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GEORGE AND MARTHA ARE GETTING READY Martha Washington, portrayed by Betty B. Moreno, and George Washington, portrayed by Francis Cullen "Pancho" Averill Jr., show off their costumes, designed by Linda Gutierrez, during the Society of Martha Washington Media Day at the J.C. Martin residence in Laredo, on Wednesday afternoon.
Losing money School district faces loss of up to $8.5M By NICK GEORGIOU THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata County Independent School District could lose between $4.9 million and $8.5 million in funding because of the state’s projected massive budget shortfall, according to a leading school finance firm. Exactly how much state funding ZCISD and other school districts will lose remains to be seen. Lawmakers likely will not pass the 2012-13 biennium budget until May. But deep cuts are expected, as both the House and the Senate have proposed slashing public education funding by at least $10 billion over a two-year period. The preliminary budgets have triggered widespread fear, with leaders of public education institutions saying they will have to take drastic measures to absorb the proposed cuts. Those measures would include closing schools, employee furloughs, layoffs and cutting salaries
If ZCISD were to lose between $4.9 million and $8.5 million, that would equal 11 to 20 percent of its general operating revenue budget. and employment contract days. While legislators will hold many hearings before passing the 2012-13 biennium budget, school districts and other state-funded agencies are bracing for the worst and drawing up budget reduction strategies.
See SCHOOLS PAGE 12A
Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
MEXICO VIOLENCE
WEATHER
3 armed men shot by Army
REVELING IN THE ICE
Weapons, ammo were confiscated by soldiers after battle THE ZAPATA TIMES
Three suspected drug traffickers died in a confrontation with the Mexican Army in Ciudad Mier last weekend, continuing an unrelenting wave of violence across the northern Mexican border. Few details about the Jan. 30 attack were available. The Mexican Department of National Defense issued a news release confirming the deaths but gave no names or information about when or where the confrontation occurred. The department’s statement noted that soldiers confiscated five rifles, 89 clips and more than 1,500 rounds of ammunition. A day later, soldiers arrested four people near Diaz Ordaz during a routine patrol. The defense department’s statement said soldiers found 1.5 kilos of marijuana, two cartridges and a ammo loader. In Nuevo Laredo, the new police chief, Manuel Farfán Carriola, was assassinated in an ambush late Wednesday as he was
See ARMY PAGE 12A
Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times
Eva Mendez and Ernesto I. Guerra enjoy playing with an icy water fountain at the Best Western Inn in Zapata on Friday afternoon.
Cold blows through county, but warmth is on its way THE ZAPATA TIMES
Icy weather gripped Zapata County, turning fountains into frozen artwork and causing several minor accidents, but no major injuries were reported. “We don’t have it this cold very often,”
said Edna Umphres, a retired teacher who has lived in Zapata more than 40 years. “We had ice on the bird bath and the grass was just covered with ice (Friday morning). The ice was just everywhere. It looked like snow in a way, but it was ice. “Last winter was very mild,” she noted.
“This is a little colder than we usually have here.” The cold that settled over South Texas pushed temperatures into the 20s Thursday and Friday, but the sun came out and the
See WEATHER PAGE 12A
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
TUESDAY, FEB. 1 The Zapata Chamber of Commerce invites the public to the unveiling of the official 2011 Zapata Visitors Guide at 5:30 p.m. at the Zapata County Courthouse. The keynote speaker will be U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar. Food and refreshments will be provided. RSVP by contacting Celia Balderas at (956) 765-4871 or cbalderas@zapatachamber.com. The Webb County Community Coalition of SCAN, Inc. invites the public to attend the WCCC meeting on Tuesday, February 1, 2011 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Border Region MHMR Community Center, 1500 Pappas St. The guest speaker will be Agent Michael Wise from the FBI office. For questions or to RSVP, please call Melissa Belmares-Cavazos or Veronica Jimenez at (956) 724-3177. The Alzheimer’s support group will meet today at 7 p.m. in meeting room 2, building B of the Laredo Medical Center. The support group is for family members and caregivers taking care of someone who has Alzheimer’s.
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 2 Kick off the Laredo Birding Festival with an opening reception, today from 6:30-10:30 p.m. in the Philip V Room at La Posada Hotel, located at 1000 Zaragoza Street. This opening event will feature nature photographer and field expert Larry Ditto entitled “Big birds, little birds, pretty birds, sneaky birds.” This event is free and open to the public. Contact the Laredo Convention and Visitor’s Bureau at (956) 795-2200 or visit www.laredobirdingfestival.com.
THURSDAY, FEB. 3 Texas A&M International University College of Arts and Sciences Center for the Fine and Performing Arts presents “Deep in the Heart…” an art exhibit and reception featuring the artwork of Janet Krueger, Mary Quiros, Miki Rodríguez, Christina Zorillo Speer and Marilu Flores Gruben. Opening reception is from 5-7:30 p.m. in the CFPA Gallery Lobby. Admission is free and open to the public. The exhibit will be on display in the CFPA Gallery through March 24. Contact the TAMIU Department of Fine and Performing Arts at (956) 326-2654.
FRIDAY, FEB. 4 The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will show "IBMX-Search for the Edge of the Solar System" at 6 p.m. and "Wonders of the Universe" at 7 p.m. General admission is $5, $4 for children, and TAMIU students, faculty, staff and alumni. Premium shows are $1 more. Call (956) 326-DOME.
SATURDAY, FEB. 5 Texas A&M International University’s Baseball team plays the University of Texas – Permian Basin at 12 p.m. General admission tickets are $5, $3 for students, and free for anyone with a TAMIU I.D. Call (956) 326-2891 or visit GoDustdevils.com. The Texas A&M International University 2011 Ballet Folklórico Festival Concert is today at 7 p.m. at TAMIU’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. Contact the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at (956) 326-2654. The Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium will show "Star Signs" at 5 p.m., "IBMX- Search for the Edge of the Solar System" at 6 p.m. and "Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon" at 7 p.m. General admission is $5, $4 for children and TAMIU students, faculty, staff and alumni. Premium shows are $1 more. Call (956) 326-DOME. Lend a helping hand during the monthly work day for the Paso del Indio Nature Trail from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., and then explore the wild side of the Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a small admission fee; free with LCC or TAMIU I.D. Call (956) 764-5701.
MONDAY, FEB. 7 Texas A&M International University College of Arts and Sciences Center for the Fine and Performing Arts presents “Deep in the Heart…” an art exhibit featuring the artwork of Janet Krueger, Mary Quiros, Miki Rodriguez, Christina Zorillo Speer and Marilu Flores Gruben. Admission is free and open to the public. To submit an item for the calendar, send the name of the event, the date, time, location and contact phone number to editorial@lmtonline.com
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Eric S. Swist/The Courier | AP
Elaine O’Brien snaps a photo of a frozen fountain at a shopping center Friday in Shenandoah, north of Houston. Forecasters expect a mostly sunny Super Bowl Sunday with highs in the 40s. Plans are to keep the roof at Cowboys Stadium closed.
Snow tackles Bowl fans By SCHUYLER DIXON ASSOCIATED PRESS
FORT WORTH — Another blast of winter weather slammed Dallas with up to 5 inches of snow Friday, making driving hazardous and forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights as tens of thousands of football fans descended on the city for the Super Bowl. North Texas was still struggling to recover from Tuesday’s ice storm, part of a massive system that paralyzed a large swath of the country with blizzards and bone-chilling temperatures this week. The National Weather Service issued a winter storm warning Friday for Arlington, home of the $1.3 billion Cowboys Stadium where the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Green Bay Packers are set to face off this weekend. Forecasters expect a mostly sunny Super Bowl Sunday with highs in the 40s, and orga-
nizers said last week that the stadium’s retractable roof will be closed. But the weather was causing travel problems for die-hard fans on Friday — which was expected to be the busiest day for travel to Dallas ahead of the game. American Airlines and its affiliate, Eagle, cancelled more than 300 flights that were supposed to land at its main hub, Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Love Field, home to Southwest Airlines, was closed down before dawn because of snow on the runways, but reopened by noon. As many as 5 inches of snow fell in the Dallas area Friday. Amber Elliott of the National Weather Service said subfreezing temperatures will linger until Saturday. The high Sunday is expected to be in the 40s, but that is probably not warm enough to melt all the snow and ice, Elliott said.
Brenham house fire kills mom, 2 kids
Attorney: Player settles lawsuit over collapse
UT admissions case to go to full 5th US Circuit
BRENHAM — Authorities say a woman and her two children were found dead in a house fire. A cinder-block home was engulfed in flames when the fire department arrived 4:45 a.m. Thursday. A 50-year-old man escaped with third-degree burns over half his body. He was in critical condition in San Antonio.
DALLAS — A former Dallas Cowboys player who was inside the team’s practice facility when it collapsed in 2009 settled a lawsuit against the company that designed the building and companies operated by team owner Jerry Jones. Jamar Hunt was attempting to make the Cowboys as a rookie free agent when the structure fell in a wind storm on May 2, 2009.
AUSTIN — The full 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is being asked to consider a 2008 challenge to University of Texas admission standards. A three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based court ruled Jan. 18 that UT-Austin can consider race and ethnicity in its admissions standards.
Board places indicted doctor on probation AUSTIN — Medical regulators on Friday placed on probation a doctor involved in the unsuccessful prosecution of two nurses who complained he was unethical and had risked patients’ health. The Texas Medical Board meeting in Austin technically suspended Dr. Rolando G. Arafiles Jr., but said he could continue to practice medicine while on probation for four years, if he completed additional training.
AAA says gas prices in state mostly unchanged IRVING — Gasoline prices are stable across most of Texas this week but jumped to a high of $3 per gallon in Amarillo. The AAA Texas survey reports that the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline statewide this week remains unchanged at $2.95. But Amarillo has become the first major Texas city in more than two years with an average price of $3.
Audit criticizes prison system medical provider HOUSTON — A state audit of the major provider of the prison system’s health care program is criticizing the school for lack of oversight in reimbursements for services and for boosting some salaries. The audit released Thursday also said the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston may be charging its correctional care division for a disproportionate amount of indirect costs. — Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION Bill would nullify Islamic law in state courts
Today is Saturday, Feb. 5, the 36th day of 2011. There are 329 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On Feb. 5, 1811, George, the Prince of Wales, was named Prince Regent due to the mental illness of his father, Britain’s King George III. On this date: In 1631, the co-founder of Rhode Island, Roger Williams, and his wife, Mary, arrived in Boston from England. In 1783, Sweden recognized the independence of the United States. In 1887, Verdi’s opera “Otello” premiered at La Scala. In 1911, Missouri’s second Capitol building in Jefferson City burned down after being struck by lightning. Opera singer Jussi Bjoerling was born in Borlange, Dalarna, Sweden. In 1917, Congress passed, over President Woodrow Wilson’s veto, an immigration act severely curtailing the influx of Asians. Mexico’s constitution was adopted. In 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt proposed increasing the number of Supreme Court justices; critics accused Roosevelt of attempting to “pack” the court. (The proposal failed in Congress.) In 1940, Glenn Miller and his orchestra recorded “Tuxedo Junction” for RCA Victor’s Bluebird label. In 1971, Apollo 14 astronauts Alan Shepard and Edgar Mitchell stepped onto the surface of the moon in the first of two lunar excursions. In 1989, the Soviet Union announced that all but a small rear-guard contingent of its troops had left Afghanistan. Ten years ago: Four disciples of Osama bin Laden went on trial in New York in the 1998 bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa. (The four were convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.) Flanked by a jumbo refund-check stage prop, President George W. Bush asked Americans to get behind his proposed tax cuts. A disgruntled former factory worker killed five people, including himself, at an engine plant near Chicago. Today’s Birthdays: Country singer Claude King is 88. The Rev. Andrew M. Greeley is 83. Baseball Hall-of-Famer Hank Aaron is 77. Actor Stuart Damon is 74. Tony-winning playwright John Guare is 73. Financial writer Jane Bryant Quinn is 72. Actor David Selby is 70. Singer-songwriter Barrett Strong is 70. Football Hall-of-Famer Roger Staubach is 69. Movie director Michael Mann is 68. Rock singer Al Kooper is 67. Actress Charlotte Rampling is 65. Racing Hall-of-Famer Darrell Waltrip is 64. Actress Barbara Hershey is 63. Actor Christopher Guest is 63. Actor Tom Wilkinson is 63. Actor-comedian Tim Meadows is 50. Actress Jennifer Jason Leigh is 49. Actress Laura Linney is 47. Rock musician Duff McKagan (Velvet Revolver) is 47. World Golf Hall-of-Famer Jose Maria Olazabal is 45. Actor-comedian Chris Parnell is 44. Rock singer Chris Barron (Spin Doctors) is 43. Thought for Today: “Many excellent words are ruined by too definite a knowledge of their meaning.” — Aline Kilmer, American poet (1888-1941).
CONTACT US
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A proposal would prevent the state’s courts from enforcing foreign law, including Islamic Sharia law, though Muslim advocates say it could essentially ban religion from mundane matters such as weddings and even burials. The bill makes no reference to a specific religion or country.
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Group wants deportations of sick to stop Photo by Paul Sakuma | AP
MIAMI — The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights is urging the United States to stop deporting Haitians who are seriously ill or who have family members in this country. The commission said Friday deporting sick Haitians could jeopardize their lives because of the unhealthy conditions in the Haitian jails where they would be detained after arriving.
Identical twins Melissa Ventura-Benel, left, and Meilyn Ventura-Benel, center, shake hands with a soldier after they took the U.S. Army oath of enlistment at the U.S. Army East Bay Recruiting Company, in Hayward, Calif., on Friday.
Icy roads in South blamed for traffic deaths NEW ORLEANS — Icy roads are blamed for traffic deaths in the South.
One person was killed in a Friday accident in Iberville Parish in Louisiana involving three 18-wheelers and a pickup truck. In Mississippi, a man and a woman died in separate wrecks on ice patches on Interstate 10. — Compiled from AP reports
SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of the Laredo Morning Times and for those who buy the Laredo Morning Times at newsstands, the Zapata Times is inserted. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by the Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, P.O. Box 2129, Laredo, Texas 78044. Phone (956) 728-2500. The Zapata office is at 1309 N. U.S. Hwy. 83 at 14th Avenue, Suite 2, Zapata, TX 78076. Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes.net
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
Zlocal
PAGE 3A
Senator again in ed chair SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Laredo’s state senator has been reappointed chair of the Senate Higher Education Committee by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. In addition, Sen. Judith Zaffirini also has been reappointed to the committees on finance, health and human services, administration, economic development and redistricting. “Strengthening our higher education system is essential to ensuring Texas’ future economic competitiveness,” Zaffirini said. “I am delighted for the opportunity to continue to champion the priorities of Texas colleges and universities, students and families.” Zaffirini added that Dewhurst named her “to the best positions from which to make a difference for the families of our district and of our state.” The Senate Higher Education Committee will address issues facing colleges and universities, including financial aid, college advising and higher education accountability. Zaffirini chaired the Higher Education Subcommittee from 2005 to 2009, when Dewhurst upgraded it to a full committee Since 2001, Zaffirini has served on the Senate Committee on Administration that certifies legislation for the Local and Uncontested Calendar — about 75 percent of the legislation passed by the Senate each session, including many bills important to communities in Senate
Agriculture department offering program SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
For the second year in a row, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is offering a general Conservation Reserve Program signup. The general signup starts March 14 and continues through April 15. “Financial incentives available through CRP afford farmers and ranchers a low risk opportunity to implement a variety of conservation practices that will benefit the environment in a number of ways,” said Martin J. Garcia, executive director for the Webb County USDA Farm Service Agency. “Over the past 25 years, CRP practices have improved water and air quality, increased wildlife habitat and prevented soil erosion,” he said. Landowners enrolled in CRP receive annual rental payments and cost-share assistance to establish longterm, resource conserving covers on eligible farmland. Land that is not currently enrolled in CRP can be offered during sign-up if all eligibility requirements are met. CRP participants with contracts expiring this fall can make new contract offers during the signup period. Contracts awarded during this general signup will become effective Oct. 1. All CRP offers are evaluated and ranked using an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) that indicates the environmental benefits of enrolling land in CRP. There are five environmental factors that make up the EBI: wildlife, water, soil, air, enduring benefits and cost. Decisions will be made following the end of the signup period and after analyzing EBI data on all of the offers. In addition to the general sign-up, the continuous CRP sign-up program will be ongoing. For more information, visit /www.fsa.usda.gov/ crp.
Rep has filed several bills THE ZAPATA TIMES
Courtesy photo
Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Sen. Judith Zaffirini appear at a university graduation ceremony in this undated photograph. District 21 and across Texas. She is the ranking member of the Select Committee on Redistrict-
ing, which is charged with redrawing the boundaries of congressional, legislative and state board of education districts. Her
goals include keeping South Texas communities together and adhering to the principles of the Voting Rights Act.
A series of bills designed to help Texas veterans by promoting entrepreneurship, protecting homeowners and economic development have been filed by state Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City. “Our state’s military personnel fight tirelessly to ensure the safety of the United State and its citizens,” said Guillen. “My legislative proposals regarding veterans honor those who have served to protect our country.” More than 1 million veterans and their family members live in Zapata. The legislation includes: HB 888 would provide that disabled veterans be included in the criteria necessary to be considered a historically underutilized business. Those included in the Texas State Comptroller’s HUB directory benefit from increased exposure to opportunities with state and private entities who take part in a diversity program. HB 445 would allow the surviving family members of those killed in the
REP. RYAN GUILLEN: Bills are pending in state Legislature. line of duty or disabled veterans an opportunity to pay property taxes in installments. This bill eases the transition for disabled veterans and the surviving spouses of those killed while serving. HB 635 would ensure a grace period before a foreclosure on the residence of a surviving spouse of service members who lost their lives during active military duty. HB 26 would prohibit an increase in property taxes imposed by a taxing authority for military reserves ordered to active military duty. Reservists should not have to endure unexpected tax increases while they are on active duty and away from their civilian jobs and income, Guillen said. “This proposed legislation will ensure that Texas veterans, active reservists and their families are able to contend with the challenges brought by serving,” Guillen said.
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
COLUMN
OTHER VIEWS
Easy fix-up: Institute term limits By CAROLINE BAUM BLOOMBERG NEWS
T
he Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives is promising to cut $100 billion from domestic spending this year. The Tea Party caucuss response? Ill see your $100 billion and raise you $2.4 trillion over 10 years.
Short-timers Both groups are barking up the wrong tree or, to use a more appropriate animal analogy, putting the cart before the horse. The road to real deficit reduction, not a cosmetic nip and tuck, runs through term limits. If Americans are truly interested in shrinking the size of government — one of the takeaways from the 2010 midterm election — they can start by limiting the amount of time lawmakers are allowed to serve. This would require a constitutional amendment (see U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v. Thornton, 1995), no mean feat, requiring as it does approval by a two-thirds majority in Congress. But not impossible either. Recent events in the Middle East demonstrate just how potent people power can be. Would it surprise you to learn that newbies in Congress (those who have served six years or less in the House and 12 or less in the Senate) are more likely to vote for fiscal restraint than veteran lawmakers? Or that this finding was based on votes taken from 1995 through 1998, when Republicans controlled both houses of Congress? Even Newt Gingrich’s class of 94, determined to shrink the size and scope of government, couldn’t buck the Old Guard, according to the results of this Cato Institute study.
Shrunken Egos In the last two years, the spending increases in bills proposed by freshman House Democrats were 60 percent lower than those sponsored by their more senior colleagues, according to Peter Sepp, vice president for communications at the National Taxpayers Union. The GOP freshmen proposed 15 percent more cuts in spending than the oldtimers. It turns out the old adage is true: The longer they stay, the more they spend. Its what political scientist James L. Payne calls The Culture of Spending, the title of his 1991 book. What goes on is a socialization process: a nicer way of saying indoctrination, Payne said in a telephone interview. One is surrounded by people who have a biased reason for arguing that federal spending is good, necessary, wise and proper. There’s no reason for anyone to enter this process if he believes its unwise or unethical. Clearly the Paul family, father Ron and son Rand, stands out as an exception.
Payne v. Baum Payne, an independent
researcher in Sandpoint, Idaho, challenged my premise that spending is the surest route to reelection. If spending were motivated by an attempt to buy votes, then lawmakers who announce they’re retiring 18 months before the election would demonstrate a pattern of greater fiscal restraint, according to Payne. They don’t, he said. The election does not drive spending, which is why long-serving congressmen from electorally safe districts are profligate spenders as well. So thats why the late Robert Byrd, who represented West Virginia for half a century in the Senate, has 33 roads, bridges and buildings named after hI’m. While Payne upended my notion that lawmakers spending is driven by a desire to ingratiate themselves with key constituencies, Im happy to report his research supports my conclusion. Term limits would ensure a regular flow of new blood. New blood is less tainted than old blood when it comes to the culture of spending.
Lifetime Employment From 1964 to 2008, the incumbency rate in the House of Representatives averaged 93 percent, according to the Center for Responsive politics, a non-partisan independent research group tracking money in politics. Even in a wave election like the 2010 midterms, where the GOP picked up 63 House seats, the reelection rate was 86 percent, the lowest since 1948. So yes, Virginia, we have created a permanent ruling class, something the Founders feared. James Madison worried that without term limits, legislators would serve their narrow self-interest at the expense of the national interest. He was right. Whether Payne is correct and the culture of Washington drives spending, or Baums theory of pay-to-play is operative, term limits are the solution. As it now stands, the only lawmakers who self-limit their terms of office are the ones who support term limits. That leaves us with lifers and losers.
Pay attention to Muslim world By JONATHAN GURWITZ SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS
“S
ixty years of Western nations excusing and accommodating the lack of freedom in the Middle East did nothing to make us safe, because in the long run stability cannot be purchased at the expense of liberty.” — President George W. Bush, Nov. 6, 2003 Thousands of people take to the streets to protest against three decades of political repression, arbitrary justice and economic beggary. The government responds by shutting down communications networks and making a show of strength with its security forces. As events unfold and the fate of a pivotal nation hangs in the balance, the leader of the free world has a message for the masses marching for change: You’re on your own. Egypt, 2011? No — Iran, 2009.
Is it meddling? As police and paramilitary groups ruthlessly beat peaceful protestors and dragged them away to dreaded prisons, President Obama said the United States should not be “meddling in Iranian elec-
Reaction As pressure mounted for the president to make some statement in support of the aspirations of the Iranian protestors, the Obama administration clung to the position that it was purely an internal matter. “This is a debate in Iran among Iranians,” an official told the Wall Street Journal. “It is not about us.” Fast-forward to 2011, and you see the same de-
fault position, the same timidity, the same refusal to acknowledge legitimate grievances of the people. With masses on Cairo’s streets, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said “the Egyptian government is stable.” Vice President Joe Biden described Hosni Mubarak, now in his 30th year in power, as an ally but not a dictator.
Just words As the absurdity of these statements grew, U.S. policy slowly began to shift. Clinton announced there would need to be an “orderly transition.” A week after the protests began, President Obama started to speak about “universal values” and talked directly to the people of Egypt: “We hear your voices.” Why the hesitancy? So-called realists from the left and the right derided the Bush forward strategy on freedom as delusional and destructive to U.S. interests. Then, opposition to the democracy agenda got bound up in hostility against the Iraq War. Even people invested in the power of change and the moral arc of history reflexively rejected the prospect that oppressed citizens of the Middle East and elsewhere might also
share in the blessings of liberty.
Acknowledgment Events in Tunisia, Egypt, Yemen and Jordan demonstrate that, indeed, stability cannot be purchased at the expense of liberty. The Obama administration has reluctantly, tepidly and belatedly begun to revive a public discussion of, as the president put it Tuesday night, “the inevitability of human freedom.” That inevitability is certain not only in nations whose autocratic leaders happen to be allied with the United States. Orderly transition, which could easily be mistaken for regime change, should also apply to Iran and Libya and, for that matter, China.
Speaking up Obama has the potential to be an extraordinary advocate for political change, particularly in the Muslim world. That change is coming, one way or another. Far better for the United States to have a voice in the process than be an impotent bystander defending an ossified status quo. (E-mail: jgurwitz@express-news.net)
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY
Cut My Benefit? Our representatives see a steady stream of constituents traipsing through their offices with requests for government largesse. Aunt Gertrude can’t pay her medical bills. Uncle Roger watched his home and office succumb to a tornado. Cousin Vinny lost his home to foreclosure. Like most human beings, lawmakers want to help. So they blithely vote for more spending because, quite simply, if they don’t put their hand in the cookie jar, someone else will. When was the last time a constituent walked into his congressman’s office and asked for cuts in popular government programs? Unless you believe in fairy tales, a prerequisite for smaller government is short-term legislators.
tions.” Of course, the protests in Iran — like the current protests in Egypt — were only nominally about elections. They were fundamentally about human dignity and basic principles of freedom. “I see the moment we are witnessing as a civil rights movement rather than a push to topple the regime,” Hamid Dabashi, an Iranian scholar and Columbia University professor, wrote on a New York Times blog in 2009. “If Rosa Parks was the American ‘mother of the civil rights movement,’ the young woman who was killed point blank in the course of a demonstration, Neda Agha Soltan, might very well emerge as its Iranian granddaughter.”
The Zapata Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer’s first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The
phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our
readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the letter. The Zapata Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-call-
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ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
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6A THE ZAPATA TIMES
Movement filmmaker to speak at TAMIU SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
In 1948, the only funeral home in Three Rivers, just a two-hour drive from Laredo, refused to hold a wake for fallen World War II hero Felix Longoria, allegedly because the decorated Mexican-American soldier was not white. The controversy and fight for equality that followed from that event made headlines across the nation and is the focus of a new PBS documentary by filmmaker John Valadez, titled “The Longoria Affair.” Texas A&M International University will present a screening of “The Longoria Affair” and an opportunity to interact with the filmmaker Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Auditorium. The screening is free and open to the public. María Flores and Marcela Morán, assistant professors of communications,
JOHN VALADEZ: Made groundbreaking film ‘The Longoria Affair.’ said they invited Valadez to visit TAMIU after they met him during his visit last year to Laredo. “We felt our students and the community would benefit from a viewing of ‘The Longoria Affair,’ and from a question and answer session with him,” Morán said. The documentary brings attention to an event that marks one of the starting points of the Chicano movement, Flores said. “I hope that the audience will be able to also understand an important part of Texas history by watching this film,” she said. Before the film screening, Valadez will speak to Moran’s film history and video production classes as well as Flores’ transnation-
al trends in communications class about documentary techniques, Morán said. “The students will most definitely benefit from his insights,” Morán said. PBS productions have to meet high standards of production and screen writing, Flores explained. “Our students will have the opportunity to be inspired by interacting with Valadez,” she said, “He is one of the most well-known Latino PBS producers.” Flores said she hopes her students learn techniques about how to nationalize a local story. “Valadez’s work does a remarkable job in bringing a local story into the national spotlight and I hope my students learn how this is achieved,” she said. Valadez said the film provides lessons from the past that could be applied to the present.
Breakfast features former adviser SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
David Gergen, advisor to four United States presidents, senior political analyst for CNN and Harvard University professor will make a rare public appearance at Texas A&M International University on Thursday, Feb. 24 at 8 a.m. for a special morning lecture and breakfast. Tickets are $35 and are available for advance purchase with the university’s Office of Institutional Advancement. Funds for the presentation will help support TAMIU’s student leadership program, Leadership TAMIU. Gergen is a professor of public service and director of the Center for Public Leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School. In 2000, he published the best-selling
DAVID GERGEN: Former presidential adviser to speak at university. book, Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton. TAMIU President Ray Keck said the university is honored to have the opportunity to host Gergen. This past summer, Keck and TAMIU students participated in the inaugural Latino Leadership Initiative at Harvard and met Gergen, a CPL faculty member. “We were all very impressed by professor Gergen’s keen interest in fostering leadership, especially leadership by young Latinos. His insight and accessibility to our students was inspiring and helped our Leadership TAMIU
program here. During his visit here, he will be meeting with our LLI cohort to hear of their progress in leadership initiatives here,” Keck said. Gergen lives in Cambridge, Mass., with his wife, Anne, a family therapist. The couple has two children, Christopher and Katherine, and four grandchildren. Leadership TAMIU is a leadership-training program at the university. It offers a series of group experiences, opportunities to develop skills, self-assessment exercises and targeted ways to test leadership through community outreach. Students self-elect to participate in Leadership TAMIU, but must meet requirements, attend group meetings and complete assignments.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
March 12 is Zapata County Fair parade SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
February crept up on us before we knew it, and March is sure to follow suit, with the event that many Zapatans anticipate each year: the Zapata County Fair. The climax of this affair is the Zapata County Fair Parade, scheduled for Saturday, March 12. The parade unofficially begins with floats, organizations, and other participants gathering on 3rd Avenue at 9:30 a.m. and making their way to the hilltop County Plaza, where local dignitaries await. Once there, the National Anthem and a balloon launch officially kick off the parade. Past participants have been a motley group, including school organizations, veterans, ranching associations, car clubs and motorcycle clubs. “We don’t want to be exclusive; we
want to be inclusive. We want everyone to participate,” said Roberto O. Montes, parade committee spokesperson. This year’s theme is “Wild About Our County Fair,” allowing participants the freedom to show what they are “wild about” based on the organizations they represent. The parade will travel north on US Highway 83 and is expected to reach the county fair grounds around noon, where parade spectators can stroll about, partaking in the delicious fare and refreshments. “We’re going to be awarding trophies for ‘Best Western,’ ‘Most Colorful,’ etc. Those will be awarded on the county fair grounds at 1:30 (p.m.),” Montes said. Those interested in participating should submit their parade entry forms to the Chamber of Commerce no later than Feb. 21.
THE BLOTTER ASSAULT Refugio Guzman, 36, was arrested and charged with assault family violence at 7:48 a.m. Jan. 27 in the 100 block of Madison, at El Rey RV Park. The man was taken to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held in lieu of a $25,000 bond. Manuel M. Galvan-Gomez, 32, was arrested and charged with assault around 12:15 a.m. Jan 29 in connection with an incident in the 1200 block of Roma Avenue. He was taken to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held in lieu of a $25,000. A 19-year-old man reported at 4:20 a.m. Jan. 30 that someone assaulted him at a social gathering in the 300 block of Falcon Lane.
DISORDERLY CONDUCT William D. Cloud, 58, was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct at 1:23 p.m. Jan. 26 in connection with an incident that occurred at the corner of U.S. 83 and FM 496. He was
taken to Zapata Regional Jail and held in lieu of a $5,000 bond.
DWI Gloria Arambula, 25, was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated with a child younger than 15 years of age at about 2:30 p.m. Jan. 25 in Ramireño, off U.S. 83. The woman was taken to Zapata County Jail, where she was held in lieu of a $3,000 bond.
marijuana. He was taken to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held in lieu of combined bond of $8,000 bond.
RECKLESS DRIVING Adrian Garcia, 19, was arrested and charged with reckless driving and striking a fence at about 12:15 a.m. Jan. 26 in the 1900 block of Bravo Avenue. He was taken to Zapata Regional Jail and held in lieu of a combined bond of $8,000.
POSSESSION Fernando Villarreal III, 26, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana at 7:41 p.m. Jan. 27 in the 1100 block of Juarez Avenue. Deputies say he had 9.1 grams of marijuana. The man was taken to the Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held in lieu of $5,000 bond. Jaime Garza, 17, was arrested at 1:36 a.m. Wednesday in the vicinity of Texas 16 and Seventh Street after a brief foot chase. Garza was charged with evading arrest and possession of
THEFT Jorge Peña, 24, was arrested and charged with theft at 4:08 a.m. Jan. 25 at El Tigre Exxon at the corner of Texas 16 and U.S. 83. Deputies say he took two 40-pound bags of deer corn. He was taken to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held in lieu of a $500 bond. A 29-year-old woman called deputies at 6:53 a.m. Tuesday in the 1600 block of Ramireño Avenue. She stated that someone stole her 2009 Yukon.
SÁBADO 5 DE FEBRERO DE 2011
Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 5 DE FEBRERO LAREDO — Hoy es el día para trabajar en el Paso Natural del Indio, de 8 a.m. a 12 p.m. en el Laredo Community College, campus Fort McIntosh. También se podrá visitar el Centro de Ciencias Ambientales Lamar Bruni Vergara de 10 a.m. a 2 p.m. Más información en el 764-5701. LAREDO — Hoy s realizará una venta de libros en la Widener Room de la First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave., de 8:30 a.m. a 1 p.m. El público está invitado. La entrada es gratuita. Se aceptan libros y revistas en donación. LAREDO — El equipo de béisbol de TAMIU recibe a University of Texas – Permian Basin a las 12 p.m. La entrada general es de 5 dólares. Más información en el 326.2891. LAREDO — WBCA invita al Festival de Danza Juvenil de 2 p.m. a 5 p.m. en el Auditorio del Laredo Civic Center. Entrada gratuita. LAREDO — Cirque Du Soleil se presenta hoy con “Alegria” en Laredo Energy Arena a las 3:30 p.m. y 7:30 p.m. LAREDO — Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de TAMIU y explore “Star Signs” a las 5 p.m., “IBEX: Search for the Edge of the Solar System” a las 6 p.m., y Pink Floyd’s ”Dark Side of the Moon” a las 7 p.m. Entrada general es de 5 dólares. Más información en el 326-DOME. LAREDO — No se pierda el Concierto del Festival del Ballet Folklórico de TAMIU hoy a las 7 p.m. en el teatro del Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de la universidad. Adquiera su boleto llamando al 326-2654. LAREDO — WBCA invita a la Noche de Cabaret del LULAC Concilio 7 de 7 p.m. a 1 a.m. en el Laredo Civic Center Ballroom. Se rendirá homenaje a Juan Maldonado, presidente de LCC. Costo es de 20 dólares por persona y 200 dólares en mesa para 10. La música estará a cargo de Grupo Premiar de los dos Laredos. LAREDO — WBCA invita a la Gala de Cata de Vino del Boys & Girls Club de Laredo a las 8 p.m. en el Laredo Country Club. Mesa para 10 personas tiene costo de 2.500 dólares. LAREDO — Papagallos USA, 5920 San Bernardo, presenta hoy a El Pega Pega de Emilio Reyna. Puertas abren a las 8 p.m. Concierto es a las 10:30 p.m. NUEVO LAREDO: Hoy es el estreno de la obra “Más Pequeños que el Guggenheim” en el Teatro del IMSS a las 7 p.m. Admisión es de 50 pesos. Informes y venta de boletos: (867) 132-3388 y (867) 109-3297. Otra función será a las 8:30 p.m.
Zfrontera AGRICULTORES DEBEN DAR INFORME O PODRÍAN SER MULTADOS
TAMAULIPAS
Esperan reportes
Sedena aplica plan general
TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Los extranjeros con tenencias agrícolas en Estados Unidos están obligados a informar sobre sus propiedades y todas sus transacciones a la Secretaría de Agricultura. Por esa razón el Director Ejecutivo de la oficina en Webb de la Agencia de Servicio Agrícola, Martin García, dijo que de no presentarse tales informes conlleva una sanción con multas de hasta un 25% del valor justo de mercado de las tierras agrícolas. “Cualquier extranjero que adquiera, transfiera o tenga alguna participación, con excepción de una garantía prendaria, en tierras agrícolas en EU está obligado por ley a reportar la transacción a más tardar 90 días des-
pués de la fecha de esa transacción”, dijo García. “La multa se aplica ya sea que no presenten un informe, o que la presentación de un informe se de con atraso o esté incorrecto. Los inversionistas extranjeros deben presentar informes de acuerdo a la Ley de Divulgación de Inversiones Agrícolas Extranjeras en la oficina de condado de la FSA, que mantiene los informes del condado donde se encuentra la propiedad. A efectos de AFIDA, la tierra agrícola se define como cualquier tierra utilizada para la agricultura, la ganadería o la producción de madera, si la extensión suma a un total de 10 acres o más. Un informe de divulgación también es necesario cuando hay cambios en el uso de la tierra.
MARTES 8 DE FEBRERO LAREDO — El Club de Música y Literatura de los Martes tendrá su Valentine Tea anual el día de hoy a las 4 p.m. en First United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 1220 McClelland Ave. El programa será “Un Popurrí Romántico” por Joseph Crabtree y Dana Crabtree, acompañados al piano por Mikolaj Gorecki. Más información llamando a Linda Mott al 2063033 ó escriba a lmott@stx.rr.com. LAREDO — WBCA invita a Taste of Laredo a las 6:30 p.m. en Laredo Energy Arena. El costo es de 22 dólares por adulto y 12 dólares para niños de 12 años y menores.
“Los informes son necesarios cuando el uso de la tierra cambia de uso no agrícola a agrícola o viceversa. Los inversionistas extranjeros también deben presentar un informe cuando se produce un cambio en el estado del propietario, tales como cambios de dueño extranjero a dueño no extranjero, de no extranjero a extranjero, y de extranjero a extranjero”, explicó Martín. Los datos adquiridos de estas declaraciones se utilizan para preparar un informe anual al Presidente y al Congreso sobre el efecto de dichas tenencias, en las granjas de tamaño familiar y comunidades rurales en los EU. Para mayor información puede visitar la página: http://www.usda.gov.
DÉCADAS DESPUÉS
Operativos llevan a decomisos y arrestos TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
En la región norte de Tamaulipas, elementos de la Secretaría de la Defensa Nacional han realizado diversos operativos con resultados variados. En la mayoría de los casos reportan aseguramiento de armas, drogas e inclusive la muerte de presuntos agresores, tras enfrentamientos. A continuación un resumen de los reportes recientes de SeDeNa durante la semana:
Ciudad Mier El 30 de enero, tres presuntos agresores resultaron muertos cuando elementos del Ejército Mexicano repelieron una agresión. Posteriormente se logró el aseguramiento de un vehículo, cinco armas largas, 89 cargadores y 1,527 cartuchos de diferentes calibres.
Foto de cortesía | La del Miernes
Díaz Ordaz
La imagen muestra lo que queda del “Restaurante Tío Beto” en Ciudad Mier, México. Se trata de un otrora famoso y lujoso restaurante del pueblo. Cuentan los mierenses que inclusive el cantante Carlos Lico estuvo presente en su inauguración en los años 70.
DEPORTES
PLANES DE DESARROLLO Y AMBIENTE
Programan torneos para 27 de febrero La Secretaría de Desarrollo Económico y Turismo, a través del área de Vida Silvestre, inició los preparativos para organizar el tercer torneo de caza de guajolote en Tamaulipas. La convocatoria estará abierta a los 43 municipios de Tamaulipas. De acuerdo con el área de Vida Silvestre, el torneo de caza del guajolote atrae anualmente a alrededor de 400 participantes. El Gobierno de Tamaulipas ofrecerá tres premios económicos a los ganadores: 50.000 pesos al primer lugar, 30.000 al segundo, y 20.000 pesos al tercer lugar. Los requisitos para entrar a la competencia comprenden la licencia de caza vigente, obtener el cintillo de presa, y cubrir la cuota de inscripción, que se publicará en los próximos 15 días. El torneo iniciará el 27 de febrero y concluirá el 18 de mayo.
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Nuevo Laredo
La Secretaría de Desarrollo Urbano y Medio Ambiente se encuentra coordinando para Nuevo Laredo, al menos cinco proyectos bipartitos en áreas como: planificación urbana, medio ambiente, área del agua, suelo y vivienda, así como transporte público. De derecha a izquierda, el Secretario de Desarrollo Urbano y Medio Ambiente, Homero de la Garza Taméz y el Jefe de Gobierno Benjamín Galván Gómez.
Dallas dice está listo para Super Bowl POR SCHUYLER DIXON
Copa de Ciclismo El domingo 27 de febrero se realizará la Copa “Dr. Rodolfo Torre Cantú” que forma parte del Serial Nacional de Ciclismo de Montaña en la pista de 7.4 kilómetros ubicada en Los Troncones. El inicio de la competencia Cross Country será a las 10 a.m. Serán más de 400 los participantes, quienes buscarán hacer los mejores tiempos, ya que se trata de un evento clasificatorio a la Olimpiada Nacional dentro de las categorías juveniles, así como puntuable para los torneos de Campeonato Mundial y Juegos Panamericanos de Guadalajara 2011. Las cartas fuertes de Tamaulipas para este evento son: Benjamín García, originario de Jaumave, quien contendrá en la categoría juvenil expertos; así como Erick Andrés Reyes, de Victoria, en la categoría sub 23, dijo el presidente de la Asociación Estatal de Ciclismo, Arturo Silva Infante. Al torneo asistirán Lorenza Morfín y Daniela Campuzano, posibles medallistas de los Juegos Panamericanos de Guadalajara y otros integrantes del equipo Turbo, quienes encabezan las clasificaciones del país y son base de la selección nacional de ciclismo, anunció el representante de la Federación Mexicana de Ciclismo, Armando Becerra.
El 31 de enero, durante reconocimientos en el área rural, se logró la detención de cuatro presuntos infractores quienes se transportaban en dos vehículos en posesión de 1.5 Kgs. de marihuana, 2 cartuchos y 1 cargador.
Nuevo Laredo
TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
DOMINGO 6 DE FEBRERO LAREDO — Cirque Du Soleil se presenta hoy con “Alegria” en Laredo Energy Arena a la 1 p.m. y 5 p.m.
PÁGINA 7A
ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — Una nueva ola de clima invernal azotó el viernes a Dallas con hasta 12,5 centímetros (5 pulgadas) de nieve, que volvieron peligroso circular en automóvil y forzaron a cancelar cientos de vuelos cuando decenas de miles de fanáticos del fútbol americano intentaban llegar a la ciudad para el Super Bowl. El norte de Texas aún buscaba recuperarse de la nevisca del martes, parte de un frente frío que paralizó esta semana gran parte del país con nevadas, tormentas eléctricas y temperaturas heladas. El Servicio Meteorológico Nacional emitió el viernes una alerta de tormenta invernal para Arlington, donde está el estadio Cowboys, sede de la final del fútbol americano que disputarán el domingo los Packers de Green Bay y los Steelers de Pittsburgh. El pronóstico prevé un día soleado con temperaturas de 5 a 10 grados centígrados (40 a 50 Fahrenheit) y los organizadores dijeron que el techo re-
tráctil del estadio permanecerá cerrado. El vecino estado de Oklahoma, que se recuperaba de una nevada de hasta 50 centímetros (20 pulgadas), recibía más desde la madrugada del viernes. La acumulación total podría ser de entre 7,5 y 10 centímetros (3 a 4 pulgadas), dijo la meteoróloga Cheryl Sharp. Se esperaba aún más nieve para el domingo. El clima les traía problemas a los fanáticos que iban camino a Dallas. American Airlines y su subsidiaria Eagle cancelaron más de 300 vuelos que debían llegar allí. El aeropuerto Love Field, principal terminal de la aerolínea Southwest, cerró a las 3 a.m. por la nieve acumulada en las pistas. Aunque la temperatura en Dallas rondaba los 6 grados centígrados bajo cero (20 Fahrenheit), no era probable que esto amedrentara a los equipos de la gran final: en Pittsburgh la temperatura era la misma el viernes y en Green Bay estaba un poco más baja. (Paul Weber y Diana Heigerd contrbuyeron a este despacho)
El 31 de enero personal militar fue agredido con disparos de armas de fuego por integrantes de la delincuencia organizada y al repeler la agresión un sospechoso perdió la vida. Se logró la dentención de tres presuntos delincuentes y la liberación de cinco presuntos secuestrados. Igualmente fueron asegurados tres vehículos, 12 armas largas, un aditamento lanza granadas, una granada, 137 cargadores y 3,570 cartuchos de diferentes calibres. El 31 de enero, fueron asegurados tres vehículos, uno con reporte de robo, los cuales se encontraban abandonados. En el interior se localizaron dos cargadores y 33 cartuchos de diferentes calibres. El 30 de enero, cuando soldados realizaban acciones de reconocimientos a inmediaciones del rancho San Ignacio, lograron asegurar 110 gramos de marihuana, dos vehículos, un lanza granadas, Cal. 40 mm. y siete granadas del mismo calibre; cuatro armas largas, un arma corta, 211 cargadores y 3,304 cartuchos de diferentes calibres. El 30 de enero, fueron localizados tres vehículos, de los cuales uno con reporte de robo. Esto sucedió cuando soldados realizaban reconocimiento sobre la Avenida Guerrero, de la colonia Centro. El reporte indica que se escucharon detonaciones de granadas y disparos de armas de fuego.
State
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
Medical board puts indicted physician on probation By CHRIS TOMLINSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Michael Stravato | AP
Astronaut Mark Kelly prepares to discuss his decision to command the final flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavor during a news conference at Johnson Space Center on Friday, in Houston. Kelly’s wife, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, is recuperating from a gunshot wound to the head in a Houston hospital.
Kelly says yes to shuttle flight By MARCIA DUNN AND JUAN A. LOZANO ASSOCIATED PRESS
HOUSTON — The astronaut husband of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords said Friday his wounded wife would embrace his decision to rocket into space in two months and he expects her to be well enough to be at his launch. Space shuttle commander Mark Kelly refused to say whether the congresswoman took part in his decision and declined to go into details about her condition or whether she can communicate. “I know her very well and she would be very comfortable with the decision that I made,” Kelly told reporters. His decision, announced Friday, comes just four weeks after Giffords was shot in the head outside a Tucson, Ariz., supermarket. His choice to lead space shuttle Endeavour’s final voyage was made easier, he said, by his wife’s rapid progress in rehab. The 46-year-old astro-
naut said he never imagined in the immediate aftermath of the shooting that he would ever fly the two-week mission. He immediately quit training after the Jan. 8 shooting. Kelly said he told her mother there was no way he’d leave Giffords’ side. Gloria Giffords responded, “Are you kidding me?” Within two weeks, Giffords was transferred to TIRR Memorial Hermann hospital in Houston, and that’s when he started reconsidering. He weighed how much time he could spend with her, and how much he needed to be with his crew at Johnson Space Center on the outskirts of Houston. “So that’s a debate I had with myself,” he said. The fact that she’s busy all day in rehab was key. Kelly said their parents, siblings and his teenage daughters were “completely unanimous.” “Everybody felt that this was the right thing for me to do,” he said. Kelly said any critics of his decision don’t know
his wife. “She is a big supporter of my career, a big supporter of NASA,” he said. Giffords’ bullet wound was devastating. Though doctors described her early progress as remarkable, they have said very little about her condition. Houston doctors are not giving updates. In the first several days after the shooting, she gave a thumbs up and was able to stand with help. She massaged her husband’s neck, picked out colors on an iPad and playfully took the ring off a nurse’s finger. Friends and Kelly described her as able to understand them. But rehab experts say her progress will be slow, and the head of the hospital where she’s staying said doctors will help her reach “a new normal.” No one has yet reported that Giffords has spoken or made sounds. She can swallow and breathe on her own and follows commands to lift an arm or a leg. Kelly said a doctor told
him she’s doing better than 99 percent of other people with this type of injury. He said he’s not providing any updates on her condition to avoid speculation by strangers. “It’s not something I feel comfortable talking about,” he said. When asked if Giffords might be well enough to attend his launch, he replied: “Absolutely. I have every intention that she’ll be there for the launch. I’ve already talked to her doctors about it.” Giffords, 40, was meeting with constituents when she was gunned down. Six people were killed and 13 were injured in the rampage; a 22-yearold suspect is in custody. Kelly’s space mission will be Endeavour’s final flight and the fourth for him. He will lead a veteran, all-male crew to the International Space Station. A Navy captain, he entered the astronaut corps in 1996, along with his identical twin Scott, who’s circling the planet as the space station commander.
AUSTIN — Texas medical regulators placed on probation Friday a West Texas doctor involved in the unsuccessful prosecution of two nurses who complained anonymously that the physician was unethical and risking patients’ health. The Texas Medical Board technically suspended Dr. Rolando G. Arafiles Jr., but said he could continue to practice medicine while on probation for four years, if he completed additional training. The board also said Arafiles must be monitored by another physician and submit medical and billing records for review. The monitor will report his or her findings back to the board. In the mediated order signed in Austin, the board concluded that Arafiles failed to treat emergency room patients properly, did not apply hormone therapy to a female patient appropriately and failed to document patient diagnoses and treatment plans. The board also found that Arafiles improperly tried to intimidate two nurses who reported him to the medical board for unethical behavior. Arafiles now faces criminal charges for allegedly asking the Winkler County sheriff in 2009 to investigate after the doctor learned that the board was looking into a complaint filed against him. In January, Arafiles was indicted on two counts each of misuse of official information and retaliation that stem from the prosecution of Anne Mitchell and Vickilyn Galle, both former nurses at Winkler County Memorial Hospital. Charges that could have led to 10 years in prison were
dropped against Galle, and Mitchell was exonerated at trial in February 2010. Both nurses were fired from the hospital in June 2009 and a month later indicted for misuse of information after they complained anonymously to state regulators about Arafiles’ medical procedures. Among the nurses’ complaints in their unsigned April 2009 letter to the medical board were that Arafiles improperly encouraged patients to buy herbal medicines from him and had wanted to use hospital supplies to perform a procedure at a patient’s home. Arafiles, licensed in Texas since 1998, has said the nurses’ letter to the board was intended to harm him personally. In June, the medical board filed a complaint alleging Arafiles used “poor medical judgment” and “poor decision-making,” overbilled patients, prescribed nontherapeutic treatments and intimidated witnesses. He faced disciplinary action, including the loss of his license. The complaint was the first time allegations concerning Arafiles’ medical practices had been laid out in a public document. Among the allegations in the complaint, Arafiles is accused of prescribing hormone replacement therapy to a patient with a history of deep vein thrombosis, which can cause “serious complications/death,” and of not documenting the history. The patient developed a thrombosis after starting the medication. The unprofessional conduct allegation stems from Arafiles’ decision to go to the Winkler County sheriff, “a personal friend and patient,” to have the anonymous letter investigated and to pursue criminal charges against the nurses.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
Zentertainment
PAGE 9A
114TH WASHINGTON’S BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Courtesy photo | WBCA
Each year, the Wine Tasting Gala features an exquisite variety of fine wines. This year it will be held at the Laredo Country Club.
San Diego’s Liquid Blue at Wine Tasting SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Laredo is hosting its most ambitious Wine Tasting Gala event to date, as organizers prepare to paint the town “Liquid Blue.” The 13th Annual Wine Tasting Gala will be on Saturday at the Laredo Country Club . In addition to an open bar, wine master Tristen Beamon will be on hand to present an extraordinary selection of fine wines. Live and silent auctions will feature unique items such as luxury stays in Santa Fe, N.M., and Mustang Island; several premier wildlife hunts; a U.S. Open Tennis Tournament Package for two, including tickets to the women’s and men’s finals; original artwork; an eight-day African safari; and several dinner and party packages. A four-day trip for two to either New York City or San Francisco will also be raffled. This year’s featured band, Liquid Blue, is based in San Diego, Calif. The band’s official slogan, “Music to Move You,” says it all: Liquid Blue epitomizes dance music. Their spectacular concerts have been witnessed by sell-out crowds of up to 65,000 and millions more worldwide on television. With the pulsating sounds of DJ Layla Loxa and four unique lead vocalists performing more than 600 songs, dancing, drinking and dining enthusiasts will definitely be happy at this year’s Wine Tasting event.
Award winners Liquid Blue has garnered numerous awards including: “America’s Best Dance Band” at the National Music Awards in 2001; runner-
up “Best Band” at the International Music Awards; “Best Cover Band” and “Best Dance Band” at the San Diego Music Awards; “VH1 Song of the Year”; “Pop Album of the Year” at the Los Angeles Music Awards; Billboard World Song Contest Finalist; and “America’s Best Independent Artist.” The band is the mosttraveled dance band in music history, having performed sold-out shows in more than 100 countries around the world, including at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics kick-off concert. You can check out their music at www.liquid-blue.com. The band is backed by the singing and dancing talents of the Blue Girls. These beautiful and multi-talented ladies have achieved notable musical success of their own, including two Billboard Dance Chart hits, a finalist in the Asian version of “American Idol,” a contestant in the Miss USA Pageant, and writing a hit song for Beyonce. The girls have performed for U.S. Armed Forces in 25 countries and have been invited to sing the Star Spangled Banner at numerous national and international sporting events.
Ticket information
Courtesy | LULLAC Council No. 7
Banda Premier de los dos Laredos is sure to delight revelers at this year’s Noche de Cabaret tonight at Laredo Civic Center. It’s a WBCA event.
Noche de Cabaret tonight By ERIKA MATOS THE ZAPATA TIMES
The first months of the year are an exciting time to be in Laredo, thanks to the Washington’s Birthday Celebration, and the season of revelry continues tonight with the 16th annual Noche de Cabaret at the Laredo Civic Center Ballroom, presented by LULAC Council No. 7. The celebration is an opportunity to have fun and enjoy performances by lively musicians and dancers, but it is also for a noble cause: Funds raised by the event go toward scholarships for Laredo students. “Not only will you be helping to enhance the quality of life through education, you’ll have a good time, too,” said Jose Gonzalez, first vice president and event chairman. The night begins with a social hour at 7 p.m., lasting until 8 p.m., during which free shrimp cock-
One of WBCA’s most popular events, the Taste of Laredo, is set for Tuesday at the Laredo Energy Arena. The food sampling extravaganza starts at 7 p.m. and will surely tantalize your taste buds. “We are thrilled to once again welcome our finest restaurants and food aficionados to the largest and most popular food sampling on both sides of the
Ricky Martin returns to Laredo arena in April SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
Tickets
Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin will be returning to the Laredo Energy Arena in April. The LEA and LiveNation, the concert’s promotion company, announced the show last Friday. The world-renowned Latin performer will release “Musica+Alma+Sexo,” his first studio album in six years, and his tour is named after it. Ricky Martin’s concert is set for Tuesday, April 26, at 8 p.m. at the arena. After critical praise for his “MTV Unplugged” and “Ricky Martin Live – Black & White Tour” albums, the Grammy award-winning superstar his new album, “Musica+Alma+Sexo,” is already the No. 1 selling Latin album at Amazon, based on presales. The album’s first single, “Lo Mejor De Mi Vida Eres Tú,” is the top Latin pop song in the country, according to a release.
“Ricky Martin is one of today’s biggest acts,” said Xavier Villalon, general manager of the SMG-managed Laredo Energy Arena. “The LEA is pleased to host this monumental concert,” he continued. Tickets go on sale today at 10 a.m., and prices range from $30.50 to $126, plus facility fees. They will be available at all Ticketmaster locations, including online and the LEA box office, or by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
been interested in bringing out Hispanic culture. What we’re doing is bringing back memories about this; I think that the zoot suit riot is a symbol of Mexican American involvement,” Peña said. Following the social hour, a brief award ceremony will be held honoring this year’s recipient of the Higher Education Award, Laredo Community College President Juan Maldonado, Ph.D., who will be accompanied to the stage by this year’s Miss LULAC Neydia Castilleja. Past honorees include Gary Jacobs, Judge Danny Valdez, the late Pepe Treviño, Dr. Francisco Cigarroa, Congressman Henry Cuellar, TAMIU President Ray Keck, LCC Trustee Belinda Gutierrez, thensuperintendent Sylvia Bruni and Fernando A. Salinas. “Dr. Maldonado serves as a role model for the rest of the kids of the com-
munity,” said Joe Medina, president of LULAC Council No. 7. “He’s local, and he’s directing the higher institution of Laredo Community College.” National LULAC President Margaret Moran will be speaking at tonight’s event, which was near sell-out status Thursday. The main attraction generating so much excitement for the Noche de Cabaret is Grupo Premier de los dos Laredos from Nuevo Laredo. The performance group includes a seven-person orchestra that will play all kinds of music — from swing to Tejano, salsa and meringue — and a duo of lovely singers and dancers sure to add to the lively mood of the event. In addition, local singer and imitator Gino Zavala will perform during intermission. Last year, LULAC gave out $28,800 in scholarships, a step in providing Laredo with a more educated workforce.
Taste of Laredo set for Tuesday SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
The Boys & Girls Club Wine Tasting Gala will have it all — exquisite wines and cuisine, prizes, and a great way to help make a difference in the lives of thousands of young people in our community. Tables of 10 are available for $2,500, or $250 per person. The event begins at 7 p.m. and continues into early morning. For more information or tickets, call C.Y. Benavides III at 763-8973.
tails, fruit botanas, margaritas and beer will be served along with the Laredo Chamber of Commerce’s own Ojo Rojo (a punch combining Bacardi, wine and delicious secret ingredients). Noche attendees are invited to bring platters and spirits of their own preference for the rest of the evening. To start the night off, Round Rock High School’s ballet folklorico group will perform during the social hour. “They’re friends of mine, and I thought it would be something that would be in line with the theme of Noche de Cabaret,” said Dr. Francisco Peña, who is sponsoring the group. The folklorico dancers will, for this event, be performing to swing music reminiscent of the 1940s. Peña said he was inspired to bring focus to the zoot suit riots that took place in Los Angeles circa 1943. “LULACs have always
AP file photo
Latin superstar Ricky Martin will be back in Laredo on April 26. Tickets range from $30.50 to $126 and already on sale.
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border,” said Xavier Villalon, general manager at Laredo Energy Arena. Doors will open at 6:45 p.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and the tasting festivities begin afterward. It’s the 9th consecutive year the arena hosts Taste of Laredo. The event has been part of the WBCA since 1985. Every year, about 2,500 people sample delicious foods, prepared by the best chefs and cooks in Laredo. Attendees also vote for the
“People’s Choice,” the best food in Laredo. Restaurants will also be judged in the categories of “Best Decorated Booth” and “Best Overall Taste,” according to local celebrity judges. This year’s live music will be provided by local band Little Sister. Taste of Laredo will again feature a chef competition, a bartender showdown, a pizza eating contest sponsored by Hungry Howie’s and a blazing wing eating contest sponsored by
Buffalo Wild Wings. Anyone who dares to compete will be able to do so. Tickets for the Taste of Laredo are $22 for adults and $12 for children 12 years or younger. Tickets are available through all Ticketmaster locations, including the LEA box office.
10A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
Airport screeners gaining limited union rights By SAM HANANEL ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Khalil Hamra | AP
Anti-government protestors react in Tahrir Square, Cairo, Egypt, on Friday. The Egyptian military guarded thousands of protesters pouring into Cairo’s main square on Friday who gathered in an attempt to drive out President Hosni Mubarak after a week and half of pro-democracy demonstrations.
Obama to Mubarak: Consider your legacy By BEN FELLER ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Embracing an Egyptian future without Hosni Mubarak, President Barack Obama on Friday pressed the embattled leader to consider his legacy and exit office in a way that would give his country the best chance for peace and democracy. Obama tried to rally world pressure on Mubarak to make “the right decision” but did not call for his immediate resignation. “I believe that President Mubarak cares about his country. He is proud, but he’s also a patriot,” Obama said. The U.S. president said he had urged Mubarak to listen to those in his government and the pleading voices of his people, and decide if he’s willing to accept a serious transition out of power. Obama, limited in his
leverage to control events, appeared to adjust his tactics in making brief comments to reporters. Instead of just outlining Egyptian steps to halt the street violence and move toward a freer government, Obama openly played to Mubarak’s pride and reputation. Mubarak, facing an uprising in his country after nearly 30 years of rule, has said he will not run for reelection in September. Obama called that a “psychological break” for Mubarak and then challenged him to reflect on his next move. He did that with a reminder that the world is watching. “The key question he should be asking himself is, ‘How do I leave a legacy behind in which Egypt is able to get through this transformative period?’” Obama said. “And my hope is — is that he will end up making the right decision.” The comments came in
response to a reporter’s question about Egypt, the first one Obama had agreed to answer since the crisis began 11 days earlier. In an appearance with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Obama declined to answer whether a transition toward free, fair elections in September could begin while Mubarak remained in power. Protesters are adamant that Mubarak must go now; they have campaigned for days, at times met with violence. The latest rally in Cairo on Friday drew roughly 100,000 protesters, and it went off largely peacefully to the enormous relief of U.S. officials. The Obama administration has been talking with top Egyptian officials on the formation of a militarybacked caretaker government that could prepare the country for new elections.
WASHINGTON — After nearly a decade of wrangling, the Transportation Security Administration said Friday more than 40,000 airport screeners will get limited collective bargaining rights, strengthening their voice in work conditions but barring them from striking or negotiating over pay or security procedures. The decision — though limited — won praise from government worker unions and many TSA workers, who fought to win the same protections as other federal employees despite claims from Republican lawmakers that union demands could jeopardize national security or slow response times in a crisis. The agency’s administrator, John Pistole, said the decision will allow
bargaining on a national level over certain employment issues such as setting work shifts, transfers, vacation time and awards. The deal prohibits negotiating on issues that might affect security, the deployment of security personnel, job qualifications, testing or discipline. It also bars any work slowdowns. “The safety of the traveling public is our top priority and we will not negotiate on security,” Pistole said. “But morale and employee engagement cannot be separated from achieving superior security.” Florida Rep. John Mica, Republican chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, called the decision “an Obama union payoff ” and said it would hamstring the government’s fight against terrorism. Union officials called such arguments an insult to the hundreds of thou-
sands of public safety officers who already have collective bargaining rights, including Border Patrol agents, firefighters and Capitol police. “Today marks the recognition of a fundamental human right for 40,000 patriotic federal employees who have been disenfranchised since the inception of the agency,” said John Gage, president of the American Federation of Government Employees. His union already has more than 12,000 dues-paying members among the screeners’ ranks, but has not been allowed to bargain on their behalf. Gage called the decision “a big first step” for TSA workers. He said it would help improve employee satisfaction and morale at the agency, which was ranked near the bottom among all federal agencies in a recent survey conducted by the Office of Personnel Management.
Hatch: Kagan should recuse self By MARK SHERMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch, an opponent of the recently enacted health care overhaul, says Justice Elena Kagan should not take part in the widely expected Supreme Court consideration of the new law. Hatch’s call is part of the broad legal and political maneuvering on both sides for the most favorable conditions surrounding court review of President Barack Obama’s signature domestic policy accomplishment. His comments came the same week that Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli said he plans to
file a motion to take the case directly to the Supreme Court, bypassing an appeals court, after he won a federal judge’s ruling in December against the law’s requirement that most Americans buy health insurance. On Monday, a second federal judge declared the law unconstitutional. Two other judges have upheld it. Hatch said he is sure Kagan participated in discussions about the law and challenges to it while she served in the Justice Department as Obama’s top Supreme Court lawyer. Hatch told Fox News he believes Kagan “should recuse herself,” although he noted the justice will make that determination.
The Utah senator also voted against Kagan’s confirmation to the Supreme Court in August. The issue of Kagan’s participation looms large if the justices’ views on the health care law divide along ideological lines. Her absence in such a situation could leave the court split 4-4, which would prevent it from settling the subject with a uniform set of rules for the entire country. Kagan addressed her participation during her confirmation hearing. She said then that she “attended at least one meeting where the existence of the litigation was briefly mentioned, but none where any substantive discussion of the litigation occurred.”
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 11A
UNREST IN INDIA
DORALISA BENAVIDES VELA Doralisa Benavides Vela, 66, died Jan. 28, 2011, in Austin, Texas. Mrs. Vela was born Aug. 3, 1944, in Laredo, Texas. She grew up in Hebbronville, Texas, where she graduated from Hebbronville High School, then went on to obtain a degree in education from Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas. She lived most of her life in Zapata, Texas, where she worked as an elementary school teacher for 33 years. Those close to her knew her as “Doris.” She was an amazing daughter, sister, wife, mother and friend. She was loved by many, and will be greatly missed. Mrs. Vela is preceded in death by her parents: Juan Benavides Jr. and Celia M. Benavides of Hebbronville, Texas. Mrs. Vela is survived by her husband of 44 years, Alvaro Vela, of Zapata, Texas; daughters: Marissa V. (Servando) Perez and Dina M. Vela, both of Austin, Texas; son, Alvaro A. “Sonny” Vela of Corpus Christi, Texas; five grandchildren: Jacqueline R. Vela, Adriana R. Perez, Roberto A. Vela, Alejandro D. Perez and Javier A. Vela; sister, Nelda B. (Humberto) Martinez of Alice, Texas; and brother, Jaime J. (Candace) Benavides of Arlington, Texas. Visitation hours were held Monday, Jan. 31, 2011, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m., with a rosary at 7 p.m. at
Rose Garden Funeral Home and on Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011, from 8 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. The funeral procession departed at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Zapata, Texas. Interment followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Alvaro A. “Sonny” Vela, Servando Perez Jr., Humberto Martinez, David A. Coronado, Martin Briseño and Jesus R. Briseño. Honorary pallbearers were her five grandchildren: Jacqueline R. Vela, Adriana R. Perez, Roberto A. Vela, Alejandro D. Perez and Javier A. Vela. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home, Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 US Highway 83, Zapata, Texas.
HORTENCIA E. RAMIREZ ZAPATA, TEXAS — Hortencia E. Ramirez, 90, passed away Friday, Jan. 28, 2011, at Starr County Memorial Hospital in Rio Grande City, Texas. Mrs. Ramirez is preceded in death by her husband, Jose S. Ramirez; parents: Federico and Dominga Elizondo; brothers: Manuel (Herlinda) Elizondo, Federico ( Aurora) Elizondo, Francisco (Eusebia) Elizondo, Ernesto (Aurora) Elizondo, Alberto (Benilde) Elizondo and Ivo (Ofelia) Elizondo; sisters: Maria (Silvestre) Garcia and Amalia ( Amado) Saenz; and niece Azucena Elizondo. Mrs. Ramirez is survived by her nephews: Francisco A. (Maricela) Elizondo, Rodolfo (Maria Guadalupe) Elizondo, Ruben (Maria Elena) Elizondo, Salvador (Leticia) Elizondo, Roel Elizondo and Jose Luis (Rosa Maria) Elizondo; nieces: Maria Estela (David) Lane and Rosa Nelia (Jose Rafael) Villarreal; and numerous friends. Visitation hours were held Sunday, Jan. 30,
2011, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession departed Monday, Jan. 31, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services followed at Zapata County Cemetery. Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home Daniel A. Gonzalez, funeral director, 2102 Highway 83 Zapata, Texas.
Activists of India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party youth wing break police barricades at a protest in New Delhi, India, on Friday, against alleged ankle monitors placed on Indian students of Tri-Valley University in California. According to an Indian newspaper, several Indian students at the U.S. university, shut down on charges of massive immigration fraud, have been forced to wear monitors on their ankles so U.S. authorities can keep tabs on their movements.
Photo by Mustafa Quraishi | AP
US warns against night driving in Guadalajara By MARK STEVENSON ASSOCIATED PRESS
MEXICO CITY — Officials are warning U.S. citizens not to drive at night in parts of the western Mexican city of Guadalajara after suspected drug-gang members burned vehicles and blocked streets. A separate U.S. alert Friday said the northern city of Monterrey has seen a significant increase in armed robberies at restaurants and convenience stores. Some of the blockades in Guadalajara took place on a highway leading to the city’s airport and to Lake Chapala, a popular retirement and vacation spot for U.S. and Canadian citizens. Hotel managers on Lake Chapala said Friday the warning has not significantly affected business. The U.S. consulate in Guadalajara, Mexico’s second-largest city, posted a message on its website Thursday saying that it had prohibited U.S. diplomatic personnel from traveling the highway to the airport at night, and that it “recommends that U.S. citizens consider similar precautions.” On Tuesday, assailants hurled grenades, burned vehicles and blocked several Guadalajara streets and highways in seven near-simultaneous attacks that injured a policeman and two transportation workers. Such tactics have been used by cartels in the past to aid their escapes from police. The attacks were staged by drug gangs, possibly in retaliation for the arrests of their members, said Fernando Guzman Perez, interior secretary of Jalisco state, where Guadalajara is
On Tuesday, assailants hurled grenades, burned vehicles and blocked several Guadalajara streets and highways in seven near-simultaneous attacks that injured a policeman and two transportation workers. located. Such alerts have been issued in the past for highways in northern and western Mexico, but are uncommon for Guadalajara, which is not considered one of the focal points of a drug war that has claimed more than 34,600 lives since 2006. Chapala, a shimmering, mountain-ringed lake, has been popular among U.S. and Canadian citizens for decades. Ricardo Soto, manager of the lakeside Quinta San Carlos hotel, said the drug gangs’ actions this week had affected business “a little.” He said some customers almost didn’t show up because they did not know there were other routes to get to the hotel. “Once you explain it to them, the people come,” said Soto, who noted that the hotel was nearly booked Friday. “This is a wonderful place, and all the problems with drug trafficking haven’t really affected us, because it is all more over toward the airport.” Ricardo Hernandez, who manages the Casa Mis Amores hotel in the nearby lakeside town of Ajijic, said of the problems, “It hasn’t affected us up to now.” The consulate’s message
advised motorists encountering roadblocks to get off the highway immediately and take shelter in a shopping mall, hotel or any other business they could find nearby. It also included some creative driving tips. “If you are presented with an imminent threat on the road, do not hesitate to run over any median (or similar obstacle) to make an emergency U-turn to get out of harm’s way,” the message said. The advisory issued Friday by the U.S. consulate in Monterrey warned of an increase in armed robberies at restaurants, cafes and convenience stores in that city. The robberies have been carried out by a small armed group that guards the entrance and takes purses, wallets, phones and other valuables from customers inside, the consulate said. None of the robberies has resulted in violence or kidnapping, the advisory said. Monterrey has been affected in recent years by growing drug violence, attributed to a dispute between rival cartels. The consulate’s message didn’t say whether the recent robberies were related to organized crime.
Cyclone Yasi lashes southern Australia By KRISTEN GELINEAU ASSOCIATED PRESS
CAIRNS, Australia — The tail end of one of Australia’s largest-ever cyclones was felt at the other end of the country Saturday, as wild storms lashed Melbourne with destructive winds and flash flooding. Many parts of Australia have suffered a summer of awful weather, including pounding rains across northeastern Queensland state that caused the nation’s worst flooding in decades, killing 35 people and causing an estimated $5.6 billion damage. The tropical low that was Cyclone Yasi, which hit the northeast earlier this week, was active over central Australia and making a series of thunderstorms over the southern city of Melbourne and other large towns in Victoria state much worse. More than 7 inches of rain fell overnight Friday in Melbourne and winds gusting to 80 mph knocked down trees. Drains were overwhelmed, causing flash flooding that covered streets and swamped some homes. The State Emergency Service said 84 people were rescued from cars that stalled in flooded streets, or from inundated properties. Towns in the northwest of the state were also hit by the bad weather, which was a combination of the remnants of Yasi and a series of powerful storm cells.
12A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
ARMY Continued from Page 1A going home from police headquarters. A deputy police chief and one of Farfán Carriola’s bodyguards also were slain in the assault. It has been a violent 10 days in northern Mexico. Last week, the entire police force of General Terán, a ranch town southeast of Monterrey, resigned after two of its officers were kidnapped and beheaded by gangsters. “Given the thorough penetration by the Zetas of the police forces in those municipalities that were hit, a much more likely explanation is that the attacks were a signal from the Gulf cartel to the police to cease/desist their support of the Zetas and switch sides,” the U.S. Consul General in Monterrey wrote Washington following similar attacks last February, in a cable recently made public by Wikileaks. “Other plausible theories exist as well,” the diplomat wrote, “but none involve organized crime responding to “effective” state government enforcement efforts.” Farfán likely was targeted either because he refused to cooperate with the Zetas or because the Gulf Cartel considered him a threat to their
Last week, the entire police force of General Terán, a ranch town southeast of Monterrey, resigned after two of its officers were kidnapped and beheaded by gangsters. efforts, said a retired U.S. law enforcement official who closely follows the violence in northeastern Mexico. “Most of the generals that have been placed in chief of police positions have been with (Mexican President) Calderón and his program,” said the former official. “So I would say it’s more likely he refused to join the Zetas and they killed him.” Before taking the post in Nuevo Laredo, Farfán had served as police chief in Cuernavaca, capital of the state of Morelos south of Mexico City, and just a few months as head of the state transit police in Michoacán. Those states are among Mexico’s most violent and gangster-ridden. Both are controlled by enemies of the Zetas.
Mexican officials have blamed the Zetas for the recent assassinations of two other former generals who had taken control of municipal police forces. Juan Esparza, the public security director of García, a Monterrey suburb, was gunned down along with several aides in November 2009. And Mauro Enriquez was tortured and murdered earlier that year, along with an active duty army officer serving as his aide, weeks after taking command of the police in the Caribbean resort of Cancún. A senior Cancún police official was charged with helping carry out Enriquez’s killing at the behest of the Zetas. (The San Antonio ExpressNews and Houston Chronicle contributed to this report)
SCHOOLS Continued from Page 1A As of this week, it’s unclear how ZCISD is preparing for potential budget cuts. ZCISD Superintendent Norma Garcia could not be reached for comment and school board President Jose M. Ramirez III deferred comment to school district administration. He said the board of trustees has not received information on any ZCISD budget reduction strategy. And until lawmakers pass the state budget, it’s all rumors and conjecture, Ramirez added. State Rep. Ryan Guillen, D-Rio Grande City, whose district covers Zapata County, declined comment on Texas’ preliminary draft budget. His office in Austin said he is in the process of
writing an in-depth analysis of the preliminary budget and how it’s going to affect Texas and his district. The representative will release the analysis next week and will field questions on the draft budget at that time, his office said. If ZCISD were to lose between $4.9 million and $8.5 million, that would equal 11 to 20 percent of its general operating revenue budget. That’s based on ZCISD’s general fund of $43.7 million for the 2010-11 school year. Of the $43.7 million, $14.4 million, or more than 33 percent, comes from the state. The majority, or about 61 percent, comes from local sources, such as property taxes.
According to a presentation from Moak, Casey and Associates, an Austin-based public school finance consulting firm, the worst case scenario for school districts is losing an average of 15 percent in funds. Under that scenario, personnel cuts are “almost a certainty for most districts,” the presentation states. Under a “better case” scenario, districts will lose 7 to 8 percent of funds. The presentation added that either way, “districts are confronted with a new reality: achieve more rigorous performance standards with diminished resources.” (Nick Georgiou may be reached at 728-2582 or ngeorgiou@lmtonline.com)
Chicago mayor speaks about blizzard By DEANNA BELLANDI AND MICHAEL TARM ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHICAGO — In a city known for punishing mayors for their handling of snowstorms, Mayor Richard Daley was careful not to step in front of the cameras until the main streets were clear. When he finally did Thursday, the mayor swiftly brushed aside any criticism of the city’s response to the monstrous blizzard that created a startling spectacle: hundreds of motorists stranded overnight on the city’s marquee thoroughfare. So far, few fingers were pointed at Daley, despite some inevitable second-guessing. Instead, in typically self-effacing Midwestern fashion, some of the very drivers
who got stuck on Lake Shore Drive acknowledged it was their fault for using the lakefront roadway in the first place. Meanwhile, the storm left in its wake one final blow: a band of bitter cold spanning from New Mexico to the Great Lakes that kept roads slick and contributed to at least six new deaths in traffic accidents. Temperatures dropped into the single digits or lower, with wind chills that plunged nearly to minus 30 in some places. The system dumped more than 20 inches of snow on Chicago, making it the third-largest winter storm in the city’s history. Pressed about whether workers did their best, Daley responded, “Yes, they did. ... They did a very, very good job.”
WEATHER Continued from Page 1A precipitation ended, bringing milder conditions. “We’re expecting it to warm up into the mid 60s (today) and into the low 70s on Sunday and Monday,” said Tim Tinsley, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Corpus Christi. But don’t put away those coats just yet. Tinsley said there’s more cold weather in the offing. “There’s another blast from the arctic coming in,” he said. “We’re looking at the upper 50s for highs Wednesday and maybe the mid 50s on Thursday.” Some lucky Zapatans — if you like winter weather — saw a rare snowfall, if a small one. “There was a little band of snow south of Zapata … near the reservoir,” Tinsley said. “You could see it on the satellite. It was a lake effect. About one or two inches of snow formed right off that lake.” Umphres said the major trouble resulting from this stretch of cold would be its effect on plant life. “I was out checking my plants,” she said. “A lot of
Courtesy photo by Erica Benavides
Plants around Zapata County were coated in ice due to adverse weather during the week. plants froze, but they may come out from the roots. Some of the little trees were pretty badly frozen. We hope it hasn’t hurt our orange trees too much, but we’ll just have to wait and see.” The Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office reported five accidents on icy bridges Thursday night and only one accident Friday. None resulted in major injuries or road closures, officials said.
Tinsley said this situation isn’t all that unusual. “This is pretty typical for this time of year,” he said. “We get these cold snaps every so often.” And Umphres said there have been more notable weather events. “I was here in 1968 when we had a real snowfall,” she said. “There had to be around five or six inches deep where we were. It was something to see.”
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
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HIGH SCHOOL TENNIS
Tennis begins Hawks perform admirably in Laredo By CLARA SANDOVAL ZAPATA TIMES
Photo by Charlie Riedel | AP
In a photo taken with a fisheye lens and seen through a window, ice covers a walkway to Cowboys Stadium, the site of Super Bowl XLV, on Wednesday in Arlington.
“Robot” Tomlin says Steelers ready to go By DENNIS WASZAK JR.
The Zapata tennis teams are off to a great start as they traveled to Laredo to participate in the UISD Winter Classic tennis tournament to compete with 15 schools. All the Gateway City schools, in addition of St. Augustine, Eagle Pass, CC Winn, McAllen Nikki Rowe, San Benito, Valley View and Roma, rounded out the tournament in three divisions: varsity, junior varsity and freshmen. “Overall I think it was a good tournament. Coach (Mark) Collins of United and the other U.I.S.D. coaches are to be commended as they put on a lot of matches,” Zapata coach Robert Alvarez said. “For us, this is real important since we do not have fall tennis. We are a little rusty compared to the other schools so we need as many matches as we can get. “I have high hopes and expectations for our team this year. We have a good mix of upperclassmen and younger kids. On the boys’ side, three of my top six are freshmen and they are all good players.” The varsity played a compass draw, where the winners go to the main draw and play for first place through 16 after the
COURTESY PHOTO
Zapata freshman Trey Alvarez has started his tennis season strong for the Hawks. round of 32. Losers head over to the consolation draw and play it out for places 17-32. Freshmen Trey Alvarez led the Hawks into battle as he defeated his San Benito rival in the round of 32 to advance to the main draw. Alvarez lost to Nikki Rowe’s Jorge Velasquez, 6-4, 7-5 despite being up in the second set 5-3. Alvarez’s inexperience showed through and Velasquez took the opportunity to regain the momentum and eventually win the game. Alvarez was able to bounce back and take the next two matches from an Eagle Pass
and United South opponent before running into Trey Gonzalez of Alexander for the main draw consolation title. “Trey played well. It was his first varsity tournament against an excellent field, so to finish ninth was good,” Alvarez said. Also making an impact for the Hawks was senior Ruben Reyes, who won his first match over LBJ to advance to the main draw. The doubles team of Garret Umphres and Javy Zapata opened with a win over Nixon.
See TENNIS PAGE 2B
CLAY SHOOTING
INSIDE
ASSOCIATED PRESS
See Page 4B for related content DALLAS — Mike Tomlin stood stone-faced behind the Lombardi Trophy as a few dozen cameras fired away. “Smile, Mike!” one photographer yelled out. “Nah,” the Pittsburgh Steelers coach said without a hint of a grin on another cold, snowy Friday in Big D. He eventually cracked a smile, but this is serious stuff for Tomlin as the Steelers go for the seventh Super Bowl title in franchise history Sunday against the Green Bay Packers. “We’re putting the finishing touches, of course, on our plan
here,” Tomlin said in a sparsely attended final media session that lasted barely five minutes. “It’s been a good week, but of course, like the Green Bay Packers, I’m sure we’re all getting a little antsy and getting ready to play.” Tomlin will keep an eye on his guys during the next few days to make sure they remain evenkeeled with so much at stake. But what about the 38-year-old coach who could be hoisting that trophy for the second time in his four seasons?
See SUPER BOWL PAGE 2B
HIGH SCOOL SOCCER
Hawks pick up first varsity win Historic victory comes against recent state champions, Hidalgo By CLARA SANDOVAL ZAPATA TIMES
The Zapata Hawks are flying high after recording the boys’ soccer program’s first win in their first year of varsity competition against a formidable and solid opponent. On Tuesday, Zapata came away with a 1-0 victory on the road over powerhouse Hidalgo, which picked up a state title two years ago and is the defending district champion. “This is a huge win over a solid soccer program,” Zapata coach Blake Garza said. “This win solidifies our soccer program and this is a great way to head into district.” Last year, the Hawks competed in a junior varsity division before being granted the right to compete on the varsity level this year. The Hawks’ preseason was
trying at best, as they were routed in most of their games and just were not able to get their footing early in the season. Zapata finally started to find its team identity and it all came together against Hidalgo. Garza is still tinkering with the lineup and utilized the first half to give everyone plenty of playing time. Despite the constant lineup change throughout the first half, the Hawks were able to keep up a strong defensive game that turned away the Pirates at every corner. “A lot of credit goes to the defense because they were able to shut out Hidalgo,” Garza said. Freshmen goalie Roman Rodriguez erected a wall of defense at the net to turn away 40 shots at the goal. The Pirates were not able to get one in back of the net due to Rodriguez patrolling the net with a vengeance. “He has very good goalie skills and plays very smart,” Garza said. “When he is out there, he goes all out. During the
See SOCCER PAGE 2B
Courtesy Photo
Winners of the 4th Annual Sporting Clay Tournament and Cook-Off are, left to right: Chad Cooley, first place in Master Class Division; Mark Alvarenga, IBC Bank Zapata President and Vice President of Zapata Boys & Girls Club; and Ramiro Torres, IBC Bank Zapata Sr. Vice President and Treasurer of Zapata Boys & Girls Club.
IBC HOSTS CLAY SHOOT Fourth annual event draws hundreds SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
About 400 Zapata residents, including businesses and community volunteers, came together recently to celebrate the Fourth Annual Sporting Clay Tournament & Cook-off in support of the Zapata Boys & Girls Club. The event, sponsored by IBC Bank - Zapata, Texas Energy and Amistad Home Health on Jan. 29, took place at Bank CEO Renato Ramirez’s ranch and raised a total of $61,000 – the largest single-event amount raised in the event’s history. This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Boys & Girls Club of Zapata, and accounts for more than half of the year’s budget. IBC Bank Zapata President Ricardo Ramirez and Mark Alvarenga, vice-president of sales, are the president and vice president of the Zapata Boys & Girls Club. Together they created the concept for the event in 2007. IBC Bank em-
ployees serve as volunteers, running the stations on the sporting clay course and helping with event registration. Local businesses and organizations, including the South Texas Council on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, also volunteered and contributed to the event’s success. “It’s amazing to see how the event continues to grow in both the amount of money raised and the great support from the community,” Ricardo Ramirez said. “We are looking forward to seeing this event become a community staple for many years to come.” The clay tournament attracts shooters from as far as Tennessee, who come down to shoot a 12-Station Sporting Clay course of 100 clay targets. This year, 33 five-member teams participated for a total of 165 shooters as well as eight cook-off teams. Prizes were given out to the first and second-place teams in Flights A,B,C and D and individual prizes given out to first, second and third-place for the Master Class.
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Zscores
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
Mets owe Madoff victims $300M By TOM HAYS AND LARRY NEUMEISTER ASSOCIATED PRESS
NEW YORK — The owners of the Mets turned a blind eye to Bernard Madoff ’s massive fraud, reaping $300 million in false profits and using a large chunk to run the team, according to a lawsuit unsealed Friday. The lawsuit claims the owners were so dependent on the disgraced financier’s too-good-to-be-true returns that it “faced a severe and immediate liquidity crisis” when Madoff ’s crimes were revealed in 2009.
By JAIME ARON ASSOCIATED PRESS
Owners in hot water The searing allegations were made by Irving Picard, the trustee appointed to recover funds for investors burned by Madoff ’s scheme. The suit filed by Picard in federal bankruptcy court in Manhattan names Sterling Equities, along with its partners and family members, including Met owner Fred Wilpon, team president Saul Katz and chief operating Jeff Wilpon, the owner’s son. “Given Sterling’s dependency on Madoff, it comes as no surprise that the partners willfully turned a blind eye to every red flag of fraud before them,” Fernando A. Bohorquez, Jr., a lawyer representing Picard, said Friday. The suit had been filed under seal in December while the parties tried to work out a settlement. But lawyers told a judge this week that talks had collapsed and consented to having the complaint made public. Its opening salvo: “There are thousands of victims of Madoff ’s massive Ponzi scheme. But Saul Katz is not one of them. Neither is Fred Wilpon.”
Phony profits The complaint alleges the partnership “received approximately $300 million in fictitious profits” from hundreds of accounts opened with Madoff ’s firm. Of that, it says, $90 million of “other people’s money” were withdrawn to cover day-to-day operations of the Mets. Wilpon and Katz fired back Friday with a statement calling the suit “an outrageous strong-arm effort to force a settlement by threatening to ruin our reputations and businesses we built for over 50 years.”
Goodell wants deal in ‘weeks’
Photo by Kathy Kmonicek | AP
New York Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon, left, club president Saul Katz and Mets owner Fred Wilpon, right, look on during a baseball news conference in New York on Oct. 29. The owners of the Mets turned a blind eye to Bernard Madoff’s massive fraud, reaping $300 million in false profits and using a large chunk to run the team, according to a lawsuit unsealed on Friday. The pair called the accusations “abusive, unfair and untrue,” insisting they were victims of the fraud. “We should not be made victims twice over — the first time by Madoff and again by the trustee,” they wrote. The lawsuit said Wilpon and Katz had meetings with Madoff in his office at least once a year, a privilege few investors enjoyed, and Katz at times spoke directly with Madoff at least once a day.
Suit stains The suit has cast a cloud over the Mets ownership, which has said it’s exploring a partial sale of the team. But Wilpon and Katz denied Friday that the operation was ever dependent on Madoff. “That is complete nonsense,” they said. “We have good, sound businesses that were successful years before we invested with Madoff, including both real estate and the New York Mets.” Madoff, 72, is serving a 150-year sentence in a fed-
eral prison in North Carolina after admitting that he ran his scheme for at least two decades, using his investment advisory service to cheat individuals, charities, celebrities and institutional investors. Losses are estimated at around $20 billion, making it the biggest investment fraud in U.S. history.
“Sophisticated professionals” The lawsuit describes the Sterling Partners as “a team of sophisticated professionals who built a business empire spanning four major industries, including real estate, professional baseball and sports media, private equity and hedge funds.” It says Sterling Partners “willfully disregarded any criticisms of Madoff and simply buried their heads in the sand” during a nearly quarter-century relationship in which it supported its substantial business empire with Madoff money and reaped the benefits of bogus profits. The firm was “simply in
too deep ... to do anything but ignore the gathering clouds,” the lawsuit says. “In the face of the parade of red flags, the Sterling Partners chose to do nothing.”
Ignoble ignorance Numerous financial industry professionals over the years warned Sterling about Madoff and speculated that he was operating a fraud. One Sterling consultant advised Saul Katz in 2003 that he “couldn’t make Bernie’s math work and something wasn’t right,” the court papers say. The lawsuit says Sterling was on notice as early as 1991 that Madoff ’s firm was audited by a three-person operation in Rockland County, N.Y., that consisted of a certified public accountant, a semiretired accountant and an assistant. In 1996, it says, multiple banks refused to serve as custodian of Sterling’s 401K plan because of concerns about Madoff ’s lack of transparency and inability to provide daily ac-
count balance information.
Next time, get the insurance At one point after several financial news publications raised questions about the Madoff business in May 2001, Sterling considering getting fraud insurance that would have included a Ponzi scheme. Sterling ultimately rejected the insurance because coverage limits meant most of their money was uninsurable, according to the court papers. The lawsuit said Sterling’s Madoff accounts produced positive returns during the Black Monday stock market crash of 1987, the bursting of the dot-com bubble in 2000, the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and the recession and housing crisis of 2008. “Remarkably, Sterling’s (Madoff) investments were effectively immune from any number of market catastrophes, enjoying steady rates of return even during events that otherwise devastated financial markets,” the lawsuit says.
DALLAS — Chad Ochocinco asked NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell the question all his fellow players want answered: How far away are we from realistically getting a labor deal done? Goodell hopes it can be done “in the next few weeks,” meaning before the collective bargaining agreement expires March 3. “I can tell you the commitment on behalf of the ownership is on getting an agreement,” Goodell said. “I think that’s only going to happen when there’s intense negotiations from your union and the owners. This is the window of opportunity to get this done right. Otherwise, uncertainty is going to seep into all of our operations. ... I say, let’s get to work, let’s get an agreement that works for everybody.” Goodell and union officials are scheduled to meet Saturday in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, the first formal bargaining session since November. Two more sessions have been scheduled for next week, at an undisclosed location. NFLPA spokesman George Atallah described the meeting as “a window of opportunity” and added: “We intend to go in there with open minds and open ears.” “I don’t think it’s a good idea to set any expectation, other than the fact that we intend to sit down and continue to have a discussion that should guarantee football for our fans, football for our players,” NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said Thursday. Goodell repeatedly mentioned needing “intensive, around-the-clock negotiations to address the issues and find solutions.” “I can assure you that I have that sense of urgency,” Goodell said. “There are enough incentives for all of us to get to the table and get a deal done.” Extending the regular season by two games to 18 is among the major issues. However, Goodell said “there are no deal-breakers.” The main issues between the owners and players union include how to divide about $9 billion in annual revenues.
SOCCER Continued from Page 1B St. Augustine game (earlier this season), he dove into the pole to stop a ball. “Roman is going to be a good one for us for the next few years.” Also helping out on defensive duties was Mario Gonzalez, who was there to
back up Rodriguez’s effort. After heading into halftime with no one being able to get one in the net, Garza unveiled the projected starting lineup in the second half and had an offensive surge. The Hawks finally found
the back of the net on the foot of senior Renato Leduc to give Zapata a 1-0 lead. The defense held its ground and took away every opportunity in the second half, and when the clock expired it was the
SUPER BOWL Continued from Page 1B “I’m a robot,” Tomlin said. “I’m just going to ride the wave.” And it could carry him to a special place among NFL coaches. He would become only the 13th coach in league history to win multiple rings. “It’s awesome, it really is,” Tomlin said of the opportunity. “It’s humbling, it’s inspiring, it motivates you. It’s all those things. I think fortunately for us, we have what you can’t buy, which is legacy — which is unbelievable standard and expectation and all those great things.” The Steelers had their final full practice at TCU later Friday, and Tomlin said the players would have some free time at night to
spend with family and friends. They’ll have a “dress rehearsal” Saturday in their last practice, going through what Tomlin called “a mock game” before the Super Bowl at Cowboys Stadium. Tomlin said rookie Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, dealing with a high left ankle sprain, will be out for the Super Bowl. Doug Legursky will make his first start at center in Pouncey’s place. Pouncey, who didn’t practice all week, was injured early in the Steelers’ 24-19 victory over the New York Jets in the AFC championship game nearly two weeks ago. The Dallas-Fort Worth area has been hit by several inches of snow and sub-
freezing temperatures since the Steelers arrived, but Tomlin said it hasn’t bothered the team. “We’re kind of used to inclement weather,” Tomlin said. “At least from my perspective, it hasn’t changed how we’ve worked at all.” In a few days, Tomlin could be back in chilly Pittsburgh with another Super Bowl trophy — and smiling. “It’s the pinnacle,” he said of being a champion. “Thirty-two teams start this journey with the same intentions. So, of course, you’re overcome with emotions. Great feelings of satisfaction, but also humility because you realize that there are probably a lot of people that are deserving, to be quite honest with you.”
Hawks celebrating their first win in the school’s history. Now the Hawks will face a new challenge next Friday when they open District 61-4A play against Rio Grande City La Grulla, also a new soccer program,
at Hawk stadium. Zapata joins Roma, Mission Veterans, Rio Grande City, Rio Grande City La Grulla and La Joya JuarezLincoln in District 61-4A. The Hawks will also be having Parent’s Night to witness a historic night
when the first whistle blows to mark a new era in Zapata sports. Garza and all the Hawks invite the entire Zapata community to witness history in their back yard with the game set to kick off at 7:30 p.m.
TENNIS Continued from Page 1B In their next match against the top Alexander doubles team, Umphres sustained a knee injury that hindered the team and was unable to continue the tournament. The girls’ doubles team of Isabella Martinez and Cristina Mendoza were defeated in its opening round by Alexander. “The girls played a close first set, but I don’t think they were as focused as they needed to be,” Alvarez said. “The girls went to the consolation draw, where they did not lose a match, to win the consolation title.” Martinez and Mendoza redeemed themselves and had wins over Martin, Cigarroa and United South.
“They played much better after they lost some of the rust in that first match,” Alvarez said. In the mixed doubles category, Eliseo Solis and Kassie Flores lost in the opening round but then went on to win three straight matches before losing in the consolation finals to United. Solis and Flores were able to pick up wins over Martin, United South and Cigarroa. The freshmen teams also had a great showing, with Alex Reyes winning the ninth grade singles championship while the doubles team of Manuel Benavides and Carlos Poblano took third. In the girls’ singles, Ga-
briella Montalvo came in sixth and Gaby Alvarez dropped a close match in the first round (8-7) to an eventual finalist, but won the rest of her matches easily to win the consolation title. The Hawks will be in action today as they travel to Falfurrias for the 80th Hearts Delight Tennis Tournament. Weather canceled Friday’s matches and shortened the tournament to only one day. On Friday, Feb. 11, the Hawks and Lady Hawks will host the 2nd Annual Zapata Invitational tennis tournament. Schools attending will be LBJ, Nixon, Martin, Cigarroa, Hebbronville, St. Augustine and Bruni.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
THE ZAPATA TIMES 3B
HINTS BY | HELOISE JUST LIKE CABBIE? Dear Readers: Some say most mini-schnauzers LOOK ALIKE, but do they? Our Cabernet (Cabbie for short) is a silver-haired sweetheart with big, brown eyes. If you have a dog that looks like Cabbie, send in a photo, and we will pick a handful to post on my website. So, take a look at www.Heloise.com to see several photos of she who runs the household! Each person whose pet photo is posted will receive a special thankyou from Cabbie and Heloise Central. Please send a good-quality photo to: Heloise/Cabbie, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279, or e-mail Heloise@Heloise.com, and please put in the subject line “Cabbie.” -- Heloise DOG BISCUITS FOR HAMSTERS Dear Heloise: My friend says that he feeds his hamster dry dog biscuits. Is this OK? I’ve heard of giving hamsters treats, but I’ve always bought them at the pet
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HELOISE
store, and I have never given mine a dog biscuit! -Harry in New Hampshire Harry, your hamster can chew on a dry dog biscuit occasionally. It’s best to give hamsters a small piece of one every day or so, along with their regular hamster food. Did you know that a piece of apple is another good treat? -- Heloise TOOTHBRUSH REUSE Dear Heloise: Rather than destroy old toothbrushes, pet owners should save them for use as facial brushes for their dogs and cats. The toothbrushes are the right size to brush around the eyes, snout and ears without being frightening to the animal. My wife and I have been giving kitty facials for years, and all our little felines love them. -Russ Vaughn, Ruidoso, N.M.
4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2011
Injury fill-ins keep Super Bowl teams patched up By JAIME ARON ASSOCIATED PRESS
DALLAS — Coming out of college two years ago, Ramon Foster wasn’t good enough to be drafted by an NFL team. Around the middle of this season, Erik Walden wasn’t good enough to be on the roster of an NFL
team. On Sunday, both will be starters in the Super Bowl. Injuries gave each a chance to show what they could do, and both have helped keep their teams humming along. They’re hardly alone. Walden is among six starters on the Green Bay Packers who got their job
as in-season injury replacements. Foster is among four such guys on the Pittsburgh Steelers. All told, nearly onefourth of all Super Bowl starters will be fill-ins, which proves something else about these teams. They weren’t just the best in their conferences, they also were the best at the
game within the game of pro football — weathering the injuries that are inevitable in such a violent sport. “The NFL is the NFL. It’s not supposed to be easy, and it hasn’t been easy,” Packers general manager Ted Thompson said. Here’s how difficult it was: Placed on injured re-
serve were starters at running back, tight end, right tackle, a safety and a pair of linebackers. A total of 16 players were on injured reserve. What had been a promising season turned shaky. Green Bay made the playoffs as a sixth seed, but now they are the oddsmakers’ pick to win the Super Bowl.
“I think a lot of credit goes to guys like Ted Thompson for picking the right dudes,” right guard Daryn Colledge said. “When teams get in an injury situation, a lot of them go hunting, they try to find guys on the market who are available. Our team doesn’t have to do that much.”