The Zapata Times 2/14/2009 by The Zapata Times

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FEBRUARY 14,2009

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“One thing I’ve noticed is the concerning levels of juveniles being caught with crack (in Zapata).”

Board told Police seize cocaine at house new school needed ZAPATA COUNTY ATTORNEY SAÍD FIGUEROA

By NICK GEORGIOU THE ZAPATA TIMES

Local law enforcement raided a suspected crack house Wednesday in the 800 block of Villa Avenue. About 179 foil papers containing crack cocaine were seized along with $700 in $5, $10 and $20 increments, authorities said. Sheriff’s deputies and Zapata County Attorney’s Office investigators said they also seized 37 plastic baggies containing cocaine. “We made it a point to start hitting known

or suspected crack houses,” said Zapata County Attorney Saíd Figueroa. In total, about 63 grams of cocaine, worth an estimated $4,000, were seized at the residence. Arrested at about 7 p.m. in connection with the raid was 48-year-old Simon Sanchez. Deputies charged him with second-degree felony possession of a controlled substance. Sanchez was later booked and processed at the Zapata County regional jail, where he was held in lieu of a $20,000 bond set by Justice of the Peace Anna Guerra. Figueroa said the drug bust, executed with

a search warrant, is only the beginning. “One thing I’ve noticed is the concerning levels of juveniles being caught with crack (in Zapata),” he said Thursday. “That’s a very scary proposition. “So we want to put a dent into this type of business and make life as difficult as possible for (dealers).” According to the National Drug Intelligence Center, crack cocaine is a cheap, “highly addictive and powerful stimulant that is derived

See DRUGS | PAGE 10A

A PROMISE TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL

By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES

Already at capacity, ZCISD schools are expecting a 1.4- percent increase in student enrollment next year, prompting the need for a portable at Villarreal Elementary School. Wednesday night, the Zapata County Independent School District Board of Trustees heard the results of a demographic study conducted by Templeton Demographic, which projected the growth ZCISD can expect over the next five years. “This was a preliminary review, but if the trend in job opportunity and growth continues, we will need to add an additional elementary school,” said Trustee Anselmo Treviño.

An increase According to the study, over the last five years ZCISD has seen a 16.5 percent increase, with 3,709 students in 2008. By 2013, the number is estimated to increase to 4,059. “There is just no room. This problem is very disturbing and concerning,” Rodriguez said.

The study The study also looked at where the majority of students are coming from. “We need to look at where the best place to build the school will be,” Treviño said.

More than 450 elementary students come from an area south of the Delano Bridge. “That may RODRIGUEZ be the site to look at, and, of course, we will have to look at other factors before deciding on anything,” Treviño said.

Bond money Rodriguez said he would like the board to vote to pursue bond money within the month, and then call for a bond election by March 9. “The election will be in May. Then, usually from when the election first begins it takes about 16 months to have a completed campus,” Rodriguez said.

A new campus Rodriguez expects a new campus to cost around $11 to $12 million. “This is a very rough estimate based on past costs. We still need to get more details,” he said. Also Wednesday, the board officially approved an increase of $2,500 to Rodriguez’s salary. Rodriguez’s salary will now be $124,400. (Taryn White may be reached at 728-2568 or at twhite@lmtonline.com)

Court gives nod to shovel-ready stimulus items By ZACH LINDSEY THE ZAPATA TIMES

Photos by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times

TOP: A Zapata High School student signs an “Operation Graduation” t-shirt at the school Friday morning. ZCISD Superintendent Romeo Rodriguez says he will wear the short when he runs a half-marathon in Austin. ABOVE: Rodriguez speaks to Zapata High School students Friday morning on the district’s goals for the upcoming TAKS test.

‘Operation Graduation’ hopes to boost district to success By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES

tudents at Zapata High School made a public commitment to success this week when they signed their names on a T-shirt promising to work hard and stay disciplined. In a movement dubbed “operation graduation” Zapata County Independent School District Superintendent Romeo Rodriguez asked students to sign their names showing they are ready to take on the job of making ZCISD a recognized district.

Gathering signatures

ZCISD Superintendent Romeo Rodriguez points to a chart of the district’s goals on the upcoming TAKS test while speaking to Zapata High School students Friday morning.

Friday, Rodriguez visited classrooms throughout the school gathering signatures. “They were given a choice and everybody signed,” said Zapata High School Assistant Principal Cynthia Villarreal. “Our students are aware of the discipline they will need and they are accepting the challenge.” Operation Graduation encourages students to attend the schools tutorials,

practice test-taking techniques and, above all, pass the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test. “Our teachers have been working very hard and preparing tutorials to address weaknesses students are having. They are addressing each student individually,” Villarreal said.

Pushing the district Rodriguez is confident Operation Graduation will push the district to a recognized status. In fact, to show how optimistic he is, Rodriguez has asked the board of trustees to not extend his contract as superintendent unless he is able to get the district to this status. Rodriguez plans on increasing the amount he visits schools, and he also wants to help teachers identify weaknesses and strengths students get the most out of their education. “We are very determined, and I know this will succeed,” Villarreal said. “We are also getting the parents on board because without their parent’s support the kids won’t do well.”

A list of requests for funding from the economic stimulus package was approved by the Zapata County Commissioners Court at Monday’s regular meeting. Also, the court tabled an item regarding a contract with the Zapata County Medical Group, requesting a special meeting for Feb. 17 to discuss it further.

Stimulus package In regard to the economic stimulus package, the court approved the recommended list asis. The recommended list contains $93.53 million worth of requests, including shovel-ready and design-ready projects. “Congressman (Henry) Cuellar sent us some forms that we needed to fill out as far as prioritizing some of the projects,” said County Judge Rosalva Guerra. “The ones that are shovel-ready, we’re going to try to do those first.” Guerra said tat the county’s grant-writer is working on the required forms. Some commissioners thought the request list might be too large to receive full funding. “It’s pretty ambitious what we’re asking for, but they’re all needed projects,” said County Commissioner Joseph Rathmell. However, that isn’t stopping the county from requesting

COUNTY JUDGE ROSALVA GUERRA them. “We’re being realistic and knowing that we’re not going to get funding for all of them,” Rathmell said. “We hope to get funding for some of them.” Some of the requests are already in progress or already have funding set aside, such as the water plant. “If we can get additional funding so we don’t have to borrow money, that would be great,” Rathmell said. Other than the water plant, the main core of projects are the sewer plant and paving for county roads.

See COUNTY | PAGE 10A

Zin brief

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14,2009

AROUND THE MEXICO | IN BRIEF

WHAT’S GOING ON THURSDAY,FEB.26

SATURDAY FEB.28, The Zapata County Fair will begin their opening ceremonies today with the annual Trail Ride & Breakfast at 8 a.m., the official Opening Ceremonies at the ZCF Pavilion at 1:30 p.m. and a Kick-off Dance featuring Sonny Sauceda and Stampede at 9 p.m.

SUNDAY,MARCH 1

THURSDAY MARCH 12 The Zapata County Fair kicks off today at county fair grounds today at 8 a.m. Events include a livestock show, musical performances, a carnival and a street dance. Livestock judging will begin today starting at 9:30 a.m. with Rabbits and steers. The fair will run through Saturday. Don’t miss out on this year’s fun. For more information call 765-9920

AP photo

A bullet-riddled Mexican army vehicle is seen after a firefight between gunmen and soldiers near the town of Villa Ahumada, 80 miles south of El Paso,Texas on Friday.The violence comes three days after gunmen kidnapped nine people from the town and later executed six near the Pan American Highway, prompting a series of battles with soldiers that left another 15 dead.

Mexico governor: Cartels behind Monterrey protests By MARK STEVENSON ASSOCIATED PRESS

FRIDAY,MARCH 13 The Zapata County Fair continues livestock judging today starting at 8 a.m. followed later by a Street Dance with Grupo Nemesis playing from 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Los Cinco de Zapata from 7 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., a Tight Jean Contest from 8:30- 9 p.m., Jaime de Anda y Los Chamacos will pay from 9 p.m.-10:30, and Los Palominos will close today’s festivities from 10:30 to midnight. Today is the first day of Spring Break. No classes will be held at Zapata CISD through March 20. The Zapata County Fair resumes today at 8 a.m. For more information, call 765-9920

SATURDAY,MARCH 14 Today is the last day of the Zapata County Fair.The annual parade begins at 10 a.m.There are a variety of entertainments throughout the day at the fairgrounds.The grito contest is at 7 p.m., and the street dance with numerous bands starts at 7:30 p.m. For more information, call 765-9920 or visit www.zpatacountyfaironline.com The Laredo Under Seven Flags Rotary Club presents “A Valentine’s Night To Remember,” a dinner and dance,today from 7 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. at Paseo Real Reception Hall, 2335 Endeavor Drive. The event costs $75 per person or $125 per couple. Live music will be provided by Showband International. For more information, call Diana Juarez at 319-3100 or Diana Garza at 645-0644.

MONDAY,MARCH 23 Classes resume after the Spring Break holiday for the Zapata Independent School District.

FRIDAY,APRIL 10 Staff development day at Zapata Independent School district; no class for students.Pre-registration will be held today for the Falcon Lake Big Bass Tournamanet, which kicks off tomorrow, at the Holiday Restaurant. Or you can register online at www.zapatausa.com For more information please call the Zapata Chamber of Commerce at 765-4871

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SUBSCRIPTIONS/DELIVERY (956) 728-2555 The Zapata Times is distributed on Saturdays to 4,000 households in Zapata County. For subscribers of Laredo Morning Times and those who buy LMT at newstands.The Zapata Times is inserted inside. The Zapata Times is free. The Zapata Times is published by Laredo Morning Times, a division of The Hearst Corporation, PO Box 2129, Laredo,Texas 78044. Phone (956)728-2500 The Zapata office is at 1309 N. US Highway 83 at 14th Avenue,Suite 2; Zapata,TX,78076.Call (956) 765-5113 or e-mail thezapatatimes@att.net

The Zapata Times

MEXICO CITY — Street protests against the army’s presence in the northern city of Monterrey were organized by drug cartels in an apparent bid to disrupt the government’s anti-drug crackdown, Mexican officials alleged Friday. Gov. Jose Natividad Gonzalez of Nuevo Leon state said this week’s protests have snarled traffic in Mexico’s third largest city, home to 3.7 million, and “severely disrupted the lives of hundreds of thousands of citizens.” About 150 masked people blockaded a main avenue and burned a truckload of wooden pallets on Thursday, the fourth day of evening rush-hour demonstrations. Officials said Friday that the drug gangs were also responsible for the killing of the police commander in charge of investigating the protests. “Organized crime groups that are part of a national network have decided to use lo-

AROUND TEXAS | IN BRIEF

The Zapata County Chamber of Commerce invites you to celebrate Winter Texans and local elders with an event at the Community Center. Planning is underway for a dinner,refreshments,music,activities and door prizes. Come join us in watching this year’s Queen and King and come prepared to cast your vote on the Dancing Contest Crowning 2009 Winter Texan King and Queen,and Crowning 2009 Zapata Senior Citizen King and Queen. To become a sponsor,call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce 765-4871.

The Zapata County Fair continues today with the. Queen’s Contest at Zapata High School Auditorium Immediately Following Social at 2 p.m

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

cal residents ... to seize the main streets and paralyze traffic in our city,” Gonzalez said. He did not say why authorities specifically suspect the cartels. The army said in a statement that it had detained the alleged protest organizer, Juan Antonio Beltran, and that he had acknowledged paying people 200 to 500 pesos ($14-$35) to participate. Beltran purportedly also handed out backpacks stuffed with school supplies — 71 of which were found in his truck — to entice youths. Interior Secretary Fernando Gomez Mont said Friday the cartels “have tried a strategy of mobilizing some youths, the great majority of whom ... are on drugs, to block the streets.” He said the cartels are “trying to undermine the authority of the government,” but called the attempts a sign of desperation. Human rights activists say there are legitimate complaints about abuses by soldiers, including cases in which patrols opened fire on civilians at military checkpoints.

Court: Police abusive in retaking town

Police find truck with cocaine panels

10 arrested in hit squad bust

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s Supreme Court said police committed serious abuses when trying to retake control of a rebellious town. The Supreme Court ruled police should be investigated for their conduct in San Salvador Atenco. Police intervened in San Salvador Atenco in May 2006 to end protests that erupted after authorities tried to prevent street vendors from setting up stands. Nearly two dozen women detained by police claimed they were sexually abused.

MEXICO CITY — Police at a Mexican seaport say they have found a pickup truck with body panels and a bumper made from fiberglass — and cocaine. The Attorney General’s Office says a trained dog picked up the scent of drugs during an inspection of a shipping container sent from Colombia. Manzanillo port officials of dismantled parts of the truck and found the rear bumper and some body panels appeared to be made from pressed cocaine base coated in fiberglass.

MEXICO CITY — Drug cartels that have waged bloody turf battles across Mexico’s border region have now brought their fight to the outskirts of Mexico City, federal police said in announcing the arrest of 10 alleged members of an hit squad. The eight men and two women ere allegedly working for a Sinaloa-based cartel and had been hired to attack the rival La Familia cartel. Earlier, police had arrested 13 members of the La Familia cartel. — Compiled from AP reports

Man pleads guilty in death of 6-year-old

Recall starts for peanut plant products

CORSICANA — A man charged with killing a 6-yearold girl whose half nude body was found hanging from the rafters of her family’s garage pleaded guilty to capital murder Friday and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Shaun Earl Arender, 21, entered his plea as part of a deal with prosecutors that called for him to testify about the 2007 killing of Hanna Mack. Hanna’s body was found hanging before sunrise on a September morning in the rural town of Navarro Mills. Arender was charged a few weeks after the crime.

DALLAS — Companies that received peanut products from a West Texas plant where a filthinfested crawl space was discovered began destroying their products Friday to comply with a recall. The recall could eventually involve more than 100 companies that ordered peanut products from the Plainview plant, which is owned by the Peanut Corp. of America, a company at the center of a national salmonella outbreak. Texas health officials ordered the recall Thursday after discovering dead rodents, feces and feathers in a crawl space above a production area at the plant. Officials have said an air-handling system sucked debris from the crawl space into an area where peanuts are processed.

Man gets probation in 2003 slaying AMARILLO — A 26-year-old man received 10 years probation for his ties to the 2003 slaying of a man whose body was buried in concrete beneath a grain elevator in the Texas Panhandle. Michael Stocker, of Canyon, faced a capital murder charge. But he was convicted of the lesser aggravated kidnapping of Dustin Pool. On Thursday, a Randall County jury gave Stocker a 10year prison term and recommended it be suspended. Stocker must also pay a $10,000 fine. Stocker denied playing a role in Pool’s death. Pool disappeared in March 2003.

Men charged with securities violations AUSTIN — The Texas Attorney General’s Office charged two investment plan owners on Friday with violating state securities laws in schemes that preyed on anxious retirees and teachers. Howard G. Judah Jr. of Houston and Gregory F. Jablonski of Castle Rock, Colo., were accused in a civil enforcement action with failing to make required disclosures, selling unregistered securities and other Texas Securities Act violations. — Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE NATION | IN BRIEF Regulators close banks in Neb.,Fla.

Crew saw significant ice before crash

WASHINGTON — Regulators on Friday closed Sherman County Bank in Nebraska and Riverside Bank of the Gulf Coast in Florida, marking 11 failures this year of federally insured institutions. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. was appointed receiver of the banks. Sherman County Bank, located in Loup City, Neb., had $129.8 million in assets and $85.1 million in deposits as of Feb. 12. Cape Coral, Fla.-based Riverside Bank had assets of $539 million and deposits of $424 million as of Dec. 31.

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The crew of the commuter plane that fell on a house, killing all 49 people aboard and one person on the ground, noticed significant ice buildup on the wings and windshield just before the aircraft began pitching and rolling violently. Officials stopped short of saying the ice buildup caused Thursday night’s crash and stressed that nothing has been ruled out. But ice on the wings can interfere with an aircraft’s handling and has been blamed for a number of major air disasters over the years. — Compiled from AP reports

RECONSTRUCTING THE NEANDERTHAL

TODAY IN HISTORY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Today is Saturday, Feb. 14, the 45th day of 2009. There are 320 days left in the year. This is Valentine’s Day. Today’s Highlight in History: On Feb. 14, 1859, Oregon was admitted to the Union as the 33rd state. On this date: In 1778, the American ship Ranger carried the recently adopted Star and Stripes to a foreign port for the first time as it arrived in France. In 1895, Oscar Wilde’s final play, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” opened at the St. James’s Theatre in London. In 1912, Arizona became the 48th state of the Union. In 1920, the League of Women Voters was founded in Chicago; its first president was Maud Wood Park. In 1929, the “St. Valentine’s Day Massacre” took place in a Chicago garage as seven rivals of Al Capone’s gang were gunned down. In 1962, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy conducted a televised tour of the White House in a videotaped special broadcast on

CBS and NBC (and several nights later on ABC). In 1989, Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini called on Muslims to kill Salman Rushdie, author of “The Satanic Verses,” a novel condemned as blasphemous. Ten years ago: President Bill Clinton, accompanied by his wife, Hillary, began a quick visit to Mexico to encourage its struggle against narcotics and government corruption, and grow its markets for U.S. products. John D. Ehrlichman, President Nixon’s domestic affairs adviser who was disgraced and imprisoned for his role in the Watergate cover-up, died in Atlanta at age 73. Five years ago: Guerrillas overwhelmed a police station west of Baghdad, killing 23 people and freeing dozens of prisoners. Twenty-eight people were killed when the glass and concrete roof of an indoor water park in Moscow collapsed. One year ago: A former student dressed in black walked onto the stage of a lecture hall at Northern Illinois University and opened fire on a packed science class; Steven Kazmierczak killed

five students before committing suicide. Republican campaign dropout Mitt Romney endorsed John McCain for the party’s presidential nomination. Today’s Birthdays: TV personality Hugh Downs is 88. Actress-singer Florence Henderson is 75. Country singer Razzy Bailey is 70. Jazz musician Maceo Parker is 66. Movie director Alan Parker is 65. Journalist Carl Bernstein is 65. Sen. Judd Gregg, R-N.H., is 62. TV personality Pat O’Brien is 61. Magician Teller (Penn and Teller) is 61. Cajun singer-musician Michael Doucet (Beausoleil) is 58. Actor Ken Wahl is 52. Opera singer Renee Fleming is 50. Actress Meg Tilly is 49. Singer-producer Dwayne Wiggins is 48. Actor Enrico Colantoni is 46. Actor Zach Galligan is 45. Actor Simon Pegg is 39. Rock musician Kevin Baldes (Lit) is 37. Rock singer Rob Thomas (Matchbox Twenty) is 37. Actor Freddie Highmore is 17. Thought for Today: “I am living on hope and faith … a pretty good diet when the mind will receive them.” — Edwin Arlington Robinson, American poet (18691935).

Photo by Frank Franklin II/file | AP

In this Jan. 8, 2003, photo a reconstructed Neanderthal skeleton, right, and a modern human version of a skeleton are on display at the Museum of Natural History in New York.At a news conference in Leipzig, Germany, on Thursday, scientists reported on the results of their three-year-long research to sequence the genome of the Neanderthal Man.

Zlocal

SATURDAY,FEBRUARY 14,2009

ATTORNEY URGES STUDENTS TO STRIVE FOR SUCCES

BY ERIKA LAMBRETON

Courtesy photo | Laredo Morning Times

The Zapata County Fair is just weeks away, and so far, the planning and organization has been smooth sailing, officials say. “Everything has been falling into place,” said Jose “Paco” Mendoza Jr., executive director of the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce. “Everybody is very excited. We are hoping for a tremendous outcome this year.” Mendoza said he hoped to bring in the largest crowd the fair has ever seen with the help of an ad campaign created by a L aredo Ad agency, Graphitiks. Zapata County Fair has been getting the word out quite successfully, with their own Web site up and running and also has plans for billboards and bus advertising in order to reach a broader audience.

THE BLOTTER ROBBERY A man was arrested Monday after he allegedly tried to rob the Exxon gas station at the corner of U.S. 83 and West 13th Avenue. According to the offense report, a man entered the store at about 4 a.m. and grabbed the money drawer. The cashier then grabbed the male subject’s hand and struck him in the face so he would let go of the drawer, the report stated. The male subject fled the store,got into a Chevrolet pickup and drove off,deputies said. Authorities later caught the robbery suspect.He was identified as Carlos Valadez of the 1700 block of Ramireño Avenue. Deputies charged him with robbery and later booked and processed him at the Zapata County regional jail.

DEADLY CONDUCT Aman was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly pointed a loaded weapon at his wife and threatened to kill her. He was identified as Enrique Cavazos Gonzalez. Deputies charged him with dead-

ly conduct and terroristic threat. He was later booked and processed at the Zapata County regional jail. According to the offense report,deputies arrested Cavazos after responding to his residence in the 100 block of Lopeño Avenue.

SEXUALASSAULT A boy told his mother Monday he had been sexually assaulted. The offense report identified the offender, who resides at the residence with the boy and his mother. However, no arrests have been made.

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED A man was arrested Sunday on the charge of DWI after being pulled over near the corner of Falcon Avenue and 4th Street. Pedro Medina-Guerrero,of the 500 block of Guerrero Street, was booked and processed at the Zapata County regional jail. According to the offense report, a deputy pulled over Medina-Guerrero at about 12:30 a.m. for driving without his lights on. He was then found to be intoxi-

cated, the report stated.

POSSESSION OFA CONROLLED SUBSTANCE Deputies detained a male juvenile Sunday after responding to a drunken person report near the corner of Villa Avenue and 16th Street. The juvenile, of the 1400 block of Villa Avenue, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and later taken to the juvenile detention center in Rio Grande City. Aman was arrested Tuesdaymorning at the Sheriff’s Office for allegedly being in possession of a small amount of crack cocaine. Antonio Uvalle-Guzman, of the 200 block of Lozano Street, was charged with state jail felony possession of a controlled substance and later booked and processed at the Zapata County regional jail. According to the offense report, UvalleGuzman was arrested at about 8:45 a.m.after deputies found him to be in possession of about 0.2 grams of crack. About eight hours earlier, Uvalle-Guzman was arrested for public intoxication.

Officials say fair planning going well for expected crowd LAREDO MORNING TIMES

Attorney Jaime Gonzalez Jr. is surrounded by a group of fourth- and fifth-grade students from Villarreal Elementary School after his motivational address.A graduate of Zapata High School, Gonzalez talked about having determination, courage and not giving up on their dreams. He also stated the importance of the TAKS test. He encouraged students to apply test-taking strategies, not get nervous and, most importantly to believe in themselves.

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

PUBLIC INTOXICATION Deputies arrested a man Sunday after responding to a verbal dispute in the 800 block of Ramireño Street. Martin Estrada-Vasquez, who lives in the same block,was charged with public intoxication and later booked and processed at the Zapata County regional jail. According to the offense report, deputies responded to the Ramireño Street residence and encountered EstradaVasquez, who was “highly intoxicated.” He then allegedly became aggressive and refused to get into the patrol unit. Carmen Ramirez - Rathmell, D.D.S.

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Inquiring minds have already begun to jam the phone lines at the Zapata Chamber of Commerce, requesting information regarding the events and how to become involved. “We’ve get at least 30-35 calls a day of people to get information on the fair,” said Mendoza Mendoza said he usually refers people to the Web site, which contains a list of events and other information. “Everything you could possibly (need) to know is on there,” he said. As for a total number of participants in this year’s parade, Mendoza said it was hard to put an exact number since the deadline to register is Feb. 27, but he has high hopes for a large number. “We’ve seen tremendous progress with having hired a professional (ad) agency,” he said.

“Graphitiks is putting the word out,” Mendoza added. “We’re looking forward to (the fair).” Since the word is spreading quickly, Mendoza was optimistic and encourages everyone to come out and join in on the festivities. “We want to invite everybody to attend … It’s a great event to bring the whole family … and we invite everyone to come out and have a good time.” The opening ceremonies will begin Saturday, Feb. 28 at 8 a.m. with the traditional Trail ride and breakfast staring in Bustamante, followed later by the official kick off dance with music by Sony Sauceda and Stampede at 9 p.m. For a list of events, visit www.zapatacountyfaironline.co m (Erika Lambreton can be reached at 728-2567 or e-mail erika@lmtonline.com)

Zopinion

SATURDAY,FEBRUARY 14,2009

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

OTHER VIEWS

EDITORIAL

Farms making a strong comeback By VERLYN KLINKENBORG NEW YORK TIMES

hen I was born in 1952, there were 203,000 farms in Iowa, only 11,000 fewer than when my dad was born in 1926. By 2002, the number had dropped to about 90,000, with roughly the same acreage in production in a state with a population that had remained roughly the same. The national numbers followed the same track: fewer farms, bigger farms, less-diverse farms. To a lot of people, this looked like progress because the ideal of efficiency promulgated by the Department of Agriculture was bigger yields with fewer people. This industrial notion of efficiency has always seemed terribly inefficient in other important ways: socially, culturally and environmentally. Too few people in a farming landscape means too little attention to the soil. It also means broken towns. The history of Iowa in the past 80 years has been the steady impoverishing of the rural landscape, a fact most easily grasped by the steadily dwindling number of farms. So it comes as a pleasant surprise to find in the 2007 Census of Agriculture that the number of farms in Iowa has risen to 92,856,

a level last seen in 1992. Some 4,000 new small farms have been created since 2002. These are very small farms, 9 acres or less, and they are producing a much wider array of crops than the rest of Iowa, which specializes in corn and soybeans. Most have very local markets, not Cargill and Archer Daniels Midland. And yet as new farms are being created, midsize farms go out of business. Consolidation at the highest level — big farms eating slightly smaller farms — continues. These are interesting numbers — 4,000 Iowa farms under 9 acres and about 1,500 with 2,000 acres or more. Still more interesting is the age differential. The average age of the “principal operator” on a farm has crept upward to 56 years old. But those small farms are being run by young farmers. In a very real sense, they are going back to an earlier model of farming in Iowa. The farms are more diverse, and so are the crops they grow. To me, this is where the new passion for local foods finds its real meaning, and the best news is that Iowa is not alone. Nationwide, there are some 300,000 new farms since 2002. And the farmers? More diverse than ever, including a higher number of women. This is a genuine source of hope for American agriculture.

COLUMN

Emerging trend: Age trumps youth By GAIL COLLINS NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE

n Tuesday, a 10-year-old Sussex spaniel named Stump won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club, becoming the oldest dog to win the title in the show’s 133-year history. Yet another sign of the emerging trend of 2009: Old is in. This is not exactly what we were expecting from the Age of Obama. When a 47-year-old becomes president by trouncing a 72-year-old opponent, there’s every reason to think that the tide is turning youthward. For a minute or so, that seemed to be the case. The most high-profile Cabinet job, Treasury secretary, went to Timothy Geithner, 47. Over at the bank bailout, a 35-year-old was in charge of the Office of Financial Stability. Hillary Clinton, 61, is headed to Bangalore and Beijing, leaving a 42-year-old replacement in her Senate seat. There was almost no one left in Washington who knew what Sputnik was, let alone the words to “The Ballad of Davy Crockett.” Now, less than a month into the new administration, we’ve got generational backlash. Everybody who watched Geithner explain how he was going to rescue the banking system thought he sounded like a callow youth. Where’s gravitas when you need it? Time to bring on Paul Volcker (81). Meanwhile, the great national heroes are US Airways pilot Sully Sullenberger (58) and flight attendants Donna Dent (51), Sheila Dail (57) and Doreen Welsh (58). Admit it, when you get on a plane these days, you feel worried if the crew members don’t look as though they’re receiving bulletins from the AARP. The movie star du jour is Mickey Rourke, 56. Rourke has truly been preparing for this moment all his life, since thanks to some interesting lifestyle changes, he has looked 56 since around 1987. Is this a baby-boomer plot? In 1972, The New York Times’ Russell Baker noted the people he had always thought of as “the kids” did not seem to be reproducing. Baker decided that the Woodstock generation was conspiring to cut the birth rate so they would always be in the majority and could “go on being the

kids for the rest of their lives.” And what do you know? Mick Jagger is still touring. My own personal theory is that we’re witnessing a defense mechanism triggered by the current economic unpleasantness. Since it appears that nobody is ever going to be able to afford to retire, we’re moving into an era in which having your car fixed or your tonsils removed by a 75year-old will need to seem normal. Meanwhile, young people are going to have to stay in school and keep their heads down since their elders have no intention of creating any job openings in the near future. So it’s better if we readjust our thinking and start regarding everybody as 20 years younger than the calendar suggests. Then you will feel much better when the 80-year-old postman delivers your mail and it includes a request for money from your 38year-old offspring doing postpost-post-doctoral work at Ohio State. At least this will be good news for anybody under the age of 40 who gets into a jam. If the Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and the Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez have drug issues, who cares? In the new adjusted way of viewing the country, Phelps is just a toddler and Rodriguez is barely in puberty. And in their place, we have Stump. You may have missed his great star turn on Tuesday night. Strangely, the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show does not get as much attention as, say, the Super Bowl, even though there are way more Americans who own dogs than play football. Perhaps if Bruce Springsteen (59) had done a half-time show at Westminster involving huge amounts of jumping around and a crotch-first slide into the camera, things would be different. Stump, whose hobbies are sleeping and sleeping, is actually Champion Clussexx Three D Grinchy Glee, but nobody his age can remember all that. After a refreshing workout that involved a short walk around the driveway, he trotted onto the stage and wiped the floor with his younger competition, the most notable of which was a poodle that was conceived with the 25-year-old semen of a long-dead champion named Snapper.

EDITORIAL

Critic gives energy industry new hope HOUSTON CHRONICLE

or energy insiders, early February has come to mean CERAWeek and a quick visit to Houston to hear what the future holds for their vital industry. Over the past 28 years the five-day conference hosted by Daniel Yergin’s Cambridge Energy Research Associates (the CERA in CERAWeek) has become “an annual meeting place for sheiks and wildcatters, policy wonks and number crunchers, analysts and executives,” according to Chronicle Business reporter Lynn Cook. This year is no exception. CERA-Week is the place to be, and full credit goes to Yergin, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of

The Prize and a respected strategic thinker and analytical voice on energy. Among 2009 conference participants, Rep. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., deserves particular mention. Markey, long considered one of the energy industry’s harshest critics, recently morphed into one of the nation’s most influential voices on the subject as chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment. On Monday, Markey delivered the keynote address for CERAWeek attendees. It’s safe to assume he had their complete attention. As related by Chronicle Business reporter Tom Fowler, Markey told his elite audience: Natural gas and renewable

resources such as wind can form “a very good partnership” for the future. With protections for environmentally sensitive areas, expanded drilling on the outer continental shelf can be considered. Renewables can’t do the job alone. With technology to clean it up, coal has a long future in the energy mix. Given Markey’s reputation, these views are likely to be greeted with relative relief by many in the energy industry. They offer more than a hint of willingness to work with the industry in achieving the changes and eventual energy independence touted by President Barack Obama. His declaration “I agree with

T. Boone Pickens” may also soothe some energy industry concerns. Pickens, the famed Texas oilman, has lobbied hard for wind power and natural gaspowered vehicles. Markey’s remarks at CERAWeek merit the attention of a wider audience of informed voters and citizens. Markey sits at the center of the congressional body that will take a lead role in reshaping this country’s energy policy according to Obama’s vision. Like it or not (and many energy folks do not), Markey reflects mainstream Democratic Party thinking on energy and the environment. And that is likely to shape the nation’s energy future for years to come.

COLUMN

Things have a way of working out LIZABETH CITY, N.C. — I wonder a lot these days how the stress of our everchanging world is affecting people. I see around me that life goes on, yet beneath the surface I wonder if we aren’t bubbling, sometimes ready to boil over. I know for myself the stress of the work-a-day world can sneak up on me. When I’m least expecting it, thinking I’m OK, there is suddenly an outburst of one kind or another and I say or do absurd, stupid things. Then I pause, and look around. The wreckage in my path is unmistakable. I have hurt someone’s feelings, perhaps, and I am dumbfounded by my own temporary insanity. The world I see through the television — I think of Lewis Carroll’s “Through the Looking Glass” — is upside down. People are losing jobs, politicians talk of dire times and the prospect for the future, for now, looks grim. Yet the world I see in real time

ROBERT KELLY-GOSS — well, it looks more sane and perhaps that is hope, the one thing that is keeping the visible signs of stress beneath the surface. Last weekend, as I stood amidst a crowd of Boy Scouts and their parents at the local Pinewood Derby event, I scanned the room. Children ran in circles screaming in utter delight before the event, parents gathered in small groups talking about whatever it was they talked about. As the morning moved on, and the races began, there was cheering and shrills as cars speedily rolled down the track

and boys and girls cheered on their creations, blocks of wood transformed with great care to 5-ounce racers that would win and lose, yet be the pride of each child and parent there that day. The whole thing was a normal event, with no undercurrents of stress that surely occupied some space in the mind of every adult, whether they are optimistic or otherwise. In other words, life goes on and we have to live it, and that day people were living it. When my wife’s grandmother was alive, I asked her about her experiences during the Great Depression. I wanted to hear a firsthand account of what it was like during the days when people seemingly had nothing and the stress of a broken economy — perhaps an understatement — was leaving people seemingly hopeless. Miss Pearl, as I called her, was in her 20s during the height of that period.

She was already a mother and a wife, and she was not fazed by the hard times, she told me. She and her husband were farmers. Oh, she said, coffee, flour and sugar were hard to come by, but they had what they needed and understood how to take care of themselves, and their children. It was a different time, to be sure. But what struck me about her casual response was that she had not expressed that there was stress in the way they lived. Things, she told me, were fairly simple back then and there was no need to worry. “We knew things would work out in the end,” she said. And that’s what I forget when I get stressed by the world. Things have a way of working out, especially if I’m willing to do the work. (To reach Robert Kelly-Goss, who writes for The Daily Advance in Elizabeth City, N.C., email: rkelly-goss@coxnc.com)

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Zlife

SATURDAY,FEBRUARY 14,2009

The sky’s the limit Air show is Sunday By KIRSTEN CROW LAREDO MORNING TIMES

t’s going to be the best year yet for the Washington’s Birthday Celebration Stars and Stripes Air Show Spectacular, said Bob Weathers, chairman. And it’s not just the promised “sunny skies and incredible weather,” he noted. True, Weathers has described the show as “the best ever” each year for the past three celebrations, but it’s been an accurate statement each time, he said. Among a laundry list of activities and sights to see, Weathers said organizers are bringing back “the old war birds,” including the Japanese Zero, for a small-scale World War II demonstration. “We’re going to have a mini ‘Tora Tora’ demonstration bombing in the airfields, complete with pyrotechnics,” he said. “Then we’re going to have some old World War II planes come and save the day.” In addition to the demonstration, there will also be a MiG-17 — likely best remembered as the Russian fighter jets in “Top Gun” — which will be “tearing up the skies with about a 20-foot afterburner,” Weathers continued. That’s aside from the Freestyle Motocross stunts on the ground and the paratroopers and wing walkers performing in the ozone. New this year is a flight simulator for the kids, Weathers said. For a monetary fee, children will have the opportunity to pick the plane type they would like to “fly,” and then step into the simulated cockpit, complete with 3-D motion and sound, and catch a

Photo by Ricardo Segovia | Laredo Morning Times

Mark Reyna, 8, expresses surprise and amazement during the 2008 Washington’s Birthday Celebration Stars and Stripes Air Show Spectacular. rush. The show is also set to include Monster Truck rides for the kids and static displays of air crafts such as Black Hawk helicopter and the B-25 Mitchell bomber. Of course, the centerpiece is the F-15E Strike Eagle Demonstration Team, he said. “It’s an incredible airplane,” Weathers said. “We’re so happy to have them back.” Air Force Capt. Phillip A. “Ritz” Smith, pilot for the demonstration team, said the crowd has plenty to look forward to as he

and his weapons system officer take to the skies. The F15E Strike Eagle, which has been used predominantly in military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, is what’s known as a “dual-role fighter designed to perform air-to-air and air-to-ground missions,” according to the Web site. “We’re going to explore all the regimes of the aircraft,” Smith said during a Tuesday interview. Among the features that will be showcased are the plane’s slow-handling as well as high-

speed handling characteristics, and its maneuvering capabilities. They’ll also show a 9-G turn, going from about 200 feet to three miles into the air in just under 20 seconds, as well as fly “just under the speed of sound, because (if not) we’d blow out every window” in the area, Smith said. “It’s loud, it’s big, it’s fast; it’s a great show for the audience,” he said. “You can feel the loudness and the power if the F15.” (Kirsten Crow may be reached at 728-2543 or by e-mail at kirsten@lmtonline.com)

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

MISS MANNERS | BYJUDITH MARTIN

Weddings are not open houses for all A stranger is stalking wedding guest lists: The Guest Once Removed. This is not someone whom the bridal couple or their families thought to invite or who is likely to have any emotional attachment to the occasion. Pressure from those on the regular guest list who regard a wedding as being a sort of prom that would be no fun without a date has created the expectation that single guests are entitled to bring their own guests. Miss Manners is all for inviting coupled wedding MARTIN guests as couples — indeed, there is a new rudeness, which she is trying to stamp out, of inviting only half of an established couple. Those who are married, engaged or otherwise firmly attached must be asked in tandem to social events (as opposed to office gatherings, which are still office gatherings, no matter how many drinks are served). This is not the same as being expected to surrender control of a guest list to the guests themselves, with the result that the bridal couple may have no idea who will be showing up to attend this momentous event in their lives. As a strictly optional choice, if they are feeling generous, they can certainly ask their unattached guests if there is someone they would like to bring, extract that person’s name and use it to issue another invitation. The considerate way to do this is individually, so that no guest feels pressured to bring a date or embarrassed about suggesting a non-date, such as a friend, local host or caretak-

er. Nor should any such person feel the humiliation of being a second-class guest. Issuing invitations in these people’s own names, done as a courtesy to the unknown friends of friends, is the gracious way to indicate that such people are accepted. They must then be treated with the courtesies due to all guests. Miss Manners has been told dreadful stories of guests’ guests being told they cannot fully partake in the festivities. One such young lady was told by the bride that she would be allowed to attend the reception only if one of the A-list guests failed to show up. Another was criticized for unintentionally catching the bridal bouquet when it came her way, and again for not turning it over to a “real” guest. For their own sakes, those who have been invited by guests, rather than by hosts, should make sure that their benefactors were authorized to do this. Even then, it would be wise to write a note to the bride, along the lines of “Ethan has asked me to accompany him to your wedding. I would consider it a great honor to attend, but I would also understand if his enthusiasm has over-run any boundaries. In any case, I send you my very best wishes for your happiness.” Such a gesture establishes that you do not regard her wedding as a public event at which you can amuse yourself without having an interest in the marriage taking place. And when a bride considers how many people on her list did not even respond to her invitation, she is likely to appreciate someone who took the trouble to write such a letter.

Zentertainment

SATURDAY,FEBRUARY 14,2009

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

‘The International’ mixes style with substance By CHRISTY LEMIRE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Courtesy photo

Belly dancers from Bel’s Dance Studio have become a fixture of the Laredo Community College Musicale, which is one-half of the fun and fanfare that the college hosts along with the Family Fun Fest. The group of young dancers returns to this year’s outdoor celebration today from noon to 5 p.m. at the LCC Fort McIntosh Campus.

Fun Fest offers food, music, games SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

From intricate dance moves to mouth-watering delicacies, the Laredo Community College Fun Fest and Musicale today from noon to 5 p.m. has something to offer for anyone in search of a wholesome and entertaining weekend outing. Mom, dad, kids and teens — plus anyone else in between — are invited to attend the popular Washington’s Birthday tradition, which will be held at the Fort McIntosh Campus grounds next to the Maravillo Gymnasium. Admission is free of charge. Event organizer/student activities director Raquel Peña said that the outdoor celebration will offer plenty of fun, food and fanfare for all to enjoy. “Laredo Community College’s Fun Fest and Musicale have become a cherished celebration that many in the community look forward to attending each year,” Peña said. “Hundreds of fest-goers annually attend the celebration, and

ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFS SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Ludacris to ‘Rollout’ The Laredo Entertainment Center and Hot 106.1 announced Wednesday the first-ever Spring Break Bash with hip-hop sensation Ludacris and special guest Soulja-Boy in a concert scheduled for Saturday, March 14, at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, at the LEC box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. Ticket prices are $66, $46 and $26, plus a facility fee.

‘La Trevi’to return Las Cananas and the Laredo Entertainment Center have announced that Latin pop star Gloria Trevi will perform at the LEC on Friday, March 6, at 8 p.m. Tickets are now on sale. Tickets may be purchased at all Ticketmaster outlets, including the LEC box office, online at ticketmaster.com.

many more are expected to attend this year’s ever-growing celebration. It’s a great way to spend time with family and enjoy an array of spicy foods, activities and attractions for all ages.” Peña is alluding to one of the celebration’s most popular attractions, the musicale, which annually showcases an extravaganza of the vibrant growth in the college’s performing arts programs and local talent from schools, private dance studios and other sources of entertainment. College musicians and dancers feature modern dance, drumline cadences, mariachi music and traditional Mexican dances. Demonstrations of aerobics and martial arts also are presented. From the community, you can expect to be entertained by just about anything from a clown show to a conjunto band, and even belly dancers. College faculty and staff also are contributing to the festivities by hosting fun and interactive

games and activities for all to enjoy. LCC student organizations and clubs operate food concessions, such as corn in a cup, pizza, frito pies and hot dogs, as well as fun games, including face painting and a duck pond game. Other student clubs participate by showing classroom exhibits and other interesting activities.

“The International” is equal parts globe-trotting thriller and architecture porn, as perfectly crystallized by its mind-blowing central set piece: a seemingly endless shootout at the Guggenheim Museum. A sexily rumpled Clive Owen stars as Interpol agent Louis Salinger. A mixture of obsessiveness and self-destruction, the former Scotland Yard detective is now investigating some potentially shady dealings at one of the world’s most powerful banks. Illegal arms deals, power brokering, money laundering — you name it, and the bank probably has got its tentacles in it. (Singer says his story was inspired by the real-life scandalous collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commercial International in the 1990s.) “The International,” a Columbia Pictures release, is rated R for some sequences of violence and language. It is playing at Cinemark Mall Del Norte and Hollywood Theaters.

Photo by Sony/Columbia Pictures | AP

In this image released by Sony Pictures, Clive Owen stars as Louis Salinger in the Columbia Pictures thriller “The International.”

ZFrontera AGENDAEN BREVE Cultura

LAREDO — El Desfile de la Princesa Pocahontas es el sábado 14 de febrero a las 7:30 p.m. en el Auditorio del Laredo Civic Center. El baile le sigue a las 9 p.m. en el Salón de Baile del Laredo Civic Center. El costo para el desfile es de 15 y 30 dólares y para el baile es de 20 dólares. Se requiere atuendo formal.

Actividades

LAREDO — LCC invita al Family Fun Fest y Musicale el sábado 14 de febrero de 12 p.m.a 5 p.m.en el Campus Fort McIntosh. La entrada es gratuita. LAREDO — El domingo 15 de febrero, a partir de las 11 a.m. es el Air Show de las Barras y las Estrellas de la WBCAen terrenos del Aeropuerto Internacionl de Laredo (entrada por Maher). El costo es de 5 dólares por adulto; en tanto que niños menores de 12 años entran gratis. LAREDO — El IBC Youth Parade Under the Stars es el jueves 19 de febrero a las 6 p.m. La entrada es libre; las tribunas tienen costo de 2 dólares en pre venta y 3 dólares en la puerta. LAREDO — El Desfile y Baile Colonial de la Sociedad de Martha Washington es el viernes 20 de febrero.El desfile iniciará a las 8 p.m. en el Auditorio del Laredo Civic Center,seguido del baile en el Salón del Civic Center.

Entretenimiento

LAREDO — El sábado 14 de febrero es el concierto del duo de reggaeton, Rakim & Ken-Y en el Laredo Entertainment Center a partir de las 8 p.m. Adquiera boletos en la taquilla de LEC y en Ticketmaster. Los precios varían de 17, 32, 42 y 62 dólares (más la cuota de la instalación). NUEVO LAREDO — La Casa de la Cultura invita el jueves 19 de febrero al teatro callejero “Ambulante”que se presenta sin costo alguno en el Teatro Lucio Blanco de la Casa de la Cultura en Lincoln y Chimalpopoca, en la Colonia Viveros, a partir de las 8 p.m. LAREDO — Los dos días del Jalapeño Festival serán el 20 y 21 de febrero. Los boletos en pre-venta cuestan 5 dólares y en la entrada 10 dólares. Se recomienda estacionarse en El Metro’s Park & Ride.

SÁBADO 14 DE FEBRERO DE 2009

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Baja 98% importación de autos en enero Por MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

NUEVO LAREDO — Las importaciones de autos usados de Estados Unidos se desplomaron en 98% en enero de este año. Las cifras fueron presentadas por el titular del Centro de Internacional Definitiva de Vehículos (CIDEV, por sus siglas), José Guadalupe Bautista Montoya. Hasta el 11 de febrero se habían importado 600 unidades, comparadas con las 24 mil que para esta fecha se habían importado en el 2008. “Tenemos que buscar mecanismos para ser congruentes con la Secretaría de Hacienda”, dijo Bautista Montoya. “No

podremos revertir el decreto. Es la decisión tomada en cierto modo ventajosa”. El decreto al que se refiere Bautista Montoya es el que apareció publicado el 1 de enero del 2009 en el Diario Oficial de la BAUTISTA Federación. “Fue un día inhábil cuando nos enteramos de la disposición (y) no se pudo evitar”, dijo el entrevistado. De igual manera se refirió a que las marchas ó paros no serán la mejor manera de encontrar soluciones. “Se debe buscar la concordia”, dijo

Bautista Montoya.

Economía A decir del titular del CIDEV, ahunado al incremento en impuestos, otro aspecto que ha causado el desplome de las importaciones, tiene que ver con el difícil momento en la economía familiar. Bautista Montoya explicó que por tal razón están buscando otros estímulos a través de los líderes de la comunidad, como en el caso del Diputado Federal Horacio Garza Garza. Habló por ejemplo, del régimen C-2 mediante el cual se podían importar autos con hasta 15 años de antigüedad, de tal manera

que familias de bajos recursos tenían acceso de un vehículo. “No se podía afectar a ningún sector con esta medida, porque se estaba permitiendo que sectores de la sociedad con menores recursos puedieran accesar a un vehículo”, dijo Bautista Montoya. “En la actualidad las familias no tienen oportunidad de accesar a un auto nuevo, mucho menos mexicano”. Aclaró que igualmente no quitan el dedo del renglón para que haya una reducción del 30% en las importaciones de autos en la frontera. (Puede localizar a Miguel Timoshenkov llamando al (956) 728-2583 o escribiendo a timo1@lmtonline.com)

Celebran Cabalgata de las Huastecas ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

EJIDO EUGENIO CAMACHO ECHEVERRÍA, México — Con la Cuarta Cabalgata de las Huastecas como marco, los gobernadores Eugenio Hernández Flores, de Tamaulipas; Fidel Herrera Beltrán, de Veracruz; y, Marcelo de los Santos Fraga, de San Luis Potosí, firmaron convenios de colaboración que suman acciones y voluntades para proteger el empleo, consolidar la competitividad de la región en su infraestructura carretera, cuidado del medio ambiente y protección civil. La Cabalgata reunió a más de diez mil jinetes de las tres entidades, desde el ejido Tantoán de Mante hasta el ejido Ponciano Arriaga en San Luis Potosí, un recorrido de 23 kilómetros. Un resultado de esta Cabalgata es el macro libramiento de Ebano-Pánuco-González, así como la carretera TuxpanTampico; el avance de la vía que construye el gobierno de San Luis Potosí, la cual va de Cerritos

hacia la capital de esa Entidad y que acorta la distancia entre Tamaulipas y el centro del país. Hernández Flores destacó que también se está licitando la carretera Mante-Ocampo-Tula, que acortará en más de dos horas y media el recorrido de carga que llegue al puerto de Altamira y el de Tampico al centro del país. “Hay resultados concretos importantes, proyectos estratégicos que hacen más competitiva a esta región de la huasteca”, dijo Hernández Flores. De la Cabalgata de las Huastecas 2009, destaca el Acuerdo Marco de Colaboración y Coordinación en materia de residuos sólidos urbanos firmado con el objetivo de fortalecer las acciones de las tres entidades, el gobierno federal y los municipios, para preservar y mejorar el entorno natural. Este convenio plantea establecer rellenos sanitarios de carácter regional en las zonas limítrofes de los tres estados. “Este proyecto es importante para la zona conurbada de

Invitan a ver club de motos ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE LAREDO

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Nuevo Laredo

De izquierda a derecha, los Gobernadores de Veracruz, Fidel Herrera Beltrán; Tamaulipas, Eugenio Hernández Flores; y, San Luis Potosí, Marcelo de los Santos Fraga, de San Luis Potosí, encabezaron la Cuarta Cabalgata de la Huasteca el siete de febrero. Tampico, Madero y Altamira, y es un plan de largo alcance que contempla pasos reguladores, presas sobre los afluentes al Panuco y ya estamos avanzados en su diseño, que se complementa con las obras a realizar en el río Tamesí, para de alguna manera controlar las avenidas y evitar en el futuro problemas de inundación”, dijo Hernández Flores.

Durante el encuentro, el Gobernador tamaulipeco también conoció el avance del libramiento de tráfico pesado Los Presidentes el cual se encuentra en su etapa final, obra que servirá para agilizar el trafico en la frontera chica, así como la planta tratadora de aguas residuales que será de suma importancia para toda frontera de Tamaulipas.

MIGUEL ALEMÁN, México — El domingo esta ciudad será sede del evento que encabeza el Moto Club “Los Hijos de Villa”, por lo que se espera la presencia de más de 250 motociclistas del norte de Tamaulipas y del Valle de Texas. Se tiene previsto un recorrido por la ciudad y carreras que tendrán como escenario el nuevo libramiento de tráfico pesado. Eduardo Ramírez, presidente del Moto Club “Los Hijos de Villa”, dijo que el evento está programado a iniciar a las 9 a.m. en la explanada de la Presidencia Municipal, donde los motociclistas estarán recibiendo a todos los participantes. El recorrido por la zona centro incluye el libramiento 5 de Junio, el boulevard Miguel Alemán, el libramiento Manuel Cavazos Lerma y el nuevo libramiento de tráfico pesado, y terminará en la explanada de la Presidencia Municipal.

8A | THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATUDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2009

Midwife births raise questions about U.S. citizenship

OBITUARIES ANGEL A. FLORES Angel A. Flores, 88, passed away Monday, Feb. 9, 2009, at Laredo Medical Center. Judge Flores is preceded in death by his son Angel Flores Jr.; parents: Adalberto (Josefa) Flores; brothers: Javier F. Flores, Jose Maria Flores and Adalberto R. (Dora) Flores; and a sister, Consuelo F. (Delfino Jr.) Lozano. Judge Flores is survived by his wife, Menita Flores, of 61 years; son David (Irma) Flores; daughter, Sandra Flores; grandchildren: David Michael Flores, Carlos Angel (Misha) Flores and Linda Angelica Flores; sisters, Elena Strokes, Maria Del Pilar (Charles) Vaughn and Josefa (Paul) Camerlengo; and by numerous nephews, nieces and many friends. Judge Flores will be remembered as a dedicated public servant, a patriotic World War II veteran, but most of all, as the spirited, generous and loving husband, father and grandfather that he was. He passionately embraced his role as grandpa to Michael, Carlos and Linda. Grandpa’s passing leaves an immeasurable void in our lives. A proud World War II veteran, Judge Flores enlisted in the U.S. Navy in October 1941 and served with the 62nd U.S. Submarine Division in the Pacific Theatre, primarily aboard the USS Dragonet. He was honorably discharged in September 1945 with rank of chief petty officer, first pharmacist’s mate. He served as Zapata County Judge from 1971 to 1974 and again 1987 to 1990. Not ready to retire from political service, Mr. Flores continued to serve the community as Democratic Party Chairman from 1994 to 1998. He also served as board member of the Community Action Council of South Texas and was a board member of Zapata County WCID, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and was a member of the U.S. Submarine Veterans Association. He was also active in many other civic and veterans organizations. He re-

By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

ceived much recognition for his community service throughout his life including the Grass Roots Award in 2000, the Zapata County sesquicentennial award in 2008, and in 2004 he was recognized for his efforts in bringing much-needed health care to Zapata County when a new health clinic was named after him. Always an avid and innovative rancher, Judge Flores’ beloved Tlalpan Ranch will forever bear the mark of his labor. The Flores family would like to extend its appreciation to Dr. Carlos N. Casas-Zaragoza, Dr. Zakaria L. Hamdan and the staff of Falcon Lake Nursing Home, MedeX Ambulance Service, Century Dialysis Center, Laredo Specialty Hospital and Laredo Medical Center for the dedicated and compassionate care that they provided to Angel during his long and difficult illness. Pallbearers will be: David Michael Flores, Carlos Angel Flores, Linda Angelica Flores, Daniel Carlos Flores, Juventino Flores Jr. and Javier Luis Flores. Visitation hours were held Thursday, Feb. 12, 2009, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a rosary at 7 p.m. at Rose Garden Funeral Home. The funeral procession will depart Friday, Feb. 13, 2009, at 9:45 a.m. for a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic

Church, his nephew, Bishop Daniel Flores will officiate the Mass. Burial services will follow at Zapata County Cemetery, including full military honors by the American Legion Post 486 Color Guard. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.rosegardenfuneralhome.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rose Garden Funeral Home Daniel A. Gonzalez, Funeral Director, 2102 U.S. 83 Zapata, Texas.

ALAMO, Texas — The citizenship of hundreds, possibly thousands, of people who insist they are Americans is being called into question because they were delivered by midwives near the U.S.-Mexico border. The federal government’s doubts have arisen as many people in the border region try to meet a June 1 deadline to obtain U.S. passports so they can freely cross from one country to the other. The people delivered by midwives have documents such as birth certificates and medical records. But the agency that grants passports is challenging the credibility of those papers, citing a history of some midwives fraudulently registering Mexican-born babies as American. The passport applications being questioned include those of children of Mexican women who crossed the border to give birth in the United States, and even employees of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency who were born on the border and now work to protect it.

“If the lawsuit is not resolved before June 1, families “will have to choose if you’re going to live in Mexico or you’re going to live in the U.S. You won’t be able to cross.” LISA BRODYAGA, IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY

The government has “effectively reduced to second-class citizenship status an entire swath of passport applicants based solely on their being of Mexican or Latino descent and having been delivered by midwives in nonhospital settings in Southwestern border states,” according to a federal lawsuit against the State Department filed last year in McAllen. Immigration attorneys and the ACLU hope to have the case certified as a class action because they believe thousands of people could be affected, with most still living near the border. Since 1960, 75 Texas midwives have been convicted of fraudulently registering Mexican-born babies as American. At one point, the government assembled a list

of nearly 250 “suspicious” midwives but never explained what made them suspicious. State Department spokesman Andy Laine declined to comment because of the litigation. The agency also declined to release statistics on passport application refusals. After June 1, anyone re-entering the United States from Mexico or Canada will have to show a passport, not just a driver’s license and birth certificate, which are the only current requirements. For families who have lived in the area for generations, the border is just a river in the middle of one community. Many people live on one side of the border and work on the other.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2009

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 9A

Crude oil prices drip out of weeklong slide By MARK WILLIAMS ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Oil broke out of a weeklong slump Friday, soaring 10 percent, as traders prepared for a long Presidents Day weekend. Light, sweet crude for March delivery rose $3.53 to settle at $37.51 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices rose as high as $38.25 in afternoon trading. “It’s very simply profit-taking going into a three-day holiday,” said Phil Flynn at Alaron Trading Corp. Traders had been selling the March contract all week and buying the April, May, June and July contracts, but that changed Friday, he said. After opening above $42 a barrel Monday, crude prices have tumbled every day as traders showed little optimism that a $790 billion stim-

ulus package and the Treasury Department’s plan to spend more than $1 trillion to help remove banks’ soured assets from their books would perk up the economy — and oil consumption — anytime soon. The House on Friday passed the stimulus package 246-183 with no Republican help. It now goes to the Senate where a vote was possible late Friday to meet a deadline of passing the plan before a recess begins next week. The prospect of a deal did not help the struggling Dow Jones industrial average, which fell late in the afternoon and closed 82 points down to 7,850.41. Prices on Thursday closed at their lowest level of the year at $33.98 a barrel, and appeared headed back toward the January and February contract lows of $32.48 and $32.70 as oil inventories continue to soar during the worst recession since at least the 1980s.

The Energy Information Administration said Wednesday that crude inventories for the week ended Feb. 6 jumped 4.7 million barrels to 350.8 million barrels, surpassing analyst expectations and climbing toward levels last seen in the summer of 1990 when Iraq invaded Kuwait. U.S. oil storage sites, including the main depot in Cushing, Okla., are brimming with crude, reflecting the drop-off in demand. “During the last week, we have had fresh estimates for oil demand which now forecast the biggest decline in consumption in more than a quarter of a century,” Peter Beutel of Cameron Hanover said in his Friday report. “We have had a merciless unemployment report showing a decline in January of nearly 600,000 jobs, and we have had yet another increase in crude oil stocks, leaving inventories at their highest levels in 15 years, and creating the biggest surplus against the previous year since 1990.

10A | THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2009

Community leaders consider Zapataâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s future BY DORA MARTINEZ

COLUMN

t was a very good morning on Wednesday, Feb. 4. Our town â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Zapata, Texas â&#x20AC;&#x201D; was chosen by the National Endowment for the Arts to receive a grant to modify our town. There was a three-day workshop as a result, starting on Feb. 4. The welcome was done by Peggy Umphres Moffett, president of the Zapata Economic Development Center, and Christopher Rincon, executive director of the River Pierce Foundation. Judge Rosalva Guerra thanked Joey and Melissa Gutierrez for their hospitality in letting us use their lovely pavilion for this most important occasion. Then County Treasurer Ramiro Martinez spoke about the importance and the growth of our town.

LaMotte from the Lakota Group out of Chicago gave a perfect presentation on the overview of design planning. We saw a video on what to expect in the future and it was interesting. Richard Tangum of the University of Texas at San Antonio Department of Architecture and Design spoke about several subjects, including Roma and Rio Grande Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s old homes. He also talked about Guerrero and spoke about an incident that happened 35 years ago in a small rural place close to Eagle Pass, where he had identified and admired a historical building. But the people there heard the comments about the building being old, and they painted and fixed it up, which took away its historic value. Maggie Valentine of the University of Texas also spoke of what they had done for other towns and rural places and where they are now with the Zapata County vision plan. They told us about

Future planning Moffett spoke of the sense of place looking back to our future. Later, John

the steps to be taken, requirements, tools and resources and the community mapping assets.

Smart growth Jeff Speck, AICP, LEED-AP (American Institute of Certified Planners and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional), spoke about the new urbanism, smart growth and creating places to live and work. Hector Torres, ISI consultant, talked about the benefits produced with the technology that would be coming here. We all got into groups of 12 to exercise how to redesign our town. All groups had a chance to discuss their thoughts but all of us said that our main asset was our lake. We worked on existing strategies and on identifying opportunities in the community for new development. After that, we all gathered for dinner in San Ygnacio, at the Rancho TreviĂąoUribe, followed by entertainment. On the 5th, the following morning, we

again listened to Tangum and Valentine and also to William Dupont (mapping and design) and discussed what we had worked on the previous day. We agreed that our jewel and treasure and the main source of income was our lake. Our fire chief spoke about the importance of a bridge going across the lake for larger trucks to travel in case our lake would ever go dry. This way we would have another incentive to keep our town on the go.

More stores Other ideas would be to get a large grocery store like H-E-B and some nice clothing stores so that the people here would not have to go north or south 50 miles in distance to get what they need. Also, there was a call for a larger medical place to stay here in case of emergency â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and to place these buildings in other areas, not just on U.S. 83 so that everyone could share in distance. Critical issues were discussed, in-

cluding taking step s to diversify housing; when housing could be integrated into community housing stock; and where new housing could go in Zapata, San Ygnacio, LopeĂąo and Falcon. After that, we had dinner and there was a book signing for planner Speck, whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the author of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream.â&#x20AC;? On the 6th, the next morning, we were welcomed with a breakfast and talked about the community and vision plan and also about case studies of success in Rio Grande City and public and private partnerships for affordable housing. Last but not least were getting the ideas from the workshop and coming up with a final comprehensive summary of what we had done, in a nutshell but very productive and fruitful. (Dora Martinez is a native of Zapata who was publisher of Hispanic News in San Antonio for 21 years. She can be reached at thezapatatimes@att.net)

COUNTY | Continued from Page 1A Other than the water plant, the main core of projects are the sewer plant and paving for county roads. Like counties and cities around the nation, the bulk of Zapataâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s requests are infrastructure-related. As far as the medical center, the court tabled the issue for a special meeting at 9 a.m. Tuesday. The county offices will be closed Monday for observation of Presidentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day. The Zapata County Medical Clinic has a contract with the County of Zapata, and the item on the agenda asked to consider the renewal and/or renegotiation of the group. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re going to, I guess, make a final decision on Tuesday regarding how the income is dispersed,â&#x20AC;? Rathmell said.

The medical group, operated by Dr. Larry Sands, is guaranteed a certain amount of operating costs in the county budget every year. Any revenues that are generated by the clinic go into a special fund that the county has control over. They oversee the dispersal of the fund. â&#x20AC;&#x153;What weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re trying to decide exactly how those funds are going to be dispersed,â&#x20AC;? Rathmell said. Also, the court heard a presentation from a consultant describing a statewide competitive event to receive grants for renewable energy sources. The county will probably make a decision on that issue at the special meeting on Tuesday. (Zach Lindsey may be reached at 728-2538 or zach@lmtonline.com)

DRUGS | Continued from Page 1A from powdered cocaine using a simple conversion process.â&#x20AC;? The drug gained popularity in the 1980s, but its use in Laredo and the surrounding area has never been that popular, officials said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a scary thing for us in a small community,â&#x20AC;? Figueroa said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This drug, because of its cost and its highly addictive nature, has the potential to wreck havoc.â&#x20AC;? To take down suspected crack houses, Figueroa is using the attorney officeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s crime prevention unit that he created around October 2007.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the same unit that took down the maquinitas in Zapata about a year and a half ago,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They are kind of like my do it all unit â&#x20AC;&#x201D; my jacks of all trade.â&#x20AC;? The unitâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s focus is now on street level crack cocaine, he said. A couple investigators from that unit are working in conjunction with a Zapata County Sheriffâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Office task force to target suspected crack houses. Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez could not be reached for comment. (Nick Georgiou may be reached at 728-2582 or nickg@lmtonline.com)

Subscribe to the Laredo Morning Times by calling (956) 728-2550

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The Zapata Times SATURDAY,FEBRUARY 14,2009

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors Hawks await playoff future

Lady Hawks see a positive future By CLARA SANDOVAL SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Zapata Lady Hawks’ basketball season came to an end Tuesday when they dropped their finale to No. 10 state-ranked Hidalgo Lady Pirates (33-2, 14-0), 99-35. Hidalgo jumped out to a 33-6 first quarter lead behind the scoring of Victoria Gonzalez’s 31 points. Despite the lopsided score, coach Clyde Guerra Jr. saw his Lady Hawks fight to the end, even when the game seemed out of reach. “I wish them well in the state playoffs. I’m very proud of our team for never giving up. They fought to the end,” Guerra said. Senior Lynda Leyva led the Lady Hawks in scoring with nine points. Mayra Alaniz and Ashley Martinez chipped in with seven apiece.

A look at the back As the season progressed, Guerra saw the Lady Hawks endure the growing pains of a new district. He was pleased to see the team’s confidence grow every time they stepped on the court. In addition, the Lady Hawks started to grasp the concept of Guerra’s transitional offense and saw positive results on the court. “Our girls started trusting each other as the season went on. Even though we lost six games in district by five points or less, the girls kept believing in each other,” Guerra said. The stellar play of seniors Leyva, Alaniz, Adriana Peña, and sophomore Brandi King paced

“I wish them well in the state playoffs. I’m very proud of our team for never giving up.”

By NINO CARDENAS LAREDO MORNING TIMES

Today the Zapata Hawks basketball players woke up either having clinched a playoff spot in District 32-3A, or looking forward to their regular season finale on Tuesday for the right to continue playing. The Hawks (9-3) took on Rio Hondo (9-3) last night, and a victory would seal the deal for the

Hawks with a second place finish. A loss, and they need to beat Lyford on Tuesday for a third place finish and leave La Feria on the outside looking in. Hidalgo (12-0) wrapped up the district title on Tuesday with a 45-38 win over Zapata. The Hawks gave a good effort

versus Hidalgo, but ultimately going 8-for-23 from the free throw line did them in. “It was an awesome game. We did what we wanted to do. We gave them a hell of a fight,” Zapata coach Juan Villarreal said. Sophomore Andrew Magee led the team with 14 points and Raul Serna collected 10, most via the layup. Serna also provided solid defense with several steals against Hidalgo. Villarreal also

credited Rene Garcia with having a solid game. The Hawks have had the luxury of having different players step up their game offensively. A Hawks win versus Rio Hondo can be the momentum and confidence swing they need headed into the playoffs. “I want to win to get a streak going, hopefully we can start

See HAWKS | PAGE 2B

COACH CLYDE GUERRA JR.

HEADING TO THE HALL

the Lady Hawks throughout the season. “Our seniors played to their level. Adriana had a great season for us, plus Brandi was having a great season until her injury slowed her down a little,” Guerra said. The Lady Hawks will have the core of the team returning next year as only two athletes are set to graduate in May. They will benefit next year from the way they played this season. “These girls played a lot of close games this year and you can’t coach pressure situations in practice,” Guerra said. “Next year’s team will benefit a lot from that.”

By ANDREW BAGNATO

Cynthia Cooper.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOENIX — Michael Jordan, John Stockton and David Robinson were among the 16 finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Friday. NBA coaches Don Nelson and Jerry Sloan and Rutgers women’s coach C. Vivian Stringer also made the cut from a field of 164 nominees, as did former NBA stars Dennis Johnson, Chris Mullin and Bernard King, and two-time WNBA MVP

The honor “I’ll step out on a limb and speak for all of them and say thank you,” said Robinson, the former San Antonio stalwart and lone finalist who attended the announcement during NBA All-Star Game festivities. “We understand the honor that goes along with being nominated. We know everyone doesn’t get in.” The election announcement will be

made on April 6 at the NCAA Final Four in Detroit, with enshrinement in September at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. All 16 finalists may be elected, according to Hall policy. Jordan, regarded by many as the greatest player in history, led the Bulls to six NBA titles and won an NCAA championship at North Carolina. He was a fivetime NBA MVP and a six-time NBA Finals MVP. He also won two Olympic gold medals.

See HALL | PAGE 2B

Photo by Eric Gay | AP

Looking ahead

In this May 14, 2001, file phoot, San Antonio Spurs center David Robinson pumps his fist after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks in the fourth quarter of the Spurs’ 105-87 series-clinching victory in the Western Conference Semifinals in San Antonio. Robinson, Michael Jordan and John Stockton were among the 16 finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Friday.

Zapata’s number of athletes in its sub-varsity program will be beneficial for next year’s team as it was one of three schools to have such teams. “I’m proud of the fact that our program is growing. Our incoming freshmen should make our program stronger,” Guerra said. Guerra also praised the efforts

See LADY | PAGE 2B

A PEBBLE SWING

Photo by Marcio Jose Sanchez | AP

Retief Goosen, of South Africa, connects during the second round of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am golf tournament in Pebble Beach, Calif., on Friday. Goosen led with a 12-under 132.

After 6 years, BALCO still having impact By EDDIE PELLS ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — At the beginning, they called it “Project Bingo.” It became better known as the BALCO investigation. Once again, the probe into athlete steroid use is redefining America’s pastime along with a few other sports, causing some to wonder if we can really believe what we see. Others simply yearn for the day when this will all go away. Barry Bonds. Roger Clemens. Marion Jones. And now, Alex Rodriguez. Their reputations have been tainted forever, and none of it would have been possible without an investigation that began with a dig through a trash bin and a syringe that arrived anony-

“I had a pretty strong inkling, but no idea of the depth and magnitude and number of athletes.” DON CATLIN

mously in the mail one day. “I had a pretty strong inkling, but no idea of the depth and magnitude and number of athletes,” said Don Catlin, the scientist who tested the contents of the syringe and became the first to identify the designer steroid THG. “It wasn’t so much the number of athletes as much as their names.” The name Barry Bonds stood out among those that IRS special

agent Jeff Novitzky saw during his investigation, highlighted by his digs through the trash in the back of the Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative starting in the spring of 2003. Bonds stands charged with lying to a grand jury when he denied knowingly using performance-enhancing drugs, and his trial is scheduled to start March 2. Whether he’s convicted or not,

his name and his achievements — especially that hallowed home run record — have been sullied. ARod is on pace to eventually overtake Bonds’ record, but now all his accomplishments come into question, too. There are 103 names besides Rodriguez’s on a list of baseball players who tested positive in 2003 — names that wouldn’t have been on any list were it not for the BALCO investigation, which merged with a similar probe being conducted by the U.S. AntiDoping Agency; that one was called “Project Bingo.” “It has continued to astound me,” Catlin said. “It astounds me in a sense that once you start working in this field, nothing surprises you anymore.”

Photo by Paul Sakuma | AP

In this Oct. 21, 2003, file photo, BALCO founder Victor Conte poses with shelves of nutritional supplements he sells at his office in Burlingame, Calif. Conte has been out of prison and back in business selling legal supplements for close to three years now.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2009

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3B

HINTS BY HELOISE Dear Heloise: I’m a VETERINARIAN in a busy five-doctor practice. Here are a few hints to make it easier for pet owners and their pets, as well as the veterinary hospital staff, during your visit: Keep your retractable leash as short as it goes and locked. Do not unlock it and HELOISE let your pet wander. Most pets will urinate on things, and dogs will jump on people. Your pet could come into contact with a sick, nervous or biting pet. Retractable leashes are for walking your dog outdoors. I have seen dogs wrap themselves around other customers’ legs while the pet’s owner is oblivious. Keep your pet sitting in your lap or by your side within two feet. Keep your child on your lap or in the chair next to you. Better yet, leave children under 12 at home with a sitter, or bring your pet to the vet while the kids are in school. Do not put your pet or its carrier on the reception counter. It takes up valuable space and could fall off. I hope some or all of these suggestions will help pet owners have a better relationship with their pet’s health-care team as well as make things simpler and safer for visits. — A Vet, via email

DILBERT

FAMILY CIRCUS

HOROSCOPES | BY FRANCIS DRAKE ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Plans that you were originally excited about in early January are now back in action. Things will go forward with much more energy and efficiency. TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Ideas you presented to bosses, parents and teachers early last month can now be resurrected and given some consideration once again. Consider this a second kick at the can. GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Delayed travel plans and matters related to education and training that went by the wayside might get a reprieve. See what you can do to save these original intentions. CANCER (June 21 to July 22) Discussions that took place in early January about inheritances, shared property and insurance matters are back on the table. This time you might see how to make it all happen. LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) Plans and discussions that took place in early January are now on the table again. Do what you want to do; work with the people you trust. VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) Your progress in something you started in early January will pi ck up now. This applies to health matters or anything related to your job. LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) Vacation plans that might have been tabled temporarily or something to do with sports and dealing with children are now back in action. This is encouraging news!

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) Ideas for repairs, along with certain family discussions, were in your mind in early January. However, since then they’ve been somewhat sidetracked. Today they will once again become a strong consideration for you. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) A lot of business ideas and discussions got sidetracked in the last five to six weeks. From here on, you have the green light. It’s all systems go. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) Early last month you had some terrific moneymaking ideas. However, somehow they got stalled in the water. Now it’s time to return to them and see what just might work. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) Today Mercury returns to your sign, where it started out early last month. (It’s been going backward!) Now everything is back on track, and five planets are in Aquarius. Yowsers! PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) Increasingly, secret activities are taking place in your sign. Not only are you not telling anyone anything, you’re even acting in the dark. YOUR BORN TODAY You’re a master of words. Some of your one-liners are famous as funny clips or sarcastic put-downs. That’s because you love to joke, and some of you even like practical jokes. You love to provoke others. Birthdate of: Pat O’Brien, TV host; Rob Thomas, musician; Renee Fleming, soprano.

4B | THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2009

<DATE>

LAREDO MORNING TIMES | 1B

Zapata

HOMES FOR SALE

4 bedroom house, 1310 Burnside. $75,000 (956)229-3387 For sale or rent, 4 year old home,3/2.5/1cp, 1,600 sqft., 2 story stucco,new paint, huge backyard,wool insulation, Concord Hills. $145,000. Call:(210)559-9457.

COMMERCIAL RENTALS 120 Renta espacio BODEGA 8,500 sqft., 1 privado, luz/agua $2,975 p/mes. Millenium Industrial Park. 725-9779 contacto Javier

PETS & SUPPLIES

CONDOS FOR SALE 64 1 Condo $60,000 OBO Must Sell, Moving Out, negotiable, 2bd/1.5ba, 2803 Bayard. Brand new, south Laredo. For sale by owner.

Call Dr. Rendon 011-52-867-714-1502 or 956-333-0122 2bd/2.5ba Two story, wooden & tile floors, community pool & many more amenities. Del Mar area! $112,000 negotiable. call 727-1011 or 333-6530

LOTS FOR SALE

4730 Madera (Los Obispos), 45 x 113, $22,000 Call 286-7486 North Laredo. 1.3 Acres on Loop 20 near TAMIU, next to Khaledi Heights on Blue Quail St. $12.50 Per SqFt Neg. Can be sold separately Call 956-333-0122 or 011-52-867-714-1502

ACREAGE FOR SALE 76 5 acre tract, frontage on Casa Verde Rd. $200,000 per acre. Contact (956)725-6641 5 acres @ Rancho Las Lomas for $35,000.00 Owner finance with $10,000 down. Call:(956)645-9664

PETS & SUPPLIES

128

2F TeenyTiny Chihuahua 6 wks $250 791-1611/ 771-4204 Boston’s ready for breed 1 yr old, 1 red male, 2 black female, 1 pup 8 wks, pure bread, 1st shots $200 & up. Call 489-2584

Chihuahua & French poodle puppies 1st shots & Dwmd. $150.Call 744-2342 Chihuahuas, Tiny Appleheads, proven T-Cups, $300 & up. Call:(956)286-6209

Dwarf Rabbits $35 each. 1820 Corpus, Call 726-0883 Great Dane Puppies, Huge European & champion blood line, www.greatedane-grandanes. com $1,500 call 251-8385 Jack Russell Terriers Pups 2 Female/ 1 Male CKC Reg. $250ea Call 956-235-1150 Precious Valentine Labs, 6 weeks old, dewormed, 1st shots, $250 ea. 7 yellow, 1 chocolate, 285-7537

LIVESTOCK & SUPPLIES 130

42 acres mile 60 HWY35 6 blks from HWY. $2700 p/ac We Finance. Call 722-4447

430ac. Northwest Webb County, Mineral incl. $1750 p/ac Call 724-8596 Broker COMMERCIAL INVESTMENT 79 3 Lots, 10 apts., 116 S. Meadow $350,000 Call:722-4447.We Finance!

Beautiful, Gentle Registered Paint horse stallion for sale. 8 mths old w/perfect conformation. $1,000 Call 722-8187 or 645-1655 Registered Paint Horse Stallion for sale. 1.5yrs old,sorrel overo w/ blue eyes. Very gentle and halter broken. Champion blood lines, $2000 Call 722-8187 or 645-1655

MISCELLANEOUS

RENTALS

OFFICE SPACES FOR RENT 118 All sizes available lowest rentals in Laredo move in today first month free mucho parking 4100 San Bernardo 237-5946

ARTICLES FOR SALE 136 “MARIACHI POPULAR”. All Occasions. Starting @ $400 Hector Caballero 236-8905 46” & 27” Tv’s for $300 both. Good Condition 286-3730

HELP WANTED

122

HELP WANTED

122

LEASE OPERATOR 10 yrs experience Contract employee An aggressive independent oil and gas operator is seeking to obtain the services of an experienced oil and gas lease operator in the Laredo area. Ideal candidate would possess working knowledge of all aspects of gas well operations including tank gauging, gas compressor operation, gas measurement, separator and valve maintenance and ongoing chemical treatments. Candidate will be an independent contractor. Send resume and pay history to: Human Resources, 10000 North Central Expressway, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75231.

LEASE OPERATOR 10 yrs experience Full-time company employment An aggressive independent oil and gas operator is seeking to hire an experienced oil and gas lease operator in the Laredo area. Ideal candidate would possess working knowledge of all aspects of gas well operations including tank gauging, gas compressor operation, gas measurement, separator and valve maintenance and ongoing chemical treatments. Pay will be commensurate with experience. Great benefits included. Send resume and pay history to: Human Resources, 10000 North Central Expressway, Suite 400, Dallas, TX 75231.

ARTICLES FOR SALE 136 All wood bdrm set - 8 pieces queen hdbrd; 2 dressers 2 mirrors; 2 nitestnd; 1 chest $1100 Call 717-9332 Blue Ray movies & HD, paid $30 will sell for $15ea. Many to choose from! Call:(956)645-9650 after 3pm.

Full Mattress’s good cond. $150 Call 285-1136 or 791-1286 HELP WANTED 122

ARTICLES FOR SALE 136

HELP WANTED

Laptop IBM Centrino, 256MG RAM, 120GB, H Disk, Windows XP $220 (956)728-9048.

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VALDAN Group Job Fair Announcement

Large trampoline with ladder included, good condition, $65 obo. Call:(956)712-9739

Valdan Group will be hosting a job fair at 1629 World Trade Center Loop on February 17, 2009 from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Solid Wood Dining Room Table 4 chairs $275 Call 796-9108

Positions Hiring: Forklift operators: Requirements: Must have a minimum of two years experience in forklift and warehousing operations; must have an excellent work history; must have a safety first attitude; must pass a drug screening; must pass a criminal background check; must pass an aptitude test. Copy of a High School Diploma will be required. Prof of forklift certification will be required. Resume will be required and must include three references. Salary history will be required.

SPORTING GOODS 142 SKS 7.62 x 39 Riffle, $400 Call 489-0769

San Isidro Ready Mix, Ltd. Looking for full time Concrete Mixer Driver’s Must have class A or B License & Experienced Diesel Mechanic. Apply in person at 9901 McPherson Ste. 203 No Phone Calls Please. Public Notice Effective January 12, 2009, Zapata County implemented an ordiance requiring sexually oriented businesses to apply for a permit from the county. The purpose is to provide regulations for the establishment of such businesses. For a copy of the full ordiance please visit the Zapata County Courthouse, 200 East 7th Avenue, Zapata County Clerk's Office, First Floor, Suite 138 Rosalva Guerra Zapata County Judge L-53

TRANSPORTATION

Benefits: $11.00 per hour, paid vacation, medical plan offered. Office Staff: Requirements: Candidates must have a minimum of two years of education completed a level above high school. Candidate must have two years experience in the transportation and warehousing industry. Candidates must provide a resume and a salary history. Candidates must pass a criminal background check and pass a drug screening. Typing skills, basic computer skills and organization skills are required for consideration. Accounting Manager: Requirements: Candidates must have a college degree. Candidates must have experience in transportation and warehousing industry. Candidates must submit a resume including three references and salary history. Candidates must pass a criminal background check and a drug screening. Must have knowledge in accounts receivable, accounts payable, human resource management and administrative skills are required. Executive Sales Position: Requirements: Candidates must have a college degree. Candidates must submit a resume, salary history and include three references. Candidates must pass a criminal background check and pass a drug screening. Must have a strong background in the transportation industry; must have experience in the warehousing and customs brokerage industry. Candidates must be willing to travel.

HELP WANTED

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Need Gauger for Webb & Zapata Co. exp. with gauging & computer knowledge. Please e-mail resume to: hpgldo1@stx.rr.com or call (956)286-3985.

AUTOMOTIVE PARTS 194 4 tires Toyo M/T Open Country 295/70R17, rated 10 ply fair cond. $140/set firm 645-8854 15” thru 20” Original Tires & Rims, Different Styles Available. Starting @ $10. Call 337-0509 or 145*131543*3 Diesel engines Chevy 6.6 Ford 7.3 & Cummins 5.9 Remanufactured w/warranty will deliver, $2,950. 713-918-5811.

MOTORCYCLES

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‘03 Kawaski Ninja ZXR 900. Especial Edition, Great Condition $4300. Call 235-6209 or 774-0669 ‘07 Kawasaki Ninja 250 Low Miles, Good Cond. New tires MUST SELL $2,400 Call 337-0509 or 145*131543*3 Voyager 2003, 17,034 mi., $6,500. Call:(956)857-4420 Vulca 750 2005, 3,221 mi., $5,000. Call:(956)857-4420

TRUCKS FOR SALE 198 ‘00 Dodge Ram 1500, 6cyl, single cab, $6500 Blue Title, New Tires. Call 763-8394 Camioneta Durango 2005 asientos de piel, a/c 55k millas, titulo azul $7,000 Tel: 740-0014 Chevy Z-71 ‘95, a/c, excellent condition, many extras, $3,800 obo. Call:(956)740-9171; 740-9170 Dodge Grand Caravan ‘96, dual a/c, 7 passengers, good condition, $2,200. Call:(956)333-1322 GMC Suburban ‘90, good condition, $1,500. Call:(956)744-2582 Mazda pick up ‘99, extra cab, 4dr., 6cyl., lifted. $4,500 obo. Call:(956)324-5046. Mercury Montaineer ‘98, v8, $3,000 obo. Call:(956)237-4328. Moving truck, 26ft. box, ‘96, Ford F-series, runs great, $10,000. Call:(956)857-8480

CARS FOR SALE

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‘01 PT Cruiser leather, limited edition, $3500 Call 857-1095 ‘03 Dodge Caravan SE, Blue Title, AC, Excellent Condition $4700 Dls. OBO Call 326-9766 or 237-6719 ‘87 Ford Thunderbird V8, Auto, A/C, 56K miles, new 18” rims and tires, $3400 Call 337-0509 or 145*131543*3

‘97 Mustang Cobra, clean title $7500 negotiable. 956-489-1457 Ford Mustang ‘08, candy apple red, v6, 4k mi., auto, $11,300 Call:(956)237-5711; Nextel i.d. 135*836*7285

Mustang V6, 96K Mikes, $4100 Call 956-723-1354