The Zapata Times 3/27/2010

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SATURDAY MARCH 27, 2010

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GOVERNMENT

LEGAL

A DEED DEBATE Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times

Sylvia Martinez, a Census Bureau partnership specialist, urges participation in the 2010 Census during a press conference.

Census reps: 10 minutes can make it count

By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

Community leaders take pride in one what they consider to be the easiest and shortest Census forms in history.

As part of the 2010 Census informational and awareness meeting, representatives highlighted the nearly effortless act of each resident doing his or her

part to bring funding and representation to Zapata. “(It’s) 10 questions, 10 minutes, for 10 years (of) money and representation,” said Sylvia Martinez, partnership specialist.

According to Martinez, the goal is to raise the participation rate in Zapata and target the people hardest to count.

See CENSUS PAGE 12A

NATIONAL

Retired couples may need $250k for health care

By MARK JEWELL ASSOCIATED PRESS

BOSTON — Relief to seniors facing high prescription drug costs is one of the first changes to come under the new health care overhaul. But ultimately that won’t offset the relentless increase in retirees’ medical expenses.

A couple retiring this year will need a quarter of a million dollars, on average, to cover medical expenses in retirement, according to a study to be released Thursday by Fidelity Investments.

The estimate is up 4.2 percent from Fidelity’s projection last year. The Boston-based financial services company has updated its estimate annually since 2002 as part of its business helping employers design work-

place benefits programs.

The study is based on projections for a couple of 65-year-olds retiring this year with Medicare coverage. The estimate factors in the federal program’s premiums, co-payments and deductibles, as well as out-ofpocket prescription costs.

The study assumes no employer provided insurance in retirement, and a life expectancy of 85 for women and 82 for men.

The estimate has risen 56 percent from Fidelity’s initial $160,000 projection in 2002. The average annual increase has been 5.7 percent, so this year’s 4.2 percent rise — from $240,000 last year to $250,000 — is modest.

But with broader inflation now near zero amid a

See HEALTH PAGE 12A

Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | The Zapata Times

Several vehicles are seen in the parking lot of an 8-liner establishment in Falcon on Saturday afternoon.

Slot machine owner refutes ‘rumors’ about 8-liners

By LORRAINE L. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

A

lthough there have been several vocal opponents to eight-liner establishments operating in the Falcon area, slot machines owner Fito Villarreal said the business actually serves as a benefit, not a detriment, to the community.

And he is prepared to speak for himself at the next Zapata County Commissioners Court meeting about the recent controversy, to answer some of the complaints that have been made by area residents.

While residents in the area have complained about noise and traffic, and made allegations that the businesses are operating illegally, Villarreal refuted those claims, dismissing them as “rumors.”

One of those claims has been the property on which the business operates has a clause in its property deed that states than any “immoral” businesses, in-

According to Villarreal, people have been spreading rumors about the “maquinitas” and what happens inside. cluding liquor stores or establishments that encourage crime or violence, will not operate on that property.

“If there was a property deed, I would not be stupid enough to put my business in that property if it was not allowed,” Villarreal said.

According to Villarreal, people have been spreading rumors about the “maquinitas” and what happens inside.

“People are just here to have

fun and relax. They come from other counties because they do not have anything else,” he said in Spanish. “People should see that people coming to play benefits Falcon and its surrounding businesses because it brings money to the community.”

Villarreal added that he employs 15 people at the establishment.

Outside the business on a Saturday afternoon, a woman from Rio Grande said she travels to Falcon three days a week after work to play and relax. She was taking home a box of cookies she had won after playing for a couple of hours, she said, adding that she does not play more than $20 a day.

Other customers were seen leaving with bottles of detergent.

Commissioner Jose A. Vela, who has been investigating the legality of the businesses, met with attorneys on the issue Tuesday. A copy of the property deed in question has been given

See DEBATE PAGE 12A

LOCAL

Wreck caused by heart attack

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ THE ZAPATA TIMES

A driver suffering a heart attack veered off U.S. 83 near the intersection of 12th Avenue on Tuesday, crashing into several parked cars. The man, identified as Jesus Javier “Sonny” Hernandez, later died at Laredo Medical Center. He was 66.

The Zapata County

Sheriff ’s Office received a call at about 5 p.m., reporting an accident near the intersection of U.S. 83 and 12th Avenue.

The first deputy on the scene broke a window to attempt to take Hernandez out of the vehicle, said Zapata County Fire Lt. Jorge Oyervide, before paramedics took over and extricated the man.

Hernandez was unconscious and had no pulse,

Oyervide. Paramedics administered CPR and used an automated external defibrillator and other types of aid, he said.

Hernandez was transported to Laredo Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

The Department of Public Safety took over the investigation.

According to Trooper Jose Chavarria, DPS spokesman, Hernandez

was traveling northbound on U.S. 83 when he suffered a heart attack and his pickup truck veered off the road to crash into a few parked vehicles.

Troopers determined the man wore a seatbelt.

Aside from the vehicles, no other property damage or injuries were reported in the accident.

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

PAGE 2A

Zin brief CALENDAR

SUNDAY, MARCH 28 Laredo Theater Guild performs “The Taming of the Shrew” at 3 p.m. at the Texas A&M International University Center for Fine and Performing Arts Theatre. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students with an I.D. For more information, contact Cindy Rodriguez at 326-2654 or crodriguez@tamiu.edu.

Wednesday, the Zapata County Independent School District hosts a Parental Involvement Meeting today from 12:45 to 2 p.m. at the Zapata County Pavilion to discuss information on the 2010 Census, state assessments and supplemental educational services.

Door prizes and refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 765-4822.

TUESDAY, MARCH 30 Hosting an event titled “Café con Leche,” the Council for Educational Excellence welcomes speaker Gonzalo Robles today from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Texas A&M International University, Student Center Room 236. Robles will meet with interested community members to talk about creating a collegegoing culture within the community.

Parents of school-age children are encouraged to attend this highly motivated speaker visiting Laredo from Austin. For more information, contact Martha S. Treviño at 326-2134.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31 Zapata County Independent School District hosts a Parental Involvement Meeting today from 12:45 to 2 p.m. at the Zapata County Pavilion to discuss information on the 2010 Census, state assessments and supplemental educational services. Door prizes and refreshments will be provided. For more information, call 765-4822.

THURSDAY, APRIL 1 Habitat for Humanity celebrates Aprils Fool’s Day today with a Karaoke Contest at Hal’s Landing from 7:30 to 11 p.m. Brave Karaoke Contestants can go and show their talent or you can just go and enjoy live music by The Jolly Ranchers. $10 cover at the door benefits Habitat for Humanity to help build descent affordable houses for low income families. For more information, visit www.habitatlaredo.org SATURDAY, APRIL 3 City of Laredo hosts Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Laredo Civic Center Grounds today from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The free event promises fun for the whole family, food, drinks, games and prizes while supply last.

Generales Texas Trail Riders are hosting their 1st Annual 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 3240484 or Hector Esparza at 285-3335.

FRIDAY, APRIL 9 Join the Mariachi Falcon Booster Club for its first Spring Benefit Dance at the Zapata County Dance tonight at the Zapata County Pavilion from 8 p.m. to midnight. Sponsored by Los 5 de Zapata, Grupo Zamorales, Jorge Roel Y Potrillo, Grupo K-Libre and Trey’s DJ & Sound System Rentals, presale tickets are $10 and $12 at the door. For more information, contact Celia Balderas at cbalderas@zapata-chamber.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. For more information, go to www.laredocrimestoppers.org.

Falcon Lake Tackle celebrates its 11th year in business with the second annual Falcon Lake Tackle Bass Blast, set for April 11. The tournament is open to two man teams, with a $125 entry free, which includes Big Bass.

Registration begins tonight from 5 to 7 p.m. Great door prizes and a payout based on entries, one place for every five. For more information, call 7654866.

SATURDAY, JULY 17 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, call 765-4339.

To submit an item for the calendar, send the name of the event, the date, time, location and contact phone number to editorial@lmtonline.com

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

AROUND THE NATION

TODAY IN HISTORY ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Oregon State Police | AP

This undated photo shows the wreckage from a WWII-era plane, identified as a Curtis SB2C Helldiver, found by loggers in the woods near Rockaway Beach, Ore. A joint release by the U.S. Navy and Oregon State Police said there is the possibility of human remain near the crash site.

Navy war plane found

By TERRENCE PETTY ASSOCIATED PRESS

PORTLAND, Ore. — Loggers working near the Oregon coast discovered the wreckage of a World War II-era warplane in woods not far from a naval air station decommissioned in 1948, military and police officials said.

Investigators said human remains may be in the aircraft.

The origins of the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, a U.S. Navy dive bomber, are a mystery. The crash site is not far from two naval air stations that were active during World War II. “There are so many different air stations they could have been flying from,” said Christian Gurling, curator at the Tillamook Air Museum, site of the now-defunct Naval Air Station Tillamook.

A U.S. Navy team worked at the scene along with the Oregon State Police and the

Tillamook County Sheriff ’s Office. Also involved in the investigation is the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing In Action Accounting Command, a Hawaii-based military joint command that tries to account for Americans missing in action.

State police bomb technicians checked the site Wednesday afternoon and found no sign of unexploded ordnance.

A logging company discovered the wreckage on March 18 in a heavily wooded area and notified law enforcement officials, who then notified the U.S. Navy.

Officials have found a wing, a tail section, landing gear and other debris spread out over about 200 yards, state police said.

Gurling said the Tillamook station was originally an airfield for blimps guarding the Pacific Coast, but airplanes were also there in later years.

Her career rising, Palin gives McCain a boost

Marine’s Iraq killings trial to go forward

Big-time Miami hacker sentenced in 3rd case

TUCSON, Ariz. — Sarah Palin lent her star power among fellow conservatives to former running mate John McCain in his tough Senate re-election campaign, telling a rally Friday that McCain pegged President Barack Obama right when he said the Democrat would swell the size of government.

McCain is facing the hardest election fight of his Senate career as he fends off a Republican primary challenge from the right. J.D. Hayworth, former congressman and conservative talk radio host, says McCain is too moderate for Republicans.

Palin appeared with McCain for the first time since the pair lost the 2008 election.

CAMP PENDLETON, California — A military judge on Friday refused to dismiss charges against a Marine who led a squad that killed 24 Iraqi men, women and children in the town of Haditha after a bomb killed a Marine.

The ruling cleared the way for a court-martial for Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, the only remaining defendant in the biggest criminal case against U.S. troops to arise from the Iraq war.

Wuterich, seated in uniform, showed no emotion when the judge denied the motion.

He later told reporters he was disappointed and upset by the ruling but looked forward to a jury trial.

BOSTON — For the second time in as many days, a computer hacker accused of one of the largest-ever thefts of credit and debit card numbers stood before a federal judge and apologized for his actions.

Federal Judge Douglas Woodlock sentenced Gonzalez to 20 years and a day in prison, but ordered that the term run concurrently with a 20-year term Gonzalez received from a different judge Thursday in two related cases.

The concurrent sentence means the 28-year-old Miami man, a one-time federal informant, will not serve any significant additional prison time.

-- Compiled from AP reports

AROUND TEXAS Skydiver killed in crash through condo roof ID’d PORT ARANSAS — A skydiver who died after crashing through the roof of a Port Aransas condominium complex has been identified.

A Port Aransas police statement identifies the man as Peter Gerencser, 34.

Today is Saturday, March 27, the 86th day of 2010. There are 279 days left in the year.

Today’s Highlight in History: On March 27, 1977, 583 people were killed when a KLM Boeing 747, attempting to take off, crashed into a Pan Am 747 on the Canary Island of Tenerife.

On this date: In 1513, Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Leon sighted present-day Florida.

In 1625, Charles I acceded to the English throne upon the death of James I. In 1794, Congress approved “An Act to provide a Naval Armament” of six armed ships.

In 1836, the first Mormon temple was dedicated, in Kirtland, Ohio.

In 1884, the first telephone line between Boston and New York was inaugurated.

In 1945, during World War II, General Dwight D. Eisenhower told reporters in Paris that German defenses on the Western Front had been broken.

In 1958, Nikita Khrushchev became Soviet premier in addition to First Secretary of the Communist Party.

In 1964, Alaska was hit by a powerful earthquake and tsunamis that killed about 130 people.

In 1980, 123 workers died when a North Sea floating oil field platform, the Alexander Kielland, capsized during a storm.

In 1990, the U.S. began test broadcasts of TV Marti to Cuba, which promptly jammed the signal.

Ten years ago: The Supreme Court decided the federal government could deny food stamps and other welfare benefits to people who live permanently in the United States but who are not citizens. DaimlerChrysler AG announced it would buy 34 percent of Japan’s Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

Five years ago: Pope John Paul II delivered an Easter Sunday blessing to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter’s Square, but the ailing pontiff was unable to speak and managed only to greet the saddened crowd with a sign of the cross.

In a live Internet interview with the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Michael Jackson declared himself “completely innocent” of child molestation charges, and said he was the victim of a conspiracy.

Today’s Birthdays: Former newspaper columnist Anthony Lewis is 83. Dance company director Arthur Mitchell is 76.

Actor Julian Glover is 75. Actor Jerry Lacy is 74. Actor Austin Pendleton is 70. Actor Michael York is 68. Rock musician Tony Banks (Genesis) is 60. Actress Maria Schneider is 58. Rock musician Andrew Farriss (INXS) is 51. Jazz musician Dave Koz (kahz) is 47. Movie director Quentin Tarantino is 47.

Rock musician Derrick McKenzie (Jamiroquai) is 46. Rock musician Johnny April (Staind) is 45. Actress Talisa Soto is 43. Actress Pauley Perrette is 41. Singer Mariah Carey is 40. Rock musician Brendan Hill (Blues Traveler) is 40.

Actress Elizabeth Mitchell is 40. Actor Nathan Fillion is 39.

Hip-hop singer Fergie (Black Eyed Peas) is 35. Actress Megan Hilty is 29. Actress Emily Ann Lloyd is 26.

Thought for Today: “A sheltered life can be a daring life as well. For all serious daring starts from within.” — Eudora Welty, American author (19092001).

CONTACT US

Kim Dawson, owner of Dallas agency, dies DALLAS — Kim Dawson, whose top Dallas modeling agency launched the careers of such talents as actresses Angie Harmon, Janine Turner and Peri Gilpin, has died at the age of 85.

Dawson died of complications of Alzheimer’s disease Thursday night at the Dallas retirement center where she lived.

the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to kill a state district judge.

“Corpus Christi,” to help other gay youths who may be struggling with their faith.

Feds charge inmate with scheme to kill judge

Student directing gay Jesus play defends it

Worker dies after falling into pit in Cleburne

LUBBOCK — Federal prosecutors say they’ve charged a 49year-old West Texas jail inmate with trying to hire someone to kill the judge in his drug case.

Jeffrey Dwayne Harrison tried to hire an undercover agent of

STEPHENVILLE — The Tarleton State University student directing a play in which Jesus is portrayed as gay says he isn’t attacking Christians; he is one.

John Jordan Otte says he is a gay Christian and chose the play,

CLEBURNE — A 53-year-old contract worker died after falling into a pit at a water tower construction site in Cleburne.

Investigators say the man landed on his head in the pit.

-- Compiled from AP reports

Photo by Bruno Morlan/The Daily Texan | AP

Christy Carpenter eulogizes her late mother, Liz Carpenter, at a memorial service Friday in Austin. Liz Carpenter, an author and former press secretary to first lady Lady Bird Johnson, died Saturday, March 20. She was 89.

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SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

Zlocal

PAGE 3A

Deputies seize 500 pounds of pot, arrest driver

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ

Tragedy averted in vehicle submersion

By CÉSAR G. RODRIGUEZ

THE ZAPATA TIMES

THE ZAPATA TIMES

Zapata County Sheriff ’s Office deputies confiscated more than 500 pounds of marijuana and arrested the driver of the SUV after a traffic stop in south Zapata.

Albert Perez de la Rosa, 31, was arrested for possession of marijuana, a second-degree felony.

Deputies transported Perez de la Rosa to the Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held in lieu of a $75,000 bond.

According to Sgt. Mario Elizondo, a deputy noticed a tan sport-utility vehicle speeding at about 7:10 a.m.

Saturday, March 20, on the southbound lane of U.S. 83

by Monterrey Lane.

The deputy conducted a traffic stop and questioned the driver, later identified as Perez de la Rosa.

When the deputy approached, he noticed several large cellophane-wrapped bundles inside the vehicle, Elizondo said.

The 29 bundles confiscated by deputies weighed 517 pounds, and carried an

Courtesy photo

Zapata Sheriff’s deputies confiscated more than 500 pounds of marijuana following a traffic stop on Saturday, March 20. estimated street value of $251,811.

Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez said the man was a PEREZ Mexican national born in Sabinas Hidalgo, Nuevo Leon.

Though the sheriff said Perez de la Rosa was last employed as a cook in a restaurant in Laredo, officials believe the man was headed to the Roma area.

Gonzalez recommends that the community take

an active role in reporting suspicious incidents to law enforcement.

“The community should be more observant and report the suspicious activity that affects every single one of us,” he said. “They should be more involved in the sense of reporting this type of suspicious activity and not to get involved with it.”

To report suspicious incidents call 765-9960. In an emergency, call 911.

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

THE BLOTTER ASSAULT A female juvenile was detained on charges of assault causing bodily injury and criminal trespass at about 10:45 p.m. Sunday, March 21, in the 1700 block of Diaz Avenue. The juvenile was booked and transported to Laredo Youth Village Juvenile Detention Center.

A male juvenile was detained and charged with assault causing bodily injury at about 10:30 p.m. Monday, March 22, at Villarreal Elementary School, 805 Miraflores Street. The juvenile was processed at Zapata County Sheriff’s Office and later turned over to juvenile personnel.

Deputies responded to an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon call at about 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 22, in the intersection of Flores Drive and Gonzalez Street. The complainant stated that a known man attempted to strike him with a motor vehicle.

BURGLARY A 53-year-old man reported around 3:15 p.m. Monday, March 22, that someone broke a window from a residence in the 500 block of Jackson Street and took an air conditioning unit, a TV and a microwave.

A 26-year-old man reported around 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 22, that unknown people stole his stereo system and a cell phone from his 2000 Chevy Silverado in the 2300 block of Brazos Street.

DISORDERLY CONDUCT Deputies responded to a fight in progress call at about 2 a.m. Sunday, March 21, at Rascal’s Pub & Grill park-

ing lot, 2584 U.S. 83. Officials arrested Luis Roberto Galvan-Perez, 41, and charged him with possession of a controlled substance and disorderly conduct. He was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where he has held in lieu of a $5,000 bond. GalvanPerez was also fined $150 for the disorderly conduct charge.

Deputies also arrested Jose Luis Garcia, and charged him with disorderly conduct. He was given 10 days in jail, pending magistration.

THEFT Deputies responding to a suspicious vehicle call arrested Gary Alaniz, 18, on charges of theft at about 9:30 a.m. Friday, March 19, at the Holiday Inn Express on U.S. 83.

The man was served with a warrant on charges of unauthorized use of vehicle and theft. Alaniz was booked and transported to Zapata Regional Jail, where he was held on no bond, pending magistration.

A afternoon fishing trip out on the river nearly turned tragic for a 12-yearold boy, who accidentally shifted gears of a 2004 Lincoln Navigator, reversing and then submerging in the Rio Grande.

Deputies responded to an incident call at about 4:37 p.m. Sunday, March 21, at a ranch on Hidalgo Street in San Ygnacio to meet with a 19-year-old male complainant.

The man stated that the Navigator, which belonged to a friend, went into the river after a 12-year-old boy accidentally put the vehicle in reverse.

Sgt. Mario Elizondo said the people were fishing at the river while they listened to music. The child went to start the vehicle to charge the battery, but instead accidentally shifted the gear.

“They were unable to stop the vehicle while it was going backwards,” Elizondo said.

After unsuccessful attempts to open the door, the child got out through the window.

“When the deputy arrived, the vehicle was completely submerged,” said Elizondo, noting the

Courtesy photo

A 12-year-old was forced to escape the rising waters through a window after several attempts to open the door failed.

Navigator was about 20 to 30 feet away from the shoreline.

Villarreal’s Wrecker Service removed the vehicle from the river. No injuries were reported.

Zapata County Game Wardens arrived on the scene to assist deputies.

Noting the potential danger in this incident, Game Warden Jacob Philley recommended residents be vigilant of their children while hanging out on the riverbanks.

“Anytime they’re near the water, people need to keep an eye on them,” he said.

For the sheriff ’s depart-

ment, safety is first.

Elizondo cautioned rivergoers not to park too close to the water.

“People should be careful when enjoying the day out by the river,” he said.

“It is recommended that they have an adult supervising the vehicle if it’s left alone.”

He added that only licensed drivers should operate a motor vehicle.

“You shouldn’t have a 12-year-old charging the battery,” Elizondo said.

Officials did not issue citations on this case.

(César G. Rodriguez may be reached at 728-2568 or cesar@lmtonline.com)

Zopinion

PAGE 4A

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SEND YOUR SIGNED LETTER TO EDITORIAL@LMTONLINE.COM

COLUMN

OTHER VIEWS

Education reform next for Obama

By GARY ANDRES HEARST NEWSPAPERS

W

ASHINGTON — President Obama missed a host of opportunities to remedy Washington’s fever of polarization during the health care debate. Instead of forging a bipartisan coalition and ratcheting back the campaignstyle rhetoric, he agreed to a one-party strategy and consistently demonized his opponents with over-the-top rhetoric.

Obama also falsely raised citizens’ expectations that one bill or a new government program could remedy all that ails us. Government is no wonder drug. It cannot deliver all the life-altering promises on the president’s wish list.

As Congress poises to reauthorize the “No Child Left Behind” law later this year, the president could contribute to the school debate by pursuing a three-prong strategy guiding federal policy toward elementary and secondary schools.

First, like health care, education reform is too important to pursue in a purely partisan manner.

Policies toward American schools deserve the stamp of approval of both parties.Of course, total consensus is never possible. Politics in America includes stark differences, and at times even sharp elbows.

Now more than ever,Obama needs to redouble his efforts to bring both sides to the table.

The president can and must insist that this

reauthorization bill move forward with at least some authentic Republican support.Obama might want to try some private negotiations with Republicans and Democrats early, rather than public shows like the Blair House summit on health care late in the process.

Second, the White House must put the teacher’s unions in their proper position in this debate.For political reasons, this won’t be easy.

Obama regularly calls out “special interest” groups with alacrity.The scolder-in-chief roughs up big banks, greedy insurers, and major oil companies on a daily basis.

Teachers unions are as much a “special interest” as bankers, insurers, or oilmen.

They protect teacher jobs and lobby to increase their pay. That’s their role. The president should not give them some extraordinary seat at the table determining the future of American education.

Third, change the expectations game. Education in America won’t get fixed with one bill or a government program.

Politicians make promises. And Obama excels at doing just that. In describing the administration’s new Race to the Top (RTT) initiative, he uses appealing words such as “instead of funding the status quo, we only invest in reform.”

Changing the expectations game also means an honest discussion of the role of the federal government.

EDITORIAL

Gates has it right on gays NEW YORK TIMES

T

he Pentagon is taking a major step to ease the discriminatory burdens on gay and lesbian service members by ending the pernicious use of anonymous tips and biased hearsay to drum them from the military.

With the backing of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Defense Secretary Robert Gates laid down enlightened enforcement changes to provide “a greater measure of common sense and common decency” to a military burdened by the onerous and damaging “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy.

The changes, effective immediately, point toward repeal of the law that unjustly forces able lesbians and gay men to hide their sexual orientation or be dismissed from serving.

More than 13,000 skilled and needed Americans have been driven from the ranks since the law was passed in 1993 in a wrongheaded episode in the culture wars of Congress.

Gates favors repeal, as does his commander in chief, President Barack Obama, but Congress will have to change the law. In the meantime, he ordered “fairer and more appropriate” enforcement to strike down some blatant

injustices. Chief among them is the requirement that third-party complaints about members must henceforth be given under oath. Tighter standards were spelled out for what constitutes a “reliable person” whose accusations can instigate discharge proceedings.

Gates promised “special scrutiny on third parties who may be motivated to harm the service member.” This signaled a welcome retreat from the aggressive pursuit of discharge cases against people whose sexuality is disclosed by jilted romantic partners and others with secret agendas.

To show the brass’ determination behind the new policy, the secretary said that only generals and naval flag officers will be authorized to initiate fact-finding inquiries.

The changes are heartening progress toward the day when the American military is the equal of those in Britain, Israel, Canada and other nations where gays serve openly.

The repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” is favored by a majority of Americans. But with Congress in such turmoil, a push

by President Obama is needed to end a shameful era in which gay men and lesbians have been denied standing as patriots defending the nation.

COLUMN

Economics shows evolution

By DAVID BROOKS NEW YORK TIMES NEWS SERVICE

S

ome brilliant scholar has to write a comprehensive history of modern economics because the evolution of this field is clearly one of the most consequential things happening in the world today.

Act I in this history would be set in the era of economic scientism: the period when economists based their work on a crude vision human nature (the perfectly rational, utility-maximizing autonomous individual) and then built elaborate models based on that creature.

Act II would occur over the past few decades, as a few brave economists tried to move beyond this stick-figure view of humanity. Herbert Simon pointed out that people aren’t perfectly rational.

Gary Becker analyzed behaviors that don’t seem to be the product of narrow self-interest, like having children and behaving altruistically. Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman pointed out that people seem to have common biases when they try to make objective decisions.

This part of the history would be the story of gradually growing sophistication and of splintering.

Then the story would come to Act III, the economic crisis of 2008 and 2009. This act is a climax of sorts because it exposed the shortcomings of the whole field. Economists and financiers

spent decades building ever more sophisticated models to anticipate market behavior, yet these models did not predict the financial crisis as it approached. In fact, cutting-edge financial models contributed to it by getting behavior so wrong — helping to wipe out $50 trillion in global wealth and causing untold human suffering.

This would bring the historian to Act IV, the period of soul-searching that we are living through now. More than a year after the event, there is no consensus on what caused the crisis. Economists are fundamentally re-evaluating their field.

“Where were the intellectual agenda-setters when this crisis was building?” asked Barry Eichengreen of the University of California, Berkeley, in The National Interest. “Why did they fail to see the train wreck coming?”

In The Wall Street Journal, Russ Roberts of George Mason University wondered why economics is even considered a science. Real sciences make progress. But in economics, old thinkers cycle in and out of fashion. In real sciences, evidence solves problems. Roberts asked his colleagues if they could think of any econometric study so well done that it had definitively settled a dispute.

Nobody could think of one.

“The bottom line is that we should expect less of economists,” Roberts wrote.

In a column called “A Crisis of Understanding,” Robert J. Shiller of Yale pointed out that the best explanation of the crisis isn’t even a work of economic analysis. It’s a history book — “This Time is Different” by Carmen M. Reinhart and Kenneth S. Rogoff — that is almost entirely devoid of theory.

More humanistic One gets the sense, at least from the outside, that the intellectual energy is no longer with the economists who construct abstract and elaborate models. Instead, the field seems to be moving in a humanist direction.

Many economists are now trying to absorb lessons learned by psychologists, neuroscientists and sociologists. They’re producing books with titles like “Animal Spirits,” “The Irrational Economist,” and “Identity Economics,” about subjects such as how social identities shape economic choices.

This amounts to rediscovering the humility of an earlier time. After all, Adam Smith was a moral philosopher, Friedrich von Hayek built his philosophy on an awareness of our own ignorance, and John Maynard Keynes “was not prepared to sacrifice realism to mathematics,” as the biographer Robert Skidelsky put it. Economics is a “moral science,” Keynes wrote. It deals with “motives, expectations, psychological uncertainties.

One has to be constantly on guard against treating the material as constant and homogenous.”

In Act IV, in other words, economists are taking baby steps into the world of emotion, social relationships, imagination, love and virtue. In Act V, I predict, they will blow up their whole field.

Economics achieved coherence as a science by amputating most of human nature. Now economists are starting with those parts of emotional life that they can count and model (the activities that make them economists). But once they’re in this terrain, they’ll surely find that the processes that make up the inner life are not amenable to the methodologies of social science. The moral and social yearnings of fully realized human beings are not reducible to universal laws and cannot be studied like physics.

Once this is accepted, economics would again become a subsection of history and moral philosophy. It will be a powerful language for analyzing certain sorts of activity.

Economists will be able to describe how some people acted in some specific contexts. They will be able to draw out some suggestive lessons to keep in mind while thinking about other people and other contexts — just as historians, psychologists and novelists do.

At the end of Act V, economics will be realistic, but it will be an art, not a science.

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 27, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES 5A

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Zlifestyle

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

Exotic getaway Japan offers affordable, eye-opening trip

By ROGER SANCHEZ JR. SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

In the “Land of the Rising Sun,” Japanese gardens, castles and shrines are some of the most spectacular views Japan offers to visitors and locals alike.

Sitting for the 15-hour flight to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport with more than 300 passengers on board might be a grueling thought, but international commercial airliners provide customers with a wide array of food and onscreen entertainment.

For those who might be worried about not having Yen in their hands while exiting the airplane in Japan, don’t worry. Currency exchange booths located inside the Narita airport can do the exchange at a slightly better rate than outside the airport. Most banks in the Laredo area have to order Yen weeks in advance, as they don’t normally carry that currency on hand.

Downtown Tokyo is about an hour by subway from Narita airport. Expect to pay about $20 on the subway, or take a one-way, white-glove taxi ride for as much as $300.

By far, the most economical and efficient manner to travel within Tokyo and Japan’s four major islands is with the Japan Rail Pass.

More than 70 percent of subways, buses, locomotives, trams, a ferry and trains are limitlessly covered by this pass.

But, an exchange order, or a redeemable coupon for the pass, must be purchased at an American travel agency a couple of weeks before your departure date. Depending on the number of consecutive days you’ll be using the JR Pass, costs range from $313 to $638 on a 7 or 21-day pass, respectively. Keep in mind that this pass can only be issued to those who are traveling to Japan for less than 90 days and have “temporary visitor” stamped on their passport. Once the coupon is redeemed for the pass, guard

Photos by Roger Sanchez Jr. | Special to the Times

Located off the coast of Hiroshima, Itsukushima island holds one of Japan’s most photographed views, the floating Miyajima Torii Gate. When tides are high, the gate seems to float on water. it with your life and do not lose it. Once you have the shiny, metallic, pocket-sized pass in your hand, refunds or reissues are out of the question.

Accommodations and cuisine Japanese accommodations vary from the typical, Western-style hotel, to the traditional ryokans (Japanese inns) adorned with tatami-matted rooms and sliding doors. For budget travelers, Japan offers the famous capsule hotels, where enclosed beds are stacked up and down and side to side with only room to sleep.

Hostels are an alternative for guests who don’t mind sharing showers, restrooms, or lounge rooms. For the capsules and hostels, expect to pay $20 or more per night.

Although Japanese cuisine is slowly leaning toward more meat-based menus, rice remains Japan’s top food ingredient. Popular and affordable dishes continue to be rice bowls averaging about $4 a bowl.

Some are topped with eggs, seafood or meat. Burger Kings, KFC’s, and McDonalds restaurants are visible in major city hot spots, including Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima and Sapporo. Compared to an American McDonalds, there are no

dollar menus. Value meals, consisting of a drink, fries and hamburger, can cost up to $12.

Top spots One of the most interesting venues in Japan lies within central Tokyo in the Tsukiji Fish Market, the largest fish market in the world.

You’re in for a treat if you wake up in time. Around 4 o’clock in the morning, auctions are held where a room full of tuna, octopus, caviar and other seafood are sold to vendors and suppliers. Although the loud and exciting auctions are off-limits to tourists, the occasional visitor might get lucky to take a peek.

There are more than 1,500 castles throughout Japan and the most visited one comes from UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list-Himeji castle located in Hyogo Prefecture.

The whitewashed edifice is the most visited castle in Japan and one of the “top three castles” to see in that country.

A $5 admission covers the entrance and an hourlong English tour provided by a volunteer guide is included as well to give you a glimpse into how the 1400s castle was built to confuse attackers with its labyrinth.

Japanese onsens, or public hot spring baths, have

long been regarded to have healing properties, from helping relieve aches and pains to helping stave off diabetes. Beppu, the onsen capital of Japan, has more concentration of hot springs than any other part of the country. There are certain etiquettes that have to be followed before, during and after getting in and out of the hot spring. Japanese, Europeans, Americans, among others, disrobe and walk freely from hot spring to hot spring. Men and women almost always are separated during bathing.

Because of their popularity with tourists, bathing facilities have been built in and around onsens offering visitors 5-star spa treatment.

Other attractions to consider include Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, Kyoto’s Geisha’s Gion district, Tokyo’s Broadway-like Ginza district and the electronic district of Akihabara, Tokyo.

MISS MANNERS

Strangers misunderstand mom/son dinners DEAR MISS MANNERS — On those evenings when I work late, my son, who is 24 years old, comes and picks me up from work.

I’m 58, dress affluently, and look much younger than my age, or so I’m told.

Last week, as soon as I had gone to the ladies’ room, an older woman came up to our table and told my son he was “disgusting” and asked why didn’t he date women his own age.

He smiled and asked her how she was certain he didn’t date women his own age and reminded her that this was none of her concern anyway. He went on to tell her that, in fact, I’m his mother. She wouldn’t believe him.

This happens so frequently, and it’s usually younger girls and older women who come to our table and insult my son with their rudeness. He says some people are genuinely embarrassed, while others simply argue that they don’t believe him.

I’ve had young girls call out to us, “Awwwwwww, it’s a cougar.” Another time, a young girl asked my son how a woman of my age could be better than her.

I have seen many women out with younger fellows, and most of the time

“

JUDITH MARTIN

you can see the resemblance and assume they are their sons. I really do not care, but this outright rudeness and ignorance is really getting to me.

How does one deal with this constant barrage of extreme rudeness?

GENTLE READER — Where are you taking your son to dinner — singles bars?

Miss Manners realizes that nosiness is rampant in our society, and that scolding strangers is smugly passed off under the name of helpful honesty.

But why would you try to engage with such people? Politeness does not require it, and you know from experience that attempting the defense that they have mistaken the relationship only legitimizes their premise.

The polite way to snub meddling strangers is to ignore them or say coldly, “I don’t believe I know you,” while turning away. If this does not discourage them, your next step is to report to management that you are being harassed by rowdy patrons.

SÁBADO 27 DE MARZO DE 2010

Agenda en Breve SÁBADO 27 DE MARZO LAREDO — La Fundación para el Patrimonio del Condado de Webb y el Centro para las Artes de Laredo invitan al evento de venta de productos usados “Trinkets and Treasures” a partir de las 8 a.m. a las 4 p.m. en el segundo piso del LCA en el 500 San Agustin Ave. LAREDO — Hoy habrá una Subasta Pública organizada por UISD. Será a las 11 a.m. en el 201 Lindenwood St. Habrá escritorios para computadoras, mesas, CPUs, sillas, refrigeradores, impresoras, entre otras cosas.

LAREDO — La Generación del ’60 de Martin High School tendrá una campaña de recaudación de fondos a través de una venta de platillos de Pollo en Bar-B-Q el día de hoy de 11 a.m. a 2 p.m. en el estacionamiento de O’Reilly Auto Parts. Un platillo por 6 dólares; varios platillos por 5 dólares cada uno.

LAREDO — El Ruthe B. Cowl Rehabilitation Center tendrá una venta de platillos en WalMart del 5610 San Bernardo Ave. de 11 a.m. a 2 p.m. Más información llamando a Ariana Mora al (956) 722-2431.

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. La donación es de 150 dólares por persona.

Más información llamando al 523-4915 y 523-4912.

LAREDO — El 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 mayores y estudiantes con identificación.

Habrá una función más el domingo 28 de marzo a las 3 p.m.

Zfrontera Supervisan obra de centros TAMUL

ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

NUEVO LAREDO — El secretario de Desarrollo Social, Cultura y Deporte del Estado, Humberto Valdez Richaud, supervisó los avances de la construcción de Centros TAMUL en Nuevo Laredo a inicios de semana.

Durante una gira de trabajo Valdez recorrió dichos centros localizados en las colonias Américo Villarreal Guerra, Villas de San Miguel y Reservas Territoriales.

“Estos edificios son para el esparcimiento familiar, desde el niño hasta el adulto mayor, fomentando la cultura de convivencia, integración familiar y seguridad”, dijo él.

Informó que a finales abril se terminará el TAMUL de Reservas Territoriales, que actualmente tiene un 75 por ciento de avance.

Mientras que el TAMUL de Villas de San Miguel, que lleva un 70 por ciento de avance, y el de la colonia Américo Villarreal, que lleva un 15 por ciento de avance, serán terminados a finales de septiembre.

Agregó que además de estos tres TAMUL, se proyecta construir dos centros más en Nuevo Laredo: uno frente al Fraccionamiento Casas Geo y otro en Colinas del Sur. Antonio Bilchis Hernández, encargado interino del Programa Unidos Avanzamos Más, señaló que los terrenos donde son edificados los dona el gobierno municipal, mientras que el

MORELIA, México — A fin de transformar la realidad que rebasa las capacidades de atención en algunas zonas de la frontera el Gobernador de Tamaulipas Eugenio Hernández Flores propuso diseñar un programa comprensivo para la ciudadanía, la generación de capital social y la consolidación del derecho a la ciudad.

Hernández hizo la convocatoria, que fue aprobada por unanimidad, a los mandatarios integrantes de la Conferencia Nacional de Gobernadores (CONAGO) durante su XXXVII Reunión Ordinaria.

“Los hechos recientes nos exigen responder más eficazmente ante la realidad excepcional de la frontera”, dijo él. “Nos convocan a cambiar los paradigmas con los que hasta ahora se ha concebido y abordado la región”.

MARTES 30 DE MARZO LAREDO — Los Testigos de Jehová le invitan a la ceremonia por el Aniversario de la muerte de Jesucristo hoy a las 7:30 p.m. en Virreyes Palace del 4205 Bob Bullock Loop, Suite 21C. — Tiempo de Zapata

Bajo el tema de “Ciudadanía, Capital Social y Derecho a la Ciudad en la Frontera”, Hernández explicó que la propuesta incluye diversificar el financiamiento de la infraestructura subsanando el sub registro que afecta la distribución y asignación de recursos, así como innovar con esquemas alternativos y elevando la gestión de las ciudades a través de una democracia participativa con nuevos órganos ciudadanos y una estructura que la formalice e institucionalice.

También habló de profesionalizar las organizaciones de la sociedad civil elevando los montos y los esquemas de Coinversión Social, así como abrir más espacio e influencia a lo local ante problemas que tienen origen fuera de la frontera.

Finalmente, Hernández se convirtió en Presidente de la CONAGO ya que Tamaulipas será la sede de la próxima reunión del organismo.

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Nuevo Laredo

El secretario de Desarrollo Social, Cultura y Deporte del Estado Humberto Valdez Richaud dialoga con familias acerca de los beneficios que traerán los Centros TAMUL a Nuevo Laredo. gobierno estatal participa con la inversión de construcción que asciende a 2 millones y medio de pesos, por cada uno de los complejos recreativos.

Los TAMUL incluyen canchas multiusos, áreas verdes, aparatos especializados para el ejercicio de personas con capacidades

diferentes y una torre del conocimiento.

Además de biblioteca, equipos de cómputo, servicios de internet, salón de usos múltiples y puesto de vigilancia.

Valdez y Bilchis estuvieron acompañados por la regidora Baudelia Juárez García.

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Ciudad Mier

PROGRAMA DA CONFIANZA A FAMILIAS

ESCUELA SEGURA

El Jefe de Gobierno de Ciudad Mier José Iván Mancias Hinojosa entregó un cheque por 50,000 pesos a la Directora del Jardín de Niños ‘Vladimir Treviño Rodríguez’, Francisca Cantú Contreras, en el marco del programa Escuelas de Calidad.

Sectores locales reciben apoyo POR YAHAIRA L. ZAMBRANO ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

CIUDAD MIER — El Gobierno de Tamaulipas y el municipal desarrollaron una serie de eventos para fortalecer a las empresas, escuelas y familias locales.

Los programas efectuados fueron el de Fondo Tamaulipas, Escuelas de Calidad y Tianguis Alimenticio.

Fondo Tamaulipas

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Ciudad Mier

El encargado del Programa Escuela Segura en Ciudad Mier Fernando Chávez ayuda a agilizar el tráfico. Chávez dijo que alumnos y padres de familia han adoptado el programa y transitan de forma adecuada, obteniendo confianza y tranquilidad. El programa se aplica a la hora de entrada y salida de las escuelas.

Mier tendrá nuevo Teatro

LUNES 29 DE MARZO LAREDO — El Consulado General de México y el Hotel La Posada invitan a disfrutar el Ciclo de Cine Mexicano “La Visión de Julio Bracho”, hoy con la película “Historia de un Gran Amor”; el martes 30 demarzo “La Virgen que Forjó una Patria” y el miércoles 31 de marzo “¡Ay que tiempos Señor Don Simón!”. Todas las funciones son a las 6:30 p.m. en el Zaragoza Room del mismo hotel. La entrada es gratuita.

Atenderán frontera

ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

DOMINGO 28 DE MARZO LAREDO — El Women’s City Club tendrá su Desfile de Moda de Primavera Sundaes with Style hoy a las 2 p.m. en el Laredo Country Club (1415 Country Club Drive). El evento tiene costo de 25 dólares por adulto y 40 por adulto. Puede reservar mesa por 400 dólares con ocho asientos.

Más información llamando a Nancy de Anda al 763-9960.

LAREDO — Hoy es el Concierto/Baile de Primavera de LCC 2010 a las 3 p.m. en el Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center. La entrada general es de 5 dólares y de 3 dólares para estudiantes y adultos mayores. Las ganancias se destinarán a becas para estudiantes de danza.

PÁGINA 7A

POR YAHAIRA L. ZAMBRANO ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

CIUDAD MIER — El Gobierno local y el programa Unidos Avanzamos Más invertirán 14 millones de pesos para la construcción de un nuevo Teatro de la Ciudad.

El inmueble estará ubicado en el área donde se encontraba el Antiguo Rastro Municipal.

“En el nuevo teatro se celebrarán las fiestas del pueblo, obras de teatro, los festejo del Festival Cultural del Cántaro”, citó como ejemplos el Jefe de Gobierno José Iván Mancias Hinojosa.

El Director de Obras Públicas Ulises De León, el Director Técnico de Sedesol Pascual Morón y Mancias Hinojosa hicieron un recorrido por el sector donde constataron

Con la intención de generar más empleos y recursos económicos, personal del programa Fondo Tamaulipas se reunió con pequeños y medianos empresarios a fin de desarrollar un plan de trabajo para que tengan una mejor perspectiva futura.

Fondo Tamaulipas consiste en un esquema de financiamiento para apoyar a quien carezca de los recursos suficientes para iniciar o consolidar una empresa.

El reto del empleo se está enfrentando con creatividad y con nuevos programas. Fondo Tamaulipas cuenta con planes como Microcrédito, CrediTam, Fuerza Móvil y Consultoría Financiera.

Escuelas de Calidad Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Ciudad Mier

De derecha a izquierda, el Jefe de Gobierno de Ciudad Mier José Iván Mancias Hinojosa, el Director Técnico de Sedesol Pascual Morón y el Director de Obras Públicas Ulises De León visitaron el terreno donde se contruirán el nuevo Teatro de la Ciudad. que ya inició la primera etapa del edificio, consistente en la denominada obra negra.

Morón, quien dirigirá la obra, dijo que se están ultimando detalles esperan-

do que el edificio empiece a verse pronto tomar forma.

(Yahaira L. Zambrano es Directora de Comunicación Social del Gobierno de Ciudad Mier).

En el marco del programa Escuelas de Calidad, el Jefe de Gobierno José Iván Mancias Hinojosa entregó un cheque por 50,000 pesos a la Directora del Jardín de Niños “Vladimir Treviño Rodríguez” Francisca Cantú Contreras.

“Se trata de un modelo de gestión escolar con enfoque estratégico para

fortalecer el buen funcionamiento de las escuelas del municipio”, dijo Mancias. “Esta aportación se designa a todas las necesidades que en este caso el jardín de niños pueda tener”.

Treviño Rodríguez explico que el dinero se invertirá en pintura, remodelaciones y útiles para los niños, entre otras cosas.

Tianguis Alimenticio Con el objetivo de contribuir a la economía familiar, la Presidenta del Sistema para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia (DIF) en Ciudad Mier Isabel Cristina Treviño Ruiz encabezó la venta de despensas a bajo costo durante el Tianguis Alimenticio “Por Mejores Familias”.

Se ofrecieron más de 350 despensas a bajo costo, para beneficio de 150 familias locales.

“Todos los días son muchas las madres que dedican su tiempo y esmero a una de las labores más importantes para el desarrollo de sus hijos, como es la preparación de los alimentos”, dijo Treviño Ruiz.

Las despensas incluyen arroz, azúcar, frijol, aceite, atún, pasta para sopa, galletas, harina de trigo y manteca inca, a un costo de 32 pesos.

“Este tipo de actividades continuarán efectuándose”, dijo Treviño Ruiz. “El propósito es atender las necesidades de los mierenses a fin de contar con mejores familias, con hijos más sanos, fuertes y felices”.

(Yahaira L. Zambrano es Directora de Comunicación Social en el Municipio de Ciudad Mier)

8A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

Villarreal Elementary students explore UT-Austin SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Villarreal Elementary students visited the University of Texas at Austin on Saturday, March 6, 2010. The university was hosting its 11th annual “Explore UT,” a day of events, performances, exhibits, lectures and activities for the entire family.

There were nearly 400 events and activities across the campus for the children to explore, including experiencing the Science Safari, where the students learned

Courtesy photo

Pictured in the bottom row, left to right, are Andrea Garza; Elsa Martinez, assistant principal; Claudia Garza, counselor; Annabel Alvarez; Vicky Gallegos; Jessica Navarro; Teresa Villarreal; and Norma Chapa. In the second row, left to right, are Celinda Canales, Luis Poblano, Selene Garza, Gisselle Ibarra, Jessica Barrera, Ricky Ruiz, Xavier Rodriguez, David Chapa, Kristyn Ramirez, Coral Yanez and Andrew Treviño. In the third row are Ramiro Bernal, Marc Garcia, Roberto Guzman, Daniel Kimble, Larissa Salinas, Roel Gomez, Karla Ramos, Maryana Gavilanez, Estephania Lamoglia and Angelica Alvarez, and in the top row, left to right, are Mateo Mendoza, Joel Hernandez, Cristina Rodriguez, Enriquetta Espinoza, Rene Garcia III, Natalie Mendoza, Jack Kimble, Laura Villarreal, Alejandra Gavilanez and Delisa Rodriguez.

about gross anatomy, healthy habits, pre-pharmacy, the nano playground and many more interesting topics.

Villarreal Elementary students also attended a rehearsal session with the Longhorn Band, followed by a march to the Main Tower for the Explore UT class photo, which features the students arranged in the shape of a large heart.

Villarreal Elementary organizers plan to make the trip an annual tradition.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

Zentertainment

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Korn to kickoff summer series at LEA SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times

Lexie De Anda, left, as Katherine, and Casandra Canales, as Bianca, are pictured in LTGI’s production of “The Taming of the Shrew.” Alejandra Rodriguez is in the background.

‘The Taming of the Shrew’: The original rom-com

By KIRSTEN CROW THE ZAPATA TIMES

Without a doubt, it’s been some time since Shakespeare has met with a Laredo stage — at least not in a large-scale, public production.

Just how long it’s been is up for debate. But what isn’t in question is that the Laredo Theatre Guild International’s staging of “The Taming of the Shrew” is a welcome return to what many consider to be the cornerstone of the theater in works written by the widely accepted finest writer in the English language: William Shakespeare.

In what is considered to be LTGI’s most ambitious project yet, the troupe takes on marital madness and sexual politics in the farce, which features more than two dozen actors, elaborate Elizabethan era attire and slapstick comedy during its performances, slated for 7:30 p.m. tonight and 3 p.m. Sunday.

The fine points Performing Shakespeare, noted director John Maxtstadt, comes with its own unique set of special challenges, not the least of which being the language itself — Elizabethan English, spoken commonly more than 400 years ago.

In addition to being more difficult to understand as well as memorize, it also presents greater demands on elocution, he added.

Also important to Maxstadt was keeping “The Induction” an introductory scene that sets up the playwithin-a-play scenery for a metatheatrical experience.

Often, the scene — consisting of a drunkard being dressed as a lord and having a play performed for him as part of an elaborate joke — is cut from productions. But Maxtstadt was sure he wanted to keep it — and not only keep it, but round out the framing device at the end with a

scene pulled from “A Taming of the Shrew,” published anonymously and believed to have been ripped off from an earlier version of Shakespeare’s original work.

“It’s a framing device… it’s intended to convey not to take this too seriously…

It’s very overtly presented as a play,” Maxstadt said.

“It gives the audience the sense that this is for fun; it’s not a (manual) of how to manage a romance or manage a marriage.”

Despite its challenges, he believes “The Taming of the Shrew” to be among Shakespeare’s most accessible works.

“It’s slapstick, comedy, action,” he said. “Its acting is more visual than some of Shakespeare’s plays that are more philosophical or cerebral. It’s complex in a way, but it’s not deeply nuanced, it’s a straightforward, comic farce.”

The story “The Taming of the Shrew” could be considered the original rom-com.

In it, the audience follows the love lives of two of Baptista Minola’s daughters: the fair, but spoiled, Bianca, and the shrewish, but intelligent and independent, Katherine.

Bianca, who has many suitors, may not wed until the elder sister is married,

Baptista announces. Although there are no ready candidates, one, sure enough, shows up in the way of a brash Petruchio, who is interested in a hefty dowry.

Although their initial meeting is rife with insults (mostly from Katherine) and tongue-in-cheek belittlement (Petruchio) the two are wed, against Katherine’s wishes. Petruchio then begins his process of “taming” his wife, i.e., making her submissive to his will, in a number of comedic encounters.

Although the play — and its overall message — could be easily considered an undue ode to chauvinism, it is intended to be comic.

The details Produced by Joe Arciniega, tickets to “The Taming of the Shrew” are $15 general admission at the door, and $10 for students and seniors. Presale tickets are also available at the TAMIU bookstore and at Foster’s, 1605 Del Mar Blvd.

It will be performed at the TAMIU Center for Fine and Performing Arts Theatre at 7:30 p.m. tonight and at 3 p.m. Sunday.

For more information, call 319-8610 or visit www.laredotheaterguild.com.

The Laredo Energy Arena, Jagermeister and 94.9 The Works are proud to announce Korn with special guest 2 Cents, sponsored by the Jagermeister Musictour Live, on Tuesday, June 1.

“We are excited to have Korn be the first band to set the pace for the Laredo Energy Arena’s second annual Hot Summer Jam Series,” said Roy Medina, general manager for the SMG-managed Laredo Energy Arena. “This concert promises to be a high-powered event with an intimate feel, so get your tickets quick.”

This event will be a half-house, set up with approximately 5,000 tickets available. The

Photo by Salvatore Di Nolfi | AP

Jonathan Davis, lead singer of Korn, performs on stage during a concert in Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008. arena floor will be general admission, standing room only.

Tickets will go on sale Saturday, April 3, at 10 a.m. Ticket prices are $44 and $34, plus facility fee.

‘Wimpy Kid’ fleshes out stick-figure novel

By GLENN WHIPP ASSOCIATED PRESS

The movie version of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” manages to put flesh and bone on the stick figures in Jeff Kinney’s wildly successful cartoon novel without altering the book’s mildly subversive comic tone.

That fidelity plays mostly for the good, though the book’s moron-plagued, middle-school protagonist — a sixth-grade boy, who, let’s be honest, comes off as kind of self-absorbed, lazy and petty — loses some

of his appeal when viewed under the harsh light of the camera.

What’s funny on the page is less sympathetic on the screen, meaning the wimpy kid who’s going to win the hearts and minds of most moviegoers is not the title character, but his best buddy, the Igotta-be-me super-nerd Rowley.

“Diary of a Wimpy Kid,” a 20th Century Fox release, is rated PG for some rude humor and language. It is playing at Cinemark Mall Del Norte and Hollywood Theaters.

Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations including the LEA box office, various H-E-B locations, charge by phone 1800-745-3000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.

10A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

Anglers readying for tournament SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The second annual Fish for Life Extravaganza is already accepting applicants for the fishing tournament set for Saturday, July 17, at the Oso Blanco Boat Ramp.

Farmers Insurance Group, in conjunction with the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce, organized this event,

Courtesy photo

Jesse Perez of Laredo caught a new Lake Casa Blanca record 14.79-pound largemouth bass on March 24. At least two ShareLunkers have already been caught in Falcon Lake.

Falcon Lake could hold next ShareLunker SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

ATHENS — It’s a done deal that the Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation will pay $500 per pound to the lucky angler who wins the race to Toyota ShareLunker 500, and at least two caught in Falcon Lake have been donated to the program already.

With only 10 fish to go to get to the checkered flag, two big questions remain: Who will catch it? Where will they catch it?

Speculation about where ShareLunker 500 will come from is sure to be a topic at lakeside restaurants all over the state in the coming weeks, although all anglers will be certain they will be the one to cross the finish line with it. Will fish 500 come from Lake Fork, The Bassyard? Or Amistad, The Jewel of the Desert? Or Falcon, bass fishing’s Thunder Valley?

The latest entry into the program, No. 490, came from Lake Casa Blanca, near Laredo, on March 24.

Jesse Garza Perez of Laredo caught a new lake record

Dance to benefit mariachis SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Mariachi Halcon, under the direction of Adrian Padilla, is gearing up for a big fundraiser to send its talented musicians to a workshop in New Mexico.

The Spring Benefit Dance, scheduled for Friday, April 9, from 8 p.m. to midnight at the Zapata County Pavilion. It is sponsored by Los 5 de Zapata, Grupo Zamorales, Jorge Roel Y Potrillo, Grupo K-Libre and Trey’s DJ & Sound System Rentals.

Presale tickets for $10 are available at Economy Store, Junior’s Drive Inn, Seven Days Express and Shorty’s.

Admission will be $12 at the door.

14.79-pound bass from eight to 10 feet of water using a seven-inch junebug PowerBait worm.

“Previous stockings of Florida largemouth bass, rapid growth because of a year-round growing season, plentiful forage and minimal bass fishing effort are responsible for Lake Casa Blanca producing a relatively high number of ShareLunkers,” said Randy Myers, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Inland Fisheries biologist in charge of managing the lake’s fishery. Casa Blanca, a 1,680acre impoundment on the edge of Laredo, has now produced six ShareLunkers averaging 13.66 pounds. Only 12 other lakes have produced six or more ShareLunkers.

Toyota ShareLunker 490 is the fifth lake record entered into the ShareLunker program during the current season.

Lakes that have produced ShareLunkers so far this season include Fork (2), Lake O’ the Pines (1), Caddo (1), Purtis Creek State Park Lake (1), Lyndon B. Johnson

(1), O.H. Ivie (3), Amistad (2), Austin (1), Livingston (1), Choke Canyon (1), Falcon (2) and two private lakes.

All this prompts ShareLunker Program manager David Campbell to observe, “I believe ShareLunker 500 — and the new state record, for that matter—could come from any lake in Texas.”

Anyone legally catching a 13-pound or bigger largemouth bass from Texas waters, public or private, before April 30 may submit the fish to the Toyota ShareLunker program by calling program manager David Campbell at (903) 681-0550 or paging him at (888) 784-0600 and leaving a phone number including area code.

Fish will be picked up by TPWD personnel within 12 hours.

For complete information and rules of the ShareLunker program, tips on caring for big bass and a recap of last year’s season, see www.tpwd.state.tx.us/sharelunker. The site also includes a searchable database of all fish entered into the program along with pictures where available.

with proceeds going to the March of Dimes.

Contestants interested in pre-registering are urged pick up and return their entry form as soon as possible for the July 17 tournament. The entry fee is $200 per boat, which includes $10 for Big Bass Pot. Registration will also be available Friday, July 16, at Oso Blanco Lodge Boat Ramp

located at 2132 S. Hwy 83 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Participation is open to anyone who pays the entry fee, completes the required entry forms and agrees to abide by the rules. A team can consist of one or two anglers.

For more information, contact Juan Gamez at 753-6879 or the Zapata Chamber of Commerce at 765-4871.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES 11A

Austin flushes old toilets down the drain ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN, Texas — Old toilets are backing up Austin-area landfills.

The City Council plan approved last month to help apartment complexes install new water-efficient toilets has resulted in older models packing rapidly filling landfills. Critics say up to 280 tons of toilets could be dumped in county landfills, contradicting the city’s long-held commitment to recycling.

“It’s a clear example of the City of Austin’s left hand not knowing what its right hand is doing,” Rick Cofer, co-chairman of the city’s Solid Waste Advisory Commission, said in Friday’s editions of the Austin American-Statesman.

The city offers free and discounted water-saving

toilets to homeowners and apartment complex owners to conserve limited water supplies. Toilet recycling can be complicated, and water utility officials acknowledge they only recently began exploring the idea.

“We agree that it would be preferable, but we haven’t found a good option for doing it,” said Daryl Slusher, the conservation director for the Austin Water Utility.

Other cities have tried, with mixed results. Fort Collins, Colo., makes money on its toilet replacement program, but San Antonio canceled its after having difficulty selling recycled porcelain.

In Fort Collins, old toilets are shattered, the porcelain and metal separated, and the porcelain is mixed with recycled con-

crete or asphalt, which Fort Collins also recycles.

The mix is sold for use in road building. Some California cities have similar programs.

“My big joke is that our streets are paved with toilets,” said Rosemarie Russo, Fort Collins’ sustainability coordinator.

Austin does not recycle asphalt, which means the city couldn’t use the porcelain for road materials and would have to find other ways to sell or reuse it.

Jessica King, a sustainability administrator at the waste department, said the department will look for ways to incorporate toilet recycling.

“We’re in a transition with environmental issues and how they’re handled,” King said. “But there are a lot of players, and it takes time.”

Photo by Larry Kolvoord/Austin American-Statesman | AP

Amos Castillo, center, throws a toilet into the city compactor truck as fellow Solid Waste workers, Marcus Rutledge, left, and Julian Lopez gather up debris next to the curb in north Austin. Trashing old toilets in Austin is meant to be a good green thing. Critics say Austin has used public money to push as much as 280 tons of porcelain into landfills.

Ike-damaged Battle for the next shelf of books Debates put some education board dikes to get members into Democrats’ crosshairs repaired

By APRIL CASTRO

ASSOCIATED PRESS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

TEXAS CITY, Texas — Forget about lazy summer days of fishing from the Texas City dike this year.

Hurricane Ike rebuilding could start next month, now that Texas City has received $2.6 million from the federal government, about half of the anticipated government funding, city officials said.

The money is the first payment on the $5 million needed to rebuild the dike, which was severely damaged and shut down since Ike made landfall on Sept. 13, 2008.

“We’ve got the money, and now we can finally move forward,” Mayor Matt Doyle said. “I know people have been frustrated by this; I’ve been frustrated by this. But we couldn’t move forward until we had the money in hand.”

Reconstruction will take months and the city has no plans to partially reopen the dike, Doyle said. The 5-mile-long pier will not reopen until October at the earliest.

City officials last week opened bids to reconstruct the dike road. City commissioners are expected to award the reconstruction bid on April 7.

Tommy Maris, the city’s project manager, said work could begin within two weeks of the city commission’s selection of a construction company.

“There’s really not a whole lot of prep work needed here,” Maris said.

Doyle is seeking funding for solar-powered light poles. The city will not seek to extend electricity beyond the entrance area of the dike. The federal funds and state grants also will be used to rebuild the dike’s boat ramp.

The updated area will resemble a park and not include the two bait camps and lighted fishing pier that were washed away by the storm, Doyle said. The lack of use combined with sediment buildup have extended large parts of Dike Beach.

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas State Board of Education has long been acquainted with controversy, from debates over the merits of evolutionary theory to how to teach school students about sex.

But the latest imbroglio — backlash from their ideological nitpicking over how to teach social studies, history and economics — has put them squarely in the crosshairs of Democrats.

The board is developing new curriculum standards that will dictate what students in Texas learn for the next decade, but they also could influence national textbook publishers who customize their materials based on the largest markets.

Fiery debate about the new curriculum — in board meetings, on televised news programs and at kitchen tables — has pushed the board’s operation into a campaign issue. It also has led to legislation attempting to dial back board members’ power.

Democrat Bill White, who is trying to unseat Gov. Rick Perry in the November election, blames the Republican governor for letting the board become “overly political” with members too focused on advancing a conservative agenda.

The 15-member board has been a battleground for social conservatives and liberal watchdogs since Christian conservatives began building their presence from one seat

15 years ago to the seven they hold now — including chairwoman Gail Lowe. Two moderate Republicans also sit on the board.

Board members are elected, but Perry appointed Lowe as chairwoman. Under Lowe’s leadership, conservative members have waded through the social studies curriculum update, putting their stamp on everything from the role of faith in the country’s founding to the teaching of the civil rights movement.

Lowe didn’t return a message seeking comment Friday.

Republican Don McLeroy, the backbone of the conservative voting bloc, has said the conservative efforts are simply an attempt bring social study standards to the political middle after liberal Democrats spent years skewing them to the left.

White has asked Perry to step in before the new curriculum for K-12 students are adopted in May, but Perry has said he has no plans to intervene.

“I blame him for a lack of leadership because ultimately, the governor should appoint someone as chair with the capacity to build consensus across party lines and to encourage,” White said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. “(Perry) should use his political capital to bring elected officials to the mainstream.”

Perry has said the process is working as it should. He has rejected adopting a national curriculum developed by governors and education leaders

Photo by Jack Plunkett | AP

State Board of Education member Patricia Hardy listens to debate during an SBOE meeting in Austin, on March 12. The latest round over how to teach social studies has put members in the crosshairs of Democrats. in place of the board’s updates.

“Bill White clearly must not understand that they’re elected by the people of Texas,” Perry campaign spokesman Mark Miner said Friday. “He’s using scare tactics and fear to benefit his campaign and the people of Texas can see through that.”

Another Democrat, prominent state Sen. Chuy Hinojosa, said he’ll work to have the

State Board of Education abolished when the Legislature next meets in January.

“For years, a faction within the SBOE has moved farther to the fringes, determined to wage a type of cultural war,” said Hinojosa, of McAllen.

“Their methods consist of manipulating public school curriculums by controlling what is taught based on personal ideological agendas.”

12A THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

Health overhaul: Jail costs about $207K for Ft. Hood suspect Immediate change, long term steps ASSOCIATED PRESS

By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — When President Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare law in 1965, seniors got their health insurance cards less than a year later. President Barack Obama held his signing ceremony for his health care overhaul on Tuesday, but the major expansion of coverage for uninsured workers and their families won’t come until 2014 — after the next presidential election.

Parts of the plan won’t be fully phased in for a decade, but ultimately 94 percent of eligible Americans would have coverage.

Here’s a timeline of some changes:

THIS YEAR Sets up a high-risk health insurance pool to provide affordable coverage for uninsured people with medical problems.

Starting six months after enactment, requires all health insurance plans to maintain dependent coverage for children until they turn 26.

For children with medical problems, prohibits insurers from writing a policy that excludes payment for the particular condition. Insurers in the individual market could still deny new coverage to children in poor health.

Bars insurance companies from putting lifetime dollar limits on coverage, and canceling policies except for fraud.

Provides tax credits to help small businesses with up to 25 employees get and keep coverage for their employees.

Begins narrowing the Medicare prescription coverage gap by providing a $250 rebate to seniors in the gap, which starts this year once they have spent $2,830. It would be fully closed by 2020.

Reduces projected Medicare payments to hospitals, home health agencies, nursing homes, hospices and other providers.

2011

Creates a voluntary long-term care insurance program to provide a modest cash benefit helping disabled people stay in their homes, or cover nursing home costs. Benefits can begin five years after people start paying a fee for the coverage.

Provides Medicare recipients in the prescription coverage gap with a 50 percent discount on brand name drugs; begins phasing in additional drug discounts to close the gap by 2020.

Provides 10 percent Medicare bonus to primary care doctors and general surgeons practicing in underserved areas, such as inner cities and rural communities; improves preventive coverage.

Freezes payments to Medicare Advantage plans, the first step in reducing payments to the private insurers who serve about one-fourth of seniors. The reductions would be phased in over three to seven years.

Imposes $2.3 billion annual fee on drugmakers, increasing over time.

2012 Sets up program to create nonprofit insurance co-ops that would compete with commercial insurers.

Penalizes hospitals with high rates of preventable re-admissions by reducing Medicare payments.

2013 Limits medical expense contributions to taxsheltered flexible spending accounts (FSAs) to $2,500 a year, indexed for inflation.

Raises threshold for claiming itemized tax deduction for medical expenses from 7.5 percent of income to 10 percent. People over 65 can still deduct medical expenses above 7.5 percent of income through 2016.

2014 Prohibits insurers from denying coverage to people with medical problems, or refusing to renew their policy. Health plans

cannot limit coverage based on pre-existing conditions, or charge higher rates to those in poor health. Premiums can only vary by age (no more than 3-to-1), place of residence, family size and tobacco use.

Coverage expansion goes into high gear as states create new health insurance exchanges — supermarkets for individuals and small businesses to buy coverage. People who already have employer coverage won’t see any changes.

Medicaid expanded to cover low-income people up to 133 percent of the federal poverty line, about $29,300 for a family of four. Low-income childless adults covered for the first time.

Requires citizens and legal residents to have health insurance, except in cases of financial hardship, or pay a fine to the IRS. Penalty starts at $95 per person in 2014, rising to $695 in 2016. Family penalty capped at $2,250. Penalties indexed for inflation after 2016.

Penalizes employers with more than 50 workers if any of their workers get coverage through the exchange and receive a tax credit. The penalty is $2,000 times the total number of workers employed at the company. However, employers get to deduct the first 30 workers.

insurance costs for longterm care in retirement.

Thursday’s study also didn’t account for the health care overhaul that President Barack Obama signed into law Tuesday. Fidelity was updating its 2010 estimate before legislative details were clear, Patel said.

The law’s focus is expanding access to people under age 65. But it also would benefit many retirees by gradually closing what’s known as the “doughnut hole” coverage gap in the Medicare drug benefit. Seniors fall into that hole once they spend $2,830 per year.

The legislation would begin narrowing the gap by providing a $250 rebate this year. The gap would be fully closed by 2020, when seniors would still be responsible for 25 percent of the cost of their medications until Medicare’s catastrophic coverage kicks in.

Patel said the gap’s closure is likely to yield only a “very modest” reduction to

SUNSET IN LEBANON

2018 Imposes a tax on employer-sponsored health insurance worth more than $10,200 for individual coverage, $27,500 for a family plan. The tax is 40 percent of the value of the plan above the thresholds, indexed for inflation.

2020 Doughnut hole coverage gap in Medicare prescription benefit is phased out. Seniors continue to pay the standard 25 percent of their drug costs until they reach the threshold for Medicare catastrophic coverage, when their copayments drop to 5 percent.

HEALTH Continued from Page 1A recession, health care costs continue to rise faster than other expenses, said Sunit Patel, a senior vice president at Fidelity, which is based in Boston.

The findings illustrate the importance of factoring in health care alongside housing, food and other expenses in retirement planning.

“It turns out to be a surprise for many, and one of the largest expenses in retirement,” Patel said.

The increase in this year’s estimate was relatively small because a surge in patent expirations for brand-name drugs meant many cheaper generic versions reached the market, Patel said. That helped limit out-of-pocket prescription costs.

Fidelity’s estimate doesn’t factor in most dental services, or long-term care, such as costs from living in a nursing home. A 2008 study

by Fidelity estimated a 65year-old couple would need $85,000 on average to cover

SAN ANTONIO — The Army plans to pay nearly $207,000 to keep the suspected gunman in the deadly Fort Hood shootings at a central Texas jail until at least September.

The contract with Bell County, released under the Texas Public Information Act this week to KXXV-TV in Waco and the San Antonio Express-News, outlines plans to house psychiatrist Maj. Nidal Hasan. The county jail, which opened in 2009 and has a medical unit, is 15 miles from Fort Hood.

Hasan faces 13 counts of premeditated murder and 32 counts of attempted premeditated murder in the Nov. 5 shooting at the post. He was shot by civilian police, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down and in a military hospital in San Antonio.

The Army has declined to say when Hasan will be transferred from Brooke Army Medical Center, at which point the contract begins. His Article 32 hearing, similar to a civilian grand jury proceeding, is scheduled for June 1.

Defense lawyer John Galligan of Bel-

ton says he plans to seek a postponement because he has not received all the necessary information to prepare for the hearing.

Galligan also says Hasan should be cared for in a hospital, not a jail.

The contract, which may be extended, says it will cost $24,394 to house Hasan, a special-needs prisoner, for 183 days. It also has a cost estimated at $152,402 for around-the-clock guarding of Hasan, who is considered a “highvalue” inmate. An additional $30,000 is estimated for supplies and services to help meet his medical and transport needs.

The contract, especially the aroundthe-clock guard, is a waste of money for the Army, Galligan said, noting his client is confined to a wheelchair or bed.

“Where the money should have been spent is on appropriate medical care — a nurse,” he said. Hasan fell out of his chair earlier this week, Galligan said.

Bell County has housed military suspects for about 15 years through a contract with Fort Hood, which lacks holding facilities.

Fidelity’s $250,000 overall cost estimate.

Fidelity’s estimate is a projection of what an average couple would need. Actual costs will vary widely, depending on a couple’s medical needs and how long they live.

The Employee Benefit Research Institute, an independent nonprofit, conducts similar research but, unlike Fidelity, doesn’t focus on an average. That’s because there are so many variables that many retirees’ costs will end up far lower or higher than any average, said Paul Fronstin, EBRI’s director of health research and education.

For example, EBRI estimated last year that a retired couple would need $416,000 for health care costs if their drug costs were far higher than average, in the 90th percentile. If that same couple lives longer than three-quarters of retirees, the estimate rises to $614,000.

Photo by Odd Andersen | AP

Iranian tourists take pictures of the Rawcheh Sea Rock at sunset in Beirut, Lebanon, on Tuesday.

Suits over Iraqi convoy deaths delayed by ruling

By JUAN A. LOZANO ASSOCIATED PRESS

HOUSTON — A federal judge on Thursday said most of the lawsuits filed over deadly ambushes that killed civilian truck drivers in Iraq can go to trial, saying it’s unclear if the military contractors being sued knew their workers would come under attack but still sent them into harm’s way.

But U.S. District Judge Gray Miller also delayed the cases, which were set for trial May 24, saying in a 41-page ruling that the companies being sued — Halliburton and a former subsidiary, KBR Inc. — could appeal his ruling.

Miller did dismiss one lawsuit in the case.

KBR spokeswoman Heather Browne said the company will appeal.

“We are pleased that the

court completely dismissed one of the cases and acknowledged that none of the tragic injuries and deaths that occurred were intentionally caused

by KBR,” she said.

Halliburton spokeswoman Cathy Mann said because the “lawsuit is based on KBR activity in Iraq, we believe that Halliburton will be found to have no responsibility, legal or otherwise, for the actions alleged.”

Scott Allen, an attorney representing several injured drivers and the families of others killed in the attacks, said he was both pleased and disappointed with the ruling.

“It clearly shows we have sufficient evidence and have a right to proceed but we are somewhat upset for our clients, that their trial may be delayed,” he said.

The suits filed by truckers and their families accuse Halliburton and KBR of knowingly sending supply convoys into a dangerous area where six KBR drivers were killed and several others wounded on April 8 and 9, 2004.

KBR has maintained its top priority remains the safety and security of all its employees, but that the U.S. military alone decided to send the supply convoys. KBR split from Halliburton in 2007 and operates as a separate, publicly traded company.

Miller had dismissed the cases in 2006, ruling the Army plays a key role in deploying convoys and the judiciary can’t secondguess battlefield decisions.

But a federal appeals court sent the suits back to Miller in May 2008, ruling that it may be possible to resolve the lawsuits.

DEBATE Continued from Page 1A to attorney Juan Cruz for review. His findings will be presented in the next commissioner’s court meeting.

Vela is interested in composing an ordinance that would prevent any additional slot machine busi-

nesses to open in the Falcon area, and said he will take action on those currently operating, based on counsel’s recommendations.

According to Vela, the existing slot machine businesses may legally oper-

ate, as long as they comply with the law. These businesses, referred to as “maquinitas,” are not permitted to give out cash rewards to winners.

(Lorraine L. Rodriguez may be reached at 7282557.)

CENSUS Continued from Page 1A The most difficult populations to account for are undocumented children, people living in “colonias” and the elderly, she said.

“People need to know that their information is confidential and will not be reported,” Martinez said.

“We are not asking for a li-

cense number or Social Security number.

“We want to banish any rumors that they will be reported.”

One Zapatan was concerned about how the elderly are supposed to know how to fill it the form and mail it back.

Martinez noted that there is a phone number printed on the Census form for questions. If calling is out of the question, she suggested that “someone should show their neighborly duty and help them out.”

Community leaders also encouraged residents to

take advantage of the many employment opportunities the Census offers, including available positions such as a census taker, crew leader, crew leader assistant, recruiting assistant and census clerks. Anyone may apply for employment, but the mandatory test is only

in English. Following the test, employees are required to take five days of training.

The 2010 Census occurs every 10 years and aims to count everyone in the United States. Participation is confidential and there are federal laws protecting the

information shared by participants. The Census helps determine how more than $400 billion a year of federal funding is distributed to communities nationwide.

The Census form must be filled out and mailed back

by April 1, 2010 in the prepaid envelope provided.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors Lady Hawks successful at state MICHELLE ARCE: Sophomore won 3A state title at 165 pounds.

Powerlifters finish fifth in team competition as four girls medal and sophomore Michelle Arce brings home a title

By CLARA SANDOVAL SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Zapata Lady Hawks powerlifting team had an outstanding performance last weekend at the Texas High School Women’s Powerlifting State Championships held in Corpus Christi.

The Lady Hawks competed in the 3A division

against 30 schools and over 120 lifters.

Zapata placed fifth overall in the team competition.

The Lady Hawks sent five athletes to the meet, and four came home with some hardware around their neck.

One, sophomore Michelle Arce, came home with a state championship.

“I am so proud of all of my 17 girls for all their hard work that they began back in October,” Zapata coach Veronica Arce said.

The long road to the state meet started last year with the Lady Hawks having a banner year, sending several athletes to state, and this year was a repeat performance.

Sophomore April Guz-

man got things started off, placing fourth in the 97pound weight class, lifting a total of 545 pounds.

Senior Amanda Sanchez came in fourth place in the 181-pound weight division lifting a total of 830 pounds.

Next was senior Kat Garcia, placing fifth in the 165-pound weight class, lifting an astonishing 800

pounds.

Michelle Arce, the state champion in the 165 division, was next on the agenda for Zapata.

Michelle’s road to claiming the state title started a year ago when she was disappointed, falling short at the regional meet and failing to qualify for the state meet.

That disappointment fueled Michelle’s desire in the offseason and at the powerlifting meets leading up to the state meet.

“Michelle set her ulti-

mate goal one year ago when she feel short of reaching the state level competition last year after bombing out on the bench at regionals,” coach Arce said. “She was very determined to reach this goal, as well as my other lifters.”

Michelle almost did not make the state meet due to a finger injury that she suffered a week before regionals at the La Joya Tournament while playing

See POWERLIFTING PAGE 2B

MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL

CHASING DOWN THE CHAMPS

Photo by Elise Amendiola | AP

In this Nov. 4, 2009, file photo, the New York Yankees celebrate after winning Game 6 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies in New York. The Yankees won 7-3 to claim the World Series title

Contenders gunning for Yankees as 2010 season gets started

By JAY COHEN ASSOCIATED PRESS

E

veryone’s ready to go, from Ichiro Suzuki and the refurbished Seattle Mariners all the way to Roy Halladay and the playoff-tested Philadelphia Phillies.

Dustin Pedroia and Boston,

they’re itching for another shot. Ditto for Albert Pujols and the St. Louis Cardinals, and those outdoor-bound Minnesota Twins, too.

Get ready, New York Yankees. You may be on top after another World Series title but there’s a long list of contenders thinking about their own big parade in 2010.

“You have to work twice as hard to get back to where we were last year,” said Yankees ace CC Sabathia, set to start the major league opener on April 4 at Fenway Park.

Bronx expectations Of course, the expectations

Aces aim for comebacks

By JANIE MCCAULEY ASSOCIATED PRESS

TEMPE, Ariz. — Jake Peavy is pitching again with a clear head.

At last, the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner is at the point where he doesn’t think about his tender ankle or worry about what might happen next to derail his young tenure with the Chicago White Sox. “I think I’ve just now come out of that,” Peavy said. “Last year I really pushed the envelope trying to get out there because I thought I owed it to my teammates, the fans.”

He is thrilled to be on the comeback trail and at the end of an ordeal many top pitchers know so well — and he’s not the only one eager to get going in 2010.

New York Mets ace Johan Santana is healthy again after

in the Bronx are the same.

The proof is on the back of manager Joe Girardi, who bumped up his jersey by a digit to No. 28 after his team won its 27th crown last fall.

The Yankees beat defending champion Philadelphia in six games for their first title since winning three straight from 1998 to 2000, making

In this March 12 file photo, Chicago White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy (44) throws during the first inning of a spring training game in Tempe, Ariz. the two-time Cy Young winner had surgery on his left elbow late last season. Then there’s Ben Sheets, Justin Duchscherer and Joey Devine on the Oakland Athletics alone. They didn’t throw one

pitch between them in 2009.

Others aren’t quite ready but are working hard to return: Red Sox star Daisuke Matsuzaka, Arizona ace Bran-

See PITCHERS PAGE 2B

See MLB PAGE 2B

Oswalt injured as Astros top Pirates ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Ross D. Franklin | AP

their first season at the new Yankee Stadium a smashing success.

The Phillies didn’t exactly stand pat after getting denied.

Trying to become the first team since Stan Musial-led St. Louis in the 1940s to win three straight NL pennants,

KISSIMMEE, Fla. — The injuries are piling up for the Houston Astros at the wrong time.

Staff ace Roy Oswalt was removed after four innings of work on Friday due to a slight left hamstring strain, but the Astros got a walk-off, two-run home run from Chris Johnson in the bottom of the ninth to salvage a 6-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

The Astros rallied from a 2-0 deficit with a four-run eighth inning, but the Pirates tied it in the top of the ninth with two runs. Chris Shelton doubled with two outs and Johnson followed with a towering shot over the center field wall off reliever Jeremy Powell to win it in the bottom

ROY OSWALT: Astros ace injured hamstring in team’s win over Pirates. half.

Oswalt would be the fourth everyday player the Astros have had go down in the last few weeks. First baseman Lance Berkman (knee surgery), outfielder Michael Bourn (oblique strain) and shortstop Tommy Manzella (strained quadriceps) are all dealing with injuries as well.

Houston general manager Ed Wade said the team will send Oswalt back to Houston to be examined by team physician, Dr. David Lintner, Friday night or Saturday morning.

See ASTROS PAGE 2B

PAGE 2B

Zscores

TRANSACTIONS BASEBALL American League BALTIMORE ORIOLES: Named David Stockstill director of international scouting and John Stockstill director of player development. Optioned INF Josh Bell, INF Rhyne Hughes, INF Brandon Snyder and INF Michael Aubrey to Norfolk (IL) and INF Pedro Florimon to Bowie (EL). Assigned RHP Frank Mata, RHP Josh Perrault, RHP Dennis Sarfate and OF Jonathan Tucker to their minor league camp.

BOSTON RED SOX: -Optioned LHP Fabio Castro to Pawtucket (IL). Reassigned OF Darnell

McDonald to their minor league camp. Released LHP Brian Shouse. Agreed to terms with LHP Scott Schoeneweis on a minor league contract.

National League ATLANTA BRAVES: Suspended minor league RHP Duente Heath indefinitely.

CHICAGO CUBS: Optioned RHP Jeff Gray, RHP Marcos Mateo, LHP John Gaub and OF Jim Adduci to Iowa (PCL). Assigned INF Darwin Barney, INF Bobby Scales and C Robinson Chirinos to their minor league camp.

FLORIDA MARLINS: Optioned LHP Andrew Miller, C Brett Hayes and RHP Chris Leroux to New Orleans (PCL).

HOUSTON ASTROS: Optioned LHP Wesley

Wright to Round Rock (PCL). Reassigned RHP Shane Loux and INF Oswaldo Navarro to their minor league camp.

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS: Traded INF Kevin Frandsen to Boston Red Sox for a player to be named or cash.

American Association EL PASO DIABLOS: Released LHP Chris Luera and C Carl Johnson.

FORT WORTH CATS: Signed OF Jeremy Sauceda.

Can-Am League BROCKTON ROX: Signed INF Dom Ramos.

SUSSEX SKYHAWKS: Signed RHP Donald Jordat.

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010 Northern League LAKE COUNTY FIELDERS: Agreed to terms with INF-OF Josh Petersen.

FOOTBALL NFL PITTSBURGH STEELERS: Signed QB Charlie Batch to a two-year contract.

HOCKEY NHL LOS ANGELES KINGS: Activated F Andrei Loktionov from injured reserve and assigned him to Manchester (AHL).

MINNESOTA WILD: Reassigned C Cody Almond to Houston (AHL).

NEW YORK RANGERS: Recalled F P.A. Parent-

eau and D Anders Eriksson from Hartford (AHL).

AHL AHL: Suspended Binghamton RW Jonathan Cheechoo for two games as a result of his actions in a March 24 game vs. Toronto.

MANITOBA MOOSE: Signed F Aaron Volpatti and D Ryan McGinnis.

PROVIDENCE BRUINS: Signed F Olivier Labelle and F Devin Timberlake. Released D Jody Pederson.

SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE: Signed RW Jared Staal. Reassigned RW Ryan Weston to Las Vegas (ECHL).

SOCCER

MLS NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION: Signed MF Marko Perovic and MF Khano Smith. Waived D Gabriel Badilla.

NEW YORK RED BULLS: Signed F Juan Agudelo.

TORONTO FC: Signed MF Martin Saric.

COLLEGE BOISE STATE: Named Leon Rice men’s basketball coach.

SETON HALL: Named Sara Doell women’s golf coach.

VIRGINIA TECH: Agreed to terms with men’s basketball coach Seth Greenberg on the remaining four years of his contract and extended it two years.

injuring his elbow during the 2008 season. He underwent Tommy John surgery and missed an entire year.

Hudson returned late in ‘09 to go 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA in his seven starts, showing manager Bobby Cox and the Braves that he may be his old self again.

Webb is still working his way back from August shoulder surgery.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said monitoring these pitchers’ progress and health often comes down to experience: Do you trust those veteran guys to know how to best handle their own bodies, or do they still require constant attention?

“You’re a little more concerned with young pitchers trying to impress you,” Scioscia said. “With veter-

ans they will usually have some kind of a baseline that says, ‘I know where I need to be.’ If a veteran is going into a new situation, ‘Yeah, I’m trying to impress my club but I’m balancing that with heck with impressing them here and I leave my stuff in spring training and I’m not going to be able to contribute what I think I can during the season.’ It comes in all forms.”

Yet slow starts or early DL stints don’t always make for a lost season, according to Scioscia.

“Sometimes a spring pitcher when you see him in March and you see him in June it’s two different animals,” Scioscia said.

“Usually right now most pitchers in the spring aren’t a finished product.”

Duke was masterful on the mound and at the plate Friday. Duke kept the Astros scoreless through 6 2-3 innings and only allowed three baserunners while striking out two in his fourth and longest start of the spring.

Duke also slapped a pair of doubles, including one off of Oswalt in the third.

NOTES: Astros RHP Brett Myers said he felt better after sustaining a strained left groin Thursday in his start against the Phillies.

Myers isn’t expected to miss his next scheduled start. ... OF Michael Bourn appeared in a mi-

nor league game on Friday, his first action since he injured his oblique during batting practice on March 18. ... The Astros trimmed their spring roster to 38 Friday by optioning reliever Wesley Wright to Triple-A Round Rock, and reassigning pitcher Shane Loux and infielder Oswaldo Navarro to minor league camp. ... Pirates closer Octavio Dotel, who has made just one appearance this spring due to a strained oblique, struck out three while recording five total outs against the Yankees’ Triple-A team at Pirate City on Saturday.

PITCHERS Continued from Page 1B don Webb and Chien-Ming Wang of the Washington Nationals.

Minnesota Twins closer Joe Nathan needed seasonending Tommy John elbow surgery and was set to begin the emotionally and physically demanding process that comes with a major injury and working back through countless hours of rehabilitation.

A fine line For managers, pitchers especially present a fine line, a balance in pushing these players to regain their former form while also protecting them from further problems.

“Especially being the main guy on their ballclub, I have a sense that these

guys will try to go out there and maybe accelerate something they can’t accelerate,” Los Angeles Dodgers manager Joe Torre said. “I don’t think it’s going to be physical problems long-term for them, but I think they’re going to probably find they’re going to have to be a little more patient. I read where Webb started off really good and then they backed off a little bit. Pitching is pretty unique in what you do, especially the guys who have all this responsibility I think they’re going to feel it. Jake Peavy’s one, too.”

Peavy missed three months last season for San Diego after injuring a tendon in his right ankle. He returned for all of three starts with his new team after Chicago dealt for him

just before the trading deadline. He didn’t pitch again until September. All of that after he was shut down for a time in 2008 with an inflamed elbow.

“It’s not that people were impatient but I just felt like I owed it to them after the trade,” Peavy said. “When you trade four players for a guy, to kind of be absent wasn’t what I wanted to do.

I wanted to end the season just how we ended it, on a positive note saying, ‘Hey, this guy can help us win a championship next year.’ It was a positive note but I still wasn’t 100 percent healthy.”

Staying healthy The right-hander is among a long list of big-

name pitchers hoping for successful, healthy seasons in 2010.

Like Dice-K and Webb, Seattle lefty Erik Bedard probably will begin the season on the disabled list. He is returning from shoulder surgery, while new No. 1 starter and 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee is coming off an operation on his foot and has been nursing an abdominal strain that could delay his Mariners debut.

Tim Hudson can’t wait for a fresh start with the Atlanta Braves, who rewarded the right-hander with a $28 million, threeyear contract in November.

They’re counting on him staying in the rotation.

Hudson, a former 20game winner in Oakland, was the Braves’ ace until

ASTROS Continued from Page 1B Wade said Oswalt first experienced pain on the same side after his start against the New York Mets on Sunday was rained out. Oswalt pitched an inning when the rain forced him back to the batting cages. A few pitches into the bullpen session he felt some discomfort and shut himself down.

“I just want to get him checked,” Wade said.

“Head colds concern me.

Allergies concern me this time of spring training.

Since it’s the same leg and had two things now occur, we’re going to get him to Houston and let Dr. (Da-

vid) Lintner look at him.”

Oswalt said this is the first time in his career that he’s had any trouble with his hamstring.

Houston manager Brad Mills said the original plan was for Oswalt to throw 85-90 pitches and hopefully five or six innings in his third start of the spring.

“This late in camp, there’s always a concern,” Mills said. “The one positive thing is that he wanted to go back out. He felt that little strain in his hamstring, but he wanted to go back out there. That means he’s concerned

about it but he’s not so scared about it that he’s willing to go out there and pitch.”

Oswalt acted as if nothing was wrong when he talked with reporters after the start and had no idea that the team was sending him back to Houston to be examined.

“I felt a little tight in the cage, nothing major,” he said about Sunday’s BP session. “Today, I didn’t feel anything. The hammy got a little tight toward the end, but I told them I could go a couple innings more. But it’s spring training. It’s nothing major. If I

needed to pitch seven, I think I could have gotten through it. There’s no pain.”

Oswalt gave up one run on three hits over four innings and struck out six against the Pirates before his early exit. He struck out the side in the third.

The Pirates broke his streak of 9 2-3 scoreless spring innings in the fourth when Jeff Clement singled in a run.

Oswalt has pitched only 10 innings thanks to a pair of rainouts, saying the weather has thrown off his rhythm.

Pirates starter Zach

MLB Continued from Page 1B Philadelphia acquired Halladay from Toronto in a complicated, four-team deal in December.

Halladay, backed by one of the majors’ most potent lineups?

Sounds like championship material.

“That’s our goal, to get back to the World Series and win again,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “That’s our ultimate goal this year.”

doing, but the probe led to a couple of high-profile interviews this spring.

Mets stars Carlos Beltran and Jose Reyes talked to authorities and said they did not receive HGH from Galea. Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez pledged his cooperation, and Street has said investigators might want to talk to him about the case.

More players could face questions once the season starts.

Rodriguez’s connection to Galea seemed like just a minor disruption during a serene Yankees camp, that, for once, appeared to mostly focus on baseball. The champs geared up for their title defense by bringing in All-Star center fielder Curtis Granderson, pitcher Javier Vazquez, designated hitter Nick Johnson and outfielder Randy Winn.

Change in hope There wasn’t much hope in Seattle at this point last year, when the Mariners were coming off a 101-loss season. But they won 85 games in 2009, and general manager Jack Zduriencik continued to reload this winter.

Chone Figgins left the threetime AL West champion Angels for a $36 million, four-year deal and is expected to start at second base on opening day. Zduriencik also was part of the Halladay trade, grabbing 2008 AL Cy Young Award winner Cliff Lee from the Phillies.

Suddenly, the Mariners are a legitimate threat to win the division.

“I think we are going to be good, man,” ace Felix Hernandez said. “I think this is our year.”

Lee’s banged-up spring tempered some of Seattle’s enthusiasm, and Joe Nathan’s injured elbow had a similar effect on hopeful Minnesota.

The Twins, swept by the Yankees in the first round of last year’s playoffs, increased their payroll heading into their first season at open-air Target Field.

AL MVP Joe Mauer signed an $184 million, eight-year contract extension, and second baseman Orlando Hudson and slugger

What’s enough Photo by David J. Phillip | AP

In this Nov. 4, 2009, file photo, New York Yankees Mariano Rivera, left, Robinson Cano and Nick Swisher, right, hold up the championship trophy after winning the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies in New York.

Jim Thome deals.

inked

free-agent

Losing closers Then Nathan was sidelined for the year for reconstructive right elbow surgery, leaving Minnesota without its All-Star closer.

“If we throw the ball over and give our guys a chance to catch it, things will work out pretty good,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Gardenhire isn’t the only manager making contingency plans at closer, though the situation in Colorado seems to be far less serious.

Jim Tracy is adjusting his Rockies bullpen with Huston Street hampered by right arm tightness this spring. Street saved 35 games in 2009 as Colorado closed the season with a flourish, winning the wild card and ramping up the expectations for this year.

“We feel like we have the team that can win the division,” Street said. “The way we finished from June on last year, we learned what it takes to win and it’s not just about showing up and being more talented. It’s about grinding it out and doing all the little things right.”

San Francisco, with two-time reigning Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, and the Los Angeles

Dodgers also will be factors out West. And don’t forget about the NL Central champion Cardinals, who re-signed slugger Matt Holliday to help protect the great Pujols.

Off the field Off the field, baseball once again begins the season with a federal drug probe looming in the distance.

Dr. Anthony Galea, a Canadian physician known for his work with professional athletes, is embroiled in cross-border investigations involving human growth hormone and another drug. He has denied any wrong-

It’s time to see if it’s enough.

“We’ve brought in some great players and quality people,” Rodriguez said. “You know it’s our job to navigate this to the same place.”

Now that he’s won that elusive World Series title, Rodriguez is nearing another target.

He’s 17 home runs shy of hitting No. 600; Brewers closer Trevor Hoffman is nine saves from becoming the first player to reach 600.

Also worth noting: This is set to be the last season that Bobby Cox will manage, ending a hugely successful run in Atlanta that included one World Series championship. And this is Mark McGwire’s first year back on the field as Big Mac, who has now admitted using steroids, becomes the Cardinals’ batting coach.

POWERLIFTING Continued from Page 1B catcher for the Lady Hawk softball team.

Arce had fractured her ring finger on her right hand, and the news of competing at the regional meet

looked grim.

“The doctor said depending on how much pain she could tolerate, Michelle MAY be ready for regionals,” coach Arce said.

“Ready or not, she managed to continue her workouts in both powerlifting and softball, competed at regionals in Carrizo Springs and earned her

spot at state.”

Arce did not disappoint, as she lifted a total of 835 pounds for a state title.

“Words cannot explain the emotional feeling as a

coach/mother when they called out Michelle Arce, my daughter, as the state champion,” coach Arce said. “I would also like to thank the parents, school

administration, faculty, and my assistant, Mario Arce for all the help and support that they have given to the Lady Hawk powerlifting team.”

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3B

HINTS BY HELOISE TINY TUNA FOR TABBY Dear Heloise: My family and I are the owners of a 20-year-old female cat named Princess. Of course, being a cat, she loves TUNA. I was wondering how safe canned tuna for humans is for cats. -- Paige H., via e-mail According to our friends at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, a tiny bit of tuna given once in a while is OK. But, if Princess were to be fed ONLY tuna, it could mean big trouble for her. Cats need vitamin E, and she also would be missing out on calcium, sodium, iron and copper, among other nutrients. So, to answer your question, I know cats LOVE tuna fish, but please only give it in moderation, if at all. And then give Princess a Heloise hug. -Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: Shirley Hefele of Dunbarton, N.H., sent a photo of her son’s 85-pound Ridgeback, Hannah, and her 2-year-old, 25pound, tricolor beagle, Missy, curled up comfortably on the love seat. Shirley says: “My son usually occupies the love seat, and at times, one dog or the other commandeers the second seat. The dogs share a lot of things — even bones, treats and toys — but vie for this seat next to my son. When my son got up,

“

HELOISE

Missy saw her chance and occupied his seat.”

To see the doggie duo, visit www.Heloise.com. -- Heloise CAT LITTER BOX Dear Heloise: Your recent column indicating the use of newspaper to remove an unpleasant smell from a freezer reminds me of another use for shredded newspaper. Years ago, when my indoor cat was declawed, the vet said not to use cat litter for several days lest the cat’s paws get infected from the litter. It worked so well in eliminating any odor that I continued to use the newspaper. It was economical, green and very effective. -Marilyn F., San Clemente, Calif.

A green hint indeed, but please note that newsprint may rub off on white or light-colored cats. -- Heloise UNIQUE NAMES Dear Heloise: I have two little dogs. One is named Sunshine, and one is named Rainbow. So we have Sunny and Rainee.

Keep up the good work. I always check for your hints in The Washington Post. -- Carole Gee, via e-mail

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4B THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, MARCH 27, 2010

AL West full of changes for upcoming season

By JANIE MCCAULEY

Griffey Jr. is back for a 22nd major league season and his second since rejoining his first club. The Mariners are counting on his production at designated hitter even if he is now 40 and not the same guy he was in leading the team to the playoffs in a magical ’95 run.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Everybody knows it’s status quo in the AL East: Yankees and Red Sox, with the Rays hoping they can reprise their run from two years ago. The Central also features the regular figures — Detroit, Minnesota and the Chicago White Sox — fighting for the division.

It’s the AL West that has a whole new look.

The West is hands down the most changed division in baseball with all kinds of switcheroos for 2010. Seattle reloaded and is trying to contend for its first playoff berth since Ichiro Suzuki’s sensational rookie season of 2001, when the Mariners won an AL-record 116 games.

Texas plans to be right in the mix, too.

“The West always has been the division nobody pays attention to because they are in the West,” said White Sox infielder Omar Vizquel, who played last season for Texas and began his career in Seattle 21 years ago. “But I think this year they are going to have a little bit more hype because of all the changes that have been happening.

It’s going to be fun to see different teams like Texas and the Angels with new players. But I think it’s still going to be the same: The Angels are still the team beat.”

A look at the AL in predicted order of finish:

East New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter, Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeira, Mariano Rivera, Nick Swisher — the heart of this defending champion team is still intact, even if Matsui is now out West with the Angels and Johnny Damon is in Detroit.

The Yankees have kept

Photo by Jeff Chiu | AP

Texas Rangers catcher Taylor Teagarden, left, scores past Los Angeles Angels catcher Jeff Mathis during the fourth inning of a spring training game in Tempe, Ariz., on Thursday. their payroll around the same, too — in the $200 million range — and added the speedy Curtis Granderson to the mix.

Boston Red Sox After earning the wild card last season, the Red Sox had a disappointing division series in which they were swept by the Angels.

Yet Boston reloaded and added one of the most coveted pitchers on the market in the right-hander Lackey, who spent his first eight major league seasons at the front of the Angels’ rotation.

Tampa Bay Rays The Rays are determined to get back to the playoffs after missing last season, a year after their improbable World Series run.

Tampa Bay acquired right-hander Rafael Soriano to be its closer, and that could go a long way to bolstering the bullpen — one of Maddon’s main goals during the winter.

Toronto Blue Jays This is a rebuilding year for the Blue Jays and everyone is curious how they will do without former ace Roy Halladay. He went to the Phillies following December’s big four-team, nine-player swap that also sent Lee to Seattle.

Toronto also will miss Marco Scutaro in the infield. On to Boston, Scutaro had a career year in which he hit .282 with 12 homers, 100 runs, 162 hits, 35 doubles and 90 walks in 144 games.

Baltimore Orioles Trembley believes his younger players now have more experience and the club has made some key acquisitions to help boost the starting rotation — namely Kevin Millwood — bullpen and offense.

Miguel Tejada is back with Baltimore, this time at third base instead of shortstop. The 2002 AL MVP with Oakland left the Ath-

letics for Baltimore in 2004 and spent four seasons with the Orioles before playing the past two in Houston.

Central Minnesota Twins It’s been a spring of highs and lows for Minnesota. The Twins were devastated to learn All-Star closer Joe Nathan needs reconstructive elbow surgery that will cost him the entire season. Manager Ron Gardenhire will look to other options, but it won’t be easy to fill the shoes of the reliable Nathan with the game on the line in the ninth inning.

Chicago White Sox Perhaps the biggest question for the White Sox is where will they get their power after losing Jermaine Dye and Jim Thome? Expect skipper Ozzie Guillen to regularly give his guys the green light to

push games with speed and hit-and-runs.

Detroit Tigers The Tigers need another big year from Justin Verlander, who led the majors in strikeouts last season with 269 and went 19-9.

Same goes for new closer Jose Valverde. Manager Jim Leyland will be thrilled if flame-throwing reliever Joel Zumaya returns to the dominant form he showed in 2006, the team’s AL championship season.

Kansas City Royals The Royals led the Central early last season thanks to strong starting pitching and a reliable bullpen. Back to lead the way is 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke, but the rotation is thin behind him.

West Seattle Mariners Beloved slugger Ken

Los Angeles Angels The Angels have the pieces — despite a handful of new faces — in place to win their fourth straight division crown and sixth in seven years.

Aside from Matsui, Los Angeles added Joel Pineiro — a 15-game winner last season for St. Louis — to their rotation after losing Lackey.

Texas Rangers Perhaps the biggest thing the Rangers will have to deal with in April is any fallout or potential distraction in the wake of fourthyear manager Washington’s admission he failed a drug test last season after using cocaine.

While everybody in the Texas organization would like to move forward from this, fact is it’s probably going to come up nearly every time Washington visits a new city.

On the field, right-hander Rich Harden hopes to put his injury woes in the past and finally be a reliable No. 1 starter in his first year with the Rangers.

Texas went 87-75 for second place in the West and it’s unclear if the Rangers have the talent to dethrone Los Angeles.

Oakland Athletics The A’s know they will have to start well to stay in the division mix — none of this coming-from-behind stuff they were often known for earlier in the decade.

Look for Oakland to take more chances on the basepaths with lightning-quick Rajai Davis and Crisp at the top of the order.

Phillies going for National League three-peat

By HOWIE RUMBERG

West

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The only thing the Philadelphia Phillies want from the St. Louis Cardinals is the title of last team to win three straight National League pennants.

Albert Pujols? Heck, the Phils are fine with Ryan Howard.

Besides, they boosted their chance of the first NL three-peat since the Cardinals in the 1940s by making the big deal, getting Roy Halladay in a trade that sent their playoff ace to Seattle.

“I feel like the desire’s more,” Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. “I think that the talent we have on this team, stay healthy, a little luck, we’ll be there again.”

A look at the NL in predicted order of finish:

East Philadelphia Phillies Not satisfied with a return to the World Series that ended in a six-game loss to the Yankees, the Phillies added Halladay to top their rotation. They also beefed up an already formidable lineup with Polanco, and upgraded the bench with catcher Brian Schneider, infielder Juan Castro and outfielder Ross Gload.

But Philadelphia’s chances at another title might depend on setup man J.C. Romero, closer Brad Lidge and Cole Hamels. Romero had offseason forearm surgery and is expected to start the year on the DL. Lidge went from a perfect ’08 to leading the majors with 11 blown saves last year. Hamels followed up his World Series MVP with frustrating inconsistency.

Atlanta Braves If Bobby Cox is going to return to the playoffs in his last season as manager of the Braves, it in part could be thanks to the 20-year-old right fielder Heyward, whose power displays this spring have elicited Bunya-

Photo by Matt Rourke | AP

In this Dec. 16, 2009, file photo, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Roy Halladay, right, poses for photographs with Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. during a news conference to announce Halladay’s signing in Philadelphia. nesque tales. Glaus and Jones will be counted on to rediscover their home run strokes and help the Braves improve on their 149 homers, 22nd overall.

New York Mets Health is the key if the Mets are going to bounce back from the disastrous 7092 finish in 2009, and they already are off to a poor start. Center fielder Carlos Beltran is expected to be out for April after having knee surgery in January and shortstop Jose Reyes had an overactive thyroid that kept him out of most of spring training.

Florida Marlins With a talented core of young players led by NL batting champion Hanley Ramirez, Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan and All-Star righty Josh Johnson, Florida won 87 games last year and finished six back of the Phillies.

Washington Nationals The fact the Nationals

finished their second straight 100-loss season (59103) is no reason for optimism in D.C. Strasburg, however, is.

Central St. Louis Cardinals With a starting rotation anchored by dual aces Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter, and an offense led by the combo of Pujols and Holliday, the Cardinals should repeat as Central champs. They just hope McGwire’s return to St. Louis is not a distraction when the team hits the road.

Chicago Cubs The biggest move the Cubs made this offseason was trading away the volatile Bradley after one combustible season.

Milwaukee Brewers The Brewers found out that Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder can only carry the

club so far, so Milwaukee went out and signed Randy Wolf to $29.75 million, threeyear deal and brought back Doug Davis. Cincinnati Reds Only six teams in majors scored fewer runs than the Reds did (673) last year, their ninth straight losing season, but they added only one new starter: Orlando Cabrera. Cincinnati needs to stay healthy, primarily right fielder Jay Bruce, who missed two months with a broken wrist and hit .223.

Houston Astros New manager Brad Mills inherits a sagging ballclub that made few moves in the offseason. On offense, the Astros lost shortstop Miguel Tejada — rookie Tommy Manzella takes over — from a lineup that produced just 643 runs, 14th in the NL. The key to a run-scoring resurgence is Lance Berkman, who struggled to hit 25 homers and drive in 80 runs. Catcher J.R. Towles has to produce — he has hit

.188 in three partial big league seasons — because there a few options available.

Roy Oswalt was limited to eight wins by a balky back, but Wandy Rodriguez improved to a formidable No. 2 starter. In the bullpen, Matt Lindstrom and Brandon Lyon were brought in to replace setup man LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde, who had 69 saves over the last two seasons in Houston.

Pittsburgh Pirates The ballclub without a winning season since Barry Bonds’ year last with the team in 1992 is building for the future. A bevy of trades over the last 21/2 seasons stocked the minors, and several of those players might be ready — by this summer.

Andrew McCutchen will try to build on an impressive rookie year, Jeff Clement starts in right field after spending all of 2009 in minors and Garrett Jones hit 21 homers in just 314 at-bats.

Colorado Rockies Expectations are high after Tracy took over for Clint Hurdle as manager after a slow start and led the team to the NL wild card. They could win the West if lefthander Jeff Francis returns to form after missing all of 2008, and if closer Huston Street and setup man Rafael Betancourt are healthy. The relievers have missed time this spring and neither will likely be ready for the start of season.

Los Angeles Dodgers The Dodgers could be as interesting off the field as they are on it. Owners Frank McCourt and his estranged wife, Jamie, are set to meet in court in May. Manager Joe Torre is in the final year of his contract.

And Ramirez, also in his final year, has already made a stir this spring, saying this would be his last season in Los Angeles and then backtracking a day later.

San Francisco Giants It’s a good thing Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain don’t need much run support — they can’t expect it from the Giants’ offense. New arrivals Mark DeRosa and Aubrey Huff should add some pop to a lineup that hit 122 homers, 15th in the NL. San Francisco still is lacking another big bat to support third baseman Pablo Sandoval.

Arizona Diamondbacks Much depends on the return of 2006 Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb from shoulder surgery and he might be ready by mid-April.

San Diego Padres There is optimism in San Diego after the Padres went 37-25 to finish the season in fourth place. But a sunny outlook might not be enough to keep All-Star slugger Adrian Gonzalez, who could be dealt before the trading deadline. He has a year, plus a club option for 2011 left on his contract, and new general manager Jed Hoyer has limited funds.