, South Texas spokesman for ConocoPhillips, based in Zapata. The future of the company in South Texas is still unknown. “I don’t have any numbers locally, on what that (the layoffs) will affect,” Black said. “Nothing’s
“I don’t have any numbers locally, on what that (the layoffs) will affect. Nothing’s been finalized. Nothing’s been determined yet.” SOUTH TEXAS CONOCOPHILLIPS SPOKESMAN RANDY BLACK
been finalized. Nothing’s been determined yet.” However, Black was sure to say this does not necessarily mean layoffs in the South Texas area. “We continue to operate here in South Texas, and it’s a very important basin for us,” Black said. The corporation has not yet
finished the year’s business plan, which is unusual for ConocoPhillips, according to Black. Over the past two years, ConocoPhillips spent more than $15 billion buying back its own stocks when those stocks were at their highest level. The Texas oil industry is not
suffering as much as some other regions. According to statistics released by the Texas Railroad Commission, November 2008 production levels were higher than November 2007. In ’08, daily crude oil production averaged at about 925,000 barrels. In ’07, the daily average was about 853,000. Zapata is third in natural gas production across the state, with approximately 22,300,000 Mcfs (thousand cubic feet) worth of gas produced in November ‘08. Blas Castañeda of Laredo Community College remains optimistic about the future of the industry.
See CONOCOPHILLIPS | PAGE 9A
design aid BY ERIKA LAMBRETON THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata was selected by the National Endowment for the Arts as its top choice for Your Town: The Citizens Institute on Rural Design Leadership Program. The announcement was made Wednesday Jan. 21. ‘Your Town’ was created in order to express the important role design plays in the planning and shaping of a town in order to maximize its hidden
potential and create an attractive environment that would stimulate the overall quality of life. According to its Web site, “The National Endowment for the Arts is a public agency dedicated to supporting excellence in the arts, both new and established; bringing the arts to all Americans; and providing leadership in arts education.” “(Your Town is a) program that is designed to assist rural
See PROGRAM | PAGE 9A
SHOOTING SKEET FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS (CLUB) By JASON BUCH THE ZAPATA TIMES
he Boys and Girls Club of Zapata is expecting hundreds to come out today to Rancho Ramirez for the organization’s clay shoot fundraiser. The sporting clay tournament will have 13 stations, and competitors will fire 100 rounds at each station, said Ricky Ramirez, club president. Ramirez on Friday demonstrated how the machines that will fling clay
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targets are placed around the ranch, and even placed on towers to imitate birds like ducks, doves and quail. “They try to emulate whatever flight the birds have,” Ramirez said. “The tower emulates dove flying across a field.” The event will be the club’s primary fundraiser for the year, Ramirez said. More than 40 five-man teams have signed up, he said. Last year’s event raised $35,000. “We have about double the teams from last year, which is good for us be-
cause we’re hoping to raise more money,” said Mark Alvarenga, the club’s vice president. Money raised at the tournament will cover the club’s day to day operations, Ramirez said.
Club activities The Boys and Girls Club has about 300 children registered in Zapata, and provides academic and sporting events and facilities for them, he said. “We’re just trying to give the kids a safe place to come in and get off the street,” Ramirez said. Hunters who come to South Texas from as far away as Tennessee are expected to take part in the tournament, he said.
Cooking competition There will be a cooking competition as well, Ramirez said. About 13 teams have signed up for the cooking competition so far, and they will provide food for everyone who comes out, he said. The cooking will be judged by County Judge Rosalva Guerra and George Garza, host of “Gar Outdoor Adventures,” Ramirez said. District Attorney Isidro “Chilo” Alaniz is expected to participate in the tournament, Ramirez said. There will be raffles as well for items including shotguns, but the main raffle is for an electric all terrain vehicle and trailer, valued at about $10,000, Alvarenga said. The club has almost sold
See TOURNAMENT | PAGE 9A Photos by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
Today is the sporting clay tournament fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Zapata. ABOVE: Ricky Ramirez, an organizer, shows one of the clay throwers Friday afternoon at the Ramirez ranch in Zapata. LEFT: Mark Alvarenga, left, and Ramirez, both tournament organizers, look as a shooting station is prepared at the ranch.
Probe begins into peanut recall By SHARON THEIMER and RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Ric Feld | AP
Fred Large talks about the closing of the Peanut Corporation of America processing plant while at his Smitty’s Grill off the square in Blakely, Ga.The Peanut Corporation of America is located about a mile from the square. PCA is voluntarily recalling all peanuts and peanut products processed in its Blakely, Ga., facility since Jan. 1, 2007.
WASHINGTON — Federal health officials opened a criminal investigation Friday into the Georgia peanut-processing plant at the center of the national salmonella outbreak. President Barack Obama pledged stricter oversight of food safety to prevent breakdowns in inspections. The investigation into Peanut Corp. of America follows reports of shoddy sanitation practices and inspections that found the com-
“Our top priority has been — and will continue to be — to ensure the public safety.” PEANUT CORP. OF AMERICA STATEMENT
pany sold contaminated peanut products to food makers. At least 529 people have been sickened as a result of the outbreak, and at least eight may have died because of it. More than 430 products have been recalled. In a statement late Friday, Peanut Corp. expressed its “deep-
est and most sincere empathy for those sickened” and said it was reviewing the facts to determine exactly what happened. “Our top priority has been — and will continue to be — to ensure the public safety,” it said. “For Peanut Corporation to engage in any discussion of the facts at this
point is premature.” Until recently, federal food safety inspectors had not been to the Georgia plant since 2001. The Associated Press found that FDA interest in the facility was renewed, at least temporarily, after a shipment of peanuts from the plant was seized at the Canadian border. The shipment, taken April 11, originated at the Peanut Corp. plant and was turned back at the border. The FDA seized the product after it was found to contain metal fragments.
See PEANUT | PAGE 9A
Zin brief
SATURDAY,JANUARY 31,2009
AROUND TEXAS | IN BRIEF
WHAT’S GOING ON SATURDAY,JAN.31
THURSDAY,FEB.26
THURSDAY MARCH 12 The Zapata County Fair kicks off today at county fair grounds today at 8 a.m. Events include a livestock show, musical performances, a carnival and a street dance. The fair will run through Saturday. Don’t miss out on this year’s fun. For more information call 956-7659920
FRIDAY,MARCH 13 Today is the first day of Spring Break. No classes will be held at Zapata CISD through March 20. The Zapata County Fair resumes today at 8 a.m. For more information call 956-765-9920
SATURDAY MARCH 14 Today is the last day of the Zapata County Fair. Today is a parade and a street dance staring at 8 a.m. For more information call 765-9920
MONDAY,MARCH 23 Classes resume after the Spring Break holiday for the Zapata Independent School District.
FRIDAY,APRIL 10 Staff development day at Zapata Independent School district; no class for students
SUNDAY,APRIL 12 Today is the start of the National LibraryWeek.The San Ygnacio Public Library will celebrate with what is called Amnesty Week. This means no late fees will be charged on any book. The event runs though April 18. For more information call 765-5351
MONDAY,APRIL 13 Easter Monday. No classes today for Zapata Independent School District students
SATURDAY,APRIL 18 Today is the last day of Amnesty Week hosted by the San Ygnacio Public Library as part of its celebration of National Library Week. For more information call 765-5351
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
Photo by Victor Calzada/The El Paso Times | AP
Mexican journalist Emilio Gutierrez Soto smiles as he listens to attorney Carlos Spector speak during a news conference Friday, in El Paso. Gutierrez was released from an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detention center after seven months imprisonment.
Mexican journalist freed; asylum case pending By ALICIA A. CALDWELL ASSOCIATED PRESS
EL PASO — A Mexican journalist seeking asylum in the United States after a series of stories about alleged Mexican military abuses of civilians has been released from an immigration jail after 7 months’ detention. Emilio Gutierrez Soto, had been jailed since June 2008, when he and his 15year-old son crossed the U.S. border in Antelope Wells, N.M., a remote crossing about 200 miles west of El Paso, and asked U.S. authorities for protection. Friday afternoon, he told reporters he can never go back to Mexico and will find another country if U.S. authorities eventually deny his asylum request. “I’m not going to return to Mexico,” Gutierrez said. Gutierrez has claimed he was receiving daily death threats for nearly two years because he reported that Mexican soldiers were abusing civilians while they searched homes for drug cartel members.
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AROUND THE NATION | IN BRIEF
Second Annual Sporting Clay Tournament to benefit Boys and Girls Club of Zapata is today. Check and registration is from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. Mandatory safety meeting is at 8:30 p.m. Two flights are scheduled at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. For more information, call Mark Alvarenga at 251-2178 or Ricardo Ramirez at 251-0839. U.S. Air Force Band of the West performs at 7 p.m. at the Texas A&M International University Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, and is sponsored by TAMIU and Laredo Morning Times. Admission is free, but tickets are required. The 14th annual Crime Stoppers Menudo Bowl is set for today at Laredo International Fair & Exposition Downs, on U.S. 59, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.Admission is $3 for adults and free for children 12 or younger. The Zapata County Chamber of Commerce will celebrate Winter Texans and local elders with an event at the Community Center. Planning is underway with a dinner, refreshments, music, activities and door prizes. To become a sponsor call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at (956) 765-4871.
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
He fled after a group of heavily armed men identifying themselves as soldiers ransacked his home. Carlos Spector, Gutierrez’s El Paso lawyer, said the 46-year-old reporter for the El Diario newspaper in Ascencion, Mexico, was abruptly released Thursday afternoon with little warning and no explanation from immigration authorities. “All of the sudden in the morning they called him and he called me frantically thinking he may be transferred to another center,” Spector said. “It was just because.” Gutierrez’s son, Oscar, was released from a juvenile detention center in August and has been living with relatives in El Paso. Fighting back tears, Gutierrez said immediately after his arrest he was reunited with his son and “just hugged and kissed him.” “My family is my son,” Gutierrez said. Leticia Zamarripa, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman in El Paso, declined to comment on the case.
Man who had sex with teen gets life
Retail gas prices steady at $1.72
Couple appeared happy at picnic,witness says
SAN ANTONIO — A convicted sex offender was sentenced to life in federal prison Friday for having sex with a 14-year-old San Antonio girl in the men’s restroom at the Alamo, among other places. Charles Wayne Carmony, 43, of Kentucky, duped the girl into believing he was 19 when they had sex at the Alamo and in movie theaters around the city. He posted sexual images of her in an Internet chat room, bragging that he was in one image having sex with the girl.
HOUSTON — Retail gasoline prices held steady in Texas this week at $1.72 a gallon. AAA Texas on Friday reported prices at the pump have jumped more than 25 cents since one month ago. Nationwide gasoline prices averaged $1.84. El Paso had the most expensive gasoline, at $1.88 a gallon. Corpus Christi had the cheapest gasoline, averaging $1.68. A spokeswoman said consumers and businesses drive fewer miles and conserve fuel.
GALVESTON — A couple accused of beating to death the woman’s 2-year-old girl appeared playful and happy at a picnic less than two weeks after the toddler’s death, a witness testified Friday in the mother’s trial. Prosecutors planned to wrap up their case Friday against Kimberly Dawn Trenor, who’s charged with capital murder in the death of Riley Ann Sawyers. They have argued Trenor and Royce Clyde Zeigler II are responsible for Riley’s death. — Compiled from AP reports
Tour bus crashes near dam; 6 dead
Hotel owner accused of illegally dumping waste
PHOENIX — The Arizona Department of Public Safety says a tour bus overturned on a highway near the Hoover Dam, killing at least six passengers and injuring at least 16. A DPS news release says the crash occurred about 4 p.m. Friday in northwestern Arizona. DPS spokesman Lt. James Warriner says officers on the scene have confirmed six fatalities. He says officials do not know what caused the bus to overturn. The crash closed down U.S. 93 in both directions. The highway is the main route between Phoenix and Las Vegas. The crash site is about 190 miles northwest of Phoenix.
LOS ANGELES — The corporate owner of a swanky hotel has been charged after workers were accused of illegally disposing pool chemicals that sickened subway riders and sparked fears of a terrorist attack. Hotelsab LLC, doing business as Andre Balazs Properties, was charged with one felony count of disposing hazardous waste without a permit. If convicted, the company faces a maximum fine of $500,000. The complaint alleges that hotel employees poured acid and chlorine down a roof drain at The Standard on Jan. 19. The chemicals entered a storm drain, and the fumes caused people to start vomiting at a subway station.
Cop suspected in vanishing loses new love BOLINGBROOK, Ill. — A woman who became engaged to a former suburban Chicago police sergeant suspected in his wife’s 2007 disappearance moved out of his home Friday, hours after he spoke about his current and past relationships on a national television show. Christina Raines, 24, removed her belongings from Drew Peterson’s home as the woman’s father looked on, along with a television camera crew and officers from Peterson’s former department, said Bolingbrook police spokesman Lt. Ken Teppel. Peterson, 55, is suspected in the October 2007 disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy Peterson. Peterson has not been charged, but authorities have said they are investigating the disappearance as a possible homicide.
Official gets 4 years in body parts scheme LOS ANGELES — The former chief of UCLA’s cadaver program has been sentenced to more than four years in prison for his role in selling donated body parts. The Los Angeles County district attorney’s office said Henry Reid was also ordered Friday to pay $500,000 in restitution to the UCLA School of Medicine. The 59-year-old Anaheim man pleaded guilty in October to conspiracy to commit grand theft and the special allegation that he damaged property exceeding $1 million. Reid will cooperate in the upcoming trial of co-defendant Ernest Nelson, who is charged with buying the body parts between 1999 and 2004. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE WORLD | IN BRIEF Guatemala files 3,350 rights complaints
Thousands of Tamils protest in Toronto
GUATEMALA CITY — Guatemala’s government on Friday filed 3,350 criminal complaints accusing former soldiers, paramilitaries and others of human rights violations against more than 5,000 civilians during the country’s 1960-1996 civil war. Alleged offenses range from rape to forced disappearances and massacres, said the director of the government-funded National Compensation Program, which has a budget of $40 million to compensate families of thousands of war victims. The filing coincides with the 29th anniversary of a 1980 police raid that killed 37 people at the Spanish embassy, including Mayan peasants.
TORONTO — Thousands of Canadian Tamils formed a human chain through Toronto’s downtown on Friday to protest a Sri Lankan government offensive aimed at crushing the separatist Tamil Tigers. The greater Toronto area is home to 200,000 Tamils, one of the largest Tamil population outside Sri Lanka and the Indian subcontinent. A number of protests have been staged in recent weeks. Friday, protesters formed a human chain spanning several miles of major downtown streets to protest the military offensive. The rebels are now cornered in a 115-square-mile area of jungle and villages in the Tamildominated north. — Compiled from AP reports
50TH ANNIVERSARY
TODAY IN HISTORY CONTACT US Publisher, William B. Green . . . . . . . . . . . .728-2501 Business Manager Dora Martinez.. . . . (956) 500-4748 Chief Accountant,Thelma Aguero . . . . . . .728-2553 Controller,Joe Vied . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .728-2502 General Manager,Adriana Devally . . . . . . .728-2510 Retail Adv. Manager,Alice Arce . . . . . . . . . .728-2511 Classified Manager, Sandra Valderrama . .728-2525 Adv. Billing Inquires . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .728-2531 Circulation Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .728-2550 Creative Services Director, Raul Cruz . . . .728-2596 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 Laredo Morning Times and those who buy LMT at newstands.The Zapata Times is inserted inside. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, PO Box 2129, Laredo,Texas 78044. Phone (956)728-2500 The Zapata office is at 1309 N. US Highway 83 at 14th Avenue,Suite 2; Zapata,TX,78076.Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes@att.net
The Zapata Times
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Today is Saturday, Jan. 31, the 31st day of 2009. There are 334 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Jan. 31, 1958, the United States entered the Space Age with its first successful launch of a satellite into orbit, Explorer I. On this date: In 1606, Guy Fawkes, convicted of treason for his part in the “Gunpowder Plot” against the English Parliament and King James I, was executed. In 1865, Gen. Robert E. Lee was named general-in-chief of all the Confederate armies. In 1917, during World War I, Germany served notice it was beginning a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare. In 1919, baseball Hall-ofFamer Jackie Robinson was born in Cairo, Ga. In 1929, revolutionary Leon Trotsky and his family were expelled from the Soviet Union. In 1971, astronauts Alan Shepard Jr., Edgar Mitchell and Stuart Roosa blasted off aboard Apollo 14 on a mission to the moon. In 2000, an Alaska Airlines
jet plummeted into the Pacific Ocean, killing all 88 people aboard. Ten years ago: The Denver Broncos repeated as NFL champions, defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-19 in Super Bowl 33. Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham presented what they called convincing proof that the AIDS virus originated in chimpanzees and spread to people in Africa. F i v e y e a r s a g o : Six U.S.bound flights from England, Scotland and France were canceled because of security concerns. Justine Henin-Hardenne won her third Grand Slam title, defeating Kim Clijsters 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 in the Australian Open. John Elway and Barry Sanders were elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on their first attempt; they were joined by Bob Brown and Carl Eller. O n e y e a r a g o : President George W. Bush, speaking at the Nevada Policy Research Institute, said he would not jeopardize security gains in Iraq by withdrawing U.S. forces too quickly. A drifter pleaded guilty to murdering a young woman who’d gone missing while hiking
in the north Georgia mountains; Gary Michael Hilton was swiftly sentenced to life in prison in the death of Meredith Emerson. Today’s Birthdays: Actress Carol Channing is 88. Actress Jean Simmons is 80. Baseball Hall-of-Famer Ernie Banks is 78. Composer Philip Glass is 72. Actor Stuart Margolin is 69. Actress Jessica Walter is 68. Former U.S. Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., is 68. Blues singer-musician Charlie Musselwhite is 65. Actor Glynn Turman is 63. Baseball Hall-ofFamer Nolan Ryan is 62. Singermusician KC (KC and the Sunshine Band) is 58. Rock singer Johnny Rotten is 53. Actress Kelly Lynch is 50. Actor Anthony LaPaglia is 50. Actor John Dye is 46. Rock musician Jeff Hanneman (Slayer) is 45. Rock musician Al Jaworski (Jesus Jones) is 43. Actress Minnie Driver is 39. Actress Portia de Rossi is 36. Actress Kerry Washington is 32. Singer Justin Timberlake is 28. Thought for Today: “Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.” — Rabbi Hyman Judah Schachtel, American theologian, author and educator (19071990).
AP photo/file
Rock singer Ritchie Valens is shown in this 1959 photo. It’s been 50 years since a single-engine plane crashed into a snow-covered Iowa field, instantly killing three men whose names would become enshrined in the history of rock‘n’roll,Buddy Holly, 28-year-old J.P.“The Big Bopper” Richardson and 17-year-old Ritchie Valens.
Zlocal THE BLOTTER DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED A man was charged with DWI at about 10:30 p.m.Jan. 23 after being pulled over near the corner of Morales and U.S.83. Samuel Herrera Jr., of the 900 block of Guerrero, was also charged with possession of marijuana. He was booked and processed at the Zapata county jail. A man was arrested Sunday on the charge of DWI after being pulled over at about 2 a.m. in the 700 block of Juarez Avenue. He was identified as Jose Guadalupe Luna-Martinez, of the 1800 block of Roma Street.Deputies booked and processed him at the Zapata county jail.
POSSESSION OFA CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE A juvenile was detained at Zapata High School on Tuesday on the charge of possession of marijuana. The offense report stated at about 1:15 p.m., the school contacted the Sheriff’s Office saying a teacher had found a student to be in possession of a clear plastic baggie containing marijuana. Deputies arrived on scene shortly thereafter and took the juvenile into custody. Aman was charged Sunday with possession of marijuana and manufacture or delivery of a controlled substance. The offense report stated the arrest happened after a deputy conducted a traffic stop at about 11:30 p.m. near the corner of West 12th Avenue and U.S. 83. The offender was identified as Orlando Javier Rocha, of the 100 block of 1st Street. He was booked and processed Zapata county jail. A man was charged with possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana at about 10 p.m.Jan. 23 after being pulled over for a traffic violation near the corner of West 1st Avenue and Jackson Street. Flumencio Muñoz, of the 400 block of Morelos Street,was booked and processed at the Zapata county jail. Deputies arrested a man Jan. 24 after he was pulled over for a traffic violation and found to be in possession of crack cocaine, the offense report stated. Sandalio Ramos, of the 1000 block of Villa Avenue, was booked and processed at the Zapata county jail. According to the offense report, a deputy pulled over Ramos at about 2 a.m. near the corner of Falcon Avenue and 4th Street.Upon searching the vehicle and person,deputies found crack cocaine wrapped in foil, the offense report stated.
ASSAULT A man was arrested Jan. 24 after he allegedly assaulted a woman at a residence and pulled phone wires out of the wall when she tried to call 911. Deputies responded to the domestic disturbance at about 8:50 p.m. and arrested the man for assault.He was identified as BobbyJoe Green, of the 2500 block of Carla Street. He was booked and processed at the Zapata county jail.
THEFT A professional angler called 911 at about 6 a.m.Tuesday saying 12 fishing rods and reels were stolen from his boat and pickup. The offense report stated the theft occurred at the Redwood Lodge parking lot, 178 U.S. 83.
BURGLARY OFA BUILDING About $1,000 and three checks were reported stolen Jan. 24 from American Legion, 2203 U.S. 83. The offense report stated the male complainant called authorities at about 11:15 a.m. to report the break in. The case is open and active, the report stated.
SATURDAY,JANUARY 31,2009
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WBCA visits state officials SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association visited the Texas State Capitol on Wednesday, to formally extend an invitation to Governor Rick Perry and other state officials to attend the 112th Washington’s Birthday Celebration in Laredo. “All the ambassadors and the WBCA affiliate organizations that make up the Washington’s Birthday Celebration have a great story to tell, and every year, we travel far and wide to tell it,” said Memo Treviño, WBCA president. “Sen. Zaffirini was a gracious host, and (Representatives) Richard Raymond and Ryan Guillen helped us invite Texas legislative officials to be with us in February for the celebration. Everyone did a great job.” BBVA Compass sponsored the annual trip, as well as a reception hosted by state Sen. Judith Zaf-
firini in the Lieutenant Governor’s Reception Room. While at the State Capitol, Zaffirini, Raymond and Guillen introduced the delegation of WBCA officials and 2008-2009 celebration ambassadors to state officials and guests at the reception. “It was my pleasure to host representatives from the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Association and our sister cities of Laredo and Nuevo Laredo to the state capitol as we invite state officials to join us for our 112th international fiesta,” Zaffirini said. Zaffirini said she was pleased to present Senate Resolution 16 to Guillermo ‘Memo’ Treviño, WBCA president, honoring the organization’s patriotism and dedication. She further wished the group much success for a joyous event. “The WBCA is a remarkable testament to the rich binational identity and culture of South Texas and our community, and I
Courtesy photo
Representatives of the Washington Birthday Celebration Association are pictured during a visit to Austin on Wednesday to invite state officials to the annual celebration in Laredo in February. truly am delighted to invite my colleagues in Austin to join us in Laredo for our celebration,” Zaffirini added. Manolo Sanchez, president and CEO of BBVA Compass, emphasized the importance of the celebration and that of this endeavor.
Hawks star making mark in music BY DORA MARTINEZ
Corine Gabriele Garcia graduated from Zapata High School in 2005. During high school, she was a member of the varsity Mariachi Halcon, and made the All Region mariachi group for four years. She went to the state solo and ensemble competition during her junior and senior years. Garcia also represented Zapata at the state level in UIL academic competition in journalism and accounting. She is continuing her education at the University of TexasPan American, where she is a senior majoring in music with an emphasis on violin, music education and honor studies. During her years at UTPA, Garcia has been an active member of Future Music Educators,
COLUMN Golden Key International Honor Society and the University Honors Program. She also performs with the University String Chamber Orchestra, Opera Workshop, Jazz Ensemble and Tango Ensemble. As a member of the Honors program, Garcia studied abroad in the cities of Vienna, Prague and Budapest for three weeks this past summer. It was a wonderful experience that was recorded in a documentary soon to be released on public television. Garcia is in her last semester at UTPA. She is student teaching with the orchestra program in the Pharr-San Juan Alamo School District. She also performs professionally with Mariachi San Pedro of Roma.
Garcia has a sister, Katherine, who is a freshman studying computer information systems at Laredo Community College and a brother, Miguel Jr., who is a sophomore at Zapata High School. Corine Garcia is the proud daughter of Miguel and Melissa Garcia. Mrs. Garcia has taught piano lessons to the children of Zapata for more than 14 years. Corine was her first student. Corine Garcia is an orgullo of the county and the pride of our city. (Dora Martinez is a native of Zapata who was publisher of Hispanic News in San Antonio for 21 years. She can be reached at thezapatatimes@att.net)
“Laredo’s strategic location on the U.S.-Mexico border designates it as an important economic and cultural port for Texas and northern Mexico,” Sanchez said. “It is BBVA Compass’ pleasure to once again show our ongoing commitment to communities in
which we work and live by partnering with the Washington Birthday Celebration Association to sponsor the annual event, which invites our state officials to take part in the patriotic celebration enjoyed by the citizens of two nations.”
Zopinion
SATURDAY,JANUARY 31,2009
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OTHER VIEWS
EDITORIAL
Workers’ rights get protection NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
he Supreme Court issued a strong ruling this week in favor of employees who are retaliated against for complaining about being harassed. The justices unanimously sided with a woman who was fired after answering questions in her company’s investigation of a sexual harassment claim. The ruling should give more employees the courage to speak up when they see civil rights laws being broken in their workplaces. Vicky Crawford, who worked for the Nashville school system, was questioned by her employer as part of an internal investigation of the system’s employee relations director. Crawford told an investigator of several instances of sexually harassing conduct. At the end of the inquiry, the employee relations director kept his job. Crawford was fired for embezzlement, although the charges against her were not pursued. She sued, charging her firing was retaliatory. The school system argued Crawford was not covered by the anti-retaliation provision of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 because she did not file the complaint against the employee relations director. She simply answered questions that were put to her.
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Crawford insisted her participation in the internal investigation was enough to win her protection. The Supreme Court has taken a hard line on retaliation against workers who complain of civil rights violations. In 2006, it ruled 9-0 in favor of a woman who was transferred to less desirable duties after complaining of sexual harassment. The justices overturned a standard many courts had used made it almost impossible for workers to win a retaliation case unless they were fired. This week, the court went further, ruling even employees who merely answer questions as part of an internal investigation are protected against retaliation. Justice David Souter, in an opinion joined by six of his colleagues, noted Title VII protects workers who have “opposed any practice” that the act makes illegal. By answering her employer’s questions as she did, Justice Souter said, Crawford had opposed sexual harassment, and was therefore covered by the law. If workers had to worry about retaliation, civil rights laws would lose much of their force. The Supreme Court, in its second major ruling on retaliation in three years, has made clear if employers are going to punish anyone, it must be the employees
COLUMN
Stimulus should follow the three Ts By DAVID BROOKS NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
hroughout 2008, Larry Summers, the Harvard economist, built the case for a big but surgical stimulus package. Summers warned a “poorly provided fiscal stimulus can have worse side effects than the disease that is to be cured.” So his proposal had three clear guidelines. First, the stimulus should be timely. The money should go out “almost immediately.” Second, it should be targeted. It should help low- and middle-income people. Third, it should be temporary. Stimulus measures should not raise the deficits “beyond a short horizon of a year or at most two.” Summers was proposing bold action, but his concept came with safeguards: focus on the task at hand, prevent the usual Washington splurge and limit longterm fiscal damage. Now Barack Obama is president, and Summers has become a top economic adviser. Yet the stimulus approach that has emerged on Capitol Hill abandoned the Summers parameters. In a fateful decision, Democratic leaders merged the temporary stimulus measure with their permanent domestic agenda — including big increases for Pell Grants, alternative energy subsidies and health and entitlement spending. The resulting package is part temporary and part permanent, part timely and part untimely, part targeted and part untargeted. It’s easy to see why Democrats decided to do this. They could rush through permanent policies they believe in. Plus, they could pay for them with borrowed money. By putting a little of everything in the stimulus package, they avoid the pay-as-you-go rules that might otherwise apply to recurring costs. But they’ve created a sprawling, undisciplined smorgasbord, which has spun off a series of unintended consequences. First, by trying to do everything all it once, the bill does nothing well. The money spent on long-term domestic programs means there may not be enough to jolt the economy now (about $290 billion in spending is pushed off into 2011 and later). The money spent on stimulus, meanwhile, means there’s not enough to truly reform domestic programs like health technology, schools and infrastructure. The measure mostly pumps more
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money into old arrangements. Second, by pumping so much money through government programs, the bill unleashes a tidal wave on state governments. A governor with a few-hundred-billion-dollar shortfall will suddenly have to administer an additional $4 billion or $5 billion. That money will be corrosive both when washing in, and when it disappears in a few years time. Third, the muddle assures ideological confrontation. A stimulus package was always going to be controversial, because economists differ widely about whether or how a stimulus can work. But this bill also permanently alters the role of the federal government, thus guaranteeing a polarizing brawl at the very start of the Obama presidency. Fourth, Summers’ warnings about deficits have been put aside. There is no fiscal exit strategy. Instead, permanent spending commitments are entailed with no permanent funding stream to pay for them. Fifth, new government expenditures on complex matters are being designed on a hasty, reckless timetable. As readers may know, the policy I am most passionate about is pre-K education. Yet I fervently hope Head Start expansion is dropped from this bill. A slapdash and shambolic expansion could discredit the whole idea. Wise heads are now trying to restore structure and safeguards to the enterprise. In testimony this week, Alice Rivlin, Bill Clinton’s former budget director, raised the possibility of separating the temporary from the permanent measures and focusing independently on each. “A long-term investment program should not be put together hastily and lumped in with the anti-recession package,” Rivlin testified. “The elements of the investment program must be carefully planned and will not create many jobs right away.” The best course is to return to the original Summers parameters — temporary, targeted and timely — thus making the stimulus cleaner and faster. Strip out the permanent government programs. Many of them are worthy, but we can have that debate another day. Make the short-term stimulus bigger. Many liberal economists have been complaining it is too small, so replace the permanent programs with something like a big payroll tax cut, which would help the working class.
EDITORIAL
Food safety must have higher priority NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE
fter a strain of salmonella in peanut products sickened more than 500 people and contributed to eight deaths, government investigators finally took a hard look at a peanut producer in southwest Georgia. What they discovered was alarming and shameful. Since 2007, the Peanut Corp. of America has found salmonella in its products at least a dozen times. Instead of dumping the tainted foods, it retested and got the results it wanted. Then it sent the product out to companies across the country for cookies and crackers and peanut butter used in schools. The stomach-turning reports on the peanut processing facility in Blakely, Ga., have resulted in one of the largest recalls in the history of the Food and Drug Administration. A long and growing list of those products now being recalled is
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available at the agen cy’s Web site, www.fda.gov. As 400 or more peanut products are being pulled from the nation’s grocery shelves and institutional cupboards, this scare should finally hit home — in America’s kitchens and in Washington, where Congress and the White House need to modernize and secure the nation’s food safety system. Consumers have faced far too many foodsupply emergencies in the last few years. Some of the staples of the American diet — tomatoes, peppers, spinach, shrimp, to name a few — have caused illnesses and even deaths. The FDA, an important agency charged with protecting the food supply, was one of many hobbled by the Bush administration’s antiregulatory efforts. President Obama has promised to do more to protect consumers. The White House and Congress need to work together to provide more resources and clout for the guardians of
the food supply — and to demand more accountability. One proposal worth studying comes from Representative Rosa DeLauro, Democrat of Connecticut. She wants to separate food and drugs, which she says don’t belong under one regulatory roof. Advocates have long said food safety has played second string to the medical side of the FDA. One proposal that should be acted on immediately would require more technologically advanced methods of tracking foods so the FDA could trace tainted products at the first sign of trouble. The government and industry need to quickly find a better way to inspect the nation’s food production plants. The peanut recall is a case in point. The last time an FDA inspector looked at the Blakely plant was about eight years ago. Since then, the Georgia Department of Agriculture was commissioned to do the inspections. Apparently, everyone missed a lot.
COLUMN
Include health care in the stimulus package he whole world is in recession. But the United States is the only wealthy country in which the economic catastrophe will also be a health care catastrophe — in which millions of people will lose their health insurance along with their jobs, and therefore lose access to essential care. Which raises a question: Why has the Obama administration been silent, at least so far, about one of President Obama’s key promises during last year’s campaign — the promise of guaranteed health care for all Americans? Let’s talk about the magnitude of the looming health care disaster. Just about all economic forecasts, including those of the Obama administration’s own economists, say we’re in for a prolonged period of very high unemployment. And high unemployment means a sharp rise in the number of Americans without health insurance. After the economy slumped at the beginning of this decade, 5 million people joined the ranks of the uninsured — and that was with the unemployment rate peaking at only 6.3 percent. This time the Obama administration says even with its stimulus plan, unemployment will reach 8 percent, and it will stay above 6 percent until 2012. Many independent forecasts are even more pessimistic.
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PAUL KRUGMAN Why, then, aren’t we hearing more about ensuring health care access? Now, it’s possible those of us who care about this issue are reading too much into the administration’s silence. But let me address three arguments I suspect Obama is hearing against moving on health care, and explain why they’re wrong. First, some people are arguing a major expansion of health care access would just be too expensive right now, given the vast sums we’re about to spend trying to rescue the economy. But research sponsored by the Commonwealth Fund shows achieving universal coverage with a plan similar to Obama’s campaign proposals would add “only” about $104 billion to federal spending in 2010 — not a small sum, of course, but not large compared with, say, the tax cuts in the Obama stimulus plan. It’s true the cost of universal health care will be a continuing expense, reaching far into the fu-
ture. But that has always been true, and Obama has always claimed his health care plan was affordable. The temporary expenses of his stimulus plan shouldn’t change that calculation. Second, some people in Obama’s circle may be arguing health care reform isn’t a priority right now, in the face of economic crisis. But helping families purchase health insurance as part of a universal coverage plan would be at least as effective a way of boosting the economy as the tax breaks that make up roughly a third of the stimulus plan — and it would have the added benefit of directly helping families get through the crisis, ending one of the major sources of Americans’ current anxiety. Finally — and this is, I suspect, the real reason for the administration’s health care silence — there’s the political argument this is a bad time to be pushing fundamental health care reform, because the nation’s attention is focused on the economic crisis. But if history is any guide, this argument is precisely wrong. Don’t take my word for it. Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, has declared “you never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” Indeed. FDR was able to enact Social Security in part because the Great Depression highlighted the need for a stronger social safety net. And the current crisis
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
presents a real opportunity to fix the gaping holes that remain in that safety net, especially with regard to health care. And Obama really, really doesn’t want to repeat the mistakes of Bill Clinton, whose health care push failed politically partly because he moved too slowly: by the time his administration was ready to submit legislation, the economy was recovering from recession and the sense of urgency was fading. One more thing. There’s a populist rage building in this country, as Americans see bankers getting huge bailouts while ordinary citizens suffer. I agree with administration officials who argue these financial bailouts are necessary (though I have problems with the specifics). But I also agree with Barney Frank, the chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, who argues that — as a matter of political necessity as well as social justice — aid to bankers has to be linked to a strengthening of the social safety net, so Americans can see the government is ready to help everyone, not just the rich and powerful. The bottom line, then, is this is no time to let campaign promises of guaranteed health care be quietly forgotten. It is, instead, a time to put the push for universal care front and center. Health care now!
Zlife
SATURDAY,JANUARY 31,2009
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
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MISS MANNERS | BYJUDITH MARTIN
Looking for work, not dramas
Photos by Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Mornig Times
Images of previous ribbon cutting ceremony are in display at the Laredo Center of the Arts, as the WBCA Museum was closed down.
LCA displays WBCA history The 2009 WBCA Martha and George costumes are in display at the Center for the arts Tuesday morning, in preparation for a reception that will be held Feb 6 for WBCA.
By ZACH LINDSEY new exhibit at the Laredo Center for the Arts explores the history of Laredo’s Washington’s Birthday Celebration, including memorabilia stretching back over past parades. Fashions past is a big focus of the exhibit, with Martha Washington dresses from 1954 to the present, Princess Pocahontas costumes and Abrazo Children outfits. There is also a gallery of vintage photographs of the town during the celebration, in addition to posters and hand-painted art.
making takes a year to two years (to find) the designs, the colors, the fabrics.” Santos mentioned the costume galleries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art in New York. “This is a way to integrate (fashion) into our gallery,” Santos said. Although they are meant to invoke the Colonial Era, the dresses have changed in style over the years. A contributing factor to those changes is the seamstresses. “Linda Gutierrez is one of the main dress designers, as are Francis Villarreal and Veronica
The costumery
See WBCA | PAGE 6A
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
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“Fashion is normally ignored as an art form,” said Rosie Santos, event coordinator of the Laredo Center for the Arts. “The costume-
DEAR MISS MANNERS — I’m one of two employees at a lovely local boutique that has, unfortunately, become a victim of our soured economy. We have officially been going out of business — hideous yellow signs and all — for just over two weeks now. While we appreciate that customers rouMARTIN tinely express their condolences, we have already dealt with the emotional side and moved on. It seems that many customers are dismayed or confused when we don’t echo their pouty faces or saddened shrugs. We don’t want to seem ungrateful for their well-wishes, nor do we want to look cold and uncaring. But we also don’t wish to put on a dramatic show for every third visitor to the store. What should we say? The simple answer is, we’re both doing what many people across the entire country are doing — searching frantically for new employment. I understand that the question isn’t meant to be patronizing or rude, but it feels that way. Am I wrong in feeling that this is an inappropriate, overly personal question? And what is the best way for us — and the many who are in our same predicament — to address it? GENTLE READER — Rule one when you are frantically searching for new employment: Do not brush off sympathetic people. You should not be doing this anyway. Simple courtesy re-
quires that you accept kindly intended remarks, however often you have heard them. Miss Manners hardly thinks it would require “a dramatic show” to thank people and say that you, too, regret the closing. As for what to say when asked what you are doing next — Miss Manners would consider that a legitimate reply would be, “I’m looking. If you hear of anything, please let me know.” DEAR MISS MANNERS — This woman, let’s call her Annette, married a divorced man who had a married daughter with two children. She insists that her husband’s daughter is her daughter-in-law, her husband’s son-in-law is her son-inlaw and their two children are her grandchildren. Not so fast, Annette. I don’t believe they are “any” relation, but possibly she could call them “step” daughter-in-law, and simply continue to use the word “step” to make them some sort of a relation. Please, is she “any” relation to her husband’s relations? GENTLE READER — You wouldn’t happen to be the husband’s former wife, would you? It was the quotation marks around “any” that tipped off Miss Manners. If this is correct, let her assure you that the stepmother’s nomenclature does not affect your position as mother, mother-in-law and grandmother. She is related to these people by marriage, even if you are both mistaken about applying the “in-law” part to her husband’s daughter. No one should be following her around making sure she gets that “step” part in.
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SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2009
WBCA Continued from Page 5A Ramirez, and with that comes the different ideas of how to design the dresses,” said Ana Isabel Alvarez, this year’s president of the Society of Martha Washington. Gutierrez brought a more extravagant look to the dresses. She made them larger and began to include more complicated beadwork, according to Alvarez. But the final say on the dress is the person wearing it. “Fashion changes ... from year to year,” Alvarez said. “Sometimes they’re very elaborate, and sometimes they’re very simple.” Some of the more notable dresses include a complicated red, white and blue pattern, as well as a classic-looking piece decorated in spring colors. Princess Pocahontas costumes from 2007, all hand-beaded, are also displayed at the exhibit.
The paintings The oldest WBCA painting on display is from 1978, created by local artist Amado Peña. There is also work by LeJeune Whitworth, founder of the Laredo Art League, on display. All the WBCA paintings are by local artists, and they serve as a showcase for some of Laredo’s most well-known local artists. “These are all from some of the more successful Laredo artists,” Santos said.
The photography The photography stretches back even further than the artwork and costumes on display. One of the oldest photographs is of a 1915 parade display, which depicts Laredo when it was significantly more agriculturally-based. In fact, rather than a decorated float the way today’s Washington’s Birthday parade floats look, it’s simply a truck hauling the Ross family’s prized Jersey calves. Some photographs show floats from the ’50s, featuring historic downtown Laredo architecture in the background. More than one shows the building, once City Hall, that now houses the Laredo Center for the Arts. Other photographs show people who represented George and Martha Washington over the years, such as a 1959 photo of Thomas Hugh Yates as George. The exhibit’s opening reception is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday. The reception will feature appetizers and music from the local DJs the Pop Rocks. It is open to the public. Although the event is free, the Laredo Center for the Arts welcomes donations. The exhibit will remain on display through the festivities, ending in late February.
File photo
Customers and servers exchange bowls of hot menudo during Crime Stoppers’ 2007 Menudo Bowl.
Menudo Bowl is back File photo
Contestant Sydney Villarreal, 15, walks down the runway during the CW’s 2007 “America’s Next Top Model” casting call.
Calling all models SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Your CW Laredo’s exclusive open casting call event is back for its third consecutive year: The “America’s Next Top Model” cycle 13 is actively seeking talent from Laredo and the surrounding areas to appear in the hit “dramality” series hosted by supermodel Tyra Banks. This year, Your CW Laredo has teamed up with Ashley Furniture Homestore, Be Studio Photography, Big Buck Country and Z93 Tejano Y Mas to bring this unprecedented opportunity to Laredo’s 14th annual Crime Stoppers Menudo Bowl. “America’s Next Top Model” casting call 2009 will take place at the Laredo International Fair and Exposition grounds on U.S. 59 today from noon to 4 p.m. Applicants are encouraged to arrive early. Casting is looking for females, ages 18 to 27, of diverse backgrounds, shapes and sizes. There is a minimum height requirement of 5 feet, 7 inches. Applications should be picked up in advance at the KGNS-
TV/CW studios, 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Applicants will also be required to submit three photographs and a copy of a driver’s license or identification card. For more information, call 727-8888. “America’s Next Top Model” follows a group of young women of various backgrounds who live together and vie for a grand prize that includes a modeling contract. The “dramality” exposes the transformation of everyday young women into potentially fierce top models as they face weekly tests that determine who can make the cut. The finalists compete in a highly accelerated modeling boot camp, a crash course to modeling fame that includes mentoring by supermodel Tyra Banks and exposure to high-profile fashion industry gurus, all under 24-hour-a-day surveillance of the “America’s Next Top Model” cameras.
By KIRSTEN CROW LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Menudo Bowlers: Get your spoons and napkins ready. Laredo Crime Stoppers’ primary, signature fundraiser returns today to the Laredo International Fair and Exposition grounds, with a day chock full of family entertainment from 11 a.m. to about 6:30 p.m. As usual, teams composed of private individuals, as well as businesses, will be competing for the coveted title of being named the best menudo makers — and lucky for the crowd, they’ll be helping to make the decision of who will receive that honor, since tastings will begin at about 1 p.m. “The one thing that is the same, and what the Menudo Bowl is all about, is the Menudo Cookoff,” said Carolyn Leyendecker, Laredo Crime Stoppers executive director. “(The people) get the opportunity to taste the menudo, and then vote for their favorite.” Of course, there will still be a variety of food booths, merchandise booths, beverages and free rides for the children in the Exhibit Barn. Among the new editions to this year’s festival, however, are
“The one thing that is the same, and what the Menudo Bowl is all about, is the Menudo Cookoff.” LAREDO CRIME STOPPERS DIRECTOR CAROLINE LEYENDECKER
the Brush Country Trail Ride, which will end at the LIFE grounds, a pottery and chimenea sale, a Chinese martial arts exhibition by Panfeilei Gung Fu Institute, and a Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol and Air Marines exhibit on air boats, helicopters and ATVs. There will also be motorcycle show, with judging to be held at 4:30 p.m. It is $5 to register, and bikers may bring in their hogs anytime between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Another big event, and new to the Menudo Bowl, is an “America’s Next Top Model” casting call, which begins at noon. For details, see accompanying story. And — as always — there will be plenty of live music. Groups performing this year include La Juventad, Zenzible, Elizabeth, Los Conkistadores, Ricky Ruiz y Los Escorpiones, Inalcansable,
Ernie Martinez y Conjunto Laredo, Cisma and Los Garza Jr. With an entry fee of $3 for adults and free admission for children 12 and younger, Leyendecker pointed out that an afternoon at Menudo Bowl can be a fiscally responsible choice for entertainment in this unstable economy. “You can’t even go to the movies for $3,” she said. About 8,000 tripe enthusiasts made the trek out to the festival last year, and this year, organizers are expecting even more, Leyendecker said. They aim to bring in at least $38,000 to cover awards for an influx of tips. “All proceeds from benefit Crime Stoppers, which in turn benefits the community as a whole,” Leyendecker said. (Kirsten Crow may be reached at 728-2543 or by e-mail at kirsten@lmtonline.com)
Zentertainment
SATURDAY,JANUARY 31,2009
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
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‘Constitution’ play to premiere LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Courtesy photo
Members of Step Afrika perform in a variety of costumes during their one-hour performance, each depicting the styles integrated into the traditional dance form of step. From modern and jazz-tap to African-based Zulu and gumboot, the dancers not only embrace both American traditions of past and present, but also those of Africa.
Dance troupe honors tradition By KIRSTEN CROW LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Step Afrika embraces more than the tradition of stepping, said Brian Williams, executive director and founder of the critically acclaimed dance troupe. It also incorporates other dance forms, from modern and jazz-tap to gumboot and Zulu as well, making for a performance unlike any other on tour today. “When you go to a Step Afrika performance, it’s not like a standard step show,” he said. “(We focus) on the coolness of stepping versus the spectacle of the performance.” Another distinctive feature of the company is the integration of men and women’s participation in the performances, bucking the typical separation of the sexes, Williams added. The first professional company in the world dedicated to the art form, Step Afrika travels national and international stages with an elite set of six to eight talented dancers to learn, teach, perform and act as ambassadors, Williams said. Steeped in tradition, stepping has evolved from more than an art practiced by historically black fraternities and sororities on college campuses —- it’s begun to permeate historically Asian and Latino Greek letter organizations as well, and has saturated pop culture in a variety of ways, including mainstream films like “Stomp the Yard.” Described by Williams as a “percussion dance form created by dance students that became
ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFS SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Hardly Haggard Country music legend Merle Haggard will perform at the Laredo Entertainment Center on Tuesday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $12, $22, $32 and $42, and go on sale Sunday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the LEC box office. They will also be available at all Ticketmaster outlets and on Ticketmaster.com. Presented by Guerra Communications/Big Buck Country 98.1 and the LEC, Haggard won a spot in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1994 and has had more than 40 No. 1 singles.
Ready for wrestling? WWE Raw and ECW’s “Road to Wrestlemania” tour will make a stop at the Laredo Entertainment Center for 12 rounds of noholds-barred entertainment at 7:30 p.m. on March 28. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. today for $45, $30, $20 and $15. They will be available at the LEC box office, all Ticketmaster outlets and by phone at 712-1566.
Subscribe to LMT at 728-2550
“The roots are really in the early 1900s, when African-Americans really began to enter the college system.” BRIAN WILLIAMS
In past years, George Washington has made an appearance in more than one way, including the stage, during the Washington’s Birthday Celebration. However, this year, the father of the country is set to make an appearance, along with two of his famous compadres — Thomas Jefferson and James Madison — in the world premiere of an original one-act play by the American Historical Theatre, “The Constitution Behind Closed Doors.” Scheduled for 7 p.m. Feb. 11 at the Texas A&M International University Center for Fine and Performing Arts, the play is sponsored by the WBCA, individual benefactors, TAMIU and Laredo Morning Times. Written by William A. Sommerfield, the play depicts the three characters as they form the Constitution in negotiations shielded from the public eye. Toni Ruiz, a sponsor of the show, said the intention was to “bring history back to the celebration.” “It talks about how the lives of these three men — Washington, Jefferson, Madison — interwound, (and) the creation of the Constitution,” she said. “(It’s)
Courtesy photo
Actor Ian Rose will portray James Madison in the American Historical Theatre’s world premiere of its original play,“The Constitution Behind Closed Doors,” at Texas A&M International University’s Center for Fine and Performing Arts on Feb. 11. what happened behind closed doors, the reality of the Constitution.” In addition to the performance, the occasion will also serve to announce the LMT and Jefferson Awards for Public Service’s 2009 Jefferson Award honoree, handed out annually to an individual who has made a difference in the community. For free tickets to this performance, fill out the coupon located within Laredo Morning
‘Taken’ on a guilty-pleasure ride By CHRISTY LEMIRE
members of fraternities and sororities,” the form incorporates choreographed movements that combine dance to the beat of rhythmic kicks, slaps and claps, essentially using the body as an instrument. “The roots are really in the early 1900s, when African-Americans really began to enter the college system,” he said. “But it’s important to note that when African-Americans got on campus in the early 1900s, they were allowed on campus, but not the broader student life … and as a result, they created their own.” He was quick to note, however, that stepping is only one aspect of the Greek life. “Studying came first, then stepping,” Williams said. “After class or a late-night study session, we’d go into vacant classrooms to practice stepping. It’s an outgrowth of student life, and it’s amazing to see where it’s gone since the beginning.” As a part of the merger between various dance styles and stepping, there are about four to five costume changes during each hourlong performance, with dress changing from “what you might see students stepping in on college campuses” to traditional cos-
tumes purchased in South Africa, Williams said. According to Steve Treviño, Laredo Community College public information specialist, Wednesday’s performance very well could be the first of its kind in the Gateway City. “We hope people will not only come to watch and have fun, but also to learn how to step with us,” Williams said. “We don’t just want to perform, we also want to teach something and learn something from the process.” And one other thing: This isn’t a formal occasion, Williams said. “This is not the ballet,” he said. “We don’t want you to be quiet. We want you to be loud, and as a result, we’ll be able to give Laredo a lot more.” For more information on Step Afrika, visit www.stepafrika.org/home.htm, or to catch a glimpse of a performance, visit You Tube and search “Step Afrika.” Carmen Ramirez - Rathmell, D.D.S.
“Let your smile be a sign of happiness & good health”
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Times, along with a self-addressed envelope, and send to Laredo Morning Times, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX, 78041, or visit www.lmtonline.com/front and fill out the online coupon, located at the link at the top of the home page. A total of four tickets may be requested. Ticketholders must be seated by 6:45 p.m. for the 7 p.m. performance or the seat will be given to the general public.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
A great deal of the allure in “Taken” comes from the wild juxtaposition of its premise: the idea of Liam Neeson — esteemed, acclaimed, 56-yearold Liam Neeson — kicking all kinds of butt in a Euro B-revenge thriller. Yes, Pierre Morel’s film moves with breathlessly incessant fluidity and speed; that’s a given from the director of “District B13,” working from a script co-written by Luc Besson, for whom this sort of trashy adventure is his baguette and butter. Neeson seems to be having a blast unleashing chaos as former CIA operative Bryan Mills. Bryan’s been trying to live a quiet life in Los Angeles,
where he’s moved to be closer to his 17-year-old daughter, Kim (Maggie Grace), whom he neglected for years while he was tracking baddies around the globe. But when Kim gets kidnapped while on vacation with a girlfriend in Paris, Bryan must dash over there to prevent a group of Albanian goons from selling her into sex slavery. It’s all sordid and unseemly, but if you can get past that, “Taken” is also unexpectedly fun in a guilty-pleasure sort of way. “Taken” is rated PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, disturbing thematic material, sexual content, some drug references and language. It is playing at Cinemark Mall Del Norte and Hollywood Theaters.
ZFrontera AGENDAEN BREVE Cultura
LAREDO — La U.S.Air Force Band of the West se presenta el sábado 31 de enero a las 7 p.m. en el Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de Texas A&M International University. El evento es patrocinado por TAMIU y Laredo Morning Times. La entrada es gratuita, pero se requiere presentar boleto. LAREDO — El Organ Recital Series 2008/2009 de Texas A&M International University continúa con una presentación por el organista Dr. Bradley Welch, el domingo 1 de febrero a las 4 p.m. en el Center for the Fine and Performing Art Recital Hall. El evento es gratuito y abierto al público. Más información llamando al 326-2654 ó escribiendo a bleyendecker@tamiu.edu. LAREDO — El evento anual de recabación de fondos Wine Tasting Gala del Boys & Girls Club of Laredo es el sábado 7 de febrero, a partir de las 8 p.m. en Paseo Real, detrás del Laredo Entertainment Center.Más información llamando al 723-1051.
Deportes
LAREDO — El sábado 31 de enero salen a la venta los boletos para uno de los eventos más esperados del año: WWE Raw/ECW‘Road to WrestleMania’ que se celebrará el sábado 28 de marzo a partir de las 7:30 p.m. en LEC. Los boletos salen a la venta a las 10 a.m.con precios que varían desde los 15, 20, 30 y 45 dólares. Podrá adquirirlos en la taquilla del LEC, en los Ticketmaster y en el teléfono (956) 712-1566. LAREDO — El Laredo Chess Players Association patrocina el sexto torneo anual de ajedrez el sábado 31 de enero en Trautmann Middle School, 8501 Curly Lane. La cuota de entrada es de 8 dólares. El pre-registro será a las 8:30 a.m. el día del torneo. Habrá trofeos y medallas para los ganadores. LAREDO — El equipo de hockey, los Laredo Bucks, tienen programado recibir a los Corpus Christi IceRays el sábado 31 de enero en el LEC a a las 7:30 p.m. LAREDO — El sábado 31 de enero el béisbol intercolegial entra a la acción con el primer juego de Palominos del Laredo Community College contra Ranger College, en un doble encuentro fuera de conferencia, a las 12 p.m. en el Crispin “Doc”Sanchez Field en el Campus Fort McIntosh de LCC. Otro doble encuentro será el domingo 1 de febrero a las 10 a.m. La entrada es gratuita y abierta al público en general. LAREDO — La octava carerra de 5 km y caminata de 1.5 millas anual de San Juan Bosco será el sábado 31 de enero a las 9 a.m. Los participantes ya pueden inscribirse ó bien el día del evento.Las cuotas de entrada son de 10 dólares para corredores y 5 dólares para caminadores. Todos los participantes recibirán una camiseta. Los tres primeros de cada división recibirán un trofeo. Las hojas para suscribirse se encuentran en San Luis Rey Church, 3502 Sanders. Las ganancias se destinarán a beneficiencias locales.
Entretenimiento
LAREDO — El 14to evento anual de Crime Stoppers Menudo Bowl es el sábado 31 de enero en terrenos del Laredo International Fair & Exposition Downs, sobre la U.S. 59, de 11 a.m. a 7 p.m. La entrada es de 3 dólares por adulto. Niños menores de 12 años entran gratis. LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de Texas A&M International University, explorando el sábado 31 de enero,“Black Holes” a las 5 p.m.; “Seven Wonders” a las 6 p.m. y“U2: A Digital Dome Experience” a las 7 p.m. La entrada general es de 5 dólares; los niños, estudiantes, personal y ex alumnos de TAMIU pagan 4 dólares. Más información llamando 326-2444. LAREDO — El lunes 9 de febrero es la presentación de la producción CATS dentro del programa de evento “Broadway in Laredo”. El evento está programado para las 7:30 p.m. El WBCAYouth Dance Festival es el sábado 7 de febrero de 2 p.m. a 5 p.m. en el Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de TAMIU. La entrada es gratuita, pero puede adquirir boletos en Laredo Morning Times. Se requiere traje casual. LAREDO — La Noche de Cabaret de los LULAC Concilio 7 es el sábado 7 de febrero de 7 p.m. a 1 a.m. en el Laredo Civic Center Ballroom. Se entregará reconocimiento a Fernando A. Salinas. El costo es de 17.50 dólares por persona, con la mesa para 10 en 175 dólares. Se requiere traje semi-formal.
Para informar acerca de eventos y actividades envíe el nombre, fecha, hora y dirección, y un número de contacto a tiempo@lmtonline.com
SÁBADO 31 DE ENERO DE 2009
EN INTERNET: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
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Anuncian obras a ejecutarse este año Por MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
NUEVO LAREDO — El Cabildo de Nuevo Laredo aprobó el miércoles un presupuesto de 1,559 millones de pesos para el programa de Obra Pública del 2009. La propuesta destaca los rubros de educación, salud, recreación y deportes. Igualmente en la sesión de cabildo se anunció la construcción de 500 viviendas de interés social, bajo un programa federal, se tomó juramento a un nuevo regidor, y se negó un incremento a las tarifas a la empresa colectora de basura doméstica de la ciudad.
Presupuesto El Secretario de Obras Públicas, Mario Salinas Falcón, expuso 40 puntos de su agenda en proyectos de infraestructura que han planeado para la ciudad. Destaca la inversión de 350 millones de pesos para la segunda parte del Bulevar Colosio, hacia el oeste, que iniciara del Puente las Américas y entroncará a la Carretera Anáhuac y Piedras Negras.
“En este proyecto la Comisión Nacional del Deporte, CONDE aportó 50 millones de pesos”. SECRETARIO DE OBRAR PUBLICAS MARIO SALINAS FALCÓN
Se iniciará la Radial III, que en la primera etapa contempla pasos a desnivel con inversión de 197 millones de pesos; así como el proyecto estratégico III, en el distribuidor de la Avenida Reforma, que entronca al sur de la ciudad, en Avenida César López de Lara y Municipio Libre, donde se invertirán 169 millones de pesos. También iniciará la construcción del Bulevar Aeropuerto en su primera etapa, que contempla la ampliación de ocho carriles en 5.1 kilómetros, del Puente Colosio hasta la Radial III, al oeste de la ciudad. Salinas Falcón dijo que se asignarán 30 millones de pesos para la supervisión de obras, donde la inversión total es de 651 millones de pesos. En cuestión del deporte, se anunció la construcción de un estadio de alto rendimiento con una
primera etapa para 8,500 espectadores. La obra en general incluye cancha de fútbol, pabellón de artes de combate, así como de atletismo. “En este proyecto la Comisión Nacional del Deporte, CONDE aportó 50 millones de pesos, el gobierno y estado aportaran 80 millones para concluir el proyecto”, dijo Salinas Falcón. Cuando el estadio de alto rendimiento quede concluido en su segunda etapa, tendrá espacio para 25 mil espectadores. En infraestructura educativa se invertirán 40 millones de pesos, que incluye una nueva secundaria en el Fraccionamiento Colonias del Sur, una escuela Preparatoria en el poniente, y la firma de un un convenio con la Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas para su biblioteca.
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Nuevo Laredo
El Secretario de Obras Públicas, Mario Salinas Falcón, de pie ante el micrófono, explica al Cabildo de Nuevo Laredo en pleno, la forma de distribución del presupuesto de obras públicas este año, el 28 de enero en la Sala de Cabildo.
PRI: Es Zamora Por MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Nuevo Laredo
El director del Archivo Histórico Municipal, Manuel Ceballos Ramírez muestra documentos que resguardan el pasado de Nuevo Laredo. El Archivo está celebrando 20 años de haberse creado.
Archivo celebra 20 Aniversario ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
NUEVO LAREDO — El 27 de enero se cumplieron 20 años de la creación del Archivo Histórico Municipal y para celebrar este acontecimiento el jueves 11 de febrero el gobierno municipal presentará una exposición con la historia de ese espacio de consulta que resguarda la memoria escrita y fotográfica de la fundación de Nuevo Laredo. También habrá un coloquio denominado ‘Nuevo Laredo en los Archivos Regionales’, en el que participarán directores de Archivos de Coahuila, Tamaulipas, Nuevo León, del Archivo General de la Nación y de Laredo, Texas. Entre los documentos más relevantes el Archivo Histórico Municipal cuenta con el manuscrito original de Juan E. Richer, una reseña de lo ocurrido en la ciudad de 1848 a 1886. Su importancia no sólo radica en la descripción de la primera parte de la historia de la ciudad desde su refundación, sino por ser el único documento que da cuenta documental de ese periodo. Otro expediente importante es un Registro de Fierros de 1886, un libro en el que se registran las marcas para el ganado. También se cuenta con un libro de actas de Cabildo de 1913, importante por su antigüedad y
porque en él está plasmada la vida de Nuevo Laredo durante la Revolución Mexicana. El Archivo Histórico Municipal fue fundado un 27 de enero de 1989 por iniciativa del historiador Manuel Ignacio Salinas Domínguez. Actualmente su director es Manuel Ceballos Ramírez, quien también es el historiador oficial de la ciudad. De 1989 a 2003 operó en lo que fue la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores. Posteriormente fue instalado donde se ubica la actual oficina de regidores, en la planta baja de presidencia municipal. En octubre del 2003 los documentos fueron trasladados a la Antigua Estación de Ferrocarril, que data de 1918. Como iniciativa de diversas asociaciones y grupos culturales, el 25 de septiembre del 2001 se le otorgó el nombre de ‘Juan E. Richer’, destacado servidor público a quien se le debe la primera historia escrita de Nuevo Laredo y la Frontera Norte. Este espacio se encuentra en la Avenida César López Lara y Arteaga, en el conocido como Sector Aduana. Actualmente cuenta con fototeca, mapoteca, sala de proyecciones, área de consulta, área de exposiciones temporales, museo de sitio con objetos, fotografías y documentos alusivos a la historia del ferrocarril en Nuevo Laredo.
NUEVO LAREDO — Cristabel Zamora Cabrera solicitó licencia indefinida al Cabildo de Nuevo Laredo para separarse de su cargo de regidora dentro del Ayuntamiento el pasado 23 de enero, para contender por la candidatura a la Diputación Federal por el Primer Distrito de Tamauilipas. Zamora viajó a Ciudad Victoria el 26 de enero donde entregó al Presidente de la Comisión Estatal de Procesos del Partido Revolucionario Institucional la documentación para su registro. La acompañaron, además de simpatizantes, el presidente del comité municipal del PRI de Nuevo Laredo, Ramiro Ramos y el dirigente de colonias Arnulfo Tejada Lara, coordinaron a los contingentes de Nuevo Laredo y la frontera chica que acudieron al acto priísta; además del Delegado Político del PRI en Nuevo Laredo Libaldo Garza Moreno. El Primer Distrito comprende desde Nuevo Laredo, hasta Camargo, pasando por Guerrero, Mier y Miguel Alemán. En un acto desarrollado el 24 de enero en Nuevo Laredo, los sectores del PRI apoyaron la nominación de Zamora, y dijeron que trabajarán para que en la Convención de Delegados del PRI se confirme su candidatura, dijo Francisco Martínez Cortéz, secretario general de la Federación de Trabajadores de Nuevo Laredo (CTM). Garza dijo que Zamora es la única mujer en los ocho distritos electorales que figura para esta pre-candidatura. “No voy a adelantarme a los eventos de mi partido. Seguiremos las nuevas reglas. A partir del primero de febrero iniciaremos nuestra pre-campaña para llegar a la convención”, dijo Zamora. “Es un gran reto, envuelto con emociones, pero sabremos responder a nuestro partido con trabajo y dedicación a nuestras labores”. Ramos Salinas dijo que la fi-
CRISTABEL ZAMORA esta que se reflejó el sábado en las instalaciones del PRI es el símbolo de la unidad y la militancia donde el territorio reconocen en Cristabel a la persona institucional y de trabajo, lucha y propuesta. “Los priístas hemos seleccionado bien, vamos con ánimos y propuestas que llevarán al triunfo a Cristabel”, dijo Ramos Salinas. Los tiempos de política se manejarán con la pre-campaña del 31 de enero al 11 de marzo. Del 14 al 27 marzo se celebrará la convención de delegados para elegir al candidato, el registro constitucional se hará el 17 de abril y la campaña constitucional de mayo a junio. Las elecciones son el 5 de julio.
Nuevo regidor En reunión de cabildo de Nuevo Laredo, el 28 de enero, se tomó protesta como Regidor Suplente a Ernesto Saldaña, para que ocupe la silla de Zamora. Saldaña es estudiante de la Facultad de Comercio, Administración y Ciencias Sociales de la UAT. (Puede localizar a Miguel Timoshenkov llamando al (956) 728-2583 o escribiendo a timo1@lmtonline.com)
Módulo del IFE recorre frontera TAMAULIPAS: FUNCIONARIO ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
MIGUEL ALEMÁN — La Secretaria del Ayuntamiento, María Analí Ramírez Moya informó las fechas en que el módulo del IFE podrá atender a la ciudadanía en la actualización y reposición de la credencial de elector. El módulo del IFE estará RAMÍREZ recorriendo los distritos que tienen sede en Nuevo Laredo, el cual cubre en la región ribereña en los municipios de Camargo, Miguel Alemán; Mier y Nueva Ciudad Guerrero. Del 19 al 29 de enero estuvo en el municipio de Camargo; desde el 30 de enero hasta el 3 de febrero
“ ... Sin ella no podrán participar en las elecciones constitucionales de este año”. SERCRETARIA DEL AYUNTAMIENTO MARIA ANALÍ RAMÍREZ MOYA
estará en Nueva Ciudad Guerrero; del 4 al 9 de febrero en el municipio de Mier y finalmente del 10 al 27 de febrero en Miguel Alemán. “Las personas que tengan sus credencial 03 podrán solicitar su actualización ya que sin ella no podrán participar en las elecciones constitucionales de este año”, dijo Ramírez Moya. Los interesados deben presentar tres requisitos indispensables: Acta de Nacimiento, Comprobante de domicilio (el cual debe ser el mismo que aparece en la
credencial), credencial con fotografía (licencia de manejo, la mima credencial de elector, cartilla militar (si es hombre), tarjeta del seguro social ó ISSSTE, certificado escolar o credencial de la escuela). “Aquí es importante destacar que sólo podrán realizar estos movimientos las personas que tengan su credencial vencida (03) o que la hayan extraviado, por lo que queda descartado la tramitación para nuevas solicitudes”, aclaró Ramírez Moya.
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
El Gobernador del Estado,Eugenio Hernández Flores,a la derecha,hizo entrega del nombramiento como nuevo Secretario de Salud en Tamaulipas, a Juan Guillermo Manzur Arzola, el 25 de enero, en Casa de Gobierno. Fue en las oficinas de la Secretaría de Salud, donde correspondió al Secretario General de Gobierno Antonio Martínez Torres, dar posesión a Manzur Arzola como titular de esta dependencia.
Zbusiness
SATURDAY,JANUARY 31,2009
MAURO GUTIERREZ
ZAPATA, Texas — Mauro Gutierrez, a long life resident of Zapata, Texas, passed away unexpectedly at his residence in Laredo, Texas, of natural causes Jan. 25, 2009, at the age of 82. He was one of 12 siblings, and he was preceded in death by his loving father, Benigno Gutierrez, and his loving mother, Emilia Flores Gutierrez; his brothers:
1-25-09 Roberto Gutierrez, Ricardo Gutierrez, Israel Gutierrez, Benigno Gutierrez Sr., Armando Gutierrez, Raul Gutierrez, Cesar Gutierrez Sr., (Eva Uribe Gutierrez) and Maurilio Gutierrez (Graciela Gutierrez); and his loving sisters, Herlinda Gutierrez (Fernando Vela). Mauro is survived by his sister Elodia Gutierrez; sisters-in-law, Graciela Gutierrez and Eva Uribe Gutierrez; and numerous nieces and nephews. Upon his moving to Laredo, along with his sister, Elodia Gutierrez, he spent his last joyous years under the care of his favorite niece, Gigi G. Peña. He was often seen with his caring niece all over town, especially at Danny’s Restaurant, where he enjoyed listening to the music every weekend. The pallbearers are Jose Maria Gutierrez, Ruben Gutierrez Sr., Ray Peña Jr., Israel Gutierrez Jr., Luis Ramirez and Ruben Gutierrez Jr. Honorary pallbearers are Ce-
sar Gutierrez Jr., Benigno Gutierrez Jr. and Roberto Gutierrez. Visitation hours were held Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2009, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. On Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, we will open at 8 a.m. The funeral procession will depart Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2009, at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services will follow at Zapata County Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rosegardenfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, Funeral Director, 2102 U.S. 83 Zapata, Texas.
CONOCOPHILLIPS | Continued from Page 1A “The drilling rigs are one indication that you can tell in terms of direct jobs out in the field,” Castañeda said. Texas contains about 47 percent of the United States’ land-based oilrigs. The average rig count in Texas was 693 on Jan. 16, according to the Rail Road Commission. The community college intends to start a pro-
gram to educate college students about jobs in the field of oil and natural gas. “This downturn might be temporary for oil and gas,” Castañeda said. “When you begin to see the pricing of the commodity, I don’t think it’s going to go down. I think it’s going to go back up. We’re on the right track to make sure that we provide an efficient workforce for this industry.”
PROGRAM | Continued from Page 1A counties with design issues,” said Susan Begley-Broeksmit, NEA design specialist. Begley-Broeksmit said the NEA chose Zapata after holding a judged competition, where a total of four cities were selected to hold design workshops over three days. Zapata was eligible only after submitting a proposal for its ideas as far as the overall design for the community. Zapata had a “good vision for the community,” said BegleyBroeksmit, which helped sway the judgement in the city’s favor. These workshops were designed to educate community leaders in order to ensure the minimization of the risk posed by large-scale changes in the national economy. Zapata believes that in troubled waters, a rural community struggles to maintain its unique identity and vitality, and with the help of the NEA, will be able to reinforce unique characteristics with a modern, humanist twist. In several rural areas, BegleyBroeksmit said developers are often brought in to for their creative ideas for the town; however, the opinion of residents is much too often overlooked. Through these workshops, the NEA hopes to teach locals the basics of design and hope to have a positive impact on the community. “Your town tries to help the
community present its own ideas,” added Begley-Broeksmit. “How a community looks and functions, and the presence of community character are critical to people’s willingness to invest in that community,” said Peggy Umphres-Moffett, president of the Zapata County Economic Development Center. “Every community has choices about how they look and function - if you don’t care then you’ll compete to the bottom.” The NEA believes through these workshops, the citizens of Zapata will form a greater appreciation for the role design plays, and how innovative problem solving will change the dynamics of the community itself. With this renewed appreciation for design, the NEA hopes to stimulate productivity and tourism through orderly development as well as preserving historic and natural resources. “We have a dedicated team of professionals working very hard to develop Zapata’s economy,” said Rosalva Guerra, Zapata county judge, “this is so important to our ability to develop effective solutions. This is major and significant recognition for the County of Zapata. For years the residents, business, government, and civic leaders of Zapata have been working in concert to achieve an environment conducive to economic development and investment.”
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TOURNAMENT | Continued from Page 1A
OBITUARIES 2-2-27
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Zapata believes community support and public opinion is essential in order to achieve this level of success, and so is inviting those interested to join the discussion Thursday. The event will take place at the commissioner’s courthouse with special guest speaker, Jeff Speck, starting at 7 p.m. Speck is the author of “Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream,” and the former director of design for the National Endowment for the Arts. According to Umphres-Moffett, “the workshop gives (Zapata) the ability to bring in experts and professionals with their specific area of expertise that we wouldn’t have access to otherwise,” she said. “What we are trying to do is re-establish our identity as a county specifically (in) planning for our growth that we are expecting today and for our future,” Umphres-Moffett said. “Its about choices and we have an opportunity to make some very wise choices that will gives a very (competitive) advantage,” she added. Begley-Broeksmit said she had high hope for the level of community participation and hopes that the NEA has a “positive influence on how they view their community.” (Erika Lambreton can be reached at 728-2567 or e-mail erika@lmtonline.com.)
out of $50 tickets for the raffle he said. Ramirez thanked all the event’s sponsors. About 50 volunteers from International Bank of Commerce will take part as well, he said. Registration begins at 7:30 at the Rancho Ramirez on Airport Road. The morning shoot will
begin at 9 a.m. and the afternoon shoot at about 12:30 p.m. The cooking competition will be at noon, and prizes will be awarded in the afternoon. (Jason Buch may be reached at 728-2547 or jbuch@lmtonline.com)
PEANUT | Continued from Page 1A The seizure was the FDA’s first hint that peanut products were being processed at the Georgia plant. At the FDA’s request, Georgia state inspectors visited the plant on June 10 searching for the source of metal fragments. State inspectors visited again in late October, records show. Neither inspection looked for salmonella. A few weeks later, federal health officials saw
the first signs of a salmonella outbreak. But it took more investigation to identify peanut products as the cause, and the public wasn’t alerted until early this month. The June inspection focused only on the metalfragment issue discovered in the shipment to Canada, said Domenic Veneziano, director of import operations and policy for the FDA’s Office of Regulatory Affairs.
10A | THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2009
The Zapata Times SATURDAY,JANUARY 31,2009
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors No relaxing yet for Hawks
King, Mata lead team By CLARA SANDOVAL SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The Zapata girls’ basketball team is experiencing growing pains that come with a new district and new competition. With two seniors on the roster, Coach Clyde Guerra Jr. has had to turn to his underclassmen to help the Lady Hawks continue the winning tradition. Sophomores Brandi King and Selina Mata have been a steady force for the Lady Hawks throughout the season. As a freshman, King was thrown into the fire of varsity sports and had to mature quickly in order to make an impact for
By NINO CARDENAS the Lady Hawks. She was part of the historymaking team that made it to the area championship game. “Playing on the varsity as a freshman was an experience to remember because of the playoffs, and I also got to play with my sister Lauren, who was a senior,” King said. King, 5-feet-6-inches tall, is a phenomenal athlete that plays the starting post for the Lady Hawks. She has an incredible vertical leap, can clean up the boards and score at will when she gets into the zone.
See LEAD | PAGE 2B
LAREDO MORNING TIMES
Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times
Zapata sophomores Selina Mata, left, and Brandi King have been pivotal to the team’s winning tradition of late.
The Zapata Hawks boys basketball team knows it can’t relax just yet, despite its fast start in District 32-3A. The Hawks’ 6-2 record is great and all, but they still trail Hidalgo (7-0) and Rio Hondo (5-2), and La Feria (4-3) is right behind them. La Feria picked up a key win on Tuesday with a 60-49 victory over Zapata, serving notice there are no picnics when it comes to district games. “We didn’t look like we had our legs under us. We played too relaxed,” Zapata coach Juan Villarreal said. The second round makes or breaks the Hawks, and if they can continue playing strong ball, then they should be among the three teams that extend
their season into the playoffs. From the beginning, Villarreal has said every single game would be a dogfight, and he sees no reason for it to change now. “I told them that we couldn’t lose at home, and we had to steal a few games on the road … that way we can make the playoffs, and if we’re lucky, win a district championship,” Villarreal said. Villarreal is hoping his kids keep up their level of play. “Trying to keep the kids fresh and interested in practice is the hardest part. Hopefully they still have the urge to keep playing and winning,” Villarreal said. The Hawks host Port Isabel and travel to Progresso before taking on what
See HAWKS | PAGE 2B
Whisenhunt leads READY FOR THE BOWL Cards out of the desert By BOB BAUM ASSOCIATED PRESS
TAMPA, Fla. — Ken Whisenhunt believes in paying attention to detail, whether it’s in his smooth golf swing or in his meticulous transformation of an awful NFL franchise. Honing in on those “little things” and staying consistent with everything and everybody were major tools in Whisenhunt’s exorcism of bad football in the desert. Oh, and one more thing. “He’s a tough guy,” safety Adrian Wilson said. That combination fueled his nine-year journeyman career as a tight end with Atlanta, Washington and the New York Jets. It served him well in his rise through the coaching ranks, first with Vanderbilt, then to Baltimore, Cleveland, the Jets and finally as offensive coordinator of Super Bowl champ Pittsburgh three years ago.
Problem solving His degree in civil engineering from Georgia Tech taught him problem solving, and he’s applied that knowledge to football. “Even though there’s not a lot of mathematical equations in football,” Whisenhunt said Friday in his last news conference before Sunday’s Super Bowl, “there are a lot of problems that you are going to have to solve.” As a player and an assistant coach he took copious notes, jotting down the philosophies and ideas of the likes of Joe Gibbs, Dan Henning, and probably most of all, Bill Cowher. “I told coach Cowher that I have notebooks with little tabs in there from when he spoke before the championship game, when he spoke before the Super Bowl, when he spoke at mini-camp meeting, all of those things,” Whisenhunt said. “I’d go back and look at those things and get ideas of where he was and what he was thinking about.”
Super Bowl matchup Now Whisenhunt has performed the amazing feat of leading the Cardinals to a Super Bowl matchup Sunday against the Steelers, the team that passed him over as Cowher’s replacement two years ago. Instead, Whisenhunt moved his wife and two teenage children to the Arizona sunshine, where he had been assured that this was a new, modernized Cardinal organization, playing in a fancy new stadium with an already talented roster. “I didn’t look at it as far as history goes because I didn’t think it really had anything to do with what we were trying to get done,” he said.
Photo by Ross D. Franklin | AP
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner, left, puts his helmet on as offensive coordinator Todd Haley gathers the offense during morning football practice Friday, in Tampa, Fla. Ignoring the history was a good idea. The Cardinals had been historically awful, with one winning season in 22 years. This was a franchise that had forgotten how to win, if it really ever knew. He set about bringing a bit of Pittsburgh to the Southwest. Photo by David J. Phillip | AP
An idea
Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin poses with the Vince Lombardi trophy during a news conference for NFL football Super Bowl XLIII on Friday, in Tampa, Fla.The Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII on Sunday.
Working for the Steelers, he said, “gave me an idea of what it took to be successful.” “I believe we brought a lot of that with us from the standpoint of how we prepare, how we practice, what we expect of our players,” Whisenhunt said. That consistency did not go unnoticed by Wilson, who has spent all eight of his NFL seasons with Arizona, the longest of any player on the team’s roster. “He doesn’t waver in any decision that he makes,” Wilson said. “That’s all you can ask for as a player. When you have people who are on both sides of the fence, it’s hard to read them. It’s not hard to read coach Whisenhunt.”
See WHISENHUNT | PAGE 2B
Big game doesn’t slow Tomlin By ALAN ROBINSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
AMPA, Fla. — Mike Tomlin is always going somewhere in a hurry. No matter the role — childhood sprint king in Newport News, Va., speed reader, honor student, pizza delivery man, star wide receiver at William & Mary, or football coach with planning notebooks that go back to the first day of his first job — Tomlin doesn’t know
T
the concept of slowing down. Not with another paper to write. Pass to catch. “A” to earn. Job to interview for. Practice to run. Player to motivate. Child to raise. Hug to give. Game to win. Tomlin briefly considered law school after college, mostly because his mother wanted him to, but coaching has consumed him since his playing days ended.
See BOWL | PAGE 2B
NC State’s Yow affirms faith in funeral video By AARON BEARD ASSOCIATED PRESS
CARY, N.C. — Kay Yow didn’t ask one of her famous friends to speak at her funeral. Instead, the longtime North Carolina State women’s basketball coach had a message for them. “And now I say farewell,” Yow said. “And it’s been a wonderful journey, especially since the time I accepted Jesus as my lord and savior.” In a 25-minute video played to hun-
dreds of fans and colleagues who gathered for Yow’s funeral on Friday at a suburban Raleigh church, she thanked the legion of supporters who guided her through a twodecade fight with breast YOW cancer and recounted with passion her deep Christian faith. “It has changed my life,” Yow said. “It has changed the life of every person who
has accepted him.” Yow’s message highlighted a moving 90-minute memorial that drew more than 1,400 mourners. The list included Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, who called Yow’s taped message “amazing.” “I have never known of a service like this,” Summitt said afterward. “And it would be just like Kay to be the absolute first.” Yow was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987, yet went on to lead the U.S. Olympic team to the gold medal the next year. She won more than 700 games in
her career and was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 2002. For many, Yow was best known for her unwavering resolve while fighting cancer, which recurred during the 200405 season and had lingered in the years since. She raised awareness and money for research while staying with her team through the debilitating effects of the disease and chemotherapy. She had to take a four-game leave in December due to what was described as extremely low energy. She announced
shortly after the new year that she would not return this season. She soon entered a hospital for treatment and spent about a week there before she died last weekend. She was 66. “Her battle with breast cancer was never about herself,” said Megan Smith, who works with the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer fund in Atlanta, before the funeral. “She was such a courageous and humble person at the same time.”
See YOW | PAGE 2B
Zscores CHL NORTHERN CONFERENCE Northeast Division W L OTL Pts GF GA Bossier-Shreveport25 13 3 53 128 114 Oklahoma City 24 11 5 53 127 94 Mississippi 25 14 1 51 137 104 Tulsa 11 24 5 27 105 177 Northwest Division W L OTL Pts GF GA Colorado 32 6 2 66 180 120 Rocky Mountain 22 18 4 48 140 143 Rapid City 14 20 7 35 116 147 Wichita 14 25 2 30 105 131 SOUTHERN CONFERENCE Southeast Division W L OTL Pts GF GA Texas 28 10 4 60 149 114 Laredo 23 13 4 50 137 116 Rio Grande Valley19 18 4 42 140 137 Corpus Christi 17 20 4 38 126 141 Southwest Division W L OTL Pts GF GA Odessa 29 10 3 61 176 121 Arizona 18 21 3 39 146 166 New Mexico 15 24 2 32 140 169 Amarillo 11 26 1 23 109 167 NOTE: Two points are awarded for a win, one point for loss in overtime or shootout. Overtime or shootout losses are only denoted in the OTL column, not the loss column. Thursday’s Games Texas 4, Corpus Christi 2 Oklahoma City 6, Tulsa 0 Laredo 1, Rio Grande Valley 0 Friday’s Games Tulsa at Amarillo Rapid City at Bossier-Shreveport Corpus Christi at Odessa Mississippi at Texas Oklahoma City at Wichita Rio Grande Valley at Laredo Rocky Mountain at Arizona New Mexico at Colorado Saturday’s Games Oklahoma City at Amarillo Wichita at Bossier-Shreveport Rapid City at Mississippi Rio Grande Valley at Odessa Tulsa at Texas Corpus Christi at Laredo Rocky Mountain at Arizona New Mexico at Colorado
NFL Playoff Glance All Times EST Wild-card Playoffs Saturday, Jan. 3 Arizona 30, Atlanta 24 San Diego 23, Indianapolis 17, OT Sunday, Jan. 4 Baltimore 27, Miami 9 Philadelphia 26, Minnesota 14 Divisional Playoffs Saturday, Jan. 10 Baltimore 13, Tennessee 10 Arizona 33, Carolina 13 Sunday, Jan. 11 Philadelphia 23, N.Y. Giants 11 Pittsburgh 35, San Diego 24 Conference Championships Sunday, Jan. 18 NFC Arizona 32, Philadelphia 25 AFC Pittsburgh 23, Baltimore 14 Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 1 Tampa, Fla. Arizona vs. Pittsburgh, 6 p.m. (NBC) Pro Bowl Sunday, Feb. 8
At Honolulu AFC vs. NFC, 4:30 p.m. (NBC) Injury Report NEW YORK — The updated National Football League injury report for Super Bowl XLIII, as provided by the league: Sunday, Feb. 1 PITTSBURGH STEELERS vs. ARIZONA CARDINALS — STEELERS: PROBABLE: WR Hines Ward (knee). CARDINALS: PROBABLE: DE Antonio Smith (knee). QUESTIONABLE: RB J.J. Arrington (knee), P Ben Graham (left groin), DE Travis LaBoy (biceps).
NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic W L Pct GB Boston 38 9 .809 — Philadelphia 22 22 .500 14½ New York 20 25 .444 17 New Jersey 20 26 .435 17½ Toronto 19 28 .404 19 Southeast W L Pct GB Orlando 35 10 .778 — Atlanta 26 19 .578 9 Miami 25 19 .568 9½ Charlotte 19 27 .413 16½ Washington 9 36 .200 26 Central W L Pct GB Cleveland 35 9 .795 — Detroit 25 19 .568 10 Milwaukee 22 27 .449 15½ Chicago 19 27 .413 17 Indiana 18 28 .391 18 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest W L Pct GB 31 14 .689 — San Antonio New Orleans 28 14 .667 1½ Houston 28 19 .596 4 Dallas 26 19 .578 5 Memphis 11 34 .244 20 Northwest W L Pct GB Denver 30 16 .652 — Portland 28 17 .622 1½ Utah 25 21 .543 5 Minnesota 16 28 .364 13 Oklahoma City 11 35 .239 19 Pacific W L Pct GB L.A. Lakers 35 9 .795 — Phoenix 25 19 .568 10 Golden State 14 32 .304 22 L.A. Clippers 10 35 .222 25½ Sacramento 10 37 .213 26½ Friday’s Games Miami at Indiana, 7 p.m. Milwaukee at Toronto, 7 p.m. Boston at Detroit, 7 p.m. Washington at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. New Jersey at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Charlotte at Denver, 9 p.m. Oklahoma City at Utah, 9 p.m. Golden State at New Orleans, 9:30 p.m. Chicago at Sacramento, 10 p.m. Saturday’s Games New York at Indiana, 7 p.m. New Jersey at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Dallas at Miami, 7:30 p.m. L.A. Lakers at Memphis, 8 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Washington, 8 p.m. Atlanta at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m. Golden State at Houston, 8:30 p.m. New Orleans at San Antonio, 8:30 p.m. Chicago at Phoenix, 9 p.m. Utah at Portland, 10 p.m.
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
SATURDAY,JANUARY 31,2009 NHL All Times EST EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L OT Pts GF GA New Jersey 31 15 3 65 153 122 N.Y. Rangers 29 17 4 62 132 133 Philadelphia 25 13 9 59 153 140 Pittsburgh 24 21 4 52 150 148 N.Y. Islanders 14 29 5 33 120 168 Northeast Division W L OT Pts GF GA Boston 35 8 6 76 174 112 Montreal 27 15 6 60 149 137 Buffalo 25 19 5 55 147 140 Toronto 18 23 8 44 144 178 Ottawa 17 22 7 41 112 134 Southeast Division W L OT Pts GF GA 30 15 4 64 155 141 Washington Florida 23 17 8 54 137 135 Carolina 24 21 5 53 126 147 Tampa Bay 17 22 10 44 128 151 Atlanta 17 28 5 39 148 179 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division W L OT Pts GF GA Detroit 31 10 7 69 177 140 Chicago 26 13 8 60 157 121 Columbus 23 20 5 51 132 135 Nashville 21 23 3 45 116 137 St. Louis 19 24 4 42 134 152 Northwest Division W L OT Pts GF GA 29 14 4 62 151 140 Calgary Edmonton 24 20 3 51 134 148 Minnesota 24 20 3 51 123 108 Vancouver 22 20 7 51 140 142 Colorado 23 25 1 47 135 150 Pacific Division W L OT Pts GF GA San Jose 36 6 5 77 165 108 Phoenix 24 21 5 53 129 148 Anaheim 24 22 5 53 145 143 Dallas 22 18 7 51 136 154 Los Angeles 20 20 7 47 122 133 Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss or shootout loss. Thursday’s Games New Jersey 4, Boston 3, OT Carolina 3, Tampa Bay 2 N.Y. Islanders 5, Atlanta 4 Florida 5, Montreal 1 Dallas 4, Detroit 2 Ottawa 3, St. Louis 1 Toronto 7, Colorado 4 San Jose 2, Phoenix 0 Los Angeles 5, Chicago 2 Friday’s Games Ottawa at Columbus, 7 p.m. Pittsburgh at New Jersey, 7 p.m. Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m. Minnesota at Edmonton, 9 p.m. Nashville at Calgary, 9 p.m. Saturday’s Games Detroit at Washington, 12:30 p.m. N.Y. Rangers at Boston, 1 p.m. Los Angeles at Montreal, 2 p.m. Anaheim at Colorado, 3 p.m. Dallas at Columbus, 7 p.m. Florida at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. Pittsburgh at Toronto, 7 p.m. Atlanta at Carolina, 8 p.m. Philadelphia at St. Louis, 8:30 p.m. Buffalo at Phoenix, 9 p.m. Minnesota at Vancouver, 10 p.m. Chicago at San Jose, 10:30 p.m. Sunday’s Games Ottawa at Washington, 12:30 p.m. Boston at Montreal, 2 p.m. Nashville at Edmonton, 8 p.m.
Tennis
Australian Open Results Friday At Melbourne Park Melbourne, Australia Purse: $15.44 million (Grand Slam) Surface: Hard-Outdoor Singles Men Semifinals Rafael Nadal (1), Spain, def. Fernando Verdasco (14), Spain, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (1), 6-4. Doubles Women Championship Serena/Venus Williams (10), U.S., def. Daniela Hantuchova, Slovakia/Ai Sugiyama (9), Japan, 6-3, 63. Mixed Semifinals Sania Mirza/Mahesh Bhupathi, India, def. Iveta Benesova/Lukas Dlouhy, Czech Republic, 6-4, 6-1.
NCAA Men’s Basketball Schedule All Times EST Saturday, Jan. 31 SOUTH Wake Forest at Georgia Tech, Noon West Virginia at Louisville, Noon Houston at Memphis, 1 p.m. Mississippi at Mississippi St., 1 p.m. Vanderbilt at Auburn, 2 p.m. MVSU at Jackson St., 2 p.m. South Carolina at Kentucky, 3 p.m. San Jose St. at Louisiana Tech, 3 p.m. Cent. Arkansas at Northwestern St., 3 p.m. Davidson at Samford, 3 p.m. New Orleans at South Alabama, 3 p.m. UCF at Tulane, 3 p.m. Belmont at Florida Gulf Coast, 3:15 p.m. Furman at Appalachian St., 3:30 p.m. Oral Roberts at Centenary, 3:30 p.m. North Carolina at N.C. State, 3:30 p.m. S. Carolina St. at Bethune-Cookman, 4 p.m. Elon at Coll. of Charleston, 4 p.m. Coppin St. at Delaware St., 4 p.m. N. Carolina A&T at Howard, 4 p.m. Morgan St. at Md.-Eastern Shore, 4 p.m. Nicholls St. at SE Louisiana, 4 p.m. Georgia Southern at Chattanooga, 5 p.m. Arkansas at LSU, 5 p.m. Georgia St. at William & Mary, 5 p.m. Norfolk St. at Hampton, 6 p.m. Austin Peay at Morehead St., 6:15 p.m. Georgia at Alabama, 7 p.m. Winthrop at Charlotte, 7 p.m. Winston-Salem at Florida A&M, 7 p.m. Louisiana-Lafayette at Florida Atlantic, 7 p.m. Radford at Gardner-Webb, 7 p.m. UNC Asheville at Liberty, 7 p.m. Columbia Union at Longwood, 7 p.m. UAB at Marshall, 7 p.m. George Mason at Old Dominion, 7 p.m. High Point at Presbyterian, 7 p.m. Lipscomb at Stetson, 7 p.m. James Madison at UNC Wilmington, 7 p.m. Wofford at W. Carolina, 7 p.m. UNC Greensboro at The Citadel, 7:05 p.m. Ark.-Little Rock at Fla. International, 7:30 p.m. Campbell at Kennesaw St., 7:30 p.m. Savannah St. at N.C. Central, 7:30 p.m. Tennessee St. at E. Kentucky, 8 p.m. Miami at Maryland, 8 p.m. Louisiana-Monroe at Middle Tennessee, 8 p.m. North Texas at W. Kentucky, 8 p.m. Southern U. at Alcorn St., 8:30 p.m. Ark.-Pine Bluff at Grambling St., 8:30 p.m. Tenn.-Martin at Murray St., 8:30 p.m. Denver at Troy, 8:30 p.m. Charleston Southern at Coastal Carolina, 9 p.m. Florida at Tennessee, 9 p.m. SOUTHWEST East Carolina at Rice, 2 p.m. Oklahoma St. at Texas A&M, 2 p.m.
Texas A&M-Corpus Christi at Sam Houston St., 3 p.m. SMU at Tulsa, 3:05 p.m. Kansas St. at Texas, 4 p.m. Texas St. at Texas-Arlington, 5 p.m. Nebraska at Texas Tech, 8 p.m. Texas-San Antonio at Lamar, 8:05 p.m. McNeese St. at Stephen F.Austin, 8:15 p.m. Alabama St. at Prairie View, 8:30 p.m. Alabama A&M at Texas Southern, 8:30 p.m. Southern Miss. at UTEP, 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 1 EAST Cincinnati at Villanova, Noon Canisius at Rider, 1 p.m. Loyola, Md. at Fairfield, 2 p.m. South Florida at St. John’s, 2 p.m. SOUTH Virginia at Duke, 2 p.m. S.C.-Upstate at Jacksonville, 2 p.m. ETSU at North Florida, 2 p.m. MIDWEST Saint Joseph’s at Dayton, Noon Penn St. at Michigan St., Noon Iowa at Illinois, 2 p.m. Missouri St. at Creighton, 3:05 p.m. SOUTHWEST Boise St. at Houston Baptist, 3:05 p.m. FAR WEST Portland St. at Montana St., 4:05 p.m. Monday, Feb. 2 EAST Lafayette at Fairleigh Dickinson, 7 p.m. Manhattan at Marist, 7 p.m. Robert Morris at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m. Siena at St. Peter’s, 7 p.m. Boston U. at UMBC, 7:05 p.m. Niagara at Iona, 7:30 p.m. SOUTH Coppin St. at Md.-Eastern Shore, 6:30 p.m. W. Carolina at Davidson, 7 p.m. Lipscomb at Florida Gulf Coast, 7 p.m. Connecticut at Louisville, 7 p.m. Belmont at Stetson, 7 p.m. UNC Asheville at VMI, 7 p.m. Radford at Winthrop, 7 p.m. Winston-Salem at Bethune-Cookman, 7:30 p.m. High Point at Charleston Southern, 7:30 p.m. Morgan St. at Delaware St., 7:30 p.m. S. Carolina St. at Florida A&M, 7:30 p.m. Appalachian St. at Georgia Southern, 7:30 p.m. Campbell at Mercer, 7:30 p.m. N. Carolina A&T at Hampton, 8 p.m. Norfolk St. at Howard, 8 p.m. MVSU at Grambling St., 8:30 p.m. Ark.-Pine Bluff at Jackson St., 8:30 p.m. MIDWEST Butler at Wis.-Green Bay, 8 p.m. SOUTHWEST Savannah St. at Texas-Pan American, 8 p.m. Alabama St. at Texas Southern, 8:30 p.m. Kansas at Baylor, 9 p.m. Alabama A&M at Prairie View, 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 3 EAST Cent. Michigan at Buffalo, 7 p.m. Rutgers at Georgetown, 7 p.m. Houston Baptist at N.J. Tech, 7 p.m. Stony Brook at Maine, 7:30 p.m. SOUTH Hofstra at George Mason, 7 p.m. Mississippi St. at Kentucky, 7 p.m. N.C. Central at N.C. State, 7 p.m. Towson at Old Dominion, 7 p.m. Maryland at North Carolina, 8 p.m. South Carolina at Florida, 9 p.m. MIDWEST Akron at E. Michigan, 7 p.m. Toledo at Kent St., 7 p.m. Purdue at Ohio St., 7 p.m. Iowa St. at Kansas St., 8 p.m. N. Iowa at Bradley, 8:05 p.m. Marquette at DePaul, 9 p.m. FAR WEST
BYU at Air Force, 8 p.m. Wyoming at New Mexico, 10 p.m. San Diego St. at UNLV, 10:30 p.m.
Fight Schedule National TV in parentheses Feb. 6 At Wicomico Civic Center, Salisbury, Md. (ESPN2), Yusaf Mack, New York, vs. Chris Henry, Houston, 10, for Macks’ NABA light heavyweight title and Henry’s NABF light heavyweight title. At The Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, Calif. (SHO), Andre Ward, Oakland, Calif., vs. Henry Buchanan, Chesterfield, S.C., 12, for Ward’s NABO super middleweight title. Feb. 7 At Rostock, Germany, Andriy Kotelnik, Germany, vs. Marcos Rene Maidana, Argentina, 12, for Kotelnik’s WBA light welterweight title; Ruslan Chagaev, Germany, vs. Carl Davis Drumond, Costa Rica, 12, for Chagaev’s WBA heavyeweight title. At Honda Center, Anaheim, Calif. (SHO), Vic Darchinyan, Australia, vs. Jorge Arce, Mexico, 12, for Darchinyan’s IBF-WBC-WBA junior bantamweight title; Antonio DeMarco, Mexico, Almazbek Raiymkulov, Las Vegas, 12, for the vacant NABO lightweight title. Feb. 14 At St. Quentin, France, Cristobal Cruz, Mexico, vs. Cyril Thomas, France, 12, for Cruz’s IBF featherweight title; Osman Aktas, France, vs. Guillaume Frenois, France, 10, for Aktas’ French featherweight title. At TBA, United States (HBO), Alfredo Angulo, Coachella, Calif., vs. Ricardo Mayorga, Nicaragua, 12, middleweights; Nate Campbell, Tampa, Fla., vs. Ali Fuenka, South Africa, 12, for Campbell’s IBFWBA-WBO lightweight titles. Feb. 20 At Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (ESPN2), Jesus Gonzales, Phoenix, vs. Richard Gutierrez, Miami, 10, light middleweights; Breidis Prescott, Colombia, vs. Ivan Hernandez, Mexico, 10, lightweights. Feb. 21 At Madison Square Garden, New York (PPV), Miguel Cotto, Puerto Rico, vs. Michael Jennings, England, 12, for the vacant WBO welterweight title. At Youngstown, Ohio (PPV), Kelly Pavlik, Youngstown, Ohio, vs. Marco Antonio Rubio, Mexico, 12, for Pavlik’s WBC-WBO middleweight titles. Feb. 27 At Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Hollywood, Fla. (ESPN2), Glen Johnson, Miami, vs. Daniel Judah, Brooklyn, N.Y., 10, light heavyweights. Feb. 28 At the Toyota Center, Houston (HBO), Juan Manuel Marquez, Anaheim, Calif., vs. Juan Diaz, Houston, 12, for Diaz’s IBO lightweight title. March 6 At Mohegan Sun Casino, Uncasville, Conn. (ESPN2), Delvin Rodriguez, Danbury, Conn., vs. Isaac Hlatshwayo, South Africa, 12, IBF welterweight title eliminator. March 14 At TBA (HBO), Chad Dawson, New Haven, Conn., vs. Antonio Tarver, Tampa, Fla., 12, for Dawson’s IBF-IBO light heavyweight title; Paul Williams, Augusta, Ga., vs. Ronald Wright, St. Petersburg, Fla., 12, for the interim WBO light middleweight title. April 4 At TBA (SHO), Timothy Bradley, Palm Springs, Calif., vs. Kendall Holt, Paterson, N.J., 12, for Bradley’s WBC light welterweight title and Holt’s WBO light welterweight title.
Transactions BASEBALL American League TORONTO BLUE JAYS—Named Perry Minasian major league scout, Steve Springer and Marc Tramuta professions scouts, Bob Fontaine national cross-
2B
checker, Rick Ingalls Southern California scout, and Harry Einbinder assistant-baseball research. National League CHICAGO CUBS—Agreed to terms with C Paul Bako on a one-year contract. NEW YORK METS—Agreed to terms with RHP John Maine on a one-year contract. PITTSBURGH PIRATES—Agreed to terms with LHP Paul Maholm on a three-year contract and OF Eric Hinske on a one-year contract. American Association GRAND PRAIRIE AIRHOGS—Released 1B Billy Munoz. Signed RHP Benny Cepada. PENSACOLA PELICANS—Signed RHP Marcus Moore. Can-Am League BROCKTON ROX—Signed 1B/OF Keith Brachold. NEW HAMPSHIRE AMERICAN DEFENDERS—Signed INF Greg Lemon. QUEBEC CAPITALES—Sold the contract of RHP Mark James to Cincinnati (NL). BASKETBALL National Basketball Association MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES—Signed F Darius Miles for the rest of the season. FOOTBALL National Football League PHILADELPHIA EAGLES—Named Rory Segrest defensive line coach, Doug Pederson offensive quality coach, Ted Daisher special teams coordinator and James Urban quarterbacks coach. Announced the retirement of defensive line coach Pete Jenkins. ST. LOUIS RAMS—Named Kevin Demoff executive vice president of football operations and chief operating officer. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS—Named Jimmy Raye offensive coordinator. Canadian Football League WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS—Re-signed RB Fred Reid and OL Ibrahim Khan. American Indoor Football Association SOUTH CAROLINA FORCE—Named Bubba Diggs coach. arenafootball2 ALBANY FIREBIRDS—Announced OL Reggie Paramoure, QB Neal Sharma, WR-DB Thomas Ascidiacono, OL-DL John Leible, OL-DL Ed Loscalzo and DB Fuller Black have been assigned to the team. HOCKEY National Hockey League DETROIT RED WINGS—Recalled C Justin Abdelkader from Grand Rapids (AHL) and assigned RW Aaron Downey to Grand Rapids. American Hockey League HARTFORD WOLF PACK—Recalled G Maxime Daigneault from Charlotte (ECHL). QUAD CITY FLAMES—Returned G Kevin Lalande to Las Vegas (ECHL). TORONTO MARLIES—Released D Andy Schneider. ECHL LAS VEGAS WRANGLERS—Announced G Glenn Fisher has been loaned from Springfield (AHL). SOCCER Major League Soccer NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION—Signed G Zack Simmons to a developmental contract. Elevated G Brad Knighton and D Chris Tierney from the developmental roster to the senior roster. Named Phil Madore assistant athletic trainer and Glenn O’Connor massage therapist. COLLEGE DAYTON—Named Sarah Harman assistant softball coach. MICHIGAN—Suspended basketball G Zack Novak for one game for his flagrant foul and subsequent ejection in a game against Ohio State on Jan. 28. PENN STATE—Named Rick Kaluza associate athletic director for finance. WESTERN MICHIGAN—Named Stu Riddle men’s soccer coach.
HAWKS | Continued from Page 1B should still be the district’s top teams in Hidalgo and Rio Hondo at home. If Zapata, Hidalgo and Rio Hondo keep their wits about them, then that week could potentially become championship week. Villarreal, though, isn’t worrying about the foreseeable future, and he expects for his kids to also have their sights set on the task at hand. “Whoever shows up and plays big, we can’t take
anybody lightly,” Villarreal said. “You never know, it’s like in football, when we started off well at 5-0 and lost our next couple of games. That’s always in the back of my head … hopefully, we don’t nosedive.” Helping the Hawks stay inspired despite the fast start to the season has been the acknowledgment by the fan base; a fan base that had abandoned hope in years past and dwindled into a few scattered persons
here and there is now returning. “The gym looked pretty packed last Friday,” Villarreal said. “I hadn’t seen the gym that full in awhile. The town is noticing what we are doing.” The Hawks keep finding ways to win despite not being at full strength roster-wise at times, or by overcoming significant halftime deficits. The players are rising up to the occasion and fill-
ing in whenever a starter can’t go. Such is the case at the moment with Andrew Magee, who has been nursing a sprained ankle and has seen limited minutes. “Everybody is putting in their two cents,” Villarreal said. “I would like for them to do a little bit better, as a coach you’re never happy. We only expect the best from them.”
LEAD | Continued from Page 1B At the Border Olympic tournament in December, she burned the Laredo Cigarroa Lady Toros for 26 points in three quarters of work. “Brandi is an all-around athlete that has a lot of talent and works very hard on the court in whatever sport she is playing,” Guerra said. “She has made an impact from the first day she walked into the gym.” King is averaging 14 points and eight rebounds in District 32-3A play. During her freshman year, King had the luxury of coming off the bench and learning from the upperclassmen, including older sis Lauren. “I was fortunate to spend a year coming off the bench. I really learned a lot from all my teammates,” she said.
This year, King is the veteran and is a starter for the Lady Hawks. She has the responsibility to help her fellow sophomore, Mata, to emerge as an impact player. King has had to adjust to her role on the team as she now predominantly plays the post position, compared to last year when she split time between guard and post. King has had to watch her team take the floor without her for the past three games as she is recovering from an accident. “We hope to get her back soon,” Guerra said. “We miss her in the paint, fighting for the loose balls, and her scoring.” Guerra notes King’s potential as she continues to play for the Lady Hawks.
“With her right now it’s all about the confidence,” he said. “She has no limit on how good she can be.” King is also a volleyball and track star. Mata has taken a different rout than King. She is a first-year varsity player who relishes any role on the team. Mata comes off the bench and makes the most of her time on the floor. “Selina is our quickest player on the court,” Guerra said. “She is a very coachable and dedicated athlete who gives us quality minutes when she gets on the floor. I am very proud of her.” Mata plays any position on the court, depending on the team’s needs. “Wherever coach Guerra needs me, I’ll play. My role on the team is to do the best I can when I get out
there,” Mata said. Mata recalls the excitement and anxiety that she felt the first time she suited up for the Lady Hawks. “That is something that you dream about … playing on the varsity team,” she said. “I was not nervous, but more anxious when I got into my first game.” Mata and King anticipated their new district this season was going to be a challenge, with Hidalgo and La Feria thrown into the mix. “It was really hard because we did not know what to expect. It was a big adjustment that we had to make, but we have adjusted,” Mata said. The Lady Hawks are in fifth place. “We lost a few games that we shouldn’t have, but we are going to play every game to the best of our ability,” Mata said.
BOWL | Continued from Page 1B “Coaching is something I was meant to do,” Tomlin said Friday. Tomlin wasn’t quite good enough to make the NFL as a player — he had tryouts with the Browns and 49ers — but no colleague who has worked with him the last 13 years is surprised he’s made it as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ coach. Made it to the Super Bowl, too, where the 36-yearold Tomlin can become the youngest coach to win it if the Steelers beat the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. “This is a man who was born to coach. Born to coach,” said West Virginia coach Bill Stewart, who
gave Tomlin his first sideline job at VMI in 1995. “His players play for him, his players respect him. And he respects them. You knew Mike Tomlin was going places.” When Tomlin accepted that $12,000-a-year job, his new boss knew Tomlin wouldn’t spend much time in football’s lower echelons. The young man was too polished, detailed, smart, determined — and motivated. Broke, but motivated. “I was single, I didn’t have cable or long-distance calling, so there was nothing else to do other than immerse yourself in the game,” said Tomlin, now the
married father of three. “I was with a bunch of guys that were like-minded, and we had a great time.” That job lasted one season, and so did the next. Each subsequent job was the same, be it at Memphis or Cincinnati or Arkansas State, the Buccaneers or the Vikings — he was too good to stay very long. Even if the Steelers win, Tomlin is likely to hear what he’s been told throughout his career: This guy has a lot more left to do. “He’s been that guy that’s always done it his way,” wide receiver Hines Ward said. “He always stayed the course. He really never let anything deter him off
that. It’s no longer Bill Cowher’s team and we’re going to do it his way. As players, you respect that. A guy comes in and you want to test him a little bit, but he held his own and here we are, in his second year, in the Super Bowl.” And think about this: Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner is 37, one year older than Tomlin. Tomlin was offered West Point and Naval Academy appointments after graduating from Denbigh High in Newport News, but wanted to play football; his older brother Ed, was a Maryland captain with former Steelers quarterback Neil O’Donnell.
WHISENHUNT | Continued from Page 1B Whisenhunt grew up in Augusta, Ga. As a teenager, he worked the scoreboard at the Masters and developed a lifelong love for golf. He shot an even-par 72 at Augusta National in 2007. His career low score is 65 and he has three holes-in-one, not including a tee shot that went in after he hit his first drive out of bounds. He says that golf and football share the need for a consistent approach that is at the root of his coaching.
Kurt Warner would add honesty to Whisenhunt’s traits. Warner admits he was skeptical when, before this season’s training camp, Whisenhunt assured him that there would be open competition at quarterback. “It’s easy for a lot of people to say that,” Warner said. It wasn’t Whisenhunt personally that made him wonder, Warner said, “but really because of past sit-
uations I’ve been in and knowing that in this business what’s said isn’t always the truth or isn’t always what’s going to happen.” Warner, after all, had lost his job to young Marc Bulger in St. Louis and even younger Eli Manning with the New York Giants. His latest competition came from Matt Leinart, a Heisman Trophy winner and Arizona’s acknowledged “quarterback of the future.” But Whisenhunt was true to his word, and just be-
fore the regular season began, Warner was named the starter. The result, Warner said, is “a lot of respect and trust from my side to his just because the things that he’s said, he’s done.” “The things that he’s told us as a team or individuals he’s backed up time and time again,” Warner said. “Those are the kinds of coaches you’d go to battle for, go through a wall for, because you know they’re going to do right by you.”
YOW | Continued from Page 1B Connecticut coach Geno Auriemma stopped by at a public viewing for Yow before the funeral, while Summitt, Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer and Texas coach Gail Goestenkors — who coached at Duke for 15 seasons — attended the memorial service. Coaches from several Atlantic Coast Conference schools also attended, including North Carolina coach Sylvia Hatchell and Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie, who was joined by her Blue Devils players. Others paying respects included former N.C. State football coach Chuck Amato and current coach Tom O’Brien, and N.C. State alumnus and former NFL coach Bill Cowher. N.C. State men’s basketball coach
Sidney Lowe also attended along with his players, who made the slow procession by Yow’s open casket during the viewing. Yow will be buried Saturday in her hometown of Gibsonville. But none of Yow’s famous friends were tapped to speak at a service she designed. “She did not want to show any kind of favoritism because there was just none in her heart. None,” said the Rev. Mitchell Gregory, her pastor at Cary Alliance Church. Retired professor Janie Brown, former chair of the physical education department at Elon Univer-
sity, remembered speaking to Yow a few years ago for a project on the history of women’s sports. She said Yow spoke about balancing teaching, academic advising and even the little things such as taping her players’ ankles. “I think that was always her attitude. Whatever the situation, you deal with it. That’s what she’s done,” Brown said. “I’m a good friend, but I’m also a great admirer of what she does. And I think we would hope we could live a life with that kind of influence.” Friday’s events are part of an emotionally draining week for the players and coaches she left behind
at N.C. State. On Monday, the team went to a mall to pick out clothes for Yow’s funeral, a task interim coach Stephanie Glance said was easier to do together than individually. The team returned to practice Tuesday, then attended the campus tribute ceremony at Reynolds Coliseum, home of “Kay Yow Court,” Wednesday night. The next day, the team played its first game since her death, falling to Boston College 62-51. At each public event, there have been numerous fans wearing pink — the color of breast cancer awareness — and eager to share their stories of how Yow inspired them while battling the disease.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2009
THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3B
HINTS BY HELOISE PET HINTS Did you know that illnesses caused by bacteria like salmonella can be passed to you from a cat or a pet reptile? Bacteria may be found in the feces of an infected pet, so be sure to wash your hands after touching a pet or cleaning a cat box or reptile cage. When buying a pet carrier, conHELOISE sider how it will be used. If it’s only to carry your pet to and from the vet, a small, soft carrier will work. For longer distances or putting your pet on an airplane, the carrier should be strong, with opaque sides, vent holes on all sides, a grille door with a sturdy handle and latch, and should be large enough for your pet to sit, stand or lie down. — Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: Mary Farrar of Madison, Maine, sent a photo of her long-haired lynx cat, Kewie, looking into the house while sitting on top of a big snow pile. Mary says: “Kewie loves to get out in the snow. He climbed this pile of snow to let us know he was ready to come in by looking in the window!” — Heloise
HOROSCOPES | BY FRANCIS DRAKE ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Delays with career plans or important deals with bosses are over. Now you can count on people being more receptive to your new ideas and new ways of doing things. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Everything related to publishing, the media, higher education, medicine and the law will start to be more efficient and have fewer errors. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) New ideas about loans, mortgages, inheritances, insurance matters and anything to do with shared property might start to get off the ground now. The delays and mixups will be far less now. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Important discussions with partners and close friends can go forward with greater success now. Delays involving rehashing old business are almost over. LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) It’s been a headache at work lately. Confused communication, delays, silly errors and glitches have been frustrating. Now these are coming to an end. Finally! (Whew!)
VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) Creative projects can get the green light now. Distractions with old flames and romantic partners from the past are over. Plans for vacations look promising. Forward ho! LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) Visiting relatives have now gone home. It’s time to reclaim your domestic routine and make friends with where you live (so that it feels right to you.) SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) The past six weeks have been prone to errors, accidents, delays and transportation breakdowns. All these snafus and mix-ups will be greatly reduced from here on. Glory hallelujah! SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) Money matters are more predictable in the immediate future. Past business and delays with checks being late in the mail and whatnot are behind you now. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) It’s been frustrating dealing with silly errors, delays, transportation breakdowns and confused communication with everyone.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) You feel more confident about your future. You have a stronger and clearer idea now about how things are going to play out. PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) Although you’ve been thinking of old goals, now it’s time to return to those bright, “new” ideas you had about your future. Let yourself get revved up again about those hopes and dreams you were nurturing before. YOUR BORN TODAY It’s important for you to be heard or seen for whatever you do. You need recognition for your work. Because of your excellent social skills and attractive demeanor, it’s easy for you to get the admiration you seek. At this stage in your life, it’s important for you to learn something new and valuable. You’ll be able to do that this coming year! B i r t h d a t e o f : Nolan Ryan, baseball Hall-of-Famer; Zane Grey, author; Suzanne Pleshette, actress.
Zclassified REAL ESTATE
HOMES FOR SALE
61
Shiloh Area - 1409 Longhorn Dr. 2700sqft LA, 10,000sqft Lot 4bd/4ba Spacious yard, sprinkler system. Reduced $155,000 OBO Call 763-9740
CONDOS FOR SALE 64 HOMES FOR SALE
61
1316 O’Kane 2Bd/1Ba, $54,000 including trailer in backyard. 251-0071 727-7843 3bd/2.5ba/3car port , large corner lot, $175,000. Call:(956)727-5126. For Sale, 3/2, 1 Year Old, Fully Fenced, Lots of Extras, Includes Seperate Storage Room. $112,000 Call 229-9085
1 Condo $60,000 OBO Must Sell, Moving Out, negotiable, 2bd/1.5ba, 2803 Bayard. Brand new, south Laredo. For sale by owner.
Call Dr. Rendon 011-52-867-714-1502 or 011-52-867-715-011 S.A. Condo in Stone Oak 24 hr Gate Guarded Security 1912 sqft. 312K (210) 831-2657. GREAT LOCATION MUST SEE!!
LOTS FOR SALE
HELP WANTED
122
70
North Laredo. 1.3 Acres on Loop 20 near TAMIU, next to Khaledi Heights on Blue Quail St. $12.50 Per SqFt Neg. Call Dr. Rendon 011-52-867-714-1502 or 011-52-867-715-0118
ACREAGE FOR SALE 76 5 acre tract, frontage on Casa Verde Rd. $200,000 per acre. Contact (956)725-6641 8 acres for sale 5 miles out of Crystal City on Nueces River. $43,000. Call (956) 727-5126
42 acres mile 60 HWY35 6 blks from HWY. $2700 p/ac We Finance. Call 722-4447 10ac. Las Lomas Fenced HWY 59 $8000 p/ac 712-4205; 774-6976
COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT 79 12 Apts for sale $480,000 OBO. 4018 San Agustin. Call:722-4447.We Finance!
RENTALS
BY PHONE: (956) 728-2527
HELP WANTED
122
HELP WANTED
122
American Dispatch Inc. of Laredo Solicita el Siguiente personal • Receptionista Interesados aplicar en 302 Quivira Dr. Tel: 956-791-8300 HELP WANTED
122
HELP WANTED
122
FURNISHED MENTS
APART91
Very Clean, furnished efficiency apt in Heights area.Back yard, Water paid. $450mo. $250dep. Call 956-324-4975
OFFICE SPACES FOR RENT 118 All sizes available lowest rentals in Laredo move in today first month free mucho parking 4100 San Bernardo 237-5946
PETS & SUPPLIES
HELP WANTED
ON-SITE
Growth
JOB FAIR
Happiness
NOW HIRING MON, FEB 2ND • 9AM - 7PM BE PREPARED TO INTERVIEW
122
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
PETS & SUPPLIES
128
2 Beautiful Pure Breed Female Cream Poodles, 4 wks old, $200 795-0261 or 857-1123 2 white male apple head chihuahuas 7wks old, 1st shots & dewormed $250ea. 319-2469 2MO. OLD PIGLETS - $55.00 LANDRACE/ RED DUROC / YORKSHIRE CALL 286-4167
» NO TELEMARKETING CHART A NEW AND BETTER COURSE IN A GROWTH-ORIENTED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAREER WITH CONVERGYS • Full & Part-Time Openings • Tuition Reimbursement (Day One) • Immediate Benefits
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198 Chevy Suburban ‘01, lthr.int., 98k mi., $6,500 obo. Call:(956)645-3827
Beagle AKC Champion Bloodline, Male, 6mths old, $300 OBO Call 791-8582 or 337-8981
Computer Dell, Windows XP, Word, Excel, Power Point. $100 Great for School, Internet Ready, Repair Services Available 725-2100
Chevy Trailblazer ‘03, $5,700. 86k mi., Call:(956)754-7046.
Boxer puppies pure breed, white, brindle & fawn, dewormed $200 ea. Call 286-8401 or 718-2124
Country Club Membership for Sale $4,000. Call 235-8654
Female Yorkie 9 wks old. w/shots, tail clipped, $775 OBO ACA Call 337-6502
Dining set (wood) with glass top, 6 chairs, $650 obo. Call:(956)236-7833
Huskie Puppies, blue eyes, 1 Month, $175ea. Call 956-754-2141
Doors for sale, $25ea. wood or metal. Call:(956)220-9654 Kenmore gas stove, $60 Call:(956)236-7833
Moving. Friendly & loving schnauzer looking for good home. $150 Alicia 286-4671
Xbox 360 Elite Black bundle 120GB hard drive, wireless controller, head seat, Like New $300 o.b.o 956-251-2781
Pitbulls for sale, 3m, 2f, $100 & up.Call:(956)726-5329; 401-9377
TRANSPORTATION
Puppies - Pyreness & Labrador cross - ten weeks old. $40ea. 723-3946.Great for goat security.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT 192 Freightliner FLD. Cond.’01, $15,000 obo. Call 724-3495
Registered Paint Horse Stallion for sale. 1.5yrs old,sorrel overo w/ blue eyes. Very gentle and halter broken. Champion blood lines, $2000 Call 722-8187 or 645-1655
FARM & RANCH SUPPLIES 132 Hay For Sale,large net wrapped,Round Bales,located in Alice, $40 and up.Delivery available.(361)219-4545
MISCELLANEOUS
Wells Cargo Utility trailer ‘90, , $1,200 obo. Call:(956)744-0220
AUTOMOTIVE PARTS 194 Set of 4 tires & rims like new 33x12.5 A/T on 15x10 Black 5lug 96 or older Ford or Dodge Truck $399 740-0959
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198 ‘00 Ford pick up F-150 AC, Flare side, good condition Triton $3,800 call 956-775-1242 ‘00 Silhoutte 5dr, V6, Dbl
a/c, $2,600 725-9084
obo
call
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198
Convergys is an EOE M/F/D/V.
2000 Ford Excursion Dark Blue Big Tires, Looks Great! V-8 $13,000 OBO 956-717-0469 or 956-286-6770
• Performance Incentives Call or apply online!
GARAGE SALES
134
Saturday Only! 9am-1pm, 806 Riverhill Ste. 502, Household Items and Misc. Items.
Chrysler Grand Voyager SE ‘00, 6cyl., buenas condiciones, $2,300 Inf:718-2990 Ford Escape ‘07, 4cyl., auto, 12k mi., $8,900obo. Call:(956)645-3827 Surburban ‘01, 3 A/C, leather seats, new tires, good condition. $5,850 Call 754-2878
CARS FOR SALE
200
‘00 Mustang 6cyl, a/c, automatico, en buenas condiciones $ 3,500 o.b.o 231-4686 04 Neon, A/C, Electrico, Rines. $4,500. OBO Call 229-2033 99 VW Jetta Excellent Cond. std. A/C, Pwr. Locks & windows Must see! $3750 Call 489-9580 1990 Ford Mustang 2 dr. 4 Cyl. Good clean engine great gas economy. $1200 OBO 956-286-9925 or 956-286-3950
LIVESTOCK & SUPPLIES 130
• 401(K) Savings Plan
convergys.greatjob.net
‘99 GMC 3 quoter ton extended cab 89k miles good conditions $ 5,700 call 285-4740
Buffet table, Refrigerator,Stove & Range Microwave, Computer Hutch. $700 (956) 286-3505
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
956-728-5538
‘96 Jeep Cherokee V8 good condition, $2,300 call 333-5995; 229-8462
* Dell Laptop, Windows XP, wireless internet ready $250 Call: 220-9654 *Dell Desktop, Windows XP Pro PC, internet ready $160 Call: 220-9654 3pc Living Room set, brown in good condition. $250. OBO call 727-2233
Beautiful, Gentle Registered Paint horse stallion for sale. 8 mths old w/perfect conformation. $1,000 Call 722-8187 or 645-1655
CUSTOMER SERVICE & INTERNET SUPPORT ASSOCIATES
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198
Adorable puppies, 8wks., first shots, dewormed, Shi-Tzu / Westie, registered, parents on site. $300ea. Call:740-2720.
2451 MONARCH DR LAREDO
Success
ARTICLES FOR SALE 136
‘01 Black Toyota Tacoma Pre-runner $8000 Call 956-285-3849 ‘06 Mercury Mariner, 29k, 6cyl., leather, all power, 4WD, sunroof, heated seats $8,700 Call:(956)725-9376; 235-5216
1996 Volkswagen Cabrio, 4 cyl. Black Convertible, 2 door, A/C, $1700 OBO Good Condition. Call Ms. Salazar 956-251-4210 1998 LexusES 300m Sedan4D, 77K miles great condition, sunroof. $6000 Call 956-334-5287 2000 INFINITI G20, 4CYL., 47k mi., all power, sunroof, rims, cassette/cd. $5,975. Call 725-9376; 235-5216 2000 VW Jetta 4cyl 1.8 Turbo 108k miles moonroof $3,500 O.B.O call 740-5083; 722-5084 2003 Ford Taurus See Fully Loaded, Mint Condition, All Scheduled Services since New. $5500 Firm. Call 795-0261 2008 Nissan Armada Drk Green, Low Mileage 8K Excellent Cond. $25,000 956-324-6381 or 956-324-6325 ‘03 Ventura, 81K miles, A/C, Stereo/CD/Cassette/ Perfect Condition, $3300 OBO Call 635-7035 Daewoo Lanos Sport ‘01, 4 cyl., 5 spd.,excel cond., black & red leather int. $2,800 791-6881. Ford Focus ‘08, 5K mi., power windows, $7,300 OBO. Call:(956) 775-2270 Ford Mustang GT ‘06, standard, 37k mi., leather interior, $11,000 obo. (956)771-8168. Intrepid 2003 AC, 6 Cyl, $4200 128400m good condition Call 956-774-7507 Oldsmobile Alero ‘02, a/c, PW, PL, 4cyl., 18” rims $3,900 obo. (956)523-0642; 645-4496.
4B | THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, JANUARY 31, 2009
83044675
1/30/2009
6:07 PM
Page 1
JANUARY 31, 2009
LAREDO MORNING TIMES | 1B
TZT Classifieds
REAL ESTATE
HOMES FOR SALE
61
Shiloh Area - 1409 Longhorn Dr. 2700sqft LA, 10,000sqft Lot 4bd/4ba Spacious yard, sprinkler system. Reduced $155,000 OBO Call 763-9740
CONDOS FOR SALE 64 HOMES FOR SALE
61
1316 O’Kane 2Bd/1Ba, $54,000 including trailer in backyard. 251-0071 727-7843 3bd/2.5ba/3car port , large corner lot, $175,000. Call:(956)727-5126. For Sale, 3/2, 1 Year Old, Fully Fenced, Lots of Extras, Includes Seperate Storage Room. $112,000 Call 229-9085
1 Condo $60,000 OBO Must Sell, Moving Out, negotiable, 2bd/1.5ba, 2803 Bayard. Brand new, south Laredo. For sale by owner.
Call Dr. Rendon 011-52-867-714-1502 or 011-52-867-715-011 S.A. Condo in Stone Oak 24 hr Gate Guarded Security 1912 sqft. 312K (210) 831-2657. GREAT LOCATION MUST SEE!!
LOTS FOR SALE
HELP WANTED
122
70
North Laredo. 1.3 Acres on Loop 20 near TAMIU, next to Khaledi Heights on Blue Quail St. $12.50 Per SqFt Neg. Call Dr. Rendon 011-52-867-714-1502 or 011-52-867-715-0118
ACREAGE FOR SALE 76 5 acre tract, frontage on Casa Verde Rd. $200,000 per acre. Contact (956)725-6641 8 acres for sale 5 miles out of Crystal City on Nueces River. $43,000. Call (956) 727-5126
42 acres mile 60 HWY35 6 blks from HWY. $2700 p/ac We Finance. Call 722-4447 10ac. Las Lomas Fenced HWY 59 $8000 p/ac 712-4205; 774-6976
COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT 79 12 Apts for sale $480,000 OBO. 4018 San Agustin. Call:722-4447.We Finance!
RENTALS
HELP WANTED
122
HELP WANTED
122
American Dispatch Inc. of Laredo Solicita el Siguiente personal • Receptionista Interesados aplicar en 302 Quivira Dr. Tel: 956-791-8300 HELP WANTED
122
HELP WANTED
122
FURNISHED MENTS
APART91
Very Clean, furnished efficiency apt in Heights area.Back yard, Water paid. $450mo. $250dep. Call 956-324-4975
OFFICE SPACES FOR RENT 118 All sizes available lowest rentals in Laredo move in today first month free mucho parking 4100 San Bernardo 237-5946
PETS & SUPPLIES
HELP WANTED
ON-SITE
Growth
JOB FAIR
Happiness
NOW HIRING MON, FEB 2ND • 9AM - 7PM BE PREPARED TO INTERVIEW
122
PETS & SUPPLIES
128
2 Beautiful Pure Breed Female Cream Poodles, 4 wks old, $200 795-0261 or 857-1123
» NO TELEMARKETING CHART A NEW AND BETTER COURSE IN A GROWTH-ORIENTED CUSTOMER SERVICE CAREER WITH CONVERGYS • Full & Part-Time Openings • Tuition Reimbursement (Day One) • Immediate Benefits
Adorable puppies, 8wks., first shots, dewormed, Shi-Tzu / Westie, registered, parents on site. $300ea. Call:740-2720.
3pc Living Room set, brown in good condition. $250. OBO call 727-2233
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198
Buffet table, Refrigerator,Stove & Range Microwave, Computer Hutch. $700 (956) 286-3505
Chevy Suburban ‘01, lthr.int., 98k mi., $6,500 obo. Call:(956)645-3827
Beagle AKC Champion Bloodline, Male, 6mths old, $300 OBO Call 791-8582 or 337-8981
Computer Dell, Windows XP, Word, Excel, Power Point. $100 Great for School, Internet Ready, Repair Services Available 725-2100
Chevy Trailblazer ‘03, $5,700. 86k mi., Call:(956)754-7046.
Boxer puppies pure breed, white, brindle & fawn, dewormed $200 ea. Call 286-8401 or 718-2124
Country Club Membership for Sale $4,000. Call 235-8654
Female Yorkie 9 wks old. w/shots, tail clipped, $775 OBO ACA Call 337-6502
Dining set (wood) with glass top, 6 chairs, $650 obo. Call:(956)236-7833
2MO. OLD PIGLETS - $55.00 LANDRACE/ RED DUROC / YORKSHIRE CALL 286-4167
Huskie Puppies, blue eyes, 1 Month, $175ea. Call 956-754-2141
Doors for sale, $25ea. wood or metal. Call:(956)220-9654 Kenmore gas stove, $60 Call:(956)236-7833
Moving. Friendly & loving schnauzer looking for good home. $150 Alicia 286-4671
Xbox 360 Elite Black bundle 120GB hard drive, wireless controller, head seat, Like New $300 o.b.o 956-251-2781
Pitbulls for sale, 3m, 2f, $100 & up.Call:(956)726-5329; 401-9377
TRANSPORTATION
Puppies - Pyreness & Labrador cross - ten weeks old. $40ea. 723-3946.Great for goat security.
LIVESTOCK & SUPPLIES 130 HEAVY EQUIPMENT 192 Freightliner FLD. Cond.’01, $15,000 obo. Call 724-3495
Registered Paint Horse Stallion for sale. 1.5yrs old,sorrel overo w/ blue eyes. Very gentle and halter broken. Champion blood lines, $2000 Call 722-8187 or 645-1655
FARM & RANCH SUPPLIES 132 Hay For Sale,large net wrapped,Round Bales,located in Alice, $40 and up.Delivery available.(361)219-4545
MISCELLANEOUS
Wells Cargo Utility trailer ‘90, , $1,200 obo. Call:(956)744-0220
AUTOMOTIVE PARTS 194 Set of 4 tires & rims like new 33x12.5 A/T on 15x10 Black 5lug 96 or older Ford or Dodge Truck $399 740-0959
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198 ‘00 Ford pick up F-150 AC, Flare side, good condition Triton $3,800 call 956-775-1242 ‘00 Silhoutte 5dr, V6, Dbl
a/c, $2,600 725-9084
obo
call
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198
Convergys is an EOE M/F/D/V.
2000 Ford Excursion Dark Blue Big Tires, Looks Great! V-8 $13,000 OBO 956-717-0469 or 956-286-6770
• 401(K) Savings Plan • Performance Incentives Call or apply online!
convergys.greatjob.net
GARAGE SALES
134
Saturday Only! 9am-1pm, 806 Riverhill Ste. 502, Household Items and Misc. Items.
‘99 GMC 3 quoter ton extended cab 89k miles good conditions $ 5,700 call 285-4740
Chrysler Grand Voyager SE ‘00, 6cyl., buenas condiciones, $2,300 Inf:718-2990 Ford Escape ‘07, 4cyl., auto, 12k mi., $8,900obo. Call:(956)645-3827 Surburban ‘01, 3 A/C, leather seats, new tires, good condition. $5,850 Call 754-2878
CARS FOR SALE
200
‘00 Mustang 6cyl, a/c, automatico, en buenas condiciones $ 3,500 o.b.o 231-4686 04 Neon, A/C, Electrico, Rines. $4,500. OBO Call 229-2033 99 VW Jetta Excellent Cond. std. A/C, Pwr. Locks & windows Must see! $3750 Call 489-9580 1990 Ford Mustang 2 dr. 4 Cyl. Good clean engine great gas economy. $1200 OBO 956-286-9925 or 956-286-3950
• Medical/Dental/Vision Insurance
956-728-5538
‘96 Jeep Cherokee V8 good condition, $2,300 call 333-5995; 229-8462
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198
2 white male apple head chihuahuas 7wks old, 1st shots & dewormed $250ea. 319-2469
Beautiful, Gentle Registered Paint horse stallion for sale. 8 mths old w/perfect conformation. $1,000 Call 722-8187 or 645-1655
CUSTOMER SERVICE & INTERNET SUPPORT ASSOCIATES
TRUCKS FOR SALE 198
* Dell Laptop, Windows XP, wireless internet ready $250 Call: 220-9654 *Dell Desktop, Windows XP Pro PC, internet ready $160 Call: 220-9654
2451 MONARCH DR LAREDO
Success
ARTICLES FOR SALE 136
‘01 Black Toyota Tacoma Pre-runner $8000 Call 956-285-3849 ‘06 Mercury Mariner, 29k, 6cyl., leather, all power, 4WD, sunroof, heated seats $8,700 Call:(956)725-9376; 235-5216
1996 Volkswagen Cabrio, 4 cyl. Black Convertible, 2 door, A/C, $1700 OBO Good Condition. Call Ms. Salazar 956-251-4210 1998 LexusES 300m Sedan4D, 77K miles great condition, sunroof. $6000 Call 956-334-5287 2000 INFINITI G20, 4CYL., 47k mi., all power, sunroof, rims, cassette/cd. $5,975. Call 725-9376; 235-5216 2000 VW Jetta 4cyl 1.8 Turbo 108k miles moonroof $3,500 O.B.O call 740-5083; 722-5084 2003 Ford Taurus See Fully Loaded, Mint Condition, All Scheduled Services since New. $5500 Firm. Call 795-0261 2008 Nissan Armada Drk Green, Low Mileage 8K Excellent Cond. $25,000 956-324-6381 or 956-324-6325 ‘03 Ventura, 81K miles, A/C, Stereo/CD/Cassette/ Perfect Condition, $3300 OBO Call 635-7035 Daewoo Lanos Sport ‘01, 4 cyl., 5 spd.,excel cond., black & red leather int. $2,800 791-6881. Ford Focus ‘08, 5K mi., power windows, $7,300 OBO. Call:(956) 775-2270 Ford Mustang GT ‘06, standard, 37k mi., leather interior, $11,000 obo. (956)771-8168. Intrepid 2003 AC, 6 Cyl, $4200 128400m good condition Call 956-774-7507 Oldsmobile Alero ‘02, a/c, PW, PL, 4cyl., 18” rims $3,900 obo. (956)523-0642; 645-4496.