The Zapata Times 4/4/2009 by The Zapata Times

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Sheriff: D.C. BP agent gets 14 years ‘paying attention’ By JASON BUCH

LAREDO MORNING TIMES

By JULIE DAFFERN LAREDO MORNING TIMES

About $500 million for five years is needed to fund law enforcement along the southwest border, Arizona Sheriff Larry Dever told a congressional panel Tuesday. Dever said the figure came from discussions with the National Sheriff’s Association about a year ago. The Cochise County, Arizona, sheriff was one of several officials to speak at a hearing of the House Subcommittee on Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response, chaired by U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar. “We’ve been talking about b order violen ce for many, many years. … Washington is finally paying attention,” Cuellar said during a teleconference with Zapata County Sheriff Sigifredo Gonzalez after the hearing. Gonzalez said that local law enforcement officials don’t want to be Border Patrol agents, they

just want help combating criminal activity. U.S. Rep Bennie Thompson, chair of the Committee on Homeland SeCUELLAR curity asked for clarification, “So in other words, you’re looking for help to catch the bad guys?” Gonzalez responded, GONZALEZ “We’re looking for help catching the bad guys who are coming in and also for help protecting the citizens who are living in our county so they will not get kidnapped, will not get extorted, will not have their homes invaded, so that they don’t get tortured, things like that.” The hearing took place the same day Homeland Security

A former Border Patrol agent received a 14-year prison sentence Wednesday for taking bribes to allow a load of cocaine to pass through Zapata County. Leonel Morales, 30, pleaded guilty in January to a charge of bribery of a public official. Morales had no criminal record, and there was no evidence he had been involved in smuggling before, said his attorney, Larry Warner of Harlingen. Morales’ family packed the courtroom, and his mother, fa-

“When somebody who is a sworn law enforcement officer joins up with criminals, we have the same situation we do in Mexico.” U.S. DISTRICT JUDGE MICAELA ALVAREZ

ther and wife asked U.S. District Judge Micaela Alvarez for leniency. “I just ask you to have mercy on him, for his parents, for his children and for him,” said his

wife, Perla Morales. “We need him in our home.” Alvarez said she had received letters saying Morales is a good son, brother, cousin and neighbor, and acknowledged that he

was unlikely to commit a crime after his release from prison. Morales’ role in the smuggling scheme was major, as he drew a map to show how to bring drugs through Zapata, explained where Border Patrol sensors were, distracted other agents and said he would be willing to help bring loads through in the future, Alvarez said. He needed to be punished not only as a deterrent, but because of the negative perception corrupt officials cast on their peers, Alvarez said.

See BPAGENT | PAGE 12A

RECOGNITION FOR A JOB WELL DONE

See BORDER | PAGE 12A

Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times

Zapata High School student Clarissa Linda Guerra was one of 24 students presented with the 2009 President’s Ray of Hope Award on Tuesday by Laredo Community College President Juan Maldonado. The presentation was held at the LCC South Campus. The award includes a $500 scholarship to attend LCC. Photo by Cuate Santos | The Zapata Times

Janet Napolitano, center, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security and Congressman Henry Cuellar leave the World Trade Bridge in Laredo,Texas on Friday. Secretary Napolitano visited Laredo as part of her three-day trip to California, Mexico and Texas.

Community college recognizes two Zapatans with scholarships By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES

More outbound B inspections at bridges coming By JASON BUCH LAREDO MORNING TIMES

Increasing outbound inspections will be a cornerstone to combating the drug cartels wreaking havoc in Mexico, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano said during a visit to Laredo on Friday. By keeping a close eye on traffic into Mexico, customs officers can help cut off the guns and money that “help fuel the cartels,” Napolitano said. She met earlier this week with top officials in Mexico, Napolitano said, and discussed “how to work together to improve safety and security from the border. To act like a vice … to take out the cartels.” Homeland Security will double the number of agents working on the multidisciplinary Border Enforcement Security Task forces, triple the number of intelligence officers working along the

border, add 30 more Immigration and Customs Enforcement liaison agents and begin inspecting all railcars going into Mexico, she said. Better intelligence is crucial to being able to slow the flow of money and weapons, Napolitano said. “We can’t depend on just getting lucky on a stop,” she said. “You want to have information; this car has cash, this truck has guns.” Napolitano echoed comments made earlier in the day by Congressman Henry Cuellar about the need to protect the border and not interfere with international trade. “Trade and tourism are important to this area,” Cuellar said to reporters before Napolitano’s arrival. “We need to have security, but sometimes we have to temper it so it doesn’t affect trade.”

See NAPOLITANO | PAGE 12A

ecause of their exemplary community service and dedication to helping others Marisol Trejo, 17, and Clarissa Linda Guerra, 17, received Laredo Community College’s President’s Ray of Hope Award on Tuesday. “They went above and beyond their call of duty,” said Jose Luis Saenz, assistant principal of Zapata High School. Both girls received a $500 scholarship to LCC during an award ceremony at LCC South. “It was shocking,” Guerra said about being chosen for this award. “This will help me to reach my future goals.” Guerra added that she wants to do something in social work when she is done with school. The President’s Ray of Hope Award

“They were selected by the school counselors. They are both deserving of this award.” ZAPATA HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL JOSE LUIS SAENZ

honors students who excel in volunteer and altruistic work in the community. Each high school from the area nominates two students, who administrators feel are both civic minded and studious. “They were selected by the school counselors,” Saenz said. “They are both deserving of this award.” Trejo said she is not sure why she received the award, but is happy to have some help with paying attention. “I work hard at work and at school,” Trejo said. “I am not totally positive why

they selected me but I am happy they did.” Trejo is a senior at Zapata High School and plans on attending LCC in the fall. Although, Trejo isn’t sure why she was awarded, Guerra is confident she received the money because of how much service work she does. “I keep myself busy with doing things in the community,” Guerra said. “I feel like helping people is my calling.” (Taryn White may be reached at 7282568 or twhite@lmtonline.com)

S. Texas chess team heads to final 4 By CHRISTOPHER SHERMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

BROWNSVILLE, Texas — The university in this city at the southernmost tip of Texas is headed to the final four of college chess for the first time. In only its third year competing at the game’s largest collegiate team competition — the Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship in

December — the University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College captured third place and a coveted spot in this weekend’s President’s Cup in Dallas. The university on the Rio Grande that made headlines last year for its fight against plans to build the border fence across its campus will face perennial powers, the University of Texas at Dallas and the University of

Maryland, Baltimore County as well as Stanford University which tied for third. “This is without a doubt our most successful season,” said Russell Harwood, the university’s chess program director. In its previous two appearances at the Pan-American, UTB’s team placed sixth and eighth. The University of Texas at Brownsville roster for the President’s Cup includes a Chilean, a

Peruvian a Colombian and two Americans. The school has quickly built a competitive chess program relying on a combination of local talent and international players lured by chess scholarships. In recent years, UTB’s team has scored victories against more prestigious schools and this weekend hopes for success

See CHESS | PAGE 12A

Zin brief

SATURDAY,APRIL 4,2009

AROUND TEXAS | IN BRIEF

WHAT’S GOING ON

‘Doctor’who molested girl sentenced

 The Falcon Lake Tackle shop will be hosting their first ever Bass Blast Sunday April 5. Registration for the tournament will be today from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at their shop located 2195 South Highway 83. For more information please call 765-4866 or 765-5854, or visit them online at www.falconlaketackle.com

SUNDAY,APRIL 5 The Falcon Lake Tackle Bass Blast will be held today. The weigh in will be at Oso Blanco Ramp. The rules for the two-man team open tournament include a three fish limit, a $124 entry fee, includes big bass. Meals will be served at registration, and many great door prizes will be given away.

WEDNESDAY,APRIL 8  The Zapata County Museum will have its groundbreaking ceremony today. The public is invited to join in celebration. For more information please call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at 7654871

FRIDAY,APRIL 10

SATURDAY,APRIL 11  Falcon Lake Big Bass Tournament is set to start today. Planning is underway for live entertainment and food sponsors. More details to come.For more information please call the Zapata Chamber of Commerce at 765-4871.

SUNDAY,APRIL 12 Today is the start of National Library Week. The San Ygnacio Public Library and the County Public Library will celebrate with what is called Amnesty Week. This means no late fees will be charged on any book. The event runs though April 18. For more information, call 765-5351.

MONDAY,APRIL 13  Easter Monday. No classes today for Zapata Independent School District students.

SATURDAY,APRIL 18 Todayis the last dayof AmnestyWeek hosted by the San Ygnacio Public Library as part of its celebration of National Library Week. For more information, call 765-5351  The Zapata County Chamber of Commerce will host a fishing tournament for bass champs today at the Zapata County public boat ramp. For more information please call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at 765-4871.  The Boys and Girls Club of Zapata invites you to the Inauguration ceremony for the Devon Energy Soccer Field and Open Pavilion today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.The celebration will also be honoring club directors, past presidents, and club contributors. There will be fun, food, and games. For more information please call the Boys and Girls club at 956-765-3892.

TUESDAY,APRIL 21 n The public is invited to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ramiro T.Flores Public Park today.For more information please call the Zapata County Chamber of Commerce at 765-4871

Photo by L.M. Otero | AP

With windmills in the background, children play at Sterling Elementary School in Sterling City, on Thursday. Property values are soaring in this West Texas community, and the reason is because of hundreds of newly-built wind turbines.

Schools getting millions from wind farm deals By DANNY ROBBINS ASSOCIATED PRESS

STERLING CITY, Texas — Property values are soaring in this West Texas community, and the reason is obvious. Looming on the northern horizon, hundreds of newly-built wind turbines dot the once-barren mesas. Ordinarily, much of the tax dollars generated by the turbines would go to the state’s “Robin Hood” school finance plan, which requires property-rich districts to share their wealth with those less fortunate. But that won’t happen in Sterling City, at least not if school officials have their way. The school district with an enrollment of 201 is among the dozens on Texas’ wind-swept plains that have cut deals allowing them to collect hundreds of millions of dollars from wind farms without sending any of the money to the state. The deals give the energy companies operating the turbines massive tax breaks. In return, the school districts get part of the savings, all of it beyond “Robin Hood’s” reach.

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The Associated Press, using data compiled by the state comptroller’s office, found that the agreements will allow 44 school districts to receive nearly $248 million over the next 10 years, the districts’ cut of more than $700 million in tax breaks they granted wind farm operators. Another 21 school districts have made similar deals, but the agreements had not been completed when the data was collected by the comptroller. The money, the magnitude of which has only recently become known, has led to a brewing controversy. School officials believe their districts — many of them small, rural and historically lacking in resources — deserve a payday that is theirs alone. But some watchdog groups and lawmakers contend that the windfall should be included in the state program to equalize funding for all students. “Some of these districts ... they’re twice as rich as anybody else,” said Clint Carpenter, a former school superintendent and now an education professor at Texas Tech, where he has been researching the deals.

Solons debate stimulus money

Brothers found guilty in visas case

Mexico,U.S.form immigration group

AUSTIN — Capitol Democrats and Republicans debated again Friday whether Texas should accept $550 million in federal unemployment stimulus money that Gov. Rick Perry has rejected. House Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts, a Waxahachie Republican, agreed. He said Texans who qualify for unemployment compensation will receive their payments. Perry, a Republican and critic of the $787 billion stimulus package, has accepted most of the roughly $17 billion slated for Texas.

HOUSTON — A federal jury found twin brothers guilty of conspiring to obtain fraudulent work visas for nearly 90 Indian nationals in exchange for cash. Alberto and Bernardo Peña, 39, of Brownsville were found guilty on all 16 counts. The jury found the brothers had encouraged 87 people from the Indian state of Gujarat to enter the United States on temporary visas. The Peña twins, face a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine

MEXICO CITY — Mexico and the United States have formed a high-level, joint working group to make immigration safer and more orderly. The working group will focus on making documented migration easier, protecting migrants’ rights and improving procedures for repatriating migrants, the Mexican Foreign Relations Department said in a statement. It also will focus on steps to inform the public about the dangers of trying to cross the border without documents. — Compiled from AP reports

MORRISTOWN, N.J. — A New Jersey man who twice climbed through a 5-year-old girl’s bedroom window, told her he was a doctor and molested her has been sentenced to 17 1/2 years in a state prison for sex offenders. Prosecutors say 28-year-old Bloomfield resident Timothy Iberer first entered the girl’s room in August 2007. When the girl told her parents “the doctor” had touched her, they thought she’d had a bad dream. But when Iberer returned a few weeks later, the girl’s mother walked in on him. He fled, but authorities found fingerprints on the window of the home in Pequannock (puhKWA’-nik) and soon arrested him. Iberer pleaded guilty in January to sexual assault charges.

West Coast gets live Golden Globes LOS ANGELES — Golden Globe viewers on the West Coast don’t have to worry about online spoilers next year: The show will air live nationally for the first time. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association said this week that the 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards will be broadcast Jan. 17 by NBC at 5 p.m. on the West Coast and 8 p.m. on the East Coast. In the past, the ceremony honoring movies and television shows aired in prime time on the West Coast on tape delay, but was live elsewhere. The Golden Globes could use

a ratings boost. After being disrupted in 2008 by the Hollywood writers’ strike, this year’s ceremony was the lowest-rated ever, with 14.6 million viewers.

Ex-Playboy staffer files lawsuit NEW YORK — Playboy magazine’s former fashion director claims he was fired because of his sexual orientation and his age. Joseph DeAcetis filed a lawsuit in Manhattan Supreme Court saying the magazine’s editorial director “made fun” of him because he is gay and his hair was gray. The lawsuit says that the editorial director referred to homosexuals as “girls.” The 45-year-old DeAcetis became a staffer at Playboy in 2005. He says his duties were gradually given to a younger, straight male assistant and a straight female editor. Playboy Enterprises spokeswoman Elizabeth Austin says the company “takes these allegations very seriously” and has been investigating internally.

Wind drives fire into Palm Springs PALM SPRINGS, Calif. — A wind-driven brush fire in Palm Springs has burned at least two homes and evacuations have been ordered for hundreds of homes. Police Sgt. Mitch Spike says the fire started Friday afternoon on the Palm Springs Tramway. Evacuations have been ordered for some areas in northwest Palm Springs. —Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE WORLD | IN BRIEF Police sentenced for 2002 violence

Fujimori swings at ex-presidents in defense

CARACAS, Venezuela — A Venezuelan court on Friday sentenced nine former police officials to as long as 30 years in prison for the killings of demonstrators during street protests that led up to the failed 2002 coup against President Hugo Chavez. Former Caracas police chief Henry Vivas, deputy chief Lazaro Forero and city public safety director Ivan Simonovis were sentenced to 30-year terms. They were convicted of being accomplices to murder in the killings of two pro-government demonstrators.

LIMA, Peru — A defiant former President Alberto Fujimori on Friday called his murder and kidnapping trial political persecution and said the charges reflect a double standard since his predecessors never faced trial for alleged abuses during their presidencies. On the second and final day of his personal defense in the 15 month-trial, Peru’s former leader told a packed court that proof of persecution is the fact that he is the only president from Peru’s 20-year conflict with leftist guerrillas to be tried for military atrocities. — Compiled from AP reports

FIRE HISTORY MUSEUM

TODAY IN HISTORY Associated Press

AROUND THE NATION | IN BRIEF

SATURDAY,APRIL 4

 Staff development day at Zapata Independent School district; no class for students. Pre-registration will be held today for the Falcon Lake Big Bass Tournament, which kicks off tomorrow, at the Holiday Restaurant. Or you can register online at www.zapatausa.com For more information please call the Zapata Chamber of Commerce at 765-4871.  The Laredo Center for the Arts will host the offical opening reception for their latest exhibit “Light”today from 6 to 8 p.m. The exhibit is by Laredo native,Jerry Cabrera, and will run until April 30. For more information, call the LCA at 725-1715.

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Today is Saturday, April 4, the 94th day of 2009. There are 271 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On April 4, 1968, civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr., 39, was shot to death at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn. (James Earl Ray later pleaded guilty to assassinating King, then spent the rest of his life claiming his innocence before dying in prison in 1998.) On this date: In 1818, Congress decided the United States flag would consist of 13 red and white stripes and 20 stars, with a new star to be added for every new state of the Union. In 1841, President William Henry Harrison succumbed to pneumonia one month after his inaugural, becoming the first U.S. chief executive to die in office. In 1850, the city of Los Angeles was incorporated. In 1859, 150 years ago, “Dixie” was performed publicly for the first time by Bryant’s Minstrels at Mechanics’ Hall in New York. (The song is popularly attributed

to Daniel Decatur Emmett, although his authorship has been called into question.) In 1887, Susanna Madora Salter became the first woman elected mayor of an American community: Argonia, Kan. In 1945, during World War II, U.S. troops on Okinawa encountered the first significant resistance from Japanese forces at the Machinato Line. In 1949, 12 nations, including the United States, signed the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington. In 1975, more than 130 people, most of them children, were killed when a U.S. Air Force transport plane evacuating Vietnamese orphans crash-landed shortly after take off from Saigon. In 1979, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the deposed prime minister of Pakistan, was hanged after he was convicted of conspiring to murder a political opponent. In 1983, the space shuttle Challenger roared into orbit on its maiden voyage. Ten years ago: NATO warplanes and missiles attacked an army headquarters, oil refineries and other targets in and around

Belgrade, Yugoslavia. The Colorado Rockies beat the San Diego Padres 8-2 in baseball’s first season opener held in Mexico. Five years ago: Supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr, an anti-American cleric, rioted in four Iraqi cities, killing dozens of Iraqis, eight U.S. troops and a Salvadoran soldier. One year ago: Texas authorities started removing the first of more than 400 girls from a compound built by a polygamist sect. Lisa Montgomery was sentenced to death in Kansas City, Mo., for killing Bobbie Jo Stinnett, a mother-to-be, and cutting the baby from her womb. Pirates seized the French luxury yacht Le Ponant and its 30 crew members off the coast of Somalia. (The crew was released a week later; six alleged pirates ended up being captured.) Today’s Birthdays: Actress Elizabeth Wilson is 88. Authorpoet Maya Angelou is 81. Sen. Richard Lugar, R-Ind., is 77. Recording executive Clive Davis is 77. Bandleader Hugh Masekela is 70. Author Kitty Kelley is 67. Actor Craig T. Nelson is 65. Actor Walter Charles is 64.

Photo by Clyde Mueller/The New Mexican | AP

Barbara Salas and Engineer Jason Arwood, from left, pose with Fire Engine 3, a 1934 LaFrance fire truck, in Santa Fe, NM. The city’s smallest and oldest functioning fire station will be transformed into a museum about Santa Fe firefighting history this summer.The collection so far includes a 19th-century wooden hose cart that firefighters pulled by hand to fire scenes, bunker gear that resembles a rubber raincoat and leather hats from the 1940s.

Zlocal

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SATURDAY,APRIL 4,2009

Final day of planetarium’s observance of 100 hours By STEVE HARMON SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

LAREDO — Have fun today as the Texas A&M International University Lamar Bruni Vergara Planetarium ends its celebration of 100 hours of astronomy. “The 100 Hours of Astronomy Cornerstone Project is a worldwide event consisting of public outreach activities, live science center, research observatory webcasts and sidewalk astronomy events,” said Laura C. Jimenez, associate director of the planetarium. One of the goals is to have as many people as possible look a telescope, just as Galileo did 400 years ago. “100 Hours of Astronomy started Thursday when the moon went from first quarter to gibbous — good phases for early evening observing,” Jimenez said. Today, the LBV Planetarium will show “Wonders of the Universe” at 6 p.m., “Stars of the Pharaohs” at 7 p.m. and “Planet Quest” at 8 p.m. General admission is $5 for adults and $4 for children

DISCUSSING CAREERS

and TAMIU students, faculty, staff and alumni. Premium shows are $1 extra. After the shows, the LBV Planetarium will host the Global Star Party, weather permitting, starting at 8:45 p.m. Admission is free to the Global Star Party. “At 8:45 p.m. we will join the rest of the globe with a stargazing party that being organized by Sidewalk Astronomers and International Sidewalk Astronomy Night. The Sidewalk Astronomers is an international amateur astronomy organization dedicated to public service. We will join the dedicated community of sidewalk astronomers in reaching out to as many people as possible and share the wonders of the sky,” Jimenez explained. “Everyone with or without a telescope should come out to join us under the stars and be part of this star party,” she encouraged. 100 Hours of Astronomy is part of the International Year of Astronomy 2009 celebration. (Steve Harmon is the director of the Office of Public Relations at TAMIU) Courtesy photo

From right to left, Lyndon B.Johnson High School seniors Brenda Perez and Orlando Mata listen as U.S. Customs agents Henry Guerra and Robert Lozano answer questions Tuesday. The students were among the more than 600 who attended the 3rd Annual Tech Prep Career Day at Laredo Community College’s South Campus.

Concert to feature harpsichord, piano SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

LAREDO — Former Laredoan Sylvia Hazlerig will perform her compositions in a concert at Texas A&M International University’s Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall on Tuesday, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public. Hazlerig will perform on the harpsichord and pi-

ano, showcasing two new works. She will be joined on flute by Susan Berdahl, TAMIU associate professor of flute and violinist Everaldo Martínez of the Lubbock Symphony String Quartet. The two new works, the Sonatina for Flute and Harpsichord and the Theme and Variations for Solo Violin, were written last year for the artists performing April 7. Both works premiered in August 2008 at Hazlerig House in Crestone, Colo.

THE BLOTTER DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED

PUBLIC INTOXICATION

 Deputies arrested Romeo Flores Trinidad IV Sunday near First Street and U.S. 83 on a charge of driving while intoxicated, driving with license suspended and evading arrest.  Deputies arrested Roberto Zapata on March 27 near the corner of Highway 16 and Glenn on charges that he was driving while intoxicated and almost caused an accident at the corner of Highway 16 and Hidalgo Boulevard.  Deputies arrested Adrian Lopez Valadez March 27 near the corner of 21st and Brazos on charges of driving under the influence, driving without a license and without insurance.

 Raul Isael Chavarria and Amado Martinez were arrested March 28 near the corner of First Street and U.S. 83 on public intoxication charges.  Deputies arrested Carlos Alberto Martinez Sanchez and Jaime Sanchez Jr. March 27 near the corner of 4th Street and Medina on public intoxication charges.  Deputies on March 27 arrested Jose Luis Rodriguez at 21st and Brazos on a pub-

Tree planting Wed. at center SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

LAREDO — Wednesday, AEP will donate several trees in special ceremonies to be held at Las Presas Community Center in Laredo. “We welcome the donation of trees to our community to beautify the area around the center,” Webb County Commissioner Frank Sciaraffa said. “The trees will add beauty not just to the center, but

to all the community in Las Presas. Home Depot will enhance the beauty of the center with the donation of additional trees, flowers and plants from its gardening center.” The ceremony’s theme will be “Planting for Future Generations.” The program will begin at 10 a.m. at Las Presas Community Center, 1983 Mangana Hein Road. The public is invited to participate.

lic intoxication charge.

RECKLESS DRIVING  Luis Alberto Cantu was arrested Sunday on U.S. 83 on charges that he was driving recklessly, almost causing several accidents.

NO DRIVER’S LICENSE  Deputies on March 28 arrested Jose Jorge Casillas on charges of driving without a license and without insurance.

INTOXICATED ASSAULTWITH VEHICLE  Yessenia Infante Pacheco was arrested Sunday on accusations that she hit a 3-year-old girl with her car while driving westbound on Medina between Seventh an 10th Streets.

Carmen Ramirez - Rathmell, D.D.S.

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“I can hardly remember the heart attack, but I’ll never forget their care.” –Leo Flores, Webb County Auditor

When Leo Flores had a heart attack, his wife rushed him to the hospital. “When we got to Laredo Medical Center, they immediately began working on me with lightning speed.” The staff of experienced nurses and physicians got him stabilized, and eventually got him back on his feet. “What happened to me in your cardiac care center was nothing short of a miracle,” says Leo. Thanks to our advanced technology and skilled physicians, Leo Flores’ heart attack is a distant memory. But he’ll never forget the care he received. “I am grateful to everyone there, from the custodial staff to the cardiologist. Thanks for giving me a second chance.” To learn more about the region’s leader in cardiac care, visit laredomedical.com today.

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Zopinion

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SATURDAY,APRIL 4,2009

COLUMN

OTHER VIEWS

A dose of fiscal reality for Obama By SCOT LEHIGH THE BOSTON GLOBE

resident Obama has Icarus issues. Having escaped from exile in Crete, the exuberant mythological lad flew too close to the sun, thereby melting the wax that held together his make-shift wings. The result: one precipitous plunge. Having led the Democrats out of Oval Office exile, Obama is also soaring - but worries about the cost of his ambitious plans have started to warm the wax of Democratic cohesion. Catalyzing that concern is the Congressional Budget Office’s prediction that the president’s program will be significantly more expensive than advertised. The Budget Office foresees a 10-year cumulative deficit of $9.3 trillion - which is $2.3 trillion higher than the administration’s estimate. The government will spend an average of 23.7 percent of GDP yearly while taking in 18.4 percent of GDP in revenue during that period, it says. The bottom line: yearly federal deficits averaging 5.3 percent of GDP - and a budget gap of about $1.2 trillion in 2019. Althoegh the government needs to run large deficits now to inject some demand into a cratering economy, once the recovery comes, we’ll have to reduce the huge fiscal imbalances. Take it from the president himself. This is what he said in February about the $1.3 trillion deficit he inherited: “We cannot and will not sustain deficits like these without end.” But that’s where Obama’s planr would lead, according to CBO. Now some Democrats are digging in their heels. Senator Kent Conrad, chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, has expressed skepticism about rendering permanent the president’s “Making Work Pay” tax break supposedly targeted at lower and middle earners. That tax benefit, which phases out at family incomes of $190,000 or more, carries a 10year cost of $537 billion. Obama is also calling for at least another $234 billion in individual and $100 billion in business breaks atop that. There’s an obvious tension between the president’s ambitious agenda and his political desire to avoid being labeled a reflexive tax-raiser. The latter explains why the administration regularly notes that the two top income-tax

rates will merely be reverting to their Clinton levels and that his proposed limitations on itemized deductions would only return things to the Reagan era. Obama, of course, frames his major initiatives as absolute imperatives if we want a robust recovery. But surveying the president’s ambitious agenda, which also includes healthcare expansion, new spending on clean energy and education, and a cap-and-trade system to combat global warming, others are left wondering. “I think the reality is going to settle in that we are going to have to pull back on something,” says U.S. Representative Richard Neal, Democrat of Massachusetts, a longtime member of the House Ways and Means Committee. Here’s another unwelcome reality: Over the longer term, the federal government is going to need more revenue than Obama is proposing. “Anybody who has looked at the problem and doesn’t have ideological blinders on reaches that conclusion,” says James Horney, director of federal fiscal policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a progressive think tank. The administration has nodded in that direction, announcing that former Fed chairman Paul Volcker will head a commission exploring ways to bring in more owed but uncollected taxes, close tax loopholes, and reduce corporate welfare. Still, budgetary experts sue much tougher decisions ahead. “The unvarnished truth is that as we move forward over the next five to 10 years, we are going to have to raise taxes across the board or significantly cut back programs which affect the middle class and the lower class,” says Robert Reischauer, former director of the Congressional Budget Office. “Taxes are going to have to go up at some point,” says Bob Bixby, executive director of the Concord Coalition. “One of the mistakes Obama is making is saying nobody under $250,000 is going to be affected. The deficit is just too big, and you can’t get it all from families earning more than $250,000.” That’s a reality policy-makers will have to confront when the economy recovers. And it’s another reason why a president embarked on an Icarus arc needs to find a more realistic flight plan.

EDITORIAL

Cash for clean cars THE BOSTON GLOBE

$3,300 bonus to drivers who scrap old vehicles for new ones boosted Germany’s February car sales by 21.5 percent. “The atmosphere at German car dealers has been like a county fair,” reported the magazine Der Spiegel. The success of such car exchanges throughout Europe has Congress scrambling to revive a “cash for clunkers” proposal that stalled earlier this year over union fears that Americans would buy too many foreign cars. Fine-tuned properly, an American version of “cash for clunkers” could jump-start the percentage of fuel-efficient vehicles on the roads. The original proposal in Congress would have offered bonuses up to $4,500 for trading in vehicles getting less than 18 miles per gallon for new ones exceeding national fuel economy standards by at least 25 percent. President Obama endorsed the idea as an “ambitious incentive” this week, saying he would trim money elsewhere in the stimulus package to fund it. While he’s at it, Obama should rethink a provision in the stimulus law that allows new-car purchasers in 2009 to deduct state and local sales taxes from their federal tax liability. Unfortunately, the deduction is allowed for vehicles up to 8,500 pounds in gross vehicle weight, which includes the Ford Expedition, the GMC Yukon, and the Hummer H3. Why

subsidize such greenhouse-gasemitting giants? The deduction should be amended to encourage more efficient vehicles. A new bill filed by Representative Betty Sutton, an Ohio Democrat, would give up to $5,000 to drivers who trade in high-polluting vehicles. But Sutton has polluted her bill with protectionism, reserving the top bonus only for 30-mile-per-gallon passenger cars made in the United States. There are no bonuses in this version for fuel-efficient cars manufactured abroad - a category that includes the fuel economy champion Toyota Prius. Cleaner air should not be sacrificed just because US automakers were late to the game on a 50 mile-per-gallon car. Ironically, in Germany the smaller cars of Ford and GM’s Opel division had February sales ahead of Mercedes, BMW, Toyota, and Hyundai. Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn last month hailed the openness of the German incentive program, saying, “A protectionist race to provide subsidies would be a dangerous development because it would distort competition and ultimately damage the entire European automotive industry.” Congress should heed Winterkorn’s words. A “cash for clunkers” plan would be a desperately needed ka-ching for the economy. But the goal should be to promote efficient vehicles above all - rather than just any vehicles made in the United States.

COLUMN

An absence of reason on immigration By KEVIN CULLEN THE BOSTON GLOBE

hey were waiting near the bus stop in Roslindale, Mass. last week. Immigration men. They had the decency to wait until Adalid Arteaga was alone, his son’s yellow school bus puffing down the road, before they walked briskly toward him and arrested him. Leah Arteaga’s husband, the man she loves, her best friend, the father of her three sons, is in a lockup, by location and definition a criminal. “My husband is not a criminal,” she said. “I will say, right up front, he crossed the border illegally, 17 years ago. I’ll give you that. But he is not a criminal.” In 1992, Adalid Arteaga left the abject poverty of his village in Honduras and walked many miles before he crossed the border in Mexico. He made his way to Boston and met Leah in a church in 1995. “We wanted to get married in 1996,” Leah was saying. “But the

ministers said wait. ‘You’re young, you have the rest of your life in front of you.’ And so we waited. We waited a year.” Leah, born here, thinks the ministers were worried that Adalid wanted to marry her only for a green card. But they were in love, and they had three boys, three beautiful boys. They followed every rule and procedure to get a green card, but some of the rules changed in the middle of the process, and they never got one. Six years ago, the immigration men knocked on the door in Roslindale. “It was 6 in the morning,” Leah said. “They woke us up. They wouldn’t let him kiss his kids goodbye.” She thinks the immigration men who interviewed her husband were reasonable men, that they knew he wasn’t a criminal, because they released him, put him on something called ordered supervision. Adalid Arteaga would check in regularly with the immigration men and tell them when the family left the

state for a trip, and for six years that was good enough. And then something changed, and the immigration men showed up at the bus stop in Roslindale last week, and Adalid Arteaga is to be deported any day now. “What changed?” Leah Arteaga was saying. “Why now?” Paula Grenier, a spokeswoman for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, said Adalid Arteaga was arrested as part of a “routine, targeted fugitive operation.” But fugitive implies that someone is hiding or intends to flee. Adalid Arteaga has been living at the same house in Roslindale, working at the same job as a stone mason, paying his taxes, and putting his kids on the school bus every morning, as long as the government has been aware of his existence in this town. “I know the immigration people have a tough job. I know they have to get rid of criminals, but my husband is not a criminal,” Leah Arteaga said. “He works,

he pays taxes, he provides for his children.” Their youngest, the 4-yearold, sat in the circle at play group the other day and tried to explain what was going on to his buddies. “The 4-year-old can’t begin to fathom it, and I can’t fathom how to explain it to him,” Leah Arteaga was saying. There are many people, all over the world, wondering what will happen to President Obama’s aunt, who has been living in the projects in South Boston and who faces deportation. No one outside the small circle of people who know and love Adalid Arteaga are wondering what will happen to him. When it rains it pours. Leah Arteaga got a notice in the mail the other day; her house is going to be foreclosed. She has a job, but her husband is locked up, days from being deported. “My children will lose a father. I will lose a husband. We will lose our house,” Leah Arteaga said. “And what will this accomplish?”

COLUMN

Two kinds of justice, one kind of fairness By SUE CARLTON, TIMES COLUMNIST

nyone who has spent time in a criminal courtroom longtime judges and seenit-all prosecutors, well-heeled defense lawyers and well-worn public defenders can tell you about different kinds of justice. Justice which says crime comes with consequence, and which makes it possible to live with the bad things that happen in the world sometimes is doled out equally and fairly, without emotion, prejudice or, God forbid, politics. But another kind of justice is more arbitrary and messy. It’s the kind that seems to take into account who you are and what you have, or include those Godforbid politics, or personal prejudice, or personality, or something else that doesn’t belong in the mix. Getting justice that way

can be slow if justice ever shows up at all. A young man named William Thornton knows both kinds. By all rights, you shouldn’t even remember his name. Onenight five years ago, when he was 17 and didn’t have a driver’s license, he skidded through a stop sign on a badly lit country road in Citrus County and into the path of an SUV. The driver, Brandon Mushlit and his girlfriend, Sara Jo Williams, were killed. It was a tragic accident and a terrible mistake. Thornton, who had no record, who wasn’t drinking, trusted his public defenders when they said he would get something less than prison if he pleaded no contest. Instead, Circuit Judge Ric Howard hammered him with the max a stunning 30 years. Usually, cases like Thornton’s make a few headlines and disappear, since there is always fresh

tragedy. But for Thornton came another kind of justice, in the form of strangers who said this was not right, not fair. That he was black and represented by a lawyer for the poor did not go unnoticed. They took up his cause and rallied and refused to let the headlines die, refused to let him fade away nameless. All of which caught the eye of the sort of lawyer Thornton never could have afforded, one who took over his case for free. Stephen Romine of the bigname Barry Cohen law firm went at it, arguing that no real investigation had been done in Thornton’s defense, that the intersection was already a dangerous trap, that the victims hadn’t worn seat belts and the other driver had been drinking. He also showed a new judge Thornton’s gift, his art, the impressive pencil sketches he did for fellow inmates in prison. He

DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU

talked of Thornton earning his GED there, and the high marks he got in the computer repair classes he took while doing his time. This week, the judge set Thornton free to serve a probation sentence. Now it’s up to him to make his way in the world, with a second chance from the kind of justice he should have received in the first place. There are those who lost someone they loved in that terrible wreck who wanted more than the three years and seven months Thornton spent in prison. But Sara Jo Williams’ grandmother said she forgave him, and maybe in all of that, there is some justice, too. The day after Thornton went free, I asked his lawyer how rare he thought this case. “There are probably hundreds if not thousands,” he said, “of other William Thorntons sitting somewhere right now.”

Zlife

SATURDAY,APRIL 4,2009

Surviving stigma: One authorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tale By TARYN WHITE LAREDO MORNING TIMES

Jose P. Ramirez Jr. is a man with many stories: how he met his wife, how he raised his kids, and what it is like living in Houston. But the most surprising and interesting story is the story that made him the man he is today. Ramirez, who has a firm handshake and a joyful disposition, is the author of â&#x20AC;&#x153;Squint, My Journey with Leprosy.â&#x20AC;? In his memoir, Ramirez recounts growing up Catholic in Laredo and being â&#x20AC;&#x153;cursedâ&#x20AC;? with the debilitating disease of leprosy. Now referred to as Hansenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s disease, the â&#x20AC;&#x153;chronic infectious disease usually affects the skin and peripheral nerves but has a wide range of possible clinical manifestations,â&#x20AC;? according to the Center of Disease Control. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The only thing I knew about the disease is what I had learned in Catholic school,â&#x20AC;? Ramirez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In the Bible, people like me are known as unclean and outcasts.â&#x20AC;? In the autobiography, Ramirez not only takes the reader through what it is like to be a social pariah, but also how the support of loved ones can change everything. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve have people who insist my book is a love story, and others say it is a historical novel, a health novel or a novel about growing up,â&#x20AC;? Ramirez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I like how different people get something different out of reading it.â&#x20AC;?

Pinning down the diagnosis Growing up, Ramirez was the epitome of a Laredo boy. He was part of a large Catholic family, was active in school, had many friends and was in love with his girlfriend, Magdalena. But in 1968 it all changed. After years of constant aches, sores appearing all over his body

Photo by Ulysses S. Romero | Laredo Morning Times

Jose P. Ramirez Jr. walks past the El Azteca Mural, corner of Iturbide Street and San Pablo Avenue. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s an area he knew well as a child. and visiting doctors who specialized in everything from dermatology to alternative medicine, Ramirez was diagnosed by Dr. M.S. Dickerson of the Texas Department of Health when he asked: â&#x20AC;&#x153;You mean to tell me that no one has told you that you have leprosy?â&#x20AC;? After the diagnosis, Ramirez described feeling as though he had died. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I saw the blur of black and gray of those standing around my bed, and wondered why they looked so stillâ&#x20AC;Ś so unalive. I felt I had died in the presence of my family,â&#x20AC;? Ramirez wrote. Despite his own feelings of confusion and sadness, Ramirez was more concerned about his motherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s perceptions. â&#x20AC;&#x153;She thought God was pun-

ishing her,â&#x20AC;? Ramirez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;It took her a long time to feel different.â&#x20AC;? Ramirezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s diagnoses not only made him wonder if he was being cursed by God, but it also required him to leave Laredo. He was transported to a public health services hospital in Carville, La., undergoing treatment over the course of 3,476 days â&#x20AC;&#x201D; nearly 10 years. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know if I would ever get to come home. I thought I was going there to die,â&#x20AC;? Ramirez said. In the years Ramirez spent at the Carville Hospital, he received more than 5,000 letters from friends and family, and stayed in constant contact with his girlfriend back home, Magdalena. He also attended Louisiana State University after he was prescribed a variety of drugs and the

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hospital and the dean gave him permission. The drugs each had their unique side effects: some would cause weight gain, some would cause depression and an experimental drug called B-663 turned Ramirezâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s skin black. â&#x20AC;&#x153;In my life I have been labeled many things,â&#x20AC;? Ramirez said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I have been called (several racial slurs); but the most painful is being called the â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; word (leper). Leprosy is the only illness associated back to the person, and always in malicious ways.â&#x20AC;? After almost a decade at Carville, Ramirez was cured through multiple drug therapy, and returned home to marry Magdalena.

See SURVIVING | PAGE 6A

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

MISS MANNERS | BYJUDITH MARTIN

Supposed BFF isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t LOLing at the virtual cold shoulder DEAR MISS MANNERS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; With the use of online chatting and social networks like Facebook, some people feel comfortable sharing their current state of mind on away messages or status messages. For instance, a friend of mine had the following message up: â&#x20AC;&#x153;The misery just doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t end. Yet another bad week.â&#x20AC;? Another friend had this message up: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Good to know Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found the person I might be ready to settle down with.â&#x20AC;? When I asked the first friend why she was having a MARTIN bad week, she said that â&#x20AC;&#x153;thingsâ&#x20AC;? have been happening lately. I tried to get a little more information from her, but realized she wasnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t really providing me with any, so I backed off and just told her I hope things would get better. She later mentioned in the online conversation that I was not a good â&#x20AC;&#x153;conversationalist.â&#x20AC;? Am I supposed to beg people for information from now on? As for my friend who thought announcing a soon-to-be fiancee was an appropriate thing to do on Facebook, I tried asking him about his status as well. His response was that he would prefer to keep things on the â&#x20AC;&#x153;down lowâ&#x20AC;? for now and that his status message was not an invitation for people to pry into his business. Am I going crazy here, or are people really sending mixed signals? It seems to me that some people purposely try to get you to ask them questions, but when you do, they brush you off or act like

you are the one prying into their business, even when they opened the door in the first place. Why is it so hard to be a good friend these days? Help! GENTLE READER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Your friends are turning into virtual friends. That is, they want to advertise their every move and feeling to a presumably rapt and admiring audience but do not want to participate in the give and take of actual friendship. The model for this, as Miss Manners is not the first to observe, is the celebrity. They â&#x20AC;&#x153;doâ&#x20AC;? publicity through trusted chroniclers â&#x20AC;&#x201D; in this case themselves â&#x20AC;&#x201D; but are huffy about their â&#x20AC;&#x153;privacyâ&#x20AC;? when they manage to attract someoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest, which must be seldom enough. So to continue your admirable concern for friends, Miss Manners is afraid you must note whether their confidences are being made to you as a friend or the wide world of virtual so-called friends who are not expected to show interest. Or you could make new friends with people who value real friendship. DEAR MISS MANNERS â&#x20AC;&#x201D; I had a minor, pleasant piece of business to conclude at the home of a friend and neighbor, and while my hosts were out of the room for a moment, their dog urinated on the carpet in front of me. I said nothing. Should I have alerted them or assumed that they would discover it on their own? GENTLE READER â&#x20AC;&#x201D; And realize who did it? Miss Manners admires your restraint in not tattling on the culprit, even at serious risk to your own reputation.

Zentertainment

SATURDAY,APRIL 4,2009

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Photo by Ulysses Romero | Laredo Morning Times

Jerry Cabrera poses in front of one of his 18 works that comprise the exhibit,“Light.”

Ray of ‘Light’: Artist finds inspiration in illumination Photo by Ulysses Romero | Laredo Morning Times

Author Jose P. RamirezJr. poses with his book,“Squint, MyJourney with Leprosy,” outside an abandoned home in the historic Azteca neighborhood where he once played.

SURVIVING | Continued from Page 5A “She always showed me love and support,” Ramirez said. “I relied on her.”

Life after leprosy Ramirez now lives in Houston with Magdalena and his two adult children. His experience with leprosy has taken him on a journey around the world, speaking with doctors and patients, and eventually, leading him to write his book. “While being at Carville, everyone told me I should not tell my story, that I should hide my disease,” Ramirez said. “But people need to know the truth about the disease.” Today, Ramirez considers himself somewhat of a spokesperson for patients with Hansen’s dis-

ease. He travels to different cities and countries giving talks on the subject. According to Ramirez, 97 percent of the population is immune to Hansen’s disease. Currently, scientists do not agree on how it is spread, and some maintain there is no known cause. In most cases, a simple antibiotic drug will treat the disease, but according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, diagnosis is often delayed because many health care providers are unaware of the symptoms.

Spreading the word Ramirez works hard to counter the stigma associated with

Hansen’s disease. For Ramirez, writing “Squint” helped him heal and come to terms with his experiences. “When people write, they get things out,” Ramirez said. “It started as just a way to understand why I was feeling depressed at times. I never thought I would turn it into a book.” Ramirez said if it wasn’t for the support and unconditional love from his parents, siblings and his wife, he never would have survived all those years battling not only the disease, but also the stigma, assigned to him. (Taryn White may be reached at 728-2568 or by e-mail at twhite@lmtonline.com)

BY ERIKA LAMBRETON LAREDO MORNING TIMES

When all hope is lost, the light remains. Imagine for a moment being trapped in a dark, cold cell with only the slightest bit of hope shining upon your face, coming in the form of a ray of light. The light begins to transform into more then just a source of illumination; it becomes a visual and mental escape for the confined. The light is used as an outlet for the imagination to run free, while the person remains a physical captive.

A telling trip This is the idea conceived by artist Jerry Cabrera while on a trip to Germany several years ago that led to his “Light” exhibit, currently on display at the Laredo Center for the Arts. Cabrera, a former Laredoan whose work is featured in the Neiman Marcus collection and the AT&T Center in San Antonio, set out on his sojourn with a former professor who annually accompanies students on such trips. “I had the opportunity to travel to Germany a short time after I received my master’s degree,” Cabrera said. “When you leave the country, you’re an observer; everything is unfamiliar, so you pay attention to things that you normally wouldn’t pay

attention to.” Cabrera and company then visited a former concentration camp known as Sachsenhausen, which was established in 1938 about 20 miles outside of Berlin. “Walking through that site and visiting the cells was a very powerful experience,” he said. “I walked into the solitary confinement cells alone.” Cabrera then shut the door behind him in order to completely engulf himself in the tragic essence pulsating throughout the cement box that devoured the last bit of faith for so many. “When you’re standing in a place where you know a lot of people had passed away and had suffered in these ridiculous ways, it hits you pretty hard,” Cabrera said. “It made me think a lot about (the importance of light).” While in the cell, isolated from the rest of the world, Cabrera said he was able to get lost in his own thoughts.

Delving deep When he returned home, Cabrera began researching every aspect of light. Following about 18 months of research and inquiry, he created what he calls one of his most important works of his career.

See LIGHT | PAGE 7A

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 7A

‘Reflection of moods’ concert to be performed at LCC SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Laredo Community College Performing Arts Department will host the 2nd Annual Dance and Percussion Concert on Sunday, April 5, at 3 p.m. The “combo concert” will take place at the LCC Fort McIntosh Campus’ Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center theater. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. This will be the second concert the college’s dance and percussion programs perform together. The concert will feature special guests including El Estudio de Cristina Greco. More than a dozen selections will be performed. Danuta Gazdyszyn, a 25-year veteran of

LCC’s dance program, said this is a concert that will play on many moods and emotions. “A lot of people think that music and dance is only for ‘happy’ entertainment, but it’s not,” Gazdyszyn said. “It will be moving. Some pieces are emotional, and others are strictly for entertainment. We reflect on all the different moods that human beings go through,” Gazdyszyn added. The LCC Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Matthew Adams, will be one of five groups that will perform. Gazdyszyn said that the rhythmic sound of percussion is critical to a modern dancer. “We just don’t respond to other instruments better than percussion,” Gazdyszyn said. “I feel that our bodies respond to it because it’s like a heartbeat. It moves us,” she added.

Approximately 50 students will perform on Sunday, including several first-year LCC dance students. Alejandro Navarro, who has participated in LCC’s dance classes for 4 years, said juggling between full-time and part-time jobs and as full-time student takes a toll on his life. But he said dancing is like meditation. “Dancing is precious and serene,” Navarro said. “Once I’m on stage, it takes you to a whole different dimension. You temporarily close your pressures and destress from your daily routines. That’s why I love dancing,” Navarro added. Proceeds from the concert will benefit scholarships for LCC dance and percussion students. For more information, contact the LCC Performing Arts Department at 721-5330.

Courtesy photo

Laredo Community College’s dance and percussion programs will perform their 2nd Annual Dance and Percussion Concert on Sunday,April 5, at 3 p.m. at the Fort McIntosh Campus’Guadalupe and Lilia Martinez Fine Arts Center theater. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for students and senior citizens. Proceeds benefit scholarships for LCC dance and percussion students.

‘Adventure’ uneven movie By CHRISTY LEMIRE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Ulysses Romero | Laredo Morning Times

Jerry Cabrera begins installing some of his pieces for his exhibit at the Laredo Center for the Arts.

LIGHT | Continued from Page 6A “I think it’s the strongest work that I’ve ever produced because I took so long thinking about it and examining every facet of the topic,” Cabrera said. The work is intended to evoke emotions of fear that reside deep within the human soul — fear of the dark and the unknown abyss. Cabrera admits that not everyone will understand his overall message, but added that he has yet to encounter any negative responses. “It’s not about being thanked … but it makes it all worth it if 50 people walk past it and one walks up to it and they feel what I feel,” he said. “Then it’s all

worth it to me. “(I want to reach) as many people as I can get (in order) to reassess this thing that has been forgotten that shouldn’t be forgotten … (and to have the audience) re-examine and acknowledge what a lot of these people (went) through.” Cabrera’s exhibit, titled “Light,” is composed of 18 new works. It goes on display at the Laredo Center for the Arts, 500 San Agustin, today. An opening reception is set for April 10 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Erika Lambreton may be reached at 728-2567 or by e-mail at erika@lmtonline.com)

LOS ANGELES — On the surface, “Adventureland,” director Greg Mottola’s follow-up to his hit “Superbad,” looks like another good-time, raunchy romp. And it certainly has healthy amounts of partying and pranks to go along with its gross-out gags. The 1987 amusement-park setting also allows Mottola to revel in dead-on period kitsch, from acidwashed jeans and teased-up bangs to the absurdly annoying strains of Falco’s “Rock Me Amadeus,” which repeatedly blares over the loud speakers. (He wrote the script based on his own experiences working at a Long Island theme park while at Columbia University in the late ‘80s; two decades later, he’s clearly still traumatized, and understandably so.) But “Adventureland” has more on its mind — and its heart — than that, as its college-age characters struggle to figure out who they are and what they want in a time of flux. Mottola seems to be aiming for that John Hughes style of comedy: the kind that starts out with light laughs but ends up in analytical angst. He doesn’t always find the right tone in trying to cover such varied terrain, but you have to admire him for trying in-

Photo by Miramax Films | AP

In this film still released by Miramax Films,Jesse Eisenberg, left, and Martin Starr are shown in a scene from “Adventureland.” ject some substance into what can be a predictably mindless genre. Standing in as the Mottola figure is Jesse Eisenberg as recent college graduate James Brennan, who had been planning on a summer in Europe before heading to grad school. Instead, he ends up moving back home to Pittsburgh to live with his parents and working at the thoroughly mediocre Adventureland theme park. His job in the games department (he would have preferred operating the rides) requires him

to act enthusiastic about peddling schlocky prizes, although he learns pretty quickly that screwing with the clientele is a favorite activity of the park’s veteran employees. This is also a chief source of laughs in the early going, and it gives the film a buoyant energy until it turns heavier and darker. “Adventureland,” a Miramax Films release, is rated R for language, drug use and sexual references. It is playing at Cinemark Mall Del Norte and Hollywood Theaters.

ZFrontera

SÁBADO 4 DE ABRIL DE 2009

ACTIVIDADES

CULTURA

 LAREDO — La Serie de Recital en Órgano 2008-2009 de Texas A&M International University continúa el domingo 5 de abril con la presentación de la organista Elaine Dykstra, a las 4 p.m. en el Center for the Fine and Performing Art Recital Hall. El evento es gratuito y abierto al público en general.  NUEVO LAREDO — El Grupo de Teatro Expresión del Instituto Tecnológico de Nuevo Laredo, arranca el domingo 5 de abril con su Temporada de Teatro 2009, con la presentación de “Dulcita y el Burrito”. La entrada general es de 30 pesos. Niños y adultos mayores entran gratis. La presentación es en el Teatro Lucio Blanco de la Casa de la Cultura a las 7 p.m.  LAREDO — La ex laredense Sylvia Hazlerig presentará sus propias composiciones en un concierto en el Center for the Fine and Performing Arts Recital Hall de Texas A&M International University, el martes 7 de abril a las 7:30 p.m. La entrada es gratuita y abierta al público. Hazlerig estará acompañada a la flauta por Susan Berdahl y por el violinista Everaldo Martínez.  LAREDO — El Centro para las Artes de Laredo realizará la ceremonia oficial de apertura de su más reciente exhibición “Light” de 6 p.m. a 8 p.m. el viernes 10 de abril. La exhibición es del laredense Jerry Cabrera. Más información llamando al 725-1715.

SERVICIO SOCIAL

 LAREDO — Se realizará una venta de libros en el Widener Room de la First United Methodist Church, 1220 McClelland Ave.,de 8:30 a.m.a 1 p.m.el sábado 4 de abril. Se invita a todo el público.La entrada es gratuita.Se aceptan donaciones de libros y revistas.  LAREDO — St. Peter the Apostle Church, 1510 Matamoros St., tendrá un tianguis el sábado 4 de abril de 8 a.m. a mediodía en el sótano de la iglesia. Más información llamando a Adriana Talbot en el 523-4143.  LAREDO — Laredo Country Store, del 3911 Loop 20, Suite No. 1, patrocinará una clínica de vacunación de 10 a.m. a 1 p.m. el sábado 4 de abril.Todas las ganancias se destinarán a P.A.W.S. Pet Adoption Center. Dr. Sandra Leyendecker de Critter Care Veterinary Clinic apoyará con las vacunas. Más información llamando al (956) 753-2988.  LAREDO — El Women’s City Club presenta “Sundaes with Style”el domingo 5 de abril a las 2 p.m. en el Laredo Country Club, 1415 Country Club Drive, con una subasta silenciosa y una venta de pasteles.Reserve mesa para ocho en 400 dólares y el boleto individual cuesta 35 dólares. Puede reservar con Molly Martinez en el 724-2300. Todas las ganancias se destinarám a proveer cuidado de salud y neesidades educativas a niños en Laredo.  LAREDO — La Coalición Comunitaria del Condado de Webb de SCAN proveerá examenes de alcohol e información vital para personas, acerca de los efectos peligrossos del alcohol y para referirlos a tratamientos.Los eventos serán el lunes 6 de abril, en el Laredo Community College,campus del Sur, de 9 a.m. al mediodía. En el campus Fort McIntosh el evento será de 10 a.m. al mediodía y en Texas A&M International University de 10 a.m. a 2 p.m. Más información llamando a Mario Flores ó Melissa Cavazos en el 724-3117. Para informar acerca de eventos y actividades envíe el nombre, fecha, hora y dirección, y un número de contacto a tiempo@lmtonline.com

Candidatos ya tienen nombre

AGENDAEN BREVE  LAREDO — El TAMIU StoryTelling se realizará todos los sábados de abril de 2 p.m. a 3 p.m. en la Biblioteca Pública de Laredo. Se contarán historias y habrá manualidades para todas las edades. Más información llamando a la biblioteca en el 795-2400.  LAREDO — Celebre las 100 Horas de Astronomía en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de Texas A&M International University. El sábdo 4 de abril observe “Wonders of the Universe”a las 6 p.m., “Stars of the Pharaohs” a las 7 p.m.,y“Planet Quest”a las 8 p.m.La entrada general es de 5 dólares. Niños, estudiantes, personal, maestros y ex alumnos de TAMIU pagan 4 dólares. Obtenga un 50 por ciento de descuento para un segundo show cuando compre un boleto.El Planetario ofrecerá una Fiesta de Estrella Global gratuita a las 8:45 p.m., si el clima lo permite.  LAREDO — El Bazar de San Agustin es el sábado 4 de abril en la Plaza San Agustin,de 10 a.m.a 6 p.m.La entrada es gratuita. Habrá concurso de coloreo de cascarones; entretenimiento todo el día, comidas, bebidas y pintura de carita de niños. Igualmente habrá la presentación de artistas.  LAREDO — El domingo 5 de abril, SCAN patrocinará juegos infantiles en el Laredo Civic Center Ballroom y terrenos hoy de 1 p.m. a 5 p.m. El evento es gratuito y abierto al público en general. SCAN proveerá música en vivo y refrigerios. Además el Centro Cívico tendrá un módulo para venta de otros artículos.

EN INTERNET: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Por MIGUEL TIMOSHENKOV TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas

El Gobernador del Estado, Eugenio Hernández Flores, realiza el banderazo oficial de inicio del operativo interinstitucional de Seguridad, Auxilio e Información Turística 2009. El programa operará durante las vacaciones de Semana Santa.

Tamaulipas listo para recibir turistas Por MELVA LAVÍN-CASTILLO TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Si para Estados Unidos es el Spring Break, para México son las Vacaciones de Semana Santa, que por cierto no son una, sino dos semanas, oficialmente desde el sábado 4 al domingo 19 de abril. Esto provoca que miles de familias salgan de casa y se decidan a viajar a otras partes del país. Entre estas, destaca Tamaulipas. Por tal razón, el Gobierno del Estado integró el operativo interinstitucional de Seguridad, Auxilio e Información Turística 2009. El sistema de cobertura será coordinado por la Secretaría de Turismo y comprenderá la instalación de 40 puestos de información, auxilio turístico y 8 módulos que serán ubicados en lugares estratégicos del estado. En comunicado de prensa del gobierno estatal se aclara que Tamaulipas ofrece cinco opciones de sol y playa, más de 30 para el turismo rural o ecoturismo, caza, pesca, negocios, convenciones, fronterizo, religioso y otros con servicios e infraestructura de calidad internacional. Las autoridades estiman un considerable flujo de visitantes, derrama económica y beneficios para las familias tamaulipecas. En el área de Nuevo Laredo, se instalarán cuatro módulos de atención en el Kilómetro 22 de la Carretera Nacional, a la altura del Panteón Jardín de Los Angeles; en la Carretera a Anáhuac y rumbo a Piedras Negras, Coahuila, con el objetivo de estar más cerca de la ciudadanía. El objetivo, a decir del Director de Seguridad Ciudadana municipal, Alfonso Olvera Ledezma es mejorar los tiempos de respuesta en caso de ser necesario. Las unidades oficiales realizarán recorridos en la modalidad de carrusel, lo que permitirá mayor cobertura de todas las zonas y una rápida respuesta a quien solicite ayuda. Puntos como el CITEV, puentes internacionales uno y dos, Bulevar Colosio, Carretera Anáhuac, Carretera Piedras Negras y Carretera Nacional, serán vigilados las 24 horas del día. En los lugares de esparcimientos como plazas, parques y jardines, habrá rondines permanentes por parte de los oficiales de Seguridad Ciudadana. El operativo de Seguridad, Auxilio e Información Turística está integrado por la Secretaría General de Gobierno, Policía Federal Preventiva sector caminos, Secretaría de Seguridad Pública, Secretaría de Salud, Presidencias Municipales, Consejo Estatal de Seguridad Pública, SEDENA, Ejército Mexicano 77 Batallón de Infantería, Primera Zona Naval, Angeles Verdes, Capitanías de Puerto de la SCT, Protección Civil Estatal y municipales, Seguridad Pública Municipales y Tránsito, Delegaciones de la Cruz Roja Mexicana, Policía Rural del Estado, Brigadas de Radio Ayuda.

Prevenir Olvera Ledezma exhortó a las familias neolaredenses tomar las medidas de prevención necesarias previas a las vacaciones de Semana Santa, para prevenir los robos a casas habitación y asaltos. Las recomendaciones básicas en casa son:  Asegurar todas las ventanas y puertas de entrada y salida de sus viviendas.  Avisar a algún vecino del sector que viajará, para

que vigile su casa mientras permanezca ausente.  Si está en posibilidades, instalar alarmas contra robos e incendios. Dejar asegurados los objetos y documentos de valor, tales como joyas y escrituras de la casa. Aceptar las recomendaciones de los oficiales de cualquier corporación de seguridad. Una vez en el lugar donde haya decidido vacacionar:  Mantenerse siempre en compañía de varias personas, para evitar que lo tomen por sorpresa.  Recordar que son turistas y por lo tanto los más propensos a ser asaltados por no conocer bien el lugar.  Siempre tener a la mano los números de emergencia para denunciar inmediatamente ante las autoridades de cualquier contingencia.

Domingo de Pascua Las agencias de Protección Civil, por su parte, están efectuando operativos de supervisión en sitios donde las familias acostumbran acampar el Domingo de Pascual, cuando se marca el final de la Cuaresma. En el caso de Nuevo Laredo, los puntos principales son el Parque Narciso Mendoza, Parque Viveros, Laguito Artificial, plazas y áreas de diversión. La inspección se está realizando en juegos de madera, columpios, sube y baja, resbaladeros. “La idea es que estén en buen estado y no representen peligro alguno para los niños que los utilizan”, dijo el titular de Protección Civil municipal, Juan Ernesto Rivera Gómez.

Cuaresma Por otra parte, la Secretaría de Salud en Tamaulipas se ha mantenigo vigilante del estado de los productos de pesca, cuyo consumo aumenta en esta época. En este periodo, han ingresado a Tamaulipas más de 4 millones 500 mil kilogramos de productos de la pesca, autorizándose 93 permisos sanitarios previos de importación para el ingreso de este tipo de producto. El Comisionado Estatal de Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios, Roberto Hernández Báez, dijo que siguen realizando las verificaciones que sean necesarias, para garantizar que los productos de importación estén en condiciones para ser comercializados en el estado A la fecha se tiene un concentrado del programa de cuaresma que dio inicio desde el pasado 23 de febrero de más de 4 millones 500 mil kilogramos de producto importado, de los cuales destacan los filetes de base, filetes de tilapia, tilapia entera y pescado empanizado. Otros productos que han sido ingresados por las coordinaciones de Tampico, Matamoros, Reynosa y Nuevo Laredo, son los tentáculos de calamar, jolote, nuggets, camarón, surimi, tiburón, calamar, filete de salmón, bagre, bacalao, entre otros. Estos productos en su mayoría son procedentes de Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, Canadá, Vietnam, Holanda y China, mismos que son comercializados, además de Tamaulipas, en estados como Nuevo León, Jalisco, Veracruz, Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Sinaloa, Chihuahua, Guanajuato, Puebla y el Distrito Federal. (Puede localizar a Melva Lavín-Castillo llamando al (956) 728-2569 ó escribiendo a melva@lmtonline.com)

NUEVO LAREDO — Los tres principales partidos políticos, PRI (Partido Revolucionario Institucional), PAN (Partido Acción Nacional) y PRD (Partido de la Revolución Democrática, dieron a conocer oficialmente sus candidatos a la Diputación Federal por el I Distrito Electoral de Tamaulipas. El PRI oficializó a Cristabell Zamora Cabrera, de esta ciudad, y como su suplente al Agente Aduanal Victor Adolfo Garcia Jimenez, de Miguel Alemán. El PAN presentó a Liliana Medina García y al arquitecto Jorge Salinas Falcón, ambos de Nuevo Laredo. El PRD dio a conocer el nombre de Martha Porras y como su suplente a Bertha Lilia Martell. El I Distrito Electoral lo conforman, además de Nuevo Laredo, Nueva Ciudad Guerrero, Mier, Miguel Alemán, y Camargo.

PRI Zamora Cabrera fue respaldada por 765 delegados, de los 800 registrados. Recibió su constancia que la acredita como candidata, con el aval del presidente estatal del PRI, Ricardo Gamundi Rosas, y los presidentes municipales priístas de los cinco municipios que integran el primer distrito. Estuvieron presentes los jefes de gobierno de Nuevo Laredo, Ramón Garza Barrios; de Guerrero, Olga Juliana Elizondo Guerra; de Ciudad Mier, José Iván Mancías Hinojosa; de Miguel Alemán, Servando López Moreno y de Camargo, José Correa Guerrero. Tras el voto de los delegados y recibir su constancia de manos del presidente de la Comisión de Procesos Internos del PRI, Benjamín García Marín, Zamora declaró que sus propuestas son legislar para que el primer distrito tenga mejor atención en salud, educación, empleos, y créditos que impulsen el desarrollo de las pequeñas y medianas empresas. “Hoy les digo, iré al encuentro de los ciudadanos, iré para convencer y ganar, a buscar el progreso de nuestra región ribereña”, aseguró la ahora candidata. Igualmente Zamora aseguró que luchará por una legislaciá por una legislación vigorosa en defensa de la ecología, “ya que es necesario rescatar el respeto de nuestro río”.

PAN Medina García y Salinas Falcón fueron seleccionados por el Comité Ejecutivo de su partido en el Distrito Federal. Aunque había cinco precandidatos, la decisión se inclinó hacia a la joven profesionista, de acuerdo a una conferencia de prensa realizada el miércoles en la sede del PAN a nivel local.

La ahora candidata dijo sentirse satisfecha de que su partido le brinde la oportunidad de competir por la silla en GARCÍA el congreso federal mexicano. “Será compromiso y gran responsabilidad con el partido y la comunidad que creyó en MEDINA mis opciones en la contienda electoral pasada”, dijo Medina García. “Saldré con mejores propuestas para la ciudadanía y conquistar su PORRAS confianza”. Medina fue candidata del PAN a la diputación local en las elecciones pasadas. “No me enfrentaré a Cristabell a SALINAS nivel personal, serán las propuestas para al comunidad”, dijo Medina. “Yo respeto mucho a la candidata del PRI y del PRD. Mi ZAMORA campaña estará dirigida a las razones de por qué votar por Acción Nacional”.

PRD Porras Guillén dijo que trabajará intensamente con la comunidad para empleo y ayudar a las mujeres. Explicó que si el voto de la comunidad la lleva a una curul en la Cámara de Diputados se haría escuchar. “A las mujeres les hace falta mayor oportunidades”, aseguró Porras Guillén. Dijo que ella es una madre soltera, con tres hijos, es de profesión Contador Publico con varias empresas de la comunidad. Porras Guillén reveló que anteriormente era militante del PRI pero abandonó ese partido para atender asuntos personales. “Ahora regreso a la política como candidata del PRD”, dijo la candidata. Porras Guillén es la única, de las tres candidatas, quien también lleva a una mujer como suplente. (Puede localizar a Miguel Timoshenkov llamando al (956) 728-2583 o escribiendo a timo1@lmtonline.com)

MIER: BODAS COLECTIVAS El Sistema DIF, que preside, Isabel Cristina Treviño Ruiz, segunda de derecha a izquierda, y el Registro Civil, hicieron entrega de actas de matrimonio a varias parejas que contrajeron nupcias recientemente. Como testigo de honor participó el alcalde de Ciudad Mier, José Iván Mancías Hinojosa.

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Ciudad Guerrero

La Alcaldesa, Olga Juliana Guerra dio inicia a la campaña en contra del cáncer de mama.Parte del programa incluye la realización gratuita del examen para detectar el cáncer.

Realizan examenes gratuitos a mujeres ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Ciudad Mier

NUEVA CIUDAD GUERRERO, México — La Presidenta Municipal, Olga Juliana Guerra dio inicio a una campaña contra el Cáncer de Mama. “Después de gestionar, ahora

contamos con el equipo para la deteccion de cancer de mama (mastógrafo)”, dijo Guerra. Finalmente, invitó a todas las mujeres a que asistan al centro de salud para que se practiquen a la brevedad su examen. “Es gratuito”, dijo Guerra.

Zbusiness

SATURDAY,APRIL 4,2009

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Nearly 13 million jobless, new figures say By JEANNINE AVERSA ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Unemployment zoomed to 8.5 percent last month, the highest in a quarter-century, as employers axed 663,000 more workers and pushed the nation’s jobless ranks past 13 million. The hard times were only expected to get harder — a painful 10 percent jobless rate before long. The current rate would be even higher — 15.6 percent — if it included laid-off workers who have given up looking for new jobs or have had to settle for part-time work because they can’t do any better. That’s the highest on record for that number in figures that go back to 1994. “Even if the economy continues to

show signs of improvement, businesses will cut jobs and trim fats to stay lean and mean,” said Sung Won Sohn, economist at the Martin Smith School of Business at California State University, Channel Islands. So far, the public has shown great hopes for the economic policies of new President Barack Obama. But those could fade quickly with more months of layoffs. In Europe for an economic summit, Obama called Friday’s unemployment report a “stark reminder” of a need for action at home and abroad. The recession may well end later this year — Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and many private analysts see that possibility — but rehiring historically doesn’t get going until after an economic re-

covery is picking up steam. The jobless rate is expected to reach 10 percent by year’s end. The stock market generally bottoms out before a recovery gets under way, too, and stocks now have risen for four straight weeks. The Dow Jones industrials rose 39.51 points on Friday after surging 216 points on Thursday and closed above 8,000 for the first time in nearly two months. Small comfort to millions of laid-off workers. The Labor Department report underscored the recession’s toll: a spike in the jobless rate from February’s 8.1 percent and a net loss of 5.1 million jobs since December 2007, almost two-thirds of them in just the past five months. And economists say an additional 2.4 million jobs will

disappear through the first quarter of next year. As the downturn eats into companies’ sales and profits, they are laying off workers and resorting to other cost-saving survival measures that also hit employees, the report showed. Those include holding down hours and freezing or cutting pay. “It’s an ugly report, and April is going to be equally as bad,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist at Moody’s Economy.com. “I couldn’t see any rays of sunshine. Nothing.” The average work week in March dropped to 33.2 hours, a record low. And nearly a quarter of the unemployed have been out of work for six months or more, the highest proportion since the steep 198182 recession.

Prison time in Wichita Falls embezzlement ASSOCIATED PRESS

WICHITA FALLS, Texas — A woman who embezzled more than $2 million from a credit union in Wichita Falls must serve nearly six years in prison. A federal judge on Friday sentenced 40-year-old Joanna Lynn McGee, who was immediately taken into custody. McGee in November pleaded guilty to embezzlement of funds from a credit institution.

10A | THE ZAPATA TIMES

ECONOMY

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009

Islands resent scrutiny of tax havens By BEN FOX ASSOCIATED PRESS

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands — More than 400,000 companies share a few local addresses in this tiny Caribbean financial center, where their incorporation papers are kept in a gray two-story building. The vast majority have no employees on the island. All conduct their business elsewhere and many avoid paying taxes back home. And yet the British Virgin Islands welcomes their business, which provides more than half of the government’s revenue, making it one of the Caribbean’s most prosperous places. An estimated $7.3 trillion is stashed in offshore financial centers worldwide by corporations and wealthy individuals seeking to shield their operations and lessen their tax burdens. Now these havens are under scrutiny like never before. Leaders of the Group of 20 nations meeting in London warned Thursday that countries refusing to share tax information would face tough sanctions. Hammered by the financial meltdown, the world’s richest countries say they are serving notice they won’t tolerate shady offshore operations anymore. Some of the havens capitalize on secrecy. Others, like the British Virgin Islands, provide incorporation registries so businesses can claim they are based in the islands and avoid taxes in countries where their work is performed. The amount of money involved in this global shell game is staggering:  Between 30 percent and 40 percent of global trade is billed outside the country where it actually takes place, the London-based Tax Justice Network said.  In the United States alone, $100 billion in tax revenues are lost each year due to offshore tax abuse, said U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, who has co-sponsored two bills that would help crack down on havens.  The Boston Consulting Group estimates that $7.3 trillion flows through offshore financial centers. In the British Virgin Islands, companies register with the Financial Services Commission, lo-

“Tax avoidance is perfectly lawful, but governments have an insatiable need for money and that’s the problem.” ATTORNEY RICHARD PETERS

cated on a side street across from an office supply store. A plaque out front declares: “Vigilance, Integrity and Accountability.” The government insists it cooperates with money laundering probes, but doesn’t have much to share with investigators: financial records aren’t required to be kept on the island, and the incorporation paperwork need not include the identities of shareholders or directors. Such a relaxed environment has made the British Virgin Islands one of the world’s largest corporate registries. As with Delaware in the United States, a large number of businesses find it a very useful place to incorporate. “Tax avoidance is perfectly lawful, but governments have an insatiable need for money and that’s the problem,” local attorney Richard Peters said. The problem, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, is that the territory doesn’t divulge enough financial information to tax collectors from other countries. That has landed the British Virgin Islands on the group’s “gray” list of tax havens that have not substantially implemented an international tax standard. Four jurisdictions were blacklisted as uncooperative: the Philippines, Uruguay, Costa Rica and the Malaysian territory of Labuan. One key step to comply — and join the top category that includes the U.S. and UK — is signing at least 12 bilateral agreements on sharing tax information. Many countries named on these lists have said the distinction is more about politics than compliance with financial laws. Peters, for one, says the practices of the self-governing overseas British territory are as legal as Delaware’s. Most U.S. states also don’t require businesses to name their owners when they incorporate, a

violation of international money laundering standards that has stymied U.S. investigations of tax cheats and other criminals. Although they cooperate with tax investigations, they sometimes have little information to share. One of Levin’s bills would require companies to name their owners; another would add teeth by barring U.S. financial institutions from doing business with jurisdictions or companies that don’t comply with tax investigations. In the British Virgin Islands, some of the 24,000 people now fear their economic lifeline will disappear. The revenue from registering foreign companies has paid for a community college and a hospital. Premier Ralph T. O’Neal, a 75year-old former schoolteacher who leads this archipelago, says it smacks of colonialism when developed nations dictate standards for financial operations, O’NEAL especially when they don’t comply with the rules themselves. “Why is it that we now in the colonies, because we are still a colony, can’t have a financial center?” O’Neal told The Associated Press in an interview in his office overlooking the slate-blue Sir Francis Drake Channel. “If you are doing something and you are saying I can’t do it, are you saying that I am inferior?” Blacklisted jurisdictions face the loss of World Bank and International Monetary Fund support. Many Caribbean islands are on the “gray list,” which also includes Monaco, Liechtenstein, Panama, Bermuda and a handful of Pacific islands. These places are to be monitored and could face sanctions for failing to substantially implement the tax standard, the OECD said.

Philippines Trade Secretary Peter Favila said Friday his government would “take the necessary steps to ensure we meet their expectations,” but did not accept any wrongdoing. “It is really up to us to prove them wrong,” he said. Malaysian Deputy Finance Minister Kong Cho Ha and Costa Rican officials said they were seeking clarification from the OECD, and Uruguayan Finance Minister Alvaro Garcia quickly sent a letter “formally endorsing” the OECD’s standard. “Uruguay is not a tax haven,” said Garcia, insisting that his country taxes nonresidents and allowing courts to review bank records in cases of suspected tax evasion, drug trafficking or terrorism. The OECD’s Secretary-General Angel Gurria responded with a statement Friday welcoming Uruguay among “a growing number of nations willing to cooperate in fighting tax evasions and other tax abuses.” Most tax havens will comply with demands for greater transparency, predicted Dan Alamariu, an analyst at the Eurasia Group political risk consultancy in New York. “They’re small economies and I don’t see what choice they’ll have in the long term.” O’Neal said his territory has signed new tax agreements with the U.S. and Britain and will work out others with China, Germany and other nations. But he worries the OECD list will unfairly damage the islands’ financial sector.

NATIONAL

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 11A

NY gunman kills 13, commits suicide By WILLIAM KATES ASSOCIATED PRESS

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — The community center was filled with people from countries as far off as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, all working to become more a part of their new home — learning English, taking a class to gain U.S. citizenship. The gunman may have walked a similar path to become an American decades ago. He parked his car against the back door, stormed through the front and shot two receptionists, apparently without saying a word. Then he fired on a citizenship class while terrified people, their only escape route blocked, scrambled into a boiler room and a storage room and prayed he wouldn’t follow. “I heard the shots, every shot. I heard no screams, just silence, shooting,” said Zhanar Tokhtabayeva, a 30-year-old Kazakh who was in an English class when her teacher screamed for everyone to go to the storage room. “I heard shooting, very long time, and I was thinking, when will this stop? I was thinking that my life was finished.” The gunman killed 13 people — all but one of them in the classroom — before apparently killing himself Friday morning at the American Civic Association building in Binghamton. Four people were critically wounded. One of the receptionists survived; shot in the abdomen, she played dead before crawling under a desk and calling 911. Police Chief Joseph Zikuski said she stayed on the phone for 90 minutes, “feeding us information constantly,” despite her serious wound. “She’s a hero in her own right,” he said. Investigators said they had yet to establish a motive for the massacre, which was at least the fifth deadly mass shooting in the U.S. in the past month alone. Police said they arrived within

two minutes at the American Civic Association, an organization that helps immigrants settle in this country. The gunman was believed believed to be a Vietnamese immigrant himself. The man believed to have carried out the attack was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in an office, a satchel containing ammunition slung around his neck, authorities said. Police found two handguns — a 9 mm and a .45-caliber — as well as a hunting knife, authorities said. Thirty-seven people in all made it out of the building, including 26 who hid in the boiler room in the basement, cowering there for three hours while police methodically searched the building and tried to determine whether the gunman was still alive and whether he was holding any hostages, Zikuski said. Those in the basement stayed in contact with police by cell phone, switching from one phone to another when their batteries ran out, Zikuski said. Others hid in closets and under desks. Police heard no gunfire after they arrived but waited for about an hour before entering the building to make sure it was safe for officers. They then spent two hours searching the building. At one point, police led a number of men out of the building in plastic handcuffs while they tried to sort out the victims from the killer or killers. Most of the people brought out couldn’t speak English, the chief said. Alex Galkin, an immigrant from Uzbekistan, said he was taking English classes when he heard a shot and quickly went to the basement with about 20 other people. “It was just panic,” Galkin said. Counselors tended to relatives of victims at a Catholic Charities office. Outside, Omri Yigal waited for word on his wife, Delores, who was taking English lessons when the gunman attacked.

He left hours later, with no answers. “They told me they don’t have much hope for me,” the Filipino immigrant said before going home to wait for a telephone call. Paterson said the massacre was probably “the worst tragedy and senseless crime in the history of this city.” Noting mass killings in Alabama and Oakland, Calif., last month, he said: “When are we going to be able to curb the kind of violence that is so fraught and so rapid that we can’t even keep track of the incidents?” The community center was holding class “for those who want to become citizens of the United States of America, who wanted to be part of the American Dream, and so tragically may have had that hope thwarted today,” the governor said.

Mourners attend a candlelight vigil in memory of the 13 victims of a shooting in Binghamton, N.Y., on Friday.

Photo by David Duprey | AP

Man branded Nazi guard stalls deportation By THOMAS J. SHEERAN

Report: Banks balk at efforts to cut Chrysler debt

ASSOCIATED PRESS ASSOCIATED PRESS

CLEVELAND — John Demjanjuk, accused of being a Nazi death camp guard, marked his 89th birthday Friday by winning a reprieve of his ordered deportation to Germany to face possible trial. An immigration judge in Arlington, Va., issued the stay of DEMJANJUKJR. a deportation expected during the weekend, said his son, John Demjanjuk Jr. Immigration Judge Wayne Iskra on Friday ordered that Demjanjuk’s deportation be put on hold until the court can rule on his request to reopen the U.S. case that ordered his removal. Authorities in Germany said Demjanjuk had been expected there by Monday. Demjanjuk, a retired autoworker who lives in the Cleveland suburb of Seven Hills, kept out of sight Friday, as he has for years. He has argued that his deportation would amount to torture, given his frail health. A German arrest warrant issued in March accuses the Ukrainian-born Demjanjuk of 29,000 counts of acting as an accessory to murder at the Sobibor camp in occupied Poland during World War II. In Germany, Demjanjuk would have a chance to respond to the allegations before a judge. He denies involvement in any deaths. In a three-page signed statement, Demjanjuk asked earlier in the week for asylum in the U.S. and said deporting him “will expose me to severe physical and mental pain that clearly amount

Photo by Tony Dejak | AP

A photo of the stay of a deportation for John Demjanjuk signed by immigration Judge Wayne R. Iskra is shown Friday, in Richfield, Ohio. Demjanjuk won a reprieve of his ordered deportation to Germany to face possible trial. He is accused of being a Nazi death camp guard. to torture under any reasonable definition of the term.” “I am physically very weak and experience severe spinal, hip and leg pain, which limits mobility and causes me to require assistance to stand up and move about,” the statement said. “Spending 8 to 12 hours in an airplane seat flying to Germany would be unbearably painful for me.” In the statement, Demjanjuk

said he suffers from a bone marrow disorder, kidney disease, anemia, kidney stones, arthritis, gout and spinal deterioration. His attorney, John Broadley, said a government physician examined Demjanjuk on Thursday to determine his ability to travel and there was “dramatic evidence” of his back pain. Broadley submitted a portion of the exam videotape to the government on Friday as part of his argument

against deportation. In his statement seeking asylum, Demjanjuk questioned Germany’s motive in seeking his deportation and suggested the German government was trying to make up for lax earlier pursuit of war criminals. “It is possible that the German authorities see a prosecution of me as means to draw attention away from their past approach,” the statement said.

‘Crossfire’ creator Tom Braden dies at age 92 By NAFEESA SYEED ASSOCIATED PRESS

WASHINGTON — Tom Wardell Braden, who once worked for the CIA and helped launch CNN’s political debate show “Crossfire,” has died, his family said. He was 92. Braden also was known for writing “Eight is Enough,” a 1975 book about his eight children that inspired a TV show. Braden died Friday from natural causes at his home in Denver, according to his daughter, Susan Braden of Takoma Park, Md.

Braden’s 1975 book about life with his eight children inspired the namesake TV show “Eight is Enough” that ran on ABC from 1977 to 1981. Susan Braden said her father captured the humor of his bustling household. “He had a gift for writing about kids. He could relate to them and write about them in a way that I really haven’t seen anybody else do,” Braden said. “He had that gift to write about everyday life that we all know, but we can’t really write about like he could.” Braden was born on Feb. 22, 1917, in Greene, Iowa. He moved to New York City

during the Great Depression and worked for a printer. He later graduated from Dartmouth College in New Hampshire, which accepted him even though he didn’t have a high school diploma, his daughter said. During World War II, Braden served with the British and U.S. armies. He then joined the CIA in 1950 and worked to promote American arts in Europe to counter communism. Braden left the CIA in 1954 and bought a newspaper in Oceanside, Calif., which he ran for the next decade. His newspaper columns about his family later culminated in his book.

NEW YORK — Chrysler LLC’s lenders are resisting efforts to convert most of the automaker’s debt to equity, a conversion key to Chrysler’s plan to restructure without filing for bankruptcy protection, according to a published report. Banks including JPMorgan Chase & Co., Goldman Sachs, Citigroup Inc. and Morgan Stanley loaned Chrysler $6.8 billion in 2007 when Cerberus Capital Management LP acquired an 80.1 percent stake in the automaker. Now, Chrysler needs to swap $5 billion of that debt for equity in the automaker, as part of the plan for the company to become viable, The Wall Street Journal reported Friday, citing unnamed people familiar with the talks. The banks’ reluctance is slowing Chrysler’s efforts to reach a definitive deal on an alliance with Fiat Group SpA, and also stalling the company’s attempt to reach a health care agreement with the United Auto Workers union, the Journal reported. A Citigroup spokeswoman

declined to comment to The Associated Press. Messages seeking comment were left for the other banks. Chrysler released a statement saying it “is committed to working closely with all constituents, the administration, U.S. Treasury and the (government’s auto) task force over the next 30 days to reach a successful conclusion.” The company declined further comment. Treasury officials couldn’t be reached for comment. Because the banks hold debt secured by collateral, they have the right to take Chrysler plants and assets if the company files for bankruptcy protection. That means they may be better off with what’s left of Chrysler in liquidation than what they’d get if they agree to restructure the debt. The government has little leverage to force the banks to make concessions if they believe they’ll be better off in bankruptcy court. But the banks that are pushing back against Chrysler and the government are also the direct recipients of government aid through the banks’ own bailouts.

Doctor in NJ hep B case has his license suspended By BETH DeFALCO ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEWARK, N.J. — State regulators on Friday temporarily suspended the medical license of a doctor who health officials suspect is linked to a hepatitis B outbreak. Nearly 3,000 of Dr. Parvez Dara’s patients have been warned to get tested after five cancer patients tested positive for the disease, which is transmitted through exposure to infected blood and can cause serious liver damage. On Friday, the state presented evidence about the conditions at the oncologist’s Toms River office. Investigators said they found blood on the floor of a room where chemotherapy was administered, blood in a bin where blood vials were stored, open medication vials and un-

sterile saline and gauze. Inspectors also cited problems with cross-contamination of pens, refrigerators and countertops; use of contaminated gloves; and misuse of antiseptics, among other health code violations. “This was not a one-time episode,” Deputy Attorney General Siobhen Krier told regulators. “This is a case of egregious, bad medical judgment displayed over a long period of time.” A special committee of the state Board of Medical Examiners issued the suspension, effective immediately, on an emergency basis. The full board will consider whether to continue the suspension on Wednesday. During the hearing Friday, Krier said Dara had a history of health code violations dating to 2002 and posed “a clear and imminent danger to the public.”

12A | THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009

POLE POSITION

NAPOLITANO | Continued from Page 1A Mexican officials have shown an unprecedented willingness to work with the U.S. to combat the drug cartels, Cuellar said, pointing out the organizations are kept in business by U.S. drug consumption. As former governor of Arizona, former Attorney General of Arizona and a former federal prosecutor in Arizona, Napolitano is uniquely qualified to understand the situation along the U.S.-Mexico Border, Cuellar said. Standing amongst seized weapons, drugs and money at the World Trade Bridge, Napolitano said law enforcement agencies need more personnel and new equipment to

stop drugs going north and money and guns going south. Texas is not slated to receive any of the $300 million to be doled out by the General Services Administration for border infrastructure under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The lion’s share of that money will go to Nogales, Ariz., according to a March 31 report by the GSA. Homeland Security has yet to determine how another $420 million will be spent on border infrastructure. Funding state and local law enforcement agencies along the border is important to U.S. security as well, Napolitano said.

“We understand the federal government can’t do this alone,” she said. “We need local, state and federal law enforcement.” There have been improvements already, Napolitano said. Thursday was the first day in three years there were no homicides in the Mexican state of Chihuahua, which borders West Texas and New Mexico. Spillover violence from cartel wars in Nuevo Laredo resulted in a spike in Laredo’s homicides during 2004, 2005 and 2006. Those numbers have dropped by 50 percent in recent years. (Jason Buch may be reached at 728-2547 or jbuch@lmtonline.com)

BORDER | Continued from Page 1A Photo by Tony Gutierrez | AP

NASCAR driver David Reutimann holds the SAMSUNG 500 auto race pole award in victory lane at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, on Friday. Reutimann earned the position with a lap speed of 190.517 mph in 28.344 seconds.

BP AGENT | Continued from Page 1A “When somebody who is a sworn law enforcement officer joins up with criminals, we have the same situation we do in Mexico,” she said. A government informant who was meeting with Morales’ cousin, Salomon Ruiz, a Border Patrol agent in McAllen, was directed to Morales for smuggling drugs through Zapata, according to court records. Federal agents recorded meetings between Morales and the informant during July and August in which Morales was paid a $4,000 introduction fee and offered to let the load through Zap-

ata in exchange for $5,000 more, according to his plea agreement. Morales took his fellow agents to breakfast on Aug. 14 to keep them out of the way of the smuggling attempt, according to court records. When Morales finishes his 14year sentence, he will be on supervised release for three years. Alvarez ordered him to pay an $11,000 fine as well. Ruiz has pleaded guilty to a similar charge and is scheduled to be sentenced April 28 in McAllen. (Jason Buch may be reached at 728-2547 or jbuch@lmtonline.com)

CHESS | Continued from Page 1A against the dominant powers of the collegiate chess world. The University of Texas at Dallas has won the final four event the past two years. In addition to valuable experience for the UTB team’s players, the weekend competition will also provide a glimpse of the spectacle

that will come to their campus next year. UTB will host the 2010 President’s Cup on campus and this December the university will also play host to the Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship on South Padre Island.

Secretary Janet Napolitano announced plans to visit the border and Mexico this week. Today, Napolitano is scheduled to be in San Diego before she joins Attorney General Eric Holder at the Arms Trafficking Prosecution and Enforcement Strategy Executive Session in Cuernavaca, Mexico, on Thursday. She’ll end her tour Friday in Laredo, where she is scheduled to meet with U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers as well as Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Cuellar said he personally invited Napolitano to Laredo, pointing out that Napolitano is from the border. During the hearing, he asked that Napolitano meet with local law enforcement officials, as well as community and business leaders. “Laredo is the largest inland port in the U.S.,” Cuellar said. “We’re concerned about security, but we have to find a balance.” He noted Napolitano’s effort to bring more resources, such as license plate readers, to aid law enforcement, but warned that he did not want to impede trade, saying that if officials stopped every truck going into Mexico, there would be a pileup from Laredo to San Antonio. Cuellar stressed the importance of a coordinated effort along the border as well as better communication. “We need to learn from 9/11,”

“Some of us sheriffs down on the border are ready to get those boots on the ground. We’re trying to do our best, and we’re ready to do it now.” ZAPATA COUNTY SHERIFF SIGIFREDO GONZALEZ

Cuellar said. “Here we are years later, and still the state and local officials can’t communicate with one another.” Gonzalez emphasized during the teleconference that he needs more deputies. “Some of us sheriffs down on the border are ready to get those boots on the ground,” Gonzalez said. “We’re trying to do our best, and we’re ready to do it now.” Gonzalez testified Tuesday, “Compared to the ruthless and brazen and open behavior of the cartels we face, we are most certainly outmanned. “In the event of a shootout, many casualties will likely occur. Federal, state and local officers all along the southwest b order of the United States are outgunned and outmanned.” Gov. Rick Perry has a request pending for the federal government to send 1,000 National Guard troops to the Texas border. Maj. Gen. Peter Aylward told the subcommittee Tuesday that he would need additional funding to

provide more troops on the border. Cuellar said the proposal is being studied, as the government has to not only consider Texas, but all the states along the border. “We have to define what the mission would be, whether we need to have them right now,” Cuellar said. “We’re waiting for the National Guard and Secretary Napolitano to tell us whether the conditions are right.” Meanwhile, on Tuesday, Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison signed on as a co-sponsor to a 2010 budget amendment that would provide more funding for law enforcement along the border. According to Hutchison, the amendment provides $260 million for 1,600 additional Customs and Border Protection officers, as well as 400 canine teams. It also provides:  $130 million to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for 350 investigators to work on gun trafficking and money laun-

dering cases  $20 million for the Department of Homeland Security to improve tactical communications in the field for CBP and ICE  $20 million for CBP to modernize its database used to identify potential criminals at the ports of entry  $30 million for Operation Stonegarden to reimburse state and local law enforcement for their participation in border actions  $50 million for the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agency to hire an additional 150 investigators and 50 inspectors to investigate gun trafficking to Mexico  $10 million to provide assistance and equipment to local law enforcement along the Southern border and in the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas to combat criminal narcotics activity  $20 million for the Human Smuggling and Trafficking Center at DHS to better coordinate investigations between federal, state and local law enforcement  $10 million for DHS’ Office of International Affairs and the undersecretary of management to oversee implementation of the Merida Initiative and to increase staffing at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico (Julie Daffern may be reached at 728-2565 or jdaffern@lmtonline.com)

The Zapata Times SATURDAY, APRIL 4,2009

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors HAWKS EYE DISTRICT MEET

Photo by Dennis Silva II | Laredo Morning Times

Shown is the rig that will be used by the GTO Rock Racing team of Jose Ponce and Johnny Despain in today’s race in Spring,Texas. On the hood is carnage from the results of previous races, as well as all the bumps that came with it. Despain built the vehicle.

Laredoans help put rock racing on sports map

Courtesy Photo

Zapata High’s No. 1 doubles tennis team is junior Gabriela Molina and sophomore Cristina Mendoza.

The Zapata High No.1 boys’doubles team is junior Angel Ortiz and junior Estevan Garcia.

By DENNIS SILVA II THE ZAPATA TIMES

For the past few years, the Gateway City has been making a name for itself in the obscure sport of rock racing, thanks to Laredoans Jose Manuel Ponce and Johnny Despain. The duo is coming off a stellar 2008 season in which it earned rookie driver awards from the top world teams at WRC (World Rally Championship) Mexico. Ponce, who attended St. Augustine High School before heading to St. Edward’s University for college, is the lead driver and promoter for his GTO rock racing team. He has been involved with the sport since 1999, and officially since 2003. Despain, a Nixon High graduate and former student at LCC and the University of Texas in Austin, is his co-pilot and crew chief. In February, they were the first Mexican team to ever compete in the King of the Hammers rock race in Johnson Valley, California. They also compete in rally racing and rock crawling. Rock racing, in which a winner is based upon the fastest time, contains a mixture of throttle and

DESPAIN

PONCE

finesse, speed and accuracy, and timing and luck. It is full-throttle rig racing over rocks, through mud, up steep hills and flying off jumps. Rally racing is distinguished by a point-to-point format in which participants drive between set control stages, leaving at regular intervals from one or more start points. Rock crawling is the fastest growing motor sport in the world, and consists of four-wheel drive vehicles overcoming obstacles such as 60-degree walls, eightfoot crevasses and side hills. It is pure excitement for fans and spectators, as there are multiple collisions, rollovers and wrecks in each sport. Ponce and his team will continue its 2009 season today as participants in the 2009 South Series season opening rock race in Spring, Texas.

See RACING | PAGE 2B

Recently built tennis courts have created an interest in the sport, as 58 students tried out for spots on the boy’s and girl’s teams.

Teams hoping to serve school a district championship By CLARA SANDOVAL SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

awks’ tennis teams head to Harlingen Monday and Tuesday to compete in the District 32-3A tournament. The Hawks will face 3A state powerhouse La Feria, which sent seven athletes to the state tournament last year. The Hawks and the Lady Hawks are led by veteran coach Robert Alvarez, who offers a wealth of experience. Alvarez is a former state doubles tennis champion (1979) from Hebbronville and played at Laredo Community College.

During his four years as Hawks coach his teams have captured two boys district titles and one girls district title. Alvarez, and assistant coaches Rodemiro Alvarez and Melissa Herrera, have been preparing the team for Monday’s meet with hard practices. “I am very happy with the work ethic of most of our team,” Alvarez said. “They have worked so hard and have develop a passion for the game. I see us getting better and better.” The Hawks are a very young team with two seniors on the boy’s top 12 squad. Zapata will be led by senior Gerry Chapa,

seeded third in the boys single and junior Hector Solis. The doubles team of juniors Angel Ortiz and Estevan Garcia are seeded third in the doubles tournament. Also competing in doubles is seniors David Solis and sophomore Garret Umphries On the girls side the scenario is the same with four seniors on the 12-girl roster. The girls will be lead by seniors Allison De La Garza and Abbie Garza in singles competition. The doubles team consists of junior

N.Y. Giants release troubled Burress

Griffin, Self earn AP honors

By TOM CANAVAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

By JIM O’CONNELL ASSOCIATED PRESS

DETROIT — In a season when the Big East dominated the polls and the NCAA tournament, the Big 12 won both major individual awards. Blake Griffin, the sophomore forward from Oklahoma who led the nation in rebounding, collisions and hustle plays, was the runaway choice as The Associated Press’ college basketball player of the year Friday. Bill Self, who led Kansas from a decimated national champion to a fifth straight Big 12 title, was selected coach of the year. “I think our league was better than people gave us credit for, in fact, we were probably only behind the Big East,” Self said. The top two teams in the conference were Oklahoma and Kansas, but when they met for the only time Feb. 24, Griffin wasn’t able to play in Kansas’ 87-78 victory after sustaining a concussion against Texas. “I think the biggest reason I won this award is that when we played Oklahoma, we held Blake scoreless,” Self joked. “In the last

See TENNIS | PAGE 2B

Photo by Paul Sancya | AP

Kansas head coach Bill Self, left, and Oklahoma forward Blake Griffin pose with their trophies on Friday in Detroit after being named the Associated Press college basketball coach and player of the year. few years I had the chance to try and stop players like Kevin Durant of Texas, Michael Beasley of Kansas State and Blake Griffin, three of the most dominant players in the country. He’s been the best of the three, and he will have a fabulous pro career.” Self wasn’t pushing Griffin, who averaged 22.7 points and national-best 14.4 rebounds while shooting 65.4 percent from the

field, toward an NBA career, but that is the question the only unanimous All-America will face over and over. “When I get back I’ll sit down with Coach Capel and go over some stuff and hopefully come to a decision sometime soon,” Griffin said. “It will be sometime soon, maybe the middle of next week. It will be next week for sure.” Capel said he “probably”

would take Griffin back if he decided to return to Oklahoma, which finished 30-6 and lost to North Carolina in the regional finals. But the decision will be made by Griffin and his parents, and Capel will support it 100 percent. Griffin received 66 votes from the 71-member national media

See HONORS | PAGE 2B

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The New York Giants released Super Bowl hero Plaxico Burress on Friday, a little more than four months after the talented but troubled wide receiver accidentally shot himself in the thigh in a New York City nightclub. Burress’ four-year tenure with the Giants was highlighted by a game-winning touchdown catch in the Super Bowl against the previously undefeated New England Patriots in February 2008, but it was also dogged by fines and suspensions. Burress’ status has been uncertain since he shot himself in the thigh on Nov. 29 with an unlicensed gun he’d stuffed into his waistband. He faces a felony weapons charge that could put him in prison for at least 3 1/2 years if convicted. Burress’ case was adjourned on Tuesday while his attorneys and prosecutors worked on a possible plea agreement. He is due back in court on June 15. The 31-year-old, who was suspended by the Giants for the final four weeks of the season for conduct detrimental to the

team and fined after the shooting, also faces possible NFL sanctions for violating its personal conduct policy. BURRESS The delay in ending the court case this week appeared to play a role in the Giants’ decision. “I am an optimist, and I believe most situations can be worked out,” general manager Jerry Reese said in announcing the decision. “We hung in there as long as we could in hopes that there could be a resolution to this situation other than the decision we made today to release Plaxico. “It wasn’t to be, so now we have to move on. Like everybody else here, we want nothing but the best for Plaxico, and we are appreciative of the contributions he made to this franchise.” The decision to release Burress might lead the Giants to look for a deep threat receiver in the draft later this month. The only player currently on

See BURRESS | PAGE 2B

Zscores CHL Playoff Glance FIRST ROUND (Best-of-3) Northern Conference Bossier-Shreveport 2, Rocky Mountain 1 Monday, March 23: Rocky Mountain 4, BossierShreveport 3 Wednesday, March 25: Bossier-Shreveport 5, Rocky Mountain 4, OT Thursday, March 26: Bossier-Shreveport 5, Rocky Mountain 3 Southern Conference Rio Grande Valley 2, Corpus Christi 1 Monday, March 23: Rio Grande Valley 5, Corpus Christi 1 Wednesday, March 25: Corpus Christi 6, Rio Grande Valley 2 Thursday, March 26: Rio Grande Valley 3, Corpus Christi 0 CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (Best-of-7) Northern Conference Colorado vs. Bossier-Shreveport Sunday, March 29: Colorado 4, Bossier-Shreveport 3 Monday, March 30: Colorado 4, Bossier-Shreveport 3 Thursday, April 2: Colorado 3, Bossier-Shreveport 2, OT, Colorado leads series 3-0 Monday, April 6: Colorado at Bossier-Shreveport Tuesday, April 7: Colorado at Bossier-Shreveport, if necessary Friday, April 10: Bossier-Shreveport at Colorado, if necessary Sunday, April 12: Bossier-Shreveport at Colorado, if necessary Mississippi vs. Oklahoma City Wednesday, March 25: Oklahoma City 2, Mississippi 1, OT Thursday, March 26: Mississippi 5, Oklahoma City 3 Wednesday, April 1: Mississippi 4, Oklahoma City 3 Thursday, April 2: Mississippi 2, Oklahoma City 1, Mississippi leads series 3-1 Saturday, April 4: Oklahoma City at Mississippi Monday, April 6: Mississippi at Oklahoma City, if necssary Wednesday, April 8: Oklahoma City at Mississippi, if necessary Southern Conference Texas vs. Rio Grande Valley winner Saturday, March 28: Texas 4, Rio Grande Valley 2 Sunday, March 29: Texas 5, Rio Grande Valley 4 Wednesday, April 1: Texas 6, Rio Grande Valley 2, Texas leads series 3-0 Friday, April 3: Texas at Rio Grande Valley Saturday, April 4: Texas at Rio Grande Valley, if necessary Tuesday, April 7: Rio Grande Valley at Texas, if necessary Wednesday, April 8: Rio Grande Valley at Texas, if necessary Odessa vs. Laredo Friday, March 27: Laredo 3, Odessa 2, OT Saturday, March 28: Laredo 5, Odessa 1 Wednesday, April 1: Odessa 4, Laredo 3, OT, Laredo leads series 2-1 Friday, April 3: Odessa at Laredo Saturday, April 4: Laredo at Odessa Tuesday, April 7: Odessa at Laredo, if necessary Thursday, April 9: Laredo at Odessa, if necessary CONFERENCE FINALS (Best-of-7) Northern Conference TBD Southern Conference TBD RAY MIRON PRESIDENT’S CUP FINALS (Best-of-7) TBD

NBA EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic W L Pct y-Boston 57 19 .750 Philadelphia 39 35 .527 New Jersey 31 44 .413 Toronto 29 45 .392 New York 29 46 .387 Southeast W L Pct y-Orlando 55 19 .743 x-Atlanta 43 32 .573 Miami 39 36 .520 Charlotte 34 41 .453 Washington 18 59 .234 Central W L Pct y-Cleveland 61 14 .813 Detroit 36 39 .480 Chicago 36 40 .474 Indiana 32 43 .427 Milwaukee 32 45 .416 WESTERN CONFERENCE Southwest W L Pct x-San Antonio 48 26 .649 x-Houston 48 27 .640 New Orleans 47 27 .635 Dallas 45 30 .600 Memphis 20 54 .270 Northwest W L Pct x-Denver 50 26 .658 Portland 47 27 .635 Utah 46 29 .613 Oklahoma City 21 53 .284 Minnesota 21 54 .280

GB — 17 25½ 27 27½ GB — 12½ 16½ 21½ 38½ GB — 25 25½ 29 30

GB — ½ 1 3½ 28 GB — 2 3½ 28 28½

Pacific W L Pct GB z-L.A. Lakers 59 16 .787 — Phoenix 41 34 .547 18 Golden State 26 49 .347 33 L.A. Clippers 18 57 .240 41 Sacramento 16 58 .216 42½ x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division z-clinched conference Thursday’s Games Philadelphia 105, Milwaukee 95 Washington 109, Cleveland 101 Denver 114, Utah 104 Friday’s Games Miami at Charlotte, 7 p.m. San Antonio at Indiana, 7 p.m. Atlanta at Boston, 7:30 p.m. Dallas at Memphis, 8 p.m. Cleveland at Orlando, 8 p.m. Portland at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. Minnesota at Utah, 9 p.m. Sacramento at Phoenix, 10 p.m. Houston at L.A. Lakers, 10:30 p.m. New Orleans at Golden State, 10:30 p.m. Saturday’s Games Toronto at New York, 1 p.m. New Jersey at Chicago, 2 p.m. Detroit at Philadelphia, 3 p.m. Orlando at Atlanta, 7 p.m. Miami at Washington, 7 p.m. Memphis at Milwaukee, 8:30 p.m. L.A. Clippers at Denver, 9 p.m. Sunday’s Games San Antonio at Cleveland, 1 p.m. Phoenix at Dallas, 3:30 p.m. New York at Toronto, 6 p.m. Charlotte at Detroit, 6 p.m. Utah at New Orleans, 7 p.m. Denver at Minnesota, 7 p.m. Portland at Houston, 7 p.m. Philadelphia at New Jersey, 7:30 p.m. Indiana at Oklahoma City, 8 p.m. Golden State at Sacramento, 9 p.m. L.A. Clippers at L.A. Lakers, 9:30 p.m.

NHL All Times EDT EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division W L OT Pts GF GA x-New Jersey 47 26 4 98 229 195 Pittsburgh 42 27 8 92 245 226 Philadelphia 41 25 10 92 244 220 N.Y. Rangers 40 29 9 89 201 212 N.Y. Islanders 25 43 9 59 193 254 Northeast Division W L OT Pts GF GA y-Boston 50 17 10 110 259 181 Montreal 40 27 10 90 235 231 Buffalo 37 30 9 83 228 220 Toronto 32 32 13 77 233 273 Ottawa 33 34 10 76 203 222 Southeast Division W L OT Pts GF GA x-Washington 47 23 7 101 250 225 Carolina 43 28 7 93 224 216 Florida 38 28 11 87 218 218 Atlanta 33 38 6 72 240 264 Tampa Bay 24 36 17 65 197 255 WESTERN CONFERENCE Central Division W L OT Pts GF GA y-Detroit 49 19 9 107 283 230 Chicago 41 24 11 93 246 207 Columbus 40 29 8 88 214 212 St. Louis 38 31 9 85 220 226 Nashville 38 31 8 84 197 211 Northwest Division W L OT Pts GF GA x-Calgary 44 27 6 94 244 233 x-Vancouver 42 25 10 94 236 210 Minnesota 36 32 9 81 196 189 Edmonton 36 33 9 81 222 238 Colorado 31 44 2 64 193 250 Pacific Division W L OT Pts GF GA y-San Jose 51 15 11 113 247 189 Anaheim 40 32 6 86 230 225 Dallas 34 34 10 78 218 244 Phoenix 34 37 7 75 197 236 Los Angeles 31 35 11 73 194 224 Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss or shootout loss. x-clinched playoff spot y-clinched division Thursday’s Games Boston 2, Ottawa 1 Carolina 4, N.Y. Rangers 2 Montreal 5, N.Y. Islanders 1 St. Louis 5, Detroit 4 Calgary 2, Dallas 1 San Jose 2, Edmonton 1 Phoenix 2, Los Angeles 1 Anaheim 6, Vancouver 5, SO Friday’s Games Buffalo at Washington, 7 p.m. Tampa Bay at New Jersey, 7 p.m. Toronto at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. Atlanta at Florida, 7:30 p.m. Calgary at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Nashville at Chicago, 8:30 p.m. Saturday’s Games N.Y. Rangers at Boston, 1 p.m. New Jersey at Buffalo, 7 p.m. Pittsburgh at Carolina, 7 p.m. Philadelphia at Ottawa, 7 p.m. Montreal at Toronto, 7 p.m. Tampa Bay at N.Y. Islanders, 7 p.m. St. Louis at Dallas, 8 p.m. Columbus at Nashville, 8 p.m. Anaheim at San Jose, 10 p.m. Vancouver at Edmonton, 10 p.m.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4,2009 Phoenix at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. Sunday’s Games Minnesota at Detroit, 12:30 p.m. Atlanta at Washington, 3 p.m. Chicago at Columbus, 5 p.m. Pittsburgh at Florida, 5 p.m. San Jose at Anaheim, 8 p.m. Colorado at Vancouver, 10 p.m.

MLB Spring Training Glance All Times EDT AMERICAN LEAGUE W L Pct Los Angeles 24 8 .750 New York 22 10 .688 Texas 20 13 .606 Boston 19 13 .594 Minnesota 18 13 .581 Kansas City 17 13 .567 Seattle 16 16 .500 Tampa Bay 14 15 .483 Detroit 14 16 .467 Oakland 15 18 .454 Toronto 12 17 .414 Chicago 14 20 .412 Baltimore 12 20 .375 Cleveland 11 19 .367 NATIONAL LEAGUE W L Pct Milwaukee 20 10 .667 Atlanta 20 11 .645 St. Louis 19 12 .613 New York 17 14 .548 Pittsburgh 17 14 .548 San Francisco 20 17 .540 Chicago 18 16 .529 Colorado 15 17 .469 Washington 14 16 .467 Los Angeles 15 19 .441 Florida 12 18 .400 Philadelphia 12 18 .400 Cincinnati 13 20 .394 Houston 11 19 .367 San Diego 10 19 .345 Arizona 11 21 .344 NOTE: Split-squad games count in the standings; games against non-major league teams do not. Thursday’s Games Atlanta 2, Houston 1 Detroit 8, Toronto 5 Minnesota 7, Boston 3 St. Louis 6, Florida 3 Pittsburgh 6, Cincinnati 5 Washington 12, Philadelphia 10 N.Y. Mets 9, Baltimore 8 Seattle 18, San Diego 3 Colorado 7, Arizona 4 Texas 9, Kansas City 3 Chicago Cubs 9, Cleveland 8 Milwaukee 2, Chicago White Sox 1 L.A. Dodgers 6, L.A. Angels 2 San Francisco 7, Oakland 4 Friday’s Games Minnesota 4, Pittsburgh 4, tie, 10 innings Washington vs. Baltimore at Norfolk, Va., 3:30 p.m. Boston at N.Y. Mets, 6:10 p.m. Toronto vs. Florida at Jupiter, Fla., 7:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs at N.Y. Yankees, 7:05 p.m. Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 7:05 p.m. Detroit at Atlanta, 7:10 p.m. St. Louis at Memphis, 8 p.m. Kansas City vs. Texas at Frisco, Texas, 8:05 p.m. Cleveland at Houston, 8:05 p.m. Chicago White Sox at Arizona, 9:40 p.m. Colorado vs. Seattle at Las Vegas, 10:05 p.m. L.A. Angels at San Diego, 10:05 p.m. Milwaukee at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m. Oakland at San Francisco, 10:15 p.m. Saturday’s Games Toronto vs. Florida at Jupiter, Fla., 12:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs at N.Y. Yankees, 1:05 p.m. Pittsburgh vs. Minnesota at Fort Myers, Fla., 1:05 p.m. Tampa Bay at Philadelphia, 1:05 p.m. Boston at N.Y. Mets, 1:10 p.m. Detroit at Atlanta, 1:10 p.m. Cleveland at Houston, 2:05 p.m. St. Louis at Memphis, 2:05 p.m. Kansas City at Texas, 2:05 p.m. San Francisco at Oakland, 4:05 p.m. Seattle vs. Colorado at Las Vegas, 4:10 p.m. Chicago White Sox at Arizona, 4:10 p.m. Baltimore at Washington, 6:05 p.m. San Diego at L.A. Angels, 9:05 p.m. Milwaukee at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m. Sunday’s Games L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m.

NFL Free Agent Signings ARIZONA CARDINALS—Signed Anthony Becht, TE; Mike Leach, LS; Rodney Leisle, DT; Keith Lewis, S; Bryant McFadden, CB; and Donovan Raiola, C. Re-signed Ben Graham, P; Clark Haggans, LB; Brian St. Pierre, QB; Kurt Warner, QB; and Dan Kreider, FB. Agreed to terms with Bertrand Berry, DE; Elton Brown, OL; Ralph Brown, CB; and Jason Wright, RB. ATLANTA FALCONS—Signed Mike Peterson, LB; and C Brett Romberg. Re-signed Chauncey Davis, DE; Jamal Fudge, S; Tony Gilbert, LB; Jason Jefferson, DT; Justin Peele, TE; Ben Wilkerson, OL; and Coy Wire, LB. BALTIMORE RAVENS—Signed Chris Carr, CB/KR; Domonique Foxworth, CB; and L.J. Smith, TE. Agreed to terms with Matt Birk, C; and Ray Lewis, LB. BUFFALO BILLS—Signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, QB; Drayton Florence, CB; Geoff Hangartner, OL; and

Terrell Owens, WR. Re-signed Kirk Chambers, OL; and Corey McIntyre, FB. Agreed to terms with Pat Thomas, LB. CAROLINA PANTHERS—Re-signed Jordan Gross, OT. CHICAGO BEARS—Signed Josh Bullocks, S; Glenn Earl, S; Marcus Hamilton, DB; and Frank Omiyale, OL. Agreed to terms with Kevin Jones, RB; Kevin Shaffer, OT; and Orlando Pace, OT. CINCINNATI BENGALS—Signed Laveranues Coles, WR; and J.T. O’Sullivan, QB. Re-signed Cedric Benson, RB; Darryl Blackstock, LB; Chris Crocker, S; DeDe Dorsey, WR; and Jamar Fletcher, CB. CLEVELAND BROWNS—Signed Eric Barton, LB; David Bowens, LB; Noah Herron, RB; Corey Ivy, CB; C.J. Mosley, DT; David Patten, WR; Hank Poteat, CB; Robert Royal, TE; John St. Clair, OL; and Floyd Womack, T. Re-signed Mike Adams, S. DALLAS COWBOYS—Signed Keith Brooking, LB; Igor Olshansky, DE; Gerald Sensabaugh, S; and Matt Stewart, LB. Re-signed Cory Procter, G. DENVER BRONCOS—Signed J.J. Arrington, RB; Correll Buckhalter, RB; Andra Davis, LB; Brian Dawkins, S; Ronald Fields, DT; Jabar Gaffney, WR; Andre’ Goodman, CB; Renaldo Hill, S; LaMont Jordan, RB; J’Vonne Parker, DT; Lonie Paxton, FS; Kenny Peterson, DL; Darrell Reid, DT; and Scott Young, OL. Re-signed Jeb Putzier, TE. Agreed to terms with Chris Simms, QB. DETROIT LIONS—Signed Phillip Buchanon, CB; Grady Jackson, DT; Bryant Johnson, WR; Eric King, CB; Maurice Morris, RB; Will Heller, TE; and Cody Spencer, LB. Agreed to terms with Daniel Loper, OL. Re-signed Aveion Cason, RB; Damion Cook, OL; Jason Hanson, K; and Stephen Peterman, G. GREEN BAY PACKERS—Signed Duke Preston, OL; and Anthony Smith, S. Agreed to terms with Mike Montgomery, DE. HOUSTON TEXANS—Signed Shaun Cody, DT; Darrell McClover, LB; Dan Orlovsky, QB; and Antonio Smith, DE. Re-signed Joel Dreessen, TE; Nick Ferguson, S; Chris White, C; and Eugene Wilson, S. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS—Signed Adam Seward, LB. Re-signed Lance Ball, RB; Buster Davis, LB; Dan Federkeil, OL; Kelvin Hayden, CB; and Jeff Saturday, C. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS—Signed Sean Considine, S; and Tra Thomas, T. Re-signed Brad Meester, C; Scott Starks, CB; and Joe Zelenka, LS. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS— Signed Monte Beisel, LB; Bobby Engram, WR; Mike Goff, G; and Terrance Copper, WR. Agreed to terms with Travis Daniels, CB; C.J. Jones, WR; Corey Mays, LB; Jon McGraw, S; and Darrell Robertson, LB. MIAMI DOLPHINS—Signed Joe Berger, G; Eric Green, CB; and Jake Grove, C. Re-signed Yeremiah Bell, S; Vernon Carey, OT; and Channing Crowder, LB. MINNESOTA VIKINGS—Re-signed Heath Farwell, LB; Jimmy Kennedy, DT; Jim Kleinsasser, TE; Benny Sapp, CB; and Otis Grigsby, DL. Signed Cedric Griffin, CB; Glenn Holt, WR; and Karl Paymah, CB. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS—Signed Chris Baker, TE; Leigh Bodden, CB; Joey Galloway, WR; Nathan Hodel, LS; Al Johnson, C; Shawn Springs, CB; and Fred Taylor, RB. Re-signed Matt Cassel, QB (f), and traded him to Kansas City; re-signed Eric Alexander, LB; Wesley Britt, OL; Chris Hanson, P; Russ Hochstein, OL; James Sanders, S; Ray Ventrone, S; Mike Wright, DL; and Tank Williams, S. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS—Signed Darnell Dinkins, TE; Heath Evans, FB; Jabari Greer, CB; Nick Leckey, C; Pierson Prioleau, S; and Paul Spicer, DL. Re-signed Joey Harrington, QB; Devery Henderson, WR; Courtney Roby, WR-KR; Jon Stinchcomb, T; and Jonathan Vilma, LB. Agreed to terms with Rod Coleman, DT; and Darren Sharper, S. NEW YORK GIANTS—Signed Rocky Bernard, DT; Michael Boley, LB; C.C. Brown, S; Chris Canty, DE; and Lee Vickers, TE. Re-signed David Carr, QB; and Brandon Jacobs, RB (f). NEW YORK JETS—Signed Marques Douglas, DE; Howard Green, DT; Larry Izzo, LB; Jim Leonhard, S; Bart Scott, LB; and Donald Strickland, CB. Re-signed Ahmad Carroll, DB; Jay Feely, K; Brandon Moore, G; and Tony Richardson, FB. OAKLAND RAIDERS—Signed Khalif Barnes, T. Re-signed Nnamdi Asomugha, DB; Cooper Carlisle, G; Isaiah Ekejiuba, LB; Shane Lechler, P; and Justin Miller, CB. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES—Signed Stacy Andrews, OT; Rashad Baker, S; and Sean Jones, S. Resigned Tank Daniels, LB; Joselio Hanson, CB; and Nick Cole, OL. Agreed to terms with Leonard Weaver, FB. PITTSBURGH STEELERS—Re-signed Willie Colon, T; Chris Kemoeatu, G; Max Starks, T (f); Andre Frazier, LB; Trai Essex, T; Fernando Bryant, CB; and Arnold Harrison, LB. ST. LOUIS RAMS—Signed Jason Brown, OL; James Butler, S; and FB Mike Karney. Re-signed Ron Bartell, CB; and Mark Setterstrom, G. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS—Agreed to terms with Kevin Burnett, LB. Re-signed Kynan Forney, G. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS—Signed Demetric Evans, DE; Damon Huard, QB; and Brandon Jones, WR; and ; Marvel Smith, T. Re-signed Moran Norris, FB; Allen Rossum, CB-KR; and Takeo Spikes, LB. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS—Signed Colin Cole, DT; T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR; and John Owens, TE. Resigned Ray Willis, OL. Agreed to terms with D.D. Lewis, LB. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS—Signed Angelo Crowell, LB; Mike Nugent, K; and Derrick Ward, RB. Re-signed Michael Clayton, WR; Cortez Hankton, WR; Luke McCown, QB; Jermaine Phillips, S; and Jerramy Stevens, TE. TENNESSEE TITANS—Signed Jovan Haye, DT; Mark Jones, WR/KR; and Nate Washington, WR. Re-signed Rob Bironas, K; Kerry Collins, QB; Vincent Fuller, DB; Justin McCareins, WR. Agreed to

terms with Craig Hentrich, P. WASHINGTON REDSKINS—Signed Derrick Dockery, G; Dominique Dorsey, KR; Albert Haynesworth, DT; Dirk Johnson, P; Dave Rayner, K; and Renaldo Wynn, DE. Re-signed Ethan Albright, LS; Phillip Daniels, DE; Reed Doughty, S; Alfred Fincher, LB; DeAngelo Hall, CB; and Shaun Suisham, K. f-franchise player

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament Glance All Times EDT Opening Round At UD Arena Dayton, Ohio Tuesday, March 17 Morehead State 58, Alabama State 43 EAST REGIONAL First Round Thursday, March 19 At Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, N.C. Texas 76, Minnesota 62 Duke 86, Binghamton 62 At The Wachovia Center Philadelphia Villanova 80, American 67 UCLA 65, Virginia Commonwealth 64 Friday, March 20 At Taco Bell Arena Boise, Idaho Xavier 77, Portland State 59 Wisconsin 61, Florida State 59, OT At UD Arena Dayton, Ohio Oklahoma State 77, Tennessee 75 Pittsburgh 72, ETSU 62 Second Round Saturday, March 21 At The Wachovia Center Philadelphia Villanova 89, UCLA 69 At Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, N.C. Duke 74, Texas 69 Sunday, March 22 At Taco Bell Arena Boise, Idaho Xavier 60, Wisconsin 49 At UD Arena Dayton, Ohio Pittsburgh 84, Oklahoma State 76 At TD Banknorth Garden Boston Regional Semifinals Thursday, March 26 Pittsburgh 60, Xavier 55 Villanova 77, Duke 54 Regional Championship Saturday, March 28 Villanova 78, Pittsburgh 76 SOUTH REGIONAL First Round Thursday, March 19 At Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, N.C. LSU 75, Butler 71 North Carolina 101, Radford 58 At The Sprint Center Kansas City, Mo. Michigan 62, Clemson 59 Oklahoma 82, Morgan State 54 At The Rose Garden Portland, Ore. Gonzaga 77, Akron 64 Western Kentucky 76, Illinois 72 Friday, March 20 At American Airlines Arena Miami Syracuse 59, Stephen F. Austin 44 Arizona State 66, Temple 57 Second Round Saturday, March 21 At Greensboro Coliseum Greensboro, N.C. North Carolina 84, LSU 70 At The Sprint Center Kansas City, Mo. Oklahoma 73, Michigan 63 At The Rose Garden Portland, Ore. Gonzaga 83, Western Kentucky 81 Sunday, March 22 At American Airlines Arena Miami Syracuse 78, Arizona State 67 At FedEx Forum Memphis, Tenn. Regional Semifinals Friday, March 27 Oklahoma 84, Syracuse 71 North Carolina 98, Gonzaga 77 Regional Championship Sunday, March 29 North Carolina 72, Oklahoma 60 MIDWEST REGIONAL First Round Friday, March 20 At UD Arena Dayton, Ohio Louisville 74, Morehead State 54 Siena 74, Ohio State 72, 2OT At American Airlines Arena Miami Arizona 84, Utah 71 Cleveland State 84, Wake Forest 69 At The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis Kansas 84, North Dakota State 74 Dayton 68, West Virginia 60 Southern California 72, Boston College 55 Michigan State 77, Robert Morris 62

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM Second Round Sunday, March 22 At American Airlines Arena Miami Arizona 71, Cleveland State 57 At UD Arena Dayton, Ohio Louisville 79, Siena 72 At The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Minneapolis Kansas 60, Dayton 43 Michigan State 74, Southern California 69 At Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis Regional Semifinals Friday, March 27 Louisville 103, Arizona 64 Michigan State 67, Kansas 62 Regional Championship Sunday, March 29 Michigan State 64, Louisville 52 WEST REGIONAL First Round Thursday, March 19 At The Sprint Center Kansas City, Mo. Memphis 81, Cal State Northridge 70 Maryland 84, California 71 At The Wachovia Center Philadelphia Texas A&M 79, BYU 66 Connecticut 103, Chattanooga 47 At The Rose Garden Portland, Ore. Purdue 61, Northern Iowa 56 Washington 71, Mississippi State 58 Friday, March 20 At Taco Bell Arena Boise, Idaho Marquette 58, Utah State 57 Missouri 78, Cornell 59 Second Round Saturday, March 21 At The Sprint Center Kansas City, Mo. Memphis 89, Maryland 70 At The Wachovia Center Philadelphia Connecticut 92, Texas A&M 66 At The Rose Garden Portland, Ore. Purdue 76, Washington 74 Sunday, March 22 Second Round At Taco Bell Arena Boise, Idaho Missouri 83, Marquette 79 At University of Phoenix Stadium Glendale, Ariz. Regional Semifinals Thursday, March 26 Connecticut 72, Purdue 60 Missouri 102, Memphis 91 Regional Championship Saturday, March 28 Connecticut 82, Missouri 75 FINAL FOUR At Ford Field Detroit National Semifinals Saturday, April 4 Michigan State (30-6) vs. Connecticut (31-4), 6:07 p.m. Villanova (30-7) vs. North Carolina (32-4), 8:47 p.m. National Championship Monday, April 6 Semifinal winners NIT Glance First Round Tuesday, March 17 Davidson 70, South Carolina 63 Rhode Island 68, Niagara 62 Penn State 77, George Mason 73, OT Notre Dame 70, UAB 64 Kentucky 70, UNLV 60 San Diego State 65, Weber State 49 New Mexico 83, Nebraska 71 Saint Mary’s, Calif. 68, Washington State 57 Wednesday, March 18 Miami 78, Providence 66 Virginia Tech 116, Duquesne 108, 2OT Creighton 73, Bowling Green 71 Kansas State 83, Illinois State 79, OT Auburn 87, Tennessee-Martin 82 Florida 84, Jacksonville 62 Tulsa 68, Northwestern 59 Baylor 74, Georgetown 72 Second Round Thursday, March 19 Penn State 83, Rhode Island 74 Notre Dame 70, New Mexico 68 Friday, March 20 Florida 74, Miami 60 Auburn 74, Tulsa 55 San Diego State 70, Kansas State 52 Saturday, March 21 Baylor 82, Virginia Tech 66 Monday, March 23 Kentucky 65, Creighton 63 Saint Mary’s, Calif. 80, Davidson 68 Quarterfinals Tuesday, March 24 Baylor 74, Auburn 72 Penn State 71, Florida 62 Wednesday, March 25 Notre Dame 77, Kentucky 67 San Diego State 70, Saint Mary’s, Calif. 66 Semifinals Tuesday, March 31 At Madison Square Garden New York Semifinals

Baylor 76, San Diego State 62 Penn State 67, Notre Dame 59 Championship Thursday, April 2 Penn State 69, Baylor 63

Fight Schedule National TV in parentheses April 4 At Bell Centre, Montreal (SHO), Timothy Bradley, Palm Springs, Calif., vs. Kendall Holt, Paterson, N.J., 12, for Bradley’s WBC light welterweight title and Holt’s WBO light welterweight title; Librado Andrade, La Habra, Calif., vs. Vitali Tsypko, Ukraine, 12, IBF super middleweight eliminator. At Frank Erwin Center, Austin, Texas (PPV), Edwin Valero, Venezuela, vs. Antonio Pitalua, Mexico, 12, for the interim WBC lightweight title; Jesus Chavez, Austin, Texas, vs. Michael Katsidis, Australia, 10, lightweights; Vicente Escobedo, Woodland, Calif., vs. Carlos Hernandez, West Covina, Calif., 10, lightweights; Julio Diaz, Coachella, Calif., vs. Rolando Reyes, Oxnard, Calif., 10, lightweights. At Tamaulipas, Mexico, Edgar Sosa, Mexico, vs. Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym, Thailand, 12, for Sosa’s WBC light flyweight title. April 10 At Donetsk, Ukraine, Yuriy Nuzhnenko, Ukraine, vs. Vyacheslav Senchenko, Ukraine, 12, for the WBA welterweight title. At Desert Diamond Casino, Tucson, Ariz. (ESPN2), David Lopez, Mexico, vs. Hector Sanchez, Puerto Rico, 10, junior welterweights. At Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, Calif., Julio Diaz, Coachella, Calif., vs. Michael Katsidis, Australia, 10, cruiserweights.

Transactions BASEBALL American League DETROIT TIGERS—Assigned INF Mike Hessman and OF Brent Clevlen outright to Toldeo (IL). NEW YORK YANKEES—Announced INF Reegie Corona was accepted back from Seattle and assigned to Trenton (EL). SEATTLE MARINERS—Placed OF Ichiro Suzuki on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 31. TAMPA BAY RAYS—Released RHP Chris Kelly and RHP Travis Risser. National League MILWAUKEE BREWERS—Assigned OF Tony Gwynn outright to Nashville (PCL). Claimed 1B Joe Koshansky off waivers from Texas and optioned to Nashville. Released INF Mike Lamb. PITTSBURGH PIRATES—Optioned RHP Evan Meek to Indianapolis (IL). Placed LHP Phil Dumatrait on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 27. WASHINGTON NATIONALS—Assigned INF Kory Casto and LHP Mike O’Connor outright to Syracuse (IL). Placed RHP Terrell Young on the 15-day DL, retroactive to March 27. American Association EL PASO DIABLOS—Traded INF Matt Imwalle and RHP Maximino De La Cruz to Laredo (UL) to complete an earlier trade. GRAND PRAIRIE AIRHOGS—Signed RHP Steve MacFarland. PENSACOLA PELICANS—Signed RHP Jody Finch. ST. PAUL SAINTS—Signed INF Ole Sheldon. Traded the rights to RHP Dustin Cameron to Fort Worth for INF Nilson Teilon and cash. WICHITA WINGNUTS—Signed C Joe Muich and OF Nicholas Blasi. Atlantic League LONG ISLAND DUCKS—Signed INF Ron Davenport. Can-Am League BROCKTON ROX—Released INF Eugene Julien. NEW HAMPSHIRE AMERICAN DEFENDERS—Released C Chris Torres and INF Bryan Duplissie. SUSSEX SKYHAWKS—Released C Wiki Gonzalez. BASKETBALL National Basketball Association TORONTO RAPTORS—Signed G Quincy Douby to a second 10-day contract. Assigned F-C Nathan Jawai to Idaho (NBADL). FOOTBALL Canadian Football League WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS—Released RB Rodney Kinlaw. HOCKEY National Hockey League CALGARY FLAMES—Recalled D John Negrin and D Matt Pelech from Quad City (AHL). CHICAGO BLACK HAWKS—Assigned RW Akim Aliu to Rockford (AHL). COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS—Activated LW Jason Chimera from injured reserve. LOS ANGELES KINGS—Signed free agent F Patrick Mullen to a two-year contract. NEW YORK RANGERS—Assigned D Corey Potter to Hartford (AHL). American Hockey League NORFOLK ADMIRALS—Signed LW Brandon Buck. SAN ANTONIO RAMPAGE—Signed RW Jared Staal. SOCCER Major League Soccer FC DALLAS—Signed F-MF Alvaro Sanchez. LOS ANGELES GALAXY—Signed D Gregg Berhalter. NEW YORK RED BULLS—Waived Forward Oscar Echeverry. COLLEGE GEORGIA—Named Mark Fox men’s basketball coach.

HONORS | Continued from Page 1B panel that selects the weekly Top 25. Tyler Hansbrough of North Carolina, last season’s player of the year as a junior, and Pittsburgh sophomore DeJuan Blair both got two votes in the balloting done before the NCAA tournament, while Ty Lawson of North Carolina received one vote.

Capel agreed when asked if Griffin could be considered a throwback player because of the way he plays, but he’s very much a modern player, too. “You can look at him as the kind of prototypical power forward in today’s game with his ability to handle the ball,

pass, do those things,” Capel said. “Some of the throwbacks were just power, they were just strong. He embodies that, but he’s incredibly skilled; as he moves forward with his career you’ll see those things in his game. I’ve said this and, not to put any pressure on him, but when

Blake makes the jump to the NBA he’ll be a better pro than he was a college player. He’ll continue to get better. He’s only 20, and I know how hard he works.” Self called his team’s ability to finish 142 and win the Big 12 title “unbelievable.” “I really think after winning at Baylor

and then at Kansas State, I thought we could jack around and win the league,” he said. “It probably wasn’t until the first of February that I thought we had a good team. I would have sold out for getting in the tournament, then we win the league.” The Jayhawks finished 27-8 and

BURRESS | Continued from Page 1B the roster who might fill that role is Mario Manningham, a second-year player out of Michigan who did little in an injuryplagued rookie season. Steve Smith and Domenik Hixon have shown the ability to be a deep threat on occasion, but neither is as consistent as Burress at stretching a defense. Burress caught 344 passes with the Giants, which places him 12th on the franchise’s career list, one catch ahead of Earnest Gray and three behind Aaron Thomas. Burress had 3,681 receiving yards and caught 33 touchdown passes for the Giants.

Burress’ Giants teammates had been supportive about his possible return. The Giants lost four of their final five games after Burress was suspended and placed on the non-football injury list, meaning he also could not appear in the playoffs. The Giants finished 12-5, losing at home in the playoffs to the Philadelphia Eagles. New York lost four of its final five games without Burress, who provided the Giants with their lone deep threat. “Plaxico’s contribution to our championship season in 2007 can never be underestimated or undervalued,” coach Tom

Coughlin said. “He displayed tremendous determination throughout that season. Having said that, I have always been as concerned about Plaxico as a man as I have been about him as a player, and my hope is that everything that has happened over the past several months represents a turning point. “He is a young man with a family who has a whole lifetime ahead of him, and I personally wish him and his family well.” The Giants signed Burress to a fiveyear, $35 million contract extension in September. The team failed to play a $1 million signing after the shooting and the

NFL Players Association filed a grievance on the player’s behalf. The grievance, which contests whether teams can withhold guaranteed salaries and bonus money from players because of off the field conduct, was heard earlier this week by a special master, Stephen Burbank at the University of Pennsylvania law school. His ruling is expected within a week. Burress had caught a pass in 115 consecutive games, including 56 with the Giants, until he was shut out at Arizona on Nov. 23, his last game before the shooting

incident. Burress started but left that game after one series with a hamstring injury and did not return. Burress’ 23 postseason catches with the Giants leave him fifth on the team’s career list and his 310 postseason yards place him third. He had 35 passes for 454 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games last season. His last Giants’ reception was an 11yarder late in the second quarter in a victory over Baltimore on Nov. 16. Burress joined the Giants as an unrestricted free agent March 2005.

of eight brand-new courts. In the past they were forced to practice on two concrete courts surrounded by chicken wire. “I really see that our strokes, volleys and serves keep improving,” Alvarez said. The new courts saw an increase in the number of students joining the team. “I guess if you built it they will come,” Alvarez said. “Kids got excited about ten-

nis when they saw the new courts built.” The Hawks had 58 athletes join this year, numbers that most 5As would salivate over. Alvarez also had a hand in the start of the middle school program that saw more than 50 athletes come out for tennis. The seventh grade team won the district championship and the eighth grade team, likewise, did well.

He said his duty for the sport is very much business-oriented. He markets and sells. He networks. He gains sponsorships. And he also manages to be one of the sport’s bright stars as well, aided by the versatile talents of Despain. “We’re very lucky for the internet because that has helped a lot,” Ponce said in regard to marketing his team and sport. “Our Web site (www.gtorocksracing.com), at the least, gets 5,000 hits a month. When it comes closer to actual events, it more than doubles.

“All I’m doing is trying to get things together and continue building off that.” Ponce and Despain work tirelessly to attend every race they can. They do so in large part because of pride from where they came from and where they believe they can go. “People don’t associate Mexico and rock racing together,” Ponce said. “But that’s what we’re trying to disprove. We’re going places and we’re trying our best to show that Mexicans can compete in the sport.” For more on Ponce’s team and their sports, visit www.gtorocksracing.com.

TENNIS | Continued from Page 1B Gabriela Molina and sophomore Cristina Mendoza, seeded fourth. The second doubles team is comprised of seniors Gabriela Nuñez and Janette Dominguez. Sophomores Javier Zapata and Isabella Martinez, in addition to sophomore Eliseo Solis and freshmen Clarissa Bayarena, will lead the mixed doubles teams.

Alvarez pieced together a tough 3A pre-season schedule playing in a majority of 5A tournaments in order to prepare for the district meet. The Hawks started at the Border Olympic tournament, then played in two UISD tournaments. They also saw some action at the LISD tournament. Zapata also played in the Hebbronville and the 78th Falfurrias Hearts of Delight

Tournament. In their final tune up before district, the Hawks played in the South Region 3A team tennis tournament in Harlingen, placing second.

The early years Alvarez and the Hawks tennis team were excited this year due to the addition

RACING | Continued from Page 1B Ultimately, Ponce said, the race will serve as nothing more than a tune-up and an opportunity to network before the International Rally Nations race in Guanajuato, Mexico, on July 9-12, where 300,000-plus fans and spectators are expected to attend. “This (Spring) race is just for us to network and be a part of,” Ponce said. “It’s to make some noise and get our name out there. We have a bigger (race) coming up, and that’s the real deal.” Ponce and Despain compete against racers from all over the world, including

Norway, Mexico and Venezuela. Their purpose is to promote the sport and the WRC. “WRC is to Europe what NASCAR is to the (United) States,” Despain said. “It’s huge. You can get as many as 58,000 people at these events.” The GTO team is based in Guanajuato, and Ponce said Mexico has quickly embraced the sport. “It’s amazing and it’s such a thrill,” he said. “You can get tons and tons of people at these events; people with cameras who are too close to the action while the rigs are racing. Sometimes you hear a

“thud,” and that’s from somebody getting hit because they were so close to the action. “But, hey, that’s Mexico for you. There are rules and regulations to where to stand or be, but they don’t care.” But while the sport is built upon its adrenaline rush, the downside is that the financial reward is not sufficient. Both Ponce and Despain hold side jobs, and, at 36 years old, Ponce said he might be out of the sport in five years should he choose to start a family with his girlfriend, whom he met while racing in Guanajuato.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3B

HINTS BY HELOISE Dear Heloise: I enjoy reading your column in the (San Angelo, Texas) Standard-Times. Here is another suggestion for the CATLITTER BUCKETS. I use one under the kitchen sink to collect recyclables: tin and aluminum cans, plastic drink bottles and glass containers. When full, I carry the HELOISE bucket to the garage to separate the contents into larger containers. Thanks for all you do to make our lives less complicated. — Mary Allen, San Angelo, Texas Good hint, Mary! Here is another hint, from Rachel M.: “I did not like seeing the large product labels on the cat-litter tubs, so I purchased some very inexpensive self-sticking shelf liner and covered all the labels. The tubs now look much more attractive and can be used anywhere in the house. I made my own labels for each tub — one to store the bag of dog food, one for pet supplies and one for cleaning supplies. “I also use the plain tubs outside for gardening tools, potting soil and as a small trash can while I prune my roses. The tubs come in very handy, and they stack well, too!” — Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: Shirley Jackson of Springfield, Ohio, sent a photo of her black-and-white cat, Dolly, doing her best to hide behind a curtain, although her black tail gives her away! She has been in the household for eight years, and Shirley said that Dolly is a sweet and gentle cat and that she is her precious companion. Visit www.Heloise.com to see Dolly’s tail! — Heloise NO MORE SCRATCHES Dear Heloise: Trying to keep a sheet or blanket to cover our leather cou ch from scratches from our pets was just about impossible. Then I tried putting a nonslip rug mat under the blanket. No more slipping and sliding. — Jeanne, Bedford, N.H. PETTING AN ANIMAL Dear Heloise: Each Saturday, I read your pet hints. With spring on the way, reminders need to be given to pet owners and nonowners alike. More dog owners will be out walking their dogs. It is important for everyone to remember not to pet a dog without the owner’s permission. How do you know if that dog is friendly or not? Breed does not dictate the dog’s personality. Instead of learning the hard way, just ask. Also, to fellow dog walkers out there, clean up after your dog. No one likes to see the “gifts” your dog has left. Use those plastic bags from your last shopping trip to clean it up and place it in your garbage can. — Christine McDonald, via e-mail

ADVICE | DEAR ABBY DEAR ABBY: I am an 11year-old with a serious problem. I don’t trust my parents. I doubt I ever will. I just can’t tell them things. I end up praying to my dead grandpa — that’s OK, but he doesn’t give me any answers. I trust my sister more than I could ever trust Mom or Dad. It feels wrong sometimes. I don’t like to be around people. I have no way of knowing whether I can trust them. There is part of my life that only my sister knows about. I feel bad about not trusting my parents. Is there any solution to this problem? Should I talk to them about it? — NO TRUST IN PLANO, TEXAS DEAR NO TRUST: I am concerned for you, and I hope you will take what I say seriously. Your parents brought you into this world and are there to protect you. Confiding in your sister is a good thing, but if you are in trouble — and I suspect you may be — she may not be experienced enough to give you the guidance you need. If you want things to get better, it is very important that you tell your parents or some other adult who is close to you — a relative or school counselor — what has caused you to lose trust in people. That in itself will be a giant first step in solving your problem because you need more help than you can get in a letter. DEAR ABBY: I was recently given a gift that I have reason to believe was made from stolen materials, on company premises, using stolen time. The item is of a religious nature, although the business itself is in

the field of manufacturing. At any rate, I’m at a loss as to what to do with the gift. I do not feel comfortable keeping it, but for reasons of family harmony cannot return it. Any suggestions? — ROLE MODEL IN PENNSYLVANIA DEAR ROLE MODEL: In a non-confrontational way, ask the person who gave you the gift how it was made or acquired. Then, if you feel you have accepted stolen property, return it to the giver and explain why. By doing so you will demonstrate that you don’t give in to temptation when presented with an ethical challenge, and it may be an important lesson to someone who may need to hear it. DEAR ABBY: My older brother moved from the East Coast to Wyoming 20 years ago, which put him in a different time zone — two hours behind me. He died in June of last year. I am planning to get a tattoo memorializing the date and time of my brother’s passing, but have reached a dilemma. My brother died June 12 at 11 p.m. in Wyoming, but it was 1 a.m. June 13 here in Connecticut. Which date should I use? I have asked friends who say I should go with what feels right to me, but others have told me to use the date on his death certificate. Which is correct? — DAY LATE AND TWO HOURS SHORT DEAR DAY LATE: The date on your brother’s death certificate. However, tattoos are very personal, and if you choose to use the time and date in Connecticut of his passing, no one should criticize you for it.

DILBERT

BLONDIE

Zclassified REAL ESTATE

CONDOS FOR SALE 64

ACREAGE FOR SALE 76

1 Condo $60,000 OBO

2 half acres for sale. Off

Must Sell, Moving Out, negotiable, 2bd/1.5ba, 2803 Bayard. Brand new, south Laredo. For sale by owner.

HWY 59 Rancho Las Lomas. $10,000 ea. Call:(956)319-7026; (956)645-0772

Call Dr. Rendon 011-52-867-714-1502 or 956-333-0122

HOMES FOR SALE

House for Sale by owner, 1509 Sarazen (Plantation) 3bd/2.5ba. 2,477 SqFt per WCAD. $275,500 www.buymyhouselaredo.com Please Call for an appt. 956-723-9705 Insurance case, fire damage, 3bd/2ba, buy for the price of the lot, 60k. 4601 Retama Dr.

(956)206-1091 Negotiable, 2922 Hemingway (Alexander) 4/2/2, w/ heated pool. Granite, new S.S. appliances, his/hers walk-in closets. $229,000 .Serious inq. only! Call:(956) 220-3450

North Laredo, over 2,400sqft., 3bd/2.5ba/2cg, $236,500. Great deal!

Call:(956)401-0259

North gated condo for sale, 2/2, must sell. $87,000 obo. Won’t last Call:(956)251-8494

MOBILE HOMES FOR SALE 67

11.5 acres, mile 18 hwy 35, in Bonanza Hills sbdvn. Next to Los Botines, $10,000 per acre. (956)220-9010

10ac. Las Lomas Fenced HWY 59 $8000 p/ac 712-4205; 774-6976

1983 mobile home, 14x80, 3bd/2ba, good condition, CAH, $10,000 obo. Call(956)791-6873

LOTS FOR SALE

5 acre tract, frontage on Casa Verde Rd. $200,000 per acre. Contact (956)725-6641

Lot for sale, 8915 Peak Drive, behind Shiloh Dr. 60 x 108, 6,480 sqft., $52,000 firm. Call:(956)242-5947

North Laredo. 1.3 Acres on Loop 20 near TAMIU, next to Khaledi Heights on Blue Quail St. $12.50 Per SqFt Neg. Can be sold separately Call 956-333-0122 or 011-52-867-714-1502

QQQ QQQ QQQ

BY PHONE: (956) 728-2527

PETS & SUPPLIES

LIVESTOCK & SUPPLIES 130 Grey Moro 10 years, gentle, black mare, 3 years $1,000 ea. Call:(956)286-8613

PETS & SUPPLIES

128

Blue Heelers, 2.5 months, 3 males, 3 females, 1st shots, de wormed, $125 ea. 237-2630 For sale, pure breed German Shepards, 6 wks, 1st shots, dewormed, 2/m, 1/f $300 Call 337-6757 parents present Malti-poo puppies, 1male, 1 female, $200 call Lily at 956-763-8294

Mini Schnauzer Puppies M & F, tails docked, dewclawed, s/w, 1st shots, 6 wks. $300. (956)774-2091; (956)645-7290 POODLES 5 wks, 1m, 1f, $80ea. Call 723-3250; 236-5904 Pure Boxer puppies x sale $200 Parents on premises at Laredo Call 645-5119 or 220-7206 Se vende perritas, Blue Healers, $125 cada uno. 2915 Chesnut, 333-8836

MISCELLANEOUS

ARTICLES FOR SALE 136 70 boxes: 10 pieces per box Super Saltillo tile. $7ea. box. (956)235-7494

ARTICLES FOR SALE 136 Front doors, 8ft. x 6 ft., fiberglass, dark walnut, used, $400. Call:(956)645-5093 Jump Zone 14-FT Trampoline w/enclosure. less than 1yr old $140. Call 956-763-3869 RCA 52in. T.V. w/cabinet, $500 obo. Call:(956)324-0301 Se urge vender un comedor de madera buenas cond., $200 795-0570

PORTABLE BUILDINGS 150 23 ft., portable, office, mounted on dual axle flatbed. $4,500 Call:(956)723-0060

TRANSPORTATION

A/C unit, GE, 12,500 BTUs, 115 volts, almost new, $225 Call:(956)251-2821

Double stroller $80 Call:725-0106. Girl’s brief 3pks. & Nokia 6500 also available.

CAMPERS & RV’S

191

Ford RV 1972, in good condition, new tires, air condition, gas range, kitchen, shower, toilet, lvn. rm. sleeps two people. $2,500.00 Call:(956)771-5975 Travel trailer, good condition, ready to live in, bath & shower $2,500 obo. Call(956)220-9594

HEAVY EQUIPMENT 192 Doge single cab ‘97, $2,900 obo. Call:(956)857-2644; 857-5207 Gooseneck 2008, 25’+5’, 22,500 lbs., 8 tires, $8,000 firm Call:(956)723-0060 Lrg. towable BBQ Pit, lrg. grill, smoker, $950.00Call:(956)319-0652 Quinceanera dress, size 7, red color. $350 obo. Call:(956)857-2644; 857-5207

Brown plaid queen sofa sleeper,like new $300 (956)718-0023 Comedor con 6 sillas, beige, buenas condiciones, $250. SOLD

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

BOATS

190

2003 Kawasaki STX 1100 Jet ski, $4800, 33 hrs of use, Call 236-6909

Residential, corner lot, 2419 Madison, $35,000 Call:(956)857-2644; 857-5207 Ride-on lawnmower, Craftsman LT 2000, $500 Call:(956)857-2644; 857-5207

HEAVY EQUIPMENT 192

TRUCKS FOR SALE 198

Storage containers, delivered to your ranch, 40ft long. Excellent Cond. $3000 Call 744-5059

Ford F-150 ‘08, FX2 Sport, midnight black, int & ext., lthr. int., lots of extras. TAKE OVER PYMTS. Call:(956)324-0303

Trailer, 48 feet, good condition, new brakes, $2,500.Call:(956)857-2644; 857-5207

Ford Ranger ‘00, 6cyl., auto, 65k miles, $4,250 obo. Call:(956)319-0652

Trailita 2006, 16 feet with plates, $1,000. Call:(956)857-2644; 857-5207

AUTOMOTIVE PARTS 194 Cadillac ‘86, complete motor & transmission, very good condition, $1,100 obo. Call:(956)740-5178

TRUCKS FOR SALE 198 Chevy Trailblazer ‘06, a/c, low mi., all pwr., excellent condition. $7,300. Call:(956)235-3695 Ford Expedition ‘97,85k original miles, 1 owner, AM/FM Cassette, 5 CD changer,dual a/c,Good condition, $4,000 obo.2208 Blaine.727-0071 Ford F-150 ‘03, ext. cab, all pwr., a/c, 4x4, low mi., excellent condition, $7,250 Call:(956)235-3695

Ford Sport Trac ‘04, good condition, a/c, $9,500 obo. Call:(956)771-0238 Ford Windstar ‘00, 5drs, dual a/c, blue title, 116k mi.,Excellent cond., $3,500 obo. Call 242-3818; 725-0131 Tahoe 2000, white, leather, register in Texas, $6,000 USD (956)235-7878 / ID 145*3*44079

CARS FOR SALE

200

‘02 Infiniti G20, 4CYL., 84K MI. all power, sunroof, rims leather, cassette/cd, heated seats, $6,225. 725-9376 235-5216 Ford Mustang ‘07, blue title, $12,900 obo. Call:(956)235-5105. Mitsubishi Diamante ‘92, gold, needs work, $1,800 obo. 956-337-5527

4B | THE ZAPATA TIMES

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009

<DATE>

LAREDO MORNING TIMES | 1B

REAL ESTATE

CONDOS FOR SALE 64

ACREAGE FOR SALE 76

1 Condo $60,000 OBO

2 half acres for sale. Off

Must Sell, Moving Out, negotiable, 2bd/1.5ba, 2803 Bayard. Brand new, south Laredo. For sale by owner.

HWY 59 Rancho Las Lomas. $10,000 ea. Call:(956)319-7026; (956)645-0772

Call Dr. Rendon 011-52-867-714-1502 or 956-333-0122

HOMES FOR SALE

(956)206-1091 Negotiable, 2922 Hemingway (Alexander) 4/2/2, w/ heated pool. Granite, new S.S. appliances, his/hers walk-in closets. $229,000 .Serious inq. only! Call:(956) 220-3450

North Laredo, over 2,400sqft., 3bd/2.5ba/2cg, $236,500. Great deal!

Call:(956)401-0259

North gated condo for sale, 2/2, must sell. $87,000 obo. Won’t last Call:(956)251-8494

MOBILE HOMES FOR SALE 67

11.5 acres, mile 18 hwy 35, in Bonanza Hills sbdvn. Next to Los Botines, $10,000 per acre. (956)220-9010

10ac. Las Lomas Fenced HWY 59 $8000 p/ac 712-4205; 774-6976

1983 mobile home, 14x80, 3bd/2ba, good condition, CAH, $10,000 obo. Call(956)791-6873

LOTS FOR SALE

5 acre tract, frontage on Casa Verde Rd. $200,000 per acre. Contact (956)725-6641

Lot for sale, 8915 Peak Drive, behind Shiloh Dr. 60 x 108, 6,480 sqft., $52,000 firm. Call:(956)242-5947

North Laredo. 1.3 Acres on Loop 20 near TAMIU, next to Khaledi Heights on Blue Quail St. $12.50 Per SqFt Neg. Can be sold separately Call 956-333-0122 or 011-52-867-714-1502

;;;;; QQQQQ ;;;;; QQQQQ ;;;;; QQQQQ ;;;;; QQQQQ

PETS & SUPPLIES

LIVESTOCK & SUPPLIES 130 Grey Moro 10 years, gentle, black mare, 3 years $1,000 ea. Call:(956)286-8613

PETS & SUPPLIES

128

MISCELLANEOUS

ARTICLES FOR SALE 136 70 boxes: 10 pieces per box Super Saltillo tile. $7ea. box. (956)235-7494

PORTABLE BUILDINGS 150 23 ft., portable, office, mounted on dual axle flatbed. $4,500 Call:(956)723-0060

TRANSPORTATION

A/C unit, GE, 12,500 BTUs, 115 volts, almost new, $225 Call:(956)251-2821

Double stroller $80 Call:725-0106. Girl’s brief 3pks. & Nokia 6500 also available.

191

Brown plaid queen sofa sleeper,like new $300 (956)718-0023 Comedor con 6 sillas, beige, buenas condiciones, $250. SOLD

CAMPERS & RV’S

BOATS

190

2003 Kawasaki STX 1100 Jet ski, $4800, 33 hrs of use, Call 236-6909

Residential, corner lot, 2419 Madison, $35,000 Call:(956)857-2644; 857-5207 Ride-on lawnmower, Craftsman LT 2000, $500 Call:(956)857-2644; 857-5207

HEAVY EQUIPMENT 192

TRUCKS FOR SALE 198

Storage containers, delivered to your ranch, 40ft long. Excellent Cond. $3000 Call 744-5059

Ford F-150 ‘08, FX2 Sport, midnight black, int & ext., lthr. int., lots of extras. TAKE OVER PYMTS. Call:(956)324-0303

Trailer, 48 feet, good condition, new brakes, $2,500.Call:(956)857-2644; 857-5207

Ford Ranger ‘00, 6cyl., auto, 65k miles, $4,250 obo. Call:(956)319-0652

Trailita 2006, 16 feet with plates, $1,000. Call:(956)857-2644; 857-5207

AUTOMOTIVE PARTS 194 Cadillac ‘86, complete motor & transmission, very good condition, $1,100 obo. Call:(956)740-5178

CARS FOR SALE

200

‘02 Infiniti G20, 4CYL., 84K MI., all power, sunroof, rims, leather, cassette/cd, heated seats, $6,225. 725-9376; 235-5216 Ford Mustang ‘07, blue title, $12,900 obo. Call:(956)235-5105. Mitsubishi Diamante ‘92, gold, needs work, $1,800 obo. 956-337-5527