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LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ZAPATA COUNTY FAIR 2010
Gutierrez withdraws from race
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END
By STEPHANIE M. IBARRA THE ZAPATA TIMES
Nico Gutierrez, a candidate for Zapata County Commissioner, Precinct 2, has withdrawn from the race. Gutierrez withdrew from the race following receipt of a notice of violation of the U.S. Office of Special Counsel Hatch Act, which states that no government employee may run for political office. As an employee of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Gutierrez is not eligible as a government candidate. Marlen Guerra, Gutierrez’s daughter, Gutierrez
took the proper precautions before deciding to run, contacting his regional supervisor back in June 2009, who then referred him to the United States Office of Ethics in Washington. “After several calls, (Gutierrez) received an e-mail notifying him it was okay to run,” Guerra said. “Four or five days ago, he was contacted by the Office of Special Council, who had said they’d received a tip. They informed him he had two options: to either resign from his job or withdraw from the race.”
See RUNOFF PAGE 12A
CRIME
Man with four tons of pot in court By DENISE BLAZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
A plan gone awry for a man intending to stow narcotics at his residence resulted in the seizure of approximately 4,628 pounds of marijuana by local law enforcement Tuesday. According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court Thursday, Cabello Wrecker Service, out of Laredo, was contacted with a request to travel to Zapata to pick up a Peterbilt dump truck that was out of service. An employee of the wrecker service traveled to Zapata to carry through with the request. After picking up the dump truck, registered to Luis A. Garza, of Zapata, he was approached by a man driving a white Ford pick up truck, who asked the Cabello employee to follow him. Suspicious, the driver contacted the Department of Public Safety, which then conducted surveillance. Laredo Police Depart-
ment then made a traffic stop of the white Ford truck. The wrecker service truck also pulled over, where the driver was again approached, but this time by another man, identified as Eliazar Buruato, 45, who asked the driver to follow him to his residence. The driver agreed to the request, and followed him to Tierra Bonita, off Texas 359, where Buruato’s home was located. After obtaining a written search warrant from Buruato, DPS Narcotics Division agents searched the dump truck, where they found about four tons of pot covered in dirt in the back. Officials arrested Buruato after making the seizure. During questioning, Buruato admitted to knowing about the drugs being stored in the dump truck, and later said he was to be paid $1,000 to park the truck at his residence. (Denise Blaz may be reached at 728-2547 or dblaz@lmtonline.com)
‘Best little fair’ in Texas saw thousands at its grounds By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
T
he 2010 Zapata County Fair concluded with mechanical games, a festive parade and great musical environment. Monica Mendoza, president of the fair association, said more than 6,000 people — from Zapata, Laredo, the Rio Grande Valley and other surrounding areas — crowded the main stage to watch performances by La Batalla, Siggno, Solido and Huracanes del Norte. “The music was one of the best that has been seen in the last couple of years,” Mendoza said. “Everybody enjoyed the festivities.” There was a little bit of everything for everyone: a petting zoo, live music, a roping competition, plenty of food and moonwalkers, among many other attractions. But one that seemed to get the most attention was the helicopter rides. Cathy Walker, manager of Reed Helicopters, said there was a great demand for rides in the Robinson R44 Raven 1 helicopter. “It was a great turnout, she said. “Everybody seemed to have really enjoyed it.” Zapatans hopped in the aircraft and had two options of a ride. Three people could go for a 5-mile ride for $75, flying around the areas of Falcon Lake. A 10mile ride cost $135 for three people, and included nearly all of Zapata. “People were taking pictures of their homes and the lake,” Walker said. She added the company gave
Photo by Ulysses Romero | The Zapata Times
A couple enjoys the colorful lights of the Ferris wheel against the night sky during the 2010 Zapata County Fair. more than 70 tours throughout Saturday. During the evening, about 40 people had to be turned away.
“The pilot was just too tired,” Walker said.
See FAIR PAGE 9A
SPORTS
Soccer league born out of love By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
Zapata resident Pablo Zapata would often see children playing soccer on the streets throughout the week. And about three months ago, he also noticed County Treasurer Romeo Salinas’ love for fútbol, known as soccer in the United States. During a visit to Salinas’ office, Zapata saw that
As the men chatted about their affinity for the game, the idea of creating a soccer league for area children was born. the treasurer had a photograph taken outside a Carl’s Jr. with Mexican soccer players Jesus “El Cabrito” Arellano and Daniel Osorno after a MexicoTrinidad and Tobago game
in San Antonio. As the men chatted about their affinity for the game, the idea of creating a soccer league for area children was born. With the purpose of pro-
moting the sport and taking children off the streets, the Zapata Youth Soccer League will have its inaugural kickoff at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, March 27, at the open fields in the 600 block of Del Mar Street. “We want to take them off the streets,” Salinas said. “Since I like the sport, I’m doing this.” The league includes teams of boys ages 8 to 13.
See LEAGUE PAGE 12A
PAGE 2A
Zin brief CALENDAR
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
AROUND TEXAS
TODAY IN HISTORY
SATURDAY, MARCH 20 U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, community leaders and activists will host a 2010 Census informational and awareness meeting today in Zapata at 3:30 p.m. in the Zapata County Courthouse. The meeting will focus on the importance of participating in the 2010 Census and the value of engaging local communities in the process, in particular those “hard to count” regions where participation is historically less than the national average. The 60th annual Flower and Art Show, sponsored by the United Methodist Women of the First United Methodist Church, will display beautiful flowers and paintings in the Fellowship Hall from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Public is invited. Admission tickets will be sold at the door. Everything from emergency cooking, alternative lighting, water purification, and BOB(s) will be covered in an Emergency Preparedness Class today from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at King’s Way Church, 508 Hawk Street. Lunch will be served from noon to 1 p.m. Contact Mary Pulido at 693-0124 for more information.
SUNDAY, MARCH 21 The 60th annual Flower and Art Show, sponsored by the United Methodist Women of the First United Methodist Church, continues today from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. The public is invited, and admission tickets will be sold at the door.
TUESDAY, MARCH 23 The ZCISD Board of Trustees will hold a Finance/Facilities Board meeting at 6 p.m. at the Professional Development Center, located on the corner of 17th and Carla streets. The ZCISD Board of Trustees will hold a Policy Board Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the Professional Development Center, located on the corner of 17th and Carla streets. The ZCISD Board of Trustees will hold a Curriculum and Instruction meeting at 7 p.m. at the Professional Development Center.
THURSDAY, MARCH 25 Laredo Birding Festival 2010 starts today. Visitors are invited to share in the passion and challenge of admiring wildlife in and around Laredo. Attendees will experience a broad range of field trips, a birding track set up with the efficacy and mobility that lends itself to small birding groups and an exciting new set of nature photography excursions with some of the best known bird photographers in the country. For more information, call 800-361-3360.
SATURDAY, APRIL 3 Generales Texas Trail Riders is hosting its first Autism Cabalgata today. Registration starts at 8 a.m. and trail ride at 9:30. There is a $20 donation fee for adults and $10 for children 12 and under. The event promises kids mechanical bulls, saddle raffles, inflatable bouncers and more. Proceeds for the 14 mile ride from Las Lomas on Hwy 59 to LIFE fair grounds will go to Autism Awareness. For more information, call Eric Rodriguez at 324-0484 or Hector Esparza at 285-3335.
FRIDAY, APRIL 9 Join the Mariachi Falcon Booster Club for its first Spring Benefit Dance tonight at the Zapata County Pavilion from 8 p.m. to midnight. Sponsored in part by Los 5 de Zapata, Grupo Zamorales, Jorge Roel Y Potrillo, Grupo KLibre and Trey’s DJ & Sound System Rentals, presale tickets are $10 and $12 at the door. For more information, contact Celia Balderas at cbalderas@zapatachamber.com
SATURDAY, APRIL 10 Laredo Crime Stoppers, Inc. is hosting the Crime Stoppers 5K Run/ Walk Against Crime today at Lake Casa Blanca. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and the run/walk starts at 8 a.m. Pre registration for adults is $15, and $20 the day of the event. Children under 12 go in free. First 100 paid entries receive a free t-shirt.
FRIDAY, JULY 16 The Zapata County Chamber of Commerce presents the Fishing Tournament For Life Extravaganza March of Dimes on Falcon Lake. Registration begins today at 5 to 7 p.m. at the Oso Blanco Lodge Boat Ramp. For more information, please call 765-4339. To submit an item for the daily calendar, send the name of the event, the date, time, location and a contact phone number to editorial@lmtonline.com
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Photo by Dina Arevalo/Valley Morning Star | AP
College students gather behind the Isla Grande Beach Resort on South Padre Island, on Saturday, March 13. A number of universities in Texas are preparing for expected loan program changes that could have students turning to the government instead of banks to help pay tuition.
Banks drop student loans ASSOCIATED PRESS
AUSTIN — Texas schools are preparing for expected loan program changes that could have students turning to the government instead of banks to help pay tuition. Congress is considering making federally guaranteed student loans offered exclusively by the government, ending a role for banks and other for-profit lenders who charge fees. Some Texas universities are joining thousands across the country in abandoning the bank-based system. The University of Texas announced this week it is cutting the program under which students borrow from private lenders. UT is opting for the U.S. Department of Education’s William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. Starting this summer, students will borrow directly from the government.
Polygamist sentenced 75 years in prison SAN ANGELO — A fourth member of a polygamist group whose West Texas ranch was raided in 2008 has been sentenced to 75 years in prison. Merril Leroy Jessop was sentenced Friday by a San Angelo jury after being convicted earlier this week of sexual assault of a child. The victim was a 15year-old girl who prosecutors say was Jessop’s underage bride.
Candidate White releases income tax returns AUSTIN — Democrat Bill White made almost $660,000 in adjusted gross income last year. That’s according to his 2009 income tax returns, which his campaign released Friday. White is trying to unseat Perry in the November election.
Texas A&M also is making the switch. Texas State University has offered the direct loan program since 1994. “Most schools in Texas have stayed with the (loan program) by choice,” said George Torres with the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corp. The public nonprofit was created by the 1979 Legislature to administer the bankbased Federal Family Education Loan Program in Texas. “They were pleased with the support services they were getting and choice of lenders up until two years ago, when the lenders could no longer originate the loans as a result of problems in the private credit market,” Torres said. The University of North Texas and the University of Texas at San Antonio also are moving toward direct loans.
Perry meets with family 2 hurt in tank explosions after granting pardon in rural Wise County FORT WORTH — Gov. Rick Perry has given pardon documents to the family of a man who died in prison after serving 13 years for a rape he didn’t commit. DNA evidence cleared Timothy Cole in 2008, nine years after he died at age 39 in prison of asthma complications.
Dozens of bullet holes in church near New Boston NEW BOSTON — Changing a lightbulb at a church in the New Boston area led to the discovery of nearly three dozen bullet holes along some eaves. A Bowie County Sheriff ’s investigator said Friday that it looks like someone was aiming for a nearby street light, but missed.
DECATUR — An explosion during welding on some tanks at an oil and gas site in Wise County has left two workers burned. Four tanks burned or suffered other damage in the explosion reported around midday Friday, in which brightly colored flames rose from one of the tanks.
Murder might not have been if records in order AUSTIN — A man sent to death row for the stabbing death of an Austin woman could have been in prison when the crime occurred if officials had revoked his parole after a seperate assault conviction. A a computer glitch that prevented automatic notification is partly to blame and has been fixed. -- Compiled from AP reports
AROUND THE NATION California boosts sex offender tracking SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California parole officials have ordered increased monitoring of all sex offenders after several recent high-profile lapses. The new policy requires parole agents to more closely track offenders’ movements using GPSlinked ankle bracelets. It also requires agents to visit high-risk sex offenders at their homes one additional time each month.
Court: Fed must reveal data on loans to firms NEW YORK — The Federal Reserve must reveal documents identifying financial companies that received Fed loans to survive the financial crisis, a federal appeals court ruled Friday. A panel of the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan said in two separate opinions that such information isn’t automatically exempt from requests under the Freedom of Information Act.
Today is Saturday, March 20, the 79th day of 2010. There are 286 days left in the year. Spring arrives at 1:32 p.m. Eastern time. Today’s Highlight in History: On March 20, 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte returned to Paris after escaping his exile on Elba, beginning his “Hundred Days” rule. On this date: In 1413, England’s King Henry IV died; he was succeeded by Henry V. In 1727, physicist, mathematician and astronomer Sir Isaac Newton died in London. In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s influential novel about slavery, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” was first published in book form after being serialized. In 1899, Martha M. Place of Brooklyn, N.Y., became the first woman to be executed in the electric chair as she was put to death at Sing Sing for the murder of her stepdaughter. In 1956, union workers ended a 156-day strike at Westinghouse Electric Corp. In 1969, John Lennon married Yoko Ono in Gibraltar. In 1977, voters in Paris chose former French Prime Minister Jacques Chirac to be the French capital’s first mayor in more than a century. In 1985, Libby Riddles of Teller, Alaska, became the first woman to win the Iditarod Trail Dog Sled Race. In 1995, in Tokyo, 12 people were killed, more than 5,500 others sickened when packages containing the poisonous gas sarin were leaked on five separate subway trains by Aum Shinrikyo (ohm shin-ree-kyoh) cult members. In 1999, Bertrand Piccard of Switzerland and Brian Jones of Britain became the first aviators to fly a hot-air balloon around the world nonstop. Ten years ago: Pope John Paul II embarked on a strenuous and spiritual tour of the Holy Land, beginning with a stop in Jordan. President Bill Clinton arrived in Bangladesh on the first such visit by an American president. Former Black Panther Jamil Abdullah Al-Amin, once known as H. Rap Brown, was captured in Alabama for the killing of a sheriff ’s deputy. (Al-Amin was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.) Today’s Birthdays: British songstress Dame Vera Lynn is 93. Producer-director-comedian Carl Reiner is 88. Actor Hal Linden is 79. Former Canadian prime minister Brian Mulroney is 71. Country singer Don Edwards is 71. TV producer Paul Junger Witt is 67. Country singer-musician Ranger Doug (Riders in the Sky) is 64. Hockey Hall-of-Famer Bobby Orr is 62. Blues singer Marva Wright is 62. Blues singer-musician Marcia Ball is 61. Actor William Hurt is 60. Rock musician Carl Palmer (Emerson, Lake and Palmer) is 60. Rock musician Jimmie Vaughan is 59. Country musician Jimmy Seales (Shenandoah) is 56. Actress Amy Aquino 53. Movie director Spike Lee is 53. Actress Theresa Russell is 53. Actress Vanessa Bell Calloway is 53. Actress Holly Hunter is 52. Rock musician Slim Jim Phantom (The Stray Cats) is 49. Actress-model-lifestyle designer Thought for Today: “Spring makes everything young again except man.” — Jean Paul Richter, German author (17631825).
CONTACT US
Photo by Cliff Owen | AP
Relaxing in Friday’s warmth, these high school juniors from Greenville, S.C., rest on the Mall, in Washington, DC. From left, Roula Pisteolis, 16, Jennifer Fowlkes, 16, Caroline Moore, 16, Mariana Malki, 16 and Casey Walters, 17.
Stocks fall as worries about Greek debt return NEW YORK — Stocks halted their steady climb Friday after renewed concerns about Greece’s ability to pay its debts left investors questioning a global economic recovery.
The Dow Jones industrial average fell 37 points after advancing for eight straight days. Broader indexes also fell. Major indexes posted gains for the week. Greece said it might need to turn to the International Monetary Fund for support if European leaders can’t agree on a bailout plan next week. -- Compiled from AP reports
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SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
Zlocal
PAGE 3A
Family arrested in connection with nearly two tons of pot By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
While people prepped for the Zapata County Fair and Parade on Saturday morning, Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office Task Force investigators and deputies seized more than 1,900 pounds of marijuana and arrested four people — a father, mother, son and daughter — in connection to a case in a neighborhood southeast of Zapata. Sgt. Mario Elizondo said task force investigators and deputies searched a home in the 300 block of Military Road at about 7:30 a.m. Saturday, March 13. Deputies seized a total of 162 bundles of marijuana. The contraband had an approximate weight of 1,907 pounds and an estimated street value of
E. RODRIGUEZ J. RODRIGUEZ $840,987, Elizondo said. Deputies arrested Jose Luis Rodriguez, 63, father; Elsa Rodriguez, 56, mother; Vanessa Kay Rodriguez, 22, daughter; and Leo Rodriguez, 18, son. All were charged with possession of marijuana, a second-degree felony. Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez said the department received information about the possibility of drug trafficking in the area. Deputies and investigators established surveillance early Saturday morning from an undisclosed location. Gonzalez alleged that
L. RODRIGUEZ V. RODRIGUEZ the residence, at the time, was being used to store the marijuana to be transported later that day. “After preliminary investigations, it was determined that officers would approach the residence,” Gonzalez said. “As a result of their visit to the residence, the marijuana was discovered.” Gonzalez said deputies found the marijuana in a store room adjacent to the home. One bundle was left outside, probably because the alleged offenders missed it, he said. The sheriff added that the investigation revealed
THE BLOTTER BURGLARY
INCIDENT
A 27-year-old woman reported around 8 a.m. on Friday, March 12, that unknown people burglarized her 2008 Ford F150 and stole her purse in the 1900 block of Miraflores Street. A 65-year-old man reported around 11:45 a.m. on Friday, March 12, that someone reached into his boat and stole several rods and reels, while he was inside the Zapata Steak House on 111 U.S. 83. A 47-year-old man reported around 9 p.m. on Saturday, March 13, that someone burglarized her residence and stole a laptop, a camera, some necklaces and a game console with several games in the 300 block of Gonzalez Street.
A 65-year-old woman reported around 8:30 a.m. on Friday, March 12, that a vehicle damaged her fence in the 5200 block of Siesta Lane. According to an incident report, the 23-year-old male driver of a 2001 Dodge Stratus stated that he attempted to avoid a dog on the roadway and lost control of his vehicle, striking the fence and a tree. Deputies responded to an incident call at about 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 14, in the intersection of Siesta Lane and Peña Lane. A 49year-old woman had reported some marijuana plants at an empty lot. Deputies uprooted five plants, ranging from 6 inches to 2 feet tall. The Zapata County Sheriff’s Office has an open investigation on the case.
DRAG RACING Deputies arrested Victor Alberto Guzman, 20, and Erik David Grove, 21, at about 2 a.m. on Friday, March 12, after officials say the men raced each other on U.S. 83. Guzman and Grove were booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where they were held in lieu of a $1,000 bond each.
Courtesy photo
Zapata County Sheriff’s Office Task Force seized more than 1,900 pounds of marijuana and arrested four family members involved in the case on Saturday, March 13. that this drug load, which was being smuggled in from Mexico, may have ties to other recent drug seizures in the area. If investigators would have not seized the pot, Gonzalez said the contraband might have ended up in the Rio Grande Valley or Laredo for further dis-
tribution up-country. Whether this was a family business for the offenders, officials could not prove that. The father, Jose Luis Rodriguez, and the son, Leo Rodriguez, were booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where they were held on a
$100,000 bond each. The daughter, Vanessa Kay Rodriguez, and the mother, Elsa E. Rodriguez, were booked and transported to Zapata County Jail, where they were held on a $65,000 bond. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
PROTECTING THE COMMUNITY caine. The man was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held on a $5,000 bond.
RECKLESS DRIVING Alonzo Antonio Gonzalez, 22, was arrested on charges of reckless driving at about 10 p.m. in the intersection of 17th Avenue and Del Mar Street. According to an incident report, an off-duty deputy stated that he was almost struck by the driver, later identified as Gonzalez, of a green 2005 Chevy pickup. Gonzalez was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held on a $2,000 bond.
THEFT POSSESSION Edwin Rolando Mendez-Garcia, 34, was arrested on charges of possession of a controlled substance at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday, March 14, in the intersection of 16th Avenue and U.S. 83. An incident report states that Mendez-Garcia was stopped for speeding and then found to be in possession of co-
A 26-year-old woman reported around 10:15 p.m. Monday, March 15, that her 2008 GMC Yukon was missing from her business, Royal Treatments Salon and Spa, on 502 U.S. 83. A 27-year-old woman reported around 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, that her 2007 Chevrolet Silverado was stolen from her home in the 800 block of Laredo Street.
Photo by Joe Rutland | The Zapata Times
ConocoPhillips recently made a $5,100 donation to the Zapata County Fire/EMS Department. Among those pictured, from left to right, are Sergio Ramirez of ConocoPhillips, Randy Black of ConocoPhillips, Fire Chief Juan J. Vela, Allen Nuñez of ConocoPhillips, Zapata County Commissioner Jose Vela, Lt. Leroy Ramirez, Zapata County Treasurer Romeo Salinas and Marvin Winkler of ConocoPhillips.
PAGE 4A
Zopinion
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM
YOUR OPINION
OTHER VIEWS
Distracted driving causes fatal accidents; keep your eyes on the road To the editor: This past week, a national memorial remembering the 1,336 motorists, pedestrians and construction workers who died in work zone accidents, made a stop in Laredo. The 20-foot wall had 293 names from Texas. In Laredo, there were 270 crashes and 2 people killed in work zone accidents in 2008 alone. As an Allstate agent and member of the Laredo community, I see this memorial as a sobering reminder of why it’s critical for motorists to slow down and pay attention in work zones.
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study showed reaching for a moving object increased the risk of a crash or near-crash by nine times; looking at an external object by 3.7 times; reading by three times; applying makeup by three times; dialing a hand-held device (typically a cell phone) by almost three times; and talking or listening on a hand-held device by 1.3 times. The message: Focus on the road. It’s a simple step that can hopefully save lives. Signed, Marcus Moreno
Health care bill in House has pro-abortion language; Cuellar should vote ‘no’ Editor’s note: This letter was originally published in Laredo Morning Times on Friday, March 19. To the editor: As a Laredoan and a pro-lifer, I feel strongly that Congressman Henry Cuellar owes it to his constituents to be consistent in his pro-life stance and vote no on the health care bill H.R. 3590. Congressman Cuellar was elected to office with the help of pro-life voters. He also voted for the pro-life Stupak-Pitts Amendment to the original House version of the Bill. But now he is saying that he is undecided on how to vote on the version on which the House of Representatives will vote shortly. On the March 16 “Your World With Neil Cavuto,” Rep. Cuellar stated that even if the current language of the bill does not change on abortion, the “bottom line is, the Henry Hyde amendment says you should not use federal funds for abortions. And [he wants] to make sure that’s adhered to.” But legal analysis from
National Right to Life and other leading pro-life groups clearly shows the current bill makes longterm appropriations for authorized programs which would flow outside of the regular appropriations process. In other words, the Hyde Amendment is irrelevant in this bill. This health care bill is the single-most pro-abortion piece of legislation to be voted on by our Congress. It allows the federal government to operate a program that funds elective abortions, allows the government to pay the premiums of private health plans that cover elective abortions, and contains no “conscience” protection language for medical professionals who do not want to perform abortions. If Rep. Henry Cuellar votes yes on this bill, he will be voting in favor of the largest expansion of abortion in this country since Roe vs. Wade itself and he will be casting a career-defining vote as a pro-abortion candidate. Signed, Luis Zaffirini Jr. Washington, D.C.
Pro-lifers mislead on healthcare bill’s abortion provisions; Cuellar should vote ‘yes’ To the editor: We write this letter to encourage people to stand behind Congressman Henry Cuellar, who has so diligently represented the Laredo area since 1987 as a member of the Texas State Legislature, as a Secretary of State and now as U.S. Congressman. We know Congressman Cuellar has a tough vote ahead of him in the Health Care bill, but we want to mention that whichever way he votes, Congressman Cuellar will do what is best for the constituents of the 28th District. This is a great start for health care reform; the time is now. This bill will improve and provide health care coverage for hundreds of thousands of residents in Congressman Cuellar’s district. This is great news for Webb County. In response to the letter written by Luis Zaffirini, he is not totally informed. Unfortunately, a lot of misinformation has surfaced lately about abortion, but the fact that more than 60,000 nuns and other Pro-Life Catholic Theologians and Evangelical leaders are supporting this bill speaks for itself: this bill does not allow the use of federal funds to pay for abortions as mandated by the Henry Hyde Amendment. There is even a retired Catholic Bishop from
Austin, John E. McCarthy, who supports this bill. Bishop McCarthy told The Associated Press this week that “he is as opposed to abortion as every other bishop and that the bill before Congress would guard against the use of taxpayer funds to pay for it.” We, like Bishop McCarthy, are opposed to abortion. Those of us who know Congressman Cuellar know that he has always been pro-life. We trust that the Congressman would NOT vote in support of a bill that provides federal funding for abortion. And this bill does not allow federal dollars to be used to fund abortion. As Sister Carol Keehan, Catholic Health Association president and chief executive officer was recently quoted in Catholic Health World, “This is a historic opportunity to make great improvements in the lives of so many Americans. Is it perfect? No. Does it cover everyone? No. But is it a major first step? Yes.” This is a critical moment in our nation’s history. Now is the time to start fixing our health care system in America. Congressman Cuellar, we know you will do the right thing. Signed, Sister Maria Luisa Vera, RSM Sister Rosemary Welsh, RSM
COLUMN
Now is the time for reform O
ne way or another, the fate of health care reform is going to be decided in the next few days. If House Democratic leaders find 216 votes, reform will almost immediately become the law of the land. If they don’t, reform may well be put off for many years — possibly a decade or more. So this seems like a good time to revisit the reasons we need this reform, imperfect as it is.
Vile system As it happens, Reuters published an investigative report this week that powerfully illustrates the vileness of our current system. The report concerns the insurer Fortis, now part of Assurant Health, which turns out to have had a systematic policy of revoking its clients’ policies when they got sick. In particular, according to the Reuters report, it targeted every single policyholder who contracted HIV, looking for any excuse, no matter how flimsy, for cancellation. In the case that brought all this to light, Assurant Health used an obviously misdated handwritten note by a nurse, who wrote “2001” instead of “2002,” to claim that the infection was a pre-existing condition that the client had failed to declare, and revoked his policy. This was illegal, and the company must have known it: The South Carolina Supreme Court, after upholding a decision granting large damages to the wronged policyholder, con-
“
PAUL KRUGMAN
cluded that the company had been systematically concealing its actions when withdrawing coverage, not just in this case, but across the board. But this is much more than a law enforcement issue. For one thing, it’s an example those who castigate President Barack Obama for “demonizing” insurance companies should consider. The truth, widely documented, is that behavior like Assurant Health’s is widespread for a simple reason: it pays.
Only in America A House committee estimated that Assurant made $150 million in profits between 2003 and 2007 by canceling coverage of people who thought they had insurance, a sum that dwarfs the fine the court imposed in this particular case. It’s not demonizing insurers to describe what they actually do. Beyond that, this is a story that could happen only in America. In every other advanced nation, insurance coverage is available to everyone regardless of medical history. Our system is unique in its cruelty. And one more thing: Employment-based health insurance, which is already regulated in a way that mostly prevents this kind of abuse, is unravel-
ing. Less than half of workers at small businesses were covered last year, down from 58 percent a decade ago. This means that in the absence of reform, an ever-growing number of Americans will be at the mercy of the likes of Assurant Health.
Make the changes So what’s the answer? Americans overwhelmingly favor guaranteeing coverage to those with pre-existing conditions — but you can’t do that without pursuing broad-based reform. To make insurance affordable, you have to keep currently healthy people in the risk pool, which means requiring that everyone or almost everyone buy coverage. You can’t do that without financial aid to lower-income Americans so that they can pay the premiums. So you end up with a tripartite policy: elimination of medical discrimination, mandated coverage, and premium subsidies. Or to put it another way, you end up with something like the health care plan Mitt Romney introduced in Massachusetts in 2006, and the very similar plan the House either will or won’t pass in the next few days. Comprehensive reform is the only way forward. Can we afford this? Yes, says the Congressional Budget Office, which on Thursday concluded that the proposed legislation would reduce the deficit by $138 billion in its first decade and half of 1 percent of GDP, amounting to around
$1.2 trillion, in its second decade. But shouldn’t we be focused on controlling costs rather than extending coverage? Actually, the proposed reform does more to control health care costs than any previous legislation, paying for expanded coverage by reducing the rate at which Medicare costs will grow, substantially improving Medicare’s long-run financing along the way. And this combination of broader coverage and cost control is no accident: It has long been clear to health-policy experts that these concerns go hand in hand. The United States is the only advanced nation without universal health care, and it also has by far the world’s highest health care costs. Can you imagine a better reform? Sure. If Harry Truman had managed to add health care to Social Security back in 1947, we’d have a better, cheaper system than the one whose fate now hangs in the balance.
The right thing But an ideal plan isn’t on the table. And what is on the table, ready to go, is legislation that is fiscally responsible, takes major steps toward dealing with rising health care costs, and would make us a better, fairer, more decent nation. All it will take to make this happen is for a handful of on-the-fence House members to do the right thing. Here’s hoping.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Zapata Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer’s first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The
phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to verify identity and to clarify content, if necessary. Identity of the letter writer must be verified before publication. We want to assure our
readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the letter. The Zapata Times does not allow the use of pseudonyms. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-call-
DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU
ing or gratuitous abuse is allowed. Via e-mail, send letters to editorial@lmtonline.com or mail them to Letters to the Editor, 111 Esperanza Drive, Laredo, TX 78041.
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A
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Zlifestyle
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
Birds the focus of festival By STEPHANIE M. IBARRA THE ZAPATA TIMES
Between the South Texas natives — including the warblers and Green parakeets — and the recently spotted, rare Amazon Kingfisher, the Laredo Birding Festival organizers anticipate nearly a twofold increase in participants during the 2010 event, which gets underway Wednesday and continues through the weekend. “The festival, which started back in 2007, is the brainchild of the Monte Mucho Audubon Society,” said Blasita Lopez, Laredo Convention and Visitors Bureau manager. “The first year, it attracted folks outside Laredo. We had 35 from out of town and 10 local; it was a relatively small group.”
Combining passions and pastimes This year, festival attendees have the opportunity to experience birding and photography excursions concurrently, each day beginning outdoors and ending with a classroom seminar. “We’re doing something a little different. We’re offering natural photography and birding field trips simultaneously,” Lopez explained. She noted that though the difference between patrons of the two pastimes are distinguishable, their appreciation for nature is interchangeable. “(Photographers) get dropped off like a hunter, fisher or angler would. They sit and wait for their subject to come into the reach of the lens and document it,” Lopez said. “A birder is very mobile. If they don’t hear a bird chirping, they go and find what they’re looking for. They’re there to see as many as they
Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times
A rare Amazon Kingfisher sits on a branch along the banks of Zacate Creek just north of the Rio Grande in January. can.” Professional nature photographers will be leading the workshops in the field, while local bird experts will assist participants, who will be in groups varying in size from 12 to 15 attendees.
On the lookout As a field expert, president of the Monte Mucho Audubon Society, and director of Environmental Science Center at Laredo Community College, Tom D. Miller will be leading one of the expeditions. He’s wellequipped for the trip, having a decade’s worth of experience in birding. “This area is a treasure. With the Amazon Kingfisher appearing a while back, some of the best birders have us on the map now,” Miller said. “All through Laredo down to the Valley, we’re starting to see these tropical birds. Our problem is we need more birders, more eyes out there.” According to Miller, even months after the spotting of the Amazon Kingfisher, Laredo continues to experience a influx of birders.
“We had people from all over Canada; more than 1,000 came to see that bird,” he said. “Just last week, it was officially accepted. Tiger Throat Heron, another bird seen around the Valley, was also recently accepted. This is what we hope to see — birds visiting from Central America.” In addition to local public parks and trails, this year’s field trip locations will offer fresh, minimally explored birding areas, providing private area access even local birders would not normally have. With migration in full swing, Miller maintains that although many normal birds will be returning to roost, climate change may be to blame on the loss of others. “We’ll see the White Collared Seed Eater; in the last seven, eight years we’re the only ones that have it on bird count, and we should see the Green parakeet,” Miller said. “We have so many others, but what’s happening is the birds like Ring Key Fisher are starting to appear further up north. Birds we take for granted are disappearing.”
On the hunt The Laredo Birding Festival kicks off with registration at the Holiday Inn Civic Center, 800 Garden St., from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday. Registration, which is $40, plus ranch access fees, will remain open through Friday. To introduce professionals and novices alike to the world of birding, Arthur Miller, a noted wildlife photographer, will speak at the hotel in a free seminar at 6 p.m. Wednesday. The tours and expeditions will then be held beginning at 6 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and will include public as well as private locations. The festival ends with the launch party of the ICF Pro Tour of Nature Photography: the Texas Borderlands of Laredo Competition on Saturday evening. The event marks the beginning of a monthlong contest that pairs ranch landowners with professional photographers to capture the best nature shots for a portfolio. For more information on The Laredo Birding Festival or to register, visit www.visitlaredo.com.
MISS MANNERS
Give gift of money without offending DEAR MISS MANNERS — A dear friend of many years has fallen on hard times. She is a single mother and her son will be starting college in the fall. She has confided to a mutual friend that she is worried that she may not be able to afford the costs. Her son is a wonderful young man, and I would like to help both of them out. He has a scholarship for his tuition, and I would like to pay his room and board for the upcoming year. I am thinking of contacting the school and simply paying the room and board and asking them to tell her it was part of the scholarship, but this seems dishonest. However, my friend is a very proud woman and I do not want to embarrass her in any way, and I’m afraid telling her I want to pay the room and board would make her uncomfortable. What is the most polite way to handle such a situation? Is there a general rule for giving money to a friend in need? This would be a gift — no repayment would be expected. GENTLE READER — Here is what Miss Manners would say to her dear friend if she were you: “I’ve been thinking for some time now about giving to student aid — not exactly endowing a scholarship, which is a bit beyond me, but contributing to the living costs of some worthy student. Of course, it would be great fun for me if it were someone whose career I could follow — indirectly, because I wouldn’t want the student to feel obligated. “Well, I’ve chosen your
“
JUDITH MARTIN
Brandon. He’s a wonderful young man, and I’d love to be part of the success I know he will have. So here’s the donation. No, don’t protest — it’s not for you. It’s my fund, and Brandon won it. Please don’t try to deny me this pleasure — and anyway, you can’t, because the committee’s decision to award it to Brandon is final.” DEAR MISS MANNERS — My cousin had about 60 people at her wedding and complained of receiving very little in the way of wedding gifts. While my aunt and I were appalled by this, my mother got awful angry at me for “expecting gifts.” I replied that it was not polite to not give a gift if you attend a wedding, and that this IS shocking. Well, she and I are both stuck with our opinions and we wanted to know your opinion. GENTLE READER — Can you handle a paradox? It is that wedding guests are expected to give presents, but the expected recipients (and their families) are wrong to expect them. Huh? Bear with Miss Manners on this, please. It is true that it is customary for wedding guests to be so moved by the occasion that they want to offer a tangible symbol of their pleasure. Or they want to be thought so. Or, if they really don’t care, they should stay home.
SÁBADO 20 DE MARZO DE 2010
Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 20 DE MARZO LAREDO — El 60mo eventual anual de Flores y Artes, patrocinado por las United Methodist Women de la First United Methodist Church, mostrará flores y pinturas en el Fellowship Hall de 1 p.m. a 6 p.m. Los boletos se venderán en la entrada. ZAPATA — El Congresista de EU Henry Cuellar, líderes comunitarios y activistas serán anfitriones de la reunión informativo y de atención al Censo 2010 a las 3:30 p.m. de hoy en la Zapata County Courthouse. La reunión se enfocará sobre la importancia de participar en el Censo 2010 y el valor de involucrar a las comunidades locales en el proceso.
DOMINGO 21 DE MARZO LAREDO — Continúa el 60mo eventual anual de Flores y Artes, patrocinado por las United Methodist Women de la First United Methodist Church, donde se mostrarán flores y pinturas en el Fellowship Hall de 1 p.m. a 6 p.m. Los boletos se venderán en la entrada.
Zfrontera
PÁGINA 7A
Lanzan invitación a turistas ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Tamaulipas ofrece 15 mil habitaciones, seis destinos de sol y playa, mas de 30 de para el turismo rural, el Parque Emblemático El Cielo, museos, centros religiosos, presas, ríos, y otros.
CIUDAD VICTORIA — A fin de contrarrestar factores que pudieran inhibir la presencia de turistas en Tamaulipas, el Gobierno del Estado intensificó el programa “Vive Tamaulipas”. “Tamaulipas es un destino familiar, económico y diferenciado que nos distingue en México por la calidad de sus servicios, la calidez de nuestra gente y sus proyectos estratégicos orientados a fortalecer la economía y el nivel de vida de las familias del estado”, dijo el Secretario de Turismo Javier Villarreal. La estrategia de Sol y Playa 2010 comprende la promoción de
los destinos en el mercado nacional, la entrega de recursos económicos a los municipios costeros y los que cuentan con balnearios, visitas a universidades, así como los operativos de atención y auxilio a los visitantes durante el periodo vacacional de Semana Mayor 2010.
“Por experiencia sabemos que frente a cualquier dificultad, la industria turística siempre ha tenido la capacidad de sortear las dificultades”, dijo Villarreal. “Es un esfuerzo que involucra a los tres órdenes de gobierno y una iniciativa privada comprometida para instrumentar alianzas y es-
TAMAULIPAS
En Mier casarán gratis a parejas
MÁS VALE PREVENIR
MIÉRCOLES 24 DE MARZO LAREDO — Hoy es el Festival de Aves de Laredo, un evento gratuito para el público en general a las 6 p.m. en el Holiday Inn Civic Center. Para más información llame al Buró de Convenciones y Visitantes de Laredo al 800-361-3360 ó en www.visitlaredo.com
POR YAHAIRA L. ZAMBRANO ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
CIUDAD MIER — Continúa hasta el sábado 27 de marzo la sexta campaña estatal gratuita de Matrimonios Colectivos. El Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF) y el Registro Civil coordinan esta actividad para beneficiar a parejas
JUEVES 25 DE MARZO LAREDO — Hoy es el Viaje/ Excursión para Fotografiar a la Naturaleza. Habrá un cobro por acceso a terrenos. Para más información llame al Buró de Convenciones y Visitantes de Laredo al 800-3613360 ó en www.visitlaredo.com LAREDO — La Laredo Theatre Guild International presenta hoy ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ de William Shakespeare a las 7:30 p.m. en el Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de TAMIU. El boleto tiene costo de 15 dólares general y 10 dólares para adultos mayors y estudiantes con identificación. Más información llamando al 319-8610 ó visitando www.laredotheaterguild.com.
VIERNES 26 DE MARZO LAREDO — Hoy es el Viaje/ Excursión para Fotografiar a la Naturaleza. Habrá un cobro por acceso a terrenos. Para más información llame al Buró de Convenciones y Visitantes de Laredo al 800-3613360 ó en www.visitlaredo.com LAREDO — La Laredo Theatre Guild International presenta hoy ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ de William Shakespeare a las 7:30 p.m. en el Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de TAMIU. El boleto tiene costo de 15 dólares general y 10 dólares para adultos mayors y estudiantes con identificación. Más información llamando al 319-8610 ó visitando www.laredotheaterguild.com.
SÁBADO 27 DE MARZO LAREDO — Hoy es el Viaje/ Excursión para Fotografiar a la Naturaleza. Habrá un cobro por acceso a terrenos. Para más información llame al Buró de Convenciones y Visitantes de Laredo al 800-3613360 ó en www.visitlaredo.com LAREDO — La Laredo Golf Association realizará su torneo de membresía el día de hoy en el Casa Blanca Golf Course. El torneo será una Mezcla Florida de 3-personas; la salida será alas 8 a.m. y la cuota de entrada es de 100 dólares por jugador. LAREDO — Hoy es el segundo evento anual “Shoot for the Stars” organizado por la Oficina del Fiscal de Distrito para recaudar fondos para la Fundación Make-AWish de Central and South Texas. El evento será de 8 a.m. a 3 p.m. en el South Texas Shooting Complex. LAREDO — La Laredo Theatre Guild International presenta hoy ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ de William Shakespeare a las 7:30 p.m. en el Center for the Fine and Performing Arts de TAMIU. El boleto tiene costo de 15 dólares general y 10 dólares para adultos mayors y estudiantes con identificación. Más información llamando al 319-8610 ó visitando www.laredotheaterguild.com.
trategias que afronten los retos que la realidad actual exige”. La gira promocional de Vive Tamaulipas considera a los mercados potenciales para Tamaulipas, como son Nuevo León, Coahuila, San Luis Potosí, Querétaro, Aguascalientes, Durango, el Distrito Federal y Texas. Villarreal destacó que Tamaulipas se encuentra preparado para recibir al turismo durante el próximo periodo vacacional de primavera con una oferta de más de 15 mil habitaciones, seis destinos de sol y playa, mas de 30 de para el turismo rural, el Parque Emblemático El Cielo, museos, centros religiosos, presas, ríos, y otros.
ISABEL C. TREVIÑO: Invita a campaña de matrimonios colectivos en Ciudad Mier.
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
El Gobierno de Tamaulipas intensificó su campaña contra el dengue en todo el Estado. Durante esta semana se realizó el arranque de la campaña en diversos municipios.
Fortalecen combate contra el dengue ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
CIUDAD VICTORIA — Durante la semana, la Secretaría de Salud llevó a cabo la Primera Semana Intensiva de Lucha contra el Dengue 2010 de la Región Noreste. Con la participación de más de 600 personas contratadas para el inicio de este operativo, más de mil 200 trabajadores de salud, 120 vehículos, 80 máquinas de fumigación y 142 motomochilas, se trabajará en unas 140 colonias de la entidad para mantener el control larvario de más de 50 mil casas en Tamaulipas. El objetivo, según comunicado de prensa, es mantener controlada la enfermedad del dengue intensificando las acciones de control larvario, eliminando criade-
“
Se intensifican estos trabajos”. SECRETARIO DE SALUD JUAN GUILLERMO MANSUR ARZOLA
ros y descacharrizando los hogares para evitar la presencia del vector. “Como una manera de mantener la concientización y el apoyo de la población para evitar la presencia del mosco trasmisor del dengue en la entidad, se intensifican estos trabajos”, dijo el Secretario de Salud Juan Guillermo Mansur Arzola. La Jurisdicción Sanitaria No. 1 en Ciudad Victoria inició los
trabajos el 12 de marzo en la Colonia Sagitarios; el martes arrancó el programa en las ciudades de Tampico, Matamoros, Mante y Jaumave. La Jurisdicción Sanitaria No. V de Nuevo Laredo, que contempla la Frontera Chica, inició los trabajos el jueves en la Colonia Bertha del Avellano. Veracruz y San Luis Potosí son otras dos entidades participando en el programa.
Aplican medidas emergentes POR YAHAIRA L. ZAMBRANO ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
CIUDAD MIER — Durante la visita del Gobernador del Estado Eugenio Hernández Flores a esta ciudad el 11 de marzo, el mandatario estatal y el Jefe de Gobierno José Iván Mancias Hinojosa acordaron acciones en renglones de seguridad, educación y salud. La visita de Hernández tuvo como prioridad establecer acciones y medidas emergentes ante la situación de inseguridad que se vive en el municipio. En ese marco, el Secretario de Seguridad Pública José Ivés Soberón Tijerina dijo que se cuenta con elementos de la Policía Estatal Preventiva dentro del municipio. También hay un incremento en la presencia de agentes de la Policía Federal y de elementos del Ejército Mexicano para dar tranquilidad a la frontera chica. “Estamos pidiendo el apoyo de la ciudadanía para que en caso de cualquier eventualidad no se alarmen y así se evite el caos”, dijo Soberón. El Secretario de Educación José Manuel Assad Montelongo a su vez solicitó que las familias eviten dar por ciertos los rumores, inclusive pidió a los directores de los planteles escolares no alarmar al alumnado y, por tanto, prohibir su salida de las escuelas, hasta no tener información oficial. “Esto entorpece más las situaciones”, dijo Assad. A la vez anunció un plan donde se describen los pasos a seguirse en caso de emergencia. Durante una charla de 45 minutos entre Hernández y Mancías también participaron los Secretarios Juan Guillermo Mansur Arzol-
que han vivido en unión de libre por más de 25 años ó bien jóvenes que ya vivan juntos. La campaña que se realiza anualmente será la última bajo la coordinación de la Presidenta del Sistema DIF Tamaulipas Adriana González de Hernández. “El objetivo es la integración familiar y unificar a las familias de Tamaulipas”, dijo el Director del Registro Civil Jorge Flores Urrutia. En tanto la Presidenta del Sistema DIF Municipal Isabel Cristina Treviño dijo que se invita a las parejas a “dar un paso más ante la sociedad y que así concluyan con un matrimonio”. La campaña es gratuita y solamente se requiere que las parejas reúnan los requisitos y los presentan en las oficinas del DIF Municipal. Después del 27 de marzo se programará una ceremonia especial para unir a las parejas oficialmente. (Yahaira L. Zambrano es Directora de Comunicación Social del Gobierno de Ciudad Mier)
Celebran Semana del COBAT ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA
Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas
El Gobernador de Tamaulipas Eugenio Hernández Flores, a la derecha, recorrió Ciudad Mier el 11 de marzo acompañado del Presidente Municipal José Iván Mancías Hinojosa y de la Primera Dama Isabel Cristina Treviño. la, de Salud; y Humberto Valdez Richard, de Desarrollo Social quienes expusieron temas consistentes en dar a conocer los logros de los pasados cinco años. (Yahaira L. Zambrano es la Directora de Comunicación Social del Gobierno de Ciudad Mier).
NUEVO LAREDO — Con una ceremonia especial en la Unidad Deportiva Benito Juárez, el miércoles dio inicio a la 4ª Semana Estatal de la Familia Cobat. Ante un estadio lleno de adolescentes, el Colegio de Bachilleres presentó a los estudiantes que participarán durante tres jornadas en diferentes eventos. Competirán 2, 000 alumnos de Nuevo Laredo y serán 2, 500 los que representen al resto del estado. El gobernador Eugenio Hernández destacó su apuesta a la educación como fundamento para el desarrollo de la sociedad, e hizo un llamado a la valoración de las oportunidades que el Cobat les da a sus estudiantes. Participarán en competencias de nivel intelectual 121 estudiantes, 764 lo harán en deportes, en manifestaciones artístico-culturales 777 alumnos y en grupos de animación, bandas, escoltas, y danzas, lo harán 584 estudiantes. Los maestros que estarán a su cargo son un total de 414.
Zapata County Fair
8A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
2010
Photos by Ulysses Romero | The Zapata Times
Cristo Gonzalez was awarded Grand Champion in art at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Ronnie Ochoa and Sammy Jo Ochoa pose with the Grand Champion Broiler Rabbit at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Ricky Martinez was awarded Grand Champion in color photography at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Ashley Bravo, left, and Vanessa Bravo pose with the Grand Champion Goat at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Marlowe Bigler was awarded the Grand Champion in senior baking.
Jose Luis Ramirez was awarded Grand Champion in woodworks at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Sarah Rathmell poses for a photograph with the Reserve Champion Goat at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Christina Rodriguez poses with her Grand Champion Fryer Chicken at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Alejandra and Jennifer Santos pose for a photograph at the 2010 Zapata County Fair. Jennifer Santos won Grand Champion for her fryer rabbits.
Gabriel Molina poses with his Reserve Champion Turkey at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Christina Bustamante poses for a photograph with her Reserve Champion Heavy Goat at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Samuel Arroyo poses with his Grand Champion Turkey at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Zapata County Fair
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 9A
2010
Photos by Ulysses Romero | The Zapata Times
Arturo Muñoz poses for photograph with his Reserve Champion Steer.
Luis Paredes was named Grand Champion of metalworks at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Alyssa Gutierrez poses with her Grand Champion Light Lamb at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Ashley Flores was awarded Grand Champion in art at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Dario Sanchez poses for a photograph with his artwork, which won first place in ceramics at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Evelyn Aguilar was awarded Grand Champion of woodworks at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
Andrea Reyes poses for a photograph with her Grand Champion Heavy Hog at the Zapata County Fair grounds.
Kelsie Guerra poses next to her Grand Champion Light Steer at the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
FAIR Continued from Page 1A Those who considered themselves animal lovers also attended the live auction, considered the crown jewel of the fair’s events. Organizers estimate the total money raised from the livestock auction was more than $250,000. Kelsie Guerra, 12, a Zapata Middle School student, showcased the grand champion steer, 18-monthold Coffee. Kelsie Guerra named the steer “Coffee” after noticing the animal’s hyperactivity. “He would jump around, but mostly because he was always hyper,” the girl said. Coffee weighed in 1,195 pounds. Wolverine Construction bought the steer for $8 a pound, adding up to more than $9,000. When the time came to turn Coffee over, David Guerra, Kelsie’s father, said his daughter became emotional. “He was nice,” Kelsie
Guerra said about the animal. “That’s what I loved about him, and that’s what I’m going to miss about him.” David Guerra said his daughter enjoys taking care of animals and preparing them for competitions. The girl saves the money earned from events for her college education. “Without help of course,” the father added. “She makes us feel proud.” The love of animals could be considered a tradition within the Guerra family. The tradition seemed to continue for at least another generation, as Kelsie Guerra eyes a career taking care of animals. “She enjoys the animals. Her thoughts now are to become a veterinarian,” David Guerra said. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
Photo by Ulysses Romero | The Zapata Times
An aerial view provides a breathtaking look of the fair grounds on the evening of Saturday, March 13, as hundreds of people enjoy the 2010 Zapata County Fair.
PAGE 10A
Zentertainment
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
Group resurrects the Fab Four By KIRSTEN CROW THE ZAPATA TIMES
The fanaticism inspired by The Beatles in the ’60s — known as “Beatlemania” — is legendary. But The Beatles music itself, which was wildly popular not only when the band stood at the forefront of pop culture and on the stages before sold-out crowds of thousands, remains as one of the most iconic movements and entities of Billboard history. And on Sunday, that fervor will be resurrected again when the Classical Mystery Tour — a fourpiece that professionally impersonates The Beatles in look and sound — take the stage at the Laredo Energy Arena, backed by the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra in a memorable performance that combines classic rock with the pure classic. Brendan Townsend, director of the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, said the group’s likeness to the Fab Four is remarkable, both visually as well as audibly.
“This is music that everybody knows… the fact that The Beatles are still one of the No. 1 selling bands of all time, even today, is a testament to their longevity,” Townsend said. “(The Classical Mystery Tour) has sold out almost everywhere… The band looks and sounds exactly like the original members.” The Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra has, in the meanwhile, been practicing the songs selected for the set list for its role as the backup orchestra, as Townsend studies the scores. “It opens with The Beatles overtures, and then some of the more popular numbers,” he said. “It’s their biggest hits, with some of their not so much biggest, but most recognizable, tunes.” Among the selections are “Winding Road,” “Imagine,” “Good Night,” “Live and Let Die,” “Golden Slumbers,” “Something.” “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da,” “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” “Yesterday,” “Eleanor Rigby,” “Hello, Goodbye,” “All You Need is Love,” “Lady
Madonna,” “Yesterday,” Yellow Submarine” and “Penny Lane.” Bringing the group to Laredo is a showing that the LPO is interested in investing in and catering to the community, Townsend noted. “But if the community doesn’t support it, it will be hard to justify taking this kind of financial risk in the future,” he said. Comprising four musicians who take on the formidable task of portraying The Beatles are Jim Owen as John Lennon, Tony Kishman as Paul McCartney, John Brosnan as George Harrison and Chris Camilleri as Ringo Starr. “We’re going to go through the Beatles of the ’60s — pretty much The Beatles in their black suits and playing early songs like ‘Hard Day’s Night’ — and then we’ll move along to the Sgt. Pepper era, along with a costume change,” Owen said. The Classical Mystery Tour performs at 8 p.m. at the Laredo Energy Arena, formerly known as the Lare-
Polanski casts well in ‘The Ghost Writer’ By DAVID GERMAIN ASSOCIATED PRESS
If Roman Polanski has great insights on the notion of exile, he did not put them on-screen in “The Ghost Writer.” What he did put onscreen is a faithful, fairly
REVIEW absorbing adaptation of Robert Harris’ political thriller “The Ghost.” The movie pokes along at times, in contrast with the snappy pace of Harris’ novel. Yet Polanski cast his film well — particularly with Pierce Brosnan as a Tony Blair-esque former British prime minister, a supporting player in the story but a larger-than-life figure who enlivens and dominates “The Ghost Writer” every time he enters the picture. Adding intriguing parallels are Polanski’s long absence from America and the potential exile of Brosnan’s Adam Lang, who faces the prospect of an expatriate’s life in the United Carmen Ramirez - Rathmell, D.D.S.
“Let your smile be a sign of happiness & good health” 1520 Corpus Christi Street Telephone (956) 726-0160
Photo by Summit Entertainment | AP
In this film publicity image released by Summit Entertainment, Pierce Brosnan, left, and Ewan McGregor are shown during the filming of “The Ghost Writer.” States after he is accused of war crimes back home. Headlines swirling around Lang suddenly make his dreary memoirs look like the publishing event of the year. After the drowning death of a longtime aide overseeing Lang’s book, the publisher hires a veteran ghostwriter (Ewan McGregor) to punch up the tedious tome. This guy without a name, referenced in the
credits merely as “The Ghost” and often called “man” by Lang, who has trouble remembering people’s names — arrives at the New England estate where the former prime minister and his people are holed up just as huge news hits. “The Ghost Writer” is rated PG-13 for language, brief nudity/sexuality, some violence and a drug reference. It is playing at Cinemark Mall Del Norte.
do Entertainment Center. Tickets to the fundraiser, which benefits the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, are $28, $38 and $48. They are available at the LEA box office, as well as Ticketmaster locations.
Courtesy photo
The Classical Mystery Tour is dedicated to Beatles tributes.
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES 11A
Showdown vote for health bill set for Sunday By DAVID ESPO ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Historic health care change in the balance, Democrats plowed fresh billions into insurance subsidies for consumers on Thursday and added a $250 rebate for seniors facing high prescription drugs, last-minute sweeteners to sweeping $940 billion legislation headed for a climactic weekend vote. President Barack Obama scuttled an Asian trip in favor of last-minute lobbying at the White House on his signature issue, playing host to a procession of wavering Democrats. “It will make history and we will make progress by passing this legislation,” predicted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi as Democrats unveiled final alterations to a bill — 16 tumultuous months in the making — meant to expand health care to 32 million unin-
sured, bar the insurance industry from denying coverage on the basis of pre-existing medical conditions, and trim federal deficits by an estimated $138 billion over the decade. The health care portions of the bill would affect nearly every American and remake one-sixth of the national economy. Beginning in 2014, most Americans would be required for the first time to purchase insurance, and face penalties if they refused. Millions of families with incomes up to $88,000 a year would receive government help to defray their costs. Large businesses would face fines if they did not offer good-quality coverage to their workers. As Democrats trumpeted their bill, particularly its potential impact on the deficit, Republicans attacked it relentlessly as a government takeover of the health care industry financed by higher
Medicare cuts and tax increases, including a Medicare payroll tax on upper income wage earners. “The American people are saying, ’Stop’ and
Census meeting to promote participation By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES
The importance of participation will be the focus of the 2010 Census informational and awareness meeting, hosted by U.S. Congressman Henry Cuellar, local leaders and community activists in Zapata. “Participating in the 2010 Census is very important. The Census data gathered determines how the federal government distributes more than $400 billion to state, local and tribal governments,” Cuellar wrote in an e-mail. “The more participation rate a community has, the more money they receive. Additionally, participating in the Census determines the number of representatives — both state and federal — an area is apportioned.” The meeting will also focus on engaging other communities in the process, especially the regions where participation is historically less than the national average, such as the border. “Many times, confidentiality issues play a role in a person not wanting to participate in the Census. But the Census Office can not share a person’s information with anyone,” Cuellar wrote. “All Census employees have taken an oath to protect the participant’s confidentiality. The information you provide the Census will not be shared with anyone.”
The Census occurs every 10 years, and its purpose is to account for all the people living in the United States. It also determines how federal funding will be distributed to state and local governments. “During the 2000 Census, Zapata County had a 39 percent response rate, which was way below the national average of 72 percent and
below the state average of 67 percent,” Cuellar wrote. “Due to this participation rate, it is estimated that Zapata County lost $627,500 in federal funds. This is why it is very important to engage as many citizens as possible in the 2010 Census.” The meeting will be held Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. in the Zapata County Courthouse.
they’re screaming at the top of their lungs,” said House GOP Leader John Boehner of Ohio. Citing reports that Obama had told members of the Hispanic caucus that his presidency depends on the bill’s passage, he added, “I’m sorry, Mr. President, this isn’t about you.” It was, though, at least in part, and has been ever since last summer, when Sen. Jim DeMint, R-S.C., predicted the bill’s defeat would mark Obama’s Waterloo. Democrats set a Sunday showdown in the House, and while Pelosi and others expressed confidence about the outcome, Obama’s decision to put off a scheduled Asian trip until later in the year was a confession that the votes were not yet secured. Support for the legislation appeared to be growing. Rep. Bart Gordon of Tennessee, a moderate Democrat who is retiring at the
end of the year, announced he would vote in favor of the bill after opposing an earlier version. He did so as Democratic leaders included in their revisions a provision worth an estimated $99 million over two years in higher Medicaid payments to Tennessee hospitals that treat large numbers of uninsured. Rep. Betsy Markey, a firsttermer from Colorado, quickly followed, citing improved deficit cuts. That made three conversions in recent days, following liberal Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, with the White House and congressional leaders in search of more. In Washington’s timehonored tradition, the conversations with the president ranged widely. Rep. Luis Gutierrez of Illinois said he agreed to vote for the health care overhaul on the understanding that Obama and congressional Dem-
ocrats would begin attempts quickly to pass comprehensive immigration legislation. Within hours, Senate Democrats unveiled a bill, and the president praised it in a statement. Obama and Democratic leaders focused their lobbying on two overlapping groups of Democrats, 37 who voted against an earlier bill in the House and 40 who voted for it only after first making sure it would include strict abortion limits. After weeks of secrecyshrouded meetings, Democrats unveiled 153 pages of changes that included another of Obama’s top priorities. Federally guaranteed student loans would now be made only by the government, ending a role for banks and other for-profit lenders who charge fees. The savings, an estimated $60 billion over a decade, would increase the maximum Pell grants for college students.
12A THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
Senate approves jobs bill, hopes to hike hiring By ANDREW TAYLOR ASSOCIATED PRESS
WASHINGTON — Companies that hire unemployed workers will get a temporary payroll tax holiday under a bill that easily won congressional approval Wednesday in what Democrats hope is just the first of several election-year measures aimed at boosting hiring. The 68-29 bipartisan vote in
It was the first of several jobs bills promised by Democrats, though there’s plenty of skepticism that the measure will do much to actually create jobs. the Senate sent the legislation to the White House, where President Barack Obama was expected to sign it into law Thursday. Eleven Republicans voted for the legislation, an impressive tally con-
sidering the politically charged atmosphere on Capitol Hill. It was the first of several jobs bills promised by Democrats, though there’s plenty of skepticism that the measure will do
GIVING BACK TO BOYS AND GIRLS
much to actually create jobs. Optimistic estimates predict the tax break could generate perhaps 250,000 jobs through the end of the year, but that would be just a tiny fraction of the 8.4 million jobs lost since the start of the recession. The measure is part of a campaign by Democrats to show that they are addressing the nation’s unemployment problem, but that message was overshadowed by
LEAGUE Continued from Page 1A But one team in particular broke the mold. A high demand to play soccer from girls led to the creation of Pumas, a team where there are two boys and the rest of the players are girls. “We try to help the youth as much as we can,” Salinas said. Salinas also noted that this was Zapata High School’s first year with a soccer team. He said the league will be an asset for the future generations. “When the kids get to high school, we’re going to get good players,” he said. During the Zapata County Fair Parade, Zapata and
Photo by Joe Rutland | The Zapata Times
Boys & Girls Club of Zapata received a $5,100 contribution from ConocoPhillips recently. Shown in this picture, left to right, are Allen Nuñez of ConocoPhillips, Randy Black of ConocoPhillips, Ramiro Torres and Viola Torres of Boys and Girls Club, and Sergio Ramirez and Marvin Winkler of ConocoPhillips.
RUNOFF Continued from Page 1A Although Gutierrez has official withdrawn from the race, his name will still appear on the ballot with his opponent’s, Gabriel “Lel” Villarreal. “He came into my office Monday. Friday, March 12, was the deadline to withdraw, so it was too late,” said Doroteo Garza, Zapata County Democratic chair. “Ballots are already printed. His name stays on the ballot. If he wins, (after) he declines it — then it’s up to the county judge to appoint someone.” As for Villarreal, he expressed regret that Gutierrez was forced to withdraw. “I’m really sorry he had to drop out,” Villarreal said. “I had no idea. I only know what I read in the paper.” According to family members, Gutierrez will continue to notify the public of withdrawal. (Stephanie M. Ibarra may be reached at 728-2567 or sibarra@lmtonline.com)
Congress’ feverish final push to pass health care overhaul legislation by this weekend. The bill contains about $18 billion in tax breaks and a $20 billion infusion of cash into highway and transit programs. Among other things, it exempts businesses that hire people who have been unemployed for at least 60 days from paying the 6.2 percent Social Security payroll tax through December.
some of the team players decide to mount up a float. Several children showed up at the day of the parade dressed in their uniforms. Among the supporters of the league is Commissioner Jose Emilio Vela, who sponsors a team. The commissioner said that he had received several calls from parents asking about the possibility of constructing a soccer field. Vela has already arranged to have some fields ready for the kids in Flores Park, located within Precinct 1. “I got into it because I noticed there was a lot of interest,” he said. “There
were a lot kids who wanted to join and play.” Vela noticed that the fields where the children are scheduled to play were “kind of rough” and ordered the grounds to be leveled off. Vela believes this additional activity will create an interest among the youth of Zapata for them to have fun. “This is an extra sport they can be active in,” he said. For more information on the soccer league, call 7654844 or 265-2117. (César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM
Sports&Outdoors ZAPATA HIGH SCHOOL TEAM TENNIS
HAWKS TAKE ON STATE’S BEST Season ends with great experience By CLARA SANDOVAL SPECIAL TO THE TIMES
T
he Zapata Hawks conclude the team tennis portion of their season at the Class 3A team tennis state tournament last weekend. A total of 16 team competed at the state tournament, including traditional 3A powerhouse Abilene Wylie, which had won the state team tennis title the past three years in a row. Wylie repeated as state champion by capturing the title to make it four in a row. The other schools that participated were Bellville, Boerne, Center, Groesback, Kaufman, La Feria, Lovejoy, Snyder, Sweetwater, Van, Vernon, Waco Robinson, Wharton, Wimberley and Zapata. The Hawks bowed out to Waco Robinson in the tournament. “I was sitting in the bus on the way home, stewing over the loss to Waco Robinson, when it hit me that I had nothing to complain about,” Zapata coach Robert Alvarez said. “Two years ago we were playing on two cement courts, and now we are here playing the best teams in the state and giving them a run for their money. “I can not say enough about our kids, they played with so much heart.” Alvarez also noted that this was a great learning
experience for the athletes, and for himself. “It was a great learning experience not only for our players, but for myself, as well,” he said. “I know what we have to do to be successful at this meet, and we will start working this summer at get back here next year.” The Hawks’ lineup included Estevan Garcia and Garret Umphres, Javy and Angel Ortiz (doubles), Hector Solis and Tony Cuellar (doubles). Competing on the girls’ side were Gabriela Molina and Cristina Mendoza (doubles), Carmen Rocha and Martiza Torres (doubles) and Isabella Martinez and Kassandra Flores (doubles). The mixed doubles included Eliseo Solis and Daniela Molina, and Tony Mendoza and Clarissa Bayarena. The singles lineup for the boys was Garcia, Zapata, Umphres, Solis, Cuellar and Ortiz. The girls include Martinez, Mendoza, Rocha, Gabriela Molina, Torres and Kassie Flores. Zapata opened play against the fifth-seededVernon Lions. The Lions eventually made their way to championship match, where they lost to Abilene Wylie to come in second place. Zapata started off slow in doubles play, falling behind 6-0, and eventually lost 10-1. Umphres picked the on-
Courtesy photos
Garret Umphres prepares to wallop a forehand as he competes for the Zapata High School tennis team at the Class 3A state tournament in San Marcos last weekend. ly points for Zapata winning his singles match. “We were shaky at the start, and I know nerves had a lot to do with it as well as being taken back by the whole atmosphere of the competition,” Alvarez said. “The intensity of the meet, the tremendous fan following that these schools had and the collegiate style coaching and atmosphere seemed to rattle our players for a while. Next on the agenda is individual tennis district competition. The coaching staff will decide where the Hawks will play and get specific in their preparation for the district meet to be held on April 10. The Zapata team will travel to Laredo on March 26 for the Laredo Independent School District Tournament.
Cristina Mendoza crushes an overhead shot as she competes in the tournament.
Cornell dominates Temple 12th-seeded Big Red stun fifth-seeded Owls ASSOCIATED PRESS
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Cornell lived up to its billing, showing why it’s the best team to come out of the Ivy League in more than a decade. Down to their last chance to experience success on college basketball’s biggest stage, seniors Ryan Wittman, Louis Dale and Jeff Foote led the 12th-seeded Big Red to its first win in
TOURNEY ROUNDUP Photo by Phil Coale | AP
Princeton coach Courtney Banghart instructs her players as Niveen Rasheed looks on during practice on Friday in Tallahassee, Fla.
Coaches give perspective ASSOCIATED PRESS
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Princeton hasn’t been to the NCAA tournament before, though both head coach Courtney Banghart and assistant Milena Flores made it as players. Clearly, they can provide some perspective as far as what the Tigers can expect on Saturday. And if the Tigers want more knowledge about what the tournament feels like, maybe they can call their mothers.
“This is going to sound silly. I feel like it’s a little bit like childbirth, in that you don’t really know what it’s like until you get there,” Banghart said Friday, before her team held its final practice to get ready for a first-round tilt against St. John’s. “Is No. 2 easier than No. 1? I don’t know. I don’t have any kids, but every experience is new.” And that was just one of many memorable lines
See WOMEN PAGE 2B
five NCAA appearances on Friday, a 78-65 upset of No. 5 seed Temple in the East Regional. Dale scored 21 points, Wittman had 20 and Foote chipped in 16 points and seven rebounds. This win came in dominant fashion. Cornell (28-4) took the lead early and never looked back. Temple (29-6) lost in the first round for the third straight year under coach Fran Dunphy, whose former assistant, Steve Donahue, has led Cornell to three straight Ivy League titles and the winningest season in school history. Juan Fernandez and Ryan Brooks each had 14 points for Temple. Lavoy Allen added 11. Having gone through a non-conference schedule that included games against Kansas, Syracuse, Seton Hall, St. John’s and Alabama, Donahue felt the Big Red was better equipped this year to face a tough, physical opening-round opponent such as Temple, one of the nation’s stingiest defensive teams. Cornell lost by 24 to Stanford in 2008 and 19 to Missouri a year ago, and entered this year’s tournament determined to make the most of the
Photo by Wilfredo Lee | AP
Cornell’s Ryan Wittman (20) and Jeff Foote celebrate after defeating Temple 78-65 in a first-round game of the NCAA tournament in Jacksonville, Fla., on Friday. last opportunity Wittman, Foote, Dale and fellow senior Jon Jaques have to enjoy an NCAA run. Dunphy, who’s been at Temple since 2006, fell to 1-12 in the NCAA tournament and has lost 11 straight. The Owls coach appeared in the tournament nine times in 17 seasons at Penn, where Donahue was an assistant under him for 10 years. They remain close, and the mentor freely admitted he did not relish the idea of facing the pupil on Friday. Dunphy’s lone victory in the NCAA’s came in 1994, when Penn beat Nebraska. He lost his next eight tournament games with the Quakers and now his first three with Temple, including losses to Michigan State and Arizona State the past two years. Cornell, which has won 16 of 17 games since a 5-point road loss at Kansas on Jan. 6, became the first Ivy League team to win an NCAA tournament game since fifth-seeded Princeton took down No. 12 seed
UNLV in 1998. Temple trailed 37-29 at the half and was fortunate to be that close. The Owls uncharacteristically turned the ball over nine times, with Cornell coming up with seven steals while playing tight man-to-man defense and occasionally switching to a 1-3-1 zone that made it difficult to get the ball inside. Cornell’s lead would have bigger if its 3-point shooters hadn’t struggled from beyond the arc. The Big Red were 13 of 19 from the field at the break, and five of those six misses were 3-pointers that could have left Temple in a deeper hole. After misfiring its first two 3-point attempts of the second half, Cornell’s shooters caught fire. Jon Jacques hit a long 3, then Wittman made three straight during a stretch in which the Big Red weathered another Temple surge to lead 51-42.
See TOURNEY PAGE 2B
PAGE 2B
Zscores
TRANSACTIONS BASEBALL American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES: Optioned LHP Wilfrido Perez to Bowie (EL). CLEVELAND INDIANS: Optioned C Carlos Santana, RHP Hector Rondon, RHP Jeanmar Gomez and OF Jordan Brown to Columbus (IL). Optioned INF Carlos Rivero and OF Nick Weglarz to Akron (EL). Reassigned INF Beau Mills to their minor league camp. Announced INF Brian Bixler cleared waivers and has been sent outright to Columbus. NEW YORK YANKEES: Optioned RHP Romulo
Sanchez to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (IL). Reassigned RHP Ryan Pope to their minor league camp. TEXAS RANGERS: Assigned INF-OF Mitch Moreland, 1B Justin Smoak and INF-OF Chad Tracy to their minor league camp. National League CHICAGO CUBS: Optioned RHP Blake Parker, RHP Jeff Stevens and C Welington Castillo to Iowa (PCL). Assigned RHP Andrew Cashner, RHP Casey Coleman, RHP Thomas Diamond, LHP J.R. Mathes and INF Bryan LaHair to their minor league camp. FLORIDA MARLINS: Optioned LHP Taylor Tankersley, RHP Cristhian Martinez, OF Scott Cousins, OF Jai Miller to New Orleans (PCL). Reas-
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
signed RHP Kasey Olenberger, C Vinny Rottino, INF Danny Richar to their minor league camp. MILWAUKEE BREWERS: Optioned OF Lorenzo Cain, RHP Marco Estrada and C Angel Salome to Nashville (PCL). Sent LHP Zach Braddock and RHP Kameron Loe to their minor league camp. PITTSBURGH PIRATES: Optioned 3B Pedro Alvarez and OF Jose Tabata to Indianapolis (IL). Reassigned OF Jonathan Van Every, INF Doug Bernier, RHP Jimmy Barthmaier, LHP Neal Cotts, RHP Craig Hansen and RHP Tyler Yates to their minor league camp. Frontier League FLORENCE FREEDOM: Released RHP John Tesseyman.
BASKETBALL NBA WASHINGTON WIZARDS: Signed G Shaun Livingston for the remainder of the season. HOCKEY NHL CAROLINA HURRICANES: Recalled D Bryan Rodney From Albany (AHL). CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS: Reassigned G Corey Crawford to Rockford (AHL). COLORADO AVALANCHE: Signed F Mike Carman. MINNESOTA WILD: Recalled D Justin Falk from Houston (AHL). VANCOUVER CANUCKS: Signed F Ryan Kesler
to a six-year contract extension through the 2015-16 season. AHL IDAHO STEELHEADS: Signed F Kael Mouillierat and F Geoff Irwin. MANITOBA MOOSE: Signed F Kevin Clark. PROVIDENCE BRUINS: Assigned D Rob Kwiet and D Scott Fletcher to Reading (ECHL). Signed D Jody Pederson. ECHL READING ROYALS: Released D Ryan Hand and F Matt Ward. SOCCER MLS DC UNITED: Waived M Danny Szetela.
NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION: Re-signed D Darrius Barnes. WINTER SPORTS U.S. SKI AND SNOWBOARD ASSOCIATION: Promoted director of sport science Troy Flanagan to the new position of director of high performance. COLLEGE NORTHERN STATE: Named Paul Sather men’s basketball coach. OREGON: Announced the resignation of athletic director Mike Bellotti, effective April 5. ST. JOHN’S: Fired men’s basketball coach Norm Roberts. WESTERN CAROLINA: Named Mark Rhea defensive line coach.
lead to three points, but Middleton replied with his fourth 3-pointer and Holmes added two as A&M took a 30-20 lead. Texas A&M closed with a 10-4 run over the final 4 minutes for a 42-29 halftime lead. They shot 56 percent in the first half, including making 6 of 12 3-point attempts. Utah State shot 41 percent in the first half, and was outrebounded 22-11. Middleton, rated one of the best high school shooters in the nation at Charleston, S.C., was a 29 percent 3point shooter coming into the game, but made all four of his attempts in the first. Utah State hung around in the second half, as Texas A&M cooled off a bit. Nate Bendall’s rebound and layup brought the Aggies within 49-42 with 12:33 left. But Texas A&M scored eight straight points to build a 57-42 lead with 9 minutes left. Jared Quayle’s first field goal since he scored Utah State’s first two baskets cut the A&M lead to 57-47. But A&M rattled off eight straight points, capped by Holmes’ 3-pointer, for a 65-47 lead with 4 minutes left. Donald Sloan was the fourth A&M player in double figures with 10. The Aggies shot 49 percent in the game, making 8 of 18 3point attempts and 11 of 14 free throws. A team that averages 42 percent from 3-point range, Utah State made just 5 of 20, and missed all four of its free throw attempts. Utah State was 23-0 this season when making at least five 3pointers. Quayle, Utah State’s allWestern Athletic Conference guard, was 5 of 18 from the field in one of the worst shooting performances of his USU career. Tai Wesley led Utah State with 14 points, while Quayle scored 11.
maine Dixon and Gilbert Brown scored 17 points apiece and Pittsburgh avoided becoming the latest Big East powerhouse to get knocked off in the first round of the NCAA tournament, overcoming a slow start to rout Oakland 89-66 on Friday in the West Regional. Brown’s strong performance off the bench was a boost for the third-seeded Panthers (25-8), who are making their ninth straight NCAA appearance and have advanced to the round of 16 in five of the previous eight. They’ll try to continue that streak Sunday against No. 6 seed Xavier, which defeated 11th seed Minnesota 65-54 earlier Friday. Big center Keith Benson scored 28 points for the 14th-seeded Golden Grizzlies (26-9), who played much of the first half without starting forward Derick Nelson after an elbow from Panthers center Gary McGhee opened a cut over his left eye. No. 6 Xavier 65, No. 11 Minnesota 54 MILWAUKEE — Jordan Crawford scored 17 of his 28 points in the second half and Xavier continued its run of NCAA tournament success with a 65-54 victory over Minnesota in the first round of the West Regional on Friday. Xavier (25-8) will be in the second round for the fourth straight year, this time under first-year coach Chris Mack. Mack has a star in Crawford, the Indiana transfer playing in his first NCAA tournament game in two years. But it was far from a oneman show. Dante Jackson smothered the Gophers’ best shooters on defense, Jamel McLean had 14 rebounds and Crawford provided the highlight plays for the sixth-seeded Musketeers. Lawrence Westbrook scored 15 of his 19 points for Minnesota (21-14) in the first half, and the 11th-seeded Gophers went cold from 3-point range late.
TOURNEY Continued from Page 1B The closest Temple would get the rest of the way was seven. No. 2 West Virginia 77, No. 15 Morgan State 50 BUFFALO, N.Y. — Kevin Jones scored 17 points and second-seeded West Virginia overcame an early scare to open the NCAA tournament with a 77-50 win over Morgan State on Friday. Devin Ebanks added 16 points and 13 rebounds for the Big East champion Mountaineers (28-6), who started the game missing their first 11 shots and trailing 10-0. With star guard Da’Sean Butler shut down by Morgan State, Jones stepped up to score 9 points during a decisive 21-4 run near the end of the first half. Reggie Holmes scored 12 points for Morgan State (2710), the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference champ, which was making its second tournament appearance. The Mountaineers advanced to the second round of the East Regional, where they’ll play No. 10 Missouri. No. 4 Wisconsin 53, No. 13 Wofford 49 JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jon Leuer scored 20 points and Trevon Hughes added 19, and fourth-seeded Wisconsin held off No. 13 seed Wofford 53-49 in the opening round of the NCAA tournament Friday. Leuer’s baseline jumper with 17 seconds remaining snapped a 51-51 tie, and the 6-foot-10 forward added a pair of free throws to finish the victory. Wisconsin (26-9) advanced to the second round of the East Regional against 12thseeded Cornell, which upset Temple earlier Friday. Wofford (26-9) led 49-48 with under 2 minutes to go, but turned the ball over twice and missed two crucial foul shots down the stretch. Jamar Diggs led the Terriers, making their first appearance in the NCAA tournament, with 13 points. Noah Dahlman added 10. No. 10 Missouri 86, No. 7 Clemson 78 BUFFALO, N.Y. — Kim
English and Keith Ramsey each scored 20 points, and Missouri’s swarming defense lived up to its reputation during an 86-78 victory over Clemson in the first round of the NCAA tournament Friday. Missouri (23-10), the 10th seed in the East Regional, won its fifth straight opening-round game and sent seventh-seeded Clemson (2111) home for the third consecutive year after a firstround loss. Clemson coach Oliver Purnell is winless in six trips to the NCAA tournament with three schools. Missouri forced 20 turnovers, nabbed 15 steals and stifled Clemson star Trevor Booker for 35 minutes. Booker finished with 11 points and 11 rebounds in the final game of his career. Demontez Stitt led Clemson with 21 points, Andre Young had 19 and Jerai Grant 12. Laurence Bowers scored 15 points and J.T. Tiller had 10 points and five steals for Missouri.
South Regional No. 4 Purdue 72, No. 13 Siena 64 SPOKANE, Wash. — Keaton Grant ignited the decisive run that rallied fourthseeded Purdue past No. 13 seed Siena 72-64 on Friday in the first round of NCAA tournament’s South Regional. Grant’s 11 points to begin the second half opened up the inside for teammate JuJuan Johnson’s 23 points. Johnson, the tallest player on either team at 6-foot-10, also tied a career high with 15 rebounds. E’Twaun Moore added 12 points for the Boilermakers (28-5). They were steamed that even President Barack Obama had joined a national chorus predicting the Saints (27-7) would pull a first-round upset in the third consecutive NCAA tournament. No. 5 Texas A&M 69, No. 12 Utah St. 53 SPOKANE, Wash. — First-round victories in the
WILFREDO LEE/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cornell’s Ryan Wittman shoots over Temple’s Juan Fernandez. Wittman scored 20 in the Big Red’s victory. NCAA tournament are becoming routine for Texas A&M, although this time it took freshman Khris Middleton to make it happen. Middleton scored a career-high 19 points and fifth-seeded Texas A&M beat No. 12 Utah State 69-53 on Friday in the opening round of the South Regional. The Aggies (24-9) advanced to the second round for the fifth consecutive year. They will face No. 4 seed Purdue on Sunday. David Loubeau added 12 points and B.J. Holmes had 11 for Texas A&M, which disrupted Utah State into one of its worst shooting performances of the season and dominated the rebounding. Utah State (27-8) lost its fifth consecutive first-round game. Its last win came in 2001 over Ohio State. The Aggies shot 38 percent, well below their season average
of 49 percent, and scored 20 points below their season average. Middleton, a 6-foot-7 forward whose previous high was 17 points, did not become a starter until after the team was reconfigured to deal with the horrific broken leg sustained by guard Derrick Roland in late December at Washington. Middleton has been a solid performer, but elevated his play in the Big 12 tournament, averaging 15 points in three games. Middleton scored 14 points in the first half as Texas A&M used sharp shooting to take 42-29 lead. Consecutive 3-pointers by Middleton keyed a 10-0 run that gave A&M a 14-5 lead. Middleton, who averages 7.0 points per game, hit another 3 for a 21-13 lead as Utah State made just six of its first 14 shots. Jaxon Myaer’s basket for Utah State cut the A&M
West Regional No. 3 Pittsburgh 89, No. 14 Oakland 66 MILWAUKEE — Jer-
WOMEN Continued from Page 1B Banghart offered Friday. —On her parents, who never miss Princeton’s Ivy League games, scheduling a vacation in the Galapagos Islands for this weekend instead of being with the Tigers in Tallahassee: “Not even my own family thought I had it in me” to get the Tigers to the NCAA tournament this quickly, two years removed from a 7-23 season. (Which she said with tongue firmly planted in cheek.) —On being underdogs, despite a 26-2 record: “We’re realists. We’re smart people. We realize what our chances are. This year, it’s totally different. These kids know they have found a way to win 26 times and 25 of them are by double figures. They know how to win.” Maybe the best line from Princeton on Friday, however, came from senior center Cheryl Stevens, talking about how the Tigers balance athletics with the university’s intense academic demands. Stevens, for example, worked on her senior thesis before practice Friday. “I think maybe we’re getting a little too much credit,” Stevens said, “for being huge nerds.”
My own nickname TCU senior guard TK LaFleur is a self-made woman. At least when it comes to nicknames. “When I was in fourth grade, I was tired of people calling me by my first name so I made up my own nickname,” she said of shortening up Trekessa. “It’s a lot easier for coaches to say and yell at times.” TCU coach Jeff Mittie said he
appreciated that. “I can say Trekessa. I may say it today,” he joked. LaFleur rolled her eyes. “Oh, that’s just grand,” she said.
Still ‘Spoon’ Teresa Weatherspoon still plays basketball. Just not against her Louisiana Tech players. That might be dangerous. For them. Weatherspoon, a star player who helped Louisiana Tech win the NCAA title in 1988, an Olympic gold medalist and one of the pioneers of the WNBA, says her competitive fire still burns as hot as ever. “I still have that mentality, if I play, I want to destroy,” said Weatherspoon, whose Lady Techsters will face Florida State in Tallahassee, Fla. on Saturday. “I’m not here to destroy my kids. I’m here to build my kids.”
Teaching moment The Georgetown women’s team was disappointed watching their friends on the men’s team get knocked out following a firstround upset to 13th-seeded Ohio. That emotion quickly turned into a lesson for the fifth-seeded Georgetown women, who are making their first NCAA tournament appearance in 17 years when they take on 12th-seeded Marist in the first round of the Memphis Regional in Berkeley. “We love our guys. We’re Hoyas fans. We’re fellow Hoyas. It hurt,” guard Monica McNutt
said. “But if we had to find a positive out of that it’s a reality check for us. Anything can happen in the NCAA tournament. As everybody knows it’s our first time here. So we know we have to be extra sharp, be on all our Ps and Qs, dot all Is, cross all Ts and come out fully prepared and ready to play from the tipoff.” Coach Terri Williams-Flournoy watched the game online with her husband and believed the men lost because of problems defensively and on the boards. “It’s funny because that’s all I keep pushing at my girls,” Williams-Flournoy said. “Of course we did not want our men to lose but I can go right back to them and say if we don’t rebound and we don’t play defense we can’t win.”
Full circle Sherri Murrell use to become enraged at the site of purple every time she visited Seattle. The former Washington State coach still doesn’t like purple very much, but she’ll put up with seeing a lot of it on the Washington campus this weekend as her 15th-seeded Portland State Vikings make their first NCAA tournament appearance. The underdog Vikings play second-seeded Texas A&M on Saturday night. “I hate this place. I was a Cougar and I don’t have very many good memories here,” Murrell said. “But the good thing is I have a lot of good memories with the team I have now and walking off that bus and looking
at all that purple I said ’it’s all behind me.”’ Murrell lasted five seasons of constant struggle at Washington State going 27-114 before resigning after the 2007 season. She landed at Portland State and instantly turned the Vikings into a winner. Entering Saturday’s game, the Vikings are 63-33 in Murrell’s three seasons. In the three season before Murrell arrived at the school just a few blocks from where she went to high school, the Vikings were 2757. “This is wonderful, it’s exciting,” Murrell said. “It means a lot to me to be honest with you and I’m savoring every minute of it.”
Nice digs Hampton might be a heavy underdog and it’s never easy going up against the Cameron Crazies, but the Pirates have discovered one perk to drawing a trip to Duke for the tournament: They have access to the glitzy locker room that otherwise belongs to coach Mike Krzyzewski’s men’s team. In particular, one item caught everyone’s eye. “Jacuzzi!” guard Jerika Jenkins said. “Started to take my clothes off,” coach David Six said, laughing. “I might spend the night up here,” forward Quanneisha Perry cracked. “Show that to our athletic director,” Jenkins quipped. But while everybody shared a chuckle about it, the players also admitted that they’re drawing
motivation from those amenities, not to mention the numerous trophies and trimmed-down nets that fill up trophy cases throughout the Cameron Indoor Stadium complex. “It makes me feel like winning, because they have all these accomplishments and trophies to show what they have done in the past years,” Jenkins said. “I believe now, in the MEAC, we can do the same thing. We can keep it going.”
American Idol? Turning around Kentucky’s women’s basketball program isn’t coach Matthew Mitchell’s only talent. Mitchell considers himself a good singer, often serenading the Wildcats in order to keep them loose. The Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year’s repetoire is heavy on Whitney Houston — seriously — though he’s also been known to break out from 50 Cent from time to time. “He thinks he’s a good singer, he’s OK,” said junior forward Victoria Dunlap. “He’s all right. If he was on American Idol, I would vote for him until the end.” Mitchell also makes sure his players get in on the act. In an effort to build school spirit, he made the Wildcats learn the words to the school fight song and requires the Wildcats to sing it along with the pep band at the end of each game. Kentucky (25-7) is the fourth seed in the Midwest Region and plays 13th-seeded Liberty (27-5) at Freedom Hall on Saturday.
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3B
HINTS BY HELOISE Dear Heloise: Here’s a great way to get out, get more exercise and help out some four-legged friends who need it. Head to your local animal shelter and offer to be a DOG WALKER. Even the very best shelters have to keep their dogs in kennels, and the staff and volunteers are often so busy that sometimes a brief bathroom break is all they can manage. Walking shelter dogs not only gives them fresh air and exercise, it also helps them learn leash manners, which can make them more adoptable. You may have to take an orientation class, but it will be worth it in the end. Go to the shelter or get friends together and form a dog-walking club. The dogs will be happy, you’ll get healthy, and who knows -you just might find a friend! -- S.C. in Rapid City, S.D. ‘Woof, woof !’ Our furry (and some not-so-furry) friends say, ‘Come on over for a fun and helpful stroll with a four-footed friend!’ -- Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: Gary and Carole Olson sent in a photo of Willie, their miniature
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Del Mar Sub., 3bd, 2 full baths, 2cg., block fence, w/sprinkler system. 1800 Sq.Ft. $145,000 OBO Serious Inquiries call:285-8258 En Nuevo Laredo, 3bd., 2ba., $98,000 Call:956-206-8793 70
Propiedad trabajando $150 X 54’ frente, 3401 Galveston esquina Moreno, Laredo Tx 78043 $80,000 Manuel despues de las 3pm 728-9188
RENTALS
PETS & SUPPLIES
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ARTICLES FOR SALE
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Beautiful & Tiny Pure breed French Poodles mini toy $300 795-0261, 857-1123 Beautiful Male Cockapoo 7mth. old, & 4mth. old boxer, REDUCED $160ea. 795-0261; 857-1123 Chihuahua mix puppies for sale $100 each call Rey 334-4736
Must See!! Cute 5 mo./F Pug, shots, dewormed, $400 SOLD Pugs AKC reg., 3M/2F, black, fawn, $350 Call:286-9565
PETS & SUPPLIES
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Rockwilder puppies for sale 4M,2F,6wks,$100 Mother AKC reg., Call:286-4625
LIVESTOCK & SUPPLIES 100
Can you afford $500 month (includes taxes,insurance) for a home of your own?TRUE “0”interest/30 years. Habitat for Humanity. 724-3227. Equal Housing Leander
HELP WANTED
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HELP WANTED
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Bar-B Que Pits Heavy Duty 1/4inch new casing. Top quality weld. Last a lifetime, all sizes available $175 & up Call Cesar 763-0143
TRANSPORTATION
2mo old, Pitbull male, all shots, deworm, $140, Call 956-401-9377
Se vende perritos,Blue Healers, $100 cada uno. 2915 Chesnut, 333-8836
UNFURNISHED HOUSES
MISCELLANEOUS
10pc. Antique wood dinning set w / c h i n a cabinet, 1 sofa & 1 love seat w/ 2 end tables in excellent cond. Prices starting at $1500 OBO call:285-8258
3bd, 2ba, corner lot, storage, $135,000 call:956-206-8793
LOTS FOR SALE
schnauzer, lying on the lower open shelf of the breakfast counter. Carole says, ‘Willie is 6 months old, and he normally lies on my foot. This night he climbed up on the counter, which is only about 5 inches above the kitchen floor in our multilevel home. I couldn’t believe my eyes when he got up on the counter and curled up. Guess that is a good spot to keep an eye on me.’ To see Willie on the shelf, visit www.Heloise.com. -- Heloise NO DIGGING Dear Heloise: My cat loves to dig in freshly turned dirt, which makes him a menace to seeds and seedlings. After I plant, I set broken wire tomato cages on top of the soil and around the plants. I leave them in place until the plants are growing well and the soil has settled. They let air and water in and don’t hamper the plants. -- Jackie in California
PETS & SUPPLIES
REAL ESTATE
HOMES FOR SALE
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HELOISE
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Chivas Boer Mix 5 Males & females 1.5 Year old. Asking $75ea. Call 725-4524 LIVESTOCK & SUPPLIES Registered Appaloosa colts & Fillies yearling’s, athletic bloodline, outstanding confirmation, beautiful. Starting $500 & up. 763-3355
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Dodge Ram ‘04, 6 cyl., 4x4, Super Crew, Turbo Diesel, $9500 Call 763-9068 Dodge 1997 Dually diesel,6 cyl., Std., 3500 Cummins $5500 OBO Call: 956-220-9210 TRUCKS FOR SALE
Business Advisor (Business Development) Job Vacancy Number: 10105 Salary: 30,213 – 35,000 Job Duties: Responsible for providing counseling and training services to Small Business Development Center (SBDC) clients in Zapata, Texas. Serve as the primary business counselor and trainer to small businesses in Zapata County and designated rural counties of the SBDC service delivery area. Provide assistance to small businesses in all aspects of small business operations including business planning, financial analysis, marketing, accounting, tax planning, loan packaging, and a wide variety of other business services. Assist the Director in working with community organizations in Zapata County and designated rural counties to promote SBDC services and achieve program goals. Work closely with the Director, Assistant Director, and Training Coordinator to design and deliver effective counseling and training services. Assist in organizing and planning quarterly strategic meetings with special emphasis on rural counseling issues related to SBDC counselors. Promote SBDC services, network with community organizations involved in small business and economic development, and assist in maintenance of data SBDC Client Activity Training System (CATS). Coordinate with the Staff Assistant to complete and submit accurate and timely reports on counseling and training activities. Represent the Director at public and private sector events requiring knowledge of SBDC operations and provide promotional opportunities. Attend professional development workshops and seminars relating to small business development with special emphasis on rural issues. Attend SBDC regional and national meetings. Participate in Certified Business Advisor program. Perform other related duties as assigned. Required Qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Two or more years experience providing consulting services for management/technical skills to small businesses; serving as member within a business/economic development organization; serving as manager/proprietor of a small business; and/or managing and business planning in the private sector. Knowledge of Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook, Publisher, and/or web-based software. Other Info: Position requires travel. Position requires occasional evening and/or weekend hours. Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills. Closing Date: Until adequate applicant pool is acquired. Application Procedure: To obtain more information and/or apply, please visit our online employment system, TAMIUWorks at https://employment.tamiu.edu. EOE
BOATS
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2004 Bass Boat Proteam 175, w/50 hp, good cond., $5200 OBO Call: 337-8981 HEAVY EQUIPMENT
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VAZQUEZ WELDING.DOORS, WINDOWS, GATES,BURGLAR BARS,FENCES, STAIRCASES (956)286-3593. AUTOMOTIVE PARTS
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Diesel engines Chevy 6.6 Ford 7.3 & Cummins 5.9 Remanufactured w/warranty will deliver, $2,950. 713-918-5811. TRUCKS FOR SALE
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Ford F-250 ‘01, 8 cyl., cabina y media, gasolina, $4800 Inf: 763-9068
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Expedition ‘02, Quemacocos, doble A / C , flamante $3800 negociable 775-2962 Land Rover 2000 leather seats, A/C,140K miles,good cond.,$5500 Call: 726-9518; 791-4351 CARS FOR SALE
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Sports
4B THE ZAPATA TIMES
SATURDAY, MARCH 20, 2010
Astros stifle Blue Jays ASSOCIATED PRESS
KISSIMMEE, Fla. — Randy Ruiz had grown to expect that a phone call from his team’s front office meant only one thing: pack your bags and get ready to move on to a new franchise. But after being released five times in 11 minor league seasons while playing for 10 different organizations, Ruiz hopes he’s finally found some stability with the Toronto Blue Jays. The Blue Jays cleared a way for Ruiz to be a parttime first baseman and DH behind Lyle Overbay and Adam Lind after the team optioned Brian Dopirak to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday. Ruiz walked but was held hitless for just the second time this spring as seven Houston pitchers combined to throw the team’s third exhibition shutout in a 3-0 win over the Blue Jays on Friday. Though his path to the Opening Day roster appears to be clear-cut, Ruiz says he wont be complacent. “You never feel comfortable,” the 32-year-old infielder said. “I just go out there and play hard. You never know what can happen in this game. I have my plan and my plan is to go out there and drive in some key runs and key hits and show some leather.” Ruiz made an impression on the Blue Jays last year when he hit .320 with 25 homers and 106 RBI for Las Vegas before batting .313 with 10 home runs in 33 games after an August call-up. He built on that momentum by playing for Indios de Mayaguez in Puerto Rico during the winter. He also played for Puerto Rico in the Caribbean World Series. Between Mayaguez and the series, Ruiz hit .347 with eight home runs and 31 RBI in 32 games. He also shed 24 pounds in the process. His work and dedication has showed this spring. He’s hitting .424 with two home runs and seven RBI in 33 at-bats. “I got a little upper-hand because I played all winter,” he said. “I’ve been working on a lot of things. They noticed what I’ve done and maybe in couple of weeks I get rewarded by staying on the team.” Jason Burgeois tripled and scored in the first and Cory Sullivan hit a solo home run in the second to account for all of the scoring. Both of the scheduled starting pitchers were late scratches.
Photo by David Zalubowski | AP
Courtside seats sit empty in the second half of the Denver Nuggets’ 93-80 victory over the New Orleans Hornets in Denver on Thursday.
NBA executives getting creative Decline in ticket sales has led some teams to drastically cut prices in hopes of filling seats By JON KRAWCZYNSKI MINNEAPOLIS — Glen Taylor isn’t blind. Sitting courtside at Target Center, the Minnesota Timberwolves owner sees the scores of empty seats that surround him. The Timberwolves, like many NBA teams, are losing more than just games these days. In the middle of a rebuilding project that team officials acknowledge will take at least three years, fans in the sports-saturated Twin Cities are choosing to spend their entertainment dollars elsewhere while the young Wolves learn on the job. So Taylor challenged his marketing team to come up with a plan that would make them want to stick with the team through the hard times.
chase seats in the lower bowl at discounts of up to 50 percent off this season’s price, with some as low as $10 per game. “I told them to be creative. So they come back to me with something like this,” Taylor said with a chuckle. Teams across the league are finding that they have to offer more in these difficult economic times to entice fans to spend money at their arenas. According to a survey conducted by Team Marketing Report, an Illinois-based sports research firm, the average price for a ticket to an NBA game this season fell for the first time in eight years. In addition to the 2.8 percent drop, more teams are offering incentives such as meet-and-greets with players, free parking or separate concession lines for season-ticket holders.
Drastic proposal
Market correction
They responded with a drastic proposal: Fans who buy or renew season tickets in March can pur-
So, after years of the average fan grumbling about being priced out of professional sporting events,
ASSOCIATED PRESS
are we seeing a market correction in some cities? “Absolutely,” said Andrew Zimbalist, a sports economist and the Robert A. Woods professor of economics at Smith College. “Well over half the teams in the big sport leagues are engaging in discounting of one kind or another. The Timberwolves are probably on the far end of the discounting, both because of the size and the explicit nature.” Timberwolves president Chris Wright calls it “a body play.” While the team may have difficulty making money with ticket prices at that level in the short term, Wright says the team views itself as a “growth stock” in the commodities market right now. “If you’re in the commodity business and you have more inventory than you have demand, your price is low,” Wright said. “The idea is then to flip that on its backside and make sure there is more demand for the inventory that you have. We’re not there. Obviously we’re not there.”
Everything goes Neither are the Sacramento Kings, who will cut nearly every
season ticket in the lower bowl next year by 6 percent. The Kings are also offering season-ticket holders 20 games of free parking and their own line at the concession stands. “The main thing we’re doing is listening,” said Mitch Germann, the Kings’ vice president of business communications. “We’ve always been listening, but I think we’ve listened more carefully than ever before.” Detroit is another team that is cutting prices. It’s just a matter of determining how much. “We are going to make some adjustments with our ticket prices, reducing most if not all of them, because we have to be responsive to the economic situation we’re all in,” Pistons CEO Alan Ostfield said Thursday. Some teams, such as the Los Angeles Lakers and Cleveland Cavaliers, haven’t had to reduce their prices. And the Miami Heat have told fans ticket prices will rise next season, but have not laid out a specific plan yet. Ticket prices are staying the same in places like Phoenix and Memphis, which has frozen prices for five straight seasons. Other teams are making deep cuts, including the Golden State Warriors.