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HISTORY

BUDGET

Tejanos get place at Capitol

Officials facing cuts

By JULIETA CHIQUILLO LAREDO MORNING TIMES

After populating Texas since the late 1600s, Tejanos will finally be cementing their place at the Texas Capitol among the heroes of The Alamo, firefighters, rangers and military veterans. Gov. Rick Perry on Friday signed House Bill 4114, authorizing the construction of the Tejano Monument, which pays homage to the legacy of Tejanos, the descendents of Spanish and Mexican HINOJOSA families that began settling in Texas around 1680. El Tejano Monument, designed by 64-year-old Laredoan artist Armando Hinojosa, will be located on the southeast corner of the capitol’s 22-acre grounds, the largest of the 32 monuments there.

By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES

Zapata County officials face an almost one-third reduction in income for the new budget year, which starts Oct. 1. May 12, 13 and 14, county elected offices, appointed officials and other county agencies submitted their Fiscal Year 2010 budgetary requests to County Auditor Doroteo Garza. According to Garza, next year the county will be working with 25 to 30 percent less money coming in from property valuations. The 2008-2009 budget was about $25

million. Because of this, Zapata County Judge Rosalva Guerra asked everyone submitting budgets to be as frugal as possible. “No one is starting new projects. Everyone is goVELA ing to stay where they are now,” Garza said. “We will definitely have a balanced budget.” In addition to not starting new projects, commissioners are also looking at current pet projects they feel can be held for a couple of years.

Pct. 1 Commissioner Jose Vela, who submitted a budget that is 50 percent less than the budget he submitted last year, said he has not included some items because he knows the county cannot afford them. “I was hoping to have the (Romeo Flores) park done by now, but we have only completed phase 1, the swimming pool,” Vela said. According to Vela the park is 37 acres. He eventually would like to have every inch of the park completed for use.

See COUNTY | PAGE 10A

WOMAN LIVES HER DREAM

Monument’s advocates Renato Ramirez, president of the International Bank of Commerce-Zapata and one of the monument’s staunchest advocates, said Texas history as presented by the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and history textbooks takes people back to the 1830s, instead of the late 1600s, when Spanish and Mexican settlers began populating the area. “We see John Wayne, and rawhide, and the Anglos are always cowboys — that is not true,” Ramirez said. The cowboy culture — from chaps to saddle horns to the rodeo — has its roots with the Hispanic culture, and the monument aims to represent that contribution, Ramirez said. The $1.6 million proposed monument would feature a granite base on which would sit bronze, life-sized figures iconic of the Tejano lifestyle: a small boy with a goat; a girl with a lamb getting

See MONUMENT | PAGE 10A

ENVIRONMENT

Group eyes clean land, river By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES

With the intention of environmental conservation and waste management along the border, Zapata County Judge Rosalva Guerra attended the Falcon Task Force Waste and Water meeting in Laredo on Thursday. The task force brings together areas in South Texas and parts of Mexico to collaborate and share ideas on how to best preserve the environment in the area. GUERRA “The goal is to reduce water, land and air contamination along the border,” said Guerra, who is a co-chair of the task force. The Falcon Task Force Waste and Water is just one entity that makes up The Border 2012 Project, a forum where environmental programs and ideas are discussed openly between Mexico and the U.S.

Environmental concern “It has been going on for about 10 years,” said Gina Weber, Environmental Protection Agency associate director for the U.S. and Mexico Border Program. “(The program) address the environmental concern along the border and is constantly evolving.” Thursday, Guerra, along with representatives from Mexico and other cities around South Texas, discussed border environmental priorities and were informed of grants available through the EPA. According to Weber, $1 million in grant money will be awarded to nonprofit organizations that apply with the most interesting proposals.

See TASK | PAGE 10A

Photo by Cuate Santos | Laredo Morning Times

Zapata County Fire Chief Juan J. Meza and Fire fighter/EMT Gabriela "Gaby" Gonzalez show the department's new ambulance Friday, May 15, at the Zapata Fire Station.

Gonzalez knew at 5 she wanted to be a firefighter By TARYN WHITE THE ZAPATA TIMES

ver since she was a little girl Gabriela Gonzalez, 25, knew she wanted to be a firefighter. Now, years later, not only has she fulfilled her dream, but she also has the honor of being the Zapata County Fire Department’s first female firefighter. “She is doing a tremendous job. She is equal to all of the other firefighters,” said Fire Chief J.J. Meza. “Just like everyone else she went through he academy, which is really hard work.”

Gonzalez comes from a long line of firefighters with both her grandfather and father working for the Zapata fire department. She said when she was growing up she would watch what they did and knew she wanted to follow in their footsteps. “I remember telling them that I was going to be a firefighter. I was so happy when I was offered the chance to go to the academy,” Gonzalez said. Gonzalez went to the fire academy in Rio Grande City, an experience she said involved hard work, but helped her prove to herself that this is what she is meant

to do. “I thought I would drag the whole time I was there, but I kept up with all of the guys,” Gonzalez said. “I did a lot better with all the physical stuff than I thought I would.” In December 2005, Gonzalez graduated from the fire academy and joined the ranks of the Zapata County firefighters. “I think my dad was hesitant at first because he didn’t know how the guys would treat me,” Gonzalez said. “But I am treated just like any other firefighter, and

See GONZALEZ | PAGE 10A

RECREATION

Bike race is about ready to roll By DIANA R. FUENTES THE ZAPATA TIMES

This year’s Zapata-Laredo Fun Race is Sunday, and the popular fundraiser could attract as many as 200 cyclists. It’s a 42-mile ride from the Zapata County Fairgrounds to LBJ High School, through the spare South Texas landscape, on what’s expected to be a fairly cool morning with temperatures in the 70s. “Some people race, some do it just for the ride,” said Mike Doyle, owner of Pro Bike in Laredo, the event’s organizer. “It’s extremely fun. We have a dead tailwind — it’s pushing you all the way from Zapata.

The ride is 20 percent faster than usual. For a long-distance rider, that’s a lot.” All profits from the race will go to Casa La Esperanza Crisis Pregnancy Center.

Fourth year This is the fourth year for the resurrected race, which was popular in the 1980s. “It just sort of faded. Nobody wanted to take the time to put it together,” Doyle said. “We revived the race for our 20th anniversary. Now that we’re doing it, we plan to do it every year.” The race starts at 8 a.m., and the firstplace rider is expected to cross the finish

line at about 9:15 a.m. Groups leave two minutes apart from the starting point. Registration is $25 if you do it today at the Pro Bike Shop, 5603 San Dario, in Laredo from 10 a.m.–6:30 p.m. Otherwise, it’s $35 the day of the race between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. Last year, there were 176 participants, including dozens from out of town. “We hope to have more this year,” Doyle said. “We’ll have three water stops, with fruit and water.” Pro Bike personnel will be available along the route to provide roadside bicycle

See RACE | PAGE 10A

PAGE 2A

Zin brief

CALENDAR

SATURDAY,MAY 30,2009

TODAY IN HISTORY

AROUND TEXAS

Associated Press

MONDAY,JUNE 1 The Olga V Figueroa Zapata County Public Library in association with the Archives Commission is sponsoring the 2009 Texas Reading Club this summer and this year’s theme is ‘Deep in the Heart of Texas.’ The program aims to promote reading as a leisure activity while stimulating creativity and encourage children to use library resources. The program begins today and will run through out the summer. For more information please call 765-8504.

TUESDAY,JUNE 2 The Zapata County Community mobile dental van program will be offering their services everyTuesday and Wednesday for this summer at the Zapata ISD located between Zapata Middle School and A.L. Benavides Elementary school parking area. For more information please call Sonia Perez at 523-7517 or 2299830.

THURSDAY,JUNE 4 The Zapata County Community mobile dental van program will be offering their services everyTuesday and Wednesday for this summer at the Zapata ISD located between Zapata Middle School and A.L. Benavides Elementary school parking area. For more information please call Sonia Perez at 523-7517 or 2299830.

FRIDAY,JUNE 5 The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus comes to Laredo today with a show starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Laredo Entertainment Center. Tickets are $12.25, $14.25 and $18.25,with a limited number of $28.25 VIP floor seats, and can be purchased at The LEC box office, www.ringling.com and Ticketmaster outlets, including H-E-B and Macy’s

SATURDAY,JUNE 6 The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus comes to Laredo today with two shows begining at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Laredo Entertainment Center. Tickets are $12.25, $14.25 and $18.25, with a limited number of $28.25 VIP floor seats, and can be purchased at The LEC box office,www.ringling.com and Ticketmaster outlets, including H-EB and Macy’s

SUNDAY,JUNE 7 The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus comes to Laredo today with a show starting at 2:30 p.m. at the Laredo Entertainment Center. Tickets are $12.25, $14.25 and $18.25,with a limited number of $28.25 VIP floor seats, and can be purchased at The LEC box office, www.ringling.com and Ticketmaster outlets, including H-E-B and Macy’s

Photo by Mike Stone | AP

Southwest Airlines Chief Executive Gary Kelly speaks at the annual shareholders meeting at their Dallas headquarters, on Wednesday. Kelly said traffic in May is “very soft’” and blamed the swine flu outbreak that made some travelers nervous about getting on a plane.

Southwest to let pets onboard By DAVID KOENIG ASSOCIATED PRESS

DALLAS — Southwest Airlines Co., which has bashed competitors for charging fees, said Friday it will add new fees for passengers who bring small pets onboard and for unaccompanied minors. It will also raise the charge for checking a third piece of luggage or an overweight bag. Other airlines have raised hundreds of millions of dollars since last year with new fees that include charges for checking one or two pieces of luggage and talking to reservations agents on the phone. Southwest fired back by spending heavily on television commercials that blasted other airlines for charging “hidden fees.” Southwest officials said they were winning cus-

Senate OKs more state school safety

Committee eyes insurance reform

Bills may help keep innocents out of jail

AUSTIN — The Texas Senate on Friday gave final approval to improving security and oversight of the state’s large institutions for the mentally disabled, which have been hit with allegations of widespread abuse and neglect. The unanimous vote sends the bill to Gov. Rick Perry, who had declared fixing problems at the state schools a top priority of the legislative session.

AUSTIN — The Texas House has called for a conference committee to hammer out windstorm insurance reform legislation with senators. House lawmakers sent the measure to a negotiation committee on Friday. Reforming the windstorm insurance fund was one of several key pieces of legislation jeopardized by a stalemate in the House during Memorial Day weekend.

AUSTIN — With the legislative session grinding toward its conclusion, criminal justice advocates tried to rally support Friday for bills they say will help keep innocent people out of prison. Gov. Rick Perry has already signed into law a boost in compensation for people who have been convicted and sent to prison for crimes they didn’t commit. The session ends Monday. — Compiled from AP reports

AROUND THE NATION

FRIDAY,JUNE 19 The Relay for Life will be held today at the Osvaldo and Juanita Ramirez Showbarn at the Zapata County Fair Grounds. The event will be overnight,starting today at 7 p.m. lasting until June 20 at 7 a.m. Mrs. Magda Gonzalez Flores will be this years honoree chair person.For more information call Liza Roberts 7640418 or the American Cancer Society office 956-723-9682.

WEDNESDAY,AUGUST 5 The AgriLIFE Extension in cooperation with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association presents: How the New Law Affects Ranch Estate Planning, a seminar which will be held today at the College Station Conference Center in College Station, Texas. The seminar will last from 1-5 p.m. and participants will diuscuss basic Estate planning devices, with Dr. Wayne A. Hayenga serving as special guest speaker. This seminar is offered to provide participants enough information on tax and estate planning matters to help them make difficult estate plannin decisions. A registration fee of $125 is required to attend the seminar. To register please contact Connie at 979-845-2226 or csmotek@tamiu.edu.

tomers turned off by the new bag fees. On Friday, Southwest officials defended their own new fees, which Chief Executive Gary Kelly called “just the starting point” for more changes later this year. “It is always our goal to be upfront with our customers and to set the right customer expectations,” Kelly said. “Our changes today associate a charge for items that are truly an extra service.” Southwest has lost money the last three quarters, and it has joined all other airlines in searching for new revenue, a job made more difficult by a downturn in travel during the recession. Southwest already charges for checking three or more pieces of luggage and for cocktails, and it is testing onboard Internet access for a fee.

GM puts more pieces in order DETROIT — The speed at which General Motors Corp. exits bankruptcy protection will depend a lot on the shape the company is in when it enters. GM has three more days to tidy up. Bankruptcy experts say the more operational, labor and financial concessions the automaker gets lined up in advance of its likely Chapter 11 reorganization.

Judge to rule by Monday on Chrysler NEW YORK — A bankruptcy judge said Friday that he will rule by Monday on whether Chrysler LLC can go forward with its plan sell most of the company to Italy’s Fiat, toward its goal of a speedy exit from Chapter 11. U.S. Judge Arthur Gonzalez’s ruling will likely come on the same day that General Motors Corp. is expected to file for bankruptcy protection.

Photo by Steve Helber | AP

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, left, listens as Virginia gubernatorial hopeful, former Attorney General Bob McDonnell, right, speaks during a news conference in Richmond, Va., on Friday. Romney says this fall’s elections of governors in Virginia and New Jersey are where the GOP will find its voice again.

Economy’s tumble not as bad as feared WASHINGTON — The economy took a steep tumble at the start of this year, though it may not turn out to be quite as grim

as the government first thought. The Commerce Department is set to release a report Friday that’s expected to show the economy shrank at an annualized rate of 5.5 percent from January to March. — Compiled from AP reports

THURSDAY,AUGUST 6 The AgriLIFE Extension in cooperation with the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association presents: How the New Law Affects Ranch Estate Planning, a seminar which will be held today at the College Station Conference Center in College Station, Texas. The seminar will last from 9 a.m.to 4 p.m.with lunch to be served at noon.Dr.Wayne A.Hayenga will serve as special guest speaker.A registration fee of $125 is requiredto attend.To register please To register please contact Connie at 979-8452226 or csmotek@tamiu.edu.

Today is Saturday, May 30, the 150th day of 2009. There are 215 days left in the year. Today’s Highlight in History: On May 30, 1431, Joan of Arc, condemned as a heretic, was burned at the stake in Rouen, France. On this date: In 1854, the territories of Nebraska and Kansas were established. In 1909, the “king of swing,” Benny Goodman, was born in Chicago. In 1911, Indianapolis saw its first long-distance auto race; Ray Harroun was the winner. In 1922, the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated in Washington in a ceremony attended by President Warren G. Harding, Chief Justice William Howard Taft and lawyer Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of President Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd. In 1937, 10 people were killed when police fired on steelworkers demonstrating near the Republic Steel plant in South Chicago. In 1959, Louisiana Gov. Earl K. Long was committed to a psychiatric center in Galveston, Texas, after apparently suffering a mental breakdown. In 1971, the American space probe Mariner 9 blasted off from Cape Kennedy, Fla., on a journey to Mars. Ten years ago: Astronauts from the space shuttle Discovery rigged cranes and other tools to the exterior of the international space station during a spacewalk; then, the astronauts entered the orbiting outpost for three days of making repairs and delivering supplies. Kenny Brack won the crash-marred Indianapolis 500, driving a car owned by racing legend A.J. Foyt. Five years ago: Saudi commandos drove al-Qaida militants from a housing complex in the kingdom’s oil hub, ending a shooting and hostage-taking rampage that had left 22 dead, most of them foreigners. Gunmen in Pakistan killed a senior pro-Taliban Sunni cleric (Mufti Nizamuddin Shamzai), sparking riots. Ousted Haitian President JeanBertrand Aristide left Jamaica for South Africa, saying it would be his “temporary home” until he could return to Haiti. Buddy Rice won the Indianapolis 500 in the rain. One year ago: A construction crane snapped and smashed into an apartment building on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, killing two workers in the city’s second such tragedy in 2½ months. Diplomats from 111 nations meeting in Dublin formally adopted a landmark treaty banning cluster bombs. (The United States and other leading cluster bomb makers — Russia, China, Israel, India and Pakistan — boycotted the talks.) Lorenzo Odone, whose parents’ battle to save him from the rare nerve disease ALD inspired “Lorenzo’s Oil,” died in Fairfax, Va., a day after his 30th birthday. Today’s Birthdays: Country musician Johnny Gimble is 83. Actor Clint Walker is 82. Actor Keir Dullea is 73. Actress Ruta Lee is 73. Actor Michael J. Pollard is 70. Rock musician Lenny Davidson (The Dave Clark Five) is 65. Actor Stephen Tobolowsky is 58. Actor Colm Meaney is 56. Actor Ted McGinley is 51. Actor Ralph Carter is 48. Actress Tonya Pinkins is 47. Country singer Wynonna Judd is 45. Rock musician Tom Morello (Audioslave; Rage Against The Machine) is 45. Movie director Antoine Fuqua is 44. Rock musician Patrick Dahlheimer (Live) is 38. Actress Idina Menzel is 38. Actor Trey Parker is 37. Rapper Cee-Lo is 35. Rapper Remy Ma is 29. Actor Blake Bashoff is 28. Christian rock musician James Smith (Underoath) is 27. Thought for Today: “It is impossible to enjoy idling thoroughly unless one has plenty of work to do.” — Jerome K. Jerome, English author and humorist (1859-1927).

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AROUND THE WORLD N.Korea calls U.N. council hypocrites

2 more swine flu deaths in Mexico

YEONPYEONG, South Korea — North Korea defiantly test-fired another short-range missile Friday and warned it would take “self-defense” action if provoked by the U.N. Security Council. The North fired the missile from its Musudan-ni launch site on the east coast, a South Korean government official said.

MEXICO CITY — Mexico is reporting two more deaths from swine flu, bringing the country’s toll to 97. The Health Department says that 5,029 people have been sickened nationwide. That number includes the 97 deaths. Almost three quarters of the people who died had other complications, such as diabetes. — Compiled from AP reports

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

The Zapata Times

PAGE 3A

Zlocal

SATURDAY,MAY 30,2009

Hein brings much experience to education

KIDS STIR UP CREATIVITY

BY DORA MARTINEZ

Veteran educator Teresa Hein, daughter of the late Conrado and Adelaida Hein, graduated from Zapata High School in 1970. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Texas A&I University in Kingsville. Teresa taught for the Zapata County Independent School District from 1974 to 1990. From 1990 to 1994, she worked at the former Laredo State University (now Texas A&M International University), in the College of Education, supervising student teachers.

Courtesy photo/ZSES | Special to the Times

Zapata South Elementary School gifted and talented students in the first through fifth grades recently visited the Young Chef’s Academy in McAllen. Shown left to right are first-grade students Patsy Banda, Noe Ramirez, Jasmine Contreras, Carlos Flores Jr. and Sofia Inez Ramirez.The students prepared their own pizza and explored many topics during their trip in a fun way, including math, science, social studies and reading. GTTeacher Monica Garcia called it “an excellent experience” for all the students.

Much pot confiscated in the area SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Laredo Sector Border Patrol agents seized nearly $200,000 worth of marijuana near Salado Creek earlier this week. Agents responded to a report of suspicious activity along the creek near Zapata on Thursday. During their investigation, agents found four large bundles that contained 249 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of $199,200. The bundles were wrapped in black plastic that was coming off; each bundle was held together with blue ties. The Laredo South station made another seizure Wednesday while patrolling on a ranch south of Laredo. The agents encountered three subjects carrying large bags. When the agents identified themselves, the subjects dropped the bags and jumped into the river. Agents seized the bags that contained marijuana weighing 145.2 pounds with an esti-

mated value of $116,160. Also Wednesday, agents assigned to the Laredo South station responded to reports of suspicious activity near El Cenizo. During the investigation, the agents apprehended two subjects and seized four bundles of marijuana weighing 205.7 pounds with an estimated value of $164,560. A fourth bust was made when Laredo South station agents thwarted a smuggling attempt near the River Hill subdivision. While on patrol, agents observed some subjects emerge from the riverbank carrying large bags. After loading the bags into a waiting pickup, the men fled back across the river. A short time later, agents stopped the truck. They arrested the driver and seized five bundles that contained marijuana weighing 163.5 pounds with an estimated value of $130,800. The marijuana, subjects and vehicles from all four cases were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Her background Hein also has been an assistant principal in Austin and headed the Laredo office of the Brownsville-based ASTEP, a company that offers programs to certify teachers. In that capacity, she worked with school districts in Webb and surrounding counties. Teresa returned to Zapata in 2006. An achiever, Teresa credits her parents for what she has become. She has a special interest in law enforcement since several family members have served in that field. Her father was a wellknown sheriff in Zapata County. Her inspiration for returning to her hometown, where she hopes to leave her legacy, is her late daughter.

COLUMN A drunk driver killed Elsa A. Lopez five years ago.

‘Hawk pride’ “She wanted her daughters to attend Zapata schools,” Teresa recalled, noting her son-in-law, a Border Patrol agent, had been assigned to Zapata at the time. “She wanted them to experience Hawk Pride. She told me that and then she was killed in the accident in February 2004. She was 27 years old. “I kept thinking about her words, thinking about coming back home to leave my legacy here and to finish my career,” Teresa said. So she moved back to Zapata. At first, she was commuted to her job in Laredo. Then she accepted an assistant principal position with Zapata County ISD

A coordinator “They were giving me the opportunity,” she said. “Anything I can do, I want to do to help my community. The community has been very good to me and my family, and I want to give back.” Teresa developed a program with the school district to help at-risk children. She is now coordinator of the Hawk Pride Center, which opened this year under the district’s Compensatory Education Program. “The director of that

program is Suzette Barrera. She has been very supportive and really helped us tremendously,” Teresa said. The center includes students from elementary, middle and high school. One of its purposes is to help modify student behavior in the disciplinary alternative unit. Then there’s the recovery part of the center, which is for any student who is having trouble maintaining a regular school schedule.

The center This year, the center dedicated itself to teen moms. There is a daycare available, where attendants watch the girls’ children so that the girls can progress toward graduation. There’s no question the center has been a success. There are 30 girls in the recovery program, grades 912, and 14 are seniors. Of those, 12 graduated this week. “I think we’ve found the formula,” Teresa said. “The teachers have done a tremendous job in developing individual instruction plans for each student. We’re going to keep working to perfect it.” Congratulations, Teresa. You’re an orgullo of Zapata. (Dora Martinez is a native of Zapata who was publisher of Hispanic News in San Antonio for 21 years. She can be reached at thezapatatimes@att.net)

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Zopinion

PAGE 4A

SATURDAY, MAY 30,2009

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

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

OTHER VIEWS

Be careful what you say - words can hurt ROBERT KELLY-GOSS

LIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Words are powerful. They carry with them a certain sway that on the face of it might not seem that consequential, yet they are more powerful than we know, I think. When I was a boy I could not have entirely understood the power of words. I could not have known that when my mother spoke in that dire manner that she used from time to time, that those words were boring into my subconscious and leaving me with a lasting imprint.

Young artist I remember when I was 8 or so, I had come across a drawing contest at the local magic store. Whoever drew the best horse would win a gift certificate that would allow the winner to shop for magic tricks. I took home the entry form, pulled out a book of horses and sat down with a pencil and a piece of typing paper. Laying out the picture of a horse I would follow, I sketched what I thought was a really fine horse. Yet at the time that I was entering my first drawing contest, what I didn’t understand was that my parents were on the skids and their marriage was just a year from being over and they were stressed. That fact, as I look back on it, combined with my mother’s obsession to have me do the best I could do, resulted in a moment of volatile words that would hang with me for years. When she arrived home that afternoon I ran to her and explained that I was entering the contest. I slid my drawing in front of her, fully anticipating that she would be proud. “It’s not good enough,” she said.

Haunting doubts I was stunned by her words. I was sure beyond all doubt that I had drawn the best horse and would win the contest. “You will not enter this in the contest,” she continued. “Draw another one and we’ll see.” “But this is a great horse!” I insisted. “Besides, I have to have it in before they close.” “If you enter this, you’ll be grounded,” she told me. And when she left the room I crumpled the drawing and threw it on the floor. Those words, when she said it was not good enough, they would haunt me each time I created something new.

Another chance When I was 10 I had an accident and my mouth was wired shut for a time. I missed school and while I was at home I wrote a very short book. It was an adventure story along the lines of “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” I spent an entire week writing it, rewriting and carefully examining it. When my mother read it, she praised it and encouraged me to show it to my English teacher, Mrs. Elder. The day I returned to school I ran into Mrs. Elder on the steps leading to the classroom. “I wrote this story while I was out and I wanted to know if you would read it,” I said, handing her the small manuscript. She quickly thrust the papers back into my hands. “If you think this will make up for the work you missed, you’re mistaken.”

Crushed hopes She walked away and I threw the only copy of that story in the trash bin next to me, angry at her words, her reaction. Both those moments were pivotal for me and stayed with me for a long time. Those words, until I realized I did not have to live by them, were powerful enough to hold me back for some time. Words can be that powerful. (To reach Robert Kelly-Goss, who writes for The Daily Advance in Elizabeth City, N.C., send e-mail to rkellygoss@coxnc.com)

YOUR OPINION Supreme Court nominee Sotomayor shows signs of being ‘judicial activist’and should be rejected (Editor’s note: This letter was first published in Laredo Morning Times on May 28,2009) To the editor: One of the most important foundations that our country is built upon is the concept of blind justice (codified with the 14th amendment to the constitution by Republicans during Civil War reconstruction). With the selection of Ms. Sonia Sotomayor, Obama has appointed a person who does not seek blind justice but instead seeks “social” justice. To easily understand Ms. Sotomayor, let us examine her own words as have been widely reported in which she stated that “…(federal) Court of Appeals is where policy is made.” Ms. Sotomayor can thus be defined as an activist judge who will make law instead of interpreting the law. For example, Ms.

Sotomayor would likely give preference to the background (ie. race, financial status, sex, “minority status” and all of the rest of the liberal speak) of one person over another regardless of what the law states. You might find a person who has influence and wealth not getting a fair shake under the law whether this person is right under the law. By considering the backgrounds of persons, Ms. Sotomayor perverts our judicial system. Blind Justice will no longer be blind, but opened up to the subjective interpretations of Sonia. This is un-American and a threat to our judicial system. She must be opposed and filibustered if need to. Judicial activism is a virus that destroys the social fabric of a Federal Republic system as we have here in America. The con-

cept of the separation of powers is eroded with judicial activism. The executive branch enforces the law, the legislature law makes the law and the courts interpret the law. The courts should not make law such as Rowe v. Wade. Justices to the Supreme Court should also not be reverse racist (see her comments about a Latina and a white guy). This appointment is also a very good illustration into the ideology of Obama and the modern-day Democrat party. Obama and Ms. Sotomayor are both radicals that seek to change the founding principles of America into a new socialist contract, where the social status of an individual is taken up by the government in a judicial or any other type of proceedings. They are in the business of

trying to equalize outcomes with court decisions and/or through government welfare systems of all kinds. (See auto bailouts and the transfer of wealth from the owners of the car companies to the UAW.) In closing, let me say Ms. Sotomayor’s family history is truly an American story. Obama has been apologizing to all the world for America’s past that took place before he assumed office. But does Obama and Ms. Sotomayor not realize that Ms. Sotomayor ascent took place during the Reagan, Bush I, Clinton and Bush II eras? How could this be if America was an evil place prior to the arrival of Obama? How could a “Newyorican Latina” get to where she did in a racist/sexist system? Signed, Omar W. Cantu

Attacks on Sotomayor just political rhetoric; she has earned support from both parties To the editor: With all due respect, I disagree with Mr. Omar W. Cantu’s statement in his letter published May 28, that justice should be blind. Justice by its very definition cannot be blind — impartial, balanced and fair, absolutely — but not blind. In my opinion, life experiences shape our attitude and perception as to how justice is dispensed. To label Judge Sotomayor an “activist judge” shows how easily political party rhetoric can be interpreted as fact simply by its mention in the media. The statement she made “…the federal Court of Appeals is where policy is made” has been take out of context. I encourage folks to consider the question that was asked and the judge’s complete reply and decide if the political hyperbole

surrounding the claim of being an “activist judge” matches reality. Take the time to look it up. Quite frankly, to presume that she would make law instead of interpreting it is naïve. The fact is that law and precedent decide the vast majority of cases that come before a judge. Fundamentally, this is what happens at the Supreme Court. Yet there are those most difficult cases where law and precedent do not get to a final verdict. In those instances, I believe we need someone whose life experiences will not lead them to imprudently pass judgment with those who are predisposed to being indifferent to efforts that would purge our nation of the yet to be resolved questions on racial, religious and sexual discrimination and thus further

disenfranchise those who are weak and less formidable from judicial remedy. If one is to get a sense of what type of Supreme Court Justice Ms. Sotomayor would make, one only needs to review her written opinions and rulings will on the bench. You will find that in her case she is a centrist, particularly when it comes to business. Sonia Sotomayor has garnered the respect and support of United States Presidents and Senators from both parties. She has a long and distinguished career on the bench. The selection of our next Supreme Court Justice is too important to be trivialized by a misguided political drumbeat that only serves to stir up the conservative base and misinform the public with half-truths.

I agree with Mr. Cantu, Judge Sotomayor is “truly an American story.” Why try to re-write it for political expediency? She should be our next Supreme Court Justice. She has toiled to make her way and done so through tremendous hardship. She deserves the opportunity to serve our nation. I trust she will excel and in her appointment advance the notion that in America, regardless of race, creed or color, you can succeed through hard work, determination and a belief that the tenets on which our country was founded are respected and upheld by the rule of law. Based on what I know, Judge Sotomayor has demonstrated throughout her life and career that this in fact is true. Signed, Saul N. Ramirez Jr.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR POLICY The Zapata Times does not publish anonymous letters. To be published, letters must include the writer’s first and last names as well as a phone number to verify identity. The phone number IS NOT published; it is used solely to veri-

fy identity and to clarify content, if necessary. People who want to air their opinions publicly must do so openly. We want to assure our readers that a letter is written by the person who signs the letter; The Zapata Times does not allow the use of

pseudonyms. Letters are edited for style, grammar, length and civility. No name-calling or gratuitous abuse is allowed. This space is designed for public debate of the issues of the day. We do publish “thank you” letters, but due to limited space, we

DOONESBURY | GARRY TRUDEAU

ask writers to list no more than 10 names in such letters. Via e-mail, letters may be sent to editorial@lmtonline.com. Or mail them to: Letters to the Editor 111 Esperanza Drive Laredo, TX 78041.

PAGE 5A

Zlifestyle

SATURDAY,MAY 30,2009

Under the big top: The circus is coming to town SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Courtesy photos

Pictured above is Jason Gibson, production manager of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. His job, carried out behind the scenes, ensures that the many acts, such as those pictured at right, are executed without a hitch.

‘Boom A Ring’ backstage By KIRSTEN CROW LAREDO MORNING TIMES

fter spending four years in the U.S. Army, joining the circus may not, at first, appeared to have been the most natural move for Jason Gibson. But now as the production manager for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, Gibson notes that while it was an unexpected career move, in some ways, it isn’t that different. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be joining the circus,” Gibson said during a telephone interview Tuesday. “It’s so much fun … I’m a military guy, so logistics and attention to detail is right up my alley.” His job description, as detailed on his biography, reads that he acts as “quality control.” It essentially means that Gibson is responsible for ensuring that everything

goes according to plan, right down to the very minute. Once engineered, the show must remain the same, whether it’s “the first or the 500th,” Gibson explained. In doing so, Gibson is the guy backstage “wearing a black suit and carrying a stop watch and clipboard.” Joining the military in 1994, Gibson had been attracted to the travel and education opportunities, according to his biography. During his tenure in the Army, he served in both Germany and on a Patriot Missile Crew in Saudi Arabia in the midst of the Gulf War. He also has been able to satiate his wanderlust with the circus: He traveled to 58 cities and traveled 25,000plus miles last year alone. “There’s no sparkles on my black suit, but that’s okay — I’m part of something special,” he said. “It’s been an amazing adventure the last 10 years putting smiles on

people’s faces for a living.”

Life at the circus Although he now travels with Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey’s Gold Unit, which transports the animals and performers via truck and trailer, while he was with the Red and Blue Units, Gibson lived on the “circus train.” “Bungee chords are your friends; you bungee chord everything. Anything not held down will go all over the place,” he laughed, recalling the swaying of the locomotive. “But it’s one of the best sleeps you ever have (with that rocking motion).” Traveling with a cast and crew of 100, including 30 performers, Gibson now makes his home in his RV with his constant companions, two Pembroke Welsh Corgis: Tank and Alli.

ingling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey rolls into the Laredo Entertainment Center with “Boom A Ring,” an actionpacked circus spectacular where the energy bursts out of the ring and into the audience. Circus-goers will enjoy an up-close and personal experience as they sit feet away from beautiful white tigers, majestic Asian elephants and thrilling acrobats from around the world. Justin Case serves as the hilarious host of “Boom A Ring,” where the action bounces from one high-energy act to the next. Featuring a daring crossbow demonstration by Martti Peltonen that takes archery to new extremes, mindboggling illusions by master magician Joel Ward and the Urias globe of steel, where whizzing motorcyclists orbit within inches of a lone woman, it’s a show not to be missed. Of course, Ringling Bros. is not complete without its amazing animal family. Vicenta Pages, one of the world’s youngest performing tiger trainers, demonstrates the bond she shares with her rare, white-striped Bengal tigers in a dazzling display of acrobatic jumps, balancing and even a high-five. Ramon Esqueda performs alongside majestic Asian elephants and Diana

Courtesy photo

Trainer Vicenta Pages high-fives one of her six white-striped Bengal tigers. Vedyashkina presents a delightful dachshund dog act. “Boom A Ring” will bring circus patrons closer to the amazing performers who make the thrilling magic happen. During the free allaccess pre-show, which starts an hour before showtime, the audience will have a chance to meet and get to know the performers personally. Circus fans will discover how the performers got into the circus world, how they train each day to prepare for the show, and even learn some circus skills of their own. Then they’ll get to see their new friends in action during the circus spectacular. Here’s a preview of one very popular act:

The Urias family motorcycle globe The famous Urias Family rides customized motorcycles at speeds up to 60 miles per hour in a steel globe that is only 16 feet wide. This family, without a doubt, revs up the thrills. The gripping, high-speed act led by Erwin and Melvin Urias was created by their great-grandfather, Joaquin, who in 1912 invented the globe in the Western Hemisphere. Dubbed as the First Family of the Motorcycle Globe, the steel orb has been in their family for more than 80 years. Victor — Erwin and

See CIRCUS | PAGE 6A

See BACKSTAGE | PAGE 6A

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6A | THE ZAPATA TIMES

Lifestyle

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2009

BACKSTAGE | Continued from Page 5A â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Travel aroundâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; â&#x20AC;&#x153;They get to travel around and (check out) new smells every week,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But the traveling is not for everybodyâ&#x20AC;Ś. Each week, your backyard changes.â&#x20AC;? In addition to the crew and performers, there are plenty of children, too, who come along on tour and attend an â&#x20AC;&#x153;in-circusâ&#x20AC;? school and day care, he explained. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re just a little commu-

nity,â&#x20AC;? Gibson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re a small town coming to your town for a week.â&#x20AC;? Perhaps his favorite aspect of the travel, though, is getting the opportunity to check out the local chow, he said, an affinity that is off-set by his constant running to stay in shape. Returning to Laredo for a three-day run beginning Thursday, Gibson emphasized that the show â&#x20AC;&#x201D; called â&#x20AC;&#x153;Boom A Ringâ&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; is â&#x20AC;&#x153;totally

differentâ&#x20AC;? from the set two years ago. Included in the new lineup is a five-dachshund act, a female tiger tamer with six white Bengal tigers who perform many tricks, including a â&#x20AC;&#x153;high five,â&#x20AC;? three Asian elephants, a sort of â&#x20AC;&#x153;William Tellâ&#x20AC;? act with a husband and wife pair and, of course, plenty of aerialists, trapeze artists, clowns and The Globe of Steel. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The pacing of the show is

so quick, if you look away, you might miss something,â&#x20AC;? he said.

The show His favorite part, though, is the all-access pre-show. The pre-show, which is free, is held an hour before start time. Guests are invited to go into the rings, meet the performers and even try on

some of their outfits, he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;They come down to the arena floor and mingle with the performers â&#x20AC;Ś and they can practice the trapeze, Hula-Hooping and jump-roping,â&#x20AC;? Gibson said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;You get to feel like a star yourself. You watch people try on the costumes â&#x20AC;&#x201D; they stick their chests out a little bit more, they stand a little straighter.â&#x20AC;? He remembers well going

to the circus as a child. In fact, his favorite act was the Globe of Steel. Now, he has the opportunity to give that magic to a new generation of children. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Look at what weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re doing for a living,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;(Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re) creating those lifelong memories.â&#x20AC;? (Kirsten Crow may be reached at 728-2543 or by e-mail at kirsten@lmtonline.com)

Courtesy photo

The steel globe is a second home to the motorcycle-riding Urias family.

CIRCUS | Continued from Page 5A Melvinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s father â&#x20AC;&#x201D; first brought the daring act to Ringling Bros. in 1978, and was later the first person to put three motorcycles and a woman inside the globe. Following in their familyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footsteps, Erwin and Melvin became the fourth generation of the Urias family to carry on the tradition. Erwin made his courageous debut in the globe in 1983 at the age of 13 while his father was still on tour with The Greatest Show On Earth, and Melvin

debuted when he was just 12 years old in 1988. Victor, along with his wife Kathia, later handed over the cherished family business to their sons, Erwin and Melvin. Joining the two as they continue to amaze children of all ages, is Erwinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s wife, Jodie, who joined the troupe more than 10 years ago, and Melvinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s girlfriend, Olga Surnina. This nerve-wracking act begins as one motorcyclist enters the globe and demonstrates

his skills. Then the second and third motorcyclists enter the globe and execute dangerous maneuvers at incredible high speeds, as well as several pattern changes that are signaled by the rev of their engine. For their finale, Jodie, enters the globe and stands defenseless as the riders orbit inches away from her body. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Timing is everything; at any time, if a bike stalls, or one bike brushes another, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over,â&#x20AC;? Erwin said.

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Read The Zapata Times every week for the best in local coverage.

PAGE 7A

Zentertainment

Artistic diversity celebrated at LCC SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

A joint art exhibit opening next week at Laredo Community College’s Yeary Library will feature the works of two professional artists—LCC’s own Mary Bausman and William Wisner. Art lovers are invited to the opening reception for the “Dynamic Dualisms” exhibit on Monday at 10:30 a.m. in the library’s foyer on the Fort McIntosh Campus. Admission is free. Wisner said that the show’s title is a light-hearted take on the quality art work that will be featured by two artists with completely different artistic flairs. “(The exhibition’s title) is a pun on the old ‘Dynamic Duo’ of Batman and Robin comic books of the 1950s,” Wisner explained. “It also incorporates the different visions that Mary and I embody—the work, as presented, has nothing in common that I can see, and that’s the fun of showing it together, as she says.” Bausman, who is an art instructor at LCC, said that her selected works in the exhibit represent views of various life experiences, which she has unfolded on the canvas. “The works in this exhibition ... explore personal experiences in my life. Each work reflects a different story. There are snapshot moments of motherhood joys, mournful acceptance of loss and rekindled spirituality that are parts of my life’s journey,” Bausman said. Bausman’s work has been featured in various local, national and international juried exhibitions; her next exhibition will be at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum in Muskogee, Okla., next month. Wisner, who is a reference librarian at LCC, characterizes his art work as being

SATURDAY,MAY 30,2009

Motopsycho Mania is on its way SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Laredo Entertainment Center is ecstatic to announce an Independence Day event like no other: Grindco’s Motopsycho Mania, which will be held at the LEC on Saturday, July 4, at 4:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. today. They are available at the LEC box office and w w w. t i cke t m a s t e r. c o m . Prices are $5 for children 5 to 12, $10 for adults and $20 for VIP seating, plus facility fee. All tickets will be $2 more the day of the show. What is Motopsycho Mania? It’s a combination of free-style motor cross, Xtreme street racing, The Globe of Death and a rock concert. Among the scheduled events are: The Globe of Death — a new twist on an old extreme

sport. It’s a 20-foot steel cage where up to three fearless riders will amaze the crowd performing single- and double-man routines. Freestyle Moto X — The show features Top level FMX name athletes such as Dustin Miller, Beau Bamberg, Mike Mason, Matt Buyten, Adam Jones, Doug Parsons and more. Among their tricks, riders jump over a 70-foot ramp. X-treme Street Bikersmodified street bike riders “tricking” and amazing audiences with vertical wheelies and nose wheelies, as well as what they can do on flat ground with these highpowered machines. The main event will feature the hard rock band A Means to an End from Los Angeles. They are currently documenting their tour for their upcoming reality TV show. A local rock band will

have an opportunity to be the opening act for this unique event. The LEC will host the “Battle Rock” competition on Friday, June 26, at 7 p.m. This event will be free to the public and will be open to all rock bands. The competition rules and registration form can be picked up at the LEC’s Main Entrance. Only 10 bands will be allowed to compete and the winner will be the “people’s choice.” Bands wanting to take part in the competition must turn in a demo, along with the registration form, as soon as possible. In addition to the “Mania,” a fireworks display will take place in front of the Laredo Entertainment Center immediately after the concert ends, giving everyone a chance to enjoy the Fourth of July in all its fiery splendor.

Raimi returns with hilarious horror By CHRISTY LEMIRE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Courtesy photo

Mary Bausman’s “2 Spotted Ladybug,” pictured above, and William Wisner’s book sculptures will be among the selected pieces that the two professional artists will showcase in the “Dynamic Dualisms” exhibit at Laredo Community College’s Yeary Library. The show opens with a reception on Monday at 10:30 a.m. in the foyer of the college library, located at the Fort McIntosh campus. eclectic. He has created hundreds of drawings, paintings, sculptures and prints in the past 38 years. Wisner made his first art piece at the age of 14, and while living in a small Kansas town, he was an apprentice for a prominent sculptor, who taught him the fine art of carving limestone using tools that have not changed since the tenth century. “My initial pieces were meticulous animal studies of birds and rodents followed by figurative work and portraiture. Recently, my attention has been claimed by conceptual pieces which, as a librar-

ian, have concentrated on the book and culture,” Wisner said. Wisner has shown his works at the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at Brownsville, Indian River Community College in Florida, Texas A&M International University, and Laredo Community College, among other regional venues. His writings about art and art history have appeared in the international fashion magazine ELLE, the Manhattan art journal New Observations and The Cresset, which is published by Valparaiso University.

The name alone tells you exactly what this is — an unabashed celebration of B-movie schlockery — but the dichotomies director Sam Raimi presents within that familiar genre are what make this such a kick. Raimi returns to the kind of cheeky horror that made him a cult favorite with the low-budget “Evil Dead” trilogy, but he applies all the high-tech tricks he’s acquired with the blockbuster “Spider-Man” trilogy. He and brother Ivan Raimi have written a rather old-fashioned terror tale, full of curses and creaks, bumps and shrieks, but they’ve added a heavy splattering of their trademark dark humor. (Some of the absurdly funny visual gags include creative uses for office supplies, a talking goat and an unsuspecting kitty.) All these contradictions

Photo by Melissa Moseley/Universal Pictures | AP

In this film publicity image released by Universal Pictures, Alison Lohman is shown in a scene from "Drag Me To Hell." add up to one hell of a ride: You’ll squirm, you’ll scream, you’ll laugh your butt off and beg for more. Alison Lohman’s character, the innocent Christine Brown, gets more than she ever could have imagined. A bank loan officer competing for a promotion, she denies a

creepy old woman an extension on her mortgage loan, thinking that’s the right decision to impress her boss. “Drag Me to Hell” is rated PG-13 for sequences of horror violence, terror, disturbing images and language. It is playing at Cinemark Mall Del Norte.

PÁG.8A

Zfrontera Seguridad en bote

SÁBADO 30 DE MAYO DE 2009

Agenda en Breve

Sábado 30 de mayo

LAREDO - El Women’s City Club estará patrocinando un saludo rojo, blanco y azulal Tío Sam con su Torneo de Golf de Memorial DayJuvencio de Anda, rindiendo homenaje a Homero Martinez. El torneo dará inicio hoy a las 8 a.m. El formato es de Mezcla Floria de dos personas con premios y trofeos para los ganadores. La cuota de entrada es de 200 dólares. LAREDO - Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de Texas A&M International Universityy explore “Extreme Planets” a las 6 p.m., seguido de “One World, One Sky Big Bird’s Adventure”a las 7 p.m. y “enTRANCEd” a las 8 p.m. La entrada general es de 5 dólares; en tanto que niños, estudiantes, personal y ex alumnos de TAMIU pagan 4 dólares. En sábado obtenga un 50% de descuento cuando compre un boleto para un segundo espectáculo. LAREDO - Texas A&M International University presenta su primer Festival Internacional de Cine Annette Olsen-Fazi en el Bob Bullock Hall, aula SC 236, de forma gratuita y abiertos al público en general. La serie continúa hoy con “Amélie (Le Fabuleux Destin d’ Amélie Poulain, Francia) a las 7 p.m.

Por ZACH LINDSEY TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

A la puerta de lo que el Departamento de Parques y Vida Salvaje de Texas se refiere como una temporada de paseo en bote “mortal”, incluyendo una muerte en el Lago Falcón, la agencia está urgiendo a los aficionados a las embarcaciones a actualizar sus registros y tomar cursos de seguridad en bote. En el 2008, hubo dos accidentes en el Lago Falcon. El que dio como resultado una fatalidad ocurrió el 31 de mayo aproximadamente a las 7 p.m. e involucró el alcohol. A nivel estatal, 61 barqueros fallecieron en el 2008. La última vez que ése número fue tan alto fue el 2002. Sin embargo, en el 2002, hubo más de 620,000 barqueros registrados en el estado. Ese número ha disminuido a 591,000. Eso significa que las 61 muertos crearon una tasa más alta per-capita que en el 2002. “Tenemos aproximadamente 5 por ciento menos botes de los que tuvimos la última vez que vistos un número

tan alto”, dijo Aaron Reed, especialistas de información de Vida Salvaje y Pesquera para el Departamento de Parques y Vida Salvaje de Texas, En casi 30 por ciento de esas fatalidades, el alcohol fue un factor principal. “Ciertamente motivaré a cualquiera quien tiene alcohol en su bote a designar a un conductor sobrio, no solamente para el lago, sino para regresar sano y salvo a casa”, dijo Reed. “Los barqueros tomados se convierten en conductores borrachos cuando sacan su bote del agua”. Las penalidades por conducir un bote bajo la influencia son similares a las penalidades de manejar intoxicado y pueden resultar en una licencia de conductor suspendida. Reed recomendó que cada barquero en el estado tome un curso de educación para bote. Los cursos son de 13 dólares. No está previsto ofrecerse cursos en breve de este tipo en Zapata, pero una versión en línea del curso está disponible en www.boat-ed.com/tx/. También habrá un curso en San

Antonio el sábado 6 de junio. Las clases de seguridad en el manejo de botes son requeridas para todos los menores de 18 años de edad. Estos también pueden ser requeridos para violadores de ciertas regulaciones del Acta de Seguridad Acuática. Inclusive si alguien no tiene requerido tomar la clases, Reed dijo que las clases proveen lecciones de valor. La clase incluye instrucciones acerca de requisitos legales para un bote, consejos acerca del manejo de acidentes y emergencias, y maneras de actuar ante inclemencias del tiempo. De acuerdo al Departamento de Parques y Vida Salvaje, aquellos quienes aprobaron un curso de seguridad en bote tienen la mitad de las posibilidades de sufrir un accidente que aquellos que no lo han tomado, y los cursos pueden beneficiar inclusive a barqueros experimentados. “Utilice su chaleco salvavidas”, dijo Reed. “Esa es la cosa más sencilla importante que cualquiera puede hacer”.

PRI destaca a adultos mayores

Domingo 31 de mayo

LAREDO - Hoy es el Segundo Torneo de Softball “Ciudades Hermanas” de 3 p.m. a 9 p.m. en el Benavides Sports Complez (600 South Bartlett). El costo de entrada es de 1 dólar por persona y 20 dólares por equipo.Lo que se recaude se destinará al South Texas Food Bank y el programa Niño Vulnerable.

ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

Miércoles 3 de junio

LAREDO - El Advance Ambassadors of Laughter (Embajadores de Sonrisas) se presentarán hoy a las 10 a.m. en la sucursal de la biblioteca en el 1120 San Bernardo y a las 2:30 p.m. en la Biblioteca Pública de Laredo del 1120 E. Calton Rd. Se trata de payasitos del Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey quienes presentarán un espectáculo gratuito para promover la lectura infantil.

Jueves 4 de junio

LAREDO - Pase la tarde en el Planetario Lamar Bruni Vergara de Texas A&M International Universityy explore “The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket”a las 3 p.m., seguido de Destination Saturn” a las 4 p.m., y “Star Signs”a las 5 p.m. Este verano el Planetario ofrecerá los jueves de 3 dólares para todos. LAREDO - El Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus se presenta hoy en el Laredo Entertainment Center a las 7:30 p.m. El boleto tiene costo de 18.25, 14.25 y 12.25 dólares,más la cuota por instalaciones, con un número limitado de asientos VIP por 28.25 dólares. Todos los asientos son reservados y disponibles para compra en la taquilla de LEC y en Ticketmaster. LAREDO - La Orquesta Filarmónica de Laredo se complace en presentar a “Charo”, quien traerá su espectáculo tipo Las Vegas al Paseo Real Reception Center, esta noche. Como preámbulo actuará la laredense Cristina Greco, el grupo Entre Amigos,Altagracia Garcia con su Grupo de Castañuelas y la Ennergy Band. Las mesas para 10 están disponibles en costos que van de 1.000 dólares a 5.000 dólares. Más información llamando al 326-3042.

Viernes 5 de junio

LAREDO - Hoy es la campaña de Donación de Sangre en el Laredo Morning Times, de 9 a.m. a 12 p.m. en el Estacionamiento Principal. Se requiere presentar foto con identificación. Cualquiera con 16 años de edad y pesando 120 libras y con permiso de sus padres puede participar.Cualquiera con 17 años y mayores y pesando 110 libras y en buena condición de salud puede participar.

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

La ley requiere que niños de 12 años y menores porten un chaleco salvavidas aprobado por la Guardia Costera en cualquier momento que un bote no esta anclado. La ley también requiere que debe haber un chaleco salvavidas para cada persona a bordo, pero es opcional para los adultos en utilizar un chaleco. “Es mucho como un cinturón de seguridad, sin embargo”, dijo Reed. “No sé si utilizar un chaleco salvavidas algún día será obligatorio, pero, ciertamente, es una buena idea para todos”. Registrar un bote es también importante, de acuerdo a Reed. Para que las cosas sean más sencillas para aquellos con permisos actuales, los dueños de botes pueden renovar su permiso en línea en el sitio web del departamento en www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat. Representantes que hablan español están disponibles en la mayoría de las regiones. (Puede localizar a Zach Lindsey llamando al 728-2538 o escribiendo a zach@lmtonline.com)

Fotos de cortesía | Gobierno Municipal de Ciudad Mier

ARRIBA: La escolta de Seguridad Pública participó en la ceremonia cívica de los lunes que encabeza el Gobierno de Ciudad Mier, el 18 de mayo. ABAJO: El presidente municipal José Iván Mancias Hinojosa y la Primera Dama Isabel Treviño de Mancias encabezaron la reunión de trabajo semanal de gobierno.

Mier reafirma civismo ESPECIAL PARA TIEMPO DE ZAPATA

CIUDAD MIER — El Jefe de Gobierno José Iván Mancias Hinojosa dijo que las ceremonias de Honores a la Bandera que se realizan cada lunes en la Plaza Juárez sirven para reafirmar el espíritu patriótico y de respeto a los símbolos patrios. “La mejor manera de conocerlos y respetarlos es participando en su organización”, dijo Mancias. Cada inicio de semana, el gobierno local invita a las fuerzas vivas y ciudadanía en general a esta ceremonia. Posteriormente, el alcalde se

reune con directores de departamento a fin de mantener una estrecha comunicacion y rendir un informe de las acciones tomadas. “De esta forma todos las areás y dependencias estarán informadas de cada uno de los proyectos y acciones que se realizan en esta presente administración y lo que día con día se hace por nuestro Mier”, dijo Mancias. Además se espera que las reuniones motiven la lluvia de ideas

y mecanismos para realizar gestiones y mejorar la atención de servicios a la comunidad. De entre las dependencias que han participado portando el Lábaro Patrio destacan Seguridad Pública, Secretaría del Ayuntamiento, Oficialía Mayor y Fomento Deportivo. Mancias finalmente invitó a todas las dependencias a que asistan cada lunes de cada semana a rendir honores.

La historia del Partido Revolucionario Institucional se ha escrito con hombres y mujeres decididas, por ese motivo a quienes nacieron en 1929 o antes son los que cimentan al PRI y se les reconoce. Cuatro ciudades del primer distrito fueron recorridas el 24 de mayo por Ricardo Gamundi Rosas presidente del PRI estatal y la candidata a diputada federal, Cristabell Zamora Cabrera para entregar las medallas de reconocimiento a estos priístas distinguidos. En Nueva Ciudad Guerrero hicieron entrega de 36 medallas, mientras en que Ciudad Mier recibieron esta medalla 45; en Miguel Alemán un total de 169 priístas salieron con el reconocimiento; y en Camargo un total de 81 medallas. Zamora hizo énfasis en que nuestra historia está marcada por hombres y mujeres de lucha que con cimientos firmes logrando en 80 años cambiar el destino de la nación. Añadió que este 5 de julio con su voto y la confianza de su familia pueden seguir impulsando este cambio, “decidir en el Congreso reformas legislativas que ayuden a su gente y proteger los cimientos, ustedes, que merecen el respeto que la vida en México cambie”. Gamundi eñaló que es un orgullo para el PRI tener a tan valiosos mexicanos, que han marcado su historia junto al partido. “Por ustedes tenemos esta estructura en el PRI, ustedes nacieron con él y lo consolidaron, por eso nuestros abuelitos han hecho ganar a muchos de nuestros candidatos y gracias a ustedes seguimos vigentes”, dijo Gamundi. Aseguró que podrán equivocarse los hombres pero jamás los ideales del partido, esos que forjaron los mexicanos como los homenajeados. En Nuevo Laredo se registró una ceremonia similar el 25 de mayo, donde se rindió homenaje a los más de 400 adultos mayores que cumplen 80 años y más. “Entregarles esta medalla a ustedes es brindarles un reconocimiento por su trabajo partidista, porque ustedes crecieron con el partido, son hombres y mujeres de muchas batallas electorales, pero sobre todo, de mucha enseñanza a nosotros que estamos al frente del PRI”, dijo Gamundi.

Productores analizan controversia constitucional ESPECIAL PARATIEMPO DE ZAPATA

RÍO BRAVO, México — El Secretario de Desarrollo Rural del Estado, Víctor Manuel de León Orti encabezó una reunión con representantes de las asociaciones de riego de los distritos 25 y 26, autoridades de la CEAT y abogados, para analizar los avances de la Controversia Constitucional presentada por el Gobierno del Estado por las irregularidades presentadas en el último pago de agua a Estados Unidos. De León Orti recordó que este recurso fue presentado en el 2007 por el gobierno de Eugenio Hernández Flores derivado de las afectaciones que sufrieran los productores agrícolas por el pago de agua al vecino país, en el que se violaron los términos del Trata-

do de Aguas Internacionales. “El tratado es muy específico en ese sentido y en él se estipula que por cada litro que se entregue a Estados Unidos como parte de este acuerdo, se tendrán que entregar dos litros o dos terceras partes del volumen total, situación que no ocurrió en el último pago que se hizo, afectando considerablemente a los productores agrícolas de esta región”, dijo de León. Señaló que dicha controversia tiene como objetivo establecer las bases para que en los posteriores pagos se respeten las disposiciones del Tratado de Aguas Internacionales y se entregue a Tamaulipas la parte de agua que le corresponde. Por su parte Luis Zambrano Porras, titular del despa-

cho que lleva el caso por parte del Gobierno de Tamaulipas, aseguró que la Corte aceptó la realización de un peritaje hidráulico para determinar el grado de afectación y que los resultados del mismo serán entregados a más tardar el próximo 5 de junio. El abogado confió en que los recursos presentados ante la Suprema Corte, así como los resultados del peritaje serán vitales en la resolución de la Magistrado que tiene a su cargo el caso. Durante la reunión se llevó a cabo una sesión de preguntas y respuestas en las que los representantes de los módulos de riego y asociaciones expusieron sus principales dudas sobre los avances de la Controversia; dudas que fueron disipadas

Foto de cortesía | Gobierno de Tamaulipas

Representantes de las asociaciones de riego de los distritos 25 y 26 se reunieron con autoridades del CEAT, abogados y el Secretario de Desarrollo Rural del Estado, Víctor Manuel de León Orti el jueves. por el abogado responsable del caso y por los propios funcionarios estatales, entre ellos Raúl Quiroga Alvarez, Director de Programas Federalizados de la CEAT. Asimismo se informó en la reunión que el estado de Coahuila se unió la demanda presentada por Tamaulipas. Cabe señalar que en el dis-

trito 25 se tiene registrada la mayor producción de sorgo a nivel nacional, por lo que la violación al Tratado de Aguas representa un duro golpe para la economía de la región, de los productores y de cientos de familias que viven de la producción de este grano, indica un comunicado de prensa.

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2009

THE ZAPATA TIEMS | 9A

THE BLOTTER DRUG SEIZURE About 125 pounds of marijuana were seized Wednesday night on Texas 16 near Bustamante. The offense report states that a deputy pulled over a vehicle at about 11:15 p.m.,but the driver sped off and “bailed out.” Upon searching the vehicle, authorities found the marijuana. No arrests were made.

ASSAULT Monday night, a man allegedly assaulted his wife and son, drove into their house causing damages and then fled in a vehicle from sheriff’s deputies. Authorities later caught up with the man, identified as Leonel Manuel Martinez, who resisted arrested, the offense report stated. The assault happened at about

11 p.m. at a residence in the 2100 block of Yucca Drive.

game system,a pair of shoes and a 12gauge shotgun were reported stolen.

INTOXICATED ASSAULT

THEFT

A man allegedly struck a pedestrian with a vehicle Wednesday night in front of the Super S at the corner of U.S. 83 and 10th Street. The driver,Jose Guadalupe LunaMartinez, was arrested at about 7 p.m.and charged with intoxicated assault, a third-degree felony. According to the offense report, the male pedestrian sustained serious bodily injury.

Awoman was arrested May 22 on the charge of theft after she falsely represented herself as an attorney and received money from four victims for filing immigration paperwork with authorities. n On May 23, a boat was reported stolen from a residence’s yard in the 100 block of Vista Linda.

BURGLARY OFA HABITATION A residence in the 1000 block of Guerrero Street was reported burglarized May 22. The offense report stated entrance was gained into the residence through an unlocked door. A video

DRIVING WHILE INTOXICATED A man was charged with DWI on May 23 after being pulled over near the corner Texas 16 and 10th Street. Diego Arnoldo Martinez was taken to jail and booked at about 4 a.m. n Aman was arrested at about 12:30 a.m.Sunday on the charge of DWI.

Edgar Alaniz was taken to jail and booked. Awoman who crashed into the Veleno bridge early Sunday was found to be intoxicated, according to the offense report. Adriana Lizette Cuellar was charged with DWI and taken to jail at about 2 a.m.

POSSESSION OFA CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE Sheriff’s deputies arrested a man Sunday on the charge of possession of a controlled substance. According to the offense report,a deputy pulled over Ivan Abiel Muñoz for a traffic violation at about 8 p.m. on U.S. 83 near Falcon. Muñoz was then arrested after the deputy found two clear plastic baggies containing cocaine in Muñoz’s possession, the report stated.

Subscribe to The Zapata Times by calling 728-2550

10A | THE ZAPATA TIMES

COUNTY Continued from Page 1A Vela said he did not include any park renovations in his budget submission. Last year Vela’s budget was $817,000, but this year it is $422,000. Pct. 2 Commissioner Gabriel Villarreal said he won’t have any big projects on his budget, which cuts $1.9 million from the budget he submitted last year. “Last year I needed $1.4 million for the San Ygnacio (repavement and storm drain) project. This year I won’t have anything like that,” Villarreal said. Villarreal said the bird sanctuary in San Ygnacio that has been unable to open because of inadequate wheel chair access will be put on hold for another year. “I won’t put in on the budget; we don’t have the money,” Villarreal said. “Maybe next year.” Now that all county budgets have been submitted, Guerra’s office will compile all the numbers and present a finalized budget to the Commissioners Court in September for approval or changes. (Taryn White may be reached at 728-2568 or twhite@lmtonline.com)

RACE Continued from Page 1A assistance. The water stops are at mile 10, mile 20 and mile 30. All riders will receive goody bags and will be eligible for post-race door prizes. There are 11 categories and recognitions galore. The categories include men’s road and men’s mountain in various age groups, women’s road and women’s mountain and the open men/women road Top Gun expert. “We give trophies five places down in each category,” Doyle said. No trophies are awarded, however, for bicycles with aerobars. For more information, call Pro Bike Laredo at 7263469. (To reach Diana R. Fuentes, call 728-2581 or e-mail dfuentes@lmtonline.com)

TASK Continued from Page 1A “It’s a competition. The proposals will be measured by priority and how well the subject follows the goals of the program,” Weber said. Guerra, who plans on submitting a proposal on behalf of Zapata County, said she unsure if Zapata, a small county in comparison to others, will be awarded one of the grants. “It’s all about the numbers,” Guerra said. “I’m skeptical but I am going to give it a shot because I still feel like it is a good idea, and can be a benefit for the county.” Specifically, Guerra said the money could be used to clean up the trash in Falcon Lake. “I’ve talked to fishermen and they said where the river and lake meet trash is building up,” Guerra said. “I would like to look into the best ways to get that cleaned up.” Guerra added the task force is a good way for many governing entities and organizations to share ideas and successful programs on environmental conservation. The EPA will accept grant applications from June 1 to July 31. (Taryn White may be reached at 728-2568 or twhite@lmtonline.com)

GONZALEZ Continued from Page 1A I know he is extremely happy with my decision.” Gonzalez added she is grateful she has been given the opportunity to accomplish her life-long dream, and she is looking forward to years of service with the Zapata County Fire Department. (Taryn White may be reached at 728-2568 or twhite@lmtonline.com)

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2009

MONUMENT | Continued from Page 1A water from the stream with her cantaro, or jar; a family unit; a longhorn cow and a bull; a Spanish explorer and a cowboy, or vaquero, sitting atop a mustang. The monument will also display about seven plaques on the history of Tejanos. Ramirez said research for the monument was so meticulous that a mustang was purchased to make sure the horse’s features were as accurate as possible. State Rep. Richard Peña Raymond, D-Laredo, said the capitol attracts people from all over the country, which is why it’s important they understand the role of Tejanos in Texas history. Raymond, vice chair of the appropriations committee, said he and other members, including state Rep. Kino Flores, D-Mission, made sure there was funding for the monument. The Legislature donated about $1,086,857 to the project, according to the Tejano Monument Foundation Web site. The rest of the $1.6 million was privately funded. Raymond said approval for the monument took several “delicate negotiations.” “It took a lot of talking and a lot of negotiating to get that to happen,” Raymond said. “You just don’t put something up here; it’s not that easy.” Ramirez said initial negotiations limited the monument to an 8-foot granite

“

One guy on a horse doesn’t tell you anything.” IBC-ZAPATA PRESIDENT RENATO RAMIREZ

pedestal and a cowboy statue, but monument supporters would not compromise. “One guy on a horse — that doesn’t tell you anything,” Ramirez said. The State Preservation Board is expect to meet within a month to give final approval to the project, after which construction can begin, Ramirez said. The project will take about 30 months to complete, he said. Sandra Hinojosa, Armando Hinojosa’s wife, said her husband has been working on the project for about a year, adding that seeing Perry sign the bill was a surreal moment for the artist. “This was a ‘Twilight Zone’ moment for him, like, ‘Is this really happening?’ ” Sandra Hinojosa said. The artist, who teaches at the Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts in Laredo, was too tired from the day’s events to talk Friday evening.

Photo by Harry Cabluck

Sen.Steve Ogden,R-Bryan,center,who chairs the Senate Finance Committee,is congratulated by colleagues, after the Texas Senate approved the $182 billion state budget Thursday, in Austin, Texas. His committee’s 2010-2011 spending plan was unanimously approved. House of Representatives approved the bill Friday.At right are Sen. Jane Nelson, R-Flower Mound, and Sen. Robert Deuell, R-Greenville.

House OKs two-year budget; now awaits gov’s signature By APRIL CASTRO ASSOCIATED PRESS

AUSTIN, Texas — The $182 billion Texas budget is on its way to governor’s desk. After almost six months of work, the House approved the massive two-year budget by a 142-2 vote Friday, the final step in the legislative process. The massive spending document increases funding for pre-kindergarten programs, makes it possible for 35,0000 more eligible students to receive college tuition help from the TEXAS Grants financial aid program and gives correctional officers a 3.5 percent raise.

“The approved budget is balanced and fiscally responsible,” said Republican House Speaker Joe Straus. “It adequately funds necessary government services. House members have shown wise judgment in adopting a biennial budget which does not touch the Rainy Day Fund, controls state expenditures, provides important funding for education, health care and transportation and invests in the future of Texas.” The budget, which depends on $12.1 billion in federal economic stimulus money, pays for state agencies and programs over the next two years. Most of the money is dedicated to education and health care.

The Zapata Times SATURDAY,MAY 30,2009

ON THE WEB: THEZAPATATIMES.COM

Sports&Outdoors Bowlers hit strikes at lanes By CLARA SANDOVAL SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

Bowling is a popular activity in Zapata, with area residents competing in leagues throughout the year at Falcon Lanes, 2604 U.S. 83 North. “I’ve been coming here since it first opened up,” said Gaby Montes, who works for the Zapata County Independent School District and participates in two leagues. “It’s a nice recreational place where the whole family can come and have some fun. It’s a beautiful thing!” Paula Salinas, who works at the facility, agreed. “We really needed something like this in Zapata,” Salinas said. “It’s something different to do, and it’s good exercise, too.”

Bowling facility Falcon Lanes, which opened in April 2006, is the only bowling facility in the county and offers 12 lanes. Sanctioned by the U.S. Bowling Congress, it’s open seven days a week, Tuesday-Saturday, from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. On Sunday and Monday, it’s open from 4 p.m. to midnight. There are three 12-team leagues, each with 120 people: men, women and co-ed. The women’s summer league starts June 10 and continues through July 29. The men’s league also runs through July. The fall league, which runs for 32 weeks, starts in mid-August.

‘Enjoyed bowling’ “Zapata has really enjoyed bowling,” manager Angel Castañeda said. The men’s league bowls on Tuesday, the women on Wednesday and the co-ed league on Thursday. Last year Mando Lopez was crowned co-ed champion while Monica Mendoza captured the women’s title. The league members aren’t the

See BOWLERS | PAGE 4B

Hawks end on high note THE ZAPATA TIMES

The Zapata High baseball team ended its season as regional quarterfinalists. Fittingly, the Hawks placed a plethora of players to District 32-3A teams. Senior Luis Arturo Flores was district MVP. Teammates on the first team included senior pitcher Isaac Patterson, junior designated hitter Jerry Gutierrez and sophomore catcher Mike Rivera.

Hawks named to the second team were junior first baseman Ivan Elizondo, senior outfielder Rene Garcia and junior outfielder Roel Ramos.

Honorable mention Honorable mention Hawks was sophomore pitcher Rogelio Campos, sophomore second baseman Joey Saenz, sophomore shortstop

Ricky Martinez, sophomore third baseman Luis Jaime Gonzalez, senior outfielder Mike Garza and senior outfielder Meliton Trejo. The Hawks also had eight named to the district’s all-academic team. They were seniors Rene Garcia and Luis Arturo Flores, junior Jerry Gutierrez and sophomores Ricky Martinez, Mike Rivera, Joey Saenz, Luis Jaime Gonzalez and Mark Gutierrez.

FIELDS (AND COURTS) OF CHAMPIONS Boys’, girls’ teams in several sports advance to the playoffs By CLARASANDOVAL SPECIALTO THE TIMES

he 2008-2009 sports year has come to a close for Zapata as Hawks baseball bowed out of the state play-offs. Zapata moved into a new district, 323A, that boasted an eventual state champion (Hidalgo boys’ soccer) and a finalfour qualifier (Hidalgo girls’ basketball).

Plowing through The Hawks plowed through their new district capturing three district titles (boys cross-country, girls cross country, and baseball), bidistrict title (baseball) two regional titles (boys and girls crosscountry) and one runner-up trophy (boys basketball). Players and coaches hope to use all the knowledge they acquired this season as a stepping-stone to bigger and better things next school year. The boys and girls cross-country teams

capture the individual and team titles. Seniors Raul Serna and Michelle Garcia ran away with the individual district titles.

Capturing a title The Hawks defeated state-ranked Progresso to capture the team title. Team members were Serna, Keith Cobb, Juan Alvarado, Danny Garcia, Jerry Chapa, O.J. Quintanilla and Luis Olvera. The Lady Hawks dethroned five-time district champion La Feria to capture the team title. Team members were Garcia, Marlene Garcia, Amber Garza, Maritza Garcia, Alba Jasso, Kristina Garcia and Gloria Jaurguei. The Lady Hawks, with 96 points, captured the regional title by edging out La Feria by three points. The Hawks came in second to two-time regional champion La Vernia to punch their ticket to the state meet. At the state meet the Hawks came in fifth and the Lady Hawks came in 12th at

the state meet in Round Rock. On the hardwood the Hawks captured the runner up trophy as the senior leadership of Rene Garcia, Meliton Trejo, Arlo De Los Santos, Rene Benavides and Serna led the Hawks into the first round of the play-offs, against Sinton. Chapa was Zapata’s lone representative at the region IV tennis tournament held in Corpus Christi.

A regional meet The track teams sent seven athletes to the regional meet: Andrew Madgee, Cobb, Alvarado, Brandi King, Michelle Garcia, Marlene Garcia and Lauren Mendoza. The baseball team finished the sports year as it captured the school’s third district title of the year. The Hawks beat Pearsall in a nail biter 1-0 to capture the area championship. Zapata faced Robstown in the best-ofthree series in the regional-quarterfinals. The Hawks were swept in two games by the Cottonpickers to end their season.

Courtesy photo

The 2009 Zapata High baseball team finished its season as regional quarterfinalists.

Publicize your team in TZT By CLARA SANDOVAL SPECIAL TO THE TIMES

The Zapata summer sports scene is in full swing as youngsters are out playing baseball and adults are trying their luck at the local bowling alley. The Boys and Girls Club has an agenda full of activities for members over the summer. We at The Zapata Times are working to capture summer sporting events and bring them to you. That is where you, the reader, steps in with your photos, article ideas and scores from the games. We are encouraging everyone to e-mail photos and report scores of any sporting event that takes place in the area. Baseball and softball coaches are encouraged to e-mail team or action pictures.

Getting featured Parents can e-mail photos, report scores of your sons’ and daughters’ games, or if you would like your child to be featured in the paper contact me at csandovalzapatatimes@gmail.com. We are looking for action pictures and scores for Little League, T-ball and peewee games, bowling leagues and information from Boys and Girls Club leagues. Also, if any Zapata athlete is playing at the collegiate level we would love to feature them. Fishing, golf and tennis tournaments and rodeo events are also welcomed on the pages of The Zapata Times. The coaching staffs at the high school, middle and elementary should e-mail camp information at least two weeks in advance. This is your newspaper and with your help we can make it better by featuring your sport.

A compelling Triple Crown season By RICHARD ROSENBLATT ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by Nick Wass/file | AP

Jockey Calvin Borel, right, gestures after riding Rachel Alexandra to victory in the 134th Preakness Stakes on Saturday, May 16, at Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore. Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird (2), with jockey Mike Smith aboard finished second, and Musket Man (3) with Eibar Coa riding, finished third. Borel will get back on Mine The Bird with a chance to become the first jockey to win the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and the Belmont on different horses.

NEW YORK — And on Belmont Stakes day, the filly will rest. The latest episode of “How The Triple Crown Turns” resolved some major issues with the announcement that leading lady Rachel Alexandra will not run in the Belmont next Saturday. “While she is in great shape ... we feel Rachel deserves a wellearned vacation,” the Preaknesswinning filly’s co-owner Jess Jackson said a statement issued late Friday afternoon, about the same time most TV soaps had signed off with viewers wondering what new twists await next week. In the Triple Crown’s final installment, it is this: Leading man Calvin Borel will get back on Mine The Bird with a chance to become the first jockey to win the Kentucky

Derby, Preakness and the Belmont on different horses. Borel won the Derby aboard Mine That Bird at 50-1 odds, then jilted him for Rachel and beat the Derby winner in the Preakness by a length. Since Borel has ridden the filly to six straight wins, he said he’d be loyal if she ran in the Belmont. But now he’s free for Mine That Bird and ready to compete in his first Belmont with history riding on the outcome. Mine That Bird, meanwhile, will attempt to become the 12th horse to complete the Derby-Belmont double and first since Thunder Gulch in 1995. “Now that this decision is made, I am excited to come to New York and ride Mine That Bird in the Belmont Stakes,” Borel said, thanking the gelding’s trainer Chip Woolley

See SEASON | PAGE 4B

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Zscores

NHL Playoff Glance All Times EDT FIRST ROUND (Best-of-7) EASTERN CONFERENCE Boston 4, Montreal 0 Thursday, April 16: Boston 4, Montreal 2 Saturday, April 18: Boston 5, Montreal 1 Monday, April 20: Boston 4, Montreal 2 Wednesday, April 22: Boston 4, Montreal 1 Washington 4, N.Y. Rangers 3 Wednesday, April 15: N.Y. Rangers 4, Washington 3 Saturday, April 18: N.Y. Rangers 1, Washington 0 Monday, April 20: Washington 4, N.Y. Rangers 0 Wednesday, April 22: N.Y. Rangers 2, Washington 1 Friday, April 24: Washington 4, N.Y. Rangers 0 Sunday, April 26: Washington 5, N.Y. Rangers 3 Tuesday, April 28: Washington 2, N.Y. Rangers 1 Carolina 4, New Jersey 3 Wednesday, April 15: New Jersey 4, Carolina 1 Friday, April 17: Carolina 2, New Jersey 1, OT Sunday, April 19: New Jersey 3, Carolina 2, OT Tuesday, April 21: Carolina 4, New Jersey 3 Thursday, April 23: New Jersey 1, Carolina 0 Sunday, April 26: Carolina 4, New Jersey 0 Tuesday, April 28: Carolina 4, New Jersey 3 Pittsburgh 4, Philadelphia 2 Wednesday, April 15: Pittsburgh 4, Philadelphia 1 Friday, April 17: Pittsburgh 3, Philadelphia 2, OT Sunday, April 19: Philadelphia 6, Pittsburgh 3 Tuesday, April 21: Pittsburgh 3, Philadelphia 1 Thursday, April 23: Philadelphia 3, Pittsburgh 0 Saturday, April 25: Pittsburgh 5, Philadelphia 3 WESTERN CONFERENCE Anaheim 4, San Jose 2 Thursday, April 16: Anaheim 2, San Jose 0 Sunday, April 19: Anaheim 3, San Jose 2 Tuesday, April 21: San Jose 4, Anaheim 3 Thursday, April 23: Anaheim 4, San Jose 0 Saturday, April 25: San Jose 3, Anaheim 2, OT Monday, April 27: Anaheim 4, San Jose 1 Detroit 4, Columbus 0 Thursday, April 16: Detroit 4, Columbus 1 Saturday, April 18: Detroit 4, Columbus 0 Tuesday, April 21: Detroit 4, Columbus 1 Thursday, April 23: Detroit 6, Columbus 5 Vancouver 4, St. Louis 0 Wednesday, April 15: Vancouver 2, St. Louis 1 Friday, April 17: Vancouver 3, St. Louis 0 Sunday, April 19: Vancouver 3, St. Louis 2 Tuesday, April 21: Vancouver 3, St. Louis 2, OT Chicago 4, Calgary 2 Thursday, April 16: Chicago 3, Calgary 2, OT Saturday, April 18: Chicago 3, Calgary 2 Monday, April 20: Calgary 4, Chicago 2 Wednesday, April 22: Calgary 6, Chicago 4 Saturday, April 25: Chicago 5, Calgary 1 Monday, April 27: Chicago 4, Calgary 1 CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (Best-of-7) EASTERN CONFERENCE Carolina 4, Boston 3 Friday, May 1: Boston 4, Carolina 1 Sunday, May 3: Carolina 3, Boston, 0 Wednesday, May 6: Carolina 3, Boston 2, OT Friday, May 8: Carolina 4, Boston 1 Sunday, May 10: Boston 4, Carolina 0 Tuesday, May 12: Boston 4, Carolina 2 Thursday, May 14: Carolina 3, Boston 2, OT Pittsburgh 4, Washington 3 Saturday, May 2: Washington 3, Pittsburgh 2 Monday, May 4: Washington 4, Pittsburgh 3 Wednesday, May 6: Pittsburgh 3, Washington 2, OT Friday, May 8: Pittsburgh 5, Washington 3 Saturday, May 9: Pittsburgh 4, Washington 3, OT Monday, May 11: Washington 5, Pittsburgh 4, OT Wednesday, May 13: Pittsburgh 6, Washington 2 WESTERN CONFERENCE Detroit 4, Anaheim 3 Friday, May 1: Detroit 3, Anaheim 2 Sunday, May 3: Anaheim 4, Detroit 3, 3OT Tuesday, May 5: Anaheim 2, Detroit 1 Thursday, May 7: Detroit 6, Anaheim 3 Sunday, May 10: Detroit 4, Anaheim 1 Tuesday, May 12: Anaheim 2, Detroit 1 Thursday, May 14: Detroit 4, Anaheim 3 Chicago 4, Vancouver 2 Thursday, April 30: Vancouver 5, Chicago 3 Saturday, May 2: Chicago 6, Vancouver 3 Tuesday, May 5: Vancouver 3, Chicago 1 Thursday, May 7: Chicago 2, Vancouver 1 Saturday, May 9: Chicago 4, Vancouver 2 Monday, May 11: Chicago 7, Vancouver 5 CONFERENCE FINALS (Best-of-7) EASTERN CONFERENCE Carolina vs. Pittsburgh Monday, May 18: Pittsburgh 3, Carolina 2 Thursday, May 21: Pittsburgh 7, Carolina 4 Saturday, May 23: Pittsburgh 6, Carolina 2 Tuesday, May 26: Pittsburgh 4, Carolina 1, Pittsburgh wins series 4-0 WESTERN CONFERENCE Detroit vs. Chicago Sunday, May 17: Detroit 5, Chicago 2 Tuesday, May 19: Detroit 3, Chicago 2, OT Friday, May 22: Chicago 4, Detroit 3, OT Sunday, May 24: Detroit 6, Chicago 1 Wednesday, May 27: Detroit 2, Chicago 1, OT, Detroit wins series 4-1 STANLEY CUP FINALS Detroit vs. Pittsburgh Saturday, May 30: Pittsburgh at Detroit, 8 p.m. Sunday, May 31: Pittsburgh at Detroit, 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 2: Detroit at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. Thursday, June 4: Detroit at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. Saturday, June 6: Pittsburgh at Detroit, 8 p.m., if necessary Tuesday, June 9: Detroit at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m., if necessary Friday, June 12: Pittsburgh at Detroit, 8 p.m., if necessary

American League All Times EDT East Division L Pct GB 20 .583 — 20 .574 ½ 23 .540 2 27 .460 6 26 .458 6 Central Division W L Pct GB Detroit 26 20 .565 — Minnesota 24 25 .490 3½ Kansas City 23 24 .489 3½ Chicago 21 25 .457 5 Cleveland 21 28 .429 6½ West Division W L Pct GB Texas 27 19 .587 — Los Angeles 24 22 .522 3 Seattle 22 26 .458 6 Oakland 18 26 .409 8 Thursday’s Games Cleveland 2, Tampa Bay 1 Boston 3, Minnesota 1 Baltimore 5, Detroit 1 Friday’s Games Oakland at Texas, 5:05 p.m., 1st game Detroit at Baltimore, 7:05 p.m. N.Y. Yankees at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m. Boston at Toronto, 7:07 p.m. Minnesota at Tampa Bay, 7:38 p.m. Chicago White Sox at Kansas City, 8:10 p.m. Oakland at Texas, 8:35 p.m., 2nd game Seattle at L.A. Angels, 10:05 p.m. Saturday’s Games Boston (Penny 5-1) at Toronto (Tallet 2-3), 1:07 p.m. Minnesota (Liriano 2-6) at Tampa Bay (Price 0-0), 4:10 p.m. Detroit (Verlander 5-2) at Baltimore (Guthrie 4-4), 7:05 p.m. N.Y. Yankees (Sabathia 4-3) at Cleveland (Carmona 2-4), 7:05 p.m. Chicago White Sox (Buehrle 6-1) at Kansas City (Meche 2-5), 7:10 p.m. Oakland (Bre.Anderson 2-4) at Texas (McCarthy 42), 8:05 p.m. Seattle (F.Hernandez 5-3) at L.A. Angels (Palmer 5-0), 9:05 p.m. Sunday’s Games N.Y. Yankees at Cleveland, 12:40 p.m. Boston at Toronto, 1:07 p.m. Detroit at Baltimore, 1:35 p.m. Minnesota at Tampa Bay, 1:38 p.m. Chicago White Sox at Kansas City, 2:10 p.m. Oakland at Texas, 3:05 p.m. Seattle at L.A. Angels, 3:35 p.m. Monday’s Games N.Y. Yankees at Cleveland, 7:05 p.m. Oakland at Chicago White Sox, 8:11 p.m. Baltimore at Seattle, 10:10 p.m. W Boston 28 New York 27 Toronto 27 Tampa Bay 23 Baltimore 22

National League All Times EDT East Division L Pct GB 20 .565 — 20 .556 ½ 24 .489 3½ 26 .458 5 33 .283 13 Central Division W L Pct GB St. Louis 28 19 .596 — Milwaukee 27 20 .574 1 Cincinnati 26 20 .565 1½ Chicago 23 23 .500 4½ Pittsburgh 21 26 .447 7 Houston 18 27 .400 9 West Division W L Pct GB Los Angeles 34 15 .694 — San Diego 24 23 .511 9 San Francisco23 23 .500 9½ Arizona 21 27 .438 12½ Colorado 18 28 .391 14½ Thursday’s Games L.A. Dodgers 2, Chicago Cubs 1 Arizona 5, Atlanta 2 Friday’s Games L.A. Dodgers at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m. Houston at Pittsburgh, 7:05 p.m. Washington at Philadelphia, 7:05 p.m. Florida at N.Y. Mets, 7:10 p.m. Cincinnati at Milwaukee, 8:05 p.m. San Diego at Colorado, 9:10 p.m. Atlanta at Arizona, 9:40 p.m. St. Louis at San Francisco, 10:15 p.m. Saturday’s Games Florida (Jo.Johnson 3-1) at N.Y. Mets (Redding 01), 1:10 p.m. Atlanta (J.Vazquez 4-4) at Arizona (D.Davis 2-6), 4:10 p.m. L.A. Dodgers (Stults 4-1) at Chicago Cubs (Dempster 3-3), 4:10 p.m. Cincinnati (Harang 5-4) at Milwaukee (Bush 3-1), 7:05 p.m. Houston (W.Rodriguez 5-3) at Pittsburgh (Karstens 1-2), 7:05 p.m. Washington (Martis 5-0) at Philadelphia (Hamels 22), 7:05 p.m. San Diego (Geer 1-1) at Colorado (Hammel 1-3), 8:10 p.m. St. Louis (C.Carpenter 2-0) at San Francisco (Zito 1-5), 9:05 p.m. Sunday’s Games Florida at N.Y. Mets, 1:10 p.m. Houston at Pittsburgh, 1:35 p.m. Washington at Philadelphia, 1:35 p.m. Cincinnati at Milwaukee, 2:05 p.m. San Diego at Colorado, 3:10 p.m. St. Louis at San Francisco, 4:05 p.m. Atlanta at Arizona, 4:10 p.m. L.A. Dodgers at Chicago Cubs, 8:05 p.m. Monday’s Games N.Y. Mets at Pittsburgh, 7:05 p.m. Milwaukee at Florida, 7:10 p.m. Colorado at Houston, 8:05 p.m. Cincinnati at St. Louis, 8:15 p.m. Philadelphia at San Diego, 10:05 p.m. Arizona at L.A. Dodgers, 10:10 p.m. W New York 26 Philadelphia 25 Atlanta 23 Florida 22 Washington 13

MLB Team-by-Team Disabled List (Provided by Major League Baseball) (x-60-day all others are 15-day) Through May 21 AMERICAN LEAGUE Baltimore RHP Dennis Sarfate, May 2 OF Luke Scptt, May 11 RHP Alfredo Simon, April 15 Boston RHP Miguel Gonzalez-x, March 27 OF Mark Kotsay, March 27 SS Jed Lowrie, April 12 RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka, April 15 RHP John Smoltz, March 27 Chicago OF DeWayne Wise, April 14 Cleveland 1B Travis Hafner, April 29 LHP Scott Lewis-x, April 11 RHP Joe Smith, April 29 RHP Jake Westbrook-x, March 26 Detroit RHP Jeremy Bonderman, March 30 SS Carlos Guillen, May 5 OF Marcus Thames, April 19 C Matt Treanor-x, April 24 Kansas City LHP John Bale, March 27 3B Alex Gordon, April 16 SS Tony Pena, May 3 RHP Joakim Soria, May 8 RHP Doug Waechter, April 18 Los Angeles RHP Kelvim Escobar-x, April 4 OF Vladimir Guerrero, April 16 RHP Dustin Moseley, April 18 Minnesota RHP Boof Bonser, March 27 RHP Pat Neshek-x, Feb. 21 LHP Glen Perkins, May 19 New York LHP Damaso Marte, April 26 C Jose Molina, May 8 OF Xavier Nady, April 15 C Jorge Posada, May 5 SS Bryan Ransom-x, April 25 RHP Chien-Ming Wang, April 19 Oakland 3B Eric Chavez-x, April 25 RHP Joey Devine-x, April 4 RHP Justin Duchscherer-x, March 27 2B Mark Ellis-x, April 29 SS Nomar Garciaparra, April 29 RHP Dan Giese, May 16 Seattle RHP Roy Corcoran, April 29 LHP Ryan Feierabend-x, March 15 LHP Cesar Jimenez, March 29 RHP Shawn Kelly, May 6 LHP Ryan Rowland-Smith, April 11 RHP Carlos Silva, May 7 Tampa Bay RHP Chad Bradford, March 27 OF Pat Burrell, May 11 CF Fernando Perez, March 27 C Shawn Riggans, April 10 Texas RHP Joaquin Benoit-x, April 5 RHP William Eyre, April 23 RHP Franklin Francisco, May 7 RHP Eric Hurley-x, April 5 RHP Dustin Nippert-x, March 27 Toronto C Michael Barrett, April 18 RHP Jesse Litsch, April 14 RHP Shaun Marcum, March 27 RHP Dustin McGowan, March 27 NATIONAL LEAGUE Arizona 1B Tony Clark, May 5 RHP Tom Gordon, May 4 1B Conor Jackson, May 12 RHP Yusmeiro Petit, May 9 RHP Brandon Webb, April 7 Atlanta RHP Jorge Campillo, April 17 LHP Tom Glavine, April 2 RHP Tim Hudson-x, Feb. 24 SS Omar Infante, May 21 LHP Jo-Jo Reyes, May 21 Chicago RHP Chad Fox, May 10 3B Aramis Ramirez, May 9 RHP Carlos Zambrano, May 4 Cincinnati 3B Edwin Encarnacion, April 28 RHP Nick Masset, May 11 Colorado INF Jeff Baker, April 27 RHP Taylor Buchholz-x, March 27 RHP Matt Daley, May 18 LHP Jeffrey Francis-x, March 27 LHP Franklin Morales, April 22 RHP Ryan Speier, April 19 Florida SS Alfredo Amezaga, May 17 RHP Scott Proctor-x March 27 RHP Anibal Sanchez, May 8 RHP Henricus Vandenhurk-x, March 29 Houston RHP Brandon Backe, March 27 3B Aaron Boone-x March 27 RHP Doug Brocail, May 4 RHP Geoff Geary, May 14 RHP Jose Valverde, April 27 Los Angeles LHP Hong-Chih Kuo, April 30 RHP Hiroki Kuroda, April 7 1B Doug Mienkiewicz-x, April 17 RHP Jason Schmidt, March 30 RHP Claudio Vargas-x, April 6 Milwaukee RHP David Riske, April 10 2B Rickie Weeks, May 18 New York INF Alex Cora, May 18 1B Carlos Delgado, May 11 LHP Oliver Perez, May 3 C Brian Schneider, April 16 LHP Billy Wagner, March 27 Philadelphia None Pittsburgh C Ryan Doumit, April 20 LHP Phil Dumatrait-x, March 27 RHP Craig Hansen, April 20 RHP Tyler Yates, May 16 St. Louis OF Rick Ankiel, May 5 LHP Jaime Garcia, March 27 3B Troy Glaus, March 27 OF Ryan Ludwick, May 13 San Diego RHP Mike Adams-x, April 1 RHP Cha Seung Baek-x, March 30 SS Everth Cabrera-x, April 20 OF Cliff Floyd, April 5 RHP Shawn Hill, April 26 2B Luis Rodriguez, May 14 RHP Walter Silva, April 14 RHP Mark Worrell-x, April 1 San Francisco LHP Noah Lowry, March 26 RHP Joseph Martinez-x, April 10 RHPSergio Romo, March 26 OF Andres Torres, April 28 Washington CF Roger Bernadina-x, April 19 LHP Matt Chico-x, March 27 OF Elijah Dukes, May 18 C Jesus Flores, May 10 LHP Scott Olsen, May 17 1B Dmitri Young, April 1

MLB leaders NATIONAL LEAGUE BATTING—Beltran, New York, .367; Pence, Houston, .352; Tejada, Houston, .346; JUpton, Arizona, .346; DWright, New York, .345; CGuzman, Washington, .340; Ibanez, Philadelphia, .339. RUNS—Ibanez, Philadelphia, 38; Pujols, St. Louis, 38; Zimmerman, Washington, 38; Hudson, Los Angeles, 37; ASoriano, Chicago, 36; AdGonzalez, San Diego, 35; Taveras, Cincinnati, 33; JUpton, Arizona, 33; Werth, Philadelphia, 33. RBI—Ibanez, Philadelphia, 44; Fielder, Milwaukee, 43; Dunn, Washington, 42; Pujols, St. Louis, 40; Hawpe, Colorado, 36; Loney, Los Angeles, 36; Cantu, Florida, 35; Zimmerman, Washington, 35. HITS—Hudson, Los Angeles, 69; Zimmerman, Washington, 65; Tejada, Houston, 64; Beltran, New York, 62; FSanchez, Pittsburgh, 60; Ibanez, Philadelphia, 59; DWright, New York, 59. DOUBLES—FSanchez, Pittsburgh, 17; Tejada, Houston, 17; Hudson, Los Angeles, 16; Kotchman, Atlanta, 16; Beltran, New York, 15; FLopez, Arizona, 15; HaRamirez, Florida, 15. TRIPLES—Kemp, Los Angeles, 4; Morgan, Pittsburgh, 4; JUpton, Arizona, 4; Victorino, Philadelphia, 4; Bourn, Houston, 3; GParra, Arizona, 3; Pierre, Los Angeles, 3; Winn, San Francisco, 3; DWright, New York, 3. HOME RUNS—AdGonzalez, San Diego, 18; Ibanez, Philadelphia, 17; Dunn, Washington, 16; Bruce, Cincinnati, 14; Pujols, St. Louis, 14; Reynolds, Arizona, 13; Howard, Philadelphia, 12; ASoriano, Chicago, 12. STOLEN BASES—Bourn, Houston, 16; Taveras, Cincinnati, 12; Burriss, San Francisco, 11; Fowler, Colorado, 11; Kemp, Los Angeles, 11; JosReyes, New York, 11; DWright, New York, 11. PITCHING (5 Decisions)—Broxton, Los Angeles, 50, 1.000; Martis, Washington, 5-0, 1.000; Cain, San Francisco, 5-1, .833; Pelfrey, New York, 4-1, .800; LiHernandez, New York, 4-1, .800; Lincecum, San Francisco, 4-1, .800; Stults, Los Angeles, 4-1, .800. STRIKEOUTS—JSantana, New York, 86; Peavy, San Diego, 84; Lincecum, San Francisco, 84; JVazquez, Atlanta, 78; Billingsley, Los Angeles, 76; Haren, Arizona, 71; JoJohnson, Florida, 59. SAVES—Bell, San Diego, 14; Cordero, Cincinnati, 13; FrRodriguez, New York, 13; Franklin, St. Louis, 12; Qualls, Arizona, 12; Hoffman, Milwaukee, 11; Broxton, Los Angeles, 11. AMERICAN LEAGUE BATTING—Bartlett, Tampa Bay, .373; MiCabrera, Detroit, .366; VMartinez, Cleveland, .359; AdJones, Baltimore, .357; AHill, Toronto, .344; ISuzuki, Seattle, .343; Morneau, Minnesota, .342. RUNS—BRoberts, Baltimore, 42; Scutaro, Toronto, 41; AdJones, Baltimore, 40; Morneau, Minnesota, 39; Bay, Boston, 37; Damon, New York, 37; Markakis, Baltimore, 37; Pedroia, Boston, 37. RBI—Longoria, Tampa Bay, 51; Bay, Boston, 48; Morneau, Minnesota, 44; Hunter, Los Angeles, 40; CPena, Tampa Bay, 40; Markakis, Baltimore, 39; Teixeira, New York, 39. HITS—AHill, Toronto, 75; VMartinez, Cleveland, 69; MiCabrera, Detroit, 64; Crawford, Tampa Bay, 64; Morneau, Minnesota, 63; Cano, New York, 62; 5 tied at 61. DOUBLES—Longoria, Tampa Bay, 20; MYoung, Texas, 17; Byrd, Texas, 16; Callaspo, Kansas City, 16; Lind, Toronto, 16; BRoberts, Baltimore, 16; Lowell, Boston, 15; VMartinez, Cleveland, 15; Pedroia, Boston, 15. TRIPLES—Crisp, Kansas City, 5; Andrus, Texas, 4; DeJesus, Kansas City, 4; JBuck, Kansas City, 3; Crawford, Tampa Bay, 3; Cuddyer, Minnesota, 3; 17 tied at 2. HOME RUNS—CPena, Tampa Bay, 16; Teixeira, New York, 15; Bay, Boston, 14; Morneau, Minnesota, 14; NCruz, Texas, 13; Kinsler, Texas, 13; 5 tied at 12. STOLEN BASES—Crawford, Tampa Bay, 30; Ellsbury, Boston, 21; Figgins, Los Angeles, 19; Abreu, Los Angeles, 15; BUpton, Tampa Bay, 15; Bartlett, Tampa Bay, 14; Crisp, Kansas City, 11; Span, Minnesota, 11. PITCHING (5 Decisions)—Palmer, Los Angeles, 50, 1.000; Greinke, Kansas City, 8-1, .889; Halladay, Toronto, 8-1, .889; Slowey, Minnesota, 7-1, .875; Buehrle, Chicago, 6-1, .857; Penny, Boston, 5-1, .833; Pettitte, New York, 4-1, .800. STRIKEOUTS—Verlander, Detroit, 85; Greinke, Kansas City, 81; Halladay, Toronto, 68; FHernandez, Seattle, 66; Lester, Boston, 62; Garza, Tampa Bay, 60; Beckett, Boston, 59. SAVES—Papelbon, Boston, 13; Fuentes, Los Angeles, 13; FFrancisco, Texas, 11; Sherrill, Baltimore,

10; Jenks, Chicago, 10; MaRivera, New York, 9; KWood, Cleveland, 8; Nathan, Minnesota, 8; Rodney, Detroit, 8.

NCAA Division I Baseball Re gionals Glance All Times EDT Double Elimination At Clark-LeClair Stadium Greenville, N.C. Friday, May 29 Game 1 — South Carolina 11, George Mason 3 Game 2 — East Carolina (42-17) vs. Binghamton (29-20), 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — George Mason (42-13) vs. Game 2 loser, 2 p.m. Game 4 — South Carolina (39-21) vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m., if necessary At Boshamer Stadium Chapel Hill, N.C. Friday, May 29 Coastal Carolina 11, Kansas 3 Game 2 — North Carolina 5, Dartmouth 2 Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Kansas (37-23) vs. Dartmouth (27-17), 1 p.m. Game 4 — Coastal Carolina (47-14) vs. North Carolina (43-16), 5 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 1 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 5 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m., if necessary At Doug Kingsmore Stadium Clemson, S.C. Friday, May 29 Game 1 — Oklahoma State 11, Alabama 6 Game 2 — Clemson (40-19) vs. Tennessee Tech (3022-1), 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Alabama (37-20) vs. Game 2 loser, 3 p.m. Game 4 — Oklahoma State (33-22) vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 3 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m., if necessary At Russ Chandler Stadium Atlanta Friday, May 29 Southern Mississippi 17, Elon 15 Game 2 —Georgia Tech (35-17-1) vs. Georgia State (39-20), 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Elon (40-17) vs. Game 2 loser, 3 p.m. Game 4 — Southern Mississippi (36-23) vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 3 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m., if necessary At McKethan Stadium Gainesville, Fla. Friday, May 29 Miami 9, Jacksonville 4 Game 2 — Florida (39-20) vs. Bethune-Cookman (32-26), 6:30 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Jacksonville (36-21) vs. Game 2 loser, 1 p.m. Game 4 — Miami (37-20) vs. Game 2 winner, 6:30 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 1 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6:30 p.m., if necessary At Dick Howser Stadium Tallahassee, Fla. Friday, May 29 Game 1 — Georgia 24, Ohio State 8 Game 2 — Florida State (42-16) vs. Marist (31-26), 4 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Ohio State (40-18) vs. Game 2 loser, Noon Game 4 — Georgia (38-22) vs. Game 2 winner, 4 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, Noon Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 4 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m., if necessary At Jim Patterson Stadium Louisville, Ky. Friday, May 29 Middle Tennessee 5, Vanderbilt 4 Game 2 — Louisville (44-15) vs. Indiana (32-25), 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Vanderbilt (34-26) vs. Game 2 loser, 3 p.m. Game 4 — Middle Tennessee (44-16) vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 3 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m., if necessary At Oxford-University Stadium Oxford, Miss. Friday, May 29 Game 1 — Western Kentucky 11, Missouri 5 Game 2 — Mississippi (40-17) vs. Monmouth, N.J. (32-23), 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Missouri (34-26) vs. Game 2 loser, 2 p.m. Game 4 — Western Kentucky (40-18) vs. Game 2 winner, 6 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 6 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 8 p.m., if necessary At Alex Box Stadium Baton Rouge, La. Friday, May 29 LSU 10, Southern U. 2 Game 2 — Minnesota (38-17) vs. Baylor (29-24), 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Southern U. (30-16) vs. Game 2 loser, 2 p.m. Game 4 — LSU (47-16) vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m., if necessary At L. Dale Mitchell Park Norman, Okla. Friday, May 29 Arkansas 10, Washington State 3 Game 2 — Oklahoma (41-18) vs. Wichita State (3025), 8 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Washington State (31-24) vs. Game 2 loser, 2 p.m. Game 4 — Arkansas (35-22) vs. Game 2 winner, 8 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 8 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 8 p.m., if necessary At Reckling Park Houston Friday, May 29 Kansas State 16, Xavier 8 Game 2 — Rice (39-15) vs. Sam Houston State (3622), 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Xavier (38-20) vs. Game 2 loser, 3 p.m. Game 4 — Kansas State (42-16-1) vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 3 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m., if necessary At Lupton Baseball Stadium Fort Worth, Texas Friday, May 29 Oregon State 9, Texas A&M 8 Game 2 — TCU (36-16) vs. Wright State (33-28), 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Texas A&M (36-23) vs. Game 2 loser, 3 p.m. Game 4 — Oregon State (36-17) vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 3 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m., if necessary At UFCU Disch-Falk Field Austin, Texas Friday, May 29 Boston College 8, Texas State 7 Game 2 — Texas (41-13-1) vs. Army (34-19), 7 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Texas State (41-16) vs. Game 2 loser, 2 p.m. Game 4 — Boston College (34-24) vs. Game 2 winner, 7 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 2 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 7 p.m., if necessary At Packard Stadium Tempe, Ariz. Friday, May 29 Game 1 — Oral Roberts 13, Cal Poly 3 Game 2 — Arizona State (44-12) vs. Kent State (4215), 10 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Cal Poly (37-20) vs. Game 2 loser, 5 p.m. Game 4 — Oral Roberts (32-13) vs. Game 2 winner, 10 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 4 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 9 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 9 p.m., if necessary At Anteater Ballpark Irvine, Calif. Friday, May 29 Game 1 — Virginia (43-12-1) vs. San Diego State (40-21), 7 p.m. Game 2 — UC Irvine (43-13) vs. Fresno State (3228), 11 p.m. Saturday, May 30

SATURDAY,MAY 30,2009 Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 7 p.m. Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 11 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 7 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 11 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 11 p.m., if necessary At Goodwin Field Fullerton, Calif. Friday, May 29 Game 1 — Georgia Southern (42-15) vs. Gonzaga (35-16), 6 p.m. Game 2 — Cal State Fullerton (42-14) vs. Utah (2629), 10 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Game 3 — Game 1 loser vs. Game 2 loser, 5 p.m. Game 4 — Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner, 9 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Game 5 — Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 loser, 5 p.m. Game 6 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 9 p.m. Monday, June 1 Game 7 — Game 4 winner vs. Game 5 winner, 9 p.m., if necessary

NBA playoffs All Times EDT FIRST ROUND (Best of 7) Saturday, April 18 Chicago 105, Boston 103, OT Cleveland 102, Detroit 84 Dallas 105, San Antonio 97 Houston 108, Portland 81 Sunday, April 19 L.A. Lakers 113, Utah 100 Philadelphia 100, Orlando 98 Atlanta 90, Miami 64 Denver 113, New Orleans 84 Monday, April 20 Boston 118, Chicago 115 San Antonio 105, Dallas 84 Tuesday, April 21 Cleveland 94, Detroit 82 Portland 107, Houston 103 L.A. Lakers 119, Utah 109 Wednesday, April 22 Orlando 96, Philadelphia 87 Miami 108, Atlanta 93 Denver 108, New Orleans 93 Thursday, April 23 Boston 107, Chicago 86 Dallas 88, San Antonio 67 Utah 88, L.A. Lakers 86 Friday, April 24 Cleveland 79, Detroit 68 Philadelphia 96, Orlando 94 Houston 86, Portland 83 Saturday, April 25 New Orleans 95, Denver 93 Dallas 99, San Antonio 90 Miami 107, Atlanta 78 L.A. Lakers 108, Utah 94 Sunday, April 26 Chicago 121, Boston 118, 2OT Cleveland 99, Detroit 78, Cleveland wins series 40 Orlando 84, Philadelphia 81 Houston 89, Portland 88 Monday, April 27 Atlanta 81, Miami 71 Denver 121, New Orleans 63 L.A. Lakers 107, Utah 96, L.A. Lakers win series 41 Tuesday, April 28 Boston 106, Chicago 104, OT Orlando 91, Philadelphia 78 Dallas 106, San Antonio 93, Dallas wins series 4-1 Portland 88, Houston 77 Wednesday, April 29 Atlanta 106, Miami 91 Denver 107, New Orleans 86, Denver wins series 4-1 Thursday, April 30 Orlando 114, Philadelphia 89, Orlando wins series 4-2 Chicago 128, Boston 127, 3OT Houston 92, Portland 76, Houston wins series 4-2 Friday, May 1 Miami 98, Atlanta 72 Saturday, May 2 Boston 109, Chicago 99, Boston wins series 4-3 Sunday, May 3 Atlanta 91, Miami 78, Atlanta wins series 4-3 CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS (Best-of-7) Sunday, May 3 Denver 109, Dallas 95 Monday, May 4 Orlando 95, Boston 90 Houston 100, L.A. Lakers 92 Tuesday, May 5 Cleveland 99, Atlanta 72 Denver 117, Dallas 105 Wednesday, May 6 Boston 112, Orlando 94 L.A. Lakers 111, Houston 98 Thursday, May 7 Cleveland 105, Atlanta 85 Friday, May 8 Orlando 117, Boston 96 L.A. Lakers 108, Houston 94 Saturday, May 9 Denver 106, Dallas 105 Cleveland 97, Atlanta 82 Sunday, May 10 Houston 99, L.A. Lakers 87 Boston 95, Orlando 94 Monday, May 11 Cleveland 84, Atlanta 74, Cleveland wins series 40 Dallas 119, Denver 117 Tuesday, May 12 Boston 92, Orlando 88 L.A. Lakers 118, Houston 78 Wednesday, May 13 Denver 124, Dallas 110, Denver wins series 4-1 Thursday, May 14 Orlando 83, Boston 75 Houston 95, L.A. Lakers 80 Sunday, May 17 L.A. Lakers 89, Houston 70, L.A. Lakers win series 4-3 Orlando 101, Boston 82, Orlando wins series 4-3 CONFERENCE FINALS (Best-of-7) Tuesday, May 19 L.A. Lakers 105, Denver 103 Wednesday, May 20 Orlando 107, Cleveland 106 Thursday, May 21 Denver 106, L.A. Lakers 103 Friday, May 22 Cleveland 96, Orlando 95 Saturday, May 23 L.A. Lakers 103, Denver 97 Sunday, May 24 Orlando 99, Cleveland 89 Monday, May 25 Denver 120, L.A. Lakers 101 Tuesday, May 26 Orlando 116, Cleveland 114, OT Wednesday, May 27 L.A. Lakers 103, Denver 94, L.A. Lakers lead series 3-2 Thursday, May 28 Cleveland 112, Orlando 102, Orlando leads series 32 Friday, May 29 L.A. Lakers at Denver, 9 p.m. Saturday, May 30 Cleveland at Orlando, 8:30 p.m. Sunday, May 31 Denver at L.A. Lakers, 8:30 p.m., if necessary Monday, June 1 Orlando at Cleveland, 8:30 p.m., if necessary NBA FINALS (Best-of-7) Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference Thursday, June 4 Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference, 9 p.m. Sunday, June 7 Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference, 8 p.m. Tuesday, June 9 Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference, 9 p.m. Thursday, June 11 Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference, 9 p.m. Sunday, June 14 Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference, 8 p.m., if necssary Tuesday, June 16 Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference, 9 p.m., if necessary Thursday, June 18 Eastern Conference vs. Western Conference, 9 p.m., if necessary

NFL Preseason Schedule All Times EDT Subject to Change Sunday, Aug. 9 Buffalo vs. Tennessee at Canton, Ohio, 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 13 New England at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m. Washington at Baltimore, 7:30 p.m. Arizona at Pittsburgh, 8 p.m. Dallas at Oakland, 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14 St. Louis at N.Y. Jets, 7 p.m. Minnesota at Indianapolis, 7:30 p.m. Cincinnati at New Orleans, 8 p.m. Denver at San Francisco, 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 15 Atlanta at Detroit, 4 p.m. Chicago at Buffalo, 7 p.m. Cleveland at Green Bay, 8 p.m. Houston at Kansas City, 8 p.m. Tampa Bay at Tennessee, 8 p.m. Seattle at San Diego, 10 p.m. Monday, Aug. 17 Jacksonville at Miami, 7:30 p.m. Carolina at N.Y. Giants, 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 20 Cincinnati at New England, 7:30 p.m. Philadelphia at Indianapolis, 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 21 Tennessee at Dallas, 8 p.m. Atlanta at St. Louis, 8 p.m. Kansas City at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 Carolina at Miami, 7:30 p.m. Detroit at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. Pittsburgh at Washington, 7:30 p.m. Tampa Bay at Jacksonville, 7:30 p.m. Buffalo at Green Bay, 8 p.m. New Orleans at Houston, 8 p.m. N.Y. Giants at Chicago, 8 p.m. Oakland at San Francisco, 8:15 p.m. San Diego at Arizona, 10 p.m. Denver at Seattle, 10:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 24 N.Y. Jets at Baltimore, 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 27 Jacksonville at Philadelphia, 7 p.m. St. Louis at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. Miami at Tampa Bay, 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28 New England at Washington, 8 p.m. Green Bay at Arizona, 10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29 Indianapolis at Detroit, 1 p.m. New Orleans at Oakland, 4 p.m. Buffalo at Pittsburgh, 7:30 p.m. Tennessee at Cleveland, 7:30 p.m. San Diego at Atlanta, 8 p.m. Baltimore at Carolina, 8 p.m. N.Y. Jets at N.Y. Giants, 8 p.m. San Francisco at Dallas, 8 p.m. Seattle at Kansas City, 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30 Chicago at Denver, 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31

Minnesota at Houston, 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3 Detroit at Buffalo, 6:30 p.m. Philadelphia at N.Y. Jets, 7 p.m. Baltimore at Atlanta, 7:30 p.m. Indianapolis at Cincinnati, 7:30 p.m. N.Y. Giants at New England, 7:30 p.m. Washington at Jacksonville, 7:30 p.m. Cleveland at Chicago, 8 p.m. Green Bay at Tennessee, 8 p.m. Kansas City at St. Louis, 8 p.m. Miami at New Orleans, 8 p.m. Pittsburgh at Carolina, 8 p.m. Arizona at Denver, 9 p.m. Oakland at Seattle, 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4 Houston at Tampa Bay, 7 p.m. Dallas at Minnesota, 8 p.m. San Francisco at San Diego, 10 p.m.

2009 NFL Free Agent Signings List ARIZONA CARDINALS—Signed Dominque Byrd, TE; Oliver Ross, OT; Anthony Becht, TE; Mike Leach, LS; Rodney Leisle, DT; Keith Lewis, S; Bryant McFadden, CB; and Donovan Raiola, C. Resigned 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 Kelley Washington, WR; John Beck, QB; Chris Carr, CB/KR; Domonique Foxworth, CB; and L.J. Smith, TE. Agreed to terms with Matt Birk, C; and Ray Lewis, LB. Re-signed Samari Rolle, CB. BUFFALO BILLS—Signed Dominic Rhodes, RB; 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; Nate Salley, S; James Anderson, LB. CHICAGO BEARS—Signed Pisa Tinoisamoa, LB; 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 Roy Williams, S; Laveranues Coles, WR; J.T. O’Sullivan, QB; and Jeremi Johnson, FB. Re-signed Cedric Benson, RB; Darryl Blackstock, LB; Chris Crocker, S; DeDe Dorsey, RB; and Jamar Fletcher, CB. Agreed to terms with Tank Johnson, DT, and Brandon Johnson, LB. CLEVELAND BROWNS—Signed Rod Hood, DB; Mike Furrey, WR; 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 Miles Austin, WR; Alonzo Coleman, RB; Rodney Hannah, TE; Cory Procter, G; and Stephen Bowen, DE. DENVER BRONCOS—Signed Darius Walker, RB; Nick Greisen, LB; Brandon Gorin, OL; 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 Larry Foote, LB; Terrelle Smith, FB; Ronald Curry, WR; 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. Re-signed Tory Humphrey, TE. HOUSTON TEXANS—Signed LB Buster Davis; LB Cato June; Shaun Cody, DT; Darrell McClover, LB; Dan Orlovsky, QB; and Antonio Smith, DE. Resigned Joel Dreessen, TE; Nick Ferguson, S; Chris White, C; Eugene Wilson, S; and Rashad Butler, T. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS—Signed Adam Seward, LB. Re-signed Ed Johnson, DL; Freddie Keiaho, LB; Matt Giordano, S; Lance Ball, RB; Kelvin Hayden, CB; Jeff Saturday, C; Tyjuan Hagler, LB, Dan Federkeil, OL. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS—Signed Sean Considine, S; Tra Thomas, T; Torry Holt, WR. Re-signed Brad Meester, C; Scott Starks, CB; and Joe Zelenka, LS. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS— Signed Monte Beisel, LB; Terrance Copper, WR; Tony Curtis, TE; Bobby Engram, WR; Eric Ghiaciuc, C; Mike Goff, G; LS Tanner Purdum; Sean Ryan, TE; Zach Thomas, LB; and Rodney Wright, 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 Jason Taylor, LB; 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-OTis Grigsby, DL; and Fred Evans, DT. Signed Cedric Griffin, CB; Glenn Holt, WR; and Karl Paymah, CB. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS—Signed Paris Lenon; LB; Brandon McGowan, S; Vinnie Ciurciu, LB; 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; resigned 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 D’Juan Woods, WR; Darnell Dinkins, TE; Heath Evans, FB; Jabari Greer, CB; Nick Leckey, C; Pierson Prioleau, S; Paul Spicer, DL; Rod Coleman, DT; Darren Sharper, S; and Dan Campbell, TE. Re-signed Joey Harrington, QB; Devery Henderson, WR; Courtney Roby, WRKR; Jon Stinchcomb, T; Jonathan Vilma, LB; and Troy Evans, LB. 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). Agreed to terms with Kevin Dockery, CB. 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 Lorenzo Neal, FB; Gary Russell, RB; Jeff Garcia, QB; Khalif Barnes, T; Marcus Johnson, T; Ryan Boschetti, DT; Jason Horton, DB; Erik Pears, T. Re-signed Nnamdi Asomugha, DB; Cooper Carlisle, G; Isaiah Ekejiuba, LB; Shane Lechler, P; Justin Miller, CB; Sam Williams, LB; William Joseph, DT; and Chris Johnson, CB. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES—Signed Stacy Andrews, OT; Rashad Baker, S; Sean Jones, S; and Leonard Weaver, FB. Re-signed Tank Daniels, LB; Joselio Hanson, CB; Nick Cole, OL; and Hank Baskett, WR. PITTSBURGH STEELERS—Signed Piotr Czech, K; Jayson Foster, WR; Dirk Johnson, P; Shaun McDonald, WR; Keiwan Ratliff, CB; Re-signed Charlie Batch, QB; Keyaron Fox, LB; 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 Billy Bajema, TE; Kyle Boller, QB; Jason Brown, OL; James Butler, S; and Mike Karney, FB. Re-signed Oshiomoghe Atogwe, S (f); Ron Bartell, CB; Adam Goldberg, G; and Mark Setterstrom, G. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS—Agreed to terms with Kevin Burnett, LB. Re-signed Kynan Forney, G. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS—Signed Marques Harris, LB; Demetric Evans, DE; Damon Huard, QB; and Brandon Jones, WR; and ; Marvel Smith, T. Resigned Moran Norris, FB; Allen Rossum, CB-KR; and Takeo Spikes, LB. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS—Signed Colin Cole, DT; T.J. Houshmandzadeh, WR; Mike Hass, WR; Ryan Senser, LS; John Tereshinski, TE; and John Owens, TE. Re-signed Leroy Hill, LB (f); and Ray Willis, OL. Agreed to terms with D.D. Lewis, LB; Justin Griffith, FB; and Ken Lucas, CB. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS—Signed Byron Leftwich, QB; 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; Patrick Ramsey, QB; Nate Washington, WR; DeMarcus Faggins, CB, TE Bo Scaife (f). Re-signed Rob Bironas, K; Kerry Collins, QB; Vincent Fuller, DB. Agreed to terms with Craig Hentrich, P. WASHINGTON REDSKINS—Signed Mike Williams, G; Roydell Williams, WR; 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

French Open Seeds Fared Friday At Stade Roland Garros Paris Men Second Round Novak Djokovic (4), Serbia, def. Sergiy Stakhovsky, Ukraine, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. Philipp Kohlschreiber (29), Germany, def. Juan Carlos Ferrero, Spain, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3. Third Round Rafael Nadal (1), Spain, def. Lleyton Hewitt, Australia, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1. Andy Murray (3), Britain, def. Janko Tipsarevic, Serbia, 7-6 (3), 6-3, retired. Victor Hanescu (30), Romania, def. Gilles Simon (7), France, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Fernando Verdasco (8), Spain, def. Nicolas Almagro (31), Spain, 6-2, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (8). Nikolay Davydenko (10), Russia, def. Stanislas Wawrinka (17), Switzerland, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Fernando Gonzalez (12), Chile, def. Josselin Ouanna, France, 7-5, 6-3, 7-5. Marin Cilic (13), Croatia, def. Radek Stepanek (18), Czech Republic, 6-1, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Robin Soderling (23), Sweden, def. David Ferrer (14), Spain, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (5). Women Third Round Dinara Safina (1), Russia, def. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (27), Russia, 6-2, 6-0. Agnes Szavay (29), Hungary, def. Venus Williams (3), United States, 6-0, 6-4. Ana Ivanovic (8), Serbia, def. Iveta Benesova (32), Czech Republic, 6-0, 6-2. Dominika Cibulkova (20), Slovakia, def. Gisela Dulko, Argentina, 6-4, 6-2. Li Na (25), China, def. Olga Govortsova, Belarus, 7-5, 6-1.

French Open Results Friday At Stade Roland Garros Paris Purse: $21.8 million (Grand Slam) Surface: Clay-Outdoor Singles Men Second Round Novak Djokovic (4), Serbia, def. Sergiy Stakhovsky, Ukraine, 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. Philipp Kohlschreiber (29), Germany, def. Juan Carlos Ferrero, Spain, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-3.

Third Round Fernando Verdasco (8), Spain, def. Nicolas Almagro (31), Spain, 6-2, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (8). Fernando Gonzalez (12), Chile, def. Josselin Ouanna, France, 7-5, 6-3, 7-5. Nikolay Davydenko (10), Russia, def. Stanislas Wawrinka (17), Switzerland, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Marin Cilic (13), Croatia, def. Radek Stepanek (18), Czech Republic, 6-1, 7-6 (4), 6-3. Victor Hanescu (30), Romania, def. Gilles Simon (7), France, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. Rafael Nadal (1), Spain, def. Lleyton Hewitt, Australia, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1. Robin Soderling (23), Sweden, def. David Ferrer (14), Spain, 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-2, 7-6 (5). Andy Murray (3), Britain, def. Janko Tipsarevic, Serbia, 7-6 (3), 6-3, retired. Women Third Round Aravane Rezai, France, def. Michelle Larcher de Brito, Portugal, 7-6 (3), 6-2. Ana Ivanovic (8), Serbia, def. Iveta Benesova (32), Czech Republic, 6-0, 6-2. Dominika Cibulkova (20), Slovakia, def. Gisela Dulko, Argentina, 6-4, 6-2. Agnes Szavay (29), Hungary, def. Venus Williams (3), U.S., 6-0, 6-4. Dinara Safina (1), Russia, def. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (27), Russia, 6-2, 6-0. Li Na (25), China, def. Olga Govortsova, Belarus, 7-5, 6-1. Maria Sharapova, Russia, def. Yaroslava Shvedova, Kazakhstan, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4. Victoria Azarenka (9), Belarus, vs. Carla Suarez Navarro (22), Spain, 5-7, 7-5, susp., darkness. Doubles Men First Round Mahesh Bhupathi, India/Mark Knowles (4), Bahamas, def. Josselin Ouanna/Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, France, 6-3, 6-2. Second Round Simon Aspelin, Sweden/Paul Hanley, Australia, def. Frantisek Cermak, Czech Republic/Michal Mertinak (12), Slovakia, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Pablo Cuevas, Uruguay/Luis Horna (8), Peru, def. Julian Knowle/Jurgen Melzer, Austria, 6-3, 6-4. Jaroslav Levinsky, Czech Republic/Igor Zelenay, Slovakia, def. Marcel Granollers/Santiago Ventura, Spain, 6-3, 6-2. Marc Lopez/Tommy Robredo, Spain, def. Mariusz Fyrstenberg/Marcin Matkowski (6), Poland, 6-4, 4-6, 64. Julien Benneteau/Nicolas Mahut, France, def. Travis Parrott, U.S./Filip Polasek (15), Slovakia, 6-2, 6-4. Wesley Moodie, South Africa/Dick Norman, Belgium, def. Jan Hernych, Czech Republic/Christophe Rochus, Belgium, 6-4, 6-4. Bruno Soares, Brazil/Kevin Ullyett (5), Zimbabwe, def. Simone Bolelli/Andreas Seppi, Italy, 6-3, 6-1. Michael Kohlmann/Alexander Waske, Germany, def. Lukasz Kubot, Poland/Oliver Marach (9), Austria, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (5). Lukas Dlouhy, Czech Republic/Leander Paes (3), India, def. James Cerretani, U.S./Sergiy Stakhovsky, Ukraine, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Igor Kunitsyn/Dmitry Tursunov, Russia, def. Fabio Fognini, Italy/Teimuraz Gabashvili, Russia, 62, 6-3. Women Second Round Anabel Medina Garrigues/Virginia Ruano Pascual (3), Spain, def. Ekaterina Dzehalevich, Belarus/Andreja Klepac, Slovenia, 6-2, 6-4. Bethanie Mattek-Sands, U.S./Nadia Petrova (10), Russia, def. Alona/Kateryna Bondarenko, Ukraine, 61, 6-3. Agnieszka/Urszula Radwanska, Poland, def. Chuang Chia-jung, Taiwan/Sania Mirza (14), India, 46, 7-6 (5), 6-3. Samantha Stosur/Rennae Stubbs (4), Australia, def. Lourdes Dominguez Lino, Spain/Sara Errani, Italy, 6-3, 6-4. Cara Black, Zimbabwe/Liezel Huber (1), U.S., def. Jelena Dokic, Australia/Alisa Kleybanova, Russia, walkover. Serena/Venus Williams (5), U.S., def. Gisela Dulko, Argentina/Agnes Szavay, Hungary, 2-6, 6-1, 6-2. Mixed First Round Flavia Pennetta, Italy/Dusan Vemic, Serbia, def. Kveta Peschke/Frantisek Cermak, Czech Republic, 75, 6-1. Vania King, U.S./Marcelo Melo, Brazil, def. Virginia Ruano Pascual, Spain/Stephen Huss (8), Australia, 6-4, 6-3. Liezel Huber/Bob Bryan (1), U.S., def. Bethanie Mattek-Sands, U.S./Kevin Ullyett, Zimbabwe, 7-6 (6), 6-3.

USTA-L.A. Tennis Open Friday At Home Depot Center Carson, Calif. Purse: $50,000 Surface: Hardcourt-Outdoor Men Singles Quarterfinals Michael Russell (6), U.S., def. Jesse Witten, U.S., 6-1, 6-4. Michael Yani, U.S., def. Nick Lindahl, U.S., 6-2, 64. Lester Cook, U.S., def. Danai Udomchoke (2), Thailand, 6-3, 6-4. Michael Ryderstedt, Sweden, def. Fritz Wolmarans, South Africa, 6-1, 6-3. Doubles Semifinals Carsten Ball, Australia/Travis Rettenmaier (2), U.S., def. Todd Widom/Michael Yani, U.S., 6-0, 7-6 (4). Harsh Mankad, India/Frederik Nielsen, Denmark, def. G.D. Jones, New Zealand/Scott Oudsema, U.S., 63, 6-1, 10-2 tiebreak. Women Singles Quarterfinals Valerie Tetreault, Canada, def. Nicole Gibbs, U.S., 6-1, 6-1. Julia Cohen, U.S., def. Stacey Tan, U.S., 6-1, 6-7 (2), 6-2, Laura Granville, U.S., def. Julia Glushko, Israel, 6-3, 6-0. Alexandra Stevenson (8), U.S., def. Kristie Ahn, U.S., 6-2, 6-4. Doubles Semifinals Monique Adamczak/Nicole Kriz (2), Australia, def. Shikha Uberoi, India/Mashona Washington, U.S., 6-4, 6-2. Laura Granville/Riza Zalameda, U.S., def. MariaFernanda Alves, Brazil/Alina Jidkova (1), Russia, 61, 6-4.

2010 World Cup Qualifying All Times EDT NORTH AND CENTRAL AMERICA AND CARIBBEAN FINALS Top three qualify Fourth-place team advances to playoff vs. South America fifth-place team GP W D LGFGAPts United States 3 2 1 0 7 2 7 Costa Rica 3 2 0 1 3 2 6 Honduras 3 1 1 1 4 4 4 Mexico 3 1 0 2 3 5 3 El Salvador 3 0 2 1 4 5 2 Trinidad 3 0 2 1 3 6 2 Wednesday, June 3 At San Jose, Costa Rica Costa Rica vs. United States, 10 p.m. Saturday, June 6 At Bacolet, Tobago Trinidad and Tobago vs. Costa Rica, 6:05 p.m. At Chicago United States vs. Honduras, 8:27 p.m. At San Salvador, El Salvador El Salvador vs. Mexico, 10 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 At San Pedro Sula, Honduras Honduras vs. El Salvador, 9:30 p.m. At Mexico City Mexico vs. Trinidad and Tobago, 10 p.m. EUROPE Winners qualify Top eight second-place teams advance to European playoffs GROUP ONE GP W D LGFGAPts Denmark 5 4 1 012 2 13 Hungary 6 4 1 1 8 2 13 Portugal 5 1 3 16 3 6 Sweden 4 1 3 02 1 6 Albania 7 1 3 33 6 6 Malta 7 0 1 6 0 17 1 Saturday, June 6 At Stockholm Sweden vs. Denmark, 2 p.m. At Tirana, Albania Albania vs. Portugal, 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 At Goteborg, Sweden Sweden vs. Malta, 1 p.m. GROUP TWO GP W D LGFGAPts Greece 6 4 1 112 4 13 Switzerland 6 4 1 111 6 13 Latvia 6 3 1 210 6 10 Israel 6 2 3 110 8 9 Luxembourg 6 1 1 4 3 13 4 Moldova 6 0 1 5 2 11 1 No games scheduled GROUP THREE GP W D LGFGAPts Northern Ireland7 4 1 2 12 6 13 Slovakia 5 4 0 110 6 12 Poland 6 3 1 218 7 10 Czech Republic 6 2 2 2 6 4 8 Slovenia 6 2 2 25 4 8 San Marino 6 0 0 6 1 25 0 Saturday, June 6 At Bratislava, Slovakia Slovakia vs. San Marino, 11:30 a.m. GROUP FOUR GP W D LGFGAPts Germany 6 5 1 018 4 16 Russia 5 4 0 1 9 3 12 Finland 4 2 1 16 6 7 Wales 6 2 0 44 7 6 Azerbaijan 4 0 1 3 0 4 1 Liechtenstein 5 0 1 4 0 13 1 Saturday, June 6 At Baku, Azerbaijan Azerbaijan vs. Wales, 11 a.m. At Helsinki Finland vs. Liechtenstein, noon Wednesday, June 10 At Helsinki Finland vs. Russia, 1:30 p.m. GROUP FIVE GP W D LGFGAPts Spain 6 6 0 013 2 18 Bosnia-Herz. 6 4 0 218 7 12 Turkey 6 2 2 26 5 8 Belgium 6 2 1 310 11 7 Estonia 6 1 2 3 5 15 5 Armenia 6 0 1 5 3 15 1 No games scheduled GROUP SIX GP W D LGFGAPts England 5 5 0 016 4 15 Croatia 5 3 1 110 4 10 Ukraine 4 2 1 15 3 7 Belarus 4 2 0 29 6 6 Kazakhstan 5 1 0 4 6 16 3 Andorra 5 0 0 5 1 14 0 Saturday, June 6 At Almaty, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan vs. England, 11 a.m. At Grodno, Belarus Belarus vs. Andorra, noon At Zagreb, Croatia Croatia vs. Ukraine, 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, June 10 At Kiev, Ukraine Ukraine vs. Kazakhstan, 1 p.m. At Wembley, England England vs. Andorra, 3:15 p.m. GROUP SEVEN GP W D LGFGAPts Serbia 5 4 0 112 5 12 France 5 3 1 1 7 6 10 Lithuania 6 3 0 36 5 9 Austria 5 2 1 27 7 7 Romania 5 1 1 3 6 10 4 Faeroe Islands4 0 1 3 1 5 1

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2009

THE ZAPATA TIMES | 3B

Sports

ADVICE | HELOISE Dear Heloise: Hopefully you can come to my rescue. I have a very nice front porch and have FERN HANGING BASKETS along the front. Birds build nests in the baskets, and I cannot water the ferns for fear that I will drown the babies. Is there anything I can put in the baskets to discourage the birds from building nests and hatching babies in the baskets? I love the birds, but they are ruining my hanging baskets. — Shirley Heist, Nashville, Tenn. Shirley, I know what you mean! Some people have had good results from putting a ceramic or fake owl close to the baskets. Light catchers also work. Dorothy Jones of Youngstown, Ohio, may just have the answer to your problem. She had a similar situation and solved it by hanging wind chimes close to the baskets. Birds don’t like them, and most of us do! You can make a free one from old knives and forks, using fishing line to tie them up hanging at different lengths. — Heloise PET PAL Dear Readers: Laura Cote of Manchester, N.H., sent a photo of Leadbelly, her beautiful pewtercolored cat with yellow eyes. Laura says: “When I adopted my wonderful cat from our local shelter, he had had his belly shaved to be surgically altered. His tummy was the softest thing I’d ever felt. It took several days for me to find an appropriate name for him. I finally chose Leadbelly (after an old blues singer). This name fits him to a ‘T’ and brings many smiles to people hearing of him. He is a truly personable boy who brings much joy

“

HELOISE

to my husband and me.” To see the photo of Leadbelly, visit www.Heloise.com. — Heloise BIRDSEED STORAGE Dear Heloise: My husband and I both enjoy watching the birds at the feeder, so we have extra birdseed available. We normally keep it in the garage. In order to keep any little critters from helping themselves to the food, we now keep it in an ice chest, and haven’t had any mess to clean up. This works for us. We enjoy your column. — L.M. Schmidt, Kane, Pa. Thanks for the hint! A sturdy ice chest is perfect to store birdseed. Any container that is waterproof and has a tightfitting lid works, too. — Heloise CAT HAIRBALLS Dear Readers: Hairballs can be such a problem for cats and kittens! The fur that is ingested as the cats are grooming themselves usually just passes through, but in some cases, if there is a lot of hair, the cat gags and throws it up. You can put just a small dab of plain petroleum jelly under the cat’s nose or on the paws once a day for three to four days. As the cat licks it off, the petroleum jelly will soften the hairball, making elimination easier. There also are commercial products available that your veterinarian can suggest. — Heloise

DAILY CRYPTOQUOTES — Here’s how to work it:

Zclassified REAL ESTATE

HOMES FOR SALE 61

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

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 For sale by owner, 3bd/2ba, 1,460 sqft., 4226 Capital Lane (Freedom Park) $110,000 (956)220-6708 Income property in Heights. Two houses on a 69 x 139 lot, also includes an extra 35 x 139 lot. $173,500 Call:334-2442

LOTS FOR SALE

10126 Caballo, LOT FOR SALE, San Isidro, Ruidoso Sub. $54,500 OBO Call (956) 285-6947 Next to IH-35 2302 Santa Ursula, Corner lot $119,000 OBO Call 740-4142 Oportunidad! Terreno 8,064 Sq.Ft. en Los Presidentes Solo $35,000 Call 744-3299

PETS & SUPPLIES

PETS & SUPPLIES 128 Pastor Aleman. 5 semanas, $150 Call 237-1333

LIVESTOCK & SUPPLIES 130 PETS & SUPPLIES 128 Adorable mix Chihuahua Poodle puppy, 6 wks, . 3 male, 1female. $40 each

722-3469 ; 645-9079 Basenji Puppies, 5 months, small breed $200 Call 237-1333

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FAMILY CIRCUS

Chihuahua Toy Puppies M/F $200 229-4027 ARTICLES FOR SALE 136 2 lthr. sofas, side table, T.V. stand, book shelf, desk & filing cabinet (all wood) everything like new $2,750. Call: 724-2864 Hobart commercial 2 door warmer, large, $595 obo. Call:(956)744-0019

BY PHONE: (956) 728-2527 ARTICLES FOR SALE 136 New Anjolique wedding dress, ivory, strapless, size 8-10,arrived wrong size and can’t return, must sell & willing to make pymt. arrangements. $1,300 obo. Call 693-0303

SPORTING GOODS 142 Beretta 9mm, asault rifle, Ruger GP100 $350 and up Call:(956)235-3841

CAMPERS & RV’S 191 Thor Columbus MH ‘94 extra clean interior, 34k mi; new tires; A/C; fully self contained; runs great. $13,500 SOLD

HEAVY EQUIPMENT 192 Camion Internacional ‘99 caja 24” Automatic, $18,000 Recien reparado Call 744-3299 Dry van for sale, ‘95, 53ft., air suspension, good condition, $5,000. Call(956)523-9269 Freightliner ‘00, good condition, hwy. ready, good tires, $15,000. Call(956)523-9269

TRUCKS FOR SALE198 SPORT MOMS! GMC Suburban ‘1994, loaded, A/C, leather power seats& windows, DVD.Very well kept, must see to appreciate. $3,650 obo. 956-744-0719 (Leo) after 1:00pm.

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TRUCKS FOR SALE198 Toyota 4-Runner ‘87, removable top, 4x4, CB/PA system, aluminum wheels, $2,300 obo. Call727-2922 TOYOTA TUNDRA ‘04 V8, $6,800 O.B.O. CALL 324-0484

CARS FOR SALE

200

Chevy Cavalier ‘00, 4cyl., auto, A/C, custom rims, $2,000. Call:(956)796-1069 Chevy Cavalier ‘03, A/C, blue title, low mi., like new, $5,500 will negotiate Call:(956)337-1160 Chevy Malibu ‘98, perfect condition, blue title, A/C, CD, never wrecked, $2,200 Call:242-3818; 725-0131

CARS FOR SALE

200

Mercury Grand Marquis ‘99, very good condition, a/c, 91k mi., blue title, $4,000 Call:(956)236-3792; 242-9361 Nissan Sentra 2007, 2.0 S “GREAT COMMUTER CAR” 35MPG, milage 29,000 $11,500. 319-1730 Saturn LS ‘98, 4cyl., 5spd., A/C, blue title, new tires & bat. $1,950. ph#754-6962

Sell it Fast With Classified!

4B | THE ZAPATA TIMES

Sports

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2009

BOWLERS | Continued from Page 1B only ones enjoying Falcon Lanes. “When my nephew comes down from San Antonio, he’ll tell me … ‘call all my cousins and let’s go to the bowling alley.’ So I’ll start calling and I’ll try to get a mom or two in here with me,” Montes said, laughing. “I’ll bring five or six nieces and nephews. There’s food here, so we’ll eat and just have fun. “Before, there wasn’t much for kids to do,” Montes said. “This is something good that they can enjoy.” On Wednesday nights, there’s a new attraction for Zapata’s grown-ups. “Here recently they’ve started doing karaoke inside the bar area for adults,” the friendly Montes said, noting the facility has a full bar. “That’s something else to do, and it’s also fun.” In addition to the leagues, Falcon Lanes sponsors various fundraising activities that help cover everything from school function expenses to funeral costs. “When (we) opened Falcon Lanes, we also wanted to

help the Zapata community,” Castañeda said. “It is a good partnership.” Today, for example, a fundraiser is set at 6 p.m. to help cover the funeral expenses of Margarita Soto. Teams of five bowlers pay a $30 entry fee each to raise money. The bowling alley also offers locals an opportunity to mix with visiting winter Texans and even pick up a few pointers. “I’ve bowled for recreation in Laredo, San Antonio and Houston, when I lived there, but now we’re learning to be bowlers,” Montes said. “There are semi-pro and even pro players who come in here, winter Texans, and they come up to you and say, ‘let me help you improve that’ to be a better bowler. It’s a great experience. “Bowling keeps you young and keeps your competitive spirit going, in a good way,” Montes added, with contagious enthusiasm. “This is something great for Zapata.” (Diana R. Fuentes contributed to this report.)

SEASON | Continued from Page 1B and co-owners Mark Allen and Dr. Leonard Blach for their patience before naming a rider. Even though a 31st consecutive year has passed without a Triple Crown champion, this season has certainly captured the public’s attention; TV ratings were up as Rachel Alexandra became the first filly in 85 years to win the Preakness, and that came two weeks after fans were still buzzing over Mine That Bird’s incredible 6_length win in the Derby. “It may not be a Triple Crown year, but it’s as far as you can get without having one,” trainer Todd Pletcher said. “It just all adds up to a lot of great stories going into the Belmont.” The field for the 1½-mile Belmont, the longest and most grueling of the three races, is just about set with as many as 10 3-year-olds challenging the Derby winner, including Peter Pan Stakes winner Charitable Man and several horses who ran in the Derby or the Preakness. Jackson said it was a tough call, but he pointed out that Rachel Alexandra has had a tough schedule — five races and five wins since Feb. 15 — and added “we will always put her long-term well being first. And, of course, we want to run her when she is fresh.” Pletcher, who will send out Dunkirk to take on Mine That Bird, knows all about running a filly in the Belmont. He won it two years ago with Rags to Riches, who became the first filly in 102 years to win the “Test of the Champion.” “It could lose some of its luster if the filly doesn’t run, but there’s still Mine That Bird going for the third leg after winning the Derby and running so competitively in the Preakness when he had a question mark coming in,” Pletcher said. So let’s just call this Belmont one for the birds. Mine That Bird is a son of 2004 Belmont winner Birdstone, who spoiled Smarty Jones’ Triple Crown bid with a dramatic come-from-behind, one-length upset. Also expected to run is Summer Bird, another son of Birdstone, who ran sixth in the Derby in only the fourth start of his career. “He’s blossoming at the right time,” Summer Bird’s trainer Tim Ice said. “What I really liked about the Derby was the way he galloped out. I think the (Belmont) distance will suit him.” There’s also the Nick Zito connection. The two-time Belmont winner, who trained Birdstone for owner Marylou Whitney, is pointing three horses to the race — Brave Victory, Miner’s Escape and Nowhere to Hide. All will be long shots, but Zito isn’t worried. Birdstone won at 36-1, Da’ Tara won for him last year at 38-1. “We’ve done well in the Belmont, been consistent, so why not?” Zito said. “I don’t have Secretariat with these, but I don’t have to. You never know. Mine That Bird is definitely the horse to beat, no one can say he’s not. Anyway, there will be a lot of birds.” Whitney isn’t going to be

left out, either. The 83-yearold Saratoga socialite has Luv Gov headed to the 1½mile Belmont. Luv Gov was eighth in the Preakness for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.

Stricker in lead at Colonial By JAIME ARON ASSOCIATED PRESS

Photo by J.D. Pooley | AP

Clemson’s Kyle Stanley watches his tee shot from the 18th hole on Thursday, during the NCAA Divison I Men’s Golf Championship at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio.

Arkansas, A&M headed for NCAA showdown By RUSTY MILLER ASSOCIATED PRESS

TOLEDO, Ohio — David Lingmerth aced the third hole and won his match in the semifinals Friday, helping fourth-seeded Arkansas advance to the NCAA Division I men’s team championship against Texas A&M. While the Razorbacks beat eighth-seeded giant-killer Georgia 3-1-1, seventh-seeded Texas A&M edged sixth-seeded Michigan 31-1 in a dramatic finish in the other semifinal. The Razorbacks and Aggies are both seeking their first golf title. Matt Van Zandt clinched the decisive point for A&M with a conceded birdie after chopping a wedge out of the high rough

from 96 yards to 15 feet from the pin. Georgia beat top-seeded Oklahoma State 3-2 with a late surge earlier in the day’s first quarterfinal. Arkansas and A&M will meet for the title with 18 holes of match play Saturday. Lingmerth, a junior from Sweden, holed a 7-iron from 202 yards to build a 2-up lead. He ended up with a 3-and-2 victory over Georgia’s Hudson Swafford. Other winners for the Razorbacks included Jamie Marshall, 1-up over Adam Mitchell, and Jason Cuthbertson, 2-and-1 over Harris English. Georgia’s Russell Henley defeated Arkansas’ Ethan Tracy 2-and-1. Brian Harman, who had led Georgia to the upset of Oklahoma State, halved his match with Andrew Landry.

FORT WORTH, Texas — From its Ben Hogan trophy room to its status as the longest-running event at its original site, the Colonial Country Club is among the most venerable stops on the PGA Tour. This week, the ol’ course is playing like a pitch-and-putt.

Second straight Steve Stricker shot his second straight 63 on Friday morning, giving him a 14-under 126 total that set records for 36 holes and for any consecutive rounds at the Crowne Plaza Invitational — yet was barely enough to top a leaderboard filled with players taking advantage of light wind and pillowsoft greens. Tim Clark, Vijah Singh and Shaun O’Hair shot 64s on Friday and were lined up right behind Stricker: Clark was one shot back, Singh one more and O’Hair yet another. Jason Day (65) was 10 under, Woody Austin (68) was another stroke back, and Ryan Palmer (63) was 8 under.