The Zapata Times 3/14/2009

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Cutbacks likely for ZCISD

By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES

In anticipation of a possible economic slowdown, the Zapata CISD Board of Trustees has eliminated five teaching positions through attrition and is taking a closer look at staffing arrangements in the district.

According to RODRIGUEZ Romeo Rodriguez, Zapata County Independent School District superintendent, there are no plans to cut existing staff, but rather, the district won’t create new positions and won’t fill positions left vacant by retirements or resignations.

Becoming conservative “Right now we have a healthy fund balance, but most of our tax base comes from the fact that we are a mineral-rich district,” Rodriguez said. “We have to be conservative because if gas exploration keeps dropping we could become a property-poor district.”

In the past two years, Zapata CISD has added 33 positions that Rodriguez said aren’t necessary

in a time when the district is trying to be frugal.

“Most of those were supplemental academic positions,” Rodriguez said.

Of the five positions eliminated, two were elementary school teachers and three were middle school teachers.

To make up for the loss of staff, Rodriguez said there would be a shuffling of positions within the district and the teacher-to-student ratio will increase.

By TARYN WHITE

Through a possible misunderstanding, Zapata residents were allowed to purchase land designated as an easement running through the Falcon Mesa Subdivision, on FM 3074 off of Texas 16.

And now those property GUERRA owners are finding out they don’t have the right to make any changes or build on the land they purchased.

“They can’t build on the land because the easement was already there. We have the right to use it if we need another water or sewage line,” said County Commissioner Jose Emilio Vela.

The easement was obtained by Zapata County in the early 1950s and is about four miles long and 50-feet wide going from the lake to the water treatment plant on Kennedy and 10th streets.

The land was granted to the county from the federal government to be used for the county’s water line.

Since that time, the land has been divided and sold.

“We are not sure exactly how it all happened,” said Commissioner Joe Rathmell. “But we are very confident that the land falls within the easement.”

By NICK GEORGIOU THE ZAPATA TIMES

apatan Alexa Alvarez has had a lot on her plate the past seven months.

The 11-year-old’s daily routine has gone a little something like this: wake up at dawn, get ready for school, feed the goat, go to school, return home, do homework, feed the goat again and exercise with it for about an hour.

She’s also had cheerleading practice and 4-H North club meetings. “(My daughter) is pretty busy most of the week,” said Alvarez’s mother, Lillian Medina.

Z

The ratio According to Texas Association of School Boards, schools should have a ratio of 22 students to one teacher. Zapata CISD in most cases has a lower student to teacher ratio than that.

“This will just get us more on target,” said Pedro Morales, principal at South Elementary School.

“We are in the range but we can add more students to classrooms.”

Tuesday night, the Zapata Board of Trustees heard a report on possible staffing improvements that can be made in the district.

The report was based on a study conducted by the Texas

Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times

Alicia Villarreal congratulates 2009 Grand Champion Cabrito winner Daniela Santos after the competition Friday.

See FAIR | PAGE 12A

See ZCISD | PAGE 12A

Easement buys draw attention THE ZAPATA TIMES

Full days for busy contestant

Zapata Commissioners Court on Monday voted to hire Premier Engineering to survey and plot the land to clear up where exactly the easement falls.

Although the land has been a part of the Falcon Mesa Subdivision since the 1970s, the issue of ownership only came up a couple of months ago. According to Vela, property owners approached the county after seeing county workers working on the land.

“They thought we were trespassing on their private property,” Vela said. “After explaining it to the property owners, they were very understanding.”

Vela added some of the owners may try to get their money back VELA from the purchase of the land.

Also Monday, the court asked Hector Uribe, an attorney representing the county, to clarify Zapata County’s right to charge private utility companies for the use of county property or easements.

According to County Judge Rosalva Guerra, because of the size of Zapata County, the county government acts as both a county and a city governing entity.

“We established to have the same rights as a city about three

See COUNTY | PAGE 12A

ABOVE: Carlos Salinas holds Max the goat while Mario Landa air dries and Jorge Salinas watches in preparation for the Grand Champion judging. LEFT: Alexa Alvarez reacts as she walks Billy Bob before the competition.

President says the fair is packing in the crowds

BY ERIKA LAMBRETON THE ZAPATA TIMES

The “Best Little Fair in Texas” is in full swing, and the crowds are expected to arrive in record numbers despite dreadful weather worries, said Anna Holcomb, Zapata County Fair president.

With the unexpected winter blast that has residents reaching for their coats, there are many new activities to preoccupy fair goers and keep their minds off the weather.

“It’s nice and cool,” said Elisa Roberts,

second vice president of the Zapata Fair Association, “but we’re keeping warm with all the fun (activities).

With exciting events such as the White Tiger showcase and many carnival actives, children and adults alike will have hours of fun.

“The people are turning up… we have a lot more attractions for the kids inside the fair grounds…to keep the kids occupied,” said Holcomb.

This year’s fair has seen a rise in participation by vendors, who will provide food, crafts and assorted goods to in-

dulge in.

Roberts, who has been attending the fair for as long as she can remember, said she was impressed by the participation levels this year, adding she had never seen such a great turnout.

In the past, “it was smaller and (the fair) didn’t have many attractions but it was always fun,” said Roberts.

“Now as one of the coordinators, I’ve learned that we have never (filled to) capacity as far as vendors are concerned.”

See WEATHER | PAGE 9A

ABOVE: Winners’ribbons hang next to paintings at the fair Friday afternoon.

LEFT: Justin Roy Villarreal walks in an animal display area.

Zin brief

SATURDAY,FEBRUARY 21,2009

AROUND TEXAS| IN BRIEF

WHAT’S GOING ON SATURDAY,FEB.21

TUESDAY,FEB.24

 The South Texas Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts is having its semi-annual meeting today at 9 a.m. at the International Boundary and Water Commission Recreation Hall located in Falcon Heights.

THURSDAY,FEB.26

SATURDAY FEB.28

 The Zapata County Fair has the annual Trail Ride & Breakfast at 8 a.m. today, followed by 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

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

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

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 “AValentine’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.

Photo by David J. Phillip/file | AP

This Sept. 11, 2008, file photo shows the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. At a public hearing on Friday, doctors, medical students, residents and local and state officials implored the UT System Board of Regents to reject a report it commissioned that recommends all patient beds be moved to the mainland from the hospital in Galveston.

Regents asked to keep UTMB on Galveston Island

By JUAN A. LOZANO ASSOCIATED PRESS

GALVESTON — The message at a public hearing Friday on the future of Galveston’s hurricane-damaged public hospital and medical school was clear: Rebuild it and keep it in this island city.

Doctors, medical students, residents and local and state officials implored the UT System Board of Regents to reject a report it commissioned that recommends all patient beds be moved to the mainland from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston.

The public meeting before a four-member regents task force came after Atlantabased Kurt Salmon Associates recommended this month moving the beds as the best hope for securing the financial future of UTMB, which suffered more than $1 billion in damage when Hurricane Ike came ashore Sept. 13. Only about $100 million of that was covered by insurance.

“While you may feel you need to support the consultant’s report, we urge you

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The Zapata Times

to set aside the findings and proceed with the restoration of Galveston before more damage is done to the future of UTMB, Galveston and Galveston County,” said Sally Prill, a Galveston resident. “Hurricane Ike damaged UTMB. Only you can restore UTMB.” Prill was one of more than 120 people who signed up to speak. Less than 50 got the chance during the three-hour meeting. Some speakers did not object to moving a few services to the mainland.

The damage prompted UTMB — Galveston County’s largest employer — to lay off about 3,000 employees and reduced the number of beds at its public hospital from 550 to 200. The regents commissioned the report from the consulting firm as they and state lawmakers consider the future of UTMB, the state’s oldest medical school.

The firm’s report recommended splitting hospital beds between the island and mainland at its League City campus as the second best option. Repairing UTMB and keeping all beds on Galveston was deemed the least affordable option.

Health department takes over recall

Fundraiser receives 10 years probation

Two Stanford members live in Texas town

DALLAS — The Texas Department of State Health Services is taking over the recall of products shipped from a peanut processing plant that shut down amid nationwide salmonella fears.

The agency is stepping in because the Peanut Corp. of America plant in Plainview has been unresponsive.

Texas health officials have ordered an initial recall of all products ever shipped from the Panhandle plant after inspectors found dead rodents and other debris in a space above a production area.

CORPUS CHRISTI — A South Texas Democratic fundraiser convicted of impersonating a lawyer dodged prison time Friday when a jury sentenced him to 10 years of probation.

A day after convicting Mauricio Celis, 37, of 14 counts of falsely representing himself to be a lawyer, the jury deliberated for an hour before returning the sentence, which included the 10year suspended prison sentence and a $10,000 fine.

Celis’ family and friends applauded when the verdict was read.

MEXIA, Texas — Stanford Financial Group, which federal regulators say is involved in a massive investment fraud, has described members of its board of directors as seasoned financial minds.

In fact, two of those members who live in this dusty Central Texas town are octogenarians who live in quiet retirement. One of them is a stroke victim.

The other is James Stanford, the 81-year-old father of the central figure in the alleged fraud, R. Allen Stanford.

— Compiled from AP reports

Obama: No rights for Bagram prisoners

Drought to cut off fed water to farms

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration, siding with the Bush White House, contended Friday that detainees in Afghanistan have no constitutional rights.

In a two-sentence court filing, the Justice Department said it agreed that detainees at Bagram Airfield cannot use U.S. courts to challenge their detention.

The Supreme Court last summer gave al-Qaida and Taliban suspects held at the U.S. naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, the right to challenge their detention.

With about 600 detainees at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan and thousands more held in Iraq, courts are grappling with whether they, too, can sue to be released.

SACRAMENTO, Calif, — Federal water managers said Friday that they plan to cut off water, at least temporarily, to thousands of California farms as a result of the deepening drought gripping the state.

U.S. Bureau of Reclamation officials said parched reservoirs and patchy rainfall this year were forcing them to completely stop surface water deliveries for at least a two-week period beginning March 1.

The situation could improve slightly if more rain falls over the next few weeks, and officials will know by mid-March if they can release more irrigation supplies to growers.

Ill.governor wants new senator to quit CHICAGO — U.S. Sen. Roland Burris kept out of sight Friday as longtime friend Gov. Pat Quinn joined the roster of fellow Democrats calling for his resignation following new disclosures about his controversial appointment, while the White House urged the senator to take the weekend to consider his future.

Burris began the week with passionate defenses, proclaiming he had nothing to hide even as revelations mounted about his attempts to raise money for his disgraced patron, former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, and his failures to disclose conversations with Blagojevich advisers.

Activist: GOP govs ‘posturing’on stimulus ATLANTA — The Rev. Jesse Jackson accused GOP governors who are considering turning down some money from the federal stimulus package of “political posturing.”

Though none have flatly rejected the money available for education, health care and infrastructure, the governors of Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alaska, South Carolina and Idaho have all questioned whether the $787 billion bill signed into law this week will help the economy.

Texas Gov. Rick Perry said earlier this week he would accept the money available under the package.

— Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE WORLD| IN BRIEF Police chief resigns amid threats

Soldier guilty of murder in deaths

CIUDAD JUAREZ — Ciudad Juarez’s police chief stepped down Friday after criminal gangs made a chilling demand: Resign or we will kill more local officers.

Public Safety Secretary Roberto Orduña announced he was leaving his post only hours after gunmen killed a police officer and a jail guard and left signs on their bodies saying they had fulfilled a promise made Wednesday to slay at least one officer every 48 hours until Orduña quits.

The slayings were a sign that gangs are determined to control the police force of the biggest Mexican border city across from El Paso, Texas.

VILSECK, Germany — A U.S. Army medic was convicted of murder Friday for his involvement in the executionstyle slayings of four bound and blindfolded Iraqi detainees shot in the back of the head in the spring of 2007.

The court sentenced him to life in prison.

Sgt. Michael Leahy Jr. was found guilty on charges of murder and conspiracy to commit murder by the nine-person jury who had heard testimony about the killings at the court-martial since Wednesday.

After a sentencing hearing, Leahy received a life sentence, with the possibility of parole.

— Compiled from AP reports

HISTORICALVICTORY

TODAY IN HISTORY ASSOCIATED PRESS

CONTACT US

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AROUND THE NATION | IN BRIEF

 The First Baptist Church, located at 1401 Glenn Street, will be hosting the ‘What’s in your bag’ Ladies Retreat today from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Myra Green will serve as the guest speaker, and will also perform a musical drama entitled “Ruth, the Redeemer Bride.” Breakfast and registration is from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. and a lunch will also be provided.Don’t miss out on a chance for door prizes and fun. For more information please call 236-2145, 750-6342 or 7656145.

 The Zapata County Chamber of Commerce celebrates Winter Texans and local elders with an event at the Community Center from 1:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.There will be dinner, music, activities and door prizes. Come prepared to cast your vote on the Dancing Contest, and watch the crowning of the 2009 Winter Texan King and Queen and the 2009 Zapata Senior Citizen King and Queen. For more information, call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce 765-4871.

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Today is Saturday, Feb. 21, the 52nd day of 2009. There are 313 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On Feb. 21, 1965, black Muslim leader and civil rights activist Malcolm X, 39, was shot to death inside the Audubon Ballroom in New York by assassins identified as members of the Nation of Islam.

On this date: In 1885, the Washington Monument was dedicated.

In 1916, the World War I Battle of Verdun began in France as German forces attacked; the French prevailed after 10 months of fighting.

In 1925, The New Yorker magazine made its debut.

In 1947, Edwin H. Land publicly demonstrated his Polaroid Land camera, which could produce a black-and-white photograph in 60 seconds.

In 1972, President Richard M. Nixon began his historic visit to China as he and his wife, Pat, arrived in Beijing.

In 1973, Israeli fighter planes shot down Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 over the Sinai Desert,

killing all but five of the 113 people on board.

In 2000, consumer advocate Ralph Nader announced his entry into the presidential race, bidding for the nomination of the Green Party.

Ten years ago: Secretary of State Madeleine Albright reported little progress toward a Kosovo peace settlement during talks in Rambouillet, France.

Five years ago: The International Red Cross visited former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, who was in U.S. custody.

One year ago: Serb rioters broke into the U.S. Embassy in Belgrade and set fire during protests against Western support for an independent Kosovo. President George W. Bush concluded his six-day African tour in Liberia, where he offered help to lift the country from years of ruinous fighting. A Venezuelan plane crashed in the Andes, killing all 46 on board. Author Robin Moore, who wrote “The French Connection” and “The Green Berets,” died in Hopkinsville, Ky., at age 82. Former Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham, who was removed in a 1988 impeachment trial, died in Phoenix at age 83.

Today’s Birthdays: Fashion designer Hubert de Givenchy is 82. Movie director Bob Rafelson is 76. Actress Rue McClanahan is 74. Actor Gary Lockwood is 72. Actor-director Richard Beymer is 70. Actor Peter McEnery is 69. Film/music company executive David Geffen is 66. Actor Alan Rickman is 63. Actress Tyne Daly is 63. Actor Anthony Daniels is 63. Tricia Nixon Cox is 63. Sen. Olympia J. Snowe, R-Maine, is 62. Rock musician Jerry Harrison (The Heads) is 60. Actress Christine Ebersole is 56. Actor William Petersen is 56. Actor Kelsey Grammer is 54. Country singer Mary Chapin Carpenter is 51. Actor Jack Coleman is 51.

Actor Christopher Atkins is 48.

Rock singer Ranking Roger is 48. Actor William Baldwin is 46.

Rock musician Michael Ward is 42. Actress Aunjanue Ellis is 40. Blues musician Corey Harris is 40. Country singer Eric Heatherly is 39. Rock musician Eric Wilson is 39.

Thought for Today: “Just as a tree without roots is dead, a people without history or culture also becomes a dead people.” — Malcolm X (1925-1965).

Photo by Radek Petrasek/CTK | AP

U.S. skiier LindseyVan celebrates her victory in the women’s jumping competition at the Nordic Ski World Championships in Liberec, Czech Republic, on Friday.Van became the first female ski jumping world champion in history.

Zlocal

SATURDAY,MARCH 14,2009

STUDENTS OF THE WEEK ATVILLARREAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

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LOOKING TO MARICHI HALCON’S FUTURE

Courtesy photo

Bottom row from left, Eduardo Garcia, Pedro Morales, Osiris Carmona, Jayleen Valadez, Annette Gutierrez, Kristin Ramirez, Rodolofo Valadez Jr. and Sebastian Valadez. Middle, from left Mark Chapa, Israel Cisneros, Brain Navarro, Angie Briseno, Kassandra Garcia, Sergio Guzman and Francisco Guzman.Top, from left,Javier Martinez, Maria Daniela Benavides, Shannon Lopez, Melinda Macias, Daniela Guzman, Ferndando Olivo and Hugo Martinez. Not pictured are Emily Torres and Amy Peña.

Courtesy photo

HS junior crowned fair queen

By DORA MARTINEZ Melissa Martinez was crowned as queen of the Zapata County Fair 2009 on March 1.

A beautiful and vivacious young lady, Melissa is the daughter of Carlos and Raquel Martinez Jr. Her grandmother is Maria Elena Santos Martinez.

Maria Elena MARTINEZ and I grew up together in the late 60s. She comes from very fine and prominent families.

Melissa attends Zapata High School, as an 11th grader. Her hobbies include spending time with

Chamber to hold bass tournament SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Zapata County Chamber of Commerce announces its first annual Grande Bass Tournament, scheduled for Saturday, April 11 at Falcon Lake.

Chamber officials said the first place prize is $5,000 guaranteed. Second through 10 th place prizes run from $3,000 to $400, based upon 100 teams entering the event.

Entry fee is $250 per team.

Boat inspection begins at 6 a.m. on April 11 at the boat ramp, and tournament hours are 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Registration deadline is Friday, April 10 at the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce.

For more information contact the chamber at 956-765-4871, 1800-292-LAKE or e-mail celia.zapatachamber@yahoo.com.

COLUMN her family and friends, running, dancing and reading.

She says that since she was a child her interest had always been dancing. She was a guest performer with the Russian B allet in “The Nutcracker” when it was performed in Laredo. She has attended classes for ballet, flamenco, jazz and tap at several private dance studios in Laredo and Zapata.

Melissa has been active in several organizations, including the ZHS Strutters, varsity basketball team, varsity crosscountry team and the track team.

Three words best describe Melissa: responsible, dedicated

and loyal.

She has received numerous awards. She has been a ZHS Top Ten County Fair 4-H participant since the third grade, has b een a memb er of the 2006-2008 UIL cross country regional team qualifiers and 2007-2008 basketball bi-district champs and was a 2007800 meter district champ and regional qualifier.

Upon her graduation, she plans to Texas A&M University at Kingsville and major in physical therapy. Good luck with your endeavors, Melissa!

(Dora Martinez is a native of Zapata who was publisher of Hispanic News in San Antonio for 21 years. She can be reached at the zapatatimes@att.net)

Lily Garza and Kelsie Guerra display the trophy they brought home after participating in the Coastal Bend Mariachi Competion in Corpus Christi on Saturday, March 7.The girls sang to “Cariño”and brought home the Overall Vocal Winners trophy in the beginner’s category.The judges looked for tone, technique, interpretation, performance showmanship and difficulty of the music.

Subscribe to Laredo Morning Times at 728-2550

Zopinion

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SATURDAY,MARCH 14,2009

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OTHER VIEWS

EDITORIAL

Red wine may or may not - help NEW YORK TIMES

e had been feeling pretty smug about drinking a glass of red wine with dinner. It certainly helps to relieve stress and, some studies suggest, reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease and might extend life spans.

So we were dismayed when epidemiologists at Oxford University recently concluded that women who drink even a moderate amount of alcohol — fewer than three drinks a day — increase their risk of contracting several cancers compared with women who drink no more than two drinks a week.

The researchers studied almost 1.3 million middle-aged women who attended breast cancer screening clinics in Britain and were tracked for an average of seven years.

Women who reported drinking moderate amounts of alcohol suffered an increased risk of cancers of the breast, liver, rectum and, among current smokers, the upper aero-digestive tract. Each additional drink increased the risk, and it did not matter whether the alcohol was red or

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white wine, beer or hard liquor.

Not all of their conclusions were that grim. The study found that moderate drinking decreased the risk of thyroid cancer, renal cell cancer and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

More confusingly, it showed that women who weren’t drinking at all when the research started actually had a higher rate of cancer than women who drank up to six drinks a week.

That hardly proves that moderate drinking cuts the risk of cancer, but it sure muddies the water. Although an American Cancer Society official found the study compelling, Donald A. Berry, chairman of biostatistics at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, considers it meaningless.

No one has yet determined whether any potential cancer risks from moderate drinking outweigh the possible, though disputed, health gains from a glass of red wine. When the final tally of risks and benefits is in, let us hope there is room for women to have a convivial drink with friends or a romantic dinner with wine.

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EDITORIAL

Cash alone won’t fix education woes SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE

This is one leader I with a real heart

By KEVIN CULLEN THE BOSTON GLOBE

t was the kind of meeting that is taking place in restaurant kitchens, small offices, retail storerooms, and large auditoriums all over this city, all over this state, all over this country.

Paul Levy, the guy who runs Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, was standing in Sherman Auditorium the other day, before some of the very people to whom he might soon be sending pink slips.

In the days before the meeting, Levy had been walking around the hospital, noticing little things.

He stood at the nurses’ stations, watching the transporters, the people who push the patients around in wheelchairs. He saw them talk to the patients, put them at ease, make them laugh.

He saw that the people who push the wheelchairs were practicing medicine.

He noticed the same when he poked his head into the rooms and watched as the people who deliver the food chatted up the patients and their families.

He watched the people who polish the corridors, who strip the sheets, who empty the trash cans, and he realized that a lot of them are immigrants, many of them had second jobs, most of them were just scraping by.

And so Paul Levy had all this bouncing around his brain the other day when he stood in Sherman Auditorium.

He looked out into a sea of people and recognized faces: technicians, secretaries, administrators, therapists, nurses, the people who are the heart and soul of any hospital.

People who knew that Beth Israel had hired about a quarter of its 8,000 staff over the last six years and that the chances that they could all keep their jobs and benefits in an economy in freefall ranged between slim and none.

“I want to run an idea by you that I think is important, and I’d like to get your reaction to it,” Levy began. “I’d like to do what we can to protect the lower-wage earners — the transporters, the housekeepers, the food service

I

people. A lot of these people work really hard, and I don’t want to put an additional burden on them.

“Now, if we protect these workers, it means the rest of us will have to make a bigger sacrifice,” he continued. “It means that others will have to give up more of their salary or benefits.”

He had barely gotten the words out of his mouth when Sherman Auditorium erupted in applause. Thunderous, heartfelt, sustained applause.

Paul Levy stood there and felt the sheer power of it all rush over him, like a wave. His eyes welled and his throat tightened so much that he didn’t think he could go on.

When the applause subsided, he did go on, telling the workers at Beth Israel, the people who make a hospital go, that he wanted their ideas.

The lump had barely left his throat when Paul Levy started getting e-mails.

The consensus was that the workers don’t want anyone to get laid off and are willing to give up pay and benefits to make sure no one does. A nurse said her floor voted unanimously to forgo a 3 percent raise. A guy in finance who got laid off from his last job at a hospital in Rhode Island suggested working one less day a week. Another nurse said she was willing to give up some vacation and sick time. A respiratory therapist suggested eliminating bonuses.

“I’m getting about a hundred messages per hour,” Levy said Wednesday, shaking his head.

Paul Levy is onto something.

People are worried about the next paycheck, because they’re only a few paychecks away from not being able to pay the mortgage or the rent.

But a lot of them realize that everybody’s in the same boat and that their boat doesn’t rise because someone else’s sinks.

Paul Levy is trying something revolutionary, radical, maybe even impossible: He is trying to convince the people who work for him that the E in CEO can sometimes stand for empathy.

(To reach Kevin Cullen, a Globe columnist, e-mail cullen@globe.com)

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t’s refreshing to see that America now has a president who’s thought long and hard about the smartest ways to mend our country’s broken educational system — his speech to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce this week was full of excellent ideas, from lengthening the school year to lifting states’ caps on charter schools to offering higher pay to the best teachers.

Unfortunately, Obama doesn’t have the power to enact these ideas. States and local municipalities do. Our country’s patchwork system of educational decision-making is one of the biggest reasons why so many reform efforts have gone nowhere.

So it will be interesting to see what Obama does with the power he does have to influence edu-

cation - namely the bully pulpit and the federal grant programs to “encourage” states and municipalities into certain educational pathways.

Early education will surely be a big focus — Obama mentioned specifically the $5 billion his stimulus plan will pour into Head Start and child care.

That’s excellent — early education has been proven to pay off — but what about the harder parts of his agenda, the ones that are more likely to ruffle feathers?

How seriously does Obama plan to take on the teachers’ unions, for instance, which have been reflexively resistant to both charter schools and merit pay?

The educational money in his stimulus plan goes mostly toward retaining existing school jobs — a worthy endeavor in a time of economic decline, but not one that

suggests a burning desire for reform.

How hard will Arne Duncan, Obama’s education secretary, lean on states to raise their standards?

One of the unexpected failures of No Child Left Behind was that it penalized schools whose students failed to achieve standards, but it didn’t create any requirements for what kinds of standards the students had to meet. So states and municipalities with struggling students had an incentive to lower their standards, while states with higher standards — like California — found themselves penalized for them.

Obama knows this is a problem.

“Eight of our states are setting their standards so low that their students may end up on par with roughly the bottom 40 per-

cent of the world,” he said in his speech. That’s a brutal outcome for our children and our economy. But getting states to raise their standards is going to be a long and difficult fight — is it one that Duncan’s willing to take on, in the face of so many other battles?

So while it’s encouraging to watch Obama call for a restructuring of our outdated educational system, we’ll have to reserve judgment until we see which battles he’s truly going to choose. If Obama picks the tough ones — the standards, the performance pay — then America may have a fighting chance at achieving his goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020. If he decides it’s just about throwing more money at the problem, then we’ll know to expect more of the same.

COLUMN

Old sofa finally gives up the ghost E

LIZABETH CITY, N.C. — It was blue. It was old. It was filthy. It was time for the sofa to go away. I would have never guessed, however, that disposing of the thing would spark a protest, a sit-in.

Early spring weather gave us the bug. It was time to clean out the old and prepare for the new, and that meant the old blue sofa had to go. But I had no idea just how sacred an old blue sofa could be.

It was a sectional sofa with a pullout bed. I was never really attached to the thing myself, but grateful to have it just the same.

It had been with us since the boys were infants. We had plenty of fun with the sofa; nights spent in the living room piled up on the pullout bed, watching movies, or friends sleeping over.

The boys might have even been able to claim some sentimental attachment to the thing had they been able to remember the nights the three of us would lounge upon its soft surface, reading books, or me singing to

ROBERT KELLY-GOSS them.

But they were babies then and I couldn’t imagine they would hold so much value in something so odd.

Of course it was good for illicit jumping; something that contributed to the sofa’s demise, I reckon.

My youngest daughter, I suppose, had more of a claim to remembering good times on the sofa, yet I couldn’t have guessed it was that special.

“You won’t take this sofa away!” Izzy demanded, standing in front of it, arms dramatically spread to protect the sacred piece of furniture.

One of my boys planted his

entire body across the thing, certain that his small frame might protect it. He was easy to move, though, easier than the largest section of the sofa.

Once the thing was hauled to the curb to be picked up, I figured the protestations were done.

Well, I figured wrong.

Standing on the side of the house, glancing to the curb, I saw it. It was a small gathering of smallish people, protest signs at the ready, bottoms planted firmly upon the old cushions.

“Do Not Take!” read the signs.

They were being held up as passers-by glanced, perhaps deterred by the notice, perhaps not.

It didn’t matter, though, because that day would not be the day the sofa would be taken away.

“I’ll chain myself to it!” demanded my daughter, splaying her thin body across the sofa.

“You’re not taking it away!” protested her brother.

They would hide the cushions, thinking that might save the sacred thing.

“Sam!” I yelled. “Where is the

DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU

cushion?”

My wife’s more gentle approach uncovered its whereabouts. It was behind the bush, in the front yard.

The next morning the sofa was still there, as expected. The children were elated and ran out to continue their protest.

“You can’t stop progress,” I called out the front door, sipping my coffee, feeling as though I was suddenly that guy, the one who would bulldoze an old forest, preparing for a parking lot, or something.

“Yes we can,” Izzy yelled back.

But of course they could not, and the sofa would be hauled away. Later in the day my wife called me to tell me that it had happened. And I could hear the wails of disgruntled protesters in the background.

Perhaps there will be another fight, on another day. And perhaps that one they might win.

(To reach Robert Kelly-Goss, who writes for The Daily Advance in Elizabeth City, N.C., email rkelly-goss@coxnc.com)

Zlife

SATURDAY,MARCH 14,2009

TAMIU celebrates astronomy Planetarium observes International Year of Astronomy

By TARYN WHITE LAREDO MORNING TIMES

Galileo Galilei peaked at the stars through the first telescope exactly 400 years ago this year.

Since then, man’s curiosity about space and all its mysteries has been insatiable. In a quest to find the truth about what’s out there, man has walked on the moon, sent robots to Mars and taken satellite images of planets.

Even now, scientists continue to push technology and their imaginations to the limit in the hopes of finding some answers.

Ando commemorate Galileo’s first planetary “sneak peak,” the International Astronomical Union has declared 2009 the International Year of Astronomy.

A commemoration Scientists, amateur astronomers and basically everyone interested in a clear night sky will be taking part in events to raise awareness of space exploration.

“There are going to be worldwide celebrations of astronomy,” said Gerardo Perez, director of the Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium. “The main reason for this is to get people interested in space.”

According to Perez, people’s interest in science has severely dropped, leaving many scientific positions unfilled.

“We don’t have many homegrown scientists here, and that will be a huge problem,” Perez said. “Hopefully, this year will really show people how interesting science can be.”

New advances Continuing to explore the far

Courtesy photo | TAMIU

Astronomy enthusiasts gathered at the TAMIU LBV Planetarium on Saturday evening to check out the skies during the university’s stargazing party. reaches of space on Friday, NASA launched the Kepler Telescope.

Kepler is designed to search for earth-sized planets orbiting stars.

“Humans have always been curious by nature to find out if there is more out there,” Perez said. “By launching (Kepler), we can learn about space, but also learn more about our planet as well.”

According to the NASA Web site, Kepler should be able to tell scientists if there are other earthlike planets out there, which could theoretically be habitable.

“We are always wondering if we are alone, this is one more step to find out,” Perez said.

According to Perez, after Galileo looking in the first tele-

scope and before the launch of the Kepler, other astronomical milestones have been man walking on the moon and the Hubble Telescope. “(The Hubble Telescope) has given us some amazing images of space,” Perez said. “Through those images, a lot of people have become more interested in space.”

Local observances Over the next couple of months, the TAMIU planetarium will be celebrating the International Year of Astronomy with stargazing parties, lectures and shows.

“We are still planning everything we want to do. Usually,

when we do shows or things for the community, we get a lot of people out here,” Perez said.

Although Laredo has a lot of light pollution, which makes it hard to see a clear night sky, Perez said that during stargazing parties, people will still see beautiful scenes.

“A lot of astronomers are trying to get cities to use different types of lights to cut back on light pollution,” Perez said. “Lights that point down rather than illuminate all around would make it easier to do stargazing.”

For more information about events at the TAMIU planetarium, call 326-2463.

(Taryn White may be reached at 728-2568 or twhite@lmtonline.com)

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

5A

MISS MANNERS | BYJUDITH MARTIN

Miss Manners and the calling card mystery DEAR MISS MANNERS — A calling card fell out of my copy of a 1905 edition of Edith Wharton’s “The House of Mirth” when I cut one of the many uncut pages (the better to read).

The card measures roughly 2 by 3 inches and has the name “Miss Wallace” in the center, “125 East Twenty-Fourth MARTIN Street” on the bottom right corner, and “Fridays” on the bottom left corner.

I was able to determine that the address on the card is now St. Francis Residence, a shelter for the homeless mentally ill described as a “reconverted 100-room SRO hotel.” The current structure was built around 1910. It might have been an apartment building or an office building in 1910. In 1905, it is possible that the address belonged to a private residence.

Does the word Fridays indicate that Miss Wallace was prepared to accept visitors on that day? Or does it indicate that Miss Wallace was a professional of some kind whose services were available on Fridays?

I have not been able to find any information on the early 20th-century conventions for listing days at home on calling cards, but I am confident that you are well versed in such matters.

GENTLE READER — Indeed.

What fun you have had with this. Miss Manners hopes that Miss Wallace’s great-grand-niece will come forth and tell family stories about the Friday that Mrs. Wharton dropped by and the hostess praised her book, not realizing that the author noticed the uncut pages. Or at least about the Friday that Miss Wallace’s friends cautioned her not to read it because it was dreadfully harsh on polite society.

Had Miss Wallace been offering commercial services (and Miss Manners would certainly not speculate what those might be), reading “The House of Mirth” would have been humiliating. Its heroine, failing to make an advantageous match, is pathetically reduced to becoming an enabler to social climbers and then (although Miss Manners considers this more respectable) a milliner, failing at both.

However, this is unquestionably a social card, indicating that although Miss Wallace may not have made an advantageous marriage, she was not out trimming hats, but at leisure to receive any of her friends who cared to stop by on Fridays.

Her card is exactly correct. Its omissions enable Miss Manners to make a few modest contributions to your detective work: Miss Wallace does not include her given name because she is the eldest or only daughter of her family; any younger sisters would have had to state theirs. Her address is given without city or state because she does not expect trainsetters (as opposed to jetsetters) from such social outposts as Boston to show up without elaborate introductions. Those who are expected know the rules and will not surprise her while her hair is still in curl papers, so she does not need to put “Fridays after four,” as some did.

Miss Manners can even guess at the conversation. No such gathering at the time would have been complete without deploring the tendency of people — not only the newly rich, but “people one actually knew,” as they would have said — to abandon their townhouses and move uptown, some of them even choosing to live in — gasp! — apartments. Mrs. Wharton, if she were there, would then have made her departure. For uptown, and then back to France.

6A | THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2009

Fair finale to include Siggno, El Poder Del Norte THE ZAPATA TIMES

Photo by David J. Phillip | AP

Siggno is seen with the best Norteño album award backstage at the 9th annual Latin Grammy Awards on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2008 in Houston.

‘Last House’ a vile remake

By CHRISTY LEMIRE ASSOCIATED PRESS

REVIEW

“The Last House on the Left” could be interpreted as the most vile, misogynistic “Just Say No” ad ever.

Then again, you’d have to assume that this remake of the 1972 Wes Craven classic has a point, other than pure shock value.

Craven’s debut was by no means great art (even though it was inspired by Ingmar Bergman’s Oscar-winning “The Virgin Spring”), but at least it had suspense, and in retrospect it’s easy to see how its low-budget brutality influenced decades of horror filmmakers to come.

Director Dennis Iliadis’ version retains the same basic story — a couple of teenage girls on the hunt for pot get abducted and savagely attacked by psychopaths — but there’s nothing particularly special about it artistically. It’s slick

and quick and loud, filled with the typical amped-up thumps that accompany every body blow.

Working from a script by Adam Alleca and Carl Ellsworth (“Disturbia”), Iliadis puts his vaguely unique spin on the proceedings by prolonging the most grotesque, violent elements and making them more graphic. The result is never scary, but instead feels deplorably gratuitous — especially a rape scene in the woods, which goes on forever and seems intended for titillation. Sara Paxton (“Aquamarine”) and Martha MacIssac (“Superbad”) play Mari and Paige, the girls in peril. But long before they meet up with quiet teenager Justin (Spencer Treat Clark) and his promise of primo stuff, Iliadis’ camera has been leering at the leggy Mari.

And so once she ditches her parents (a miscast Tony Goldwyn

and Monica Potter) to hang out with Paige the party-girl townie, you know she’s in trouble. The two end up going back to Justin’s motel room to get high, only to cross paths with Justin’s escapedconvict dad, Krug (Garret Dillahunt), his uncle Frank (Aaron Paul) and the bisexual Sadie (Riki Lindhome) who sort of belongs to everyone and no one.

Assuming that the girls are a threat to their safety, the crazies drag them into the woods with plans to torture them and leave them for dead. But when a storm comes and they need shelter, they end up knocking on the door of the nearest lake house, which belongs to — you guessed it — Mari’s family.

“The Last House on the Left,” a Rogue Pictures release, is rated R for sadistic brutal violence including a rape and disturbing images, language, nudity and some drug use. It is playing at Cinemark Mall Del Norte and Hollywood Theaters.

“The Best Little Fair in Texas,” better known as the Zapata County Fair, will bring out the big stars tonight during its finale weekend at the fairgrounds.

Today boasts a big lineup: Laredo-based Roberto Castillo y La Fuerza are set to play from 6 to 6:40 p.m., Conjunto Cima takes the stage from 7 to 9:30 p.m. and La Firma takes over from 9 to 10 p.m. That’s just setting up for the headliners: Latin Grammy Award winners Siggno, which will play from 10 to 11 p.m., and El Poder Del Norte, which will take fairgoers home in style from 11:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

“They’re the most popular groups right now, and some are Grammy winners, and that’s what people are looking for,” said Anna Holcomb, Zapata County Fair Association president. “It’s a variety of music. We draw pretty good crowds with this type of music, and we hope this show will be the same.”

The concerts and street dances are just one attraction at the Zap-

ata County Fair this weekend: today, there will also be a Pee FINALE Wee Goat Show WEEKEND and a Tight Jean Presale tickets Contest, and Saturday, there $5 Door admission will be team roping and exhi$10 bitions from several dance groups and a martial arts organization, along with a Grito Contest and a Jalapeño Eating Contest.

Presale tickets are $5 and are available for purchase at the Zapata Chamber of Commerce, 7654871; Zapata National Bank 7658777; and Hawk Enterprises, 265-0456. In Laredo, they are available at Mike’s Western Wear, 722-0927.

Admission at the door will be $10 after 5 p.m., and children in kindergarten or younger get in free.

For a complete list of events, visit www.zapatacountyfaironline.com.

ZAPATA COUNTY FAIR

Zlife QUINCEAÑERA

Michelle M. Cavazos Michelle Maree Cavazos celebrated her 15th birthday with a Mass given in her honor on Saturday, July 26, 2008, at San Luis Rey Church. She is the daughter of Nora P. Garcia and Margarito Cavazos Jr. A luau reception followed at the Laredo Civic Center Ballroom, where she was accompanied by her paternal grandfather, Margarito Cavazos Sr., and her maternal grandfather, Laurencio Villarreal Sr. The quinceañera’s court consisted of: Dora Ramos and Abelardo Villarreal Jr.; Desiree Arredondo and Rene Maldonado; Amber Lopez and George Alexander Vasquez; Kimberly Pacheco and Hugo Gonzalez; Perlita Gonzalez and Jay Dominguez; Kimberly Zamora and Rudy Lopez; Ericka Moreno and Gary Mendez; Traci Treviño and Anthony Alba; Alyssandra Rubio and Ray Aguirre; Chelsea Flores and Danny Lopez; Lori Valverde and Jorge De Leon; Sammy Gaytan and Diego De Leon; Alexa Gil and Richard Aguirre; and Rebecca Tenorio and Edgar Gonzalez. Michelle was escorted by Andy Fernandez.

The quinceañera was given her last doll by Amanda Rubio and she danced “Ultima Muñeca” with her father.

She then danced to “Quinceañera” by Jimmy Gonzalez with her stepfather, Raul “Rule” Garcia, whom she thanked for making the celebration possible.

The court danced “Tiempo de Balz” by Cheyanne and a mix by Sean Paul, Kat de Luna and Pitbull. Both dances were

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

SATURDAY,AUGUST9,2008

MICHELLE MAREE CAVAZOS choreographed by Christina Denise Vasquez. The mistress of ceremonies was Christina Vasquez. Melissa Anne Cavazos, Michelle’s sister, presented the honoree with a surprise gift.

Guests enjoyed a dinner served by Cindy’s Catering and danced to music by Mix Masters and Slink-e-entertainment.

Guests included friends and relatives from Laredo, Nuevo Laredo, Monterrey, Hebbronville, San Antonio and Dallas.

Michelle, born on Aug. 4, 1993, is a sophomore at J.W. Nixon High School and Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts.

For the latest in entertainment, read Friday’s LMT ¿Qué Pasa?

7A

ENGAGEMENTS

Gutierrez-Mondragon

Ramirez-Sanchez

JESSICA GUTIERREZ AND ORLANDO MONDRAGON

ANNA LAURA RAMIREZ AND FELIPE SANCHEZ III

Mr. and Mrs. Hector D. Gutierrez are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Jessica, to Orlando Mondragon, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alejandro Mondragon of Houston.

The bride-to-be is a 1999 graduate of Alexander High School and a 2003 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in applied learning and development with a specialization in special education. She is currently a special education teacher at Knowles Elementary in Leander and a cheerleading coach at Leander High School.

The groom-to-be is a 1997 graduate of Waltrip High School in Houston and a 2001 graduate of the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics. Orlando is currently employed as a product marketing manager with Advance Micro Devices in Austin.

Jessica and Orlando met in

Austin while pursuing their degrees. Orlando proposed to Jessica in front of the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. The couple plans to be married on Oct. 4, 2008, at San Martin de Porres Church, with a reception to follow at Castilian Royale. After a honeymoon at Punta Cana, Santo Domingo, the couple will reside in Austin.

Eloy and Patricia Ramirez Jr. are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter, Anna Laura, to Felipe Sanchez III, son of Maria Hortencia and Felipe Sanchez Jr. The bride-to-be is a 1996 honors graduate of United High School; she later earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting from Texas A&M International University in

2003 and a master’s degree in professional accountancy in 2006 as a member of Sigma Alpha Pi. She has been employed at LNB, a division of Compass Bank, for more than 12 years and works in the commercial lending division.

The couple plan to wed Nov. 15, 2008, at San Agustin Cathedral, with a reception to follow at La Posada Hotel in the San Agustin Ballroom.

Zentertainment

SATURDAY,AUGUST9,2008

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

8A

‘Forum’ is great can’t miss, funny musical comedy

By KIRSTEN CROW LAREDO MORNING TIMES

Boisterous.

Flamboyant.

Bawdy. Downright (well, mildly) scandalous.

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” isn’t what most people envision when they’re considering a trip to the theater — but for anyone who enjoys a brief respite from the realities of the world within the confines of a cool auditorium or just enjoys a good snicker or belly laugh, this is a can’t-miss musical comedy.

Under the direction of Joe Flores and produced by the Laredo Institute of Theatrical Education, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” combines the flutterings of a first-love story bookended by laughs, as the young actors throw themselves fully into their over-the-top roles bringing to life the phrase from the musical’s opening number: “Tragedy tomorrow, comedy tonight.”

Making LITE of love Based on the book by Burt Shevelove and Larry Gelbart and the plays of Plautus, and with music and lyrics by renowned composer Stephen Sondheim, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” centers around the stuff of romantic comedies: young love versus its lustier counterparts, the comedic circumstances surrounding nearly insurmountable obstacles, and, of course, the true staple — cross-dressing.

Immediately following its opening song, replete with high kicks, the audience is introduced to Pseudolus, the charismatic, good-hearted slave of Senex, the would-be philanderer who makes no qualms about his distaste for his wife, and Domina, the derriere-blessed battleaxe who hounds him and behaves like a harpy true to her name. All Pseudolus wants in the world is his freedom — and perhaps the

Courtesy photo

Homer Gonzalez poses as Erronious at the Laredo Civic Center. Gonzalez spends much of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” shuffling in and out of scenes, bringing them to an abrupt, amusing halt. The play will be performed at 8 p.m. tonight and Saturday and at 6 p.m. Sunday at the civic center. company of some of the comely courtesans that reside next door.

The prominent couple leave town, Domina’s bust in tow — and yes, it is a literal a bust in the artistic sense that bears a “frightening resemblance” to its inspiration — willing their son, Hero, to the charge of the servants, and namely Hysterium, a mouse of a man who continuously and humorously overreacts to any and all situations. It is explicitly stated that Hero is to have no contact with the fairer sex.

Enter the young man in question, who has been struck with Cupid’s arrow and the first blush of love. Unfortunately for him, the

object of his affection is residing in the house of Marcus Lycus — a courtesan house with many unmentionable delights — or, as it is phrased, “gross indulgences” sure to “satisfy an Olympian appetite.”

Upon discovery that Hero pines for the fair-haired Philia, Pseudolus strikes a deal with his young master: If he can secure the girl for Hero, Hero will secure his freedom.

Now the only problem is wooing the beautiful but empty-headed Philia –she was “taught only beauty and grace and no more” — away from the courtesan house and her impending marriage to her betrothed, Miles Glorius, who

is almost as impressed with his bride-to-be as he is with himself.

In between, we find Erronious — an elderly man who occasionally brings the scenes to a humorous halt as he continues his neverending search for his missing offspring, kidnapped by pirates when they were merely small children.

The players Hitting the stage in LITE’s latest and most mature project are a number of stage vets encompassing the ages between high school and the recently graduated, many with a number of UIL One-Act Play accolades.

For some, this will be their last LITE play, noted Armando X. Lopez, board member.

“For (this musical) you need some real comedians, and we had that, and you need some beautiful women, and we had that,” he said about the selection, a change from the originally planned The Who’s “Tommy.”

Several parts have two actors portraying the characters on different nights: Alex Lopez and Ernesto Gonzalez play Pseudolus, Oliver Saenz and Mark Gonzalez play the lascivious Senex, and Victoria Young and Cassandra Vara play the “just lovely” Philia.

Other standouts include Santi-

High flying If you believe in fairies, that boys don’t really need to grow up, or that mothers are the healers of the hearts of children, the Laredo Little Theatre is the place to be this weekend and next.

Directed by Adalberto Chavarria, the Little Theatre’s version of “Peter Pan” takes the classic story

by J.M. Barrie with some young — but, make no mistake, very professional — young talent ages 5 to 19.

Performances of the play will be held at Laredo Little Theatre, 4802 Thomas Ave., at 8 tonight and 3 p.m. Sunday. The production continues the following weekend.

Admission is $5.

Smackdown The Laredo Entertainment Center, an SMG-managed facility, and WWE have partnered to put on an action-packed show with the WWE Smackdown and ECW to take place Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, Sept. 12, at 10 a.m. at the LEC box office and all Ticketmaster outlets. WWE has promised an exciting lineup with all the favorite Smackdown and ECW stars.

Ticket prices are $20, $25, $30 and $40.

‘El Vaquero Real’ The Webb County Heritage Foundation has a new exhibit of photographs and paintings celebrating the cultural legacy of vaqueros, the original cowboys wellknown and recognized throughout the world, titled “El

Vaquero Real, The Original American Cowboy.”

The exhibit, on display until the end of October, may be viewed Tuesdays through Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Villa Antigua Border Heritage Museum, 810 Zaragoza St. in historic downtown Laredo.

The photographs are the work of noted photographer John Dyer, while the paintings were created by well-known advertising executive Lionel Sosa. Both San Antonio artists will be on hand to meet the public at an opening reception Thursday, Aug. 21, at 6 p.m.

The public is cordially invited to attend.

For more information, contact the Webb County Heritage Foundation at 727-0977 or heritage@webbheritage.org.

‘Sisterhood ... Traveling Pants 2’ ASSOCIATED PRESS

Yes, the pants still exist, but now they’re covered in patches and jewels and etched with the memories and dreams of the four young women who’ve been wearing them. And they still travel — to New York and Vermont, Turkey and Greece, and points in between.

But the magic in those jeans, and in the bond that linked the

friends who’ve shared them over the years, seems to have faded.

The sequel to 2005’s surprisingly tolerable “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” finds our eclectic group of heroines a little bit older and wiser and a lot less connected to each other.

“Sisterhood” is rated PG-13 for mature material and sensuality. It is playing at Cinemark Mall Del Norte and Hollywood Theaters.

Presented by the City of Laredo Parks and Leisure Department and LITE Productions through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” will have performances at 8 tonight and Saturday and 6 p.m. Sunday at the Laredo Civic Center, 2400 San Bernardo Ave. Admission is $5.

For more information, call Sandra Gallegos at 645-8088 or Marta Perez at 740-6410.

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

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The formula is pretty familiar by now in these Judd Apatowproduced comedies. A couple of buddies get into trouble, and as they try to bumble their way out of it, their friendship only grows stronger.

“Pineapple Express” tries to breathe some fresh life into this comic genre by turning it into a serious action movie. But because it tries to be both, it doesn’t completely work on either level. Seth Rogen and James Franco have great chemistry, though — not surprising, since they’re both longtime friends of Judd who costarred on his TV series “Freaks and Geeks.” Rogen also co-wrote the script with lifelong pal Evan Goldberg, with whom he wrote the script for “Superbad,” which was inspired by their geeky adolescence.

Auditions set Open auditions for the Texas A&M International University Opera Workshop and Laredo Community College Opera Workshop’s joint production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” are scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 16, and Sunday, Aug. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Martinez Fine Arts Center, Room 102, on the main LCC campus.

The performance is slated for Thursday, Oct. 16, through Saturday, Oct. 18.

Singers should prepare one song from memory and take a copy of their sheet music for the accompanist for the audition.

Rehearsals will be held on weeknights from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.

For more information, contact Dana Crabtree at dcrabtree@tamiu.edu or 326-3040 or contact Joseph Crabtree at LCC at 721-5869.

On the way?

‘Pineapple Express’

ENTERTAINMENT BRIEFS SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

ago Moreno as Hero, sweetly portraying a young man touched by Philia’s unforgettable smile, Carmella Diaz-Lolar as the delightfully snarky Marcus Lycus, Marla Perez as the shrewish Domina and Ricky Vera as Miles Glorious in all his self-aggrandizing splendor.

But David Gonzalez, playing Hysterium, and Homer Gonzalez as Erronious, possibly have the most comic opportunities. Although he has few lines, Homer Gonzalez is able to provoke laughs by his mere presence and the slight shake in his old-man stride.

Also notable are the courtesans, who showcase some impressive, hip-shaking moves choreographed by Ani Vera Perez, owner of Dance City and a former San Antonio Spurs Silver Dancer, along with the proteans, who slip easily from role to role, bringing a new essence to each one.

But for parents of young children, be warned: This isn’t G-rated. There’s no cursing or nudity, but there is a hefty dose of sexual innuendo and suggestive dancing befitting a play set during the Roman era. Although the majority of the jokes will likely go over heads lower to the ground, it might be best to leave the kids at home and keep it high schoolaged and older.

Courtesy photo

“Angels of Desire,” by Sheila Elias.

Art Happening at the C. for the Arts SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Laredo Center for the Arts will hold its Art Happening from 6 to 8 p.m. Saturday in an evening that will feature an artists reception and a disc jockey set by the Pop Rocks.

The Lilia G. Martinez Gallery will exhibit “Somewhere, Anywhere” by Sheila Elias. “Somewhere, Anywhere” is a midcareer retrospective of the multimedia artist, whose work includes paintings and photographs spanning a 35-year career. Her work connects life and art through aesthetics and social consciousness. Elias’ work portrays a perception of urban tension, raw emotions and harsh realities tempered with gentle optimism and beauty, countering an American Dream that has gone astray.

In the Mezzanine, “Full of Cold Air,” an interactive sitespecific inflatable installation

by Jimmy Kuehnle, continues its run. The exhibit will be on display through Aug. 29.

On exhibit in the Rosalie G. Goodman Gallery is “July left in September,” large-scale penand-ink drawings by local artist Jorge Javier Lopez, while the Laredo Art League Gallery presents “Vive Le Arte,” artwork

by The Santos. “Vive Le Arte” is a group show consisting of paintings, photographs and installations influenced by pop culture, art, consumerism and fashion.

In addition to the visual arts, the event will incorporate a DJ set by The Pop Rocks, a local DJ duo that combines art and

music in a masterful way.

The event is free and open to the public. It is sponsored by IBC Bank, L&F Distributors and the Texas Commission on the Arts.

For more information, call the Laredo Center for the Arts at 725-1715 or visit www.laredoartcenter.org.

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2009

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 9A

TACKLE THE TAKS The Villarreal Elementary team lead by Head Coach Carmen Zavala held its last pep ralley before the big game, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills.

Teachers performed a skit hoping to motivate students to do well on the staterequired examination. The Hawkettes performed a competition dance and cheered on the third, fourth, and fifth graders for the test, administered Tuesday, March 3.

Courtesy photo

Courtesy photos

LEFT: Jose Vera, left, and Dario Sanchez, sophomores, show their third-place medals, won at the UIL district cross-examination debate meet at Hidalgo High School.They are alternates at Monday’s state meet. RIGHT: Senior Alexandra Harsacky, left, and junior Ediel Bernal display the first-place medal they won at the UIL district cross-examination debate meet.

Debate teams heading to Austin again for state meet SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Zapata High School’s UIL debate team will travel to Austin on Monday for the State Cross-Examination Debate Meet for the second year in a row, after winning the district title earlier this year.

Alexandra Harsacky, a senior, and Ediel Bernal, a junior, took first place at the Jan. 31 district meet at Hidalgo High School in the Rio Grande Valley, sending the Harsacky-Bernal team to the state meet.

Zapata sophomores Jose Vera and Dario Sanchez won third place at the district meet, making them alternates to the state meet.

Also participating in the district meet were sophomores Javier Zapata and Isabella Martinez.

Thirteen teams participated in the district meet.

This year’s resolution, the subject of the debates, is The U.S. federal government should substantially increase its alternative energy incentives in the United States.

The Zapata debate teams are coached by A.J. Martinez. This is his third year coaching debate at high school. His teams have won two district titles so far, one in 313A and year in 32-3A. Martinez has been working with this year’s teams since September, practicing with them after school and driving them to out-oftown tournaments.

Competition at the district level was fierce, Martinez said, as previous state-qualifying teams from Port Isabel were there. However, after the three pre-elimination rounds, two Zapata teams advanced all the way to the final round, where Vera and Sanchez clinched third place and became alternates to state while Bernal

WEATHER Continued from Page 1A The fair’s popularity has a direct link to the community and its continued devotion over the years.

“The community has been nothing but supportive of us,” said Roberts, adding she expects the future of the fair to be bright.

In previous years, the fair has seen a decent amount of attendees; however, this year is expected to crush records with new and improved attractions that have become famous over the fair’s reign as “The Best Little Fair in Texas.”

“We’ve built up our reputation over a lot of years, and we have gotten bigger and better every year,” said Holcomb.

The fair continues today with a dignitaries’ breakfast at the Court Plaza beginning at 8 a.m., and the Zapata County Parade following, at 10 a.m. By noon the arts, crafts, photography and baking sale will begin, followed by the roping competition at 1 p.m.

Events include cheerleading performances, a livestock auction and the grito contest, followed by street dances throughout the evening with live music provided

by Robert Castillo y La Fuerza, Conjunto China, La Firma, Grupo Siggno and El Poder Del Norte.

For a schedule of events and times visit www.zapatacountyfaironline.com.

(Erika Lambreton can be reached at 728-2567 or e-mail erika@lmtonline.com)

and Harsacky won the first place medal, advancing to the state meet.

Now, the team turns its focus toward the Austin meet, prepared to encounter some difficult competition from the 64 teams that will be competing.

This is the second time that Zapata sends teams to compete at the state level since Debate was reinstated at Zapata High School three years ago, Last year’s state experience,

where Mario Zavala and David de la Garza, along with Bernal and Harsacky, competed, was quite new, and the teams did not perform as well as they had at district. This year, however, the team looks forward to going farther, and advancing to the octafinal round.

Team sponsors include Mr. and Mrs. Arturo Martinez and Maria Rivera, who provide continuous financial and moral support for the team members.

10A | THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2009

State’s cattle losses approaching $1B

By BETSY BLANEY ASSOCIATED PRESS

LUBBOCK — Agriculture officials said Friday that ranchers in the nation’s largest cattle-producing state have already lost nearly $1 billion because of Texas’ ongoing drought.

Officials said cattle raisers have lost $829 million since last summer, $569 million of that since November.

Recent rains across much of

Photo by Harry Cabluck | AP

Rep. Jim Dunnam, D-Waco, speaks during a news briefing Friday, in Austin. He responded to the announcement byTexas Gov. Rick Perry,who said he plans to turn down $555 million in stimulus money that would expand state unemployment benefits.

Critics hit Perry’s stimulus rejection

By APRIL CASTRO ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN — The day after Texas Gov. Rick Perry rejected more than $500 million in federal money to rescue the state’s foundering unemployment insurance fund, lawmakers fired back, calling the move counterproductive and politically motivated.

The Legislature can still try to accept the money through a provision in the federal law, but risks gubernatorial veto unless they can muster a veto-proof twothirds majority on a resolution announcing their intentions and legislation for the required expansion of unemployment benefits.

Funding Perry, who plans to seek reelection in 2010, argued that accepting the federal stimulus dollars would require the state to keep funding expanded jobless benefits — effectively raising unemployment taxes on businesses — even after the money runs out.

But critics counter that the fund will likely be in deficit by autumn, which will trigger an unemployment tax increase on businesses next year to make up for the deficit.

Taking the money “The tax implications for 2010 are much, much worse if you do not take the stimulus money,” said Don Baylor, a senior policy analyst for the Center for Public Policy Priorities, which advocates for low-income Texans. “The fund is basically going to be out of money by the OU game.” In other words, by October.

Economist Ray Perryman testified to a panel of lawmakers earlier this week that “it is unrealistic to assume the system can continue in its current form.”

The federal money would be

enough to pay for the increase in benefits, including changes in state law, for a decade, Perryman told the House committee charged with making recommendations to spend the federal stimulus money.

Counterproductive move House Democratic Leader Jim Dunnam, D-Waco, who chairs the committee, said the move is so counterproductive it “has to be 100 percent political.”

“What is taking the money going to do to your taxes? Nothing,” Dunnam said. “Put this $555 million up and it will pay for the whole program for a decade.

Maybe in a decade there may be some impact ... there is no rational basis for it.”

Perry said he would prevent the unemployment compensation fund from falling into insolvency by reinstating the tax paid by businesses during the economic downturn.

Not accepting the money “We do not need anymore strings from Washington attached to programs,” Perry said Thursday.

In a posting on Perry’s Web site, conservative economist Arthur Laffer said not accepting the federal money will be good for the state and will help Texas “get jobs that would have otherwise gone to other states because Texas is far more competitive than other states.”

Perry’s office would not say if he would veto legislation aimed at nullifying his refusal to accept the money. But, Perry noted that Texas lawmakers had previously rejected similar proposals to expand unemployment benefits.

A two-thirds approval in both chambers of the Legislature would be no small feat, but it’s sure to generate bipartisan controversy.

the state, though welcome, came too late. Ranchers have spent substantial money on hay and supplemental feed, the cost of trucking in additional hay. The drought losses also include failed wheat crops usually used for grazing.

All of Texas is in some stage of drought for the second straight week, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor map released Thursday.

Worst hit is Central Texas and

the Hill Country, where exceptional drought, the most severe designation, has persisted for months and is the driest area in the U.S. Texas just had its driest December-February stretch on record.

More than 60 percent of the state’s beef cows are in counties with severe to exceptional drought — the three worst stages.

Losses will likely grow past $1 billion in the next two months

as livestock producers continue to make supplemental feed purchases or sell cattle and calves in a declining market, said David Anderson, an agriculture marketing economist with Texas AgriLife Extension Service.

In 2006, drought-related crop and livestock losses were the state’s worst for a single year, totaling $4.1 billion.

The effects of the drought on livestock aren’t short-term, Anderson said.

Advocates complain about treatment of Texans

By NIGEL DUARA ASSOCIATED PRESS

IOWA CITY, Iowa — A state task force created to examine dependent adult laws after 21 mentally disabled Texas men were found living in a dilapidated eastern Iowa house heard from advocates Friday about their frustrations with the system.

The task force created by Gov. Chet Culver held the hearing to gather public comment in Iowa City, only about 20 miles from Atalissa where the men lived. The panel is scheduled to submit a report by April 1 so legislative action can be taken this session.

Advocates for people with mental disabilities told panel members that dependent adults are afraid to make claims of abuse be-

cause of the potential consequences.

Sheila Stoeckel of Iowa Work Incentives Planning and Assistance in Mason City, an organization that helps people receiving disability payments get jobs, said many instances of abuse aren’t as stark as the alleged crimes in Atalissa. Stoeckel said home-based caregivers may be just as likely to err as facilities that house dependent adults.

“When you’re dependent on other people for care, you don’t want to rock the boat because they can make your life terrible,” Stoeckel said. “We’re talking about facilities, licensed and unlicensed caregivers...That’ll be our Atalissa years from now, is people in home-based care.”

Most speakers expressed frustration with what they called an antiquated system for

Appeals court sides with state in water fight ASSOCIATED PRESS

DALLAS — The city of Dallas and state water planners have lost a federal appeal in a case that pits future water needs against conservation.

A ruling by the New Orleansbased 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals filed late Thursday affirms a lower court’s finding in support of a proposed East Texas wildlife refuge along the Neches River.

“It’s an exciting day for wildlife conservation and for residents throughout the state of Texas,” Jose Viramontes, a spokesman for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said Friday.

The city and the Texas Water Development Board claimed in a 2007 lawsuit that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service established the 25,000-acre refuge in 2006 without first considering environmental and economic impacts.

They argued that the wildlife service violated federal law by not addressing the refuge’s efCarmen Ramirez - Rathmell, D.D.S.

“Let your smile be a sign of happiness & good health”

1520 Corpus Christi Street Telephone (956) 726-0160

fects on Dallas’ water supply, economy and future water planning. The reservoir was not scheduled to be built until 2050.

The three-judge appellate panel saw it differently.

“They’ve affirmed we’ve done everything right,” Viramontes said, explaining that his agency completed the necessary environmental analysis and conducted public outreach to determine the best place to establish a refuge.

If the city and water board don’t appeal the ruling, Chris Bowers, first assistant city attorney in Dallas, said the decision would prevent Dallas from going forward with plans to build Lake Fastrill.

dealing with dependent adults.

Robert Bacon, director of the University of Iowa’s Center for Disabilities and Development, said in the 1950s dependent adults had two choices: be housed at home or an institution. Then, the idea of employing them in a “sheltered work model” took hold in the 1970s, Bacon said, though most did not eventually transition to regular employment.

Bacon said the situation in Atalissa was reminiscent of a “sheltered work” effort.

“When I heard about (Atalissa), I felt as if I were being transported back to 1970s,” said Bacon, whose organization offers health care and outpatient services to people with disabilities. “It was like time travel. It was more of a sheltered-work situation than competitive employment.”

ZFrontera

SÁBADO 27 de SEPTIEMBRE de 2008 EN INTERNET: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Puente colgante será atendido

AGENDAEN BREVE ENTRETENIMIENTO  Pase la tarde del sábado en el Plantetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de Texas A&M International University y explore “Black Holes” a las 6 p.m. y “Seven Wonders” a las 7 p.m. También podrá disfrutar las estrellas directamente a partir de las 8 p.m. y un vistazo con telescopio será a las 9 p.m. si el clima lo permite. La entrada general es de 5 dólares y de 4 dólares para niños, estudiantes, personal y exalumnos de TAMIU. Más información llamando al 326-2444.  El sábado es la fecha límite para la compra en pre venta de boletos y preventa de mesas para el primero “Baile del Recuerdo de la época de oro. Los boletos cuestan 15 dólares por persona en preventa y 25 dólares en la puerta. Llame a Carlota en el 723-1680, Chayo en el 220-5196, Esperanza en el 723-9297, Rosa en el 337-7178, Benita en el 717-8216 ó Enrique en el 319-6604 para boletos.

Por MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE LAREDO

DEPORTES  El sábado salen a la venta los boletos para el evento WWE Smackdown & ECW que se ofrecerá en el Laredo Entertainment Center el martes 21 de octubre a las 6:30 p.m.

Puede adquirir su boleto a partir de las 10 a.m. en la taquilla de LEC y en los expendios de Ticketmaster. Los precios varían de 20, 25, 30 y 40 dólares.  El equipo de soccer femenil de Texas A&M International University jugará contra Dallas Baptist University el sábado a las 2 p.m. La entrada general es de 5 dólares y de 3 dólares para estudiantes. Gratis para cualquiera con identificación de TAMIU. Más información llamando al 326-2891.

CULTURA  Estudiantes de la EDEC 4362, clase Lenguaje y Literatura Infantil en Texas A&M International University, participarán el sábado en la Jump Star Campaign a nivel nacional en la Biblioteca Pública de Laredo.

Los estudiantes leerán “Corduroy” por Don Freeman, alternando inglés y español cada 20 minutos y también participando en varias actividades tales como arte, música, juegos con niños de 3 a 12 años. El evento es gratuito y abierto al público. Más información llamando al 326-3156.  Grupo de Teatro Expresión del Instituto Tecnológico de Nuevo Laredo presenta el domingo la comedia “Convención de mucamos” de Ramón Sarmentero a las 7:30 p.m. en el Teatro Lucio Blanco de la Casa de la Cultura. La cuota de admisión es de 30 pesos.  La Orquesta Filarmónica de Laredo debuta el domingo en su 29va temporada con la serie de conciertos “Heroes” a las 3 p.m. con “Ordinary Heroes Who Answered the Call” en el Center for the Fine and Performing Arts’ Recital Hall de Texas A&M International University. El boleto invididual al concierto es de 25 dólares y 17 dólares para adultos mayores (62+). Más información llamando al 326-3039.

SERVICIO SOCIAL  El sábado se realizará la Cínica de Inmunizaciones para Adultos en el Departamento de la Ciudad de Laredo (2600 Cedar Av.) de 8 a.m. a 12 p.m. Habrá vacunas contra el FLU para personas mayores de 65 años, pacientes en albergues, personas con problemas de salud de más de 6 meses, niños y adolescentes que consumen aspirina regularmente, personas que suelen estar rodeadas por adultos mayores ó de personas con problemas de salud. El costo de la vacuna del FLU es de 18 dólares.  La Feria de Atención a la Lectura celebra el sábado su 12vo año y el octavo de su concurso de ensayo en la Sala de Usos Múltiples H-E-B- en la Biblioteca Pública de Laredo, 1120 E. Calton Road. El evento empezará a las 10 a.m.  El lunes inician las clases para entrenamiento de Salvavidas e Instructor de Salvavidas, organizado por la División Acuática del Departamento de Parques y Servicios de Entretenimiento de la Ciudad de Laredo.

El curso será de 8 a.m. a 5 p.m. en la Inner City Pool (202 W. Plum). El total del curso es de 31 horas. Más información llamando al 794-1765.  La Gala anual y ceremonia de premios de la Cámara de Comercio es el martes de 11:30 a.m. a 1 p.m. en el Laredo Country Club. Los lugares son limitados. La mesa para 8 personas es de 350 dólares, el lugar individual es de 35 dólares. Llame a la oficina de la Cámara en el (956) 722-9895.

Para informar acerca de eventos y actividades envíe el nombre, fecha, hora y dirección, y un número de contacto a tiempo@lmtonline.com

11A

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Nuevo Laredo

El Gobernador de Tamaulipas, Eugenio Hernández Flores, durante la ceremonia de cierre de la Tercera Sesión Plenaria de Ciudades Fronterizas del Norte de México, en el Centro Cultural Nuevo Laredo, miércoles. Durante la sesión, alcaldes de 38 municipalidades llegaron a acuerdos e hicieron propuestas.

Sesionan alcaldes fronterizos Por MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE LAREDO

NUEVO LAREDO — Alcaldes de la frontera norte mexicana se reunieron en esta ciudad del 22 al 24 de septiembre, a fin de encontrar propuestas para fortalecer la región.

La Tercera Sesión Plenaria de Ciudades Fronterizas del Norte de México reunió a 38 presidentes municipales cuyos habitantes suman unos 20 millones.

Los temas tratados fueron desarrollo económico, migración, relaciones internacionales, seguridad pública, municipalismo, medio ambiente y salud, infraestructura y desarrollo urbano.

Pero destacó el mensaje del Gobernador de Tamaulipas, Eugenio Hernández Flores relacionado a que la capacidad de respuestas de gobiernos municipales está rebasada por el crecimiento que reportan en la frontera.

Hernández Flores se solidarizó con los gobiernos de la región para gestionar ante las autoridades federales recursos que permitan impulsar su infraestructura y desarrollo en beneficio de los casi 20 millones de habitantes en ciudades fronterizas.

“Debemos seguir destrabando obstáculos, consideramos que no es congruente que nuestra infraestructura y logística no haya crecido, explicó el gobernador en su discurso oficial. “Debemos crecer en la proporción de los tiempos modernos”.

Teniendo como sede las instalaciones del Centro Cultural Nuevo Laredo, el alcalde anfitrión, Ramón Garza Barrios dijo que la región aporta al país oportunidades para la competitividad y para el desarrollo humano y sustentable.

“Juntos generamos grandes indicadores, como el 25% del Producto Interno Bruto nacional y el 29% de la inversión extranjera directa. Además de ello, el 83% del empleo de las maquiladoras están aquí en la frontera”, dijo Garza Barrios. ¨Tenemos estrecha relación con autoridades de la vecina ciudad de Laredo para hacer de esta frontera la Aduana más importante de Latinoamérica”.

Algunos de los alcaldes participantes opinaron que podrán establecer acuerdos que les permitirán resolver problemas comunes.

“Las preocupaciones que tenemos como zona fronteriza son comunes para todos los municipios”, comentó José Reyes Ferriz, presidente municipal de Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua.

Reyes destacó los esfuerzos que se hacen para atraer nuevas inversiones a la franja fronteriza.

El alcalde de Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Raúl Vela, destacó que su interés, además de la necesidad de desarrollo urbano y económico, es incluir el aspecto ambiental y la protección del Río Bravo.

El presidente municipal de Reynosa, Oscar Luebbert Gutiérrez calificó este tipo de reuniones como “una plataforma de expresión para todos los municipios de la frontera.

“Nos sirve para tener más apoyos y más programas a la dinámica de las ciudades fronterizas, ya que es más lo que hacemos que el resto del país”, dijo Luebbert.

Especialistas del Colegio de la Frontera Norte y expertos de la Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas apoyaron en el desarrollo de la temática del evento, lo que permitió llegar a mejores conclusiones.

(Puede localizar a Miguel Timoshenkov llamando al (956) 728-2583 o escribiendo a timo1@lmtonline.com)

Resúmen de propuestas Nuevo Laredo fue sede de la Tercera Sesión Plenaria de Ciudades Fronterizas del Norte de México. Fueron 38 presidentes municipales quienes se reunieron en el Centro Cultural y en 8 diferentes mesas de trabajo concluyeron propuestas y llamados a atención.

SEGURIDAD PÚBLICA Atraer más recursos federales para la prevención del delito en los municipios, incrementar el equipamiento en armamento y comunicaciones para estandarizar los datos e interconexión y aumentar el número de elementos.

RELACIONES INTERNACIONALES Crear una comisión intersecretarial para la atención de los municipios fronterizos, reimplantar el esquema de participaciones obteniendo hasta el 50 por ciento del peaje en los puentes internacionales e implementar el proyecto de Turismo de Salud, así como la integración al Fondo Metropolitano.

DESARROLLO ECONÓMICO Impulsar el turismo de especialidad, constituir una comisión especial para el fomento y promoción económica, incorporar a la iniciativa privada y organismos en acciones de cabildeo ante la federación y que las ciudades más grandes apoyen a las más pequeñas en cuanto a la recepción de inversionistas.

MIGRACIÓN Se solicitará a la federación una intervención más enérgica en el manejo de recursos y apoyos, gestionar más recursos para el Instituto Nacional de Migración para que cumpla con mayor efectividad sus funciones y que estados expulsores de migrantes reciban más recursos para generar empleos locales.

MUNICIPALISMO Institucionalizar el grupo de Municipios Fronterizos, formar un grupo de trabajo intermunicipal integrado por los municipios de Guadalupe, Chihuahua, Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Reynosa, Tamaulipas y Nogales, Sonora para trabajar en la creación del fondo de desarrollo fronterizo y simplificar el acceso a los recursos federales.

DESARROLLO URBANO Crear una comisión para lograr una reforma en el Artículo 115 Constitucional que brinde más facultades y recursos a los municipios, promover un acercamiento con la CNA para que delegue a los municipios la operación y mantenimiento de cauces y arroyos, así como la obtención de recursos para obras de drenaje pluvial.

MEDIO AMBIENTE Crear una mesa de trabajo para atender la temática de Salud, que sea independiente a la del Medio Ambiente y garantizar las medidas preventivas respecto a la emisión de gases y la disposición de llantas usadas.

MIGUEL ALEMÁN — El viejo puente colgante en esta frontera será sometido a rehabilitación para darle vida a la afluencia turística peatonal, dijo Román Kanil González Guerra, secretario de de Desarrollo Económico, del gobierno local.

Se trata el único puente entre México y Estados Unidos en suspensión que une a Miguel Alemán-Roma a lo largo de la GONZÁLEZ frontera.

Ya existe un acuerdo internacional para empatar la forma técnica entre la Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes de México (SCT) con TxDOT, del estado de Texas.

“Estamos en el proceso de aplicación de técnicas, además se trabaja con el Fideicomiso para la rehabilitación del Puente RomaMiguel Alemán”, dijo González, para lo cual el Gobierno del Estado ya aportó 25 millones de pesos.

El puente colgante fue construido en marzo de 1928, cuenta con longitud de 210 metros y ancho de siete metros, de un solo carril.

El deterioro se identifica en los tirantes, en anclaje y otros detalles que se revisan cuidadosamente.

En la actualidad el cruce solamente se usa peatonalmente ya que se tiene prohibido el uso vehicular, dijo González.

La rehabilitación tendría un costo de 5 millones de dólares, con inversión bipartita, y se espera finiquitar el esquema que se aplicaría el mes de octubre.

Nuevo cruce Miguel Alemán además tiene planes de iniciar gestiones para un nuevo puente internacional el próximo año.

La carga vehicular actual por la Aduana y Puente internacional de esta ciudad es de 120 operaciones diarias, y de 6,000 mil vehículos domésticos y turísticos.

Miguel Alemán cuenta con 35 mil habitantes, “aunque la cifra no es oficial”, dijo González, ya que en censo del 2,000 reflejaron como 25 mil habitantes.

Esta frontera con Roma, Texas, se le considera un centro regional de negocios, porque confluyen cinco municipios.

“Estamos identificados como la séptima región económica de Tamaulipas”, dijo González.

“Los municipios que confluyen son Guerrero, Mier, Camargo y Díaz Ordaz”.

Ciudad Guerrero prepara aniversario

Refuerzan cultura del agua en Camargo

Por MIGUELTIMOSHENKOV

CAMARGO, México — El alcalde José Correa Guerrero y la presidenta del Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia, Diana Haro de Correa inauguraron el 22 de septiembre, con el tradicional corte de listón, el nuevo espacio de cultura del agua en las instalaciones de la escuela primaria Antonia López Ochoa.

El objetivo del espacio es crear conciencia sobre el uso racional del vital líquido, dijo la responsable del programa, Ludivina Gámez Montalvo.

“Si no cuidamos el agua va a escacear y las guerras mundiales del mañana ya no serán por petróleo ni por el oro sino por guerras por conseguir agua, dijo Gámez.

“Por eso debemos comenzar a cuidarlo desde ahora”.

Por su parte el Gerente general de la Comision Municipal de Agua Potable y Alcantarillado, Mario Alberto García Franco reconoció que en el trabajo de concientizar a la población sobre la cultura del agua están inmersos los tres órdenes de gobierno a través de las comisiones nacional y estatal y municipal del agua.

Por su parte Correa Guerrero felicitó a quienes participaron en la creación del espacio de cultura del agua y nombró a los niños vigilantes del líquido.

Alcalde, invitados y alumnos disfrutaron la proyección de dos cortometrajes en los que se dieron recomendaciones para el buen uso del agua.

ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE LAREDO

TIEMPO DE LAREDO

NUEVA CIUDAD GUERRERO, México — Con algarabía gobierno y sociedad civil trabajan para darle lucimiento a la celebración del 55 aniversario de inauguración de la presa Falcón y la cuarta reubicación como ciudad, del 17 al 26 de octubre.

“Invocamos a nuestros antepasados con la Revilla de 1,750, dijo la alcaldesa Olga Juliana Elizondo.

“Alcanzáremos 258 años desde aquella fecha de la fundación y los descendientes aun habitan esta región”.

El 19 de octubre de 1953 fue inaugurada oficialmente la Presa Internacional Falcón, por los Presidentes de México, D. Adolfo Ruiz Cortines y de Estados Unidos, Gral. Dwith D. Eisenhower, quienes sostuvieron una histórica entrevista en el Salón del Palacio Municipal, por ese motivo llamado de los “Presidentes”.

Las ruinas de la Antigua Ciudad inundada se conocen ahora como “Guerrero Viejo” y son motivo de admiración de sus numerosos visitantes.

El programa cultural del 55 Aniver-

Foto por Melva Lavín-Castillo | Tiempo de Zapata

La placa conmemorando la inauguración de la Presa Internacional Falcón el 19 de octubre de 1953, se encuentra en el Salón “Los Presidentes” del Palacio Municipal de Nueva Ciudad Guerrero. Las fiestas anuales inician el 17 de octubre. sario se basa en elegir a la soberana de la celebración cuya coronación se realiza frente al palacio de gobierno.

Con una verbena popular también se enmarcará el encendido de la lámpara votiva.

“El significado de esta luz, es que la armonía, el progreso, el crecimiento económico y la tranquilidad lleven a las familias por una ruta de felicidad”, dijo Elizondo.

La alcaldesa xtendió invitación a la comunidad de Texas y Tamaulipas a sumarse a la celebración de su renacimiento.

“Nuestro puente internacional permanecerá abierto hasta las 2 a.m. (en los días de fiesta)”, dijo la alcaldesa.

Oficialmente el cierre del puente es a las 8:45 p,m. pero existe una coordi-

nación con autoridades estadounidenses para la extensión de tiempo durante el Aniversario.

Cuenta la historia que esta población tuvo su mayor auge a mediados del siglo XIX, en que contó con su población mas elevada; diferentes causas contribuyeron a la detención de su crecimiento, entre ellas la suspensión de las obras del proyecto del ferrocarril, el movimiento social de la revolución de 1910, en que Ciudad Guerrero fue escenario de cruentas batallas entre las fuerzas gobiernistas y las constitucionalistas o revolucionarias que disputaban el control de la frontera que obligo a casi la totalidad de sus habitantes a huir a otras ciudades inclusive del extranjero y que después no regresaron a su terreno.

12A | THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2009

FAIR | Continued from Page 1A Like Alvarez, more than 200 Zapata kids have had their hands full lately because for the past several months, some even close to a year, have been raising livestock in preparation for this year’s county fair auction scheduled at 4 p.m. today.

“It’s very hard work,” Alvarez said Friday, shortly before the goat exhibition began. “Sometimes you’ll get joy out of it.”

And sometimes, her goat named Billy Bob dragged her on the ground.

“I was telling her, “Don’t let go,’” Alvarez’s mother recalled.

“It likes to jump around a lot. It goes crazy,” her daughter added.

Friday, the livestock were exhibited and judged at the Oswaldo H. and Juanita G. Ramirez Exhibit Hall.

Livestock included rabbits, turkeys, chickens, hogs, lambs and steer.

“My priority was on a goat because I thought that they were pretty cool and be fun to try and work with,” said Alvarez, a fifth grader at Villarreal Elementary School.

It’s her first year participating in the Zapata County Fair auction. She joined the 4-H North club last year after hearing about it at school.

Some friends of hers were in the club as well.

“It’s been a good experience,”

Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times

The Grand Champion turkey stares at fairgoers Friday afternoon at the fairgrounds.

Medina said. “It’s shown her a lot of responsibility.”

Her parents bought the goat in September 2008. They paid about $500 for Billy Bob, which was about 2 months old at the time.

Friday, Alvarez’s work came to a culmination with the goat judging.

She competed with about 15 other kids in the medium-heavy division.

“I’m nervous,” she said shortly before the goat exhibition began.

“I’m not sure how I’m going to do.”

Many participants and their families brought folding chairs to

COUNTY | Continued from Page 1A years ago,” Guerra said. “Cities get commission from utility companies and since Zapata County has the same powers as a city government, we want to see if we can also do this.”

Guerra said power companies are using county lands for free.

“We are providing the land and the only thing we get is free cable in the courthouse,” Guerra said.

Uribe will also talk to Congressmen Henry Cuellar about Zapata County’s dislike of the possibility of a low-level weir being constructed in Laredo.

“We are just letting him (Cuellar) know we think it will be detrimental to our county,” Rathmell said. “(If it is constructed), the water flow will not be sufficient. We also don’t like the quality of water that is going to be released.”

ZCISD | Continued from Page 1A Association of School Boards.

According to the report only two band or music directors are needed for every 250 students. Zapata CISD has five directors for the 180 students in the music program.

The report also recommends there be no fewer than 14 special education students per teacher; Zapata CISD has a special ed ratio of 10 student per teacher.

According to Jose Morales, chief personnel officer who presented the report, the district is only trying to learn about all its possibilities before making any decisions.

“We were just putting the facts on the table,” Morales said. “In May, after doing more research and looking at other studies, we will come back to the school board with a recommendation.”

(Taryn White may be reached at 728-2568 or

OBITUARIES the exhibit hall so they could keep an eye on their livestock. About 30 minutes before the goat exhibition, participants were feeding their goats and trying to keep them calm.

“Daddy, she needs food. She’s acting up,” one young girl told her father minutes before the exhibition started.

Meanwhile, parents gave their kids pep talks and reminded them how to properly walk with the goat and display it to the judge.

Livestock that placed first through sixth in a division are auctioned off.

Also Friday, Alvarez’s 4-yearold sister participated in the Sixth Annual Peewee Goat Show. The show’s purpose is to get young kids used to the ring and the animals.

More than 160 kids participated in that event compared to 115 last year.

“It brings in a lot of (spectators),” said Amy Salinas, one of three members of the Peewee Goat Show committee. “All the kids walk out with a smile on their face and dirt on their butts.”

(Nick Georgiou may be reached at 728-2582 or nickg@lmtonline.com)

REV. PETER J. MCNAMARA

ZAPATA, Texas — Rev. Peter J. McNamara, 81, passed away Wednesday, March 11, 2009, at Falcon Lake Nursing Home in Zapata, Texas.

A rosary will be recited Sunday, March 15, 2009, at 7 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic

Church. Visitation will follow until 9 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church.

On Monday, March 16, 2009, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church will be open at 8 a.m. for visitations. A funeral Mass will start at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Committal services will follow at Zapata County Cemetery.

Condolences may be sent to 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.

Subscribe to LMT at (956) 728-2550

The Zapata Times SATURDAY,FEBRUARY 21,2009

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors BORDER OLYMPICS GOLF

Cagers eying bi-district

By NINO CARDENAS THE ZAPATA TIMES

The Zapata Hawks basketball team has already surpassed expectations, but don’t expect it to relax just yet.

The Hawks (11-3) finished in second place in District 32-3A, behind district champion Hidalgo, and now travels to Falfurrias on Monday to take on Sinton in bi-district.

The game is set for a 6 p.m. tipoff.

While the team did set aside lofty goals to begin the season, the truth of the matter was that there was more reason to doubt their success.

“Not too many people expected that from us, especially with me being in my first year as coach,” head coach Juan Villar-

real said. “At the beginning I didn’t think it was going to be attainable. We just wanted to put up a dog fight in every single game and take one game at a time and hopefully buy a spot to go into the playoffs.”

A trip to the playoffs wasn’t supposed to come this quickly, and challenging for a title as district play drew to a close was even more of surprise.

Yet, from the beginning, the mix of seniors and sophomores didn’t take the oil and water route. Instead, they steadily began to believe in one another.

“These kids have come a long way from the first day of practice to now,” Villarreal said. “They bought into the program and we’re excited, the town is excited.

They started to listen to each oth-

er playing together. At the beginning they couldn’t find their identities and most had not played together. Out of the five seniors, only one had made it through the whole year last year.”

By the time district play rolled around the Hawks were slowly smoothing out the road toward success. The players responsible for the Hawks’ success are seniors Rene Garcia, Meliton Trejo, Arlo De Los Santos, Rene Benavides and Raul Serna and sophomores Andrew Magee, Joey Barrera, Louie Gonzalez, Ricky Martinez and Francisco Trejo.

They opened with four straight district wins before falling to Hidalgo.

Despite that loss, the previous victories served as the confidence springboard that lifted the Hawks

back into the postseason.

“They stepped up and met the challenges,” Villarreal said. “I liked the way they didn’t back down from anybody or any of my challenges.”

Villarreal had his expectations tempered as he took over the program. His plan was to bring the glory of yesterday back into the present, but the hard part now for the Zapata coaches and players is to focus on the task at hand.

While they’re satisfied at getting back to the playoffs, they walk the fine line of being content of just being there.

“We are trying to keep them relaxed, to not think that it’s too big of a step,” Villarreal said.

“Hopefully they act like they’ve been there before.”

See CAGERS | PAGE 2B

GETTING READY FOR THE DIAMOND Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times

Zapata’s Denise Benavides tees off on Hole No. 6 Friday morning as she participates in the Border Olympics High School Golf Tournament at the Casa Blanca Golf Course.

Seven positives in steriod tests

By JIM VERTUNO ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN — The second round of steroid testing for Texas high school athletes found only seven positive results in nearly 19,000 tests, about the same outcome as the program’s debut last year.

The latest results, released by the University Interscholastic League on Friday, came from random tests on male and female athletes from September through December.

The initial round of testing in the nation’s largest high school screening program found only four cases of steroid use in 10,000 athletes.

With such tiny numbers, some state lawmakers have questioned the value of the $6 million program. Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican, has suggested it may need to be scaled down.

A spokesman for Texas Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, a Republican who pushed the plan through the Legislature in 2007, said the few numbers of positive tests show the program “is clearly working as a deterrent.”

“The lieutenant governor believes the program is working as intended to keep young people from destroying their bodies and their lives by using steroids,” spokesman Rich Parsons said.

Texas, New Jersey and Illinois are the only states testing high

school athletes for steroids and the Texas program is by far the biggest, aiming to test up to 50,000 by the end of the school year.

Florida recently decided to scrap its smaller program with one steroid user caught in 600 tests. State officials said they couldn’t justify the $100,000 cost in a tough economy.

Texas state Sen. Dan Patrick, a Houston Republican, had previously criticized Texas program as a “colossal waste of taxpayer money.” His office declined comment on the results released Friday.

The Texas program is supported by prominent testing advocate Don Hooton, whose 17year-old son Taylor committed suicide while battling depression doctors believe was brought on by steroid use.

Hooton, who has testified before Congress on the dangers of steroid use, said testing is designed to prevent drug use, not to measure how many kids are doing it.

The small number of athletes caught should not discourage more testing, he said. It could be geared more toward sports that are known to draw users such as football, baseball and softball.

“They don’t stop testing Olympic athletes just because most of them don’t test positive,” Hooton said.

See SEVEN | PAGE 2B

Courtesy photo

The Zapata Lady Hawk softball captains this season are, from left, Lynda Leyva, Tessa Moss and Mayra Alaniz.

Lady Hawks prepare for tough opponents in new district

By CLARA SANDOVAL SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

he Zapata Lady Hawks have dusted off their bats and are ready to hit the diamond full force to open the softball season. Coach Jaime Garcia starts his sophomore year at the helm for Zapata after spending six years as the assistant softball coach for the Lady Hawks.

Zapata will feel the effects of last year’s realignment as it faces some tough competition in its new district, 32-3A. The Lady Hawks will face powerhouses Raymondville, Lyford and La Feria, which have a strong hold on the district and have gone deep in the playoffs.

Raymondville, the defending 31-3A champion, has owned the district, claiming the last four district titles and making a trip to

T

the regional quarterfinals last year.

Lyford returns fireball pitcher and last season’s All-Valley Newcomer of the Year Katrina Zamorano.

The La Feria Lionettes, defending 32-3A champions, will put up a fight and hope to improve on their 18-8 mark from last year.

Garcia also returns a wealth of experience on the diamond as he welcomes back nine lettermen.

He hopes the experience will lead to wins for the Lady Hawks and help them improve on last season’s 6-15 record.

“We are a year older and the experience we are returning from last year group will help us,” Garcia said. “If we can just put the pieces of the puzzle together we should do well this year.”

Last season during district play the Lady Hawks battled in every game and were with-

in striking distance of a win when they seemed to lose their composure at the end.

They lost six district games by three runs or fewer, as small mistakes would have a snowball effect on the team.

“Every game we were in it but we just made some costly mistakes down the stretch to cost us,” Garcia said.

Garcia welcomes back four-year lettermen Lynda Leyva, Tessa Moss and Myra Alaniz, who have made a steady impact on the softball program since their freshman year.

“All three of them are great leaders, and I expect big things from them,” Garcia said.

Leyva returns to the mound for pitching duties and will utilize her three years of experience to help the Lady Hawks to a playoff spot

See LADY HAKWS | PAGE 2B

Woods ready for links comeback

By DOUG FERGUSON ASSOCIATED PRESS

LOS ANGELES — Tiger Woods has been on the golf course every day, either practicing or playing, hitting his full array of shots without fear of pain shooting down his left leg or bones sliding out of place.

The next step is taking that inside the ropes. And not even Woods is sure what to expect.

“I’m as curious as you,” Woods said Friday during a conference call. “The feeling of adrenaline, the rush of competing and playing again, all that I haven’t done in a while.”

Woods will have gone more than eight months — 253 days to be exact — without hitting a shot that counts when he returns from reconstruc-

tive knee surgery next week at the Accenture Match Play Championship just north of Tucson, Ariz.

His goal is to win. That hasn’t changed. The surgery in June was to repair his knee, not his heart or his mind. But as confident as Woods feels about his game, his main concern is how sharp he will be in his first tournament since the U.S. Open last June.

“It’s one thing to do it in a practice environment at home against my buddies for a little bit of cash,” Woods said. “It’s a totally different deal to do it at a PGA Tour event against the best players in the world. I’m excited to get out there and experience that.”

But at least he’ll be doing it on a healthy knee, saying “it’s been years” since he was without pain.

“One of the great things coming back is my bones aren’t moving anymore,” Woods said. “It’s a very comforting feeling hitting a golf ball without your bones sliding all over the place. That’s been very exciting to play that way, and I’m looking forward to the season.”

Swing coach Hank Haney said the only change in his swing will be the finish, noting that Woods finally has a strong left knee that will not give way and “flop all over the place.”

The only noticeable change might be his golf bag.

Woods ended his nine-year endorsement deal with Buick because of the automaker’s financial problems. He said he will have AT&T on his bag as an extended partnership with the telecommunications giant.

AT&T is the title sponsor of his PGA Tour event in Washington and a major sponsor of his foundation.

He also has an endorsement with Accenture, although Woods said that wasn’t behind his decision to return.

The knee has felt strong enough that he could have played earlier.

All he waited on was the birth of his son, Charlie Axel, making sure his wife and baby were healthy before he went back to work.

“It was making sure the family was all good with the birth of Charlie and making sure Elin was OK, Charlie was OK, everything was safe and sound on the home front,” he said. “Then the focus was on playing again.”

Woods offered some insight on the name of his son.

Photo by Charlie Riedel | AP

In this June 15, 2008, file photo Tiger Woods holds on to his left knee after teeing off on the second hole during the fourth round of the U.S. Open at Torrey Pines Golf Course in San Diego.Woods will end his eight-month absence from competition Wednesday, Feb. 25, at the Accenture Match Play Championship outside Tucson,Ariz. He has not played since capturing the U.S. Open last year.

Zscores National League All Times EDT East Division W L Pct GB New York Philadelphia Florida Atlanta Washington

74 73 68 59 49

60 62 66 75 85

.552 — .541 1½ .507 6 .440 15 .366 25

Central Division W L Pct GB Chicago Milwaukee St. Louis Houston Cincinnati Pittsburgh

85 77 74 68 58 57

50 56 60 66 76 76

.630 — .579 7 .552 10½ .507 16½ .433 26½ .429 27

West Division W L Pct GB Arizona Los Angeles Colorado San Francisco San Diego

68 65 63 59 51

65 69 72 74 82

.511 — .485 3½ .467 6 .444 9 .383 17

Thursday’s Games Houston 3, Cincinnati 2 Atlanta 4, Florida 2 Washington 11, L.A. Dodgers 2 Chicago Cubs 6, Philadelphia 4 Friday’s Games Chicago Cubs 3, Philadelphia 2 Milwaukee at Pittsburgh, 7:05 p.m.

N.Y. Mets at Florida, 7:10 p.m.

San Francisco at Cincinnati, 7:10 p.m.

Atlanta at Washington, 7:35 p.m.

St. Louis at Houston, 8:05 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers at Arizona, 9:40 p.m.

Colorado at San Diego, 10:05 p.m.

Saturday’s Games Philadelphia (Myers 7-10) at Chicago Cubs (Lilly 13-7), 3:55 p.m.

Milwaukee (Suppan 9-7) at Pittsburgh (Maholm 8-7), 7:05 p.m.

St. Louis (Looper 12-10) at Houston (Moehler 9-5), 7:05 p.m.

N.Y. Mets (Pelfrey 13-8) at Florida (Nolasco 13-7), 7:10 p.m.

Atlanta (J.Reyes 3-10) at Washington (Bergmann 2-10), 7:10 p.m.

San Francisco (Correia 3-7) at Cincinnati (R.Ramirez 0-0), 7:10 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers (Billingsley 12-10) at Arizona (Haren 14-6), 8:10 p.m.

Colorado (Jimenez 9-11) at San Diego (Greer 0-0), 10:05 p.m.

Sunday’s Games San Francisco at Cincinnati, 12:35 p.m.

N.Y. Mets at Florida, 1:10 p.m.

Atlanta at Washington, 1:35 p.m.

Milwaukee at Pittsburgh, 1:35 p.m.

St. Louis at Houston, 2:05 p.m.

Philadelphia at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.

Colorado at San Diego, 4:05 p.m.

L.A. Dodgers at Arizona, 8:05 p.m.

American League All Times EDT East Division Tampa Bay Boston New York Toronto Baltimore

W

L

Pct GB

81 77 71 68 63

51 56 62 65 70

.614 .579 .534 .511 .474

— 4½ 10½ 13½ 18½

Central Division W L Pct GB Chicago Minnesota Cleveland Detroit Kansas City

76 75 65 64 56

57 59 67 69 77

.571 — .560 1½ .492 10½ .481 12 .421 20

West Division W L Pct GB Los Angeles Texas Oakland Seattle

81 66 62 50

52 69 72 83

.609 — .489 16 .463 19½ .376 31

Thursday’s Games N.Y. Yankees 3, Boston 2 Tampa Bay 3, Toronto 2 Oakland 3, Minnesota 2 L.A. Angels 7, Texas 5 Friday’s Games Toronto at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at Boston, 7:05 p.m.

Kansas City at Detroit, 7:05 p.m.

Seattle at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m.

Baltimore at Tampa Bay, 7:10 p.m.

Minnesota at Oakland, 10:05 p.m.

Texas at L.A. Angels, 10:05 p.m.

Saturday’s Games Toronto (Parrish 1-0) at N.Y. Yankees (Rasner 5-9), 1:05 p.m.

Seattle (Washburn 5-14) at Cleveland (Reyes 2-1), 3:55 p.m.

Baltimore (D.Cabrera 8-8) at Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine 13-6), 3:55 p.m.

Chicago White Sox (Buehrle 11-10) at Boston (Pauley 0-0), 7:05 p.m.

Kansas City (Duckworth 1-0) at Detroit (Rogers 9-11), 7:05 p.m.

Minnesota (Liriano 4-3) at Oakland (Braden 4-3), 9:05 p.m.

Texas (Feldman 5-5) at L.A. Angels (Jer.Weaver 10-10), 9:05 p.m.

Sunday’s Games Toronto at N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 p.m.

Kansas City at Detroit, 1:05 p.m.

Seattle at Cleveland, 1:05 p.m.

Chicago White Sox at Boston, 1:35 p.m.

Baltimore at Tampa Bay, 1:40 p.m.

Texas at L.A. Angels, 3:35 p.m.

Minnesota at Oakland, 4:05 p.m.

MLB leaders

NATIONAL LEAGUE

BATTING—CJones, Atlanta, .359; Pujols, St. Louis, .357; Holliday, Colorado, .340; Berkman, Houston, .333; CaLee, Houston, .314; Theriot, Chicago, .311; YMolina, St. Louis, .311.

RUNS—Berkman, Houston, 100; HRamirez, Florida, 98; Holliday, Colorado, 95; JReyes, New York, 95; DWright, New York, 93; Beltran, New York, 92; Utley, Philadelphia, 90; Ludwick, St. Louis, 90.

RBI—Howard, Philadelphia, 112; DWright, New York, 100; CaLee, Houston, 100; ArRamirez, Chicago, 99; Ludwick, St. Louis, 97; Berkman, Houston, 93; Delgado, New York, 93.

HITS—JReyes, New York, 174; Holliday, Colorado, 156; Berkman, Houston, 156; DLee, Chicago, 155; Theriot, Chicago, 154; Pujols, St. Louis, 153; Atkins, Colorado, 152.

DOUBLES—Berkman, Houston, 41; McLouth, Pittsburgh, 39; Hart, Milwaukee, 39; Young, Arizona, 38; DWright, New York, 37; Kemp, Los Angeles, 36; ArRamirez, Chicago, 36.

TRIPLES—JReyes, New York, 16; FLewis, San Francisco, 11; SDrew, Arizona, 9; Rollins, Philadelphia, 9; Victorino, Philadelphia, 7; BPhillips, Cincinnati, 7; Braun, Milwaukee, 6; Loney, Los Angeles, 6; CJackson, Arizona, 6; Weeks, Milwaukee, 6.

HOME RUNS—Howard, Philadelphia, 36; Dunn, Arizona, 34; Braun, Milwaukee, 33; Ludwick, St. Louis, 32; Utley, Philadelphia, 31; Burrell,

Philadelphia, 30; Delgado, New York, 30.

STOLEN BASES—Taveras, Colorado, 61; JReyes, New York, 43; Pierre, Los Angeles, 38; Rollins, Philadelphia, 36; Bourn, Houston, 34; Kemp, Los Angeles, 29; HRamirez, Florida, 29; Victorino, Philadelphia, 29.

PITCHING (14 Decisions)—Lincecum, San Francisco, 15-3, .833, 2.43; Webb, Arizona, 19-5, .792, 2.96; Volquez, Cincinnati, 15-5, .750, 2.80; Dempster, Chicago, 15-5, .750, 2.95; Zambrano, Chicago, 13-5, .722, 3.53; Haren, Arizona, 14-6, .700, 3.10; Wellemeyer, St. Louis, 11-5, .687, 3.87.

STRIKEOUTS—Lincecum, San Francisco, 210; Billingsley, Los Angeles, 171; Haren, Arizona, 171; Hamels, Philadelphia, 168; Cain, San Francisco, 161; Dempster, Chicago, 160; JSantana, New York, 159.

SAVES—BWilson, San Francisco, 36; Valverde, Houston, 35; Lidge, Philadelphia, 31; Gregg, Florida, 29; KWood, Chicago, 28; BWagner, New York, 27; Hoffman, San Diego, 27.

AMERICAN LEAGUE BATTING—Bradley, Texas, .322; Kinsler, Texas, .319; Pedroia, Boston, .317; Mauer, Minnesota, .317; Youkilis, Boston, .316; Polanco, Detroit, .312; ISuzuki, Seattle, .311; Damon, New York, .311.

RUNS—Kinsler, Texas, 102; Pedroia, Boston, 101; Markakis, Baltimore, 95; Quentin, Chicago, 95; BRoberts, Baltimore, 92; Granderson, Detroit, 88; Peralta, Cleveland, 86; ARodriguez, New York, 86.

RBI—Hamilton, Texas, 116; Morneau, Minnesota, 103; Quentin, Chicago, 100; MiCabrera, Detroit, 100; Mora, Baltimore, 97; Huff, Baltimore, 94; Youkilis, Boston, 91.

HITS—Pedroia, Boston, 174; ISuzuki, Seattle, 174; Kinsler, Texas, 165; JoLopez, Seattle, 158; BRoberts, Baltimore, 157; MiYoung, Texas, 157; Morneau, Minnesota, 156; Ibanez, Seattle, 156.

DOUBLES—BRoberts, Baltimore, 46; Kinsler, Texas, 41; Markakis, Baltimore, 40; Pedroia, Boston, 40; Rios, Toronto, 40; Huff, Baltimore, 40; Ibanez, Seattle, 39.

TRIPLES—Granderson, Detroit, 10; Crawford, Tampa Bay, 10; BRoberts, Baltimore, 8; Inglett, Toronto, 7; AJones, Baltimore, 6; Rios, Toronto, 6; ISuzuki, Seattle, 6.

HOME RUNS—Quentin, Chicago, 36; Dye, Chicago, 32; Sizemore, Cleveland, 31; Hamilton, Texas, 29; Huff, Baltimore, 29; MiCabrera, Detroit, 28; ARodriguez, New York, 28; Thome, Chicago, 28.

STOLEN BASES—Ellsbury, Boston, 41; ISuzuki, Seattle, 39; Upton, Tampa Bay, 38; Sizemore, Cleveland, 34; BRoberts, Baltimore, 33; Rios, Toronto, 30; CaGomez, Minnesota, 27.

PITCHING (14 Decisions)—CLee, Cleveland, 19-2, .905, 2.43; Matsuzaka, Boston, 15-2, .882, 2.98; Perkins, Minnesota, 12-3, .800, 3.96; Galarraga, Detroit, 12-4, .750, 3.20; ESantana, Los Angeles, 13-5, .722, 3.41; Lester, Boston, 12-5, .706, 3.41; GFloyd, Chicago, 14-6, .700, 3.70.

STRIKEOUTS—Burnett, Toronto, 185; ESantana, Los Angeles, 176; Halladay, Toronto, 175; JVazquez, Chicago, 163; Greinke, Kansas City, 151; FHernandez, Seattle, 147; CLee, Cleveland, 145; Beckett, Boston, 145.

SAVES—FRodriguez, Los Angeles, 51; Nathan, Minnesota, 36; Papelbon, Boston, 34; Soria, Kansas City, 33; Sherrill, Baltimore, 31; MRivera, New York, 31; Percival, Tampa Bay, 27.

College Football Schedule All Times EDT Saturday, Aug. 30 EAST Coastal Carolina at Penn St., Noon Bowling Green at Pittsburgh, Noon Monmouth, N.J. at Rhode Island, 1 p.m.

Towson at Navy, 3:30 p.m.

Villanova at West Virginia, 3:30 p.m.

Bryant at Cent. Connecticut St., 5 p.m.

Albany, N.Y. at Massachusetts, 6 p.m.

Assumption at Sacred Heart, 6 p.m.

Colgate at Stony Brook, 6 p.m.

SOUTH Virginia Tech at East Carolina, Noon Hawaii at Florida, 12:30 p.m.

Georgia Southern at Georgia, 12:30 p.m.

Birmingham-Southern at Campbell, 1 p.m.

Southern Cal at Virginia, 3:30 p.m.

Delaware at Maryland, 3:45 p.m.

Tulsa at UAB, 4 p.m.

Illinois St. at Marshall, 4:30 p.m.

Appalachian St. at LSU, 5 p.m.

SE Louisiana at Alcorn St., 6 p.m.

Alabama St. at Florida A&M, 6 p.m.

Texas College at MVSU, 6 p.m.

Johnson C. Smith at N. Carolina A&T, 6 p.m.

Virginia St. at Norfolk St., 6 p.m.

McNeese St. at North Carolina, 6 p.m.

S. Carolina St. at UCF, 6 p.m.

Mississippi St. at Louisiana Tech, 6:45 p.m.

Tennessee St. at Alabama A&M, 7 p.m.

Louisiana-Monroe at Auburn, 7 p.m.

James Madison at Duke, 7 p.m.

Richmond at Elon, 7 p.m.

North Greenville at Liberty, 7 p.m.

Memphis at Mississippi, 7 p.m.

Texas A&M Commerce at Northwestern St., 7 p.m.

Jacksonville at Savannah St., 7 p.m.

Tenn.-Martin at South Florida, 7 p.m.

Louisiana-Lafayette at Southern Miss., 7 p.m.

Webber International at The Citadel, 7 p.m.

Presbyterian at Wofford, 7 p.m.

Mars Hill at Furman, 7:05 p.m.

Alabama at Clemson, 8 p.m.

MIDWEST W. Kentucky at Indiana, Noon Maine at Iowa, Noon Syracuse at Northwestern, Noon

SATURDAY,AUGUST30,2008

Youngstown St. at Ohio St., Noon Akron at Wisconsin, Noon Utah at Michigan, 3:30 p.m.

Fla. International at Kansas, 7 p.m.

N. Illinois at Minnesota, 7 p.m.

W. Michigan at Nebraska, 7 p.m.

North Texas at Kansas St., 7:05 p.m.

Boston College at Kent St., 7:30 p.m.

St. Ambrose at South Dakota, 8 p.m.

Illinois vs. Missouri at St. Louis, 8:30 p.m.

SOUTHWEST Florida Atlantic at Texas, 7 p.m.

Ark.-Monticello at Ark.-Pine Bluff, 7 p.m.

W. Illinois at Arkansas, 7 p.m.

Southern U. at Houston, 7 p.m.

Chattanooga at Oklahoma, 7 p.m.

Langston at Stephen F.Austin, 7 p.m.

Arkansas St. at Texas A&M, 7 p.m.

Angelo St. at Texas St., 7 p.m.

E. Washington at Texas Tech, 7 p.m.

Texas Southern vs. Prairie View at Houston, 8 p.m.

FAR WEST S. Utah at Air Force, 2 p.m.

Ohio at Wyoming, 2 p.m.

Adams St. at Montana St., 3:05 p.m.

Oklahoma St. at Washington St., 3:30 p.m.

W. Oregon at Portland St., 4:05 p.m.

N. Iowa at BYU, 6 p.m.

TCU at New Mexico, 6 p.m.

Idaho St. at Boise St., 8 p.m.

Michigan St. at California, 8 p.m.

UC Davis at San Jose St., 8 p.m.

Grambling St. at Nevada, 9:05 p.m.

Humboldt St. at Sacramento St., 9:05 p.m.

Cal Poly at San Diego St., 9:30 p.m.

Idaho at Arizona, 10 p.m.

N. Arizona at Arizona St., 10 p.m.

Washington at Oregon, 10 p.m.

Utah St. at UNLV, 10 p.m.

Sunday, Aug. 31 SOUTH Jackson St. at Hampton, 2 p.m.

Kentucky at Louisville, 3:30 p.m.

Fayetteville St. at N.C. Central, 4 p.m.

MIDWEST Dayton at Central St., Ohio, 5 p.m.

FAR WEST Colorado St. vs. Colorado at Denver, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Sept. 1 EAST Fresno St. at Rutgers, 4:30 p.m.

FAR WEST Tennessee at UCLA, 8 p.m.

CONCACAF Champions League At A Glance PRELIMINARY ROUND First Leg Tuesday, Aug. 26 Joe Public (Trindad) 2, New England (United States) 1 Tauro FC (Panama) 2, Chivas USA (United States) 0 Cruz Azul (Mexico) 6, Hankook Verdes (Belize) 0 Wednesday, Aug. 27 Montreal Impact (Canada) 1, Real Esteli (Nicaragua) 0 Alajuelense (Costa Rica) 1, Puerto Rico Islanders 1 Isidro Metapan (El Salvador) 2, Marathon (Honduras) 2, tie Thursday, Aug. 28 Harbour View (Jamaica) vs.

Pumas UNAM (Mexico), ppd., hurricane Jalapa (Guatemala) 1, San Francisco FC (Panama) 0 Friday, Aug. 29 Harbour View (Jamaica) vs.

Pumas UNAM (Mexico), ppd., hurricane Thursday, Sept. 4 Harbour View (Jamaica) vs.

Pumas UNAM (Mexico) Second Leg Tuesday, Sept. 2 New England (United States) vs.

Joe Public (Trinidad) Chivas USA (United States) vs.

Tauro FC (Panama) Real Esteli (Nicaragua) vs. Montreal Impact (Canada) Wednesday, Sept. 3 Puerto Rico Islanders vs. Alajuelense (Costa Rica) Hankook Verdes (Belize) vs. Cruz Azul (Mexico) Marathon (Honduras) vs. Isidro Metapan (El Salvador) Thursday, Sept. 4 San Francisco FC (Panama) vs.

Jalapa (Guatemala) Pumas UNAM (Mexico) vs. Harbour View (Jamaica) GROUP STAGE Group A Team GP W D L GF GA Pts DC United (USA) 0 0 Saprissa (CRC) 0 0 Cruz Azul-Hankook0 0 Metapan-Marathon0 0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0 0 0 0

0

0

0

0 0

0

0

0

0 0

Tuesday, Sept. 16 D.C. United (United States) vs.

Saprissa (Costa Rica) Wednesday, Sept. 17 Isirdo Metapan-Marathon winner vs. Cruz Azul-Hankook Verdes winner Tuesday, Sept. 23 Cruz Azul-Hankook Verdes winner vs. Saprissa (Costa Rica) Wednesday, Sept. 24 Isirdo Metapan-Marathon winner vs. D.C. United (United States) Tuesday, Sept. 30 Saprissa (Costa Rica) vs. Isirdo Metapan-Marathon winner Wednesday, Oct. 1 D.C. United (United States) vs.

Cruz Azul-Hankook Verdes winner Tuesday, Oct. 7 Cruz Azul-Hankook Verdes winner vs. Isirdo Metapan-Marathon winner Thursday, Oct. 9 Saprissa (Costa Rica) vs. D.C. United (United States) Tuesday, Oct. 21 Cruz Azul-Hankook Verdes winner

vs. D.C. United (United States) Thursday, Oct. 23 Isirdo Metapan-Marathon winner vs. Saprissa (Costa Rica) Tuesday, Oct. 29 D.C. United (United States) vs.

Isirdo Metapan-Marathon winner Saprissa (Costa Rica) vs. Cruz Azul-Hankook Verdes winner Group B Team GP W D L GF GA Pts Houston (USA) 0 Firpo (Slv) 0 Jalapa-San Fran 0 Harbour-Pumas 0

0 0

0

0

0 0

0 0

0

0

0 0

0 0

0

0

0 0

0 0

0

0

0 0

Tuesday, Sept. 16 Jalapa-San Francisco winner vs.

Harbour View-Pumas winner Wednesday, Sept. 17 Houston (United States) vs. Firpo (El Salvador) Tuesday, Sept. 23 Jalapa-San Francisco winner vs.

Houston (United States) Wednesday, Sept. 24 Harbour View-Pumas winner vs.

Firpo (El Salvador) Tuesday, Sept. 30 Harbour View-Pumas winner vs.

Houston (United States) Thursday, Oct. 2 Firpo (El Salvador) vs. Jalapa-San Francisco winner Wednesday, Oct. 8 Houston (United States) vs. JalapaSan Francisco winner Thursday, Oct. 9 Firpo (El Salvador) vs. Habour View-Pumas winner Wednesday, Oct. 22 Houston (United States) vs. Habour View-Pumas winner Jalapa-San Francisco winner vs.

Firpo (El Salvador) Tuesday, Oct. 28 Firpo (El Salvador) vs. Houston (United States) Habour View-Pumas winner vs.

Jalapa-San Francisco winner Group C Team GP W D L GF GA Pts Atlante (Mex) 0 0 0 Olimpia (Hon) 0 0 0 J.Public-New England 0 0 0 Canada-Real Esteli0 0 0

0

0

0

0

0 0 0 0

0

0

0 0

0

0

0 0

Wednesday, Sept. 17 Canada-Real Esteli winner vs. Joe Public-New England winner Thursday, Sept. 18 Atlante (Mexico) vs. Olimpia or Marathon Wednesday, Sept. 24 Joe Public-New England winner vs.

Olimpia or Marathon Canada-Real Esteli winner vs. Atlante (Mexico) Tuesday, Sept. 30 Atlante (Mexico) vs. Joe PublicNew England winner Thursday, Oct. 2 Olimpia or Marathon vs. CanadaReal Esteli winner Wednesday, Oct. 8 Joe Public-New England winner vs.

Canada-Real Esteli winner Olimpia (Honduras) vs. Atlante (Mexico) Tuesday, Oct. 21 Canada-Real Esteli winner vs.

Olimpia (Honduras) Joe Public-New England winner vs.

Atlante (Mexico) Tuesday, Oct. 28 Olimpia (Honduras) vs. Joe PublicNew England winner Atlante (Mexico) vs. Canada-Real Esteli winner Group D Team GP W D L GF GA Pts Santos (Mex) 0 0 0 Municipal (Gua) 0 0 0 Alajuelense-PR Island0 0 0 Chivas USA-Tauro 0 0 0

0

0

0

0

0 0 0 0

0

0

0 0

0

0

0 0

Tuesday, Sept. 16 Alajuelense-Puerto Rico winner vs.

Chivas USA-Tauro winner Wednesday, Sept. 17 Santos (Mexico) vs. Municipal (Guatemala) Tuesday, Sept. 23 Chivas USA-Tauro winner vs. Municipal (Guatemala) Thursday, Sept. 25 Alajuelense-Puerto Rico winner vs.

Santos (Mexico) Wednesday, Oct. 1 Municipal (Guatemala) vs. Alajuelense-Puerto Rico winner Chivas USA-Tauro winner vs. Santos (Mexico) Tuesday, Oct. 7 Municipal (Guatemala) vs. Chivas USA-Tauro winner Wednesday, Oct. 8 Santos (Mexico) vs. AlajuelensePuerto Rico winner Wednesday, Oct. 22 Santos (Mexico) vs. Chivas USATauro winner Thursday, Oct. 23 Alajuelense-Puerto Rico winner vs.

Municipal (Guatemala) Tuesday, Oct. 29 Chivas USA-Tauro winner vs. Alajuelense-Puerto Rico winner Wednesday, Oct. 30 Municipal (Guatemala) vs. Santos (Mexico) QUARTERFINALS First Leg Tuesday, Feb. 24-Thursday, Feb. 26 Pairings TBD Second Leg Tuesday, March 3-Thursday March 5 Pairings TBD SEMIFINALS First Leg Tuesday, March 17-Thursday, March 19 Pairings TBD Second Leg Tuesday, April 7-Thursday, April 9 Pairings TBD FINALS First Leg Tuesday, April 21-Thursday, April 23 Semifinal winners Second Leg Tuesday, April 28-Thursday, April 30 Semifinal winners

European Champions League All Times EDT FIRST ROUND Top two teams in each group advance Third-place teams advance to UEFA Cup (Home teams listed first) GROUP A GP W D L GFGA PTS Bordeaux 0 Chelsea 0 CFR Cluj 0 AS Roma 0

0 0

0

0

0 0

0

0

0 0 0 0

0 0

0

0

0 0

0 0

0

0

0 0

Tuesday, Sept. 16 Chelsea (England) vs. Bordeaux (France), 2:45 p.m.

AS Roma (Italy) vs. CFR Cluj (Romania), 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 1 Bordeaux vs. AS Roma, 2:45 p.m.

CFR Cluj vs. Chelsea, 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 22 Bordeaux vs. CFR Cluj, 2:45 p.m.

Chelsea vs. AS Roma, 2:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 4 CFR Cluj vs. Bordeaux, 2:45 p.m.

AS Roma vs. Chelsea, 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 26 Bordeaux vs. Chelsea, 2:45 p.m.

CFR Cluj vs. AS Roma, 2:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 9 Chelsea vs. CFR Cluj, 2:45 p.m.

AS Roma vs. Bordeaux, 2:45 p.m.

GROUP B GP W D L GFGA PTS Anorthis 0 Inter Milan 0 Panathinaikos 0 Werder Bremen 0

0 0

0

0

0 0

0

0

0 0 0 0

0 0

0

0

0 0

0 0

0

0

0 0

Tuesday, Sept. 16 Panathinaikos (Greece) vs. Inter Milan (Italy), 2:45 p.m.

Werder Bremen (Germany) vs.

Anorthosis Famagusta (Cyprus), 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 1 Anorthosis Famagusta vs.

Panathinaikos, 2:45 p.m.

Inter Milan vs. Werder Bremen, 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 22 Inter Milan vs. Anorthosis Famagusta, 2:45 p.m.

Panathinaikos vs. Werder Bremen, 2:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 4 Anorthosis Famagusta vs. Inter Milan, 2:45 p.m.

Werder Bremen vs. Panathinaikos, 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 26 Anorthosis Famagusta vs. Werder Bremen, 2:45 p.m.

Inter Milan vs. Panathinaikos, 2:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 9 Panathinaikos vs. Anorthosis Famagusta, 2:45 p.m.

Werder Bremen vs. Inter Milan, 2:45 p.m.

GROUP C GP W D L GFGA PTS Barcelona 0 Basel 0 Shakhtar Donetsk 0 Sporting Lisbon 0

0 0

0

0

0 0

0

0

0 0 0 0

0 0

0

0

0 0

0 0

0

0

0 0

Tuesday, Sept. 16 Barcelona (Spain) vs. Sporting Lisbon (Portugal), 2:45 p.m.

Basel (Switzerland) vs. Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine), 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 1 Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Barcelona, 2:45 p.m.

Sporting Lisbon vs. Basel, 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 22 Basel vs. Barcelona, 2:45 p.m.

Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Sporting Lisbon, 2:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Nov. 4 Barcelona vs. Basel, 2:45 p.m.

Sporting Lisbon vs. Shakhtar Donetsk, 2:45 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 26 Shakhtar Donetsk vs. Basel, 2:45 p.m.

Sporting Lisbon vs. Barcelona, 2:45 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 9 Barcelona vs. Shakhtar Donetsk, 2:45 p.m.

Basel vs. Sporting Lisbon, 2:45 p.m.

Friday’s European Cups (Home teams listed first) European Super Cup At Monte Carlo, Monaco Zenit St. Petersburg (Russia) 2, Manchester United (England) 1

UEFA Cup Draw MONTE CARLO, Monaco (AP) — Draw Friday for the 2008-09 UEFA Cup (home teams for first leg listed first): First Round First leg Sept. 18, second leg Oct. 2 APOEL Nicosia (Cyprus) vs.

Schalke (Germany) Ajax Amsterdam (Netherlands) vs.

Borac (Serbia) Austria Vienna (Austria) vs. Lech Poznan (Poland) Banik Ostrava (Czech Republic) vs. Spartak Moscow (Russia) Bellinzona (Switzerland) vs.

Galatasaray (Turkey) Borussia Dortmund (Germany) vs.

Udinese (Italy) Braga (Portugal) vs. Artmedia Petrzalka (Slovakia) Brann (Norway) vs. Deportivo La Coruna (Spain) Brondby (Denmark) vs. Rosenborg (Norway) Cherno More Varna (Bulgaria) vs.

Stuttgart (Germany) Copenhagen (Denmark) vs.

Moscow (Russia) Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia) vs. Sparta Prague (Czech Republic) Everton (England) vs. Standard Liege (Belgium) Feyenoord (Netherlands) vs.

Kalmar (Sweden) Hamburg (Germany) vs. Unirea Valahorum Urziceni (Romania)

Hapoel Tel-Aviv (Israel) vs. Saint Etienne (France) Hertha Berlin (Germany) vs. St. Patricks (Ireland) Kayserispor (Turkey) vs. Paris Saint-Germain (France) Litex Lovech (Bulgaria) vs. Aston Villa (England) MSK Zilina (Slovakia) vs. Levski Sofia (Bulgaria) Manchester City (England) vs.

Omonia Nicosia (Cyprus) Maritimo (Portugal) vs. Valencia (Spain) Metalist Kharkiv (Ukraine) vs. Besiktas (Turkey) AC Milan (Italy) vs. Zurich (Switzerland) NEC Breda (Netherlands) vs. Dinamo Bucharest (Romania) Nancy (France) vs. Motherwell (Scotland) Napoli (Italy) vs. Benfica (Portugal) Nordsjaelland (Denmark) vs.

Olympiakos (Greece) Politehnica Timisoara (Romania) vs. Partizan Belgrade (Serbia) Portsmouth (England) vs.

Guimaraes (Portugal) Racing Santander (Spain) vs. Honka Espoo (Finland) Rennes (France) vs. Twente (Netherlands) Sampdoria (Italy) vs. Kaunas (Lithuania) Sevilla (Spain) vs. Salzburg (Austria) Slaven Koprivnica (Croatia) vs.

CSKA Moscow (Russia) Slavia Prague (Czech Republic) vs. Vaslui (Romania) Tottenham (England) vs. Wisla Krakow (Poland) Vitoria Setubal (Portugal) vs.

Heerenveen (Netherlands) Wolfsburg (Germany) vs. Rapid Bucharest (Romania) Young Boys Berne (Switzerland) vs. Club Brugge (Belgium)

U.S. Open At The USTA Billie Jean King Na tional Tennis Center New York Purse: $20.657 million Surface: Hard-Outdoor Singles Men Second Round Fernando Gonzalez (11), Chile, def.

Bobby Reynolds, U.S., 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-4.

Nikolay Davydenko (5), Russia, def. Agustin Calleri, Argentina, 6-4, 64, 7-6 (2).

Dmitry Tursunov (26), Russia, def.

Victor Hanescu, Romania, 6-7 (2), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

Jarkko Nieminen, Finland, def. Ivo Minar, Czech Republic, 6-7 (2), 3-6, 64, 6-3, 6-2.

Gilles Muller, Luxembourg, def.

Tommy Haas, Germany, 2-6, 2-6, 7-6 (5), 6-3, 6-3.

Roger Federer (2), Switzerland, def. Thiago Alves, Brazil, 6-3, 7-5, 6-4.

Marin Cilic (30), Croatia, def. Robby Ginepri, U.S., 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, 7-5.

Nicolas Almagro (18), Spain, def.

Sam Warburg, U.S., 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Igor Andreev (23), Russia, def. Jeremy Chardy, France, 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-3.

Novak Djokovic (3), Serbia, def.

Robert Kendrick, U.S., 7-6 (8), 6-4, 6-4.

Fernando Verdasco (13), Spain, def.

Rui Machado, Portugal, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-0.

Women Third Round Jelena Jankovic (2), Serbia, def.

Zheng Jie, China, 7-5, 7-5.

Li Na, China, def. Ekaterina Makarova, Russia, 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

Elena Dementieva (5), Russia, def.

Anne Keothavong, Britain, 6-3, 6-4.

Katarina Srebotnik (28), Slovenia, def. Svetlana Kuznetsova (3), Russia, 6-3, 6-7 (1), 6-3.

Caroline Wozniacki (21), Denmark, def. Victoria Azarenka (14), Belarus, 6-4, 6-4.

Sybille Bammer (29), Austria, def.

Tatiana Perebiynis, Ukraine, 6-3, 6-0.

Doubles Men Second Round Rik de Voest, South Africa/Ashley Fisher, Australia, def. Pablo Cuevas, Uruguay/Luis Horna (12), Peru, 7-6 (3), 6-2.

Lukas Dlouhy, Czech Republic/Leander Paes (7), India, def. Eduardo Schwank, Argentina/Potito Starace, Italy, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

Marcelo Melo/Andre Sa (15), Brazil, def. Jurgen Melzer, Austria/Rainer Schuettler, Germany, 6-3, 7-6 (0).

Maximo Gonzalez/Juan Monaco, Argentina, def. Amer Delic/Alex Kuznetsov, U.S., 1-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Mahesh Bhupathi, India/Mark Knowles (4), Bahamas, def. Yves Allegro, Switzerland/Horia Tecau, Romania, 6-3, 6-3.

Martin Damm/Pavel Vizner (11), Czech Republic, def. Michael McClune/Kaes Van’t Hof, U.S., 6-0, 6-0.

Christopher Kas/Philipp Petzschner, Germany, def. Jonas Bjorkman, Sweden/Kevin Ullyett (5), Zimbabwe, 6-7 (2), 6-1, 7-6 (3).

Daniel Nestor, Canada/Nenad Zimonjic (1), Serbia, def. Ross Hutchins/Andy Murray, Britain, 7-5, 36, 7-6 (2).

Women Second Round Janette Husarova, Slovakia/Peng Shuai (11), China, def. Liga Dekmeijere, Latvia/Tsvetana Pironkova, Bulgaria, 7-5, 6-1.

Julie Ditty/Carly Gullickson, U.S., def. Tathiana Garbin, Italy/Tamira Paszek, Austria, 7-5, 6-4.

Klaudia Jans/Alicja Rosolska, Poland, def. Sorana Cirstea/Monica Niculescu, Romania, 7-6 (6), 2-6, 6-2.

Stephanie Foretz/Camille Pin, France, def. Tracy Lin/Riza Zalameda, U.S., 6-3, 6-3.

Tatiana Poutchek, Belarus/Anastasia Rodionova, Australia, def. Nuria Llagostera Vives/Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (14), Spain, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.

Dominika Cibulkova, Slovakia/Virginie Razzano, France, def. Iveta Benesova, Czech Republic/Galina Voskoboeva (12), Russia, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

2B

SPORT SHORTS Casa Blanca Open for Labor Day Casa Blanca Golf Course will be open on Labor Day (Monday) from 7 a.m.–7 p.m.

Laredo Adult Baseball League Team and individual registration for the Laredo Adult Baseball League will start Monday.

There are three divisions: Major/Open (young adults up to 34 year olds), Veterans (35-47 year olds) and Masters (48-years plus).

For more information, contact Marco Escamilla at 333-9005 or Jesse Montemayor at 333-6935.

(5).

Marina Erakovic, New Zealand/Jelena Kostanic Tosic, Croatia, def.

Maria Elena Camerin, Italy/Gisela Dulko, Argentina, 6-4, 6-3.

Cara Black, Zimbabwe/Liezel Huber (1), U.S., def. Lucie Hradecka/Renata Voracova, Czech Republic, 6-4, 61.

Mixed First Round Rennae Stubbs, Australia/Robert Lindstedt, Sweden, def. Nathalie Dechy, France/Andy Ram (8), Israel, 6-4, 6-4.

Flavia Pennetta, Italy/Dusan Vemic, Serbia, def. Janette Husarova, Slovakia/Jeff Coetzee, South Africa, 6-1, 6-1.

Elena Vesnina, Russia/Mariusz Fyrstenberg, Poland, def. Yan Zi, China/Mark Knowles (7), Bahamas, 7-6 (7), 2-3, retired.

Jill Craybas/Eric Butorac, U.S., def. Ai Sugiyama, Japan/Kevin Ullyett (3), Zimbabwe, 6-4, 6-4.

Nadia Petrova, Russia/Jonas Bjorkman, Sweden, def. Anna Chakvetadze, Russia/Max Mirnyi, Belarus, 6-3, 6-1.

Transactions BASEBALL Major League Baseball MLB—Suspended New York Yankees minor league RHP Justo Arias and LHP Rafael Martinez and Chicago Cubs minor league RHP Jhon Rodriguez for 50 games each for testing positive for banned substances. The suspensions will be effective at the start of next season.

American League BOSTON RED SOX—Placed RHP Josh Beckett on the 15-day DL, retroactive to August 18. Placed 1B Sean Casey on the 15-day DL, retroactive to August 20. Purchased the contract of C David Ross from Pawtucket (IL). Transferred SS Julio Lugo from the 15- to the 60-day DL. CLEVELAND INDIANS—Activated C Victor Martinez from the 15-day DL. Designated INF Andy Gonzalez for assignment.

National League ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS—Activated OF Justin Upton from the 15day DL. Recalled RHP Max Scherzer from Tucson (PCL). Optioned OF Alex Romero and RHP Leo Rosales to Tucson.

ATLANTA BRAVES—Added RHP Elmer Dessens to the 25-man roster.

Optioned RHP Charlie Morton to Richmond (IL).

SAN DIEGO PADRES—Placed OF Scott Hairston on the 15-day DL. Recalled RHP Cla Meredith from Portland (PCL). Purchased the contracts of RHP Josh Geer and OF Will Venable from Portland. Sent RHP Josh Banks outright to Portland. Announced LHP Wil Ledezma has been claimed off outright waivers by Arizona.

WASHINGTON NATIONALS—Sent RHP Brian Sanches and RHP Chris Schroder outright to Columbus (IL).

American Association SHREVEPORT SPORTS—Traded INF Ron Fenwick to Lancaster (Atlantic) for a player to be named.

Can-Am League NEW JERSEY JACKALS—Released INF David Urias.

QUEBEC CAPITALES—Released RHP Gabe Ribas.

Eastern League

TRENTON THUNDER—Announced RHP Victor Zambrano was assigned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL) and that LHP Zach Kroenke was assigned to the team from Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Golden League CALGARY VIPERS—Agreed to terms with OF Richard Austin and 1B-OF Kit Pellow.

ST. GEORGE ROADRUNNERS— Agreed to terms with C Kyle Wells and RHP Kevin Cooper.

Northern League KANSAS CITY T-BONES—Released LHP Chris Shaver.

BASKETBALL National Basketball Association NEW YORK KNICKS—Acquired F Patrick Ewing Jr. from Houston for the draft rights to C Frederic Weis.

FOOTBALL National Football League CAROLINA PANTHERS—Acquired QB Josh McCown from Miami for an undisclosed draft pick.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS—Released T Steve Fifita, OL Jimmy Martin, CB Jeff Shoate and TE Jonathan Stupar.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS—Placed WR Adrian Arrington on injured reserve. Terminated the contract of S Lance Schulters. Waived DE Jeremy Geathers, TE Ronnie Ghent, DE Marcus Pittman, S David Roach, G Isaiah Ross and T Brian Stamper.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES—Released WR Bam Childress, CB Therrian Fontenot, CB Nick Graham, WR Jamal Jones, S Marcus Paschal, OL Stefan Rodgers and LB Pago Tagofau.

Waived/injured RB Ryan Moats.

ST. LOUIS RAMS—Released WR Marques Hagans, S Jerome Carter, WR Matt Caddell, TE Nick Cleaver, CB Tanard Davis, CB Cortney Grixby, LB Marcus Riley, C Donovan Raiola, DT Henry Smith and DT Willie Williams.

HOCKEY National Hockey League COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS— Signed F Maksim Mayorov.

LACROSSE National Lacrosse League CALGARY ROUGHNECKS— Signed D Brad McDonald to a oneyear contract.

SAN JOSE STEALTH—Traded G Anthony Cosmo to Chicago for G Matt Roik and a 2008 first-round draft pick.

Traded D Paul Dawson to Boston for F Peter Veltman.

SOCCER Major League Soccer NEW YORK RED BULLS—Signed F Sainey Touray to a developmental contract. Moved MF Sinisa Ubiparipovic to the senior roster.

COLLEGE METRO ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CONFERENCE—Named Chris Herring administrative fellow for championships, Alison Adamski administrative fellow for compliance and Christian Arnold administrative fellow for marketing.

BARUCH—Named Temi Arijeloye women’s assistant cross country coach.

LYCOMING—Named Erica Brown women’s lacrosse coach and Dan Lazorka softball coach.

N.J. CITY—Named John Ricca men’s assistant soccer coach.

PRINCETON—Named Steve Dolan men’s cross country coach.

TRINITY, TEXAS—Named Butch Newman director of tennis and Ryan

SP U RS | Continued from Page 1B a walking boot for several weeks starting in June after an MRI showed a ligament to be five times the size of the one in his other foot.

Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had urged Ginobili not to compete in the Olympics unless the injury improved. He not only competed in the games, but also carried the flag for Argentina in the opening ceremonies in Beijing.

During Argentina’s semifinal game against eventual gold-medal winner United States, Ginobili hobbled off the court during the first quarter after apparently aggravating the injury. He did not play in Argentina’s bronze-medal win over Lithuania.

“Aside from this situation, I’m comfortable with the situation,” he said. “My plan was to be part of the Olympic games, and I knew that if I suffered from pain they would have to operate. This isn’t something that took me by surprise.”

C OW B OYS | Continued from Page 1B Even while waiting for the ruling on whether he would be allowed to play this season, some of the biggest suspense surrounding Jones during camp really had nothing to do with off-field problems that plagued his past and led to the suspension that caused him to miss all of last season with the Titans.

Instead, the uncertainty was over whether “Pacman” could field another punt while already cradling five footballs. (He did, though he said he’s caught eight before).

Owens is content with a new contract that pushed his deal through 2011 rather than expiring after this season. The 34-yearold receiver who desperately wants a Super Bowl title also talks often about his good relationships with “Coach Wade” — who calls Owens by his name rather than referring to him as “the player”

like the previous coach — and Romo, who has thrown him 25 touchdown passes the past two seasons since replacing Drew Bledsoe at quarterback.

While Romo spent much of the offseason working on different throwing techniques, the two-time Pro Bowler still has become as much a staple in entertainment magazines and Web sites as in sports ones because of his starlet girlfriend.

The sometimes sensational coverage of his personal life, which Romo generally doesn’t talk about, helps him keep things in perspective.

“People’s perceptions, they roll with that stuff over and over and you just have to try and keep a level head about it all,” Romo said.

“But for us, we don’t add to it. We don’t all talk about whatever happened in Adam Jones’ past or critique his lifestyle, or Terrell

Owens and what he’s wearing, even though it’s exotic and crazy sometimes.

“We play a game and we enjoy it,” Romo said. “We just talk about that sometimes. It helps.”

Part of their conversation is how to make up for the missed opportunity last season, when after matching a team record with 13 victories and earning the NFC’s top seed, Dallas didn’t win a playoff game. The Cowboys have now gone 12 seasons since their last Super Bowl championship, 11 without winning a game in the postseason.

It actually took an earthquake to shake things up during training camp, but even that measured as only a minor tremor.

The lack of drama and intrigue among the players probably isn’t exactly what HBO executives had in mind when they decided to highlight the Cowboys again on

their “Hard Knocks” series. Those cameras will be gone and the final episode of the series will air before the Sept. 7 season opener at Cleveland.

“Everybody has done a great job as far as interacting when they need to with the cameras, but at the same time, when it’s time to focus on football, then we’re playing football,” Owens said.

They have done an even better job of maintaining a determined calm about what they need to do on the field.

“We handled things well when we had a lot of odd games and Dallas Cowboys-type games last year,” Phillips said. “They handled that well and going into it last year we had a lot of high expectations, maybe not from everybody, but from us. We’re going through the same thing.”

After breaking camp in California and spending a week in

Denver, the Cowboys returned home, where nearly 25,000 people showed up at Texas Stadium to watch the team go through a midweek practice without pads.

There is always plenty of attention on the Cowboys, whom Phillips often refers to as a bunch of “characters with character.” It is also a veteran group that knows what it has to do now.

“Wade wants you go be who

you are, wants your personality to show,” Witten said. “But the team’s got to be first and I think everybody’s bought into that.

We’ve got something to prove.

“The most impressive thing for me is being able to put last year behind us and move forward because none of that matters now,” he said. “It’s a new season.”

And so far, a surprisingly calm one.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 30, 2008

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3B

HINTS BY HELOISE Dear Readers: Bringing a FISH into your home is no less of a responsibility than having a cat or dog. Whether it is a $2 guppy or a $10 angelfish, it deserves the same quality of care, regardless of the price tag. It would be wise to invest in an HELOISE aquarium book to learn about the proper care of the fish you are going to buy. It is important to learn how big your fish will get before purchasing an aquarium. Quite often, pet owners have fish that become aggressive because they have grown too large for their aquarium. If you have multiple species, be sure to find out if they are passive or aggressive, and do not mix the two. Only introduce fish that are compatible with each other.

A fast-growing fish will need a larger aquarium than a fish that remains small. — Heloise

HOROSCOPES | BY FRANCIS DRAKE ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Think about ways to improve your job and your attitude toward your work.

Think about ways to improve your health. (That’s what to do with today’s New Moon.)

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) You love the finer things in life. This is the best day all year for you to scrutinize the kind of balance you have between play and pleasure versus work, obligations and responsibilities.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Are you happy with your home environment? Are you happy with your family relationships? What can you do to improve your domestic life?

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) No man is an island.

Communication with others is important.

What can you do to improve your style of communicating with others, especially relatives and siblings?

LEO (July 23 to Aug. 22) You’re the last of the big-time spenders. What can you do to boost your earnings and reduce your debt? Think about this today.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 to Sept. 22) Today is the only New Moon that occurs in your sign all year. What can you do to improve your appearance and create a better first impression when others meet you?

LIBRA (Sept. 23 to Oct. 22) We all have a spiritual side, whether we acknowledge it to ourselves and others or not. This is a good day to think about what you believe in to guide your choices in life.

SCORPIO (Oct. 23 to Nov. 21) Do you hang out with quality people? Do you like your friends? Your friends influence your mind, and your mind makes your choices about the future. That’s why friends are important!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22 to Dec. 21) Others notice you today.

However, for you, it’s the perfect day to think about how you can improve your relationships with authority figures — parents, teachers and bosses.

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 to Jan. 19) What can you do to improve your education or your training for your job? You’re never too old to continue learning.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20 to Feb. 18) Each New Moon is the perfect time to make resolutions to improve something. How can you improve your debt scene? What can you do to reduce your debt?

PISCES (Feb. 19 to March 20) Think of ways to improve your closest friendships and partnerships? Remember: In a successful relationship, you must be as good for your partner as he or she is for you.

YOU BORN TODAY You’re reliable. No matter what imaginative flights of fancy you pursue, your feet are on the ground.

You’re excellent with money, and you’re a good organizer. You know how to take care of yourself and your loved ones. During this year, you’ll make an important decision, which will lead to building or constructing something next year.

Birthdate of: Warren Buffett, billionaire/philanthropist; Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley, novelist; Cameron Diaz, actress.

Zclassified

BY PHONE: (956) 728-2527

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

CLASS

4B | THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 2009

83050238

3/13/2009

6:20 PM

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LAREDO MORNING TIMES | 1B

HEAVY EQUIPMENT 192 2000 Freightliner Excel. Cond.

Century Classic Mid-Roof.

100% rubber $18,000. Call 724-6353 or 875-7670

ANUNCIOS

1

ANUNCIOS

Public Notice Effective March 9, 2009, Zapata County amended an ordinance, originally passed on January 12, 2009, regarding Sexually Oriented Businesses.

The purpose is to correct typographical errors associated with the hours of operation permissible under the ordinance.

For a copy of the full ordinance, please visit the Zapata County Courthouse, Zapata County Clerk’s Office, Suite 138, 200 East 7th Avenue, Zapata, Texas 78076.

Rosalva Guerra Zapata County Judge

1

HEAVY EQUIPMENT 192

TRUCKS FOR SALE 198

‘2003 Detroit Serie 60 Freightliner Columbia $20,000 Call:726-4422

Chevy Suburban ‘04, remote start, leather, DVD, XM, ON STAR, 6 cd, 53k mi., fully loaded, $14,900 obo.

Call:740-7201; 740-8201

International, 2001, 160,000 miles, 24ft. box, $13,000.

Call:(972)489-9021

Chevy Tracker ‘00, $2,500 Call:(956)949-8272 Ford Expedition ‘01, great condition, a/c, tires $4,200 obo.

Call:(956)763-8023

Nissan ‘99 tow truck, needs work, $5,000 Call:(956)286-3651

CARS FOR SALE

200

Storage containers, delivered to your ranch, 20ft long. Excellent Cond. $2600 Call 744-5059

‘97 Mustang Cobra, clean title $6800 Call 956-489-1457

AUTOMOTIVE PARTS 194

Antique ‘55 Chevy 2dr. Sedan.

Must sell $5,000 obo.

Needs new motor. Serious Inq. Only. Call:(956) 722-5928

Diesel engines Chevy 6.6 Ford 7.3 & Cummins 5.9 Remanufactured w/warranty will deliver, $2,950. 713-918-5811.

HELP WANTED

122

CARS FOR SALE

200

Chevy Camaro ‘01, 80k mi., all pwr., sound system. $4,800.

Call:(956)774-2943.

Ford Mustang ‘08, candy apple red, v6, 4k mi., auto, $10,800 Call:(956)237-5711; Nextel i.d.

135*836*7285 HELP WANTED

122

CARS FOR SALE

200

ATV Brut Force, 750cc, $8,000 Call:(956)724-6092

Chevy Cavalier ‘02, $2,600 Call:(956)725-1972.

Ford Mustang GT ‘03, black & red, 54k mi., $4,899 Call:(956)712-9021 after 3pm.

Honda Civic SI ‘08, 4dr., sedan, great condition, 9k mi., refinance, no down pymt.

Call:(956)206-1565 Mazda 626 ‘02, power windows, door locks, 74,000 mil., excellent condition, $5,000 286-2022

Mazda Protige ‘99, $2,000 Call:(956)949-8272

Route Salesperson -Laredo TX HELP WANTED

122

Commissary Representative (Prison Store) Keefe Commissary Network (KCN), a leader in the prison commissary supply industry, seeks a FT Commissary Representative to hand-deliver commissary orders to inmates at Rio Grande Detention Center. We offer competitive pay and benefits include medical, 401(k) & profit sharing. Must pass drug screen, federal background and credit checks.

Able to lift up to 50 lbs.

Please see full description and apply online at www.centricgroup.com EOE M/F/DV

Armour-Eckrich Meats LLC has an excellent opportunity for a high potential individual to join our Route Sales and Delivery Team as a Route Salesman. As part of the Team, you will be selling and delivering consumer packaged food products to our customers on our Company trucks.

Qualified candidates must possess sales experience preferably route sales experience, a valid driver's license with an excellent driving record. A D.O.T physical & drug screen are required. Candidates must be able to manage multiple priorities, have well-developed problem-solving skills and good written/oral communication skills. The Company offers competitive wages & benefits, including health insurance & 401K. For more information and to apply for this position, visit www.armoureckrich.com and click on the employment link.

We are an equal opportunity employer.

M/F/D/V